davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Rectifying q House Mistake

The Senate Appropriations Committee,
in restoring to the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission budget $95,000
item for planning against city blight, has
shown better understanding of the pro-
posal than was evidenced by the House
Appropriations Committee. The latter
group eliminated the item under a mis-
apprehension as to its purpose. Apparent
ly the House committee thought the money
was to be used for an actual start on
slum clearance. It felt that it was illogical
in a time of housing shortages to begin
tearing down alley dwellings.
Actually, the money is to be used only
for long-range planning. This planning
should be done now, in order to be ready
for actual operations when they become
feasible. Not all of the fund would be
devoted to slum clearance plans either.
Nearly half of 1t is needed to develop a
comprehensive overall development plan
for the District. The remainder is ear
marked for surveys of blighted areas and
Of the low-income groups who live there.
All OF this planning already has been
authorized by Congress.
Unless the planning authorization is
backed by appropriation of the small fund
requested by the commission, the important
preliminary work of planning for the or
derly development of Washington will be
seriously delayed. The Senate committee
has recognized this problem in voting to
approve the appropriation. With the pur-
pose of the fund thus clarified, there is
good reason to hope that the Senate will
pass the item and that the House conferees
will agree to rectify the Houses mistake.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Our Many Police Forces

During the House hearings on the Dis
trict appropriation bill Representative
Horan asked the acting Superintendent OF
Police. Inspector Thomas. how long it had
been since general studies were made re-
garding coordination in the functioning
of Washington's many police services.
Inspector Thomas replied that as far as
he knew no such study OF the sort had
been made. Mr.. Koran suggested that one
should be made and that understandings
between them on Jurisdiction, power OF
arrest, etc., be reduced to writing.
There followed this colloquy between
Commissioner Young and Mr.. Koran:
Commissioner Young-You know they will
never give up the policing OF the Capitol
grounds.
Mr.. Horan-You know why, because OF pat
ronage.
Commissioner Young-With regard to public
buildings, that is entirely out OF the matter.
Mr.. Horan-You know why. That is because
Of patronage.
Commissioner Young-You know they would
not give up the White House Police.
Mr.. Horan-You know why. 1t Is patronage
also.
6GDCSSeuIdUlNC
to disagree that patronage was the con-
trolling reason for separate White House
police. He said that White House police
were selected from the Park Police and
Metropolitan Police and drawn from Civil
Service lists.
But there is a growing interest among
members of Congress over the number OF
- ali IN, q
few years ago the President vetoed a bill
to merge the Park Police with the Met
ropolitan Police. A bill to charge the
Interior Department Gnstead of the Dis
trict of Columbia) for the Park Police was
reported to the House only last week. One
of the proposals behind the Senate District
Committees police investigation, beginning
today. relates to merger OF police forces.
The attempted assassination of Senator
Bricker on Saturday will draw new atten-
ton to the curious aggregation OF patron
age appointees which goes under the name
of the United States Capitol Police.
Patronage does have significant bear
ing on the question, as Mr.. Koran Sug-
gested. But the controlling influence is
the anxiety of each separate little princi-
pality, in policing Washington, to maintain
it's independence. The Park Police. the
Capitol Police. the White House Police, the
small army of building guards-all of these
can advance grave considerations why they
should remain separate and entirely indie
pendent OF the Metropolitan Police. Yet
efficiency and economy would be served by
their merger. The question is an appro-
pirate one for more study than it has
received and the Senate committee may
find it worth exploring.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
CommendubIe Record

The Municipal Court Of Appeals passed
its dve-year milestone last week with a
record of performance in which both Its
judges and the community may we'll take
pride.
This court reviews cases from all branches
OF the Municipal Court, from the Juvenile
Court and, through the Municipal Court,
from the local rent administrator. The
thought OF It's sponsors was that it would
expedite the handling of these cases and
take much of the load of the United States
Court of Appeals. That the tribunal has
fulfilled these expectations is shown by
some of its statistics.
Over the flve-year period it has had six
hundred and eighty yf1ye appeals submitted
and has dealt with seven hundred and
eighty-four motions OF various kinds. The
average elapsed time between the noting
Of an appeal in the trial court and final
decision in the appellate court has been
ninety-two days. The average elapsed time
between the date. of argument and final
decision has been thirty-one: Gays. AS OF
last Wednesday, there were only six cases
which had been heard and were still un-
decided
The municipal appellate court has been
reversed only nine times in five years by
the United States Court OF Appeals. Dur
ing that period there were one hundred
and thirteen applications to the United
States Court for reviews. Only twenty
three of these were granted, and the
municipal appellate court was sustained In
fourteen.
This is a record which reflects very
creditably on the work of Chief Judge
Cayton and his associates, Judges Hood
and Clagett.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Our Unemployment Reserve
Now $45,OO0OOO 1t Provides Good Insurance
But Depression Might Soon Deplete 1t
Bv WiIlian, II. Press

Taxes aggregating more than $57 900 900 have
been paid to the District Unemployment Com
pensation Board by employers Of Washington
since 1885, The balance in the unemployment
trust fund today is approximately $45 000, 900.
Now, when city oficials are literally scraping
the bottom Of the barrel for funds to carry on
essential municipal services, covetous glances
are being directed at this sizeable, earmarked
cash reserve. 1t has been suggested that part
Of it be diverted to general operating accounts.
Therefore, 1t is timely to review the need for
the large existing balance. -
The Unemployment Compensation law, as
in the States and Territories, Is local law
placed on the books to comply with Federal
statutes Taxes collected from local payrolls
are deposited in Q trust fund in the United
States Treasury and may only be Withdrawn to
pay benefits to qualified unemployed claimants.
The Districts trust fund balance at the end
Of 1s43 was $39758 S27. Lower tax rates, made
available to most employers by the experience
rating provisions of the law since that time,
have reduced the average annual fund increase
to slightly less than 100000. Experience dur
ing the first half of this year indicates that in
a reasonably normal postwar employment pat
tern receipts and expenditures will approxi-
mately balance. During 1877, for example, 1t
appears that the only addition to the size of the
fund will be interest amounting to . little
more than 100000.
No Tax Reduction Probable.
Most employers now pay tax Of only i1o
of l per cent on their payrolls, the lowest
rate provided. Those paying more either have
= bad employment experience or are denied
. reduced rate by provisions Of Federal law.
There is no practicable way of significantly
reducing the amount Of tax currently collected.
Benefits to unemployed workers were first
paid In 1888. Consequently there is no expert
ence for forecasting the amount which might
be paid out during q period OF widespread
unemployment. Prewar experience after 1898
was generally during a period of rising en-
ployment in the District. Furthermore, the
number of employed persons in Washington
has increased approximately IS per cent since
1940 Wages are at substantially higher level
now than they were before the war. Benefits
paid in the years ahead will consequently be
greater, even in good times, than they were
between 1899 and 1915. 1t is already apparent
that total benefits which will be paid out during
the calendar year 1947-a prosperous year-will
be greater than in any previous year.
Erudite economists and other qualified prog
nosticators are predicting business conditions
ranging from a mild recession to q serious de-
preston within year or two. 1t is impossible
to estimate the amount of unemployment I'M
der such conditions but it is obvious that any
important curtailment Of job opportunities will
create great potential drain on the trust fund.
For example, If $4,000 covered workers earn
ing $35 or more a week became unemployed
Evening star., 1947-07-14
The Closer the Better

Periodically, for many years past, efforts
have been made to forge consulting link
between Congress and the State Depart
ment. At best, however, largely because
the liaison arrangements have not been
formalized or systematized, the results
have been only temporarily effective. Now
new attempt is being launched, and 1t
holds out more promise of success than
past moves along the same line. II carried
out as planned. 1t can be of great value in
the conduct of our foreign policy.
The plan, as announced by the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, calls for a
regularly scheduled series of closed con-
ferences between the committee and Secre-
tary Marshall The first such meeting,
involving discussions on problems Of
state" has already been held, and it will
be followed by others at fixed intervals
from now on. The intervals themselves
are not defined, but the announcement
makes clear that the arrangement will
consist of much more than spur-o the
moment get-togethers. 1t will be system
attic, and it will continue in the next
session of Congress. Indeed, it might well
be organized on a permanent basis as
part of the established machinery OF our
Government.
Certainly, nothing could be more obvious
than the need for mutual consultation be-
tween the State Department and Congress.
Under the direction of the President, who
is the fountainhead of our foreign policy,
the department helps to formulate and
carry out that policy, but the Senate and
House have the power of notification.
BY declining to approve 1t or appropriate
money for it, they can kill off any vital
international program that the executive
branch may undertake. Thus, for example,
without their understanding and support,
the Marshall Europe proposal could
be rendered meaningless. The same may
be said of all other world moves initiated
by the President and his Secretary of
State.
Accordingly, it is matter of the utmost
Importance that the best possible liaison
be worked out by the State Department
on one hand and the appropriate congress
sional groups on the other. The plan an
nounced by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee is an excellent move to that
S11o' IL bAOduC1lCu W lIlCluQS Llc COTTe-
spending House committee as well, it can
be developed into permanent mechanism
for mutual consultation between the legis-
lative and executive branches on all key
international problems. Its chief virtue
would be that it would keep Congress fully
informed on the background and meaning
OF great issues and would thus create the
kind OF understanding that is needed If the
President and Secretary of State are to
have the support they must have to make
our foreign policy effective
: With the world in its present state, we
must have not merely united front be-
tween Republicans and Democrats on basic
international matters. but also united
front between Congress and the admin
istration. A close liaison between the two
can do much to bring this about, and the
closer the better. Without it, the Nation
will risk fumbles and divisions of a sort
that it can i'll afford in the age of the atom.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
At Monticello
(Home Of Thomas Jefferson)

t0Ome OF s0OWOS SesISsSO"
The mountain roadway, ptuottng ,oeathsr-
cock,
And white pillared portico speak OF the
heart
With utmost pride. 1t hears the great
hall clock,
Mantel and chimney-breast relate their
part;
Yet none can speak the story quite % tDeH
As does the travelling desk that one
time learned
Immortal ,oords such as quill could tell
Guided by him pheretn the bright fire
burned.
rhe heart Is made to tDonder at their
might :.
Those words that flashed upon a finty
shore,
That blazed as torches IN the hands OF
Night,
That lit the ocean to the salty floor;
Flame -trords tnhich neuer tcane, but
ledping high
lnscribs eternally the arch Of skv.
ROSE MYRA PHuLIP6.
Evening star., 1947-07-14

visional government there is the only
feasible alternative.
General Wedemeyers report, slated to be
rendered after his return from tour not
expected to extend over more than six
weeks, will furnish Secretary of State
Marshall with reliable and timely informa-
ton for his action, and will coordinate
the Far East in that overall policy picture
Evening star., 1947-07-14

and claimed benefits the weekly withdrawal
from the trust fund on their account would be
half a million dollars. Since there was an aver
age Of 212000 covered workers In 1916 it is
clear that the potential benefit liability is 90
great that most Of the inflated aspects Of the
81, 900 balance disappear. It Is good in
surance against hard times and should 70 far
to make such activities As WPA unnecessary
in the future.
Liberalization Moves Expected.
Most thoughtful students of the law antici-
pate some iberalizing of benefits In the near
future which will probably cause the fund
to shrink steadily even though jobs are plenti-
full The present maximum benefit payment of
$50 week in the District is now exceeded in
neighboring Maryland and many other States.
large number of other jurisdictions have
also amended their laws to provide benefits for
longer than the 2o-week period allowed here.
Labor wants higher benefits and . longer
duration period Efforts to secure action grant
ing them will undoubtedly be intensified when
the Congress returns in January.
Employers will object to across the board
upward revision Of benefit payments This
objection will be based on a belief that il
benefit payments in the lower brackets are
raised they will be so high in comparison to
pSSAoub CaIuA1lSo ti1dL tilc ulCeHClVe 10 ma
employment and get OF the benefit rolls may
vanish in many cases. Experience indicates
that their fears in this regard are we'll
founded On the other hand, employers will
probably agree to the addition Of 4 limited
number Of higher benefit brackets for those
earning more than $35 q week 10 that the
maximum benefit amount will be raised from
$40 to $23 or $25.
There will probably be little opposition from
any quarter to reasonable proposals for length
ening the duration Of benefits beyond the 20
week period now in effect, provided there is
q proper relationship established between
duration Of benefits and earnings during the
previous year.
Tightening Eligibility Rule.
Employers however. will insist upon coupling
benefit liberalization with stricter disoualifi-
cation provisions. They will point out the fact
that the law is intended to pay BENEFITS to
workers who are unemployed through no
fault Of their own, who are available for work,
and actively seeking work. Benefits should not
be paid to those voluntarily unemployed or
to those discharged for misconduct. The
worker does not contribute to the fund. All
costs are borne by the employer and conse-
quently claimants have no vested interest in
the fund.
According to comparative records the I'm
employment Compensation Board Is alert to
fraudulent claims and is quick to disqualify
them. But penalties provided in existing law
are generally insufficient to discourage gold
bricking" by the minority Of workers who at
tempt to avoid working and exist on whatever
bounty they can collect from the fund.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Opposes Military Training

the Ed1tor
In spite Of promilitary propaganda, there
are many people in the United States who are
opposed to universal military training.
One reason is because it is foreign to the
American way Of life and is another step
toward the military control Of our national ex-
istence. Too many Army and Navy onicers
have been given top positions in all civilian
departments of the Government Statements
by the brass hats are accepted as gospel by the
press in general, while testimony by civilians
receives practically no mention at all.
Ever since the war with Japan ended We
have been given . daily newspaper and radio
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Nv THE HAsKIN SERVICE

N THE HAsKIN SERVICE
@. How many caloEies per day are consid-
cred adequate for moderately active nnsn and
Women?-C. @. A.
A. The recommended caloric allowance OF
the National Research Council for men Is
5000 calories and for women $500 calories.
Q. Have any city governments granted pref
srence to veterans in municipal employment
j. G.
A. The International City Managers Asso-
citation reports that At least $50 cities over
10000 population have granted priority to
veterans in some form or other.
@. Why Is . meeting from which the public
I. M.
A. In English history the Star Chamber was
4 laigi, court which exercised wide civil and
criminal Jurisdiction and functioned without .
Jury. Because the court abused its power It was
abolished in 1641. In the modern sense "star
chamber" designates any authoritative body
characterized by secret or arbitrary methods.
9. How many miles away can lightning be
seen?-G. G.
A. Under favorable circumstances lightning
may be seen ut least 100 miles
Q. Who was the pirate who captured Julius
Caesar?-S. @.
A. The pirate leader was named spartsco
On his way to study rhetoric under Molon. at
Rhodes Caesar was captured BY pirates and
while held for ransom threatened to return
and cruelty them When released he lost no
time In carrying out his threat.
Q. Are the Hopf viodns Of any valusi-
v. E. q.
A. Hidalgo Moya and Towry Piper In ''violin
Tone and Violin Makers" make the following
statement: "A large number Of makers Of this
name have operated In Klingenthal, Mark
neukirchen and elsewhere In Germany for gen.
erations. Some were tolerable workmen; others
most Indifferent Most Of them used to brand
their work and the name, Hopf, may be seen
branded on productions Of the very commonest
class, which are hardly fit to be described as
violins."
@. What is Glen plaid?-s. r. q.
A. Glen plaid, or Glen Urquhart plaid, Is
voolen or worsted cloth characterized by
pronounced check. The name indicates style
Of design rather than quality.
Evening star., 1947-07-14

When the Communists are being investi-
gated, they call it witch hunt; when they
are making other people uncomfortable,
they regard 1t as an enterprise in behalf
Of the ideals of democracy.
Evening star., 1947-07-14

dose OF scare propaganda. II Russia is what
we are afraid Of, why are we still shipping oil
to her?
Any decision on UNIT should be deferred
until the other side Of the picture has been
presented and some Of the hysteria which
now grips the country has abated. UNIT
would not shorten war, Is now is being claimed,
because our top generals have told US that an
atomic war would be over in matter Of weeks
and Gen. Marshall has said it would take
six months to year to mobilize the boys who
have had military training and returned to
civilian life. We hear also that UNIT would
save life. Yet an Army and Navy Journal
editorial said: "One of the commonest and
weakest arguments advanced in the UNIT cause
is that preparedness saves lives of men. The
men of the German army at the outbreak of
the war were prepared yet they were killed in
appalling numbers"
If we add UNIT to our already staggering
military budget, the civilian will pay more
taxes and other nations will add to their
armed might to keep pace with us. J. B.
Terminal Pay and Imitation
To the Editor OF The Star:
In regard to letting veterans cash in their
terminal pay bonds now instead Of five years
from now I, too, vote in favor Of 1t, but be-
lieve that my reasons differ slightly from the
others who have advocated the passage Of
this bill.
My reason is an extremely selfish one. Let's
give the vets everything that Is due them.
Give them the right to cash the bonds tomor-
row. Let them take this money and buy new
cars (one- third down and Is months to pay) or,
better still, let them sink part Of the money in
$4,000 prefabricated plywood bungalows Or.
since it is summer and the hotel prices are
higher, they may choose to spend several weeks
at some resort ($12 day single, American
PLAN.
1t wouldn't do much good to argue the point
that their bonds are accumulating interest and
that 81 five years from now may be worth q at
the present prices. We have imitation now and
we shall continue to have 1t a. long as people
feel money burning holes in their pockets. It's
SO easy to forget the times when good secre-
tary made $l8 week and = man supported .
family in style on $50 week, when cars could
be purchased for $700 and there were such
things as 5000 homes.
My humble opinion is that imitation will end
only when the people are broke-no sooner.
Then those Of us who have tried to save here
and there by driving old cars and living in
furnished rooms will have our day.
So, / say: Cash in the bonds and spend.
spend 1t all! Let me know when some one
wants to sell his prefab bungalow for-wen,
ABOUT $4,000. BETTY AYLoR.
Evening star., 1947-07-14

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
tDriter, although 1t is permissible for
Uriter knoUn to The Star to use a
nom De plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1947-07-14
Questions and Answers

Of fact 81 writing The 1xsninE gtsr Infogmatton
bureau, 31e street. Nj. wsshinfton t = .Dc'
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-12-30
TODAY'S
ANNIVERSARIES
know America)

l784-Stephen II. Long, SOL
dier-engineer, explorer of the
Southwest and the Rockies in
1920, pioneer railroad engineer,
born in Hopkington. N. H. Died
in Alton. Calf. Sept. 4, 1864.
l8l9-John w. Geary, soldier,
California pioneer, first mayor of
San Francisco, Union general,
and then governor of Pennsyl-
vania, born in Westmoreland
County, Pa. Died Feb. 8, 1873.
l847-Cl00 years ago)-John P.
Altgold, governor of Illinois, an
unique political figure, born in
Germany. Died March II, -902.
l872-William A. Larned, ma
tional lawn tennis champion his
day, born at Summit, N. j. A
suicide, Dec. 16, 1926.
l873-Alfred f. Smith, four
times governor of New York,
Presidential candidate in 1923,
"the Happy Warrior" born in
New York City. Died Oct. 4,
1914. ~. ........