davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-01-26

that 1t wants no decisions taken which
might affect 1t adversely.
The potential benefits, however, are so
great that 1t is to be hoped an agreement
can be arrived at without too much delay.
1t is estimated that another 100000 could
by added to Egypt's present 100000 acres
of arabic land, while even greater increases
could be possible in the Sudan. And those
various dams would, in the aggregate, pro-
vide an immense volume of hydroelectric
power. The sums required, large though
they are, would thus be a profitable invest
ment for all concerned.
Evening star., 1949-01-26

Nete: This Is the third Of ave articles to appear
ei.i ssraitien sritns % Il. ss'ter q n. ss.r
Of the articles in pamphlet formJ
A real danger in the Districts impending
money crisis is that Congress will take the
easy way out end simply raise the real estat'
tax rate.
This has been the pattern established in tn,
two most recent fiscal crises-the late '30s an
last year
In each instance Congress became the battl'
ground between sales and income tax advo-
Gates, who ended by passing grossly discrimi-
natory income levy and kicking the real estate
rate little higher.
Both Budget Onicer Walter L. Fowler ant
Assessor Edward A. Dent are convinced that
any further increase in property taxes would
hasten the decentralization Of high-value
downtown business to the lower tax havens OF
the nearby counties.
Thus, far from adding to District income, Il
realty rate boost might we'll lead to . cola pse
of the firm property tax base upon which the
whole revenue structure is mounted.
The key to this situation is wrapped up in
Washingtons nonextensible boundaries and
the progressive removal from taxation of land
acquired by the Government.
Here is the picture:
The boundaries Of the District are fxed in
the Constitution. Therefore the city may
not. as many others have done, extend its
limits to include choice taxable suburbs.
At the same time the Federal Government
has been acquiring more and more land for
Federal purposes as it expands This land
mostly in the high-value area, is thus with
drawn from local taxation and the value OF
the remaining acreage increased.
Today less than half of the land area here
10 taxable. The percentage is 4S7.
OF the nontaxable acreage, 422 per cent is
Federal property, 34 is city government prop
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Hornessinq the Nile

In these days of gigantic developmental
projects aiming to improve the condition
of large areas of the world, none is more
interesting or potentially more important
than the negotiations which have been
going on for more than year concerning
the Nile.
One of the longest river systems in the
world, stretching from It's mouth on the
Mediterra nean to its respective sources In
Central Africa below the Equator and the
highlands of Abyssinia, or Ethiopia, the
Nile is uniquely responsible for the fertility
of Egypt and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
without the Niles giving waters, both
regions would be absolute deserts.
As is well known, the river, as it passes
through the Sudan and Egypt, is the
product of It's two main confiuents-the
White and the Blue Nile. The White Nile
has its source in Lake Victoria, huge
natural reservoir of water almost as large
as our own Lake Superior. Fed by an
abundant and constant tropical rainfall,
the White Nile varies little in its average
volume and is the constant factor In the
rivers flow The Blue Nile, on the con-
trary, Is highly variable. The rainfall In
the Abyssinian highlands, though heavy,
is confined to about three months in the
year. This causes the annual Nile floods,
surcharged with Abyssinian silt which per-
enially fertilizes the arabic lands of Egypt
and the Sudan. Those floods, however,
vary notably from year to year, bringing
Egypt alternate seasons of drought or
excess of water. Nearly half a century
ago, those worst variables were minimized
for Egypt itself by great dam and storage
basin at Aswan, in Upper Egypt. But this
did not touch the needs of the Sudan.
Neither did 1t provide for a long-range
increase In the total water supply which
would provide much more water for irriga-
ton in both countries.
Solution OF this large problem requires
q whole series of dams and catch-basins,
all the way from Lake Victoria to Lake
Tana, the Abyssinian source of the Blue
Nile. Those combined projects would cost
at least $500,000,000 and would require
Joint action by the Governments of Egypt,
the Sudan, Abyssinia, Uganda, Kenya,
Tanganyika and the Belgian Congo. 1t Is
thus obviously an international matter.
The chief difficulty in obtaining an
agreement on the problem is political.
There is first of all the long standing con-
troversy between Egypt and Britain over
the Anglo Egyptian Sudan, which Egypt
claims is rightfully hers but which Britain
disputes. Over and above this is the
question Of the makeup and authority Of
the international control board which
would regulate the entire project. The
Egyptian government feels that it should
have representation SUFFICIENT to balance
the combined membership of the tropical
participants, three of which are British
colonies or u N trusteeships, while the
Belgian Congo would be apt to take the
British point Of view. British influence has
likewise been strong in Abyssinia (Ethi-
opia) since its liberation from italy. Egypt
u 20 vitality dependent upon the Nile water
Evening star., 1949-01-26
DR.. Peter Marshall

Living and working in Washington only
eleven years, the Reverend DR.. Peter
Marshall nevertheless has left his mark
upon the whole city. He was a man of q
contagious spirit, eager and alert, quick to
see opportunities of service and to meet
their challenge. Within q few months
after coming here he had made himself
an influence throughout the entire COM
munity. Wherever he went, whatever he
did, the result of his presence was con-
structive. In classic language, he was q
builder of the Kingdom of God on this
earth
Perhaps one explanation of DR.. Mar
shall's power might be found in the fact
that he was son of the people and kept
his touch with them even when he had
risen to high station. Born and reared
against bleak and uncongenial back
ground, he earned his bread as a laborer
in his youth. His formal education was
limited to mechanical and mining COL
lege at Coatbridge in Scotland and the
Columbia Seminary at Decatur in Georgia.
Most of his scholarly achievement he owed
to his own inquiring mind The magic of
shared with Burns and Carlyle, Hugh Miller
and John Buchan. But he was a great
preacher because of an inner genius,
force of faith which demanded expression
in human ministry.
His decade at 'the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church was period of prog
resS which soon will find fulfillment in
new religious center on the site long ago
hallowed by the presence of Abraham
Lincoln. DR.. Marshall will not see the
building program finished, but his associa-
tion with its start will be an asset always
He is certain of remembrance, too, at the
Capitol Able interpreters of the Word
preceded him in the chaplaincy of the
Senate, and he contributed notably to the
tradition which they established. His final
prayer for government above party and
personality, beyond time and circumstance
for the good of America and the peace of
the world" was masterful utterance
which well may be regarded as his testa-
ment to the country he adopted and dearly
loved
Evening star., 1949-01-26

withdrawal. Thus, by last September, the
genuinely free labor groups had found 1t
so difficult to cooperate with the Red
dominated members that Arthur Deakin,
president of both the British TUG and the
WFTU, openly branded the latter as q
Communist-controlled instrument to stir
up trouble throughout the world In the
circumstances, now that It's eyes have been
fully opened, 1t is not surprising that the
CIO is pulling out. AS the AFL might say,
better late than never.
Evening star., 1949-01-26
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.


Q. When President Truman referred to the
sOth CONGRESS as next to the worst in United
States history, which one did he have in mind
as the worst?-D A. x.
A. The worst Congress in history in the
opinion Of President Truman was the Con-
gress following the Civil War. This was the
seth Congress, which lasted from 1865 to 1867.
@. Is there available a map of the District
Of Columbia showing the locations Of Indian
settlements within the area?-H. L. NJ
A. A detailed map is included in the book
District of Columbia adapted by Elizabeth
w. Rounds from data furnished by Neil NJ.
Judd of the United States National Museum.
1t is available from the Cleveland Park Com
munity Library Committee John Eaton School.
Washington 8, D. c.
@. What is the thread used by surgeons for
closing incisions made OFFS. I. r.
A. Surgeons have about 500 varieties of surgi-
cal threads or sutures to choose FROM made of
such divers materials as linen, cotton, silk,
horsehair, tantalum and stainless steel. Threads
are either absorbable or nonabsorbable. 1t Ia
estimated that about $4,000 miles of threads
are used annually.
@. After letter has been placed in a mail
box, is there penalty for removing it?-T 2.
A. The Post Office Department says that
after letter S placed IN q United States
mailbox there Is penalty against any person
removing the letter and preventing it from
being mailed. This is q criminal offense and
the person found guilty may be fined or i'm.
prisoned.
@. Where did the practice of observing wed.
ding anniversaries originate?-v. NJ E.
A. The custom originated in Central Eu-
rope. As far back as the Middle Ages Ger
man wife was presented with silver wreath
after having lived for rs years with her hus-
band and with gold wreath after so years
of married life.
@. What causes steam to rise from a stream
in the early morning?-L. T. N.
A. The United States Weather Bureau says:
"On cool mornings the cold air near the
ground flowing over a relatively warm stream
Is cold enough to condense some of the water
vapor which has evaporated from the stream.
This condensed water vapor directly over the
stream has the appearance of what is popular.
ly referred to as steam"
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Different funishments.

To The Editor Of The Star:
Must We Americans continue to be made
fools Of? Must We put up with traitors, Nasis,
Communists? Last week in New York .
traitor to our beloved country and our Stars
and Stripes was given = measly 25-year SEN
tence. Was that justice? No, I say, and 20
do thousands Of other Americans. Yet
woman kills her husband in Germany and is
tried by the American Military Court and
she gets 40 years. That traitor killed or was
instrumental IN killing lot more than one
man. AN RATE AMERICAN.
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Stars, Men and Atoms
Cosmic Particles Found
Shot Off Sun Into Space
Scientists Present New Thesis
on Solar Flare Increases
By Thomas r. Henry

By Thomas X. Henry
Through long, narrow tunnels In the mag.
netic field of the sun, streams of cosmic par.
ticles are shot into space like water from a
hreman's hose
They are propelled by forces of billions Of
volts and add for hours at time to the
earth's constant bombardment by cosmtc
radiation
This thesis is presented by DR.. g. E. For.
bush Of the terrestrial magnetism department
OF the Carnegie Institution of WASHINGTON,
M. 3. Vallarta of the University of Mexico and
p. s. Gill Of the Bombay Institute Of Funda.
mental Research
Increase ut Intervals.
1t has been observed lately that there some
times Is very marked increase in cosmic
rays at the time Of the so-called solar flares
These streams Of particles, sprayed into space
from the suns surface which reach the earth s
upper atmosphere, interfere seriously with
radio transmission and cause auroral displays.
The flare streams, however, in themselves have
Tar from the enormous energies which char
acterize even the weakest Of cosmic rays
1t now generally is accepted that most
cosmc radiation comes from outer space, far
beyond the solar system. It is as abundant by
night as day and constitutes for the universe
As whole the greatest part of all radiatior
with the possible exception of visible light
Physicists have had difhculty concerning any
mechanism on the sun capable of producing
streams of such energy as to enter this
category.
Some months ago an acceptable theory was
advanced for the production of such streams
OF particles in the suns interior by sort of
supercyclotron mechanism. This left unan.
sWered. however, the even more diffcult prob.
lem as to how they were able to escape through
the enormous resistance of the solar MAGNETIC
neld
Produce Open Channel
This was the question the three physicists
set out to answer. 1t was found, Dr. Forbush
said, that under exceptional circumstances the
effects of two sunspots-titanic whirlpools In
the suns atmosphere of hot gas-are such as to
produce a magnetically open channel through,
which the streams pour with no resistance
Such channel usually Is long and narrow
One seldom would remain open more than Q
day at 4 time.
Because of this hose mechanism, DR.,
Forbush pointed out, the sudden spurts of
cosmic radiation due to streams shot from the
sun could be detected only at certain points
on earth, all north or south of the magnetic
equator, and always would be coming in from
one direction. Cosmc radiation in general
seems to be coming from the whole sky
The conclusion is strengthened, he said
by the fact that flares, themselves Of quite
recent occurrence seldom are accompanied BY
the cosmic radiation pulses which have proved
so puzzling. The role of the fare appears to
be that Of providing a supply of charged
particles which then can be accelerated to
ccsmic-ray intensities if the conditions at the
moment are exactly right
Evening star., 1949-01-26
British in Palestine.

TO th6 EDITOR OF The Star:
In the January "a issue Of The Star Herbert
v. Holland said, in q round -about fashion, that
the British are to be complimented for their
present stand in the Palestine affair. The
reason he gave for this was that 4 number of
years ago the British chased the Turks from
the Holy Land. If this reason is to be con-
sidered logical, then we should be the best of
chuns with Russia because We were allies in the
last war Also, If these two reasons are logical
then we should be enemies with Britain because
they attacked us In 1872. JERE B. STERN
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Substitute for Taft.Hartlev A,

Substitute for Taft.Hartley Act.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Now that the President and some of the
legislators propose to repeal the Taft-Hartley
Act, what do they propose to substitute that
will fully protect the public interest? hope
they will ponder over this question before thev
rush through any hasty, nl-advised action.
SAMUEL r. BAUER,
Evening star., 1949-01-26

erty and 81 per cent is private exempt land
used for church. educational, benevolent or
diplomatic purposes.
Examination of the chart will show the steady
trend Of Federal acquisition during the past
decade or so while the other exempt categories
rave increased only slightly.
The complaint OF District officials is not that
he Federal Government has taken this land.
This is the National Capital, and where else
should the Government establish? The COM
)laint Is that having taken this land for per-
fectly valid purposes and withdrawing it from
local taxation. injury is heaped on injury by
boosting taxes on the decreasing remainder to
make up for what was taken.
This situation, plus the legal requirement
that property here be assessed at full value, has
resulted in the anomaly of the nonindustrial
taxable half of Washington being valued for
tax purposes at more than almost the whole Of
teeming, industrial Baltimore!
Here 1877 per cent of the city is valued this
year at 1884 .242.065. All taxable Baltimore
Fhis year is valued at 81 l,39e $50, 900.
Nor is the flight of business to the suburbs
imaginary. Already major stores have acquired
or have planned nearby branches A survey
made by Mr.. Dent Of comparable properties in
the District and nearby revealed that in most
cases the real estate tax paid here was higher
than that in the adjacent counties of Maryland
and Virginia
In one instance chain store here was found
located on ground valued at $50 . square foot.
A store owned by the same chain was located
In Maryland on land valued at IS = square foot
Although the real estate tax OF the District
store was much higher. the gross business done
by the Maryland branch was considerably more
Mr.. Dent reported
Downtown properties here, on less than per
cent of the land area, make up more than 20
per cent of the realty tax income to the CITY,
II and when they 60, the District financial
stability will 20 with them.
Evening star., 1949-01-26

halls to stem the onrushing tide, to halt the
foolish waste of our resources in an effort to
combat socialism abroad while bringing 1t into
being in our own land.
1t may indeed be later than we think"
VERA G. WOLGAMOT.
Evening star., 1949-01-26

President at last In his own right, and
with all this spending dough, there is that
something about the man of the people
that recalls the oldfashioned reporter on
an expense account.
Evening star., 1949-01-26

The new austerity crops up in an answers
column, with the anxious inquirer asking
How do 1 clean diamonds?" instead of
throwing them away.
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
Bureau, 3l6 Eye st. NE. washington :, D. c.
Please enclose three CD cents for return postage
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Letters to. The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
'or'ter. although it Is permissible for
,pr'ter kno1on to The Star to use
a nom de plume. Please be brief
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Welfare State Equals Socializin&.

To the Editor Of The Star:
obtained from visitor today copy of the
Sunday. January ., edition Of your paper, and
found therein an editorial entitled "A Budget
for the Cold War" In two places the editorial
ist refers to an assumption that the American
people want q social welfare state, which in
palmer language means socialism. It is diff
hcut indeed to believe that Americans really
want such state. 1t Is evident to all that We
are being rapidly pushed into 1t.
America is the greatest nation on earth and
the Constitution of the United States is un-
questionably the most exemplary governing
document in existence today.
Socialization has no place in our beloved
America, and the Constitution being every
Americans birthright, no man or group OF men
should be granted the power to sell that BIRTH
right for mess Of pottage. whether called
social welfare, social welfare state, or the
more oninous name Of socialization.
It Is to be hoped that there are enough truly
Ansricaa men and women IN our legislative
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Bad Taste at Inaugural Ball.

To the Editor Of The Star:
was so disillusioned by televiewing the In
augural Ball that am writing this letter with
the hope that some one will take up the cause
for etiquette in our Capital. No one in this
democracy should be too poor to learn good
taste, and no one should be 50 poorly educated
that he does not have good manners.
What has happened to the propriety and
dignity Of the foremost social function in
these United States? When the First Lady
Of our land seated herself in the Presidential
balcony, the first entertainment presented to
her at the Inaugural Ball was q sensuous,
wriggling bit Of humanity. I am not narrow
minded and that performance would be all
right in the proper place. a night club 1t was
such bad taste at q white-tie ball And the
guests who Uttered! Ugh
will make q side comment here: 1 saw
many civilian men standing with hats on all
through the playing of the National Anthem
at the Inaugural Parade and very few re-
moved their hats at the passing of the Colors
bouquet to the managers of the Inaugural
Parade. 1t was wonderful The police and
the soldiers did . fine Job.
A. CITIZEN
Evening star., 1949-01-26
Mr.. Truman's Place Amons President

Mr.. Truman's Place Among Presidents
To the Editor Of The Star:
I give up-whats the answer? Is Harry
Truman the SD or SD President Of these
United States?
In your special Inaugural Edition, you ran
several Advertisements, only one of which paid
tribute to the 33d President This was
from Q store that did not claim to be a resi-
dent Of this fair city since the time of dirt
streets and hitching posts. 1t didn't even boast
Of an adding machine.
To add mystery to the situation, your beauti-
full gravure section stated in bold type: Harry
3. Truman, 32d President OF the United States
=" etc
'Smatter, kid. run out of fingers?
The way I see 1t, and had to take of my
shoes for this, Mr. Truman is number SO, pro-
videdr you consider Grover Cleveland's second
term to be = separate presidency, since he
was not elected in succession.
'Tis = small error to be sure. But great
papers shouldn't make small errors Right?
MYSTIFIED MORON.
Editors note: Mr.. Truman is the 32d man
to become President. Those who contend that
he is the 33d President, by counting Mr.. Cleve-
land as two Presidents. are not in error. Ade-
quate authority can be cited in support of
either side. Of this recurrent controversy
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1949-08-10
Ihe TheOCrat

the available, state papers and
records of his presidential pre-
decessors, Hoover entered up
on his presidential duties and
responsibilities ON March A,
1929.
His record was clear on these
points, all of which are in the
best American tradition: in
variable adherence to high
principles, sensitive under
standing and sympathy with
social problems, a fixed habit
of using voluntary agreements
rather than coercive laws to
create a better social and econ
omic order. He had executive
ability of a high order. His
spiritual and moral qualities
were above question. But there
was some doubt whether or not
he would be able to match wits
and strategy with that group
of men with whom he would
have to deal who were actively
engaged in politics as manag-
ed by political parties, namely,
professional politicians. He had
demonstrated clearly over and
over again that he was an ex-
cellent politician in that he
was versed in the science of po-
litical administration, that is,
a stateman.
He was not politician in
the secondary, baser definition
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1949-08-10

increased buying, and the
wheels of production started
so rapidly that within six
months our employment prob
lem had disappeared, whereas
that of foreign nations was met
by dOles and continued fail
ures.
2: The Presidency 1929-1933
By the time he became Presi-
dent, Hoover knew that the
real source of Americas un-
matched wealth came from the
beliefs, qualities and coopera-
tive action of free men. Without
these beliefs, qualities and CO.
operative action America could
or would have been another
China, Africa, South America
or Russia. If this be true then
it follows that America then
and today represents the best
and the worst of every nation,
because our stock comes from
every nation. Fortunately, for
the point of view of men and
women of good will and good
purpose, the best of every ma
ton has been in. the ascendancy
most Of the time n America.
With this background sharp
ened and clarified with world
wide experience, and the clear
cut understanding he had gain
ed for his duties and respensi-
bilities by his careful study of
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1949-08-10

of the word, therefore he had
to rely upon his character and
craftsmanship qualities to gain
what support he could from
both old guard and radical he
publican groups.
President Hoover's efforts to
meet and solve the repeated
shocks of the worldwide fore
Continued on page 81