davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-02-06
With All We Possess

In his first annual report to Con-
gress on American participation in
the United Nations, President Tru-
man does not gloss over the fact
that the new world organization will
have to travel a long and rocky road
before attaining its major objec-
tives. Nevertheless, though empha-
sizing that the difficulties and dan
gers ahead are many and serious"
his outlook is basically hopeful, and
he argues with compelling logic
when he declares that we must con-
tinue to support this fateful enter
prise with all the resources that
we possess"
Organizationally and otherwise,
the United Nations already has ac-
complished a good deal. But the
work done is dwarfed by the work
remaining to be done. To cite only,
a few items of unfinished business
listed in the Presidents report, we
are still far from an agreement on
atomic control; crucial peace
treaties have yet to be written; an
international military force con-
tinues to be only an idea on paper;
a world trade organization and
measures to promote an expanding
economy everywhere have scarcely
gone beyond the talking stage; the
spread of human rights has made
little or no progress to date; and not
much has been achieved so far to-
ward doing away with "iron cur
tains" and establishing a free inter-
change of information among
nations.
If only the beginning of begin
ming has thus been made, however.
the United Nations is geared to
carry on with its gigantic task. Time
and patience will be required If the
f1edgling organization is to take hold
and mature into an effective instru-
ment for the maintenance of a good
and lasting peace. Above all, as the
President declares, the fullest Amer
lean participation will be required,
and our foreign policy to that end
will have to be truly bipartisan, truly
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Taxes on Nearly Everything
Bills Seek Higher Cut on Liquor, Amusements,
Cigarettes and Even the Utility Bills
No. 4.
By John ". THOMPSON, I.

There seems to be general objection,
however, to the West committee plan
to tax utility bills. The proposal calls
for per cent tax on these bills ex-
pected to produce another $1,000,000 for
the city in year.
In general the plan seems designed to
extend the sales tax to these industries
at the same tax rate so that, for ex-
ample, the man who uses coal for heat
ing and has to pay sales tax on his
purchase would not be at disadvantage
with the man using gas simply by rea-
son of the nature Of his heat.
OF the three utilities affected, how
ever, only the telephone company ap-
peared at the hearing to oppose the tax.
The company pointed out the tax would
be passed on to the consumer and
amounted in effect to an increase in
rates which are governed by the Public
Utilities Commission.
The spokesman also argued that the
Federal Government has reserved this
field of taxation for ITSELF Additional
levies, he felt, would reduce the value
of the telephone and discriminate
against telephone subscribers as a
class. Furthermore, he continued, col
lection of the tax by the company would
be an added expense.
In the community groups, the utilities
tax was opposed by the Federation OF
Citizens Associations, the Junior Board
OF Commerce and. by omission from its
own tax recommendatio by the
Board Of Trade. Other smaller organi-
cations also objected.
Still another form Of sales tax was
suggested by the West COMMITTEES
levy of ! cent per package of 20 ciga-
rettes to be collected by sale Of stamps
by the city government. Income from
this sonrce is expected to reach $500, 900
a year.
Taxing Unincorp0rated Business.
Little opposition developed specifi-
cally toward this plan at the tax hear
ing although some groups, like the Fed
citation of sales taxation.
The final proposal in the new program
to rescue the general fund of the city
from debt Is per cent tax on the
income of unincorporated businesses.
Purpose of the tax is to bring the
contribution of such businesses into line
with that of corporations which now
pay 5 per cent Two businesses, stand
ing side by side, may be identical. One
pays tax because it happens to be
incorporated. The other does not.
At least, in the above example, the
unincorporated business operator would
pay personal income tax if he lived here.
But add to the example third similar
business, unincorporated, in which the
operator lives in Maryland or Virginia.
He pays no District income tax at all.
The levy will bring in 100000 annu-
ally in the opinion of the Tax Commit
tee. Some opposition was voiced to it
at the public hearing. The point was
made that broadening the personal in
come tax base to include taxation of
income earned here by nonresidents
would pretty largely take care of the
matter. Doctors and dentists were wor-
ried how it would affect them. The
Junior Board suggested it apply only
to nonresident cases.
(Tomorrow: Where the greatest dan
ger to local taxpayers lies)
Evening star., 1947-02-06

fellow travellers have sought to take
from the great middle class-as well as
from the few extremely wealthy-money
and distribute it to the less fortunate.
They took it through taxation and dis
tributed it through "relief payments"
and wages for made jobs This is the
theory of taxation which they still seek
to foist upon the American people. They
argue, too, there are many millions more
small income men and that 1t is politi-
cally wise to exempt them from income
taxes, whether through raising the per-
sonal exemptions in the tax laws or
through granting them greater reduc-
tion in tax rates.
Already some of the Republicans in
Congress have given ear to these argu-
ments for greater reduction of the taxes
of the lower income groups: They have
been taunted by Democratic opponents
who dare them to stick to their 20
per cent across the board tax reduction
in view of the 1948 elections. This is
part of the Democratic strategy to di-
vide the Republicans in Congress. In
the first place, the Democrats want to
see no tax reductions this year-for
which Republican Congress would be
responsible and to which credit would
go. And If there is any tax reduction,
they wish to make it appear they forced
the Republicans to accept Democratic
formula and that the Democrats were
responsible for millions of persons es-
Gaping the income tax altogether.
~ 4
Republican leadership, however, In
both the House and Senate continues
to insist that when tax reduction bill
comes from the Ways and Means Com
mittee of the House, 1t will have COM
plete support of House Republicans, and
that the Republicans will line up for
their tax bill in the Senate, when it has
been reported by the Senate Finance
Committee. It will be the Knutson bill
with some modification. Republican
leaders say they do not intend "to have
the CIO write the Republican tax bill"
They say. too, that they will make big
slashes in Federal spending and in the
number of Federal civilian employees.
To take all taxes off the lower income
group and keep heavy burden of tax
alton on the well-to-do in the end will
mean lower pay and fewer jobs. For
there will be less money and less incen-
tive to spend money in productive enter
prise
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Preview of Purudise

This n1orntngs park Is ,esoly teathered
Dhite
With hoartrost. Euery laurel clun1p.
the three
Spruce guardians OF the pathway to the
right,
The oaks, the elnas are one hyperbole
OF Dtiteness-not Gny,Oltere q ttOtg too
slight
To be down -couered. Each enchanted
AGAINST the cobalt brings me such de-
light
/ scarcely belieDe this paradise can be
The fog-bound square hurried through
last night.
Could epen deaths fog, lifting, let ms
A briohter scene than this -. or ons
a. bright?
ELOISE WADE HACKETT.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Bob Jones

Bob Jones may be cited an excel
lent example of the resiliency, the
"come back" quality, of modern
American youth. He is recuperating
at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda,
from the effects of an explosion in
the science laboratory of Richard
Montgomery High School, Rockville.
The blast which resulted when he
tried to make smoke bomb with
red PHOSPHORUS cost him his hands.
It might have killed him, and he
knows that he is lucky to have come
out of his narrowing experience
alive.
But he also is fortunate in living
in a century which has developed
a lot of practical know how"
Artificial hands soon will be fitted
to his arms. He has good chance
to live as normally, as constructively,
as the generality Of his contempo-
raries. His career is not ruined.
On the contrary, what has happened
to him may be an asset of tre-
mendous value. He has discovered
all of a sudden the poignancy as
well as the essential sweetness OF
life. If he makes the most of that
lesson, he may be leader as Edison
and Steinmetz were, as Franklin
Roosevelt was, as Helen Keller is.
1t seems that he already has some
such idea in mind when he says:
There's a lot of jobs open to me
now that weren't before"
Bob was popular before his acci-
dent. He is no less so now. At
eighteen, the world is before him.
He will go back to school, complete
his studies, make a success Of his
career, and he will not lack for
friends who will rejoice In his
achievement.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
The Hearing We Deserve

Decision of the Senate Judiciary
Committee nos to hold hearings on
the national representation amend
ment Is understandable. Volumes
of testimony on tie subject from
past hearings are available. Addi-
tional hearings would present little
that is new. We have, here in
Washington, a glaring contradiction
of the fundamental principles OF
our own system of government. We
are taxed without representation.
We are held to all the obligations
of citizenship and denied the most
valued privilege of citizens. ALI this
is known and recognized. There are
few men willing to defend it. The
simplest and most effective remedy
is an amendment to the Constitu-
ton, giving to Congress the power
which it now lacks-to confer on the
people who inhabit the seat OF
Government the degree of repre-
sentation, in Congress and in the
choice of President, that Congress
considers wise. There would be no
conflict between such an amend
ment and the wise control, by the
Nation, of it's seat OF, Government.
The District of Columbia would not
become a State. 1t SHOULD not be-
come a State. The District weuld
attain a new and unique status in
a Union of sovereign States. Its
status is now unique. But the new
status would be in keeping with the
principles of representative govern
ment, whereas the present status is
a stigma on representative govern
ment. We do not need new hear
ings on this question, with repetition
of so much that has been SAID
before. We need the willingness OF
men, who have the power to do it,
to submit the question to the mem
bers of Congress and to the people
of the United States and to submit
1t in the spirit of men anxious TO
fight a wrong. The hearing that
should be given now is in the forum
of Senate debate. The members OF
tie Judiciary Committee have the
opportunity to make that hearing
possible. They should have the Will
to do so.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
The Nicuroguon Elections

The publicity evoked oy tne COIL
tested presidential election in MICA
ragua is, indirectly, tribute to the
rising standards of political prac-
tice in Latin America.
Until relatively recent times the
normal" procedure in Latin Amer
lean countries was for the govern
ment in power to make" the cleo
tions slated under their constltu-
tions and thus perpetuate them
selves. The only alternative for the
"outs" was to oust the "ins" by a
reyolution-and then strive to stay
Gin" until ousted in their turn oy
revolutionary methods.
Nowadays, however, this tradl-
tional cycle is falling into disfavor
even in the more politically back
ward countries. OF this, Nicaragua
seems to be a case in point. That
Central American republic, with an
area the size of New England and a
population slightly exceeding l,OOO'-
600. has had a stormy political his
tory of relationships punctuated by
revolutions. Two decades ago, us
chronic confusion led to interven-
ton by the United States, the CHIEF
results of that episode being the
stable servicing of its foreign indebt-
edness and the creation of an Amer
ican-trained national guard for the
maintenance of order.
Since then things have gone
more quietly. Under the admins
tration of President Anastasio So
moza, elected in 1886 for four-year
term. and reelected under the pro-
visions of a new constitution for
six-year period, Nicaragua has en-
joyed internal stability and eco
nomic progress.
The termination of President So
moza's term this coming May neces-
STATED the holding of elections on
February 2. Somoza did not run
for reelection, but virtually desig-
mated his successor in the person OF
DR.. Leonardo Arguello, who had the
Presidents open support. The oppo-
sition candidate, DR.. Enoc Aguado,
charges fraud, claiming that the
Arguello victory by margin OF two
to one was obtained by various un-
fair measures that did not reflect
the popular will, and is not only
contesting the result but is appeal
ing to the public opinion of the
democratic world.
Reports by American eyewit-
nesses tend to throw doubt on the
fairness of the elections, though
they likewise attest the absence of
official censorship which enabled
the opposition press to conduct a
vigorous electoral campaign. The
KEY factor in the situation appears
to be the national guard, a con-
stabulary corps of about 1000, so
well trained and equipped that
revolutionary action would probably
be quickly suppressed. The general
population has been thoroughly dis
Evening star., 1947-02-06
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

The Republicans, In their campaign
for election of Republican Congress
last fall, made two major pledges to the
voters. First, that they would amend
and revise the fiscal affairs of the Gov
eminent, including cuts in Federal
spending and in Federal taxes. Second,
that they would amend and strengthen
the Federal labor laws in the interest
of industrial peace.
They are setting about these two Jobs
now. The screams emanating from New
Deal Democrats and from representa-.
tives of the CIO and AFL are loud and
lusty-in an effort to cloud the un-
doubted fact that large majority OF
the American people elected Repub-
lican Congress to do just these things.
With considerable adroitness the DEM
ocrats are seeking to divide the Repub-
licans, however, on the measures which
are to be proposed to cut expenditures,
reduce taxes, balance the budget and
provide more equitable labor laws. They
already have met with some success.
The 20 per cent income tax reduction
across the board-proposed by Chairman
Knutson of the House Ways and Means
Committee and supported by other Re-
puUliCdllS-S Cllc l1Iot W SOAlG C1A0CA
attack. 1t is charged that it is unfair
to grant 20 per cent tax reduction to
a man whose income is, for example,
$4,000 and at the same time only reduce
the income tax of a $4,000 income man
by 20 per cent. on the ground that the
man with the $4,000 income gets several
hundred dollars relief and the man with
the $4,000 income, little relief at all.
There is a tendency to forget that a
man who earns $4,000 year must be
entitled to more money than the man
who earns $4,000. To carry through to
a final conclusion the argument of the
opponents of the fat 20 per cent reduc-
ton in income taxes-no man should
have more money than another-incomes
should be equalized by taxation. This is
a pretty good imitation of the Com
munistic theory. If persisted in, 1t is
an excellent way to reduce initiative.
Further, the man who receives $4,000
salary pays many times the tax which is
paid by the $4,000 man.
If there were no income tax at all
today there would still be millions of
men unable to purchase all the things
they desire-or even that they need.
The New Deal Democrats and their
Evening star., 1947-02-06

armed under a weapons-control law
that has been strictly enforced.
Fortunately, the responsible leaders
Of the opposition display no inclina-
ton to resort to extra-legal meth
ods. The way is thus open for an
orderly airing Of charges which
could determine the fairness of the
elections and thus conduce to Mica
ragua's political evolution in line
with the prevailing Latin American
trend.
Evening star., 1947-02-06

The Districts liquor industry is wor-
ried over what the proposed doubling
of the gallonage tax will do to its
business
Both wholesalers and retailers are
afraid that the Commissioners plan to
raise an additional $500 600 from them
in this way will drive customers across
the line to Maryland or Virginia.
Both recognized at the September tax
hearing that they would be called upon.
to share the burden of city financial
need. But they suggested that it be
raised through boost in license fees
instead.
1t was indicated that tax on gall
lonage would be passed on to the con-
sumner while cost of the license fees
would be absorbed mostly by the in
dustry.
The High Cost Of Licenses. \
One spokesman also pointed out that
the institution of capital gains levy
would enable the city to tap the
enormous profits frequently realized in
the sale of so-called class "a" licenses.
These licenses permit the sale of hard
liquor by the bottle and their number
is limited by Commissioners regulation.
This tends to make the license
monopoly which can only be acquired
by purchase from a man who has one.
The city Is not issuing any more Of
them. Thousands of dollars in profit
have been made in such sales which are
transferred merely by paying the city
small transfer fee and thus keeping
the license alive.
Except for the industry itself, however,
ffxv I1n
hearing generally favored the raising Of
money from this source as proposed by
the West Tax Committee.
Similar concern is felt by the amuse-
ment business over the proposed 10 per
committee estimated will yield 81 ,000, 900.
Taxes on Top Of Taxes.
Theater spokesmen have protested that
this tax on top of the current Federal
levy of 20 per cent would push the cost
of movie outside the range of the
small income family for whom movies
are a principal source of amusement
and recreation.
Both the liquor and amusement in
dustries are now paying special wartime
excise taxes which expire by July un-
der President Truman's recent procla-
Congress decides to renew the levies. In
the case of the theaters, for example,
this means that the prewar tax of 10
per cent is now 20 per cent. The Dis
trict tax would bpng this to 80 per cent.
District officials feel they will have an
easier time getting these two revenue
raising proposals through Congress if
the Federal excise taxes are allowed to
expire this summer. In any event their
sympathy for the theater problem some
what evaporated when shortly after the
tax hearing big chain raised its prices
in its neighborhood theaters. ..
There was some Endorsement Of the
position of the theaters from repre-
sentatives of several organizations out
side the industry who felt low-cost en-
tertainment should not be put out Of
range Of the average pocketbook. The
Commissioners proposal as now drafted
would not tax passes, although the Fed
eral Government does.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
And Animals, Too

TO the Editor OF The Star:
4, In your issue of February 3, M. H.
defends the startling, and agree with
him. 1t will be very cruel to shoot these
birds, and no doubt many will not be
killed outright but will be only wounded
and suffer slow deaths from poorly aimed
shots. What is a little bird dirt few
months Of the year? AS M. H. says, a
little more cleaning of the streets
would not be a bad idea since the hitter
from humans is considerable. Why
should men not make few sacrifices
for animals and birds who have right
to life on this earth as well as human
beings? MRS.SH D. ALBIN,
Secretary, Animal Protective Asso-
ciation.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Letters to The Star
Urges Bringing DPS to America
Before Stain Gets Them

To the Editor Of The Star:
We should turn the Statue Of Liberty
around and hang crepe over its head.
It was set up as sign of welcome to
the oppressed and downtrodden peoples
of Europe. In our Nations youth we
welcomed these peoples with open arms.
Our fathers came here to get away from
the miseries of the Old World and they
helped to make America great.
Now we are growing soft. Men ac-
tually are suing for time and half
for changing from their blue serge suits
and white shirts to overalls, and wash
ing and manicuring their finger nails.
Meanwhile, scattered throughout Eu-
rope there are thousands Of persons
who know no homes. They commonly
are called DPS. In most cases they
live from day to day life worse than
death. Their mortal fear is that they
will be sent back To Stain. We in the
United States could absorb 100000 of
these people. Millions of acres of fertile
land are idle here because we do not
have the workers to cultivate 1t. At
least 100000 of these people could be
sent to Alaska and make that territory
another gold mine. They are just the
type of people we need Let us not wait
until Stain snatches them back behind
his iron curtain" H CORKREAN.
Differs With MIR. Lawrence
To the Editor of The Star:
In The Star for February 4 David
Lawrence mentions the alleged attempt
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in
1887 to enlarge and pack" the Supreme
Court and adds: "The Roosevelt scheme
was to try to do by statute what the
Constitution forbade"
Mr.. Lawrence is in error. The Fed
eral Constitution (Article III, Sec
ton u simply provides for one Supreme
Court and leaves its organization to
Congress. A law passed in September,
1889, provided six justices for the Su-
preme Court; from 1907 to 1887 the
number was seven; after 1887, nine In
1858 the number was increased to 10;
but in 1866, in order to prevent Presi-
dent johnson from making appoint
ments, it was practically reduced to
seven. Since 1869 the Supreme Court
has consisted of nine justices. Nine is
not sacred number, and President
Roosevelt was not violating the Con-
stitution in trying to increase the num-
Der of the justices. j. j. KRAL.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Wild Statements Coming
rom the New York Times.

From the New YORK Times
The disinterested citizen will wish no
part in an attempt to deprive labor
unions or labor union members Of their
constitutional liberties. He will not
want to injure the sound core of labor
unionism. On the other hand, he has
reason to be dissatisfied with existing
Federal laws which give few labor
leaders sanction to paralyze the vital
activities of the Nation Craftsmanship
of high order is needed here. If the
Republican Party can furnish it, even
the unions may be grateful in the end.
But we may as well make up our minds
to listen to some wild statements from
both extremes, on the floor of Congress.
before a fair settlement is worked out.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Or Like Quiet PooIroom?

From the Cleveland News
A misguided inventor claims to have
perfected q noiseless bowling alley which
somehow seems as unsatisfying as smok-
ing Ia the dark.
Evening star., 1947-02-06
Fort Totten Still Preserved

To the Editor OF The Star:
The caption of one Of the photo
graphs used in The Star for January 25
said: above is all that is left of Fort
Totten," but it is incorrect to assert that
the two stone posts shown in the pic
ture are "all that is left" of the old fort.
I doubt that they ever formed any part
of the defenses. The earth rarnparts
and the moat or ditch Of the fort still
are there at the top of the hill, abou.
one hundred yards or SO from the stones
in your illustration. G. M. M.