davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Nome nugget., 1948-05-21

integer goes against the groin of people proud of their resistance to uniformity. Presumably this wus whut MT. Capt meant when the project of Book of Life" was first brodched to him some years ago. to reject it out of hand ds hardly in keeping with our manner of life in the United Stdtes.
 But q second glance puts the mctter in favorable light All of nearly all. regis tered at birth anyhow. The only difference between the present practice and the plun which the fed erdl security agency hos now adopted is thot in the one case registration is entirely local basis; in the other it is done nationally. And. ufter o we've become used to being identified by digits About Is million Americans received serial numbers and dog tags when they entered the armed forces during the great Social security has numbered most of the countrYs wage corners.
 The process cdnnot reasonably be said to ental any humiliation or degrdddtion-or even any dimi mutton of the sdus of the individual personality Its justification lies in its common sense on attribute also trdditiondllY appealing to Americans. To dinoe and sYstemutize the numbering which hos long been on accepted part of our lives will be mere lY to do well what hos been done hdphuzdrdlY merely to make easy on identification which has hitherto been uscertdn. The only real and serious defect to be discerned in the scheme is thdt the method of enumeration chosen by the FSA will in escdpdblY reveal the age of every mun-und wo- mdn-to be born in the United States from now on
The Nome nugget., 1948-05-21
BABY REGISTRATION
Washington Post)

It can scarcely be doubted thot goodlY number of Americans shared dt first glance the dntipdthY expressed by J. C. Capt director of the Bureau of Census. to the idea of giving every infdnt serial number at birth to identify him throughout his life. Registration is the preamble to regmentdtion. There is in this somewhat the tdint of the total stote Be- sides this seeming reduction of the individual to on
The Nome nugget., 1948-05-21
'LOMEN REPORT ON SEAWALL.
Washington, D. C. May l3, 1948.

Nome, Alaska.
 Gentlemen:
 This has proven to be a most surprising week. Senate bill s. 1925 was on the canendar for passage on Monday last. l was in the gallery and after the bill was called on the calendar, soon realized that there was something wrong. I saw one of my friends go over to Senator Malone's desk after which the Senator went over 10 the Democratic side of the Senate.
 1t took me a couple of hours before I could call Senator Nal one from the floor and he then told me that Senator McMahon had asked that the bill go over at the request of Oscar Chapman. under secretary of the interior. This was most amazing, for I held in my file copy of a letter which MT. Chapman had ad- dressed to Senator Revercomb, Chairman of Public Works Com mittee of the Senate, in which these statements were made:
 Passage of this measure is in the national interest"
 T reiterate my strong support of this bill and urge favorable action by the Congress"
 As soon sa I learned what the trouble was, got busy and called on many friends of the bill ir- cluding our delegate, Bob Bart lett, and also called Joe Flakne, Chief of the Alaska Branch, Div ision of Territories of Interior. Yesterday morning MT. Flakne, MT. Evans, Director of Territor- ies, and myself had long visit with under secretary Chapman
 Some peculiar stories were giv- en out, among others that the sea wall at Nome was simply an ex- cuse for building a dock for the Alaska Steamship Company. It shouldn't have taken much effort to determine that that was not a correct condition.
 MT. Chapman has now correce- ed the difficulty in the Senate by telephoning the leadership but we have lost another week as the calendar will not be called again until next Monday. I am very certain now that the bill will pass the Senate.
 Today I have devoted my time to the House side of the Congress. I saw MT. Dondero, Chairman of the Rules Committee, and was told that he has made a request of the Rules Committee for a ruling. This normally is diff cult matter as the Rules Com mittee do not willingly give out a ruling. I asked MT. Dondero what I could do and he suggested I secure such support for him as was possible in urging a ruling from the Committee.
 Nome has some very good friends in the House and I called on most of them this morning, including MT. Angell of Oregon, Chairman of ? the Subcommittee of Rivers and Harbors, MT. Wood ruff of Michigan, MT. Crawford | of Michioop Harold Kp,Jcop of
Evening star., 1948-10-21

Prices effective Friday, Oc-
tober 22nd, till close of
business, Saturday, October
23rd, 194S. We reserve the
right to limit quantities.
NO SALES TO DEALERS
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Mr.. Trumun on'His Cabinet

In his preSS-cOnference remarks on the
status OF his cabinet, the President has
offered precious little support to the gos-
sipers and umormongerS. Ever since
November 2, they have been busily predict
ing the imminent resignation of virtually
every member OF his official family, includ-
ing Secretary of State Marshall and Sec
retary of Defense Forrestal. In the case
of the latter, they have been particularly
vehement, going even so far as to ascribe
to Mr.. Truman an intense eagerneSs to get
rid of him because Of an alleged political
pique growing out of the election cam
paign.
The President, however has spoken cut
in, way that indicates the whiSperers
have been imagining much too much. Re-
calling that when he first entered the
White House in 1945 the situation was
similarly rumor-laden but nevertheless
adjusted itself satisfactorily, he has re-
vealed that he has asked all the members
of the cabinet to remain in office and that
all have agreed to do So Moreover, al
though he has not talked with any of
them about how much longer he would
like to have them serve, he has made
clear that no changes are contemplated at
this time.
OF course, the phrase cat this time" is
likely to invite the congenital gossiper and
seasoned dopester to read into it a wide
variety of hidden meanings. But Ameri
cans in general will be satisfied to take
Mr.. Truman's words at face value, even
though 1t is possible-as with almost any
statement by anybody-to interpret them
more than one way. Sooner or later, for
reasons of health or to realize his long
deferred wish to enjoy a well-earned rest,
General Marshall may retire. So may Mr..
Forrestei and other members of the cabi-
net. AS of now, though, they can be ex-
pected to stay on the job.
Rumors to the contrary, the President
seems to have made himself clear enough
on this point Among other things, his
words should have the wholesome effect
of persuading the public not to take the
gossips too seriously, especially the ones
who have been bearing tales about his
supposed desire to chop off Mr.. Forrestals
head for narrow political reasons. That
sort of talk besides being meanly mis-
chievous, looks pretty farfetched in the
light Of what Mr.. Truman has Just said.
Evening star., 1948-12-03

numerous ways, including the recurrent
threats to interfere with the operations by
various tactics of the nuisance type. But
the Soviet attempts to frighten us into
giving up the whole airlift idea failed
This refusal to quit was more than a
face-saving matter for us. 1t was matter
of saving Western Berlin from the misery
of cold and hunger this winter. General
Clay is so sure that the crisis is over that
he has authorized the distribution of
special allotment of coal to German civil
ians. The present stockpile will be drastic
ally depleted in order to Bring warmth to
Berlin households In the cold days ahead.
But unless the weather should belle all
predictions, the airlift will be able to make
up the inroads and even increase the
stockpile during the months to come. The
prospect is very encouraging to the Western
Allies and to the Germans under their
control. And it is bound to be most dis
appointing to Moscow. For there is every
indication that we are winning the Berlin
supply phase of the cold war, in spite
of every stratagem the Russians could
think up.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Winnino the AirIift Bottle

With November behind them, the airlift
BOYS can breathe easier November weather
was the worst threat which the Operation
Vittles and Coal" flyers had to face,
according to General Lucius D. Clay,
American commander in Western Berlin.
The month just ending is the one most
feared by pilots familiar with flying condi-
tions in Germany. 1t is not the coolest
month, but for aviators 1t Is the foggiest
and stormiest and generally the "orneriest"
of the bad-weather season. The SHOWS
and cold of DecembeY, January and Feb
ruary are hazardous, of course but airlift
authorities do not fear the months ahead
as they did the one just passed.
November's binding fogs and violent
winds and pelting rains caused difficulties,
but the supplies of coal and food for
beleaguered Western Berlin continued to
arrive in appreciable quantities, week after
week. During the month, American and
British planes averaged deliveries of $500
tons a day. On several days the total
tonnage rose to more than 5000 tons.
That is a lot of coal and food to deliver
by plane in 24-hour period. The figures
surprised some Of our own officials. The
amazing achievements of the airlift must
have fabbergasted the Russians even more.
Their perturbed reaction was evidenced in
Evening star., 1948-12-03

discipline of the existing force must 60
hand in hand with its expansion.
The problem of Korea has been rendered
more acute by the Communist victories
in nearby Manchuria and North China.
The South Korean regime is thereby
rendered increasingly exposed to the
threat of Soviet-C Communist aggression.
In the last analysis, only American back
ing can save 1t from being swallowed up
by the Red tide, although diplomatic
recognition by the United Nations would
add much to its legal status and political
prestige.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Sales Tax a BARGAIN

To the Editor OF The Star:
When one travels through Maryland these
days. he sees much road construction, road
repair and general road improvement. He
also sees the construction of new schools and
additions being made to others. In the Dis
srict of Columbia we see patchwork on the
streets and If there is any new construction
on schools, 1t is not very much in evidence.
There is one big reason for this difference in
conditions, and that difference is the sales tax.
The Governor of Maryland and majority
Of the legislators had enough foresight to
provide for the things that are most important
for the well-being Of all the people Of the
State The sales tax provides for many more
benefits than the roads and the schools 1t
provides for more benefits to the blind
know of a blind woman living in the Dis
trict of Columbia who is wholly dependent on
charity, who has only $25.25 . month allow
"A
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Divorce Racket

New York is now in the midst of a
divorce scandal, with some nine thousand
uncontested divorces facing a threat of
invalidation.
It is an ugly story, story of the opera
tions of shyster lawyers, crooked private
detectives and women who, for fee let
themselves be caught in compromising
situation" with husbands who are tired of
their marriages. The whole business, of
course, is a dsgraceful sham, device for
taking the necessary evidence in a juris-
diction in which justice must indeed be
blind.
The situation came to light, or perhaps
it might be more accurate to say that it
reached the stage of action, when 20
year-old wife and mother confessed to
being the unidentified woman" in at least
thirty five divorce cases in the past eight
cen months Her fee usually was $40
case. An affidavit from the District At
torney's Office states, however, that this
fraudulent practice is widespread in the
city, and estimates that there have been
Hundreds" of such cases of colluSive
divorce.
What the investigation now under way
will finally turn up remains to be seen.
But as of this time there are at least
two conclusions to be drawn. One is that
in place like New York statute prescrib-
ing adultery as the only ground for divorce
Is almost certain to stimulate fraud. The
other is that the investigation ought not
to stop with the exposure of few of the
shady characters who actually manufac-
ture the fraudulent evidence. 1t ought to
be pursued into the courts which have
been granting these divorces, for it over
taxes credulity to believe that the judges
and the court attaches responsible were
ignorant of what was going on. If they
were not at least highly suspicious, they
enjoy the dubious distinction of being
about the only people in New York who
were that naive.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Readers Reaction to Stimuli

To the Editor Of The Star:
One prodigious yawn and one vicious snarl
derived from the December l edition OF your
excellent newspaper.
The snarl: II the gentleman from the Bull
garian Legation must plant propaganda in your
correspondence column, at Least he should dis
play more wit and imagination than to drag
out of moth balls all the Cominform cliches-
or does Moscow put out standard handbook
The yawn: Mr.. Wenzel of the restaurant con-
vention not only boasts of slicing beef paper
thin but suggests the cooked beef be frozen
after cooking to achieve his nefarious ends. SO
that's where the stomach ulcers began?
sHAAdUs oHAGAN.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Dr.. KindIer's Resignation

In seventeen years there are many
changes in the personnel of symphony
orchestra its directing sponsors and au-
diences. New people come into the picture
with new ideas and backgrounds. Cross
currents, frictions and influences develop
that were not present in the beginning and
some of these have marked the parting OF
the ways for DR.. Kinder and the board
of the symphony association, mutually
recognized In the submission and accept
ance of his resignation.
This was inevitable, perhaps, but nothing
that has happened can ever change the
measure of Dr. Kindler's notable eontrl-
button to cultural life in Washington.
Our symphony orchestra was not built
around the idea of establishing one here.
That was an old idea. The orchestra was
built around Dr. Kinder and he furnished
a unique type of leadership that made the
difference between other futile attempts
and one that succeeded. His musicianship,
a genuine zeal for the enterprise that
kindled enthusiasm in others, an uncom-
promising respect for the dignity and in
tegrity of the art and colorful personality
are some of the attributes of his leadership.
with an intense loyalty that no one can
question.
We shall miss Dr. Kinder in the orches-
ira organization, for he was the one who
made it tick. Wherever he goes, after the
conclusion of the season, he will carry
with him the warm friendship of Wash
ington people who have been in position
to understand the real nature OF his work
here and thus to appreciate It, He is
as responsible as any one for the choice of
his most likable and skilled successor,
Howard Mitchell, for whom every one will
wish the greatest amount of success in
continuing to maintain and develop the
orchestra.
The question of it's maintenance is no
simple one nor is it peculiar to washington.
Other symphony orchestras, wherever
they are face hazardous future. In thls
connection the Baltimore Sun has made
the interesting suggestion that thought
be given to an eventual pooling OF the or
chestra organizations of Washington and
Baltimore, thus bringing to the support
of one orchestra the combined resources
of two large communities. The suggestion
certainly is deserving of the most careful
consideration and is full of common sense.
Baltimoreans have their own orchestra,
kept alive under the burden of deficits
despite municipal appropriations that are
lacking here Baltimoreans also have
come to know and to esteem DR.. Kinder
and the National Symphony Orchestra
If some way could be found of combining
the two orchestras, the possibility is that
both cities could do together what each OF
them finds increasingly difficult to do
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Why Not Wuit?

The effort by Representative Celler OF
New York to secure delay in the i'm
pending deportation of eighty-four Esto-
nian refugees who crossed the Atlantic IN
small boats to reach this country Is both
reasonable and commendable.
When the new Congress meets Mr.. Celler
will be chairman of the House Judiciary
Committee, and he has stated that in that
capacity he will introduce comprehensive
immigration legislation that would permit
the entry of the Estonians. His request Is
that the immigration authorities delay
their attempt to deport them until after
Congress has had q chance to act on this
bill.
Under existing law these refugees are
not entitled to be in this country. There
fore, the immigration and Naturalization
Service has asked the State Department
to arrange for their return to Sweden,
whence they came to the United States after
fleeing their native country following the
Communist occupation. As yet, however,
the arrangements with Sweden have not
been made, and it is absurd to contend
that there is any pressing reason for haste
If delay of a few more months, pend
ing action by Congress, involves some
stretching of the law, then 1t ought to be
stretched. For If Congress refuses to act
favorably, no harm is going to result to
the United States from harboring these
people for a short while. On the other
hand, If favorable action is taken, then
this country will benefit from the adoption
of eightyfour new citizens whose fine
qualities are not challenged by any one.
Many people in this country have given
too little consideration to the plight of the
Baltic peoples. They are the victims of the
Red totalitarianism which gobbled up their
countries in the early days of the war
About all that is left of their sovereignty
are the futile diplomatic establishments
which are maintained here and elsewhere.
There has not been enough thought given
to assisting those individuals who managed
to escape their Russian conquerors. In this
latest case we have chance to do some
thing for few Of them, and it is to be
hoped that their fate will not be left to the
discretion of some official who can see
nothing but the letter of the present law.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Whut Next in Korea?

Although overshadowed by the crisis IN
China, Korea Is a not unimportant part
of the Far Eastern picture. And the tndi-
cations are that our Government is taking
the initiative diplomatically and strategic
ally in bolstering the South Korean regime
against Soviet-inspired pressures from the
northern zone under Russian control.
Our diplomatic effort centers in the
United Nations. This is logical, because
the South Korean government came into
being last August as result OF elections
supervised by a u. N. commission appointed
by the General Assembly. Our Govern
ment promptly extended de facto recogni-
ton to the new regime as the government
of all Korea, although Moscow had bitterly
opposed the whole proceeding, backing
Communist regime in North
Korea in its claim to represent the whole
Korean people This Red regime disposes
of Russian trained and equipped armed
forces far superior to those of the South
Korean government, whose chief reliance
is upon the American troops, staying on
at its request even though our occupation
of the southern zone is technically over.
What our diplomacy seeks is to have the
General Assembly follow our example in
extending de facto recognition of the South
Korean government. Australia has agreed
to Join with us in sponsoring resolution
to that effect before the Assembly, Britain
and France are understood to favor 1t in
principle, and the expectation is that the
necessary two-thirds majority In the
Assembly can be obtained for its passage.
The one doubt is whether the resolution
can come to vote, against the opposition
of the Soviet bloc, during the present
Assembly session in Paris.
Meanwhile, our military authorities are
considering how the South Korean gov
ernment can best be strengthened so as
to stand on its own feet, If and when the
American troops are withdrawn. 1t is
understood that the minimum require
ment is for notable increase In the
existing native constabulary force with
the aid of American equipment and train
ing. The recent mutinies of certain units
indicate lack of morale and Communist
infiltration, which are grave weaknesses.
Presumably, reorganization and frightened
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Mr., Wallace's Influence

To the Editor Of The Star:
Please allow me space in your paper to
thank David Lawrence for his article of Novem-
ber 20, giving credit to Henry Wallaces CAM
paign.
Some writers are so narrow that they have
abused Mr. Wallace and his followers
Mr.. Wallaces ideas and ideals were so i'm
portant that others stole his platform and ran
away with it. They virtually out-Wallaced
Mr.. Wallace.
The Progressive Party did not fail. 1t is an
influence party, a pressure party.
thank The Star for the services OF an open
minded columnist like David Lawrence.
A. D. BUTCHER.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Words With the Durk AnqeI

on, who Is there to help me
TO bear this load OF trouble7
The ,oeight that carry
Has bent my heart double.
Who indeed, can help your
I ponder that you ask III
For you yourself gathered
Epery fruit In your basket.
Oh, hop long must carry
Suoh bitter heaDy load?
Is there no cool green turning
In this Whtte dusty road?
Oh, surely you mill find II
Though the hour be black ana ldte-
The little green crossroad
Through the lou narroto gate.
YETZA GILLESPIE.
Evening star., 1948-12-03

ance for all food, clothing, Car fare, and many
other items necessary for decent living. II
she receives any gifts, they must be deducted
from this meager allowance, so it does no
good to try to relieve this unfortunate woman's
predicament. Her distress is the product of the
politicians and the persons who think they
are very clever when they Illustrate the efforts
of the intelligent citizens who recognize the
great need of q sales tax in the District Of
Columbia.
How much longer will the poor have to
suffer, the District employees be obliged to
scrape along on starvation wages the children
be afforded only inadequate educational facil-
tiles, and the teachers subsist on starvation
wages? The people of Washington pay 20
per cent excise tax to the Federal Government
on large number of items without ever realiz-
ing any direct benefits. A sales tax of only
2 per cent directly would benefit those who pay
it at a cost Of only one-tenth the amount of
the excise tax. 1t would restore the dignity
to the District of Columbia that the school
children of the Nation are told exists in the
Nations Capital. 1t is about time the residents
of the District of Columbia recognize the sales
tax as bargain, and that they demand its
passage at an early date. H. c. WHITING.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Nv THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. What Chief Justice administered the oath
of office to United States Presidents the great
est number of times?-M. F. o.
A. Chief Justice Marshall administered the
inaugural oath nine times to five different Pres
idents, four of them serving two terms. During
the period that Taney was Chief Justice nine
Presidents took the oath of office, but he ad-
ministered the oath to only seven Presidents.
Justice Cranch officiated the two other times.
O. Is there any difference in the size OF boys
and girls heads?-M II. N.
A. According to chart devised by two Uni
versity of California Medical School physicians,
boys have larger heads than girls at all ages.
@. Who invented the parking meter?-P.BI.
A. Carl c. Magee of Oklahoma City, Okla,
invented the parking meter. The first installa-
ton was in Oklahoma City on July 16 1885,
,:!y s yss :s; ;'s s:,c: Sc s: tn: 7s: yin
A. C.N a.
A. This is one of the Unpublished epigrams
of Samuel Langhorne Clemens better known
as Mark Twain.
O. Where did the game polo originate7-
H. H. L.
A. Most authorities believe the game orig
mated in Persia, where it was known as "ths
game of the stick and the ball" Some believe.
however that 1t originated in India.
Evening star., 1948-12-03
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF .the
priter, although it Is permissible for
,oriter known to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.~