davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-04-27
By George Beveridee

THE Veterans Administrators sud-
i den decision to ask Congress for
s2.2 million to prevent the firing Of more
than 4,700 Of its medical personnel, cli-
makes story of consistent delay by VA
officials in meeting crisis they well
knew existed last fall.
The request. to save 1910 hospital
and ! TOO clinic workers, is still in the
hands of the Budget Bureau.
Veterans Administrator Gray decided
to ask for the extra money after medical
leaders throughout the country protested
that the threatened firings would cripple
parts of the vast medical program. VA
medical heads concurred. They fear the
firing announcement already may have
shaken seriously the confidence of
civilian medical leaders. whose CO.
operation has been essential in develop
ing the huge program.
The problem Of the threatened firings
dates back to last summer. At that
time:
l. Both houses of Congress voted ap-
preparations that would have cut VA
medical personnel to strength Of
110,356. More than $4,000 workers
were then on duty.
4Cotlly4 Liz bC1O1C q OC1ldGC COl1lkllts
tee. Gen. Gray declared he would need an
additional $48 million to maintain stand
ards Of current medical activities and
adequately staff new hospitals due to
open during the fiscal year starting
last July.
8. With Budget Bureau approval, Con-
gress increased the medical personnel
money by SIG million, to provide 5000
more medical workers. This gave VA
enough money to pay the $4,000 en-
ployes already on duty, but it did not
allow for any increase.
Senator Pepper, Democrat, of Florida,
quoted Gen. Gray as saying the $48 mil
lion was needed. II am firmly convinced
that the only alternative I will have, in
the event sufficient funds are not made
available. Is to close certain existing
beds and to defer the opening of new
beds rather than reduce the standards
of medical care" the Administrator re-
portedly declared.
But in letters to Congress short time
later, Gen. Gray reversed himself.
The SIG million, he wrote, would per-
NIT VA to retain employees now expert
enced and qualified for hospital and medi-
cal care and will permit the transfer of
such experienced workers from existing
hospitals to new hospitals as they are
opened. Thus, reduction Of staff in the
Evening star., 1950-04-27
The Job Is Only Partly Done

The Civil Service Commission is getting
natural reaction to its announcement of Job
reclassifcations in the higher brackets. Con-
gress handed the commission a difficult task
when it directed that only 400 civil service posi-
tions be reclassiied for the three higher salary
levels under last years Classification Act. The
trouble with this assignment was that the COM
mission knew there were more than 400 key
employees fitted by experience and responsible
ties for inclusion in the select circle. AS was to
be expected, the commission is receiving mixed
chorus Of protests and praise for its work-de-
pending on who was hurt and who was benefited
1t is reported that during its study the
commission found that more than a thousand
high-ranking employees were in line for the pro-
motions made possible by lifting of the salary
ceiling from $4,000 to $4,000. The commissions
job was to reduce the large number of nominees
to the figures laid down by law-25 promotions
to the $4,000 class, rs to the $4,000 to $13 900
bracket and 800 to the $11 200 to $12 category
1t was inevitable that some deserving candidates
would lose out in this selection process. The
fact that only three District government officials,
in addition to the civilian Commissioners them
selves, were on the promotion list, although
several more had been recommended, is typical
OF the 1nequities resulting from the fixing by
Congress of an arbitrary limit on the higher
pay jobs.
These inequities are bound to have an adverse
effect on employe morale, if not efficiency For
that reason, as well in the interest of fair play
the Civil Service Commission ought to make a
special study Of the situation, with a view to
apprising Congress of the shortcomings of the
1949 act Undoubtedly a good start has been
made on the top-level reclassifcation task, but
it will take lifting of the promotion limit to
more realistic limit to complete the Job salts
factorily
Evening star., 1950-04-27
This and That

Little notes on paper
Some folks carry them in their pock-
cts. and when they want to remember
what to do they begin to haul them out.
First, it may be note with the fol-
lowing written on it:
Hair cut"
Simply that, and nothing more.
It may be a telephone number, or the
name of new book.
Photograph record enthusiasts resort
to little notes on little pieces of paper
to remind themselves of new ones they
want to buy.
But what can any one make out of
the following, found written on a piece
of yellow paper:
Gets after centipede with saw"
That was it.
Gets after centipede with saw"
Some one, it was understood, was
making after a centipede with murder
Gus intent
And with saw, of all weapons!
Years ago, in Washington newspaper
dom, some odd headlines were used.
One Of them said, in rather large type:
Hammer and Saw
Further down it was revealed that a
man had been murdered with these
everyday instruments.
'Gets after centipede with saw"
Well, there 1t was. and undoubtedly
Evening star., 1950-04-27

He represented the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People in a series
of campaigns which were fruitful of results in
and out of the courts. AS vice president of the
American Council on Race Relations, he was
recognized leader in the drive against discrim-
ination and intolerance
But Mr.. Houston sought much more than the
advantage of Negroes as group His views
were all inclusive. Especially as member of
the District of Columbia Board of Education, he
proved his personal liberality of opinion. He
visoned a society which eventually should be
free in the full meaning of the word-free of
arbitrary hindrances to mutuality and fellowship.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
What About the ITO?

Secretary AcheSonS recommendation that
Congress take early action to approve American
participation in the International Trade Organ
ization QTO) focuses attention on this body
whose charter was agreed upon at the Havana
Conference two years ago, attended by fifty-four
nations. The charter, voumnous and highly
complex document, was the outcome of pro-
tracted negotiations seeking to compromise
multitude of conflicting interests. It's object
was to provide permanent code of fair practices
In world economic relations.
Theoretically ITO was to 20 into effect when
ratified by twenty of the participants at the
conference. However, only two as yet have done
so, the chief reason for this reluctance being
failure of Congress to ratify. And it is obvious
that unless we participate in the organization,
the plan will fail. AS Secretary Acheson put it.
1t Is up to Congress to decide whether or not
there is to be an ITO.
In Congress itself there Is considerable oppo-
Sition to ratification, especially when further
iberalizing of our tariff already is up for con-
sideration, including an overhaul of our tariff
procedures to eliminate red tape and clarity
customs regulations which seriously hinder i'm
ports and the proposed third round" of tariff
negotiations scheduled to be held later this year
Some observers question the practicability
of trying to get ratification of the ITO until
prospects OF the customs and tariff changes now
being considered by Congress have been better
determined. Together, they might liberalize the
flow of imports fully as much as ratification of
the ITO would involve
Furthermore, it should be understood that
broader aspects of the ITO concern a perfected
code of fair practices in world economic relations
But this field is already partially covered by inter-
national agreements now in effect, such as the
Geneva trade agreement and the World Bank
YrFN
crate and implement with permanent machinery
trend and policy favored by most of the free
world since the war. Accordingly, though dis
heartening, there would seem to be little reason
to regard further delay in ratification as
major setback
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Mr.. Trumun and Dr.. Nourse

After DR.. Edwin G. Nourse resigned as
chairman of the Presidents Council of
Economic Advisers because he did not
approve of deficit financing in pursuit
of prosperity, Mr.. Truman remarked
THE doctor is a nice old fellow, but he
just doesn't understand financing"
1t is obvious to the thinking people Of
the country that while Mr.. Truman is
likewise likable old chap to a few
people, his economic illiteracy stands out
like a sore thumb; Furthermore, the
sooner he is replaced by someone of
stable ability. the better chance this
Nation will have Of being saved from
bankruptcy. AS matters now stand the
American taxpayers are weary and the
Government bondholders are becoming
very apprehensive.
Nish Showers.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Charles H. Houston

The career of Charles Hamilton Houston
has ended much too soon. At fifty-four he was
In the prime of life, and it is matter of regret
that he should have died so young.
Mr.. Houston's gifts of mind and heart were
far above average. He was brilliant student at
Amherst and at Harvard and Skillful teacher
at Howard His work at the bar from 1924
onward was as noteworthy as it was successful
He was man of creative intellectual power who
chose to devote his talents to worthy social
purposes
OF course, Mr.. Houston was q partisan
Evening star., 1950-04-27
A Political Gesture

1t took young veteran of the Pacific war
to appraise accurately the action of the House
IN passing the Rankin veterans hospital expan-
sion BILL The veteran with the courage of his
convictions was Representative Davis, Republi-
can, of Wisconsin, who resigned from the State
Legislature to enlist in the Navy and returned
home with nine battle stars on his ribbons. "This
situation" Mr.. Davis told his colleagues, "boils
down to this being a political gesture on the
part OF this body" He was one of the few who
raised their voices to vote against the $237- million
measure
The overwhelming voice vote for the bill
came after advocates of the program had ex-
pounded the theory that nothing is too good
for our veterans" What these Self-styled friends
OF the veterans overlooked was that the political
gesture" they were making was futile one
what good to the veterans would the 16 900 addi-
tional hospital beds be if there are no doctors
or nurses to attend them? Veterans Admins
traitor Gray has testified that already 1000 beds
are idle because of a staff shortage. Even under
this handicap, all urgent service connected cases
are being cared for. It is true that the VA has
waiting list of over $4,000 potential hospital
cases, but all except twoscore of these are nom
service connected. None of these veterans can
hope to benefit from the Rankin bill as long as
the personnel shortage lasts
Veterans who, as Representative Davis did.
will take the time to learn the real facts regard
ing the VA disqualification program will not be
misled by the "nothing-is-too-g good for our
veterans" propaganda. Too often this line is
taken by those who are thinking more about
what is good for themselves, come election time,
than what is good for the veterans. Certainly
lot OF ailing veterans are going to be cruelty
diSilusioned if they think that enactment of
the Rankin bill would enhance their chances of
early disqualification.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Hard on Economizers

Entirely apart from the Appropriations Com
mittee's approval of Secretary Johnson'S request
for $3.50 900 900 addition to the defense budget
an increase that seems justified in the light of
dangerous world events-the House economy
bloc has good reason to brood over the failure
of its drive to cut down spending in less
essential domestic fields.
few weeks ago the economizers, made up
chiefly of Republicans were speaking hopefully
of slashing as much as 00,0O000O off the
$29, 1000, 100000 omnibus appropriation bill. But
thus far, after fortnight of House consideration
Of that BILL the net result of their eorts-leavng
aside the big boost in defense outlays-has been
to increase the er-all total by upward of
$75OO0O O00 In short, as matters stand right
now the spending program, instead of being re-
duced, is being enlarged.
When it first began voting on the omnibus
bill, the House made series of modest cuts
amounting to $7,700,000 But then the other day,
with some Republican members Of the economy
bloc going off the reservation, it voted to allow
the full $150,000,000 of contract authority re-
quested by the President for Federal aid to
support State hospital construction. Since the
Appropriations Committee had recommended
that that sum be halved, the economizers thus
were thrown for a $75,000,000 loss and their
earlier savings of $7700,000 were Cancelled out by
almost ten times as much additional spending
This particular increase, coupled with few
lesser ones and with the projected addition to
defense expenditures plainly suggests that when
the House finishes with the omnibus bill, nothing
like 81 900 900, 900 will have been shaved off. On
the contrary, all signs indicate that the final
total will be well above $29 0O0, 100000 Real
economizing Just does not seem to be in the
cards Ominous world developments, as we'll as
the fact that not many Congressman are eager
to slash home front spending in an election year,
initiates strongly against the idea.
Speaking as one of the economizers, Minor
ity Leader Joe Martin has summed up the situa-
ton with the glum admission that we're not
doing so we'll" What he hopes for now is that
it may be possible to win approval for an across
the-board slash prior to final vote on the omni-
bus measure. With congressional elections in the
off1ng, however, and considering the vital i'm
portance of having adequate military prepared
ness and a vigorous continuation of such crucial
enterprises as the Marshall Plan, the outlook
for any apprecable cut seems altogether dinn
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Great Books

Chancellor Robert Maynard Hutchins of the
University of Chicago is the latest of long list
of scholars to attempt to bring together In one
convenient set the books which "a free man"
needs. OF course, no individual ever is COM
pletely free and it is the aspiration OF freedom
rather than the absolute achievement OF 1t that
Is meant when the quoted phrase is used. But
the great books really are important to men
wishing to be emancipated from coercive crcum-
stance. Civilization is very largely literary
affair. People, in measure, are what they
have read.
So any such enterprise as that to which
DR.. Hutchins has lent his name in association
with more than hundred other educators de-
serves consideration at the hands of the public.
What is proposed is series of fifty-four volumes
varying from 200 to 1900 pages. The authors
already selected for inclusion begin with the
obvious ones-Homer, AeSchyluS, Sophocles,
Euripides, AriStophaneS, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid
Virgil Plutarch, Dante, Chaucer Rabelais,
Shakespeare, Bacon Milton Newton, Locke Swift
Rousseau, Kant, Goethe, Darwin. But the list
embraces also writer's whose final position not yet
is settled-Whitman Merx TolStoy Freud and
other "moda1u1s" whose current influence is great
Thus far DR.. Hutchins' plan does not differ
very much from those sponsored by DR.. Charles
w. Eliot in the Harvard Classics Ernest Rhys in
the EVerymanS Library and Henry George Bonn
in his collection of 766 editions" The novel
feature of the great books" project of the Uni
versty of Chicago group is that it carries with it
two supplementary volumes which will be called
a "syntopicon"-a switchboard to connect the
minds of the readers with those of the authors"
This guide is based on 102 ideas" or themes
under which 2967 topics are collated. A reader
"can find what the greatest minds of all times
have said on any subject that interests him."
1t may be doubtful, however, that any syn
topicon" would satisfy everybody. Some, perhaps
many, people will want to compile their own
"switchboards" Perhaps the best service that
any editor or publisher can hope to perform is
that of stimulating such endeavor in individuals
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Letters to The Star
A pseudouyn1 is permissible only
aOhen letter carries correct name
and address of 1Driter. Please be brief.

Anyway. since "quadrupeds are un-
likely to have any of the mental flashes
that come from a clear head" I can
scarcely believe any longer in horse
sense. In fact, after reading the whole
article, I'm beginning to doubt about
common sense too.
For although our monkey ancestors
found 1t uncomfortable" to 90 from
limb to limb in an upright position, ap-
parently some of the descendants don't
feel uncomfortable about going out on
limbs. But then, maybe their position
isn't so upright.
J. Joseph Gallagher.
DR.. Britton points out, in Mr.. Henry's
article. that mans upright posture main
talned perslstently was against nature
ana that through process of survival
OF the fittest, extending over millions of
years, the blood supply to the brain i'm
proved. Every improvement made the
next step little easier, and with better
blood supply the brain grew and func-
toned at a higher level
1t will be wondered, of course, by those
Of highly developed intellectual curiosity,
whether, conversely, the human of today
should not begin at once to add further
to his mental stature by reverting to his
hands and knees. thus materially increas-
ing the blood supply to the brain.
That is only one example of the ex-
perimental possibilities. 1t is problemati-
cal as to who. in the long run, would suf-
fer the most-the monkey or the man.
Personally. I think given a choice, the
monkey would elect to maintain his limi-
ted curvature and commensurate intel
ligence rather than attain the most ex-
alted in human stature at the price of
forever stretching his neck
E. Jessie DOran.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE

@ How many veterans hospitals are
there?-A. r.
A. AS Of December 81, 1949. there were
1870 Veterans Administration hospitals
in operation in the United States. These
included 10 tuberculosis 80 neuro-
psychiatric and 10 general medical hos
pitals. There we're A other hospitals
under construction. AS Of June 80, 1949.
there were 1888 full-time physicians
serving in VA hospitals.
Evening star., 1950-04-27

VA records. Is that additional workers
were hired. exceeding the lis. 900 allow
ance. in order to open the new beds.
In fact. by the end Of February. there
were more than lls.ooo medical workers
on the payroll.
Then. suddenly. Gen. Gray announced
the personnel reduction. reported TO in
volve more than 4.soo medical workers.
effective April TO-
The flrings ordered by the admins
tration would have saved only about
50 million. The same amount of money
could have been saved. officials ex-
planned, by cutting of q much smaller
number Of workers early in the fiscal
year. In addition. gradual firings would
have had a much less drastic effect on
the programs.
The only other way to avert the excess
personnel crisis would have been to ask
Congress for a deficiency appropriation.
This was never done. although Senate
hearings show the path for such q re-
quest was opened last August.
The chance came after the Senate
passed the SIC million addition. Sena-
tor Pepper attempted on the Senate
floor to have the SIC million raised to
$48 million, but Withdrew his move with
the III derstanding that deficiency, II
needed, would get a sympathetic" re-
ception on Capitol Hill.
Another big question mark was thrown
into the hospital picture Monday. when
the House passed a bill restoring $4,000
beds cut by President Truman from the
VA construction program. While the
measure faces a rocky path to the White
House-and doubtful approval there-it
poses the threat Of a vast new bundle
Of headaches for VA medical leaders.
In addition to the $2.19o,oo0 already
asked by Gen. Gray this month to save
the 4700 employees. the VA chief has
told Congress he will need a substantial
addition to funds voted by the House
Appropriations Committee for fiscal 1851
If VA is to avert similar crisis next
year.
The needs, outlined by Gen. Gray in
terms Of appropriations. amount to more
than 125. 900 workers when translated
into personnel strength.
The House committee recently recon-
mended money for almost 10000 med
ical workers. In addition. Gen. Gray
has told Congress he would need an
other $17,287 900 to keep the Alto work
ers covered by the 50 million supple
mental request) on the rolls next year.
And to staff new beds due to open next
year, he said, would mean another
$6,653 900 for 2.076 more workers.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Shore Your Cor

Traffic congestion and the growing
inadequacy of street parking are daily
becoming more serious In the majority
of our cities.
These closely related problems are with
us and they are here to stay. But we can
take certain steps to alleviate these OBJ
stacles to the practical use of the auto
mobile in heavily populated urban areas.
The simplest procedure. involving a neg
ligible cost, would be to conduct Nation
wide publicity to urge motorists who
drive to work with empty cars or with
just one passenger in sedan. to fill
their vehicles with passengers who ordi-
narily would drive their cars to work
The share-your-car idea worked dur
ing the war to save gasoline and tires
There is no valid reason why it shouldn't
work now. Let's give 1t trial!
Robert l.. Burch.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Nish Showers.
Sesqui Discord

There are hundreds of music lovers in
the District who feel the same as Fred E.
Rick about the discordant music Of frus-
trated souls that the Sesqui planners will
try to inflict on helpless public.
To date. I have not seen listed the
name of Roy Harris the champion of
horrible head-splitting noises
Observer.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
The Veterans Medical Proqrom Snofu

medical-care program will be avoided.
and later recruitment and training Of
new employees to staff the additional new
beds as they become available will be un-
necessary"
Thus. in the letter. Gen. Gray said in
effect that sic million would enable
VA to do the job he previously had told
the Senate would require S48 million.
A VA spokesman said Gen. Gray
ordered medical officials to trim per-
Evening star., 1950-04-27

able to vote for the people whom want
to represent me in Congress, for the
President, and for the Mayor of Wash
ington. If not, will move to another
city. be elected Representative, come
to Congress-and see that future gen.
erations of Washingtonians enjoy the
privileges my parents and missed
Please publish this. 1t may wake up
Congress.
Joy Abrams.
Roosevelt High School.
Evening star., 1950-04-27
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer TO any question
Of fact By writing The Evening star Information
Bureau 1900 street NV. WashinRton ..
Evening star., 1950-04-27

VETERANS ADMINISTRATORS GRAY.
VA Photo.
sonnel, after the SIG million was added,
as long as cuts would not interfere with
the standards of care.
The medical officials. however, say
they advised Gen. Gray they faced these
alternatives:
/. That VA. with its $4,000 medical
workers. could maintain its standard
Of care at existing hospitals and clinics,
and delay opening new hospital beds;
or.
2. That the new beds could be stated
by taking personnel away from existing
programs and reducing standards.
What actually happened. according to