davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
The Local Tax Bills

Inc local tax legislation tentatively
approved by the responsible House and
Senate subcommittee differs substantially
from the program proposed by the Com
nlisSioners. The principal change is aban-
donrnent of the sales tax. Representative
Bates and Senator Cain hope to get along
without 1t. If they can, so much the better
That will depend on House and Senate
sentiment revealed in debate.
The legislation recognizes at the outset,
and to gratifying degree, that revenue
shortages in Washington should be met,
in the main, by adding more taxpayers.
The shortages are not due to undertake
ton Of those who now pay local taxes.
They result largely from the fact that
great number OF those who receive the
benefits Of municipal services contribute
nothing, in the form Of direct taxes, to
their support.
The recommended increase Of $4,000, 900
in the Federal payment is in line with
that thought. 1t is based on some rough
approximation of the controlling National
Governments financial obligation, based
on the services it receives and It's tax
exempt occupancy Of so large portion
of the citys land area. Expediency evil
IDENTIFY prompted the subcommittee rec
ommendation for a fiat increase, rather
than one based on formula,
The recommended changes in the local
income tax are designed to collect some
thing from the large element of the Dis
trict's population that retains legal domi
~;Io 1lxyf o~ ir,f
States. 1t does not 60 as far as the
Commissioners hoped to 60 in this respect.
It does not go as far as Congress would go
itself, If its members were the elected
representatives Of those whom they govern.
But 1t is vast improvement over the
existing, discriminatory law.
1t Is a disappointment that the sub
committees have recommended an increase
in the real estate tax. Together with the
increased assessments on improved resi-
dental real estate ordered last fall, home
owners here are now facing 80 per cent
boost in their tax bills next year. AS real
estate in Washington is heavily taxed
already and carries the greatest burden
it is difficult to understand why 1t is
called on for more, while the relatively
taxed liquor industry escapes entirely.
That should be corrected. Real estate will
also carry the load in the recommended
Is per cent increase in water rates.
No tax legislation could meet the uni
versal approval of those who have to pay
the taxes. For Mr.. Bates and Senator Cain,
1t should be said that they have approached
their responsibility with open minds and
have worked to perfect tax legislation that
In their estimate is fair. The tax programs
ability to meet revenue needs and win
approval from Congress, however, remains
to be tested.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Whut to Do About Hungary?

AS the fuller significance OF the Red
coup in Hungary is disclosed, the question
of what this country can or should do
about it becomes more urgent. This Is
enhanced by the larger background of
current events in other European countries,
against which the Hungarian problem can
be better evaluated.
The fragrant action of Moscow in Buda-
pest thinly yelled by the agency of its
local Communist supporters and stooges,
is, of course, in complete disregard of
Soviet Russia's international commitments
and obligations. That, in itself, is an old
story. Yet it is fresh act of aggression
at a spot peculiarly calculated to sharpen
other critical situations, all the way from
Austria to Greece. 1t is likewise obviously
a specific and deliberate slap at the United
States and its new foreign policy, known
as the Truman Doctrine.
Here, then, would seem to be develop
ment requiring counteraction by our Gov
eminent sufficient to protect our interests
In every threatened part of Europe, and
likewise to rebut the attack on our prestige
in that part of the world. Mere pro lorna
protests to keep the record straight" will
hardly suffice.
Just what we intend to do officially is
not yet disclosed, but certain preliminary
steps to what may be a vigorous diplomatic
commemorative have already been taken.
The State Department announces suspen-
sion of the unexpended half of $4,000, 900
credit extended to the former Hungarian
government for the purchase of surplus
American property in Europe. 1t is also
logical to assume that recent export
import credit will be held up, pending
what the department describes as 'clarifi
cation of developments" at Budapest.
There is likewise the matter of the eligi-
bility of Hungary under its new Red regime
to share in the $3.50 600, 900 relief fund just
voted by Congress.
However, all these matters are essentially
negative in character. OF more positive
nature is the suggestion made by Senator
Vandenberg that the Red coup in Hungary
be brought before the United Nations This,
however, raises the question of ratification
by the Senate of the pending Hungarian
peace treaty Opponents of the measure
will find new arguments against legalizing
and formulating situation so obviously
repugnant to international good faith.
Moscow's cynical disregard of its obliga-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

Most OF the opponents Of Mr.. STATIONS
measure, however, are not worried about the
number of people ne proposes to bring in so
much as about the kind of people involved
Regarding the DPS who would come here If
H. r. 2910 were passed, directors harbor three
stubborn suspicious.
The first is that they are likely to be Com
munists. The second is that most of them
would be Jews. The third is that almost all of
them would be crooks. There is no foundation
for any of these suspicious.
The DPS are in the camps in Germany and
Austria today because of their hatred and fear
OF communism They have resisted all sorts
of pressure, every kind of Establishment, de-
signed to lure them back to their Eastern
European homes. There is probably no group
in the world which has suffered more for its
nti-Communist persuasion.
The suspicion that most of the DIP immi-
grants would be Jewish grows out of the fact
that slightly more than fifth of the DPS now
in Europe are Jews Less than fifth of the
DPS coming here would be Jews. Menv c. -
Jews want to go, and are going, to Palestine
A Careful Screening Provided.
There is plenty of crime, plenty of black
marketeerng, plenty of moral degeneration,
in the DIP camps today. 1t is a wonder there is
not more, considering the lives these people
have been forced to lead during and after the
war. But there is nothing in the Stratton bill
which forces, or even permits, an immigration
officer to let those who have been morally in
fected into this country And many competent
observers have testified to their belief that the
proportion so infected is very small Gen.
Mark Clark, fresh back from his Austrian COM
mand, is the latest of these.
About $4,000 DPS have found their way into
the United States f1ltering through the quota
BARRIERS and these have turned out to be good
citizens, In the broad sense of the word They
are grateful to this country and they show it
by the way they behave. They have been
well distributed, well assimilated, well adjusted.
The conclusion, of course, is that DPS wish
ing to come to the United States must be
carefully screened as to fitness
The conclusion also seems unacceptable that
something must be done to bring reasonable
number of them into this country-that some
legislation such as that embodied in the STRAIT
ton bill must be passed. What else, after all,
can We do?
We cannot forcibly deliver these people up
to the Russians.
We cannot loose them on a hostile Germany
and an Austria incapable of absorbing them
We cannot go on paying millions of dollars
each year to maintain them in their present
miserable condition as prisoner wards of
civilization too uncivilized to take them in
But we can lead the way in reasonable
world program to resettle the DPS If we do,
we will be supplying the woodland ourselves
with much-needed proof that we really be-
heve in the human values about which we do
SO much talking.
1t has been said that the future of the DPS
depends on whether Uncle Sans heart is as
big as his mouth.
That, of course, is equally true of the future
of America.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Gen. Lee on The Military Mind

Gen. Lee on The Military Mind
To the EDITOR of The Star: .....
In your editorial on 1.-THE Military Mind In
The Sunday Star you mention George Wash
ington and Robert E. Lee soldiers who were
qualified for high civil office. Perhaps you will
be interested in Gen. Lees views on this
subject, as recorded by his military secretary,
Gen. A. L. Long in Memoirs of Robert E. Lee"
New York, 1885, Gen. Long says of Lee
Up. 453):
Such limitations as he had were certainly
not unknown to himself, and he was not the
man to accept any position whose duties he
did not feel competent to perform under the
impulse of the honor or emolument which he
might thereby attain. This fact is clearly
brought out in conversation related by Hon.
B, H Hill which took place during the last
years of the war. Meeting him on the streets
of Richmond, Mr. Hill said, General, wish
you would give us your opinion as to the
propriety of changing the seat of Government
and going farther South"
That is a political question, Mr.. HILL and
you politicians must determine it. shall en-
deavor to take care of the army, and you must
make the laws and control the Government"
"Ah, general said Mr.. Hill, "but you will
have to change that rule, and form and ex-
press political opinions, for if We establish our
independence the people will make YOU Mr..
Davis successor"
Never, sir" he replied with firm dignity
that belonged only to Lee That ! will never
permit. Whatever talents I may possess (and
they are but limited) are military talents. My
education and training are military. think
the military and civil talents are distinct If
not different, and full duty in either sphere Is
about as much as one man can quality himself
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

@. What is the origin of Thackeray's title
Vanity Fair"?-L E. L.
A. The title comes from Bunyans Pilgrims
Progress" in which the author says, Ct" 80 And
the name of that town is Vanity; and at that
town there is fair kept, called Vanity Fair"
@. What name has been given to the ancient
race of mankind represented by the skulls that
were brought to the United States recently
from Java?-G. r.
A. The discoverer of the skulls DR.. G. n r.
Won Koenigswald named the race to which the
skulls had once belonged Homo soleensis. They
were found in the vicinity of the Solo River.
@. Has Congress ever appropriated funds for
experiments in rainmaking2-S B. c.
A. In 1891 Congress appropriated $1,000 for
this purpose. The experiment was carried out
in Texas by Gen. Dyrenforth. Dynamite
and balloons filled with gas were used.
little rain did fail but the Weather Bureau.
after examining its charts, said that 1t would
have rained In any case
@. What is meant by canon in reference 10
the Bible?-E. E. F.
A. Literally the word means rule or measure
In reference to the Bible 1t means those books
which are accepted as inspired.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Volt the Soma

1t is the dark, alone, that makes the night
Shroudtng the land and ciutching at
the heart
But If there mere no darkness, could the
light
OF stars be seem Hop could the MELLON
art
OF fame-tipped candles cast lyric gIop
To cheer this room ,ohere tears OF ,oeeping
fow?
Truly, it is the dark that brings the pain.
Twisting the heart NTH fear; but tt 10
kno11n
To be the fountain Of that one refrain
Saoeeter By far than 1Ur,dt has eUer groiDn
Out OF all Jog. Fear not the darkness then,
But Uait the song that brings the day
again.
ROSE MYRA PHuLIPa
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

tons poses the question of whether agree
ments" with the Soviet Union and its
satellites are worth the paper they are
written on, and whether this hard truth
should not be recognized by avoiding
formal commitments that effectively bind
only one side.
One thing seems clear: Whatever is
done or not done, we should avoid the
diplomatic blunder, long ago described by
leading American statesman, Of never
shaking first your fist and then your
finger"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
A Duy of Hope

House judiciary subcommittee today
begins hearings on bill which would make
1t possible for some 100000 of the dis-
placed persons in Europe to come to this
country during the next four years. For
the DPS it is day Of hope, day which
holds out some prospect of leaving their
miserable detention camps and discovering
that, after all, there are things worth living
for in this world.
The bill under consideration bears the
name of Representative Stratton of Illinois.
The effect its provisions would have on
the DIP problem have been discussed in
a series of articles by Newbold Noyes, jr.,
the last of which appears today on this
page. Briefly, the bill, If passed, would
modify our stringent immigration laws to
permit 100000 DPS to enter this country
each year for four years. They would be
carefully screened to keep out undesirables
and to make sure that those admitted
would not become public charges upon
arrival. Actually, there would be no over
all increase in the total of permissible i'm
migrants. All that the Stratton bill would
do is to bring about a temporary recasting
of immigration quotas, which, in their
present form, serve to bar from this
country the people who happen to be in
the DIP camps.
In all, there are about 800, 900 DPS About
fourth or perhaps a fifth of them are
Jews who survived the Hitlerian purge. The
others are people who fled from their
homes in the Baltic states, Poland, Hun
gary and Romania to escape the oppres-
sion OF the Communists. About one-third
of them are children. More than half are.
skilled artisans and professionals, while
about 10000 are agricultural workers.
To force these people to go back to their
homes would be to condemn them to
slavery and death. To leave them in the
detention camps is to sentence them to
living death of despair and hopelessness.
They are people who deserve better fate
And 1t lies in our power to set an example
to other nations that would open the door
of opportunity to nearly all of them to live
again as decent human beings It will not
be easy for us to live with our own con-
sciences If, for some reason of indifference
or prejudice or sheer ignorance, we turn
our backs upon the DPS. The Stratton bill
ought to be passed, and The Star hopes
that the people of America, appraising this
problem in its true light will call upon
Congress to enact it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

to perform. shall not do the people the in
justice to accept high civil Office with whose
questions it has not been my business to become
familiar"
well, but, general, history does not sustain
your view. Caesar and Frederick of Prussia and
Bonaparte were great statesmen as well as great
generals"
And great tyrants," he promptly responded
"I speak of the proper rule in republics, where,
think, we should have neither military states
men nor political generals"
"But Washington was both, and yet not a
tyrant."
With beautiful smile he responded Wash
ington was an exception to all rules, and there
was none like him." ROGER ROBB.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

DR.. Compton expressed the commissions
view that the situation In the world today
is too serious to justify delay or to gamble
on safely avoiding the issue" Congress
must assume full responsibility for any
threat to security resulting from any
failure on its part to heed the warning of
Dr. Compton and his able associates.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Letters to The Star
Is Justice "Color Blind ?"

Is Justice Color Blind? ?"
To the Editor of The Star:
A few days ago in Washington former
congressional sergeant-at-arms was given
sentence OF from one to three years for getting
away with $4,000 of other peoples money.
A few days later Negro youth drew from
16 months to four years for forgery to the
extent of $4,000. Another youth drew from
three to nine years for simple robbery.
Is justice blind" or just color blind7
JOHN A. SIMPSON
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

There's lot of wisdom in the old axioms,
but lot of foolishness, too. For example:
Who particularly wants to gather moss,
and wouldn't that early worm have been
we'll advised to stay in bed?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Fairfax High School Memorial


To the Editor of The Star:
For nearly two years a group OF public
spirited men who do not want their names
to be known have been planning for the erec-
ton of fence around the taxpayers property
at the Fairfax High School. Recently these
public spirited men" accomplished their pur-
pose Immediately. the publicity was spread
that these same men were letting a contract
for the erection of foodlights at the same field.
Then two men suggested that they were going
to file an injunction proceeding against the
project. Immediately, the publicity about the
public spirited men" being behind the project
ceased and the principal of the high school
issued a statement that the project was to be
a war memorial for World War II men "and
particularly for those Is who made the supreme
sacrifice" AS an individual veteran of World
War ], would be interested to know how those
Is might feel if they could return and learn
that the public spirited men who did not want
their names to be known" were now exploiting
their sacrifices In an effort to create favorable
sentiment for the project which they have
been planning so long while never once men
ioning that 1t would be a war memorial?
KARL O. EPIESS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

A man may not be dead drunk If he still
can get up from the floor and add to his
alcoholic cargo, but he is so near it that
the difference is not consequential.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
Questions and Answers

A reader can obtain the answer to any question
Of fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau, 3t6 street NE, Washington 2, D. c.
Please incose three f3) cents for return postage.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04

Letters for publication must bear the
signature and address of the Uriter,
although it is permissible for a ,Oriter
knoUn to The Star to use a nom de
plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1947-03-08
4-Power Pact Against Reich
Chief u. S. Aim, Marshall Hints
Indicates U. S. Hopes
For Treaty as Interim
Solution on Germany
By the Associated Press

BERLIN, Mar. S.-Secretary of
State Marshall indicated today
the United States hopes for a
four-power security pact as an
interim solution of the German
problem pending the writing of
an actual peace treaty.
Gen. Marshall, preparing to de-
part tomorrow for the Foreign Min
isters' Conference in Moscow, which
will take up the Austrian and Ger
man situations, said completion of
a four-power pact was of the high
est Importance. He left the i'm
preston that such a pact was the
major American objective at Mos
COW.
Gen. Marshall told American cor
respondents that such a security
pact for 40-year period would clear
away many difficulties now block
ing Allied peace settlements for
Germany and Austria.
He said American proposals for
that sort of treaty, first made by
his predecessor, James F. Byrnes,
last year, were declaration to the
world of continuing American will
ingness to accept responsibility in
European affairs.
Gen. Marshall said French Presi-
dent Auriol and Premier Paul RAM
adler had given him at first hand
their views on many questions con-
fronting the foreign ministers at
Moscow.
He said he also had studied the
German situation here with the
highest military government officials
and had arranged to talk with Gen.
Mark w. Clark, who served as his
deputy in drafting Austrian peace
conditions at London last month.
Evening star., 1947-03-08
Deodlocked Hawaii Legislature
Meets Daily, but Does Nothing

more representative can get in there
and break it up.
Legislatures open out here with
hula girls. Hardly had the last hip
quit shaking when the fight over the
Speakership broke out.
Fourteen deadlocked ballots made
tempers as short as a nickel beer.
The Republicans called the Demo-
Gratis puppets of the CIO-PAC.
The Democrats called the Republi-
cans tools of Hawaii's big business.
Republicans offered to keep the
speakership and give the Democrats
half the membership on committees.
Tie Democrats offered to take a
vice-speakership if they got a ma
jority on half the committees.
There was q brief pause in hos
tilities for Gov. Ingram M. Stain
back, who had been waiting all that
time, TO make his address last Tues
day. Then the boys brought out the
hammer and tongs again.
Today. after IA legislative DAYS,
the air is full of compromise. While
the lawmakers gather ideas on how
to break q deadlock, the bills In
the hopper gather dust.
Evening star., 1947-03-08
Radio Communications
Disturbed by Sun Spots
BY the Assoeioisd Press

Sun spots and magnetic disturb
ances interfered with radio COM
munications over a large part Of
the earth's surface today. Press
Wireless, Inc, in New York re-
ported conditions erratic. Associated
Press radio circuits to London were
stymied for time.
A spot on the sun $4,000 to 10000
miles long was reported yesterday by
Roy K. Marshall, director of the
planetarium at Franklin Institute,
Philadelphia. He said the spot was
clearly visible without a telescope,
If the observer used a Photographic
flm to shield the eye. DR.. Marshall
said the spot was one of the largest
in the past two or three years, and
would disturb radio transmission
until Monday or Tuesday.
In San Francisco, Press Wireless,
Inc, reported last night it expert
enced a complete curtain" on It's
communication from the Orient for
eight minutes.
At Bloemfonstein, South Africa,
the Harvard University observatory
reported an eruption Of sun spots
which 1t said likely would cause
widespread radio fading and various
magnetic disturbances. The obser-
vatory said the spots we're converg-
ing over about 500, 900 900 square
miles OF the suns surface and would
reach the center by tomorrow.
Evening star., 1947-03-08
Weather Bureau Changes Mind
On Forecast of 5-Inch Snow
Some Light Furries Expected Instead;
Cold to Stay, With Mercury Near 26 Tonight

The threat of another heavy
snowfall here was dissipated this
afternoon as the Weather Bu-
reau issued a new forecast pre-
dieting some light snow" in
stead OF the 4 to S inches prom
iSed earlier.
It will remain cold, and the low
temperature tonight will be near 26
degrees, the forecaster said. Apart
from the snow f1urries, the aspect
will be mostly cloudy, he added.
Tomorrow will be sunny with a
high temperature of about 40 de-
grees, according to the bureau.
Snow began falling at 7:2O o'clock
this morning. The prediction OF
4 to 5 inches by night prompted
many motorists who heard it by
radio to leave their automobiles al
home and use other transportation
The long-range forecast calls for