davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-02-08
The Eisler Case

As unfolded before tne MOUSE
Committee on Un-Amerlcan Actlvl-
ties, the story of Gerhard Eisler
leaves much to be told. In its cele-
brated report on the Communist
Russian spy ring in Canada, the
Canadian Royal Commission cited
evidence that the ring had links OF
some sort in the United States.
This evidence has now been
strengthened by some of the testi-
mony against Eisler-enough so to
call for careful investigation.
Thus three former Communists,
Including Eisler's sister, have
charged before the House Committee
that Eisler has been top Soviet
agent for years, operating under
several different names in behalf
of the Kremlin-directed Comintern
and exercising special authority over
the Communist Party in this coun-
try. Moreover, though qualifying
their testimony on this point, these
witnesses have described him as a
kew figure who might well have had
dealings with the espionage group
in Canada.
The same suggestion has been
made in the FBI's blistering report
on the man. The report, whose pub
lished text is said to have been
abridged for secrecy purposes, sums
I'D the case in these words: "The
entire pattern of Eisler's activities
since his arrival in the United States
in June, 1941" (although an alien he
was free to work with American
Communists during the war; "is one
of apparent evasion and duplicity
coupled with clandestine but. no less
important activity. He has been in
60 constant contact with important
Communist functionaries and has
frequently been in touch with in
dividuals identified as or strongly
suspected of being Soviet espionage
agents"
For his own part, Eisler has re-
fused to testify under oath before
the House Committee, and his status
as an alien seems to throw some
doubt on just what action should be
taken against him. The committees
view is to have the Justice Depart
ment try to build case against him
on charges of conspiring to over
throw the Government, perjury,
passport Justification, income tax
evasion and contempt of Congress.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

their campaigns would hurt more than
help.
There has been noticeable revival of
Democratic hope in recent days, and
particularly since the Republican con-
trolled Congress assembled. What the
Democratic leadership expects is that
the Republicans in Congress will make
mess of things.
They have already seen Republican
legislators clash harshly over tax reduc-
ton proposals They have glimmerings
of hope that small group of so-called
liberal Republican Senators will stray
from the party reservation and cause
trouble for the COP. This, of course,
is still gamble. The Republicans do
not have 10 make fools of themselves.
There's no law to that effect.
Democratic leaders in Washington
who were hostile to President Roosevelt
except they always supported him in
presidential election years-comment
that tine party can unite pretty well on
Mr.. Truman. They feel that the radical
fringe. which was Mr.. Roosevelts heart
and soul, will in the end turn to Mr.
Truman Where else, they ask, would
this radical group turn? If they split
of from the Truman camp and run
candidate OF their own, they would
merely make certain the victory of
Republican candidate for President. If
they decided to support the Republican,
they would be cutting of their nose to
spite their face.
AS of today, there is no Democrat
other than Mr.. Truman on the horizon
for a presidential nomination in 1948.
Only e fat assertion by him that he
would not accept a nomination and
would not run could bring another
Democrat into the picture. Mr.. Truman
has not repudiated the hat in the ring,
tossed by Mr.. Hannegan. Silence in this
case certainly gives consent, unless Mr..
Truman is concealing something.
In the old Roosevelt days there were
many Democratic leaders always ready to
toss Franklin Delano Roosevelt's hat in
the ring for another presidential nomira-
ton. Former Senator Guffey of Penn
sylvania was one Of the most persistent
President Roosevelt, however, MAIN
tanned battling silence about his po-
litical plans. This he did to perfection
in 1910, when he was to run for third
term Even his then Postmaster Gen.
eral and Democratic National Chair
man, James A. Farley, was mystified
until the very end. In 1914 Mr.. Roose-
velt did make formal announcement of
his candidacy for fourth term few
months before the national convention.
He apparently was driven to this by the
war situation. Mr.. Truman does not
have to say anything, unless he wishes.
Mr.. Hannegan has said It for him.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
CopitoI's Rubber Checks

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
The first banking failure" we have
noticed in long time is the flop of that
little venture of the House of Repre-
sentatives known as the Capitol Hill
Bank 1t seems that $l21,0 got away
from the bank somehow and a good
many members of the House have sud-
denly tired of the banking business and
may call on commercial bank to estab-
lish branch to supplant the embroiled
institution.
But first there is the matter of settling
the $12l 900 deficit in the cash of the
bank" It would take more nerve than
a brass monkey for the House to ask
Congress to make up the loss out of Gov
ernnent funds. The sergeant at arms
and his helpers at the bank were only
being nice to Capitol bigwigs, as the
House wanted them to be, when they
casiled rubber checks for various men,
bers of Congress and former employe.
Apparently the shortage-or most of 1t
is matter of many years standing
and the House hasn't had the heart to
get tough about the bad checks the
bank" cashed.
So here is a ready spot for some of
that steep salary increase members of
the House are getting this year. BY
chipping in $500 each the House men,
bership could take up the bad checks
in a gesture as gallant as that with
which the bank peeled out some $4,000
to one of its slightly careless customers.
Half a century ago the House bank"
got into some kind of hole and MEM
bers were easily sold on the idea that 1t
was the duty Of the taxpayers to pay
for the mistake. An appropriation from
the Treasury was voted But the public
probably would be much more sensitive
now about having its income taxes used
to cover worthless checks cashed by the
House "bank"
Evening star., 1947-02-08
A Future With q Post

The house that hare planned must
cater to
The commonplace as tUell as the fan.
tastic::
PeUter and calico and ormolu,
With ultranoderH oUertones OF plastic.
For 10Th century up to the minute
Fluorescent lighting and an old brass
knocker;
A bust OF Brahms upon my streans-
lined spinet,
And teleuision close to grandnaa,s
rocker.
A fireplace NTH logs OF oak and cedar,
A thermostat bettDeen Colonial prints;
With Supernaan beside McGn6eys
Reader;
With chrome and crystal, rag rugs and
old cFi,stz.
Ny house must be sunbolicGl OF me-
A heterogeneous personality.
CCSETEE MIDDLETON.
Evening star., 1947-02-08

President Truman's hat was cast in
the 1948 ring for him by Democratic Ma
tional Chairman Hannegan-and the act
created no surprise. Despite the fact that
in the early days of Mr.. Truman's occu-
patton of the White House it was gos-
siped that, he did not like the job of
being Chief Executive, and that he
might take himself out of the picture
for tie Democratic presidential nomina-
ton in 1948, it has been clear, and in
creasingly SO as the monthly have gone
by, that nothing short of an accident
could prevent his denomination.
Just why Mr.. Hannegan should have
done this hat casting at dinner for
postmasters in New York 18 months be-
fore the Democratic National Conven-
ton is expected to convene has not been
explained. There never has been any
doubt that Mr.. Hannegan was for the re-
nomination of Mr.. Truman. He, probably
more than any other man, was response
blesfor the selection of Mr.. Truman to
run for Vice President with the late
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1914.
He was given cabinet Office by Pres
ident Truman, an honor which never
came to him at the hands of MIR. Roose-
welt although the latter picked him for
Democratic national chairman. Not a
great deal has been heard from Mr..
Hannegan in recent months. He has
been in Ill health and 1t has been re-
ported he would give up one OF his two
offices because Of it. His New York
speech, however, showed him imnedi-
ately again into the newspaper head
lines.
Mr.. Hannegans estimate of President
Truman's place in the minds and hearts
.of the voters of the country was en-
ethusiastic Certainly Mr.. Truman's pres
tige has been on the up and up in re-
cent months and weeks, although it is
far too early to predict that Mr.. Truman
stands real chance Of reelection. II
he continues to have better breaks" IN
l947 than he Had An 1916 the President
will undoubtedly become real con-
tender and the Republicans will have
to watch their step.
The Democratic candidates in State
and congressional elections last fall suf-
fered greatly from the fact that Mr..
Truman had failed to hold the support
OF Ine maHy u1fcISSAs sIooPS MAieu Lou
voted so long for President Roosevelt.
In fact, Mr.. Truman's prestige or popu-
larity, or both, had slumped to an all
time low before the November elections.
Mr.. Hannegan earlier In the year had
said that the President would get into
the congressional campaign personally.
Mr.. Truman never did. The speech or
speeches he was expected to make were
never made The reason-Democratic
candidates were fearful his entry into
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Hunnegon Is Silent
On Real Challenge
Some Democrats Doubt Value of
Middle-of-Road Appeal
By Doris Fieeson

By Doris Fieeson
There are always first robin to
herald spring and a first loyal liege to
demand denomination Of the incum-
bent President.
The latter distinction seized by ex-
Senator Joseph Guffey during the
Roosevelt reign now rests becomingly
with the newly invigorated Postmaster
General Hannegan. Actually Mr.. Ham
negan~ confirmed only the obvious. An
incumbent President can always be re-
nominated If he wants to be, at least
for second term, and Mr.. Truman has
shown every sign lately Of wanting
to be.
The fresh illumination bears upon
Mr.. Hannegan. Here is tacit notice to
the cavilers, left and right, in the party
that I'm here, I'm in, who now can
displace me?"
Real Challenge Unspoken.
Mr.. Hannegan also left unspoken the
real challenge of 1948 to the Demo-
Gratis: How to elect their candidate
when he is unpopular with the left
wing of that uneasy coalition of left,
right and big city machines which four
times elected Mr.. Roosevelt. In 1914
PAC scourged to the polls the one-third
OF a Nation vote and it saved the
fourth term. In 1916, it stayed home.
Noticeably. Mr.. Hannegan did not
mention Mr.. Roosevelt, which is also the
new White House line. Neither did Mr..
Truman in his congressional message
this year. Instead, the offering is Mr..
Truman himself, the solid man of good
will, leading the country down the mid
die road to peace and prosperity. The
hazard is whether the middle-road ap-
peal can elect Democrat.
Some Democrats believe the new tactic
is a mistake and that those applauding
it are chiefly those who are going to
vote Republican anyway. Certainly here
in Washington the legend of Roosevelt
magic dies hard.
Source of Optimism.
A large part of the new Democratic
optimism springs of course from watch
ing the Republican struggle to coalesce
over the budget, taxes, labor, rent con-
troll, reciprocal trade and other difficult
problems. Legislation is coming slowly
and is inevitably much compromised
along the way in contrast to post-elec-
ton promises.
It appears also that the grass roots are
not amused if Gov. Dwight Green OF
Illinois is any prophet. Following q
conciliatory speech by Speaker Martin
at the Lincoln day dinner here. Gov.
Green not only demanded fulfillment
from Congress of the 20 per cent across
the-board tax reduction, he threatened
that it was an "or else" proposition in
1948. "It can be done, it must be DONE"
Gov. Green said, And would add the
ominous warning, it had better be
done'
This sounds wonderful to the Demo-
Gratis who are sure it can't be done.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Jopun's Munduted Islands

After three months consideration,
replies have been received to the
American proposal sent last Novem-
Der to all members of the Security
Council of United Nations and other
specially interested parties concern
ing the disposition of the island
groups in mid-Pacific inundated to
Japan after World War I. And those
replies, received respectively from
Australia, Britain and Soviet Russia,
all disapprove of the American pro-
posal, albeit for different reasons.
The American argument is that
title to the islands, taken from Ger
many, their former possessor, by the
Versailles Conference, was vested,
not in Japan, but in the League of
Nations, which assigned them to
Japan under mandate. Japan
not only broke flagrantly the terms
of that trusteeship but also lost
physical possession of them through
their conquest by American arms in
the late war. Our Government
therefore felt that the legal position
was clear enough to arrange for
their transfer to us under a
United Nations trusteeship as pro-
vided for under the United Nations
charter.
This line of reasoning, however,
does not convince the three dis
senting nations. They all take the
view that the final disposition of
the inundated islands should await
the general Japanese peace settle
ment, of which it should be part
and parcel. The Russian answer,
which is most categorical, does not
square with Moscow's previous in
sistence that all former League
mandates should be converted into
United Nations trusteeships as soon
as possible. Britain's stand is pre-
sumably accounted for in part by
the fact that she now occupies the
former Italian colonies in Africa
much as we do the Japanese man
dated islands of the Pacific, and
might not relish the formation of
a precedent at this time.
Tt shoilG Of course, .be understood
that none Of the replies raises any
objection to continued American
occupation of the islands. nor any
indication of opposing an. eventual
American-Un Nations trustee
ship. Indeed, Britain implies appro-
baton, while Australia expressly
welcomes that solution. And, equally,
our Government has made it plain
that it intends to control the islands
effectively for our future national
security and would not tolerate any
other disposition of them. The mat
ter therefore would seem to boil
down to an Indefinite continuation
of our de tacto possession and ad-
ministration, since it may be a
couple of years or longer before the
japanese settlement is concluded.
Another thing to be borne in
mind is that this mandate question
does not cover the Bonin and
Ryukyu island groups, which we
conquered at such terrific cost at
Two Jima and Okinawa, and where
we have established major bases OF
high strategic value. Those island
groups were acquired in full sover-
eighty by Japan long before World
War I. They stand, therefore, in the
category of the conquered Italian
colonies in Africa rather than
former mandates of the League Of
Nations.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Apartment House Nuisance

Apartment House Nuisance
To the Editor Of The Star:
Now that the rent problem is receiv-
ing so much attention am wondering
if a poll were to be taken of apartment
tenants how many gladly would have
their rents boosted 10 per cent to Is
per cent, provided that their apart
ments were given much needed renova-
ton as before the war. I, for one,
would welcome such move.
Then in connection with rent boosts
there should be some law that would
give the landlord permission to oust any
tenant who makes nuisance of himself
(or herself) by thudding on the floor.
rapping on the radiator because some
where in the building some one is ham,
Inering or saving or has radio turned
on. In other words, I see no reason
above me because tenant is annoyed
by her neighbors on either side of her.
I get the thuds and raps when there is
noise of any kind in my apartment.
I have complained to the custodian,
the Office from which rent the chief
of police and also the Department OF
Justice But I have been told that my
only recourse is to employ an attorney
and take the offender to court.
do not agree that should take this
step. However, surely there must be
some legal way for the landlord or rent
agency to handle nuisances of this type.
I trust some one who reads this letter
will give me information as to what
steps I can take, short of going to court.
FLORA A. JOHNSON.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Thanks to Volunteers

To the Editor o. Inc Staf.
May we express our thanks to all the
good helpers, who stand out in all kinds
of weather to accumulate the Mile o.
Dimes for our children? Surely they do
their part for this worthy cause.
MRS. g. H. B.
Evening star., 1947-02-08

There someday may be utopia
that really will work, and those who
have to live in it, bored to tears,
will hate it plenty.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
No More Wasted Christmas Tree


The poem slaughter Of the Ever
green's" by Inez Barclay Kirby, in The
Star of January contained important
ideas.
In the many years I have lived in
Washington I nave never seen so many
Christmas trees for sale as during De-
cember, 1916. They were displayed in
countless places where Christmas trees
never before had been sold. It was as
though we were in the grip of great
depression and unemployed men had to
resort to any kind of job to gain living
The wasteful destruction of trees
means the loss of our good top soil by
erosion. Poor soil produces poor food,
which gradually but surely undermines
the health and vigor of our people. City
per cent of our population. We should
be deeply concerned about the con-
servation and improvement of our soil,
our most important natural resource.
I think that all persons who sell
Christmas trees on vacant lots must get
permission Of = the Police Department,
which would have record of the num-
ber of licenses granted during Decem-
ber, 1916. It would be sensible if these
licenses were sharply reduced in num-
ber this year, even below that of years
previous to 1916, because every year
great quantities of Christmas trees are
unsold in this city and their ruined
loveliness" trucked away. Anything
which is done to prevent this waste
should be planned well in advance of
next December, ETHEL BLAKE,
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Wagner Act Simplifed
To the Editor o. The Star:

To the Editor o. The Star:
The Wagner Act Is concerned with
only two things: First to insure free
elections on the issue of proper union
or no union; second, to safeguard that
election from any unfair labor prac-
tice." 1t has nothing to do with wages.
conditions of labor, contracts, strikes.
Chief Justice Hughes once said in de-
cision that the act did not even require
that a contract be signed after bargain
ing. The NLRB has its hands full with
the one issue of elections, with long
backlog. It has neither time nor re-
sponsibility for any other labor issue. 1t
had a total OF 1920 new cases in 1946,
qRvering these two issues. The board
did not go looking for them, for they
were the presentations of American
labor. There were forced upon its at
tention out of this total 8,445 cases of
attempted sabotage of this simple and
basic law, softly referred to as unfair
labor practices" G. L. REES.
Evening star., 1947-02-08
Letters to The Star
Urges Basic Difference Between
/ Liberalism and Communism


To the Editor of The Star:
And among the things we must prac-
tice is that while we seek to ferret out
the subversive and antidemocratic forces
in the country, we do not at the same
time, by hysteria, by resort to innuendo
and smears and other unfortunate tao
tics, besmirch the very cause that we
believe in, and cause a separation
among our people-cause one group and
one individual to hate another, based
on mere attacks, mere unsubstantiated
attacks upon their loyalty"
Thus spoke David E. Lilienthal in
the course of one of the finest affirma-
tive statements of democratic belief I
ever have read. And I agree that we
must religiously practice the things Mr..
Lilienthal afirms above, but
In the present condition of things
it is necessary to know the identity of,
and to make distinction between, those
individuals and groups who perceive that
there is great divergence between lib
eralism and communism, and those in
dividuals and groups who, by their
actions and associations, demonstrate
that they cannot perceive "the differ
ence" between liberalism and commun-
ISM
The former will reject the association
of Communists and will refuse to asso-
ciate themselves with the party line"
while the latter not only will fail to re-
ject the association of Communists, but
unreservedly will accept such associa-
ton, as though the Liberal and the Com
munist truly were fellow workers" seek
ing the same ultimate aims.
These latter must be regarded as
"totalitarian liberals" and it must be
assumed Of them that, If they work
with" Communist, they also work for"
communism-because that is what the
Communist always works for, and his
methods are the fostering of contro-
versy, confusion and hate between In
dividuals and groups.
Those Liberals, who do not them
selves perceive "a difference" between
Liberal and Communist, between liberal
ism and communism, have TO right to
expect those of us who definitely oppose
communism to make a distinction In
identity which they themselves do not
make. F. L. F.
Evening star., 1947-02-08

Senator LANCER is right to deplore
the extravagant generalizations
which create the impression that
new broom, Republican Congress is
out to decimate the Federal service
Hungry Horse news and Columbian., 1947-12-12
Valentine Items
Mrs Emma Ladenburg

| Marriages - births - deaths
the vital statistics. Often we find
our community represented in one
category or another, but, in recent
| weeks, we have been listed in all
three. In the middle of November
we saw Leona Becker become Mrs
Ira Mes, and as the stately, ivory
velvet gowned bride moved up the
aisle it was hard to believe this
was the same golden-haired little
girl who used to go tearing around
the neighborhood on horseback or
be out acting as her dads right
hand man on the tractor. All the
best wishes of her old neighbors
went with her to her new home.
Also, in November, the birth
column listed two babies whose IA
theirs are Valentine boys. The in
FAINT daughter of Richard and Ber-
nice Walsh, and the infant son of
Francis and Lucille Ladenburg, re-
ally count as members of this COM
munity, even though their present
addresses are Kalispell and Colum-
bia Falls respectively. Then, On
December 9, a son was born to Leo
nard and Verla Motichka.. Congra-
tulations are in order for all three.
Nor, were we passed over these
last few weeks by the dark angel
of death, who laid a quieting hand
on two Who had suffered long and
except in body had long since cas-
ed their hold on this world and its
cares. In the death of Will Shirreff
we lost an old friend and a good
neighbor. He brought from Scot
land not only trace of Scottish
burr, but an upright, honorable
character and an undertaking hon.
esty that meant much to a COM
munity.
The death of John w Dowler
came also as release from long
illness. He was our friend of many
years, a man of refinement and
wide interests which ranged from
engineering, His chosen profess
ion, to flower culture and host
of other hobbies. He was always
generous with his slides and pro-
Hungry Horse news and Columbian., 1947-12-12
HIrNGRY HORSE NEWS

woman near go wasting ner tiiie
getting an education so late IN iile'
Orchids to Orie, we are prouo u
the gal.
Another member of our FANNY
deserves an orchid or two tor pure
determination and pluck. A month
ago practically anyone around
here would have agreed that one
more clean shirt would be all Aug
ust Butt would need. Now he is up
and coming down stairs for meals
in spite of willing offers 10 hase
them taken to him. He IS Shaker
by far and probably feels worse
than a lot of people who sit arouno
feeling sorry for themselves ana