davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1949-08-04

LARGE.
ers and all played his part so
well that we could hardly Sc
lect anyone this time.
Director of the Play was A.
Thurston Child; Art Director
Mrs. Maria Castillo; Mrs. Ke-
turah Simpson handled the
publicity; Miss Olive Klyvert,
the props; prompter was Miss
Kathleen Samuel and the
stage crew included Otis
Brown, Charles Emanuel, Mel
vim Klyvert and Lauritz Peter
sen.
Those who took part in the
play: Mrs. Elena Christian, as
Gammer Gurton, Mrs. Hilda
England, Dame Chat; Miss
Theodore 1Dunbavin, Diccon;
Miss Edna Cooper, Cock; AL
fredo Andrews, as. Hodge,; Miss
Maria Morales as lib and Miss
Gumita Viera as Doll.
The narrator, during the
Puppet Show, also attracted
attention, with a pleasant
voice she described almost the
students and faculty at the
summer school session. She
was Mrs. Claude Richards.
, 1949-08-04

MANY -.
transfers as well as deporta-
ations Of civilians from occu-
pied territory to the territory
of an occupying power or to
that of any other occupying
is prohibited.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Letters to The Star

Wants More Done
For Schools Right Now
To the Editor Of The Star:
With so many people extending the sea-
sons cheer of Happy New Year. 1t Is my
sincere hope that the new year will bring
a better working understanding OF the edu-
cational program In the District Of Colum-
bia schools, that the Board Of Education,
the Commissioned and our many fr1ends
on Capitol Hill will work for school better
ment, so that when January l, 1851 comes
we can frankly and truthfully say that 1t
has been q Happy New Year.
wish that many OF our public spirited
citizens could become as enthused over the
entire school building program as they arc
concerning themselves with one small 1n1-
tial part Of it. We were very fortunate to
have Congress appropriate approximately
500 900 for a very elaborate strayer Report
concerning school conditions here, and at
the present time all that has been done with
1t Is to place 1t on shelf.
It is my hope for the coming year, that
all Of our interested citizens will devote
more Of their time to the overall building
program and encouragement Of Congress to
furnish the bulk sum needed to complete
our overall building program. -
Good education fis needed now: not 10
or Is years hence sbut now. We are hoping
that your newspaper and the other news
papers will devote great deal Of time dur
ing 1850 toward bettering the school con-
ditions here in this city, and 1t is also
hoped that the many groups in the city
that are interested In the school problem
will do more for all school children.
GEORGE r. HAMMOND,
President, D.. c. Public School Assn.
Evening star., 1949-12-24

tourists But the year-end holiday spirit
is there, too, and the shops offer many
things to shoppers Of all degrees. 30 the
Italians, too, are having their fling.
OF course, the picture Is sadly different
east Of the Iron Curtain. Christmas is
frowned upon by Communists, alike in its
religious and festive significance, as con-
trary to the goddess materialism of Marx,
Lenin and Stain. When the reports come
through 1t will be interesting to learn how
traditionally Christmas" lands like East
ern Germany and Czechslovakia have Jared
in popular efforts to carry out the
Christmastide despite Communist frowns
and tabuS. ~t
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Something Practical

Any analysis OF laSt-m1nute shoppers
would probably reveal that goodly num-
ber of them are husbands whose wives told
them last Thanksgiving that they wanted
something practical" for Christmas. It is
all thrashed out In committee: Let their
present to each other be the new linoleum
for the kitchen. All through the Yu1etide
season she can be heard chirping virtu-
ously to her bridge club: We've decided to
be sensible this year. We're giving each
other something for the house. No presents
except for the children" ''r7@rF
Along about the middle of the week be-
fore Christmas, he begins to wonder. There
Is her ever-so-casual mention that Jack
has given Molly mink coat. If he de-
fensively questions her on this point, she
assures him, with perhaps just hint Of
reproach in her voice, that the linoleum,
which has already been laid for few
weeks, Is absolutely the limit of her own
hearts desire. But then what about that
package which she carefully detaches from
the rest Of the days shopping horde? And
why are the children looking at him in a
more superior fashion than usual?
So Christmas Eve nnds him standing
disconsolately at the lingerie counter,
feebly gesturing to indicate the size, or
perhaps half-heartedly haggling with the
jeweler over gaudy bracelet he knows he
cannot afford.
He really is more to be censured than
pitied, though. Anniversaries and BIRTH
days ought to have taught him that she is,
If nothing else, sentimental, and that the
supremely sentimental festival of Christ
mas is certainly not going to fnd her out
OF character
Evening star., 1949-12-24

hard and bitter choice. On the one hand,
If he sticks to his morning cup Of black
coffee, he will grow slim, but at the same
time he will be tired and mean-tempered
as the day wears on. On the other hand,
If he becomes a devotee of ham and eggs
he will find himself full Of post-luncheon
jollity and vigor, but he will also take on
additional quantities OF fat. Thus, which,
ever way he chooses, he must pay heavy
price. Surely, out of respect for his feel
ings, the Department of Agriculture might
have broken this news to him more gently.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
The Brightest Christmas

He has not seen the great spruce In the
park
Aglo,o wtth multi-colorsd lights, nor
shops
With tpindows fuH OF drums and trains
and tops,
And ret his tporld is neDer really dark:
His friends drop IN to I'LL the house NTH
noise
And fun; to share their shopping plans,
and games
With Maotc-colored toords and shapes
and names,
And make him feel the same a. other boys.
He loves the songs and laughter IN the
street;
The scent Of pine and holly ,creaths 4
s1Deet;
HE brdnd-nsp puppy has curly tail,
But, best OF an, he tcorn, old book Of
BrGtue
Brings Bible stories to his Jlngert!ps.
And. Jesus napse q smile upon HE Aps.
CosETTE MIDDLETON.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
For County Self-Suffieiency

The findings and recommendations OF
the Virginia Commission on State ana
Local Revenues may not be received en-
Enthusiastically in some free-spending quar-
ters. but the general theme of the report
IL nevertheless very sound one. Ihe
theme is that the trend toward greater
and greater reliance by counties and cities
on State handouts must be halted In favor
of more self-sufhciency at local levels.
The commission has issued warning that
cannot be ignored by local autnor1tles.
They cannot forever look to the State 1or
financial aid in ever-increaslng amounts
without imperiling the fiscal stability OF
the State itself-with dire repercussions
down through the county structure that
will touch each citizen.
In effect, the commission would apply TO
virginia the same sound fiscal rules Wnlcn
Senator Byrd has been expounding so long
ON q national scale. 1t would have the
State maintain balanced budget prefer
ably through a reduction OF expenditures
than through higher State taxes. 1t would
counter the he-State-do-it philosophy
with an awakening of counties and cities
to the need for self-inancing OF essential
projects. This would mean, OF course ex-
plotting old sources of revenue to the full
est and looking for new ones as well.
There is no doubt about the possibility
of increasing county revenues without rals-
ing tax rates. according to the commission.
Real estate assessments in many counties
and cities are far below value. Properties
appraised for tax purposes several years
-Lxyov, ,fo0 nrnnartinS
more recently reassessed because OF new
construction. The commission proposes TO
end these inequities by having the counties
and municipalities revalue real estate at
regular four-year intervals. Such re-
appraisal program might produce surprls-
ingly large additional revenues IN areas
where assessments are notor1ouSly OUT
moded In the words of the commission,
the local property tax system in Virginia
requires "revitalization.
Under the far-reaching proposals OF the
report, the counties would find number
of new revenue sources opened to them,
such as admission taxes local motor We
hicle licenses, business and occupational
taxes and the like. Some of these already
are in effect in the cities and, by special
legislation, in Arlington County.
It may well be that an increase in local
self support throughout the State will so
reduce the drain on the State treasury
rs to obviate higher State taxes or adoption
of new ones. But the commission mem
bers are not unanimously optimistic in
this respect Three of the twenty-one
members believe sales tax will be neces-
sary before long, whatever the economies
effected. The sales tax specter should be
helpful in arousing public opinion in sup
port of the general objectives of the COM
mission For that controversial but highly
productive revenue plan will become in
evitable unless Virginia's counties and
cities profit by the advice contained in the
commissions FORTNIGHT report.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Admires Pogo"
But Not points for Parentsn
N ira K6stor AZ The etar.

Admires "Pogo"
But Not points for Parents
TO the Editor Of The star:
I've read your paper practically straight
for as many years Is I've been able. and
that was II years on December a. About the
last time read 1t this year was back In
September and I've been OF to school since
then, but you've added = marvellous comic
strip on to 1t since then: Pogo! think ]
read q comic book once about him and it's
the only one ! ever really enjoyed.
Seems like the same artist draws char
acters for "Our Gang" doesn't he? 7 really
ret my kicks out Of both strips, and I
wonder II you would suggest some collection
Of tPogo" or "Our Gang" besides comics.
Especially 'Pogo"l would really appreciate
any information on the procurability OF
such collection Of "dne" literature.
Now for q little criticism: Certainly. ]
can't ind much wrong with the publication,
but let's lay OF POINTS 1r Parents"
Springfield. VI. JON BRYAN.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Hard Choice for Dieters

People who are overweight, and who
are doing their best to slim down bit, will
derive no comfort at all from what the De-
partment of Agriculture has found out
about ham and eggs. What the depart
ment has found out, after number OF
experiments, is what many hearty eaters
have been saying for generations past
namely, that this succulent combination OF
pork and poultry products sticks wonder
fully well to the ribs and that it constitutes
about the best possible breakfast for any
body anxious to remain cheerful and ener-
retic during the rest of the day.
Contrariwise-again as the Department
Of Agriculture has found out-the worst
possible breakfast, from the standpoint
of maintaining good humor and pep, is
one made up of nothing but cup of black
coffee. A person who takes no more than
that in the morning is almost certain,
according to the departments investiga-
tors, to feel irritable, unenergetic, and
perhaps even dizzy and decidedly unhappy
later on in the day. But the man or woman
who breakfasts on two eggs and generous
slice of ham Tor couple of slices of bacon),
and who also downs fruit or tomato juice,
two slices of bread thickly covered with
butter and preserves, and hot java rich
with cream and sugar-well, that man or
woman probably will continue to be a
smiling ball of fire right up until bedtime.
But how are dieters supposed to feel
about all of this? Certainly, they can
hardly be expected to let out whoops Of
pleasure The news may sound fine to peo-
pie who never put on weight, no matter
what they eat, but there are lots of others
who will look upon the whole business as a
kind of mental torment. They are the ones
who would like nothing better than big
breakfast of the sort outlined above; yet,
holding their appetites in check, they deny
themselves their hearts desire, having been
advised by experts to reduce. And now,
without any effort to spare their feelings,
along comes the Department OF Agriculture
telling them that If they do not take more
than cup of black coffee In the morning,
they are likely to be listless and grouchy
workers In the afternoon. -.
Obviously this confronts the dieter with
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Replies to Critic
OF Vienna Exhibition

Replies to Critic
OF Vienna Exhibition
TO the Editor Of The star:
"One captious and insensitive visitor to
the Vienna collection Of paintings and
objects dart now on view at the National
from his letter printed in The Star Of De-
cember 16, has taken 1t upon himself to
attack the artists and artisans responsible
for these creations.
After reading the letter one has the feel
ing that Savonarola is a person deeply con-
cerned about the social. economic and ethical
signincances Of all creative activity. although
he never Is incautious enough to make 80
explicit q statement In his chaotic jungle
of words and thoughts. Moreover. one
senses that q total war is declared on
irresponsible" artists, with the Vienna coll
lection An unfortunate innocent victim
necessitated by contingency and expediency.
savonarola possibly has much in COM
mon with the contemporary American stu
dent who, in the words Of Professor Of
Philosophy Isaiah Berlin Of Oxford (Time
magazine, December 12), wonders whether
it can be right for him to continue to
absorb himself in the study Of, let US say.
the early Greek epic at Harvard, while the
poor of South Boston 60 hungry and un-
shod." Further, Professor Berlin states,
rev great WORKS OF art, or great QlScOV.
cries of science. have ever been made BY
men with one eye on the social conse-
quences of their activity" Savonarola speaks
of the artists guilt of corrupting the
Imagination. What does he mean? Was
Socrates guilty of corrupting the inagina-
ton as well as the minds Of the youth Of
Athens? Was he guilty at all? Certainly
no one mind at any one age will arrest
the ceaseless pulse Of the universe In pass.
ing permanent" and "transcendent" juds-
ment over the artists of the past.
Perhaps Savonarola believes as does Sir
Oliver Franks. who wrote In the Virginia
Quarterly Review" autumn 1949, that un-
like others the Western mind never has
believed CD that the Golden Age Of man
lies in the past or CD that history end
lessly repeats. This sanguine view Of the
present and the future surely will allow
no Westerner to praise the excellence Of
Gothic and Renaissance art or, specifically.
music from the 18th to the 10th centuries.
For Savonarola the Golden Age" is as
forbidden as the apple of Eden. But like
Adam he is not beyond a bite. II for the
sake Of appraisal and subsequent criticism.
ATMA.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Not to Be Underestimoted

No one familiar with the history Of
nuclear science will be surprised to hear
that our Atomic Energy Commission and
a number of our libraries have documents
showing that the Russians In 1910 knew
a great deal about the nssion Of the atom
and its tremendous potentialities in terms
of both peace and war Nevertheless, since
a lot of Americans still have the impress
sion that the Soviet Union was In the
dark about this subject until relatively
short time ago, it IS good that the Acc
has once again called attention to facts
that clearly prove the contrary.
Thus, at least a decade ago, Russian
scientists-like those of our own and other
countries-were openly discussing the pos
sibility of harnessing the atom. Docu-
ments, which were then available to us
for translation, leave no room for doubt
that Soviet physicists, chemists and similar
specialists were well acquainted with all
the basic theories bearing upon the pro-
duction of A-weapons They knew that
uranium 235 could be separated from
uranium 238 as a pure fashionable mate
rial that could be made to explode with
unprecedented destructiveness II assem-
bled in sufficient quantity. They had a
good idea, too, of how to 60 about solving
the problems involved, and they fully
expected-as far back as 1940-that many
attempts would be made throughout the
world, "in the near future" to make use
of atomic energy for military and peace
time purposes.
Actually, in the late 1s30s, scientists
everywhere were deeply interested In the
atom, particularly because historic devel-
opments at that time strongly indicated
that nuclear nssion was passing from the
field of abstract theory and cyclotron ex-
periments into the field of practical
application. Like their American and
Western European counterparts, Russian
experts were wide-awake to the new vistas
opening up, and some of the papers they
then published contained sections sound
ing much like parts Of the famous Smyth
report that was released In this country in
the fall of 1945, after our first A-bombs
had fallen on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
OF course, this should not be regarded as
extraordinary. After all, despite being
restraints, Soviet science has always been
impressive enough to suggest considerable
capability in atomic research and develop
ment
The truth is that the world of the atom,
as far as basic theory is concerned, has
never been anybody's secret" Impressions
to the contrary, the Russians have been
aware of it for long time, and all OF us
would be well advised not to underestimate
their ability to translate their knowledge
into A-weapon production OF kind and
on a scale like ours-if not Immediately,
then in due course. Their recent atomic
explosion" together with the documents
they published ten years ago, should be
enough to sober any American who thinks
otherwise.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Europe's Christmas Buying Spree

iWashingtonians, emerging from their
own Christmas buying rush, doubtless VIII
be interested to learn that the peoples OF
Western Europe have been crowding the
shopping centers and opening their purses
in similar fashion. For Europe, this Is the
first year END holiday season since the
war when the public was not only IN
mood to buy freely but also when there
was a relative abundance Of goods to At
many wants, even though prices are
generally high and quality not yet up to
prewar standards.
OF course, 4 distinction should be made
between Northern and Southern Europe in
the spirit of the celebrations. Christmas"
as we know it, day of feasting and jollity,
originated in the Nordic pagan festival OF
Yule and best preserves its flavor In
Northern Europe, from Britain to Germany
and Scandinavia. In Southern Europe
Christmas is primarily religious festival,
the festivities tending to center around
New Years. Indeed, in Italy, Santa Claus
is unknown, the young folks getting their
gifts on January 6, the Feast OF the
Epiphany, while the mythical distributor OF
presents is an ugly, yet benevolent, old
witch, LA Befana," who flies in through
the windows riding on broomstick.
However, whether gift-buyers had
Christmas or New Years In mind, the
results were the same. They were out to
spend money for presents, food and drink,
and the merchants reaped harvest, all
the way from swank luxury shops to
department stores, "five-and-tens," and
the booths or push-carts OF itinerant
hucksters catering to the slenderest purses.
Naturally, Britain is nearest to US In the
way Christmas is celebrated. And this year
there were fewer signs Of that "austerity"
which has fingered on since the war.
Christmas tree decorations and toys were
abundant for the first time, while the
removal of many controls, notably on
clothing and textiles, was an added
stimulant to buying power ct home that
seems abundant, no matter what 1t may be
abroad. It is safe to say that the average
Briton could get most Of the things he
wanted if he had the money to pay Tor
them. And judging by the outlay on food
and drink, Britain is due for really
merry Christmas"
France has largely escaped Britain's
elaborate controls over consumer goods.
What amazed the French shopping crowds
was not only the variety OF goods
exhibited but that they were all for sale
instead OF being often labeled Sample"
which meant that the article was only on
display and not for purchase at any price.
In France, the big dinner falls on Christ
mas Eve. and here again the French
are splurging on delicacies OF all kinds
In Italy, as already remarked, our
Christmas is recent importation, known
and kept only by the upper or middle
classes under the influence OF British,
Geinan and American residentN and
Evening star., 1949-12-24

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Drtter, although'tt IS permissible for
1oriter kno,un to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-12-24

A Cambridge stickup man relieved
Harvard undergrad Of 50, which shows that
par for the course Is about the same on all
the campuses.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Quotes British Friend"
Who Criticizes Germans

Quotes British Friend"
Who Criticizes Germans
TO the Editor Of The star:
OF vital interest to the whole world IA
our handling Of the Germans. Some lieht
on the situation recently was shed BY
letter received from q British friend who
mas been located for more than q year in
the British zone Of Germany. At present
ne Is IN Dusseldorf. from which city he
Zone OF Germany seems to become more
and more paradoxical every day. I read
that there is talk Of allowing the Germans
to have another army. Believe me, 1t would
be Grass stupidity with pathetically dire
results I often feel that We allow our
1ear Of Russia to warp our sense Of balance
and ! can shortly see the day arriving
when We shall be asking the Germans for
permission to stay there and occupy them.
The policy here Is one Of full appeasement.
Give the dear Germans what they ask for,
even II We have to pay for 1t (the latter
usually, OF course. means the United States
of America.
''This isn't the outpouring Of q bitter
disillusioned Englishman whose own country
is still bit grim. but what represents the
views OF an increasing number Of people here
(at least those pepole who are not jockey
Ing politicans). Everywhere there are signs
OF nazism creeping back The newspapers
have been set free and since all their printing
plant Is owned by the old gang they are
quietly taking the nationalistic line again.
The trouble is that the Germans are born
followers. especially if any one on q soap
box appeals to the sense Of nationalism.
only hope that our leaders know what they
are doing.
The shops in Dusseldorf (the Paris of
Germany are crammed full of evervtfinr
and one wonders whether 1t pays to win wars.
The dermans ret terribly sentimental over
Christmas and it is difficult to realize that
these same people after their wave of
sentiment !. perpetuate the most awful and
abysmal horrors, as the mass graves here
testify to
"But 1t Is very difficult to size up affairs
at home when 80 far from the hub Of things"
LOUISE GROUSE.
Evening star., 1949-12-24
Questions and Answers

A reader can ret the answer to any question
q fact By wrtttnG The xvening star Information
1ureau, BIG 1ye st. ne. Washinston Q, D. G.