davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-06-24

ules in parts of the county without library
facilities. Book collections are placed in cross
road stores, post offices, community buildings,
schools and other convenient centers.
According to Americas Needs and Resources:
"The American people spent $467 100000 for
educational reading matter in 1910 and an addi-
tional $333000000 for recreational reading.
Thus total reading cost us $805 900, 900. OF this
amount, II per cent was spent for newspapers
and magazines, while the remainder was chiefly
for books and maps.
"In 1899 there were over 180, 900 900 books and
almost 5000 900 pamphlets published in the
United States School texts were by far the
most numerous class of books, with juvenile
literature second and fiction third. Before
World War I, fiction led all other types, but
the proportion of books of this type has been
steadily declining. More copies of books were
published in 1929 than in 1889, while the re-
verse was true Of pamphlets"
Because the free library Is our best means
of self education, it can truly be called the
peoples university" People are now reading
more than ever and consequently need available
public facilities to assist them The library
is an important means of promoting good citi-
zenship through stimulating intelligent public
opinion. Modern business, industry, agriculture
reference.
Thus, the library can be very important
element In a community's program of worth
while activities for its children and youth.
G.. H. HARRIS.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Filibusterins Objected To.

To the Editor of The Star:
AS this is penned yet another shameless
fllibuster is being staged in the Senate to delay
final action on a measure of transcendant i'm
portance.
The recurrent spectacle of a single individ-
ual frustrating the purposes of clear majority
is had enough But how shall we regard
like action by few zealots against more than
two-thirds of the upper chamber?
Except for those selfishly interested, the
great majority of the American people are
sick and tired of these perverstons of legisla-
tive justice. If democracy is the rule OF the
ma ajority it follows that any justiflable means
may be employed to enable the majority two
thirds of the Senate in this case) to function.
This can be accomplished only in one way.
That is, in comparable case where our Presi-
dent leans in one direction and the United
States Senate in another, a motion to set q
time for vote ever is In order, this being
taken without debate.
Only in that way may the will be of the
great majority be enabled to function and
these recurring disgusting spectacles finally
ended in the United States Senate.
DIsGUsTED.
Evening star., 1947-06-24

there several weeks, and those who had been
fortunate enough to engage in these transac
tlons made killing. provided they were able
to convert all OF their marks into American
dollars. One invasion mark was equal to 10
cents in American money so that it took s, 900
marks to buy a cheap Mickey Mouse watch
Tor the equivalent of $500.
This Is not an effort to pass on the merits
OF these transactions. Frankly. the idea that
the Russians got 81, 900 00o, 600 worth Of Ameri-
can goods is fantastic because it takes a lot of
scent candy bars, l5-cent packs of cigarettes
and S5 to $25 watches to even make ST. 900 900.
Naturally, if there was any wrongdoing in
connection with the issuance of the plates
for printing the invasion marks to the Rus
slams, the full facts should be developed How
ever, the American public should not become
unouly alarmed about the intrinsic value of
the goods the Russians received. They got no
high-test aviation gasoline, rocket-propelled
weapons or heavy durable goods. Most of the
debt incurred is an inter r-American debt, and
the beneficiaries for the most part were COM
bat veterans who fought magnificent war
To put it bluntly, somebody 'loused" up in
the issuance of the plates, but any congress
sional investigation should be made calmly
and without regard to name-calling
ROBERT S. COOPER.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Hymn Festival

The community hymn festival at the
Sylvan Theater Sunday evening was an
event of more than ordinary significance.
Ten thousand people attended the gather
ing, heard skilled singers join in the per-
formance of music of definitely spiritual
character, returned home refreshed and
inspired by the experience. Further occa-
sions of the same sort are planned, and
there is no reason why they should not
become permanent part of the life of
the Nations Capital.
Songs in recognition of Providence al
ways have been power in the world since
first Moses and the children of Israel lifted
up their voices in praise to the Lord for
their deliver:nce from Pharaoh. Among
the writers of hymns have been the very
greatest poets, the most harmonious of
composers The tradition of the cathedral
musicians of the Middle Ages still prompts
organists and choir directors in the main
tenance of lofty standards. Nowhere else
is the solemn beauty of metrical utterance
more notably sought than in the churches
and the SynagogueS.
In this regard Washington already enjoys
an excellent reputation. Especially in
recent years there has been tremendous
advancement in the whole local field Of
sacred melody What the future holds
ought not to be less worthy of public
appreciation, The assembly Sunday eve
ming proved the forcefulness of mass CO.
operation in artistic as well as religious
expression. Subsequent festivals undoubt
edly will bring out even larger and more
orotaf,,l croudS
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Morning Swim

1t Is morning.
We shall go do1Dn through the sleeping
to1un
To the curUe of the ne,D white sand
We shall n1oue from the April air
To the June-green OF the sea,
That Uaits like lifted hand.
The mater wiH rise from the tender foot
to the knees.
The mater 1oiU be like May on our cheeks
And our lips and our eyes.
Our uoices ,1ilI be like bells
That strike but a single note.
Our hands piH be empty shells
As Ue rise from the sand and float
Past the fsherma11's boat, past the ship
Anchored quiet TN the hour OF day.
The fading line OF the shore
Will call Nth the taraloay music OF night
As ne DRIFT In the tranquil sea
In the pearl OF mornings light.
SARA VAN ALSTYNE ALLEN.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
What the Russians Got
the Editor of The Star:

TO the EDITOR OF star:
A ferment is brewing over the alleged loss
to the American taxpayers Of approximately
81 ,ooc ooo 600 from the lending of plates to
Russian occupation forces in Germany for the
printing of invasion marks
1t must be obvious that any loss to the
American taxpayer is the net dollar value of
goods which the Russians received for which
they did not pay. Since most of the transac-
tions with the Russians were made with
American GIs shortly after the occupation of
Berlin and in the months Immediately there
after, I doubt if the Russians got much for
which they did not pay something even though
they paid at fantastic imitation prices, The
American soldier was no soft touch for CT
Ivan who, of course, was paying for watches,
cigarettes and candy bars with money that
was cranked out on printing presses or
mimeograph machines
I was the last officer courier of the United
States Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Inter-
Allied Conference at Potsdam. I arrived there
i'll the morning of Saturday, July %, 1945.
Although most of the conference was over
except for the usual diplomatic amenities and
last-mnute parties hourishing business was
going on in Potsdam That afternoon, Sc
cu1ed a vehicle and went to Berlin. There
were throngs of milling Russian soldiers,
American soldiers and German civilians near
the ruined Reichstag. The Russians were buy
ing watches, cigarettes and candy bars. The
Germans wanted cigarettes and candy bars
and even soap. The Germans seemed to have
an ample supply Of invasion marks I saw
many transactions whereby candy bars sold
from $40 to SIS each, and cigarettes sold at
$40 to SIS pack. This was in invasion marks,
of course. Watches which were worth any
thing from 81 to 500 in the United States
sold for $500 to $1,000 The inconsistency of
the situation was that cheap Mickey Mouse
higher prices than expensive watches. 1t is
safe guess to say that at least rs per cent of
the transactions were in watches, cigarettes
and candy, and it is reasonable to assume that
the retail value of these goods in the Amer
lean market would not have been more than
s5o,ooo,ooo to $75,oo0,Ooo.
So where does the loss of 81 600 900 900 to
the American taxpayer come in? This prob
ably represents the value of the invasion
marks received in any one way or another
and for which the finance officers of the Army
settled with good American dollars or money
orders Actually, the American soldiers, officers
and civilians who participated in these tran
sactions were merely getting a break" and
the money will have to be paid by the large
bulk of the l3o,000,o 900 American taxpayers in
the form of taxation. At the time was in
Berlin, the I'd Armored Division had been
Evening star., 1947-06-24
DIR. Walsh's 1889 Testimony

To the Editor Of The Star:
An interesting contrast is presented by the
testimony given by the Very Reverend Edmund
A. Walsh, before the House Armed Services
Committee, June l, and the testimony he gave
before the Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee, on May 3, 1889. At the earlier date, he was
presenting his ideas on the Neutrality Bill and
gave brilliant and powerful analysis OF the
spirit of 'inevitability' as cause of war.
At the 1889 hearing, in answer to question
by Senator Hiram johnson, Of California, do
you think there is any necessity for us getting
into WARP" DR.. Walsh replied: II see proxi-
mate necessity see a repetition of history, if
you will permit me to buttress my conclusions
by personal experiences. lived in England
during the time OF the preparations for the
Great War. I have lived in Russia. lived
In Mexico and in Mesopotamia during the war
in the Far East; and one of the worst crimes
that could be committed is the dissemination
of spirit of inevitability.'
Senator johnson commented: THAT is being
disseminated at this time"
Dr. Walsh continued. II think that 1t is a
crime against humanity to create in any mans
or peoples mind that sense of an inevitable
drift I recollect when was in the University
of London In England, at the time, even the
man that came in to fix up files, the servant,
six to eight months before the outbreak of the
war, was perpetually saying We have to go
to war with Germany. We have to go to war
There was feeling even in his mind. Now, at
the present time that is being, I regret to say,
Systematically propagated."
Senator johnson: THAT is the thing that is
being done in the country, at present, and we
have got to arm ourselves mentally, so that we
will not be influenced by that sort of propa-
ganda A part of that propaganda is the in
-evitable feature that you spoke of few
minutes ago."
I heard this interesting and enlightening
discussion, in May. 1899, and felt that DR..
Walsh was right in his views, and that he
presented them in convincing manner
GENEVIEVE G. HUBBARD.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Serviceman's Complaint

To the Editor OF The Star
The American serviceman no longer Is re-
garded as citizen of his country. No longer
is he to be permitted to reap the fruits of de
mocracy Hereafter he is only to be considered
as tool, protecting with his life the un-
scrupulous income of group of greedy fat and
bigoted Americans-the landlords.
My charge Is not unWarranted. One has but
to notice the housing situation. Everybody
knows all about it. Though all complain about
the intoerable situation, no one seems to be
able to come through with remedy
For some time now have been trying to OBJ
tain an apartment for my wife and myself in
the Washington Arlington area. Finally, we
did obtain nice room in nice neighborhood.
There is no doubt that could have acquired
an apartment If I could have paid the re-
quested rent, but unfortunately I also must be
able to consume my daily dozens of vitamins
and buy proper clothing.
nice apartment also could have been had
if we could have met the classification working
couple only" It is obvious that the landlord
not only wants to get our money, but that he
wants us to stay away most of the time. Sure,
you can have the apartment. Leave the money,
and stay away as long possible
Often have been rebuked in my attempts TO
obtain adequate living quarters with the feeble
excuse that I am not veteran. It's too bad,
because If I were veteran I could move right
into beautiful apartment now vacant
Well, what constitutes a veteran? I know
several of them who also are in search of places
to live
The biggest drawback when looking for an
apartment in the Washington Arlington area
is the fact that am a serviceman-U. S. Navy
still on active duty. I'VE don't want your
kind to live in our houses"
It's like being sentenced for a crime you
haven't committed. WILLIAM o. FOSS,
CY, U. S. Navy.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Decision Time for Russiu

1t is hopeful thing that Russia has
agreed to join Britain and France in a
special Paris conference to study the Mar
shall plan for aid to Europe Conceivably
this meeting, which will open Friday with
the Foreign Ministers of the three powers
participating, may mark the start of a
bright and momentous change in an
atmosphere that has been growing increas-
ingly dismal and tense between the East
and West. Looking at it optimistically,
the world might see in it an historic turn
ing point toward new era of cooperation
for decent peace.
At the moment however, optimism would
be premature. The conference will be
merely preliminary in character In agree
Ing to take part, the Russians have not
committed themselves to anything more
than an initial discussion. At the same
time they have plainly suggested through
the Soviet press that their decision
either to cooperate or not to cooperate
In continent-wide recovery program
must await Qualification of the role the
United Nations is to play in the project
and of the terms" likely to be attached
to any credits or other help extended by
the United States
OF course, until the plan itself is spelled
out in detail, the obligations to be assumed
by the participants cannot be defined pre-
ciSely, but certain general terms are
already obvious. The first of these is that
the European powers themselves must take
the initiative in drawing up an overall,
integrated program for their common re-
covery. Another is that once this program
is drawn up there must be full and sincere
co-operation-no stalling or obstructionism
of the sort that has characterized Russian
postwar policy to date. Further, the Ger
man economy, whose restoration with
safeguards against resurgent militarism)
Is indispensable to the economy of the
continent as a whole, must be unified in
keeping with the Potsdam agreements
requirement blocked up to now by France
and the Soviet Union. Finally, the Iron
curtain" closing off Eastern Europe from
the rest of the world must be lifted to
permit a revitalizing exchange of goods
and ideas and to end the strangling isola-
tion and Communist dominance the Krem-
lin has been imposing on the area.
These are some of the basic terms"
that the Russian government will have to
meet-in deeds as well as words-if it is to
participate fully and sincerely in the Mar
shall plan and derive help for itself from it,
help which it undoubtedly wants and sorely
needs. Given Soviet agreement on these
points-an agreement that will be neither
broken nor evaded-the recovery of all
Europe can be achieved within the operat-
ing framework of the United Nations and
real progress can be made toward building
good and lasting peace far more in accord
with the One World concept than the kind
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Onward to Bubel

What with the radio, the talking picture
and high powered presses, our modern
world sometimes seems much too articulate
for its own good. AS never before in his
tory, it has been letting loose SO many
billions of contending words that occa-
sionly it gives the creepy impression of
being nothing less than the Towel of Babel
itself, with all of us lost in it and sinking
deeper and deeper into incoherence the
more our verbosity grows and circulates.
Accordingly, people cannot be blamed if
they have some misgivings when they read
now that the Radio Corporation of America
has developed a new communication sys-
tenn capable of transmitting 1000, 900
words minute. In a technical or scientific
sense, this is a marvellous thing, triumph,
tribute to mans inventive genius, and as
such it probably should be hailed and
celebrated. Yet, in its own way it is not
without its terrors. 1t is like the harneSSed
atom-that other piece of magic that has
filled all of us with more than enough
jitters to match our wonderment.
The new development is called "Ultrafax"
1t opens the way to the near-future broad
casting of newspapers at a dizzying pace.
1t is a gadget that can send twenty 50,000-
word novels from New York to a receiving
set in San Francisco within a period of
sixty seconds. 1t promises revolution in
the publishing business-a revolution
Transforming all present techniques and
making everybody cultivate new reading
and listening habits. In short, it is going
to make us more articulate than ever; it is
going to make the age ahead the most
verbose since the beginning of time, tossing
words around the country and the world in
volume and at speed undreamed of
till now
This is a prospect that must frighten
any one who believes that what mankind
needs today to survive is less talk and more
meditation, less articulation and more
wisdom less monumental chatter and more
quiet thinking Magical as it may be,
"Ultrafax" is a thing to be greeted with
mixed emotions in a world that is far too
wordy already. The Babel l-conscious brood
ing over this latest bit of progress, will keep
their fingers crossed.
Evening star., 1947-06-24

further in the direction of Tightening up
on sentences in such cases.
This would not operate, of course, to
deny opportunity for parole. But 1t would
serve to give the parole officials more
control over known and dangerous GRIM
inals. And, in extreme cases, 1t would
facilitate the protection Of the public for
the maximum period provided by law
At time when the trend seems to be
in the direction of unduly light sentences
for serious offenses, a provision of this
sort is needed, and it should be put back
in the bill.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
No Sales Tax Now

Chairman Koran of the House Subcom-
mittee on District Appropriations is right
in insisting that more money must be
provided for school building. He is less
logical in pressing for enactment OF
sales tax to raise the money now. The
people of the District are being plastered
with about $13,5oo, 900 in higher taxes next
year. Adding sales tax to this tax
boosting program should be out OF the
question.
The joint committee of House and
Senate which reviewed District needs
earlier in the session and agreed on the
tax program to finance it came to this
conclusion: BY eliminating about $2,000,-
600 in capital expenditures in the general
fund from the pending budget. there still
would be left some $13,000,000 Of approved
construction items for the next fiscal year.
About half of this is for schools. Added
to the construction items to be financed
from the general fund, highway and water
department items would call for total
of about $22 900 in construction for the
next fiscal year.
Even If additional funds were appro-
priated for construction in the next fiscal
year, it is doubted that more money could
be spent than is already available. The
chaotic condition in the building industry
has already prevented construction start
on some school items appropriated for two
and three years ago. Until building costs
become more stabilized it Is difficult for
the authorities to do much more than
plan. The woods are full of plans now
The practical problem facing Mr..
Horan's committee, therefore, is to agree
on what it Is feasible to count on in the
way of school construction for the next
fiscal year-regardless of the program of
future school construction ably presented
by Superintendent Corning and Engineer
Commissioner Young. There are limits to
what can be spent wisely within the next
twelve months beginning July l.
For the future the Board of Education
and the Commissioners should reach pre-
else agreement on school building pro-
gram that will meet first needs first. The
financing of this program may require
loans or advances rather than dependence
on adding new taxes to the already high
current tax load. But 1t is unreasonable to
hope for any binding agreement or con-
gressional approval on such a long-term
program in the remaining days of this
congressional session
Evening star., 1947-06-24

by people in shops and other public places.
I have a teen-age daughter who is well
known for her gentleness OF manner and con-
sideration for other people yet she has been
so battered and buffeted by adults on public
transportation vehicles that she has ceased the
practice of standing aside for elderly people to
precede her. When she still made this polite
gesture / have seen the whole crowd push by
her. leaving her the last to enter the car. So
YOU see what happens to children who are
taught manners at home.
An example of good manners set by one adult
in each block as well as by one boy might be
very fine thing. Z. A. M.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Fine Reporting Job

To the Editor of The Star:
On June II George Kennedy of The Star
covered the informal hearings held in the
Juvenile Bureau on complaints lodged against
children for ball playing in the streets.
On June r. the story as written by Mr.. Ken
nedy was printed in The Star.
AS result of this publication, I have received
numerous phone calls favorably commenting
on the manner in which the hearing was con-
Quoted But what these good folks were really
commencing was the fine reporting job done
by Mr.. Kennedy on your staff. To my mind, it
was reporting at its very best and serves to
point out that margin of excellence which
makes The Star truly great newspaper.
WILLIAM T. MURPHY.
Director, Juvenile Bureau Metropolitan
Police Department.
Evening star., 1947-06-24

generally older
people are in
clined to treat
children incon-
S ! d e r a t e / y.
I have noticed
that here in
w a S h / n g
t on children
are often neg
! e C t e d or
treated rudely
Evening star., 1947-06-24

county. 1tS re-
sources are free
to every resi-
dent because it
is supported by
county taxes.
Booknobiles
are ii b r a ries
on W h e e Is
which stop &C
cording to an
,1N,,~aoI epL al
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Letters to The Star
Better Adult Manners Suggested as Example for Youth;
Readers Also Comment Books and Filibusters
To the Editor Of The Star:

I think it quite unfair for oldsters to criticize
the manners OF youngsters. as was done in
recent letter to The Star. Young people have
few complaints due them against us, too. Quite
Evening star., 1947-06-24

Like the man for which it is towering
symbol, the Washington Monument can
take everything including lightning.
Evening star., 1947-06-24

Letters for, publication must bear
the signature and address Of the
aoriter, although it is permissible for
priter kraoiun to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Everybody's Colleae

To the Editor of The Star:
Many residents of Prince Georges County are
asking What is county library?"
A county library is a book and information
service for all the people in every part of the
Evening star., 1947-06-24
A. There are over 10 species.

@. How many leper colonies are there in the
United States?--H. B. I.
A. There is only one In the continental United
States. This is the United States Leprosarium
at Carville, La, known as United States
Marine Hospital No. 66. There is another in
Hawaii.
Evening star., 1947-06-24
Questions and Answers
By Gould Lincoln

A reader can obtain the answer to any question
OF fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau, 316 street NE, Washington .. D, C..
Please nclose three CD cents for return postage.
@. How many kinds of pine trees are there7
j. C. M.
A. There are over 10 species.