davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-21
BioIoqicuI Warfare

Defense Secretary ForreStal's disclosure
of the status of biological warfare should
have the salutary effect of counteracting
some of the exaggerated nonsense with
which imaginative writer's have spiced
some of their articles on this hush hush
subject. The very secrecy which the
National Military Establishment has put
around the "BW" project has tended to
stimulate too-vivid imaginations and to
encourage speculation without fear of
official contradiction.
Mr. ForrestalS statement and the sub
sequent comments of Major General Alden
H. Watt, chief of the Armys Chemical
Corps provide the first authoritative
information on biological weapons since
the release three years ago of the so-called
Merck report. That report created almost
as much of a furor as the Smyth report
on atomic energy. 1t was withdrawn,
apparently because some officials felt that
our. motives in conducting biological re-
searches might be misunderstood Mr..
Forrestals statement seeks to clear up any
misunderstanding.
AS he explains it, biological, or germ"
warfare is a development which we can
not afford to overlook, for the cogent
reason that other nations are studying it.
There is evidence that the japanese were
prepared to employ the germ technique
against US but-as with gas warfare
were afraid to try it for fear of retaliation.
There is evidence also that the Japs did
make use of it against the Chinese in one
minor instance-apparently feeling that
there was no danger of counterattack
in kind Our troops were spared from
both gas and germ attacks in World War
II not because of humane considerations
on the part of our enemies but because
of their dread of our capacity to return
the blows in ten-fold doses.
It is because of this neutraliZing effect
of balanced secret weapons" that we
have continued our researches in the field
of poison gases and disease-spreading
agents. No nation need fear that we will
use these deadly weapons for purposes OF
aggression But the world knows that we
are not only preparing our defenses against
such types of warfare, but possess the
means to engage in it against any enemy
so reckless as to strike the first biological
blow.
What Mr. Forrestal has made clear is
that biological warfare Is not yet the
conclusive superweapon which some
articles have described it as being, that
It is, nevertheless a deadly weapon against
which we are preparing to defend our
selves and which we are capable of using
ourselves if the provocation is sufficient,
and that we are keeping abreast OF, If not
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Hungry Children a Problem
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Give us this day our daily bread is not
only a prayer but an actual necessity for
us all. Most of us have an oversuflciency
in this respect, but we cannot forget that
there are many who do not. Instead OF
melting out punishment to man who was
desperately trying to feed his family. let us
pray that the courts will enable him to
straighten out his perspective by seeing that
he gets decent chance to earn the money
needed for his daily bread
Having two small children myself, can
imagine how desperate this man must nave
felt with no means of buying food for ms
three hungry youngsters and his wife. II
he had but known how. he could nave on-
tanned help for them, but perhaps his prloe
kept him from seeking it. Let us hope tnat
he may be given chance to suppoIt nis
family in an honest way without the stigma
of being called criminal
DOROTHY L. PEASLEE.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceaUell

A copy Of pigs is Pigs" by Ellis Parker
Butler was recently presented to p friend.
No doubt there are many today who
came along after this minor classic had
laid EN- in the aisles in stitches.
The book was accompanied by a note, as
follows:
BE sure and read this all at one sitting.
Whatever power it has left is due to con-
tinuity or build-up.
ticated day than this-it was regarded as
howlingly funny.
\ Il think it still has few laughs in it.
What put it over in the old days, I sus-
pect, was that 1t was perhaps the first
short story of its type to discuss the mystery
Of sex so that everybody could laugh about
it openly"
That was just few years after the turn
OF the century.
The story of Mike Flannery and his
guinea pigs appeared in the American
Magazine
1t has been reprinted in book form ever
since, a slight little book with some big
laughs in it.
The new edition has Doubleday and
Company on the title page, and the date
194S.
There were only three copies left at the
StOlc NIlcIc Ile aDOVe ucutlOIlcQ copy WAS
bought. but the clerk said, More will be in
tomorrow"
Fun still rules the world evidently.
y
"Pigs is Pigs'?" said the clerk, doubtfully,
and bit haughtily If the truth must be
told. You will find it in the children's
section"
The intending purchaser knew better, but
he said nothing. Perhaps they had an un-
usual way of classifying books.
In the children's books, the clerk grinned
broadly.
why that isn't a child's book" she
laughed.
Il know it, said the other, smiling, but
that was what she said.'
She Just didn't know. Come with me, and
I will show you"
There were just three left.
The old story is still selling WELL thank
you.
***
Ellis Parker Butler was born in 1869 in
Muscatine. Iowa.
He died in 1887.
Perhaps no writer ever got bigger
reputation on so short story as Pigs Is
Pigs"
It was almost the only thing he ever
wrote that attracted attention.
He had no literary style. as such, no par
ticular influence, and no particular theme in
his subsequent writings
He didn't have to.
| Pigs is Pigs" was enough.
Whenever it was mentioned, for many
long years. people broke into peals of
laughter.
The famous story appeared in the Ameri-
can Magazine in 1905, and in book form
in 1906.
It was lot of fun then, and still is. al
though not quite as much so
. It is interesting to look back at the photo
of Butler.
1t shows full faced, serious looking man.
with lines that were ready to break into a
nice smile.
You would think him some successful
business man.
His life, he said. had three great influ-
ences in it
His aunt, his high school English teach
er and his father.
The latter was great admirer OF Mark
Twain, who at one time lived in Muscatine.
ut is interesting to see that name in the
title of new book, just published)
Read Pigs is Pigs If you want some
fun 1t won't be as funny as you remember
it. but It still has life in 1t.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Thinks Movies Detrimental

To the Editor of The STAR
I concur with r. w. Jarvis comments
re movies in the church published in March
Is issue of The Star I firmly believe the
pastor of the church is striving to do good
in sense; but pastors, as we'll as all of us
who want to be Christians, must remem-
ber to watch and pray lest we be deceived.
How about separating ourselves from the
world and the things of the world? Movies
have proven detrimental and furnish only
worldly pleasure Furthermore, if movies
are a detriment, surely the sponsoring and
teaching of the dance in the church must
be an abomination in the sight of the
Lord I cannot see how these worldly ac-
tivities can be blessing-nor can I see
how they can be a means of soul salvation.
MEWH
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Postscript by Bansorian
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t was a pleasure and privilege to read
the very fine letter in the issue OF March
IA by Native of Portland I, too. am
native of the State of Maine. but from
Bangor, Judge Curran's home town.
It has afforded me no little sense OF
elation to know that Eddie" Curran was on
the bench at this time as knew him dur
ing school years-a Ane young man and
wonderful scholar, with the seeds OF patrio-
tism firmly rooted in his being. I can
visualize him even now as he delivered his
address at the Junior Exhibition OF Bangor
High, that being the oratorical highl1ght OF
undergraduate activity, and he one OF the
ten finalists chosen by the process OF elm
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Sians of Unificution

It really looks as though unification of
the armed services is beginning to take
effect. The latest encouraging signs from
the Pentagon are twofold. First, there was
the solemn decision of the Navys high
officer to salute with his hat off. The
significance of this concession is that
naval custom heretofore has prevented an
uncovered naval officer from returning the
salute of an Army or Air Force man. This
led to misunderstanding among the
officers of the brother branches. Anything
that will help to make these branches
more brotherly is welcome.
But even better calculated to make uni
fication more fact than theory is De-
tense Secretary Forrestals long-delayed
order consolidating Army, Navy and Air
Force public information services. It will
come as surprise to many persons to
learn that the respective branches have
continued since unification, to handle their
publicity problems pretty much as they
pleased. This explains why some of the pub
licity emerging from the National Military
Establishment has reflected interService
squabbling over strategic bombing, super
carriers and the like. The arrangement
announced by Mr.. Forrestal should have
the salutary effect of putting an end to a
lot of the pickering that has reached pub
lie print-sometimes through devious
channels. Unified defense information is
logical If unification of the armed forces
is to mean what the merger statute in
tended it to mean. With uncovered naval
officers saluting the Air Force and with
public information officers working to-
gether for the common interests of the
national defense, the prospect of further
unification at the Pentagon is getting
roster day by day.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Letters to The Star
Successor to Mrs. Doyle


To the Editor Of The Star:
In the resignation Of Mrs. Henry Grattan
Doyle, president of the Board of Education.
the District of Columbia has lost a devoted
servant. Her many years of faithful service
to an energy-and time consuming job de-
serve the gratitude of all citizens of Wash
ington.
Selection of her successor, who according
to law must be a woman, should be of great
concern to the people Of this community.
The members of the Board Of Education are
appointed by the Justices of the District
Court of the United States for the District
of Columbia and serve for three years with
out compensation. Three members are ap
pointed each year. In addition to filling the
vacancy left by Mrs. Doyle's resignation. two
other appointments will be made at the GUS
tomary time. July /.
In l946 the District of Columbia League of
Women Voters prepared the following yard
stick for guidance in the selection of candi-
dates which we believe Is still valid
The legal requirement for Board member
ship in the District of Columbia is a bona
fide residence in the District for five years
that is. citizen without vote.
The basic qualification for any school
board member is a firm belief in our public
school system and the Importance OF its
lnUuence III OeVelOplnS Responsible ana par
ticipating citizens.
Desirable qualifications are:
Public spirit which would insure willing
ness to give unself1shly of time and energy
for the benefit of the schools and the reali-
Zation that unsel6sh devotion to the COM
munity is the highest public honor attain
able to the individual.
Stature in the community which would
inspire confidence in those with whom he
must work and Serve-the officials and
teachers of the school system, the students
and the community.
Broad vision and an open mind which
would Insure fair consideration of the racial
problems of the education system of the
District. and of the advances made whereby
education seeks to develop the full potentiali-
ties of all pupils-child and adult, the gifted
and the handicapped
Courage to make responsible decisions on
the basis of complete information and to
stand by them in the face of adverse criti-
cism.
We urge that all citizens exercise their
prerogative by sending to the District
Judges names of qualified people. Address
your suggestions to Bolitha j. Laws, Chief
Judge Of the District Court of the United
States for the District Of Columbia
MRS. JOHN F. THOMAS,
President. Voteless D. c., League of Women
Voters.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

ination as to ability from the entire junior
class land not to be confused with Junior
High SchoolD. His record of attainment
since then speaks for itself.
Bangor also produced the Prescott Den
nett of the mass sedition trial.
But there always have been good and
bad-there always will be.
1t was queer quirk of fate that brought
these two white-haire people from the
same State -ofMaine origin, simultaneously,
to Court of Justice-one great American,
the other, as believe so much in the wrong
j. T. N.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Air Force Advocate Criticized

Air Force Advocate Criticized
To the Editor of The STAR
If X.Y.Z., who made his unwarranted
attack upon Columnist David Lawrence in
Letters to the Star March 16, were to read
history and talk with his fellow officers, he
would find that Air Force personnel. more
than any other group. is guilty of "the
Maginot line concept"
With closed minds and brash tongues
Air Force officers have deded even the Chief
Executive in advancing the new concept
that this country no longer needs the Army
and Navy, that the new autonomous Air
Force elated by it's success with a powerful
lobby on the Hill and an impregnable public
relations setup in the Pentagon can. through
its triplification Gas opposed to unification)
program, provide the only fighting force
necessary to wage an all-out offensive and
defensive war.
XYZ. does not have the vision essential
to appreciate the tremendous nationwide
effort necessary to wage global war. He
like so many Air Force advocates. is drunk
with newly conceived power. He represents
the most dangerous element in America
today He is not content to fight for the
wide application Of air power. so that it
eventually can be utilized as the most
powerful offensive and defensive arm of the
National Military Establishment. He must
"ruo it in," so to speak, by implying that
the Army and Navy should be abolished
This is not blanket indictment of the
Air Force or its personnel. Wise men in
Government and in civil life recognize that
our air arm must be the strongest in the
world but they also recognize and appre-
ciate the other side of the story-that
dependence upon the Maginot line concept
is not only dangerous but may prove fatal
in a future conflict A. B. C.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
A Teacher Not Forgotten
To the Editor of The Star:

I enjoyed reading the article in The Sun
day Star about the old Wallach School.
Though the building of the school was be-
fore my time as student, did find very
familiar name in the list of those receiving
medals or other commendation in the first
year of the schools existence. That name
was Susie Langley I wonder If she could
be the Susan Langley who was teacher for
so many years?
When the Bryan School on street first
was opened in 1910, Susan Langley was
eighth grade teacher and principal there.
Never was there a more lovable personality.
nor better teacher. spent that year
under her wise and kindly direction and
wished I could have stayed longer with her.
M MINERVA WYNiAN.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Secularism in New Mexico

To the Editor of The Star:
In the March II issue of The Star. Ann
Rothschild denounces the exclusion OF Or
ganized religion from the school system OF
New Mexico as totalitarian, but believe
that she misinterprets the actions OF the
State. 4
The people of New Mexico pay taxes to
support a system of public schools. and
they now are asking those who want to
attend religious schools to attend the in
stitutions supported by the various churches.
What the State of New Mexico has done
is to serve notice on the churches that the
hand of organized religion will not be
tolerated in the public till; in so doing. it
has set pattern which the other Al States
will do well to initiate.
G. NJ ALDRIDGE.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Senator agree?" The Senator invariably

Senator agree?" The Senator invariably
did
The whole literary tone Of the occasion
was lowered by the Senator's refusal to
seek the classics in the manner of Senator
Holt who once read Aesop's Fables aloud
when he was holding the floor. Still; no one
will complain about the lack of drama and
variety in the recent deadlock If the Sena-
tors when considering the issues that will
now be before them will shoV the same
unalterable intent of sticking to the point.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

actually leading, other nations in "BW"
research and development. Mr.. Forrestal
is right in believing that the public should
know, in general way, what we are doing
in this frightening field-and why we are
doing IL
Evening star., 1949-03-21
By THE HASKIN SERVICE

@. How many new words have come into
the English language as result Of World
War u?-G L. z.
A. There are about 80 900 new words re-
sulting from World War II. Whether or not
they will remain in the language perma-
nently depends upon the extent to which
they continue to be used.
@. Why did Mark Twain publish "Per.
sonal Recollections of Joan of Arc anony-
mously?-A. S. B.
A. The author stated that he had spent
IA years of preparation on this work and
that it never would be accepted seriously
over his own signature.
@. How often is refrigerator opened in
day?-L. OF.
A. It was estimated that the refrigerator
is opened on an average, 48 times a day.
in survey of 100000 women made some
years ago.
O. What Government official took the
oath of Office on board warship during
World War u?-E. G. r.
A. On June II, 1945, the aircraft carrier
Shangri-la, along with the other ships in her
group retired to Leyte Gulf for two-week
period of replenishment and recreation prep
aratory to conducting series of extensive
operations against the main islands of the
japanese homeland. Getting underway again
on July /, Task Force 38 steamed north
ward course and on the second day out.
the oath of Office of Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy for Air was administered to John
L. Sullivan (now Secretary of the Navy
aboard the Shangri-la in the first ceremony
of its type ever undertaken in the war zone.
c. Are there any birds besides the hum
ming bird that are unable to waikiki. M. B.
A. According to bird specialist OF the
Smithsonian Institution, technically 1t Is
not true that certain birds are unable to
walk, though hummingbirds. swifts, and
swallows have considerable difficulty in doing
so. There are number Of other birds, nota-
bly, robins, sparrows and fnches. that hop
rather than walk.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address of the
Uriter, although it is permissible for
,Oriter kno,Dn to The Star to use
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

A vacuum tube, tried by the Bell System,
picks up tired" voice and rejuvenates it
"a wholly new approach to the alf-man,
half-crooner problem
Evening star., 1949-03-21

Fears as to Spains safety seem some
what misplaced. After ALL how can the
Franco regime, which belongs to the
Middle Ages, be threatened by Russian
communism that hasn't been invented
Evening star., 1949-03-21

Production of radio sets is stepped up in
India, and the fellow who has been tortur-
ing himself on bed of spikes can listen
to women with real troubles.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

The Moscow newspaper, Soviet Sport,
lashes out at judges of figure skating for
gross incompetence. What they took for
figure eights turn out to be the party line.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question Of
fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Please incose three (3) cents for return postage.
Evening star., 1949-03-21
Thanks from Lithuanian Spokesman

IhankS from Lithuanian Spokesman
To the Editor of The Star:
An account in recent issue of your
newspaper of the way Lithuanians in
Washington celebrated the 31st anniversary
of the Independence of Lithuania has come
to my attention, and must say that was
deeply gratifled to notice it.
The account, appeared at a most oppor-
tune time. Because Lithuania, at present,
is suffering at the hands of cruel and
ruthless Russia, Lithuanians all over the
world have risen in protest and are doing
everything possible to wake up an acqui-
escent world to realization of the evils Of
Soviet Communism. That is why they are
happy to see accounts similar to the one
which appeared in your newspaper. Such
accounts help to make the outside world
realize the cruelty of the Soviet Union
toward a liberty-loving nation.
In behalf Of the organization represent,
may I, therefore. thank you and urge you
to allot more space to Lithuanian news?
I am sure that your efforts in our behalf
will help US greatly in our work to bring
about the eventual restoration of the inde-
pendence of Lithuania and the other Baltic
States. REV. JOHN c. JUTKEVICIUS.
Chairman. Committee on Lithuanian
Affairs.
Evening star., 1949-03-21

Science will have to try harder" says
the fellow at the next desk, who has been
taking four-way tablets for a five-way
cold
Evening star., 1949-02-20

save his 9-year- Frederic ~akeman.
old son and himself from the sea.
They were tossed into the water
when their launch blew up. They
clutched a piece of wreckage large
enough for the boy to ride on
and the man to trail behind,
partly swimming, partly resting.
While the two are trying to
keep af1oat. miles from shore, we
learn In a series of hashbacks all
about Dune Bell, his wife. the boy,
their friends, their life. Dune
turns out to be what the tabloids
call a wealthy playboy. The Bells
live on a tropical island which
happens to be a British colony.
though they are Americans. Dune.
handed q fortune outright by his
father, tries to enjoy himself. He
is an athlete-swimmer, big game
hunter, crack seaman-but his
interests pail. And he and his
wife Lorna have lived in an armed
truce for many years. outwardly
amicable, intimately estranged.
There are numerous scenes Of
alcoholic vagaries and sexy cpl
sodes in various parts Of the world
no doubt the authors concep-
ton of the way rich people live
None Of the characters. including
the Bells, is a likely human being
The father, meanwhile reliving
his wasted life, figures that If he
can just paddle the spar into q
certain offshore current the tide
will carry them in. If not, it's
just too bad. What happens? I
would not for the world spoil the
climax for you. &C. B. j.
Evening star., 1949-02-20

"CCh, W oPPCoA
as one of the principal speakers
at the Howard University Poets
Festival, and to be interviewed by
the same newspaper.
The Star reporter who inter-
viewed him in 1925 found him "a
quiet, earnest, rather gentle, diff
dent young man. Heavier and
grayer today. he is still earnest,
but the difhdence has given way
to the self-assurance which be-
comes a writer who has gained
recognition as one of the fore
most spokesmen Of his race and
an acknowledged poet of the mod
ern school. In the years between
he has written some five books,
including three volumes Of poetry
a novel and his autobiography
His latest poems, "One Way
Ticket" are reviewed on this page
First Poems Here.
At %, after an adventurous life
at sea. Mr.. Hughes, q struggling
young poet, came to rest here and
took a job as busboy at the
Wardman Park Hotel. One of the
distinguished guests whom he
served was the poet Vachel Lind
sey. He finally worked up his
courage to the point Of leaving
three Of his poems by Mr.. Lind
sey's plate in the dining room
He had found inspiration for
some of his "blues" poems in
Washington's Seventh street.
The poet was to give reading
the same evening in the hotel
theater. Mr.. Hughes was barred
from attending the recital, but he
learned from The Star reporter
who was waiting for him when he
appeared for work the next day
that vachel Lindsey had read his
poems aloud and praised them to
a large audience.
Mr.. Hughes recalled the other
day that the publicity attendant
on The Stars story helped his
career along. Some months later,
he won q scholarship to Lincoln