davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-11-29
CoIombiu's One-Sided Election

Under normal circumstances, the cast
ing of large majority OF the votes IN an
election for a particular candidate in
dicates the popular will expressed in dem
ocratic fashion. That was not true OF last
Sundays presidential election in Colombia,
because only the Conservatives did the
voting. Their opponents, the Liberals,
ostentatiously boycotted the polls, having
Withdrawn their candidate and declared
in advance that they considered the elec-
ton illegal because Of the conditions under
which it would be held. The outcome was,
of course, the election Of the Conservative
candidate, Laureano Gomez, by default,
for four-year term. But his prospects for
q peaceful tenure of Office are not bright.
For the past two years, Colombia has
been gripped by an increasingly bitter
political feud between its rival parties.
The Conservatives had the presidency, but
successive elections for Congress and the
state legislatures had given the Liberals
control of those legislative bodies. When
another presidential election loomed in the
offing, partisan rancor on both sides hared
in the shape of widespread riots, killings,
and other disorders. Ostensibly to main
tain order during this crucial period, the
Conservative government proclaimed what
is known as a "state of SIEGE" modified
form of martial law. The Liberal majority
in Congress had already declared its in
tention of impeaching President Perez for
alleged misuse of the police and troops
for partisan purposes. The Liberal Party
as a whole now denounced the state of
siege as invalidating an election held under
what is termed a yelled military dictator
ship.
Liberal rancor was intensified by the
personality of the Conservative candidate,
Laureano Gomez. For years he has been
the acknowledged boss of his party and
is hated by his political opponents for his
policies. Accused by the Liberals Of COM
plicity In the assassination of their leader,
Jorge Gaitan, which touchedoh the bloody
riots in Bogota, the capital, In April, 1948,
Gomez left the country and went to Spain
where he hobnobbed with Generalissimo
Franco. He returned to Colombia last June
and got the party nomination for the
presidency. In Liberal eyes, that was q
defiance and warning that his alleged
totalitarian ideas would be applied under
a Conservative administration. This
doubtless accounts in part for the bitter
ness and violence that developed during
the campaign.
It is difficult to foresee just what will
happen. The government seems to be in
effective control OF the situation, especially
In Bogota, where they have nearly 10000
troops besides police forces But this
does not necessarily imply similar control
over the provinces. Colombia is geograph-
ically divided into several distinct areas
sundered by lofty mountain ranges with
dificult communication. Local revolts
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Rebukes Impatience Of People
Who Want Progress in q Hurry

Who Want Progress in Hurry
70 the Editor OF The Star:
notice from your Letters to the Editor"
a campaign is being conducted by students
of Cardozo School to call public attention
to their crowded conditions.
It is too bad that overcrowded conditions
exist, but they are bound to occur period
ically. My daughter had these same con-
ditions in Mckinley High School, having
to share lockers, etc. But did anyone COM
plain publicly to gain sympathy then? No,
we were broadnlinded enough to accept the
conditions until such time as the situation
could be relieved.
Today there are too many people out for
publicity playing the part of martyrs. For
instance: Shouting names at one another
by children has been the custom down
through the ages. No one brooded over it. If
they did, parents belittled and ignored the
childish incidents. Children fight, and in
order to get the last word, use insulting
language. This happens the world over among
all children, regardless Of race or color. Yet
today. they like to make issues of it, to the
extent that they get their names and pic
lures in, the papers. What immature minds
some people develop!
Conditions will improve, but slowly. One
cannot expect the officials Of Washington
to keep pace with the rapid influx of all
kinds of people coming into Washington. AS
room is made for them. others must be
squeezed out and leave. This is taking
place. but it seems it is not fast enough for
some people. and they try to force the issue.
Impatience will help no one. With all the
new building going on outside of Washing
ton just now. there will be plenty of room
for all. There still are people who forget
that progress has taken our ancestors thou
sands of years. They demand theirs in
few hundred years. It just doesn't work.
that way or we would all be rich and good
looking PARENT.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

between-the-lines confidence that they
are likely to lead to decidedly fruitful re-
suits. Which is another way of saying
that they promise to pay, ultimately, rich
and perhaps sensational dividends in terms
of our military and economic well-being.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Mr.. Mellett Said to See
People in . Distorted Glass

To the Editor Of The Star: -r->
To Lowell Mellett. people who differ with
him appear ridiculous. think this must
be due to his own distorted mental focus
The mirror In which he sees others Is
comic mirror, and so Mr.. Mellett always Is
pointing out the ridiculous attitudes Of
others as he sees them.
For example, he recently presented strik-
ing proofs Of the ability and worthiness Of
Negroes and, as q consequence, sneered at
certain young Democrats who disapprove
Of an Act Of Congress designed to make
the Negroes equal to others. II they are
equal, which Mr.. Mellett and believe to
be fact. Federal statute to make them
80 is ridiculous. s
The principal lesson to be learned by Mr..
Mellett's articles Is that II you look at other
people through distorted glasses. they ap-
pear to be quite absurd. DON BLACHLY.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Wants Comparative Data
On Different Modes of Travel

To the Editor Of The Star:
I have just been reading the editorial,
airline Safety Record" and certainly find 1t
Instructive have several friends who con-
denim all air travel. In fact that seems to be
the attitude of nearly all people with whom l
talk during these 'parlous times
Now would appreciate the favor II you
would write an article comparing air travel
with train and auto travel and SO inform
your readers of how all these various modes
of travel compare as to safety. etc. Possibly
the editor of your "Questions and Answers"
column could try to solve this problem.
I am sure your readers would be delighted
to get such information. Travel today has
become such universal problem that nearly
all people are interested in its solution.
GEORGE r. LAIRD.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

Young Reader of Science Articles
Commends Three Writers
To the Editor Of The Star:
I would like to tell you that think your
scientific articles are very good. Kindly
tell Thomas R. Henry that like the way
he writes them. Couldn't you print more
of them?
I also like MIR. Tracewells column This
and That"
I have read a lot of scientific articles and
I know of two scientific writer's who are
extremely good-Mr. Henry and j. j. O'Neil
of the New York Herald Tribune.
I am eight years old.
E. WAYLES BROWNE, III.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Driter, although it is permissible for
a Writer known to The Star to use
a nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Inquiries About Price
OF Coffee At Retail

On page A-19 OF Sundays Star, an As
sociated Press story tells Of how the entire
Guatemalan private coffee crop of 60,0o0,-
600 pounds of coffee was bought for we'll
known United States brands, at price OF 80
cents pound.
Why does the same coffee at retail, IN the
United States, sell for 80 cents pound?
TED BULLOCKUS.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

Wary Washington doesn't warm to Wish
inskys offer of periodic inspection of
atomic operations In the U. s. s. r., as
inspection" in the Russian sense probably
means mo admittance."
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Advocates Constant Use
OF Golden Rule

70 the Editor Of The Star:
The golden rule standard Of our country
Is more important than the gold standard.
Gold is only worth $35 an ounce, but the
golden rule Is worth more than all the money
In the world. Let us constantly use 1t, and
our Nation will prosper. HENRY KOST.
Liberty. n. z.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

Western Europe, or Eastern Europe or any
where that the issue Of democracy versus
communism hangs in the balance. We can
not afford to provide Stain with this new
weapon against ourselves
I believe that Mr.. Brown is not giving a
true picture of Franco Spain-in fact he is
leading The Star readers to believe that the
United States Government should betray the
principles upon which it was founded
REV. H. S. SOUTHGATE.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Suggests Program of Reforms
To Relieve Burden Of Federal Debt

To Relieve Burden Of Federal Debt
To the Editor Of The Star:
In 1776 our country experienced the agony
Of bloody revolution. partly because of an
insufferable tax burden.
Why, 173 years later, must we have q
burden Of taxes forcing us to work 81 days
year for the Government. with every prospect
that the burden will grow and grow?
If we love the great America we have
known. all Of us should unite to resist the
vast Federal colossus that is encroaching
upon us from every direction.
An effective method Of resistance would
be to: a~s.e4 +s-,s .s.ss -
/. Enact constitutional amendment limit
ing Federal taxes to fixed percentage Of
individual and corporate income, as well as a
certain percentage Of the national income.
2. Make the President, the cabinet, the
Congress and all Federal administrative
personnel financially responsible for the
balancing Of the budget, up to 500 Of their
incomes.
3. Increase our security by strengthening
our military establishment. Let's not dissi-
pate our resources in a doubtful effort to buy
the friendship Of the rest Of the world. At
tempting to purchase friendship is far too
costly. H. r.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

@. Is alfalfa an ancient crop?-R. L. C..
A. Alfalfa is older than the Christian era.
A native of the Eastern Mediterranean re-
gion, it was introduced into Italy in the first
century A. d. The word alfalfa means "best
fodder in Arabic.
@. Is the opus number OF musical work
based on the date of its composition or the
date Of its publication?-M w. B.
A. There appears to be no uniformity, but
opus numbers are usually applied in the
order of publication rather than Of compost
ton. One Of the first composers to use opus
numbers was Biango Marini Cop. l, 161D.
Bach did not number his compositions and
Haydn's and Mozart's workS are numbered
haphazardly. Beethoven was the first to use
numbers with some consistency.
@. Why do modern art galleries have no
windows?-H NICK.
A. Daylight is variable. changing in quality
and intensity according to the weather and.
from minute to minute, according to the adj
vance of the sun. Oil paintings. because Of
their high lights and tones can De seen to
advantage only under a steady light and an
artificial light alone can be made steady. In
asmuch as artificial light must be used any.
way, there is no occasion for windows.
O. Who first used shorthand?-L. T. E.
A. The origin is clouded In mystery. No
authentic record exists establishing Its prac-
tical use much before the first century B. 6.
From that period until about A. D. 300 the
art hourished throughout the Roman Empire.
Church dignitaries who used shorthand were
st. Augustine, Origen, st. Jerome. All the
Roman emperors employed shorthand secre-
taries. Several emperors attempted to learn
it. For centuries the art Of shorthand fell into
disuse. Modern shorthand dates from 1888,
when Dr.. Timothy Bright produced sys-
tenn to which he gave the title. Characterize.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question
Of fact BY writing The Evening Stsr Information
Bureau 316 Eye st. H., Washington Q, .. C..
Please incioss three t3I cents for return postage
Evening star., 1949-11-29

Federal Employees Criticized for Working
Only Four Days = Week
To the Editor Of The Star:
From your editorial, Ceiling Pay In
equity of November "a, it looks like you
have joined Harry S. and his crowd.
Just before Congress adjourned it raised
Federal salaries about one-half billion a
year. while at the same time saying there
was no place to cut expenses in an effort
to balance the budget. In few instances,
perhaps, there should have been raises.
Cabinet officers. undersecretaries. presi-
Dental assistants and advisers and numer-
GUS others we're raised several thousand dol
lars each, and provision made for raises
Of other top-level assistants to as high as
$4,000, instead Of the then top Of $10,330.
Now In some dozen or SO, perhaps as many
as up to 80 bureaus and commissions, there
are positions where such raise might be
warranted with the right men on the job,
Of one to three per bureau. in all, perhaps,
100 or so. Congress was very liberal In
limiting the number to 400, though with
out any limit the spenders probably within a
year would have had the number to 1000
or more. You think 400 too few.
It's certainly difficult to understand your
attitude. Yours is quite an institution, re-
quiring brains. but I doubt that you have
an employe making $4,000 year. Gov
ernment clerks are now the highest paid
white collar group in the world. even con-
siderably above the railroads. And Federal
workers get Saturdays and Sundays of.
eight holidays. 26 workdays' paid vacation.
Is sick leave. and with hours of for pa
rades, inaugurations, hot afternoons. etc..
they actually average four days week.
Now they want another holiday, June IA.
Flag Day, for patriotic purposes. etc. What
Is the near Fourth Of July holiday for, fire.,
crackers? Nuts! DAILY READER.
Evening star., 1949-11-29

are thus always possible, especially when
conditions are so disturbed and so many
arms are in civilian hands. The outlook is
thus extremely cloudy.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. Is it correct for woman to wear her
engagement and wedding rings on the right
hand instead of the left to indicate that she
is widowed or divorced?-J. L. A.
A. A woman may do so If she wishes.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Admirer Of DR.. Arias Defends
His Right to Be President of Panama

To the Editor Of The Star:
It is regrettable that diplomatic relations
have been severed with Panama on the as
sumption that Arnulfo Arias is the new
President.
DR.. Arias was constitutionally elected by
the majority of the citizens Of Panama, as
any fair-minded foreign diplomat accredited
to Panama City Immediately would recognize.
BY fraudulent means he was deprived Of as
Stunning the power which he rightfully de-
served something which in itself constitutes
q formidable blow to the most elementary
principles Of democracy and q rebuke to the
Western Hemisphere standards Of solidarity
and stability.
How unthinkable Of any Latin American
country to discontinue diplomatic relations
with the United States just because it did
not like the new President!
Apparently the accusations by irresponsi-
BILE Panamanian politicians labelling DR.. Arias
as a Nazi, Fascist etc.. have been taken
seriously in official circles in Washington.
Nothing is further from the truth The
new President, firm believer In human
dignity, is also firm believer in cooperation
and bilateral agreements among nations.
AS such, he will not only live up to his inter-
national obligations but he will be an asset
to the whole inter-American system.
AS for Panamanians, we have more won
derful reason to be glad about the inaugura-
ton of DR.. Arnulfo Arias for 1t means the
beginning of q new area Of progress and
decency and tremendous blow to corrosive
communism MIGUEL A. CORRO.
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Quotes One Columnist Against Another
On Franco Spain
To the Editor of The Star:

Quotes One Columnist Against Another
On Franco Spain
To the Editor Of The Star:
Constantine Brown. Star columnist, seems
determined to champion the cause Of Franco
SPAIN In his column Of November 23, he
says that the Franco government does not
molest Protestants and intimates that all
the difficulty Protestants have experienced
is the result of Communist activities before
Franco took over
But Lowell Melett. also Star columnist.
on May Il, stated: 1.-THE words Of the
Omitted Nations) resolution are as true
as when they were written. four years
ago: in origin, nature, strlc-
ture and general conduct. the Franco
regime is a Fascist regime, patterned on and
established largely as result OF aid re-
ceived from HitlerS Maxi Germany and Mus
solinis Fascist Italy AL evidence In pos
session Of our Government indicates that.
the social ostracism attempted by the United
Nations has not changed the Franco regime.
The brutal despotism fastened on the people
when his army, supported by Italian and
German air power, destroyed the democratic
ally elected government Of Spain, still re-
MAINS -. But ending Frances troubles
would be the beginning Of . new set Of
troubles for ourselves. We are out to con-
vince the world Of the sincerity OF our belief
in democracy. Of our opposition TO auto
cratic oppression everywhere. It Is necessary
that we succeed In this effort II revolutionary
chaos is to be avoided. 80. Nations. like
people, are apt to be judged BY the company
they keep. We cannot, In the company OF
Franco. successfully approach the people OF
Evening star., 1949-11-29
Urges That Federal and State Laws
Be Taught Properly

Urges That Federal and State Laws
Be Taught Properly
To the Editor Of The Star:
Can anyone tell me why our Federal and
State laws are not taught, properly. in our
schools, or presented in booklet form to
every American citizens? AS things stand,
they are brought to our attention only when
we have fallen victims to some Of them or
chance to read of other peoples unhappy
experiences played up in sensational news
papers.
Il How many readers know. for example,
that 1t is Federal offense to mail wet
batteries, embarrassing" cards. lottery in
formation. or even newspaper containing
such information. or photograph or other
work Of art which certain religious faiths
might deem "obscene?"
Our American citizens are not ornniscient,
and until all our laws are taught sanely
and properly as they should be taught, and
not by severe example and experience, ignor-
ance Of the law does excuse.
Every penny exacted in fines. every SEN
tence imposed, Is violent indictment of
our present (and somewhat dubious) legal
set-up. Hidden-trap laws have no place
IN an America which prides itself on its
justice. humanitarianism, freedom and
morality
JOHN P. BEssOR.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-12-17
NAACP Readies-

Continued from Pcge One)
cial status of the national or
ganization stems from individual
memberships, branches were
urged to redouble their efforts
to increase the number of their
members and also sell NAACP
Christmas seals. The seals are
priced one-cent apiece. Ranches
receive so per cent Of the sales.
Charles S. Moorehead, 3O2 Elm
ST., New Britain, c., chairman
of the souvenir program COM
mittee said the proglam will go
to press in April. Each branch
is asked to secure 100 sponsors
at $3.50 each for the program.
Part of the funds thus collected
will help defIay the expenses OF
the convention, he said.
All the New England locals are
expected to send to convention
headquarters, AGA Massachusetts
Ave, Boston, Mrs Florence Lee
sueur, general chairman, the
names of eight persons each, who
will serve on subcommittee.
The next meeting Of the Re-
gional was announced to be held
in Worcester the second Sunday
in February.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-12-17
COMMUNITY CHURCH
John Hancock Hall

"Our Stake in Mental Health"
will be the subject of the address
by Albert Deutsch at the morn
ing service of the Community
Church Sunday, Dec. Is, at 10. Sc
A. M. Mr.. Deutsch became the
first daily welfare columnist in
the history of American journal
ism when he joined the staff of
PHI in l941. Since that time he
has been on the staff of the
New York Post, the N. Y. Star
and the Daily Compass. In 1945
ne gained nationwide recognition
Tor his expose of the breakdown
In the Veteran Administration.
This precipitated Congressional
investigation which resulted in
the appointment of Gen. Omar
Bradley and subsequent reforms.
Mr. Deutsch has been given the
Lasker Citation from the Ma
tlonal Committee for Mental
Hygiene and presentation from
the League for Mental Health
and many other awards. He. is
The author of several books ON
health and mental cases.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-12-17
GRANT A.M.E. CHURCH
1875 Vernon Street
Rev. L. E. Crumlin PASTOR

Plans are being formulated by
the church to distribute Christ
mas baskets to needy families.
This committee wifi appreciate
the aid of members and friends
III this endeavor to make Christ
mas happy one for the family.
All who are able to help this
worthy cause are requested to
get in touch with Mrs. Raynor,
HI 5-984O.
An inspiring sermon was de-
livered by the pastor last Sun
day morning. Miss Shirley Wooten
was soloist. Mrs. Effie Pearson
was guest speaker at the religious
service at $3.50 P. M. by the
Charlotte E. France Missionary
Society. The Mems Clubs musi-
cal featured the Emmanuel Tenn
pie Choir, William Weeks. Jr..
director; John Weeks, accom-
pianist, and Miss X. Taylor, solo,
Isl. Young Peoples meeting
Sundays at $50 P. M. EVENING
service, 1880 P. M. Prayer sery.
ice every Thursday evening.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-12-17

REV. c.. MILLER


thought as the root Of all. The
Bible says, "AS A MAN THINK
ETH SO is HE.p The years have
seen the ministry Of our people
steadily on the upswing not only
in the Methodist Church but in
all denominations.
How fortunate for all mankind
that Daniel A. Payne did not
despise the day Of small things.
He had but a smattering of learn
ing when he started teaching but
it was all he could get. This he
constantly added to. He had a
hungry mind and the persistence
to keep studying new subjects
without outside assistance until
he understood them. All his
life he was studious. Little trials
and discouragements could not
turn him around. He started
a school with only three pupils
in Charleston. His monthly in
come was only three dollars but
he kept pegging away until his
school became so popular that
it rocked slave-conscious Charles
ton, and the legislature passed
laws that put young Payne out
Of the teaching profession in
Charleston. One said of him,
"Payne has raised hell in Charles
ton"
When was Wilberforce born2
When Bishop Payne in 1868 pur-
chased the property at Wilber-
force? When he became the first
president? No, but when in:
Charleston he made up his mind
to have the superior knowledge
which explains the difference be-
tween slave and master. The
good bishop has given our race
the key to open the golden Door
of knowledge. It's up to us to
use that key.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-12-17
LETTERS TO THE GUARDIAN
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF
NAME

To the Editor of the Guardian:
Word has come to me that a
group of people interested in the
election Of Julian Steele to the
presidency of the Boston Branch
Of the N.A.A.C.P. together with
a complete slate of officers in
GLIDING the executive commit
tee, submitted a list of people
in nomination for election to the
executive committee Of the Bos-
ton Branch wherein my name
was included among those nom
inees. The inclusion Of my name
among these candidates was
without my consent or any au-
thorization on my part to any
one acting on behalf Of the Steele
slate. At no time was I identi-
fed with this group or interested
in the election Of Mr.. Steele as
president of the Boston Branch.
KATHERINE r. WATSON