davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-08-31

The Post Office Department has just about
decided to doff it's official hat to Christmas
with a sure enough Santa CLAUS stamp
The department officially says only that the
idea is being seriously contemplated but
huodle in the department has been working
through the August heat to bring out such
stamp for 1947 Yuletide USE An announce
ment will probably be made this week.
If the project comes off this year, this much
is indicated: /. The stamp will be 3-center
q 1t will be red, and probably very Christ
massy req at that. 3. Santa Claus in person
will provide the central design. 4. F1rst-day
sale will be at Santa Claus, Ind.
Every year thousands send packages ana
greeting cards to the postmaster in that South
ern Indiana town for remailing there so that
the recipient will get an added thrill out OF
the Santa Claus cancellation
People for years have been walking into
post Offices and asking for "the Christmas
stamp"
But the department never has had Christ
mas stamp" The proposed new 3-center,
of course would be valid for use any time dur
ing the year, although largest sales naturally
would be expected for the Christmas season.
As an entirely practical note-some depart
ment officials believe those who might other
wise send Christmas cards third class for
cent and half will buy the 3-cent stamps
instead
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Fifty Years Ago

The death notices printed in The Star August
%, 1897, included the following tribute to WI
liam Hamilton Bell, sr., who had
Mr. Bells died the previous day: Mr.. Bells
Services failing health for several years
would have retired most men
from active lie: but his remarkable courage
and indomitable willpower enabled him TO con-
tinue at his desk in the Bureau OF Pensions,
where he had been an efficient and trusted
employe for the last 20 years, winning 1or NM
self an enviable reputation and the trlenoshlp
and esteem of wide circle OF acqualntahces'
He originated the varicolored band jackets
for the several adjudicating divisions OF Ihe
bureau which we're at once adopted oy oeii'
Dudley and have since been continued III use
saving to the Government an immense amount
of time and money and for which lnVehtioh
he received high commentator nut no
conversation - He also hao "loe repu.
tation for his fine penmanship' both plain ana
ornamental
Tho Star on August "a, 1897, gave 'front.'
mage space to statement by Eugene " Deos'
the Socialist leader, reading IN
Labor part, as 1ouows: mas ooii-
T,o,hle vention will be held at st. Louis
Monday, August &c. in the interest
of the striking starving coal miners. The of1-
ciaI call has been issued by the Executive Board
of the United Mine Workers and indorsed by
the executive heads of the American Fedora
ton of Labor and the Knights of Labor.
understand that this convention Is called, not
to pass idle resolutions, but to take prompt,
vigorous and united action, and this being
the case, I appeal to the social democracy and
10 ali lovers Of liberty and humanity to meet
Evening star., 1947-08-31
The Needs of Science

It is hard to see how any one can take
issue with the basic conclusion of the
Presidents Scientific Research Board
namely, that the rapid extension OF scien-
tihc knowledge has become "a major factor
in national survival"
The boards report calls for an increased
expenditure OF funds and manpower to
expand the limits of scientific knowledge
for both military and peacetime purposes.
But the main emphasis is placed on mill
tary needs, and properly so. For the peace
time aspects of advancing science, impor-
tant as they are, must yield in precedence
today to the stark military necessities i'm
posed on us by the armed truce which
prevails throughout the world.
We may hope that this will prove to be
a temporary condition, and that, in time,
it will be possible to apply the bulk of the
$4,000, 1000 which the board says we
should be spending annually by 1857 on
scientific research to improving the health
and the economic lot of mankind. But we
cannot afford to do that today and we will
not be able to do it as long as the threat
of war persists If we should fall behind
other countries in the search for new SCI
entific knowledge, or if we permit our
supply of trained scientists to dwindle, we
can have little hope of survival in event Of
war. And If we should be the losers in
another war, should it come to that, any
progress which might have been made in
the application of new knowledge to peace
full ends will avail us little.
1t is gratifying that this Is so plainly
recognized in the report of the Presidents
board, and it serves to increase doubt as
to the wisdom of Mr.. Truman's recent veto
of the bill setting up National Science
Foundation. That bill, in the Presidents s
estimation, was imperfect from an ad-
ministrative standpoint and In the fact
that 1t tended to insulate the Foundation
from presidential control. Whatever the
validity OF these objections, the emphasis
which the present report puts on the need
for Science Foundation makes one
wonder whether the President would not
have been wiser to accept what Congress
was willing to give him, relying upon
amendments to correct demonstrated de-
fects, rather than to veto the bill and get
nothing
Evening star., 1947-08-31

quirements, women should have felt the
economy ak more heavily than men.
Thus, during the past two years, the num-
ber of women in the civil service declined
about go per cent, while the number of
men dropped only % per cent. The latest
figures indicate that the ratio of women
to men is rapidly approaching the prewar
one-in-five standard. The prospect is,
therefore, that future personnel reduc-
tions will involve smaller percentage of
women than in recent months Otherwise
the women would be justified in charging
that some new discriminatory policy had
been invoked in carrying out the postwar
retrenchment program.
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Bad News in Tax Bills

Many Washington home owners are re-
ceiving an unexpected jolt along with their
real estate tax bills. September is going
to be full of bad news as the bills arrive.
AS rule, the tax bills will call for 80
per cent increase this year over last
The explanation may not make any tax
PAYERS feel any better. But it may pre-
vent more home owners from rushing down
to the District Building under the i'm
preston that some clerk in the assessor S
office has made tragic mistake. mis-
take was made, all right, but not by clerks.
In August year ago the assessor recon-
mended and the Commissioners approved
a fiat 20 per cent increase in the assess
ment of all residential Improvements
assessment of the land remaining the
same. preceding assessor, during the
depression years of "a and '35, had re-
duced residential assessments by 10 per
cent rejecting in part, falling values OF
a depression. Assessor Dent decided that
on a rising market assessments should be
increased The law requires "full-value"
assessment and the District assessor does
his best to conform to the requirement.
That was one thing. But at the same
time the Commissioners were drawing up
a new tax program. They concluded that
real estate was already bearing its full
share The higher assessments would pro-
duce more money, but the tax rate should
remain the same. That was their conten-
ton when they went to Congress. Rep
resentative Bates of Massachusetts,, CO.
chairman of the joint committee consider
ing local taxes, comes from a State where
real estate has been taxed to the limit.
He decided that local real estate should
pay more. In the end boost in the real
estate rate, from SITS to $2 was added to
the 20 per cent increase already placed on
assessments.
Most of the money to be produced in the
new tax program will therefore come from
residential real estate. The cost OF acqulr-
ing a new home is already prohibitory for
a great many people and the cost of main
tanning home is reaching into the strato-
sphere. Too much of the tax load is placed
on home owners. This Is an utterly stupid
policy. For every possible incentive should
be held out to people to buy homes, instead
of penalizing home ownership as we are
doing now.
Washington real estate property Is as
sessed as highly-in reference to true
value-as any in the country. 1t is much
more highly assessed than in the vast ma
jority of cities. This has always been con-
sidered In connection with the relatively
low tax rate. Now, with the tax rate get
ting into the clouds along with the strict
rule on assessment, Washington home
owners are holding the short end of the
stick. The new tax bills in the mails illus
trate the point convincingly
Evening star., 1947-08-31

penditure of the s4Oo0oo,00o Greek Turkish
fund for aid in opposing communism: cost and
morale of occupation forces in Germany and
other areas the so-called Marshall plan for
rehabilitation OF war-torn Europe: disposal Of
surplus war supplies; use and results Of occupa-
ton currences and Middle East oil problems
Listed with Bridges McKellar and OMa-
honey for this trip are Senators Brooks, Re-
publican, Illinois; Reed, Republican, Kansas;
Ferguson, Republican, Michigan Wherry, Re-
publican, Nebraska; Gordon Republican, Ore
gon; Young, Republican, North Dakota;
Knowland, Republican, California; Dworshak,
Republican, Idaho; Elmer Thomas, Democrat,
Oklahoma; Russell. Democrat, Georgia; Nc
Carran, Democrat Nevada, and Green, Demo-
crat, Rhode Island.
Check on Armed Services.
Ten members Of the Armed Services Com
mittee will make check on Army, Navy and
sir force establishments in both Europe and
the Far East.
Chairman Gurney, Republican, of South Da-
kota and Senators Morse, Republican, of Ore
gon and Russell will fly to the Pacific island
outposts starting October 81 from San Fran
CISCO They plan to spend time In Japan, China
and Korea before returning.
Senator E. " Robertson, Republican of Wy
oming Is leading the European end of the
armed services inspection, accompanied by
Senators Saltonstall, Republican, of Massa-
chusetts; Baldwin, Republican, of Connecticut;
Wilson, Republican, of Iowa; Tydings. Demo-
crat, of Maryland; Byrd Democrat, OF Virginia
and HILL Democrat, of Alabama
An on-the-scene survey of the State De-
partment's controversial cultural and lnforma-
ton program including the Voice OF America"
broadcasts, is being made by FIVE Senators, start
ing September 5. Senator Smith, Republican,
of New Jersey heads this group, which includes
Senators Hickenlooper, Republican, OF Iowa.
Lodge, Barkley Democrat, Of Kentucky and
Hatch.
Senate group inquiring into immigration of
displaced persons and refugees also plans Euro
pean inspections but has not determined dates
or places. 1t is lead by Senator Revercomb, Re-
publican, of West Virginia and includes Sem
ators Donnell. Republican, of Missouri, Cooper,
Republican, Of Kentucky, McGrath, Democrat,
Of Rhode Island, and McCarran.
Senators Vandenberg, Republican, Of Michi-
gan and Connally, Democrat OF Texas. the top
ranking Senate team on foreign relations, have
been busy for several weeks in Brazil attending
the Inter American Conference.
Four other Senators have been busy with
problems in Alaska, such as possible develop
ment of a source of newsprint and Federal aid
for airports there. They are Senators Cape
hart, Republican, of Indiana; Cain, Republican,
of Washington; Murray. Democrat, of Montana
and Ellender Democrat Of Louisiana.
Evening star., 1947-08-31
New Tactics on Korea

The State Departments latest note to
the Kremlin on Korea should be evaluated
with due regard for the basic realities
underlying that deplorable situation.
1t is most unlikely that the department
has any expectation that its proposed four
power conference will result in the setting
up OF united, independent Korea, because
Soviet Russia, as one OF the conference
members, can block action there just as 1t
has blocked every American effort for the
past two years.
Why, then, does the department initiate
q new approach to the problem which, in
itself, seems foredoomed to failure? The
logical answer would seem to be that,
through the anticipated Russian sabotag-
ing of the conference, Moscow's destructive
policy in Korea will be made palmer to
every one, while greater measure OF soli-
darity with our aims may be evoked in
Britain and China, the other signatories to
the Moscow agreement of December, 1945.
It is too often forgotten that that agree
ment was not bilateral accord between
the United States and Soviet Russia, but
four-power pact envisaging Joint trustee
ship over Korea for period up to five
years, although the implementation Of this
trusteeship was to be left to us and the
Russians as the powers exercising immedi-
ate control over the country. The calling
of a conference by us is thus reminder
to Britain and China of their legal status
in the matter and their implied RESPONSE
bilities Hereunder.
Two queries at once suggest themselves
The FIRST of these is whether, II Moscow
rejects the conference proposal, the con-
ference itself will be held in Russia's alb
sence. The second query is, assuming a
holding of the conference, with or without
Russia, what will be the effect OF any
decisions arrived at by the three other
mowers? 1t would seem unlikely that Brit
ain and China would do more than affirm
the provisions of the Moscow agreement
which we have striven to carry out but
which Moscow has deliberately nullided by
every species of casuistry, subterfuge ano
downright bad faith. -:
The upshot logically would be moral ane
Diplomatic backing for the policy we nave
long warned Moscow to be the inevitable
alternative to it's nonco operation oVel
Korea. That policy Is the setting up OF
native government in our zone OF Southern
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Globe-Trotting Senators
Several Believe Taxpayers Will Approve Trips Best
Means of Getting Essential Facts
Bv EdaCin B. Haakinson
Associo,ed Press Correspondent

Odds are about one to three that if you must
see your Senator in the next few weeks it will
require trip to Germany Japan or some other
far-distant point.
check showed that 40 Senators-more than
third of the 95 members of that body
are listed for trips to Europe, the Far East or
other off shore destinations before Congress
reassembles in January.
Taxpayers will foot the bills for most>of these
trips, but three of the Senators listed for
travel-McKellar Democrat of Tennessee
O'Mahoney Democrat of Wyoming) and Hatch
Democrat, of New Mexico)-told a reporter in
separate interviews they are confident there
will be no protests.
"A few years ago there might have been some
talk that these were junkets-just for pleasure, y
Senator Hatch said. Now the public knows
that for the most part these trips are serious
and important business. The change in public
sentiment is not due to change in the trips,
but to changed world conditions"
Senator McKellar, dean of the Senate and
former chairman of the Appropriations Com
mttee, said the travel by lawmakers "is wise
investment for the taxpayers"
1--WE have been voting billions of dollars for
worldwide wars and relief" he said. 1--WE
probably will be asked to vote billions for the
Marshall plan It's just good business for Con-
gress to learn all the facts it can"
McKellar is one Of Is appropriations COM
mtteemen scheduled to fly to Europe by Army
airplane on october /.
Congress Needs Facts.
Senator OMahoney said the public realizes
that the Congress can't legislate without the
facts and there is no better way of getting
them than on the ground"
OMahoney is listed for the appropriations
trip but said he may be forced to pass up be-
cause of interest in pending hearings upon
prices by joint congressional committee.
Four separate Senate committees have sched-
uled overseas trips during the congressional
recess and an even larger number Of House
members are expected to make similar visits to
different parts of the world.
A few of the lawmakers are paying their own
way on personal trips Senators Lodge Repub-
lican, of Massachusetts, and Wiley Republican
of wisconsin, left for Europe shortly after
Congress adjourned on personal inspections
accompanied by their wives.
Wives may accompany Senators on some OF
the trips, but not at Government expense.
Largest Senate group is the 15-membel
Appropriations Committee, headed by Chair
man Bridges Republican, of New Hampshre)
It approved about 81 500 100000 in relief funds
for various postwar activities during the session
earlier this year and plans check upon these
activities.
Listed for attention by this group are: Ex.
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Qualified Progress on the Ruhr

Since a constructive settlement of the
RuEr problem is generally acknowledged
to be vital prerequisite to Europe's eco
nomic rehabilitation, the outcome of the
three-power conference on the Ruhr, held
in London, has been anxiously awaited.
An official communique just issued gives
ground for qualified optimism. The virtual
deadlock between the Anglo-American and
French viewpoints which had previously
held up settlement. on the Ruhr has been
broken, in the sense that measure of
accord has been reached and basis for
further negotiations has been laid.
The previous impasse between France
and the Englishspeaking powers reyolved
the Ruhr. France opposed such raising,
both through fears for her security and
because of her desire to develop her own
steel industry far beyond prewar levels.
Britain and America regarded a doubling
of the German level fixed under the Pots
dam Agreement as vital to render their
zones of Germany self supporting and thus
to ease the heavy drain on their resources,
to say nothing of Europes need for height
ened Ruhr industrial production.
. A program to implement this aim had
been drawn up by the Anglo Americans
nearly two months ago, when strenuous
French objections halted its publication
and resulted in the London Conference,
just concluded. The Anglo Americans have
not been able to persuade the French to
accept this plan. France therefore re-
iterateS her thesis. But France has with
drawn her previous veto in return for An
gloAmerican guarantees against the mis-
use of an enlarged Ruhr industry and
agreement to continue negotiations on
certain points.
The upshot is that France has signed a
jointly agreed communique which consti-
tutes French acceptance-albeit under
protest-of the Anglo-American plan for
raising the bizonal level of industry
France also reconciles herself to priority
in Ruhr coal output for German industrial
and heating purposes, though the Anglo
Americans promise stepped-up coke de-
liveries to France for her steel industry,
to the extent made possible by increases
In Ruhr coal production foreseen as a
result of an Anglo-American agreement
on this point.
The outcome of the conference is prob
ably all that could legitimately have been
expected. The thorny problem of the
Ruhr has not been solved. But construc-
tive beginning seems to have been made.
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Education Expanding

more ana DeCJer educatlOn is the
slogan of the Federal Office of Education
today. Congress having provided it with
the most money it ever has had for its
work, this agency of guidance has de-
veloped a program Of expansion which
should be of interest even to those citizens
who hitherto had supposed that the
country was getting all the education 1t
could USE The Second World War and,
events accruing from the same have had
the effect of auickening public enthusiasm
for knowledge. Thousands of veterans
have taken advantage of Government sub
sides for further schooling and many of
these CT students have stimulated the
concern of younger brothers and sisters
for practical learning as an asset in life.
One result of this widening demand for
education has been the overcrowding of
existing universities, colleges, schools of
all varieties. Some of the older institu-
tions already have added to their facilities,
others are helping to launch supplementary
organizations either as branches or as
Independent entities. Correlatively, a
number Of adjustments Of curriculums
are in progress. Students want general"
training, not merely specialized instruc
tion. Since this preference ought to lead
to better citizenship with more political
WISDOM" it is indorsed by authorities who
trace the rise Of totalitarian dictators to
basic faults in educational systems in the
countries where they have achieved power.
But more intelligent social attitudes
hardly can be regarded as the only de-
sirable objective of the Office of Education
or of any other agency in the United
States. It is conceivable, indeed, that
uncorrected overemphasis on what is
called "the study of people" might have
deplorable consequences. Alexander Pope
and, a century before him, the French
philosopher, Pierre Charron, undoubtedly
were correct in their judgment that: "The
proper study of mankind is man." but
their contemporary MIGUEL de Cervantes
and his forerunner, the Delphic oracle,
likewise were right when they warned:
know thyself."
All the money on earth will not Danish
the natural ignorance which, in common
with other ills, represents an inheritance
of the human species. What is needed
specifically is an ardent desire for knowl
edge in terms of know how" so that
people as individuals may be competent to
Justify their lives, and then an equally
compelling longing for knowledge in terms
of behavior, so that people may be happy
in themselves and with their fellows. John
Buchan, called Viscount Tweedsmuir in
his later years, once summed up the whole
subject in the suggestion that education
is important because it conduces to humil-
ity-without which humanity cannot have
| fellowship.
Evening star., 1947-08-31

at st. Louis on the day named to lend
hand. The injunction has again done
its deadly work Constitutional liberty has
been bludgeoned to death and labor bound
and gagged for the perpetual exploitation Of
corporate capital. There is no relief in the
courts We will now appeal to the
American people. The issue has been
forced upon us and we have retreated before
it to the verge of slavery. Let us now meet
it as it would have been met by the patriots
of l776."
The Star of August %, 1897, featured
seven-eighths page advertisement of w. B.
Moses g. Sons, F street. corner
Borqoins in of Eleventh, explaining that
Furniture "the entire stock of the Peck
ham Furniture Co. of New York"
would be sold at reduced prices "in the big
gest sale Washington has ever known" Par
lor suites were offered at $13.75, side chairs
Of enamel and gold at SIS, solid oak bedroom
suites at $40 three pieces, odd dressers at
s5.65, brass bedsteads at $40, chiffoniers at
s4.35, sideboards at SIT. In the rug depart
ment Kashkoos were marked $50; 9-by-12-
foot Smyrnas, s25 And chenille portieres were
practically being given away at 81 each.
A lengthy obituary article in The Star for
August 81, 1897, told the story of the career
Of William H. Daniel, well known
Mr. Daniel in local and national musical
Decd circles for more than Is years.
He had been director OF the choir
at st. Johns Church from 1881 onward Famous
for the excellence Of his voice, he often had
been summoned to sing at the White House.
He also was "a composer Of no mean ability
and In musical comedy mad been the first Amer
ican Capt. Corcoran In H. NJ q. Pinafore"
Evening star., 1947-08-31
Mach Numbers

Aeronautics engineers just now are more in
terested in the Mach number" of fight than
in miles per hour.
The speed of sound at any given tempera-
ture is given Mach number of one. Last
Mondays record-breaking flight at Muroc,
Calf, had Mach number of 80 The plane
few at SO per cent of the speed Of sound.
The engineers are interested in Mach num-
bers because planes undergo great stresses at
and close to the speed of sound. Once through
this range into "supersonic' speeds. it's ex-
pected to be clear sailing, but meanwhile planes
must be built that can stand up at "transsonic'
speeds.
The National Advisory Committee for Aero
nautics (NACA) says that as far as 1t knows
the highest Mach number ever flown was 1866
couple of years ago by an NACA test pilot. Miles
per hour probably weren't so high as the Muroc
fight, but at the prevailing temperature the
plane came closer to the speed of sound.