davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-03-09

residences, Congress House and the Presi-
dents Palace.
How much has been accomplished in the
first century and a half of the city's
existence will be demonstrated during the
celebration. The growth In size, popula-
ton and culture thus far achieved, how
ever, serves but to prompt vision of the
future. Vast areas In the heart of Wash
ington need reconstruction. The develop
ment of complete overall plan for this
work may well be proper feature of the
observance now officially launched. Mean
while, every institution, every public or
semipublic establishment which should be
represented in the program Of the sesaui-
centennial ought to be busy in preparation
for its opening little more than two years
hence. With twenty millions of visitors
IN prospect, 1t is not too early to start
arranging for their accommodation.
Fundamentally, the Capital of the United
States connotes liberal, humane, progress
sive civilization. President Truman was
happily inspired when he expressed the
hope that its arrival "at the venerable age
OF $50 - will be a matter of Importance
to all the citizens and a symbol to
freedom-loving people everywhere" With
such conception to guide participants
IN the celebration, they cannot fail to
employ the occasion helpfully to them
selves and to those who will follow them. %
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Two Doctors Applauded

To the Ed1tor OIL Inc Star.
May we commend DR.. James A. Cannon for
his splendid letter In The Star in discussion
Of Gallinger Hospital? Particularly pleasing
was his Endorsement of the fairness Of the plan
to have the services at Gallinger shared
equally by Howard University, Georgetown and
George Washington Universities. His expressed
philosophy as to the need for absence OF pre-
JUDGES or bigotry in the rendition OF medical
services adds to his stature as man OF science
and the humanities
Washingtonians probably do not know that
one Of the greatest benefactors to mankind
during the last war Is the surgeon-in-chief OF
Freedmans Hospital, DR.. Charles Drew. 1t
was he who founded and was head of the blood
bank in New York City. The story Of his work
in the use OF blood plasma and blood to save
life is a saga that should be taught every
school child. DR.. Drew Is graduate Of Dun
bar High School and has lived in Washington
and Arlington. E. B. HENDERSON.
Falls Church, Va
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Fixing LocuI Milk Prices

In 1889 House District Subcommittee
investigated the sale of milk in Washing
ton. 1t found that the Maryland and
Virginia Milk Producers Association, to-
gether with cooperating distributors in
Washington, "is in a position to control
the price of all milk sold to distributors
and this in turn is naturally reflected
In the cost to the consumer" But, said
the committee report, "if this control of
prices can be considered an evil it would
appear to be necessary evil" For the
farmers, the report said, needed the bar
gaining power of their association.
The price of milk in Washington at the
time of the House investigation was about
IA cents quart, compared with 81 cents
quart today. The Department of Justice
In seeking the indictments returned yes
terday against the association and milk
distributors here, is not concerned with
whether existing prices are justified But
the prices no doubt Influenced its decision
to find out whether the antitrust laws
have been violated in fixing them.
trial will be necessary to determine
that fact; whether or not, as the indict-
ment charges, prices are being fixed by
conspiracy between the milk producers
association and the distributors. If they
are, the law will have been violated re-
gardless of whether the conspiracy"
serves the public interest by enabling
farmers and distributors to sell milk here
at a price that yields reasonable profit
within the reach of the consumer public
The law sanctions such co-operatives as
the milk producers association, permitting
agreements between its members as to the
price at which they will sell their milk.
When the distributors agree with the pro-
ducers to fix prices, however, they get
Into hot water with the antitrust laws, as
shown in the Borden case decided by the
Supreme Court several years ago. Such
agreements are alleged in the indictments
handed down yesterday.
But the law also sanctions prices for
milk established after public hearings by
the Department OF Agriculture, when
three-fourths OF the producers request
such milk marketing orders. For about
seven years local milk prices were so fixed
But the producers decided in 1947, through
their association. to get out from under
the Department Of Agriculture and in
effect set their own prices. This, together
with the Justice Departments drive on
prices all over the country, seems to have
precipitated the decision to seek indict-
ments here and test the legality of the
methods now chosen to fix prices
If conspiracy is proved, the alternative
would seem to be return to the protection
afforded farmers by the Milk Marketing
Act. There the public at least Ia afforded
hearing in the matter of prices. In the
present circumstances, the Washington
public does not seem to figure in the pic
ture, beyond paying the price that the
traffic will bear.
Evening star., 1948-03-09

and the larger problem of providing some
continuing protection OF the public interest
against work stoppages in atomic plants.
Two main proposals are under consider
ation-one calling for compulsory arhitra-
ton In the atomic industry and the other
providing for the blanketing of atomic
workers into Federal employment 1t may
be that a solution of the problem would
lie in adoption of either or both of these
proposals. II neither is believed suitable,
then the joint committee should search
diligently for some other remedy. For it
would be little short of criminal neglect
of the national welfare, especially at this
critical time, to leave with a group of
union leaders or q relatively few workers
the power to shut down our atomic energy
industry, or any phase Of it..
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Atomic Strike Threat

The development of atomic energy, for
purposes of both war and peace, has been
deemed of such vital Importance. to the
security and the welfare of the country
that this vast undertaking has been
removed from the control of private
industry and placed under Government
direction.
1t was right that this should have been
done. 1t was right because it was neces-
sary, and very few voices have been raised
in protest against the congressional de-
cision. But if it is necessary, in the
public interest, to keep control of the
development of atomic energy out of the
hands of private industry, it is just as
control, through the use of the strike
weapon, is not left in the hands of labor
unions. This precaution has not been
taken.
There was a threat of a strike at the
Oak Ridge atomic energy plant last year,
and another strike, set for last week, was
halted only after the President appointed
board of inquiry to investigate dispute
between 900 AFL atomic energy workers
Corporation, which is doing some of the
work at Oak Ridge under contract with
the Atomic Energy Commission.
Mr.. Truman took this action under
authority conferred on him by the Taft
Hartley Act, which was passed over his
veto. The President also has indicated
that if the board of inquiry cannot work
out satisfactory plan of settlement he
Intends to use his further powers under
the Taft-Hartley law to seek an injunction
which would defer strike for sixty days
These remedies are better than nothing
but they are not enough. For at best
II the union should be determined to 60
through with its strike threat in the
absence of what 1t would regard as
suitable settlement, the President cannot
do more than stall of the strike for
few weeks. And such a condition as this,
In an industry upon which our national
life might well depend, is intolerable..
It is because of this that the Joint
Congressional Committee on Atomic
Energy has scheduled meeting today
10 look into both the threatened strike
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Launching the SesquicentennioI

President Truman yesterday emphasized
the universal character of the projected
observance of the sesquicentennial of
Washington. eve hope" he said, 'that
all friends of democracy everywhere will
join with us in marking the birthday of
city which has grown great as the Capital
of our democratic Nation" Specifically, he
called for "a celebration in keeping
with the high Importance of the occasion"
This large and inclusive view certainly
will appeal to many citizens who might not
be interested in purely local commen1o-
ration of the founding of the Federal City.
The plans already formulated by the
National Capital Sesquicentennial Com
mission, set up by Congress, provide for
program beginning on April Is, 1850, and
reaching climax on November ~ that
year. 1t was on the first of these dates
in 1871 that the cornerstone of the District
of Columbia was laid near Alexandria and
on the second in 1900 that Congress assem-
bled initially on Capitol Hill.
The creation of a new town to accom-
modate the Government Of new country
was novel proceeding in the annals of
the modern world. Not since very ancient
times had any such attempt been made
But George Washington, Thomas Jefferson
and their immediate associates were men
bred in the Classic tradition. What they
clearly wanted was, in their own language,
"a new Athens" Under their direction,
Major Pierre Charles LEnfant created a
design Of grand proportions with wide
streets and avenues, parks, fountains, his
toric columns, obelisks, statues, a church
"for national purposes" colleges and acad-
emies, houses and gardens for foreign
ministers, q commercial arcade, palatial
Evening star., 1948-03-09

Prokop Drt1na, who was reported to have
attempted suicide after being replaced by
Communist last week, was the National So
cialist Justice Minister. He had forced the
resignation previously Of Communist deputy
in Parliament by charging him with being in
volved in collecting arms for Communists
Such things were . blow to Communist
prestige. Another such blow came last fall
when the Social Democrat Party, which had
usually followed the Communist lead began
to repel attempts to absorb it. Fierlinger made
pact with the Communists without consult
ing other party leaders and was relieved of
his post as Social Democrat leader forcing
him to resign as Deputy Prime Minister (He
swung back to party leadership after the
recent Communist coup, and was made Min
lister of Industry
There were reports that the Czechoslovak
Communists were made to feel these setbacks
in prestige at Communist meeting in Milan
last December. Some Communists from other
countries were said to have looked down on
their Czech associates because they hadn't put
Czechoslovakia firmly in the Soviet camp.
This sort of pressure was believed by some
observers here to have played its part in
leading to hrmer action by the Czech Com
mun1stS.
Man In Charge Of the Purge.
Rudolph Stansky, now in = position of power
instead of q seven-man commission to purge
all Czech political parties of "reactionaries,"
had been made previously the Czech member
OF the Cominform. There were reports that
he, very ambitious, had several collisions with
Gottwald, whom he considered too conserva-
tive. This may have pushed Gottwald into
more severe action to retain his leadership.
In any event. the Communists are reported
to have completed their plans for taking over
full control Of the Czech government around
the beginning Of January. They formed "ac-
ton committees throughout the country, and
especially in the government ministries,
primed to seize power when the time came.
The interior minister speeded up communiza-
ton Of the security police. Under Communist
domination, the trade unions became more
militant. Powerful though indirect pressure
came from the fact that Soviet troops virtually
surrounded the country, ready to step in in
case of any civil strife.
When the Czech coalition cabinet overruled
the Communist Interior Minister'S appointment
OF eight Communists to the Prague area police
and the Minister ignored the cabinet, decision.
moderates in the cabinet decided to force the
issue to q showdown A dozen members re-
signed. Gottwald and the Communist action
committees swung into action to force accept
ancs by President Benes Of . Communist
dominated new government. M
Thus ended Czechoslovakias noble expert
ment in democratic Communist cooperation
(Second OF Tpo Articles),s
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Letters to The Star
Auxiliary Fireman's Views

Auxiliary FlremanS views
To the Editor Of The Star:
Just before Pearl Harbor, the powers that
be called up civil defense volunteers for train
ing as auxiliary fremen. These men attended
meetings several times a week at firehouses
and were taught the rudiments of fire fighting
in preparation for possible bomb attacks on
Washington. After Pearl Harbor the training
assumed greater Importance and the auxiliary
firemen reported for duty at firehouses from
pm until midnight once or twice a week
and rode the engines with the regular ffremen.
Eventually, these men were issued boots,
steel helmets and coats or uniforms. Fire
fighting was not an assignment that most OF
the men had picked out or enjoyed but 1t
was represented as a necessary detail.
Together with Milton Norman, whom I had
not previously known, was assigned to No. 8
on U street NV. Our group represented
fine cross section of residents and all were
earnest. Mr.. Norman was one of the most
earnest. He had always been interested in
fire fighting and had much to contribute be-
cause he knew the novice viewpoint better
than the regular f1remen
Newspapers now report that Chief Murphy
demands that Mr.. Norman turn in equipment
issued him. Whether there Is any connection
between Mr. Kormans official work as assistant
corporation counsel in connection with Chief
Murphy's recent trial and the request I do
not know.
There probably are hundreds of former auxili-
ary fremen who have the same equipment
1 was told we were permitted to retain it. I
have good pair of boots and helmet. Chief
Murphy has not asked for my equipment
It will be returned, of course, If he asks for It,
The continued interest of former auxiliary
firemen in the fire department would seem
a desirable thing: they may be needed again.
JAMES E. SCHWAB.
Evening star., 1948-03-09
For March

OF all the tUelue. March Is the most free.
She may be like lamb In magnantnity
or boast In chaos she t0as made ood-chtId
of Mars.
Who but the moon and stars
Kno11s she has all eleuen held at bdy7 :
Each goes NTH ttntd regularity her otos
accustomed D1y,
Dares not to deal NTH madness. And
phen she
Passes the sweet green appet.zers Of
springs feast
All out OF time, and sits, the oenerous.
beantng hostess, ps cannot see
The empty banquet table. The utnd has
ceased
Hunger comes yapenous and sudden. We
forget
1t ts not April yet.
vIRGIE BERNHARDT.
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Bringing 1t Out in the Open

Yesterdays report luncheon in the SYM
phony campaign was encouraging. With
continued effort the money will be raised
and we shall be spared the civic disgrace
OF failure after seventeen years of steady
progress in building a great orchestra.
II the money-raising campaign is sue
cessful, however, another step is necessary.
That Is to clear the atmosphere of criti-
cism OF the Symphony associations Board
OF Directors and of Dr. Kinder as musical
disector and conductor-clear the atmos-
phere, that is, by bringing the criticism
into the open for full discussion.
An opportunity to do that will be pro-
vided at the meeting of members of the
orchestra association called for Friday
evening In the Department of Commerce
auditorium. The public has been invited
and every member of the association
should attend. Resolutions of confidence
In the board and in DR.. Kinder will be
presented for debate. Those who disagree
with orchestra policies will be invited to
state their grievances and propose changes.
Certainly this Is the proper method of
getting down to brass tacks in criticism of
the orchestra. Such criticism can be a
neaithN thing, so long as it Is based on
constructive desires to improve and to
perpetuate the orchestra as a valuable
community institution. II the public
meeting planned for Friday evening pro-
duces that sort Of discussion it should be
helpful IT not, the criticism thus far
expressed can be properly. classified as
mere sniping and evaluated ACCORDINGLY.
Evening star., 1948-03-09
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.


O. II cinchona was named for the Countess
Chinchon, why Is there q difference in the
spelling Of the word?-V. E. L.
A. Chincona was named by Linnaeus, who
inadvertently dropped the first "h." The
earliest well-authenticated instance OF the use
when the wife of the Governor Of Peru was
cured by 1t.
O. Whose autograph ranks next to Shake
speare's from the standpoint Of rarity and
value?-D. r. r.
A. The autograph of Moliere, great French
actor and playwright. There are only about
five in existence. Probably the rarest Amer
tcan signature Is that of Button Gwinnett, O
signer Of the Declaration OF Independence
Q. Please quote the lines by Robert L. Steven
son on men who are above the common herd
A. Mel.
stand above the common herd; the soldier, the
sailor, and the shepherd, not infrequently: ths
artist rarely; rarelier still, the clergyman; the
physician almost as . rule"
O. From what language IL the name Niagsrs
derived2-J. Y.
A. Niagara is said to derive from the Indisn
nee-agg- -arah, meaning across the neck"
@. What was the Ironclad Oath7-T. T.
A. 1t was the oath established by Congress
in 1862 for Federal oficeholders, the purpose
being to exclude any possible enemy Of tbs
Union. 1t was repealed In 1871.
O. Have the dates been set for the track ard
field and the swimming events Of the next
Olympic Games at London?-F. A. :
A. Dates set for the track and field eyents
are July 30 to August 7, 1913; for the swimming
events, July 20 to August 7, 1948.
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Many Previous Convictions

To the Editor Of The Star:
On February IL there was q news item in
The Star headed Theft of Meat Scraps Worth
$1.65 Costs Hungry Man 90 Days" and In that
article the statement was made that this man
had no previous record of larceny.
A glaring defect In this reporting is that this
man had been previously arrested 20 times.
although there was no evidence Of this fact In
Evening star., 1948-03-09

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,oriter, although it is permissible for
1Driter krloiun to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1948-03-09

Subversive Education Condemned
To the Editor Of The Star:
Members of both political parties were sur
prised at the recent victory Of Leo Isaacson in
New York.
But that election may we'll have been the
result Of subversive teaching in our schools
and colleges.
heard an address by retired Army officer
at the recent American Coalition luncheon He
traced the growth OF communism in schools
and colleges from 1913 to today and gave some
startling facts.
Representative George A. Dondero, In an
article in the National Republic, stated "This
country Is being Systematically communized
= through its educational institutions -
AS q consequence, we now have an entire gen.
Grafton Of voters who do not appreciate our
Constitution or our national history--who be-
lieve the profit system Is wrong and private
ownership is undesirable - II this program
is not exposed and changed, it will soon be
too late to save free enterprise and free gov
ernment in the United States"
Recently Attorney General Clark said: The
Communists know, as did Hitler, that If they
could get the children Of today. they would
have the world OF tomorrow"
And yet, knowing all this, children In our
District Of Columbia public schools have been
obliged to study subversive textbooks In spite Of
year long fight waged by one member Of our
school board, Adelbert w. Lee, and the Vet
Grams Of Foreign Wars.
All glbversive books should be banned here
and throughout our Nation.
What are We waiting for
A FORMER TEACHER
Evening star., 1948-03-09

Next to outlasting winter like the one
now passing, the great endurance test is
letting a coughdrop dissolve in the mouth
before chewing,
Evening star., 1948-03-09
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question Of
Bureau. 3l6 Eye street NE. WashinEton 3. D. G.
Please tncose three t3) cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1948-03-09

the article The public was led to believe that
Judge Nelson was guilty of merciless Judgment
These are critical days in the life OF our
Nation. 1t is tragic when the press uses its
tremendous resources to destroy the confidence
Of the public in the courts. Because of the
article in the paper, one Of my members be-
came very concerned and T. myself, made an
investigation. Today such reporting Is great
disservice to the public.
With confidence that this Is not your policy
I am nevertheless calling it to your attention
ORRIS G. ROBINSON,
Minister, Calvary Methodist Church.
The Federal Spotlight Regretted
To the Editor of The Star:
For long time your Joseph Young did a
swell job Of reporting news which was of in
terest to Government employees. His reporting
was objective, as reporting should be, and his
articles were wisely published as news items.
But now that Mr.. Young has column which
he must fill up daily he has to resort to writing
gossip rumors and trivial information. II you
believe that THE Federal Spotlight" is render
ing service to the community, disagree with
you Rather, the column is rendering q dis
service to Government employees who, by and
large, are overworked and underpaid. It is
with sincere regret that watched you succumb
to the policy Of Washington's other newspapers
that Of running Government column"
s.P
Evening star., 1948-03-09

Q. From what language Is the name Niagata
derived?-J. Y.
A. Niagara Is said to derive from the Indisn
nee-agg-arah, meaning across the neck"
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1948-09-16
Say Seats All Taken
In u. s. Farm Theatre

No acres added to the nations
cropland, fewer workers to tend
the acres in crops, but greater
production of foods and feed in
the future is predicted by rural
economists at Ohio State Uni
versity. The economists point out
that any new land made arabic
by irrigation or clearing will be
offset by retirement of land al
ready worn out, the recent trend
III rural population stopped in
l947, but farm production has
risen a total of 66 percent since
1910 and almost half of that in
crease occurred after 1889.
The l947 reports on rural pop
ulation indicated further de-
creases in the number of people
on farms although the total num-
Der of rural 1947 births, 100000,
was the greatest since 1925 The
number of deaths in U. S. rural
areas in 1947 was 267,000. The
population studies show 100000
people moved from cities to
farms last year but the tide
flowing the other way took
100000 people from rural roads
to city pavements.
The total u. S. farm popula-
ton in 1947 was 27,439,000, about
10 percent less than in 1910, and
most of the loss occurred in the
age group between 18 and 25
years old. One of the reasons for
the migration of farm youth is
the present difficulty for them to
establish themselves as farm
owners because land prices are
high and equipment costs run the
total investment beyond the
reach of young people.
The economists predict that
improvements in farm machinery
and in land management will
permit fewer farm workers to
maintain or increase food and
feed production. Better machines
will cut the number of hours re-
quired to till an acre, and i'm
provement of soils will increase
the number of bushels that can
be raised on an acre, so each
worker will turn out more units
of field crops.
The economists advise young
people to think twice before
buying farms now. Such pur-
chases usually involve placing a
mortgage on the farm for half or
more of the total purchase price
The buyer is likely to have toe
little reserve to stock the farm
and to buy equipment to operate
it efficiently. Amy downturn in
prices for farm products may
4 cause a mortgage foreclosure
and the loss of all money in
vested.