davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Interior Centennial

Today is the centenary of the Interior
Department. The housekeeping" branch
of the Federal Government was set up
under an act of Congress dated March 3,
1849. 1t was not created unopposed. De-
mand for it came from the West, resistance
from some Southern leaders. The main
argument of it's critics was the familiar
one about arbitrary increase of the power
of the Nation as distinct from the powers
of the several States. Bureaucracy was
charged in the debate. An Ohio Congress
man-Samuel Finley Vinton-sponsored
the legislation Senators John C. Calhoun
of South Carolina and James Murray
Mason of Virginia led the opposition. The
proponents of the bill included Senator
Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and Rep
resentative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois.
Perhaps the most telling plea for the new
agency was that of Senator Jefferson Davis
of Mississippi, expressed in the words: ut
is due those who tame the wilderness and
open new sources of national prosperity
and strength, that their interests should
be regarded through purer medium than
pecuniary gain"
This referred to national policy with
respect to disposal of public lands Senator
Davis, in effect, was pleading for conserva-
ton. His philosophy was constructive in
his day; it is even more so in ours. ]. A.
Krug, thirty third successor Of Thomas
Ewing, the first Secretary of the Interior,
has declared in his hundredth anniversary
statement: "The department will celebrate
its centennial by dedicating its facilities
L.
goals necessary to keep this land of free
dom, prosperity and expanding opportunity
for the people" He calls specifically for:
Full development of the potential land,
water, hydroelectric power, mineral and
other basic resources. Adoption of wise
conservation measures to protect resources
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Rosendahl on Airships
70 the Editor OF The Star:


1t is indeed gratifying to those interested
in airships to read Vice Admiral (USN Re-
tired c. E. Rosendahl's recent letter to The
Star, titled "Airships and National Defense -
The Admiral is to be commended for his
fortnight expose of our national airship
policy and his determination to keep the
public informed about the matter. Our
policy of Indifference and neglect has re-
tarded the development of this type of air
craft to such an extent that many great
opportunities for exploitation, both mill
tarily and commercially, have had to go
unrealized.
At time when the Congress of the United
States has appropriated billions for defense,
1t Is almost conveivable-espectallyt to ex-
ponents Of the airship-that as yet no de-
cision has been made for an adequate. pro-
gressive national policy in regard to the
rigid airship.
Can 1t be that spectacular airship dis
asters have made such an indelible i'm
preston on the minds of some persons"
that they have been blinded to the past
records of airship achievement and to their
future possibilities, or can it be that care
less or superficial thinking has led some to
believe that. with the rapid development of
the airplans, that type Of craft now can
perform any job that would be required Of
ELL SAApo! AAc LccQ 1OT GtllS Type OF AV1dIlOn
Is too pressing and its usefulness too vital
to let such thinking become factor in
shaping its destiny.
Vice Admiral Rosendahl ID one of the
worlds foremost authorities on airships He
vigorously has called attention to the many
military and commercial applications of
airships. and he has done it with a per-
sistence and determination characteristic Of
those rare individuals whose vision and FORE
sight have enabled them to point the way
to greater human achievement
AS Gen. Billy Mitchell once urged his
country to realize the potency and pos
sibilities Of airplanes in offensive warfare,
80 today, In like manner, Admiral Rosendahl
is stressing the usefulness and possibilities of
giant rigid airships in war and in peace.
NASEEM N. ABRAHAM,
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Health Freedom Wanted
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
We value highly our political. religious
and economic freedom. The Constitution
strongly guarantees political and religious
liberty. In the past the Government has
passed laws curbing monopoly in industry.
To have any one group force their ideas,
methods, or products upon us would be harm
full. We realize the Importance Of personal
freedom, free enterprise and competition.
There is one field, however, in which we
do not have personal freedom and free en-
terprise to any great extent. That is the
field Of public health The art Of healing Is
largely restricted to one class Of men, AS
result we are In constant danger Of being
deprived Of good methods for curing dis
ease and having measures forced upon us
which do harm.
Our Constitution should provide for health
freedom as well as religious and political
freedom. The individual should have the
right to keep himself we'll and prevent dis
ease by any method he desires Free enter
prise should exist for all healing sciences
without interference by any competitive
group. 1t must be realized that the science
of healing differs from other sciences in that
1t is surrounded by the same walls of con-
viction and attending intolerance as politics
and religion. No one group Of men, no matter
how learned, can decide what Is right and
wrong for us in the fields Of politics and
religious philosophy or health. The individual
must answer such questions for himself.
Some doctors recognize the Sister Kenny
treatment for polio and others do not.
Health freedom Is the key to the solu-
ton Of our health problem. The Administra-
ton should strive to make 1t O reality.
ARTHUR BAALSON.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Soviet vs.. American Products

Soviet vs.. American Products
70 the Editor Of The Star:
Our President accuses special interests"
Of interfering with his legislative program.
But am wondering If anyone has stopped
to consider why the special interests" are
opposing his legislative program.
Where will higher wages. higher prices and
favored unions lead us? What will happen
to American products on the world market?
With the economic paralysis Of most OF the
rest Of the world, American products will DO
lost items because other countries will not be
financially able to buy our high priced wares.
Russia is reported to have copied every
patent in our Patent Of1ce. The Soviets are
driving millions Of Europeans in Russia and
the satellite states into forced slavery. ASK
any refugee from o satellite state and he
will tell you that thousands Of mechanics
are spirited away and never heard from
again. When Russia comes on the market
with her slave labor products. perhaps OF
lower quality but most certainly OF COM
petitive price, what will happen to the Amer
lean worker?
The cold war" Is not q war Of swords; 1t
is a war of wits and skulduggery and 1t Is
time our leaders realized this.
am not advocating slave labor for Ameri-
cans to compete but am 1mplortng Amer1-
cans to be reasonable.
PAMELA PEARL THOMAS.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
His Views on Taft.Hartley Law

70 the Editor OF The star
President Truman is right when he says
the working men and women Of this country
will not rest until the Taft Hartley law is off
the books. All of them remember the con-
ditions that existed before the Wagner Act.
when they had to take whatever pay the boss
offered and had no way to resist when the
boss decided to cut their wages. They also
remember how union members were discrim-
mated against, in many cases discharged and
blacklisted because they had the courage
to organize for Self-protection.
When Senator Taft and his supporters try
to assure the working people that the Taft
Hartley law was designed to protect their
liberty, they are insulting the intelligence of
those people. Anybody who has followed the
decisions handed down by the NIlRB knows
that the Taft-Hartley law is designed to
prevent the organization of any more unions
and to take away the effectiveness of the
unions that already are organized.
E. L. HAGEMAN.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
immortality of Gambling &


The legislature of the State OF Oregon now
Il considering legalizing Of slot machines,
with payment Of tax by the operators to
the State treasury. This proposal reopens
the age-old question as to whether or not a
State should make certain forms of gambling
legal in order to collect revenue to be used
for the welfare of the people.
Unquestionably, vast sums of money can
be raised by legalizing gambling. The mil
lions of dollars taken in by the State of
California by taxing horse racing is ample
evidence. The basic question is: Should
the morality of the people be sacrificed for
the material gain of the people? say no.
Gambling is detrimental to the morals of the
people, even though it apparently may lessen
their immediate economic burden. Main
tainlng moral standards is much more valu-
able to a community than adding to its eco
nomic betterment.
Certainly churches would oppose this form
Of gambling even if the funds derived from
such a measure were diverted into their
own treasures. Should the State Legis-
latureS think themselves any less responsible
than the churches for our moral status?
JOSEF F. 1NZINNA.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Around the World Nonstop

Air Force officials must have had their
tongues in their cheeks when they assured
reporters that the nonstop flight around
the world of the Lucky Lady II was 'rou-
tine" Certainly it will have something
more than routine significance to military
authorities in other parts of the world
including those behind the Iron Curtain.
For, as Air Secretary Symington remarked,
this truly epochal flight means that we
have found way to convert our B-29s
and B-5Os into real intercontinental
bombers, with ranges sufficient to deliver
atomic bombs to almost any part OF the
globe. Heretofore the B-36 has been hailed
as the worlds only intercontinental
bomber.
It cannot justly be said that this was
Just a stunt flight although its publicity
value to the Air Force is not to be dis
counted at a time when Congress is weigh
ing military budgets. The flight undoubt-
edly had training and research value for
the men in the plane, for the crews OF
the refueling craft and for meteorological,
radio and other technical personnel as
signed to the project. The test showed the
practicability of maintaining constant
radio contact with far-ranging aircraft, OF
estimating and contending with weather
conditions (Which, incidentally, were gen.
orally favorable throughout the trip and
of transferring large quantities OF fuel
from one plane in fight to another with
little loss of time. 1t also showed that our
military men can keep a secret-for there
was no "leak" on the preparations.
The refueling technique is not new, OF
course, but it obviously has been greatly
improved since the days of the "Question
Mark" the Army bomber with which Ira
Eaker set an endurance record of $50 hours
and 40 minutes over Los Angeles in 1929.
We failed to follow up this development,
however largely because of the steady ex-
tension of normal flight ranges in the
years that followed. The desire Of the Air
Force to extend the striking range of its
big bombers in the new atomic era, when
there may not be time to win overseas
bases as we did in World War II, led to
the revival Of refueling studies. The Brit
ish already have made some progress in
this field since the war. but it looks as
though we have taken the lead away from
them.
In hailing the extraordinary achieve
ment of the Air Force, we cannot afford to
relax under false sense of security how
ever That would be dangerous develop
ment. For it stands to reason that what
our flyers can do in the refueling line,
others should be able to duplicate. Russia,
too, has B-2s bombers. 1t would not be
surprising II she, too, has been conducting
- III -
out publicity, she has progressed as far as
we have. As long as the threat of aerial
attack hangs over our heads, we have no
alternative but to continue our own efforts
to render this continent secure. The fight
of the Lucky Lady II is reassuring evidence
that we are not complacent in the face Of
grim hazards which still confront us in
these uncertain times.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
A New Prize Suggested
TO the Editor of The Sta

To the Editor Of The Star:
I have seen reports that Madame Peron.
Mrs Franklin D. Roosevelt and Drew Pear
SON are understood to be leading candidates
Tor the Nobel Peace Prize, at least in their
own opinion according to an eminent and
outspoken authority.
In view of the obvious difficulty in making
O final choice between these three worthy
contestants, suggest to the Selection Com
mittee that they make no award this year.
Instead. venture to propose that a spe-
cial award be given, to be known as the
SOBel Speech Prize, and herewith re-
spectfully nominate our own President,
Harry 8. Truman. Z. D. L.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Problem Of Burma

Two events occurring simultaneously IN
different countries combine to call atten-
ton to the growing problem presented by
Burma. The first of these was an address
by the Burmese Premier, Thakin Nu.
Speaking to a large audience Of his fellow
countrymen, he stated that year Of civil
strife had cost 10000 lives and more than
$e00O0,OOO, reducing the country to such
poverty that financial aid from abroad
has become necessary. "LaWlessneSs and
terrorism have lowered us completely in
world estimation" he warned, land have
affected international relations"
That the Premier's warning was no ex-
aggeration is shown by the opening in
New Delhi, the capital of India, OF con-
vention representing five members of the
British Commonwealth of Nations, to con-
slider what could be done regarding Burma.
Besides India itself, the United Kingdom,
Pakistan, Ceylon and Australia were in
attendance. Such a meeting clearly in
dicates the international significance of
the Burmese problem.
Only fourteen months have passed since
Burma amicably severed its connection
with Britain and the Commonwealth and
set itself up as sovereign state. There
was no inherent reason why Burma should
not have enjoyed stability and prosperity.
This country, approximately the size of
Texas, has rich variety of natural re-
sources, much of them developed under
British rule. For an Oriental country, its
population is moderate in size, not exceed
ing 100000. And the partition treaty
provided for British economic, technical
and military aid and advice. Lastly,
Burma has well-established natural from
tiers and no disputes with its neighbors.
Yet from the very first, Burma suffered
from grave internal troubles. In part,
this was due to the disruption caused by
the japanese occupation during the late
war; in part to tradition of lawlessness
and brigandage locally known as dacioty.
Furthermore, besides the central valleys,
inhabited by true Burmese, large tracts
of mountainous jungle are the home OF
hill tribes which feel themselves to be
distinct peoples and were separately gov
erned by the British authorities.
The upshot of all this has been COM
plex struggle of growing intensity. The
Burmese themselves divided into number
of factions, including two brands of Com
munists, calling themselves stalinists and
Trotzkyists, respectively. The central gov
ernment has been the prey OF ambitious
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Objects to Hoover Personnel Plan

Objects to Hoover Personnel Plan
70 the Editor Of The Star:
Although there appears to be unanimous
opinion as to the desirability of the purposes
of the recommendations Of the Hoover Com
mission, there will be many valid arguments
which will indicate that these purposes Will
not be accomplished in all instances.
One recommendation which will bear In
tense scrutiny is that proposing the emascu-
lation of the Civil Service Commission oy
delegating all hiring powers to individual
Government agencies and relegatlng the Csc
to police status. On the surface this may
appear acceptable, but I am sure that any
one familiar with the workings of some mu-
tual admiration clubs, which have grown
during the Liberal" era realizes that without
the safeguards established by Congress in
the Civil Service Commission many more
abuses and injustices than ever before will
be perpetuated executed and forgotten oy
little men who imagine they own the Gov
ernment.
Aside from security considerations. it is
evident that this proposal would greatly
enhance the "spoils systems" and cancel
the gains made through years Of painful
development.
In the consideration of national security,
this proposal would simplify the boring
from within process OF reasonable ter
mites Consider the characters, as revealed
at the I'm American Committee hearings,
with unlimited hiring powers with which to
surround themselves with their StoogeS.
The claims that the Civil Service hiring
system of the Federal Government is cum
bersome and expensive have not been proved
against the costs of an untried proposal Ger
tainly it is just as efficient to have central
hiring agency, such as the CSC for the
Federal Government. as it is for any large
industrial organization. Efficient private
establishments do not divert working per-
sonnel from their fundamental functions, by
permitting the various departments to set
up their own personnel units. This would
be duplication to the nth degree, and it is
exactly what the Hoover recommendation
would foster-the very opposite Of It's in
tended purpose CAREER EMPLOYE.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Service Pay and Politics
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Thank you very much for an excellent
editorial in The Star entitled. Service Pay
and Politics" The situation couldn't have
been summed up better. I don't expect to
see any sudden transformation of the ira
ditional American politician into a duty
conscious servant of the Nation. but The
Stars editorials are bound to have an ef-
feet. if not in informing some of the Cong
ressmen, at least in educating the public as
to the motives of the men who are its rep
resentatives.
A DEvOTEE OF THE STARS EDITORIAL
PAGE.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Rewards of Teaching
To the Editor Of The star:

EuIlUI
We, the teachers of the District. express
our gratitude for your support in the present
salary crisis. Your editorial Equal Treat
ment for Teachers presents some easily
overlooked facts relative to the situation and
expresses a sensible reason for the current
shortage of teachers. Unless positive action
is taken to treat teachers as we'll as other
employees are treated, promising high school
boys and girls will not be attracted to
teaching. Few teachers can sincerely interest
boys and girls in training for teaching
careers under present conditions.
Teaching offers vast opportunities for
service to youth and yields enduring salts
faction to teachers. but these features are
not strong enough to fill our ranks for they
are seldom experienced until after the per-
formance Of many years of generous service.
RUSSELL B. COOVER.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
A Carriers Mother Speaks Up

To the Editor Of The Star:
I am a Star carriers mother and have
just been out with him trying to collect his
money for The Star. I don't believe the
general public is aware of the queer people
child runs into on these expeditions, and
would like to say word on the carriers
behalf:
People are all too anxious to telephone
The Star If the paper is ten minutes late.
even though 1t Is not the carriers fault. II
@ paper Is not left in the same spot every
day they grab the phone. They do not seem
to realize that q child has at least 100 papers
to deliver IN all kinds Of weather and In 90
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Soup Bubbles

Dozens of oossamer rainboDs, trailing {.
Across the side1Dalk, are lightly sailing u
In airy squadrons, ascending, Ueering, IL
Ridinq the 1Uind and disappearing. -.
Mirrored uith shtmmering necromancy,
Then light the eye Uith the gentle fancy
And fragile CLEAN of enchdntn1ent fototn0
out of a pipe child IS blo,Dtng.
ALICE HARTICH
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Others Opposed to Specialization

OlneTS OppOSeu 10 SOcIallZat1OM
TO the Editor Of The Star:
In very fine article in your paper Sum
day, February 20, Frank r. Kent urged all
the doctors to unite to fight socialized medi-
cine.
There are many people other than doctors
who are opposed to. this form OF health
insurance. AS q resident Of the District,
1t would be helpful to know just what I, as
an individual, could do to join in the
campaign. HELEN F. MILLER.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Rv THE HASKIN SERVICE.

O. What is a SoVlet?-h. l.. u.
A. Soviet is Russian word which means
council" After the downfall of the Car
in 1917, revolutionary groups, known as
soviets, were formed throughout the coun-
try. These soviets were councils of working
men, peasants and soldiers.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
tDrtter, although 1t is permissible for
Uriter k11oWn to The Star to use
q nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question OF
fact by writing The Evening Star 1nformstlon
Bureau, sl6 l street NE, washington e. p 2.
Please nclose three go cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1949-03-03

O. What are the principal breeds OF horses
raised in the United States today?-J.C.
A. There are many breeds of horses but
three types are generally bred commercially:
The thoroughbred standardized and Amer
ican saddle horse.
Evening star., 1949-03-03

O. What is the origin of the symbol used
by the Northern Pacific Railway? 1t con-
sists of circle divided into two parts by
curved line resembling an ST. S. w.
A. The original symbol, of which the
trademark of the Northern Pacific Railway
Co. Is an adaptation, is Chinese in in
vention The diagram itself was evolved in
the 11th century AID. but the ideas which
it represents date back to more than 5000
years before Christ 1t is really, therefore,
more than $500 years old, and may be much
older. It is known as the great Chinese
Monad, or more commonly. perhaps. as the
Diagram of the Great Extreme. The design
was discovered and adapted to its present
use in 1898.
Evening star., 1949-03-03
@ What State paws the highest old-age

q. DAYS
pension? c. S. ,,
A. In August 194S, the average old-age
assistance paid by the State Of Colorado.
s78.43 a month-was higher than that paid
by any other State. Colorado also has what
is known as a Jackpot payment. The
amount remaining in the State funds from
reevnue set aside for the payment Of as
sistance to the aged is divided at specified
time among all recipients.
Evening star., 1949-11-28
Judge Miller and 0ehmann
To Aid Michigan U. Drive

Judge Wilbur K. Miller of the
United States Court Of Appeals
and Ward H. Oebmann, Wash
ington attorney, have been named
co-chairmen for the Washington
area in Nationwide campaign
by University of Michigan alumni
to raise $6,500,000 for the estab-
lishment Of an atomic research
center at the university.
The appointments were an
nounced by James w. Follin of
Washington, regional chairman
for the campaign. The University
of Michigan project. dedicated as
a memorial to the university,s
dead in World War II, includes
planning for research in all the