davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-03-17

yields bigger crops and helps conserve
the soil.
Farmers are soil-conservation conscious
today. They will agree that any tillage
system which allows vital humus and top
soil to escape is harmful They realize
the economic loss to themselves of rain
and wind erosion. Up and down hill fur
rows have long been harmful blot on
the countryside scene. The Soil Conserva-
tion Service, established in 1885. now has
1900 districts, covering approximately
1000, 100000 acres. A majority of farmers
are convinced that soil-saving techniques
are essential to the Nations welfare. There
is no unanimity of opinion on the best
method of plowing.
One school holds that traditional plow-
ing plus contour planting, terracing and
grassed drainage bitches will produce the
most profit The other, and currently
more articulate group, is ardently cam
paigning for plowing technique which
will incorporate weeds, stubble, grass and
trash into the top inches of soil. 1t Is
significant that the most recent yearbook
of the United States Department of Agri-
culture has an article on Stubble-mulch
plowing. F. L. Duley and O. r. Matthews,
the authors, admit the ideas probably are
the strongest statements the department
has issued in favor Of stubble mulching."
The controversy is one of national import.
We are now Nation of las, ,O00, 900 people,
80 per cent urban. Good soil is one Of
the guarantees Of our food supply. Our
scientists should discover quickly which
,,nntknd Of r,lnurinr Or ic tho hntfar
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Symbol
The Golden la

The golden land of Italy
Is like sound beside the sea
OF some deep-throated Ginning bell
THAT prince and pauper cherish UeH
A bell of clear, eralted tone
OF romance calling to her o1on:
A host Of gushing 1oaters fed
From one high Alpine fountain head.
The uoice of great cathedrals falling
Like pater nosters softly calling
All those Dho Iove this lyric land
To join in prayer that it may stand
In beauty and serenity
From century to century.
Upon the ear it ueaDes spell,
The sound OF Italy Is q bell -.
RUBY ALTIZER ROBERTS
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Urges Recruiting by Mail


It is reported that recruiting for the armed
forces is not as successful as it should be. Let
me call attention to the fact that. while the
recruiting services seem to have plenty of
literature available and could have unlimited
amounts as desired, they never mail it out to
the public The free mailing privilege easily
could be granted for recruiting, If not already
allowed, and postmen visit every home. The
Army, Air Force and Navy have inducements
which they describe in their literature. Let
them put this material in the hands OF the
public so the public may learn what the advan-
tages are.
Every business house that wants to drum up
trade and draw customers uses the mails Let
Uncle Sam try it, too.
RICHARD L. FELDMAN.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Whut About Spuin?

The action of the Portuguese Foreign
Minister, who advocated including Spain
in the European Recovery Program, focuses
attention upon the position of that coun-
try in the current acute crisis between
east and west.
Whatever else the Franco government
may be, it is thoroughly anti Communist,
and as such it Is the target of unrelenting
hostility by Communists in general and
Soviet Russia in particular. Moscow has
done it's best to overthrow the Franco
regime, including an attempt to have the
United Nations decree sanctions against
it. This effort failed, but the U. N. did
pass a resolution in December. 1946,
recommending the recall Of ambassadors
and ministers from Madrid by its members
and the denial to Franco Spain of partici-
patton in the activities of U. N. organiza-
tions To this our Government adhered,
though other members Of U. NJ, including
Argentina, did not. At that time, France,
which then had coalition cabinet, includ-
ing the Communists, went SO far as to
close it's frontier and sever all economic
relations.
The object OF this move was to exert
such pressure as would compel change
of government in Spain which would vir-
tually eliminate Franco and his supporters.
But the policy did not work. The tradi-
tional pride of the Spanish people was
aroused by what they deemed foreign
Intervention in their domestic affairs.
Likewise, Spanish public opinion dreaded
{x,ko IL; t~t.%
lead to disorders and possibly tc renewal
of the civil wars whose horrors are still
fresh in its memory. The upshot was a
strengthening rather than a weakening
of Frances hold.
Last fall, the Spanish question came up
again on the u N. agenda with move to,
reaffirm the boycott policy. This time, our
Government did not support the motion,
which failed Of adoption; albeit the orig
inal recommendation remained technically
in effect. The State Departments action
undoubtedly reflected the changing reali-
ties of the situation. A u N. boycott had
failed in its purpose, while the sharpening
tension between the western powers and
the Soviet bloc imposed caution upon
policy which might lead to revolutionary
changes in Spain, possibly eliminating in
a Communist regime.
Despite Spain's slow progress in recovery
during the decade following the close of
the civil war, the country obviously is a
going concern whose economy, if granted
modicum Of aid, might play notable
part in Western Europe's economic resto-
ration. France recently bowed to economic
realities by reopening it's frontier and
resuming normal intercourse. The move
: just made by the Portuguese Foreign Min
lister has the backing of several partici-
pants in the current meeting of western
nations in Paris.
Technically, there is no reason why the
Paris Conference, which functions apart
from the United Nations, should not admit
Spain. However, the U. NJ boycott is still
on its books and forms both a stumbling
block and a Communist propaganda point
All this raises the question whether it had
better be rescinded in order to clear the
way for policy by all the western powers
including ourselves, which will square with
present-day realities
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Bottle Over PIowinq

The controversy among farmers over
blowing techniques promises to be one of
the major issues as postwar agriculture
levels of to production of needed foods
and fibers. The many articles in farm
journals and the increasing experimental
tion at State experiment stations are proof
of widespread interest The issue is drawn
between those who favor the traditional
moldboard method and those who claim
that stubble mulch or soil-mixing process
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Equal Shore and Sea Duty

To the Editor of The Star:
I have been reading about the controversy
over the WAVES. and enlisted men. I am
lady and I do have to say that 7 agree with
the sailors.
Back in the old days, the Navy was just
bunch of uneducated men with no ambition,
who just wanted place to eat and sleep and
few dollars to spend. But times have
changed and the Navy men are educated,
cultured and ambitious. Most of them have
at least a high school education and some
enlisted men have college backgrounds. Many
enlisted men take advantage of the technical
Navy schools to advance themselves in the
Navy and also in civilian life when they
retire.
/ think the Navy Department could work
out plan whereby men would have equal
sea duty and shore duty.
Making the WAVES a permanent setup is
depriving the enlisted man of getting shore
duty and having home part of the time.
AN ENLISTED MANS GIRL.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Questions for Congress

To the Editor of The Star:
This is the first of series Of letters intend
to write, asking questions which, as 13-year-
old schoolgirl, I wish to have answered. These
questions have to do with me and many other
teen-agers concerned with the reports we have
read in the newspapers about the possibility
of third world war.
Why isn't Congress taking some action on
this problem instead of thinking only of
politics? If they call their trips to Europe
last year taking action" what did they ac-
complish; and, if they have seen the state of
affairs in Europe and know what is wrong,
what is the delay in helping Europe, or did
they go just for the pleasure of sight t-seeing
trip? A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Butter and MARGARINE Testimony

Dutter ana margarine eStlmOny
To the Editor Of The Star:
Seldom have I read such utter nonsense as
the testimony of certain individuals appear
Ing In opposition to the repeal of the taxes
on oleomargarine
Well-known dairy lobbyist testified that if
the tax was repealed probably" the producers
OF margarine would raise the price and the
consumers would be set back millions of dol
lars On the contrary, the greatly increased
volume of sales should bring about greater
economies of production and lower prices
Another witness Is reported to have con-
Quoted taste test" and found that number
OF Congxessmen from dairy States?) could
not tell margarine from butter She more
over was extremely distressed at the idea of
restaurant patron not being able to tell
which he was being served. If he cannot tell
them apart, and there is evidence that nutri-
tionaly margarine Is the equal Gf not the
superior) of butter, what possible difference
can it make?
! Such testimony seems to me the best pos
sible argument in favor of margarine and
shows up the absence of any valid reason for
the taxes. 1t (the testimony is nothing but
a crude attempt to cover the selfish demands
of the dairy industry. Let us hope no one is
deceived. GEORGE D. WATROUS, Jr.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address of the
toriter, although tt is permissible for
,Driter knoaun to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Desperate Traffic Problem

To the Editor of The Star:
One of the real problems which confronts
those of us who have the responsibility of the
budget Of the District of Columbia is the,
desperate need for solution to our trafic
problem here.
am not writing this letter for personal
publicity, but rather to urge you and the other
newspapers in the District of Columbia to
point up in every way possible the need for
speeding up Engineer Commissioner Gordon
Young's program for express highways, etc.
The reason for this is obvious. Our Nations
Capital will probably have minimum of 15-
100000 visitors when we celebrate the Sesqui-
centennial of the founding of the Nations
Capital year after next. Unless some major
changes in our traffic pattern are made, in
my opinion. traffic jams will become a COM
monplace occurrence.
The counsel of every citizen of the District
of Columbia is needed on this problem at this
time. Sincerely, WALT HORAN,
Chairman, Subcommittee on District of Co.
lumbia Appropriations.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Kensington Stone Again

NenSlnStOn StOne Again
To the Editor OF The Star:
1t Is pleasant to know that the Kensington
stone, whatever may be the final verdict on its
authenticity, is now on exhibition in WASH
ington.
Relying solely on memory, and being there
fore subject to correction, I venture to add
to the stories which have been printed in the
local daily press two further statements which
may be of some interest.
AS I understood the situation, as recently
as 1912 the majority of the most eminent
specialists in Morse lngustics still doubted
that the inscription on the stone is genuine.
My own instructor, the late Prof. Frank
Stanton Cawley of Harvard, seemed disposed
shortly before his death to make very far
reaching concessions in this regard. But 7
think 1t is right to say that it was mostly the
linguistic scholars who secuted the idea that
the stone was what 1t purported to be. They
sneered most of all at the use of runic
character representing the 20" of modern
Swedish, as purporting to come from an inn
possibly early date.
On the other hand, the Smithsonian arche-
ologists perhaps might have spoken even more
strongly. than they did. They might have
said: "' 1t is difficult to imagine COM
bination Of an advanced runic scholar, an
expert geologist, and specialist in the history
Of the 14th century Norway combined in one
man, with mind SO perverted as to perpetu-
ate such hoax, who happened to be in
Western Minnesota before 1870.'
For I surely have seen it contended that the
stone, on being discovered in 1888, was found
to be firmly inclosed in the growing roots Of a
tree not less than 30 years old. This assertion
may have been questioned or even disproved;
but the longer that stone was under the
ground before 1898, the stranger the mystery
Of its origin is. H. BARTLETT WELLS.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Questions and Answers

reader get the answer to any question Of
fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau, 3l6 Eye street NE. Washington 2, D, c.
Please inclose three 60 cents for return postage
Evening star., 1948-03-17

@. On what date last year did the ice break
occur in the Nenana River, Alaska? H. A. c..
A. The ice break in the Nenana River in
Alaska occurred at 5:53 pm on May .,
1947 The pool amounted to $4,000 and was
shared by seven persons.
Q. Is there pure race Of people in Europe
or anywhere in the world? T. w. E.
A. Anthropologists do not believe that an
absolutely pure race exists. The Ituri Forest
pygmies of Equatorial Africa are said to be
relatively pure" as to race. For countless
generations the races of man have been cross
ing and recrossing and any given race in
Europe has some of the genes of almost all
the other races of Europe.
@. What is the derivation of the word quar-
antine"? c. ]. r.
A. Quarantine comes from the Latin quadra-
ginta meaning forty" In early times a ship
was held outside port for 40 days if infection
among passengers or freight was suspected.
@. Who was the first monk? S. V. B.
A. ST. Anthony who lived c. $50 to $50, Is
known as the father of Christian monasticiSm
He lived in seclusion in an old deserted fort in
the Valley of the Nile in Egypt for 20 years,
and later in the mountains. His reputation
spread, and about A D. 318 st. Pachomius
organized the first monastery for group of
religious hermits on an island in the Nile.
G. What is dead mans throttle"2 s Y
A. Dead mans throttle is a safety device used
in steam locomotive. 1t automatically stops
the train when the engineers hand is removed
from the throttle.
@. What proportion of new construction In
1947 was for homes?-T. L. B.
A. Residential construction represented about
1877 per cent of all new construction in 1947.
O. Please name some Of the large fortunes
Of the world in countries outside the United
States-V. G. B.
A.. A few months ago a list of estimated per-
sonal fortunes included India, Nizam of
Hyderabad, over 100000 900: Great Britain,
Sir John Ellerman, $150,0Oo00O; Netherlands,
Queen Wilhelmina, $175,O00000; Spain, Juan
March, sl200O0,O00; Sweden, Alex johnson,
$30000000; France, Pierre and Jean Gillet,
$18,O000O0.
@. Is 1t true that the original die for the
Roosevelt dime has been destroye1?-P. B. U.
A. According to the Coin Collectors Journal
the first master die of this coin was not en-
tirely satisfactory The initials of the engraver,
j. S.. were not well formed, the lower lip was
not fully defined and the hair presented fiat
appearance. After the first 100000 coins were
struck, new die correcting these defects was
used. The difference, however, Is not dis
cerrlible to the casual observer.
O. From what country have come the great
est number of expeditions to the Antarctic7
IT. M. r.
A. There have been 172 expeditions to the
Antarctic since 1902 OF these 30 were Nor
wegian, Is United States, 19 French and rs
British.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Unity of Awakening Americans

To the Editor of The Star:
The sequence of world events finally has
awakened me from the false sense of security
that fell into when returned from overseas
1 hope that millions Of my fellow Americans
similarly are awakened and Sare expressing
their views to their Congressman. Even though
this is an election year, positive action is alb
solutely necessary even before election.
Communications are in order for Secretary
OF Defense Forrestal in view of his recent
action to make unifcation of the armed serv-
ices working reality If diplomacy will not
stop Russia, 1t is vitality important that our
military house be in order. We must have
well-organized military, both active and reserve.
sut1iclently prepared and~in evidence, so that
no nation will have to look twice to see that
we can back up our words.
The role of the military is a minor one in
free country, but why was there no attempt
to have the Army back up the State Depart
ment in the recent Czechoslovakian crisis?
The time has come for the President to line the
unified Army. Navy and Air Force alongside
the State Department; let the diplomats do
the talking, let the military men watch mill
tary movements, and between them stand be-
hind and protect all of the free countries of
tne world. CAPTAIN. AIR RESERVE.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Two Views of Macarthur

10 the Editor OF The Star:
hereby nominate Gen. Douglas Macarthur
for another term as Governor General of our
dominion of japan. Let us select somebody
else to be President of the United States
J. GARRISON MILLER
Evening star., 1948-03-17
To the Editor Of The Star:


This is not an ordinary time 1t is no mere
expression of herocs to say that this is a time
OF fateful destiny. The right to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness of our people for
generations is in extreme peril. Intelligent
men and women all know it. = Rumblings of a
slipping civilization can be heard plainly.
This is surely the day and hour for the
whole American people to voice demand for
the nomination of trusted leader behind
whom we can safely rally before the barbaric
horde sweeps over us.
And who else could that leader be than
the one universally acknowledged to be the
most towering military and administrative
genius ever to appear on the American scene?
How we need the man who can meet Stain
face to face with the outcome never in doubt!
How we need the strong virile leadership of
the man who has been tried by fire and has
never once failed his country in life time
Oh, how We need Gen. Douglas Macarthur for
the next President of the United States!
ROGER GISH McDARE.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Five Old Men

To the EDITOR OF The Star:
have read with interest the memoirs of
Cordell Hull as published by The Star.
To me they appear to be the apologize of
vacillating old man who was double-crossed
by his chief and undermined by disloyal sub
ordinates not Of his own choosing, but who did
not have the courage to resign and expose
the intrigue.
He, with Roosevelt, Stimson, Knox and Ad-
miral Leahy, comprised the five old men who
undertook to conduct the war on their own
without regard to the opinions of any one
else From this combination Mr.. Roosevelt
soon selected himself as the sole authority,
resulting in the relegation Of the others to
little more than figureheads thereafter.
How many lives and how many billions OF
dollars this cost the United States, of course,
will never be known. WAR VETERAN.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. When was Mexico City founded? G. g.
A. Mexico City dates from about A. D. 1928,
when the Aztecs, looking for favorable site,
saw perched on cactus an eagle devouring
snake. The omen was interpreted to mean
that this was to be the site of their CITY,
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Complains About Wicked Blondes

To the Editor OF The Star:
Though they vote and claim to be real Amer
leans, the blond haired people are descendants
of savage and ignorant tribes of Europe. Each
day we read of the crimes committed by blondes
will here accuse members of both our politi-
cal parties of refusing to slap down these blonde
people, and the reason they cater to blondes
is plain They want the votes.
Our system Is that the vote should be the
voice and will of che people, but of what i'm
portance is the desire or wish of a blonde?
We brunettes know what is best for the
blondes Perhaps the Germans weren't really a
superior race, but We brunettes are-tradition-
allyi j. r.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Generous Burmese at Turner's

To the Editor of The Star:
At recent wrestling match in Turner's
Arena, between bouts, members Of the Metro
politan Police Force took up a collection for
the Washington Boys Club. There was a goodly
contribution of dimes and quarters and
sprinklng Of dollar bills.
Then, suddenly two Orientals, in ringside
seats, tossed bill into the ring. The master
of ceremonies reached for the mike and an
nounced: "Well, what do you know! Two Bur-
mese gentlemen are contributing five dollars!"
With exchange what it is between Far
Eastern countries and America these days,
the contribution was truly generous and won
the applause of thousands of fans. Though
the presence Of the two Burmese in the Arena
may have given no definite proof of sports
manship, their prompt response to a worthy
cause certainly has EMANUEL S. LARSEN.
Evening star., 1948-03-17

in the past, and our founding fathers might
do some turning over in their graves If the
idea caught on. But why should we be stingy
about sharing our best" system?
Just to set the record straight, the League
Of Women Voters is nom partisan organiza-
tion whose purpose is to promote citizen re-
sponsibility in government. It has no political
or religious connections as Rege Princeps seems
to imply. If we seem to pirate naively OF de-
mocracy and government by the people" here
it is because we have seen democracy work in
other places and still have hope for it in the
District. MRS. JOHN F. THOMAS,
President Voteless D. c. League of Women
Voters.
Evening star., 1948-03-17

Q. On what date last year did the ice break
occur in the Nenana River, Alaska? H. A. c.
A. The ice break in the Nenana River in
Alaska occurred at 5:53 pm. on May 3,
1947. The pool amounted to $4,000 and was
shared by seven persons.
Evening star., 1948-03-17

To the Editor of The Star:
I should like to ask Rege Prineeps a ques-
tion, and answer it: Why are those persons of
blood and background" so satisfied with con-
ditions in the District? Because they are snug
and SNUG and do not need any change, in fact
would not know what to do with home rule If
they had it.
Speaking Of background person who could
think like that and put it in writing bespeaks
very limited and narrow background
When a person gets to the point where he
does not want to better his position, he is dead
and should be removed from the community in
which he is of no use P. M. TAYLOR.
Evening star., 1948-03-17
Extending the Best Government

LAtCI10IIIS 10NSt wv 81 1I111~I1e
To the Editor of The Star:
Rege Princeps, whose letter about home rule
in the District appeared in The Star, March II,
has given our voteless citizens wonderful
opportunity to point the e/way for best"
government for the whole country. He says:
THE District is the best governed part Of the
United States. Why? Because the people have
the least to say about it."
Let's help his joke along and tell our voting
friends that here is way to get in on the
best" kind of government, too. Let's urge them
to abolish Congress and all the other cumber-
some machinery of democracy.
OF course, oligarchies have had bad name