davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Justice Murphy

Supreme Court Justice Frank Murphy
was a controversial figure in an age of
controversy.
AS a politician, he fought with ability,
courage and deep sincerity on the side
of those whom he regarded as the under
privileged When the sitdown strike was
introduced as union weapon in Michigans
automotive industry, Justice Murphy, then
Governor of the State, refused to take
action against the strikers. At later
time he said he believed sitdown strikes
were wrong, but he would not intervene
against the strikers when they took pos
session of the plants. His do-nothing
policy was severely criticized and was an
important factor In his defeat at the polls
when he sought reelection as Governor.
But this episode in his gubernatorial career
was fairly indicative of an attitude which
Justice Murphy took with him to the
highest bench.
Always one of the most ardent OF New
Dealers, Mr.. Murphy, after his defeat in
Michigan, was brought back into promi-
nence when President Roosevelt named
him as Attorney General in 1899. In that
were bulwarks of the Democratic Party.
Tom Pendergast was sent to jail, and there
were reports that the Hague and Kelly
machines were next on his list when the
President nominated him to succeed Justice
Butler on the Supreme Court
It was not happy choice. AS member
of the highest court, Justice Murphy was
handicapped by two conSpicuously unfortu-
nate tendencies. When confronted with a
conflict between his humanitarian SYM
pathies and a principle of law, he was
inclined, or so it seemed, to make the
principle of law conform to his own predi-
lections Secondly, he had weakness for
extravagant language. Thus, protesting
against the courts refusal to interfere
with the court-martial death sentence
imposed on Japan's General Homma, who
ordered the Bataan death march, Justice
Murphy wrote: Either we conduct such 9
trial as this in the noble spirit and atmos.
phere of our Constitution or we abandon
all pretense of justice, let the ages slir
away, and descend to the level of revengefu
blood purges. Apparently the die has beer
cast in favor of the latter case"
That was an emotional statement bearin,
little relation to the question of law a
stake. 1t was also a. reckless forecas
which has been repudiated by time. Thi
one incident, of course, does not convey {
comprehensive picture of Justice Murphy
service on the bench. But it is indicative
of turn of mind which led many peopl,
to believe that, despite his undoubtet
talents, he was miscast on court Of las
Evening star., 1949-07-20
One Million Yuan
Won't Buy q Meal in China

A friend who went to the Orient to inspect
Seventh-Day Adventist missions gave me
81 ,0000 900, just like that. But before any
one gets excited about it, they are inflated
Chinese dollars.
The single banknote of 100000 gold
yuan. issue of 1949 is not worth penny.
or even the paper 1t is printed on. Yet 1t is
genuine money issued by the Central Bank
Of China, note No. 745359.
year ago 100000 yuan were supposed
to be worth 250,O00 United States dollars.
at the rate of four yuan to ST. The Marking
government tried to stem a runaway lnf1a-
tion and exchanged old currency for the new
yuan Now the yuan also has gone the way
of all fiat money.
One thousand Of these new 1000, ,000-
dollar notes of Chinese currency will hardly
buy one meal-$l 900, 100000 for snack!
This, one year ago, would have been worth
$3.50 ,000, 900 in United States money. or
roughly several times the cost OF running
the District government for one year. or the
price of one superbattleship.
When the Red armies overran North
China and took Shanghai. they issued new
currency with the letters J. M. P. When
our friend asked his associates In China
what that meant. he was told. Just mo1e
paper"
The Star editorial iof July 1S did not
Stricken Orient" This currency situation Is
but pale reflection Of the appalling condi-
tions which have assailed China and other
Asiatic countries during the past decade.
So the readers of The Star may have the
privilege of seeing what a million dollar
i Chinese banknote looks like. I make gift
to the editor of this token" OF Chinese
poverty There is no other word to express
our feelings over conditions which afflict
China today.
What can Americans do oyprevent the
spreading of such a crisis throughout the
world even to our shores?
Never give up your Christian ideals or your
faith in democracy. Never exchange this
for any other system under any pretext or
rosy offer. Never let corruption enter gov
ernment or business. Let integrity reflect
itself in honest dealing and in the use OF
money.
May stability Of character and OF business
be the American standard for ourselves and
the rest of the world
CHARLES ALLEN RENTFRO.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Up to the Russians

Through a special study group, the
American Friends Service Committee has
put forward number of tentative sugges-
tions designed to promote understanding
and peace between the United States and
the Soviet Union. The suggestions
have been submitted to Secretary of State
Acheson and Russian Ambassador Pan
yushkin-add up to an earnest and high
minded effort to point the way to course
that will keep our two countries from drift
ing eventually into catastrophe war.
Unfortunately, however, considered within
the context of these times they seem too
unrealistic to warrant much enthusiasm.
From the American standpoint, the chief
weakness OF the Quaker proposals Is that
they call upon the United States to take
the initiative in offering ma jor concessions
at moment when there is no evidence
that the Kremlin has any intention of de-
parting from its fixed policy of dominance
seeking direct and indirect aggression.
Among other things the proposals would
have us do the following: Cd End pres
ent restrictions on exports to Russia and
other countries behind the Iron Curtain;
(2) modify the Marshall Plan so as to
promote East-West trade; 60 try again to
reach an agreement on the political and
economic unihcation OF Germany; a. put
halt to the formation of separate West
German democratic state; and (5) seek to
strengthen the United Nations by such
steps as initiating a new attempt to work
out world control of armaments and atomic
energy-a move in which we should pro-
pose to place our stockpile of A-weapons
under U. N. seal and announce our willing
ness to stop the manufacture of fashionable
materials.
What makes most of these suggestions
seem unrealistic is the history Of our past
efforts to get the Russians to cooperate
on something very much like the Quaker
program. AS far as European recovery
| and East-West trade are concerned, we
offered them the chance to participate in
| the Marshall Plan, but they spurned it and
| deliberately set out to wreck it because
their expansionist aims could be best served
| by promoting continental chaos and eco
| nomic diSorder-a rule-or ruin policy that
led us to take the precaution of restricting
exports, especially those with military
value. AS for Germany last months
Foreign Ministers Conference in Paris was
simply another confirmation that the
Kremlin has no present intention of work
ing out an acceptable agreement with us.
Finally, with the overwhelming majority
of members supporting us, We have re-
peatedly sought to strengthen the United
Nations with such projects as our atomic
control plan. But the Soviet position has
been unwaveringly that of 4 vilifier, q
boycotter and an obstructionist. The
record is so clear on this point-and 80
ominous in its implications-that we would
be foolhardy in the extreme to disarm
ourselves unilaterally without guarantee.
'9f any kind from Moscow by plfing ou,
Evening star., 1949-07-20
More About Arab Refugees
From Israeli Partisan

To the Editor oi ne star'
Regarding the letter Of DR.. Nestor, won
der If he is a member of the British Embassy.
would like to ask few questions about the
poor destitute Arabs referred to. Or. Nestoi
mentions the fact that the Jews do not want
to let the Arabs return to their former homes.
ask what homes? And does DR.. Nestor hap
pen to know that most of these Arabs are
nomads and do not want to return, since
they are living better now, under the onlteo
Nations, than they ever did before? IL Is
Interesting to note that all the Arab nations
surrounding Palestine are underpopulateo
and have refused to accept their loyal oretn-
rem who uprooted themselves when the ngnt-
Ing started Among these underpopulated Is
Trans-Jordan to whose king Britain pays
$8,000,O00 a year. I believe, and am sure
so does Dr. Nestor, this money could be USED
to help those poor Arab refugees.
DR.. Nestor states that the Jews claim that
there is not enough room in Palestine Tor
both Arabs and Jews. But he rails to men
tion several facts in this connection. One:
Which part of Palestine, since 1t Is partl-
toned? The other fact is that the 1sraeh
constitution grants equality for all the peo-
pies of Israel, including the $4,000 Arabs
who fought with Israel for Jewish state.
DIR. Nestor claims the Jews invaded Pal
estine, and again he fails to give several
facts. One is that the Jews never left Pal
estine, and the other fact I would like to
put in the form of question: What were
the armies of Syria. Egypt. Lebanon. 1raq
and Trans-Jordau doing there?
/ Among other facts DR.. Nestor has lett OUT
is that Israel has paid the Arabs for what
they left behind, which is more than gen
erous, especially when it has all it can do
to support the thousands Of homeless people
Who have nothing who are coming to Israel
=. aRroN BoRoFT.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
By THE HAsKIN SERVICE

@. When did the Navy commission pen
nant have 13 stars in it? The new commits
sion pennant has only seven.-R. G. R.
A. The National Military Establishment
says that since August 30 1888, the United
States Navy has had seven stars in the field
of the commission pennant. Prior to that
date, the pennants carried either IS or 7
according to the type and size OF the vessel
flying them.
@. Has a Medal Of Honor been provided
for the Unknown Soldier of World War III
B. s. T.
A. On March ., 1948, an act Of Congress
specified: THAT the President Is hereby au-
thorized and directed to award In the name
Of the Congress. a Medal Of Honor to the
Unknown American who lost his life while
serving overseas in the armed forces Of the
United States during the Second World
War, and who will be buried in the Memorial
Amphitheater OF the National Cemetery at
Arlington, Va, near or beside the remains Of
the Unknown American Soldier Of the First
World War; as authorized by the Act OF June
"a, 1885,
O. What is the interest on the national
debt?-A. M r.
A. In the Presidents January, 1949, budg-
ct message, interest charges on the public
cal 1949 and $3.50 100000 in fiscal 1850.
The average interest rate on the Federal
public debt rose from 2.154 per cent in JAM
uary, 1948 to 2.211 per cent in october, 1S4S.
On May 81, 1949, it was 2.234 per cent.
@. OF all manuscripts submitted to book
publishers what percentage is considered for
publication?-J. o. G.
A. Book publishers receive about rs full
length manuscripts to every one they f1nd
acceptable. Even then the average first novel
published often means loss of money for the
publisher and earns nothing for the writer.
A book must sell 10000 copies If the pub,
Usher is to break even.
@. What percentage Of girls entering
nurses training graduate?-J. B.
A. Withdrawals from schools OF nursing.
including failures have ranged from 80 per
cent for the class of 1s43 to 80 per cent
for the class of 1947.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
This and That
Ru Charles Z. Trace,Dell

,z~s Growing pleasantly. Blossom, the :possum
came along the peony bed at the dawn's
early light.
She was growing at Malty the cat. who
followed. but remained at q respectful dis
tance
This was the first time we had seen Bios
som for a couple Of months
At that time she spent couple Of weeks
on the sunporch roof, just looking around.
She had disappeared. probably moved out
Of the neighborhood, we thought.
Here she was back again. looking remark
ably pale in the daylight.
Part Of the pallid appearance was riue
to contrast with Malty. he OF the rich, deep
gray-blue.
No two people agree on Malty's color. To
some, he is that gray cat; to others, that
blue cat"
This morning he looked almost brown,
and by contrast made Blossom, the possum,
seem as if cut out of a sheet.
Blossom did not like to be followed
Standing high on her legs. with her long
ratlike tail trailing. Blossom attempted to
get away.
Since we had never seen her running be-
fore. only perched on the roof in the moon
light. VIC were surprised at her speed and
her height
Old Blossie put feet between her and the
cat
She extended her legs, and in doing be-
came much taller.
Perhaps no one should have been sur
prised at this. The opossum has long been
known for its ability to get away from dogs
4
The question now Is, has Blossom been in
the neighborhood all the time, or had she
wandered away and just returned?
There Is a cavity high in locust tree.
That may be her home. Being nocsural,
she is seldom seen in daylight.
Her strangeness protects her from cats.
but would it help with dogs?
The sounds issuing from the possum
throat, at least as Blossom demonstrated it.
are queer. not exactly as a cat growls, and
certainly not like a dog, nor even the
angry denunciations of the squirrel.
Blossom did not like to be trailed and
plainly said so.
Wildlife in the suburban yard is varied.
For all the part the opossum has played
In song and story, it is peculiarly little
known to modern city and suburban
dwellers.
But Blossom has shown that it is not
necessary always to 60 to the deep woods
to see one.
The raccoon is another sometime" visi-
tor. Although we have not seen one, a
fine specimen ished in a pool about two
blocks away.
| Foxes sometimes appear, although usual
| ly closer to the country.
Gray foxes are not unusual in Maryland
| farm lands
Various owls and hawks come to our To-
| cal suburbs.
They are attracted by bird-feeding ac-
| tivities, but not too often destroy birds
The sight of these big fellows always at
| tracts humans. and so the small birds are
saved. Even the large hawks take but one
| bird at meal at their worst. The song
sters 60 into hiding, and for some reason
the hawks seldom come back to the same
place. This is what keeps them from being
prime nuisances.
| Flying squirrels are seen occasionally al
though they are still rarity compared with
the numbers Of gray squirrels.
| AS far as we know, there are no red
forms in or around Washington. The pearl
| gray FORM as well as the black squirrel and
even the albino, are changes in the normal
gray pigmentation.k
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Hawaiian Blockade
Compared With That Of Berlin

Hawaiian Blockade
Compared With That Of Berlin
To the Editor Of The Star:
Attorney General Clark questions the Ha-
waii emergency and speaks only Of pine
apples!
Now the CLIO. refuses to unload relief
ships packed with food for a half million
people needing same. Mr.. Clark did not talk
that way when Berlin was blockaded. We
ran the blockade and fed our former enc
mics. Fifty-f1ve United States pilots lost
their lives and the operation cost $780,
100000, but Mr. Clark does not favor run
ming the Hawaiian blockade.
CORA D. CARTWRIGHT,
Los Angeles, Calf
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Explains Real Purpose"
OF Transit Transfers

I
These complaints Of your readers against
the transfer system of the Transit Company
seem to arise out of ignorance of the pur-
pose of the transfer. A transfer is issued
when the trip cannot be completed in the
original vehicle. 1t Is not intended that the
passenger should get of bus, shop. and get
the next bus. when the original bus would
have carried him or her to the destination.
Thus an operator will not accept transfer
issued by his particular line going in either
direction unless the original bus broke down,
or reached the end Of a short run from
which another bus or car must continue.
ROSHAN w. DYAR.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Disaster Forecast
For Byrd Machine"
To the Editor Of tt

T
I see that Senator Harry F. Byrd, for the
first time in years, has found it necessary to
take the stump in support OF his machine"
candidate for Governor OF Virginia. He must
be worried! And he should be. All the old
political machines are being defeated. The
Crump machine has been broken. The
Hague machine has gone down to ignomini-
GUS defeat. The Byrd machine is next. It's
only a matter of time.
AS citizen of Virginia, who has to pay for
the privilege OF voting, want to say that
resent Senator Byrd's participation in the
Demoaa atic primary campaign. He no longer
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Letters to The Star
A Victim OF China's Imitation.

can claim to be Democrat. He is a Republi-
can. He has followed the Republican leader
ship in the Senate, and completely has ig-
nored the pledges of the Democratic Party
platform. 1n fact, the Republicans might
disown him because in one instance he fol-
lowed the line Of the Communist Party by
voting against the Marshall Plan)
The day rapidly is approaching when the
aroused people of Virginia will throw out the
"mossbacks' who control the Byrd machine
The people are beginning to realize that the
VIRGINIA VOTER.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Says White Children
Are Disseminated Against

To the Editor Of The Star:
I. like any number of other Washington.
ians, have been astonished and provoked
about the closing of the Anacostia swimming
pool. It is about time that some or Dur Of
ficials started to think about the welfare and
rights of the white children. After the pool
mas closed the colored~ children didn't have
to do wftnuut their pressure. their pools
stayed open II Is the children of the white
taxpayers that have to suffer through. these
hot humid summer days. Aren't they en-
titled to be considered?
AS long as the country is democracy
don't try to dictate to the people the way
they should think and live. Let every one
live his own way That is the American
way. PAULINE HOLBROOh.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Mother Finds 1t Fun
To Share Teeners' Week End.

To the Editor Of The Star:
I read an article in The Sunday Star
which impressed me. and prompts me to
write of my experience with the so-called
'teen-agers."
had the pleasure OF chaperoning nine
girls over the July week end. The boys In
the party were chaperoned by very COM
petent gentleman (Mr. Travis whose son
was included in the party. I must say Mr..
Travis did an excellent job OF keeping them
under his wing at adj times. I have two chill
drenr of my own, q son II and a daughter ~.
Fortunately all of these youngsters include
my husband and me In about o5 per cent
: Of their activities which makes us both quite
happy. My husband happens to be q step
father (and q good 6ne) aAd Is greatly in
,terested in the children 1snd In everything
they do At times he Is left to hold the fort;
he most certainly could not let anything
interfere with his work But-then take
over. alone.
This group Of boys and their chaperon
left Washington Friday night. Their as
signment was to clean two cottages before
the girls arrived. They did an excellent job.
The second batch Of seekers (my girls)
arrived at our destination Harpers Ferry.
about 10:30. We were welcomed by singing,
guitar playing. and of course, two har-
moncas. About midnight took my little
brood off to bed. BY morning all OF the
youngsters had well-planned week end
Our activities consisted Of pitching horse
shoes, hiking, dancing and singing. oodles OF
good wholesome fun
advocate that more parents do just this
sort of thing. Make your children's pleas
ures yours; be one of the crowd, and you
will find that they will not want to run of
alone. leaving you sitting home, turning
gray worrying about them. A PARENT.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Proposes Senators As Patrons
And Governors of Europe

To the Editor Of The Star:
If the administration and the majority OF
the United States Senate, headed by Messrs.
Connally and Vandenberg, are determined to
feed Europe and also to fight her battles.
OF which Gf the past is to be accepted as
criterion) there will be many In the future,
why don't they advocate the annexation OF
that continent?
In this connection, would suggest that
the Stars and Stripes be run up over Europe.
and that the area be divided into two terri
tories, one to be known as Connally Terri
tory and the other as Vandenberg Territory
and that these two gentlemen be appointed
as first governors of their respective name
sakes. H. A 6AH6EE.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Wants Cartoon Circulated
So People May Know.

The Glib Crockett cartoon in The Star Of
July IL is a masterpiece. hope you turn
down no requests for its republication. 1t
should be widely circulated. so the people Of
America may know of the choice of Ambas-
sador to Luxembourg made by the President.
With so many deserving young people
trained in foreign service work. I am sure
there are millions of Americans who do not
cheer the choice. Maybe Congress would be
good enough to tell us what qualifications
Mrs. MeSta has.
Has politics completely replaced common
sense and good judgment in our Govern
ment? ROBERT REYNOLDS.
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact BY writing The Evening star Washinston,
D c., information Bureau. 316 Eye st. NE, Wash
ington .. D. C. Please enclose three ca cents for
return postage.
Evening star., 1949-07-20

Again the United States Senate is meet
ing in the very chamber where the voices
Of Webster and other immortals once re-
sounded, though present day oratory prob
ably is no treat for the woodwork.
Evening star., 1949-07-20

resort, 4 court whose judges are subject
to little or no restraint except that which
may be imposed by their own capacity and
willingness to restrain themselves.
Evening star., 1949-07-20

We don't know what it Is they tell them
In Europe, and certainly It's nothing we've
said, that makes people want to fee to
America. ,,s, ~ s.sr.-~- V ,..r,F
Evening star., 1949-07-20
Miss Petrovskaya's Story
CHALLENGED by a Skeptical Reader

To the Editor OF The Star:
The article in your Sunday paper (This
Week Magazine), Il Was the Toast OF MOS
cow" certainly is too thick for me. 1t sounds
fishy from start to finish. The author makes
statements and claims that would be hard
to substantiate and which seem very dubious.
Miss Petrovskaya's method Of discouraging
the wolves would take some tall explaining
for me to believe. In the first place, doubt
if there is such a thing as Russian per-
fume guaranteed to cause headaches, and
if so. the first person to get the headache
would be the user! And as for male-repel-
lent No. 2, I've heard of such thing used
for dogs, but not humans!
In your zeal to publish articles to dis
courage communism, you'd better be careful
or you will defeat your own purpose. Credit
your readers with enough sense to see
through something too silly for words.
MRS. A. w. WEIGH.
Evening star., 1949-07-20

Senator Tydings Believed Not Serious
In Logrolling Attitude Toward Pay Bill.
To the Editor of The STAR
Senator Tydings was reported Monday
evening as saying that if the House OF
Representatives blocks action on the armed
forces unification bill, already passed by the
senate, he would block action in the Senate
on the armed forces pay bill, already passed
by the House.
1t is to be hoped that the Senator Will
quickly change his mind in this matter. II
he doesn't he is then in the position of
playing politics with the desperate hopes OF
the military personnel for their long over
due and desperately needed pay adjustment.
surely he couldn't seriously mean that he
would let these people pay for his logrolling!
r.