davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Joint Hearings Are Needed

When Congress met in January of
1894, prohibition had been repealed
and there was public pressure for
prompt enactment of control legis-
lation. Chairman Mary Norton of
the House District Committee. and
Chairman William H. King of the
Senate District Committee decided
to expedite the local legislation
through joint hearings. The two
committees met in joint session for
three days in the House caucus room,
then met separately to report COM
parable bills. Legislation was en-
acted shortly thereafter.
We lack the excited pressure be-
hind revenue legislation for the Dis
trict that pushed the liquor control
bills through. But the revenue legis-
lation this year is more important
and is peculiarly adaptable to the
sort of consideration that would re-
suit from joint sessions. Chairman
Buck, on the Senate side, has indi-
Gated his interest in the joint hear
ings. Chairman Dirksen, on the
House side, may bring up the pro-
posal for discussion at the first
meeting of his committee this week.
1t would be good thing If there
were a decision in favor of joint
hearings. District revenue-raiSing
legislation, to overcome an unprece-
dentcd deficit in the budget just
submitted to Congress, Is of supreme
Importance. Local taxpaying resi-
dents are faced with a tremendous
increase in taxes. Equally impor-
tant is consideration, along with
these tax bills, of legislation to meas
ure each year the share which the
National Government should bear in
connection with Capital City ex-
penses. All the proposals should be
considered together as one program
to furnish the money to meet the
extraordinary rise in cost of local
go.crnIlent.
Joint sessions would save time.
They would prevent duplicated pro-
ceedingS. They would tend to pre-
vent the deadlocks-such as occurred
when the local income tax was under
consideration-so often settled by
compromise between House and Sen
ate at the expense of the people of
Washington. The Star commends
the idea of joint hearings to Chair
men Buck and Dirksen. Better reve-
nue. legislation is apt to result, and
no committee prerogatives on either
side of the Capitol would suffer.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Our Aid to ItoIy

The earmarking of 100000 900 for
Italy by the Export t-Inport .Hank
and the diversion of six grain-laden
ships in mid-ocean from German to
telian ports can be Interpreted loai-
cally as emergency, measures taken
by the American Government to aid
Premier de Gasperi in the danger
Gus emergency which he confronts.
De GaSperi'S trip to Washington,
just concluded, was originally mo-
tivated mainly by Italy's desperate
economic situation. But during his
stay here his troubles have been
compounded by political complica
tions arising out of the sudden blow
up of the Italian Socialist Party,
which has thrown his coalition
cabinet badly out of balance. Under
these circumstances, if De Gasperi
had returned hon,e enpty-henSed,
his failure would r coa17ou L
tie ccnrlcS crisis Il which he is
faced. Our grants of food end c-eesS, Il
probably represent the minimum
judged necessary by the State De-
partment to tide Italy over the i'm
pending climax to it's domestic
troubles.
The emergency character Of those
grants appears both from the terms
on which they were given and the
picture of Italy's long-term neces-
sites. That unfortunate country,
which, became a major battle-ground
in the late war, emerged therefrom
shattered in every res1cct. Recovery
has been imrc1cd by the dcl-syS and
uncertai" ties attending a de.ermi-
nation of is postwar cstctus.
A year ago, the Italian govern
ment approached the E:po-t-1mport
Bank with request for a very large
credit to finance extensive purchases
from us, ranging from focdstuffs
and fuel to raw materials and
equipment. This and subsequent
request of similar scope were re-
jected by the bank, both because of
previous commitments which had
earmarked most of its lending
capacity and also because the Italian
governments financial situation was
so bad that it did not constitute a
proper credit risk under the banks
lending reg "lations. Meanwhile,
Italy's situation has further wors-
ened, With an epidemic of fierce
food riots emphasizing the threat of
mass hunger and destitution.
The present grant of 100000. 900
represents industrial credits which,
the bank states, will depend in
each instance upon conditions in
Italy OF stability and upon its ability
- provide tpr other imports es-
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Mr.. Foy Approved

In giving its unanimous approval
to the nomina ton of George Morris
Fay as United States attorney for
the District, the Senate Judiciary
Committee has paid a rather u1-
usual compliment to Mr.. Fay's per-
sonal qualities and to the good
record which he has made at the
District Court.
When Mr.. Fay was nominated in
early November, The Star was crit
ical of the manner of his selection.
There was nothing to be said against
him personally, except that he was
little known in the city and rela-
lively inexperienced. But the cir
cumstances of his appointment were
such as to make it appear that the
Attorney General had gone out of
his way to give offense to the District
Bar Association.
The members of the local bar had
Endorsed another man for the post,
and, although the Attorney General
knew that the bars Recommendation
was coming in, he did not wait even
to consider it. Instead, the selection
of Mr.. Fay was announced almost at
the moment that the associations
committee was calling upon the At
torney General. This resulted in
widespread resentment among men,
bers of the bar, who voted 653 to
304 to oppose Mr.. Fay's confirmation.
The next step was an announce
ment from Senator Wiley that, as a
matter of general policy, the views
of the District Bar Association would
be carefully and sympathetically
studied" with respect to local court
appointmentS-a statement inter-
preted to mean that Mr.. Fay might
have trouble winning committee in
dorsement.
AS a matter of fact, however, the
contrary has been the case. Un-
doubtedly, the committee members
were advised of the very favorable
impression which Mr. Fay has made
in his first few weeks as district
attorney, and, although he is
Democrat, the new prosecutor re-
ceived the unanimous approval of
the Republican controlled commit
tee. The Star, while continuing to
deplore the "brush-off" given the
bar association, believes that Mr..
Fay has demonstrated that the
Attorney Generals and the Judici-
ary Committees confidence in him
is not misplaced.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
From City Hall
By John w. Thompson, Jr

The $64 question of the moment easily
could be: "Just where does President
Truman stand on District money
raising plans?"
The President has twice Endorsed the
so-called OMahoney formula which
would increase the annual Federal pay
ment toward city expenses by about
$4,000,00O Yet his Budget Bur.au re-
fused to include the formula as bud
get-balancing item in the big 1948 Dis
trict money bill he sent to Congress re-
Gently.
On the other hand the White House
has taken pains to scotch the idea that
Mr.. Truman favors sales tax here. Yet
his Budget Bureau has allowed this to
be included in the budget-balancing tax
program. -
The District was in the liquor business
for two days recently. Tax Collector
Guy Pearson took over U street es-
tablishment after the owner gave him
rubber" check for some three years
of back taxes. Under the law the col
lector holds seized property 10 days and
then puts it up for auction. The owner
paid up in folding money.
Believe it or not: The two civilian
Commissioners of the District. Rus
sell Yourg and Guy Mason-both are
former newspaper reporters and both
covered" the 1903 dedication of the
District Building from which they now
rule the city.
Both Commissioner Mason and the
Board of Education are concerned over
the large number of nonresident pupils
educated gratis in the city's public
schools. Only certain types OF outsiders
must pay tuition charges. A recent
study reveals 5000 nonresidents now in
the public school system free Of charge.
Only 375 pay tuition.
Mr.. Mason plans to cite this to Con-
gress in asking for a bigger Federal
payment toward city expenses.
District Auditor A. r. Pilkerton is
UCdullllS tklCnC udyS. LAC AAooAA U iioo q
complaint recently from any city en-
ploye about late paychecks. Time was,
a few months ago, when groans of late
paid employees reached the Pilkerton
ears daily. Now he is getting compli-
ments on the timely production of in
dividual tax information as well as
checks. The explanation-17 additional
employees, he says.
y u X
The "big four" of District affairs-the
chairman of the House and the Senate
District Committees and the appropria-
tions subcommittees handling the Dis
trict budget-plan to get together on
city affairs. Is 1t too much to hope
that this is the forerunner Of that
badly needed device: The joint legis-
lative Appropriations Committee on the
District in both Houses?
Evening star., 1947-01-19
The Initiation Picture

The Federal Reserve Boards deci-
sion to reduce margin requirements
for traders in stocks and bonds re-
fleets considerable official optimism
regarding the economic outlook. AS
Chairman Eccles explains, imitation
ary pressures were dangerous year
ago, and the regulation requiring
100 per cent cash payment for Sc
curities was put into effect as one
of the scfeguards-a minor one in
itself-celculated to check the up
ward trend. In cutting this down
now to Is per cent, the Government
is acting in line with the fact that
conditions l-ave changed for the
better since last January.
Indeed, Mr.. Eccles feels that the
situation has improved enough to
warrant the statement that imitation
now appears to have largely run it's
course" In January, 1946, there was
reason to worry about "the vast ex-
pansion of the country's money
supply resulting from war financing,
the rising level of current incomes,
the huge backlog of public wants
and needs and the acute shortage
of most goods to satisfy this de-
mand." In the intervening year,
hov-cTcr, to de-oer in2r cit in
i-ce u &C. ~ forces rs greatly
a',,~,..--.i. TIE Government ut held
by our banking system has been re-
duced and this in turn has reduced
the money supply. More important
still, we have had record breaking
employment and record breaking
production. Accordingly, as Mr..
Eccles says, shortages in many lines
have been met and in many other
lines are rapidly being overcome"
In other words, with supply more
neerly in balance with derland and
With outrut still going at full blast,
the pressures of y2cr ago have
e~eed markedly, a.,d We sem def
n!aciy on our way out of tie woods.
CAGE s--ain the Csss an6ras thus
appear to have been beating their
breasts without real cause. Not very
long ago, with the lifting of OPA
controls, there were Official and un-
official predictions of the most dire
kind about unrestrained imitation
and the terrible things in store for
the consuming public. AS things
have turned out, however, the seri-
Gus temporary increases in prices
have already begun to correct them
selves in many fields or have been
forced down by buyer resistance, and
the skyrocketing process in general
apparently is suffering out.
But Mr.. Eccles adds his voice to
that of the President and others to
warn that the present situation can
take turn for the worse unless
certain conditions are met. In his
opinion, we must have continued
high levels of taxation with prudent
economy in all Government expendi-
lures" Above everything, we must
have full and sustained production,
and to Rave that we must also have
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Transit Fares

lue CaplCal transit COmpanyS
application for an increase in fares
can hardly be said to have been
unexpected. Spokesman for the
company had predicted Immediately
afte- the arbitrated wage increase
OF last January that fare boost
inevitably must follow-soon or late.
The company has delayed making
its request pending year of opera
ton under the heavier payroll drain.
During that year, according to the
company's petition to the Public
Utilities Commission, net income
has been declining at rate that
threatens to undermine the utility's
credit and impair the efficiency of
its service to the public. The de-
cline is attributed not only to a
So, ,25J 900 increase in payroll during
the past year but to two coincident
factors-a falling off in patronage
since vi day and an increase in
mileage that meant greater
operating costs.
The Public Utilities Commission is
presented with problem which
must be studied from the aspect of
public interest as well as company
welfare, which means from the view
point of patrons as we'll as investors.
President Merrill says that the COM
pany submitted its petition with
reluctance. Streetcar and bus riders
will be just as reluctant to accept
a straight ten-cent fare in lieu of
the three-for- quarter tokens or a,
twenty-five-cent increase in the
weekly pass rate. Straphangers will
not relish having to pay more for
the privilege of standing up during
the rush-hour trips between home
and office, nor enduring the frequent
delays that occur during the busy
periods. Tfey have little patience
with logical explanations which
show that the transit company is no
less concerned over such incon-
veniences than it's customers and
that persistent efforts are being
made to relieve ove-crowding and
speed the movement of cars am:
buses through bottlenecks inherited
from horsecar and buggy days.
The Public Utilities Commission
will be fully aware of this general
attitude when it begins hearings on
the transit application in the near
future. It's primary responsibility is
to protect the public interest. The
initiative must lie with the utility to
show that its request is not incom-
potihle with the public interest. It
will seek to show this by proving
that the public, g. we'll as the finan-
ciel structure Of the company, will
suffer if i,'cre" sed fares are not
grerted--suffer bv reason of deteri-
oratine service and equirment. Only
2 thoroug'Ngci-,r invest cation of the
facts by the PUG can determine the
m erits cf the company's case. That
the pu''lic will insist on suc'l COM
p1ete airing of I'll sides of the ques-
ton is only ratural.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Not Uniformity But Unity.
By Rabbi Zemach Green,
Ohep Sholonl Congregation.

The fundamental teaching of all
religions is love of God and love Of
man. Yet. in the course of history,
religion often was tuned in the
wrong way; 1t often was played not
as a. symphony of love but as
dissonance of hatred. This is the
most tragic phenomenon of civiliza-
ton. How horrible it is to recall
the streams of bloodshed that have
been flowing out of religious bigotry!
1t is the duty of clergymen. and
laymen alike to participate in the
noble work of fostering good will
among various religious and racial
groups. Mutual respect and CO.
operation between Protestants, Cath
olics and Jews certainly is one of
the finest characteristics Of the
American spirit In these days Of
postwar disillusionment, it is i'm
perative, more than ever, to fortify
the American citadel of democracy
with the solid foundation Of brother
hood and unity.
Can there be unity in major issues
of life among different denomina-
tions? A positive answer to the
question may be found in the demo-
cratic traditions prevailing in this
great land of liberty. Our concept
of unity must not be confused with
that of uniformity. The meaning OF
unity is quite different from uni
formity. BY unity we do not mean
identity and sameness OF doctrine
and ritual. Indeed, uniformity is
not even advisable. The essence OF
beauty is variety. An orchestra
brings diverse instruments into har-
mony. Unity is harmonious mosaic
of various ways of life, designed in
a general pattern of peace on earth,
good will toward men,"
After the most bloody and destruc-
tive World War in history, humanity
must realize at long last that civil
ization either must have peace or go
to pieces. Unfortunately, however,
we have witnessed a resurgence OF
the evil factors that generate preju-
dice and hatred, strife and injustice.
What can be done about this?
What is the right medicine for the
disease of prejudice and how can
society be healed from the cancer OF
intolerance? Surely, there is no
better remedy than teaching and
preaching the principle Of the fra
ternity of all human beings as
Evening star., 1947-01-19

children Of God. There is no better
way than kindling that Biblical light
in all dark corners Of the human
heart and mind.
There is remarkable story in the
Talmud about the Rabbi Hulel. an
outstanding sage and saint of long
ago. 1t seems that pagan man
came to him with very unusual
request. The pagan asked Hillel to
teach him all of Judaism while he,
the student, would stand on one foot.
What impudence it was to ask the
old Rabbi, who had spent many years
in the study of the sacred writings,
to impart all his knowledge in the
short moment while the pupil would
stand on one foot! Surprisingly
enough, however, Hillel was not
angered by the insolent request. On
the contrary, very benignly, he
answered.: Yes, son, will teach you
all of Judaism in a minute. Now
raise one foot, remain standing on
the other, open your ears and heart
and heed the word of God. Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'
That is the essence of the entire law"
Those words of the greatest sage
OF the Talmud express the philosophy
of Judaism. According to Hillels
statement all the voluminous teach
ings of religion are interpretations
of the major theme of universal love
and brotherhood. Viewed from this
vantage point, all rituals and cere-
monials of religion are merely means
of achieving and modes of expressing
our communion with God and
humanity. %.
Religion must assert itself. 1t Is
the duty of the spokesmen OF the
church and the spokesmen of the
synagogue alike to stress the wide
common ground on which Christian
and Jew may join hands in good will
and brotherhood. 'Let the words of
the prophet Malachi be ever pro-
claimed: Have we not all one
Father? Hath not one God created
us? - =" Regardless Of race, color
and creed, we are children of God.
All denominations, therefore, should
be parts of one holy symphony; a
symphony of reverence toward our
Father in heaven, with, all the diff
ferent instruments playing in har-
mony the great melody of the
universal hymn of love.
Evening star., 1947-01-19

IAN extended period Of industrial
peace, the avoidance of further wage
increases that bring about increased
prices, and the downward adjust
ment of prices which are now out
of line.
Let us have these things, and we
shall have to fear neither imitation
nor def1ation; we shall be able,
rather, to look forward to long
term and stable period OF prosperity.
Evening star., 1947-01-19

seems to be no good reason for estab-
fishing an administrator with several
assistants and new conciliation serv-
ice, since the only power which is con-
ferred on him could more appropriately
be exercised by the Secretary of Labor.
While the method of appointing the
panel of arbitrators also seems unduly
elaborate, this is perhaps justified by
the Importance of securing impartial
and fearless personnel for these assign
ments. A constant complaint Of in
dustrialists has been the lack of one
or the other of these qualities in the
school of arbitrators spawned by the
War Labor Board.
The bill has one positive merit. how
ever, in that it proposes to end an era
of improvisation by prescribing statu-
tory procedure for the Government in
important national crises in the indus
trial relations field and gives the Gov
ernment sufficient power to make its
intervention respected.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
Brituin's Land Laws

Publication of the ownand-coun-
try-planning bill, which the Labor
government will soon lay before Par
lament, appears to be, both theoret-
ically and practically, the most pro-
nounced item yet presented in the
socializing process which Britain is
now undergoing. This is admitted
by Lewis Silkin. minister of town.
and-country planning, who de-
scribes the bill as almost revolu-
tionary" in character.
That almost" may strike most
Americans as typical British un-
reinstatement, because the bill prac-
tically abrogates the principle OF
freehold land tenure which has been
traditional Anglo-Saxon institu-
ton. No longer may any landowner
in Britain "do as he will with his
own" or profit by the use he makes
of his land if this involves any
change in it's utilization.
Outright naturalization of the
I land is, to be sure, avoided; but,
practically speaking, the scheme ma
tionalizes all profits from the devel-
opment or improvement of any land,
urban or rural, in Great Britain. To
: quote Mr.. Silkin again: What is
left to the landowner is merely the
right to continue to use his land for
it's existing purpose" And he adds
that even this right will be subject
to wide powers given the state to
acquire land by compulsory sale.
| The naturalization of land-profits
is accomplished by what is termed
development charge" Here is
how it will work: Suppose farm lsnd
is cut up into lots for suburban real
estate development or residential
section in a city is transformed into
one of stores and movie houses. Such
changes imply more profitable uses.
The state determines the amount OF
"unearned increment" and imposes
a development charge which could
legally be 100 per cent. but which
Mr.. Siskin thinks will average be-
tween rs and 80 per cent. Further,
this bill should be bracketed with
another sweeping measure now be-
fore Parliament, the so-called land
charter measure. under which the
government intends to boost agri-
cultural efficiency by close gov
ernment supervision, dispossessing
farmers who disregard official advice
as to how they shall farm and what
they shall raise. Finally. there is
the new towns bill, empowering the
government to engage in gigantic
/ housing program. from slum clear
ance to entire communities sur
rounded by green belts"
These measures have already
evoked strong Conservative criticism
and may be expected to be hotly
debated. in and out of Parliament.
But they all have the backing OF
the Labor majority and SO may be
expected to become law. Once they
are in effect, the face of Britain will
indeed be chenged-perhaps almost
out of recognition as compared with
its traditional past.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
The Drumu in Cunodu
rom the Ottawa Citizen

FROM the Ottawa Citizen.
Disconcerting for those who cherish
the art of the theater In Canada Is the
fact that among the crowded Ottawa
audiences who applauded Hamlet
and "The Merchant Of Venice" given
by Donald Wolff and his English
company, many elderly folk had never
before seen a first-class professional
conf Aany act Shakespeare.
Evening star., 1947-01-19
White Supremacy

From the Toronto Star.
Absent from the citizenship ceremony
in Ottawa last week were japanese and
British East Indians. 1t Is known that
members OF these groups have been re-
fused naturalization chiefly on the
grounds Of their race and color. To
those who remembered this fact it
seemed that the citizenship ceremony
lacked a note Of sincerity.
Evening star., 1947-01-19

At the latest quotation, it takes
1000 Chinese dollars to make one
American dollar. China. it would
seem, would be the ideal locality for
a racetrack guaranteed not to be too
hard on the two-dollar betto2.
Evening star., 1947-01-19

sential to the maintenance OF It's
economy" Just how those terms
are to be met is something else
again. This credit is clearly mere
drop in the bucket of Italy's financial
needs.