davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Decline of the Battleship

The decision of the British admiralty to
scrap four historic battleships and battle
cruiser is further evidence of the waning
glory of the battle wagon. Britain's once
mighty capital ship strength thus will be
reduced to five modern battleships, which
compares with our own drastic reduction to
two "BBs'-the Missouri in the Atlantic
and the Iowa in the Pacific.
According to Viscount Hall, first lord OF
the admiralty, the Royal Navy still believes
that battleships have great fighting
value" Our own Navy concurs in that
opinion. But the consensus is that this
fighting value will decline as the air age
advances. The latest blow TO the prestige
of the conventional battleship was de-
livered by the Presidents Air Policy Com
mission. In its recent report the commits
sion said: THE new strategy Of the Navy
is air power. The carrier has become the
major ship; the battleship now Is of only
secondary importance"
The paramount importance OF the ear
rier was demonstrated most eonvincingly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Mr.. Hoover's Counsel

The essence of Herbert Hoover's oppo-
sition to the administrations European
Recovery Program is that this undertaking
Is beyond our capacity.
He favors the principle of aid to Europe,
but he would not try to do so much.
Where the administration seeks $780,
100000 for the first fifteen months of the
program, Mr.. Hoover would supply about
$4,000 ,000, 900. Instead of a four-year COM
mitment to the principle of foreign aid, Mr.
Hoover would make no commitment beyond
the initial flfteen-month period.
The essential theme of Mr.. Hoover's letter
to Senator vandenberg is found in such
excerpts as these: Approve foreign aid
only to an extent which docs not weaken
our own economy and thus defeat all
world recovery" Whether the
American economy can stand burden OF
$1,000 000, 900 of relief in this fifteen
months (Mr. Hoover's figure includes out
lays for Germany and the Far East must
arouse great anxiety" - THE only
safe road for us is not to over-export."
Manifestly, the issue is one of sound
Judgment. Are men like the President,
Secretary Marshall and Senator Vanden-
berg right when they say that we can and
must assume the larger burden? Or is
Mr. Hoover right in saying that this is
beyond our ability?
The past affords some guidance in seek
Ing the answer. After the war in Europe
had started, but prior to Pearl Harbor, Mr.
Hoover was among those who favored the
principle of aid to Britain But he would
have limited our aid in kind and quantity
for fear of undertaking too much. In May,
1s41, Mr. Hoover was opposed to the use of
the American Navy for convoy purposes in
the Atlantic. He was afraid of being drawn
into a war which could not be won. An
invasion of Europe, he said, would require
100000 American soldiers and 100000 900
tons of ships which would take ten years
to build. And they might not be able to
land even them,' he declared. BY No
vember of that year Mr.. Hoover had cut
his time estimate to more than five years, |"
but he was still pessimistic. mo military
expert" he said, believes we could land
such an army in Europe even If we got 1t
overseas" And as an aftermath of Amer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
A Necessary Guarantee

There is the possibility, as Representative
Bates of Massachusetts, told the Board of
Trade on Wednesday evening, that home
rule might mean a departure from the
Districts pay-as-you-go policy and the
city might go into debt.
Needed capital improvements in the next
few years would require an estimated out
lay of about $156, 00o, 900. Under provisions
of the Auchincloss home rule bill, the
municipality could issue long term bonds
for capital improvements to a limit of
10 per cent of the assessed value of taxable
real estate. This limit would be, In round
numbers, $157 ,000, O00-just about the cost
of the capital improvement program.
As Mr. Bates suggested it is not i'm
probable that locally elected city council,
anxious to catch up on long deferred
improvements, would approve long-term
bond issues and win the support of the
voters. Most American municipalities are
heavily in debt and the interest charges
on such debt represent stable fraction
of their tax rates.
Decision on whether to 60 into debt is
q part of self-government and when it is
limited by wise provisions, as in the
Auchincloss plan is no argument in itself
against home rule. A more important
consideration, in The Stars opinion is
that vital section of the Auchincloss bill
which commits Congress to definite
formula for measuring the amount of its
annual payment to municipal expenses
The bill, in this respect, provides that
Congress shall appropriate each year
To ,ufI TOW
ment-owned land and improvements in
the District, levied at the rate of 8712 per
cent of the prevailing local tax rate. In
addition, the Federal Government would
pay the municipality for cost of services
1t receives from the municipality.
The principle here is fair enough The
important question is whether Congress
would approve it. It's a realistic question,
Since about 1924 Congress has declined to
approve any formula for measuring the
extent of It's financial payment i'm relation
to what the District pays. 1t has preferred
to appropriate lump sum, unrelated to
anything. The lump sum payments have
been less than those provided by any of
the various formulas suggested. ss 6.
If written into home rule BILL as 1t is
now, would Congress approve such
formula? Local taxpayers should under
stand the Importance of the question,
should know that until it is answered
affirmatively by Congress any home rule
plan is of questionable benefit. The final
experiment in District self-government in
the last century was unsuccessful largely
because Congress declined to pay its share
of National Capital expenses. The local
governments effort to undertake too much
alone was one cause of its failure If home
rule is attempted here again, it must
succeed. It cannot succeed without recog-
milton by Congress of the Nations con-
tinuing responsibility in meeting its part
of the cost of this expensive city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Cord Wood

Piled poldenly 1oithin the iDinter t5ocd
The ricks of cord ,oood stand, their egen
length - So Is,
Beautifully straight and strong and GOOD.
A testimony OF earth's peculiar stye9gth;
An evidence OF inner tUorking poaoer:
The seed, the root, the trunk, the brapch,
. the leaf,
The cropping npward, sIosoIv, hour BY hear,
A long Hte, yet tnmsasurnbIp br5et. 2
Il y
Now split and ready TOR some kome-s,osst
hearth,
Its tragranes psrnasating the cold air,
1t stands, neat piled, thing Of Dital North.
Waiting the glittertng are, the. hand to
bear = In
1t home0ard. there to spend itself that
men, t 49, - -
In from the cold, may t1aSns thsDsseIuss
again. GRACE NOLL cRoWELk
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Ready to Be Counted


To the Editor of The Star:
Henry Wallace says that we should stand up
and be counted am ready to be counted with
that vast number of American voters who have
made this country what it is Our forefathers
came to this country and, with untold suffering
and hardships almost unbearable, established
what we know as the american way" and We
don't intend for Mr.. Wallace, with his new
found friends and foreign notions to destroy
that way"
Mr.. Wallace has said that this is the best
country in the world. Then why in the Sam
Hill" does he want to tear up the pattern by
which it was made?
Yes, Mr. Wallace, the American people nave
YOUR number. They know your size, and are
familiar with your campaigns. They remem-
Der your pig-killing campaign, and your plow-
thunder campaign. This is not the first time
you have shot the bull. And we also remember
your flare for foreign foolishness.
We will give you some headlines, and we VIII
listen to your talk but vote for you, no.
Yet, Mr. Wallace, there is one good tnlng
you are doing for U.s. just as F. D. r., gave
the Republican party a good cleaning by TAX
ing away from it all the fellows like yourself
so will YOU give the Democratic party real
cleanup, and that is something really worth
while The issues can now be clearly defined
without quite SO much demagoguery in either
party.
OF course we are ready to be counted Blu
where your philosophy leads, men are counted
against q brick WALTZ they don't vote with
tn. leaders C. P. ROBERTSON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Mercv for Animals in Winter

Mercy for Animals in Winter
To the Editor Of The Star:
This bitter mid-winter weather brings us
the opportunity to show some real Christianity
and charity toward needy tellowmen and the
humber animal creation. ..,~
All life struggles to preserve itself. Since
man so steadily destroys the natural homes Of
wild creatures and crowds them into smaller
abodes of their own kind when bitter weather
comes their lessened food supplies make them
dependent upon mankind for sustenance in In
cressing measure. Likewise, our demonstrated
friends and helpers, made to multiply by man
to serve his needs. are utterly dependent upon
him for the necessities Of life.
Let man, therefore, show real gratitude for
the things he takes from them and make sure
all animals are well cared for in whatever Is
left of their old haunts or In the artificial
areas where they must exist. All need FOOD,
shelter and friends. Put out bread scraps, =
little peanut butter and real bird seed for our
little feathered friends. Give the tinid alley
cats and the outcast dogs any good waste odds
and ends. If necessary, call the Animal Pro-
tective Association or the Animal Rescue
League.
Such aid will not deprive needy human
friends here or overseas and we shall feel more
blessed in needing our Lords injunction: BE
We therefore merciful, as your Father also Is
merciful." VIRGINIA w. SARGENT,
Animal Protective Association. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Balcony Mixht Be Sacrificed

To the Editor OF The Star:
%. We want our President to be comfortable
and contented II q $4,000 porch will effect
that end, why not present II to him cheer
fully, perhaps labelling 1t rs token OF our
gratitude for q balanced budget and Treas
ury surplus after Is long years of life in the
red?
There has been loose talk about the "perma-
rent" disagreement of the White House. Sure
" the distinguished architect who drew the
plans and specifications for the porch can
alse draw plans and specifications for its re-
moval and the restoration of the White House
to its present architectural design.
As to the cost, $4,000 is mere drop in
the SO, 600 100000 national annual budget
bucket 1t represents n spending time OF ap-
proximately two minutes.
II, rs Cartoonist Bergman suggests, the
electorate should decide in November not to
renew the present lease, the President still
will hsve perhaps 10 months to enjoy the bal
cony.' il its construction and subsequent re-
moyal cost $4,000, that would amount to only
about 500 day for the 10 months. Would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
by THE MAsKIN SERVICE.

by THE MAsKN SERVICE. 49,.
@. Why did whistler sell the famous painting
of his mother to the French government2-
v. M. Z. ls!o4.
A. whistler sent the portrait to the United
States for exhibition and sale but no one was
sufficiently interested to buy IT, evan though
he repntedly would have accepted $500. The
painting was sent back to Europe and finally
sold to the French government for the small
sum Of 1000 francs. ,cs,. c9t~, y a> 4.
Q. How many queens have ruled Ensfand'-
.. D. J.. 49, ,,s, rel -. =
4. There have been ;nye. They wer. Mary ].
historians might include Lady Jane Grey, who
was queen for a. days. ...-.... ...,. g
O. why are pine trees usually planted around
reservoirs? Pr. d. p. ''
A. Pine trees are planted around reservoirs
to protect the water from hardwood leaves.
@. Did tattooing originate in the Navy7--
E. NJ r.
A. Tattooing was formerly used by European
soldiers where 1t served as o mark OF tdentihca-
ton for the dead on the held Of battle 1t
came to the Navy from the Army. 49,. ..
G. How many persons have received the
American farmer degree?-M. r.
A. The ONCE OF Education says that on
June 80, 1947, there were 23S, 600 members OF
the organization, Future Farmers OF America.
As Of October 20, 1s47. degrees of American
farmer had been given to 1ss OF these members
O. Can postal savings be attached for>unpsid
bills?-J. X.
A. The Post Once Department says that
postal savings cannot be attached for unpaid
bills
- yyas NEol FV,Iria
win the Nobel Prize twice?-C. w. A. 90 49,.
A. She was the only person to win the Nobel
Prize for science twice. In 1908 she shared tina
physics award with her husband and Becuuerel
and in 1911 received the award for achievement
in chemistry. ,..,
Q. How much does water expand in tree9-
ing? M. v. A. ~
A. Under ordinary conditions. water freezes
at 81 degrees r. and expands about one
eleventh of its volume. II confined, 1t exerts
great force, sufficient to burst pipes.
@. When voting on the machine stratght
ticket or splitting the party, can the small levers
be moved before the party lever is pulied?-
L. D.
A. OF the States permitting the use Of voting
machines the following require that party levers
be used at general elections: Alabama, Arizona,
California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Mi
nois, Indiana, lows, Kentucky, Michigan, Min
nesota, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Texas, washington and Wisconsin.
In these States the voter may vote q straight
ticket by pulling the party lever, or he maysh
he 20 chooses vote for an individual candidate
by turning down the individual candidates.
voting lever. The two exceptions to this ars
Connecticut and Indiana wherein the votsris
required to first pull q party lever and then
split by turning up the voting lever over the
name Of the candidate for whom he does not
wish to vote. and turning down voting lever
over the name Of any other candidate for that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Slaye.Labor in France

To the Editor of The Star:
According to an Associated Press report OF
January II, France received $50, 000,O 600 worth
of goods from the United States IN the nrst
~ days after Congress approved interim ala
to Europe" including $4,000 tons OF coal and
200 600 tons of petroleum.
In the meanwhile, CTPS report from PARIS
dated December 20, declares that France has
refused to hberate german prisoners of war
captured by the American Army and turned
over to France" before 1s49, nearly four years
after the end Of the war" According to
New York Times report, France still holds 6O0,-
900 of these unfortunate young men. ..>- 81
= The Geneva International Red Cross has
lust protested to al the SAliied governments
that so prolonging the captivity OF German
prisoners of war cannot be justified.
Prisoners are being, held, for labor and they
thus are being kept for work because they are
nationals of country, obligated to pay repara-
tons" In other words, the Four Freedoms
crusaders are using German prisoners OF war
rs slave laborers.
Ia it too much to ask that, before our Gov
eminent sends any more billions to France,
any more petroleum and coal, France should
lberste its 100000 German prisoners OF war
which we captured for France? Former Sec
retsrv Of State Byrnes writes. Il still believe
that we should have insisted that France re-
turn the prisoners for whom We are responsible
by October l, 1947." Even ls47 Is shamefully
too late by two years!
But better late than still later. For the sake
of Christian decency, let US say to France:
THE United States will no longer give hand
outs to nations that make slave labor Of pris-
oners obwar.' A. j. APP, PhD.
Professor. Incarnate Word College, San
Antonio Tex
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23

during World War II. 1t spearheaded the
fast task forces which enabled US to seize
and hold the island bases which became
stepping stones to Japan: The Nays faith
In the carrier As the supreme surface ship
of the future Is seen In the announcement
that the giant Midway has been ordered
back from the Mediterranean area for
extensive alterations" The details Of
these changes are, of course, being with
held, but 1t has been revealed that the
flight deck will be reinforced to handle
heavier aircraft. -
The carrier of the future, Fleet Admiral
Nimitz said recently will be mobile base
from which will be launched not only the
new-type fighters but heavy bombers
capable of delivering atomic bombs on
enemy targets. 1t will serve, also, as 4
floating platform for the launching Of
rockets and guided missiles. 1t will in
short, pack q wsllop such rs no other
surface craft will be equipped to deliver.
The battleship, too, will be capable of tire
mendous offensive blows. But the battle
ship OF the future will be far different
from the conventional type Of World War
II, according to naval experts. It's heavy
main batteries Of big guns will gave way to
formidable batteries Of rockets, with many
times the punch and many times the range
of sixteen-inch shells. But. as the Presi-
dents commission pointed out, It's role is
bound to be secondary to that of the all
powerful and versatile airplane carrier Of
the next war.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Stars. Men and Atoms
Skulls Found in Java " :,
Seen as MISSING Link
Anthropolos;sts Report Solo Msa'
Reached Stage of Upright Postups


missing link In the ancestral line between
the most primitive known human fossils and
modern man is shown by study. Of . fsoup
Of curious human skulls found in Java, which
has just been reported to the American Asso.
citation of Physical Anthropology here.
Eleven Of these skulls were discovered in
1881 by Dutch engineer engaged in excava-
tions In the valley Of the Solo River. That
Is classical field for anthropolosy, for there,
about 50 years ago, were found the first
remains Of the grotesque Pithecanthropus
erectxs. giant ape.man Of about b million years
ago, who remains the earliest representative
of the human race known on earth.
War Delayed Study. sn1a
These solo skulls attracted little attention
ut the time and before anthropologists could
devote much study to them, the war had
started and Java was in the hands Of the
Japanese. They were recovered rs soon as
the enemy evacuated. They had been left UNI
disturbed, except for one specimen which had
been sent to the Emperor himself an AMATEUR
anthropologist. This since has been found in
his collection in Tokyo. ..'' an ri
At frst the Solo skulls appeared fer
advanced from Pithecanthropus and closer to
the ogrelike Neanderthalers who were Sin
Europe at the start OF the last ice age and
who either were killed OF by the advent of
modern man about $4,000 years ago. or incor-
porated in this main stem of the human race.
1t was surprising that Neanderthalers. should
have strayed SO far from their known habitat.
An intensive study Of the insides Of these
skulls just completed by DR.. Franz Weidenreich
of the American Museum of Natural History
disposes pretty completely Of the Neanderthal
relationship and shows that the Solo man was
far closer to Pithecanthropus- probably .
direct descendant and representing the second
known stage in human evolution. ,s~7s-
Base II skuM TsrraesA. 's4"i
The base of the human skull is divided into
three sections that step down terraceliks from
front to back. In Solo man the difference IN
level, especially between the middle and back
sections. Is much less marked than In nnodern
man. This means that the base B much
natter. Also the lower wall Of the skull Is
much thicker and the bony receptacle for
the pituitary gland is less developed. These
features, together with the fact that the top
Of the brain cavity in Solo man shows much
less pronounced hump, indicate to DR.. Wsider-
reich that in modern man the entire brain
case has been rolled up around transverse
axis. ..-.. ..-.$.,r,. =.
All this means, he says, that man has slowly
developed an upright posture, and that Solo
man had not quite reached the stage OF walking
erect naturally although he was considerably
in advance OF Pthecsnthropus. 20
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23

the greatest Nation on earth begrudge 500
q day to keep its President comfortable and
contented?
OF course If our President of his own voli-
ton should elect to forgo the luxury Of bal
cony, his example might 60 far in intiuenc-
ing some Of his subordinates who also are
charged with the obligation of spending-or
saving-public funds. At this time when so
much stress is being laid upon economy In
government. a concrete illustration OF what Is
meant by economy might be quite helpful.
In his anti-infiation message, the President
pointed out that the remedy for increasing
prices lies, in part, in voluntary restraint;
buyers holding OH from purchases they don't
need. Perhaps \ specific example set by the
Chief Executive would prove contagious among
the masses. A. G. MURRAY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Miss Thompson and Mr.. Lippmann

Miss Thompson and Mr.. Lippmann
To The Editor Of The Star:
In her article published January Il, MISS
Dorothy Thompson says: The Russians-to be
sure-misht, and did, encourage the orbit Idea
rs means Of extending their power by agree
ment," and names me rs one Of those who' IN
the western world, have believed in the recos-
milton Of orbits and spheres OF influence
For the sake Of the record. should ike to
say that the publication Of my book, ~. 5.
war Aims" in which advocated the neces-
sity Of recognizing the existence OF spheres
of influence if there was to be q settlement OF
the war was greeted in the Soviet press with
furious criticism of the idea and of me per-
sonally, which has continued to this day. So
ut least I can say that didn't receive mucn
announcement from the Russians
WALTER LIPPMANN.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Prefers Present d. G.. Setup

To the Editor of The Star:
I quite agree with John Riggles, who
puzzled by the desire of so many people VINO
seem to want politicians to run this city.
I think it is simply the case OF crying Tor
what you don't have. but want, whether Tor
better or worse.
Many years ago this city tried ballotins, but
after the terrible fighting and trouble were
glad to try the form Of government we now
have and which has proved so successful.
JANE BROWN.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Wants Historical Movies

To the Editor of The Star:
When the movies are so well attended, why
not put on pictures rejecting American his
tory, such as Cooper's Last of the Mohicans"?
The schools do not teach American history
and young Americans are totally ignorant of
their countrys snnals-surely crying shame
MRS. ELEANOR G. PRESTON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23

Letters for publication must bsar
the signature and address OF the
writer, although 1t is permissible for
writer kno,0n to The Star to use q
nom de plume. Please be briet