davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-11-17
School Nurses

To the Editor of The Star:
That the people of the District of Columbia
are deeply interested in their schools is not
open to question. The Board of Education, ex-
ceptionally well-qualified, is second to none in
conscientious devotion to the public interest
Congress co-operated in the recent attempt to
meet a growing teacher shortage by passing
new and more generous teachers salary bill
Plans are on foot to provide more and better
schoolrooms
If there are still conditions in our schools
that are disgrace to an intelligent community,
1t Is surely because those interested are unin-
formed.
How many parents, for instance, know that
although school nurses are provided by law
salary and working conditions are so unattrac-
tive that there is at present not one name on
the eligible list? In schools without nurse,
teachers are taking turns doing "infirmary
duty" although most of them have neither the
training nor the equipment to meet an emer-
gency If 1t should arise.
Teachers resent this duty-it is in addition to
their full teaching and extra -curricular assign
ments-and they fear it, They feel that
they could never forgive themselves any un-
toward incident during their tour Of duty, and
that the parents of their victim" could never
forgive them Yet they are completely unquan-
fed to assume such responsibility.
Parents might conceivably be less perturbed
at the shortage of school clerks; yet any busi-
nessman knows how essential for the smooth
running of an organization is an adequate and
efficient office force. The wonder is that the
schools are able to retain as many fine clerks
as they do, what with low pay, long hours
(evening programs, for instance, often call
the clerks back no less than the teachers), un-
reasonably high qualifications.
For suggestions: Let a survey be made
(headed, perhaps, by DR.. Cannon, physician
member of the Board of Education) to deter
mine (a) adequacy of infirmary facilities, in
cuding convenience of location as well as stock
and availability Of first aid equipment toilet
facilities, etc. (b) desirable professional quail
ications, professional duties, and professional
salary of the school nurse, in the light OF mod
ern emphasis on the all-around health of the
school child; &C. revision of standards and pay
for school clerks, to provide large enough
clerical staff so that nurses and teachers need
no longer aid in that department.
If the District public schools are to be model
for the nation, as is being widely advocated, we
can do no less. With the facts before us, we
should do much more. A D. c. TEACHER
Evening star., 1947-11-17
Movinq With the Population

When the four Hecht brothers opened
their first Washington store in 1895 at 515
Seventh street NV. the center OF the Dis
trict population of about 278,718 was three
blocks north and three blocks east OF that
location-at 801 Fourth street. In 1900 the
population center had crept northwest for
another block and by 1920 1t had moved
further north and west to the 1900 block
of Sixth street.
While the Census Bureau has not calcu-
lated the center of the District population
since 1920 it probably has continued this
northwesterly course. But now the tend
ency is to look ahead, not so much to what
is happening to the urban population itself
but to the consistent expansion OF popula-
ton beyond the city proper.
OF some of the larger Washington de-
partment stores, Woodward and Lothrop,
Jelleff's and Garfinckel's already have
established branch stores within and out
side of the District limits. But HechtS
is the first to establish, not branch, but
a. complete department store beyond the
District line, choosing as its location for
this venture Silver Spring, which in addi-
tion to being one of the most f1ourlshing
suburban areas of Washington is now
Marylands second largest city. Woodward
and Lothrop is contemplating similar
step with complete stores in Montgomery
and Arlington Counties on sites already
acquired.
As some of the merchants see 1t, this
trend is not based on any theory OF dlmln-
isaing business in the center OF the clty
IT. is based on such studies OF populatlon
movements as the Census Bureau has made
in a recent publication-"The Growth OF
Metronolitan Districts in the United
states" The greatest growth in cities now
Is taking place in areas six and twelve
miles away from the center OF the city
the larger the city, the greater this distance.
The Census Bureau shows that in many
metropolitan areas, increases In the popu-
lation have been offset by decreases
around the city centers. washington is
one city where substantial increases have
taken place In all areas, but the greatest
increase 1888 per cent? took place In the
mast decade in areas three miles and over
from the center of town.
There is a theory that values In the CEN
ter of the city may tend to depreciate as
the nopulation spreads farther out, to
areas made accessible by automobiles and
good highways. This will not necessarily
be the case. The center of shopping un-
doubtedly will remain in downtown Wash
ington for many years to come. But with
the growth of the Metropolitan Area the
need increases for such modern shopping
developments as Hecht's has demonstrated
In its Silver Spring store, conveniently &C
cessible to q new population that is contin-
ually reaching into the suburban and rural
areas. Hecht's has made itself the fore
Evening star., 1947-11-17
A LocoI Matter, Too

In an address to the National Municipal
League Charles Edison, former Secretary
of the Navy, former Governor Of New
Jersey and now the leagues president, has
drawn upon wealth of governmental ex-
perience in warning State and local au-
thorities not to be Indifferent to the
peacetime implications of the atom. In
his judgment any such Indifference could
do serious harm to our democratic system
by handing over atomic energy to the full
control of "a few big BOSSES"
1t is Mr.. Edison's belief that revolution
ary atomic developments, when they come,
will very likely come with rush" and
that they will create unique new prob
lens for which State and local govern
ments ought now to begin preparing them
selves AS he sees 1t, the preparation
should be aimed at setting up decentral-
lied administrative machinery more or
less like that of the TVA-machinery de-
signed to guarantee citizen control as a
safeguard against the possibility of arbi-
trary Washington decisions that could
operate against the best economic inter-
ests or even against some Of the basic
1lCcuOAlS VI VIC faAlCliCdIl pCOPAC.
The atom, of course, Is in class by
itself. 1t calls for national and interna-
tional control of a sort never before tried
in history, and Mr.. Edison accordingly
realizes that what he advocates may be
more easily advocated than put into effect.
Nevertheless, like Chairman Lilienthal of
our Atomic Energy Commission, he holds
that the American people must pay the
closest attention to this problem and edu-
cate themselves to it at the community
level through their schools. civic organi-
cations and other means of local discus
sion and self f-enlightenment-the best way
for them to make sure that they will have
decisive voice in shaping policy.
All this is obviously sound advice. The
atom is local matter as well as ma
tional and international one. Along with
Mr. Lilienthal, therefore, Mr.. Edison wants
the citizens of every State, city, town and
village in America to make 1t their busi-
ness. II they fail to do that, II they be-
come apathetic, II they just let some
super George take care OF It, then they
Evening star., 1947-11-17
More Austerity for Britain

The new tax program announced Dy
the Labor government indicates both the
gravity of Britain's economic plight and
a determination to grapple with the prob
lem by drastic measures.
For Americans who complain about
taxes here, a perusal Of the tax schedules
proposed for Britons will be enlightening
The sharpest increases are on those items
for which the British public has hitherto
expended money it could not use for the
satisfaction of more normal wants.
1t should be understood that, in Britain,
the basic necessities Of life are either
"pegged' at low level by subsidies, like
food staples, or are strictly rationed by a
points" system, as in clothing. This
means that most Britons above the lowest
wage scales are apt to have money in their
pockets which they spend in the few ways
that remain to them, even though these
may not be the most desired ones. That,
in turn, means intensifcation Of shortages
and inf1ationary trends.
In order to mop up this "excess" pur-
chasing power, the government Is hitting
the consumers pocketbook series of hard
wallops by drastic advances on sales taxes
on virtually everything except bare ne
cessities. Indeed, many of these increases
apply to articles which, here in America,
would fall in the necessary" category. As
for genuine luxuries, such as cosmetics,
furs and jewelry, the tax rate, already 100
per cent, is raised to 125. Even the Eng
lishman's beer is to be made more costly,
though the already high tobacco tax is not
upped further
The Briton must pay higher for his pro-
verbal love for betting, taxes rising on the
take from dog racing, football pools, and
other legalized forms of gambling. Busi-
ness is further hit by taxes on advertising
and profits. The total yield from these
new taxes Is estimated by the Treasury
to be somewhat over 2OO,O0O,OO0 sterling,
or above $8OO,OOO,OOO. Even so, the new
tax program is not so drastic as some
Britons had either dreaded or advocated.
1t Is far more drastic, however, than any
thing proposed In this country.
Evening star., 1947-11-17
Letters to The Star

not OF its own choosing A potential member
was repeatedly affiliated with an organization
whose loyalty to the United States Government
has been publicly questioned by agencies of the
Federal Government. This summation per-
tanning to the loyalty of specific organizations
was published, however inadvertently, and in
SO lar as can be ascertained, has not been
retracted.
The federation has repeatedly warned mem
Der organizations of suspected attempts by sub
versive groups to inf1Itrate and obtain control
OF citizens associations for the purpose of dis
crediting this medium of public expression.
This was simply precaution taken for survival
If it was the outgrowth Of an unwarranted and
"hysterical" fear currently prevailing this was
not OF OUR making.
II an existing doubt concerning the LOYALTY
OF any individual is unwarranted, he should be
the first to welcome an opportunity to dispel 1t.
Ine regrettable personal animosty that has
developed concerning this issue has been intro
duced by agencies outside the federation
The charge made in your editorial that di-
Vergency OF views prompted delay in seating
this delegate Is grossly unfair
MARY A. BARTLETT,
-elegate to the Federation from Burroughs
Citizens Association
20 the Editor OF The Star
We appreciate The Stars editorial condemn
ing the Federation of Citizens Associations
selective screening" of those individuals elected
to membership. Isn't it about time to challenge
the entire set-up? If this body can eliminate
Mrs. Sylvia Wubnig it may try to qualify for
membership only white, blue-eyed, blond
Nordics
We note consistently the action of the various
citizens associations purporting to represent
the citizens of defined areas, taking place with
from 10 to so members present. These small
groups supposedly represent many thousands
of residents. They, according to Representative
Klein, exert controlling influence over the Dis
trict government. 1t is they who speak in the
interests Of the many hundreds of thousands
of citizens. 1t is evident from the consistent
voting against the civil rights report and the
racial relations report of the Council of Social
Agencies that the men and women who attend
these meetings are largely those who believe in
racial segregation. racial discrimination, cove
nants and the status quo as 1t pertains to the
nearly 100000 colored citizens in Metropolitan
Washington.
The name citizens association Is mis-nomer
and should be challenged. BY constitutional
provision or in practice all citizens who are
termed colored are barred from membership
Therefore this group does not represent the
citizenship. 1t should be called the white
Citizens Association or the Association Of
Citizens who Believe in White Supremacy"
Some such title more properly classihes the
organization.
BY the same token there should be no need
for civic associations which, although not bar
ring any citizens, are eolored citizens associa-
tions.
1t is time for the residents Of any area con-
cerned with the real problems Of civic and social
life to come together as citizens and help make
washington normal democratic common-
wealth. E.B HENDERSON.
Evening star., 1947-11-17
Stors, Men and Atoms
Experiments Back Theory
That Sugar Decays Teeth
Study of Mice, Europe's Children
Show Long-Delayed Effects
By Thomas r. Henry

The ancient and partially discarded idea Of
grandmother's day that sugar causes teeth
decay gets new support from experiments just
reported to the American Association for the
Advancement Of Science here by DR.. Reidar
F. Sognnaes Of Harvard Dental School
Tests with rats and mice-and observations
OF Europes two war generations of children
show long-delayed effects Of both high sugar
and low sugar diets which cannot be demon
strated over period Of few months or even
years.
The sugar theory Of dental carries has been
discarded largely because Of this reason. Lots
Of sugar apparently failed to produce decay.
In the rodents, which ordinarily have perfect
teeth throughout their lives, diets Of almost
pure sucrose with all the necessary nutritional
elements added failed to produce carries once
the teeth were fully formed. But when such
diet was fed during the development of the
teeth apparently some mechanism was set in
action which caused decay, very similar to that
In man, at some later period. This effect may
even extend to the second generation.
An analysis has been made" DR.. Sognnaes
says, "of the trend Of dental carries In about
100000 children surveyed by various workers in
II European countries during the last SO years.
Following drastic reductions in consumption Of
refined carbohydrates at the beginning of the
two world wars marked carries reduction can
be demonstrated. But the time relationship be-
tween the decrease in sugar consumption and
reduction in the carries cannot be explained on
the basis of rapid mechanism There Is a
delay of several years in the initial effect and
lag of many years in the terminal effect Of
the wars upon carries reduction. This time
factor can best be explained by an accumulative
favorable effect before the teeth erupted
THE mechanism of this beneficial effect on
the teeth developing during the war Is not
known 1t cannot be attributed to any obvious
increase in the consumption Of any caries-in-
hibiting food but may be related to the fact
that the bulk of the intake during the war
was in the form of natural foods. The large
loss resulting from the sugar and fat rationing
primarily seems to have been compensated for
by an increased consumption of potatoes, cab
bage and wartime bread.
I'm view Of these observations it is possible
that the long suspected relationship between
dental carries and the excessive consumption Of
refined carbohydrates may be in the nature Of
an unrecognized, indirect influence upon the
quality of the offspring and It's developing
teeth and that the effect may be accumulated
through generations"
Evening star., 1947-11-17
Federation Membership

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS no conclusion whatsoever has been reached
by either the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations or by its Membership and Credentials
Committee concerning the seating of poten-
tial delegate, your editorial THE Federation's
Object" challenges, not stand taken by the
federation, but the right of the federation to
examine its constitution, to study reports from
agencies of the Federal Government to deter
mine If potential member actually represents
sentiments of segment OF District citizens.
The federation was faced with circumstances
Evening star., 1947-11-17

".
to provide a healthful living standardf-
H. G. g.
A. According to studies Of the Heller Com
nlittee Of the University Of California, 1t now
takes about So 800 year TO provide family Of
four, including two children, with decent and
healthful living standard.
divided?-N. H. N.
A. The net receipts Of the seven World
Series games amounted to s2.o21 ,34s92 The
commissioners share was $267, ,20233; each
clubs share, $255,117e2; each leagues share,
$25511792; each Of the "a Yankee regulars,
$500; each Of the 80 Dodger regulars, $4,000.
@. Who invented soilless gardenins7-
G.. W. L.
A. There are two types Of soilless gardening,
known as hydroponics. The liquid culture sys-
tenn was invented by Dr. w. F. Gericke in Cali
fornia. The gravel culture system was invented
by DR.. r. B. Withrow at Purdue University.
The basis of both Is to supply the necessary
fertilizer salts to plant roots in water solution
only
c. What per cent OF the original cost is the
Government receiving from sales OF surplus
industrial plant properties?-A. M
A Through June, 1947 war-production IA
clities costing So 900, 100000 had been sold for
5000 000, 000-an average return Of 46 per cent
cent of the original cost.
@. How many workers in the United States
were covered by union agreements in 1946?
Were most of them in manufacturing indus
tries?-W D. T.
A. Approximately 148 million workers were
covered by union agreements in 1s46. About
79 million of these, or little more than half,
were manufacturing wage earners. Total I'M
ion membership is probably somewhat in ex-
cess of the number covered by union agree
ments
served overseas in World War II?-R. M N.
A. The Department of the Navy says that
during World War II 577,o39 regular United
States Marine Corps served overseas and
S7,367 served in the United States.
@. Is it true that one State still retains
the whipping post as a punishment for GRIM
inals?-B o. T.
A. Delaware retains the whipping post as a
punishment for criminals.
G. Are there other taxes on gasoline besides
the State and Federal sales taxes?-G. v. H.
A. According to the American Petroleum
Industries Committee there are some 200 diff
ferent types of taxes levied on the petroleum
industry These include Federal pipeline
transportation tax, severance taxes, business
and privilege license taxes, real and personal
property taxes, inspection fees and many
others, possibly amounting to as much as 10
cents gallon.
O. What was the greatest number Of ballots
used in nominating presidential candidate at
a national convention?-M. S. A.
A. At the Democratic Convention, held in
Madison Square Garden, New York City, June
"a to July 10, 1924, there were 103 ballots. John
w. Davis was the nominee as a result Of the
last ballot.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

may one day find themselves saddled with
a kind OF atomic dictatorship working at
cross purposes with our democracy. "We,
the people," in Mr.. Edisons words. "can
keep our Nation bright and free only by
using our power with intelligence, deter
mination and full awareness Of the
stakes" His warning counsel is altogether
timely and to the point
Evening star., 1947-11-17

runner of type Of business expansion in
Washington that undoubtedly will become
pattern in years to come. Few areas
anywhere in the country are developing
so rapidly as the suburbs of Washington.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

A show Of right hands in U. MS vote
against warmongering fails to sway the
skeptic. Watch that left" he counsels
darkly
Evening star., 1947-11-17

Hypocrisy is where, under guise of con
serving food, banquets are in reality callet
off to duck the ensuing oratory.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

Long and painful experience has demon
strated that voting for just any one, to get
rid of the incumbent, is asking for it.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

claring national cat week, whereas the
dog and father, rate only day apiece.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

We remember we'll when billion" was of
little use in everyday parlance except for
counting the germs on a public drinking
cuO
Evening star., 1947-11-17

Exporting the European situation at a
distance of 5000 miles is nothing for a
race that sits on 50-yard lines and tells
If the kick after touchdown was good.
Evening star., 1947-11-17

The re-emergence of De Gaulle is strictly
in accord with great Gallo tradition that
the politician who is out will be back any
minute for his umbrella
Evening star., 1947-11-17

The 2o0-inch telescope reflector is about
to be installed, on Mount Palomar 1t is
expected to provide answers to all sorts Of
riddles Of the universe, except where are
We2
Evening star., 1947-11-17

On the crime front we have the case IL
lively Ontario of bank robber dressini
himself like hunter and getting his buck
Evening star., 1947-11-17

"The other day, I released a grand-daddy-
longlegs from spider web
ut seemed to me he walked away so joyously.
Could it have been possible?
Faithfully, H. E c."
1t may be that insects can show Joy.
Why not?
stretch It's legs, and such action makes one
strut.
Now the sort Of walk popularity called a
"strut," whether in man, beast or insect, would
seem joyous, would it not?
There can be but little question that all living
things are bascally alike, that is, they share,
at least to some extent, the same mental
characteristics.
The good God gave a little OF His best to
all, that they might meet on the same plane of
living.
That mankind has distorted this plain intent
by denying the creatures any close relationship
with man is not to be taken seriously, perhaps,
because the intent has a divine heritage, and
cannot be gainsaid.
Try as man will, he cannot dissociate him
self from the brotherhood Of all life, designed
and implanted in the beginning
The fact is that the animals, birds and fishes
are so much like us that st. Francis was merely
putting into plain words an open secret when
he addressed them as brother" and sister"
AS for the swallows, these beautiful birds
have been written about here many times
The various swifts, swallows, call them what
one will come to Washington at the proper
seasons, and usually attract much attention at
certain points where large chimneys give them
the sort Of refuge they like
1t is possible that there are not as many OF
the barn swallows and others as in the old
days, when life was more simple for man and
beast.
Some persons do not like them, because OF
the fact that they may come down a chimney
in which case they are likely to fly around,
and get SCOT over the house, especially on the
walls, as their wings strike.
This happening is, indeed, a domestic catas-
trophe, and no one can be blamed for not
welcoming it. ......
A way to stop it is to place screen over
the chimney which has been shown to appeal
to these birds
The barn swallow, in particular, is local
favorite.
Modern garages do, indeed, resemble small
barns, at least to these swifts.
Perhaps some hundreds Of homeowners here
have the pleasure every spring OF watching the
up-bringing of swallow babies in their garages.
The birds build the rough nests on any con-
venient ledge, and fly in and out the garage as
If no humans were ever present.
Sometimes they refuse to be alarmed by the
bright headlights, and keep steadily to the nest
These are nice birds, In small numbers. It Is
only the congregating habits In early spring and
In the fall that make some persons afraid to
have them around.
ALI in all, swallows are clean, interesting
birds, who by picking insects out Of the air,
complete the good work begun by common
sparrows. starlings, cardinals, chickadees, tit
mice, creepers, woodpeckers, etc.
Evening star., 1947-11-17
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact by writing The Washington Star Information
Bureau. 316 street NE. washington Q. D. c.
Please inclose 8 cents for return postass.