davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-25

similar arrangement with number of our
Latin American neighbors.
In any case, the ultimate success. of the
Marshall Plan depends in no small meas
ure on the ability of the participating
countries to make very substantial in
crease in labor productivity. At present,
as an overall thing, that productivity
ranges anywhere from five to ten per cent
under ours. But If we share our know
how" the chances are that the gap will
be sharply reduced, and the recovery Of the
free world will be advanced thereby. More
than that, valuable experience will be
gained for long-range program, as sug-
gested by President Truman, to develop
the backward regions of the earth to pro-
mote the peace and economic well-being
of mankind in general.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Adequate ? 10y for All Judges

The McGrath bill to increase the sal
aries of judges of the local Municipal
Court and Municipal Court of Appeals is
logical companion piece OF proposed
legislation to raise the pay of all Federal
judges. It would be grossly unfair to the
regular and appellate Municipal judges to
exclude them from the general increase
advocated for the higher tribunals.
Senator McGrath's bill would raise the
salary of the chief judge of Municipal Court
from $4,000 to Sl3,50O and of the associ
ate judges from $9,s75 to $4,000. The pay
of the appellate chief judge would rise
from $4,000 to $14,5OO and that of the
associate judges from $4,000 to $4,000.
Legislation already is pending which would
raise the pay of District Court, United
States Court of Appeals and Supreme
Court jurists by $4,000. This would give
District Court judges $4,000 (s2O,5OO in
the case of the chief judge) and Court of
Appeals judges $22,500.
These salary levels would still be low
in comparison with the pay scales in some
State courts. For example, New York
State judges serving in New York County
receive $4,000 q year. Representative
Keough, Democrat, of New York. who intro
duced the pay bill for the Federal courts,
has pointed out that the judges are "un-
derpaid and overworked" This is just as
true of the judiciary in the lower courts.
Congress should see to it that all of these
tribunals are adequately stated by judges
who are adequately paid.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Argument for Free Economy
To the Editor Of The Star:

TO the EDITOR OF Ihe star:
AS was to be expected, our great and ON
niscient President is blaming the scapegoats
for congressional failure to enact his Raw
Deal program. Newspaper accounts say he
lays the rent control failures at the door of
the real estate lobby.
Now let's make it clear that am not a
landlord and would not know real estate
lobby If saw one.
While was in the Army, like lot of
others, had notions about going into bust
ness for myself. For a lawyer that means
private practice. So I went into private
practice in Detroit, Mich. Because Of rent
control house owners who normally would
have leased their houses to tenants were
selling them. I cannot blame them. The
rent control law was and is vicious, un-
considerable, undemocratic discrimination
against one class of Americans.
Inasmuch as wages, food and most other
costs in 1916 were about double their pre-
war levels, so too were houses. bought an
old house at nearly twice its so-called real
value" The agent told me. THAT house at
that price will never pass CT loan appraisal.
Save your $25 and don't try to get it on
CT loan" So I bought that house on land
contract with small down payment and at
per cent interest. 1t was not what we
wanted, but it was roof.
A lawyer in private practice needs clients
and I wasn't getting enough to make
living. In keeping with the spirit of the
times should have run to Congress to re-
quest special appropriation to keep me
going in an improbable enterprise, but I
didn't. After two years OF failing to make
living by working for myself, I got job
working for somebody else. I now work for
one of those horrible monsters called
corporation and my company is perpetrating
hainnnS 0f-Qpt thjS-trVlnp
earn profit. Isn't that awful?
But digress. Having left Detroit, have
been trying for nearly nine months to sell
that house. I cannot sell it now at even a
$500 loss. Without going into detail, let
me say simply that the problem is one of
financing the transaction. II I could sell
the place right now at the 1880 loss the
whole cost would amount to something like
$130 a month rent. Without rent controls.
I'm sure I could have rented comparable
dwelling at about half that rate.
1t apparently does not occur to the great
man in the White House that the elected
representatives of the people may not ap-
prove of his paternalistic state. My expert
ence with the house in Detroit is only one
of many that prove that Government inter-
ference with economic laws may be dis
astrouS.
The rent control law was intended to pro-
vide me with low cost housing. 1t has done
precisely the opposite. I often wish the
law allowed me to sue our economic planners
for damages which have sustained because
OF their malicious interference with eco
nomics.
Our present leaders, who are planning us
into socialism, ought to reconsider the vir-
tues of a free economy. I don't think it
would be presumptuous to suggest that they
study Adam Smith. JOHN F. SCHMIDT.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Our Prophetic Visitor

Any word of welcome to Mr.. and Mrs
Churchill as they come again to Washing
ton would be less than adequate If 1t did
not take note Of the way in which events
tend to vindicate the judgment of Britain's
great wartime Prime Minister.
Just little more than three years ago
Mr.. Churchill made speech at Fulton,
Missouri. In that address he recalled his
earlier warnings of danger as Hitler rose
to power-warnings to which few listened
and which fewer still believed. But events
proved that he was right.
Again. in 1946, his subject was the
shadow of approaching danger. The new
peace was but six months old and our
thoughts were on disarming and convert
ing from war to peace. It was not con-
genial climate for discourse on the LOOM
ing threat of another war, but Mr..
Churchill was never one to hold out for
clear day and fast track.
In terms that were circumspect without
being equivocal, he said that the Russians
were pursuing policies which raised for the
future the prospect of another choice be-
tween submission to tyranny and war. To
counter this, to create an effective deter
rent, he called for what amounted to a
military coalition between the United
States and Great Britain.
OF codrse, the proposal was shouted
down. He was accused Of warmongering.
Distinguished Senators joined in state
ment to the effect that adoption of the
proposal would "cut the throat" Of the
United Nations. Other officials were care
full to avoid anything which smacked of
an Endorsement and in few days the
rumblings died down and the Churchill
proposal was presumed to be dead.
Now we can see more clearly who was
right and who was wrong. The limited
military coalition is back again, this time
in the form of firm agreement binding
the United States, Britain and several
other Western Powers to organize and use
their combined armed strength If neces-
sary to discourage and resist the danger OF
aggression to which Mr. Churchill pointed
three years ago.
.. If Mr.. Churchill like most of us, is sus-
ceptible to that II told you so" urge, he
is too astute man to indulge it now
There would be no point to it. For most
Americans know now that he was right at
Fulton and they will be anxious to hear
what he has to say later this month in
the speech he is to make at the Massa
chusetts Institute Of Technology. Presum-
ably he will deal again with coming events
as his long experience and foresight enable
him to perceive them and this time he can
be assured of an attentive audience.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
World Wheat Pact

The signing of the international wheat
agreement Is notable, not only in itself but
also as q possible precursor OF similar
agreements on other agricultural staples.
Adopted unanimously by representatives
of forty-two countries, 1t crowns with sue
cess prolonged and complex negotiations
between many nations, each with its own
special interest and viewpoint. The basic
dividing line was, of course, between sellers
and buyers, the exporting signatories num-
berirr only five as against thirty-seVen
signatory importers. To be sure, the agree
ment is not absolute. It must be ratified
before July /, the beginning of the wheat
crop season in the Northern Hemisphere,
by at least 80 per cent of the exporters
and 70 per cent of the importers In order
to Come into effect. But the unanimity
of the signatogy delegates would seem to
assure the needed majorities of ratif1ers.
The pact covers five-year period, the
contractual wheat total being $4,000, 900
bushels. The ceiling price starts at $1.S0
per bushel, dropping by 10-cent intervals
to $1.20 for the crop year 1852. 1t Is un-
derstood that transactions beyond the con-
tractual quotas are not affected in any
way. But these quotas are deemed suffi-
cient to stabilize the world wheat market
and make possible planned production and
organized marketing on global scale.
The need for such regulation has been
abundantly shown in the past. Wheat Is
a basic commodity whose production has
been subject to wide swings in price, due
In part to unpredictable factors, especially
in weather conditions The consequent
cycles Of glut and scarcity have been dis
astrous for producers and, ultimately, for
consumers as WELL Assured price ceilings
and floors will make for stability and GER
tainty.
The "big three" among the producers
are Canada, the United States and Aus
tralia. Canada tops the list with quota
of 203 100000 bushels, the United States
following with 10000, 900 bushels and Aus
tralia third with 100000. The two other
producer signatories, France and Uruguay,
are marginal 1t is regrettable that two
other large-scale producers, Argentina and
the Soviet Union, failed to sign. Russia
abstained because 1t was not allowed
quota of 100000 bushels. Argentina de-
clined because of the peculiar marketing
practices of the Peron regime. Still, these
abstentions presumably will not affect
unduly the success of the arrangement.
Among the buyers, Britain stands head
and shoulders above the others, its quota
of 100000 bushels constituting more
than one-third of the total contractual
world demand. Other countries of Western
Europe are relatively heavy buyers, their
combined quotas aggregating nearly $780,
100000 bushels. Several Latin American
countries are included among the buyers,
their quotas aggregating nearly 50,0O0,O0O
bushels 1t is interesting to observe that
India, formerly a wheat exporter, is
listed among the buyers with a quota Of
81, 600, 900 bushels.
Encouraged by the success of this un-
dertaking, experts of the United Nations
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Shorina Our 'Know-How

One of the Marshall Plans interesting
and potentially important projects Is the
one designed to export American technical
"know-how' to the countries participating
in the European Recovery Program. The
project-to to be carried out as Joint
endeavor by those countries and our Eco
nomic Cooperation Administration is
still in its beginning stage, but it promises
to contribute significantly to Western
Europe's effort to achieve substantial!
increase in agricultural and industrial
productivity.
To that end, the Marshall Plan countries
have started to send groups Of experts to
the United States to spend varying periods
of time observing the production tech
niques in effect in our steel mills, con-
sumer-goods industries, farms and other
enterprises that have made our economy
the most efficient in the world. In addi-
ton, the ECA is planning to send American
specialists abroad to offer technical advice
to numerous plants over there, the
thought being that they will be able, as
they watch operations, to offer suggestions
likely to lead to greater output
Up to now-as worked out in the Anglo
American Productivity Council-the most
organized plan along these lines is the
United Kingdoms. The plan contemplates
sending about thirty teams" Of British
experts to this country to study as many
different industries, and one is already
here tt. observe our steel operations. Other
teams from other countries have also
begun to come over. There are four here,
for example, from Denmark, and one has
Just arrived from Sweden. Similar groups
undoubtedly will be sent by all, or nearly
all, of the nations cooperating in the
Marshall Plan.
The thought behind all this is simple
enough. After spending two months or so
studying our techniques, each team will
return to its own country and inform the
enterprise 1t represents of any new ideas 1t
may have picked up These ideas, If pos
sible, will then be put into effect in order
to increase productivity. Coupled with
the technical advice offered by the Ameri-
can specialists sent abroad by the ECA,
such q project-which private industry
has tried successfully on small scale in
places like the Middle East-seems almost
certain to lead to good results, as has
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Old Miracle

The fires of March are kindled green
Upon Gooseberry hill
The yards giue pointed promises
OF flag and dafoda.
The ta,ony uater slides betpeen
The banks of Lazy Run,
Where pilloaDs crook their arms to hold
Their catkin$in the sun. -
The tall angelic maple trees,
Whose seed has pale green tDings.
viii turn them up-stde-do,on as harps
For every ,Uind that sings.
The night rain bubbles from the saues
An intermittent mirth,
And there are pipers In the pond
Oh, 1t is spring on earth!
YETZA GILLESPIE.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Arlington Hospital Appreciated

To the Editor OF The Star:
Just few words in behalf of our worthy
and much needed Arlington Hospital in
which twice have been a patient. While
there was treated with kindness and con-
sideration by its very efficient staff and made
to feel the home atmosphere which means
so much to the patient especially a spoiled
old woman shut off from her loved ones.
Now I understand the hospital is calling
for financial aid and realizing how i'm
portant it is that it get it. I make this
earnest suggestion for both the INDECENT and
those who are financially able to pay their
own expenses, who are given indispensable
service by our hospital: If each Arlington
citizen will pledge one dollar month to this
worthy cause (more, If they can afford it,
our troubles will be over and our hospital
safe.
I suggest mail be addressed to our new
Arlington hospital Administrator. John ].
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Efficiency of Prayer

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Prayer relieves no one from the obligation
to do each day the best one can do. Prayer
does release every one, who puts his faith
in prayer, of the anxiety which never pro-
notes but very often prevents fulfllment OF
every ones daily obligation.
And these obligations are only fulfilled
by those who perform each days task to
the best of their ability and, without anx-
iety for themselves, but with complete trust
in God, wait upon the morrow.
FRANK z. SLOCUM.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Bishops Fund for Victims of War
To the Editor Of The Star:

Bishops FunQ 1Or VlCtlHHS VI w"
To the Editor Of The Star:
It seems that one of the most subtle kinds
of human experience is, at times, to re-
member the pleasant and forget the un-
pleasant. Many times we find 1t wholesome
to have such an experience. For Instance,
it is good for us to forget that the worst war
of ali times has ended to forget the human
losses we have suffered so that our minds
and hearts may revert to normalcy once
again. On the other hand how easy 1t is
to forget the aftermath of that tragedy!
How easy it is to forget homeless child,
blind man, q heartbroken mother-the thou
sands of forgottens with no food to eat. no
clothing to wear, no place to live. The war
is over, yes, but the displaced persons
persist.
If one occasionally does remember these
derelicts of war, if one through charity de-
sires to do something to mitigate their suf-
ferings an opportunity arises for him to
express his feelings. This month March
20-2D there will be Nationwide appeal
for IS, 900 900 by the Bishops Fund for the
Victims of War administered by War Relief
Services and its joint agency. the Bishops
Emergency Relief Committee. These two
organizations have as their objectives: Cd
The shipment of foodstuffs, clothing and
medicinals to the victims of war, especially
to the children, the aged and the sick.
Distribution of such materials Is made with
out regard to race, creed or color. CD The
continuation of an active program IN aiding
the resettlement of displaced persons not
only in this country but in South America
and other areas. contributions may be sent
to or given at any Catholic churcho
Though one may never see the person he
has aided, without doubt will have made q
lifetime friend. RALPH POHHO' w.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Maryland Income Tax

To the Editor OF The Star:
Having received the new income tax forms
for Maryland in the last few days. notice
that certain inequities Of the old law have
been repeated in the new law.
The tax form provides an optional method
of computing the tax where the income from
wages is less than $4,000 and the income
from dividends, interest and annuities is less
than $1OO Under this optional method, the
taxpayer may take standard deduction In
stead Of itemizing interest paid, taxes
paid, etc.
However, if your income from dividends
interest or annuities exceeds $lO0, then 1t
will be found that you cannot use this op-
tional method, and the income from wages
will be taxed at higher rate than II you
did not have such income.
Wages are taxed at different rates Tor dill
ferent people having the same income.
For example, II A, q single man, has wages
Of 81 900 and no other income, he pays $l4
tax. ~
If B. a single man, has wages of 1000 and
dividends of $10l, then he must pay tax OF
$40 on hts wages plus tax OF $500 on MS
dividends.
In other words A is given Sc because he
never invested any money.
OF course can itemiZe his deductions,
keeping track Of the 90 sales tax the gaso-
line tax, the tax of gas and electricity, the
dimes he puts into the collection plate at
church, ETC., and maybe he can reduce his
$40 tax little, but A can 60 his way. secure
in his knowledge that as long as he does not
invest any money the State Of Maryland will
give him his standard deduction.
Then too, the law is unfair to the higher
salaried man. If c. q single man, has wages
of $40 900 and no other income, he can COM
pute his tax from the table and will owe
$168.
However, D. also single man. having
wages of 0001 cannot use the table at all,
but must itemize his deductions, and If he
has none must pay $4,000. must pay
$12 extra in taxes because he made 81 over
$4,000.
c has been given fiat exemption OF $780,
but D is given no exemption except what he
can prove.
These inequities existed under the old law
where those having income from wages OF
less than IS 900 and income from dividends,
interest and annuties less than 500 could
use the short form They were called to
the attention Of j. j. Lacy, the Controller,
and the Montgomery County delegation to
the legislature, but the new tax forms snow
that the old inequities are still with u.s.
The remedy is simple. Let every one use
the table to compute the tax on wages up to
the $4,000 limit, and then add on any ad-
ditional tax for the portion OF the wages
above SIC, 900 and add on the tax at so on
the income from investments.
JOHN E. LADY.
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Food and Agriculture Organization are
now studying the possibility of similar
agreements covering other important COM
modities, such as cotton, coarse grains
(corn, oats, etc., soybeans and other agri-
cultural products. In world where nu-
tritional demand tends to outrun supply
On an overall basis, nothing is more de-
sirable than predictable stability.
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Youth must bear many Affections pecu-
liar to its immaturity, the saddest of
cases being the campus specimen that
picks up both communism and acne.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Praises Commissioner Young

To the Editor of The Star:
I am writing this letter in the behalf Of
our District Commissioner, John Russell
Young.
He has done a very fine job as District
Commissioner and I find no fault with the
time-old custom of rewarding a public OFF,
cial for job well done by endorsing him
1907 for another term of office.
MRS. BEATRICE P. NESBITT.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
How about getting my note on record in
favor of this Thursday night opening by
the downtown stores? It was a swell move
on the part Of those stores which broke
the fast. Let's get the other shops to do
the same. It's about time us washington
mans got a break. Now I can do my own
shopping and my husbands without up
setting my required daily housework. Why
it's pleasure for me-just like nightout
I get baby sitter, my husband takes me
out to dinner he and make the rounds
of the stores buying what we need, and
then we still have time for movie: Keep
up the good work and the housewives of
Washington will love you.
BERNICE ROSS.
Editors Note: Many other letters favoring
Thursday evening shopping hours have been
received.
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Another 'big-hearted Americanism is
applying the word Immortal" loosely to
some one of whom our posterity now COM
ing up will ask who?
Evening star., 1949-03-25

It's the old story, as a Western widow
tells it to the Jury. During the misunder-
standing with her man, everything went
blank but the cartridges
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Driter, although it Is permissible for
,Driter known to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Anderson. Arlington Hospital, Sixteenth and
North Edison streets, Arlington, Va.
This letter is my own idea and was not
suggested by the hospital staff but, knowing
the urgent need and the worthy cause, am
anxious to assist in any way can.
LYDIA w. LOCKING
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Thursday Night Shopping

To the Editor Of The Star:
I am glad to see some stores getting back
to Thursday night openings. Now the wife
and can make an evening of eating down.
town, shopping together for q change as
we both work all day, and going to movie.
Sure hope this makes some Of the other
downtown stores do the same. Really, I
can remember when Thursday nights had
a festive air and it was fun doing the week S
shopping in this mood.
So big hurrah for those establishments
getting back to this prewar custom. Here's
heartfelt thanks from guy and gal who
can get their shopping done without break
ing their necks to do it at lunch time. .
SAM c. WATKINS.
Evening star., 1949-03-25
Questions and Answers

reader can get the to any question Of
fact by writing The Evening star Information
Bureau, 3l6 I street NE, Washington 2, D, c.
Please inclose three (3) cents for return postage
Evening star., 1949-03-25

Next to Mexican cooking, the hottest
thing Is lighting cigar found in an old
tOpcoat
Evening star., 1949-03-25
By THE HASKIN SERVICE

@. What countries produce the most
' A. About tone one-half of ths world produc-
ton of gold in 1947 came from the Union
of South Africa The United States and
Canada were other leading producers.