davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Here Is q ReuI Opportunity

Establishment OF system OF clinics for
treatment of alcoholics Is merely one part
of legislation approved this summer. The
purpose of the act, in its formal language,
is ITO establish program for the rehabili-
tation of alcoholics, promote temperance,
and provide for the medical and scientific
treatment of persons found to be alco-
holcs by the courts of the District. ."
Agreement on program, then, Is the
first step. And concurrently with agree
ment on program, the Commissioners are
directed by the act to appoint commit
tee, to be composed of six outstanding resi-
dentr of the District Of Columbia, to advise
and consult with the Commissioners and
to assist them" in carrying out the pro-
visions of the law.
The Commissioners are starting at the
right place in selecting committee to
develop the program. The machinery for
operation of the clinics can wait. Estab-
lishment of the clinics themselves can
wait. We should realize that the legisla-
tion just approved contemplates an entire
ly new approach to the problem of alcohol
Ism, or rather the problem Of how the
community is to deal with the victims Of
alcoholism who become its charges.
The Commissioners propose to make the
citizens committee representative Of vari-
Gus agencies and interests concerned with
the problem. The courts are directly con-
cerned The statute changes the whole ira
ditional disposition of "habitual drunk"
cases. Heretofore they have been sent to
Jail, in lieu OF fines. fed and housed at
community expense until free to get drunk
again and repeat the whole dismal cycle.
Now, when the clinics are in operation,
chronic alcoholics-but not the occasional
drunk-will be referred for medical dag
nosis and treatment Experience has
demonstrated encouraging results of such
treatment.
But that is by no means all that the law
provides. 1t not merely makes possible,
but directs an official, orderly assembly of
data relating to alcoholisn1-the first step
of the kind undertaken in washington.
The clinical director is charged with prep
aration of recommendations on
such data-concerning rehabilitation of
alcoholics, prevention of excessive drinking,
and promotion of temperance. He is to
assemble and publish facts on the effects
of alcoholism that will be used in public
education.
logical recommendation by any qualified
group of citizens studying the possibilities
of this legislation would be to secure the
best man available to administer this broad
program. He must be more than clinical
director. He must be more than physi-
clan. He must be capable of making effec-
tive use, for programs OF prevention as well
as treatment, of the great opportunity
which this legislation offers.
Millions of dollars go into the purchase
of liquor and millions are collected in tax
Ing its manufacture and sale. But up to
this time barely q penny Of public funds
has been diverted to any organized effort
to prevent and to repair the ravages OF
alcohol In good hands, under sound
administration, a carefully developed pro-
gram Is capable of great good. The Com
missioners are to be commended for the
start they are making.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Stars, Men and Atoms
Faint Blue Sturs Found
At Milky Way Borders
Two y. S. Astronomers Give Report
on Strange Celestial Bodies
Bv Thomas X. Henry

"
AT the far borders of the Milky Way galaxy
flicker mysterious faint-blue stars,
II they are to be considered as normal stars
OF the blue type, the hottest in the heavens,
the calculated distance of some of them from
the sun is as great as 0oOoo, ,o0o, 900 ,ooo, 900
miles Light. travelling through space at
10000 miles second, would require more
than 10000 years to traverse this path.
This would place these strange celestial
objects outside the galaxy itself and make them
lone candles in empty space as far away as
the nearest Of the other aggregations of many
billions Of stars which fill the universe.
Report of Astronomers.
This assumption, however, is beyond belief,
according to Drs. M. L. Humanson and F.
SW1cky, astronomers of the Mount Wilson
Observatory OF the Carnegie Institution Of
Washington, who found the mysterious objects
in telescope search OF the sky near the
northern end of the great lens-shaped galaxy.
Hence in their report the new-found objects
are relegated to special type Of celestial bodies
recently discovered and they speculate that
further search will find them distributed In an
almost spherical system around the entire
galaxy.
Blue stars are the brightest and hottest Of
heavenly bodies. The largest element In their
makeup, 1t seems, Is the blue-hot hydrogen
gas. Their actual brightness is known. Hence
their apparent brightness wherever they are
found in the heavens gives clue to their
distance. This is particularly true in the
direction Of the northern end of the galaxy
from which direction the space through which
their light must travel is exceptionally free
from clouds of star dust and other obscuring
material.
The paradox of lone stars in empty space
can be resolved, Drs Humanson and Swicky
report to the Carnegie Institution here, If it
can be assumed that these are a very special
type OF stars, the dinmest of the blue family.
This would place them in the Milky Way
galaxy, although still very distant. Stars Of
a similar type would be expected scattered
thinly in all directions from the earth.
Some Found Near Hyades.
Besides those found near the northern pole
OF the star aggregations, several were found
in the general neighborhood Of the star cluster
known as the Hyades in the constellation
Taurus. 1t was possible to identify at least
one Of these as white dwarf" star, the
hottest of all celestial objects, because Of Its
characteristic motions Other methods of
identifying stars In this region are quite
uncertain because Of the faint nebulosity
which covers most Of this region. presumably
due to extremely tenuous star dust made
luminous by the radiation of the nearby hot
stars.
One Of the faint-blue stars was found to be
moving with velocity of about 200 miles a
second.
The two astronomers plan to continue their
search Of the heavens to determine If these
mysterious stars are, in fact, rather evenly
distributed through the galaxy. as present
theories would indicate.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Brituin's Wildcat Coal Strikes

The wildcat" strike-a walkout by the
labor rank and file in disobedience of its
leaders and In defiance of union obliga-
tions-is always a disquieting phenomenon.
1t Is doubly so in country like Britain
with a mature labor movement noted for
sound leadership, strict discipline, and me-
ticulous performance Of union contracts.
It is supremely 50 in Britain whose sheer
economic survival hinges on the efficient
functioning of the very key industry (coaD
in which spreading rash Of wildcat strikes
is now taking place.
The gravity of the situation Is enhanced
by the circumstances attending these un-
authorized walkouts. The mine workers
union had recently compelled the Labor
government, much against its will, to grant
a five-day week with six days pay. This
was a breach of the official policy
of holding down labor costs in order to
check infiationary trends and stimulate
exports. Indeed, the immediate effect of
the concession was to raise the price of
coal in damaging fashion for British in
dustry.
The only way in which this breach in the
economic line could be repaired was for the
miners to step upr their productivity,
chiefly by working somewhat longer each
day. To this the union heads agreed, and
most OF the miners fell into line. But at
the Grimethorpe colliery the workers
"downed TOOLS" refusing to do their extra
stint"
In itself, this walkout was Insignificant,
since only 140 miners were involved. But
the movement spread like wildfire through
out the Yorkshire coal fields and even
beyond. Union leaders and Labor govern
ment officials who addressed the strikers
were listened to in stony silence or were
howled down. The unrest persists, while
Britain loses mountains of vitally needed
coal.
The issues involved in this crisis are
portentous. In the first place, this de-
f1ance of union leadership, discipline, and
responsibility has far-reaching tmplica-
tions, well expressed by Joseph Hall, local
head Of the mine workers union, who
states: 'The trade union organization Of
Evening star., 1947-09-05

monument The manuscript he gave to
his daughter on the evening of September
4, 1847, following his farewell sermon at
Brixham. Less than three months later he
was dead at Nice in France. Church con-
gregations everywhere this week end will
hear sung and played the words and music
which he drew from his heart:
Abide ,Dtth mel Fast falls the eUentide;
The darkness thtckens. Lord, Nth me
abide!
Evening star., 1947-09-05

Of individual arrangement between broker and
seller, the day-today position of the real estate
salesman would be far more precarious than
that Of others In the sales field working at a
fixed rate Of commission.
Brokers also explain that the sales COM
mission standard recommended by the Wash
ington Real Estate Board Is not dictated,
industry wide set Of rates. A majority of
brokers in the District are not members of the
board. Thus the boards standard must weather
the open competition of nonmember brokers
Finally, they point out that members clients
are obtained on the basis of the standard OF
service, and that members operate no monop-
oily Of brokerage services. For owners may sell
through nonmember brokers, or through no
broker at ALL
Chief among abuses cited as preceding estab-
lishment of standard rates was the met listing"
practice.
Under this method of doing business an
owner would agree to sell at a specific price
Any amount in excess Of this price-whether
1t represented per cent or los per cent of the
selling price-could be retained by the broker
as his commission.
return to this type of transaction would
mean, board members point out, that an un-
principled broker could, with impunity, specu-
late with the owners property without taking
any risks himself.
Another sample OF q custom eliminated as
unethicsl was the practice on the part of some
brokers to charge commissions on repair bills
and for other services on property being man
aged for owners. Under present practice, no
such commissions are permitted brokers point
out, and there is no reason for owners to be
confused by competing brokers as to Just what
services will be covered by commissions.
Likewise, a host of other so-called "shyster"
practices have been ruled out, brokers contend,
benefited.
The real estate and brokerage business Is
highly competitive. Well-established dealers
point out that some persons are attracted to
the field who, in the absence of general stand
ard, would offer their services for unreason-
ably high commissions or at commissions too
low to permit them to offer adequate service.
Lack OF standard, they say would mean
Chaos condition in which neither the buyer
nor the seller could proceed with confidence.
Brokers hold that by adhering to generally
uniform commissions and maintaining high
professional standards they are more ade-
quately able to perform services to the public,
and that only through an orderly industry
as contrasted to a competitively "cutthroat"
industry-can this public service role be main
tanned.
I'm a short time without standards" said
one broker, II feel that 90 per cent OF the
transactions would be on q buyer beware
basis"
Evening star., 1947-09-05
BruziIiun independence Duy

President Truman SymbolizeS, In his
attendance at the celebration of the 125th
anniversary OF Brazils independence
today, the good will which we Americans
of the North feel toward all the Americans
of the South. The ties of friendship be-
tween the two continents of the New
World have been growing stronger year
by year. 1t is automatic that history has
centripetal as well as centrifugal
effect. That is where craftsmanship finds
its opportunity for constructive endeavor.
Peoples may be guided toward each other
or away from each other. Much depends
upon the personality and the character
of the leaders of popular movements.
An example of this principle at work
may be discovered in the denouement of
September, 1922. Brazil up to then was
a colony of Portugal just as most of the
rest of what still is called Latin America"
consisted of colonies of Spain. But 1t was
inevitable that the independent cultures,
the independent economies, of the colonial
societies should develop their own integ-
rity. In 1903, when Napoleon was taking
Portugal under his control, Dom Juan vi
fed to Rio and made that beautiful city
the center OF his empire. Twelve years
later he returned home, leaving his son,
Dom Pedro, as regent. When the latter
also was ordered back to Lisbon, the Bra
lillian nationalists persuaded him to stay.
There was no violence. The prince simply
proclaimed the country Independent and,
after few weeks, was crowned Emperor.
When his rule proved disappointing, he
abdicated in favor of his heir, Dom Pedro
II, who reigned until 1889. when Brazil
became republic with a constitution
modelled on that of the United States.
Perhaps natural, inborn moderation
explains the notable peaceability of the
Brazilian nation. The people are almost
instinctively philosophical, tolerant, gentle
in behavior. Again and again 1t has hap
pened that their reactions in seasons Of
crisis have been strikingly similar to those
OF the citizens of the United States. In
World War 7 Brazil was the one South
American nation to declare war on Ger
many; in World War II Brazil was the
first South American nation to declare
war on Germany and Japan and the only
one to send troops to fight in Europe.
Those facts are remembered with appre-
citation in Washington.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

O. What kind of books do soldiers In the
Army prefer?-F K. B.
A. According to the Army Library Service,
the accent during the war was on mystery
fiction. After hostiities ceased, Western tales
were most popular. However. there is great
interest in nonfiction and technical subjects,
including history, photography, biography,
science, mathematics.
@. What plays other than life With Father"
have had record-breaking performances on
Broadway?-T. II. 8.
A. Tobacco Road" was the previous record
holder with 1882 performances followed by
"Abie's Irish Rose" 2237, "Oklahoma!" ap-
preaching 1000, and Arsenic and Old Lace"
1,444.
@. In what fights did Gene Tunney engage
after he became champlon?-N. 8. NJ
A. Gene Tunney won the championship from
Jack Dempsey in Philadelphia on September
%, 1926 Tunney again fought Dempsey in
Chicago on September %, 1927 Tunney knocked
out Tom Heeney on July 26, 1923. Shortly
thereafter he announced his retirement from
the ring.
@. What is platypus?-A. D. E.
A. The platypus is an aquatic mammal found
in the streams and rivers Of southeast Australia
and Tasmania. 1t has deep brown fur above
paler below and Is about 20 inches long. There
are now three on exhibition at the New YORK
Zoo They are very rare in captivity in this
country.
@. Is smoking of cigars and cigarettes IN
creastng?-R. H. S.
A. Production and consumption Of cigarettes
set new records in 1867. Consumption Of
cigars was one fourth billion higher than the
year before and s per cent above the prewar
average.
@. How large Is Grand Lake in oklahonaa7
r. F. W.
A. Grand Lake in Northeastern Oklahoma
was formed by Pensacola Dam on the Grand
River It is so miles long, from to miles
wide and has shore line Of over 1900 miles
The lake covers more than 5000 acres.
O. What is the origin Of the word escalatorf
&C. NJ N.
A. The word Escalator Is trade-marked
name owned by the Otis Elevator Co. 1t was
coined by Charles D. Seeberger who, with Jesse
W. Reno, are recognized as the inventors. 1t
no doubt came from escalade 6rom the Latin
word meaning ladder) and elevator.
@. Please give some facts about Vincent
Auriol.-H. S. g.
A. Vincent Auriol born In Revel. France.
August AZ, 1884, studied law edited Socialist
newspaper, was member Of the Chamber OF
Deputies C914), Finance Minister do36), and
later Justice Minister. He was elected first
president of the Fourth Republic by joint
session, of the French Parliament January 16,
1947
Evening star., 1947-09-05

Another Theory of Decline in Britain
To the Editor OF The Star:
Your issue Of August rs carried letter
from r. w. Phillips saying: About rs years
ago ON q boat from Tangier to Casablanca I
had an interesting conversation with Britisher
which I remember very distinctly" and then
goes on to tear apart the present socialistic
trend in Britain, especially the labor leaders
who have assumed the burden Of salvaging the
remnants of the once great industrial nation
that was Britain.
Mr.. Phillips, like many others, sees the in
efficiency of the coal mines as the cause OF all
of Britains problems. But how about cotton?
Coal Is, or was, an Insignificant factor in the
cost of manufactured cotton goods, yet no
other industry in Britain today has suffered
such decline over the past 40 years as has the
cotton goods industry.
Some chronological changes are responsible
factors in this decline. The ring" with its con-
tinuous spinning had definite advantage over
the mule" type Of machine with its inter-
mittent method Of spinning and winding, the
latter being the type of machine then used al
most wholly in the spinning mills OF Lanca-
shire.
Even before World War the textile interests
Of Lancashire were financing cotton mills in
Egypt, India, Turkey and other consumer
countries. Lancashire foundries built the tex
tile machinery, Lancashire machine shops built
the power plants and there was prosperity in
Lancashire "a prosperity that was the basis
of the misery there today. But Mr.. Phillips
would lay the blame upon the heads Of the
labor leaders of today.
He is wrong. The mistake that was made
was that investments OF British capital have
been used over the past so years to build and
finance efficient manufacturing in consumer
countries and have left the working people Of
Britain to struggle to maintain their own
standards with antiquated manufacturing
processes. HENRY DUCKWORTH.
Rockville, Md.
Evening star., 1947-09-05

Those people who think "the horse and
buggy age" was pretty terrible must have
been born too late to hear opera in English
by the Aborn singers.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Questions and Answers

reader can obtain the answer 20 any question
bureau, 3ls street NE, washington Q. D. c.
Please inclose cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
tDriter, although it is permissible for a
vriter kno,Dn to The Star to use a
nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1947-09-05

and not only carry the entire United States
with it, but show other nations how to &C
complish this end. In other words, leadership
which does not seek to form more and more
clouds over a troubled nation, but one which
knows how to clear away clouds already
formed. Certainly the sort of leadership this
nation should avoid is one which has one
eye on the presidency and the other eye on
ways and means of creating another emer-
gency. With proper leadership in this coun-
try, recovery for all nations will be possi-
bility, as it will then not take large foreign
appropriations to meet the need.
Believe me, it can be done!
AN AMERICAN
Evening star., 1947-09-05

Critics of daylight saving time in Amer
lea could do worse than remember that
clocks in England were set back one hour
in April and another hour in May.
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Wants to Lean on Leadership


To the Editor of The Star:
There seems to be growing tendency OF
late toward a great deal Of dangerous talk
about preparation for more and more wars.
1t would seem to the writer that this country
has had enough Of wars, for the present at
least 1t Is, of course, necessary for the United
States to fall in line with some sort of West
ern Hemisphere defense. However, with the
advent of the Atomic Age. this defense will
not require large armed forces, but rather q
high quality of skill and technique in the
further development Of aviation and science.
The great objection Is not to Russia, but to
the communistic thinking coming out Of Rus
sia. How should this nation combat commu-
nistic thinking? Certainly not through
further combat in the physical realm. The
cure may only be found in the mental and
spiritual realms
The great need. therefore, is for unorthodox
leadership In the United States In the higher
realms Of thought: leadership which Is able
itself to rise above all undesirable conditions
Evening star., 1947-09-05
Stewart Case and Police Morale

TO the Editor of The Star:
The action of the District Commissioners In
overruling the Police Trial Board In the case
Of James A. Stewart, jr, is not conducive
to good police administration.
There Is good reason to believe that this
action will discourage the honest efforts Of the
Police Department to enforce the regulation
against brutality in any and every circumstance
with the same zeal 1t uses to insure that its
members are not derelict in their duty. In the
past there has been a tendency to merely
reprimand In like cases. but the action Of the
Trial Board in this instance was in line with
enlightened police administration.
The action of the board should have been
upheld in the interest Of police morality and
discipline, and public confidence in the indis-
criminate administration Of justice by the city
heads. Such action would not be passed lightly
II the officials Of this city's government were
elected by its residents. 1t is an excellent argu-
ment for District of Columbias voting fran
chise. Heed to the majority opinion Of the
electorate is always given by the ofhcials OF a
non-corrupt government. D. E. G.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Star, in leading editorial on September
3, had the courage and integrity to ques-
ton the wisdom of the Commissioners in revers-
ing the action of the Police Trial Board in the
case Of Policeman James A. Stewart, jr.
The Commissioners action in reversing the
finding of the Police Trial Board was at the
time and is now clearly indefensible. Over the
last year, hardly week has gone by that some
reputable citizen has not been treated brutally
by the traffic police If 1t happened in any other
city in America, the Mayor would hear about
nv,I arftu ha nIlic ND
decisive.
In the Nations Capital however, action had
to await the arrival of new police superintend
ent His intentions, obviously, are good, and
there Is evidence that some Washington traffic
police have decided that the plain ordinary
notorist Is not criminal, that he Is a sovereign
American citizen and that he has right to be
treated with courtesy.
But lust when lesson was needed, three
members Of the House Of Representatives, two
from nearby Virginia and one from North
Carolina-gentlemen who, by virtue OF their
congressional tags, never are snarled at or
treated In an insulting manner by Washington
police-these three privileged gentlemen are
disposed to intervene.
They, as members Of Congress, are the real
government of the District Of Columbia. They,
like Commissioner John Russell Young and the
other Commissioners, have only hearsay
knowledge of the intolerable rudeness Of the
average Washington traffic policeman
Until Washington has some measure Of self
government-until, in fact. 1t has mayor or
city manager responsible only to the people.
even well-intentioned police chief can make
little headway against the nationally y-known
rudeness Of Washington traffic police.
PLAIN CITIZEN.