davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Investigating the Roedy Case

It has been more than week since ans
automobile identified as belonging to
Municipal Court Judge Ellen K. Raedy was
involved in a hit-and-run accident at
First and K streets NV. That is long
time to devote to an investigation OF an
accident which caused $40 damage. And
it is safe to say that it is great deal
more time than would have been spent
on investigation had the offending car be-
longed to a private citizen rather than
judge. - ~
The delay has not necessarily been an
unreasonable one, however, for the in
vestigators do not yet know who was drlV-
ing the hit -and-run car. man who saw
the accident has identified Judge Raedy
as the driver. while an attendant on the
parking lot at her apartment says she was
in the car when it was returned there.
Judge Raedy denies this, saying that she
spent the entire evening of the accident
in her apartment and this statement Is
corroborated by a woman friend. These
are the central witnesses, and on the basis
of this evidence it is understandable that
the prosecutor should be reluctant to take
the case into court until he has made every
reasonable effort to locate additional wit
nesses, including the mysterious Mr.. Emer-
son of New York, to whom Judge Raedy
says she loaned her car, but who has
proved too elusive to identify or locate.
What should be emphasized at this time
is the fact that this Is not an ordinary
traffic case. Judge Raedy is member of
the court which is closest to the people
of the District. 1t is court in which it
is highly desirable that the people should
have full confidence. Yet the future of
their confidence in the court, and in its
capacity to treat all offenders alike, is
going to depend to large extent on the
handling of Judge Raedy's case.
This means two things. First, Judge
Raedy should not be brought to trial
merely because she happens to be a judge.
Second, the fact that she is a judge should
not serve to block a prosecution If one
is indicated by the evidence, nor should it
result in an investigation that is pro-
longed to point of becoming farce.
Evening star., 1947-08-27
What They Soy About Us

We have heard and read good deal In
recent months about the anti-American
propaganda emanating from Russia. The
Star is running some samples Of 1t every
day on the first page under the caption,
What the Russians Are Saying OF U.s."
The samples are selected from the daily
propaganda broadcast from Moscow and
beamed at different parts of the world.
1t is usually disconcerting, but often
helpful, to see ourselves as others see U.s.
But to see ourselves through the eyes, or
the voices, of these official peddlers Of anti
American propaganda is to lose all re-
naming illusions as to Russian intent re-
garding the United States
That intent is to blacken our name, to
distort our motives and to plant hatred
against us wherever the broadcasts are
heard. Whether the intent will be fulfilled
is one thing. But the effectiveness of the
Russian broadcasts is not nearly so i'm
portant, certainly it is not as significant,
as the policy which lies behind them. For
the policy is not the policy of friend. 1t
Is the policy of an enemy. 1t is the policy
of AN enemy who subscribes to the Hit
lerian philosophy regarding the constant
reiteration of lie and who has adopted
1t as weapon of offense.
Regardless of the effectiveness of the
Russian propaganda in other countries,
there is no doubt as to the effect over here.
The broadcasts are teaching us number
of things about Russia that it is well to
know about-in advance
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Growing Tax Exemption

District Assessor Dents report for the
past fiscal year shows continuation of the
trend here toward real estate tax exemp-
ton. For the fiscal year 1e45 more than
half the land area of the District was still
taxable. The following year, for the first
time, the amount of untaxed land ex-
ceeded the amount of taxable land. For
1947, the fiscal year just closed, the reduc-
ton of taxable land continues.
Here is the progress of this trend for
the past thirteen, fiscal years, the percent
age figure, on the right hand, indicating
the amount of taxable land in the District:
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Mr.. Fay Makes PROGRESS

The new statute covering sex offenders,
which has been drafted in tentative form
by United States Attorney Fay after a
conference with other public officials
interested in this problem, signifies that
real progress is being made in the effort
to give the people of Washington the pro-
lection against degenerateS which they
ought to have.
In this undertaking, Mr.. Fay has had
the cooperation of the District Bar As
ISOLATION, the Executive Board of the Dis
trict Medical Society, DR.. Overholser of
st. Elizabeths Hospital and of represent
atives of the Justice Department. the
Metropolitan Police Department and of
the House and the Senate District Com
mittees. This is a good cross-section of
the agencies within the District which are
most directly concerned with the problem
of sex offenses and their continued COL
laboration should insure that the new
statute, when finally drafted, will be the
best obtainable.
In its main aspects, the draft prepared
by Mr.. Fay, after study of the best State
laws on the subject, contemplates new
general statute dealing with sex offenses
and carrying adequate penalties, a section
authorizing especially heavy. penalties for
offenses against children, and provision
for committing dangerous sex offenders
for medical treatment 1t is anticipated
that the latter would not be released un-
less and until they are cured.
AS The Star has repeatedly pointed out,
the present law in the District applicable
to sex offenders is deplorably inadequate
1t treats these potential murderers as
though they were minor offenders, enabling
them to prey on the community year after
year without fear Of anything more than
small fine or an inconsequential jail
sentence The new law now being drafted
would correct this disgraceful condition
and The Star hopes and believes that it
will be perfected and then passed by the
next Congress ..-t
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Father Ducey

There were number of ways In which
Father Cornelius ]. Dacey resembled Mon
selgneur: Bienvenu in Les MiSerables."
Like Jean Valjean's benefactor, he had
"the eloquence Of the Apostles, convincing
and persuading." His sermons commonly
were short, going straight to the point,
with few phrases and a good deal of
imagery" 1t was noticed, too, that. "His
reasonings and models We're never far
fetched" and "he told the best truths,
which are the most simple" He shared
with the Bishop of D. likewise the
faith that "the mind Is a garden" and
that "the finest of all altars is the soul of
an unhappy man who is consoled and
thanks God.'
The theology of Father Dacey was very
old, about nineteen centuries old in fact;
yet it was his remarked experience that
it was newer than new in application. No
more recent philosophy was superior in
his sight than that which holds: 'The
great dangers are within ourselves" He
agreed with Solomon as cited by Victor
Hugo's saint, declaring that Mercy was
the fairest of all the names OF the Creator.
Bv instinct pastor, he saw his work as
phvsician's task, an assignment OF heal
Ing. "He visited the poor so long as he
had any money; when he had none, he
visited the rich" It never occurred to him
To dramatize himself What he was con-
cerned with was mo systems, but abun-
dance of deeds"
Sympathy prompted Father Dacey's min
istry. In the language of Monsignor Wei
Evening star., 1947-08-27
New Grain

The heart lies open Hike tdlloto feld
For here, the plough OF pain has thrust
its blade
And turned the memories bnasT' q" 'ns
yield
rhat these long years and fastening
days have made.
The heart lies brooding underneath the sky
As any field, until the so'osr comes
And drops new seeds to quicken oy ana oy
When clouds drop rain; the music OF Hs
drums
will ,Dake the seed, but no'o the heart Hes
bare
washed by Its sacrifice, wondering
space
smoothed by regret and turrotoed By de-
spatr,
ro matt neto promise In the old ones
. place.
II kno,os no faith but one, and this one sdDs
Mem grain must feed upon the haruests
oraue. LUCILLE 8. JACKSON.
Evening star., 1947-08-27

come he would say: Brethren, haye pity!
See how people suffer around you!" And
no one was more glad than he when the
suffering was cured. His twenty years
at Saint Pauls will be remembered for the
pastoral labors for which he was re-
sponsible. A native of Washington, bred
in the grand traditions of the Irish nation
and the Irish church, deeply devoted to
the ideals of America, solemn in his atti-
tude toward the compelling problems Of
his time but hopeful of constructive
outcome, he lived and died a simple,
earnest priest in whom the beauty OF
devotion was as real as the sun.
Evening star., 1947-08-27

If we project this trend the fiscal year
1860 will find taxable land in the District
reduced to around 40 per cent, for there
Is nothing to indicate that the trend is
going to slow up of its own accord. This
represents a real problem in financing
the city's needs, but it is by no means
incapable of the wise solution which lies
primarily in recognition, by Congress, that
the Federal Government must make up
revenues lost to the municipality by the
exemptions resulting from the fact that
Washington is the American Capital. Such
recognition was implied in the increase
the past year of the Federal payment.
But Congress has not taken the important
second step of coupling the amount of the
Federal payment with the amount OF tax
exemption. That will come eventually
One interesting development of the past
fiscal year was that the greatest amount
of taxable property removed from the tax
lists resulted from acquisitions by en-
bassies, legations and nongovernmental
agencies rather than by the Federal Gov
ernment itself Belgium, Peru, Switzer-
land and France have bought, for embassy
use some of the largest and most valuable
properties ineaiae District" Others have
such purchases in mind With the end OF
the war it may be expected that there
will be additional purchases efs-District
property by tax-exempt organizations Tor
use as national headquarters
Evening star., 1947-08-27
No Hemisphere Veto

AIScIGuld dSSCpGollSC Va eAAO ACACoV Va
her proposal at the Inter- American De-
fense Conference for veto restriction on
collective hemisphere action is an encour-
aging development. The threat of obdu
rate iaeistenq by 1.-THE, Peron government
on the tight of Argentina or any other
single nation to resort to United Nations
like veto had hung over the Rio conferees
fTanR-f fsVery start Of the deliberations
Such a veto right could have been as
frustrating in its hemisphere implications
as Russia's veto has proved to be on a
global level.
Argentine officials had announced prior
to the conference that they would vigor-
ously oppose the United States sponsored
plan to authorize joint military action
against an aggressor on two-thirds vote
of treaty signatories. The Argentine con-
tention has been that since the Chapul-
tepec agreement contemplated unity for
common defense, any collective move
should be backed by unanimous support
of all the American republics Admittedly,
such unanimity would have a desirable
psychological effect in any crisis. But,
lacking such unanimity, the veto plan
would have left the majority helpless to
act except on their own initiative, out
side the scope of the treaty.
It has not been easy to reconcile Ar
gentina's caustic criticism of the Soviet
veto stand before the U. N. Security Coun-
Gil with her espousal Of the same obstruc-
ZIONIST principle under the inter- American
security program. In bowling to the
wishes of the majority of the American
republics, Argentina has demonstrated
her belief in democratic processes and has
shown cooperative spirit that augurs
we'll for settlement of other issues facing
the conferees.
IT the voting plan as 1t now stands is
written into the final treaty, two-thirds
vote by the American nations will set in
motion hemisphere machinery to resist,
by whatever military measures may be
necessary, an aggression upon one or
more of the countries. All would be obli-
gated to come to the defense of any vic
tim of aggression-to regard an attack,
or threat of attack, against one member
as an aggression against all the American
nations.
Under the security zone proposal tenta-
lively approved yesterday, an attack on
Greenland or Hawaii would be regarded
as threat to the security of the Western
Hemisphere, no less than an attack on
the Americas proper The zone is sub
stantially that established in the Decla-
ration of Panama of 1899, so that no
serious opposition to final approval of the
boundaries is anticipated. With compro-
misses on the question of what constitutes
aggression from outside or from within
the zone already in the making, the way
is being smoothed for early agreement on
all remaining issues. Unless an unfore-
seen snag is encountered, the stage will
soon be ready for the expected climactic
appearance of President Truman at the
closing session. This should provide the
proper drama and lend the desired pres
tige to the final acts Of the most significant
conference in the history of inter -Ameri-
can relations.
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Letters to The Star
Further Views on Sex Grimes

Further Views on Sex Grimes
To the Editor of The Star:
I note with approval your interest in the
proposed legislation to protect children and
women from sex criminals.
The real solution of the problem, however,
1t seems to me, lies in different approach
altogether. Making safe community, Nation
or world In which to live is the business pri-
marily of our educational system. This edu-
cation begins in the home; continues in the
school, and is supplemented by the church
and the theater and motion picture institu-
tions. They all are responsible for the de-
plorable state of morals in our present day
society.
Adults, whatever their position Of response
bility, cannot be held blameless of sinful and
criminal urges in less responsible humans,
when they condone and many times them
selves practice questionable, free and easy
relations among themselves.
Too few persons realize the power Of telep-
athy What we do what we say, and even what
we think are all power for good or evil upon
all with whom our deeds, words and thoughts
come in contact. And thoughts can be con-
veyed the world around, as many will attest.
no instrument being needed for sending or
receiving but the mind alone.
America should return to God and keep
large type copy of His commandments hanging
in every living room to be made a part OF the
training of every man. woman and child.
NELLIE H. PUGH.
To the Editor Of The Star:
As reader of your paper I heartily approve
OF your current campaign against sex crime.
There Is one element in the situation locally,
however, which is being overlooked That is
the open and notorious burlesque shows toll
Grated in this city, with the disgraceful strip
tease performances. Other cities worthy OF the
name have prohibited such lewd exhibitions.
Even New York City has stopped such per-
formances. Yet here In the Nations Capital
bur4esque is glorified.
I have no doubt that if a study were made
it would be found that almost invariably
perpetrators of sex crimes were frequenters OF
burlesque houses, and the spectacles they saw
there stimulated the urge to commit such
crimes.
WHY does this city and its Commissioners,
who are supposedly interested in the welfare
and the morals of the city, permit such ex-
hibitions and the gaudy and brazen> adver-
tising Of nudity? w. W. ROBERTS.
To the Editor of The Star:
Since the sex criminal seems to be making
headlines at this time, could I suggest that, in
nv own personal opinion, do not think he
should be very battling to cope with?
The individual who lacks brains, lets his
desires develop; the one who has brains, usually
controls himself.
We call South Sea Islanders practically "un-
touchables," yet their morals are far cleaner
than our own. Their women wear little. some
times no clothing, but should one be insulted,
the punishment Is 30 severe that few dare to
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Stars, Men and Atoms
Meteorites Called Bits
OF Blasted Tenth Planet
Astronomer Draws Conclusion From
Measurements of Helium
By Thomas r. Henry

measurements OF f1ellum
By Thomas r. Henry
Meteorites-masses Of stone or iron that
smash into the earth-are probably fragments
of 3 tenth planet Of the solar system which
exploded few hundred million years ago
This Is the preliminary conclusion of DR.
Carl Bauer, Harvard University astronomer,
found In these celestial cannon balls q few Of
which have been big enough to make stable
dents in the surface Of the earth.
The amount of helium in a rock hitherto
has been regarded as a fair measure of its
age This gas is created in the breakdown Of
the radioactive elements, uranium and tho
rum. This proceeds at constant rate every
where in the universe. The end products are
the light gas and various forms of lead. The
amounts Of these recoverable, compared with
the amounts Of the radioactive material in the
sample, presumably give quite accurate meas
ure of age since the rock crystallized into its
present form.
Estimates on Years
Such estimates for meteorites in the past
have led to determinations Of age OF as much
as 1000 ,o00,o 900 years, about threefold greater
than the age Of any rocks found on earth.
1t has lately been determined. however, that
'helium can be created In one other way-the
disintegration Of nonradioactive elements by
cosmic rays-says Dr. Bauer in his preliminary
report. His calculations show, he says, that
the greatest amount OF helium yet observed
could have been produced by cosmic rays alone
IN a little more than 5000 900 900 years.
Curieusly enough, smaller meteorites have
more helium than big ones This Is due. he
says, to the fact that the cosmic radiation does
not penetrate much beyond the outer shell of
big masses Of rock while the entire substance
OF the small ones Is exposed This outer shell
Is burned of by friction as the shooting star"
passes through the earths atmosphere.
This makes 1t necessary, Dr.. Bauer says, to
reduce quite radically the age estimates prob
ably putting the maximum at few hundred
million years.
Few Hit the Earth.
Shooting stars are most abundant at certain
times-notably in June and September when
the earth in its orbit presumably is passing
through the remains of disrupted comet It
has been assumed in the past that most Of
the meteorites were fragments of some such
comet But curiously enough. DR.. Bauer finds
from a statistical analysis, during these fire
showers few meteorites hit the earth. The
disrupted comets apparently contained few
massive fragments, the origin OF which must be
looked for elsewhere.
THE result indicates" he says, that me-
teorites represent the debris resulting from the
disruption of planet-sized body"
This research is endowed by the Academy Of
Time, sponsored by the Benrus Watch Co.
Evening star., 1947-08-27

Q. Why are some wines termed sparkling
wines"?-H o. r.
A. Sparkling wines are those which have been
bottled while still fermenting so that the car
bon dioxide remains in solution.
@. What is Give glacier'7-W. N.
A. A live glacier Is one that discharges Ice
bergs into the sea.
O. How fast does cyclone travel?-W. 3. D.
A. The Weather Bureau says that the aver
age speed Of cyclones in the United States Is
between 900 and TOO miles per day. However.
the speed Of any individual cyclone may vary
considerably from this average rate.
@. What is the name of the tuft Of hair worn
by Hindus?-P. M.
A. The name of the tuft of hair worn on the
crown of the head by some Hindus Is sikha. 1t
is not restricted to any particular Hindu tribe
and can be worn by all the Hindu castles. Very
few bother to wear it.
O. Where are the rainiest and and the driest
regions in the United States?-H, o, G.
A. Both are in the West. Northwest WASH
ington Is the rainiest region and Death Valley,
Calf, the driest and hottest.
O. Where Is there a noted painting Of "Ths
Last Supper" by Andrea del Sarto?-W. e. c.
A. The artist executed a painting OF The
Last Supper" on a wall of the refectory OF the
Convent Of st. Salvi, near Florence. Italy. The
composition of the fresco Is similar to that OF
Leonardo da Vinci. In this painting Judas sits
at Our Lords right.
@. Is Turkey oficially Mohammedan coun-
try?-B. T.
A. Islam Is no longer recognized as the state
religion but the vast majority of the Turkish
population is Moslem The Grand National AS
sembly on April 10, 1928 passed law IN VIRTUE
of which Islam ceased to be the state religion
of the republic The Moslem Friday has been
abolished in favor of the Western Sunday.
@ What animal has the longest taii2-
F. L. K.
A, The clouded leopard Is famous for the
length and beauty of its tail. The animal, ma
tive of ASIA lives in trees and is rarely seen In
geological gardens.
@ What State is noted for its inventors7-
H. w.
A. Connecticut has been the birthplace and
residence of many noted inventors. Included
In the roster Of famous men are Ell Terry,
Chauncey Jerome and Seth Thomas, clock
makers: John Fitch, the first person to apply
steam to navigation; Charles Goodyear, In
ventor Of vulcanizing; Samuel Colt, inventor
of the revolver, and Linus Yale, who in 184o
revolutionized lock manufacture
@. Should light for reading fall over the
left shoulder?-M. E. M.
A. Experimentation has shown that the d.
reetion from which the light comes does not
matter, provided no shadows are cast on the
page, and that the rays Of light DO not enter
the eve.
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Upland Posture

When the. hot drowsy days of late sum-
mer brood over the countryside, there is
something about an upland pasture that
appeals to the countryman. The Dog Star
still holds his sultry sceptre; days are
sticky; motionless humid air is sitting
blanket at night. But even on hot late
August day there are beauty and relaxa-
ton on the boulder studded, cliff-faced
Evening star., 1947-08-27

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Driter, although it Is permissible for q
1Driter kno1Dn to The Star to use
nom de plume Please be brief.
Evening star., 1947-08-27
Site for New White House

S1te IOr new Whlte House
To the Editor Of The Star:
Before the die is cast on the matter of build
ing hospital on the site of the Naval Observ-
atory, 1t seems to me some consideration should
be given TO the use of that land for future
home and office for the President Of the United
States Perhaps the present White House will
long future and considering the frequent COM
plants about the inadequacy OF the White
House and the frequent proposed additions to
it, one wonders If the lone remaining suitable
SPOT in the District really should be used for
hospital We certainly need the hospital, but
with COWS grazing on the grounds Of Soldiers
Home it cannot be argued that there are not
other available locations for q hospital.
The Naval Observatory land, including that
of the Industrial Home School, would make an
ideal spot for Presidential headquarters. 1t
is large enough for house and garden where
the President and his family could relax IN
privacy An office building sufficient in size
to house the Presidents staff also could be
included on the grounds. If guest house were
needed, there is ample space for one. Any good
architect could lay out the grounds and design
the buildings so that tourists could see all they
wanted without interfering with onicial bust-
ness and necessary service vehicles.
Observatory Hill is one Of the highest in the
District. hence cooler than the congested area
where the President is now compelled to live
a virtual prisoner ip a narrow cell. Even though
no immediate change is contemplated, 1t would
appear wise to consider carefully before turn
ing over this site for another purpose. E. B.
Evening star., 1947-08-27

To the Editor Of The Star:
Permit me. as a citizen taxpayer and a
17-year-reader of The Star to extend my
grateful appreciation and congratulations for
your campaign to secure better protection for
this community from sex perverts and
degenerates. It is just the sort Of thing one
might expect from The Star
G. w. EDGERLY.