davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-09-27
A Good Place to Live

There are many good reasons why
Washington is such pleasant place IN
which to live and work, and some OF the
more compelling reasons are to be found
in the Census Bureaus report on average
income of District area residents in 1947.
The report, based on a sampling survey
conducted for the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, shows that
about one out of every three families in
the Metropolitan Area had an income OF
$4,000 or more last year. In the words OF
Census Director Capt, while living costs
are relatively high" here, so are the
wages and salaries of those fortunate
enough to make their homes in Washing
ton or it's suburbs.
Especially interesting is the disclosure
that although family earnings doubled
between 1899 and 1947, rents went up only
20 per cent. That is. pretty convincing
evidence of the effectiveness OF rent con-
troll during this period of serious housing
shortages. The greatest percentage OF
renters, incidentally, were in the District
of Columbia In the city, for example,
less than one home out of every three
was owner-occupied. For the city and
suburbs as a whole, about two out of five
were owned by the occupants. There can
be no doubt, however, that the suburban
ratio of home ownership to tenancy is
changing as a result of wartime and post
war apartment construction in nearby
Maryland and Virginia. Huge apartment
projects under way in the adjoining coun-
ties will increase the number of tenants
at rate too fast for home builders to
match.
The census report reflects generally the
reliability and stability of economic con-
ditions in the National Capital Wash
ington's prosperity is linked inextricably
with the prosperity of the Nation. Our
principal industry is the business of gov
ernment. And while the salaries of some
civil service employees, particularly those
in technical and other specialized jobs,
may suffer by comparison with those in
private industry, all Federal workers enjoy
a sense of -and-year- security
to be found nowhere else. Small wonder,
then, that the Washington area continues
to grow in a steady and healthy way,
despite depressions, hot and cold wars and
other national catastrophies.
Evening star., 1948-09-27

private recitals at the White House and
has taught a number Of Hollywood stars
and other celebrities how to make music
out OF the little device. The farmonica,
in turn, has done lot for Mr.. Adler. It
has put him in the upper income brackets,
for example
It would be nice If the story of Mr..
Petrillo's conversion to the worth Of the
harmonica had to do only with the union
cars appreciation of the finer things In
music. Unfortunately, Mr.. Petrillo admits
that there was another consideration in
opening his federation to harmonica play
ers. The better players are in competition
with his union musicians in a way that Mr..
Petrillo holds to be unfair. They can make
recordings, while under special ban, fed
Grafton members may not. Yet many Of
them, like Mr.. Adler, have remained in
good standing with organized labor. be-
cause they are members of the AFL Ameri-
can Guild of Variety Artists. There was
no percentage in this for Mr.. Petrillo's
outfit hence the new ruling. Already a
feud has developed between the federation
and the guild. Despite this union discord,
the stage is set for some real harmonica
harmony on the concert platform. What
ever the motive behind the Petrillo ruling
harmonica lovers everywhere will be glad
to see their favorite instrument placed in
its proper setting.
Evening star., 1948-09-27

other researches. The plant in New York
and another planned for the Argonne Ma
tional Laboratory near Chicago should
open the way for intensive studies in the
power field. 1t well may be that most of
us will not live to see the day that atomic
energy lights our homes, runs our washing
machines and turns the motors OF industry.
It would be rash person who would
doubt, however, that such day will come,
thanks to the pioneering work by today's
atomic scientists
Evening star., 1948-09-27
The Quest for Atomic Power

Todays users of electricity would do well
to read and weigh carefully the words OF
the Atomic Energy Commission before be-
coming too hopeful over the announce
ment that the first atomic power plant is
to be built soon in Saratoga County, Ne"
York The commission has taken pains 10
let the public know that it will be long
time, perhaps many decades, before the
atom possibly could supplant conventional
sources of power in practical way.
The proposed atomic pile near Saratoga
Springs will be the first devoted exclu-
sively to experimental production OF power.
All the other atomic furnaces" in opera
ton have as their primary purpose the
"breedinp" of fashionable materials for
bombs or for research in isotopes, with
heat merely by-product. The New York
plant, however, will be designed to produce
and use heat, which, in turn, will be con-
yerted through conventional processes into
electricity.
It will take about three years before the
first tests can be made with the new
reactor According to commission spoKes-
men, it will take many more years to learn
enough to enable the experimenters to de-
sign a really workable power plant OF SUI
ficient capacity to have any industrial
significance AS DR.. C. g. Suits, research
director for General Electric, put it, this
will be but the first step in a long process
which will extend over decades, the end
point of which might be new source OF
energy which could be sufficient to supply
our needs"
Up to now very little progress has been
made toward this lend point" This Is
largely because the emphasis to date has
been on production Of bombs and OF
isotopes for medical, agricultural ano
Evening star., 1948-09-27
No Run-Around Permitted

It is apparent from the annual report
of the District of Columbia Veterans Serv-
ice Center that, three years after the close
of World War II, there is still need for
the specialized type of guidance and aid
which veterans may obtain from this
worthwhile agency.
Here is one governmental organization
where veterans have found they will not
be given the run-around. Red tape is
strictly taboo at the center. To the best Of
it's ability, the small but efficient and we'll
trained staff, under Colonel Waldron E..
Leonard, tries to provide one-stop service
to veterans and their dependents. In
stead of getting rid of applicants in the
shortest possible time by referring them
to some other department or bureau, the
policy is to provide, under one roof, all the
information or all the other services de-
sired. There were some persons who
doubted that such a miracle could be per-
formed when the plan first was broached
in 1945, but, with the cooperation OF many
District and Federal Offices, the job is
being done remarkably we'll. An array Of
letters from satisfied customers" attests
the fact that the center Is still filling an
urgent need in the hurly-burly of Wash
ington's governmental activity. The let
ters express appreciation for aid in job
hunting, renting apartments, filing claims,
converting insurance and doing many
other things which former serviceman
must do when he returns to civilian life.
One of the more popular services is the
photostating of discharges or other papers.
During the past fiscal year 87,549 veter-
ans-women as well as men-were aided
in one way or another. The cost was
$l21 400. For the new fiscal year an in
crease of only $100 was asked. The pro-
posed Investment is justified on the basis
of the center's fine record to date.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
RECOGNITION for the Hurmonicu

It is absolutely official now. The har-
monica is musical instrument. 1t has
finally been recognized as such by its
greatest detractor of bygone days, James
Caesar Petrillo, head of the, American Fed
Grafton of Musicians. AS result, Mr..
Petrillo has Cancelled his former ruling
that mouth organ players as class are
not musicians and therefore not eligible
for membership in his very exclusive
union.
The surprising thing about this turn
about on Mr. Petrillo's part is that it was
so long in coming. 1t is matter OF hard
fact, dinned upon the consciousness OF
many distracted parents, that not all
mouth organs make music. But that does
not necessarily mean that the popular
little lung exerciser is not a musical in
strument, if handled properly. Mr.. Petrillo
should have recognized that truism long
ago. For harmonica (concert stage name
for the mouth organ) is no more inhar-
monious in wrong hands than violin, q
trumpet, a saxophone or drum. AL too
often the wrong hands are to be found
right next door or across the street.
But when the lowly mouth organ is
grasped between the expert hands and
deftly applied to the mouth of such an
artist as, say, Larry Adler, there can be
no doubt that it deserves to be rated
among the more melodious of musical in
struments 1t so happens that Mr.. Adler
was the first of Americas harmonica
players to crash the ranks of MIR. Petrillo's
select company. The Harmonicats, we'll
known group of mouth organists, also have
been accepted for membership. Mr.. Adler
| is reputed to have done more for the
harmonica than any other single person.
He has made command appearances be-
| fore numerous crowned heads, has given
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Says Spirit Of Boys ID High.

10 the Editor Of The star:
I have followed with considerable concern
the recent articles and editorials printed IN
your newspaper pertaining to the Cadet Corps;
and should like to say that you have heard
only one side of the question-the unfortunate
one-on the present conditions found IN the
Corps.
At Woodrow Wilson the spirit Of individual
Cadets has never been higher; their devotion
to duty and their will to win" has not sue
cumbed to the theory that Western always
wins" (or always wild. II the skeptics who
were called upon to give their statements on
the value Of the Cadet Corps could have been
members of Company at Wilson, am cer-
tain that their opinions would have been en-
tirely different. For the three and half years
that was member Of this company the prin-
cipal aim was to have each man give OF his
best for the good of the whole. After the Com
petitive of lS47, when B Company finished
fourth behind three Of Westerns companies,
we were convinced that victory could be ours
the following year. We worked hard with this
victory In mind but on the Competitive field
last May something went wrong for only an
instant and the victory slipped from our grasp.
To ordinary Cadets this would have been
heartbreakine but never did hear one word
Of complaint.
These men had gained something which
could not be taken from them-the Willingness
to work together for common goal and the
ability to play the game fairly and squarely
regardless Of the outcome Cadet companies
renew themselves again and again Is each year
passes but for a unit such as this the spirit
never dies but lives on to give inspiration to
the Cadets yet to come and lasting satisfaction
to former members.
This, then, is the cardina! objective OF
service in the Cadet Corps. Why is 1t that
some companies have this spirit and others do
not? / think that leadership Is undoubtedly
the reason. The Cadet who has had inspiring
oficers when he was In the ranks win, as .
result, be better one when his turn arises.
earnestly hope that this letter win be en-
tightening to some who are not aware Of the
values Of Cadet training. for II they could ex-
perience what and hundreds Of others have,
they would be convinced II Is worthwhile.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Advantages to the Cadet.

Advantages 70 the Caoct.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The item in The Star about the proposed
abandonment of the Cadet Corps in six Of
Washingtons high schools, and my sons dis
heartened report Of the lack OF interest OF
the new students at Western IN the Cadets
and the fact that Western has not filled its
minimum requirement Of 100 Cadets impel me
to write this in hope that 1t will interest
washington parents Of high school boys and
influence them in favor Of the Cadet Corps.
In all my travels in the Navy I have never
seen, in any other community, anything con-
nected with high school education as bene-
fetal to the development and maturity OF
young men.
With eyery male high school student faced
with the definite prospect Of the draft, and
the possibility in the future of some sort OF
military training, 1t Is obvious that familiar
knowledge OF military training would be very
helpful in adjusting to that life, particularly
to those who are away from home and among
complete strangers for the first time in their
lives.
NV son is senior and in the Cadet Corps
for his third year. In all that time he has
never had to be told to polish his shoes, get
a hair cut, brush his clothes or to send a
bagey pair Of trousers to be cleaned and
pressed. have many friends with sons in
the Cadet Corps and these parents have noted
the care they have taken, upon joining, IN
their personal appearance, posture, cleanliness
and good grooming, not only when in uniform.
but at all times. From my observation, that
cannot be said of the majority Of high school
boys.
Cadets learn, early in life, to take orders
and discipline from their contemporaries In
good spirit-something that must be learned
to be a success in any walk Of life.
It is true that, with the system OF after
school hours, boys must make choice BE-
tween the Cadets and athletics. But no ath-
letic achievements could bring any more glory
to the school or personal satisfaction to an
individual than the outstanding record OF
the Cadet Corps that has been won at West
ern. There could not be any competition,
between schools, in athletics keener than there
is in the company competition at the end OF
the school year.
If any parent would take the time to 60
to one of the Cadet competitions held at
Griffith Stadium he would see plainly for
himself the outstanding advantages that are
gained by their sons in the Cadet Corps.
Should Washington schools abandon the
Cadet Corps. I think they would suffer
loss that could not be resained in any other
form of school activity.
ELLEN L. WILKINS.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Emil Ludwis's Masaryk

To the Editor Of Inc StaI:
Your recent necrologues for the late Emil
Ludwig, renowned biographer. listed some Of his
best works. However. your articles fail to
mention one Of hts masterpiecss. "The Spirit
and Action" describing the spochal appearance
Of Thomas daTrigue Nasaryk, creator Of Csecho-
slovakia, and mighty leader Of real democracy
In Europe
PROF. LEoNID srAlBUL-sHEK.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.
q. How many parking meters are used 70
control the parking problems IN various clues
in the entire United States? How many cities
use the parking meter system?-E.v.
A The american City" reports that on June
30. ls47, there were 12o0 municipalities operat.
Ing . total Of 4SsJooo meters.
@. Are network radio programs transmitted
by means Of wifes?--C. w. b.
A. Telephone wires are used In Transmitting
established long-distance lines were used bqt
later specially engineered wire circuits were
developed for this purpose. Such telepho1s
lines are leased on . reasonably permanent
basis only for radio broadcast use. 4
q. What department Of the Federal Covers.
n,er,t has charge OF iighthouses2-D. L. B. (
A. The United States Lighthouse Service q
usuler the direction Of the United States Coat
Guard, Department Of the Treasury. nsyi1s
BEEN transferred from the Department OF Cor3.
merce in 1885, The employees are under Ciyl
Service
q. what are the dimensions Of the island d
Okinawa?-N. M. T
A. Okinawa is IS miles long and ranges p
width from to IS miles. The area Is apprcz4-
nately ls5 square miles, little more TIM
the area Of the city Of Los Angeles.
q. what famous artist always prayed befcts
painting7-p. I. q.
a. Fre Angelica, the sanity Italian paint1f
vio lived from 1851 to il56. He saw no cyl
IN the world and painted no shadows. It 3
said that he never handled brush vithoSt
fervent prayer and kneit when hs painted -
Madonna. q
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Cadet Corps Attraction.


To the Editor Of Tie Star:
see by the paper that the Army Is plan
ming to discontinue its support Of the Wash
inston High School Cadet Corps. Having
been. throughout high school, q member Of
the CORPS, such . move fills me with disgust
There Is no denying that the Cadet Corps is
low-desperately low-in manpower. However,
steps are being taken to combat this. At
woodrow Wilson High School extensive pub
licity campaigns are being planned. During
the past two years, cadet alumni at Woodrow
Wilson have made illustrated posters, staged
inter- school broadcasts on the public address
system, and even had two cadet commercials
read on station WWDC shortly before school
opened. Recently. the former cadets at Wood
row Wilson formed an organization called VIII
son Cadet Alumni (WCA,. The purpose OF
this organization as stated in the charter is
ito promote fellowship among former cadets
and to aid and encourage the Cadet Corps d
Woodrow Wilson High School" Does not
such interest In q high school organization by
It's former members indicate that 1t Is not
forgotten by the students Is they leave the
school?
It always amazes me to see the old-timers
at the Cadet Competition Drill. Some boast
proudly that they haven't missed Cadet
Competitive in 80 years Others are younger
boys home from college perhaps-rememberin
the thrill they felt when they went on the
field with their companies. Parents would be
wise to urge their sons to enlist in the corps
and to experience that unsel1sh ambition:
ITO have my company win"
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Blames the School omcials.

0CkISO1, A01teAV1o.G
Blames the School Ohhcials.
To the Editor Of The Star:
believe that the charges Of Maj. Gen.
Hobart r. Gay concerning the Cadet Corps
are largely justified, and hope you will pub
lsi this letter to offset the evasive denials Of
the school officials.
regard the Cadet Corps as the outstanding
activity in the Washington high schools. How
ever, the school officials evidently do not share
this opinion because their obstructionist tactics
and often their indifference have hindered
the Corps at every turn.
In the first place Gen. Gay charges that
school oficials have ignored the letter and
spirit Of the law concerning service in the
Corps. He is absolutely correct. Instead Of
presuming q student to be member Of the
Corps unless excused by his parents as the
law requires, the school officials presume him
to be excused from service unless he enlists.
Gen. Gay also Is correct in his criticism Of
school officials for failing to correct the con-
fiict between the Corps and the athletic pro-
gram. Especially since the war there has been
a top-heavy emphasis on athletics and it has
been all but impossible for boy to participate
in both. This situation easily could be cor
TecteQ Dy SOlltluE Tie nOuIS Oh QI1l OF team
practice and by ordering the coaches to be
more tolerant Of Cadet-athletes.
Also cannot agree entirely with DR.. Corn
ing when he says that the decline in Cadet
enrolment Is hard to explain. It may be due
partially to postwar dislike for military
activity, but I feel that the blame more prop
erly can be placed on the administrative ON
cials@of the school system, the Board Of Edu-
cation and . few of the teachers, including
many Of the coaches Of athletics These per-
sons have either done their best to discourage
the Corps by looking upon 1t as q secondary
activity, suitable only for boys who are unfit
for athletics, or have been indifferent toward
the problems of the Corps regarding the activ-
ity as unimportant In the first category there
are the school oficials who have done their
best to hamstring the Corps with rules and
regulations, as well as refusing to aid the
Corps with such favors as writing letters or
making speeches indorsing the Corps or re-
questlng funds from Congress to ease the
burden on the boys OF purchasing uniforms.
In the latter category are few well meaning
but unwlse teachers who simply are not inter-
ested in the problems of the Corps.
think that most men who have been mem
bers Of the Corps will agree that their service
in 1t has been q valuable experience and that
the Corps should not be permitted to die out.
The District school officials should not be
allowed to continue their present attitude Of
ohstructionism and indifference toward the
Corps. WILLIAM J, IVEY.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
"Other Side" Of the Story.

OtucT SA0e OI the St0kys
To the Editor OF The Star:
I am . cadet who has enjoyed membership
in the High School Cadets for two years. Com
ments in the newspapers during the past few
days by students have made me angry because
they only tell one side Of the story. I believe
that 1t Is time for the point of view of q
serious minded cadet to be heard. ..,
In answer to the boy who said that he did
not want to drill for some stripe-happy kid"
I can say it is obvious that he never has been
q cadet Rank is achieved through merit and
there are equal opportunities for all boys to
win stripes.
The fact that Western consistently wins the
competitive drills is the fault of the cadets
in the other schools. If the cadets in the other
schools would work as hard during drill periods
in November as they do in May, and If they
received the wholehearted support from the
students and the faculties that Western re-
ceives there would be a more equal distribution
Of drill victories among the schools.
For those boys who anticipate military serv-
Ice, the value of a modernized Cadet Corps is
readily apparent. According to an editorial
In The Star for September g. more former
Washington High School Cadets have grad
uated from West Point and Annapolis than
from any other Cadet Corps in the country.
This is convincing proof that the training
received by our cadets is valuable. However
any young man can benefit from program
which gives him poise and teaches him to
assume responsibility. Training which en-
phasizes the duties as well as the privileges
Of citizenship is especially needed by high
school boys today.
If the school authorities would furnish the
facilities (such Is junior r. o. T. c. for real
istic training and place less emphasis on COM
petition the fine tradition Of the High School
Cadets could be preserved and we would re-
ceive valuable experience. JOHN J. HE'LL.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Questions and Answers
By Thomas r. Henry

A reader can get the answer 70 any question q
fact 81 writing The Eysning star InfeJmsn92n g
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