davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
A Promising Report

The way the Citizens Advisory Board,
created by the Hebert Act for the Rehabili-
tation of Alcoholics, saw the possibilities Of
IT'S new departure in dealing with an old
problem is highly gratifying.
The Hebert Act terms the chronic alco-
holic sick man and provides for his treat
ment by modern methods.
The boards recommendations: A free
hand and $4,000 year for the director
of the clinic in order to get good man.
Independent status for this new agency in
Its initial years. :
The boards report is briefed in the
editorial article on this page.
Chairman E. Goring Bliss and his associ-
ates on the committee investigated before
recommending. Since their appointment
by the Commissioners in November they
have held twelve meetings, fully attended,
and heard from ten expert witnesses. They
brought Selden Bacon from New Haven.
DR.. Bacon, as chairman of the State alco-
holic board, is putting similar plan into
effect In Connecticut.
1t Is encouraging that this committee is
going to continue studying and recon-
mending and has offered to help screen
nominees In the selection of director.
More than $4,000 from an increase in
alcoholic beverage license fees is now
available for purposes Of the bill. 1t Is
hoped the Commissioners will accept the
boards recommendations and that the
District will have the good fortune to OBJ
tain man who will be successful in
launching the program.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
By George Kennedy

The report of the Citizens Advisory Board
under the Hebert Act for the Rehabilitation
of Alcoholics in the District gave these figures
on the size of the problem: During the fiscal
year 1947, 1880 people were arrested and
charged with intoxication. OF this number
370 were charged with operating motor
vehicle while under the influence of liquor.
A separation Of these by sexes shows that
29,788 were men, and 3,112 were women. The
records show that 32,217 were over 81 and
765 we're under 81 years of age. OF the total
number arrested 1922 were released on pay
ment of collateral "a deposit Of $40 at the
police precinct except in case Of drunken
driving). Presumably the remainder, almost
$4,000, went to court, and 9.327 Of them found
their way into correctional institutions.
1.-THE revenue produced from the collateral
paid by those released from police stations
amounted to approximately $182,220. The
drain on society through the diminished value
of the services OF all those arrested on this
charge is undoubtedly infinitely greater. Finally
there is the prolonged and complete loss Of
the services of those convicted in the courts
during the period of their incarceration, and
in addition the actual out-of-pocket cost to-
the Government of their Incarceration. There
can be little question that the aggregate Of
far exceed the value of the collateral paid.
There is also another aspect to the penalty
which the community pays in connection with
this problem of the alcoholic. This Is indi-
Gated by the fact that in 226 automobile &C
cidents the operator was under the influence
OF liquor, and the same was found to be true
in three cases OF fatal accidents. This effect
Is not limited to the motorist. In 101 cases
not fatal, and in three fatal accidents involving
pedestrians the pedestrian was found to have
been either intoxicated or drinking to some
extent
Economic and Social Effects
These facts demonstrate clearly the size
and the economic and social effects Of por-
ton of the problem we are confronting. It is
well to bear in mind that these figures cover
only portion-that part that finds its way
into the hands of the law. From general in
formation available to the committee, 1t is
known there is another large part, whose exact
numerical size is matter Of conjecture, that
never reaches either the police station or the
courts. It's social and economic effect is just
as great. and its need just as urgent, as that
previously referred to-"
The Hebert Act has increased alcoholic
beverage license fees 10 per cent in the Dis
trict and given the increment for the estab-
lishment Of clinic for alcoholics. About $751;
900 Is now available for it's first year of opera
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Pruydu and Dimitrov

1t may be taken for granted that Com
munist Premier Dimitrov of Bulgaria will
now retreat as gracefully and as rapidly
as possible from his proposal for Gus
toms union and eventual federation of the
Soviet satellite states of Eastern Europe.
In Moscow, the editors of Pravda have
sternly rejected the idea, and when the
editors of Pravda speak, it is the Kremlin
itself that is speaking. So Mr.. Dimitrov
being faithful party-liner can be counted
upon to reverse himself accordingly.
The incident plainly suggests that the
Stain government has had change of
mind about how best to organize its empire
behind the iron curtain. Mr.. Dimitrov,
along with Marshal Tito, is probably the
most important Communist, the closest to
the Kremlin, outside of Russia. 1t is diff
ficult to believe that he did not first re-
ceive Soviet blessing before giving voice
to his plan for an economic and political
union of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland,
Albania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece
"a plan fully Endorsed by Comrade Tito.
The conclusion seems reasonable, there
fore, that the Pravda editorial is chiefly
significant not because it leaves MIR. Dini-
troy out on limb but because it indicates
change in Russian policy.
Why the change? The answer is any
body's guess. 1t may be that the men of
the Kremlin, for propaganda purposes, do
not want to be in the position of backing
Mr. Dimitrovs idea at time when they
are assailing British Foreign Secretary
Bevin for proposing similar union in the
west. Or it may be that they find 1t
expedient to reassure the Poles and the
Czechs, both Of whom are reported to be
decidedly cool to the Bulgarian Premiers
plan. Still another possibility-a strong
one-is that they reason as follows: (I An
East European federation, even though
Communist dominated, might begin to feel
it's oats and become difficult to deal with;
ca in time, such q federation conceivably
could become mont Communist and merge
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Letters to The Star
Riahts VS.. Responsibilities
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
am only few months away from a college
diploma but know very little about lot Of
subjects However am trying to learn two
things: to think clearly and to appreciate my
responsibilities as an American citizen.
readily will concede that in the American
educational system we usually are taught to
think as clearly as possible and we are taught
our rights-but how often are we taught Our
duties? How many of us know our response
blities as American citizens?
Those persons who appear before our Judges
and investigation committees today all harp
on their rights which they should do, but they
quickly forget any duties which they have to
carry out in order to protect those rights. Any
individual who refuses to cooperate with those
who are trying to protect their rights from
the Communstic way of life is either an avowed
Communist or q poorly educated American
citizen
believe that the Government should work
hand in hand with all Of the educational sys-
TENS in the Nation, in an effort to teach all of
the youngsters their responsibilities as well as
their rights as citizens. With some program
to accomplish this it seems to me that we can
strengthen this Nation against communism,
corrupt politics anc any other malpractices
which may threaten the American way of life
EDWIN K RABBIT, Jr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Utility Regulation in Home Rule

Some of the duties of the Mayor of
Washington under the home-rule bill would
be those of town greeter." He would be
the man who crowns the Cherry Blossom
Queen, reviews the School Boy Patrol
parade, welcomes the Hollywood stars
(when they are not appearing before the
Committee on Un-American Affairs) and
passes out the keys to the city. To COM
pensate for losses involved in these and
kindred obligations the Mayor is given
an expense account otfive thousand dollars
over and above his honorarium Of three
thousand dollars as a member of the
City Council.
No candidate would run for Mayor or
be elected as such by the voters. The
Mayor would be chosen by the Council
from among its own members. He might
be an office-holding resident of. Idaho or
a native of Washington. He would preside
at meetings of the Council and In general
serve as its spokesman. The real work OF
running the city, of course, would be done
by the city manager, chosen by the Council.
The Mayor would be the front" man.
But one of the additional duties assigned
to the Mayor is the appointment Of men,
bers of the Public Utilities Commission,
with approval of the Council. It seems to
The Star that this is mistake. We have
had, for the most part, a strong Public
Utilities Commission through the years,
and one source of it's strength has been It's
independence. Under the home-rule plan
as now written, the Utilities Commission Is
treated as any other hitherto independent
1;y,o To III
government and is made responsible to
the elected Council
That may be in keeping with the demo-
cratic theory of home rule in the abstract
and it is an indirect application of the
principle which applies in most of the
States, where members of the utilities
board or commission are elected. But the
quasijudicial nature Of its duties argues
for the selection of Public Utilities Com
mission by a process that makes it rela-
lively remote from changing tides of local
political sentiment. The present system of
appointing members by the President, with
Senate confirmation, and making them
RESPONSIBLE directly to Congress, has given
us a better than-average commission, as
quick to guard against intrusion in utility
regulation by NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. govern
ment lawyers as to protect the public
against gouging by the utilities themselves.
It has won most Of its cases in court. To
place the appointment OF its members IN
the hands of Mayor whose first duties
are those of a.glad-hander and whose
personal economic predictions could
range from those of retired utility
magnatee to those of a craftsmanship
Socialist, and to rest their tenure of office
largely on the political success of this
Mayor would needlessly endanger the
operations of what has proved to be
very successful system.
The Star believes that some of the con-
siderations which persuaded the Auchin-
Gloss subcommittee to withhold any change
In the structure of the local courts would
apply with equal force to the Public Util-
tiles Commission.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
The Challenge of Alcoholism
Magnitude Of Alcoholics Problem Revealed in Report
Recommending Separate Clinic Here

ton. The act terms the chronic alcoholic q
sick man, authorizes the courts to Judge I'M
controlled liquor drinkers chronic alcoholics
and to commit them to the director Of the
clinic for 30 days. The proposed clinic will
be an out-patient establishment at which pa
tients voluntary or committed will call by
appointment The report recommends that
the clinic be stated with the director q psy-
chiatrist, two medical officers, psychologist.
two case workers, two nurses, an administra-
tive assistant and three clerical assistants.
For Independent Clinic.
In recommending that the clinic to be estab-
lished under the bill be made independent Of
existing District departments Correction,
Health or Welfare) the report said: "It also
seems clear 70 the committee that the Con-
gress intended the approach to the problem to
be entirely new. 1t authorized the Commits
sioners to appoint director who would be
responsible to them for organizing and develop
ing an effective program and suitable facili-
ties. The money at present available will
permit only what might be nkened to labora-
tory experiment to determine the effectiveness
Of this new approach. On the basis Of the
results obtained. presumably at some later
date, conclusions will be reached and decisions
made as to the effectiveness. Of this new under
taking and its appropriateness as a permanent
Government responsibility. For the present at
least, this committee does not hold the opinion
that the creation Of the clinic can be considered
as establishing full-fedged service agency of
the District Government -
During the initial period the clinic should
remain as flexible as possible and its director
should be granted the maximum freedom of
action. 1t will be his duty to ascertain, by
actual trial. how and where best the clinic and
the new philosophy Of community responsibility
to the chronic alcoholic can serve the need
that Public Law SAT (the Hebert Act) is de-
signed to meet. He must be individually and
personally responsible for results. To place
this activity within the scope Of any Of the
large departments Of the Government, most
of which are already burdened and vexed with
serious problems currently pressing for solution,
would tend to submerge it. It's physical size
would be only minor In relation to that of such
department as q whole, although the poten-
tial Importance Of the experiment 1t is to con-
duct will be great. The completion of the
experiment could easily, though unintention-
ally, thus be retarded -"
with all these aforementioned conclusions
in mind the committee believes that for the
present the clinic should be established as an
independent agency reporting to the Board
OF Commissioners, and that its status be re-
viewed periodically to determine its ultimate
disposition"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Army Policy of SEGREGATION

To the Editor of The Star:
The Army, on January is, told its troops
throughout the world that racial and religious
prejudice endangers democracy and world
peace. 1t stated, Three fourths Of the people
of the world are what we call 'colored'. These
people naturally look to the treatment of our
colored citizens to see what we really mean
when we speak of democracy. Racial and re-
hgious prejudice alienates the confidence of the
vast nonwhite population as well as other
peoples"
The Army told its discussion leaders to stress
that:
l. Racial and religious prejudices result in ig-
norance and insecurity.
2. Prejudices are un-Christian, un-American
and dangerous to democracy.
g. Prejudces mean disunity and endanger
world peace.
1t indeed is enlghtening to know that our
Army, which has been guilty of fostering preju-
dice in the form of segregation in its own ranks,
now speaks out boldly against this same tpye
Of un-Americanism.
But what is the Army doing, aside from Of
fering lip service against prejudice In regard to
the pending Universal Military Training bill
Fl. r. 4278, now in the House of Representa-
tives?
In the words of Chairman Walter G. An
drews of the House Armed Services Committee
to representatives of the Committee Against
Jim Grow in. Military Service and Training:
THE War Department plans separate white
and Negro battalions under UNIT legislation,
and I favor this policy of limited segregation"
1t must be noted that in the War Depart
ment's experimental UNIT camp at Fort
knox, Kentucky, no Negroes were included
among the 800 trainees. The unit has been
advertised widely as the model for Nation
wide UNIT program. clergyman member
of the Fort Knox Advisory Committee in New
York Post dispatch of April 16, 1947, regretted
it, but, said that: THE South might oppose
UNIT if Negroes were included" Brig. Gen.
John M. Devine, in charge of the camp, indi-
Gated that in such small unit 1t would not be
practical to bring in enough Negroes to form
separate platoon. In other words, Negroes
would be segregated into special units If Con-
gress passes UNIT. Secretary of War Royal
in his remarks on January IA, at the hearing OF
the House Committee on Expenditures in Ex-
ecutive Departments, investigating the partici-
patton of officials of the War Department in
publicity and propaganda, regarding UNIT,
said that young men would get great spiritual
good out of UNIT and that UNIT would insure
the future of this country.
It is quite 4difhcult to reconcile this double
talk of our Army and its leaders It has prom
ised equal treatment to Negroes before. Section
"A Of the selective Service and Training Act
q ielo 1eFbade racial Discrimination. Yes this
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
stors, Men and Atoms
Microscopic Atom Bombs
Planted in Cancer Tissue
California u. Scientists Give Results
of New Radiation Experiments
By Thomas r. Henry


Planting what are essentially microscopic
atomic bombs in cancer tissue and then ex-
ploding them with slow neutrons Is under In.
vestigation at the radiation laboratory Of the
University OF California under a contract with
the Atomic Energy Commission.
1t represents the latest departure in the utili.
cation of atomic radiations in medical research
and, 1t is emphasized, remains in purely ex.
perimental stage.
There has been considerable experimental
ton in. the past on tissue-killing effects OF
beams Of neutrons from cyclotrons. This has
met with indifferent success. Also consider
able work has been done on planting actively
radioactive isotopes In cancer tissue. The new
departure is q combination Of the two in which
1t Is proposed to plant some such fashionable
element as boron or uranium 235 inside the
body and then subject 1t to neutron lombard
ment..
Explosion on Small Scale.
Essentially the same thing happens as In
the explosion Of an atomic bomb, although on
very small scale. The atoms are split. In the
splitting process a lot of very powerful radia-
ton is produced, of the type which is so fatal
to persons in the vicinity of a bomb explo-
sion. The fragments themselves have q kill.
ing effect within short distances. Some Of
these fragments are radioactive thus continue
ing the effect over a considerable period. The
combined effect is much greater, the early ex.
periments just reported to the American AS.
ISOLATION for the Advancement of Science here
indicate, than could be obtained from any
other form Of radiation treatment
Obviously the work still is far from the stage
where 1t could be applied to human patients.
The materials used are likely to prove highly
toxic and it is essential that long time radia-
ton effects which might prove fatal be avoided.
Worked Largely With Mice.
The University OF California workers. Drs q
A. Tobias, P. P. Weymouth L. R. Wassern1an
and G. E. Stapleton, have worked largely with
mice into whose veins they have injected
minute quantities of preparation containing
the explosive isotope of uranium, 235. This
becomes concentrated chiefly in the spleen and
liver by the blood stream. The animals soon
died when slow neutron streams were directed
against their bodies, and when they were ex-
amined the spleens and livers were found full
Of dead areas. There was no serious injury
from the poisonous effects of the fashionable
element without neutron bombardment or
from neutron bombardment without the pres
ence Of the uranium
Before there could be any actual considera-
ton of using this method with human beings an
enormous amount Of work must be done. First
1t is necessary to devise compounds contain
ing fashionable elements which will be localized
in the body rather than transported generally
to all organs. There Is no information on eff
fective dosages on the areas over which the
induced radiations are effective, or on the pos.
sible toxic effects.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Woodsmoke

I like the smell of aooodsmoke
DoUn- bloping on the air
A hearth fire laid Nth pine logs
Each passer-by may share.
or bonfres bright NTH elm Leaves
That crackle as they blaze
Can fill an autumn Twilight
With a fragrant, dusky haze.
But smoke that climbs a chimney
Into the morning blue
And makes lofty pillar
In column, straight and true
Paints for me a picture ,
That through the years lost.
OF an early ,0inter morning
When air is crisp NTH frost.
HELEN vIRDEN
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Taft-Hartley Law Defended

j. W. Hall in recent letter to The Star
refers to the Taft-Hartley Act as one which
the President didn't have the courage to sign. "
The Taft Hartley Act is having its label
changed by propagandists. giving 1t bad
name; consequently, the majority of union
members are reported to be against the law
The truth is, that the law guarantees real free
dom to workers, and every unfair labor PRACTICE
by employers forbidden by the Wagner Act Is
still forbidden. Therefore, the Presidents veto
must have been purely political and not on
constitutional grounds.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30

1t was unwise Of the scientist to say the
atomic bomb can't destroy the human race,
as crack like that Is challenge to all
overeducated fools.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30

In the merchandising field, piano
weighing but 80 pounds is something new.
Also new will be the midget from the
finance company.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30

gress who were Rhodes scholars: Senator Full
bright Of Arkansas and Representative Robert
Hale Of Maine
@. Were any horses brought to this country
by the Pilgrims in 1620?-G F. T.
A. Horses were not imported by the Massa-
chusetts Bay Colony until about April II, 1929
@. How much is spent for paper for writing
letters in q year?-C. w. o.
A. About so million dollars is spent for
stationery for letter writing each year.
@. What is the meaning Of the terms near"
and "off"?-D. S. S.
A. These terms are used in referring to the
left and right side of horse, also to the left
drawn by team.
@. Is rat simply large mouse or are they
different species?-T. r. N.
A. Rats and mice are two distinct types Of
rodents and are not different sizes of the
same individual species. True mice belong TO
the genus Mus; true rats to the genus Rattus
Q. When was the first lightning rod used?-
K
A. The first lightning rod was installed on
Benjamin Franklin's house, 141 Market street,
Philadelphia, Fa., in l749
@. What is the origin of the expression
"Hobsons choice'?-P. o. K.
A. Thomas Hobson 18th century London
stableman required every person hiring horses
from him to take the horse nearest the door,
No one was allowed to select a particular
horse.
O. How long have avocados been Known
c. L. r.
A. Although the cultivation Of the avocado
in the United States is of comparatively recent
origin, prehistoric avocado culture in Cen
trail America reaches back into the Mayan
civilization beyond historic records.
O. Was radar contact with the moon ever
establshed?-R. w. C.
A. Radar contact with the moon was estab-
lished by the United States Army Signal Corps
on January TO- 1916. The signal was sent to
the moon from a laboratory in Belmar NJ
j.. and echoed back to the sending station
in "a seconds.
@. What is the full name of Pope Plus kip
N. L. P.
A. Pope Plus XII, Eugenio Pacelli, was born
in Rome in 1876, the son OF Fiiippo Pacelli and
Virginia GrazioZi Pacelli.
@. Who has charge of the educational pro-
gram set up by the Fulbright Act?-V. p M.
A. The Board of Foreign Scholarships, con-
sisting of 10 members, two Of whom are women,
was recently appointed by President Truman
to supervise the educational exchange program
set up by the Fulbright Act. This act author
ICES the State Department to use foreign cur.
rencies and credits acquired through the sale
of surplus property abroad for programs Of
educational interchange: Study, research,
teaching.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question
suresu., 81 Street N e. washington 4 B. s''S e
Please inclose cents for return postage.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-30
Politicians and Politicians

- FoIlucIans and POLITICIANS
To the Editor Of The Star:
Excerpt from letter from Jane Brown: IT
quite agree with John Riggles who is puzzled
by the desire of so many people who seem to
want politicians to run this city"
Question: Who is running this city now?
A. j. FURLONG,