davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-11-09
The Presidents House

Considering that its cornerstone was
laid 156 years ago, and that the interven-
ing decades have not been noted for
extravagant repairs, 1t comes as no sur
prise to learn that the White House Is all
but falling down.
The ceiling of the East Room, where
Mrs. John Adams hung the family wash
In 1900, Is sagging about six inches Since
the ceiling weighs seventy pounds to the
square foot. this condition is something
more than minor hazard It has also
been revealed that the grand staircase Is
considered TO be in imminent danger of
collapse. In 1880 it was propped up with
orlck supports. But the bricks were Sec
ond-hand, doubtless in difference to an
economy minded Congress, and they are
now disintegrating. The danger that the
White House, like the one-hoss shay. will
simply give up the ghost and fall to pieces
one OF these days, is reason enough for
repairs. But there Is the additional fact
that the structure, especially the third
noor nursery, Is fire trap of the worst
sort. 1t is estimated that necessary repairs
and nreproofing will cost about 81 900, 900
~AA@ ACHuAAC JI4C CdIlCclldLlOQ OF LQe usual
winter social events. But not even this
combined price is too high. The American
people expect great deal of their Presi-
dent. They do not expect, however, that
he and his family, not to mention their
guests, should be required as MussQlini
used to put it, to live dangerously.
The cornerstone of the original White
House, building not unlike penal insti-
tuition in general appearance, was laid on
October 13, 1892. Evidently it was an event
that did not attract much attention, for
to this day no one knows which corner
contains the cornerstone. After being
burned by the British in 1914 the resi-
dence, then known as the Presidents
House, was restored along lines generally
similar to those of today. From time to
time since then there have been renova-
tions and improvements. Yet the White
House, despite its lovely surface trappings,
remains dilapidated and dangerous
structure. 1t is high time that the neces-
Sary repairs were made.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
No Time to Lose

Only week mas passed since tne elec-
ton. The President has had no opportunity
to talk with anybody about details Of his
Inauguration. But there is lot of work
to be done in arranging these details.
Outside the official ceremonies at the
Capitol, a strictly formal affair under
official auspices, the major burden Of ar
rangements falls on Washington citizens.
If the President can be persuaded in the
next few days to appointment of chair
man and a citizens inaugural committee,
the work can get under way.
Money must be raised to underwrite the
expense Of erecting stands along Pennsyl-
vania avenue and in front of the White
House. Governors of the States, in accord
ance with custom, should be invited and
provision made for their entertainment
and housing while here. The inaugural
parade and other traditional forms of cele
bration must be planned. For the first
time in its history, Washington has, In
the National Guard Armory a suitable in
door assembly place, large enough to accom-
modate a great inaugural ball. But with
less than three months remaining before
the date, the appropriate citizens COM
mittees in charge of such events will have
their work cut out for them.
No President would ever deliberately
choose an ornate" as compared with a
simple" Inauguration. Such adjectives are
misleading in any event. The Inauguration
of President should combine, with the
formal dignity of the event, an oppor
tunity for popular celebration, and Wash
ington must be prepared to play host to
the thousands of citizens who will wish
to come to their Capital. The Commits
sioners already have the nucleus of
working organization of citizens which has
helped them in the past with comparable
problems. AS soon as the President
appoints chairman the Commissioners
can start the ball rolling with detailed
planning within few days.
The preceding Inauguration in January
OF 1945 was a somber affair, rejecting the
atmosphere Of war. The President did not
leave the White House. Only a few were
invited to the mansion to witness his oath
of office and to hear the brief words
spoken by O man who was already tired
and Ill. The solemnity of that ceremony
foreshadowed the tragedy that was to
follow in less than three months.
President Truman's Inauguration should
mark return to the festivities linked by
tradition with the OCCASION with men
and women marching, bands playing, flags
waving and happy people on holiday.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
To q Suit of Armor

Was he unhorsed, your ,Oearer, By a thrust
That loosened all your Joints? or dsd
he taH
In hand to hand encounter, back to Dall,
His pizored face conuulsed totth battle
lust?
Less transient than your mortal core. long
\ dust, !
You keep your centuried match In this
dim hall,
Relic of slower times 1ohen man iDalked
small,
And you and space were safeguards ne
could trust.
But now the fragile shield OF distance lies
In r.ddled fragments; you are worthless
too
AGAINST neW unseen vtrulence-d
threat
TO all the race. Unless man soon groins
tDise
Enough to Hue In peace NTH man,
then you
Might weu outlast poor foolish
Adam get,
ELOIsE WADE HACKETT.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
Election Comment ROUNDUP
Readers Get In Last Word Anent Polls Political Experts
Predictions, Post.Mortems and the Like
Experts at 1t Again.

Experts ut 1t Again.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Within barely three or four days after their
utter humiliation. they're at it again! The
experts" via air and/or ink are now telling
those who have no minds of their own, but
mere mush to be nodded to the expert hearts
desire, how impossible it will be for President
Truman to carry through any essential part
Of the legislative and administrative program
which he advocated in his misguided campaign
for presidential term in his own right. Al
ready they are pointing out how terribly the
President misled the people.
How those boys and gals do bounce back!
c. w.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
De Guulle Portent

The De Gaullist victory in the election
for the Council of the Republic is por-
tentous development in the French polit-
ical situation. Despite certain qualifying
considerations, 1t would seem clearly to
indicate a marked trend toward De Gaulle
and his movement, known as the Rally of
the French People.
Under the existing constitution, the
Council or upper chamber of Parliament
has far less power than the Assembly or
lower chamber its subordinate status being
roughly comparable to that of the British
House of Lords as against the Commons.
Furthermore, the Council is filled by in
direct elections from municipal bodies
instead of by direct popular vote.
Nevertheless, the Council does have GER
tain veto powers on legislation originating
in the Assembly And, in addition, the
psychological effect of politically changed
Council upon public opinion can be con-
siderable, especially under present cir
cumStanceS.
That is the background against which
should be evaluated the outcome of an
election which resulted in a smashing
victory for the De Gaullist elements. The
significance of the outcome is accentuated
by the fact that this is the first time that
the De Gaullist party has been able to
run openly, since it was not formed in the
previous parliamentary elections two years
ago. The pervasive strength of the move
ment was shown not only by the important
showing of party candidates but also by
notable gains Of avowed De Gaullist SYM
pathizerS in other party groups In con-
sequence, what may be termed the De
Gaullist bloc in the new Council will run
slightly over 40 per cent Of the total That
Is far and away the biggest political
combination in the upper chamber. On
the other hand, the former large Com
munist representation in the Council has
been cut to negligible proportions, while the
left-wing clericals known as Popular Re-
publicans suffered almost as sharp q
decline. It is. thus almost foregone con-
clusion that the De Gaullist bloc will
dominate the new Council of the Republic.
The repercussions of this resounding
triumph upon the political situation in
general and the Assembly situation in par
ticular may be profound. 1t will reinforce
De Gaulles demand for the dissolution
of the present Assembly and his call for
new elections to determine the popular
will. Should the Assembly persist in re-
tanning office, the task of any moderate
cabinet will become even more diflcult
than 1t now is, while the Council could
block Assembly measures not passed by
a clear majority
The net result of all this logically spells
further weakening alike of governmental
authority and legislative prestige at a
moment when Frances political and eco
nomic situation is gravely compromised.
Such weakness should logically embolden
both the initiative of the De Gaullists and
the resistance Of the Communists. Out of
such crisis, almost anything could
happen.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
An Answer to Mr.. Kent.

An Answer to Mr.. Kent.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Mr.. Frank r. Kent just doesn't seem to know
what hit him. It's all right to be pessimist;
this Is free country, as witness the election
results. But to write off all the errors without
hits that have been made in predicting" the
impossibility OF President Truman's election
and then to say that "the immediate future
Is none too good" is just lot Of baloney. Mr.
Kent seems to be unable to take it on the chin
AS one who was not fooled by the acute
pollsteritis before the election and who has
notarized witnesses that he bet to for
Harry with an electoral vote of 27O to 300,
sort Of feel in q position to give Mr.. Kent the
following answers to his questions:
/. Where are we at? At bat.
2. Where are we going? For q wonderful
showing.
5. And how? And how!
4. viii Truman "swell"? He will be swell.
Why shouldn't Mr.. Kent, for the benefit of
the victorious majority of the American people,
take an extended vacation? It will do him and
particularly us lot of good.
HARRY RooTER
Evening star., 1948-11-09
The Thomas Indictment

The indictment of J. Parneu Thomas,
chairman of the House Committee on I'm
American Activities, charges that he is a
public offlcial who has been faithleSs to
his trust. The parallel between this and
the accusation made some months ago by
q Thomas subcommittee against DR.. Ed
ward u. Condon director of the Bureau Of
Standards, will not 60 unnoticed.
But there is also this difference: DR..
Condor, despite his repeated requests, has
never enjoyed an opportunity to appear
before the committee and answer the
charge that he was one of the weakest
links in our chain Of atomic security.
Having made the reckless accusation, the
committee found one excuse after another
to deny him the hearing that he should
have had. This will not be true of Mr..
Thomas. He is accused of conspiracy to
defraud the Government, and of Ming
false claims for payment of money to
people supposed to have been employed by
his committee, but who never actually
performed any services for 1t. Mr.. Thomas
will not be denied hearing. On the con-
trary he will be brought to trial, and he
will have every opportunity to offer such
defense or explanation as he may have.
Meanwhile, public judgment should re-
main suspended. In our courts, man is
presumed to be innocent until he is found
guilty. And this is true notwithstanding any
contrary impression which may have been
created by the tactics of some congress
sional committees, including that headed
by Mr.. Thomas
Evening star., 1948-11-09
A Voters Gratitude.

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Thank you, Mr.. President:
For your never-to- forgotten example of
courage that will strengthen and sustain me,
my, family, many Of my neighbors and honest,
decent people all over the world.
For making 1t possible for me to say with
quiet pride to a watching world, "I am an
American"
For fighting for laws that would benefit all
Of us, not just chosen few.
For being an honest man-Mr President
thank you. FELLOW AMERICAN
Evening star., 1948-11-09

Kremlin are sincerely anxious to reach an
understanding with the West. II so, they
can prove it easily enough by leaving the
Greeks alone and by proceeding from there
to an honest settlement of all the other
key issues dividing the world.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
The Choice of the 'Peepul."

To the Editor of The Star:
Thank God for the common peepul."
Despite your Peglers, your Pearsons, your
Winchells, your Fulton Lewis, your 95 per cent
commentators, and your SO per cent pro-Repub
lican press, the good old American "peepul"
have rallied to the President and elected him
to full four-year term.
This Is written by Virginia Democrat who
has no use for the so-called "big wigs" of the
Democratic Party in Virginia who did not turn
a hand to help their party nominee, but who
will expect the real Democrats to rally to their
support when another campaign rolls around
A REAL VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
G. O. p. Was Oyerconfident.

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Your editorial, bad Day for the Pollsters," is
way OF base. The failure of the pollsters to
forecast the election is the same failure as the
newspapers failure to do any better. This you
admit. But no where do you ask the question
"Why?" And nowhere do you give an adequate
answer about the cause for the failure.
The answer to the question of why the poll
sters and the political writer's were all wrong
lies in the answer to the question of what
happened to 100000 voters who were expected
to vote, and did not. Could these people
have possibly been Republicans, in q large
measure? Is it possible that they did not vote
because they. like you, like the pollsters, were
so sure Of Dewey victory?
I agree with some of your attack on the
pollsters, but your basis and your reasoning are
all wrong. The polls were bad Gust as the
newspapers were bad) because they convinced
a tremendous number of people that there was
no real need for voting. That's a bad thing to
do in democracy.
MARVIN SCHNEIDERMAN,
Evening star., 1948-11-09
Apples and Politics.

To the Hditor Of The Star:
In regard to the election and its results, it
is very discouraging, indeed, to have the same
group in power for 40 consecutive years or
possibly longer. Perhaps 1t may be likened to
an apple. If the apple remains upon the
shelf too long 1t then becomes spoiled and
thus 1t would be injurious to health This Is
likewise true of politics.
ROBERT EMMETT BURKE
Evening star., 1948-11-09
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question OF
fact by writing The washington Star Information
Bureau, 3l6 street NE. Washington 2, D. c.
Please incloSe 3 cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
"Waterloe Of the Wiseacres."

To the Editor OF The Star:
Among several beneficial by-products Of the
recent Presidential election, one Of the most
salutary was the wholesale discrediting Of the
legion Of syndicated columnists. President
Trumans unprotected victory was, indeed the
Waterloo Of the wiseacres.
The Star has been editorially honest and
prompt in acknowledging Its share in the gen.
eral error Of judgment
In the opinion of many informed readers-a
widely expressed opinion even before the elec
tion-President Trumans victory, with quoted
odds of Is to / against him, might serve
genuinely patriotic service. among several
Others in making clean, sweep Of these
merchants of the first-person pronoun and
squanderers Of redundant words, consigning
them to "the limbo Of the lost ones and the
cohorts Of the damned" GEORGE MARVIN.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
IL Three States Had Shifted.

To the Editor Of The Star:
In scanning the election votes by States, I
noted that q shift of approximately $4,000
votes from Truman to Dewey in the States of
California, Illinois and Ohio would have re-
suited in the election Of Dewey. Truman's
margins were $4,000 in California, $4,000 in
Illinois and 10000 in Ohio, q total of roughly
100000 votes. These three States carried
total electoral vote of 78, which when added to
Deweys total and deducted from Truman's,
would result in an electoral score of Dewey,
367: Truman, 226. r. E. STURTEVANT.
Evening star., 1948-11-09

A nice guy is the election winner who
goes on for while thereafter, like candi-
date, recognizing you on the street out of
sheer momentum.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
About the "Mandate"

About the Mandate"
To the Editor of The STAR
President Truman and the Congress should
weigh very carefully the idea that they have
received mandate" from the people to
support farm prices at high levels and repeal
the Taft-Hartley Act.
Farmers favor high support levels for farm
prices; labor unions businessmen, and non
union workers are strongly opposed to the
support of farm prices at high levels. Labor
leaders favor repeal Of the Taft-Hartley Act:
Evening star., 1948-11-09

In Britain, top prize in the BBC's most
popular quiz is So, whereas for that money
here you couldn't buy the wrong answer.
Evening star., 1948-11-09

businessmen, farmers, nonunton workers, and
most union members who understand the law
are strongly opposed to its repeal
Since Mr.. Truman and the successful can
didates for seats in Congress were obviously
elected by large numbers Of votes from each
of these groups, 1t is dificult TO see how any
mandate" can he inferred. ROBIERRE.
Notice to Our Capital City.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Those Of us who went to the polls-rather
than to the pollsters-last Tuesday and voted
President Truman back into office had the
civil rights issue in mind. We placed that
issue on an equal footing with reinstituted price
and rent controls, the extension of social Sc
curity benefits an all-out housing program. Fed
eral aid to education, extended rural electri-
fication and natural resources conservation pro-
grams. full United States support of the United
Nations, and sound foreign policy. Yes, we
voted for civil rights as a high priority, gilt
edge, gold star must" for our Nations Capital.
So much has been said and written all over
the civilized world about the sorry state Of race
relations in Washington, because of the lack of
civil rights, until anything said here would be
needless, empty phrasing. But we voters have
had our say at the polls. And Washington's
city fathers-many of whom certainly father
undemocratic practices and "customs"-had
best re-examine their positions in terms Of what
a majority Of voting citizens want and expect
of their Capital City
New York City. DUTTON FERGUSON.
For Militant Opposition.
To the Editor of The Star:
It seems to me lesson can be learned by
party leadership from the recent election. II
democracy is to work as intended, 1t Is i'm
possible to overestimate the Importance OF
healthy, vigorous opposition. In the recent
campaign such vigorous opposition to New
Deal policies just did not exist. Instead the
Republican presidential candidate ran on a
platform designed to please only New Deal
voters who already had candidate with whom
they were well satisfied. This left millions
Of American voters who have always opposed
the New Deal with no candidate whom they
could whole -heartedly support.
There is now O lot of discouraged talk about
the inevitable" trend to Socialism. This seems
to me just about as fallacious as Mr.. Roper's
poll. The economic facts Of life are just as
true today as they have always been and always
will be. But there certainly will be shift to
Socialism If those people who know better alb
jectly surrender their critical faculties and stop
fighting for what they believe is right. 1t is
also imperative that those Americans who op-
pose New Dealism have militant leaders who
are willing to fight the Socialistic trend with
the weapons Of economic truths and the utmost
courage Of their convictions.
MABEL G. BLISS.
Evening star., 1948-11-09

@. What is a mesa?-G. E..
A. Mesa is a Spanish word meaning "ta-
ble," commonly used in the Southwestern
United States as the name for high, broad
and fiat tabeland bounded at least on one
side, and sometimes on all sides, by q steep cliff
or declivity.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

Q. Is it possible for a tooth to die naturally
during ones lifetime?-E. G.
"A. The American Dental Association says
that the nerve hbers in the pulp Of teeth
frequently decompose or degenerate because of
infection, trauma or age. Such devital teeth
usually change in color in time, but the color
change can be prevented in most cases by
proper dental treatment.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
Trouble Ahead?

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Some people tell lies, but the Stock Market
doesn't. The drastic declines Of last week look
like q prediction Of troubled days ahead. It
would suggest the payment Of o debt con-
tracted. B. r.
Evening star., 1948-11-09

O. What famous painting was so blackened
with smoke that at one time it was considered
worthless?-R. McH.
treasures from italy to Paris, Titian's THE
Assumption Of the Madonna" was 80 hlackened
with candle smoke that the French commits
sioners considered it not worth taking away
and left 1t in Venice.
c. Is there o new vitamin that Is believed
to be Of value in pernicious anemia?-T. N.
A. The new vitamin, Biz, that was found
in liver is the one referred to-
Evening star., 1948-11-09

@. What is the name of the Bible recently
published, that was designed especially for
children?-H. Y.
James version.
Evening star., 1948-11-09
More Salt for Our Wounds.


To the Editor of The Star:
regret to call to your attention an error, or
oversight on the part of one of your reporters
who covered very recent luncheon meeting OF
the Junior Board of Commerce.
The error, or oversight. of which I refer is
just this There were two speakers on this
program, Mr.. Melvin D. Hildreth who repre-
sented the Chapter of the Democratic Party of
the District and the writer who was sponsored
by the Speakers Bureau of the National Demo-
cratic Party. There was no mention Of the
remarks of either speaker in The Star.
True, all the newspapers and distinguished
news commentators throughout the country
were surprised, because they did not support
Harry Truman. You were too busy telling the
people that Dewey was sure winner and that
the Democratic administration was all through.
I personally handed copy of the inclosed
speech to one of your reporters who had asked
for it. but no mention was made Of 1t in The
Star was dead serious in what said at this
meeting and there were many other similar
speeches delivered throughout the country con-
cerning this all-important topic The voice OF
the people as expressed last Tuesday will sub
stantiate this, and with this, am sure you
will agree.
The Star is time -honored newspaper and it
Is held in high esteem by those who read it.
firmly believe If you return to printing the
news and leave the freedom Of political de-
cisions up to the people, you will have re-
gained dignity, self-respect and the love Of
your readers. People do like to decide for
themselves when such vital issues are involved.
This is why Harry Truman received the man
date Of the American people. know that you.
too, are anxious to help him promote unity
which leads us to good government and peace.
JAMES E. FITZsIN4MoNs.
(Note: Mr.. Fitzsimmons remarks were
reported, but the story was crowded out.
What he said on October 28 was this:
"' For these reasons alone sincerely
believe that on November the voting people
at the polls will prove beyond doubt that
the Gallup poH, Literary Digest and news
analysts and other news commentators are
sadly incorrect in predicting what the Amer
lean people will do at the polls. Harry
Truman, beyond question, will be reelected
President Of the United States for the next
four years.D
Evening star., 1948-11-09

@. Who was the candidate Of the Prohibi-
ton Party in the presidential election Of 1s44s
" @,
A. Claude A. Watson was the Prohibition
candidate for President in 1914