davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Insurinq Defense Unity

In moving to coordinate budgetary and
other requests to Congress by the armed
services, Defense Secretary Forrestal Is
carrying out congressional mandate con-
tanned in the law creating the National
Defense Establishment. But the wording
OF the law Is such as to give no assurance
that interservice rivalry and pickering is
thing of the past.
Secretary Forrestal's order, however,
should help materially to reduce the type
of public squabbling that reflected dis
credit on the services in the era preceding
unif1cation. In accordance with specific
provisions OF the merger law, Mr.. For
restal has directed the secretaries of the
Army, Navy and Air Force to consult with
one another in preparing budget estimates
so that they may present a co-ordinated
picture to the Budget Bureau and Congress.
Mr.. Forrestal through an administrative
assistant, will supervise the coordination,
which means that he will resolve any diff
ferences remaining after the interservice
consultations.
Similarly, the Defense Secretary has di-
rected his subordinates to get together on
all legislative recommended tions, with a
view to precluding conflict, duplication and
confusion in recommendations or views
submitted to the Budget Bureau, the
President or Congress. However, under a
proviso of the law intended to preserve the
right OF each defense department to make
its views known to the President or Con-
gress, each departmental secretary will
have full authority to go direct to the
White House or the Capitol, If necessary. :"
The department head must first advise
Secretary Forrestal of his intention.
Furthermore, the law requires that Con-
gress be informed as to the amount of each
budget request as originally submitted to
the Defense Secretary and the amount
approved by him for submission to the
Budget Bureau. Thus the three defense
departments are assured that every budget
request they may make-even though 1t
NAV be modified or eliminated before ar
irving at the Capitol-will be available for
consideration of the appropriations COM
mittees.
There are two factors which should
operate to reduce the likelihood of any
open controversies within the defense es-
tablishment. First of these is the evident
desire of each of the departments to make
the merger work, even at the cost of COM
promise. Each department is deeply con-
cerned over the international situation and
fully aware of the dangers of disunity at
such a time. The second factor is the
strong personality of Secretary Forrestal,
whose persuasiveness, forthrightness and
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Republieun Co-operution

One would have to be we'll over on the
optimistic side to suppose that all doors
will be barred against partisan politics
when Congress reassembles for the special
session. 1t is encouraging. however. to
note indications that old-fashioned politics
will be held to minimum.
The life of the special session will be
limited to six weeks, and unless the legis-
lators are going to stick to their knitting
during Christmas week, which is unlikely,
the work to be done will have to be dis
posed of in about five weeks.
That is not great deal of time, and
this presumably is the main reason why
the President has announced that so far
as he is concerned the first order of busi-
ness will be emergency European aid
rather than the politically explosive sub
ject of price reduction. Since Mr.. Truman
previously had indicated that he wanted
action on prices first, this reversal is a
concession to the realities of the situation.
It also is concession which should meet,
and apparently is meeting, with favor
able response from the Republicans who
will control the special session
One evidence of this is to be found In
the announcement by Chairman Knutson
of the Ways and Means Committee that he
expects the COP project for a $4,000, ,000,-
900 tax reduction program to 60 over until
the next regular session in January. This
Is a change Of heart for Mr.. Knutson, who
has been advocating action on tax reduc-
ton at the special session. 1t is a change
which should be welcomed, however, for
regardless of ones feelings about the
merits or otherwise of a cut in taxes, the
subject clearly is one which has no proper
place on the agenda of this special session.
A second token of Republican co-opera-
tion Is the report that the 19 members of
the Herter Committee, who have just re-
turned from an inspection tour of Europe,
are prepared to recommend financing of
an emergency European aid program
through next June. This recommendation
probably will be tied to a control program
which may or may not be acceptable to
the President, but 1t Is encouraging to
find that the members of the Herter group,
having observed conditions in Western
Europe, are alive to the need for assistance
from this country.
There ought not to be any confusion
about the urgency of >this aid. 1t has to
be acted on before the end of this year.
The other things-prce reduction, taxes,
etc.-are important, but the need for
action on them is not so pressing that it
cannot wait until the regular session in
January. The one thing that cannot wait
is emergency aid, and nothing should be
permitted to interfere with effective action
on it during the special session.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
On Keeping Our Heads

To the Editor of The Star:
Your editorial who Is Hysterical?" in The
Star for october 80 (referring to accusations by
certain of the witnesses before the Thomas
Committee that the freedom Of individuals
was being restricted by the actions of the
committee) was excellent. 1t deserves to be
read and reread by thoughtful Americans who
seek assurances that reason has not fed our
shores entirely.
I wonder, however, If you did not err in con-
hning your remarks to the accusations Of those
witnesses; are not the procedures of the COM
mittee itself symptomatc Of rising national
hysteria? There can be little question that the
pattern of congressional investigative procedure
is available for misuse. Indeed, the history OF
the Thomas Committee land its predecessors)
is perhaps the most sordid example of this, for
1t contains, chiefly, the application Of loosely
defined terms and questionable evidence to
try" or discredit individuals Gas, for example.
the evidence" produced from the files of the
committee last spring to implicate David Lilien-
thai as q Communist), rather than the record
Of much truly investigative endeavor.
However, the danger is not in the existence
of the pattern, but in the existence of condi-
tions which permit its misuse. Thus, I was
particularly impressed by the assertion in your
editorial that there is little serious danger
unless we as a people, are bent on losing our
heads completely There you have struck
at the heart Of the situation, not alone in rela-
ton to the Thomas Committee, but intrinsic
in the entire status OF international relations.
1t becomes increasingly apparent that we, as
a people, are losing our heads in the conduct
Of our relations with other nations; that we
are allowing our apprehension regarding our
foreign relations to distort our sense of values.
1t is only natural to expect the development OF
warped viewpoints regarding national security
and the rights of individuals.
1t is submitted that If we, as a people, are to
retain our reason and curb the extremes OF
hysteria, we should learn to apply the restric-
tions of law to international relationships. We
should establish some form of limited world
government with powers adequate to enforce
the basic laws required for the establishment
and maintenance of peace. In fact, we should
take immediate steps to revise the United Ma
tions Charter to make of that organization a
governmental structure, rather than league
of sovereign states; and we should give to this
governmental structure the power to make and
enforce laws to replace the present conditions
of anarchy. Law not power of the individual
is the only permanent guarantee which COM
munity or nation, may give to its citizens to
alIay their fear for personal safety. The same
guarantee should be extended to international
dangers ALBERT G. SWING.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
No Secret

President on down-will agree with Foreign
Minister Molotov's statement that the
secret" of the atomic bomb "has long
ceased to exist" 1t ceased to exist on the
day the awesome. story of Hiroshima
flashed around the world. That was the
basic, all-important revelation-the rev.
elation that the atoms tremendous power
had been lifted out of the realm Of abstract
theory into the realm of reality.
Once that became known, the whole
world had the answer to the biggest
question in nuclear science. The United
States had proved that this preternatural
force could be harnessed and applied by
man. Thereafter, every other nation could
proceed with assurance that it would not
be chasing will-o- -the-wisp, or wasting
time or money, If 1t established atomic
projects of its own. 1t could be certain,
too, that II 1t made an effort comparable
to ours 1t could match our achievement
sooner or later, with or without any help
from us.
Despite Mr. Molotovs egregious assertion
that "expansionist circles in the u. s. A"
are laboring under the illusion that the
atom is an American Secret" nothing
could be clearer than the fact that the
United States has been at pains to empha-
size that it dreams no such dream. Time
after time, officially and unefdcially, in
the press and over the radio, it has made
clear that no single nation can enjoy a
permanent monopoly in this field. Thus,
as early as November 1945, President
Truman made special point of that, and
there has been q great and constant
stream of public comment ever since along
the same line
Actually, the United States has taken it
for granted from the start that all nations
of consequence have full theoretical knowl-
edge of atomic energy. Our only exclusive
advantage-an important one In tempo
rary sense-is that we have the unique
technical "know-how" and the vast in
dustrial and engineering facilities re-
quired to produce A-weapons. But our
experts-in and outside of the Govern
ment-have been unanimous in declaring
that countries like Russia, working on their
own, can catch up with us in time. AS for
the time itself, that is anybody's guess
five years, ten years. maybe more. In any
case, sooner or later, for we have no
secret" that will be ours forever.
There is good reason to doubt, of course,
that Russia is producing pure nuclear fuel
as yet or that it is equipped at present to
figure out and make the bomb mechanism.
Within decade or less, however, the situ-
alton may be entirely different. That is
why the United States, far from believing
that it has lasting secret is trying so
hard to get the Kremlin to join the over
whelming majority of nations in establish
ing an effective system of international
control. Lacking that, the world will suffer
the deadliest ornaments race in history
competition threatening all civilization
with an annihilating catastrophe.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Determining the Age of Man

TO the Editor 6l The StAT :
Because have recently revised the exhibit on
fossil man In the United States National Mu-
scum, am attempting to answer the questions
raised by your correspondent, Donald F. Haynes
(Star. October 25), namsly: How old is MANI"
and How do you know?"
The fossilized remains of the earliest true
men thus far recovered. and their stone tools,
are confined to the Pleistocene dhe Ice Age).
II human remains earlier than the Ice Age
exist they have not yet been found. The
duration of the Ice Age is estimated by the
geochronologists at not over 100000 years.
After the Ice Age comes the recent period, In
Evening star., 1947-11-08

which we now live estimated at about 200 600
years.
The evidence for the duration Of the Ice Age
is based on a numberof methods. The most re-
liable according to Zenuer's Coating the Past:
An Introduction to Geochronology." Methuen,
London, 1946), is based upon the cycles of solar
radiation brought about by shifts in the earth's
orbit These movements OF the earth can be
calculated accurately, and can be correlated
with the evidence of climatic fluctuations
during the Ice Age. Other methods applied
jointly with the above to achieve approximate
dating involve the study Of radioactivity OF
certain elements, radium concentrations in sea-
floor sediments, rates of specific change in Or
ganisms Of known evolutionary history, effects
of glacial actions, river terraces and raised
beaches, annual deposits of sediments (varve
analysis, plants associated with these sed-
ments (pollen analysis, and tree rings This
is not an exhaustive list, but simply serves to
underline the complicated nature Of dating
the past"
The, remains of early man and his stone tools
fit into the subdivisions of the Ice Age. To
give several examples, the remains of Java
man tPithecanthropus) and Pekin man (Sin-
anthropus) were found in early Ice Age de-
posits. In Europe, comparably early strata
yield crude tools-Cromerian, Ahbevillian and
Others The middle Ice Age deposits yield Ne
anderthal man and two rather modern looking
men Galley Hill, Swanscombe). Levallois and
Acheulean types of tools are typical of this
time in Europe. In late Ice Age deposits are
the classic Neanderthal remains, well as
those of more advanced groups like Gro
Magnon. The full assemblage of excellently
made stone tools of the late old Stone Age is
also present.
For those interested in more detail in read
able form, recommend w. W. Howell's Man
kind So Far" doubleday, Doran & Co., 1944).
and George Gamow's Biography of the Earth
(Viking Press, 194D.
MARSHALL r. NEWMAN,
Associate Curator, Division of Physical An
thropology, Smithsonian Institution.
Confusion on Communism
To the Editor of The Star:
The lackadaisical attitude regarding COM
munism expressed bv Constance Steel in her
letter to The Star and by other apparently
intelligent people is the cause of much of the
confused thought in our country regarding
communism. as@
After living in the world with Communist
government for over 20 years and our own
Nation fighting two wars recently against the
ideals and principles of communism, Naziism
and fascism tpeas Of the same pod, 1t is amaz-
ing and discouragtng to findN an American
saying, II don't know what communism rep
resents" One might as well say II don't know
what democracy or Christianity represents
On the principles OF democracy and Chris
tianity America built the best country the
world has known and produced Government
and living conditions which gave man his near
est approach to individual freedom. We should
be proud to uphold democracy and Christianity
in a loud and certain voice and In the same
voice denounce communism, Naziism and
fascism as the enemies Of our Government and
principles. (MRS) B. B. CHASE.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Rv THE HAsKIN SERVICE

reader can get the answer 10 any questlon OF
sSr.su sls street We Washinsfson na.fss. D.
BY THE HAsKN SERVICE.
O. What Is the widest river in the world7-
d S.
A. The Amazon at its mouth is 207 miles
wide 1t Is the worlds widest river.
O. Are pokeberries poisonous?-T. o.
A. The seeds and roots are poisonous but the
fruit is not
@. What is the meaning Of kamikaze, the
name used for Japanese suicide pilots?-B. L. S.
A. Kamkaze means divine wind"
O. What does the initial v stand for In
Joseph V.Stalins name?-H. G.
A. Stains middle name Is Vissarionovich.
O. Is the bald eagle actually bald?-S FO
white feathers on his head give the appearance
of badness.
O. How many bats are born at one time?
F. M.
A. The bat usually has but one offspring at
time The mother carries 1t about when
flying.
@. How much higher is Lake Okeechobee,
Fla, than the ocean?-O. J. r.
A. The United States Geological Survey says
that, according to records in that Office, the
surface of Lake Okeechobee in Florida is 1914
feet above mean sea level
Evening star., 1947-11-08

tact had much to do with the shaping of
the unified organization. It will take the
steadying influence of such personality
to keep the new establishment on an even
keel In Its formative, trial-and-error days.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
priter, although it is permissible for
1Driter kno1un to The Star to use
non de plume Please be briet.
Evening star., 1947-11-08

An authority on color thinks rose tinted
wallpaper will bring the wayward husband
home. Better even would be taking the
bridegroom to the decorator to be matched.
Evening star., 1947-11-08

1t may turn out that breakfast cereal
is the ultimate in imitation. Puffed three
dollar wheat Is solemn thought
Evening star., 1947-11-08

When the Pinko refuses to say If he is
connie card holder, the committee with
three guesses has two left over.
Evening star., 1947-11-08
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
TACT BY writing The Washington Star Information
Bureau, 31s I street NE. Washington 2, D. C.
Please inciose cents for return postage
Evening star., 1947-11-08

Q. Are pokeberries poisonous?-T. o.
A. The seeds and roots are poisonous but the
fruit is not
Evening star., 1947-11-08

O. What is the meaning of kamikaze, the
name used for japanese suicide pilots?-B. L. S.
A. Kamikaze means divine wind"
Evening star., 1947-11-08

O. What does the initial stand for In
Joseph V.1Stalin's name?-H G.
A. Stains middle name Is Vissarionovich.
Evening star., 1947-06-22

Luxurious imported silk in their soft feel
these fine quality paamas tailored with
perfect TIT and Notch lapel
cuffs sleeves and draw strings Rch
include wine, royal, French blue and beige d.
Evening star., 1947-06-22

Contestonts receive 81 for
pictures published with the
weekly S prize winner. All
photos printed will Be consid-
cred for the four SIS final
awards. These finolists then
will compete for aotioaol prizes.
Pictures must hove been mode
this year and will not be re-
turned. Rules ore ovoildble at
The Stor business couater.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-07-17
CONFIDENCE
 V0TE|5GIvEN
 TO MARSHALL
Governors Express Faith in SeuetdrY's Plans
 10 Certain Extent

SALT LAKE CITY, July l7.--R Secretary of State Marshall had a vote of faith and confidence from the nations governors today but he lacked any specific approy- al of his plan for thei economic rebuilding of Europe.
 Turning to days play alter ending their business sessions, the governors generally interpreted a foreign policy resolution which they had adopted as a reiteration of their faith in the workability of the bipartisan international policy.
 But despite personal plea by Marshall in a Monday night ad- dress for their backing for "a course of action fully consistent with our own national interests and yet equally considerate of the incalcuable stake which this coun- try has in the preservation Of European civilization" The reso- lution avoided any reference to Europe.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-07-17
2 ALASKA AIRFIELD5
 REQUESTED
Pleas Are Made for Con- stru(tion of Fields at An-
 thordge, Fairbanks
By CHARLES D. WATKINS


 ! WASHINGTON, July 17-R- [ Government construction of two large airports in Alaska for use | of planes on international routes was urged upon the House Inter state and Foreign Commerce Com mittee yesterday.
 1 Alaskans, Civil AeronsuticS of- ficials and Interior Department spokesmen and commercial air <. lines testified for two bills be- fore the committee.
 | One would appropriate S5,o0o,o0o | for large airport at Fairbanks and the other s8,O00,000 for an international airport which wit ness said would have to be located at Anchorage.
 Witnesses testified that army airports near the two cities had , made useless the existing munic- ipal airports because they are in , the pattern of the army fields They said that because of this the government was obligated to con struct the airports, and Alaskan witnesses said the government should maintain and operate them.
 Neither city is financially able to construct, operate or maintain such expensive airports as are needed, the Alaskans said. James M. Landis, chairman oi the Civil Aeronautics Board and co-chairman of the Air Coordinat- ing Committed, said in letter to the committee. it had been estimated 75 percent of air travel to the Orient will pass through Alaska. He said the War Depart ment, which has permitted civil ian planes to land at Ladd fleld near Fairbanks and Elmendorf Field near Anchorage, had re- stricted that privilege for reasons of national security.
 Tt is the opinion of the Air Coordinating Committee that the federal government, with least possible delay" Landis said, should provide the separate air ports at Anchorage and Fairbanks which are essential to the develop ment of the United States inter national aviation in the northwest and to the development of these two vital csnters of our Alaskan Territory
 Robert B. Atwood, editor and publisher of the Anchorage Times, Fred w. Axford, President of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and A. H. Nordale, Mayor of Fair banks, told the committee they favored government construction, operation and maintenance of the two fields. They said their cities did not have the tax revenue to meet the expense.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-07-17
BAKER ASKS
 ALA5kAN5 TO !; BE PATIENT
Steamship Head Gives Talk at Fairbanks = New
 R. R. Schedule

FAIRBANKS, July 17.-lR- Promises came in pairs yesterday to Alaskans, fretful over war-de- terioratsd transportation service, when two leaders in services vital to the Territory spoke of improve ments and better rates.
 We don't do business anywhere else and we value the Alaskan business said L. w. Baker, Gen. eral Manager of the Alaska Steamship Company, who came here with view to reopening the Alaska Lines local office, aban- doned during the war
 He asked Alaskans to- be pat tent a little longer-give the com pany credit for enough common sense to take an interest in reduc- ing rates and improving service. ,
 He called the new rate struc- ture set up under the Maritime Commission an interim operation plan and said it was "only an experiment.. If we find it's too high shouldn't we be expected to take the initiative in reducing it?"
 At the same time Col. John P. Johnson, manager of the Alaska Railroad, said special survey hoard headed by former Maj. Gen. Carl A. Gray, jr., wartime. chief of the Army Railway Service Board, would arrive next week It will check on the necessity of a projected $34,00O,000 Alaska Rail- road rehabilitation program. John son also announced plans to in- .auguIate a new streamliner service between Anchorage and Fairbanks in mid-August.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-07-17
MILITARY TRAINING
 OF YOUTHS
Army, Navy Plans 0ut|in- ed in Legislation Pro-
 posed 10 Congress

WASHINGTON, July l7-R- Army and Navy plans to train 850000 teen-age youths annually if Congress approved universal mili- tary training legislation were out lined today to a House Armed Services subcommittee.
 The leadoff witness for the Armed Forces, It. Gen. Lawton Collins. emphasized that the Army would approach the program from a strictly military standpoint.
 He estimated that every year l,200,00 youths attain the age of l8, the minimum for training un- der the proposed law which the committee is considering. Of these, he said, statistics indicate that 100000 would be unsuitable for military training and 150,000 would volunteer in the Army or the Navy.
 Of the remaining 850,000, he said, the Army would train 6l8,000 and the Navy 232,000. Trainees would be given the option, within limits, of taking their six-months training course in the Army ground or air forces. the Navy or the Marine Corps.
 Present plans call for quarterly induction schedules
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-07-17
Governors Pass Resolution
 For Statehood fok Alaska
 Al SaIt Lake Conference

SALT LAKE CITY. July l7.-tR Following is the text of resolu- ton adopted by the governors conference urging statehood for Alaska:
 The people of Alaska have at the ballot box expressed their de- sire to achieve statehood. Alaska is one of the two incorporated territories of the United States which statehood, following Ameri- can tradition and precedent, Is clearly indicated as their destiny.
 Alaska has been under the American flag for eighty years and has therefore undergone a period of preparation and tutelage far longer than that of most territor- ies, before they achieved state hood.