davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Where Do They Stond?

Our whole Nation, together with good
| part of the rest Of the world, has reason
to be deeply disturbed by the way in which
| the Republican leadership of the House
has handled the Presidents request for
a three-year renewal OF the Reciprocal
Trade Agreements Act.
For the Republican leaders, besides
denying the request, have erected virtually
insurmountab BILE barriers against any effort
in the House to modify the wishy- -waShy
substitute they have offered. Having
barred the press and public from the
committees hearings on this substitute,
they now have gone all out with their
steamroller by adopting rule arbitrarily
limiting debate to three hours and for
bidding amendments to the measure.
This high-handed and essentially un-
democratic procedure is designed to push
through a bill that would extend the
reciprocity program for only year. The
bill, moreover, would contain potentially
crippling proviso allowing for congress
sional veto on any agreement not in
keeping with standards set by a newly
organized and independent Federal Tariff
Commission-an arrangement that would
place huge question mark over the
ability of the executive branch to nego-
tiate trade pacts.
In declaring that 1t would be better to
let the whole reciprocity program die than
to enact such a measure, Secretary OF
State Marshall may have exaggerated a
bit. But certainly it is a measure that
gives rise to the gravest misgivings. And
it justifes this suspicion: That its authors,
though they profess otherwise, would not
be at all displeased if it should have the
effect of slowly but surely destroying our
reciprocal trade policy and paving the
way for return to the days of high pro-
tectionism when tariff making was pri-
marily business of selfish and reckless
logrolling in Congress.
Is that what the Republican leadership
really wants? Does it want to do away
with program that has been an integral
part OF our foreign policy for the past
fourteen years? Does it want to nullify
the effort to promote peace and prosperity
through quid-pro-quo tariff concessions
of a mutually beneficial nature? After
having joined with the rest of Congress
in insisting that the Marshall Plan nations
must commit themselves to reciprocity,
does 1t now want to place our Nation in
the position Of refusing to practice its
own preachments? In short, does it want
to give the impression that we are going
to try to do the impossible thing Of being
political internationalists on the one hand
and economic isolationists on the other?
In this election year, the American
people-most Of whom have been shown
to be strongly proreciprocity in the public
opinion polls-have right to know just
where the Republican Party stands on
this issue. The House measure tries to
face both ways, but it succeeds only in
making the COP seem bent on taking a
long step backward to high protectionism.
What have the presidential hopefuls to
say? They should speak out, one way or
the other. The matter is much too i'm
portant-both for ourselves and the world
at large-for silence or pussyfooting.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Bonus for Recruits Approved

Bonus for Recruits Approved
To the Editor OF The Star:
A lot of voteless young men throughout the
country would be interested to hear more about
H. r. 6444 introduced by an important Repub-
lican leader in Congress and hastily denounced
by Democrat as Jasmine"
This bill is an attempt to stimulate recruit
ing Of men for the armed services. One idea
back Of it seems to be that the recruiting cam
paigns at present conducted are Inadequate
Work seems to be plentiful and wages high,
and to compete with the civilian employers it
is proposed to offer recruits bonus. The
bonus proposed is at the rate Of $500 for each
year Of service for two or three year enlist
ment, and this bonus, as proposed would be
retroactive to March 81, 1947. An alternative
would be offered, as the bill sets forth, In the
form of educational opportunities under the
GI Bill Of Rights.
No doubt many members Of Congress and
their constituents welcome this proposal, OF
fered as a substitute for the well-known Eu-
ropean-style universal draft plan. Compared
with the expense Of operating . compulsory
draft, 1t is estimated the money expended IN
bonuses would be considerably less, and the
saving to the country in tax money and frayed
nerves would be very large
RICHARD L. TMDMAN.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
.AnoIo-Americon Friction

The growing strain on relations between
the United States and Britain, though
primarily due to the Arab-JewiSh war In
Palestine, is producing repercussions much
more far-reaching. The Palestine issue
acts like pervasive irritant, affecting ad-
versely contacts between Washington and
London in almost every field.
This is a serious matter, because close
understanding between the American ana
British governments has been both the
driving force and the cement OF nearly
all constructive endeavors for world re-
covery and stability. without that in
tangible yet vital psychological factor
much of what is being attempted in
Europe as well as In the Middle East, and
even the Far East, could be gravely handi-
capped or possibly jeopardized.
All this is doubtless realized by diplo-
mats and other specialists on both SIDES
of the Atlantic. Yet realization or the
facts by no means assures quick harmo-
nizing or compromising of divergent
interests and policies The British know
the intrinsic weakness of their position in
the Middle East and feel that they cannot
risk a breach with the Arab bloc. They
likewise feel that we have acted pre-
cipitately and irresponsibly regarding
Palestine not merely by our hasty recog-
milton of the new State of Israel but on
previous occasions. That does not mean
that British policy has been consistently
wise. 1t does mean, however, that, feeling
as they do, an accommodation with us
over Palestine may be difficult to arrive
at. And meanwhile the strain on Anglo
American relations generally will 60 on
and may intensity.
Just to cite few examples of the need
for close Anglo american understanding,
there is the implementation of the Euro
pean Recovery Program, the financial
problem of the sterling bloc and the
current Six-Power negotiations at London
over a settlement for Western Germany.
It is probably no mere coincidence that,
during the past week, those negotiations
have taken q turn for the worse, owing
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Time Wins q Deluy

Time, rather than the arguments or the
facts, shelved the home rule bill yesterday
and perhaps stified it for this session.
The proponents of the bill had the best
of the argument But time was on the
side of the opponents and they used it
effectively. Every opportunity for delay
counted in their favor and none OF them
was overlooked.
It would be a rash prophet who predicted
what the final vote might have been, had
1t come yesterday. Two preliminary tests
by rollcall were close and the substance
of the issue was avoided in both OF them
The reading of the bill for amendment
covered only forty-one OF the measures
one hundred eighty pages, and some OF its
most controversial parts were not reached
But the significant showing was that
objections to the bill, when exposed to the
light of debate and examined carefully,
consisted of shadowy doubts and fears,
misunderstanding or self-confessed igno-
rance and were conspicuous in their lack
of weight If the ideal but rarely attained
condition existed with members in full
attendance and forming their Judgment
on the evidence pro and con as presented
in full and free debate, there would be
little doubt of the outcome. The bill would
be approved.
For behind it, as Mr. Dirksen reminded
his colleagues yesterday with touch of
real eloquence, is principle so funda-
mental in our conception of rights, so
compelling part of our whole tradition,
that its ultimate acceptance here in
Washington is inevitable. The home rule
bill represents only part Of the principle.
AS carefully drawn as 1t Is, 1t falls short
OF meeting the specifications of govern
ment by consent Of the governed. 1t may
be subject to ridicule, as 1t was during
House debate, on account Of those short
comings. But this bill, or something like
1t, is on it's way, even If it is only step
toward the goal of full rights Of Amer
lean citizenship by constitutional amend
ment
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Excuse 1t, Please

If the ability to put ones foot in ones
mouth marks a man as being of presi-
Dental stature as some would have us
believe, Henry Wallace is as good as in
the White House.
In an extemporaneous address to a
luncheon group at Salem, oregon, Mr.
Wallace said that If he were elected
President he would push forward with
plans for electrifying the Nations farms
the idea being to move people from poor
land to good land. To accomplish this he
would have the Government buy up al
the land which could not be served by
electricity Then all the people on tn,
nonelectrifled land would be urged te
move And those who might refuse te
move, under the Wallace plan, woule
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Differs With Mr.. Lawrence
% the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
From time to time Columnist David Law
renee discusses subject, devotes several col
umns to it and, in effect prosecutes crusade.
It appears that the administration of the Taft
Hartley Act has become such subject for him.
Certainly, such a matter this most impor-
tant law should be discussed free from distor-
ton, so that readers can derive intelligent con-
clusions as to the merits Of this highly
controversial and basic piece OF legislation.
Regrettably, Mr.. Lawrence, in several of his
recent columns, has not displayed that desirable
adherence to fact. For example, in his column
concerning Taft.Hartley appearing on May 10,
he says: The NLRB continues in its devious
way to emasculate the Taft-Hartley Act"
He bases his assertion on a statement issued
by that Board that it had overruled the Clark
Bros. decision of 1916, in which it was held
to be an unfair labor practice for an employer
to convene his workers on company time and
deliver to them an anti-union speech
Actually" Mr.. Lawrence tells the reader,
"tne Clark Bros. decision was overruled by the
language OF the Taft-Hartley Act and the en-
tire membership of the board acknowledged
this fact in decision issued on April 18 last
in the case Of General Shoe Corp"
If the reader were to look at the opinion in
the shoe case he would find this language by
essary, in this part Of the case, to pass upon or
adopt the trial examiners finding that the
respondent violated the act = = by the action
Of its president in summoning the employees,
in groups Of 20 to Is, to his Office on the eve
OF the election for the purpose of reading to
them an anti-unon speech"
In the remaining part of the boards decision
in the shoe case, appears this statement: Nor
do We rely upon the fact that the speech was
delivered on company premises as in the Clark
Bros. case"
Apparently, either Mr.. Lawrence did not ac-
quaint himself sufficiently with the boards
ruling in this important free speech case or
he was too intent on furthering his thesis that
the board continues in it's devious way to
emasculate the Taft-Hartley Act" Either
course is too expensive luxury for the reader
and the American public-at time when all
of us are trying to give the new law and its
administrators full opportunity to solve our
troubled management-labor relations and hon.
estly to appraise the results.
JOHN JOHN.
Evening star., 1948-05-26

chiefly to revived French stubbornness in
opposition to the Anglo-American plan for
German rehabilitation. Any relaxation
Of Anglo American solidarity in this matter
would increase the chances OF deadlock
or failure, with the gravest consequences
not merely to German but also to Western
European recovery.
To analyze and evaluate Anglo-Ameri-
can friction is not to solve the problem
which 1t represents. But at least 1t pre-
sents a clear picture and underscores the
need for a speedy solution.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
ENGLAND Partner in Massacre :?

To the Editor of The Star:
Respect for England has developed from
history founded on glory and valor. The proud
English people have suffered and died in the
past century in order to provide England and
the rest Of the world with better place to
live.
Yet this same England, now is supplying
arms and officers to King Abdullah's Arab Le-
gion, fighting with many other bands against
a courageous group of people fighting to keep
a land they can call their own.
Not only has England abandoned the re-
sponsibility she was willing to accept 80 years
ago at Geneva, but she feels no qualms about
being q partner to q bloody massacre. Taking
refuge behind the cloak of the United Nations.
England claims she will stop giving aid to the
Arabs when the U. N. orders her to do So
Doesn't England know right from wrong'
A STUDENT.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
New Wage Approach

The agreement worked out between
General Motors and the United Automo-
bile Workers represents an interesting and
so far as the principle embodied IS
concerned-a sensible approach to the
problem of curbing the wage-price spiral.
Under the terms Of the agreement,
which is to run for two years. the employer
assumes the greater risk. Having asked
for an increase of twenty-five cents an
hour, the union settles for eleven cents.
If the cost of living, as measured by the
Bureau of Labor statistics has dropped by
next September l, the company has a
contract right to reduce the eleven-cent
increase by a maximum of five cents.
Thus, the union gets an assured s1x-cent
raise with a fixed proviso for an addi-
tional three-cent boost next year.
This adjustment feature, however, can
work upward as we'll as down. If the
cost OF living rises between now and Sep
tember /, then the corporation is bound
to raise wages above the eleven-cent
figure In an amount equal to the advance
In living costs Thus, while the employees
are protected by the contract against a
reduction in wages of more than five cents
an hour, the only limit on the employers
liability is the extent of the rise in living
costs AS against this, however, there are
certain offsetting benefits, such as the
two-year life of the contract and an agree
ment by the union not to seek any fringe
benefits during it's lifetime. The effect is
to stabilize operating costs, subject, of
course, to fluctuations in the cost of living
index.
On the whole this seems to be reason
able way of dealing with the pressure for
higher wages that is generated by mount
ing living costs, and 1t Is believed to be
the first time that any major union has
committed itself to any wage reduction in
event living costs 60 down. 1t is impos-
sible to reckon accurately the ultimate
cost to the industry of the new agreement.
Calculated on the eleven-cent basis, how
ever, and assuming that the GIN formula
will be generally applied 1t Is expected to
add about $22O,0OO,0O0 a year to the in
dustry's overhead. If this is to be passed
on to the automobile buyers, the already
high cost Of new cars Is going even higher.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Two Air Forces a Blessing

To the Editor Of The Star:
see by the papers that one of the greatest
airmen Of our time. Gen. Spaatz, intends after
his forthcoming retirement to devote his talents
to fighting the Navy In order to prevent this
country from being "saddled with two air
forces" He already is leading the fight to
block the Navy's plans for building q $4,000
ton super carrier.
This is an amazing spectacle, and indicates
. sad lack Of understanding on the Generals
part as to what the Navy can contribute toward
survival In the air age. Unfortunately, this
lack Of understanding is not confined to Gen.
Spaatz. 1t is shared quite generally by the
American public
Our splendid naval air force, with its self
suficient mobile bases, makes it possible for
this country to have tremendous advantage
over any enemy in future war. If we have
the wisdom to exploit and improve this advan-
tage, in conjunction with our 70 group Air Force,
it can make this country invincible in the air.
hard hitting, fast moving naval air force,
with carrier air bases cruising wherever there
is salt water, can be the difference" that
makes our command OF the air overwhelming.
We are not "saddled" with this advantage
we are blessed with 1t.
The Navy has itself to blame for the sad
state Of affairs in which we find great airman
like Gen. Spaatz leading the fight to throw
away a powerful and unique air weapon The
General and the public cannot be expected
to appreciate what the Navy can do in the air
age unless the Navy itself gives them the
benefit of expert advice from the men best
qualified to give this advice, namely, the naval
aviators who have spent the best part of their
lives building up our naval air force. The
taxpayers are entitled to this advice, but top
level Navy policy denies it to them.
Ever since the fight over the so-called Unfit
cation Act started, nearly two years ago, the
naval air experts have been gagged, and are
still gagged. They are told that in their public
utterances they must avoid controversial" sub
jects. OF course, Gen. Spaatzs statement makes
the very existence Of naval aviation a contro-
versial subject, and therefore bars any public
discussion of it by the Navy.
The official purpose OF this gag Is the laud-
able one of promoting cooperation between
services, and speeding true unification. But
its actual result, which is daily becoming more
imminent, is the undermining of an important
and exclusively American source of air
supremacy. C.. 7. FORCE.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Wages and Strikes a Criterion

D
That was fine article by Dorothy Thomp-
son in The Star of May 7. on the impressions
which our social system are making on Russia.
Rerhaps it will wake people up to the demands
that Communists are making to overthrow the
economic system of the United States. A most
noticeable contrast at present is the consist
ency with which strikes are formented in
America under our free system. The Com
munists call us imperialistic. and yet strikes
in Yugoslavia have been forbidden since the
Communists have taken control. As to wages,
one report in particular from that county
says, Belgrade Office workers average $40 a
month, plus overtime, and laborers $50 a
month, plus bonuses" What's imperialistic
about American wage scales?
MRS D. N. HULFISH.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
District Liquor Prices

With the opposition OF the Commission
ers and the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board, the bill to legalize price fixing In
the liquor stores is probably dead. 1t
should be.
The ABC Board members, Chairman
Alan w. Payne Mrs. Agnes Mason and
mended for not going along.
Regulatory boards have to live in
constant association with the industries
over which they have such vast powers.
They sometimes become industry minded"
Not so Washingtons ABC Board. When
the liquor dealers asked the board to
support the bill, the board said, mo"
Milton 8. Kronheim, Washington dis
tributor of National Distillers products,
testified yesterday at House District
subcommittee hearing that delinquent
accounts were the highest In history.
Under the law the retailer must pay for
deliveries by the 18th of the following
month or be declared delinquent and
placed on a cash basis. Mr.. Kronheim
termed the current situation a price war
and predicted bankruptcies.
Mr. Payne of the ABC also testified. He
said: perhaps proponents of this bilD
do not realize that by insisting upon
uniform prices they have caused many
of the consuming public to believe that
if this is necessary, the best way of doing
it is to institute the monopoly system of
State stores in the District, and thus let
the municipality enjoy the profits so they
will directly inure to the benefit Of the
people"
Perhaps it would be good idea. If
Washington's liquor dealers are about to
give up the ghost. it Is good time for
the District to take over, fix prices and
get the revenue.
Last year about four million gallons of
distilled liquors were sold in the District
That is about two-t thirds of the sale in
Virginia, which sold just under six million
gallons. The District collected a little
over three million dollars in taxes. Vir-
ginia realized twenty -four million dollars
in profits in its State liquor stores.
Now if District monopoly could do as
we'll with its two-thirds of Virginia's
volume it would realize sixteen million
dollars and that is more than the maxi
mum estimates of sales-tax return.
Evening star., 1948-05-26

whose jobs hold them here applied through
various channels to some persons who pro-
posed building trailer camp
The tgood?) citizens of Oxen Hill, however,
protested. claiming that "a trailer camp is
dumping ground for undesirables"
I am an Air Force soldier. However, live
in a trailer, so I am undesirable" ! wasn't
undesirable" however. when went to Europe
In the service of my country
= My present duty requires that stay In
this area It is not my choice, neither is It
my choice to pay high rents.
The whole issue leads me to the conclusion
that will be much better of when my duty
takes me elsewhere. c. G.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Sees a Sorry Example Here

To the Editor of The Starr
Recently DR.. William Jansen, superintendent
OF schools in New York City, and William j.
Gottlelb, president Of the American Automobile
Club OF New York, were forced to cancel .
Washington sightseeing tour for 81 outstand-
ing schoelboys Of that city. The lads trip to
their Nations Capital was called of because
Of anti-democratic racial practices there.
The bright youths who were to have visited
Washington ranged from eight to the i'm
pressionable age Of IA years. All 81 boys were
chosen officially as high caliber School Safety
Patrolmen by New Yorks Public and Parochial
schools. For two weeks the Automobile Club
tried to obtain hotel reservations but without
success. 1t happened that four or five colored
youths were numbered among the exemplary
boys who were to have visited Washington.
Imagine the necessity for the Jansen
Gottleib action at this stage Of our so-called
democratic, postwar enlightenment! Imagine
the effects of the cancellation of the trip to
Washington upon the 81 citizens Of tomorrow
and upon the thousands Of youthful admirers
of New York's outstanding schoolboys.
We might as we'll face up to the fact that
our Nations Capital sets a sorry example of
human respect and decency for our future
citizens who should rally to 1t as our Seat of
Government.
Year after year, an adult America that
should know better has stood idly by as anti
democratic forces in its midst have spread the
gnawing virus Of race-color-creed segregation
and discrimination by Claw" and/or by "cus-
TOM" For too long America has looked at the
stunted growth of its school-age youth who,
as innocent victims of this virus, have been
cheated by their elders out Of chance to be
laudabe examples of the democracy we so
loudly proclaim. America has seen frustrated
confused bitter and biased citizens emerging
year after year because its own children have
been denied wholesome experiences making
for good citizenship.
1t is time for loyal, mature, adult Americans
everywhere to take immediate steps to rid
Washington of all forms of segregation and
discrimination because of race, color or creed
It is time for each Of us to set such an un-
questionable example of democratic patriotism
until we rightly attract-rather than repel-our
81 or 81 100000 youth to the Nations Capital
and to any other section of the Nation Our
failure to act concertedly as mature pro-
democratic people foredooms our Nation to
fall an easy victim to Communists and other
alien INSPIRED forces working day and night
for our Nations subversion.
New York. DUTTON FERGUSON,
Editor, Opportunity.
Evening star., 1948-05-26
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,oriter, although 1t Is permissible for
q toriter knotDn to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1948-05-26

The poet who called on time to turn
backward in its flight should be with us
at this time, to get load of the resur-
rected Mckinley tariff mob