davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-12-28
The New York Snowstorm

Let the old-timers in New York debate
to their hearts content the respective mer-
it's of their post-Christmas snoWstorm and
the great blizzard of -Washingtonians
can still claim snowstorm superiority from
nearly every viewpoint. Local old-timers
will stack up our own historic blizzard of
'99 against the blizzard of 'S8 or any other
date, without fear of furnishing the local
record.
Depth of snow? Washingtons week-long
storm in the second week of February,
1899, deposited an official twenty-nine
inches and an unofficial thirty inches of
snow on the paralyzed city. This was
three or four inches more than fell in the
recent New York storm and eight or nine
inches more than hit New York City in the
blizzard of March, 1885. 1t was about four
inches more than fell here, during the
memorable "Knickerbocker Theater" storm
of January 2728, 1922.
Low temperature? Our '99 blizzard was
marked by several days of below-zero
weather, climaxed by record-breaking
drop on February II to fifteen degrees be-
low zero. The New York storm was accom-
panied by temperatures lowering around
the freezing point To make the '99 storm
worse, thrty-five-n mile wind whipped the
snow into towering drifts.
The Star of February IL, 1899, under the
head, blizzard Weather - The Terrible
Storm Now Raging in Washington" said:
"The Capital City of the Nation is today a
dreary, desolate waste of snow. Business
is suspended to all purposes, and this
usually bustling, up-to-date national me-
tropolis is city dead Editorially the
same issue commented: "The famous bliz-
zard of 1888 was, locally, not to be COM
pared with this one"
That would seem to clinch Washington's S
dubious distinction of having had the
granddaddy of all snoWstorms at the turn
of the century. But that one was enough.
If any other city wants to take the record
away, that is its own misfortune. Wash
ington is satisfied to rest on its record OF
nearly half century ago.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Cuttino the Defense Budget

Reports from the Capitol that economy
minded legislators are hopeful of slicing
from one-thrd to one-tenth OH the
national defense budget for the next hscal
wear appear to be based on sometnlng
more than guessWork. While it may seem
rather rash to be estimating savings before
the budget is submitted, the forecasters
feel that they are on reasonably sure
ground. They are aware OF the TACT IhaI
the forthcoming fund requests will nave
been formulated during the period OF
transition from separate to co-ord1nateo
budgetmaking.
The next estimates for the Army, the
NAVY and the Air Force will be the hrSt
presented to Congress by the Nauonal
Defense Establishment, created under the
armed forces merger legislation. Ihe
figures will be based largely on needs OF
the three branches as envisioned while
unihcation was still in an evolutionary
process. There just has not been enough
time as yet to work out many details OF
unification that hold promise OF 1uture
savings. Not only have the planners OF the
three services been faced with the compll-
cations of administrative reorganization
but with rapidly changing concepts in the
fields of military strategy and tactlcs.
Since the planners will be held responsible
If their estimates of the needs fall short OF
requirements in an emergency, they can
not well afford to underestimate require
ments of the current changing era.
1t is certain that the new defense re-
quests will be subjected to the closest
scrutiny in Congress- The appropriation
committees will want to see how far the
services have progressed in co-ordinating
procurement, standardizing equipment
and eliminating wasteful overlapping or
outright duplication of activities, both in
the administrative and the strictly mill
tary fields. There has been great deal OF
headway along this line under the forceful
leadership of Defense Secretary Forrestal,
but no officer pretends that greater ad-
vances cannot be made. To use naval
term the new establishment Is still In Its
shakedown stage, during which 1t is only
natural that new problems should arise
almost daily which must be dealt with. It
takes time to settle down to smooth opera
ton.
The appropriation hearings before the
new Congress will reveal many OF the
deficiencies still confronting the defense
setup. To correct some of these may cost
money. The probability is, however, that
ways will be found to offset added ex-
penditures by judicious trimming of the
deuartmental estimates. Whether these
economies will total as much as one-third
of the total defense bill submitted to
Congress is = debatable matter. And
Evening star., 1947-12-28
The Dream of a White Christmas
Traditional Yuetide Includes Hope for Peace to Come
Through Visions Made Real
By the Rev. Frederick Bro,cn Harris, D. D., Lit. d:
The one glorious, radiant fact

The one glorious, radiant fact Of this Christ
mas, with its tragic temporary split in this
One World, is that there were never before so
many men and women of faith and hope, under
all skies, triumphantly sure of the coming of a
better and brighter world and who, with toler-
ance, are willing patiently to wait for 1t even
as they work for it.
America in this day is called to make the
most fateful choices that any nation in history
has ever made. Rather than store, she pre-
pares to pour her resources for the healing
Of the nations Even as the Great Teacher
born in Bethlehem declared, by losing her life
she will save it as lending a helping hand to
PROSTATE peoples she says, "Son of man, stand
upon thy feet" America has seen written over
the portals OF the United Nations the warning
words of Archbishop Temple: mo statesman
ship can assure peace in a world where men
as individuals and as citizens are selfish in
their outlook and grasping in their conduct
X X
But dreams have to be incarnated in pro-
grams. 1t is crystal clear that 1t is the Mar
shall plan now Or the martial plan later at
infinitely greater cost of men and money.
True to all her ideals and traditions America
chooses the first. Her one passion is peace
Conscious of the betrayals of democracy and
the denials of human brotherhood which are
part and parcel of the present social order,
including her own, moved with compassion
by the blackness of misery which has settled
over SO many nations, she is dreaming Of a
white Christmas for all mankind. Her eyes
are on the sure fulfllment, unless man is to
destroy himself, of the ancient prophecy:
"The hour cometh when nation shall not
lift up sword against nation. Neither shall
they learn war any more. They shall sit every
man under his own vine and under his fig
tree; none shall dare molest or make him
afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts
hath spoken it,"
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Bi-ZonuI Costs in Germany

The agreement just signed between the
American and British governments reap
portioning occupation costs in Germany
is a recognition of hard realities. That
the bulk of the load had to be shifted
to American shoulders had long been obvi-
Gus, owing to Britain's critical financial
situation. 1t became certainty when
the British notified our Government last
September that their dollar shortage made
it impossible for them to continue the
1946 agreement which entailed for the
British an annual liability of about $400,-
100000. Under the new arrangement just
negotiated, this liability will be assumed
by US, bringing the total occupation costs
for this country to approximately $1.oOo,-
100000 per year. Britain's contribution
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Let's Up and At EN-

Some of the naStest little germs In the
world are those that cause the common
cold Since practically everybody is visited
by them at least once or twice year, it Is
hardly necessary to explain why nothing
good can be said of them. Besides costing
the American people about $1,000, 100000
annually in terms of sick leave from work,
they are particularly infuriating because
they combine a shreWd eluSiveness with
their disgusting ability to torment us.
Although we have harnessed the atom,
they have been too smart for us up to
noW-smart enough to foil our every effort
to get our hands on them or see their
ugly, sneering faces. 1t goes without saying,
of course, that this must puff them up with
pride and bring infinite delight to their
perverted sense of humor.
But possibly-just possibly-maybe it
will be our turn to laugh soon. At any rate,
some hope to that effect is implicit in the
work being done by Dr. Norman Topping
and DR.. Leon T. Atlas of the National
Health Institute. In experiments with
volunteers at the District Reformatory at
Lorton, they have grown and isolated at
l6dSG UIfc dSCllG -SAoAl0A 6SAAiA VA va 'o
of a widespread type of the common cold,
the "thick, severe form, something like
what we know as sinusitis." They do not
predict anything definite. They are cau-
tious They warn against jumping pre-
maturely to optimistic conclusions. But
they nevertheless hint-no matter how
guarded ly-that we may be approaching
the day when there will be foolproof
vaccine that will make the bug world sit up
and take notice.
In an era when most of the news is bad,
this certainly is cheering development.
Even though we are far from winning the
battle, it does not seem unreasonable to
believe that we have brains enough to do
what needs to be done. After all, If we can
bend the atom to our will and work Won
ders in the field of electronics, what is to
stop us from teaching a lesson to those
wicked, SNUG and mocking little things
that fill us with sneezes, sniff1es and gen.
eral debility almost too terrible for the
flesh and spirit to stand? These bugs think
they are smarter than we, do they? Well,
then, let us show them differently! More
power to Drs. Topping and Atlas. If sue
cess crowns their efforts, the world will be
eternally indebted to them. Dere cab be
no doub about dat-aaachoooo, gesund-
heit, and good hunting!
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Planning for Emergencies

Engineer Commissioner Gordon r. Young
Is right Something should be done now
to preclude recurrence OF such confusion,
indecison and delay as marked the initial
efforts to recover victims of the Empire
Building collapse. This is public safety
problem with which the District govern
ment should be prepared to cope when
ever an emergency arises. 1t was sadly
unprepared to deal with the recent dis
aster. The spectacle of official agencies
standing by for want of equipment, expert
ence or authority while human beings
whether alive or dead-remained IN the
debris was not pretty one.
General Young suggests the possibility
of setting up within the Fire Department
a special disaster unit equipped and trained
in rescue and demolition work. But Fire
Chief Murphy has indicated his opposition
to having a unit of this sort attached to
his department., on the ground that the
main Job of firemen is fighting fires, not
demolishing buildings. To maintain such
a unit Independent of an established de-
partment would, of course, be costly. When
it is considered that its services would be
utilized only at rare intervals, perhaps
covering decade or more, the practlcabll-
ity of maintaining a special municipal
squad, with cranes and other heavy equip
ment, becomes extremely doubtful.
Why not, then, follow the example OF
some other large cities, notably Chicago,
in arranging cooperative pools of profess
sional wreckers, available for duty in any
emergency? In Chicago the municipal
authorities have worked out an under
standing with commercial wrecking firms
under which expert crews and many types
of expensive equipment are ready to
answer an urgent call for aid from police
or firemen The city pays the bills, COL
lecting from owners of private property
as may be necessary.
There is no apparent reason why such
an arrangement would not work as well
here as in Chicago or elsewhere. The
trained men and the required machines
are here What is lacking is plan Tor
mobilization under District leadership
Given such leadership, there is little doubt
that the citys private resources would
readily be made available to save lives
or recover bodies in time of disaster This
is a community responsibility which can
not in good conscience be left to chance
and improvisation.
Evening star., 1947-12-28

will henceforth be limited to such goods
and services as can be betrayed in sterling
from Britain itself and other parts of the
sterling area. This, of course, includes
payment of British military and civilian
personnel, together with the furnishing of
shipping for ocean freight between Ger
many and United States ports.
The agreement is not wholly one sided,
because it provides that we acquire con-
troll of economic affairs in the British as
well as the American zone "commensu-
rate with the larger financial undertaking
by the United States" 1t should, of course,
be understood that the two zones have
been virtually merged for economic pur-
poses so that they now constitute an eco
nomic entity known as the Combined Area
or Bi-Zonia. In order to implement this
fusion, a number of bipartite bodies have
been set up, the most important of these
being the Joint EXport-Import Agency,
which handles the external business of
the two zones, and the Joint Foreign Ex
change Agency, which deals with the for
eign accounts and finances of the oper-
ating agency. Hitherto, representation
has been equal. Henceforth, voting on
the boards of directors in both agencies
is to be weighted according to the finan-
cial contribution of each country. This
would seem to insure American direction
of the economic rehabilitation of Western
Germany which has become so vital to us
from every point of view.
The one thing that is uncertain is where
the money is coming from. Congress has
considerably reduced the sum requested
by the Army for occupation, and the cut
does not appear to allow for the additional
cost shifted to us by the recent Anglo
American agreement on Bi-Zonia. But
necessity for the new arrangement
seems to be so compelling that it will
probably be eventually worked out in
Congress and the necessary funds appro-
priated.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
MYSTERIOUS PuroIes
vrence (Kansas) Journal-wcrld:

Prom the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World:
The recent parole Of three Capone gangsters
long before their terms of imprisonment had
expired is attracting public attention. The
oficials who opened the prison doors are being
asked for explanations, in view of some peculiar
aspects of the case.
In their efforts to sidestep the law the trio
had encountered the same stumbling block that
tripped up the head Of the gang. Irregularities
were found in their income tax returns. The
Government established its claim to good
deal more money than they had paid.
One day the balance claimed was deposited
on the desk of Government official from a
mysterious source"-so the account runs The
paroles were made effective shortly afterward.
So strong are suspicious of special deaI
with gangsters that requests are heard for a
thorough inquiry into Just what went on In
connection with the release OF the gapgsters.
Evening star., 1947-12-28

are absent, all the in
genuities of art are com.
mandeered to see to 1t
that lovely etchings set
us dreaming of the white
Christmases we used to
know.
But Christmas is not
simply retrospect. 1t is
also prospect. We are
dreaming of a white
Christmas not only as
we look back in men,
ory, but as we look for
ward in faith.
IT. takes no cynic to
Evening star., 1947-12-28
A Trend Continues
From the Christian Science Monitor.

From the Christian Science Monltor.
The statistical reports Of the National Labor
Relations Board continue to afford an interest,"
ing index to the effects Of the Taft-Hartley
Act. OF the 351 complaints of unfair labor
practices filed in October, hardly one-fourth
were filed by employers against unions. OF the
SO collective bargaining elections conducted.
union representation was voted in AZ.
One months figures prove nothing. They
are significant however, as they, with others,
point trend. That trend, so far. keeps going
this way: /. Employers are still not rushing to
invoke the new law against the unions. 2. The
greater freedom given employers to oppose
Il they wish does not appear to be blocking
noticeably the march Of union organizing.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Interior Centennial

The Interior Department Is at work on plans
for its 1oo-year celebration in 1s4s, but already
such colossal ideas as taking over Denver or
Salt Lake City for one huge celebration have
been discarded because of cost. Instead, COM
= munities probably will be asked to take part
In observances of the Tooth anniversary of the
Bureau of Mines laboratory, the first fish
hatchery etc.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
AOOh11lS AIlN1'>A Are Noted Here and 4 broad

come OF the Anglo-American talks on the rs
per cent tax on imported pictures there will
not be for many, many years free flow of
films into this country"
Air Safety
The Presidents Air Safety Board will propose
some continuing studies in its forthcoming re-
port to Mr.. Truman. For one thing, it may
suggest study of the method of certifying
new aircraft types for airline use Disagree
ment among members may cause some delay
in the report
Evening star., 1947-12-28

the matter should be debated freely,
thoroughly and objectively-with an eye
not to political considerations in an cleo
ton year but to the minimum security
needs Of the Nation in time of crisis.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Spires of the Spirit

Any picture Of white Christmas strikes a
responsive chord, because somehow childhood
memories insist that the typical Yuletide must
be white-mantled. In case the falling snowf1akes
Evening star., 1947-12-28

Even if the oncoming comet is wagging
its tail, let's ignore it. So often the
effusive ally becomes a problem later on.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
How Old Is Old?

One reason the distilers are so eager to
produce some whisky before New Years Is
simple: 1t makes years difference in the
age shown on the label.
Bonded whisky, like race horses, becomes
zone year old" on the January following pro-
duction, even If it's really only couple Of
days old.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Homeyard Bound

WARSAW.-The Polish government says that
a considerable number of Poles living in Brazil
and Argentina expect to return to their home
land next spring. An estimated 100000 Poles
live in South America. Most of those returning
are expected to settle in Western Poland.
Evening star., 1947-12-28

ROME.-Well-posted political analysts see
a possibility that the recent general strikes
in the Rome area and Sicily may be duplicated
throughout Italy. In Rome the government
claims the strike won nothing not already Of
fered the workers. But Communist and left
wing Socialist newspapers declare the unem-
ployed are s12,O00,0O0 better off. Hence the
possibility is seen that there may be provincial
strikes in attempts to win benefits which the
leftists say Roman workers won.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
House of Lords

LONDON.-Informed guessers predict the
House of Lords next month will turn down the
governments bill to trim the Lords legislative
veto and offer it's own plan for complete reform.
Lord Salisbury, leader of the Conservative ma
jority in the Lords, has formed an influential
committee to study possible alternative pro-
posals. He has kept its discussions secret, but
it is understood he may propose some method
of abolishing hereditary seats, cutting the
Lords from nearly 900 members to a more
wieldy body and eliminating members who
bother little about public affairs.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
One.Hand Tybevrifers

Since the Veterans Administration announced
recently it had developed new typewriter for
one-handed veterans, it has received flood of
requests for and about them. Only veterans
who have lost one hand and suffered a sym
pathetic" loss of muscular activity in the other
and must have the machines to become re-
habilitated-can qualify to get machines to
learn on VA strongly recommends that even
fully qualified veterans learn on regular type
writer's if at all possible. The one-hand ma
chimes are expensive and are not likely to be
found in most Offices where veterans might
find jobs.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
In No Hurry

Chinas christian General" Feng Yu-hsiang S
refusal to return to China on the orders OF
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek presents the
State Department with somewhat of poser.
Officially, Feng's mission is ended His diplo-
matte status has been withdrawn, and he is
supposed to 60 home But the State Depart
ment is likely to allow him to remain around
as long as he doesn't make trouble by political
activity or otherwise. The Chinese Embassy
could request the Government to deport Gen.
Feng. This likely would get no hurried action
from the State Department either.
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Movie Business

LONDON.-J. Arthur Rank, top British movie
magnate, predicts that regardless Of the out.
Evening star., 1947-12-28

Unless Gen. Macarthur should leave the serv-
ice Gen. Bradley will be outranked by one OF his
own officers when he takes over as Army Chief
of Staff. Macarthur is f1ve-star general OF
the Army. Bradley is a four-star general.
Chairman Gurney, Republican, South Dakota,
of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says it
is unlikely Bradley will be given another star
because "five-star generals are not made IN
peacetime" (Five-star Gen. Eisenhower, whom
Bradley will succeed, will remain in active serv-
ice for while before taking over as president
of Columbia University
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Money for Planes

President Truman has just about halved the
military services 50 900 100000 estimate of their
needs for new aircraft in the next fiscal year.
However, even this would be at least 65 per cent
over the current years appropriation OF about
5000 900. Congressional Air Policy Board ex-
perts believe that once the co-ordinated de-
fense setup gets into full swing aviation re-
quirements may be cut by as much as a third
Tzn;n lie. .Tze,inkIe
Evening star., 1947-12-28
Zamboanea looming

Returning businessmen report that among
Philippine cities still suffering war hangovers,
zamboanga, down south in" Mindanao, has
made the most surprising recovery. admit
tedly," says one, "zamboanga didn't suffer the
terrific bombardment of Manila, but even So,
its rehabilitation is far more advanced than
you'd expect-almost back to normal, in fact"
Movie Business
The Republican., 1947-11-13
MARRIED


anderson ~ endall - Martina ann
Kendall d"uglltef ol Af@' h"'"rs =
h'HoII ana 'he l"te j.. = Ne'la'ii'
ff'S'oofg' ana JoSePh " "'IJoh +fl!uet-
son. Cumnef!aha' Were married " "eI-
HeSd'E' November D. III Hl' r"U' 5
hV"hgtlIc"I l-"Iher"h 'h0Flu' fT"S'-
"ufg' oy .heF' JuS'uS H. L'eS'''''l'I'
pastor
The couple was attended by Mr.,
and Mrs. Daniel y. Browne, and
The Republican., 1947-11-13
Music Soothes Lions

The music committee had charge of
the program at the regular meeting
of the Oakland-Mt. Lake Lions club
and gave the members some local
vocal talent
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Shaffer gave
two duets, and there We're solos by
Wayne Hamilton. Mr.. Shaffer. Mrs.
Shaffer and Jay l.. Bell. All were ac-
companied by Julius B. Littman.
Three new members were inducted.
Paul W. Fisher, deputy sheriff; Carl
Eyerly, high school instructor, and
William Sharps, Of the Sharps Motor
company.
Herbert Leighton, president, an
nounced that the Friendship train.
The Republican., 1947-11-13

law was passed last year that gives
automatic Social Security credit to
veterans who were in the services for
90 days OF longer and who have been
honorably discharged, This special
part Of the Social Security law does
not count if a veteran died while still
in the armed forces.
The Republican., 1947-11-13

Mr.. Wood explained that a special