davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Suggests Interpreting the Flood Story
In Line With Reason

suggests interpreting the FLOOD story
In Line With Reason
To the Editor Of The Star:
Biblical scholars have proposed a number
of plausible solutions to the problems about
Noah and the deluge which have been the
subject of several letters to The Star. The
author of Genesis described the flood from
the viewpoint of the theories of his day,
which pictured the earth as a relatively
tiny area. For him the whole earth" men
toned In the text very probably was the
basin of the Tigris and Euphrates and sur
rounding mountains. Naturally, this linn
tied area housed only a fraction Of the
earths animal species. Moreover, the au-
thor probably meant that Noah took into
the Ark only those animals that were useful
for food or other purposes to human beings.
The idea of attempting to preserve wolves.
snakes or mosquitoes would have appeared
preposterous to both the sacred author and
his audience, in view of the strenuous ef-
forts OF human beings to get rid of them.
The implication of the text was that God
was making wise provision for Noah and
his descendants when the flood would be
over There are numerous parallels, in
other biblical accounts of known historical
character and in the literature of the early
Semites, of this unsystematic Ito us) and
styled reporting Of history. There is,
therefore. nothing absurdly impossible about
the biblical account that need lead reader
to treat the deluge or at least the Noah-and-
the Ark part of it as legend. Archaeology
and allied sciences in the last so to rs years
have tended to re-establish as reliable his
tory one Old Testament account after an
other that mid-l9th century criticism had
judged as myth or pious fabrication Per-
haps second expedition to Mount Ararat
actually will verify reports of petrifed re-
mains Of the Ark and show again that the
Bible contains great deal of history not
available from any other source.
OLIVER E. NICKERSON.
Evening star., 1949-09-18

gruntled strikers formed the core Of the
Communist wing in the revolutionary COM
bination. 1t is significant that, at the very
moment when the revolt was in its last
stages, the leader of left-wing group not
implicated in the revolt proposed bill for
nationalizing the tin mines on terms which
would have meant virtual conascation of
the invested capital. Yet without private
capital, chiefly from abroad, development
of the country is impossible.
Here is something like a vicious circle
which cannot be broken overnight. The
best hope for Bolivia lies in a gradual
amelioration of unfavorable conditions
cautious reforms and the maintenance of
political stability. There is no quick
panacea for its troubles.
Evening star., 1949-09-18
The Scarce and Poor OYSTER

Opening of the oyster season on the
lower Potomac has brought evidence that
conservationists' warnings as to the ur-
gency of protecting our bivalve resources
were well grounded. Scarce and poor"
was the market report on supply, as tong
ers from both sides of the, river probed
for which the Chesapeake region has be-
come famous.
The rivermen who in the past have
ignored both the appeals of the conserva-
ton authorities and the legal edicts against
dredging have only themselves to blame
for the diminishing supply of oysters. The
dredgeS year after year, despite warnings
by patrol boats, sometimes punctuated by
gunfre, have torn up the beds and de-
stroyed seed crops to an alarming extent.
1t is but natural to find today's harvest
scarce and poor"
This year there are fewer oyster boats
on the river and so far there has been no
evidence of plans for deliberate evasion
of the conservation laws. Only hand tong
ing of oysters is permitted, and enforce
ment officials assert they will keep close
watch to prevent any further disturbance
of the beds by machine-operated dredges
or other illegal apparatus. Perhaps the
oystermen themselves. aroused to the
threat to their livelihood of illegal raiding
OF the oyster beds, will police their own
forces from now on. For many of the
oldtimers are beginning to learn that con-
servation pays in the long run-as this
years revival of the crab industry indi-
Gates.
Evening star., 1949-09-18

feet below the pinnacled point was in
state OF dangerous disintegration. The city
fathers, backed by the citizens of all faiths,
decreed that the loved spire must be re-
stored at any cost. With amazing skill the
decayed portion nearest the clouds was low
cred to earth. the crumbling stone was re-
placed and the graceful emblem once more
rose to its full 225 feet in pristine loveliness
Long I gazed at the inflrm, veteran stone
now safely and reverently set up as a little
spire resting upon the ground But with
face upturned to the sky gloried the more
in the restored symbol lifted high above the
citys crowded ways. Both the new spire
and the venerated stone which bad served
its long day were speaking language which
is understood by all.
There ought to be a universal language"
is an expression often heard by travellers on
crossing frontiers where, among foreign
ers." they strive to break through the
barriers OF differing speech. common
medium of speech is friendly harbor
where one can come to the wharf of an
others personality with a rich cargo of
ideas which without shared language can
not be unloaded.
But there is a universal language 1t is
spoken by spires. How beautiful they are,
and how vocal, silhouetted against the sky
in village or metropolis! A wayfarer can
exclaim, not only: Il saw the spires of oxford
as was passing by but Il saw the spires of
every city in every land!" AS those so near
and yet separated by the confusion Of
tongues peer through the windows of a
speeding train as it approaches city, sud-
denly the spires those sentinels of the Eter-
nal. cut the skylines proclaiming the one
Evening star., 1949-09-18

truth. uttering the one word without which
man cannot live. That word needs no
translator or Interpretation every gazer
at spire hears in his own tongue, If he
but listens. that one imperative word. GOD.
Alas. that fact of facts is so largely the for
gotten factor in this sad and mad world.
1t is the voice of spires to which perplexed
and anxious statesmen need to listen as
baked and baffled. they tinker with ideal
istic schemes which somehow do not seem
to click. There is absolutely nothing that
needs to be said with more solemn emphasis
to the social architects and engineers now
Fastening from capital to capital of a fear
haunted world endeavoring to draw plans
for safer and happier habitation for
humanity, than: You cannot build the
Kingdom of God without God!'
From the dim past until now II civiliza-
tions have had their day and ceased to be.
The stern verdict of history Is that with all
their snowy splendor they disintegrated be-
cause of pride and self -suficency They
simply became perverted instruments that
God could not use. The tragedy of tragedies
would be for our goth century, capable
OF such tremendous possibilities, capable of
being an instrument in the hand of God to
create new world where all the divine
gifts are shared and where all men live
truly full and happy lives, to decay and crum-
bic because the very roots are pulled out of
reality by selfish materialism. Sir Stafford
Cripps speaks as a prophet in his recent
statement: 1T is quite impossible to make
any economic system work or to bring de-
vices and expedients into successful oper-
alton upon the unlimited selishness of the
individual The appalling fact is that
the whole world is beaten. bored and betrayed
by the irrelevant utilities in which it un-
wisely has put its trust. Losing sight of
spires. even science may but pave the way
to hell with good inventions
+ \
We are witnessing a steadily increasing
crime wave. a coarsening of manners, a de-
bauching Of morals, furnishing of common
courtesy and oecency. a debasing of sex
as men and women go from one mate to
another with unabashed abandon. All this
is in today's headlines. 1t all cries aloud that
the Nations chief task is to restore its
crumbling spires. For man alone never can
f1nd the answer to his vague, vast longing
apart from the Infinite for which he was
made and Of which spires speak. H. G.
Wells was pointing to restored spires when
he declared, Until man finds God and
is found of God he begins at no beginning
and comes to no ending
Restore your spires America
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Bolivian Revolt Crushed

Capture of the last rebel strongholds in
the extreme south of Bolivia by govern
ment troops and flight of the rebel leaders
across the Argentine border mark the
collapse of organized resistance in the
revolution which broke out last month.
This relatively quick ending of a struggle
which for time looked like prolonged
civil war 10 a welcome solution, especially
since it means a victory of the constitu-
tional administration over enemies bent
on overthrowing it by mere force. This
revolt was staged by cynical combination
of Fascist-minded militarists and Commu-
nistS, who. If they had succeeded, would
presumably have presently fought again
between themselves for supremacy The
upshot would have been further to dis
organize and impoverish country that is
already one of the poorest and most back
ward in South America
1t should be recognized, however, under
lying conditions breeding discomfort and
factionalism remain to handicap Bolivia's
national evolution toward stability and
progressive development. Bolivia is basi-
cally poor country. Aptly called the Tibet
of South America, its settled region is a
mountain-girt plateau with an average
elevation above 10000 feet. Thus, though
lying within the tropics, it has sub
Arctic climate the year round. This bleak
and infertile land is inhabited chiefly by
Indians primitive and almost untouched
by the Spanish culture of the relatively
small upper class which runs the country
and monopolizes most of Bolivia's limited
opportunities. The countrys one developed
resource is its tin mines, owned partly by
native and partly by foreign capital. Taxes
tnd export duties on tin account for most
of Bolivia's revenues. Native labor, low
paid and inefficient, is fertile field for
Communist propaganda, the mining dis
tricts being centers of unrest punctuated
by strikes and sabotage The recent rev.
olution was preceded by bloody strike out
breaks last May, and though these we're
soon represseS by the authorities, the dis
Evening star., 1949-09-18

appearance in the Virginia village will prob
ably be long way off," The boy allegedly
was apprehended in the act of assaulting
a 13-year-old Negro girl. He was taken into
a small room of the court forced to lie ON 5
his stomach over chair and held by three
police officers. A fourth policeman them
applied the handle of blackjack which
was fully l3 inches long and tied at theo
end with a tassel This is the first public
whipping in Rosslyn since some time prior
to the Civil War" go iF
The death of Cornelius Vanderbilt was
announced in The Star for September IL,
1899 He had suffered an
Vanderbilt attack of paralysis and his
Dead heart failed under the blow.
The millionaire railroad mag
mates wife. their daughter Gladys and their ;
son Reginald were with him at the end. He
had been the head of a Nation wide system
of transportation companies was generous
donor to the YMCA. the Episcopal Church p
and many charitable organizations. His
home at Newport, known as the New
Breakers. was famous for the entertainment
provided within its walls. % -
Master Florizell Reuter- of Chicago. a
talented youngster of s, gave violin recital
last night for President and
Child Mrs. Mckinley" said The
VioIinist Star of September 13. 1899.
"All the cabinet families who
are in town were represented in the gather
ing in the red parlor, with Secretary and
Mrs. Gage. and their guest. Mrs. Reuter-,
mother Of the youthful prodigy. The others
present were the Attorney General. the
Postmaster General. the Secretary of Agri-
culture and Miss Wilson. Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy and Mrs. Allen, Charles G.
Dawes, Maj. and Mrs. Round, DR.. and Mrs.
Rixey. John Addison Porter and Mr.. Cortel.
you. Mrs. Reuter- and her son leave this !.
city in a day or two and will 90 abroad,
where the latter will continue his musical
education."D
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Letters to The Star

Tom Stokes should be run in the Daily
Worker.
Mr.. Barger probably does not know that
these two writer's have sacrificed more, prob
ably, than any other Washington writers to
stand by their convictions. He does not
know, perhaps. that Mr.. Meuett sacrificed
his job, just as his brother did his life,
standing by what he believed in He does
not know, perhaps. that among newspaper
men Tom Stokes is known as the outstand-
ing example of a columnist who has sacri-
feed sales for his convictions that Tom
has been cited more often by newspapermen
as the outstanding reporter in Washington
than has any other newspaperman covering
national news ... :--
The Star is winning more respect among
those who know the newspaper game for
its continued publication of the Mellett and
Stokes columns than people like Mr. Barger
realize. Their letters, which have been run
ming with increasing frequency, only en-
phasize the public service The Star is per-
forming. NATHAN ROBERTSON.
Supporters of Foreign Governments,
He Argues, Have No Constitutional Rights
To the Editor Of The Star:
One Of your correspondents objects to an
editorial in The Star which suggests refusal
OF permits to groups supporting foreign
governments. The editorial contends that
this procedure would prevent violence.
Wouldn't it?
The writer of the letter of protest believes
that this procedure would deprive the Con-
gress on Civil Rights of its constitutional
rights. Under our Constitution those Amer
leans who owe their first allegiance to
foreign countries have no rights. Paul
Robson admits that he loves the Soviets
more than he does the United States.
Are the cry>baby apologists for the
"Commies" now seeking the protection of
the Constitution, the instrument they seek
to destroN2 My advice to the cry-babies is
to move slowly, lest others than the veterans
become active against them.
LARRY DOOLEY,
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Precedent Wins-We Lose

There are times, as somebody once SAID,
when a statesman should rise above prin-
ciple Friday, in The Stars opinion, was
one of those times. The Senate failed to
rise above principle. 1t refused to confirm
Carl A. ngenfritz, $4,000 vice president
of the United States Steel Corporation, to
be chairman of the Munitions Board
because Mr.. Ilgenfritz would continue to
draw his salary as a steel executive while
working for Uncle Sam. Thus principle
was saved, and with it precedent.
But other things were lost, including the
services in vitally important capacity OF
a man who apparently could do better
job than anybody else. The job, though
its precise specifications would run to
about column of type, is to plan in
advance system of industrial mobiliza-
tion for use in time of war. The lack OF
such plan delayed our preparations for
the past war The only time available for
the right sort of such planning is peace
time. Yet, because it is peacetime, it was
held improper by Senate majority for
the Government to avail itself of the
services of a highly qualified msn under
the approximate terms that prevailed in
tanning private salary
This would seem to be but one of the
Inconsistencies developed in Senate debate.
Another was the righteous reiteratlon, by
those opposing Mr.. Ilgenfritz' conflrma-
ton, of the admonition that man cannot
serve two masters great many OF the
Senators serve two masters, In the sense
that they referred to. They do not sur
render their sources of private income
when they take the oath as Senators. The
resulting situation might be deplorable If
they did. Yet they could not believe that
it was proper for Mr.. Ilgenfritz to retain
the salary and other profits. of his own
hard work while serving the Government
for year on leave. of absence with pay
from the steel corporation sA --,ss ,
Mr. Ilgenfritz probably received more
compliments in the Senate debate than
any man in history whose confirmation
was refused. Those standing for the prin-
ciple at stake admitted his capability, his
patriotism and his fine standing as a
citizen. He was pictured as an example
of the jobs search for the man-the man.
in this case, being recommended by Her
the one person who probably knew more
about the highly technical aspects of mass
procurement than anybody else in the
country. But the principle, and the
bothersome precedent that might con-
ceivably permit the President to appoint
some labor leader to be Secretary of labor
and retain his salary as union official,
seemed more important to the Senate
majority, although the Senate does not
usually see itself as slave to precedent
Another principle has been EMPHASIZED
And that principle is that the President
must now resort to the products of medi-
ocrity, instead of genius. and fill the job
by appointment of somebody who wants
$4,000 salary. In the long run, The
Star believes the second principle is more
apt to hinder national defense than the
one that was saved
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Fifty Years Ago

The Star of September 8, 1899, reported:
subscriptions to the funds which will pay
the expenses of the
Money tor Dewey reception to Admiral
Ce!ebrotIon Dewey in Washington
are coming in rapidly
and every one may rest assured that this
important requisite viii be fully met" About
$4,000 had been raised. and more money
was In, sight Contributors listed included:
Metropolitan Railroad Co., Dulin g. Martin,
Shoemaker Co., Simon Wolf Isadore Saks
A. B. Hagner. George Trussdell, William
H. Santelrnan. Calderon Carlisle, Otto Mears
Percy Crawford, E. G.. Timme, William F.
Mattingly, John w. Ross, Richard Rathburn.
Daniel Murray J. 6. Boyd, Richard Sylvester
and Justice r. H. Alvey. The admiral was
expected to arrive on October 2.
An extra edition Of The Star was pub
lished on September 8. 1899. to inform
Dreyfus tial at Rennes, France, had
Convicted brought in verdict of guilty
in the case of Capt. Alfred
Dreyfus Actually, the decision was "left-
handed" acquittal since it stressed "extenu-
ating circumstances" and led to a pardon
for the accused 10 days later. Eventually,
in 1906. Dreyfus was completely rehabili-
tated" and reinstated in the army with the
rank Of major Of artillery. The accusation
upon which he originally was convicted in
1894 had been based on q letter known as
the "bordereau," indicating reasonable deal
ings with Germany. When this document
was proved to be a forgery, the charges
collapsed. Meanwhile. however, Dreyfus had
served fours years on Devils Island. His
story is immortal as an example of justice
mAscarrying. Even now. after half q century,
A11 ftaA foAfe kAry
~ 4
Under the heading His Back Lasled,"
The Star on September II, 1899, explained:
There was legal whipping
'Leeol last evening at 10 o'clock
.Whippinq' at Rosslyn, at which a 1s-
year-old coloTed Washing
ton youth was the victim. BY the direction
OF Justice Louis r. Smith a sentence of Is
lashes across the bare back was carried
out, and at the end Of the operation the
prisoner was so badly used up that his next
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Would Limit Cars
To Fifty Miles an Hour

To the Editor OF The Star:
Your editorial in The Star of August 13
entitled Speed and Sudden Death makes
very pathetic and tragic reading.
The figures are startling, and the worst Of
it is that it will continue unless. as you say.
''The driver must deliberately slow down."
However, feel that the designs of our.
automobiles are lot to blame. Why build
car with all that speed? Some of our cars
can do even 100 miles an hour. and we pride
ourselves on this.
All our cars are too powerful when most
Of us use them in our city streets. Wouldn't
1t be possible to cooperate with the manu-
facturers and design car with maximum
speed of, say so miles an hour? True, we
still would have accidents. but I think we
could cut down considerably on the number
Of them. A car going over so miles an hour
is dangerous, If anything should happen
ARCHIBALD SMITH.
Evening star., 1949-09-18
First Grade at Randle Highland
Also on Part Time

To the Editor of The Star:
Having read the news stories about IA
schools being forced to set up part-time
classes, I'd like to bring it to your attention
that Randle Highland School at Pennsyl-
vania avenue Thirtieth and r streets sS.E.
was not mentioned as one of the schools
starting part-time classes. Possibly there
are others that were not mentioned. This
is the first year Randle Highland School
has been on part time, and though it is
only the first-grade students, it is important
that this school be mentioned, because OF
the number of apartment buildings just
completed in the Randle Highland area and
the many large lots running into many acres
that are zoned for apartments and being
built on now or planned to be built on In
the near future. When these two classes OF
part-time. first-grade students pass to the
second grade. there will be only one room
available for second grade and they Will
probably continue on part time until addi-
tional space is available for them to have
more than one room for each grade.
w. H. d.
Evening star., 1949-09-18

symbol OF the Un-
seen and Eternal,
leaping to the bend
ing heavens. had
dominated the view
on all approaches
to that cathedral
town. From gener-
alton to generation
it had been the
pride and JOY of the
city and the sur
rounding country
side. But a bolt
of lightning had
brought the discov-
ery that tho ton C5
Evening star., 1949-09-18

Speculation is rife as to what the re-
turned runaway, Lieutenant Barsov, is
telling the Soviets. As good as anything,
we guess, is the fair motorists explanation
of the seven violations in negotiating
left turn: II wa4confused."
Evening star., 1949-09-18

What trouble, time and expense we 60
to, once we depart from the traditional
American way, of never preparing for war
until one Is declared!
Evening star., 1949-09-18

For the thief who stole II television re-
ceivers. disilluSion sets in with the dis
covery that the home team isn't winning
on any of them
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Spires Of the Spirit
Restored Spires
Humanity Held to Need Lift of High Ideals
in Rivalry With Sin and Suffering
BY the Reu Frederick BroOn Harris, D. D., Lit. d.

Like fallen star, spire lay upon the
OF all places for a spire! It was
in city of the English midlands. From
times long past that tall, tapering white
Evening star., 1949-09-18
Sees . Public Service Performed
BY Mellett and Stokes Columns

Congratulations for your fair and cour-
ageouA Areply to Harry 8. Barger. who showed
his Cd 1rs by suggesting Lowell Mellett and
The Wrangell sentinel., 1949-03-18
NO0RvIK ESKIMO IS ALASKA'S CHAMP
 MUSTER OF 1949

FAIRBANKS - A 3S-year old Eskimo who brought his dog team here by plane from the Arctic will lage of Noorvik is Alaskas cham pion ''musher" of 1949.
 The Noorvik trail-burner, Dan Snyder, won top prize money of $500 in the 70-mile, three day all-Alaska dog team derby which ended here Monday. The race, run in three heats, was the main ev- ent of the annual Fairbanks win ter carnival.
 Snyder crossed the finish line in the. final 30-mile heat less than two minutes ahead of 20-year-old Gareth Wright of Nenana, who staged a spectacular comeback to grab off second place and 5000.
 Wright, youngest of the "A driv- CTS entered in the northlands pre- mier sporting event, was running a fever of 102 degrees Wednesday night. Still weak and shaky, he climbed out of bed Thursday and managed to come in ninth and out
The Wrangell sentinel., 1949-03-18
EASTERN STAR HELD
 ST. PATRICK,S PARTY

The local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star held a St. Pat riek's Day party last night at the Red Men hall for it's members and guests
 1t was a dancing party with Don House and c. Crutcher in charge of the music. Entertainment under the guidance of Mrs. Neya Coulter and Mrs. Mae Gartley included a White Elephant Sale with J. Hay as auctioneer.
 Refreshments were served after wards by Mrs. Bertha Hansen and Mrs. Val Coulter.