davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-12
By THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

Q. When the atom is broken up, is mat
ter actually being destroyed?-N. B.
A. The National Bureau of Standards says
that the answer depends upon the definition
of the word destroy" which means in one
sense ito unbuild or ruin the structure" and
in another to cause to vanish In the
first sense the answer is yes and in the
second, no This distinction may be clear
if one examines what takes place when the
atom is broken up" Its initial structure
has been changed or "unbuilt." However.
while some mass has apparently disappeared.
this mass has not vanished. 1t has merely
undergone TRANSPORTATION, observable as en-
ergy The famous law of Einstein, Enc.
is the mathematical expression of the equiv
alence of mass and energy. This law can be
interpreted as meaning that mass and en-
ergy are interchangeable, and that what ap-
pears to be mass can also appear. under cer-
tain conditions, as energy. Atomic fission
is spectacular example Of the transforma-
tion of mass into energy.
c. What is the longest mountain system
in the world?-D. o. S.
A. The Andes Mountains form the longest
system. extending from the Isthmus of Pan
anna to TERRA del Fuego, distance OF $500
miles.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Officials Are Humun

In a light-hearted and somewhat phil
osophical little depression at his press
conference the other day, Secretary OF
State Dean Acheson gave voice to
thought that should be mulled over by
any of us who are disposed to regard
public officials as creatures existing pri-
marily to be bulldozed, abused, slandered,
ridiculed, attacked, excoriated, assailed,
and otherwise verbally beaten up by the
citizenry at large, with praise rarely
extended.
According to Mr. Acheson, it is only
right and proper, of course, that men hold
ing public office-men like himSelf-should
be criticized by the American people, for
the people are the boss, and as such they
are entitled to needle their employees even
If sometimes unfairly. Nevertheless, again
according to Mr.. Acheson, Government
officials are human beings, and they
welcome a little encouragement every now
and then, little judicious praise, a little
pat on the back-the sort of thing that
tends, as private employers well know, to
stimulate the hired help into doing a
better job.
Mr.. Acheson-who has lately had the
encouragement of being named the best
dressed man in America-may rest assured
that every right-thinking citizen will 60
along with his idea for a nicer balance
between needing and pats on the back.
All of us enjoy bit of occasional praise.
AS Cowper wrote, 20 popular applause!
what heart of man is proof against thy
sweet, seducing charms?" The answer is
none.
AS with private citizens, so with public
officials. Let us be kinder to the latter.
Too often, after they enter office and
attract the brickbats, they have reason to
wonder whether they have come face to
face with a fate worse than death, and
the Government gains nothing from that.
Mr.. Acheson-and here is some praise for
him-has said pretty good mouthful.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Retorts to Mr.. Ihlder


should be working now instead of writing
to you, the voice of voteless Washington.
working to make money, to pay some taxes,
to pay John Ihlder executive officer of the
National Capital Housing Authority, to con-
tinue to admit (The Star, March y that he
is helpless to evct 900 cash home buyer
tenants from his Government subsidized low
rent Thirty fifth street houses
Why hasn't Mr.. Ihlder spent some of his
time before congressional committees ask
ing for authority to have these Government
houses used by the large group of our
people. most in need of housing instead of
pleading that only he can house the less
fortunate by expenditure of our money on
new construction? He should do the job
before him before he again tells us how
cleverly he can house America.
Mr.. 1hlder wrote me: 1T is your duty as
citizen to inform me as executive officer of
the authority the name, address, ETC.. Of the
$4,000 cash home buyer tenants of the
NCHA."
But am not aware of the law imposed on
moral duty of which Mr.. Ihlder writes.
The use of my name in his letters to his
"Thirty-fifth street houses tenants was
done without my knowledge or consent. An
other rule of that group seems to be-, If
YOU cannot defeat your opponent, then dis
credit him." I do believe that one SO well
paid as the executive director (sorry, mean
"officer") of the NCHA should be less
naive, and sufficiently competent to use Gov
ernnent subsidized housing for other than
s15. 600 tenants. STANTON KOLB.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Tipsy Informer

Who told Trud? That is the question
What un-American wench went tattling
to the Moscow trade paper about American
been driven to drink? We had the whole
world fooled until she went and split the
beans Everybody thought this was the
tightest matriarchy since the days of the
Amazons, that every female over fifteen
was a Boadicea in sweater. But Russia
knows now where she gets her strength.
Whisky courage, says the Soviet fatty.
This Nom, this vampire type with cast
iron apron strings bullying her husband.
squelching her daughter-in-laW Plainly
she is thing of spaghetti without that
brandy in the broom closet. If only we
could have kept it in the family.
And that brisk, decisive, comradely
career girl who elbows men out Of top
American business jobs. A chattel, actu-
ally, who cannot get through the morning
without recourse to the bottle In the
bottom desk drawer
But about those American husbands
who help with the washing, dry the dishes,
change the baby and turn over their
pay checks Perfectly simple, my dear
comrade They are suffering from re-
morse for the brutal way they have treated
these sniveling, sodden creatures whom
they have married.
Well, it's all over Moscow now But who
is the informer? Obviously equipped with
double vision Probably drunk.
Evening star., 1949-03-12

informed the House Rules Committee that
the cost actually would run much higher
than that. During the first fifty years, he
said the pensions would cost in excess of
$125, 5,OOO,O 100000, and even thereafter the
payments would amount to many addi-
tional billions"
Mr.. Rankin emphasizes that the first
years cost would be only around $65,000,-
600 (although the American Veterans Com
mittee declares the figure would be double
that amount). However, the Veterans Ad-
miniStration has estimated that the yearly
cost would rise until the pensions would
require appropriations of as much as six
billions in single twelve-month period.
And Mr. Rankin would not stop with this
gratuity to veterans. Pending before his
committee is another bill which he has
indicated he will push. 1t would provide
each veteran bonus in addition to the
proposed pension. The total cost of this
extra gift to the veterans is estimated at
from $4,000 100000 to $45,ooO 100000.
The pension bill was rushed through the
Veterans Committee over the protests of
several of its members. It has been said
that once a veterans bill of any kind
reaches the floor of the House, passage is
assured, because the legislators are>reluc-
tant to 60 on record against the vet
erans." But any member of Congress who
votes for this pension bill is going on
record against the best interests not only
of veterans but of all classes of taxpayers
for several generations to come. The lg-
ures cited by the Budget Bureau should
make that clear to every veteran and every
legislator who takes the trouble to think
the plan through in all It's implications.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce,DeH

saucy titmouse, perched in tree, sud-
denly began to snif1.
Ask us not how titmouse shifts. We
haven't the slightest idea, but sniff it did.
1t shifted and it shifted. and who could
blame it. for it smelled mink
Mink is one of the most delicious smells
in the world of titmouse. This little
rogue of bird. with its crest and daring
ways. can smell a mink mile.
1t was no live mink. of course, but simply
a mink scarf hung on the back porch for an
airing.
The titmouse smelled. and then acted.
It flew straight as it could-and that is
very straight-to the porch.
1t lit on the mink scarf.
1t pulled and it pulled and was successful
at last
Out came few hairs.
Away flew the triumphant titmouse.
The warm weather OF that day had put
spring ideas in its head.
1t was too early for a nest of course.
All good titmice knew that.
This one wasn't so sure.
1t couldn't help but seize some mink hairs
when it could
After it got back to the tree. its ardor
cooled bit.
After all, it was not very warm, even for
a titmouSe.
The bird let the hairs float away in the
breeze.
It was back after second helping when
the mistress of the mink saw 1t.
"Oh!" she screamed and made dash
for the porch.
The door slammed behind her.
T,,ct oh fitnnNNSp
a mighty tug, snatched another billful OF
mink hair and departed.
"You bad bird!" screamed the lady. What
are you eating my beautiful new scarf for?"
The titmouse, safe in its tree, made no
reply.
If it had said anything, it might have
whistled:
Il am not eating your old mink. am
am just getting few hairs for nest"
II
Titmice often pull hairs from fur coats left
out to air.
One even flew down to woman waiting
on a corner and took hold of the shoulder
of her fur.
She screamed, the bird flew away. and
ever since the lady has told story, how
mad bird" got after her one day as she
stood waiting on the corner.
These saucy little birds are never mad,
however, just sensible.
They take what they can find. in an
eminently natural manner.
They have been known to pull hairs
from the heads of people seated on open
porches.
Such an attack is rather startling, but
nothing to be feared. The bird is not at
tracted by any other point. The shine of
the eve means nothing to it,
All it wants. or all she wants is something
for the nest.
The titmouse nest usually is placed in a
deserted woodpecker hole or hollow stump.
It is made of moss, leaves, bark strips
and horse hair, II 1t can be found.
And that. of course. is where the hair
from fur enters the picture.
From five to eight white eggs are laid, each
thickly spotted with reddish brown.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
e. Symbol of q Free Europe

On blank walls and billboards in Prague,
Budapest, and other cities behind the
Iron Curtain, the morning light Is apt
to disclose the chalked-up letter "E."
This cryptic symbol is reminiscent of the
famous "V" which so annoyed Hitler's
GeStapo and encouraged the subject pop
ulation of Nazi-occupied lands during the
late war. AS that letter stood for the
phrase "V for Victory" so the present
'E" denotes Europe, United and Free"
And that is the slogan of new anti
Communist movement which aims at
migrating underground resistance groups
In all the Communist t-dominated countries
of Eastern Europe, including portions of
the Soviet Union itself.
This movement is naturally very
much under cover, our chief source OF
information being from it's confidential
representatives in Western Germany, espe-
cially in the American zone of occupation.
From them we learn that secret meeting
of the anti-Communist resistance groups
was recently held on the borders of two
unrevealed Soviet satellite countries. It's
purpose was to weld into co-ordinated
program their previously isolated efforts.
This was seemingly accomplished, the
upshot being the establishment OF
unified First Column"
At this preliminary stage it Is naturally
impossible to estimate either its immediate
effectiveness or its future potentialltleS.
Perhaps the best comparison is the status
of the French resistance movement during
the first year after the German occupa-
ton. In that year, 1941, it was embryonic.
Yet by 1943 it had become effective and
increasingly formidable.
To be sure, the repression exercised by
the Soviet MVD and its satellite counter
parts is probably more terrible than that
even of Hitler's Gestapo Yet the very
effects of this terrorism tend to drive to
desperate counter-resistance numberless
individuals who seek at all costs liberation
from a tyranny which renders life un-
bearable.
AS vet, co-ordinated armed resistance
and sabotage are not seemingly contem-
plated, though it should be remembered
that partisan groups have long maintained
themselves in the forests and swamps of
the Baltic States, Poland and the Ukraine.
The chief activities of the First Column
today appear to be procuring information
from the outside world issuing clandestine
propaganda sheets, and organizing escapes
to the Free West. Underground rail-
roads" certainly exist from Czechoslovakia,
Poland and Hungary, by which consider
Evening star., 1949-03-12
MuIti-BiIIion-DoIIur Bounty

The Budget Bureaus estimate of what
would cost the taxpayers during the next
half century should be sufficient to kill the
bill a-borning. The proposed multi billion
dollar handout to former servicemen,
whether or not they are in need of aid,
is completely unrealistic in its demands on
the Treasury. Chairman Rankin of the
House Veterans Committee had estimated
the total cost at $1os 0O0,ooO,O 900. That was
bad enough. But Budget Director Pace has
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Wants Nation to Support Capital
ro the Edttor of The Star.

To the Editor OF Ine star:
Can some one give the answers to some
questions that I think all Washingtonians
will be interested in and watching for?
We have no vote; no congressional repre-
sentation; the Commissioners are appointed
to make and execute rulings for the good OF
the District-yet it seems Congress. none Of
whose members are natives, is allowed to
pass laws for the District to follow-laws
which do not touch them.
Specifically at the moment. there is the
sales tax. OF course, it will be noted that
all congressional members and their office
forces are exempt from the local income tax
despite the fact that they live for most of the
year in Washington.
The sales tax presumably is supposed to in
crease the District Budget and take it out OF
the red Why should 1t be in the red? Why
should the natives of one comparatively
small city be expected to stand the cost for
the Federal Capital? Who. may ask. pays
the taxes on all ground and buildings locat-
ed in Washington, occupied by the Federal
Government? Or by all the embassies. le-
cations, etc.? AS understand 1t, they all
are tax exempt-for the occupants. Every
Evening star., 1949-03-12

able numbers Of individuals are smuggled
into the Western zones of Germany and
Austria.
These shadowy STRINGS behind the
Iron Curtain naturally arouse our SYM
pathy and interest While they should
not be overestimated, they indicate that
the spirit of freedom has not been crushed
by Communist repression and that seeds
of effective resistance are being sown
which could bloom later on.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Daylight Saving Complained About

Ddy11g11t odVn1g OOnp1a1ned Ab0ut
To the Editor of The Star:
On Sunday. February 27, an editorial in
The Star. headed Annual Daylight Saving
Ruckus," stated Public sentiment in WASH
ington is overwhelmingly in favor of day
light saving"
I would like to know how any one can
make such positive statement when there
has never been referendum whereby every
one in Washington could VOTE and also the
fact that there has been Il might also say
an overwhelming opposition mostly on the
basis of health.
Is 1t really ridiculous waste of time and
effort as you state. to debate about bill
where health is involved? MAC,
Evening star., 1949-03-12

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,oriter, although 1t is permissible for
a ,Driter knoUn to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Carrier Boys Neglectful?

In answer to "A Carriers Mother" whose
letter appeared on the editorial page of The
Star on March 3, let me say that if some of
the carrier boys would take as much interest
in serving their papers as they do in collect
ing for them, they might get little more
cooperation and pats on the back" from
the subscribers
live in the suburbs and have been a sub
scrber to The Star for about Is years and
in that time have had many newsboys and
neWsgirls, too. deliver my papers, Some were
very conscientious about giving good service;
others were not. The ones who tried to do
their job right were always given every con-
sideration by mel paid them the first time
they came to collect and sometimes gave
them little extra for Observation-Disclosures I
admire a boy, or girl. who is industrious
enough to take news route and try to make
good at it. '%''
However have been told by newsboys
themselves that some only take route to
please their parents, or to make q little extra
money for a while and sometimes Rhen
they are tired Of the job they wifi sdelib-
erately give poor service SO that the custom
ers will complain and their job will end.
For the past few years 1t seems the boys
are getting more careless; quite often not
even delivering the paper themselves, but
handing 1t to other small children in the
neighborhood to deliver, with the result the
paper Is left where it will blow to pieces or
1t is thrown in the bushes in such manner
one has to be contortionist to retrieve it.
Sometimes the newsboy himself does this,
according to the humor he is in. Yet he is
right there week or more before the end of
the month to collect. and if you pay him
then, it's gamble as to how you will receive
your paper the balance of the month.
have complained to the newsboys and to
those in authority on occasion, and some
times the service Is better for while, only
to become poor again. Other neighbors. evil
IDENTIFY have the same difficulty as I see
papers strewn about other yards. News
stands are quite a distance from our house,
otherwise would discontinue delivery of the
papers.
1t does seem that some one-possibly the
parents?-could oversee these young boys in
order to give better service to the customers.
Then there might be change in the atti-
tude Of the customers too.
A REGULAR SUBSCRIBER.
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau, 316 street NE, washington 2, d c.
Please inclose three (3) cents for return postage
Evening star., 1949-03-12

The careful child, playing outdoors at
this season, will keep the snow cap well
down over the ears at all times. Other
wise he might hear his mother when she
no11S
Evening star., 1949-03-12
Why Communists Are That Way


I like your editorial in the issue of March
relative to the New Spy Case" You stress
the importance of our learning what makes
traitors of American citizens. I think the
answer Is easy. and that two words, "uto-
pianism and Illustration" will explain most
cases.
The theory of communism ESPECIALLY with
q small 'c) is extremely fascinating. The
Utopian idea of men living together in
brotherly love- each contributing to the
general welfare, where there is no in
security or fear, and where, in the language
of the poet the richest are poor and the
poorest live in abundance, appeals very
strongly to our serious minded youth. When
they are offered an opportunity to help in
bringing about this glorious condition of
affairs, the idea becomes an obsession. Then
previous ethical concepts are thrown over
board.
Another urge that is always present is
the desire to feel important. When they see
an opportunity to become a big frog in
small puddle. the appeal is often too strong
to be resisted. They want the thrill of
being connected with momentous projects,
of the use Of secret passwords. of clandestine
meetings, and all the glamorous life they
have seen depicted in cheap novels A
psychiatrist assigned to this case could dis
cover the particular Illustration that set
Miss Coplon on her devious course.
In various cases, there may be many
other motives involved, but am sure these
two are always present and that their
elimination would practically solve our prob
lem. The antidote for the first is knowledge
Of Communism with a capital &C." The de-
sire to feel important offers greater diff
culties. That desire is universal; it begins
in infancy, and it persists throughout life.
There are legitimate ways of satisfying this
desire and they should be pointed out to
our young people. ELMER c. HELM
Evening star., 1949-03-12

city in every State should stand its propor-
tionate share of the expense-not the in
habitants of one lone city to be taxed for
space used by installations which concoct
and administer laws that benefit the whole
country. Because these beautiful decorative
buildings (and others happen to be located
here (of which fact we are proud Is no rea-
son why we should have to foot" the bills
for the Federal Government. HI. H.
Evening star., 1949-02-15
House Votes 10 Continue
Tour OF Freedom Train

Continuation of the Freedom
Train tour now awaits Senate ac-
ton, following House approval
yesterday of a resolution to make
operation of the document-loaded
train a Government project until
July 5, 1851.
The Archivist of the United
States would be authorized to
spend up to 100000 to acquire
and run the train. 1t has been
estimated $2,50o,000 would cover
the costs.
The House action came on a
voice vote with no nays heard.
During the debate, however
Representative Ford. Republican,
of Michigan, pointed out COM
munities had raised funds to help
finance the tour that ended last
month. The train had been
sponsored by the American Heri-
tage Foundation. which ended
last month. He suggested other
places desiring visits by the train
also should be willing to provide
money by public subscription.
Evening star., 1949-02-15

and then became superintendent
of schools of Murray City. Ohio.
While in that position, Mr.. Secrest
won election to the Ohio State
Legislature. He was filling these
educational and legislative Offices
when he decided to run for the
House in 1882. He won and be-
came one of only two Democrats
to represent his district in Con-
gress since the Civil War.
Mr.. Secrest married Miss Vir-
ginia Bowden of Cadiz. Ohio. in
1929. They have three children.
Evening star., 1949-02-15
Kelly to Address EIks

Dan Kelly, trial examiner for
the Post Office Department, will
speak at 1915 pm. tomorrow at
919 H street NV. when Washing
ton Elks Lodge No. Is celebrates
the 81st anniversary of the found
ing of the national organization.
Evening star., 1949-02-15
New Faces in Congress
Secrest of Ohio Back in Old House Seat,
In Office Five Terms Before Navy Duty

Robert T. Secrest of Ohio got
his old place in the House last
November by defeating the Re-
publican incumbent. P. w. Crit
fiths.
Mr.. Secrest. As. a Democrat,
represents the 18th District, as
he did during five terms prior to
his entrance on active duty in
the Navy. He held the rank of
commander while in service.
He Is one of many members of
Congress who hold law degrees.
but there was an unusual feature
to his earning it. Mr.. Secrest
attended Washington College of
Law here during his previous
period in the House, and he was
graduated in 1899.
Previously. in 1926, he was
graduated from Muskingum Col
lege, New Concord. Ohio. He was
born near Senacaville. Ohio. where
he still makes his home, and at
tended the Senaca High School
before going to college. After re-
ceiving his degree, he went back
to the high school as principal.
He held this post for four years
Montgomery County sentinel., 1949-09-15
- WANTED -

!" FARM-50 to 60 acres wanted
within the radius of Is to 80 miles
of Bethesda. Have own equipment.
Can handle 10-cow dairy farm.
Mrs. D. A. Boatwright, ATOP Ma
pie Avenue, Bethesda, Md. Tel.
Wisconsin 6648. g. 4:3O. 804