davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-12-05
Gift Books for 1oAo
Continued From Page o.

ed Device" by James Reynolds
(Creative Age).
If you've reached this point with
out finding anything for some of
the people on your list, you should
be able to solve your problem with
a book that will be welcome in any
home. "A Fire ide Book of Yuletide
Tales" edited by Edward Wagen-
knecht (Bohbs- s-MerrilD, is just as
cozy as it sounds. 1t contains
Christmas stories by Dickens, Louisa
May Alcott, o. Henry, William Dean
Howells and such contemporaries
as Haywood Broun. Dorothy Thomp-
son and James Hilton The illus
trations are by Warren Chappell.
But if even that won't do, don't
give up the idea of presenting books
Tor Christmas. Visit the bookshops
and browse pleasantly until you find
what you want. A reasonably good
rule to follow in selecting books for
others is to get those that would
please you. And if you shop early
enough, you'll be able to read them
yourself before you have to give
them away.
Evening star., 1948-12-05
Babe Ruth Biography
By COnsidine Is TOPS

Baseball again topped the list and
Considine's biography of Ruth easily
vas the crowning achievement in this
field, with Treats work a neat sec
ond. Putting down histories of the
many major league clubs has been
the fsYerish goal OF numerous sports
writers. Easily the most industrious
and consistent is Frederick G. Lieb,
veteran reporter of the diamond,
who added the Pittsburgh Pirates
and Cincinatti Reds to his monu-
mental stack of team biographies
in 1947.
Harold Kaese displayed rare pre-
science in presenting a chronicle of
the Boston Braves. who responded
by winning the National League
pennant. John Durant turned out
another story about the Brooklyn
Dodgers and this, in turn, was COM
plemented by Leo Durocher's THE
Dodgers and Me-" a tale of his ex-
periences with the Dodgers of recent
years. Durocher's book caused q
mlld Juror, apparently because THE
Lip told too many tales out of
school on too many players.
Joe Di Maggie was listed as the
author of Baseball for Every One"
and Jackie Robinson, first Negro
to play in major league, wrote the
story of his rise to fame. There was
even little book of Tall Baseball
Stories" a collection of impossible
yarns that undoubtedly would be
better received orally and in proper
dialect to fit the characters described.
But. after looking over the field,
one comes back to The Babe Ruth
Story" as the outstanding book of
its type published in 1948. Consi-
dine had the advantage of hearing
the home-run slugger's colorful
story from the lips of Ruth himself,
In addition to gathering literally
hundreds of anecdotes from the men
players and writers-intimately
associated with the star during his
glittering and explosive career. The
author handled his material adroitly.
1t was interesting to read, for ex-
ample, that Ruth patterned his
rhythmic swing after that of Shoe
less Joe Jackson, member of the
Infamous Black Sox Of the 1919
World Series, and that the Babe
never placed himself at the top of
any an-star teams rightfielders, al
Evening star., 1948-12-05
Keeping Score Of the Years Books on Sports

though he unquestionably belonged
there. No less readable was the
description of the victory celebration
following the 1923 World Series
when Manager Miller Higgins lost
his false teeth, or the incidents pre-
-ceding the Babes famous called"
homer in the 1882 series at Chicago.
Never has more famous blow been
struck in baseball
The only criticism of the book is
that, despite 242 pages of discrimi-
nately selected material, expertly
woven into breezy story Of one Of
the games lustiest heroes, it was too
short. Inclusion of Ruth's all-time
records in pitching and batting add
to its value.
Roger Treats Story
Of Walter johnson
The same objection could be
raised against Treats story Of
Walter johnson. The writer appar-
emily did not have the voluminous
source material available to Consi-
dine and, in fact, seemed to draw
chiefly on Clark Griffith and Clyde
Milan for much of Johnsons back
ground. But he writes in a light
vein with an effortless style and Ger
tainly could not have picked two
better-versed men to recall the Big
Trains noteworthy achievements.
Much remains to be written about
the johnson saga and If it is put
down as well as this beginning it
will be welcome addition.
The climax of the book is the 1926
World Series in Pittsburgh where
johnson, pitching in the rain and
mud, lost the last game of the series.
Leading up to it is the almost fic-
tional tale OF the farm boys rise to
one Of the loftiest pinnacles in the
games annals.
The Best Sports Stories of 1913,
an annual edition, again contained
selected articles on various sports.
Many readers will disgree with the
editors choices. however, for a book
of this type cannot possibly score q
Evening star., 1948-12-05

unanimous hit. This is particularly
true when effort is pointed at
making the book sort of a summary
OF championship events as well as
entertaining fireside reading.
In the same vein is Sports Col
den Age edited by Allison Danzig
and Peter BrandWein, although it
has a loftier aim. This is an at
tempt to set down the high lights
Of that glamorous era when sports
flourished and reached an all-time
peak in the l920s when such titans
as Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Bobby
Jones, Red Grange, Knute Rockne
and Tilden dominated the sports
scene. Such acceptable authorities
as Grantland Rice, J. Roy Stockton,
Stanley Woodward, Bryan Field and
o. b. Keeler were enlisted to tell the
story of what truthfully was a
golden age.
The book will fill the needs of
both classes of sports addicts-those
who lived and saw many of the
athletes who made the headlines,
and those who were not so fortu-
nate but who like to read about
them.
The Seamy Side
OF Athletics
Undoubtedly one of the most en-
joyable books of the year, possibly
the best for anybody not concerned
with any particular sport, was Say
1t Amt So, joe edited by Thomas
L. Stix. Some years ago Stix wrote
about heroes in sports but this book
concerns the seamy side of athletics.
Ring Lardner's masterpiece, "The
Champion" portions of Joel Sayre's
"Rackety Rax" and Gerald Kershs
Might and the City" all classics,
make the book well worth the read
ing. TO-.
Jim Beach and Daniel Moore col
laborated in history of the Notre
Dame-Army football rivalry, which,
alas, was broken off this year. But
grid fans, especially those who fol-
low the fortunes of either team and
Evening star., 1948-12-05
By Denmun Thompson
Sports Editor of The Star

-WO former Washington sports
writer's, Bob Considine and
Roger Treat, are represented
among the authors who in
l948 turned out books on
sports.
They chose for their subjects two
Of the greatest characters in the
history of baseball, Babe Ruth and
Walter johnson. That, in itself,
virtually guaranteed a popular re-
ception Of the books by sports fans.
Happily, however. they carried out
their tasks with flying colors.
These are only two in the Gus
tomarily lengthy output of books
dealing with athletics that seem to
be a distinct bit of Americana.
Next to playing the game itself, or
being a spectator at any Of a score
OF major sporting classics, the fans
seem most to enjoy reading about
their favorite pastime and its heroes.
They had an abundance of material
from which to choose in 1948 and
booksellers report the demand about
as brisk as the previous year.
Evening star., 1948-12-05

those who like to debate the merits
OF the top college players, will well
come this addition to their library.
Howard Roberts, who won his
spurs as a baseball writer, turned
out his second football book, The
Big Nine" which Midwestern fol-
lowers Of the pigskin will enjoy.
Beginning with glance back to
the beginnings of the sport in the
corn belt, including a list of ex-
penditures which called for a $40
guarantee to the Iowa State team,
Roberts writes about Gordon Locke,
Red Grange, Duane Purvis, Walter
Eckersall, Pat ODea, Wes Fesler
and scores of athletes who travelled
the glory - and sometimes CORY -
trail.
Of Special Interest
To Gridiron Fans
Radio Commentator Bill Stern
published a book of his favorite
football stories and the American
Football Coaches published a booklet
Of instruction and plays that would
not fail to interest the avid fan,
young or old. Fritz Crisler also
was represented by championship
Football" and his record with the
great Michigan teams of recent
years lends authority TO what he has
to say about the game.
Gil Dodds, reigning top distance
runner of this day, was the subject
Of another booklet and there were
the usual studious books on rifles,
fishing, ETC., although somewhat de-
creased in volume over previous
years.
Not to be overlooked by any track
fan is Bill Henry's authorized his
tory of the Olympic Games. A for
mer sports writer whose guiding
hand was largely responsible for the
success of the games at Los Angeles
Evening star., 1948-12-05

in 1882, Henry's book was timed to
coincide with the 1948 games when
interest was at its height. 1t was
an invaluable record book as well as
interesting recount of the beginning
and revival of the most famous
sports event in history.
Evening star., 1948-12-05

IL1)A ?1fFlI' fc21
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Alexandria Considers
7 for Health Officer

Two possible successors to the
Alexandria health officer, DR.. w.
Lewis Schafer, who resigned Monday
in a dispute with city officials, are
being considered, it was disclosed
today.
One possible successor Is DR.. Theo-
dore Shrop, health officer at Ellicott
City, Md, who served as health Off
Ger of Alexandria during the war
while DIR. Schafer was in the Navy.
City Manager Nicholas Colasanto is
awaiting reply from DR.. Shrop.
One city official who talked by
phone with DR.. Shrop, however, said
the former health officer probably
would not be willing to return.
Another possible successor is a
Baltimore physician who is to be
interviewed this afternoon. The
doctor, whose name was not dis
CLOSED, called the city managers Of
fee yesterday and asked that he be
considered for the job.
Miss Cary Carne, nurse with
the health department, is acting
head of the department pending
the appointment.
DR.. Schafer resigned Monday
due to what he described as "dif-
ferences of opinion" with other city
officials.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Annual Frederick Fair
Washed Out First Day

FREDERICK, Md, Oct R.-
The 86th annual Frederick fair was
practically washed out on its open
ing day yesterday.
A persistent rain kept attendance
to just about nothing, although
Judging of livestock and some other
indoor events got under way. All
outdoor events were Cancelled.
There were no customers on the
midway. The only people that could
be seen there were concessionaires,
huddling together to keep warm.
Fair officials Cancelled the aft
ernoon horse races. The track was
sloppy. Races were scheduled for
four Of the five days of the fair,
which winds up Saturday night.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Druftees' and Veterans Guide
BY Maj. Thomos M. Mol

the services a chance to call them
to active duty as vacancies occur?
Because there is no provision in
the act under which it can. If an
inactive Reserve officer is not de-
ferrable for dependency or occupa-
tional or any other reasons and his
name is reached by his local board
he must be sent of to the Army like
any other draftee.
If Selective Service were to delay
drafting him, in order to give the
Navy and Marines time to call him
to active duty, then the Draft Act
would be circumvented.
Selective Service says it has no in
tention of circumventing the Draft
Act.
The Marine Corps says that if it
can't call a nondeferrable Marine
Reserve officer to active duty before
he is drafted (because it has no
place for him) he could be discharged
from the Army right after he is
drafted and then be called to 81
months active duty in the Marines
as a commissioned officer. They
would make q place for him.
The Navy says it's too early to say
exactly what it will do, but probably
Navy Reserve officers will get the
same treatment as their Marine
counterparts.
(From Associated Press Newsfeatures)
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Prince Georges PTA Council
Begins Meetings Tomorrow

A panel discussion by four county
officials and civic leaders on Re
sponsibilities of Citizens will high
light the first meeting of the season
of the Prince Georges County Coun-
Gil of Parent Teacher Associations
at pm. tomorrow.
Those participating will include
William A. Carson. president of the
county commissioners; George G
McLeish, member of the Maryland
House of Delegates; Mrs. Reuben
Bogdanof, president of the county
League of Women Voters, and Mrs
Wells c. Harrington, a member OF
the Greenbelt Town Council and q
past president of the PTA Council
DR.. Keith C. Harder, chairman of q
special advisory committee to the
county Board of Education on school
problems, will act as moderator.
Carroll F. Palmer, president of the
sponsoring organization, will preside
The session will be held at the Bla-
denSburg Junior High School.
Evening star., 1948-10-06

1t looks as though Navy and
Marine Reserve officers who have
had less than 80 days active duty
will not have to go into the Army
for 81 months draft duty.
The Draft Act does not exempt or
defer these inactive Reserve officers.
They are the boys who went through
VS., VT, Viz and similar programs
during the tail end Of the war. After
receiving their Reserve commits
sions they were put on the inactive
list. They weren't needed because
the war was over. Many of them
never joined an organized Reserve
unit.
Section of the Draft Act says, in
effect, that any Reservist not de-
ferred under any of the acts regu-
lations (and not a member of an
organized Reserve unit on June "a,
1948) may be called to active duty
for 81 months by his branch of the
service.
Being called to active duty is a
different horse than being drafted.
The Army already has called up
some 700 inactive Army Reserve Of
flcers, most of whom were 1948 COL
lege graduates and got theif COM
missions through the ROTC.
So these Reservists can be called
to active duty for 81 months. But
what happens to those who aren't
called to active duty and who get
their LA draft classification from
Selective Service, pass their physical
exams and are slated for the draft?
If drafted, they would become
Army recruits, like any other
draftee.
The Navy and Marine Corps may
not be able to call these inactive Re-
serve officers to active duty because
of lack of jobs for them.
About 100 inactive Reserve Ma
rine officers have less than 80 days
active duty. The Navy says it has
"less than 5000" such officers.
Together they make a substantial
pool of trained material. It would be
a terrible waste of money and train
ing if they are not abale to use that
training but have to 60 into the
Army as recruits.
Why can't Selective Service with
hold drafting these boys and give
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Bookie Admits
$4,000 Win
On the Races
By the Assoeiofed Press

BALTIMORE, Oct. Federal
Judge w. Calvin Chestnut couldn't
believe his ears when John L. Dun
nigan explained he had won S37 900
playing the races.
Remarkably consistent" said the
judge. Most horse players 60
broke. How do you do it?s
Dunnigan, a 55-year-old Balu-
more restaurant operator, then ad-
mitted he also was in the book
making business.
He pleaded guilty yesterday to
three charges of Federal income tax
evasion, explaining he had filed
accurate returns on the income
from his legitimate business, but
failed to report the s37 1000 he made
from taking bets on the ponies in
1912, l943 and 1914.
Sentence was deferred.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Arlington School Bond
Proposal Is Endorsed
By Civic Federation

A proposed $4,750,OOO bond issue
to finance county school construc-
ton was Endorsed by the Arlington
Civic Federation last night.
The federation adopted a joint
resolution presented by its Revenues
and Expenditures and Schools Com
mittees which declared 1.-The only
sound logical and fair way to finance
the required school plant expansion
is through borrowing and repay
ment over a period of years approx
mating the useful life of the facili-
ties"
The resolution expressed the hope
and conviction" that the bond issue
will be approved in referendum
which is expected to be held No
vember 2. The measure also au-
thorized Mrs. Ruby Simpson, fed
Grafton president, to appoint repre-
sentatives from the federation to
the Co-ordinating Council for the
Arlington school bond campaign.
School Needs Explained.
Prior to passing the motion unani-
mously, the federation head, Mrs.
Elizabeth Campbell, a School Board
member, and E. J. Braun, School
Board consultant, explained school
needs.
The federation refused, 28-6, to
rescind a motion passed at its Sep
tember meeting which placed it on
record as opposing a proposal to
change the time of School Board
elections from November to May.
The question will be voted on in
an official Referendum November 2.
recommendations for. improve
ments at the Halls Hill Negro Fire
Company. presented IA q report of
the Public Safety Committee headed
by Reed K. Pond, we're adopted by
the federation.
Additional Equipment Urged.
The recommendations include en-
ployment of a sufficient number CT
paid drivers to operate the COM
pany efficiently: provision of oppor-
tunities for department members to
obtain the training given members
of white companies, and furnishing
Of additional equipment to the COM
pany.
Chairman Malcolm d. Miller Of
the Public Utilities Committee was
directed to appear before the county
board to urge that final action be
taken as soon as possible in the
move for a reduction in the Ross
lyn Gas Co. rates. The resolution
also commended the board for steps
taken To date.
The meeting was held in the Lyon
Park Community House.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Alexandra Volunteers
0pen Chest Drive With
Kickoff Breakfast

Nearly 100 campaign workers and
representatives Of civic groups at
tended the kickoff breakfast of the
Alexandra Community Chest cam
paign this morning.
1t. Gen. Raymond S. McLain,
chief of information Of the Army,
was guest speaker. He told the cam
paigl workers to seek more pledges
in this years campaign, rather than
cash donations. Gen. McLain said
experience has shown people will
pay the pledges they make. He
added that many people do not have
sufficient time to make large con-
tribution during the campaign, but
can contribute over a period of time.
Alexandria, s goal in the campaign
is $4,000, which is approximately 40
per cent higher than for last year.
Workers of the Special Gifts Unit
Of the 1949 Red Feather campaign
we're told yesterday that preliminary
reports show many increases in the
size of gifts over last years.
426 New Gifts Reported.
At their third report luncheon
held yesterday in the Hotel Wash
ington, E. Cortlandt Parker, chair
man Of the unit. received reports of
426 new gifts collected since the last
meeting, bringing the unit total for
the campaign so far to 1903.
Section chairmen told the meet
ing Of increases in gifts ranging from
10 to 1000 per cent over last years
contribution, with many increases of
about Is to 80 per cent.
The Chest this year seeks to raise
a total Of $4,566, 100 for the support
of local Chest-supported agencies
and the USO, representing an in
crease of $850,0O0 over the sum COL
lected last year.
Parker Is Optimistic.
Mr.. Parker, who said he is gener-
ally optimistic about the way solici-
tation in the Special Gifts Unit Is
going. told the group:
1--WE find enthusiastic response to
appeals for increased gifts. The
people are willing to listen to our
story"
The whole tempo of the campaign
he said, is reflected in the result of
the special gift solicitation. He
urged all workers in the unit to be
on hand for the units next report
meeting, at 1890 pm. Friday in the
Hotel Washington.
Funds collected by the Special
Gifts Unit are turned over to the
various other units, to be included
in their reports, Mr.. Cortlandt
pointed out.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
BY the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Oct. 6. Maryland
taxpayers will have an inkling Of
how much they must pay on 1948 in
comes within the next two weeks,
Gov. Lane said yesterday.
Unless the General Assembly does
something about it, the rate on an
individuals earned income is due to
jump from 2 to 21z per cent The
last Legislature passed an admins
tration bill providing for the in
crease. It also raised the corpora
ton tax to 4 per cent.
Tax returns for use next year are
due to 60 to the printers in another
two weeks. And the forms will have
Ito show whether taxpayers are most
Evening star., 1948-10-06
MARYLAND U. Takes Over
Mothers Nursery School

The cooperative nursery school
formerly operated by mothers Of
College Park has been taken over
by the University of Maryland and
expanded to include a kindergarten,
it was announced today.
Organized by Prof. Edna B. Nc
Naughton, head of the department
of Nursery School Education, the
project serves as a demonstration
center for 40 student teachers.
The nursery school operates morn
ings and the kindergarten after
moons, with combined enrolment
of 10 children.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney Is in
charge of the nursery school, and
Miss Rosemary Flannery conducts
the kindergarten. Assistant teach
ers are Miss Christine Glass and
Miss Teresa Finney.
Evening star., 1948-10-06
Fairfax Agrees
ToFoot Bill for
be|voiir Students
School Unit Protests
Having to Pay for
Children of Civilians

The Fairfax School Board has
assumed under protest" the cost of
educating children of civilians re-
siding at Fort Belvoir, it was dis
closed at meeting Of the board
yesterday.
, A resolution, approved yesterday,
declared that the county assumed
the cost because the Army has re-
fused to share the cost for educat-
ing children living on the post
whose parents are not military or
civil service personnel.
The added cost to the county "is
unfair, and imposes an added hard
ship on the resident taxpayers of
Fairfax County," the resolution
states.
Contract Terms Changed.
Virginia law provides that public
schools shall be free to children of
persons residing on Federal, mill
tary or naval reservations. Since
1943, however, the Fairfax School
Board has received financial as
sistance in educating Fort Belvoir
children through provisions Of the
Lanham Act Until this year the
board contract with the Army cov-
ering financial assistance, for the
schools was interpreted to cover
the cost of educating all children
living on the post.
This year, however, the School
Board was told, the Army's contract
has been interpreted to cover only
the cost of educating children of
military and civil service personnel,
thereby excluding payments for
children of other civilians residing
on the post.
The estimated cost of operating
the Fort Belvoir school for the cur
rent session is s43, $50, of which the
State pays about SIP 900. No figures
were given as to how much of the
remainder would be borne by the
Army under the new Interpretation
OF the contract.
Loss of Taxable Land Cited.
'The creation and enlargement of
the Fort Belvoir Military Reserva-
ton has taken several thousand
acres of land from the tax base of
Fairfax County and has brought
added financial responsibilities to
the county which are not compen-
sated for by the existence of the
reservation in its border" the School
Board resolution states.
The School Board disclosed 1t
would request the county's repre-
sentatives in the General Assembly
at the next session to support a law
whereby Fairfax County taxpayers
may no longer be required to as
sumo the cost of educating children
whose parents do not reside on prop
erty taxable for local school pur-
poses, and who pay no part of the
local cost of the educa ton of their
children" -
The board agreed to pay aceal
dealer 5000 for shoveling the coal
pile at Herndon School back into
the bin. The coal was shoveled out
of the building by volunteers when
it was discovered that fire was
smouldering inside the 125,000-ton
pile. The coal was shoveled from
the building and sprayed with water
on advice of safety experts.