davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-02-10
Roberts Gets Frye Post
In Defense Department

Osgood Roberts. former public
relations director for the May
flower Hotel, has become acting
public information director for
the Defense Department.
Mr.. Roberts succeeds William
Frye. who resigned to take a post
in London. He had been deputy
director under Mr.. Frye.
He lives at 5000 Connecticut
avenue NV. and has had news
paper experience with the
Scripps-Howard newspapers here.
He also was city editor of The
Newark IN. j. Ledger. During
the war he served in the Navy.
Evening star., 1950-02-10
Bitner Named Surgeon
OF MiIitury District

Col. Robert e. Bitner, 512 North
Irving street, Arlington, has be-
come surgeon of the Military Dis
trict of Washington and COM
mander Of the general dispensary
at the Pentagon.
He succeeds Col. Floyd v. Kill
gore, who retired after 81 years
|of service, the District headquar-
ters announced yesterday.
Col. Bitner has been on duty
in Japan for the last two and a
half years. He is a native of
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Evening star., 1950-02-10

the world and said it would be
inadvisable to intervene directly
and prohibit polygamy $50 long
as the mass of the people remain
attached to it."
Evening star., 1950-02-10

Legion's service officers came here
every year and reported the seri-
Gus lack Of hospital facilities but
that nothing has been done about
it.
Evening star., 1950-05-06

under torture. OF the remainder. all
except two were deported to German
concentration camps.
Hardy arrived again at his mistress
lodgings at Lyons, with revolver wound
in his arm Arrested by the French
police and held in hospital, he escaped
again by jumping from a third-floor
window. He made his way to England.
There he was cleared by court Of hon.
or and served under Gen. de Gaulle.
When he returned to France after the
liberation he was denounced as a traitor.
arrested, and tried at the end OF l946
on charges of intelligence with the
enemy. He was accused of having be-
trayed the Calluire meeting to the
Gestapo.
Hardy then vehemently denied that
the Gestapo had ever arrested nim He
claimed that he had got away by jump
ing from the train. The informer. Lunel.
who might have given evidence against
him. had already been executed. Hardy's
word was believed against that of the
Vichy official. M. Cressol. who de-
clared that they had been taken to-
gether to the Gestapo prison. Hardy
was given the benefit of the doubt and
acquitted. to the great relief of those who
knew of his previous exploits. ,.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
By Charles E. TroceweN
G. r. @. Wallingford.

That is their only way Of flying, taught
them over the centuries by nature,
mother Of all living things To her bat
children she said: You fly this way
and you will get your dinner"
So that is the way bats ny.
You may think it erratic to an insane
degree. especially when you wake UP at
night, flash on the light and watch
that black shape skitter here and there.
Actually, the fellow Is not black. but
brown. and he is not very big, though
for his size he has some very fine wings.
One should be glad that only one
species Of bat gets into houses.
There are $500 other living speciesi
Among them are the vampire bats Of
South America. continent Of many odd
things.
These vampires live on blood. as all
good vampires should. These are small.
not more than inches long. 1t Is the
teeth that are unusual.
These teeth are as sharp as needles
and rather scratch wound than bit 1t.
The injury is so small that normally 1t
does not wake the victim. The bat then
laps the flowing blood.
II bats get into house In seemingly
mysterious fashion, search should be
made for small cracks or other openings
and these covered carefully: but often
the bat will find one that you missed.
despite al your care.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
1t Didn't Last Long

Some three weeks ago Governor Dewey made
a talk at Princeton University which indicated
an awareness that reckless charges against the
administration, and particularly against the
State Department, were threatening serious in
jury to the best interests of this country. He
told his fellow Republicans that, before rejoicing
at the possible shipwreck of the administrators
foreign policy, they should remember that we
are all in the same boat.
This seemed like a rebuke to the demagogues,
and apparently put the Governor on record as
taking a stand against the irresponsible tactics
of some of his party colleagues. But it didn't
last long. In a slam-bang address to New
York Republican gathering Thursday night,
Governor Dewey said one big difference between
the Republicans and the Democrats is that the
former really believe that spies and traitors
belong in Jail, and that sex offenders should be
in prisons or mental hospitals-not in any part
of the Federal Government
In other words, the New York Governor was
saying that the Democrats do not want to Jail
spies and traitors, and that they favor keeping
sex offenders in Federal Jobs That sounds like
Senator McCarthy-but it was Governor Dewey
talking
Evening star., 1950-05-06
Letters to The Star :.

of the purposes Of our investigation is to
determine the extent of such violations.
Herbert r.. Northrup,
Chairman Committee on Civil Rights
and Labor Relations.
Patrick Murphy Malin.
Director. American Civil Liberties
Union.
am opposed to the principles Of any
group which will deny the means of
livelihood to one of it's members for speak
ing his own heartfelt sentiments against
a policy or a policymaker. Even If
majority seems to favor the policy.
and the majority has its way still the
majority has no right to crush the min
orfty nor to exercise the function of a
court without trial. have in mind
the most revealing case of Joe Dickmon.
an affair which is definitely anti-Amer-
lean.
This and other incidents which smack
of dictatorial policies should make the
American people who truly love Amer
lea, and the ideals for which she stands,
take careful notice.
Liberals have no answer to the case of
Joe Dickmon? Have you asked any? -
Do you imply that if man wants to
work he should be able to do so?
believe you do. and will agree with you.
In fact, I believe there are million
unemployed at this moment who should
be able to work. 1t is not Lewis. nor
Reuther, nor Green, nor Bridges nor
any of their unions who today keeps
them from work. Who prevents their
working? The gentlemen of business. on
the opposite side of the fence from labor.
Why do you not urge correction of
this situation with the same initiative
that you use to bring damnation on
un1onism? Your crocodile tears for Joe
Dickmon are strictly for effect. Your
normal interest in laborer Is generally
less charitable. However, it Is an oppor-
tunity to bring public anger against labor
as whole.
Yes, it is shame for Joe Dickmon.
And feel sorry for the other million
being kept from working by reason Of
lockout" by business. Dickmon is a
man Of little faith, or great stupidity
He would weaken the resolve Of half
million because of his personal weakness.
He is not in this position because Of the
union. 1t is too simple an explanation
to be accurate. Look behind the obvious.
The union is a result of failure of busi-
ness enterprise, as are all unions. Dick
mon is merely the effect of cause.
william HI. Reynolds.
X
agree with every word and implica-
ton of your editorial in the miners
Evening star., 1950-05-06
This and That

radar device, 1t Is believed. which tells
them perfectly when they are about to
touch something.
Every one has watched them at dusk,
flying and dipping. never touching any,
thing. not tree branch, or the garage,
or anything.
This same coordination helps them
get into attics, in particular.
They are not magicians. however. but
just capable and often misunderstood
living things.
They do not carry bedbugs
Let us say that again. for the benefit
Of good housekeepers:
They do not carry bedbugs.
Now and then somewhat similar
looking insects are found on bats. but
never bedbugs. The things sometimes
carried by bats are parasites, true, but
only bat parasites.
This ought to make many persons feel
easier in their minds, as the saying
has 1t.
so what?" some one asks. What
about all that dipping and flying In
house at night' The things act as II
possessed"
Surely they do.
In a house they are strictly out Of
their element, the outdoors. They can
find no food indoors and are frightened
by lights.
Surely they fly in an eTatic fashion.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
By Robert Stephens

A NEW and perhaps final chapter is
N being added to one of the most
tragic and mysterious stories OF war
time France. Capt. Rene Hardy, who
as Colonel Didot." was once an out
standing underground leader and ma
tional hero, is now for the second
time in four years standing trial for
his life before a military tribunal
charged with treason.
Acquitted of similar charges in jan
uary, 1947. after a dramatic trial which
aroused much public feeling, Hardy was
re-arrested two months later when fur
ther evidence had been brought to light.
For legal reasons, the charges this time
are differently framed-but the question
on which public interest centered is still
the same: Did Hardy really betray the
chief of the National Resistance Council
and other Resistance leaders while he
was in the hands of the GeStapo in l943?
The origins of the Hardy case go back
seven years, to the darkest days Of the
war and the deep confusion OF the oc-
cupation and the underground move
ment. Hardy had begun resistance work
in May, 1910, as soon as France collapsed.
He became commander OF the railway
section of the maquis. based on the great
textile town of Lyons. He was director
of sabotage actions in Southern France.
On June 7, 1943, Hardy left Lyons
by the night train for Paris. where he
had a secret rendezvous the next DAY
with Gen. Delestraint, chief OF the
maouis' secret army.
AS he boarded the train, Hardy is
alleged to have been recognized by a
French agent of the Gestapo named
Lunel. 1t is contended that he was later
arrested by the Gestapo, together with
the other occupant of his sleeper,
Vichy government official named Cressol.
The next day, Gen. Delestraint was
arrested by the Gestapo in the Paris
subway station, where he was due to
meet Hardy.
Hardy, it is alleged. was later re-
leased and returned to Lyons, where
he went to see his mistress, Lydie Bas-
tien (now a witness against him). He
told none of his resistance colleagues
of his arrest, and fortnight later he
attended a secret meeting of leaders
called by the president of the Ma
tional Resistance Council. Jean Moul-
din, known in the maquis as MAX"
AS the meeting was about to begin in
a cellar at Calluire, on the outskirts
of Lyons, the house was surrounded by
German troops and police.
Hardy broke away and escaped; the
others were arrested. Jean Moulin died
Evening star., 1950-05-06

five-man committee which Vice President Bark
ley will appoint. The most reassuring aspect OF
the special-committee idea is the understanding
that Senator Estes Kefauver, of Tennessee,
author Of the original gambling resolution, will
be named chairman of the group. Senator
Kefauver does not fit in with suggestions that
an administration picked group would be in
clined to tread lightly in certain areas for
reasons of political expediency. Mr.. Barkley
already has announced that two members of
the committee will be Republicans. All the
committeeman will be selected from among
members of the Judiciary and Commerce
Committees.
The real test of the committees thorough
ness and objectivity will come when it gets to
work. All members of the group will be we'll
aware that they are in the spotlight of public
scrutiny. If they live up to their responsibilities
as impartial investigators, great deal of good
can come of this Nation wide study of crime
and its sinister ramifications.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
.Dickmon and Civil Liberties

David Lawrence's recent column refer
ring to the violation of trade union
democracy in the case of Joe Dickmon.
barred by the United Mine Workers from
his right to work because he called John
L. Lewis dictator. is particularly timely.
The American Civil Liberties Union has
recently begun preliminary study OF in
ternal democracy in labor unions gener-
ally. In connection with that study. and
apart from it too. we stand ready to pro-
tect the civil liberties of every one. in
cluding those threatened by union prac-
ticeS.
We would willingly have defended
Joe Dickmon from the start. had we
been informed of the case; but, un-
fortunately, we learned of it only through
the newspapers on April "a, which told
that he had apologized and that the
incident had apparently been closed. We
are now investigating the case for the
sake of whatever action may still be
possible and for the sake of whatever
information it may furnish our study
of trade union democracy.
Another case involving the United
Mine Workers came to our attention
some weeks ago. Lloyd H. Sidener OF
Canton, III. had been fined the sum of
$50 900 by the U. M. W., allegedly because
he and his local union obeyed the court
iniunctions during the recent soft-coal
strike When we heard of this case.
we Immediately referred it to our Chicago
division. which has written to Mr.. Sid
ener offering aid If he wishes it.
One of the great handicaps under
which we operate (though we are now
engaged in efforts to reduce it, is that
we fail to hear of many possible vio-
lations of civil liberties or hear of them
too late. We should greatly appreciate
it if any one would bring to our attention
any cases they may learn of involving
violation of trade union democracy or
other civil liberties.
Working case by case in the defense Of
civil liberties in unions and elsewhere is a
tedious process, though absolutely nee
essary. We have submitted model trade
union democracy bills to the United
States Congress. and have worked very
closely with Congressman Andrew Jacobs.
who has been fighting for enactment of
such legislation. His vigorous efforts
last year were unavailing, and we I'M
derstand that his subcommittee has no
appropriation with which to work this
year.
We want to make clear one additional
point: We do not yet know the extent to
which violations of trade union democ-
racy really exist. Such violations may
indeed prove to be mere alterations
from a general pattern Of fairness. One
Evening star., 1950-05-06
Keep Politics Out Of 1t

The close Senate vote on the question of
placing responsibility for the interstate gam
bling inquiry in the hands of a special COM
mittee was indicative of the substantial doubt
that existed as to the wisdom of assigning
hand picked" group to such politically explo-
sive task. Whatever the motive of administra-
tion forces in pushing the special-committee
plan, the move will deny Republican Senators
Donnell and Ferguson the rights they would
have had, as members Of the Judiciary Com
nittee, to pry into big-city crime and possible
political corruption. There is no doubt that
they would have done a thorough job-especially,
for example in Kansas City.
Much Fill depend on the personnel Of the
Evening star., 1950-05-06

Women don't like bats.
If the truth were told, neither do most
men.
Mrs. Z. M. D. writes:
please explain to me how bats get
in home besides flying in the windows
and doors.
"I live in an upstairs duplex apart
ment, have q screened back porch and
have had four bats in the apartment in
the past year.
"It is q mystery to me how they can
get in. Do they crawl like mice, get in
small openings?
Every one Of them has been in our
kitchen.
Please explain about these pesty
things to me. as certainly will appre-
ciate anything you can tell me about
them"
Our little brown bat is mammal with
wings.
This puts him into very select class
Although he has skin instead of
feathers, he handles his wings much as
a bird does.
His ability to get into houses has
always been something of mystery to
most persons. because they refuse to
inspect the creature closely.
Closeup, the bat is seen to be small on
the slim side. with the ability to get
into any slight crack. or through the
blades of kitchen fan, for instance.
Bats are equipped with o sort Of
Evening star., 1950-05-06
Rent Control, Tongue in Cheek

AS soon as the rent control law Is re-
enacted, which 1t Is going to be for obvi-
Gus reasons, there is going to be fine
opportunity for those with little capital
to make a quick buck" in Washington.
How? Well, there are many potenti-
ally sound pieces OF residential property
knocking around, now leased at rents
frozen as of January. 1941. These prop
critics are owned by "kulaks." such
rs widows and retired persons, who just
manage to get by on the rentals but can
not make repairs on account of the
highly-infiated costs.
Consequently these properties are run
down. The owners cannot get increased
rentals. first because they cannot employ
the legal talent to plead their cases;
secondly. unless an actual expenditure
for repairs in the current year can be
proven. even a lawyer cannot get an in
crease. Furthermore, some of the re-
pairs will be classified as capital charges,
and hence not to be considered So
soon. the owners will have to sell or
Starve.
Now. by forming q small syndicate, a
block Of such properties can be pur-
chased at a low figure. The repairs nee
essary to slick them up can be carried
out at much lower figure by q Syndi-
cate than by individual owners, because
the contracts for repairs will embrace a
number Of properties and a syndicate
can always get better prices than an in
dividual
Then, after the Sticking up process has
been carried out, these properties can be
put on the sale market. at a price that
can compete with newly-built houses.
and if the shortage" is what we are told
1t is sales should not be hard to make.
Maybe the FHA would make loans to
the syndicate. OF course this will fur
ther increase the shortage" of houses
for rent. But that Is the idea anyway,
isn't It?
G. r. @. Wallingford.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
For Equity in Local Elections

In approving a Hatch Act amendment to
permit partisanshp by Federal employees in near
by local elections, Congress has paved the way
for more representative government in the en-
franchised parts of the Washington Metropolitan
Area. Under the Civil Service Commissions
Interpretation of the no-politics law, Democratic
or Republican employees of the Federal Govern
ment could not run for local Offices except in
disguse-aS Independents. And independents IN
the past often have lost to non-governmental
candidates supported by one or the other party.
This situation sometimes has placed Federal en-
ployes at distinct disadvantage. And local
boards and commissions may have been deprived
of the services of exceptionally qualified citizens
who were under Hatch Act restrictions.
Congress considered another development in
reaching its decision to remove the restrictions
for purely local politcking This is the fact that
the bar on Federal employees political activities
had tended to create non-partisan organizations
which had every appearance of being full-hedged
political parties, except in name. Thus, Federal
workers could be as active as they pleased IN Sucn
third party" movement, but were denied the
right of campaigning under old-line party colors.
Representative Harrison of Virginia pointed out
that the amendment will permit Federal workers
to take part in local politics in the parties of their
choice. They would still be prohibited OF course,
from engaging in national political campaigns
This will not prevent local communities from
holding non-partisan elections for certain offices,
If that is the will of the voters. But, unless the
entire election is to be on non partisan basis,
1t is unfair to Federal employees to place them
under handicaps not applicable to non-Federally
employed residents The amendment, therefore,
Is in the interest of more equitable administra-
ton of the Hatch Act. And so, also, is the addi-
tional amendment giving the Civil Service Com
mission wider choice of penalties to infict on
violators of the law.
Evening star., 1950-05-06
Shooting War AirlTt

! From the "cold war" airlift has evolved a
shooting war" version that may be assigned
key role in Americas defense program. The
combat-type ampification of Operation Wit
ties" which supplied West Berlin during the
critical 1948-49 winter has undergone rigorous
testing during the current Exercise Swarmer'
in North Carolina Valuable lessons have been
learned from this exercise, according to Air Force
observers. Mistakes have been made in practice
that could be disastrous in time of war. The
Importance of these periodic maneuvers there
fore has been clearly demonstrated.
The mission of such an all-airborne operation
as has been undertaken near Camp Mackall is
to establish and build up quickly an airhead in
enemy territory, or in enemy seized territory.
The task is far more difficult than delivering
food and coal to Berlin in peacetime. But the
Berlin experiment. gave our transport crews
excellent experience in Split-second loading,
flying and unloading of an lair express" line.
In the Carolina operation, however, paratroopefs
first had to seize an air strip and defend 1t with
antitank and antiaircraft guns before the sup
plies of men and materiel could be run in.
1t was during the subsequent supply opera
tions that weaknesses in planning and equipment
developed according to critiques at the scene.
There was confusion as to which troops were
to unload the big planes, and there was
serious shortage OF transports designed Tor rapid
loading and unloading of heavy equipment
Other less important shortcomings were re-
vealed But, all in all, the exercise proved to
the satisfaction of defense experts the necessity
of maintaining an airhead task force, fully
manned and equipped for emergency action.
When it is remembered that Russia has arfields
close to Alaska, the significance of Lieutenant
General Norstad's comment on the feasibility
of a trans Bering Sea airlift operation becomes
apparent. The safety of Alaska would require
naturalization of such fields in time of war and
their possible use for our own purposes. Here
is where combat airlift task force would have
a chance to use the lessons it has learned in
peacetme games like Exercise Swarmer.