davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Russiu Sturves Romuniu

Moscow's demand on famine
stricken Romania to deliver 400
freight-car loads of wheat -four "for
use of the Soviet forces of occupa-
ton" in that country raises, in acute
form, an issue that has rolled the
diplomatic waters for the past two
years.
This issue arises over Moscow's
policy of deliberately draining every
country under it's control, regardless
of the consequences to those unfor-
tunate lands. Indeed, there is some
reason to believe that Moscow does
this not only to make up for its
own economic DEFICIENCIES but also
to create or perpetuate conditions
more favorable for the strengthen
ing of it's political and theological
grip. This applies to every country
or occupation zone inside the Soviet
iron curtain" from Germany and
Austria through Poland to the
Balkans. But Romania is the most
fragrant example.
In normal times, Romania is one
of Europe's dread baskets" pro-
ducing large surpluses of foodstuffs
for export. But under Russian
occupation, this land of plenty has
been transformed into an area of
acute famine. Under the terms of
the armistice signed between the
Romanian provisional government
and it's Russian "liberators" from
the Axis, Romania was obligated to
support Russian military occupation
forces. Those forces have been kept
at high figure, as in other occupied
lands, and the Russian authorities
are seemingly the sole Judge of what
should be requisitioned for their
support.
Last summer, Northern Romania,
known as Moldavia, suffered from
drought which afflicted most of
East-Central Europe, and expert
enced crop failure In conse-
quence, famine occurred through
out Moldavia which menaced 500, 900
persons with starvation. In response
to urgent representations from the
Romanian government, President
Truman early this year appealed to-
the Red Cross to finance and super
wise distribution of emergency food
supplies, also arranging for an allot-
ment under certain conditions Of
5000 tons of American grain which
was badly needed elsewhere. The
conditions were in the form of assur-
ances from Romania that 1t would
not use grain for reparations pay
ments, would not export any grain
for any purpose. and would grant
American officials the right to OBJ
serve distribution of grain. which
was to be without discrimination.
It should, of course, be under
stood that the present Romanian
government is wholly under Russian
dominance and thus could not have
made this agreement without Rus
sian approval Nevertheless. Mos
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Nightmorish Worfure

indications are plllng up tnat the
Navy is taking to heart the lessons
of Bikini The latest evidence of this
farsightedness includes the creation
of three new atomic warfare sections
in the Navy Department and pro-
vision in the pending Navy appro-
priation bill for two experimental"
submarines of radical type.
The atomic bomb tests at Bikini
atoll made it plain that another war
will find entirely new sorts of fleets
engaged in entirely new sorts of
tactics. Tomorrow's warships will
bear little resemblance to the battle
ships, carriers, cruisers, destroyers
and submarines which wrote history
in World War II. Some ships, in
process of completion when the pre-
atomic type of naval warfare came
to an end, already are being con-
verted for Pathological defense and
offense. 1t is on the planning boards
that the really revolutionary ideas
are being worked out, however.
The two new X-type submersibles
will be the first to show the effects
of the greatly added Importance
which naval experts are attaching
to submarine operations. 1t was re-
Gently disclosed that all eight sub
marines survived the air bombing at
Bikini and that five remained oper-
able even after the underwater ex-
plosion. The fact that naval officers
are predicting that submarine fleets
will be the answer to the atomic
bomb is not surprising, therefore.
These submarines of the future may
be expected to be veritable sub
merged "battleships," capable Of
launching formidable atomic at
tacks in far places by means of
rockets or guided missiles Even car
riers and transports eventually may
seek refuge beneath the sea. With
the "schnorkel," breathing tube
developed by the Germans, subma-
rines already are able to cruise for
many weeks without coming to- the
surface.
What is disturbing about all this
is the likelihood that other nations
are building or planning similar
weapons of destruction. And this
terrible contest is certain to continue
until all nations come to some agree
ment that will guarantee that man
kind will be spared from the kind Of
nightmarish warfare now, perforce,
being dreamed up by the military
and naval experts. .....
Evening star., 1947-05-11
The Crisis in Italy

Interest in Frances political crisis
should not distract attention from
the concurrent crisis in Italy. Indeed,
the two are not only parallel in many
respects but exert reciprocal effects
upon each other.
In both cases, the root of the
difficulty is the attitude and policy
of the Communists. France and
Italy have alike been trying the
experiment of coalition governments
in which the Communists have been
represented in accordance with their
voting strength, which is relatively
the same. But Communist influence
is measured not only by its quota of
parliamentary deputies but perhaps
even more by its dominance over
organized labor, thereby giving the
Communist high commands the
power to paralyze economic life and
perhaps precipitate economic chaos
by Gripping strikes. On the other
hand, Communist leadership is
sometimes compelled to take action
not justified by higher strategy in
order to placate the demands of the
organized workers. for wage raises,
regardless of their larger economic
effects.
1t was seemingly this compulsion
which led French communism to
back wildcat strikes that would have
disrupted the governments vital
stabilization program, and thereby
compelled Premier Ramadier to take
the risky decision to eject the Com
munists from his cabinet and re-
vamp it without Communist support.
This development in France has
had its effect upon a similar situa-
ton in Italy. When Premier de
Gasperi warned the Communist
leaders that he, too, might have to
try analogous tactics, the Com
munists were seemingly taken aback
at the prospect of losing the in
SONC1 HOCbS dll0
patronage they now enjoy. So they
have called off big demonstration
strike that had been scheduled,
which would have precipitated
cabinet crisis of the first magnitude.
Nevertheless, the political situa-
ton In Italy remains extremely
tense. Threats and fears of civil
war are aired in the press, and
agitate public opinion. The economic
situation is even worse than that in
France, with less recuperative pos
sioilities. Lastly, the psychological
atmosphere appears to be more ex-
plosive than the French.
One factor which may counsel
moderation to the Communist high
command in Italy is the outcome of
the recent Sicilian elections. The
unexpected ieftist victory there has
been widely interpreted as the har-
binger OF similar sweep throughout
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Stronger LoyoIty Plan

In requesting nearly $25 200 900
with which to put into effect his new
loyalty investigation program for
Federal employees, President Truman
issued clarifying statement that
should have the effect of greatly
strengthening the screening process.
One of the serious weaknesses of the
original executive order was its fall
ure to provide for thorough Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation check
on suspected employees, once they are.
on the payroll. All that was specified
in the order was a so-called "name
check" against FBI files. Even If
the FBI record indicated the need
for further investigation the bureau
apparently had no authority to in
itiate it.
The White House now has made it
plain that it wants the FBI to make
more than a cursory name and
f1ngerprint check. II the reference
to existing files indicates that a full
field investigation is desirable, the
FBI is directed to make it. OF
course, even this strengthened pro-
cedure will provide no absolute
guaranty that all possibly disloyal
employees will be exposed. The FBI
does not profess to have a record of
every potentially dangerous person
in or out of the Government service.
The only positive way of uncovering
such persons would be to conduct a
full field investigation of every Fed
eral employee manifestly gigantic
and impracticable undertaking.
Mr.. Truman also has moved to-
strengthen that part of the order
which relates to investigation of ap-
plicants for Government employ
ment. Provision is made for close
cooperation between the Civil Serv-
ice Commission and the FBI in this
initial screening process, with au-
thority for the FBI to conduct a
complete investigation in special
cases. And emphasis is laid on the
investigation of applicants for what
are termed sensitive" .jobs-that is,
those which in the best interests
of national security should be filled
permanently only after an investi-
cation has been conducted"
The program still would vest too
much discretion in heads of the vari-
Gus departments and agencies, how
ever. There is no explicit require
ment that an employe be dismissed
If evidence turned up by the FBI
indicates disloyalty. Congress, in
considering the appropriation re-
quest, should weigh also the adviSr
ability of empowering the Civil
Service Loyalty Board or other over
all authority to see that the depart
mental personnel officers carry out
the loyalty plan with more whole
hearted cooperation than some of
them have evidenced in the past.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Fifty Years Ago
A juvenile musician of celebrity wa.

A juvenile musician Of celebrity was
a guest In Washington half century
ago. The Star on May 4,
Violin 1897, declared: When a
p,od;,v true artistic genius comes
to the Capital City, he or
she is taken up at once and given the
most generous patronage. The music
lovers and the amusement seekers
are exceedingly captious, and there is
probably no city in the country that is
as hard to please as this one is. Be
this genius dramatic star or musical
light, If he or she be true genius, that
is all that Is asked. Such is the case
with Bronislaw Huberman, the boy vio-
linist, who has already given two recitals
here, and who, yielding to the impor-
tunities of those who have heard Of
him and those who heard his mastery
work, will play again Sunday evening
at the Columbia Theater."
On May 7, 1897, The Star chronicled
the retirement of Mrs. Mary E. Wilcox
from Government serv-
Awhile House ice. A clerk in the Office
Boby Of the auditor Of the
War Department, she
was lover so years of age and in feeble
health" but "her resignation was entirely
voluntary and was due to her inability
to work to her own satisfaction" The
article relating to her departure ex-
planned that she was the widow of Rep
resentative John A. Wilcox of Mississippi
and that she had been born in the White
House during President Andrew jack
sons administration.
The name of Prof Arthur Barnard is
not mentioned In standard history OF
air travel but perhaps 1t
Forgotten ought to be in the light
Aeronout Of factual account pub
dshed In The Star for
May 7, 1897, reading In part: "At the
Tennessee centennial exposition grounds
yesterday Chez began journey in an
airship constructed by himself. The
officials of the exposition and the people
attending the exposition witnessed the
ascent of the aerial voyager. The ship
moved of in perfect order, and passed
out Of sight in few minutes Prof.
Barnard, who returned with his airship
last night. said that he has perfected
machine which will hy under ordinary
conditions. E. The time he was aloft
was one and q half hours" He allegedly
had flown from Nashville to Watkins,
is miles distant. and back.
The fourth triennial session Of the
Congress OF American Physicians and
Surgeons was in prog
Dr.. Gross ress In Washington just
Monument half century back,
and The Star for May
9. 1897, contained lengthy and detailed
account OF the proceedings. Despite
the inclemency OF the weather" it said,
throngs Of people went to the Smith
sonian grounds to witness ceremonies
attending the unveiling of the statue
which had been erected to the late
DR.. Samuel D. Gross" Of Jefferson Med
icaI College. Dr.. CIaudius II. Masten
presented the monument and Surg. Gen.
George Miller sternherg accepted It In
name the Government The
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Safeguarding Citizens

Senator Cooper's interest in pro-
tecting the civil rights of the people
is understandable and commendable.
One of the rights of the people is
to walk the streets of Washington
with sense of security against
attack by armed criminals. The
public cannot be assured of such q
sense Of security as long as it knows
that police are powerless to arrest
a recognized criminal whose gun
pocket bulges with the outline of
a concealed weapon. The only
security under such conditions is
that enjoyed by the habitual gun
man.
The Kentucky Senator, whose OBJ
lection to the pending concealed
weapons bill prevented its passage
Tuesday, indicated fear that con-
stitutional guarantees against un-
reasonable search and seizure might
be infringed by the proposed legis-
lation. He will find upon investiga-
ton, however, that police elsewhere
have similar search and seizure
powers and that no abuses of the
right have been evident. In Ohio,
Florida, Delaware, Illinois, Colorado
and Texas police have authority to
arrest and search persons they have
reason to believe are carrying
deadly weapons In at least five
other States-California, Michigan,
Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia
carrying concealed weapon is a
felony and police have the right to
make an arrest on suspicion.
Corporation Counsel Vernon West,
one of the authors of the original
District firearms law, says that fall
ure of the law to specify that police
could search suspected gun -toter"
was the result OF an "inadvertence." !"
This mistake has been costly, with
out doubt, both in lives and prop
erty. It has prevented police from
arresting underworld figures they
knew to be carrying guns. At present
they can act only if they see the
gun being flourished in crime, or
if they have cause to arrest the
owner for some other offense.
The pending bill would not permit
search of a persons home or busi-
ness establishment without a war
rant. It would encroach in no way
on the civil rights of citizens under
the Constitution. 1t would, however,
safeguard law-abiding citizens from
gunplay at the hands of criminals
who now enjoy an absurd measure
of protection from an inadequate
law,
Evening star., 1947-05-11

the country In the general elections
next autumn. II this interpretation
be correct, it might pay the Com
munists to play along In the coali-
ton cabinet during the intervening
months. On the other hand, Italian
communism is so integrated with
the international movement that
overall Communist strategy might
dictate a local showdown soon, re-
gardless of local considerations.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Capital Briefs

Charles E. Wilson, president Of Gen.
eral Electric, has told Senators he hopes
the compromise armed forces ,lnifica-
ton bill goes through because the new
cabinet member proposed under 1t
wouldn't have to bother with admin
istratiye details. :. Commerce Depart
ment analysts say Americans will spend
$4,000, 100000 to $4,000, 100000 on vaca-
ton trips this year and that one prob
able result will be record sale of swim
suits and sportsWear. j. :. Maritime Com
missions decision on proposed new rates
for Pacific ship operators is expected in
a few DAYS
Evening star., 1947-05-11
This Week's Hero

A Federal tax code written in basic
English is the dream of Chairman Milli-
kin, Republican, Of Colorado, Of the
Senate Finance Committee. But ex-
periments have shown him 1t might
require book foot thick.
Here is a sample from the pending tax
bill Of what Mr.. Millikin wants to get
away from: Section Is (B) ca Of the
internal revenue code is hereby amended
by adding at the end thereof new
sentence to read as follows: For the pur-
pose OF paragraph ID CD the deter
mination of the age of an individual
shall be made as OF the last day OF the
taxable year."
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Foreign Briefs

LONDON.-Clothes some day may be
laundered by sound waves
Sir Edward Appleton, secretary Of the
Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research said in a recent speech that
a device using the principle of the sub
marine detector had proved effective in
breaking the electrical attraction be-
tween dirt particles and fabrics.
In some cases, he said, sound waves
were more effective than soap.
BUENOS AIRES.-As soon as the
Argentine delegation now in Rome COM
pletes details for transporting italian
immigrants, it is expected to establish
an office In Madrid for similar negotia-
tons regarding Spanish workers who
wish to emigrate.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Aim at p Promoting National Instead
Of international Objectives
I'm Geor0e Fieldin0 Eliot

latter. In the course Of . felicitous ad-
dress, declared: Certainly the greatest
achievements OF modern surgery are
those which relate to the saving Of life
and limb by conservative operations.
and the exclusion from wounds of those
ubiquitous micro-organisms which in
the past have destroyed more lives than
have bullets and sabers." DR.. Gross
monument, still standing where his adj
mirers placed 1t, in the vicinity OF the
Army Medical Museum and Library,
was an early work Of the distinguished
sculptor, A. Sterling Calder. who was
later TO create many other beautiful
Landmarks, including the well-known
DANCING Children'S Fountain In In
dian2 polls.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
From City Hall
BIZ John w. Thompson, Jr.

0y JOftIL W. 1ftOHtpSOH, II.
Chairman Buck of the Senate Dis
trict Committee has told the Commis-
sioners his committee is very interested
in any appointment Of chief Of police
here. He told them the committee also
wants to know details in advance Of any
such appointment.
There Is no mail box in the fine, new
Municipal Center Building.
The Board of Public Welfare goes on
trial for its life before the community
tomorrow at District Building hear
ing. The issue is whether the present
split jurisdiction between the board and
the Commissioners should be resolved
in favor of the board or the city heads.
It is difficult to oppose the strength
ening of the citizen board in an un-
represented community. 1t is equally
difficult to imagine board which on
the basis Of performance less deserves to
be strengthened.
The board was created by act of 1926
In 1888 Congress saw fit to relieve it of
the public hospitals and turn them
over to the Health Department. Last
July after continued difficulties Con-
gress saw fit to separate from the board
the adult prisons.
There is no doubt that the board
bungled badly the issue of new Receiv-
ing Home for Children
The argument for transferring vel
fare to the Commissioners is not that
they are more sympathetic to public
welfare than the board, which they are
not. It is based simply on the thesis
that placing welfare in the direct chan
nels of administration OF the city will
produce more efficient operation.
If the citizens, the Commissioners and
Congress decide in favor of an autono-
nous board, they should demand, at the
very least for their own protection, that
such board do as much of its business
in public as the laws 1t administers
will allow
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Moscow Mystery

Top American diplomats remain puz-
zled by the seemingly contrasting atti-
tudes of Russia's Premier Stain and
Foreign Minister Molotov.
Men who have dealt with both say
Molotov never yields an inch until,
apparently, he gets the word from higher
up. But Stain, they say, often proves
Evening star., 1947-05-11

A resident of Nebraska would dis
like being called "Nebraskanian"
and an "Americanian." The same
goes for "Chioanian" Yet we per-
sist in verbally blowing up an in.
habitant of our sister republic to
"Panamanian."
Evening star., 1947-05-11

Congress. President Truman and John
4. Lewis viii play an exciting shree-
cornered game next month while the
whole world watches.
Now that the telephone industry Is
getting back to normal, the biggest un-
settled labor disputes are IN coal, ship
ping and railroads.
The railroad dispute probably won't
come to crisis until autumn, but CIO
maritime strike Is possible June is and
an AFL coal strike is more than possible
July |.
Some time in June big labor bill
from Congress viii hit Mr.. Trumans
desk. This bill is almost sure to contain
provision enabling the Government
to block coal and maritime strikes It
will contain still other provisions Affect
ing Mr.. Lewis and his United Mine
Workers.
Just now, most people in Washington
believe the President will veto it. II he
does, Congress could enact 1t over his
veto by two-thirds majority in both
Houses. This vote undoubtedly would
be influenced by the maritime and coal
situations at the time.
Mr.. Lewis will be watching Congress
and the President. Congress will be
watching the President and Mr.. Lewis.
The President will be watching Mr..
Lewis and Congress.
It looks like an interesting month.
Evening star., 1947-05-11

A biological census out West esti-
mates six million prairie dogs living
in one single tract. How many rattle
snake free dodgers are In the. bur-
3 Ws was not disclosed.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Sngar

There's little chance Of unrationed
sugar before late this year, if then. Top
industrial men have told Agriculture
Department experts "it would be folly
to even consider it, before November l.
This even though the Cuban crop is
expected to be 100000 tons heavier this
year.
I That tonnage will be parceled around
to several nations, including the United
States, SO we viii get little more.
The big rush now is to store supplies
in strategic cities to avoid drawing on
scarce boxcars when the expected
bumper wheat crop begins to move.
Storage space is tight too, much Of 1t
being rented for light manufacturing.
In Chicago, where it was normal to keep
100000 bags Of sugar on hand, it's now
hard to find room for $4,000.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
Tar Haneover

A fragment Of the National Prohibi-
ton Act, the one known as the Vol
stead Act, still is on the books, and
President Truman wants to keep 1t there
while longer.
It pertains to taxes on Industrial and
medicinal alcohol manufactured during
the dry era. A handful OF tax cases
still are unsettled.
Evening star., 1947-05-11

There are growing indications the
democratic high command is ardently
wooing Roosevelt New Dealers who
have been lukewarm toward President
Truman.
Party men attach considerable signifi-
canoe to what Representative Kirwan,
Democrat, Of Ohio, said after White
House visit on the Presidents SD birth
day.
Mr. Kirwan was among Roosevelt en-
thusiasts who had expressed nisgivings
about whether Mr. Truman would carry
forward much Of the New Deal program.
Apparently he has changed his mind.
He said after his White House call: II
congratulated the President on the good
job he is doing and said, Happy BIRTH
day.
Evening star., 1947-05-11
I@nnEfr15r a haad ShadosUs Of Coming Events
A@'>li5 A41Se.N A41Se.N Noted Here and abroad
{By the world stan of the Associated Pre-

tile ASSOclatGu FIeSSJ
more or less cooperative In the FIRST
conference on major problem.
Secretary Of State Marshall found
Molotov uncompromising at Moscow. but
just before he left he conferred with
Stain and won some hope Of future
agreements.
Former Secretary Byrnes has told
friends he had similar experiences.
SOAKING Up
While the Treasury Department OPP
poses tax cuts now. It's getting ready
to try to soak up tax .sayings'-h
Congress grants them, as most expect
before they can be spent
The soak-up plan Is to sell more
savings bonds. A program will go into
general effect next month under which
depositors can direct their banks to buy
bonds for them out of their deposit
accounts.
Nev Dealers