davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-03-12

the mean, that we recommend this voice
from the past be given a hearing amid
all the noisy blasts of today. With the
exception of the Holy Bible it is probably
the most amazing volume in the world.
1t was written five centuries ago by
Roman Catholic, yet Catholics and
Protestants alike unite in acknowledging
that they owe infinite things to the
elixir of this tiny tome. The march of
time can never make antiquated its
pages. 1t refuses to repose on the high
shelves of oblivion. 1t speaks not to the
l4th nor the 18th century, but to the
universal heart, to all centuries, to all
men. That is why, apart from the Book
of the Ages, this book of the centuries
has wider circulation than any other
book in the world.
OF course. We are speaking Of "The
Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a
kempis. This diminutive. "fresh-colored
man." who coming from his cell for de-
votions, stood upright, as if on tip-toe,
when the Psalms were chanted, died a
score of years before America was dis
covered. A companion said of him. He
Evening star., 1950-03-12
Spires of the Spirit
Little Books, Quiet Nooks-

The caption of this article, which to-
gether we are reading in the shadow of
the spires, was. coined half a thousand
years ago. In this explosive day of ours,
with its bulky books and global dimen-
sions. we want to suggest a little book
which, in itself, Is quiet nook. With
it comes a guarantee that if taken Sc
riously it will prove balm for the fret
and fever and friction of jaded lives
suffering from boredom and ennui, COM
planning with irritated walls because the
world refuses to devote itself to making
selfish people happy. To disillusioned
generation surfeited with books of the
month" we beg leave to introduce
book of the centuries.
May we present testimonials from
some men and women of distinction?
Voltaire, always on guard against spuri-
GUS spiritual connections, once, in a
chance hour, read the book and It's
truth passed into his soul and found a
lodging in one tiny corner where no
sneering skepticism could Danish it." In
"The Mill on the Floss" George Eliot,
who certainly was no propaganda for
conventional religion, makes clear that
it was to her sensational experience
when she first listened to this voice out
OF the far-off Middle Ages. 1t came to
her with a strange thrill of awe. The
sacred volume became her lifelong COM
panion and was by her side, on her pill
low. when she died. During those bleak
days when Nurse Edith Cavell Ian
guished in her wretched prison at Brus-
sells, awaiting execution she cherished
as her greatest treasure and solace her
copy of this precious little book which
came out of monastery garden in the
Middle Ages In her last moments, this
immortal nurse whose statue stands now
in the midst of London's traffic, with the
one word, Dawn" engraved on its stone
pedestal. begged that when it was all
over her copy of the book be sent to a
beloved cousin in England.
1t is because this devotional package
has proved to be spiritual A-bornb in
its power to destroy the low, the sordid,
Evening star., 1950-03-12

ry Cunningham. Henry Xander, David
S. Barry, Rudolph Kaufman, Robert
Lincoln O'Brien, Frank A. Richardson,
David r. Mckee and Henry G. Kemp.
The Georgetown correspondent of The
Star contributed to the issue of March
IL. 1900, this paragraph:
Mud IN the ''The quantity of mud
Potomac found in the Potomac
water served daily to
Washington citizens was shown to Star
reporter recently by a resident of the
West End. He took an ordinary wooden
bucket, filed with water, and placed in
it about half teaspoonful of powdered
alum, stirring the water after the alum
was emptied into it, so as to make 1t
dissolve more readily. After letting the
bucket remain in one place for IL hours
the water was perfectly clear and. what
was most astonishing, there was fully
half an inch of mud on the bottom of
the bucket. The gentleman who made
the demonstration has been using this
method Of clarifying the water and
stated that 1t was frequent thing
to get half an inch of Sediment in an
ordinary bucketful Of water" WASH
ingtons water supply In 1850 is syste-
matically purified at the Mcmillan and
Dalecarlia filter plants.
X 4
The engagement of Mabel Mckinley,
daughter Of qAbner Mckinley and niece
Of President Will
Engagement OF liam Mckinley, to
Miss Mckinley Hermanus Baer was
announced in The
Star Of March IA. 1900 It was under
stood that the marriage would take place
in the autumn, possibly at the White
House. Miss Mckinley, besides many
accomplishments, has charming voice.
which Mines. Melba and Sembrich have
praised. !. Mr.. Baer is studying medicine
at Jefferson Medical College in Phil
adelphia. The prospective bride and
bridegroom were children, together and
then formed their first affection"
Evening star., 1950-03-12
By Frederick Brown Harris
Pastor. Foundry Methodist Church; Chaplain
United States Senate

United States Senate.
liked best of all little books and quiet
hooks" Although Europe was even
then, as now. "a cloud of dust, con-
vulsed in storm and tumult, with wars
raging and thrones tottering, he lived
his patient life of introspection and
contemplation, casting into pearl-like
sentences the thoughts that will be
treasured as long as the race endures."
He little knew that he was writing the
biggest little book of the ages.
This small old-fashioned book works
miracles to this day, declares George
Eliot. turning bitter waters into sweet
ness, while expensive volumes. newly
issued, leave all things as they were be-
fore" The secret is that it sprang from
the troubling depths of great heart.
1t will touch the hearts of all who read
it, as long as literature endures. 1t is
broadcast of nightingales' songs from .
18th century monastery garden.
No wonder. in "The Bonnie Briar
Bush" the dying "Geordie' took from
under his pillow "The Imitation" and
gave 1t to his old schoolmaster, jamie
son." with the whispered plea: "Will,you
read it. Dominic. for my sake? And
maybe yell come to Sc" "Geordie"
could not find words for more. But the
Dominic understood and promised that
Thomas a. Kempis should be his COM
panion to his own earthly journeys end.
Is Thomas a. Kempis among your
companions? For your own sake this
lententime, reach out and away from
the trivial and the temporary and give
him place in your inner circle. See
what a difference it makes!
This titanic little book could redeem
this fear-haunted world-cleansing indi-
vidual hearts and social and interna-
tional relations-if 1t were but heard
and needed.
= Make this mystic monk your daily
friend. And If this tiny volume does
nothing more than introduce you to the
wise. deep words OF holy man of God
you will give thanks all your days that
the Spires of the Spirit led you to so
great a treasure.
Evening star., 1950-03-12
FBI Versus Gestopo

statement recently sent by J. Edgar Hoover
to State county and municipal law enforcement
officials should be read carefully by those in
dividuals and organizations which would have
the Federal Bureau of Investigation poking into
all sorts of traditionally local matters. If the
FBI were to be pushed into all. the new fields
suggested by it's well-meaning but ill-advised
supporters Mr.. Hoover before long would find
himself director of an agency that might prop
erly be renamed the National Police Bureau
Mr.. Hoover not only has no ambition to head
such bureau, but he will resist every effort
toward creating such a police-state agency.
Mr.. Hoover put it this way:
II am unequivocally opposed to a national
police force in the United States. The OldWorld
implications in the very words are abhorrent to
me as an American. The ability of all branches of
law enforcement-local, county, State and Fed
era-to pool facilities and coordinate operations
is proof that we need no centralized agency to
insure the proper discharge of our responsible
ties. Mutual cooperation among law enforce
ment agencies throughout the Nation is barrier
to those who seek to destroy democracy by pitting
race against race, class against class and group
against group. Its existence demonstrates the
fact that we need no national police force"
Mr. Hoover did not say so, but it is probable
that he, like others, has been disturbed by the
recurrent demands" that the FBI be assigned
to investigate lynchings gambling attempts on
the lives of union leaders and sundry other
crimes which it is actually the responsibility of
local authorities to investigate and suppress
Mr.. Hoover justifiably regards this trend toward
extension of Federal police powers as potentially
dangerous He deserves the wholehearted sup
port of the public-and of his superiors-in his
fight to keep the FBI within its rghtful field
which is investigation of crimes against the
Federal Government as specifically provided
by Law.
Evening star., 1950-03-12
Voluntary Association

Perhaps the most important fact about
American civilization is that it represents the
principle of voluntary association. Even in times
OF great stress men and women commonly are
in control of their own lives to large extent
Unlike the citizens of certain other countries
they are free to choose between alternatives
They have liberty of conscience in most matters;
they may attend the churches they prefer-or
stay away from religious service altogether. In
politics. they may be radical or conservative as
they wish, providing only that they do not
tranSgress the rights of their neighbors in the
same respect They rarely, if ever, are fenced in
or pushed around. Coercion is not major factor
in their lives.
Particularly is this true in their practice of
fellowship. Voluntary association characterizes
their friendships, their activities as members of
independent societies. Literally thousands of
organizations exist in our country simply because
we desire that they should. Some of these are
devoted to cultural purposes, some to social some
to philanthropic. In the last of the categories
mentioned the American Red Cross may be cited
In illustration. 1t began with the sngle-handed
endeavors of Clara Barton; and today, nearly
38 years after her death, it carries on in her
spirit, still emphasizing the personal values of
the work she launched. Most of the responsibility
for its success as the greatest and the most
efficient charitable instrument in the world
traces back to the voluntary association of
millions of people who contribute to its mainte-
nance. This unregimented army is drawn to-
gether by the ideal of practical cooperation.
Nobody commands it, nobody drives it. The only
compulsion is the force of individual conscience
Of course, the Red Cross efficacy definitely
depends upon the driving power of the proverbial
STILL small voice" Voluntary association would
be futile thing, indeed, if it did not function
constructively. AS matter of history, it is richly
productive of results Perhaps that is because
every person instnctvely realizes that the appeal
of the Red Cross is in truth test of our ele-
mentary character as a free unenslaved nation
a nation in which liberty and fellowship flourish
in practice, not merely in theory.
Evening star., 1950-03-12
Money Makers
By Bruce Barton

A Wall Street acquaintance once re-
marked: There are two fields OF en-
deavor in which success has no relation
to brains-writing poetry and making
money"
I think I know what he meant.
John Keats gave little evidence Of
"brains." He was not bright in school.
was something of flop as medical
student. His sense of failure was SO
great that when. in his 26th year. he lay
on his death bed. he told them to bury
him under this epitaph:
Here lies one whose name was writ
in water"
But inside his skull, there was some
sublime, miraculous grouping of brain
cells that gave forth the "Ode on
Grecian Urn" and other verses that will
live in the hearts of men and women
forever.
In Henry Ford's intelligence there were
vast vacant areas. When he had the
bad Judgment to get into law suit
with a newspaper, the lawyers made
a monkey of him. He confused Benedict
Arnold with Arnold Bennett, and could
not define the difference between the
Baltic and the Balkans.
But in his skull. too, lay fabulous
combination of brain cells that could
think more brilliantly, more adventure
somely, than any industrialist's brain
had ever thought before.
He dared to dream of an automobile
SO cheap and so good that it would
sell by millions, and so put the world
on wheels"
He dared to conceive and announce
a minimum wage OF SIS day. When
the tinid trembled and shrieked, he
assured them blandly that the more
they could increase the purchasing power
Of the people the more profits they would
make.
Yes, neither poets nor n1oney-makers
are "well-rounded' men.
But without poetry, life would lose one
of its most exalted pleasures. And with
out the peculiar, though often over
specialized, talent of the money-makers,
material progress would be slow indeed.
tcopyright, 1850. King Features Syndicate, Inc)
Evening star., 1950-03-12

granted you under the form of Govern
ment which permits you freedom to ex-
erciSe them?" Thank God had horse
sense to understand the question cor
rectly Had l been as erudite as the
. professors. I might have argued myself
out of doing my bit" through the entire
war. G. D. P.
Plea for Middle-Ag
Non-Vets in Civil Service
1t seems to me that Congress should
stop playing politics long enough to con-
slider the plight of the average non-vet-
eran Civil Service employe in the 40 to
so age group. In this classification are
to be found many men and women who
have given years of faithful service to
their Government, who are now being
kicked around because they have no
political strength-no organization to
lobby for them.
These are the employees who were not
allowed to volunteer for service In thu
war because they were essential"
Though many Of them were frozen to
their Jobs by law during the war years,
and though all were bombarded with
propaganda in the newspapers and in
speeches Of high Government officials to
the effect that the war could not be won
without their services in civilian capac-
tiles. they now find that they are in q
position where they can be displaced by
young veterans many years Junior to
them in age and in job experience.
Many Of these same veterans stepped
into plush officer ratings in the service
fresh from schools and colleges. Many
OF them never went overseas Most Of
them made more money in the service
than they would have If thrown upon
their own resources during normal times.
How much did these young fellows sac
riflce for their country? None of US
would take away anything due those
who actually made real sacrifices, but
what about the great number who did
not? Actually many of them received
valuable training and advantages far be-
yond anything they would have accom-
plished in civilian life.
Now they tell us that these young fel-
lows should receive salary increases for
the time they spent in the service. This
in spite OF the fact that the Nation is
facing the greatest deficit in history.
This is request-no, a demand that
Congress review the facts forgetting
politics for the moment, and act fairly
to all concerned Give the middle-aged
Government employe back his job secu-
rlty and preserve his seniority. The eff
cheney and well-being of the Civil Serv-
ice system hangs in the balance.
WILLIAM w. PURVIS.
Evening star., 1950-03-12
The Outcome in Greece

Owing to Greece's complex system of pro-
portional representation, the precise makeup of
the coming Parliament is not yet certain, but
tabulation of the popular vote gives fair idea
of what may be expected from the general elec-
tions that have just taken place.
The political picture may be described in two
words: Uncertainty and instability. The new
Parliament will be mosaic of competing parties,
no one of which will be strong enough to domi-
nate. The political pattern of the past genera
ton, wherein two major parties the Royalist
Conservatives and the Republican inclined Lib
erals, were the chief contenders, obviously Is
broken. This is not strange, because the dividing
issue arose generation ago out OF the quarrel
between the then King Constantine and the elder
Venizelos over Greeces attitude in World War I.
From that quarrel came alternate shifts from
monarchy to republic, and back again. But this
issue seems no longer in question, the wide
spread popularity of the present King and his
Queen, Frederika, having re-estabshed the pres
tige of the crown.
The campaign which preceded the election
revealed a profound change in the popular mood.
A rash of new parties and political personalities
denoted WEAKNESS with the old parties and
leaders Out of such mood, almost anything
might come. typical surprise is the success of
General Plastiras and his left-of-center National
Progressive Union, largely drawn from the badly
split Liberal Party. The Conservatives, known
as Populists, seem to have retained their hold
over the peasantry, especially in their stronghold
of the Peloponnesus, and to have run we'll in
the soldier vote But in the cities and the islands
the trend was leftward, albeit not in an extreme
Communistic sense. Indeed, the soberness OF
the voters and the orderliness of fairly con-
Quoted election seem to indicate that the Greek
people are anxious to forget the past and buckle
down to the task of national reconstruction.
Unfortunately, such task requires a stable
government for its implementation And it looks
as though workable coalition cabinet might be
dificult to attain from the tumble OF parties and
rival personalities whereof the new Parliament
will be composed.
In politics there is bound to be a certain
amount Of me-tooism until some one comes out
boldly against home and mother, and for longer
hours for less dough.
We guess the man Of the half century is
nobody in particular. It's Just any one who
managed to pull through.
Evening star., 1950-03-12
Letters to The Star
A pseudonynn is permissible only
1Dhen letter carries correct name
and address of 1Oriter. Please be brief.

Federalist posh, and must be considered
an early victim of the war of nerves,
shot from behind his own lines. While
ne is convalescing suggest few doses
OF kennan and Acheson, and some
soothing talks with people who still re-
member that wars are fought for OBJ
JectIves, not sheer destruction, and that
IN one way or another, when men keep
their heads, any given weapon breeds
its own often unforeseeable neutraliza-
ton.
STUART B. BARBER.
No p.an the Nation now makes must
be out of line with the fundamental in
ternational facts of our time. The
mighty Russian Empire, fortified by its
satellites, is under the complete domina-
tion of a group of men who have proved
by their precepts and their deeds that
they will make use of every device, sub
terfuge, trick, lie, conference, and treaty
to lure their prey into the Communist
NAV.
These men have no fidelity except to
their program of establishing world
domination centered at Moscow. If we
make treaty of peace and disarma-
ment with them, they will violate it as
soon as they think conditions are such
as to afford good chance that they can
establish their world rule, or that they
can make another substantial advance
toward that goal.
There is no man or group of men in
the kremlin whose promise has any
value. We shall pay the penalty of fore
warned self-deceivers If we invite and
accept new Muscovite assurances.
1t would seem that our best defense
lies in the development of enough
Western strength to make provoking the
free nations an act of suicidal un-
wisdom, and in strengthening the Voice
OF America" and devoting enough money
and scientific ability to safeguard it from
interference. EUGENE w. BURR.
Meaning of Nom Communist Oath
I could not help noticing the news
item regarding the 900 University of
California professors who have banded
together to refuse taking a special nom
Communist oath. This recalls to mind
an experience of that nature had early
in the past war when I came upon this
question on an application form: "Are
you a Communist"
Naturally my first reaction was one
OF resentment. as I felt this was
rather discriminatory inquiry. Then
realized that this was but another man.
ner Of asking, "Are you an American
worthy OF the rights and privileges
St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-10-27

They All Played Ragme" by Rudi Bleash and
Harriet Aed Knopf $ 1888 of history of popular
illustrations. Ragtime the authors
melodicay rhythmicay Negro folk music
Adventurer Waltar good the same
authors The Egyptian, but is still readable fiction
Political Hopefus Mayor Ed Kelly of Chicago
died the other had this aspiring politicians
Politics is just like selling difference at ALL You have to
people they'll remember
it when they in to vote.
advertising department complete agreement with
the Windy
City
Read: Beneath the Sky" novel by A O.
Gutenberg $275 title page is "A
whites and Negroes of the
deep South"
Current article describing how the
football pioneered using Ne
gro football players in the professional leagues
University Minnesota
party unhappy Mnnsotas defeat
happy performance put
show
No money stadium
Saturday Alderman Ed Buckley paid for his subscp
ton We ought to get around more!
St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-10-27
A Judge And His
Wife Face Harm
For DemOcracy's Sake
BY Max Lerner in New York Posi-

a being enacted which is one
of the arreng America 1t is the drama of judge
keeping lonely amidst the enctrclng
hostile spears the citys white population.
The other day this encrcng mob warmed
their party having satisfied
Judge they
three concrete crashing
through the windows.
whatever may be true of Southern chiva
that courage is dead in the hearts of the doughty South Caronan
who womanhood and their
cherished dothe institution of white supremacy and the precious
doctrine Of the master
themselves? The judge decision three
that the South Carolina white law invalid
that the Negroes could legally from voting
But the judges wife had been even sharper Boycod by the
whites rigid that white
dared penetrate Mrs Warng found friends the Negroes In
fact she told audience the Negro YwCA that the culture of the
dying hopes lay with the humanity
and Negroes cuture-carriers.
The garrison vigil kept the Warnings Charleston not the
only vigil the There One is the Warnings
The other the garrison the Southern Negotiating whites
holding the crumbing citadel of white supremacy
the the Warnings the lonelier
but it.
say
of the South whole Along Mississippi South Carolina the
bleaest state the South It's placid the master
institution until been ruffled
There darkness that be than the
ynchngs, the darkness complete
qescnce in which no one or question the reign
underes peacefuness achieve
the Warnings that glazed terrible
face and to have fd the and stirred the
the state.
stupid md goons
house that South Carolina tnsnned and that
fears the STRINGS of Negro confidence and white
than the Warnings themselves
warng belongs Judiciary
eral protect his life violence Evidently
Southern loyaltes
orney pro-
needed otherwise the government will blood its
hands
Warnings They are
tins martyrs people with friend
conversation and ideas grueng live
city IKE Charleston which architecture
traditions obscenies
by icy which you eprous
touch takes to survive this without bitterness is
the meanng time The Warnings
it.
Sometimes they from their garrison and spend few
talk with them They finch they
up They prove expendabe
HI ind earth.
St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-10-27

would not be suitable question being
widely discussed a matter.
The question to that morality
fare be gauged by the
less immoral than big war? Our bombers artillery
destroying cities and villages destroy
city with few dozen TINT
When they come to with the
others and kill they can; they rifles
hrowers bazooas whatever hand
to kin
plosion?
One OF the lessons of World
h to be limited will limited the
practical facts of the situation which
would be wrong
of fighting would lessen the immortality If
should become embroled with morally justified
position, should certainly be
with all the strength every
endt the
There would be point making storing
must ask ourselves whether right
the require situation
would be little late moraty-Warren
burg (NIO.) Star-JOurnaI