davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Sheriff .Bearden Commended

To the Editor Of The Star:
Reference is made to your editorial, Lynch
ing Trial." which appeared on May 15
I would like to correct the writer of this par
ticular editorial on one point only. In para
graph two appear these sentences: When the
local authorities appeared disinclined to press
an investigation of the lynching, the Governor
OF the State stepped into the picture and, with
the aid of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
apprehended and brought charges against the
suspects now on trial. Incidentally, the States
case is said to rest principally on alleged con-
LESSONS made by some of the accused, and this,
too, Is an unusual aspect Of lynching trial in
the South At the least, 1t indicates that this
investigation, In contrast to most, was con-
Quoted vigorously and with q determination to
treat lynching as the crime that 1t is"
The lynching occurred during the night Of
February II. The victim was seized In the
Pickens County Jail by an nmasked mob.
taken across the county line and murdered IN
Greenvills County.
II you will consult the Associated Press dis
patches from Greenville under date Of Febru-
ary 20 you will note that Sheriff r. II. Bearden
of Greenyille County, in less than u hours after
the lynching, had arrested AZ men in connec-
ton with this killing and had obtained adn1is-
sions from % of them. You also will learn that
Sheriff Bearden was quoted as saying that ne
was seeking four more men in connection with
this case, making total Of 81 which Is exactly
the number on trial today. In the Associated
Press there was no indication that the sheriff
was acting because of any threat from the
Governor nor will you find that any other law
enforcement agency participated in the sheriff's
investigation and subsequent arrest OF the
suspects.
know that The Star always tries to be fair
and it occurred to me that YOU might be able to
use this information in correcting any erron-
eous impression gained by your readers toward
Sheriff Bearden.
Sheriff Bearden is not member of the Ma
tional Sheriffs' Association. However. our
Award Committee now is considering this par
ticular case as being worthy OF citation to
Sheriff Bearden for his outstanding work.
CHARLES j. HAHN,
Executive Secretary, National sheriffs' Asso-
citation.
Evening star., 1947-05-20
This and That
Bu Charles E. TrdceWeU.

SILVER SPRING, Md.
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your column. 1t is reminder
of certain basic values which we too often for
get In our materialistic scramble for existence.
IT was delightfully."- surprised to observe to-
day pair Of scarlet tanagers In our yard peck
ing at the laurel oak gals. Perhaps they were
on their way North, as I was unaware that
they were to be found in this area.
Surely the male is the handsomest OF the
redbirds, with his black wings and tail in con-
trast to the scarlet coat, making him even
brighter than the cardinal.
"The female was hard to distinguish from the
new leaves, being all of greenish-yellow color
with grayish wings and tail.
'I shouldn't have been able to identify her
had not the brilliant male bird made his ap-
pearance close by
yours truly, r. De G."
Tanagers comprise small family OF BIRDS
all three of them brilliant in coloring.
Hereabout we have the scarlet tanager and
the summer-tanager, so-called, while in the
West there is one which Is the brightest OF all.
The word "tanager" comes from the Brazilian.
but just what it means only native would
know.
That great worthy, Linnaeus, gave the name
and it was one of his most successful selections,
for, it is spoken today wherever this brilliant
fellow goes.
to come to this vicinity.
Ordinarily he seeks the tree tops, but we had
letter just recently telling OF one feeding on
the ground
The feathers of this species, in the male. are
bright fame scarlet, utterly different from
the scarlet of the cardinal.
The tanager's feathers are so bright that
they fairly seem on fire, and perhaps this is
the best way to describe him.
His mate is more sedate, as our correspondent
points out but is fine bird, nevertheless. Later
in the year the young males begin to become
parti-colored, somewhat resembling her
remarkable series of changes takes place In
the male birds coloring as he goes back and
forth between North and Central America.
Each faI before he leaves for the South, his
coat takes on splotches Of green, mixed with
red, and even this brilliant red is changed.
Then in the spring he gets back his old coat,
still with the brilliant black wings and tail
These changes 60 on for several years, so
that often an observer Is much perplexed when
he spots the bird in change
So if you ever see songster reminding you
of parrot, at least in coloring, in the fall Of
the year, suspect that 1t may be scarlet
tanager.
Some persons accuse this tanager Of being
stupid and hfeless but the specimens we have
seen were plenty lively, although they mostly
remained at the top of trees.
In some sections of the country this one Is
called the black-winged redbird, not a bad
name for it, while in other places it is spoken
OF as f1rebird, another good name.
The summer tanager, which is slightly larger
being tx inches long, is dull red. above, with
gray-brown wings.
| This is the bird spoken of in the South as
| summer redbird." to distinguish it from the
cardinal which they Like to call winter redbird
| This bird eats bees. at times. whereas the
scarlet tanager, as far Is we know, never does
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Operation Torch

II was not until the early morning hours Of
October 81 that we csme in sight Of our rendez-
vous point. We could spot light where We
thought was the correct location, but it was
too near dawn to risk landing and we were
not sure enough of where we were.
Submerged again, We prepared for another
day OF discomfort in the overcrowded underseas
craft When it was light enough, we ran up
q periscope for few seconds at time and
made sketches of the shore. We were sure
we had our house spotted okay.
Then radio came In from Murphy. We
missed the first nights rendezvous and was
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Russo-Finnish Tension

There are ominouS undertones in the
growing tenseness between the Soviet
Union and Finland. The recent bomb
throwing against the Soviet Embassy at
Helsinki, still an unsolved mystery, is not
an isolated incident. It is merely the most
spectacular of series of events all con-
ducive to Ill feeling in both countries.
Moscow has viewed with increasing an
noyance the trend in Finnish politics and
public opinion, especially the weakening
of the Communist dominated Popular
Democratic Party through desertions of
working-class members to the old Social
Democratic Party which is free from Com
munist control This development en-
couraged the Agrarian or Peasant Party
to provoke the cabinet crisis which
occurred six weeks ago and is still un-
settled.
Moscow showed its displeasure in sew
eral ways Negotiations for transit arrange
ments through former Finnish territory
ceded to Russia have been held up by
Soviet diplomacy, though Russian regu-
lations impose great hardShips on Finnish
economy, already strained by the drain
of reparations. The Kremlin likewise
ignored Finnish invitation to attend the
Forthcoming fortieth anniversary of Fin
lands Parliament, and since the bomb
incident Moscow threw so many restric-
tions on a proposed visit OF municipal
officials that the Finnish government has
called off the trip in huff. Lastly, there
appears to be a considerable inf1ltration
into Finland of long-exiled Finnish Com
munists who have become Soviet citizens.
The Finnish government can do little or
nothing to halt this infiltration, because
Moscow does not allow it to maintain a
passport control on its side of the border.
Furthermore, the press organs Of the Pop
ular Democratic Party (Communist) echo
Soviet press complaints and accusations
against Finland.
All this begins to look like typical
Soviet "build-up" for a breakdown such
as has occurred in other Soviet satellites
when these showed any signs OF self
assertion. Although Moscow has permitted
Finland larger degree of autonomy than
it has any of the other states within its
sphere of influence, it has acquired a
virtual stranglehold through the terms of
the armistice and the still-unratified peace
treaty. And, of course, in the last analysis,
1t could snuff out Finnish independence
any time it chose, since Finland is wholly
defenseless against Russian aggression.
The one factor which might deter Mos
COW from strong arm tactics is the inter-
national odium that such conduct would
arouse. Moscow has rather prided itself
upon the generosity" it displayed toward
defeated Finland and has held up the
treaty terms as proof that normal rela-
tions are possible between, the Soviet
Union and its weaker neighbors. A crack
down on Finland would prove the hollow
ness of that argument.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

OF the defeated Reich, the Russian and
French zones should likewise be considered,
since conditions there are bound TO have
repercussions on the Anglo-American
zones. The best information indicates that
the Russian zone is certainly no better of,
while the French zone may be slightly the
worst of all as to food. The cumulative
interactions Of these various dietary de-
ficiences must be considerable and un-
favorable
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Letters to The Star
The School Board-Bond Issue
Question in Arlington County

70 the Editor Of The Star.
Ballottng In Arlington County ON May AZ on
the bond issues and the method Of selecting the
school board win decide an issue far more
fundamental in its Importance than appears on
the surface It will decide whether the COM
munity lis to proceed In q sane, economically
sound manner or join the parade Of more and
more spending regardless OF the cost 70 our
selves and future generations.
Leading proponents Of change IN the
method Of selecting the school board are the
same people, who all during the war, made
constant demands upon that body OF public
servants, who were struggling with enormous
problems, to spend, spend, spendl Regardless
OF the shortage OF qualified teachers and the
impossibility Of securing building materials.
these people demanded more musc. moro art.
more instruction III social adjustment" more
time in school for play, more facilities In schools
for feeding the children. schools for 6-year-
olds more time in school for and ! year
olds and multitude Of things to relieve par
ents OF their own responsibilities. Now they
tell us we must get rid of our school board and
give new and untried board the money to
spend as they see At.
! These people admit that we have excellent
teachers but insist that the system Is terrible.
What Is wrong with q system that can get
and keep such teachers. keep schools going
with more than doubling OF population In two
or three years, give every child the opportun-
ity to obtain much more than the fundamentals
Of education; during period when school sys-
TENS all over the country are crying for teach
ers Of any kind to keep classrooms open2
Have we grown SO used to spending money
that we do not have, for things we well can do
without that we must be nd Of sane, honest
people who feel responsibility to use wisely
the publics money for the greatest good of all
our children? Must we 60 on teaching our
children, by example, that the State Is wholly
responsible for their well being without effort
on their own part? 1t is high time for parents
to realize that money cannot buy all the things
fundamental in q child's education, that no
school system can take the place of character
building in the home If life in our country Is
to continue to be based on the family and the
rights and dignity Of the individual
The citizens of Arlington County have the
opportunity to retain sane and responsible
course In their affairs. sincerely trust they
will consider well and choose wisely
JANE M. DAY.
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Food for Germany

The statement released late wednesday
afternoon by Secretary of War Robert P.
Patterson is interesting, not only In itself
but also in connection with other current
DEVELOPMENTS This official pronounce
ment of the War Department appeared
some hours after a statement by former
President Herbert Hoover on the same
subject. Although the two statements
concurred in fundamentals, Mr.. Hoover
stressed one point not touched upon by
Secretary Patterson. This was the failure,
alike of the American and British occupa-
tional authorities and of the local German
functionaries, to ensure collections and dis
tribution of German food supplies. Mr..
Hoover considers this notable factor in
the present German food crisis And, OF
course, his words are authoritative, since
his special mission of investigation last
February and consequent recommenda-
tions have carried much weight in official
planning and policy.
Both Secretary Patterson and Mr.. Hoover
cite the severity of the late winter, trans
portation delays and bottlenecks, and
restrictions on ALLEGATION Of supplies for
I6Tuldlly do tllC bcoiS Se&a3SS AVA eAAo
worsening of nutritional conditions in Ger
many during recent months. They both
express long range expectations that the
current crisis will soon be ameliorated.
And the Secretary cites figures of stepped
up food shipments, including emergency
items such as dry milk, to buttress his
optimism.
However, it should be understood that
what is officially termed the normal
ration in both the American and British
zones is, and long has been, deplorably low
Before last october it was only 1887 calo-
sries, which was then raised to 1850 calories
Even this higher figure is insufficient ito
maintain health and vigor. Thus, the
recent breakdown of the schedule, averag-
ing a deficit of between 800 and 400 calo-
ries has fallen with crushing severity
upon a chronically undernourished popu-
lation. And each passing week OF this
under-feeding must exacerbate the crisis
and engender all sorts of practical COM
plications, ranging from work stoppages
or slowdowns to militant unrest.
Another point to be remembered Is that
the Patterson and Hoover statements apply
only to the merged Anglo-American zones.
But. in order to get an overall picture
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Operation Torch
Police Neorly Spoiled Clark Porley
With French Leaders Near AIgiers
Second of q SeriesJ
By Gen. MARI Wavne Clark

took great personal risk In ordering the French
troops defenRiing the Algerian coast to help the
Allies. consider him great French patriot.
About am. we brought our stats around the
dining room table for frank discussion OF the
situation. Remembering my instructions not to
reveal the facts Of the impending operation, I
was In = difncult position.
Mast asked how big an American effort could
be made. tried to keep poker fSce while say
ing that half million Allied troops could come
in and said that We could put 1000 planes in
the air, as well as plenty of U. S. Navy" Mast
was pretty impressed. eve actually put $4,000
Americans and British ashore In the first land
ings.)
Mast suggested that Giraud be picked up in
American submarine as quickly as possible I
was convinced that none OF the French realized
the imminence Of an operation.
While we conferred some lieutenants from
Masts stan kept watch out of the windows and
walked periodically around the gardens and
patio keeping an eye out for interference of
any kind. No one showed up by lunch time,
when Tessier, with the help Of one of the
French, cooked chicken with hot Arab sauce
and served 1t with some red vine and oranges.
During the early afternoon we split up into
special groups for detailed discussions Of vari-
GUS phases OF our plans. The French were
ready with voluminous written information
which later turned out to be accurate in every
respect. They gave us locations and strengths
OF troops and Naval units: told us where sup
plies, including gasoline and ammunition were
stored, details of airports where resistance
would be heaviest and information as to where
airborne troops could land safely.
Informal Police Were On Way.
had said in the morning we would have to
get out to the submarine in the following eve
ming, but as conversation piled up after Mast's
late arrival, 1t became increasingly difficult to
see how we would make 1t. Furthermore,
had the surf on that wide, nat beach always
on my mind.
Tessier answered and turned quickly from the
instrument yelling, "Tne police will be here in
few minutes" Instantly full-scale French
flap" broke out. Of1cers ran In every direc-
tion. Some of the Frenchmen changed into
civilian clothes with a speed have seen ex-
ceeded only by professional quick-change ar
lists, before I had quite decided what was going
on.
One OF Gen. Mast's officers ran past me with
q suitcase In one hand, out to his car which
Immediately took OF in the direction Of AL
giers. Every Frenchman went out the windows
and disappeared into the brush along the
beach; can't say that I blame any one of
them for their lives certainly would be in
jeopardy II caught
Finally only Tessier and one French officer,
Murphy, and his assistant, Ridgeway Knight,
remained behind. was feeling pretty deserted,
Is well as pretty agitated as to just where We
Evening star., 1947-05-20

could 60 to escape
the police. l knew
1t would not be
safe inside the
house and I had
a strong anxiety
that some teu-tale
object might be
left around our
meeting room by
accident.
Furt tn e ermore,.
our British COM
mandos W er e
sleeping upstairs.
7 flew TN the
stairs and called
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Free Press Victory

By the margin OF SIX votes 10 Inree, tne
Supreme Court once again has upheld the
freedom of the press in a controversy
which grew out Of that vaguely deflned
area where the freedom OF the press is apt
to collide with the no less important free
dom of the courts to administer justice
in an atmosphere devoid of coercion or
attempted coercion.
The principal issue concerned an edi-
torial published in the newspapers OF Cor
pus Christi, Texas, the apparent purpose OF
the editorial being to influence county
Judge to act favorably on pending motion
for q new trial of case involving the
tenancy of cafe. The publisher, editorial
writer and reporter for the paper had
been held guilty of constructive criminal
contempt by the Judge to whom the edi-
torial was directed, and sentenced to serve
three days in Jail. Speaking for the major
ity Of the Supreme Court, Justice Douglas
reversed the conviction and said: This
(the editoriaD was strong language, intem-
perate language, and we assume, an un-
fair criticism. But = > the vehemence OF
language used is not alone the measure
I of the power to punish for contempt. The
fires which it kindles must constitute an
imminent, not merely likely, threat to
the administration of justice. The danger
must not be remote or even probable; 1t
must Immediately imperil.," And to this
he added: "The law of contempt is not
made for the protection OF judges who may
be sensitive to the winds of public opinion.
Judges are supposed to be men of fortitude,
able to thrive in hardy climate"
It is The Stars belief that this majority
decision is right. Here was case of an
Judge afh1iated with dominant political
machine, functioning in small COM
munity He was not even lawyer. Twice
he had instructed the jury to return a
verdict for the plaintiff and twice the
jury refused to obey. Only after they had
been kept locked in the jury room over
night did the jurymen bring in the directed
verdict, and then the jury stated in open
court that it acted under coercion OF the
Judge and against it's conscience.
In such situation, even granting that
a motion for new trial was pending, 1t
seems highly important not to set rule
of law which would tend to discourage
small newspapers from speaking out in
behalf of what they believe to be the
interests of justice.
Every newspaperman should read with
care the dissenting opinions in this case,
for when the Chief Justice and two OF his
Observation-Disclosures Frankfurter and Jack
son-are unable to agree with the majority,
the question is undeniably close one.
And from the point of view of free press,
it is especially close when, as in this
instance the publisher involved owns all
of the. newspapers in his community.
Nevertheless, when all of the factors are
balanced, it seems clear that in the cir
cumstances of this case the larger interests
of justice and freedom are served by pro-
tecting the right of criticism rather than
by Furnishing what was technically con-
tempt. For the power Of the judiciary
to punish for contempt is so great, and so
immune to challenge, that it ought to be
exercised sparingly and with full con-
sciousness of the harm that it can do.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

world would be making much more sense
IL it talked instead about the inevitability
Of permanent peace. At any rate, the
frightfulness implicit in modern arma-
n1ents is SO obvious that it ought to compel
all nations since all share a common
impulse to survive-to be sane, which Is
another way of saying to be peaceful.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

aWalClng me. "A
lot Of doubts OF
previous days had
slipped away and
I was relieved
enough to sleep a
little until 5 am.
when I was called
and told that
Mast had arrived.
Gen. Mast spoke
little English, but
said welcome to
my country"
Mr.. M ur p h y ,
Gen. Mast and I
ate a typic a |
Evening star., 1947-05-20

hoping word of
our alternative
plan had gotten
to the French.
The first flap
about this mes
sage was when
we got hold OF a
wrong code book.
The first word that
came out was "po-
lice. :" That gave
me a sinking feel
ing that the peo-
pie on shore had
b e en- detected.
We fpaI1v de.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

It is estimated that the cost OF having,
rearing and educating an American child
averages $12,750. That is good invest
ment and the country can afford to put
it on the cuff"
Evening star., 1947-05-20

An American author declares that the
erection of New England covered bridges
simply followed an old European custom.
Perhaps few snowflakes also have had
something to do with their frequency.
Evening star., 1947-05-20
Total savings -s1655,5 ,519 200

These figures are still subject to change.
In addition, Democrats have attacked
$8O0000,000 of the Treasury-Post Office cut
as being "phony" This sum was budgeted
to cover anticipated tax refunds, which, II
they materialize, would have to be provided
for in deficiency appropriation. Repub-
licans hope that tax reduction will make
it possible to take care of refunds even
with the reduced appropriation. At best,
this Saving" is questionable one, how
ever, and the chances are that 1T will not
hold good in its entirety.
To put the most hopeful face on the
matter, the Republicans still must trim
about $780, 100000 from the War Depart
ment, Agriculture, independent offices
Gncluding the Veterans Administration
Government corporations and legislative
appropriation bills to achieve the $4,500,-
100000 reduction.
This is very large order as the Repub-
lican Congress gets set for stretch drive
to beat the July 81 tentative adjournment
date. That the order can be filled without
a crippling slash in the War Department
appropriation is doubtful, to say the least.
Consequently, it is not surprising to see
some of the Republicans eyeing hopefully
the forecasts that Government revenue
will be $41, 400, 900 00O-a figure higher than
had been expected.
If this revenue expectation is realized,
1t presumably would mean that the G. O.P.,
even though it falls well short of the
$4,5o0,Oo90O0 economy goal, could push
through its scheduled tax reduction pro-
gram and still have two or three billion
dollars left over for debt retirement. From
the political point of view, that outlook
If it materializes-would be rosy one.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

A man who was told he had inherited
$4,000 eventually got $61 from the estate
But look at all he saved in inheritance
taxes.
Evening star., 1947-05-20

A marriage license is like daily double
ticket. Both halves have to win If the
combination is to be a success.