davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-11-29
More on Noisy Audiences

1rate, Moviegoer" asks Cant some
thing be done by theater managers TO
curb the Neanderthal hi-jinks of high
school kids during the showing of fea-
ture films?" The answer to this is yes,
they can do something-they can de-
mand quiet or can usher the malefactors
from the theater. Police can easily be
brought in on the basis that these
trouble-makers are disturbing the peace
Theater people blame TV for the
small audiences their pictures are draw
ing. We have no TV, but are now seek
ing substitute for the movies. I know
of no neighborhood theater in the city
of Washington (and I've been to all but
eight Of them) where one can be as
sured of quiet and peace during the
showing of film. If there are such,
I'll be only too pleased to attend such
theaters regardless of the difficulty in
reaching them.
hope this and Irate Moviegoer's let
ter will bring forth some statements
from theater managers and perhaps
Evening star., 1950-11-29
What Patrick Henry Said Us Years Aqo

The Star prints here the words of a
great American in another day OF
crisis, simply because they may find
an echo in the thoughts OF many
Americans today. The only deletionS
tDhtch haze been made are references
to the specific situation then pertain
ing bettoeen Britain and her North
American colonies.
MIR. PRESIDENT, it is natural to
4VA man to indulge in the illusions of
hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against
a painful truth. and listen to the song
of that siren, till she transforms us into
beasts. Is this the part of wise men,
engaged in great and arduous struggle
for liberty? Are we disposed to be Of
the number of those who having eyes,
see not, and having ears, hear not, tine
things which SO nearly concern their
temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish OF
spirit 1t may cost, am willing to know
the whole truth-to know the worst and
to provide for it. have but one lamp
by which my feet are guided, and that Is
the lamp OF experience. know of no
way of judging of the future but by
t11C pdSt.
ask gentlemen sir, what means this
martial array, if its purpose be not to
force us to submission? Can gentlemen
assign any other possible motive for
it?
And what have we to oppose to them?
Shall we try argument? Sir, we have
been trying that for the last ten years.
Have we anything new to offer upon
the subject? Nothing We have held
the subject up in every light of which
it Is capable: but it has all been in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble
Supplication? What terms shall we find
which have not been already exhausted?
Let us not. beseech you. sir, deceive
ourselves longer.
Sir. we have done everything that
could be done to avert the storm which
is now coming on. Our petitions
have been slighted: our remonstrances
have produced additional violence and
insult; our supplications have been dis
Evening star., 1950-11-29
BETHESDA.

Dear Sir:
Recently put up handsome bird
feeding station, but to date no birds have
visited it.
whats wrong?
"I followed a good plan. turning out
a neat feeder with roof and sides, the
latter not too enveloping.
II painted the whole white, let it dry
well, and placed it not too high in
tree. I put in plenty of good food.
'Then I and the family, including the
children, set back to wait for the multi
tudes of birds we had been told would
come.
DAY after day went by.
To-day, at the end of the second week,
we still have no birds.
mot single one Of these singularly
ungrateful beasts has visited our nice
new feeding station. much to my dismay,
and fulfilling the doleful predictions of
my wife that they will never come
MY poor little children are almost in
tears, as they peer out the window for
the birds that are not there.
1.-THE television set lost it's attraction,
at first, as the little ones crowded the
window, to be the first to see the first
bird
Nov they are giving it up, and turn
ing back to video.
What have done wrong?
Sincerely. M. D. L."
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Letters to The Star

their prerogatives is the beginning of
totalitarianism. That is why crooked
elections, crooked police departments,
crooked Mayors Offices. crooked State
government units. crooked Federal Of
fees or bureaus or crooked congress
sional committees are, whenever they
appear. causes for concern, not only
for their mere corruption but because
they are menace to the basic civil
rights OF the people. The beginning Of
dictatorship is corrupt government.
The FBI is the very antithesis of cor
ruption. The work Of this bureau is
necessary; 1t is bulwark for true
democracy; it has magnificent record
and 1t is loyal to its motto: Fidelity.
Bravery. Integrity" If its duties were
improperly administered. Of course, our
small citizens in tens of thousands
would be the sufferers. If the bureau
were corrupt and tended not to its du-
ties, Communists and criminals and
all corrupt elements walked about un-
watched by Federal power. and If its
director and its agents were takers Of
bribes and political hangers-on, then we
would have something to complain
about. - 4-g.3.5 ,.u.
Yes. the FBI can be made to look like
Gestapo. but can one citizen say in
his heart. "ThiS Hoover is a monster
who has wrested my civil rights
from me-? How many citizens can say
that Mr.. Hoover has ever harmed them?
Or ever even been impolite to them? Let
one Of them write him letter about
even the most trivial detail and see an
answer come from him-a very polite
answer. Let even mere schoolboy send
him note. and he'll take it seriously.
A Gestapo leader? No. Perhaps Mr.
Lowenthal thinks that he, Mr. Lowen-
thai. could do better. But there is one
thing Mr.. Lowenthal forgot Mr.. Hoover
and the FBI together form an American
institution. They became so when, years
ago. they answered the cry Of alarm
from a crime-ravaged nation
Crime still hourishes: so does subver-
sion. Only constant vigilance can keep
them checked-constant lawful vigilance.
Marie Ferguson.
Warwick N "
Evening star., 1950-11-29
BY Charles E. Troceweu
Kathryn O'Neill.

They attend no schools. except the
famous one Of Hard Knocks.
They manage to survive in the winter,
even when the snow is on the ground,
because nature has trained them for
thousands of years to find such food as
there is. e..
Nature also teaches them that any
piece where food appears may be trap.
The neater the effect. from the human
viewpoint, the more suspicious the birds
are of 1t.
Usually they require from a few hours
to several days to overcome their first
fears of the new feeding place.
Those sharp little eyes see the food,
make no mistake about that, but the bird
mind says to itself: '"Take things easy
1t looks good, but you know what hap
pened to Great Grandfather. He was
trapped. He was made into an ornament
for lady's hat
The fact that bird feathers are not so
much used for ladies' hats today cuts no
ice with the flying bird. To him, cen
tury has little validity All he knows is
the present moment
Give him time.
Sooner or later. he will fly in to sample
the food, and the moment the others see
him. they will fly in, too.
On the old theory that watched pot
never boils. stop watching the new feed
ing station. Then. some day. you will be
surprised, and delighted, to see your free
lunch being 50 enthusiastically accepted.
Evening star., 1950-11-29

tive and perhaps the only useful weapons we
would have at our disposal in q full-scae war
ii it should come in the near future. What is
the state of our thinking with respect to these
weapons and their possible use?
A COMMISSION of eminent men, headed by
4 Bishop Angus Dun of Washington, has taken
the position in report to the Federal Council
OF Churches, that we would be justified in
using the atom bomb or any comparable weapon
only after 1t has been used by an enemy
This position of course, was taken on moral
grounds. But we should also consider its military
Implications Suppose that this kind of thinking
should prevail and that we should find ourselves
at war with Russia. Where and how would we
night? Would we send an American army
across 5000 miles of ocean and attempt to fight
the Russians and their satellites in Europe? If
so what is one to think of the hundreds of
thousands, probably millions, of American
soldiers who would be sent to their deaths III
that operation? And how would we get at the
real centers of Russian military power deep in
the Soviet heartland? Have we forgotten the
fate which overlook the German army that
Hitler sent marching into Russia? Is there
really any valid reason, moral or otherwise, why
we must wait until the Russians have blasted
our industrial centers before we blast theirs?
Has anyone a moral right to insist that our
hands remain tied until untold numbers of
American civilians have been killed and manned
by the enemy?
CERTAINLY all of these are questions that
~ the American people should be thinking
about, and thinking very seriously about, today
1t is much easier of course to ask questions than
it is to know what the answers should be- No
layman has the competency to make the de-
ciSions that are pressing in upon us. Still the
decisions will have to be made; we cannot escape
them. And that force which we speak of as
public opinion will play its part.
This being SO, there is compelling need for
public opinion which rests on facts as the
people are best able to ascertain the facts. We
have moved too close to the edge of disaster to
accept decisions that are shaped by the cry for
peace when there is no peace. We should admit
to ourselves that any decisions will be hard
decisions There is nothing left to us except a
choice among evils. If this seems to be repel-
ling outlook, let us remember that it is true,
and true in very literal sense that we have
come to the point where our survival depends
upon our ability and our willingness to make
decisions that are hard to make, and to act upon
them with determination once they have been
made If we let ourselves be borne along ir-
resolutely by the current of events, we shall
certainly be carried to total disaster
Evening star., 1950-11-29
For a Cleaner CITY

read with great interest recent
article by Jesse Suter in which he made
exceedingly practical suggestions for the
improvement of our woefully Uttered
city. After a summer spent in spotless
Scandinavia. am more resentful than
ever of the untidy condition of Wash
ington.
In Georgetown. we have worked
earnestly for cleaner city. We have
concluded that enforcement. education
and publicity are necessary to make
our citizens litter conscious
The newspapers can contribute their
part by furnishing publicity. The citizens
associations and the schools can zealousIy
strive to educate the children and adults.
The Police and the Sanitary Department
can enforce the existent laws.
In New York, there has been insti-
tuted system Of staggered parking to
give the sanitation crews an oppor-
tunity to sweep the streets. If this is
impractical in Washington, few hours
emergency no parking" would permit
the men to clear the cutters of leaves
which are now lying in caked masses.
Furthermore. in New York, the sani-
tation department has been issuing
summons for violation or infringements
OF sanitary regulations. Why doesn't
the District Sanitation Department do
the same? There are plenty Of infringe
mentS.
Brine T. West,
Chairman. Cleanup Committee, Pro-
gressive Citizens Association Of
GEORGETOWN,
Evening star., 1950-11-29
The FBI and Its Critics

It is interesting for citizen to hear
Of criticisms of the Federal Bureau Of
Investigation and its director-particu-
larly of those criticisms that have come
out at this time in the form of book
by one Max Lowenthal. The book is
said to be objective" It is written
for the benefit of democracy" 1t Is
mild in its tone, SO that people will
think it is written by reasonable"
thinker. That's the way these boys work.
They are so very smooth. Everything is
done for the benefit" of the people.
And so, for the benefit of the people,
they are trying to oust j. Edgar
Hoover from Office.
Now, it is claimed that Mr.. Lowen-
thals book proves that the FBI is a
"Gestapo." Well, there is nothing sur
prising in that. Our Government. itself
has been proved vile dictatorship by
such writer's as John T. Flynn and West
brook Pegler. not to mention John
ODonnell of the New York Daily
News. It is not surprising that the
game is also played by the liberals. Ac-
tually, any civil organization. police de-
partment, a Mayors office. State
government unit of one type or another.
a Federal Office or bureau or Federal
department even, or for that matter
congressional committee, may be "totali-
tartan" on what powers it has. All civil
powers granted over the rights of the
people are totalitarian: that is, they are
totalitarian if they are administered by
people who would abuse their preroga-
tiveS.
The abuse by public officials of
Evening star., 1950-11-29
This and That

Our correspondent has done nothing
wrong.
He is simply learning the hard way
that not even birds can be coerced.
Too often in this world we human
beings get the idea that somehow every
thing else in the world ought to Jump the
moment we speak.
We put up feeding station, stock it
with food, and say in effect:
There you are, birds!
Look at that, and be grateful
Hurry up, now, and do your stuff.
Snap into it!
IT want to see some action.
"This food is good food, and you un-
grateful little beggars had better appre-
ciate it, or else.
After ALL you are popularity supposed
to have very hard pickings in the fall
and wintertime.
Show us, and be quick about it, that
you have at least a bit of brains in those
silly little heads of yours.
Get going!"
Put that way. any one can see the fu-
tility. the insolence. of it.
Even birds have their rights. 49, z
We have to respect them, before they
will come to take our food.
This respect must take into considera-
ton the fact that they are, after all,
wild creatures.
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Show's Religion

When the ashes of the body of George
Bernard Shaw were scattered in his garden last
week, it was revealed that he had written in
his will these words: my religious convictions
and scientific views cannot at present be more
specifically defined than as those of a believer
IN creative revolution. I desire that no public
monument or work of art or inscription or
sermon or ritual service commemorating me
shall suggest that accepted the tenets peculiar
to any established church or denomination nor
take the form of cross or other instrument of
torture or symbol of blood sacrifice"
Some persons undoubtedly will read into
this final affirmation an adherence to material
ism or atheism which what Shaw said in the
paragraph quoted may seem to justify. Others
like Lady Astor, will continue to argue that he
was in effect practicing Christian despite his
conformity.
But the final judgment of a professional
literary mans career must be built upon his
works No matter how much of creative
revolutionist" Shaw may have imagined himself
to be, the fact is that he wrote well within the
democratic Christian tradition of the English
speaking world in his time. He was no more
rebellious than Lincoln and Whitman and Mark
Twain, no more irreligous than Jefferson and
Emerson and Thoreau. True, he did not
conform to "any established church or denomi-
nation" Rather, he did very much what
Spinoza did-set up creed and code of his
own to meet his need. That is the significance
of the passage quoted from his will
Shaw did not djsavow religion. He was
believer in the Elemental Force which mott
Yates the universe, and his works prove it. The
dominating influence of his life was that of the
reformation complex" which he developed in
his youth and never afterwards discarded, even
when he was the richest writer in the world
key to his purpose may be found in his
anxiety for thoroughgoing social progress. He
put this into the last speech of Saint Joan when
he had her say: 20 God that madest this
beautiful earth, when will it be ready to re-
ceive Thy saints? How long, o Lord, how long?"
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Planning New Bridges

With the East Capitol Street Bridge brought
step nearer realization by the allotment of
Federal highway funds for the project, it is time
to give serious study to the need for additional
bridges in the Washington area. The $12 million
East Capitol Street span and another bridge for
the Washington Baltimore Parkway will meet
the crossing requirements along the Anacostia
River Tor some years to come The new structures
will make, total of six bridges across the
Anacostia as compared with only four across
the Potomac River Counting the 14th Street
bridges as a unit)
Obviously, the problem of moving people and
vehicles across the Potomac Is no less acute
than that presented by the tributary stream.
The Potomac problem is bad enough, despite the
relief afforded by the construction of one of the
twin 14tn Street bridges The situation will grow
worse with the expected construction Of large
auxiliary national airport in nearby Virginia.
The National Capital Park and Planning Com
mission foreseeing the traffic congestion over the
present 14th Street bridges as Federal expansion
continues across the Potomac urges in its COM
prehensive plan the construction of Potomac
bridge between the District and Alexandria,
The long discussed Alexandria bridge is
rapidly becoming real necessity. 1t will be an
acute necessity when the Washington Baltimore
Parkway is completed, for through traffic be-
tween the North and South could use this cross
Ing 70 bypass washington and thus greatly relieve
congestion in the downtown section and over
the l4th Street bridges. If the new airport is
built near the Shirley Highway, that important
thoroughfare should be kept clear of as much
unnecessary traffic as possible. A bridge at
Alexandria would afford this relief That is
why planning should begin now for such bridge
as part of the general planning for the air.
port and for approaches to the Baltimore Park
way
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Speaking Of Whitewush'

It must have exasperated the detrac-
tors OF Senator Millard Tydings to read
that he does not want any Government
post or annbassadorship to foreign lands.
The idea, projected by his enemies, was
that If he whitewashed the Mccarthy
charges. Senator Tydings' reward would
be highly-coveted political plum.
And speaking of Whitewash, 1t is most
interesting. as of this moment. that not
one Republican has come out and named
the man. or woman who was white
washed by the Tydings' committee.
Kathryn O'Neill.
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Another Christmos
Convention Delegate.

l. Driving tropical. rain beat a steady
tattoo on: steel helmets, as little rivers
ran down the folds Of the green and
brown camoufaged jungle ponchos
Combat boots shifted restlessly in the
mud and muck. The eerie Pickering
light OF one lone candle, shielded from
the rain by a. battered meat can, drew
all eyes to the leader. Here were So men
American soldiers-some 10000 miles
from home on New Guinea beach.
They were singing Christmas carols,
and their eyes and cheeks were not wet
entirely by the rain.
Now it seems long, long ago, and
some OF the SO won't remember that
Christmas eve, when they lifted their
voices in praise of a little child. They
aren't here to remember. But those of
us who are will never forget that night
The candle and meat can might have
been In Bethlehem of Judea, in a great
cathedral in Europe or in little country
church anywhere in America. The place
or time didn't matter. AS we sang, our
hearts were with our loved ones, and
quiet prayers rose from aching hearts
Tor chance to make Christmas mean
something different the next December
or maybe the next one after that, If
we were lucky.
Those who came back will sing carols
again this year wherever they are. These
old songs mean more than ever. And
maybe. If we carry them in our hearts
through all the days of the years to
come. we can do our bit to bring the
birthday Of the Prince of Peace-and all
1t should mean-into the hearts of all
men everywhere. a, s.
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Moonlight Walker

Some are moonlight tDdlkers,
Who never miss the sun:
The SilDer shado,D people
Rejoice D',en day Is done.
LoUers of far distance,
They eUen tDnnt the line
OF mingled earth and heaven
Lost in pale ntoonstine.
Translated into moon tongue,
The mountains or the sea
Are barriers no longer,
But 1Dord set free.
And many moonlight ,Dalker
Who slips along alone,
Is adept in n,oon-nldgic,
In getting bread from stone.
YETZA dILLESPI
Evening star., 1950-11-29

regarded and we have been spurned
with contempt. ..
In vain. after these things. may we
indulge the fond hope of peace and
reconciliation. There is no longer any
room for hope. II we wish to be free;
II we mean to preserve inviolate those
inestimable privileges for which we have
been so long contending; if we mean not
basely to abandon the noble struggle in
which we have been so long engaged, and
which we have pledged ourselves never to
abandon. until the glorious object of our
Evening star., 1950-11-29

contest shall be obtained, we must fight!
I repeat 1t, sir, we must hght An ap-
peal to arms and to the God of Hosts is
all that is left us! ....
They tell us, sir, that we are weak:
unable to cope with SO formidable an ad-
versary. But when shall we be stronger?
Will 1t be the next week or the next
year? Shall We gather strength by ir-
resolution and inaction? Shall we ae-
quire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and
hugging the delusive phantom of hope
until our enemies shall have bound us
hand and foot?
Sir. We are not weak, if we make a
proper use of those means which the God
OF nature hath placed in our power. Three
millions of people. armed in the holy
cause of liberty, and in such a country
as that which we possess, are invincible
by any force which our enemy can send
against US. ~
Besides. sir, we shall not fight our
battles alone. There is just God who
presides over the destinies of nations,
and who will raise up friends to fight our
battles for us. The battle. sir. is not to
the strong alone; it Is to the vigilant, the
Besides, sir, we have no election. II
we were base enough to desire it, it is now
too late to retire from the contest. There
Is no retreat. but in submission and slav-
cry! Our chains are forged! The
war Is inevitable-and let it come! re-
peat 1t. sir. let it come!
1t Is in vain, sir, to extenuate the mat
ter. Gentlemen may cry. Peace, peace
but there is no peace. The war is ac-
tually begun! The next gale that sweeps
from the north will bring to our ears the
clash of resounding arms! Our brethren
are already in the field! Why stand we
here idle? What is it that gentlemen
wish? What would they have? Is life
SO dear, or peace so sweet, as to be pur-
chased at the price of chains and slav-
cry? Forbid 1t. Almighty God!
7 know not what course others may
take. But as for me. give me liberty or
give me death!
tspeech At the Richmond Convention, March
%, 1776.)
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Questions and Answers

"a reader can get the answer to any question
O. TACT by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau I2OO street NV. washington 5.
D e Please enclose three (3) cents for return
postage
Evening star., 1950-11-29
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. What bird can run almost as fast
as a horse?-G. c. M.
A. Lecontes thrasher. Not only are
these birds swift runners, but they can
also dodge with amazing swiftness, and
are active even in temperatures as high
as 120 or 130 degrees. Men on horseback.
trying to run them down, have found
it difficult to get them to rise and fly
away like other birds. Lecontes thrasher
lives in the deserts of the West and
Southwest
Evening star., 1950-11-29
Boptist Convention

I wish to thank you for the splendid
and perfectly accurate report in your
paper regarding the meetings of the Dis
trict of Columbia Baptist Convention,
particularly concerning election of Of
ficers for the ensuing year.
The contest for the post of president,
between minister and layman, was con-
Quoted in spirit Of Christian friend
illness. the result being the election Of
the layman This restored the conven-
ton to its usual manner OF operation:
That Of iayman succeeding minister and
minister succeeding layman.
81 Convention DeIepate.