davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Revolutionary Plane ENGINES

AS the international situation grows
worse, there is measure of reinsurance
in the disclosure that revolutionary
Improvements in our airplane engines
promise to extend considerably the range
of our biggest bombers. Some unofficial
estimates predict range increase of up
to 20 per cent, with the possibility of much
larger bomb loads for comparable previous
ranges.
So impressed is the Air Force with the
new engine development that it has
decided to rename B-50-equipped bomber
the B-54. In other words the new power
plant, to all practical purposes, creates
new giant bomber of vastly advanced per-
formance characteristics. This Is impor
tant news in an era in which military
authorities are concentrating on strategic
bombing plans.
Although full details of the new engines
(there are two of somewhat similar design
have not been officially announced it is
reported that they make use of exhaust
gases which heretofore were wasted. In
the Wright version, sponsored by the Navy,
the hot gases from the conventional engine
are piped into series of turbines that are
Sedlcu W IIlc pIOptllcI SIld1t. luuS duucu
power is applied to the propeller without
additional fuel consumption. A Pratt
Whitney version, developed for the Air
Force. is said to use the gases to create a
jet effect. Thus, the fuel economy If the
conventional engine is combined with the
turbine and jet in way that may make
necessary revision of all previous esti-
mates of strategic bombing possibilities.
If reports of preliminary tests with the
engines are to be relied on, it would seem
that the B-50, an improved B-29 may be
headed for obsolescence before it comes
into real production. The appearance last
week of the B-54 as a new-type bomber
indicates that the Air Force may be plan
ming to switch permanently to the B-54 as
successor to both the B-50 and the B-29.
Further tests with the new engines
undoubtedly will be necessary before they
are officially adopted as production proto-
types. That good progress is being made
in lengthening the range and improving
the performance of our combat planes is
welcome news, even though it may take
some time to adapt the improvements to
the production line.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
u. N. Economic Conference

There is a strange contrast between the
General Assembly meeting in Paris, with
it's diplomatic fireworks, and another
gathering under U. N. auspices which has
begun at Geneva. At the moment when
East and West have reached dangerous
impasse over politics and ideology, their
representatives in Geneva are sitting down
together with seemingly businesslike in
tent to consider an economic problem-the
revival of Europe's East-West trade. And
the vehicle for this consideration is the
Economic Commission for Europe, func-
tioning under authority of the United
Nations.
At this conference, East and West are
alike fully represented. The Soviet Union
and its eight European satellites sit with
eleven Marshall Plan countries, plus the
United States. The fact that all the par
ticipants are represented by high-ranking
economic and financial specialists indicates
that they are there to get something done,
rather than to wrangle and make propa-
ganda. The final anomalous touch Is
afforded by the further fact that it is
the Soviet Union which proposed the
conference
How explain this seeming anomaly be-
tween Paris and Geneva? To begin with
East and West are alike confronted with
hard reality which hurts them both.
The rupture of Europe's traditional and
normal economic comfy inflicts damages
universal in scope. This is particularly true
of Russias satellites, who are deprived of
the Vests manufactured goods and can
not obtain the equivalent from the Soviet
Union. 1t was only MoScowS ruthless
pressure which prevented most of the
satellites from climbing aboard the Mar
shall-Plan bandwagon, and the privations
suffered by them since then, in contrast
to reviving Western Europe, accounts in
large measure for the discomfort obvious
in Poland and other satellites still out
wardly obedient to Moscow The rulers
of the Kremlin may therefore have decided
that the satellites be permitted to get
some economic relief from the West, even
through some camoudaged backdoor
method Incidentally it should be under
stood that the United States is not op-
posed to increased East-West trade pro-
vided Western exports do not directly build
up tlc lul1ItdIy poGellGldl DeyOllu GIle 1IOIl
Curtain. On the contrary, a resumption
of Europe's normal economic comfy is
recognized here as prerequisite to West
ern Europe's recovery and a diminution
of the aid burden we now carry.
Alongside this economic realism, how
ever, there is the possibility that Moscow
may have propaganda intent. 1t is
Communist argument, echoed here by
Mr.. Wallace, that aid to Europe should be
on universal basis, given through U. NJ,
and divorced from political or theological
considerations. Any economically sound
recommendations coming out of the
Geneva meeting could conceivably be used
by Communists as stick to belabor the
Marshall Plan and exalt the U. N. aid
thesis. Whether or not this be so, the
outcome of the Geneva meeting and Mos
cows reaction thereto should disclose
what was in the Kremlin's mind when 1t
took the initiative for the gathering.
Evening star., 1948-09-30

Such assessments, OF course, are dIUl-
trary But if the taxpayers own personal
property return falls substantially below
this arbitrary scale on household effects
and is therefore challenged by the assessor,
the taxpayer has the choice of paying the
fixed amount or of having the District
make an official assessment. About SO per
cent of the taxpayers prefer the fixed scale
to the official assessment. That may be
some indication of whether they think
they are being overcharged.
The system was adopted because of wide
spread lodging of personal taxes on house
hold effects. In one neighborhood OF
thirty-ive $25000 homes, thirty of the
owners reported household effects valued
at less than the $1,000 exemption. Only
five reported as much as $1,000. And this
example is cited as more or less typical of
other neighborhoods in Washington.
The greatest inequity is suffered, not by
the taxpayer who pays on an arbitrary
assessment, based on average values, but
by the taxpayer who makes his own careful
assessment of the replacement value of his
household effects. For that taxpayer is
very apt to pay much more than his neigh
Dor who pays the average rate. 1t is that
sort of inequity that makes the tax most
unjust and it is that sort of inequity which
Is difficult to remove as long as the tax
Is on the books.
While Tightening up on those who under
value their household effects, the Asses
sors office has made a thorough canvass
of all rented property in the District and,
with tho SURVEY still incom p1ete has added
$4,000 personal property taxpayers in the
past two years who hitherto were paying
nothing. More revenue is being collected
from home owners by requiring them to
meet a standard or subject themselves to
an individual assessment. But the tax COL
lectors are still amazed over the number
of good citizens who will quickly report,
to the police, the theft of $4,000 worth of
jewelry, yet whose own personal tax re-
turns will show that they possessed no
jewelry valuable enough even to report
for taxation.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
A Necessary Preeoution

The Atomic Energy Commissions order
prohibiting its contractors from dealing
with unions suspected of Communist lead
ership or Affiliations is very sensible pre-
caution. 1t is impossible to overemphasize
the importance of these atomic contracts
to the national security Every reasonable
step must be taken to protect the integrity
and the continuity Of the highly secret
work being done by the contractors and
their employees.
For the security of the Nation can be
imperiled not only by espionage and sabo-
Evening star., 1948-09-30

tage but by strike of the type that has
been threatened in the past at Oak Ridge
and other atomic plants. Responsible
union leaders and members will recognize
the special status of atomic energy opera
tions. They can appreciate the fact that
work stoppage at any of the plants en-
gagged in bomb production could place this
country at a grave disadvantage in event
of the sudden advent of war. But Com
munists do not make responsible labor
leaders. Nothing would give them greater
Joy than to disrupt our bomb-production
schedule by strikes or other means.
That being the case, it is entirely proper
that the Acc should look with suspicion
on any union leader who is known or
alleged Communist and on any union
which refuses to repudiate such leadership
AS Acc Chairman Lilienthal points out,
the failure of the United Electric Workers
leaders to file Communist affidavits,
coupled with information concerning al
legged Communist affiliations" of some of
these officers, raises very serious ques-
ton" as to their ''full and unqualified ad-
herence and loyalty to the interests of
the United States" The commission SIM
ilarly entertains doubts about some officers
of the United Public Workers. Both unions
therefore have been blacklisted as far as
bargaining goes.
But the commissions order does not for
bid the contractors from employing men,
berS of the blackliSted unions Thus, there
is no assurance, under the order, that
Communists will not gain access to the
plants under union guise. The whole prob
lem of labor relations in the atomic field
is difficult one, because it involves
twilight zone between private industry and
governmental operations. This problem is
being given special study by three-man
presidential commission. It's findings and
recommendations should help to clear up
much of the uncertainty now existing con-
corning rights" of employees and manage
ment in this new and vital field.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Information and Skills

To the Editor of The Star:
The defense of local teaching by Mildred
Chaplin Wells in The Star on September 81 is,
I fear, no great solace to those who have
shown themselves so deeply concerned over
apparently numerous actual instances of neg
lect.
The defense makes an unfortunate dichotomy
Of method into progressive" and traditional"
I am not enamored of the habit of name
calling, but the term progressive" has become
singularly outworn now carries little meaning
and has arrogateo to itself a characteristic
emptiness and lack of objectivity.
The point is: Are pupils learning?
1t is to me very evident that Mrs. Wells
was a good teacher, whether she knew it or
not, which may account for a great deal. Her
personality may have made the learning of
things attractive. But when we come to
teachers at large, as extensive in variety Of
personalities as IN array of numbers, a set
system applied to all, simply does not work
If it is proper to blame failures on dissident
teachers, then any system can be proved to
be good. Such an excuse for failure is too
often used as an excuse for failure to improve
the system.
Teaching is mastery profession, not to
be undertaken by apprentices chronically given
over to mimicry 1t is profession above all
professions. would therefore sit at the feet
of those who, teaching in healthy atmosphere
Of freedom, are making a success of their
students. If, after thus dofing doctors gown
and donning the mantle of humility, I dis
covered there were thousand successful ways
of teaching, I would honestly so confess and
assuredly would not if in my power SO to do,
compel all teachers to conform to a solitary
system evolved and elaborately built up in
my inner consciousness
had hoped that the belittling of good
memory, that great binding force and preserv-
ative of civilization, was getting out of vogue
1t was creeping around the corner in my day,
and my day was not yesterday It seems to
persist. However unpalatable it may be, the
fact is, and it cannot be stated too bluntiy
or mercilessly, many child has had life
smashed out Of Its tender body, what is left
assembled as decently as possible and buried
in last resting g-place. because the child "for-
got" It's memory was neither activated nor
cultivated. because the art Of remembering
was . despised art, beneath the notice Of
Evening star., 1948-09-30
true pedagogue, who knew nothing about

true pedagogue, who knew nothing about it
anyway.
Teaching of the future will include "how
to learn" as we'll as "how to teach" It will
make the requirement of knowledge attractive.
not neglect or do away with it because direct
contact is too bare-faced or indelicate, will
make the child eager, anxious, hungry for
what comes next
What profit is there in the compilation of
ream upon ream of neatly arranged, intrigu-
ing pedagogic theory and statistics when all
it can make of an eight-year-old lad of above
the-average intelligence is boy, who, in the
fourth grade can't read his sisters second
grade reader, doesn't know his multiplication
tables, can't decide If he has received the
proper change when sent to the store every
one of which, it happens, is Information and
skills which we need to live effectively?'
EWART HOBBS.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Boy and Golf

The small coy tilted back his head to laugh,
Seeing the thin-legged, a,0k,oard, stuD,-
bling cali,
But suddenly and to his o,on surprise
He saD lost look In the red calls eyes
As IT he t0ere stranger to this ground,
To the sharp sun, and eUeB to the sound
NoD halted In the small boys ta,ony throat.
With tenderness he stroked the damp red
coat
And gently rubbed the slender, tilted ears.
Remembering, subconscionsly, the years
When folk and trees and houses had been
tai
And only he on all the earth tDas small
ANOBEL ARMOUR.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
REGRETS Banning of the Nation

To the Editor of The Star:
I would like to comment briefly on the recent
banning of the magazine, The Nation; from
the official periodical list of the New York
public schools. The magazine was banned be-
cause of series of articles that were allegedly
anti-Catholic in content.
The writer of this letter is not regular
reader of The Nation and did not read the
articles to which exception was taken, but de-
plores the attitude of the New York board
because it is inimical to the American prin-
ciple OF freedom of the press. One wonders
how many parents would sustain the board if
the matter were submitted to them. And why
wasn't it? The parents pay taxes for the sup
port of the schools, including subscriptions
to magazines. Why should they not be con-
suited in matter that might well be far
reaching in its impact?
DR.. William Jansen, superintendent Of
schools, stated that the articles contributed to
religious animosity "by going into matters OF
faith and out of the realm of politics or social
controversy" Evidently, there can be no
evangelization through the medium of the press
in New Yorks public schools from now on, If
all magazines are to be censored from a reli-
gious standpoint.
There are many magazines in the realm of
religious thought which are sent to school
libraries free of charge for the purpose of
spreading the gospel of Christ. Some are
Protestant, some Catholic, some undenomina-
tional-but any one or all of them may cut
across the opinions of some students. Are
these also to be banned? According to the
logic of the New York school board, they should
be-
1t is heartening to note that a number of
organizations have protested the action of the
board. 1t is to be hoped that these protests
will bear fruit, so that New York's schools may
return from the Dark Ages to the twentieth
century. AN EDITOR.
Evening star., 1948-09-30

burping school are naturally hesitant to
challenge such eminent authorities. But
they would like to know just what personal
experience DR.. Burdick has had in this
matter, and they would like to have him
and the Connecticut State Health Depart
ment right there in the room the next time
bedlam breaks loose in the course Of the
2 am feeding
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Patience for Neurotic Nations

Patience tor Neurot1c Nations
To the Editor of The Star:
In your September 18th issue you editorialized
on Russian injustice concerning the conviction
of five German anti-Communist youths. You
explained how lenient Americans might have
been in a similar situation, but that the Rus
SLAMS made mo allowance for adolescent re-
actions to the psychology of mob excitement"
Yet the Russians may have taken complete
account Of such reaction. A little thought
will recall the tragcally dangerous effect of un-
checked mob persuasion on Germans. Perhaps
we are prone to try too hard to be just and
kind to our former Nazi enemies.
Perhaps the Russians know what they are
doing sometimes. Gn the League of Nations
Litvinoff pleaded for early checking of Nazi
armament growtho Russia's proximity to Ger
many has made her harder and more realistic
in her dealings. Let's try to understand that
and remember what the German people did
to Russia.
You mention that 1t Is difficult to do busi-
ness with a country whose history, culture
and philosophy differ fundamentally and pro-
foundly from ours" But every nation has its
own history culture, philosophers and tgeog-
raphy And each must be treated according
to that peculiar background. Remember that
that is true of Germany, also) A mob of 250,-
600 Germans must be treated differently than
a mob of 250,000 Americans or Russians. The
tragic treatment of the five youths is mild COM
pared to the types of iron discipline, torture
and living death Germans suffered under Hit
Ter.
1t Is difficult to deal with differing nations.
(But any one can do the easy jobD Ours is
a difficult job which requires use of brains
instead Of weakened defeatism which over
simpifies the challenge by saying that Rus
sia is the source of all evil and that we are
the source of all good. That sort OF an at
titude is an attempt to dodge responsibility
We aren't saints and the Russians aren't
Satans. One doesn't have to look far to see
examples of evil in our own country where
convenient victims to set terrifying ex-
ample" are used. The Russians may be worse
than we are, but why not apply some OF the
same generous attitude toward them as to-
ward the Germans?
I'm agin war. Your editorial is typical Of
the emotional approach which placed Russia
or pedestal during the war and now, seeing
the imperfections of Russians, goes to the
other extreme and condemns them. How about
some objectivity? Consider that the Russians
have had a tough time and are neurotic; that
they are dealing with Germany, neurotic
nation. There is plenty OF neuroses right here.
This is neurotic world and patience, in
finite patience, and understanding are neces-
sary. LOUIS TUPLEH.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
On the Wrong Track

To the Editor Of The Star:
The Stars cartoonist, Jim Bergman, may
not have realized it at the time, but his car
toon. "Out Where the Worst Begins" in
Wednesdays Star depicts a set of railroad
tracks with Harry Truman's train on the wrong
side of the racks. Could this possibly intimate
that Harry is now headed for crack up?
ROBERT EMMETT BURKE.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

@. How many automobiles are stolen an
nualy in the United States?-C. M. w.
A. In 1916, the latest year for which figures
are available, there was total OF l2,324 auto
mobile thefts. 1t is interesting to note that in
a flve-year study 1t was proved that 90 per cent
of all cars stolen were left unprotected, with
KEYS ready for use and doors unlocked.
O. Is 1t a fact that there are more women
voters than men voters in the countries where
women are allowed to vote?-B r.
A. It has been found to be generally true
that women constitute the majority OF voters
in the countries which grant equal suffrage.
O. How long has the Duke of Windsor held
that title?-R. w. D.
A. The title Duke of Windsor was created for
King Edward VIII on December H. 1886, the
day after his abdication from the throne 1t
was selected by the Duke.
@. How long does it take quahog to grow to
maturity?-J. F. v.
A. The rate of growth of the quahog varies
in different localities. The minimum time from
seed to little neck" is about ~ years, while
that Of seed to full growth" or what is COM
mercialIy known as "chowder CLANS" is four to
five years.
F. \ h "na' Is ''s 0''e'' A'S'A "''' % ''s
A. It Is probably the mastif. which has ex-
listed in England over 1000 years. Julius Caesar
records that dogs Of this breed fought beside
their masters against the Roman invaders In
55 B. G.
@. When was the Russian Orthodox Church
introduced into the United States?-I. M p.
Alt was introduced into Alaska in 1892.
After the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the
headquarters was moved to San Francisco in
1872, and to New York In 1905. The Russian
Orthodox Church now has 100000 members in
in the United States.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Cheesy Philosophy

:
II the repeated warnings Of Mr.. Truman
can convince the people Of this great Nation
that only his election can save it from chaos
and destruction after 16 continuous years Of
rule under his brand Of philosophy, 1t must
have reached the stage Of the cheese the old
colored butler failed to serve. When asked the
reason he said, "Marster, twa too fur CONT"
p J. g.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Letters.to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address of the
writer, although it is permissible for
toriter kno,Dn to The Star to use
a nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Trees on New York Avenue

To the Editor OF Ine Staf:
Disillusion has come! In The Star for Sep
tember q read Of the stately sycamores'
on New York avenue which soon may be
destroyed. But those trees always have been
elms to me. NILA c. SCHROEDER.
Editors Note: Elms Is right. The error
appeared in the first edition Of Mondays Star
and was corrected In subsequent editions
that day.
Evening star., 1948-09-30
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question OF
fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau, 316 I street NE, Washington 2, D G.
Please incose three CD cents for return POSTAGE
Evening star., 1948-09-30
A Southerner for Mr.. Dewey


To the Editor of The Star:
Recently, the Republican presidential norn-
nee formally opened his campaign for election
with a major address in the great State of
Iowa. In this keynoting speech of his cam
paign, Thomas E. Dewey promulgated a
policy and program of one nation-not two.
or three or four warning factions divided by
geographical or racial or religious lines In
this profound theme, plain people from all
sections may and do rejoice.
I am young Southerner, a Democrat.
Like many other Southern Democrats, old and
young, I am going to vote for Gov. Dewey
and his running mate with pride and with
the conviction that he is the best candidate
Of the year, that he will be President for
all the people of this republic. A recent
communication which received from the Gov
ernors acting secretary leads me to believe
that Southerners will receive much greater
consideration in the next national admins
tration than any previous Republican admin
istration has proffered to citizens of this
great section of our country.
MARTIN S. PRATT.
Evening star., 1948-09-12
Visitors HOnOred
1t Cocktail PARTY

Mr.. and Mrs. w. Ney Evans en-
tertained about 10 friends yesterday
at . bon voyage" cocktail party for
two out-of-town visitors.
The occasion honored Miss Beat
Sfee Cobb, publisher of the News
Herald at Morganton, N. c., and
Mrs. Corinne Neal Cook, newspaper
woman from Texas, who are en-
foute to New York where they will
leave Wednesday for world tour by
clipper.
Those from official circles on the
guest list included the Secretary of
the Army and Mrs. Kenneth c..
Royal, the Assistant Attorney Cen
eral and Mrs. Lamar Caudle; the
Director Of the Budget and Mrs.
James z. Webb, Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur
J. Altmeyer and Mr.. and Mrs. Ralph
P. Swofford.
Among others were Mr.. and Mrs.
Fred w. Morrison, Mr.. and Mrs.
Ernest L. Wilkinson, Judge and
Mrs. N. A. Townsend, Miss Frieda
Hennock, new member of the Fed
eral Communications Commission;
Mrs. Lucy Howorth. Mrs. Lindsey
Warren, Mrs. Ellen s. Woodward,
Mr.. and Mrs. John j. Corson, Mr..
and Mrs. Edward w. Keating, Mr..
and Mrs. Charles J. Brand. Mr.. and
Mrs. John Wilbur Jenkins, Mrs. Lor-
ton Sims, Miss Lavinia Engle, Mr..
and Mrs. John L. Thurston, DR.. and
Mrs. P. H. Keyes, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Albert Y. Woodward.
The party was held at the Evans
home on Kenmore drive.