davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-05-21

ing which. though far from perfect.
constitutes a promising effort TO bring
about a freer flow of information In the
world.
The session was psychologically blan-
keted on its opening in April by the signing
of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington
the day before. That epochal pact, nego-
tiated outside the U. ~. even though in
conformity with the Charter, was in a
sense an indication of the inability Of the
U. N. to assure world peace and security.
On the other hand, the Assembly probably
gained prestige by the fact that the Big
Four agreement on lifting the Berlin block
ade and calling new meeting of their
Foreign Ministers on the wider German
issue arose from negotiations conducted by
the Big Four representatives to the U. N.
On the whole, therefore, the balance
sheet of the session shows gratifying items
on the credit side. But the record could
have been better
Evening star., 1949-05-21
IndefensibIe Evictions

How the Senate can reconcile its latest
action in regard to Schott's Alley with its
often-expressed concern over the plight OF
the unfortunateS who live there Is beyond
understanding. Only month ago group
of Senators visited that alley, among others
near the Capitol, and were shocked by what
they saw. The cry went up for remedial
measures-particularly housing-to afford
relief for these victims of adversely.
Yet, incredible as it may seem, the Sem
ate is going right ahead with its plans for
summarily evicting the Schott's Alley FAM
lilies without first providing them with
place to 20. The Senate Is responsible for
these evictions because they are being
undertaken to make way for new Senate
Office BUILDING building for which there
is no emergency need. The western half of
the alley, with its forty-odd dwellings, has
been marked for immediate destruction.
The Schott's Alley. families are in the
very low income brackets. In one house OF
four rooms live eight children and their
mother. One partitioned part of room of
another house is the "home" of father,
mother and baby. Most of the bread win
ners in the alley are laborers or domestics.
The monthly rent paid for these ram
shackle places ranges from $40 to $28.
Where can these hapless people obtain
shelter elsewhere at such rentals? The
answer Is, of course, nowhere. The Ma
tional Capital Housing Authority has a
waiting list now of more than eighteen
thousand low-income families in need of
housing. Even If the authority could pry
lin !, of %1e
cupants who are eligible to graduate" to
higher-rent quarters, there would still be
no place for the evictees from Schotts
Alley.
What makes the Senates apparent atti-
tude of indifference toward the Schott's
Alley eviction proceedings more indefen-
sible Is the fact that Congress has had
many opportunities to do something con-
structive about Schotts Alley and its in
habitants but has failed to seize them.
Year after year members of Congress have
inspected this and similar slums. Year
after year Congress has failed to appro-
pirate for slum clearance and redevelop
ment. Right now another opportunity is
at hand for effective remedial action. The
Marshall Heights redevelopment project
awaits only an appropriation from this
Congress to get under way. But Marshall
Heights will not be ready for two or more
years. The fate of the Schotts Alley
dwelleH calls for immediate consideration.
Here is slum-clearance problem which
is of direct concern to the Senate. If its
professed interest in the welfare of slum
dwellers is genuine, it will cancel the cur
rent eviction proceedings at schott's Alley
and assist local authorities in solving the
problem of rehousing the people who live
there. And 1t will vote funds for an i'm
mediate start on the Marshall Heights pro-
gram as long-range means of relieving
slum conditions in the Nations Capital
Evening star., 1949-05-21
Miorunts

4 tcatchey byoods among the se6eood frsss.
Whose sombey ereycvsen IL afHter -p'oef.
For noo no birds MARE tseliieht assaodiss
High on needed root.
Beyond the rsouHtairs ard ths Eoods aH6
plains.
Beyond the dtseris ard plateau end
sea,
They fly whers parrots troop and ssnHssr
rsfeas
In green eternity.
These fral soft fhtmes--hoas hSps they
dared the sf0vras.
The pannet-csr6tfnc GtsseHces Of ar.
And royace6, Tn sure migratory fNSrHas.
TO snapieas homes siae1Asyss
Spring, the Eosld nsotAsv. sasu FsfErs
them here.
And hosc srnitanny thssy rassas tAsl
pour
Harksa. o afada Of G mhois gts6 sswts-
pheve.
70 yoar small eoncsevos'
STANTON A. coEIKsT1
Evening star., 1949-05-21

repunlk. And the Franco regime = incredible
bureaucracy has failed EsSc-aasy 70 saras
departments. Notably II The matter @: rsee-
ical care
Most o. the program hoNesrr Aas hera
inAuEGTaiec ny the present regime II pro-
feSsed allegiance 70 the CAtaossc tra1.gso.
OF social justice expressed In q D.! cs
rights Of labor adopted cIrlnE fhr eva
war
In this program lAoog relations codes Are
provided for every indQ$Ir, and eyrgy Ger
esHae!e Job. axlng base WAGES Most coars
provide for automatic raises o. peg csat
every FIVE years. When workers chance }ee,,
their wage is Hsed BY negotiation, but cannot
be less than their experience !as;Ires
Family allowances designed 10 encc4s-
age the expanding birth rate. add consider
ably 10 the basic wage ot most wcsksrs Ars
give employers headaches as their STATS
families grow.
worker with two children receives 20
pesetas about ST. CO. q month extra Fo4
four. the allowance Is 80 peSetas for az
mot an uncommon number IN Spain. II IS
$50, and a man with II collects csc. which
may be twice his base pay.
Medical Expenses Paid.
second program. quite independent
boosts these allowances siill more In each
industry. employers contribute amounts
varying from 5 10 20 per cent Of the basic
wage 70 q fund which is divided among all
employees on points" basis based OF the
size Of family.
Health insurance Is compulsory toE al
employees receiving under $4,000 pcSetAS
about $3.50 yearly. which embraces the
vast majority Of workers
The program covers all medical expenses
for the workers and his family up TO 2e
weeks, disqualification for - weeks and pay
ment OF half wages up to 26 weeks. Employ
ers and employees divide the COS, OF this
insurance
There are two retirement programs. One
an "old-age subsidy" is supported by )
per cent payroll tax and gives workers 90
pesetaS tabout $500 monthly after 65
The second. mutual insurance" Is inde-
pendently established for each industry, and
contributions average 8 per cent Of the basic
salary divided between employer and en-
ployee. Benefits vary from q pension OF 30
per cent Of the salary after 65 10 10 per cent
after so years of age.
Profit-sharing systems form n part Of
many OF the codes, and where they exist add
about 6 to per cent TO the employees pay.
In all fields. workers receive two ''gratifca-
tons yeariy-an extra pay day at Christmas
and In July. This gives most manual workers
Sc weeks pay each year. salaried workers Il
months pay.
The list OF other benefits is long and COM
plex. but an important innovation is marriage
loans OF $500 pesetas tabout $l0o) TO assist
couples to set up housekeeping. II can be
paid on. with luck. in children. IS per cent
Is cancelled for each child born.
The whole program. admittedly. does not
represent workers paradise. Most workers
find the benefits small compensation for the
meager wages. But the program does repre-
sent a little noticed item on the credit side
OF the regimes balance sheet
Evening star., 1949-05-21
u. N. Assembly BuIunce-Sheet

In evaluating the work of the General
Assembly of the United Nations, potenti-
alities should be weighed against actual
performance. Under the Charter provisions,
the balance of power is weighted in favor
of the Security Council, including the
right of decision. Verdicts of the Assembly,
even though unanimous, have the force
only of recommendations.
On the other hand, in the Assembly, each
member-nation, large or small, has an
equal voice, discussion is unfettered, and
there Is no great-power veto. These as
poets of its makeup raised hopes that the
Assembly might evolve into sort OF world
forum, wherein issues would be construc-
lively handled and world public opinion
both marshaled and informed.
Those hopeful expectations, in the larger
sense, have not been realized. The main
reason seems to be that the Assembly rep
resents governments rather than peoples,
the delegates being strictly bound by the
instructions officially given them. In prac-
tice, therefore, the Assembly tends to be
an arena of power-politics, wherein
national interests as formulated by gov
ernments determine the outcome, even at
the expense of principle or consistency.
This was strikingly exemplified in the
Assembly session just closed by its illogical
handling of the Spanish issues, while an
unnatural grouping of member-blocs pre-
vented action on the Italian colonies.
That failure seems especially regrettable
because the Assembly had been vouchsafed
q unique opportunity for constructive
action. When the four great powers could
not agree on a settlement of the issue, the
disposition of the Italian colonies was
turned over to the General Assembly,
whose decision would be final and not
mere recommendation. The last-minute
inability of the Assembly to reach a de-
cision, carrying the matter over until the
next regular session in September, Is un-
fortunate from q prestige point of view.
And prestige is needed for evolutionary
growth and hold upon world public
opinion.
The session has, however. two concrete
decisions to its credit. The outstanding
one is the admission of Israel as the fifty
ninth member of the U. N. The other Is
approval of convention on news gather
Evening star., 1949-05-21
For Whot Is Best

The annual appeal Of the United Negro
College Fund for means TO maintain and
expand the services Of Negro universities
and colleges is addressed especially 70
those who share the constructive view Of
John Ruskin. set forth in 1883 that:
Education is leading human souls
to what is best, and making what is best
out of them" This year the drive Is
dedicated in a sense of the example OF
John Miller Dickey. pastor Of a little
church at oxford. Pennsylvania, who
In 1854 mortgaged his home TO raise
money to establish the first institution Of
higher learning for Negroes in the United
States. He made one dollar do the work of
twenty and thus set a pattern Of produc-
tive economy which still prevails in Negro
academies throughout the country.
Such thrifty management has been i'm
perative. There simply never has been
sufficient financial support for the cause
which Dr. Dickey launched. Even with the
generous help of many liberal philan-
thropists. the ideal of Ruskin as 1t relates to
Negroes has failed of fulfllment mostly
because of the poverty OF the colleges and
universities pledged to their instruction.
Meanwhile, it has become increasingly
evident that the progress Of the Afro
American community depends upon ex-
panding know how" The problem of
racial difficulties in the United States is
predominantly cultural issue. When men
and women Of whatever origin are led to
what is best their capacity to labor
effectively and to live in harmony with
themselves and with each other is i'm
proved. What is best" obviously is what
conduces to health, efficiency and
happiness.
The United Negro College Fund is seek
ing $11 100000 to assist in meeting the
budgets of thirty-one accredited Negro
educational institutions, including Lincoln
University, which DR.. Dickey founded:
Fisk, Hampton, Morehouse and Tuskegee-
all schools of proven worth and value.
Washington's quota is only $4,000. This
amount is small and should be promptly
oversubscribed. Contributions should be
sent to the local campaign treasurer,
Daniel w. Bell, 1920 New York avenue
Northwest
Evening star., 1949-05-21
Arms for Europe

The State Department publication en-
titled Building the Peace" Is document
that is as timely as 1t is informative. 1t
sets forth in detail the military assistance
program for the free nations Of Europe
which the administration is soon to lay
before Congress, together with the reasons
behind this proposal.
There Is nothing inherently novel in this
presentation. All the basic facts and argu-
ments have been already brought out in
widespread discussion over the subject.
But it is well that the thesis be succinctly
marshalled and presented authoritatively
in the highest official quarter. The issue
is thereby squarely set forth, the public is
put on notice, and the subsequent debate,
in and out of Congress, can be conducted
on a reasonable and factual plane, free
from misunderstanding or antiquities.
This is especially important, because an
informed public opinion is needed on the
matter. The department makes no bones
as to the cost of the program, not only
immediate but contingent on future even
Qualities in the international situation. 1t
estimates the initial outlay at nearly
81, 500 ,00O, 900 for the fiscal year 1850, most
of it destined for the North Atlantic Pact
countries of Western Europe, but with a
balance of about $500, 100000 for continued
aid to Greece and Turkey, plus certain"
other nations whose security Is important
to the United States. 1t envisages further
large outlays in subsequent years, 1t asks
that the program be integrated as whole.
and 1t requests that the President be given
authority to make flexible use of the funds
so as to meet emergencies as they arise.
This frankness will perhaps arouse still
further the already existing opposition,
motivated largely by the desire for econ
omy in face of business recession, high
taxation, and demands for increased
domestic expenditure. But the department
maintains that this military assistance
program is vital to our national security
as the best, perhaps the only method of
preventing totalitarian aggression on
global scale which, If unchecked, could
leave us one day standing "alone, an island
of embattled freedom in hostile world.
Western Europe must count on us II 1t Is
to survive; and we, In turn, must count on
Western Europe If we are to endure"
The pamphlet makes clear distinction
between the North Atlantic Pact and the
military assistance program. But 1t goes
on to show that the program Is vital
complement to the pact, by giving Western
Europe confidence In US, stimulating its
own energies, and diminishing the tempta-
ton to totalitarian aggression which pres
ent weakness invites. As the department
sums up the argument: "The military
assistance program now proposed is part
of the price we must pay for peace and
security in present world conditions 1t is
one of the preventive actions we can take
now to avoid the terrible expenditures Of
Evening star., 1949-05-21

and actions OF honest and clear thinking
leaders In all the varied population groups
comprising the citizenship OF the USA to-
day. Most heartenne has been the forth
right manner in which outstanding Negro
citizens have risen TO the defense of our
country and its institutions-in the face of
the reasonable utterances OF certain mis-
guided individuals among them. There is
no question as TO the loyalty or honesty Of
purpose among these real Americans-no
matter what their color or creed The un-
fortunate thing is that they let the radicals
and the so-called liberals" put them on the
defensive. They should take the lead in
promoting goodwill among us.
Without wishing TO assume an attitude OF
defiance. this much must be made plain TO
all who would place the interests OF certain
classes or groups Of Our citizenship above
those of our Nation as a whole: Those among
us. whose ancestors carved this great COM
monwealth out OF a wilderness and suffered
time and again talong with later genera
tions) to keep our Nation intact. do not in
tend to sit supinely by. while either SUBJ
versive or so-called liberal elements create
an atmosphere of hostility and confusion In
promoting their pet projects. We love our
country and It's democratic institutions-aIad
we mean TO foster and perpetuatc them
against all opposition. We want TO work
and live In harmony and peace. There 10
no legitimate reason why we should not do
So But. 1t calls for teamwork and co-opera.
tion in solving our individual problems TO our
mutual benefit,
Here. indeed. Is challenge TO all sincere
and loyal citizens Of the U.S.A. in this period
of world turmoil and disruption. Certainly.
We shall not fail in the District OF Columbia
the strength and hope Of mankind the
world over at this time.
EDWARD r. EGGER
Evening star., 1949-05-21
AnqIo-Eqyption Nile Pact

The British governments announcement
Of an agreement with Egypt for harnessing
the waters of the Nile is of far-reaching
Importance Besides redounding to the
benefit of Egypt and the Anglo-Egyptian
Sudan it will make possible the economic
development of British East Africa on a
greatly enhanced scale
The vital part played by Africas might
lest river in the life of Egypt and the
Sudan has been recognized for ages.
Without its waters, both countries would
be absolute deserts. The main source Of
the Nile is Lake Victoria, huge body Of
fresh water almost the size of our Lake
Superior and straddling the Equator In
the heart of Africa, more than 1000 miles
from the Niles mouth on the Mediterra-
mean.
In the first 260 miles of its course from
Lake Victoria, the newborn Nile drops
nearly 1,700 feet in a series of cataracts
and gorges, several of them being ideal
sites for dams which could generate vast
amounts of hydroelectric power. The
Anglo Egyptian agreement just concluded
provides for the start of construction ON
two dams at Owens Falls, the first drop of
the river as 1T leaves Lake Victoria. Though
this initial development will cost some
100000 sterling, the power thereby gen.
Grated will transform much of British East
Africa, permitting the construction of
sugar factories cotton mills, mining install
lations and other industrial projects in a
hitherto backward area. That, of course,
fits in with the overall plan for the devel-
opment of the various parts of British
Africa which is one of the cardinal points
in British Imperial policy today.
Distant Egypt will, of course, be unable
to make use of these hydroelectric in
stallations. However, Egypt will indirectly
benefit by the regulation of the Niles flow
throughout the year which these projects
make possible. Seasonal and cyclical var
iations in the volume of river water can
thereby be so minimized that Egyptian
agriculture should eventually be on
highly predictable basis, Virtually exempt
from the twin evils of flood and drought
that have beset it throughout history. BY
long standing treaty arrangements, Egypt's
vital interest in anything affecting the Nile
throughout its course has been recognized
and its participation in any project re-
garding the river has been provided for.
So Egyptian resident engineers will be
present at the dam sites, observing con-
struction and sharing in all decisions on
the regulation of the rivers flow.
Evening star., 1949-05-21
Questions and Answers

reader set ths snsSsT ta sas sssstsah -
fact By vf3ttaG Ibs hseBInf hsst tnsastnstsaA
EaTsaas aIa street NE Wsshtastnh q G.
Evening star., 1949-05-21
Difileulties In the Way
OF Helping Nationalist China

To the Editor Of The star:
I noted with interest one Of Constantine
Browns columns in your newspaper over
the week end in which he describes various
ways by which q refugee Nationalist govern
ment In the western provinces OF China
might be supplied with United States aid.
While agreeing heartily with Mr.. Brown
that our present China policy is entirely In
consistent with the one over which we
went to war In ie4i. would like 10 point
out several limiting factors.
First Of all the Yunnan Railway. built
In the late 18th century between Haiphong
In Indo- China and Running tYunnan-fal.
over which Mr. Brown would have supplies
hauled has not been in operation since the
Japanese occupied Northern Indo-China and
caused the Chinese defenders OF Yunnan
Province TO blow up diffcuit section Of the
Ane In mountain areas fun of bridges. via
ducts and tunnels. Some Of the most difn-
cult area In the vicinity Of the Mengtze TIN
mines has been reopened via road. However.
and come 10 my second point. the French
are far from secure control OF TonRking
Province. through which the railway runs
in Indo-China. Laokay On the border re-
Gently was attacked by Chinese Communist
guerriliaS
An airlift. IN alternative solution. In not
easily organized In any case. and certainty
would be difacuit 10 construct In that part
Of the world on q sufficiently large scale 10
be Of much asslstance. II could be done. but
not with haif-hearted measures rormosa.
though somevha, farther away. might Be
more promising as ozse
Americans certainly would have 70 Be On
hand TO supervise the direct Use Of the
supplies Although they need not take part
In the fighting. re ought 10 maintain con-
sro! through the csaaytermaster issea.
JAMES J. HAI6EMA-
Evening star., 1949-05-21

Prosperity If you can't afford 1t is no
bargain, and hard times at popular prices
would seem even less attractive.
Evening star., 1949-05-21

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
Driter, although 1t Is permissible for
tprtter knoion to The Star 10 use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-05-21

war. Today. the free nations hold the
initiative In the western world II
We turn aside at this moment from aiding
the common defense, We may not again
have such an opportunity"
Evening star., 1949-05-21

Not that we want this Gerhart Eisler
particularly, but it's Just the principle of
the thing, If we can remember what the
principle was.
Evening star., 1949-05-21

Defeat of many Labor Party candidates
in British council elections is but one more
instance of the ingratitude of man, biting
the hand that fixed him up with free
bridgeWork
Evening star., 1949-05-21

French women are more interested in
men than in hats, says Lily Dache, who
sells hats. 1t must be discouraging.
Evening star., 1949-05-21
n, THE HAsKfS SERVICE.

c. What amount OF honey docs each
worker bee produce ID. A. X
A. When flowers are plentiful q worker
bee produces = teaspoonful uf honey I'm
about six weeks after which the little erea-
ture usually dies.
Greeiy Arctic expedition Of 1891 -s37---J u. r.
A. General Creeiy lost 10 of his as men
In the Arctic before the party was rescued.
At the time OF OTeely'k death IN October.
1898. there vas only one safywor~~0en.
! David L. BrainaTd who died on March ~.
ia4s. Members Of the expedition reached
o point about 900 miles from ths North
Pole. the fsrthsss north any explorers had
gone at that time.
c. What Ia the retirement age for lus-
tices Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States7-~0. %.
A. Under the iAx. the justices cf the
Supreme Court may retire Oh fun pay ~
the age Of 10 IL they have served 10 Tssrr-
However unless oveTtAksn By tnfrmst1es
which preyen. their rendering sssesNns
service any longer. they usually prefer 10
sork on. For instance Justice Oliver weS-
dell Holmes was eligible 10 retire In 1914 bsas
be preferred 10 continue until is12 aishoug1s
his duties wsre continuous ard trying. Ne
had served 30 years. participating sn noaAbas
decisions until he bade Rdseu 70 the caafs
IN bis sist year Justice Harlan aersnd
longer. ~ years ard he died In harnsaa
In his Tsth year.
Kodiak mirror., 1949-04-16
Asks To Take Part! lps Ceremony

A woman who was horn 30 years ago on Kodiak island and claims to be the first person born here under the American flag has expressed 8 desire to participate in any ceremonies attendant on the admission of Alaska to statehood.
 Mrs. Mary Platten of Will. jams, Ariz, in g letter to her senator, wrote that "I was bern on Kodiak Island in 1869, the nrst person born under the Flag o the Stars and Stripes I think that after all my parents went through getting there by the Army l should have 8 part"
 Mrs Platten said her father record is on file and can be con- suited. Her parents, she said were on the TOwencel whict struck a reef and the people took