davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Simon Boccuneqru'

The Metropolitan Opera Company's re-
cent revival of Simon Boccanegra" was an
event and an occasion of more than local
New York interest and significance. Giu-
seppe Verdi always is attractive as a
melodist, even when admittedly he is not
at his best. The complaint registered
against his score for the original book by
Francesca Maria Piave was to the effect
that it was too solemn, too sad, too sor-
rowful. But that was in 1857. The story
was revised by Arrigo Boito and the music
was improved for La Scala in Milan in
1881. Victor Maurel replaced Giraldoni in
the lead. What emerged from these changes
was a much nobler artistic creation. The
Metropolitan organization contributed its
own enhancements for the American pre-
miere in 1882.
But even then the music drama of the
corsair who became doge of Genoa in the
golden Renaissance was not popular. The
dark turbulence" of the theme and its de-
velopment, the fruitless. struggle of the
former pirate to win love and peace, the
tragic denouement-all these elements of
gloom and despair sent the production to
the warehouse. Now, however, the world
seems to have caught up with Simon Boc-
canegra." The plot of it appears more rea-
sonable than it did SO years ago. What
the doge was striving for as we see it now
is what all men of goodwill desire-namely,
mutual tolerance, a practical fellowship
to replace strife and confusion. Verdi had
been inspired in part by Petrarch, who had
labored for united Italy as some still
undiscouraged idealists presently labor for
united global community.
Strictly in terms of harmony the COM
poser likewise has been justfhed by the
passing of time. As Leonard Warren, the
current "Simon,v says. the opera contains
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Undesirable and, Dangerous

Air Force arguments for retention of it's
Boiling base, despite its dangerous prox-
unity to the National Airport, are not very
convincing. Air Force officers told a
Senate committee that air congestion is
not serious enough to justify removal of
the Boiling Field and the Naval Air Station
to more remote locations.
But congestion of air traffic does not
have to be acute at all times to make
flying hazardous. Nor Is congestion alone
the only reason for urging further separa-
ton of military and commercial aviation.
The fact is that there have been too many
reports of near collisions between military
and commercial airliners in the vicinity of
the National Airport to justify any official
apathy toward the situation And these
near collisions have been caused by the
Juxtaposition of the traffic patterns of the
military and civilian fields.
Congestion may not be too bad in good
flying weather, but there is plenty of con-
gestion when visibility is low or nil. That
Is when the stacking of planes begins, and
stacking Is nerve-racking business for all
concerned. An Air Force spokesman testi-
ned that under visual fight conditions
the problem is more one of proper traffic
patterns than congestion" He conceded
that the proximity of the civil and mill
tary airports Is not desirable situation. !"
although he does not consider 1t "in-
herently dangerous from the traffic con-
troll standpoint"
Under ideal weather conditions this
proximity might not be inherently danger
Gus" 1t is true. But weather conditions
In the Gravelly Point area frequently range
from poor to bad, so that the dangers of
collision are seriously increased. These
hazards will continue to prevail as long as
the military and civilian traffic patterns
are so close together. Will it take another
catastrophe to prove that this proximity
is not only undesirable but dangerous?
Evening star., 1950-02-08

Of "me-tooisrn," the Conservatives ap-
parently are doing we'll with the idea of
liberty against socialism" They have
something concrete to hit at, and by
promising to reduce austerity and brighten
life, they can make powerful personal
appeal to all Britons weary of many of
the irritants featuring what Mr.. Churchill
calls the Laborite 'Queuetopia." Indeed,
on the strength of that appeal, they con-
ceivably may win on February %. If SO,
however, the Republicans ought not to
Jump to the conclusion that they will do
the same in November with the same
major issue. The thing that needs to be
remembered is that the political conditions
here are quite unlike Britain's
Evening star., 1950-02-08

some of the finest music Verdi ever wrote.
The Metropolitan production of 1850 is
realistic, faithful to the Fourteenth Cen
tury, true to the age when Genoa was a
powerful city-state. Much care has been
spent on the setting, the scenery, the cos
tunes, the properties, so that they truly
hold the mirror up to nature. The end
result is an experience which the opera
fans have shown they appreciate. Per-
haps other neglected scripts and scores
should be brought out again. Rudolf Bing,
the new Metropolitan managing director,
has the reputation of being willing to try
anything that promises worthwhile accom-
pliShment
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Criticizes New Deal Policy,
OF Subsidies and Taxes.
To the Editor of The Star:

1t has been announced that the Com
modify Credit Corporation (C.C.C.) now is
giving away the potatoes which it has pur-
chased to the striking coal miners. It there
fore appears that the taxpayers are paying
their taxes so that they can pay more for
potatoes so that the miners can win their
strike SO that the taxpayers can pay more
for coal.
What system this New Deal has origi-
mated! And what saps we are to vote for an
administration which uses this system to
buy the votes of farmers!
HENRY c. PARKER
Evening star., 1950-02-08

Congress should dump the $4,000 900
fragrant spuds in President Trumans front
yard. So far. he thinks perpetuation of
himself in power is the only result of his
buying of farm votes with your money
and mine, of course). Those potatoes in
his yard would remind him that there are
other consequences. JOHN F. SCHMIDT.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Gives Personal Impressions
OF Varying Conditions Among

OiVeS personal Impressions
OF Varying Conditions Among Negroes
To the Editor of The Star:
For years have had opportunity to OBJ
serve the living conditions of Negro fam
lilies in four rows of houses in Washington,
and I indorse Larry Dooley's contention
that the Negro do-gooders might well begin
at the bottom
Much emotion is spent on the theme Of
bathrooms, hot water, etc, as though mod
ern inventions would change moral and
social conditions Immediately. The do
gooders forget than George and Martha
Washington had no indoor plumbing, CEN
trail heating nor instantaneous hot-water in
the Mount Vernon mansion Few white
people rs years ago were born into homes
having modern conyeniences" However,
most OF these white people had ambition,
education, cleanliness health. moral prin-
clples, etc., despite the lack of conveniences
and often despite poverty. I am not sug-
gesting that anyone should be deprived of
any comfort he can attain, but consider
that the emphasis is being placed on the
less consequential aspects of the matter
I personally know of a colored family
which had a self-respecting father and
mother, married daughter and her hus-
band and their IA children in a f1ve-room
house. There was a flush toilet and a
hydrant in the rear yard. No water in the
house. The children were as natural, self
possessed neat and polite as any privileged
white children. They are grown and gone
now but after % years occupancy the little
house is neat and clean. It can be done!
A few blocks away in house equipped
with gas, electricity, bath and instantaneous
hot water, the kitchen floor is Uttered with
garbage, the back yard is a fire hazard and
the plumbing is frequently obstructed by
toys, garbage and bottles The children sit
idly or Scuffle or chase enc another along
the sidewalk. This house already is liza
bility to the owner. It's condition refutes
the idea that, given proper setting,
family will rise in culture.
One block farther on see score of
mothers who habitually sit, kinona-clad on
their front steps, smoking, while their
children run the streets like little wild ami
mails. Within two blocks there is as fine
playground as can be built In the white
areas the mothers take turns ACCOMPANYING
similar groups OF children to and from a
comparable playground. If the do-gooders
would rely less on belligerence and legisla-
tion and put their efforts into organizing
clubs for these trif1ing mothers they could
improve matters considerably. These women
could have wholesome outlet for their own
love OF music and dancing. They could
learn food values and household arts and
child care. They could advance at the
point where real advancement lies-not
merely have bathtub!
One element in our complex racial prob
lem is the zeal with which privilege is
demanded and responsibility ignored. Why
don't the privileged colored people share
with the whites the burden of the Negro
masses? W
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Favors Amendment of Sick Leave Law
To Benefit District Teachers

Favors Amendment of Sick Leave Law
To Benefit District Teachers
To the Editor Of The STAR
At this session of Congress, there is much
talk of saving and spending money. Bal
ancing the Federal budget certainly is a
difficult problem It accordingly is right to
scrutinize all proposals to increase ex-
penditures.
Some OF the best things in the world,
however, cost nothing. At this session, Con-
gress can pass bill which would benefit
more than 5000 District public school
teachers and would not require any addi-
tional appropriation to do it.
We refer to the recent bill introduced by
Senator Johnston to amend the sick leave
law passed at the last session Of Congress.
The @present law has operated so as to
cause hardship to Washington teachers. The
new bill would remedy the defects contained
in this law and would require no additional
money from the taxpayers of the District
or the Nation.
Congress can render great service to
the teachers and other citizens Of Wash
ington by passing this bill.
DON B. GOODLoE,
Local a. American Federation Of Teach
efS,
Evening star., 1950-02-08

In Nigeria, 1920 is the quotation on half
educated brides-this being considered the
best kind. Letting them know too much is
only asking for trouble.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Asks Upon What Authority of Law
President Reduced Air Force.

Your excellent editorial 1.-THE President
and the Law" is agreeable to all voters who
are without union bias.
Now may I ask the Editor to explain by
what authority of law the Chief Executive
reduced the Air Force appropriation from
85 squadrons to 48 squadrons of aircraft?
Please keep in mind that destiny of our
beloved country depends upon air superiority,
as the write learned it, first hand in foreign
lands VETERAN.
Evening star., 1950-02-08

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
tUriter, although it is. permissible for
1Driter kroDn to The Star to use
a non, de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1950-02-08

In Northern parts, blossoms are reported
on the Towering shrubs, etc, and If you
wait another 48 hours you can bring some
home on q sled
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Present Unhappy Developments
FOreshadowed by Ancient Egyptian I
To the Editor Of The Star:

Present Unhappy DEVELOPMENTS
Foreshadowed by Ancient Egyptian Thoth
To the Editor Of The Star:
Discovery of atomic energy and slipping
valuable information on it to barbarians
recalls to mind the Keys to Wisdom as
given by Trismegistus, sometimes known as
Thoth, the ancient Egyptian scribe of the
gods.
The first key held that: "The without is
like the within of things; the small is like
the large. and in divine economy nothing
is great or SMALL
The second and most important KEY
says: Truth must be measured according
to intelligence; 1t must be yelled from the
feeble whom it would madden, and con-
cealed from the wicked who are capable of
seizing only its fragments, which they would
turn into weapons of destruction"
CORLEY McDARMENT.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Explains How Large Industrial Pensions
Are Whitfield Down to Little

10 the Editor OF The Star:
If the pensions to executives of Ameri-
can industries are to be exploited as being
unfair, would it also be unfair to exploit
taxation? 1t is true that $95 900 year is
whale OF pension, but how much of it
does man get after all the taxes are
deducted and the devaluation of the dollar
calculated against him?
The national tax on a pension of $685.
900 (but not over $1o0000) is $58, $40; after
deducting this tax from the original amount
balance is left Of $36,380 from which
the State income tax also has to be de-
Quoted.
Now, slice off about half of the remaining
amount which might take care OF dollar
devaluation, and the net result will be ap-
proximately between $4,000 or $4,000 a
year, which is just about what the eco
nomic planners intended it to be.
H. c. H.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
= Letters to The Star =
Thinks Perhaps DR.. Buschbeek
Really Found Us Constructively Naive

Thinks Perhaps DIR. Buschbeek
Really Found Us Constructively Naive
To the Editor of The Star:
AS middle of the road experimenter in
modern art, I was interested in DR.. E. H.
Buschbeek's February correction of The
Stars interview
1t would have been gratifying if he had
been kind enough to expand a bit more on
his use of the word naive" in reference to
visitors to the exhibit of Hapsburg Art.
One doesn't want to be impolite, but the
collection itself was rather naive" Like the
Hapsburgs it is dated and representative of
an archaic and limited taste.
1t is my considered guess (based on Eu-
ropean history that the artistic taste of all
the Hapsburgs en- masse was strictly "old
hat" and banal. This is not meant as re-
Election on the so-called $800O0,00 exhibit.
I have no intention of throwing rocks at
Titan, Durer. Coreggio. Rembrandt or even
Rubens' Beef Trust girls" Besides, there is
a lot in the collection that smacks of the
modern. No Courbet or Manet has produced
more realistic pieces that Caravaggio's MA
donna OF the RosarieS" and no Impressionist
would scorn Guadis San Marco" The
ost-ImpreSsionists would find considerable
kinship to "The Supper at Emmaus" by an
unknown italian. The Expressionists and
AbStraction1StS, even the most extreme.
found much that was instructive in the col
lection.
The Valesquez pieces served to confirm q
long-Standing suspicion that the Spaniard is
a press agents old master-merely high
class production-line portrait painter, me-
chanically competent but lacking in origi-
nality or daring
There were no paintings in the collection
done before 1900 and none after 1900, and
no Michelangelos no Ell Grecos, no Cra-
nachs, no Holbejns and only minor French
men. Presumably the Hapsburgs' taste did
not extend in the direction of these painters
or they did not run across any bargains
AS contrast to the large number who
visited the Austrian exhibits, it is we'll to re-
member that 81 years ago, several hundred
thousand people visited the 1918 New York
Armory Show Of Modern Art, paying as
much as 81 a head for the privilege as
against no charge at the Hapsburg show
here in 1949-50. I am informed that the
comments of 1918 art authorities, reported
In the newspapers, could be described as
quite naive.
Perhaps, the American urge to take
"look-see," whether 1t is Renaissance art
and armor. Picasso, Barnum's freaks or
Einstein. really is naive, but it is encouraging
to genius and proof of an open mind and a
democratic attitude. Lucky for Europeans
that Americans are not too discriminating
Let us hope that Americans never learn to
look down their noses at anything. That
always is in bad taste. GINO J. SINH.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Quotes Garrison the Abolitionist
On Wickedness of War

To the Editor of The STAR
William Lloyd Garrison, who once was
dragged through the streets of Boston,
Mass, because he opposed slavery, had this
to say OF war, over century ago: "War is
as capable of moral analysis as slavery, in
temperance, licentiousness or idolatry. 1t is
not an abstraction which admits of doubt
or uncertainty. but as tangible as bombs
cannon, mangled corpses, smouldering ruins,
desolated towns and villages, rivers of blood
1t is substantially the same in all ages and
cannot change its moral features. To trace
1t In Its ramifications is not a difficult
matter. In fact nothing is more terribly
distinct than its career; it leaves its i'm
press on everything it touches, whether
physical, intellectual or moral"
EDMUND X. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Summarizes Campaign of Russia
To Communize the World

To the Editor of The Star:
AS reflected by the procrastination and in
decision of our political leaders, it is tragic
fact that the people of this country are not
willing to face and act forcefully on the evil
reality of the intentions of the Soviet Union
towards the United States.
The repeated avowals, the continuous
threatening and contemptuous gestures of
past and present Russian leaders can leave
no doubt that they are completely dedicated
to the destruction of our way of life.> Not
single day passes that they do not press
forward in some part of the world in their
campaign to destroy freedom. We have ac-
cepted the fact and the term "cold war" and
it has dulled our minds. But the fame bursts
through the surface in places enough to in
dicate that underneath is raging inferno
waiting only the disposition of the Soviets.
to explode with roar that will engulf the
world. -~ -
1t is distressing daily to read and hear,
year after year, the evidence of the Com
munists' steady advance toward their goal
with little show of spirited retaliation on our
part. In Europe, we have countered with the
Marshall Plan and the Berlin Airlift at a.
cost of billions Of dollars. 1t seems quite
possible that the same result could have been
achieved with dignified and uncompromis-
Ing show of force several years ago.
development of China, Poland Czechoslova-
kia, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania Many other weakened
nations have barely escaped .or are now
struggling desperately for their freedom
Soviet agents have stolen our most vital
defense secrets. They have fostered dis
unity, unrest and strikes everywhere. They
have shot, kidnapped. mistreated and i'm
prlsoned our citizens and our diplomatic
representatives. We have suffered intolerable
ignominies. Is it because we fear war, are
too weak or just plain soft-headed that our
most forceful actions to date have been
supine State Department protests?
The Soviets already possess by far the
largest army in the world, the largest air
force. the largest'undersea fleet. Their entire
economy is dedicated to the prosecution of
the coming war. This is no secret They
openly proclaim it.
From here on in we must act with force
fulness and dispatch. It is quite likely that
one fine morning we will wake to the news
that the Soviet Union has not only stock
pile of A-bombs and H-bombs but also all
other forms of material for mass extermi-
nation. That day may be five or ten years
off-and 1t may be a much shorter time.
When 1t does arrive, only by the interven-
tion OF divine power can the destruction of
our civilization be avoided
M. A. GREELEY.
Evening star., 1950-02-08
Proposes Dumping Surplus Potatoes
In White House Yard
rro the EDITOR ~ The Sfsr.

II all the price support potatoes and
surplus crops were dumped on the White
House lawn. the mass would still not be as
effective as the administrations politics.
Evening star., 1950-07-01

The Blue Ridge Parkway road
when completed will link Shen-
andoah National Park in Virginia
and Great Smoky Mountains Ma
tional Park in North Carolina.
Evening star., 1950-07-01
By Casper Names
Sfor Staff Correspondent

MILWAUKEE,. Wis. July L.
The Lutheran Church Missouri
Synod took a historic step yester-
day by accepting the Common
Confession" document of doc
trinal agreement reached last year
by official committees of the Mis-
souri, Synod and the American
Lutheran Church.
The action, taken at the final
session of the synod's To-day
meeting here, was described by
one official as "the first rung in
the ladder bridging the gap" be-
tween the two church bodies.
Discussions between the Missouri
Synod and the American Lutheran
Church have been going on since
1885. If the two churches even
tually merge. it would form one
Lutheran Church body of nearly
2.5 million members. The Mis-
souri, Synod now has 1,756, 900
members and the American Lu-
theran Church 689, 900 members.
In approving the Common
Confession" the convention stated
1t found nothing that contradicts
the Scriptures" in the document.
Evening star., 1950-07-01

in the future, the resolution also
stated.
Other Resolutions Adopted.
Three corollary resolutions were
swiftly approved after the Com
mon Confession" motion had been
accepted. One resolution called
on the Rev. DR.. John w. Behnken,
president Of Missouri Synod, and
DR.. William Poppen, president of
the American Lutheran Church,
and vice presidents and district
presidents of both churches to
confer in order ito see how uni
formity in church practice can be
brought about"
Another motion provided that
the Missouri Synod, submit the
document to the Lutheran Synodi-
cal conference so as to secure ap-
proval of the Wisconsin, Slovak
and Norwegian Synods to its ac-
ton. 1t also asked DR.. Behnken
to request DR.. Poppen - if the
American Lutheran church acts
favorably - to place "the agree
ment before its sister synods for
approval and agreement"
A f1nal resolution warned that
acceptance Of the agreement did
not establish fellowship with the
American Lutheran Church. It
Evening star., 1950-07-01

It added that, If the American
Lutheran Church accepts the
agreement, the Common Confess
sion" will be recognized as "the
statement of agreement on these
doctrines between us and the
American Lutheran Church."
Will Act in October.
The American Lutheran Church
will act on the document at its
national convention in October.
The Common Confession" is
the result of intensive work since
May. 1948. by representatives Of
both church bodies. It was ap-
proved by the committees of both
churches in December, 1949.
A determined minority fought
to the end against accepting the
statement. This group, which as
serted there were doctrinal differ
ences between the two church
bodies that the Common Confess
sion" had not ironed out, declared
its view constantly during the 10
day meeting. But when the final
vote came, those for acceptance
Of the statement were overwhelm-
ingly in the majority.
Additional statements concern
ing doctrinal questions may be
submitted to both church bodies
Evening star., 1950-07-01

was only a step in that direction.
and several other steps remain
before fellowship has been estab.
liShed.
Until then no action is to be
taken by any member of synod
which would overlook the fact
that we are not as yet united"
the resolution declared.
The convention today created
a new department for social well
fare and provided that an execu-
tive secretary be chosen to head
it. The new department was re-
quested by the Associated Lutheran
Charities. which is q federation
Of 108 charitable and missionary
agencies within the Lutheran
Synodical Conference. A sum of
$l6.500 was voted to establish the
new department.