davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Trade in Europe

Another indication of serious economic
strain behind the Iron Curtain is con-
tanned in a New York Times dispatch re-
porting that Czechoslovakia's Ministry of
Foreign Trade has called upon the Soviet
controlled Council of Economic Mutual
Assistance" to figure out some way ito
paralyze the effects of the Marshall Plan
by interfering in Marshall Plan countries"
When 1t was established last January by
the Kremlin, the council was described as
an organization in which Bulgaria, Hun
gary. Poland, Romania Czechoslovakia and
Russia would work together to stimulate
trade among themselves, exchange tech
nical aid and help each other Gin regard
to raw materials, foodstuffs machinery
and equipment" In effect the set-up had
all the earmarks of being an attempt by
the Soviet Union to ease the economic
difficulties created for the satellites when
Moscow forbade them to participate in
the Marshall Plan. 1t was to be kind
of rival European Recovery Program oper-
ating behind the Iron Curtain.
Apparently, however, the council has
failed to effect any economic Improvement
in the satellite countries. Ever since they
rejected the Marshall Plan on Moscows
orders, those countries-some more so than
others-have been experiencing mounting
difficulties. The traditional pattern of
EaSt-West trade having been disrupted by
Soviet policy, their economies have been
hard hit by shortage of essential i'm
ports and construction of normal export
outlets. In CzechoSlovakias case, the sit
uation seems to have become serious
enough to lead the Red regime to press
for action designed to browbeat the Mar
shall Plan countries into some kind of
forced trading.
1t is difficult to see, though, just how
the members of the Soviet dominated
Council of Economic Mutual Assistance"
can 60 about the task of forcing a free
Western country to make shipments to
the Iron Curtain areas If those shipments
serve that country better when sent to the
ERP areas. BY refusing to export coal to
Scandinavia, for example, Poland could
do real damage to the Marshall Plan in
that region, but it would also be hurting
ITSELF for it would be cutting itself off
from the Scandinavian goods it needs and
has been getting. The Czech proposal-if
it emissions pressure of that sort-probably
will win little support among the other
satellites.
Actually, the economic difficulties be-
hind the Iron Curtain are not likely to be
solved unless and until European COM
merce is allowed to flow normally again.
Russia, since it is relatively self-suff1cient
in food and raw materials and since 1t
needs most of its industrial production
for itself, is in no position to import a
great deal from its satellites or supply
them with an adequate volume of manu-
factured goods. The satellites, and indeed
the Marshall Plan countries as we'll, will
face trouble as long as Soviet policy pre-
vents predominantly agricultural Eastern
Europe and predominantly industrial
Western Europe from returning to their
historic trading pattern.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Surprisingly Small Demand
For Iron Shown by Body
Tests Show Element Is Salvaeed
And Reused in New Cells
Bv Thomas x. Henry


The body requires less than ten
thousandth of an ounce of iron day.
This surprisingly small demand for an
element which plays an extremely impor-
tant part in the mechanics Of life has been
determined by experiments with volunteers
at the Massachusetts, Institute OF Tech
nology, according to the semiannual report
of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Students volunteered to receive injections
OF radioactive iron produced at the COM
MISSIONS Oak Ridge laboratory in doses sup
posedly well below the level which human
beings can safely tolerate. Tests Of the
volunteers after six months showed no i'll
effects.
Reused in New Cells.
The experiment showed that the iron in
the blood cells, chiefly as a constituent OF
the red colorng matter, hemoglobin, is used
over and over again. When the red cells
die-they have a lifetime of only few
days-the human system salvages between
80 and 95 per cent of the iron and reuses it
to form new cells.
The work also has demonstrated that new
red cells formed in the bone marrow can
assmilate iron for a few days but that old
cells lose this ability. The new vtamin.
folio acid, and some liver extracts increase
the ability of the young cells to take up iron.
1t has hitherto been supposed that the
chief use of iron was in the red blood cells.
Scientists working at the commissions
Brookhaven laboratory. however have
found that almost an equal amount is taken
up by another body pigment known as
cytochrome. This exists in almost every cell
and it's function is obscure. They also found
that considerable amounts enter the muscles.
Experiments With Zinc.
The Massachusetts Tech scientists also
have carried on extensive experiments with
zinc, which only recently has been recog-
nized as an essential element of diet. Using
a radioactive isotope of this element, they
found that the metal plays an important
role in the life cycle of the white blood cell.
Large quantities of living white cells tagged
with exploding zinc atoms are being injected
into dogs in an effort to trace this life cycle.
A full understanding of the process, it IS
believed may throw some light on the mech
anism of overproduction of white cells in
leukemia 1t has been demonstrated that
leukemic white cells have pronounced zinc
deficiency.
Harvard Medical School workers have
proved the report says, that the metal
chromium enters into many tissues of
the body. 1t penetrates blood cells in a
matter of minutes and remains firmly bound.
possibly for the life of the cell.
program now under way seeks to de-
termine which cells and if possible, which
portion of each CELL the chromium enters.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
World Bank Loon to finlond

The $12, 500, 900 loan just mace 10 f1nlano
by the World Bank emphasizes Ftnlands
exceptional position, not only economically
but politically and psychologically as well.
This relatively small Baltic country, lying
between Scandinavia and Soviet Russia,
has an enviable record for financial integ-
rity, love of liberty, and ability to Surmount'
seemingly insuperable obstacles. Defeated
by Russia in the late war, constrained to
sign treaty of alliance with the victor,
and assessed heavy indemnify bill for
war reparations, Finland has nevertheless
managed to maintain its independence and
Western way of life. Its Communist mi
nority has been held in check and its
reparations bill to Russia is being paid on
by herculean exertions. In short, though
lying strategically "in the forepaws OF the
Russian Bear" Finland has not been sub
iected to a satellite" status toward Mos
cow and is thus outside the Iron Curtain"
All these factors account for the fact
that Finland has been deemed eligible for
q World Bank loan-the first such advance
made by the institution to an Eastern
European country" to quote the words of
Bank President Eugene r. Black, who
added: Finland has great debt record,
and it is an independent government" We
Americans are especially cognizant of Fin
lands financial integrity, because it Is the
only borrower which never defaulted on
the interest due on rehabilitation loans
extended to many nations after World
War ]. This, together with traditional
commercial honesty and dependability,
combine to give Finland an Al credit
rating.
However despite truly marvellous post
war economic recovery under heavy handi-
caps, Finland needs outside financial aid
If this progress is to be maintained. It's
basic natural resource lies in its vast
forests, which have contributed the bulk
of its export trade in the form of wood
pulp and other wood products. But the
world market for these commodities Is be-
coming increasingly competitive, and If
Finland is to maintain its position, 1t must
import much equipment to modernize it's
woodworking industry. Most of this equip
ment would normally come from the United
States, and Finland does not now have the
dollar exchange to pay for it. The World
Bank loan Is chiefly for this purpose,
though portions are earmarked for electric
power development and the production
OF limestone powder for agriculture. All
these projects are, of course, constructive
and productive in the immediate sense
Finland had originally asked the Bank
for $100, 900. But after consultation
With the Banks representatives the much
smaller figure of $12,5o0,o0o~ was finally
agreed upon. This does not mean that
Finland's application was deemed excessive
or unsound. It could be technically justi-
fed by the program of overall national
reconstruction which the Finnish Govern
ment has drawn up. But in view of factors
such as the pressure of other loan applica-
tons. the Bank has granted the loan which
will Meet Finland,s most crucial needs.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Mr.. Mellett Held Practicable
On Every Issue, Always

I always read your columnists With in
terest, but some of them bother me no end.
I look for new insight, new facts and
deeper understanding. Particularly, I am
questioning the usefulness of the columns
by Lowell Mellett. On virtually every issue
Government spending gets his Endorsement
Government expansion nearly always finds
favor with him. Self-reliance seems to be
no part of him. Does this not mean that
he has deep-seated distrust of the indi-
vidual and an overpowering faith in the
Government? How does this differ from
Marxism, which on the economic side is
identical with socialism? Mr. Mellett al
ways is predictable, on every issue.
don't know the answer, but many people
have raised this question with me: Would
we not perform a greater service to human
ity. if we refused to give further support to
the drift toward statism?
r. G. WILLIAMS
Evening star., 1949-08-05

And President Black emphasizes in his
statement on the matter that this does not
exclude the possibility OF subsequent loans.
"If Finland has other desirable projects,
we may be able to aid them further"
The Banks present action should be
source of qualification to Americans. Pro-
motion of the progress and stability OF so
deserving nation and people is in our
own interest and that of the free world at
large.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Economic Issue Stressed
BY Government Girls

To the Editor Of The Star:
Your editorial "A Break for Girls" is
splendid. We know just what you mean.
One thing is lacking in this Identification
course-a way of making the money on the
sly to buy those slick black crepe dresses,
plus the cleaning bill entailed. Likewise, the
cost of four pairs of spider web stockings at
least once a month-they do not last even
that long, because of one neat little run
(prearranged by the manufacturer). Also
the cost of keeping up those three-inch heels.
WE GOVERNMENT GIRLS.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Another Echo of Water Charges
At Beverly Beach

To the Editor Of The Star:
was shocked to see, a letter from Joe M.
Baker, jr.. in the July fs edition of The Star
upholding Beverly Beach for charging S
cents for glass of water.
I have frequently visited Beverly Beach
and. as nurse, wondered why they should
discourage 5000 people from drinking water
since it is one of natures best medicines.
Wouldn't it be much simpler to put in
a water fountain in some conspicuous place?
ESTHER GROOM, r. N.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Separate Cash Receivers
Advised for Sales Tax
tn the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
To avoid the current confusion over the
collection of the sales tax, Washington
should use the system the States use. When
the tax is collected from purchasers. the
merchant puts it in container he keeps
by the side of the cash register. He turns
over to the State the exact amount he col
Iects This makes bookkeeping unnecessary
and the citizens know that every cent they
pay will go to the State. OF course. there
is possibility that some merchants will
cheat, but the States seem willing to take
this chance. I have noted this method Of
collection in at least three States. think
the sales tax is just tax, as people pay ac-
cording to their expenditures and would
like to see 1t succeed. GAMES MADISON.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
BY THE HAsKIN. SERVICE

c. What is an antibiotic?-E. D. H.
A. An antibiotic obstructive of life is a
drug produced from plants or animals and
useful for killing disease germs. Penicillin
and streptomycin are the two best-known
antibiotics Newly available ones are aure-
omycin and bacitracin. All are produced
from moIds.
Evening star., 1949-08-05

The Cleveland husband who fed his wife
zoo meat and gave her 5000 year to keep
the house would have been considered
rather old fashioned even in the old days
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Belief in Personal God
Required to Do Good
To the Editor of The Star.


I question the ability of J. Milton Stan
ford's philosophy to give him the moral
strength required in public Office. Panthe-
ism looks at the different changes. actions,
good and bad, which happen in the world
as manifestations of the Absolute Being.
1t explains seemingly different and distinct
beings as illusion due to the imperfect grasp
of the universe which our individual finite
consciousness possesses.
Since good and evil both are attributes Of
the Divine Being. one is as defensible as
the other. Also, since mind and matter are
identified our thoughts Gncluding our NOR
als) are produced by material, mechanistic
causes-those same laws and causes which
in other fields determine the weather.
A pantheist consistently should criticize
moral code in the same manner as he
would judge belief as to whether it would
rain one day or the next. since both q
standard of values and storm are pro-
duced by the same impersonal forces, oper-
ating here in the mind and there in the sky.
In fact, two positively contradictory ideas
of what is right and what is wrong are
equally manifest OF the same absolute real
ity to a pantheist.
Mr.. Stanford's stand shows sincerity and
force of character. These, however, must
be regarded as due to an accidental act Of
the laws and combined forces Of the uni
verse"-which If they had acted differently
could have produced very different sort
of man, a man who could also point to
himself and say, II am identified with God"
The only consistently philosophical indi-
vidual who should feel the slightest COM
Function to do good is the one who believes
in a personal God who Furnishes and re-
wards REYNOLD A. NOCELLA.
Evening star., 1949-08-05

A great change comes over Lisbon since
the war days, when it was hive OF stink
ing spies All the rage now, says cable
from there, is shoes that squeak.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Questions and Answers

reader can get the to any question Of
fact by writing The Evening star Washington
ington. D. c. Please inclose cents for return
postage.
Evening star., 1949-08-05


Jones listened
Swish swish, swiSh-swish-
The sound was such as he had never heard
before in his 20 years of suburban living
It seemed to come from all directions at
once, but finally Jones located it.
The creature, whatever it was, hummed
away in the peculiarly big locust to the east.
Wing on wing, hind leg on outer wing
Jones had read some descriptions of in
sect music, and none of them fitted this.
Saw, saw. saw, saw
Swosh, swish. swosh. swish
Such racket could have come from a jazz
band drummer weighing as much as l80
pounds.
It might well have been made by small
boys on an ice cream cone jag.
But this creature probably not two inches
long. put forth with the music of several
kettle drums. At least that was the way 1t
sounded to Temp Jones, trying to get to
sleep on a hot night.
X
And this was the juncture, of course, the
refrigerator took to break down.
Jones had heard larger noise for some
time
1t was over and above the swishing, grass
cutting sound made by the insects in the
tree.
1t was rolling noise.
At first he thought of thunder. Then Of
planes. Then of trains.
Then he smelled something hot.
A careful householder. Jones at once
thought of the old refrigerator.
Twenty-Five years old 1t was, probably a
record, porcelain outside and inside, made
in the good old days before workmen were
sore of each other as we'll as the boss.
*
When Jones got downstairs, and turned on
the light, he saw smoke rising from the
machinery.
He unpulled the plug, and that was that.
The motor, an hour later, was still hot.
All this did not add anything to the
chances of Templeton Jones for sleep.
He pictured himself buying new motor
on the morrow, and counting himself for
tunate If he could get it put in.
Workmen of all kinds seem to delight in
taking advantage of weekend.
Toward morning. Templeton Jones got
little sleep. The saving insect had quieted
down. and the days special noises had not
begun. Saturday is now sort of Super-Sun-
day, in most places. 1t is quieter than Sum
day. especially in the morning.
Jones wondered about the refrigerator.
Gould he get man? And would the man
come? And would he bring q new motor?
And would he put it in?
He soon got the answers "yes" to the first
two, mo" the last two. The motor was all
right. All that was needed was a slight belt
adjustment, and away it went The man
said to never have the box unplugged any
more than you had to. For defrosting, yes,
but ne@er at any other time.
Templeton Jones was delighted. But he
was going to keep his ears open that night,
to find out If his saving" insect. which
he had placed so firmly in a certain tree,
was not downstairk in his pantry. after all.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
Dumping Trash at Thirty eighth and w
Stirs Protest From a Neighbor

Stirs Protest From a Neighbor
To the Editor Of The Star:
few years ago We purchased home
near the corner of 38th and w streets NV
with lovely Glover Park at the rear Of the
house-a delightful cool location. with
space for the neighborhood children to
play and not be on the streets.
But this delightful spot is fast becoming
an eyeSore. ThoughtleSs and Indifferent
people from blocks around cart all their
trash, old bricks from replaced walls, even
old wallpaper from their homes when they
have had them redecorated. and dump this
unsightly debris right at our back door.
Recently when I came home from work
I was greeted with a big heap of old tin
guttering, door frames, broken pieces of
lumber, galvanized tubs and loads of paper
which some nearby neighbor did not want
and had unloaded in our view.
A few years ago the park police had
a sign there stating it was a Government
park and no dumping was allowed. That
sign disappeared and the park police
evidently are blind to the fact that the
park is being used as dumping ground.
Perhaps If this letter is printed some of
the guilty ones will read it and awaken
to the fact that we do not want our back
yards made a dumping ground any more
than they would want theirs made unsightly.
A. w. L.
Evening star., 1949-08-05

@. What per cent of all advertising does
outdoor advertising. including billboards.
representa-. L. C.
A. Last year outdoor advertising repre-
sented 2.7 per cent of the total dollar sales
in advertising. This compared with 36.2
per cent for newspapers, 12.4 per cent by
radio, 11.9 per cent by direct mail, 1915 per
cent by magazines. and 4.8 per cent by busi-
ness papers, the other major media.
@. When and how was the Parthenon in
Athens. Greece, damaged?-K. B. C.
A. Like many other works of art of an
tiquity. the Parthenon owes its damage to
war. In 1887 during an attack upon Athens
by the Venetians the building was used as
powder magazine by the Turks. An enemy
shell caused an explosion which ruined the
entire central portion.
'tmarried"?-L. w.
A. The adjacent towns of Pittsburg and
Tullahoma To settle a hot dispute over
names clergyman married the towns, rep
resented by young man and woman. at a
barbecue on July 4, 1886. Thereafter they
became the town of Grenada.
Q. Are earthquakes most frequent near
large bodies of water?-A. M. J.
A. MOST earthquake regions lie near the
edges of the continental platforms which are
produced by the collapse of large areas of
the earth's crust. These are the zones which
are undergoing the most rapid change of
level at the present time. In many cases the
deeps have become filled with water, pro-
ducing seas and oceans.
@. Were monasteries and institutions Of
religious orders started by the Christians?-
c. O. Y.
A. The building of monasteries did not
originate with the Christian world. These
were known to the ancient Egyptians and
were prevalent among Jews and later among
MohammedanS.
@. Is there any basis in the story that
President Jackson indicated with his cane
the exact spot where he wanted the corner
stone of the Treasury to be?-H. H. Men.
A. There is some confirmation, for Robert
Mills, designer of the building, informed a
congressional committee that its precise
position had been determined "by positive
directions of the late President"
Evening star., 1949-08-05

A sigh in passing for the Brannan farm
income plan. 10 one will ever know If
it was a noble experiment.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
@. Where do bats build their nests?-
AZ

NJ. NCC.
A. Bats do not build nests. They merely
hook the claws of their hind feet into a
wall or ceiling and hang upside down. Any
cave, hollow tree or building will 40. The
young bat after birth clings to its mothers
breast until it is able to fare forth alone.
Evening star., 1949-08-05

Letters TOR publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Driter, although it is permissible TOR
1Driter kno1Dn to The Star to use
a nom de plume Please be brief.
Evening star., 1949-08-05
No Disgrace Discovered
In Having Backed Shoes
To the Editor OF The Star:

10 the Editor OF The Star:
In recent articles in your paper I have
noted the use of the phrase former boot
black" implying it was either an ignobe
profession or worse. Actually it may con-
note the success of the individual.
We have many bootblacks in this city
who are as good citizens as others in the
professions. I have in mind the owner
of a shoe repair and shoe shine shop who
in the past has given thousands of pairs
Of shoes to poor people.
Then to shine a pair Of shoes properly
requires ability. I dare say you would
not put your feeble efforts in shining your
own shoes in competition with those of
real bootblack.
Juvenal the Roman satirical poet, re-
cognized the fallacy of trying to draw a
line of distinction between professions and
trades when he wrote: Think not that
any distinction can be drawn between
perfumery and leather: the smell of gain
is good from any source"
NORMAN L. KNAUSS
Evening star., 1949-08-05
This and That
Bp Charles E. TraceweH

Sounds in the night
Pretty, aren't they?
But that fellow in the locust tree, saving
away hour after hour
He was in class by himself.
Tempeton Jones' light sleeper at best,
cursed the thing heartily.
IT never heard one bug make such rack
et" he called out.
Since no answer came he spoke his mind:
'I never heard any sort of locust make
such noise. Maybe it isn't locust. 1t must
be some one cutting grass. But nobody
short of an idiot would cut grass at this time
Of night