davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Better Safe Than Sorry

The Public Utilities Commission has
calculated the risks involved in an I'M
mediate change-over from streetcars to
buses on the Rosslyn- -Benning line and
has decided that it is better to be safe
than sorry 1t is certainly safer to post
pone for a year the conversion project
ethan to run the risk of a gasoline shortage
that might leave the Benning area with
out either bus or streetcar service.
1t is true that testimony regarding the
availability of fuel for the proposed bus
line was conflicting and confusing. The
Capital Transit Company had been prom
ised the necessary additional gasoline for
the service by the oil industry. But these
promises necessarily were conditioned on
some big "ifs," including the uncertain
factor of national defense requirements In
this period of expanding military facilities
and operations And the interior Depart
ment's petroleum experts warned against
launching any unnecessary fuel-consuming
undertaking in view of the dark oil-supply
picture.
Had 1t been possible to make the bus
venture without tearing up the rails con-
meeting Benning with downtown Wash
ington, the situation would have been
different. Leaving the rails down would
have permitted use of streetcars once more
in an emergency. But the change-over
program called for irrevocable abandon
ment Of streetcar service in favor of buses.
That being the case. the commission has
followed a wise course in ordering a delay
In the already approved conversion plan
until "the outlook for the supply of
petroleum products becomes clearer"
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Standby War Plants

President Truman has taken a prudent
step In suspending for thirty days the sale
OF certain surplus war plants and tools.
II the threat Of war Is as serious as most
of our military experts seem to think 1t
Is, we had better hold onto our war
born munitions, aircraft, ship and other
surplus factories and equipment for
q while. 1t does not make sense to start
an emergency expansion of our armed
forces while we continue to dismantle
facilities which would be urgently needed
II war came.
Under the rehabilitation program be-
gun after Japan's surrender, the War
Assets Administration has been disposing
as rapidly as possible of approximately
eighteen hundred war plants of many
types. About fifteen hundred of these
already have been sold or leased and some
have been dismantled completely. But q
special recapture clause in the disposal
contracts covering more than one hundred
and fifty plants stipulates that the facili-
Ties must be maintained in a condition
permitting reconversion to. defense pro-
duction on 100 days notice.
The freeze" order issued on behalf OF
the President by his assistant, John r..
Steelman, applies only to plants which
remain to be disposed of. There are about
three hundred Of these, but the national
security recapture provision has been
written into the sale specifications of
seventy Of them. Under the order, the
other properties will be restudied during
the next thirty days with a view to
determining whether 1t would be advisable
to apply to them the same security con-
ditions. If our defense experts say they
may have need for any Of these remaining
plants, machine tools or other equipment
the sales will be made on the conditional
basis authorized by law.
Thus the order does not mean that
no more surplus plants will be sold. 1t
merely assures that those which are sold
under the security proviso will be kept in
state Of readiness for emergency USE
Later, of course, if the threat of attack
should become more imminent, it may be
necessary to stop the disposal of such
properties completely. Meanwhile, the
conditional sale plan should afford ade-
ouate protection.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
1uxes in Brituin

American taxpayers may feel put upon,
but we still have 1t lot easier than the
British. Although their new budget-the
first submitted by Sir Stafford Cripps since
becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer-
offers some relief to people in the lower
income brackets, it places heavier burdens
on other groups in order to fight imitation
and raise more revenue than ever Ac-
cordingly, its overall effect seems to be
not merely to continue but to deepen
austerity for the United Kingdom.
Thus, even though large numbers in the
lower brackets will have their taxes cut
or eliminated through increased exemp-
tions and credits, the relief will be offset
in part by higher excise levies The tax
on cigarettes, for example, will 60 up about
three cents, raising the price on package
of twenty to 10 cents. Beer will cost more,
too, and whisky gin and rum will Jump
another so cents 4 bottle. In addition
Britons viii have to pay the government
double what they have paid heretofore for
the privilege OF betting on dogs or football.
Comparative figures eloquently testify
to the sastere nature Of British taxes. An
English couple with two children must pay
tax OF 500 on 1900 income, ! tax of
$1,000 on 5000, and tax of $85 9l0 on
100000 On the other hand, an American
couple with two children must pay 4 tax
Of about $45 ,s42 on an income Of 500, 900,
tax Of $43l on 5000 and no tax at all
on $4,000. Relatively speaking, although
1t may still seem too heavy even with the
relief Just voted by Congress. our burden
Is light. n
Yet the House of Commons has reacted
favorably to Sir Stafford's budget In all
particulars but one. The exception Is &
"soak-the-rich" provision affecting in
comes derived from investments. Under
1t, more than = few Britons may have to
pay out taxes exceeding what they take in
An example cited is that Of man whose
investments may yield him yearly return
equivalent to 100000. Such man, II the
Cripps formula goes into effect may have
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Eleventh Birthday

Just yesterdav-and you mere curl-topped
ttco,
Today, elepen. What am to do
About q snu0gle-bng to fit my lap7
The dog disdoins tom Sd,oyer" TOR nap;
The lofty cap auoids my mothering eye.
With fathers soD and hammer you dash By
Intent on boy-construction, n,an-sized
plans,
And am left NTH empty house and hands
Again. Eleren Is the half-pnst marx
For mother. After that her boys embark
AdrentuYepard. Elepen Is the age
A mother calendars on nsenioYys pdgs;
1t soon Is tucked atDay NTH baby toGys:v
ElepeH looks ahead to protnn-up days
HELEN BAKER ADAMS. r
Evening star., 1948-04-10
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

Q. What is meant by the term fine gold?s
H. McB.
A. The term zine gold" Is frequently used
to mean pure gold, that Is, "A karat gold.
O. When did perfumes first become popular
in Europe?-G NJ B.
A. Perfumes were introduced into Spain BY
the Arabs and became popular about the mid.
die of the 18th century. In England per.
fumes were looked upon with suspicion, and
as late rs the 18th century q citizen peti.
toned Parliament to inflict the punishment
for witchcraft on women who enticed men
into marriage by using perfume.
e g. INV ~ ' ~
A. 1t was created In 1914 by william q.
Atkins. an advertising man In Allegheny Coun-
ty, Pa One Of the large oil companies was
so enthusiastic over the idea that 1t soon
had 10000 copies Of the map published and
distributed from . local gasoline station.
O. Are cats employed by the British govern.
ment to keep public buildings free from rats
and mice?-T. S.
A. Cats have been employed In ofices, dock
yards and barracks TO destroy rats and mice
at a salary of one shilling q week for food.
The French government also has used cats
for this purpose. In the United States post
ofaces In large cities often employ cats TO
keep down vermin.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
!. School Patrol Boys

School Patrol Boys
To the Editor Of The Star:
As former teacher in the District public
schools, I read with disappointment the caption
Sons Of World War II Ofilcers" under the pic
ture in The Star, April IS. The photograph
showed six school boy patrols who were chosen
from among 5000 AAA school safety patrols
to meet Gen. Omar Bradley and present
him with an Army Day cake.
With all due respect to these boys and their
fathers who gave outstanding service in the
last war, weren't there any sons Of enlisted
men who also performed meritorious acts avail
able to be chosen from the Northeast, South
east and Southwest sections Of the city?
From a background Of work among children
Of the embassy section as well ~ among those
not so privileged, I speak with fond memory of
one Of my patrol boys who had such exceptional
character traits that gained just from know
ing him.
However, judging from the results Of the
selections as made by the AAA, the type repre-
sented by this unusually nne under privileged
boy was not even considered.
We preach democracy both here and abroad
Why doesn't the AAA practice 1t In the
schools Of the Nations Capital?
ONE WHO REMEMBERS.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
GERTRUDE FuRLoNG.
Demagogues and Militarism

Demagosues and Militarism
To the Editor Of The Star:
On March 30 The Star publishd an article
in which President Truman Nkened Henry
Wallace to the ancient Greek demagogue, AL
cibiades
The President said, 1.-THE Greeks also had
Henry Wallace the Greeks also had
statesman, an orator, a demagogue."
Some folks remember reading in The Star
that the late Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt,
was called demagogue, too. few days after
March 4 1888, the late Governor Alfred Smith
said bluntly that Franklin Roosevelt was .
demagogue. It seems that the elective mon
arch" deprecated the 100 cent gold dollar down
in value to 50 cent "baloney" dollar.
Some folks believe these are times like those
in Rome and Carthage over 1000 years ago.
The Roman Republic was on the European
shore OF the Mediterranean Sea, and Carthage
was on the African shore. Cato, the censor,
was one Of the leading demagogues Of the Ro-
man Republic at that time.
ST Cato said, Carthage ought to be destroyed"
But Publius s. Nasica differed with Cato.
Plutarch described what Nasica said: For see
ing his countrymen growing wanton and inso-
lent, and the people made by their prosperity
obstinate and disobedient to the Senate, and
would have the fear OF Carthage to serve as
bit to hold the multitude, and he looked upon
the Carthaginians as too weak to overcome the
Romans and too great to be despised by them"
One day Cato came into the Roman Senate
eating a bunch Of figs. Cato said these figs
were imported from Carthage only three days
sail across the Mediterranean Sea. Cato thus
alarmed the Roman people. They visualized
the Carthaginians crossing the sea in three
days to attack the Romans Carthage was
completely destroyed after three wars.
Some folks in the United States trust that
America is not going into military Dictator
ship like that Of ancient Rome.
In order that our leaders may prove to the
people that the United States is not going into
= military dictatorship, some suggest that the
United States Senate should reclaim the right
to declare war.
In the fall of 1945 a great majority of Sem
ators, perhaps inadvertently, relinquished their
right to declare war to the United States dele
gates Of the United Nations. The Senate should
reclaim that right before our country has any
compulsory military training.
In order to prove its sincerity further, the
United States Congress can give the residents
of the city Of Washington the right to vote
for President, congressman, Mayor and city
councflmen
Congress can abolish the poll tax which de-
prives so many people Of their right to vote.
and Congress can grant Statehood to the
Hawaiian Islands and Alaska.
Then with clean hands and pure hearts
Congress could start the United States on the
road to democracy again.
DAVID r. MIDDLETON
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Margarine and Colorins

10 the Eutor OF Ine Cter.
The yearly tempest in teapot about the
margarine tax Is again with US. Why they
don't let this political football die, Is beyond
me- The tax is one-quarter Of = cent pound.
Now what difference does this tax make to
any one? Its purpose is merely to help to pay
for inspection by the Department Of Agriculs
ture The 10-cent tax on colored margarine
should be repealed: yes, and the manufacture
Of this coloring should be forbidden by law.
In 1914, during the shortages and rationing.
I was employed in large chain store on
Miami Beach. We had large quantities Of
colored margarine from time to time. This
margarine usually was wrapped in plain paper
and was sold to the unsuspecting public as roll
butter at blackmarket prices, both with and
without ration points. This practice was preva-
lent throughout the area.
ANDREW w. LARMAN.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Their Woy With the Truth

There Is an old saying to the effect that
the devil bushes when the truth is spoken.
One is reminded of it by reports of what
has been happening within recent weeks
to our shortwave radio broadcasts for
Asiatic areas. The broadcasts have not
been getting through. A powerful trans
mitter has been drowning them out with
high-pitched squeals. Nobody seems to
know exactly where the jamming origi-
mates, but any child can guess who is
responsible for it.
The clues abound. Thus, for example,
the American report on the British Soviet
air collision over Berlin has been jammed'
out OF hearing. Thus, too, our broadcasts
Nations regarding the Czech coup have not
been allowed to reach Indonesia, China,
Korea or Siberian Russia. Only Andrei
Gromyko's views on the subject have man
aged to get through. The thing has been
happening day after day; the jammer
never fails to drown out any facts or
comment rejecting unfavorably on the
Kremlin.
With such clues available, who cannot
lueHtily Cue operator OF Lne interfering
transmitter? The iron curtain falls wher-
ever the Soviet Union can make 1t fall,
the airwaves not excepted. The truth
stings, the truth embarrasses, the truth
brings blush to the men of the Kremlin.
and it may even frighten them a little.
What commentary on their moral char
acter! What commentary onsthe system
they would like to force upon world that
seeks only to be free and decentl
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Plight of War Widows

To the Editor Of The Star:
A couple Of weeks ago there was an article
in This Week on the shameful pensions
allotted to war widows I've been fooled be-
fore by such articles, but II the amounts doled
out are insufficient for families to get along
on, something should be done. How about
some articles on local families whose bread
winners were killed In the war? Miriam
Ottenburg should do . good Job, or James
Newton. the man who did the series on the
coal miners last year.
What can nonunion individuals do to draw
the fangs Of John L. Lewis and his kind?
A STAR SUBSCRIBER.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Little Danger of Deportation

Little Danger of Deportation
To the Editor Of The star:
The letter Of Gary Saunders in Tuesdays
star is either the result Of sheer, ignorance or
1t is . vicious distortion Of the facts. Mr..
Saunders purports to tell . story that his par
ents-who are immigrants-are afraid to talk
about Russia pro or con" for fear Of deporta-
ton.
This is an insult to the democracy under
which Mr.. Saunders lives. II he opened his
ears for moment he would hear discussions
about Russia on every street corner. Yet none
Of these people has been deported.
AS matter OF fact, the United States Gov
errment Is not even deportine Thousands Of
alien Communists In the country. II has se-
lecteN . small handful Of the most pro1inent
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Labor Dictatorship Deplored

To the Editor Of The Star:
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Supreme Court jus
tice. said: when the power Of either capital
or labor ID exerted In such way Is to attack
the life Of community, those that seek their
private interests at such cost are public
enemies and should be dealt with as SUCH"
The time has arrived for this country to
awaken from its coma and put an end once
and for all TO labor dictatorshipi Our yaunted
democracy Is In grave peril when single
individual can paralyze Industrial production
by nod or an elevation Of An eyebrow.
EDMUND K GOLDSBOROUGH.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Balcony Protest


am shocked and grieved to learn from your
paper that the President has. in defiance of
the Fine Arts Commission and the people
generally, gone ahead with the White House
balcony the unsightliness Of which will stand
out and greatly detract from his administra-
tion. Surely history will be unkind to those
pursuing such . course.
Cannot Congress act to remove this mon
strosity and restore our White House to its
original state? Those interested speak up;
write your Congressman. and also through the
medium of the press write in your disapproval
MRS. r. H. BRUMBACK,
Woodstock Va
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Defends MIR. Randolph


Your editorial, Invitation to Disaster" and
all seven Letters to The Star" thus far printed
constitute . regrettable exhibition OF almost
hysterical Misrepresentation of the position of
A. Philip Randolph. 1t seems we have not yet
recovered from q wartime regimen when think
ing Is done primarily with the adrenal glands.
Indeed, none Of the eight viewpoints thus far
presented on The Star editorial page exhibits
the faintest comprehension Of Mr. Randolph 3
position. 1t Is simply this: He feels that racial
segregation is 50 wrong that one should re-
fuse to acknowledge 1t by registration or by
performance Of service under such conditions.
1t is more important, he feels, to attack q
deeply felt evil Immediately confronting one
than to acquiesce In 1t in order to attack some
other evil several thousand miles away. Now,
Mr.. Randolph may be wrong in his appraisal
of evils, or he may be unwise in his method
OF expressing opposition, but he certainly is not
irresponsible" "intemperate," or reckless" Mr.
Randolph has been. considering this particular
problem and weighing the course of action he
now advocates for many years: there Is nothing
tmpulsive about it. He does not advocate
draft-dodging or evasion Of any sort but
courageous, responsible and solemn dedication
to the principle of equality that will suffer un-
fiinchingly the inevitable legal punishment to be
expected rather than to knuckle under to what
Is regarded as unbearable injustice
Mr.. Randolph did not set himself up as
spokesman for all, or even most colored people.
But he does feel that q sizable number Of
American Negroes will take the stand he does
and he felt Congress should be apprised Of
the fact. Congressional hearings are held to
obtain just such information.
The Rev. J. r. Whitefield's letter was filled
with glaring misstatements. comment on one
only: Gandhi did not fight for religious reform
only as an aid to effect Indian independence
Gandhi fought the caste system, ETC.. regardless
Of its effect on the unity of India's struggle for
independence. He finally was assassinated by
q nationalist-racialist fanatic.
Perhaps Mr.. Randolph is wrong-indeed very
likely he is-and one should accept segregation
in the Army and throw no monkey wrench in
the Lets Make the World Safe for De-
mocracy: Third Try" program. But, please,
let's have little regard for facts, logic and
terminology. r. LANGFORD.
Editors note:
Mr.. Randoph's testimony was that unless
Negroes get what he regards as their demo-
cratic rights, he would advocate that they re-
fuse to shoulder arms in defense of their coun-
try. IF 1t tthe United States does not de-
velop the democratic processes at home then
it is not the type of country worth fighting
for" Mr. Randolph declared Told by Senator
Morse that a refusal by Negroes to bear arms
would be punishable as treason, Mr.. Randolph
replied: Il think that is . price we have to
pay to get our democratic rights"
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Commercials Objected To

Commercials Objected To
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Capital Transit Co should not be allowed
to put radios In our buses and streetcars. These
commercial radio programs are an insult to
education and are demoralsing.
MRS. B. g. McILwEE.
Evening star., 1948-04-10

while America seethes with the sub
ject, Europeans think the likelihood of war
is remote" Stand by, lads-that is what
they thought in 80. -,.--s..
Evening star., 1948-04-10

Counterfeit 500 bills are circulating in
lively Los Angeles, and thought Is that
bank examiners be dispatched thither for
a ascomplete audit Of studio stage money.
Evening star., 1948-04-10

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address Of the
iDriter, although 1t Is permissible for
writer knotpn to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Would Evict the Russians

VUUIO IIFICt
To the Editor Of The Star:
; think 1t is about time to drive the Russians
from Berlin. If the duty Of our occupation
troops Is to educate the Germans to be
peaceful nation then we cannot have the war
like, uncivilized Russians in the German capi-
tai Henry Wallace and company, please note.
JOHN d. COOLEY, Jr.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact by writing The Evenins star Information
Bureau. 316 Eye street NE, Washington Q. D. @.
Evening star., 1948-04-10

Tossing strip teaser into pool, as
male students did at Louisiana State, isn't
that old Southern chivalry. It isn't even
art appreciation.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
,sssesssSs .ss~s>sssseea e-saa. asesses~
Letters to The Star v
1s
Attitude Of Chillum Heights Delegates

Attitude OF Chlllum HelShts DELEGATES
TO ths Editor Of The Star:
In The Sunday Star. April {. under the
heading Citizens Federation Adopts Rule to
Expel Subversive Groups" there was an ac-
count Of the Federations meeting the pre-
vious evening when . proposed amendment
to the constitution was considered.
Two paragraphs of this story dealt with
minor revisions, several of which were adopted
However, these minor revisions did not alter
the general plan for determining subversive
organizations
Only one delegate speaking and voting
against the amendment was quoted The
reasons advanced by the Chillum Heights del
egates were entirely ignored 1t Is believed
that every member of the Chillun Heights
Citizens Association is opposed to any In
dividual or any group that is subversive. How
ever there can be an honest difference If opin-
ion as to the methods employed IN determining
subversiveness. This Association and its dele
gates. favor . plan of expulsion cr any other
treatment that might be proper to At the In
dividual case of any delgate 70 the Federation
that was proven to be subversive. However, the
idea that person might be branded as being
disloyal simply because he held membership
in an organization Of which some other person
within the organization. or the organization
itself, had been accused Of being subversive,
without any proof being established, Is not
based on sound American policy that person
must be presumed to be innocent until proven
guilty.
These reasons for opposing this amendment
as drafted, were expressed by the ChillLm
Heights delegates. However, the article ap-
pearing in your paper was silent concerning
this phase of the argument, and readily gave
the impression that those opposing the amend
ment were unsympathetic to any pan aimed
at controlling subversive elements This Is far
from the truth. WILLIAM A. OLSON.
Evening star., 1948-04-10
Anti-Noise and Smoking

Anti-Noise and Smoking
To the 1ditor OF The star:
certainly agree with the writer's opposing
radios In trolley cars. love music but am
almost driven wild by noise over me, under
me, and all around me from tin can radios.
am not q prude nor . neurotic, but think
that II the transit company wishes to do some
improvement, 1t should start by having smok-
ing in cars stopped.
GERTRUDE FURLoNG.
Evening star., 1948-04-10

among them for deportation but these cases
will take months because Of the way our de-
portation laws are written. VERTTAS.