davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-07-11
The Satellites in Line

A few DAYS ago Czechoslovakia accepted
! the Anglo French invitation to take part
| in the European recovery conference open
| ing at Paris tomorrow. Yesterday, how
ever, it changed it's mind. 1t did so after
its Communist Premier had made special
Journey to Moscow. The substance OF what
the men of the Kremlin told him was
simply "no"-the same bleak word heard
by all the satellites and near-satellites IN
the Soviet orbit
So the split in Europe has become
sharper than ever. The Czech about-face
made at Russias Request" as a
perfect illustration of how things are run
behind the iron curtain" OF all the lands
In that dark political area, Czechoslovakla
has had the most freedom of action, but
obviously it is not sovereign or independent
enough to accept international invitations
without Moscows approval. Like Poland,
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and all the
other countries in the Soviet sphere, it can
not risk offending the Kremlin. The
Kremlin does not want European-Wide
recovery program. Accordingly, no satel-
, lite government-whatever It's own wishes
may cooperate in one.
It is scarcely to be doubted that the
Marshall proposal would be acted upon on
continental basis II Czechoslovakia, Poland,
Hungary, etc, were their own masters.
Eastern Europe and Western Europe are
economically interdependent. In the past
the countries now behind the iron cur
tain" have looked to the west for industrial
products, trading food and certain raw
rto1e fNN RSy
down on efforts to draw up a plan for
integrated, overall European recovery,
Russia has in effect cut of its satellites
from the benefits of a program that could
be of enormous help to them. 1t apparently
seeks to make a closed economy out of the
area under its domination, but 1t Is itself
In such need and has so little to offer in
terms of goods that the peoples in that
area have reason to be depressed and re
Actually, unless the Stain government
has something better to offer than meIe
negative policy, the pressure it has brought
upon the satellites to boycott the recovery
conference may react against it in the long
run. This will be especially true II the
western powers, with our aid, succeed in
carrying out an effective program. Ger
tainly, If the countries cooperating in the
project prosper with it, the reluctant hold
outs-the Czechs, the Poles and all the
others who have had to knuckle down to
the Kremlin-will take note of that fact,
and the fact will reflect poorly on the
Soviet Union. In this sense the Russians
may be said to be engaged in a gamble
that the west should spare no effort to win.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Fairness Requires q Vote

If the changes made by the House Civil
Service Committee in the civil service
liberalized retirement bill will save 1t from
death in a House Rules Committee pigeon
hole, the revision Is justifable. The meas
ure, which means so much to so many
faithful employees, deserves to reach the
hoor. There the bill and the proposed
changes can be debated on their merits.
The BILL which would liberalize retire
ment benefits for employees who retire in
the future and for those already on the
retirement rolls, has been dogged by i'll
luck and by conflicting testimony as to
its cost. At one time approval of the bill
by the Civil Service Committee was rem
dered doubtful when preliminary actuarial
estimates placed the cost next year at more
than 100000 900. The committee found,
however, that these estimates were based
on out-of-date statistics and that the
actual additional cost to the Treasury will
approximate $15,000,0 900.
This is sizable appropriation at time
of general budget cutting, of course, but
1t would be thoroughly justifiable invest
ment in improved morale of Federal en-
ployes and hence in improved efficiency
There is no contesting the fact that retire
ment benefits deemed adequate a decade
or more ago need revision in the light of
todays changed conditions. The bill as
first approved by the House Civil Service
Committee would-among other things
amend the 1880 act by granting optional
retirement at age OF sixty after ten years
of service dnstead OF thirty, or, on re-
duced annuity, at fifty-flve after ten years
service (instead of thirty; would provide
survivors insurance benefits and would
increase annuity benefits for employees
already retired. The employees themselves
would pay part of the cost by contributing
to the retirement fund six instead OF five
Der cent of their basic salaries. Opposition
In the Rules Committee led to elimination
Of the provision for retirement after only
ten years of service and of extra benefits
to widows with more than one child
These amendments will be vigorously
opposed if the bill is sent to the floor.
The bill, characterized by Federal en-
ployes' organizations as the most important
measure affecting Government workers to
be considered at this session. was reported
10 the House nearly two weeks ago. A
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Fire alarm headquarters OF the Distrtc
(This Is one Of a series OF articles dis
cussinp recommendations OF citizens COM
mittee tn drawine up plans for cipic TN
prouementJ
Wsshington's Fire Department has not been
expanded and modernized to bring it into line
with the present size and needs Of the city.
This is the verdict Of the citizens committee
which has given the Commissioners a set Of
recommendations for Improvements over the
next IL years
Total cost Of the new construction and equip
ment asked is 2,725.0oo, Of which $24 900 for
purchase OF two sites for fire stations was
asked by the Commissioners and has been
approved by the House in their budget for
this fiscal year
This money would permit reconstruction Of
eight obsolete stations. provision Of four new
companies with stations and equipment recon-
struction Of the training school, rebuilding OF
the repair shop, replacement of obsolescent
equipment and additional radio equipment.
To offset some of the cost of the improve
ments, the committee calls for several econ
omies in the present annual operating costs
of the department.
In the first place it suggests that the person.
mel for the proposed new fire companies be
absorbed so far as possible from uniformed
men now engaged in clerical or other civilian
work.
Present policy of scrapping fire hose after
tive years regardless of its condition Is con-
demned as q waste OF money.
The committee also believes the city would
bs justified in using less expensive fire alarm
box The Gamewell box of so-called quick
succession mountaineering" type is now used.
Wider Use of Radio Advocated.
Looming small in its relation to the total
cost of the program but large in its tactical
signihcance to the department, is the item
for more radio equipment.
At the present time, of 127 automotive pieces
Of fre equipment only 81 are equipped with
radio Any fire department is only as effective
as its communications will permit it to be.
Modern hrefghting no longer consists of
many small neghborhood engagements. 1t re-
quires extensive deployment and rapid massing
OF equipment on the foreground. 1t requires
extensive "cover-upH maneuvers Of outlying
companies moving in to locations left tempo
rarily unprotected by companies called to
blaze in other localities. 1t requires ability to
divert to another nearby blaze companies re-
turning from q previous fire. Radio thus be-
comes essential.
In addition, since it is desired to keep the
number of engine company locations to
minimum three-way radio is "of peculiar value
in deploying and controlling the companies.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Bc THE HAsKIN SERVICE

Q Is DDT of any value In exterminating the
dog ticks?-H. W. t.
A. DDT offers practical protection against
dog ticks, according to the Bureau OF Ento-
mology and Plant Quarantine, which recon-
mends . light busting Of 10 per cent DDT
powder applied to grass, weeds or shrubs, at
the rate OF to 4 pounds to the acre. For
small areas like back yards, an ounce to 1000
square feet would sufice. One dusting early
in the season Is usually all that Is required.
but . second dusting may be applied II any
ticks are discovered.
of gold known as welcome Stranger"?-E. r.
A. The large nugget weighed 157h pounds
1t was found in 1859 in Victoria only few
inches below the ground in = rut made by .
cart
Q. What are the age limits for admission
to West Point?-C. H. l..
A. Candidates are eligible for admission to
West Point from the day they are II years OF
age Cor 10 If from the Regular Army or Ma
tional Guard until they become a. World
War II veterans are eligible until they reach
"A years. Appointments to the academy are
made only to fill vacancies as they may occur.
and candidates are designated during the year
preceding admission.
q. What are the requirements for Joining
the Legion Of Valor?-E. P.
A. The Army and Navy Legion Of Valor Is
made up Of recipients Of the Medal OF Honor,
the DISTINGUISHED Service Cross and the Navy
Cross
@. Why did the coffee house lose It's popu-
larity In England?-J. B.
A. England owned no coffee producing COL
onies of importance and coffee consumption
gradually declined The conquest OF India had
begun in 1730 and India was q great tea
producing country. Britain, therefore, turned
to tea.
Q. What is the temperature on the planet
Pluto?-S. p.
A. Pluto which is the most distant planet
yet discovered has q temperature far below
that at which water freezes Its temperature
Is probably about $50 degrees F. This planet
receives only about 1/16o0 as much light and
heat from the sun as the earth does.
O. How fast would an object have to move
In order to get away from the earth's gravita-
tional pull In travelling to the moon?-B. B:
A. The speed necessary 10 escape from the
eravitational pull of the earth has been
calculated at 7 miles per second. At
distance of 2l0 900 miles from the earth and
$4,000 miles from the moon the srav1tstional
pull of the moon equals that OF the earth.
@, How many years did 1t take 10 develop
the atomic bomb7-P. r.
A. In q recent speech the Secretary OF War
said that the atomic bomb was six years IN
Development and production before its limited
uae In lozS.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Andree Anniversary

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the
start of the famous ealomon August Andree
Expedition. 1t was on July II, 1897, that
the brave Swedish engineer took of from
Danes Island, spitsbergen. His idea was
that attempts to reach the North Pole by
sailing ships or steamers and then by
tedious tricks over the ice on foot were
"too expensive, took too long. and probably
could not succeed" and that It would be
better to make a trial for the desired
objective in dirigible Stabilized by ropes
trailing In the water and navigated by the
manipulation Of sails"
Many Of DR.. Andree's contemporaries
considered the scheme foolhardy, but
others believed in him suficiently to sub
scribe $4,000 to pay the costs of con-
structing the balloon. The craft, when
finished, was described as "the best ever
built" 1t was equipped with food and
clothing and with canvas boats and sledges
80 that should the explorers be forced to
land upon an ice noe they might be able
to make their way back to safety" Two
friends-Fraenkel and strindberg-"were
willing to risk their lives" with the leader
OF the enterprise. The three men orig
inally intended to depart in 1896, but q
wind that blew continually from the
wrong direction" delayed them.
When at last the breeze changed, the
wonderfully contrived" balloon scared
aloft with It's passengers and cargo with
out mishap. Observers saw 1t drift in the
general direction Of Siberia. Then 1t dis
appeared in the unpathed sky. One mes
senger pigeon returned with 4 note from
latitude 81 degrees north. After that
mystery As to the fate of Dr. Andree and
his companions prevailed. Many different
theories were devised to explain the failure
OF their endeavor. A library of literature
concerning them developed. They became
human symbols of the cruelty of the polar
zone. Then on August 8, $780, members
of Norwegian scientific expedition hunt
ing walrus on White Island In the Splits
bergen group saw a boat hook sticking
up in the snow. Their curiosity aroused,
they searched the neighborhood and found
the aeronauts' logbook! 1t disclosed the
details Of the tragedy.
DR.. Andree and his assistants had beer,
obliged to come down on July IS, two days
after their sailing. They marched over
the ice, but perished, one by one, of cold
and exposure" Their bodies were located,
frozen stin and thus perfectly preserved,
and were taken back to Stockholm for 4
public funeral At which the whole world
was represented.
Evening star., 1947-07-11

stan, in which the general writes: "Dr. VAN
nevar Bush has estimated that 1900 persons
who eventually would have earned Ph. DS In
scientific fields were shunted, by war service,
into other fields" But Gen. Aurand and DR..
Bush have not told all when they give us
figures on the lost Phi. Ds An old "man-in-
the-street" can tell you about the l8, 10 and
20 year old college boys VINO were pulled
away from their college training-in many
cases scientific training In the beginning stages
by selective service. while at the same time
several million adult men and ble-bodied. I
mean, were constantly on strike and in pleasant
idieness throughout the war years. great
many Of those college boys had their scholastic
ideas badly shaken or got married or got shot
up and never will get back to their scientific
training.
While these same two issues Of your authori-
tative paper are on the street . congressional
committee is conducting hearings on this
dragnet bill which would pull every boy in
The whole country out of the academic routine
into which the secondary schools patiently
have grooved him. claim you have slipped
In thus letting down the screen on some
cogent facts. giving us on the other side OF
the argument great aid and comfort. Surely
your right hand doth not know what your
left hand do (e)th? RICHARD l. FELDMAN.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
By John II. Thom tsox, Jr.
STAT Photo.

Fire Department.. Star Stat Photo.
especially when two or more alarms are regis
tered In the same general location"
Its installation on each piece Of firenghting
apparatus" says the report, "is highly desir-
able"
The fre department now consists of sl3 men
with equipment housed in 81 active stations
throughout the city.
Additional personnel will probably be re-
quired If q pending bill goes through author
izing the department to 60 on 4 6o-hour work
week. The present work week is about n
hours.
The committee admits that some cities have
a three platoon system in line with the general
national policy Of shorter hours.
While Washington should eventually take
this STEP" the report declares. we do not
recommend 1t At this time"
Recent trial runs from present stations to
certain areas east of the Anacostia River and
west Of Rock Creek have pointed the need
for three new stations to give newly built-up
areas adequate protection.
Locations Of New Fire Stations.
Engine stations should be in the vicinity Of
Forty ninth and East Capitol streets: Forty
second street and Tunlaw road NV; Twenty
fourth and Irving streets Sc. truck COM
pany should be placed near Forty-seventh
street and Deane avenue NE.
In the rebuilding program Engine Companies
and n should be rehoused on their present
sites. Engine Company No. and Truck Com
pany No. could be housed jointly at great saw
ing Engine Company No. is not only out-of-
date, but improperly located because of popula-
ton shifts in the So years since 1t was built.
The committee asks substitute station near
Seventeenth street and Massachusetts, ave-
nue. Sc.
A program spread over the next five years
to replace all equipment over Is years old is
suggested. This involves IL bumpers, 23 hose
wagons and II aerial trucks. Replacement OF
equipment was hampered during the war years.
A few old pieces would be retained for
reserves after reconditioning.
The present fire department school in rear
Of 6ss North Carolina avenue dates from 1889
when 1t was built asa stable. The committee
program calls for reconstruction at its present
. location The present repaiE shop. nearby,
was designed to maintain horse drawn equip
ment. Says the report: F.@
1T Is too small for adequate preventive
maintenance to modern heavy duty apparatus"
The committee also finds there are 80 build
ings or more excluding those recommended for
replacement which need minor improvements.
This is q cheap alternative says the report,
"to wholesale and very expensive replacement
program"
Evening star., 1947-07-11
One-1wo-?

STURDY little t,1o-ysdr-old,
way past one and not yet three,
Cast IN daddy's blus-sysd mold.
rm 30 glad your mothers ne.
Help yourself to pots and pans,
with abandon, oayly dump 'en,
Think ho,p lonesome / would BE-.
Did / not have you to thunrp 'sm.
Could I bear lite serene,
Each thing standing pkers 1t should.
Peace and quiet eperyWhere?
Yssl Sometimes / think / could.
VIOLA CONKLN.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
The Merqer Neors Reality

The overwhelming Senate passage of the
armed services merger bill, after less than
two days OF relatively mild debate, greatly
enhances the likelihood of quick enact
ment OF this much-controverted legisla-
ton. But even though the House should
fail to muster enough votes to pass the
measure-which is improbable Congress
will have ended the nerve-racking and
paralyzing period of uncertainty which has
hampered defense planning during the
past year.
The bill goes to the House catalogued as
must" legislation. That is, the Repub-
lican leadership has agreed that it must
60 to a vote on the floor before adjourn
ment of the Eightieth Congress. In clear
ing the bill for final consideration at this
session, the legislators have taken due
cognizance OF the serious situation which
has developed at the War and Navy De-
partments as a result Of the prolonged
delay in bringing the bill to the floor
Planning for the security of the Nation has
been necessarily restricted to q tentative
basis during the long waiting period. If
the departments were to 60 their separate
ways, one type of planning, voluntarily
co-ordinated, would be required. If the
Army, Navy and air forces were to be
consolidated under one secretary, as pro-
vided in the merger bill, more closely
integrated type of planning would be
necessary. It would be extremely detri-
mental to national security II Congress
should leave the defense planners up in
the, air until the next session rolls around.
AS approved by the Senate, the bill meets
most of the objections raised by opponents
OF the original administration merger pro-
posal. 1t bears the Endorsement of Secre-
tary of the Navy Forrestal, Fleet Admiral
Nimitz and other top-ranking Navy De-
partment officials. It specifically guards
the integrity Of the Marine Corps and Of
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Naval Aviation, two points repeatedly
raised by critics during hearings on the
bill. whether 1t will result In appreciable
savings is matter Of continued debate. It
will, however, effect sensible coordination
OF many activities In the logistics field that
should benefit all three services. Since all
three branches-air. ground and sea-now
are in agreement on the legislation, any
further delay in passage could serve no
useful purpose. -
Evening star., 1947-07-11

similar bill has been reported to the Senate
Supporters Of the legislation are confident
that passage would be assured II the matter
came to 4 vote in both houses. Certainly
the retirement proposal IL too important
to be disposed of through the pigeonhole
method
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Children Not Wanted

10 the Edit0E u Ihs Ssat: - :
Ny recent experiences in home-hunting have
prompted this letter. My husband and are
expecting child, but the righteous landladies
in Washington consider that the supreme sin.
Oh, they love ,children-have 10 Of their own,
but dozen or 70 are living At home and my
baby will be one too many. So the rooms 90
to couples who neither have, nor probably ever
expect to have. q family. And for this my
husband spent IS months in the Army.
A VETERANS WIFE
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Lord Macaulay talked about government
as If it were designed primarily to make
people happy, whereas the sober fact of
the. matter is that none but the people
themselves in their individual character
can make themselves or each other rea-
sonably joyful
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Some of these up-to-date architectural
designs undoubtedly are the last word
in modernity," but when they 60 out of
fashion they are going to be out with a
special vengeance-li like bustles, crepe
paper hats and the snapper: Twenty
three! Skiddo!"
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Dra&&ed Away From Science


To the Editor OF The star - =.
"strangled!" This is the word which W. H.
Shipper, ir. used in his Sunday Star resume
of the report OF the Atomic Energy Commits
sion's medical board of review. THE board OF
seven distinguished medical scientists" he
said, emphasized that talented newcomers
must be drawn into the field (of scientific
training) if the United States is to retain
leadership in the control Of atomic energy"
Mr.. Shippen began his article as follows:
"A revival of scientific training 'strangled
by selective service
I'm amszed! Surely The Stars policy maker
must be on vacation. While it is true that
your policy was adopted not on the basis OF
facts but of hopes and in = patriotic spirit OF
compliance with Representative Wadsworth's
drive for compulsory military encampment OF
Is, 10 and 20 year old boys, yet 1t is cutting
the very ground from under your position to
let Mr. Shippen tell us that the selective service
"st1angled" scientific training in the United
states-and he quotes distinguished" scten-
lists! ..
On top Of this The Star for July 7 carries
almost two columns by Maj. Gen. Henry S.
Aurand director Of the Research and Develop
nent Division Of the War Department general
Evening star., 1947-07-11

J Gone are the days when our hearts
were young and gay" as the song says.
Gone also are the days when merchants
had to give premiums in order to keep
customers coming
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,oriter, although it Is permissible for a
1Driter lcnoDn to The Star to use a
nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Questions and Answers
House Speaker Would Be Available
HG. 0. p. Deadlock Ensues

A reader can obtain the answer to any question
e i.st By writing The fysns9s STAT
Please nclose three I3l cents for return postage
Evening star., 1947-07-11

Progress is wonderful. For instance,
aeronautios has made 1t possible for man
10 be robb4diiT New York Id sh. MsSrhinr
and shot in Chicago in the afternoon.
Evening star., 1947-07-11
Appreciation for MIR. Horan

AppfeC1duOn TOT WI. IIUT HI
To the Editor Of The Star:
Please allow me to corroborate your COM
mendation for Mr.. Horan He and his COM
mittee comrades. many Of them At first prob
succeeded in impressing District residents with
their inclination toward thoroughness and fair
dealing.
Despite my personal dissatisfaction with
certain sections Of the new teacher pay bill,
particularly the salary maximums for teachers.
I think that Mr.. Horan's victorious tight for
funds with which to expand the physical facil-
tiles of the school system MARKS him as .
man of genuine distinction. Both present and
onconinx citizens are indebted to him.
j. w. HAYWOOD, JY.
Evening star., 1947-07-11

70 the Editor Of The Star:
The undersigned, members Of the legislative
delegation representing Montgomery County at
the Maryland Legislature, are taking the lib
erty to address this note to you commencing
Joe B. Zatman for the personal and pro-
fessional qualifications he manifested as the
representative of The Star at the recent ses-
sion of the Legislature.
Mr. Zatman was at all times courteous, con-
scientious and considerate. He was alert and
his reports were fair and factual. We enjoyed
our personal and official relations with him at
all times.
ROY TASCO DAVIS, DE WITT S. HYDE,
ANDERS r. LOFSTRAND, Jr.,
LEONA M. RUSH, JULIAN P. KING,
JOHN r.. REEVES, r. DUNCAN CLARK.