davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Forminq From the Air

It Is safe to assume that airplane
farming will be heartily endorsed by
husbandmen of all ages. 'Teen-age boys
who have more or less accepted siege
with the hoe as an inevitable part of
early-Season farm work will be enthusl-
astc boosters for the new techniques.
Now that the Department of Agriculture
has listed approximately 800 companies
that serve as flying hired men, farm
experts predict a tremendous increase in
the business in the next decade.
The airplane will probably be as i'm
portant as the corn picker, hay baler,
cotton picker and combine. In the large
acreage farm and ranch regions, farmers
have been using the airplane increasingly
as q means of transportation Now the
plane has been proved an efficient imple-
ment in farm operations. 1t is used in at
least "a States.
That part of farming directly concerned
with food production is already air
Influenced In four distinct categorieS:
Weed control, spraying for insects and
fungi, seeding and the spreading of
fertilizer The use of airplanes in farming
has caught on rapidly in the last two sea-
sons, although pioneers in the field have
been experimenting for many years. In
addition to the concerns listed by the
Department of Agriculture, there are many
private individuals engaged in contract
work with farmers in certain regions. At
the present time California leads the
country with some $50 organized COM
panies The most important phase Of
airplane farming at present is spraying
and busting for insect control. It is esti-
mated pilot and plane can accomplish
In one hour the work that formerly
required several days and large crew
Evening star., 1948-05-11

cooperative attitude. The London Con-
ference has accordingly adjourned in
definitely.
From the Western viewpoint, this is
probably the better alternative. It is
preferable to continue the joint occupa
ton until peace treaty is signed on terms
which will enable Austria to be genuinely
free and solvent-as was originally pledged
by Russia as well as by its wartime West
ern Allies. A firm stand against Soviet
aggression and duplicity is clearly indi-
Gated in Austria, as everywhere else.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Jet Era for Carriers

The successful jet-fghter tests aboard
the U. S. S. Saipan last week have made
it plain that even the Navy's light carriers
can pack a jet-propelled wallop without
too much difficulty. In fact, the day-long
demonstration off Block Island showed
that some of the troubles anticipated by
skeptics when jet operations aboard car
riers first were proposed are nonexistent.
Even after pioneering jet flights were
made some weeks ago from the Boxer
an Essex-class carrier with longer
flight deck than that of the Saipan-there
were reports that serious obstacles would
have to be overcome. Observers COM
mented on the hazards to planes on deck
from jet exhausts. the danger of flames
and fumes to personnel on the flight deck
and other drawbacks to jet operations at
sea. But reporters who witnessed the
Saipan take-offs and landings agreed that
the sixteen Phantoms of Squadron Seven
teen Able performed as safely and
smoothly as conventional carrier planes.
There were no fires, not plane
handler was scorched despite absence OF
special protective garments and the planes
took off and landed rapidly without a
catapult or barrier accident. Ironically,
the only incident to mar the days exercises
was the mysterious crash of the squadron
commanders plane, as he was trying to
land at Quonset Point after completion Of
the sea tests.
Most of the take-offs were by catapult.
It was found that unaSsisted take-offs re-
quired most of the flight deck for the run.
But the Phantom is regarded by the Navy
as underpowered. The Phantom is soon
to be succeeded by the Banshee, which has
nearly twice as much thrust. Even more
powerful jet-carrier planes are on the way.
1t may not be long before jet planes will
be operating from carriers without benefit
of catapults and with no greater deck
runs than propeller type planes. In short,
the indications are that all of the Navy's
carriers are destined to replace conven-
tional fighter squadrons with those having
that new look" of the Jet age. This
means that the Navy Is not ready to
concede that the era Of carrier warfare
Is over.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
=, For Local Needs Only
Sales Tax Proponents Will Argue That Its Adoption
Here Would Exercise No Influence Outside
Bv.Don s. Warren

frequently new policies proposed for the Dis
trict have been stalled until accepted else
where.
For instance, a fight was made by the District
some years ago for a merit rating" system as
to employers taxes under the unemployment
compensation system, because pay rolls here
were relatively stable and the District was
piling up large jobless insurance fund. The
plan was defeated because it was counter to
the then prevailing Federal policy-but later
was accepted when there was a change Of
thinking in the Federal administration.
In the current Congress there are two notable
examples on the model law thinking.
First, there was daylight saving time. The
District wanted it. Most cities and large State
areas along the Eastern 'Seaboard had it,,
but Congress knew Of opposition from farm
State spokesmen, who feared congressional
action, even for the District, might have an
effect on their States.
They got around that by granting authority
to the District Commissioners to order the
change. The philosophy was that II the Com
missioners did 1t Congress still would not be
setting the policy. It satisfied Washington,
temporarily. but it was a dodge that all here
understood :
For Local Conditions Only.
There was another case, however, where
Congress met its responsibilities forthrightly,
and without causing any rebellion in the
States.
The Supreme Court had laid down the rule
that insurance was subject to the antitrust
laws, meaning that unless State and District
regulatory laws were adopted for uncovered
fields Federal laws would apply. Casualty
insurance here was not yet under regulation.
The old sophistry that . congressional act
for the District would set q State pattern
thereupon brought insurance spokesmen here
from many States seeking to get model" pro-
visions In this city's act But at the outset,
Representative Simpson, Republican, Of Illinois,
head of the House District Subcommittee In
charge Of the problem, announced he would
sponsor no model law, but only one deemed to
meet the Districts own special problems.
After numerous hearings, such a bill was
reported and finally passed And in the House
report. the Simpson subcommittee succinctly
observed that the measure "is not intended for
use as model in any Of the States
1t was convincing. 1t worked.
If the sales tax is needed for Washington
because Of special and peculiar circumstances
Of city budget and revenue, there is no reason
why Congress in enacting it should be accused
Of trying to influence the policies Of any State
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Thin Legal Line


from disastrous railroad strike serves
primarily to underscore the compelling
need for new legislation to prevent work
stoppages in industries that are essential
to the life Of the Nation.
In this instance the President found and
grasped fral legal straw in the form OF
a 1915 law authorizing the Govern
ment In time of war to take over any
transportation facility. That moulding
statute was never intended to apply to
situation like the one presented by the rail-
road strike threat, and, in any event, it
could not be invoked except for the fact
that the country technically is still at war.
From the point OF view OF the pubic,
this line of legal protection is too thin.
Temporarily, at least, 1t has served to head
off a strike-the leaders of the three
threatening unions having bowed to
temporary restraining order issued by
Justice Goldsborough. But actually noth-
ing is solved. Soon or late, the end OF the
war must be formally proclaimed. And
when that time comes the Government
will be without legal authority to protect
the public against the consequences of
or union leaders 1t is true that the Rail-
way Labor Act sets up certain delaying
procedures against strike and the Taft
Hartley law makes provision for what
amounts to a cooling of period. But these
statutes at best can merely delay strike
for few weeks or months. After that the
public, in peacetime, is at the mercy OF
the labor leaders.
In this connection it Is important to
keep In mind the profound change that
has taken place in our industrial structure.
Only few years ago an industrial dispute
found the employees pitted against their
employers. In many. cases the economic
power >of4the employers was 50 great that
the workers could not enforce just de-
mands for better wages and working
conditions Theresult of this was deter
mined effort, supported by the Govern
ment and by public sentiment, to build
and strengthen unions.
Now the tables have been turned. In
areas like the railroad industry or the
coal industry a dispute no longer finds
the workers pitted against their employ
ers For the employers in these industries
between the unions on the one hand and
the Government, representing the people,
on the other And the strike, or the strike
threat no longer is used to exact conces-
sions from employers. Its purpose now is
to bring so much pressure to bear against
the public that the demands of the unions,
be they reasonable or unreasonable, must
be satisfied.
If the coal strike and the threatened
railroad strike do nothing else, they make
this fact clear beyond any possibility of
dispute. And they make it equally clear
that, in those industries which are vital
to the national welfare, the Government
must be given some permanent legal power
to protect the public interest when dis
putes arise. This does not mean that any
individual should be compelled to work
in any industry. But it does mean that no
group of individuals should be permitted
to take collective action which deprives the
public of some essential commodity or
service In the key industries a strike Is
as intolerable as lockout would be- And
a strike should be just as effectively
forbidden
Evening star., 1948-05-11

In the corn and small grain belts progress
has been made in controlling weeds by air.
plane spraying. Forestry officials have
seeded burned-over land at cost of $3.50
per acre contrasted with $35 for hand
work Improvements and new techniques
will be devised as experience gives basis
for judgment. The airplane joins other
modern machinery to assure food supply
to Nation 80 per cent urban.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Le8alized Gambling Urged

To the Editor Of The Star:
Why all the fuss about the 500, 1000 600 gam
bling in the District? Gambling is one of the
oldest professions, and the District Attorney
might just as we'll try to stop the world from
going around as to stop gambling.
Why not legalize gambling and use the $780,
100000 to pay the expenses of running the
District and not cause the taxpayers to pay
more taxes? DICK MOORE.
Evening star., 1948-05-11

in 1947 they withdrew from marketing agree
ment set up under the aforementioned legis-
lation through which they had enjoyed price
protection since 1889. Had, they stayed in
the agreement the price Of milk would prob
ably have gore down cent ssquart or more. BY
virtue Of their 'rnonopolfsf saspntrol of this
market they were able. without further pro-
lection from, legislation to keep up the price
Of theE milk at 4 time when Ii all the neigh
boring milk markets under Federal order milk
prices were going. down.
Consumers are not opposed to legislation
favoring the farmer until such legislation is
used as shield to protect groups employing
illegal practices to preserve their bargaining
power in disregard Of the public interest. The
only hope for consumers now is that the De-
partment of Justice will appeal the case to
the Supreme Court. They might clear up for
Mr.. Leahy his nisconception that the Capper-
Volstead Act bestows upon his clients or any
group right to become a monopoly"
SARAH H. NEWMAN.
Evening star., 1948-05-11

crystal ball given Stain by glasS7
workers Is quickly passed Oh to nnsau1n.
! DOE may Aays in mind Hitler, $ faux pas,
Of trying g Sforesee y future chat was
looking over his shoulder.
Evening star., 1948-05-11

Whither-are-w drifting item: The
United States of America has entered great
wars with fewer firearms than are found
on Brooklyn and Bronx gangs Of juvenile
delinuuentS, <st% .,.a
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Questions and Answers
By Gould Lincoln ,

A reader can ges the answer to any question OF
fact By writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau 316 Eye street NE. Washington 2, D. c.
Please incose three 90 cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

Q. Where was Father Flanagan Of Boys
Town born?-H. E. R.
A. Father Flanagan was born in Roscom-
mon, ireland. in 1886. He came to the United
States when he was 18 years old, and he be-
came an American citizen in 1919.
Evening star., 1948-05-11

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,ortter, although 1t IS permissible for
toriter known to The Star to use
a nom de plume. Please be Hiet.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Liouidation of Military Establishments

Liquidation of Military Establishments
To the Editor Of The Star:
During the past two or three years. the
United States Government has gone on
rampage, not only disposing OF its military,
naval and air forces, but also OF its properties
to the tune of several billion dollars.
Almost daily the public is advised through
the press of the extremely delicate condition
existing between this Government and Russia.
However, in the face of this critical situation.
the Federal Government deems it desirable
to dispose OF hundreds Of millions Of dollars
worth of camps, sites, units and military
equipment These properties are being dis
posed of for nothing or for insignificant
amounts am wondering why our Govern
ment officials and members of Congress are
permitting this to be done.
Daytona Beach. 7. G. ELLIOTT
Evening star., 1948-05-11
@. Is porpoise oil used to oil watches9-

came an American citizen in 1919.
@. Is porpoise oil used to oil watches7-
M. o. r.
A. Formerly oil from porpoises was used
but in the past few years a synthetic product
has been developed for this purpose.
O. What is the derivation of the word
"fakir"?-B. w. T. ....,
A. Fakir. is an Arabic word which means
poor" specifically poor in the sight Of God"
In India fakirs are deyout Moslems who prac-
tice strict religious discipline. The term Is also
applied popularity to wandering beggars who
torture themselves to prove their holiness.
@. Why has spider silk been used so widely
In the manufacture of certain kinds OF instru-
ments?-J. r. D.
A. Spider silk is noted for its strength, fine
ness and elasticity and hence has been found
eminently suitable for the manufacture OF pre-
cision instruments The silk Is stronger than
steel or platinum wire Of the same diameter.
About $1,000 spiders are needed to produce
pound Of the silk.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
'Co.operative Plan in Apartments

'Co.operative Plan in Apartments
To the Editor OF The Star:
In this and many other cities, apartment
house owners seeking to get around the rent
law are attempting to sell the apartments on
the "co-operative plan" 1t sounds interesting
and In some instances it may be desirable, but
in the majority Of cases 1t is an evasion.
Unless checked, the rental law will be law
in name only. The time has come for the Gov
ernment to make thorough investigation Of
the high-soundmg "co-operative plan" In the
light. 1t is rapidly becoming racket
When the owners of apartment houses, many
OF which are old, wish to reap golden har-
vest, they employ high pressure statesmen to
sell the apartments, frequently at exorbitant
rates. They are aware OF course, that ten
ants have no places to 60 in city packed with
people, and so they attempt to- apply the
squeeze" Elderly men and women who
promptly have paid their rentals for decades
are threatened with eviction. Naturally, moth
ing Is said regarding the disadvantages Of
buying the apartments. This is carefully
avoided by pressure groups, Nevertheless, the
disadvantages are manifold. Tenants have
rights and they should be respected. Being
showed around like cattle on their way to the
slaughter house is unprincipled and thorough
ly undemocratic. CRY FOR JUSTICE.
Evening star., 1948-05-11
Something Better Than Communism

Something Better Than Communism
To the Editor of The Star:
The finest government in the world today
is the Government of the United States. In
the 48 States there are people of every race
and every nationality with one language, one
currency, no passports, no tariff. The ideal Is
world government, governed by United Nations.
This universe is one and everything in 1t is
.elated. The soul of it is God.
This country Is against communism and
is trying to prevent other countries from be-
coming communistic. In order to do this, We
have to offer underprivileged countries some
thing better than communism has to offer.
BLANCHE C. HOWLETT.
Evening star., 1948-10-29

Shank will relate the history of
points of interest along the river.
Another feature of Sunday park
activities will be an all-day camera
tour through nearby Maryland. Spe-
cial buses will leave 1416 F street
NV. at 9 am. and return about $3.50
pm, while motorists driving their
own automobiles will assemble at
Georgia and Alaska avenues NV.
at $50 am.
A park naturalist will lead an
autumn search for birds nests, CO.
coons, winter egg clusters and SINH
lar objects along the Chesapeake g.
Ohio Canal towpath from 3 to
pm. tomorrow. The walk will start
Evening star., 1948-10-29
Potomac Excursion Boat
Will End Season Sunday

Last of the seasons Potomac River
sightseeing excursions on the Poto-
mac Clipper to Fort Washington,
Mo, will be run Sunday, National
Capital Parks supt. Irving c. Root
announced today.
The boat will leave the dock at
Tidal Basin Inlet Bridge. in West
Potomac Park. west of the jefferson
Memorial, at 10 am, returning about
2 pm. Park Historian Charles e.
Evening star., 1948-10-29

at Stop 80 on the Cabin John car
line, Macarthur boulevard and Tu-
lane street NV.
Recognition of trees and shrubs
after they have lost their leaves. will
be taught by Park Horticulturist
Horace w. Lester on a walk in Dunn
barton Oaks Park from 8 to 5 pm.
Sunday. The walk will start at the
park entrance near Thirty-first and
r streets NV.
Evening star., 1948-10-29
Service Club to Hold
Costume Dance Toniqht

Fort L. j. McNair's Service Club
No. l will hold Halloween costume
dance at 7:30 o'clock tonight, with
prizes for the best and funniest cos
Evening star., 1948-10-29

tunes. Miss Lillian Fritz, director
OF the recreation committee of the
club, will be In charge.
The 335th Fighter Squadron of
Andrews Air Force Base will hold a
dance, also at 7:30 o'clock tonight,
in the squadron's mess hall.
Evening star., 1948-10-29

A typical American house has
about 1,500 feet of electric wiring.
Evening star., 1948-05-04
Natures Children
MEGAPOD]
By LiIIion Cox Athey

Megapodes are said to belong to
the weirdest clan of birds on earth.
1t is not their plumage which gives
them this distinction, but their
behavior.
The birds are about the size of a
bantam with plumage of blue-gray
on the neck and underparts, olive
brown on back and wings. Their
general outline Is tendency to
appear dumpy. These birds have
remarkable determination to wan
der from the straight and narrow
path of what is proper for a bird
to do.
Your desire to see the megapode
at home is dampened because an
early morning visit through the
jungle is unpleasant. The air is
sweltering and the noise of scream
ing cockatoos and other talkative
birds. together with the dreaming
of myriads of insects, Is more than
you are willing to endure, even for
the sight Of megapode sitting
silently in the shadows appearing
to be clod of earth.
However. when gentle breezes
from the Leyte Gulf penetrate the
jungle and quietness reigns you 60
in and take comfortable seat on a
log near enough to tree trunk for
backrest. Before you have time
to accustom your eyes to the dim
light of the jungle, there is an ex-
plosion that makes you thing bomb
has been dropped.
The megapode has observed your
entrance and. as is, the custom of
these birds, has risen into the air
and come into such violent contact
with dead palm fronds that one is
snapped. making a loud report.
After the megapode has startled
the daylight out OF you, she may be
seen busily engaged in kicking twigs,
leaves and other forest floor debris
into a pile. She is mound builder
like her cousin, the bush turkey
OF Australia. Sometimes several
matrons will get together and kick
The mound may reach a height of
nearly 5 feet. Sometimes a more
independent thinker will use an old
stump. When the mound comes
up to specifications the single large
egg is deposited on the top. All
parental responsibility is brushed
aside by these birds. The heat of
the jungle will incubate the egg
and the lone youngster will peck his
way to freedom and become self
supporting. Sometimes the mound
is erected on the shore where the
hot sun takes care of incubation.
The megapode's family ranges
east from the Nicobars to the
Mariannas and beyond to Central
Polynesia and south to Australia.
reaching the peak of variety in the
New Guinea territory. While the
general appearance of the members
vary, their habits are identical.
They are thrifty, too, as one mound
may be used for years.
Evening star., 1948-05-04
T axe My Word for 1t
BY Fronk Colby
Words to Watch.

Overheard on a radio program:
The Communists actions can be
described only as HEE-nee-
The word used is heinous, "odious;
atrocious; giving great offenSe"
The pronunciation used has no
sanction. Heinous is a word of two
Syllables. Pronounce 1t HAY-nuss.
In Shakespeare's day, the word
horizon was accented on the first
syllable, as "HAWR-i-zun," a pro-
nunciation that is still heard occa-
sionally. But it is obsolete. Better
avoid 1t and say huh-RY-z'n.
Watch the word quantity. There
is a tendency to omit the first 1T"
as if the word were spelled
:"q-u-a-n-it-y." The pronunciation
is KWAHN-ti-tee.
There is no "gash" in sagacious.
Not "suh- -GASH-uss.' The word
means "shrewd; farsighted; having
keen judgment" Be sure to say
suh-GAY-shuSs. But note that in
the noun sagacity, the second "a
is fiat as in gas. thus: suh-GASS-
i-tee.
Overheard at a lecture on psy-
chology: He was a pro-tuh- -JEE
Of Freud's." The word used is pro-
tege, "one who is under the pro-
lection of or sponsored by another"
The word is from the French and
retains much of its French flavor.
although the standard American
pronunciation differs somewhat
from the French. 1t is correct to
say PRO-tuh-zhay.
Overheard in a doctors recep-
ton room: The doctor says that
my ear trouble is caused by an in
fammation of the you-station
tube" The word used is Eustachian
tube, the tube which extends from
the middle ear to the nasal cavity.
The tube as named for Eustachio, a
famous Italian physician of the 10Th
century.
In best usage, the word is pro-
nounced yoo-STAY- -kee-un.
A commentator pronounces pref
JUDICIAL as PRE- E-joo-DISH- ul."
It's wrong. Better say PREH-j -joo-
DISH-ull.
Evening star., 1948-05-04
Word Game
Find "a or more common English
words in
UNTHINKING,
meaning. needless; casual" Aver
age mark Is % words. Time limit,

Rules of the game Words must be of
four or more letters. 2. Words which acquire
four letters by the addition Of s." such as
form Of a word is used 4 Proper names
are not used. A list will be published
tomorrow.
Evening star., 1948-05-04
AUTOMOBILES WANTED,

WANTED-CARs, 40 through AS Price
Tos nS S0'ssi 'sSfcEs sa pAR fR io5 hS7s Clean used
See Mr.. Bodine. RANDALL MOTORS, INC,
Dealers 1850 18th st
SEE Us BEFoRE YoU SELL. poHANKA
SERVICE. 112s Goth St NV. pI 9141
AGAIN BUYING 1896 TO 1874. CARS. viii
pay highest possible cash price at your
bank: immediate cash. HI. $3.50. 3
WANTED-Studebaker; private party will
pay high price for late model Studebaker;
LINCOLN 1915. IA. AS. II you want to
sell for top dollar. see Mr. Austel, at
GRADY MOTORS, 1880 Hampden lane,
Lincoln Mercury Dealer. 10
FORD, any year or model. Will pay top
dollar. GRADY MOTORS. 1880 Hamp-
den lane, Lincoln Mercury Dealer. 10
Is our price. CENTRAL MOTOR SALES,
1920 Conn. ave, wO. 9236, EN-. 1854.