davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-08-27
White House Connection

It is hard to see how Mr.. Truman, as
President of the United States, can keep
silent much longer in the face of the
disclosures emanating from the Hoey
committees investigation of the activities
of General Vaughan and his friends.
What has been going on has been
shabby business. It has been matter OF
people like John Maragon, who refuses to
testify for fear that he might incriminate
himself, using their white House connec-
tion," namely, General Vaughan. to wangle
one thing here, another there. Nothing
big, apparently. Just small-time stun.
This pettiness, however, merely serves to
make the Presidents attitude the more
regrettable He has said to be sure, that
he wants his military aide to have chance
to testify in his own defense, and that is as
1t should be- But the President does not
have to wait for General Vaughan's ap-
pearance before the committee to get the
facts for himself. He could ask General
Vaughan. Or he could act on the basis OF
the facts already established, for they are
damning enough. At any rate, he cannot
much longer afford to sit back silently IN
the face of the disclosures that the White
House and, indeed, his own name have
been used as pass words to grease the skids
for one dubious deal after another. For
this is not merely a matter between Mr..
Truman and his friends. 1t involves the
debasement of the highest public office
in the world by people whose minds do
not rise above the level of trading on
friendship to chisel some cheap advantage
In a private business deal.
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Chiunq Re-emerqes

The re-emergence OF Ch1ang kal-SneK
as the rallying point for those Chinese
Nationalist forces still ready to resist the
onward march of communism Is q dra-
matte though not an unexpected turn In
the tangled Chinese situation. Experience
has shown that he is the only man with
sufficient personal authority and prestige
(what the Chinese term "face") to have
even a fighting chance of rewelding the
dissolving elements Of the Kuomintang
regime into fresh unity, allied to the
semi-independent "war lords" of Western
and Southwestern China who could be
encouraged to defend their home domains
against Communist engulfment That, Of
course, was Chiang's aim in making his
flying trip to Chungking, the wartime
Nationalist capital, just after his visits
to the Presidents of the Philippine and
Korean Republics In an effort to forge an
anti Communist front embracing all parts
of the Far East not yet under Communist
control.
Chang has followed up his Chungking
conferences with q ringing appeal to all
anti Communist elements in China for q
finish fight against the aggression" OF
the Communist International" He not
only states that the Chinese Reds have
"unmasked themselves as international
agents." but asserts that their power Is
waning and their morale declining rs
they spread themselves thin and rouse
popular resistance by their handling OF
novel economic problems in both the big
occupied cities and the countryside. And
he designates Chungking as the fresh
center of resistance against the Reds as
it was against the japanese invaders.
whether this denantly optimistic atti-
tude is justified by facts, Chang appaxr
emily Is living up to his past pledges OF last
ditch resistance to the Reds. It may be
significant that Nationalist forces cover
ing Canton are communicating and have
seemingly gained some local successes.
This would imply that some Nationaliat
troops retain combat initiative and morale.
All this may have significant repercus-
sions on the controversy now being waged
in this country between the State Depart
ment and the administration on the one
hand and critics Of the departments
Chinese policy Tor lack Of policy on the
other. Such critics include prominent
members Of Congress, veteran diplomats
like Dr.. Stanley X. Hornbeck, formerly
head Of the departments Far Eastern
Division, and . substantial body Of nom
of1icial opinion. Virtually all this critical
opposition believes that it Is not too late
to aid the Nationalists and that help ex-
tended them would avert Or at least delay
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Forest Fires Again

Conservation authorities had hoped that
the forest fire record for 1949 would be
low. So much progress was made last year
that they believed there would be further
reduction this. But widespread conf1agra-
tions in eight Western States and in
Massachusetts already have proved that
the problem of catastrophe timber fires is
far from solved At least sixteen lives
have been sacrificed during the past lew
weeks of struggle against blazes mostly
started by lightning. In Yellowstone
National Park there now are four separate
terrains burning Payette Forest in Idaho
also is going up in smoke.
What this means to the people OF the
entire United States is an old story, an
nually retold. The destruction Of trees is
not merely a loss OF lumber. 1t likewise
spells death to animals and birds, erosion,
pollution of streams and other tragic conse-
quences. A burned area requires four or
five decades to come back" Some spoiled
sectors never recover Instead, they remain
hideous scars upon the countryside
spectacles to depress even the most casual
traveller. .
But there is reason to be optimistic.
The educational campaign designed to
teach people to avoid careless firing OF
the woods has accomplished much. De-
velopment of new techniques Of fire
fighting is helping The cooperation OF
the Air Force has given the Forest Service
encouragement. Army aid is an asset OF
incalculable value.
The next two or three weeks will be the
time of greatest danger in 1949. Forests
from coast to coast are exceptionally dry.
A small blaze, starting anywhere now,
might spread over tremendous area. The
press and the radio networks have been
requested to appeal to motorists, vacation
lists and others passing through the timber
to be especially cautious. Nearby Virginia
and Maryland are within the danger zone.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

too many people in Washington who spe-
cialize in scandalous gossip, and too many
others willing to listen to them. But per-
&aaps there will be little less gullibility
in the future. The next time somebody
starts a malicious rumor rejecting on the
integrity of some conscientious, hard
working public ofhcial, some people may
remember this B-36 affair and say to
themselves: Well, I can believe that, or
not-and think I'll wait for the evidence.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

Messrs. Milktoast and Hogwash would like
to have them practice bit Of economy?
If the gentlemen in the Senate want to
make political speeches instead of attending
to some of the important business still
facing them-appropriations included-let
them go home and take the stump there.
There are some people swho are getting
tired of spending money for what goes into
the Congressional Record.
Incidentally, the Lucas.Wherry tete-a-tete
wasn't a bit better Some Of us used to
get set up on stool In the Acorner for
doing something not half as bad.
MORE LIGHT
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Growing Pains Across the River

Our Virginia ne1ghbOrS across Lne river,
In one of the most rapidly developing areas
in the country, have their growing pains.
One manifestation Is the urge of such
urban centers as Alexandria and Falls
Church to let the seams out and spill over
into Fairfax County, by annexing more
Fairfax land. The county resists the idea
Under an unusual law, Virginia cities enjoy
autonomy in respect to the county of
which they were once a part. Loss to the
cities of annexed territory means loss to
the county of taxable resources. Some
times they are the most valuable, espe
cially as concerns real estate taxation.
Falls Church, now city of the 2nd
class Exceeding 5000 in population) tried
to annex more territory from Fairfax in
. 1912. Under Old Dominion procedure in
such cases, the issue went to court and
Falls Church lost The city is making
another effort in the same direction now
and the case for and against annexation
will be argued in the September term of
Fairfax Circuit Court. Alexandria's City
Council the other day authorized survey
of the pros and cons of new annexation.
If this produces a decision to press for
dullCAdt1OIl, alcAAIlQIh WOulQ seek 10
repeat its success In 1929, when it took
some very valuable land from Fairfax,
which is now the site of the big Parkfairfax
apartment project, and also acquired
slice from Arlington.
Arlington County is in safer position
against inroads from the cities. Though
still county, it is assuming some of the
characteristics of city itself and is pro-
tected from further losses by a special
act of the Legislature freezing its bound
aries. There may come time when Alex
andria, Arlington and Falls Church become
so closely merged in reality by continuous
development that they will unite as one
city. Some highly objective observers of
trends believe that is inevitable, though
the prospect may be distasteful to pres
ent generation of citizens. There are even
those who would include Fairfax as part
Of this great city of the future on the
south side Of the Potomac. But Fairfax
doubtless has enough to worry about now
without taking that one on.
There are differences Of opinion over the
advantages and disadvantages of annexa
ton, in 50 far as the citizens are concerned
who live in the areas under dispute. But
they seem to have very little to say about it,
one way or the other. The courts decide
the matter on the strength of the argu
ments pro and con advanced by the cities
and the county.
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Babies In Danger
Either Way, It Seems
tn the Editor of The Star.

Either Way, It Seems
To the Editor Of The Star:
In regard to H. B. Bradford's letter con-
corning the danger of babies sleeping on
their stomachs. should like to offer this
reply.
It seems unlikely that any reputable ply
sician ever advised placing a baby face
down on soft pillow. A pillow Of any
kind, soft or otherwise. has no place in
babys crib or carriage. Both should be
equipped with very firm mattresses.
My pediatrician a man of many years
association with Childrens Hospital, told
me that most of the cases reported as
"suffocation" actually were due to an en-
larged thymus or to a heart condition
rather than to the babies being placed face
down. He preferred this position because
there is less danger of the babies strang-
ling. Most infants 'spit up occasionally
after feeding and, If allowed to sleep on
their backs. there always is the chance
that matter will run back down into the
windpipe. The face down position also is
better for shaping a baby's head
VIRGINIA CONVERSE
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Says Soviets Seek
Apparent Victory in Finland
To the Editor of The Star:

Headlines in the newspapers indicate
that Communist expansion is sought in the
current Communist inspired riots and strikes
in Finland. The Soviet Union is trying to
bring about an easy victory in the cold war.
In late 1948, while the peoples of Europe
were celebrating the election Of President
Truman, international communism made
that election seem less important, when the
Red Chinese armies seized Makden, thus
securing their triumph in China. Since that
time, communism has had no success. On
the contrary the North Atlantic pact has
been signed. the reconstruction Of Europe is
under way the Communist parties have lost
power, and the Greek Army is effecting
final victory against the Red rebels.
It is time for Moscow to bring about an
apparent victory in order to confuse the
encouraged peoples of Europe and frighten
the agitated peoples behind the Iron
Curtain. NICK JAMES KARAGIORGOS.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
writer, although it is permissible for
a ,oriter kno1yn to The Star to use
q nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-08-27
A S6l Question for Somebody
To Answer for Debaters

To Answer IOT OcDoscAs
To the Editor Of The Star:
Delcevare King of Quincy, Mass. (Star.
August 12), states: IF business has to
give a fourth round of wages, it will do So
but It will hurt-hurt in slowing up the
drop in the high cost Of living-hurt ip
slowing up business still further" My ques-
tion is not primarily directed towards what
drop in the high cost Of living" Mr.. King
refers to. Much of the unemployment In
the country can be traced to industrys
laying of employees in order to MAINTAIN
the high prices that prevail today. More
production at lower prices TO the consumer
would take us out Of the recession that
Mr., King states we are. IN.
Every one agrees that company must
operate at a profit, and in this connection
Thomas L. Stokes (Star, August 12)
states: 1--WE still have private enterprise
and It is 1ourishing as never before, with
profits at an all-time peak" Corporate
earnings. as reported In The Star, connrm
this.
perhaps Mr.. King has the answer to the
question directed to Herman w. Steinkraus.
president Of the United States Chamber OF
Commerce. by James B.. Carey. secretary
treasurer Of the CIO, In their recent radio
discussion. They agreed that when indus
try is not making profits. labor should re-
frain from seeking wage increases. How
ever, when Mr.. Carey asked Mr.. Steinkraus
lust when labor should ask for higher wages.
Mr.. steinkraus did not seem to have the
answer to that one. Perhaps MI. King can
-.':s' ROBERT G. MORROW.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

Always a solemn spectacle is the group
Of deadpan politicians investigating a
possibility that influence may have figured
in the Governments affairs.
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Defends faithful Few" Who
Really Represent Their Neighbors

To the Editor Of The Star:
The one and one-half column letter Of
Colonel A. Gibson (Sunday Star, August 2D
would have been at least as effective had
he written In general terms instead of nam
ing names; 1t made many points worthy
Of serious consideration, but there Is nothing
to be gained by bringing in personalities.
He brought out the difficulties encountered
In administering any organization, not merely
citizens associations. in the fact that lip
service freely is given but active participa-
ton is difficult to maintain. AS many pay
dues to these civic groups but do not attend
meetings so do many belong to churches.
lodges. unions and other groups without
ever being seen by the faithful.
Their apathy, however exists only so long
as they believe that their organizations are
carrying on In agreement with their own
views; let controversial issues arise. or let
them have a personal ak to grind, and they
attend en- masse.
Thus the faithful few" referred to by
the colonel are in effect representing their
neighbors, regardless Of attendance at meet
ings they obviously must have won the
confidence of the remaineer over the years.
or the membership lists could not be main
tanned.
From my own knowledge. believe that
tQ6 1dltIllul lew WOulQ SluCcIcly dPpI cCl-
ate augmentation Of their number. Thus the
work to be done could be spread sufficiently
thin that they would not have to spend
disproportionate amount Of time serving
their community to the exclusion of other
interests.
Too often, when relatively new members
are put on committees or given other as
signments in the hope that they will thus
become interested they never reappear and
the work again must be delegated to mem
bers tried and true. Thus it seems that
Clique" operates within the association.
whereas the administration would gladly
share the burden.
I do not say that there are not isolated
instances where some individual or small
group seeks publicity or personal glory or
GAIN as soon as this becomes evident, steps
should be taken to keep them out OF power.
But in more than ten years Of active par
ticipation, have found that almost every
person in attendance is sincerely interested
in bettering his community and the District
as a whole. He usually is solid citizen.
property owner who expects to live here Tor
some time to come. and he attends meetings
to do his small Bit although he too, might
prefer being at home with the radio or some
other diversion. MRS. E. B. NORRIS.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

decisive Communist triumph that might
be catastrophe, not only in China but
throughout the entire Far East and Pacific
as well.
Evening star., 1949-08-27

@. How did Big Bend National Park get
its name? w. II. p.
A. The park derives its name from its
location in that portion of Texas where the
Rio Grande, forming the boundary between
the United States and Mexico makes a big
U-shaped bend in its course.
@. Are there still many midwives in this
country? F. B. D.
A. In 1912, more than 100000 births or
about 7h per cent of all births in the coun-
try. were attended by midwives or other
nonmedical helpers.
Q. Has popcorn ever been known to pop
or explode while still in the field? J. McH.
A. Corn has been known to pop when still
in the ear and on the plant. It is believed
that some strains Of corn show the ten
dency to pop in the ear as an inherent
characteristic, and that In such cases ex.
treme heat conditions are not required.
@. Who was the runner known as the
worlds fastest human being? P. E. r.
A. Charles w. Paddock, the noted sprinter.
A captain in the Marine Corps, he was killed
in the crash Of Navy airplane in Alaska
on July 21, 1943.
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Objects to Waste Of Space
In Congressional Record
10 the Editor Of The star:

GuIEut BUZZ. !.
On August ~, Monday Of this week, the
Senator from Oregon, Mr.. Morse. used rs
columns Of the Congressional Record to
justify his stand on the labor situation
In Hawaii.
Isnt It about time that some Of the sen-
uernen az tia senate undsrstood that the
Evening star., 1949-08-27
Questions and Answers

"A reader can get the ansxer 70 any question Of
1act by writing The Evening Star, Washington.
D. C.. Information Bureau. 316 Eye st. NE. Wash.
tneton q D. c. Please inclose 3 cents for return
postage.
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE
Evening star., 1949-10-07
In Mrntnrta,t1

ALEXANDER. MABEL DAWSON. In
%xR ny afsr who De-
| tober Z, 1941. -
Your memory is all have now.
Your cares are all at rest:
L I loved you, dear mother, and did my
x9gS S2sKS: devoted DAUGHTER NAOMI
,.HNgH EHHsRsE asklr nAsES bassos IA s.s bS;
pHWsos Ss1RS sIls DE Who departed Rhs
st s esni shd MARIE sSay
teen years ago, June 10, 1888.
And when our call to follow comes.
W. whes ts1x yea hs hsSf sss ssn; you SsSTs Sanr
YOUR DEVOTED SISTER, SUSIE B. AN.
pERson; AND BROTHER ROLAND
BALL, NoRvAL EDWARD. In loving
memory of my dear son. NoRVAL EDWARD
BALL, who passed into eternal rest four
years ago today october = MorHER. da1Si
of our dear mother. MARY IDA CLARK,
who passed away one year ago To-Day &c
tober Z, 194S.
One year has passed and memory stays
We may not see your smiling face,
But in our hearts you have a place.
They tell us that we shouldn't weep
Because you've only gone to sleep; ,,r ...
We loved S0o' 00' ofh aER FCtsf caIEpREN. fiS EN- .
sAsRA ar a. IN b:dvsS sd but mSh.4 Sns
SABRA E. COOKE.
It was an October evening,
Ore year ago today.
That God sent an angel down from Heaven
HER Apd lsa Gq5 defni canbREa nSses
MATTE, CHARLIE AND FURMAN.
Of my faithful husband, ANTHONY LEWIS
oesober oas eas:ed T. 1873 sEs' -FOUR years ago '0'
HIS WIFE. LUciNDA LEWIS.
LUDLAM, HERBERT FRANCIS. In sad
HERBERT Francis LuDLAM, LuDLatNs WIG passed ,sss
| Anniversary mass at 8 am. October 8 at
St. Peters Church. -...
LOVING SON AND DAUGHTER.
MASON sRAAH .A oa: E. ssRsa ssfrsa e ts MAsoN @em
sfS' snS oeseber enseseG !. 1n'H 1855. as''A' ''
To live in the hearts we leave behind is
rev. re- 70 Asp sn5; MRS; " r, JONES Mr. Mr. AM AND
| e. r. KIMBROUGH.
MAXWELL, LUCY. In sad memory OF
our mother and grandmother, LUCY MAX
WELL who died one year ago today, DC.
| tober z, 194S.
We miss you now. our hearts are sore.
We miss your loving smile, your gentle
| face,
So sas ssa ever snn 81 ysu5 Dsssn gss
| sPOONER, LAWRENCE E. In sad but
loving remembrance Of our brother. Law
RENEE Z. sPOoNER, who passed away
'n' H1s sIsTTRS AND 1RoTMERs.
Evening star., 1949-10-07
|Hannegan' S Funeral
To Be Held Monday
By the Associofsd Press

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 7.-Many high
ranking Government officials are
expected to attend the funeral
here Monday of Robert E. Hanne-
gan, former Postmaster General
and chairman of the Democratic
National Committee.
POSTMASTER General Donald
son will represent President
Truman at the funeral, it was
announced at the White House
today. Press Secretary Charles
G.. Ross said the press of busi-
ness would prevent the Presi-
dents attendance)
Mr.. Hannegan, As, died at his
home here yesterday, the victim
of heart attack.
Funeral services will be held at
10 am. Monday at st. Louis Ca
thedral, with burial in Calvary
Cemetery. Instead of sending
flowers. friends wishing to honor
Mr.. Hannegan's memory are asked
to make an offering to the Glen
non Memorial Hospital fund here.
1t was Mr.. Hannegan, also for
mer president of the st. Louis
Cardinals baseball club, who put
President Truman on the road to
the White House. In 1914 he mas
terminded the selection of Mr..
Truman. then a Senator, as the
vice presidential nominee.
President Roosevelt was said to
have favored Henry A. Wallace be-
fore Mr.. Hannegan stepped in on
the eve. e.of the Democratic conven-
ton at Chicago.
Evening star., 1949-10-07

continued From First Page)
peoples of the world" All con-
demned "imperialistc warmon-
gering dollar capitalists" in the
United States.
Full Sovereignty Seen.
PECK expressed belief that Mos
COW would grant the new East
German government full sover-
eighty as soon as its government
takes Office next week.
PECK said brutal American
bombing destroyed Germany eco
nomically even after World War
II had been decided and con-
tended this was proof that the
Americans never wanted Germany
to recover.
| The manifesto approved at the
session was presented as a plat
form of principles for the new
government. Most of the points
were aimed squarely at Western
policy, demanding, for instance,
the immediate liquidation of Tri-
zonia the Western zones) an
nulment of the Western powers
Ruhr statute and an end to in
dustrial dismantling.
The platform hit at dollar
financing and also made an ap-
peal to German nationalism by
demanding "unhindered peaceful
industry and civil ship building"
and the right for Germany to
make her own foreign policy and
to conclude her own foreign trade
deals.
Informants said the expected
alliance of East Germany with
other Cominform governments of
Eastern Europe is expected to b
economic as we'll as political.
The Communists propose to
represent their regime as a gov
eminent for all Germany, includ-
ing the 100000 people and more
highly developed resources of the
West. At present they have some
100000 Eastern zone Germans
and largely agricultural area
under their control.
The Soviet-licensed press shas
been claiming that the so-called
German Democratic Republic"
will have far wider powers than
the new Western German repub-
lie at Bonn.
The press. asserted that the
Eastern government will have a
foreign ministry and representa-
ton abroad - something which
West Germany has not. The
United States. Britain and France
reserve those rights In West Ger
many. ~