davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-12-23
This and That

looking around for food, you probably
would not miss much in that line.
Well, our wintering birds are not fools.
either
Their brains are tiny, but sufficient
unto their needs.
They have been working their way
through hostile world for centuries.
Their senses are attuned to food,
their primary need. If they can find it.
they are all right. Nature takes care
of them, provided they have enough
sense to take care of themselves. This
they do capably, with every bit of their
being.
We can all help them in the cold. II
by no more than few slices of bread.
Even old stale slices can be used,
provided they are held for a second
under the. faucet.
It is not good to give them moldy
bread.
While no proof has ever come up that
mildewed dough hurts them, 1t is easy
to feel that it can do them no good.
They are breathing, living, eating
and drinking, the same as other living
creatures, and faulty food is as bad for
them as for most of us. Perhaps not
quite as bad-after all, their alimentary
canals are only short tubes. as con-
trasted with the % feet of the human
canal. But they deserve and ordinarily
set good food.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
By Charles E. TroceweN
Pentagonian.

1t behooves the home bird watcher to
keep the feeding place reasonably clean.
This can be attained by brushing and
raking up the mass of discarded seed
husks every week or so. 1t will not be
necessary to keep things too clean
After all, nature herself knows nothing
of humanity's scrupulous ideas as to
sanitation. 1t may be felt that natures
ideas come down from an age when
there were not so many germs at work.
Still, we cannot emulate that pristine
sanitation any more. All we can do is
to keep the bird feeding place fairly
clean. This will also mean some atten-
ton to the drinking water. Bird baths
should be cleaned out at regular in
tervals, and fresh water put in.
Once we have attended to these small
chores. and put out food regularly. we
may sit back and wait for the birds to
come, which they surely will And
then, if they fail to come, we need not
feel too upset, nor deduce that American
birds are dying out. No, the best thing
to do Is keep a sharp eye open to see
If one can find the reason for their
disappearance If spotted, it should be
corrected. If not, stop putting food out
for time. It is not harmful to-
day to stop feeding for there are
thousand times as many well-stocked
bird feeding stations in and around
Washington. today as there were Is
years ago. Resume feeding In few days.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
The Spirit of Christmas

That feeling of joy and fellowship which we
call the Christmas spirit has eluded the most
cheerful in this unhappy week. The bad tidings
from abroad coupled with dread and uncertainty
about the future have shadowed the usually
heartening preparations for the greatest Chris
tian feast Strangely enough, however, its finest
expression has come from fighting men in war
torn country. On Monday, in Seoul, the Army
undertook the evacuation of 968 war orphans
who had been picked up by GIs as they lay in
the cutters or wandered through the streets OF
the beleaguered city, The waits, ranging in age
from months to II years, were taken to
child-welfare center run by 1t. Col R. L. Blaisdell
of Hyfeld Minnesota, chaplain of the 5th Air
Force. On their journey to an island refuge, the
IS plane-loads were accompanied by 80 Korean
women. The planes carried also trained Army
evacuation nurses who were in some cases volun-
teers, to minister to the sick, feed the starving
and comfort the frightened.
Many of the men who assisted in Operation
Kiddie Car" were moved to tears, dispatches
reported, by the sight of the forlorn youngsters.
They said they were reminded Of their own chill
dren at home. Surely their charity shining
Evening star., 1950-12-23

It is easy to make generalization
from particular case.
In most cases, it will be wrong, too.
Miss the birds from ones own feed
ing station, and generalize that all birds
are absent from all stations
And the idea will be completely at
sea with the facts. r
Birds leave situation where they
have been very much at home for
variety of reasons. :,
A threat of some kind to their safety
is the main reason.
A BIB gun, an owl, hawk
These are some of the common rea-
sons, and it is good general propo-
.sition to look around for them, If ones
own personal bird friends are missing
from the home scene.
X
Setting up of new feeding station
in the immediate neighborhood may be
the reason. /
Sometimes this Is only two or three
houses away, but completely unseen by
the human being who watches the birds.
The birds, showever-ah, what eyes
they have!
They do not miss the establishment
of the new feeding place.
It may be believed, even, that the
excitement attending the placing Of the
feeder, and the filling 1t with seed,
makes an impress on them.
After al. Il you were In the cold, nd
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Odd Case of the Esquire Picture

The House Subcommittee on Overstafing in
the Executive Departments was UNDERSTANDABLE
curious about the odd case of the requisitioned
Esquire Magazine It's study of procurement
records of the Interior Department had disclosed
that the National Park Service had invested
$3.50 of taxpayers money for one 50-cent copy
of the August issue of the wellknown magazine.
The committee was not so much interested in the
use to be made of the publication as the reason
for the high cost.
In the course of the investigation, it was
discovered that park official wanted to cut out
a pin-up picture of-believe it or not-"Custer's
Last Stand" So the ponderous procurement
machinery was put in motion. Forms were filled
out and signed letters written, copies made, dis
tributed and filed and all the other operations
incidental to purchase of an item-large or small
were faithfully carried out. In due time chow
long the subcommittee did not reveaD the
National Park Service was the official owner of
a magazine that could have been acquired in
five minutes for half dollar at a nearby maga-
zine stand.
The Esquire transaction was only one of
several that Chairman John Bell Williams and
his group delved into at Interior There was the
Bureau of Reclamation's order for $2.45 worth of
paper drinking cups for the departments trans
port plane for executiveS) that cost the Govern
ment $1735 in administrative expenses, Fish
and Wildlife Service item listed costing 80
cents but actually costing the department $1378,
and so on. The subcommittee found the pro-
curement costs per item varying from $4.78 for
the Secretarys Office to $17.35 in the Reclama-
tion Bureau.
Obviously something is wrong with such
system, or variety of systems. The subcommittee
bluntly declared that procurement activities at
department headquarters are "wasteful and
extravagant" This charge was made despite an
apparent effort within the department to reduce
administrative costs in the procurement field.
The Esquire purchase, incidentally, was made
subsequent to an order to consolidate small items
and to reduce the number of purchases of articles
of small cost These wasteful buying incidents
are trivial, of course standing alone, but they
are symbolic of the profgate attitude that
prevails in too many governmental sectors. That
such an attitude should continue to exist in some
Federal agencies in time of national emergency
is beyond understanding
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Joint Planning for Dispersal

There should be provision in the pending
agency dispersal bill requiring Federal authori-
ties to consult with local planning and govern
mental representatives prior to adoption of any
specific project. voluntary understanding is
not enough to satisfy Maryland and Virginia
officials, who have had sad experience with such
understandings in the past. The nearby counties
had little or nothing to say about the extensive
Federal developments within their jurisdiction
during the past war, yet they expected to
provide the educational and other. public services
which the earlier dispersal movement required.
Again the Government is planning great
Office centers in the adjoining States and is
asking Congress for special legislative authority
to proceed with the plans Yet the head Of the
Maryland State Planning Commission has told
the Senate Public Works Committee that he
and other local planners are yet to be informed
their jurisdiction. He has been unable, he said,
to get any information from Federal agencies
concerned.
Frederick Gutheim, chairman of the Wash
ington Regional Planning Commission, said that
the planners will not be content to be handed
a finished plan and told to "Sign here" Mr..
Gutheim urged an amendment to compel those
in charge of dispersal to give adequate con-
sideration to local viewpoints in preparing plans
for new Federal centers around Washington.
The request is a reasonable one, in line with
similar provision in the legislation authorizing
q second national airport. Congress should see
that this proviso is inserted in any dispersal
measure which may be approved. !"
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Furnishing the Non-Voters

In this country unused political power
in the hands of the voters can be more
dangerous to the cause of good gov
ernment than almost anything else
When people have the right to vote and
fail to- they are greatly responsible for
the inefficient and corrupt government
that often results from their failure. 1t
is not always those who vote that are
responsible for corrupt government. 1t
Is more frequently those who fail to vote.
Therefore the principal problem is how
to get people to vote. The supporters
of the corrupt political machines get
their adherents to vote while the re-
spectacle citizen stays at home and
leaves the political bosses to dictate the
choice of our public officials.
There are frequently situations in
city or State where it seems to be
impossible to get change of party be-
cause the party in power has had such
large majorities at past elections that
the minority is too discouraged to vote.
If people were obliged to vote, the can
didates of the minority party would
more frequently be successful. and we
would have much better State and
municipal government.
improvements III Stdte anu uluIllClpdl
government usually are brought about
by a change from one party to another,
because of the fulfilling of ante-election
promises made by the victorious party.
Great improvements are enjoyed where
small and uncertain majorities induce
politicians to cater to public opinion.
Where changes are prevented through
the ability of any political party to COM
mand enormous majorities, worthy cam
didates are seldom chosen and great
improvements are rarely obtained. The
truth of this has been demonstrated In
the character of our national, State and
city administrations since the develop
ment of our present political system.
In Australia. since 1898, the fine for
q failure to vote at an election has been
five pounds. The voter is questioned
before the fine is imposed; If his ex-
PLANTATION for not voting is satisfactory,
the fine is remitted.
Under the Belgium constitution, vot-
ing is secret and compulsory. The first
failure to vote is punished by fine of
three golden francs. In case of second
failure, the fine is the same. In case of
a third failure to vote In the next Is
years, the fine is from to Is golden
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Measuring Stick

MY great t-grandtather told me
When I 1pas uery small,
"A thing done tDeH enough
Is hardly done at all.
"A thing done pery tDeH
Is only halt begun.
When your ipork Is perfect
1t Is nearly DONE"
By that inconpenient
Deuice for measuring
Great grandfather gnve me
TIE never done thinpi - = :.
JANE II. MERCHANT.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Fowler for Commissioner

Walter L. Fowler, our Budget Officer.
should be appointed District Commis-
sioner when Commissioner Guy Mason
retires.
Mr.. Fowler has served the District
long and faithfully, as Budget Officer,
and is well known on Capitol Hill. am
sure he would get the support of the
Senators-for he is the best man for
Commissioner and it certainly is a mans
job.
Mrs. Branson Gilbert McIlwce.
Evening star., 1950-12-23

against q background of destruction and terror,
has helped to illuminate an otherwise gloomy
world. It reafirms the true meaning of Christ
mas, which is compassion for the less fortunate.
AS long as men charged with making war
remain sensitive to the plight of the children to
whom this season particularly belongs, then we
have not forgotten completely the message Of
Bethlehem
Evening star., 1950-12-23
He's Coming

No matter how many jets or bombers
Russia or China may put in the air on
these December nights. there is one party
coming through the air on December "a
that they will never stop and never
down. He is the jolly little man with the
white whiskers, the red suit and the pack
of toys, riding in the little sleigh with the
eight reindeer: The spreader of hope and
not fear. the spreader Of joy not gloom.
He always arrives on time no matter
what the odds. Good old Santa Claus!
John A. DOre.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

@. What cabinet members served
through all the administrations Of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt?-G. s.
A. Secretary OF Labor Frances Perkins
was the only one. She held Office from
March 4. 1888 to June 80, 1945.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Congress and the President

1t is gratifying that the Senate, by a vote of
IS to 80, has shelved Republican resolution to
direct the President to give "a full and complete"
report to Congress on his recent talks with Prime
Minister Attlee of Britain. The shelving besides
upholding the constitutional prerogatives of the
Chief Executive, represents an act of simple
prudence and common sense. After all, especially
in critical times like these extraordinary con-
ferences at the highest level between our own
and other governments cannot safely be sub
jected-in a kind Of goldfish bowl-to detailed
public revelation that could be of immense value
to the forces now threatening US.
To say this, however, is not to argue that Mr.
Truman and his top executors of policy are free
to do anything they please in the international
sphere without prior consultation or close CO.
operation with Congress. Certainly although
the President has considerable power to act on
his own through executive agreements with other
governments, nothing in the Constitution au-
thorizes him to make far-reaching basic new
commitments beyond those already covered by
ratified treaties or by special measures adopted
by the legislative branch. Moreover, even where
he may have full authority to decide on certain
major steps, 1t behooves him to do so in concert
with the Senate and House or at least with their
responsible leadership in both parties.
Thus, assuming that they do not mean to
carry the goldfish bowl technique to a point
where it could be harmful to security, Senators
Taft and Wherry are on sound ground in calling
for some kind of congressional review of any
major policy decisions-especially those bearing
upon the commitment of American troops to
Western Europe-that Secretary Acheson may
have reached at the Brussels conference of the
IL nations belonging to the Atlantic Pact.
In one way or another-again within the limits
OF security-the executive and legislative
branches must work closely together on momen-
tous matters of this sort. Nobody is all-wise
Two heads are better than one. The President
if he is to act effectively must seek the advice
Of Congress, keep it fully informed and win from
1T as much bipartisan cooperation as possible
Such cooperation is particularly in need of
cultivation at this hour. For the fact is, as
Senator Fulbright has just observed, that the
Democratic majority will be cut to the bone in
the new Congress- situation that makes it I'M
perative for the administration to do whatever
1t can to win the sympathetic support of the very
large Republican minority. BY the same token
that minority-now largely hostile-must meet
the President at least half way This is no time
for reckless politicking or the passions of mean
and narrow factionalism. This is a time when
all parties must pull together for the sake of the
Nations safety.
Women are wonderful who pack wardrobe
into q suitcase. And who else can get nine
cubic feet of holiday leftoyerS into an eight
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Mrs. Branson Gilbert McIlwce.
GIumor on the Form

Glumor on the Form
This We read in The Sunday Star:
How will buildings for COWS, chickens
and horses be glamorized' If agricul-
tural engineers have their way?
"They will have picture windows.
Studies on experimental farms show that
animals are healthier in buildings that
have windows big enough to admit germ
killing sunshine"
If the cows, chickens and horses need
such "glamorized" treatment, may we
ask how about us poor sun-starved work.
ers housed in the medieval Pentagon,
where the majority Of the offices are
windowless?
PentagOnian.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Questions and Answers

The Stars readers can get the answer 70
Evening" star IpformstioD @ sureaS % soo ,tI.. nf
NV. Washington 5. D. c.. and inclosing cents
Extension 35S.
Evening star., 1950-12-23

lobbying law, although it does not believe
this would be required. The group has
decided against any paid advertising
space to get across its views.
At present. finances are being provided
by the members. Mr.. Voorhees,, who Is
devoting most of his time to the project,
directs the committees new headquar-
Evening star., 1950-12-23

@. How does the quantity Of food
eaten by bird compare with that eaten
by human being?-T. S. G..
A. A bird eats at least one-half Of
its own weight of food every day. It
has been calculated that in America the
average man eats Is times his weight in
food every year.
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Bachelor Tax

New sources Of taxation are being
sought. according to the dispatches. Why
not bachelor tax? Many nations have
this tax. The theory is that one who has
no expense of family should shoulder
some of married folks load.
Recent studies of the birth rate in
selected universities and colleges from
Massachusetts, and South Carolina to
California give birth rates varying from
1.20 to 1873 children per mother. About
% children per mother is the absolute
minimum for replacement. The United
States could welcome to of the college
or research type.
C. M. Goethe,
Sacramento, Calf.
Evening star., 1950-12-23

francs, and in case Of fourth failure
the right to vote is lost and the name
of the offender is posted in the town
hall.
In American courts Of justice, juries
are called to decide as to the facts in
the cases before the court. No one seems
to have questioned the propriety Of
doing this, nor does it seem to have been
regarded as an unreasonable hardship
for jurors to serve, even against their
will
So the qualified voters should be made
to vote. The most effective way to do
this would be to tax every eligible voter
$25 year, with a provision in the law
that those who vote shall not have to
pay the tax. In this way there could be
no sufficient excuses available for not
voting. Such law would undoubtedly
lead to a much higher standard of gov
ernment throughout the country.
George Bond Cochran.
Evening star., 1950-12-23

tiers. in two-office suite, at I'll Four
teenth street NV.
"At this point" Mr.. Voorhees, says.
wed like to stress that the strength
of the committee Is that it is a group
Of citizens. I hope it's accepted for
what 1t is-an absolutely sincere group
Of men trying to help do job"
Evening star., 1950-12-23

Women are wonderful who pack wardrobe
into q suitcase. And who else can get nine
cubic feet Of holiday leftovers into an eight
foot refrigerator2
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Q. Why are Jewish prayers worded in

@. Why are Jewish prayers worded in
the plural?-R. j. C.
A. Edidin. in Jewish Customs and
Ceremonies" says that because the Jews
have emphasized public or communal
worship from ancient times, their pray
ers, with a few exceptions, are worded in
the plural rather than in the singular.
@. What novels constitute the trilogy
Of Sweden of a century ago. written by
Selma Lagerlof?-M. j.
A. The three works of fiction are:
1.-THE Generals Ring" Charlotte Low
enskold,'' and Anna Svard."
Evening star., 1950-12-23
Letters to The Star

may used letters carry rer correct
and addresses. All letters subject to condensation
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-01-24

"Does that mean you intend
honoring us with a weeks visit,
my dear Cellar"
She faced him her head high.
Il have every right To come 70
stay with my children or anyone
| choose to bring with me. This
was my mothers house and she
left it to all of U.s."
y OGER smiled. at was left %
~ me. your father. specifically.
my dear. l am delighted 10 well
come you to my house"
He held out his hand genially.
She ignored it and caught at the
twins. who stopped laughing al
her touch.
Come along. We are being
thrust out into the street the same
as we were in Chicago as soon as
they realized your father didn't
leave any more. People are all
alike"
The twins pulled away from
her and chung 20 Anne. who
caught them both up in her arms
and took them out into the yard.
Mary brandished her stirring
spoon like a soldier preparing for
battle.
"Ain't you ashamed 90 talk %
your father like that. Celia Blake7
| thought your poor mans death
would have taught you some hu-
mility and bowed your proud
head"
Nothing viii bow my head.
am Celia Gould now and always
will be-"
Until you find a new husband
That amt hard TO sec"
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-01-24
Home QaL|
BY Corol HoIliston ~..-.......
Chapter 2
BY Carol HoIlisfon

AtldRbGk .
a RATHER hard woman's voice
came from the open doorway.
Il might have known you two
would be out there sitting in the
dark pretending it's summer.
Don't ] get any welcome at alp"
Roger groaned. MY dear Celia,
haventyou any gentler moments?"
Don't you ever have any ener-
getic ones?" she retorted.
Anne leaped up. splitting her
pea pods. She ignored them. They
could be swept up tomorrow. She
threw both arms about her older
sister as If to make amends for
MANY things.
Celia. why didn't yor tell US
YOU were coming? You said you
were staying in Chicago and"
Celia kissed her in the way of
a woman who used kisses prac-
tically and to a purpose. Her
voice was still hard. though it was
a beautiful voice at the same
time.
Chicago is no good for an ac-
tress. New York is where l need
TO be to get ahead in the world.
Don't stare at me and get ready
to argue. Say hello to the twins
instead. At least make them feel
they're welcome"
Anne's eyes lighted up as she
turned to them. They stood close
together, hands ciasped. blue eyes
wide with wonder. They were
dressed exactly alike. Mary stood
back, stirring spoon in hand, star
ing at them. Anne knelt down
and eneircled them with her arms.
oh. I'm so glad to see you
both. ] haven't seen you since
YOU were babies. and now look at
you. Two big strong men,"
Don't tell them about their
father They think he just went
away. It's better that way. / can't
be bothered trying to explain
death to kids when all the the
ologians don't understand it."
Mary crossed herself and NUT
tered prayer. The two boys
spoke in unison.
is our daddy here?"
Their, mother pulled off their
caps Cant you see he isn't
here?"
Anne. still kneeling, touched
their curly yellow hair into place.
I'm here. And Grandfather is out
in the garden. And Mary. Now
how do we start getting ac-
ouainted? Do we take off coats
or kiss first?"
They hesitated. then both held
up chubby faces to be kissed.
Anne had no chance. They were
pulled back to Celia, who bent
over them.
Anne. I don't want you to
start spelling them right away.
They need to be trained properly.
not cuddled."
She vanked off their coats as
she said it. Like released animals.
they leaped to Anne's waiting
arms Celia's handsome dark eyes
flashed.
Il can see how spoiled they'll
be. inside of week." she snorted.
Her father spoke quietly from
the open doorway which he filled.