davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
U. S. May Be Forced To Select Her
Friends In International Affairs

There is danger that the policy of the United
States Government, in international affairs, will be
dominated by the idea that have to have the help
of other nations and that result, we must do
everything necessary to retain the favors OF the very
nations that must have our assistance.
This is plainly the case in Greece, in China and in
other countries certainly applies with great force
to the contention of some individuals that we must
"do something for Francois Spain.
Obviously, if there is to be struggle between
Communist Russia and he United States we
would appreciate all the allies possibly secure.
Nevertheless let not overlook the plight OF the
other nations They more directly menaced and
in greater danger from Communism than is the Unit
ed States Consequently any assistance that we ex-
tend should be given upon our terms There no oc-
cason for this country to be stampeded into pro-
gram of buying friends
The world situation developed to a point
where many nations are clamorlng for American as
sstance using the threat that unless aid is promptly
and generously extended, he population will go
Communist" If this statement is correct, there is
nothing to be gained by extending assistance for
temporary advantage, which, in crisis, would be
worthless All that the Russians have to do at pres
ent is to stand on the sidenes and look to the
United States to quander it's in frantic
effort to stop the spread of Communism.
1t might be just intelligent for us to let
nature take it's in the lesser nations and con-
centrate our assistance to countries like Great Brit
ain where we strengthen ally fit to be trusted
The same observation many apply to few other
countries but it is extremely doubtful if it does, es-
peciay to the flock of small nations that look to
the United States to uphold them automatically and
miltarily.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
National Income In First Eight
Months Is Up But Sales Decrease

The national income produced in he United
States for the first eight months of 1948 was S14,
969OOOOOO, which represented increase of 1873 per
cent over the period of last year. The econom
lists tell that this increase accounted for part
ly by advance in prices Ito the highest level in
history and partly by expansion in the quantity of
goods produced.
1t should be pointed out that the farmers cash
income, including Government payments, during the
first eight months S18411 100000, representing
an increase of per cent over last year. In con-
necton with agricultural income, however, it should
be noted that the gain did not equal the rise of 1O1
per cent in the prices Of goods which the farmers
bought and, as result, farm purchasing power dur
ing the first eight months of this year was 43 per
cent smaller than in the period of 1947.
Continuing to present some economic states,
note that retail sales showed contra decline
from July to August and that while total sales for
period of last year. total sales not expected
to be as high as previously Indicated The decrease
in retail sales In August due almost entirely to
drop in the quantity of goods sod since the retail
price index rose to new postwar high.
The figures cited come from the Alexander HAM
iton Institute and the latest available Naturally,
statistics of this kind require considerable time in
collection and analysis and run two to three months
behind the current months.
Noting that the farmers purchasing power will
show greater decrease in the last four months
of the year, the Institute points out that such de-
veopment will be conducive to the maintenance of
the present high rate of industrial activity. Conse
quenty downward readjustment in the prices of
manufactured goods is to be expected.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
Pegler Writes The Sad Tale OF Unions And Their Effe
On Americas Great National Pasme In Overtime

But that was when they pull
ed the jurisdictional strike, over
the Ted Williams shift. Every
body was shifting right for
Williams so the Rightfielders'
Brotherhood had practically
monopoly with this guy always
hitting to right. They upped the
price to $3.50 per flyball, straight
time. But that came to $525
with overtime under the new a.
greement and $700 at double
time just to catch a crummy lit
tie pop fly in the night games
or Sundays or holidays. That
was running us and l got so
when Williams would pop one
would run down there yelling
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
By Ray Tuker

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29-T he
voters of score of states show
ed a distint prejudice on No
vember for imposition of high
er taxes to finance the same sort
of health, housing, education,
and increased old age assistance
which President Truman is ex-
petecd to submit to the next ses-
sion of Congress.
White House financial aides
are now making a careful study
of the returns in these latest
tests of public sentiment on this
issue. Mr. Truman's more
conservative advisers cite them
as evidence that he should re-
due his demands to a minimum
or to just enough to make start
toward carrying out his many
campaign pledges.
Members of the House and
Senate are also examining these
polls for guidance in passing on
an expanded program of fed
eral expenditures in this field.
Even some who approve social
welfare advancement in princi-
pie ask whether foreign assis-
tance and rearmament bills will
permit full realization of presi-
dental pledges.
DOUBT: Only Oregon, Cali
fornia and Washington, pioneer
states in these fields, voted for
larger monthly payments to the
aged and blind.
But there is some question
whether Oregon's vote is bind
ing on the legislature or only ad-
visory, 1t is also doubtful wheth-
er the states financial condi-
ton, matter which the voters
apparently overlooked on Nov
ember 2, can stand the strain
O. $50 : month payments to
feed, clothe, house and provide
medical care" for the needy
aged.
California raised the old age
assistance benefit from $50 to
$75 a month, and from $75 to
$85 for the blind. These pay
ments have been running at a.
bout $57 and $62 to u, re-
spectively.
Washington fixed $50 a month
for aged and blind people requir-
ing state help. Here again, there
is doubt on how the $37, 500, 900
cost will be handled.
BONUS: Veterans bonuses
were authorized by six states,
but in Indiana and Minnesota
the referenda were merely ad-
visory. Four states authorized
bond issues to finance the pay
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
By Dorothy Thompson

I find it incredible that Lau-
renee Duggan's death was ac-
cident or suicide.
1t is not easy for a man to tai
unintentionally over a window
sill 8 inches from the floor, the
height reported for the window IN
Mr.. Duggan's office. The lower
part of a mans body is heavier
than the upper. A man leaning
forward braces himself with his
hands, and the danger of losing
balance is negligible. If you
doubt this, try it. Or consider
that you do not fall on your nose
by doubling to touch your toes
The office is not open for in
spection, but the photograph in
Tuesdays New York Post show
ed a glass ventilator in the WIN
dow fitting inward at an angle.
This would raise the level
another 8 or 10 inches, making
it impossible for a man to fall
out forward-even if he olst con-
sciousness - or backward, as
suming that he had been sitting
on the sill with his back to the
open window. This is a position
unlikely for a man convalesclng
from spinal operation, as Mr..
Duggan was.
Even if The Post photograph
is inaccurate and there was no
ventilator, a sill 33 inches from
the floor is not a comfortable
height for even a tall man to
sit down on. If he should raise
himself into such a position, the
inference would be that there
was someone in the room
he braced his f toon theo islotl
Apart from the testimony of
Mr.. Duggan's wife and friends
regarding his good spirits, and
Christmas plans, one other clue
rules out the likelihood of sui
eide. Mr.. Duggan had put on
ONE overshoe.
Now l submit that man does
not put on overshoes in order to
jump out of a window and kill
himself. Neither would he sit on
window sill Is inches higher
than an average chair to put on
overshoes.
He was sitting in the chair be-
side which the other overshoe
was found. Why did he stand up
before putting on the other? Pos
sibly because the eXertion caus-
ed him to lose breath and he
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
Nisbet Says Conference Period Is On
As State Officials Prepare For Assembly

dred appointments to make,
some of them almost immed-
lately and for very important
offices; some later and for less
influential posts. Selection Of
these appointees and obtaining
their acceptances requires a lot
of conversation back and for
ward. None of this is public;
it should not be. The only
"news" is the fact the conversa-
tions are carried on. Although
it is in one sense public business
the reasons for offering appoint
ments and the reasons for the
offers not being accepted are
essentially personal and pri-
vate. When the appointment is
consummated the public does
have some right to know why 1t
was made and what may be ex-
pected of the new man.
LEGISLATION There are
just as many conferences and
quasi-private meetings of per-
sons interested in legislation
that will affect their business. 1t
is known that substantial
changes are contemplated in
the laws affecting passenger
and freight carrying motor We
hicles and other utilities. Re-
presentatives of the companies
operating these facilities have
been comforting on proposed bill
to be offered in the legislature.
There will be a new school ma
chinery act adopted by the 1949
legislature, and a great deal OF
preliminary work has been done
on that. Officials of cities and
towns have been working dill
gently on measures designed to
relieve the financial situation of
municipalities. There have
been also several regional meet
ings of members-elect in the
general assembly for the pur-
pose of getting better acquaint-
ed and developing cooperative
attitude.
INFORMED-These pre-legis-
lative conferences, plus the re-
Communications Of a dozen or
more study commissions author
lied by the last legislature,
means that members of the
1949 general assembly will
have more authoritative infor-
nation most of the issues pre-
sented than any previous session
has had Whether it will act
more intelligently remains to
be seen. 1t would seem to be
fact that it will have a sounder
base from which to start than
most predecessor assemblies.
ROOMS-No story about the
conferences now in vogue would
be complete without some men,
ton of the intensely personal
conferences between legislators
and others who expect to be in
Raleigh for most of the legisla-
tive session and managers of
capital city hotels. Most of the
prospective guests arranged for
living quarters weeks ago. A
few later arrangers are running
into difficulties because there
just aren't enough good rooms
to 60 around.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28

Don't catch it! We can't afford
to catch the guy out, so leave
him 60 and try for the double
play"
So the center fielders got jeal-
GUS and they offered to do it for
5000, straight time. And the left
fielders for $3.50, and the first
thing we knew there was pickets
all over the outfield with signs
like this scab ban-club unfair
to right fielders," and 80 T
babies are starving. Internation-
al Brotherhood of Right-Field-
ers." I always say that was
when baseball really began to
60 to pieces.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
By Westbrook Pegler.... ....
Copyright, 1913, By King Fea-
lures Syndicate, Inc.)


Maybe it is democracy, but,
as far as am concerned, you
can give me the good old days
without no overtime for extra in
ningS.
We couldn't look better than
we did that spring until tn e y
signed the contract with the In
ternational Bro tn erh o o d
of Right Fielders. We had pit
ching and power and we had an
infield that was absolutely Just
practically an iron curtain until
they signed that contract. | kept
telling the boss to ignore them
but the old man is funny so he
said: well, l have tried every
thing from baby sitters for the
effeminine customers on Ladies'
Day to black robes on the UNI
pires like the Supreme Court. So
l am going to sign up with the
International Brotherhood of
Right Fielders on account of
the four freedoms
There was quite a lot of COM
plications before we got back to
open the season, but they were
practically nothing compared to
the troubles when we really got
settled down. The unions had
signed up the Yankees and the
Red Sox and Detroit, and some
others and the scale called for
time and one-half for extra in
nings.
The boys would get their
e d S together down around
first base and when l came
down yelling, Break it up!
Break it up" we had a little
squirt c. bum substitute in :
fielder and he said to me; Get
back in your hole and mind your
own business. We are having
council meeting"
l sent Wally Dumboe down to
listen and he told me they were
running a showdown to get into
extra innings for the overtime.
We were going into the tenth
nothing nothing almost every
day and everybody thought it
was marvellous baseball the way
the boys would SO out practical
ly in order the first nine innings.
Or if the other club got a run
by accident, then they would
kick one back to us the t
time we hitted.
l also often used to think it
was funny when a fellow would
tap one to the infield and
l would hear the coach at first
say, "Take it easy. Take it easy.
Are you trying to kill the job?"
The sport writer's went wild
over the pitchers battles and
got an offer of $4,000 to write
my secrets entitled Inside in
side baseball, by the master
master mind"
Finally Wally Dumboe was de-
legated to negotiate a little COM
promise. The regular contract
called for a half S
pay over nine innings, so they
were Just stalling for the first
nine innings. Then they would
start to level and usually settle
it in the .Snth or eleventh.
We compromised so all ball
games started in the tenth.
said this was ridiculous, but
they said every laundry starts
numbering the wagons at No. 10
and I'VE were just reactionary.
The first inning is the tenth,
and they just get a so per cent
hoist in pay, is all it amounts to.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
thy Thompson Says Incredible To Think That Dwgas Death Was Suicide
Renorts Window Sill Was 80 Inches Above
Floor And Hard To Believe He Jumped

went to the window and opened
it.
But then he would lean out,
not sit on the sill. Or possibly
he braced his foot on the sill to
buckle the overshoe. In that
case, he could only fall INTO
; the room. But perhaps at that
moment someone entered the
room. To heave an unsuspect-
ing man in that position through
a window is relatively easy.
And perhaps he stood up BE-
CAUSE someone came into the
room, someone with whom he
was on friendly terms; and he
offered his chair, and half sat,
half-leaned on the window sill.
1t also would be. easy for
strong man to heave him out un-
der such circumstances.
The autopsy showed death
from multiple fractures disclos-
ing mo signs of criminality. "
Is it easy to tell whether a frac-
ture is caused by a fall or a
blunt instrument? Maybe Mr..
Duggan was unconscious before
his fall began. Assuming no sus-
picion on his part, there would
be no struggle.
Was there a motive? Francis
B. Sayre, former Assistant Sec
retary of State, has described
the theft of State Department
papers as "a crime Of infinite
gravity" Mr.. Duggan, formerly
in the State Department, might
have been an important witness.
He seems to have had both con-
nections with, and little SYM
pathy for, the Reds. Now what
ever he could have told, dies
with him.
He is not the first person con-
nected with the espionage case
to have died by a mysterious
fall. On October 20, w. Marvin
Smith, attorney in the Solicitor
Generals office who figured in
the spy investigations, hurtled to
his death down a circular stair
well in the Department OF JUS
tice. Verdict: Suicide. But h is
wife is convinced it was not.
The New York police should
call in the country's best detec-
tives in the Duggan case. The
overshoe offers mute testimony
that Mr.. Duggan neigher jump
ed nor fell of his own volition.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28

SECRET: With the encourage
ment of the State and National
Defense Departments, Ameri =
can oil companies have engaged
in exploration of new fields, es-
pecially in the Middle East and
South America. Their newest op-
erations in these regions are a
hush-hush secret at Washington.
AGENTS: President Truman
appreciates that the U. S. was
never more favorably situated
for making these demands. AL
most every nation outside til
'iron curtain" depends upon us
for economic recovery and mil
itary protection. He thinks that
our special interests are entitled
to consideration in return.
Washington also has reason to
suspect that Russian agents are
largely responsible for domestic
unrest in these areas so vital to
our peacetime and war time
economy. Stain realizes that
two world wars and our normal
consumption of natural resourc-
es have forced us to rely on i'm
ports from these three distant
trouble spots.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
Tucker Says Voters Showed A Prejudice
For Higher Taxes In November Election

Dakota and Washington.
Five states Oregon, Miss
ouri, Nebraska, North Dakota
and Wisconsis - defeated bonus
proposals. The reasons for these
setbacks, which was also true
in other tests for spending pub
lie money, were especially sig
nificant as reflecting taxpayers
reaction against larger taps on
their pocketbooks.
"NO": III contrast to the four
states approving bonus, with
financing to be provided by bond
issues, the five rejected plans
carried provisions for a specific
increase in sales or property
taxes that would be allocated
for this purpose alone.
In other words, when the vot-
ers could actually see and figure
out the money they would be
called upon to pay out for these
bonuses and other grants, they
wrote mo" on the ballot or pull
ed a negative lever on the ma
chine.
But when future bond issues
were proposed, or when they
thought funds were already a.
vailable, without any added de-
mands on their purses, they o.
kayed the scheme.
Thus, if President Truman ac-
companies his request for social
welfare expansion homes,
health, education etc. - with in
sistence on higher corporate or
personal income taxation, he
may have a rebellious Congress
on his hands. That seems to be
a logical conclusion from the
November 2 state results.
OIL: Americas requirements
for oil and other key commod-
tiles lie behind our almost un-
precedented diplomatic de-
mands for prompt and peaceful
settlements of Latin-American :.
Palestine and Indonesian disput-
es. These are three of t h e
worlds richest oil producing
areas outside this country.
Faced with serious depletion
of domestic reserves and lack
ing such strategic materials as
tin and natural rubber, the Unit
ed States has quietly embarked
. on policy of importing a maxi
mum amount of petroleum for
peacetime purposes. We have
also been stockpiling other es-
sential articles.
Thus we would have a sure
and sage supply at home if a
war should block the sea lanes
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28

to remote sections of the world.
Russia's concentration on con-
struction of modern, far rang
ing Schnorkel submarines gives
pertinent point to this conserva-
ton program.
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28
BY Lynn Nisbaet

CONFERENCE.-The is the
period of conferences. 1t takes
a lot of talk-in a person and by
telephone-to get ready for a
session of the general assem-
bly, and a new state admlnistra-
ton. And it is taking a good
deal of time on part of state po-
litical leaders to fit their plans
into the schedule for congress
and the presidential Inaugural
ton.
COMMITTEES - Theoretic-
ally the governor has nothing to
do with appointment of legisla-
tive committees. Theoretically
the president of the senate has
nothing to do with committees
in the house of representatives,
and the speaker Of the house
has no voice in senatorial as
signments. In actual practice
thre must be a lot of checking
and double checking to preserve
decent balance and organize a
working force to carry on state
business. So-Governor elect
Scott has been consulted by Pat
Taylor, lieutenant governor
elect, with respect to senate
committees, and by Kerr Craige
Ramsay, who is conceded to
have the speakership in hand,
about house committees. Furth-
ermore, Taylor and Ramsay
have had to do a good bit of
checking with each other in or
der to properly distribute impor-
tant chairmanships.
APPOINTMENTS-The new
governor will have several hlln-
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28

BONUS: Veterans bonuses
were authorized by six states,
but in Indiana and Minnesota
the referenda were merely ad-
visory. Four states authorized
bond issues to finance the pay
Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-28

The New York police should
call in the country's best detec-
tives in the Duggan case. TIL e
overshoe offers mute testimony
that Mr.. Duggan neigher jump
ed nor fell of his own volition.
Smyrna times., 1948-06-24
SWIM CLASSES AT LAKE COMO
WILL CONTINUE ANOTHER WEEK

The Learn to Swim" instruction
classes at Lake Como, Smyrna,
will continue for another week, it
was announced yesterday by An
drew Gornowski, Red Cross swim
ming instructor who is conducting
the classes here. Originally sched-
uled to wind up tomorrow, Mr..
Gornowski made his decision yes
terday,' after considering the cool
ness of the weather that has pre-
vailed at the lake this week, to
continue the classes until next Fri
day. Over forty enthusiastic young
boys and girls of the ,Smyrna-Clay-
ton area are daily learning the
fundamentals of swimming under
the supervision and instruction of
Mr.. Gornowski, Mrs. William Ma
brey, instructor and local chairman
for the campaign, and Charles
Wade, lifeguard at the beach.
Mrs. Mabrey is assisting Gornow-
ski with the beginners and inter-
mediates while Wade has charge
of the advanced students. Accord
Smyrna times., 1948-06-24

ing to Mrs. Mabrey, Wade's class
of advanced students will continue
for the remainder of the summer.
She says this class will be ready
for Junior Life Saving tests some
time during August. An adult life
saving class is planned for August
providing there are enough inter-
ested parties signing up to make
the program worthwhile. The
Learn to Swim" campaign is
sponsored annually in towns
throughout the state by the Della
ware Chapter American Red Cross.
Gornowski, who is employed dur
ing the summer by the Red Cross,
instructed classes at Lake Como
last July. Mrs. Mabrey recently
completed a course in swimming
instruction in Wilmington. These
instructor classes are likewise con-
Quoted by the Red Cross of ella
ware. The Smyrna swimming area
as set forth by the Red Cross in
cludes Kenton, Woodland Beach,
Clayton and Downs Chapel.
Smyrna times., 1948-06-24
CLAYTON LIONS
INSTALL PREXY
William L. Torbett, Jr., In
stalled as Club President
in Ceremony Last Week
COMBINE LADIES NIGHT

The Clayton Lions Club held in
stallation of officers and ladies'
night on Wednesday at The Pad
dock, near Smyrna. Installed by
Charles A. Stab, district-governor
elect, of Wilmington were: Presi-
dent, William L. Torbert, Jr.; first
vice-president, Ernest Mattiford;
second vice-president, Edward Cow
ington; third vice-president, Julian
Dunning; secretary-treasurer, Geo.
E. Wootten; directors, Ford Stats,
Joseph Ennis, L. D. Kitchens, Mar
ion Smith; tail twister, Medford
Davis, Jr.; lion tanner, Roland
Mills. The guest speaker was j.
Wallace Woodford, former mayor
of Dover. The Rev. Ray Kirwan
offered the invocation and also in
troduced the speaker. Medford
Sparks presided. Among guests
were Francis Gebhart, deputy dis
trict governor, and Mrs. Gebhart,
of Smyrna; Mrs. Stab, Whining
ton, and Mrs. Woodford, Dover.