davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-08-25
European Inteqrotion

In taking up the question OF economic
integration, the European Consultative
Assembly at strasbourg has set itself an
objective whose attainment has vital
bearing on the future of the continent.
Moreover, unlike the distant goal OF politi-
cal union, it is an objective toward which
substantial and concrete progress must be
made now If Western Europe is to be- in
position to support itself when the Mar
shall Plan ends in 1852. +@
The Marshall Plan has averted an eco
nomic collapse. It has enabled the partic-
ipating countries to get back on their feet
It has renewed their prewar industrial and
agricultural vigor, thus restoring enough
stability to check the Red tide. Clearly,
however, when it comes to an end-as 1t
must-it will not have solved the problem
of Europe's long-term production, trade
and employment. For it is true, as former
French Premier Paul Reynaud has just
declared at Strasbourg, that that problem
cannot be solved by the four-year European
Recovery Program; 1t can be solved only
by radical measures to change the tradt-
tional ways of the continent.
What Mr.. Reynaud advocates, along with
many other Europeans, is immediate action
toward integrating the numerous separate
economies of Western Europe by means OF
an overall customs union under which
trade barriers would be torn down, q single
currency established, and other steps taken
to promote mass production on an eficient
scale for free-fowing trade in great new
continental rnarket In these nr0fOundly
changed times as Mr.. Reynaud would say,
the old way of doing things simply will not
work in that part of the world; indeed,
unless the nations involved surrender some
measure OF their individual sovereignties,
stop their rival efforts to achieve kind OF
self-sufnciency, and pull together as one
in common economy, they will be sowing
the seeds of permanent depression among
themselves.
Such economic integration, OF course, is
thing more easily advocated than put
into effect. Each country has its own In
dustrial and agricultural interests, and
there is a natural tendency on the part OF
those interests to resist measures that
might entail some sacrifice for them-a
resistance more or less like that occasion
ally displayed by some American businesses
fearing they might be adversely affected
by, reciprocal trade agreements. Yet, IS
far Is Europeans are concerned, it Is Inn
peratiye that they move toward united
economy, and their own awareness OF that
fact Is Indicated by what Belgium, the
Netherlands and luxembourg have done
In organizing Benelux, BY Nanco-1talian
Evening star., 1949-08-25

steps toward customs understanding, by
similar action in Scandinavia, and by the
widespread popular interest in the current
Strasbourg deliberations.
Although 1t would be naive to expect the
early formation of full-ledged economic
union, events themselves are driving West
ern Europe steadily toward integration, and
there is therefore reason to hope that
measure of it will be in effect at the close
of the Marshall Plan. In any case, there
can be no doubt that Affirmative action. is
needed to that end. Together with lie
revival OF East-West trade and with other
measures calculated to prevent a perma-
nent crisis In the life Of Europeans, it is
indispensable to long-term continental
stability.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Dutch-Indonesiun Conference

The conference which has just openeo
at The Hague, capital OF the Netnerianos,
offers a hopeful prospect that the tangled
problem of Indonesia may be on the way
tn a genuine settlement. 1t is ''rouno.
table" affair at which representatives Oh
the three major parties at interest sit
down toeether on terms of equality. Tnese
are the Dutch, the Indonesian Republicans
and the so-called Federalists-the auton-
ofhous states formed In those portlons ol
the Indonesian archipelago OUTSIDE 1ne
territory of the Indonesian Republic. In
addition. a United Nations Commission
will sit in as mediator and conciiiator
between the direct participants.
The goal of the conference Is 10 I'M
plement the plan already accepted IN
theory by all parties for the establishment
of a federation to be known as the United
States of Indonesia. This federatlon Is
tn be a sovereign state. But 1t Is to De
1oined with the Netherlands and the
Dutch holdings in the West Indies In an
eoual-partnership union similar to the
British Commonwealth, the connecthg
link being allegiance to common crown.
theoretically, this has been recognized
rs mutually beneficial arrangement
But many practical differences arise over
the precise terms under which the Dutcn
will relinquish sovereignty over tnelr
former empire in 1ndonesia and what snaii
be the precise relations between the new
federation and the Netherlands.
The chief stumbling block has been the
attitude of the Indonesian Republic
Although 1t never exercised effective con-
troll over more than Java and portions
of the adjacent island OF Sumatra, the
Republic aspired to speak for the whole
of Indonesia, as its self-assumed title
implies. That claim was, however, re-
tected, not only by the Dutch but also by
large portions of the archipelago inhab-
tied by peoples of different stock, language
and culture, who had no desire to be
dominated by the Javanese. These peoples
came to terms with the Dutch and set up
governments of their own. Those gov
err,ments were denounced by the Republic
as mere Dutch puppets with whom 1t could
not deal on equal terms. This was part
OF the intransigent attitude which cul'
minated in the Dutch police action" OF
last December, when Dutch troops occu-
MED the territory OF the Republic ano
temporarily extinguished the regime
Largely owing to United Nations efforts
supplemented by American diplomacy, the
Republic was formally reinstated, though
with diminished territory and under more
moderate leadership. This revised regime
adopted a more concfliatory attitude In
cluding willingness to deal on equal terms
Evening star., 1949-08-25
No WPA in Defense

It is always distressing when person,
through no fault of his own, hnds himself
out of q job. But it does not follow from
this, though some members of Congress
seem to believe to the contrary, that people
should be kept on the public payroll even
though their services are not needed.
There Is no indication that q meat-ax
technique has been used In arriving at the
decision to dismiss from the Armed Forces
$4,000 civilian workers and to return some
10000 Reserve officers to inactive duty. On
the contrary, there is every indication that
the selection of those to be dismissed has
been made after very careful study by
General Joseph T.. McNarney's National
Defense Management Committee.
Secretary of Defense Louis johnson has
expressed his regret that it has become
necessary to make this reduction In force,
and the outcries of the Congressmen are
hardly an answer to his statement In jus
tifcation of 1t. Mr.. Johnson points out,
though it should hardly be necessary for
him to do so, that the staggering cost OF
the defense establishment must be met
within the limits imposed by the national
economy To do this economies are neces-
sary, and this first step is being taken be-
cause the people who will be let out "are
not necessary in the sufnciency Of the
defense of the United States" In other
words, after careful study, the conclusion
has been reached that the affected individ-
uals are holding jobs which are not essen
tial to the security of the country. So the
employees are to be dismissed and their
jobs abolished. That Is what ought to be
done, and Mr.. johnson Is to be commended
for doing 1t.
It is estimated that this step will save
5000, ,000, 900 in the current fiscal year. and
$500, ,000, 900 during the next. The long
range goal is an economy Of at least 81 ,000,-
000,0 900. No doubt further economies will
bring renewed protests, and possibly some
attempt at retaliation, from Congressman
whose constituents are affected, or in
whose districts curtailed military projects
are located The fact remains, however,
that slkpesdble economies in Government
operation must be made. In recent days
Herbert Hoover has called attention to the
every eight members of the working popu-
lation. And Senator Byrd has stated that
OF every $40 that the average American
earned last year, he had to hand over, 81
in taxes.
There is not much that can be done
about most of this tremendous cost OF
Government. But that Ii no excuse for
not ef1ecting the economies that can be
made, and 1t Is = pretty safe bet that the
sympathies of the taxpayers will be with
Mr.. johnson in this undertaking, and not
with his critics on Capitol Hill. r
Evening star., 1949-08-25
No Time for Half Measures

In his proclamation marking the formal
effectuation of the North Atlantic Treaty,
President Truman has made special
point of emphasizing that this momentous
undertaking is designed not merely to
strengthen the security of the twelve
signatories but also to promote and pre-
serve peace throughout the world" There
Is good reason to hope that 1t will accom-
plish that very thing. For If the Western
nations do what they are supposed to do
under 1t, If they build genuinely strong
common defense against aggression, the
balance OF power will be so tilted In their
favor as to make the Soviet Union think
long and hard about embarking on new
adventures anywhere.
But the "if" here is important Stand
ing by itself, the Atlantic Pact is merely
q statement of principles and high re-
solve. To be truly effective, it must be
more than that. 1t must have behind It
the active and constant cooperation of
the signatories in working out joint de-
fenSive measures. Above all-at this
particular stage-it must have behind 1t
adequate armaments aid from the United
States. This means that the pending
Military Assistance Program should be
adopted by Congress in form that will
enable our friends abroad to strengthen
their existing forces in the manner ad-
vocated by the President, with the full and
emphatic backing of our military estab-
lishment.
Nothing could be more unfortunate than
. half-a-loaf attitude. The words Of the
Atlantic Treaty, of themselves, are not
likely to sober the Kremlin unless con-
crete measures accompany them, includ-
ing not least of all favorable congressional
action on the arms-aid program. Con-
crete measures accompanying the Truman
Doctrine in Greece and the Marshall Plan
in Western Europe have already yielded
rich dividends in the cold war, and they
will continue to yield them in connection
with the pact. The Russians are on the
defensive; they are losing ground. If We
do not waver now, If we do everything that
needs to be done, If we do not slacken our
pace, they can be eheckmated perma-
nently.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
From Grass to Concrete

A decision already reached ana aoout
to be carried out, under which a street
will be cut through, and in effect destroy
the small triangular park east OF New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church at the
intersection of the avenue and H street.
ought to be reviewed.
The plan is another traffic -channeliza-
tfon expedient It might lessen, but not
eliminate the confusion and congestlon
caused by the traffic which crosses New
York avenue for a westbound turn into
H Street Traffic is one-way on H street
between Fifteenth and Fourteenth streets.
The cut through the little park would make
H street available for 'two-way trafnc and
this is doubtless desirable in getting rid OF
q bottleneck.
But it is also highly desirable to preserve
the diminishing areas of green grass ana
foliage in the city, especially those that
give some small degree OF protectlon 10 SO
notable a landmark as the New 4ork
Avenue Presbyterian Church. That build
ing. almost ninety years old, is rich In its
associations with old Washington. In time
1t will be replaced by another, but one
which the architects have planned to
nerpetuate the lines of the present struc-
ture. It came as a surprise to The star
that the authorities went forward with
their plans to cut through the park
which forms a sort of church yard-Witn-
out even notifying the trustees OF the
church.
Some of them, seeing the article In The
Star. called on Commissioner Mason ano
Director of Highways J.. N. Robertson yes
terday and were assured full opportunity
to study the blueprints and discuss the
matter with architects of the church. II
there is valid objection, it should follow
that the highway plans will be mooineo
To meet them. Every consideration snouia
be given now to the avoidance +od wnas
NAV be a fatal mistake adversely Al eesane
the picturesque and appealing setting OF
this old church.
This channelization plan originated WIN
the traffic and highway authorities ana
usnt before the Park and Planning Com
missions Co-ordinating Committee. There
It evidently received the approval OF the
park Service, which owns the little TRAN
pular park. If any study was mace Oh
the effects on the church properly IL
vas made without consultation with the
church trustees. Probably no such con-
alteration was given. The Zest to tear up
trees and grass and spread concrete 1or
more automobiles is powerful one, not
easily discouraged.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

=. NJ Wsss
inston 2, D. C. Please inclose cents for return
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE
@. How many school children were re- !
ceiving religious instruction in public schools
on released time when the Supreme Court
rendered its decision against this practice?-
M. S.
A. The Christian Century estimated that
the churches of 1900 communities, involv- .
ing nearly 1000, 900 pupils. were engaged in
giving released-time religious instruction
when the Supreme Court ruling was made
on March 8, 1948.
@. What is the population density of
Hawaii9 Are the majority of the people
citizens?-T. c.
A. AS Of June, 194s, the civilian popula-
ton Of Hawaii was 540,500, an average
density of 84 persons per square mile. OF
the total population 86.3 percent was native
born. -
@. When were prepared breakfast foods
introduced?-D. s. M.
A. Charles william Post Is generally
credited with being the chief person intro
ducing such foods in 1897. ~
@. How hot does the weather have to be ,
to be designated heat wave?-C. w. T. III
A. A period of abnormally high tempera-
lures lasting more than day or so is termed
heat wave. according to the WeatheI
Bureau The intensity Of heat necessary for
it to be regarded as heat wave varies, Of
course. with the locality. for q spell Of
weather which weuld be considered un@a
usually hot In one place might be normal forI
another In . more equatorward latitudes1
Furthermore. the relative moisture content
plays an important part in determining thel
intensity Of heat wave. In many instances
it is the excessively high humidity rather
than the temperature which makes tho
weather SO uncomfortable. ~
Evening star., 1949-08-25

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
writer, although 1t is permissible for
a wrtter knoUn to The Star to use
a nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
This and That
By Charles E. TracewsH
~SSS
BETHESDA.

Dear Sir: . .as osn So .a4ts.s
NJ ~ am 4 boy 3 years old. My parents re-
Gently moved over here from Philadelphia.
and my mother reads your column to me
every night. I enjoy it very much; also my
little brother.
I'VE notice what you have to say about
hoptoads. We never saw any toads around
Philadelplaia. but we see them In our yard
every day. I often put them in fruit jars
for little while. but let them out again.
We have seen 80 many toads this summer
1t is hard to believe they are disappearing.
Sincerely. M. NJ"
Well. now, Mark! (And also your little
brother.)
Just because you have plenty Of ol' hop
toads over in Bethesda doesn't mean for
an instant that there are plenty Of them
elsewhere.
In the very same paragraph you said there
were none at all in Philadelphia.
II you come over here to Chevy Chase
you will not fir1d very many. either.
We have been looking for one for 20
years. but haven't seen even little bitty
one.
It all depends on where you are. we guess,
and how open you keep your eyes.
Not everybody likes toads, and certainly
not every one puts them in fruit jars! (But
that Is all right, 50 long as you let them
60 before the air is exhausted)
Our neighborhood specializes In dogs and
cats.
The latest addition is Tessy. . Brittany
spaniel.
This Is q rare sort. creamy colored, with
liver colored spots and ears. and blue eyes!
It's probably the only one In Washington.
and q beauty.
s~ aok Ia
The whines bit. but in ladylike fashion.
She loves to bathe and splash in big pan.
and likes to 90 for walk on leash.
And there is Boots.
seen dogs.
Nobody knows exactly what sort Of dog
Boots is.
He has big ears like a German shepherd
dog (often called q police dog, and the
body of q dachshund.
He likes to keep a sharp lookout in his
neighborhood.
And there is snuffy. He is . wire-haired
terrier, which once sported tinted toes and
resented 1t hugely.
Old Larry is sort Of tall countrylike dog.
probably part American foxhound.
He specializes In running. Larry has been
ANAAAAAAo "@SAAAA WAS AOAeAANoAA @oA AAA"AAJ
years.
We often have wondered how many miles
he makes day.
Probably at least 100 miles day, which
In 10 years, with few days out, ought to
count up to between $4,000 to half mil
lion miles In his lifetime.
And he Is stiil going strong.
Among the cats. there is Penny, who is
10 years old. and never was out In her life
until she was 8 years old.
Then. there Is Amber. small red fellow
who goes by such names as Ambidextrous,
Ambiguity and Ambitious.
There are Blackie, and Gray, brothers and
big Eeggy. sometimes called Lcky. who Is q
friend Of AH children. ,i.,
Sometimes children come to his door, ring
the ben and ask: Can Leggy come out to
play?" NJ s
Silver is big Persian up the block.
Smoky is another Persian, but he has
moved away. He still seems to belong to the
neighborhood, however.
We must not overlook Blossom, the pos
sum. Although she is not cat. dog nor
. hoptoad. she gets around Just the same
and ID often seen on the porch roof, sitting
pretty In the moonlight.
Do you know what she is doing there?
She Is looking for hoptoads!
a%a 2
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Remnant

Though cloud-sheep reach the tsotltglts
told, ~
Their pandertngs OF the day to cease, -,
SKI fences In the tDest still hold -,
Stray tufts OF fragile golden fleece.
MARGARET EVELYN SINGLETON.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Present Administration "Spree"
Compared With Harding's
sys~ the HH,tar ~ The Rtar.

The tragic lesson Of President warren q.
Harding who began to learn too late how
certain of his old and trusted friends had
betrayed him and the country was nothing
compared with the reckless spending spree
and selfish gain the present administration
is getting away with. The country inevitably
is headed for disaster unless our able legisla-
tors do something before too long.
Is r. M. STEVENS.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Has Faith in Practice
OF Democracy Plus Vigil>nce

In trying to interpret and uphold demo-
cratic principles and American ideals, many
Of our people have LOST their good Judgment.
hope that we never reach the point where
everything non on-American Is considered ui1-
American, and each well-meant criticism
u regarded as treachery.
Evening star., 1949-08-25

Discusses Dxiecrats rs Traitors
To Democratic Party
To the Editor Of The Star:
Consider the baneful influence of the
Dixiecrat States upon public policy in Amer
lea: On the crucial issues Of this Congress
it has been the representatives Of these
culturally backward States who have de-
serted their party and sabotaged the Fair
Deal program.
The Presidents first reorganization plan
was defeated in the Senate by an unholy
alliance led by Senators Mcclellan and Full
bright Of Arkansas, members Of the Presi-
dents own party. On the same day the
District home rule bill was tabled in the
House by little group Of willful men led
by Senator Harris Of Arkansas. Later. 1t
was Senator Richards Of South Carolina
who engineered the successful move to bisect
the military assistance program. Item after
item In the administrators legislative pro-
gram has been emasculated or whitfield
away by hostile coalitions which would have
been impossible without the cooperation OF
faithless Dixiecrats.
Republicans can justify their role in these
proceedings on the theory that 1t Is the duty
of the opposition to oppose and to embarrass
the administration in the hope Of returning
to power regardless Of the debilitating effect
of their tactics upon social efficiency and
the national economy.
But there is no moral justification Tor
the Dixiecrats betrayal Of their party and
it's platform pledges. Presumably the basic
sociological explanation Of their attitudes Is
to be found in the fact that the States and
districts they represent are essentially back
ward areas by any index Of social progress
The stream Of government can rise no
higher than its source.
Thus, from the standpoint OF the general
welfare. the net effect OF Dixiecrat influence
in Congress Is. like Gresham's law, to debase
the quality of the legislative product and
to impair the efficiency Of our National
legislature. HOWARD HORWHL.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Alliance With Reaction
Seen Looming Ahead
IA the Dditor Of The Star:

70 the Editor Of The Star:
In the last war. any one who was not
fascist was our friend, and 50 we collabo-
rated with the Bear.
In the next war, any one who Is not
Communist shall be our friend, and 30 we
shall grasp the bloody hand Of reaction?
". J.. DCzIER.
Evening star., 1949-08-25

1t is not my intention to advocate care
lessness On the contrary. we ought to
fortify and not relax our vigilance. But
let us apply common sense and intellectual
integrity in the fight for the preservation
of our democracy. Let us prove without
doubt that our form of government Is based
on freedom, justice and liberty; that our
government is able to stand on its democratic
merits. Above all-and that is my main con-
cern we must prevent fear and distrust
from spreading into the hearts of our citi-
zens.
Why do turn of the lights. close the
windows. pull down the shades, lock the
door. and plug the keyhole? Because, let
me whisper it into your ear, I am going to
play Tschaikovsky record Yet am still
worried. What about my next-door neigh
Dor? Can my listening to russian music
II won't spell russian with a capital r. for
it may be held against me) possibly upset his
patriotic conscience? How in this world could
I ever think Of taking such q chance?
To be serious again, let me affirm my
faith in democracy. Yes, to me it is faith
that can Withstand any attack. If we live
and practice democracy, and If we maintain
a sensible vigilance, no hostile theology ever
will be able to harm us. However, let us
never forget that Thomas Jefferson re-
garded reason and free inquiry as the only
efectual agents against error, and he con-
sidered difference Of opinion as advan-
tageous. AN AMERICAN,
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Differs With Criticism
OF Eugene James Execution
Ia thu Hditnr af The 4tar.

Differs With Criticism
OF Eugene James Execution
To the Editor Of The Star:
have just read Eugene Williams letter
In your issue Of August 10. about the great
State Of Maryland. and the way Eugene
James was hung for the crime Of murder
two weeks ago.
AS Marylander. see no reason why q
killer should not 60 to his death for capital
crime he has committed.
wonder If Mr.. williams realizes the pain
and suffering James caused the little girl
he killed in Baltimore for no reason at all,
also the sorrow brought to her parents.
And wonder. too. II humane treatment
was thought Of by James during the act Of
killing the child While 1t was reported that
it took is minutes for him to die on the
gallows and to ease his pain jail physician
gave him morphine. no one gave the little
girl anything to ease her pain and her body
was not found for several hours after her
murder.
doubt that there is q case more brutal
than this on Maryland's record.
Let's keep the great free State Of Mary
lands old wooden sallows In operation ~
long as 1t is needed.
EDWARD J. wuNDER.
Evening star., 1949-08-25
Questions and Answers
By Gould Lincoln

reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact By .writins The Evening star, Washinguon.
inston 2. D. c. Please inclose 8 cents for return