davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20

in the Maine Avenue Armory of the
National Gurad. I venture that this
small armory is training more men
than the grand Armory on East Capitol
street. I mean actual persons and not
mere tables Of organization.
For years to come our country will
need steady supply Of trained men
as leaders of units and not constant
call-ups of half filled and partly
equipped units. The Organized Reserve
can best serve this mission, but it needs
the facilities of the big Armory. I do
not speak Of the large drill hall that
every one thinks Of whenever he hears
the word "armory," but mean the 200
or more smaller classrooms, storerooms
and assembly places adjoining the large
hall, which rooms are probably now
locked up and not in full use> There
are more Reserve officers now being
trained in the District than there ever
were officers and men in the District
Guard. Add to this the number Of en-
listed reservists and you can see why
We should take a second look at the
District military policy and program.
On one hand we magnificently pro-
vide facilities for a limited number of
men who are not under our control nor
required to assist the local government
in any way, and on the other hand we
neglect to provide any facilities for a
very large number of patriotic citizens
who are earnestly trying to prepare
themselves for eventual service in the
country's hour of need. We need unfit
cation in our military program for the
City of Washington. The present
armory If turned over to the Organized
Reserves. would become a very active
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
ALEXANDRIA, Va.

Dear sir:
Coming to town on the bus this
morning was struck by the number of
large bird nests left exposed by the fall
ing of the leaves.
Some saw along Constitution ave-
nue. in the neighborhood Of the Federal
Reserve Board Building seemed large
enough to be crows nests, but they prob
ably were oversize nests built by robins.
rs there any way to identify bird
nests from the ground?
ut would be interesting to use binoc-
ulars and speculate on the identity Of
the birds that built and occupied the
nests in the spring-something to do on
a December walk. There probably would
be surprises in store.
Sincerely, G. K"
Large bird nests here about almost
always mean squirrel nests.
These are simply aggregations of
leaves and small branches looking amaz-
ingly like the smaller bird nests.
Squirrel nests are made by the mother.
She usually likes locust leaves, If she
can find them.
branch about a foot long, with its rows
of small pinnate leaves.
These she rolls into q ball with her
paws, and then, taking the ball in her
mouth, rapidly runs down the tree to the
chosen nest site.
This site Is never in the tree from
which she gets her leaves.
4. Just why this ID 80 10 unknown.N Per-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
On Rewordinq Frank Doncy

The Commissioners are sending Frank B.
Dancy a letter thanking him for saving the
lives of four small children trapped in burn
ing home on Saturday.
Inquiry was made at their meeting in the
District Building yesterday as to whether there
was not fund from which cash award could
be made The answer was no. An award for
Mr. Dancy would take an act of Congress and
Congress is not in session.
The thanks of the municipality will be &C
companied by no stipend but they are by no
means less sincere. 1t is heartening, especially
in the advent of Christmas, to realize that there
are men walking the streets of Washington who
are willing to risk their lives in response to q
cry of distress. -a.t s'
Several readers. impressed with he story
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
~ ss.sss #..
The Restudy Is Justified

The Service case is reason enough for the
decision of the Federal Loyalty Review Board to
reopen the loyalty cases Of 1889 Government
employees who had been investigated by the
Federal Bureau Of Investigation but cleared by
lower loyalty boards. John Stewart Service
dismissed State Department official, also had
been cleared by lower board, but the top-level
loyalty agency found reasonable doubt" to exist
as to his loyalty. There may be other Federal
workers among the cleared group about whom
the Loyalty Review Board may have reasonable
doubt. The only way to make sure is to restudy
all Of the possibly questionable cases.
The restudy will be directed at two groups Of
employees. In the first group are those about
whom the FBI uncovered some derogatory
information but who were able to satisfy de-
partmental or regional boards of their loyalty.
These cases were handled by the lower boards
before the standard for judging loyalty was
frightened by executive order last May. At that
time the President instructed the Loyalty
Review Board to order the dismissal of any
employee about whom it had reasonable
doubt" as to loyalty. Prior to that order the
rule had been to dismiss employees only If there
were reasonable grounds" to believe that he
was disloyal Chairman Bingham of the Review
Board felt that the requirement of a reasonable
grounds" finding led boards to give the benefit
Of the doubt to the suspected employe instead
Of to the Government, with possibly dangerous
results for the Government. The theory of the
reasonable doubt" rule is that 1t gives the
Government the benefit of the doubt in loyalty
cases and hence better safeguards the public
interest.
The second group of cases to be restuded
involves employees who were cleared by lower
boards under the sitter loyalty standard
adopted last May. The Service case fell into this
category. There may be other Service cases"
among the STA in the second group. At least
the circumstances of the Service case fully
justify the high board in determining to make a
check on the findings of the lower boards
Indeed any less thorough course would be ex-
ceedingly risky.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20

of the mans heroism in The Sunday Star, have
sent small sums to The Star as expression Of
their appreciation. They have been forwarded
to him.
Mr.. Dancy, a Negro trash collector, is both
surprised and pleased at the publc's response.
1t is going to mean happier Christmas for his
wife and two small boys. The Star also wishes
to express its appreciation for what he did and
to voice the hope that there will always be men
or women with his courage on hand when
courage can make the outcome life instead of
death.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Surfeited With Donohue

My target is "Jiggs" Donohue. Why
does he have to get his nose into any
thing and everything that goes on around
Washington? I'm Just little guy myself
but I was born and reared and have
spent most of my life around Wash
ington. When Donohue was appointed
Commissioner. had never heard of him.
OF course, I'm neither lawyer nor
politician. Basicly his appointment may
have been all right. but why does he
get practically all Cat least in The STAR
the publicity? Is he being built up for
Mayor. or don't the other Commissioners
do anything? II they don't, they should
be fired.
Recently Commissioner Robinson came
up with plan of government for Wash
ington. Not being an expert, I don't
know how good his plan is. but I was
thrilled to see that one of the Commits
sioners besides Donohue was being
given credit for having some construc-
tive ideas. However, according to reports
land get all my information from The
Starr, Donohue appears to have hand
in Robinson's plan, too. Either Dono-
hue is a genius or hot-Shot politician.
r. H. Rose.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Star Stan Photo.

place. and could train from five to 10
times the number Of citizens ever
trained in it before.
All the fault with the formation of
the District Guard does not rest
with the Guard ITSELF Citizens asso-
Citations take almost no interest in it
and their attitude is that it is political
unit and nothing that they can do will
affect it.
do not believe that there is a law
requiring the District to have a National
Guard. I recommend the following
solution:
Transfer all Of the present units, their
designation. history and property to the
Organized Reserve and have them desig-
mated as class A units identical in all
requirements, training and mission to
the present District National Guard.
They must have 80 per cent officers and
so per cent enlisted mem.
Lease the Armory to the Federal Gov
eminent for use Of the Organized Re-
serves and District military units.
The Federal Government pays for
the lease Of buildings for this pur-
pose. but we should furnish the Armory
without cost. providing the Government
pays the cost Of upkeep and heating.
BY so doing we would prevent the Fed
eral authorities from easily converting
this to an Office building.
Then we would have a military setup
that we could be justly proud Of, not
one that would be constantly breaking
out in personal squabbles and serious
deficiencies.
chorIes M. Myers,
Colonel. q. o. A., retired,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
The goth lnfontry Division

In your paper for December Is there
appeared an article, when Hitler Gam
bled All and Lost" by r. Ernest Dupuy
(Col. U. s. A. Ret). AS a member OF
one of the divisions which participated
in the battle of the Bulge and which
again has been ignored. I find It my
duty to ask the source Of the authors in
formation. and, at the same time, try to
set the record straight.
The article specifically mentions the
VIII Corps. the 1st, I'd. 4th. 28th and
1O6th Infantry Divisions. Nowhere is
there reference to the goth Infantry Dr.
vision, which, except small armored
unit (whose designation I do not recalD !:
adjoined the 106th and which, like that
unit, was fresh in the line.
The Goth, after having been filled in
the preceding March to battle compile
ment with former students from the dis
banding A.S.TP., arrived in the line
on or about November II. replacing the
9th Infantry Division in positions far
ther to the north than those of the
106th.
Except for series Of fortuitous cir
cumstances. the fate of the 99th might
we'll have been as great debacle as of
the 106th--which. as I.recall. lost two
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Give Mass Transportation q Break

1t Is encouraging to learn that WaShtngton'S
traff1c authorities, In preparing snow-emer-
gency plan, will give due emphasis to measures
for keeping public transportation moving by
controlling privatecar traffic. This is the
essence of the so-called Baltimore plan which
gives priority certain through streets to buses
and streetcars There has been too little en-
phasis on this phase of the congestion problem
in the past, as Chairman S. H. Bingham of
New York City's Board of Transportation re-
minded the Washington Board of Trade In a
speech diagnosing urban traffic troubles.
1--WE have lost sight, Colonel Bingham told
the Board of Trade at luncheon this week, "of
one very essential fact-that the function of
streets and Of our transit systems is to move
people. We have thought too much In terms of
moving vehicles, and as result have choked
our streets with vehicles" While that may be
an -simplifcation Of Washington's traffic
problem, 1t is fact that only in such emer
gencies as last Fridays snowstorm do we realize
how dependent we have become on buses and
streetcars. Yet we allow private cars to use
streetcar tracks during such storms, with the
inevitable clogging of underground trolley slots
and blocking of rails. And we began the winter
with no plan for warning drivers of private cars
to avoid the city II possible In time Of snow.
OF course last weeks storm came so suddenly
that such warnings were not practicable-but
other storms already have been forecast for the
next few days routine system OF urging
drivers not to make unessential trips downtown
should be instituted without further delay.
Under the Baltimore plan, certain main
arteries Of public transit lines will be reserved
in emergencies for mass transportation vehicles,
and police will divert private to other streets
Washingtons circles and avenues would compli-
cate the application of such traffic control to
our downtown streets. Besides, the streets here
are generally wider than those in Baltimore,
with more room to accommodate both kinds of
traffic. But every effort should be made to
reserve streetcar right-of-way for streetcars and
to keep the main bus routes cleared and sanded.
little more cooperation from the Govern
ment departments would be helpful in preventing
homeward rush of private cars before danger
spots have been cleared and sanded And more
corporation by suburban authorities in hill sand
ing and traffic control also would be welcomed
by both suburban motorists and those in the
city who suffer from the backing up of traffic
across bridges and boundaries. Had more of
this sort Of COMMUNICATIVE cooperation been
in evidence last Friday the paralysis of trans
portation which prevailed undoubtedly would
have been greatly alleviated.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
D. c. Guard Weighed and Found Wontina
To the Editor Of The stor:

o tne EOttoT OF Inc Sf0r.
WHY does the District Of Columbia
w have National Guard? It Is not
a sovereign State. The Guard is not
subject to call for duty by any District
official, and is not in any manner under
control of the local government or citi-
zens. The President does not need nor
has he relied upon the District Guard
for any real emergency. He would call
the Regular Army. as he has done
in the past.
A careful study Of it's history for the
past 20 years shows that the Guard has
been operated as private army. COM
pletely independent Of civic leaders who
have not even been able to question
the way tax money has been spent All
regulations recognize the independence
of its commander by referring to him
as 1.-The commanding general, District
of Columbia"
Prior to World War I there was
national need for State organizations to
train citizen soldiers to be available for
use in q crisis. The National Guard
only partially filled that need. The Gov
eminent then decided that national
organization was needed and 1t formed
the Organized Reserve. Since World
War 1t has further improved and aug
mented that program. Today the lack
of ADEQUATE armories has seriously ham,
pered that program.
The District Guard has furnished
many officers for Federal service but
its units were never up to strength and
always poorly equipped They have
To- %nfA NJ
as to be available for immediate use,
or even be ready within what might
be considered a reasonable time. Even
today, except for the Negro units. which
had a waiting list, those units that
were called into service had to be filled
when they arrived at their station with
over so per cent of draftees. These
draftees stand little chance Of promo
motion against inevitable cliques of old
guardsmen, so after limited amount
Of training they generally get out and
the Guard unit has to start its train
ing cycle over again when they are
replaced.
Then, too, the District Guard does not
consist of only District men. One bat
terry was enlisted from young men
mainly around Manassas. Va. Another
unit centered around Greenbelt, Md.
The Guard sent trucks regularly to those
places to bring the men to the Armory.
Many officers are not District residents.
1t long ago ceased to be civic unit Of
Washington and is in reality a national
one whose expenses should be paid by
the Federal Government.
In my opinion. the best type of officer
is now furnished by the ORGANIZED Re.
serve from among the graduates of the
ROTC program Of the varied colleges.
They need further training and re-
fresher courses when not on active
duty and they need armory facilities
to put over good program. Right now
there is an Organized Reserve unit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Too Much Bad News

It is interesting to see what the news
hounds can cook up to please the read
ing and TV audience: Macarthur in-
vestigations. O'Dwyer scandal. Eisen-
hover for President and currently the
tax scandals. Goodness very rarely
makes the headlines except in terms of
heroes. Crime and the departure from
moral order seem to be Of greater in
terest. This is so. Of course, because
there is so much good In the world that
only evil can arouse interest for some
people. I wonder II most people realize
how negative the picture has been. En-
phasis in the papers now seems to be
on what has not been done. A steady
drumming on this by reporters can be-
come quite revolving.
How about changing the tune at least
for Christmas and telling us what good
our leaders have done at home and
abroad. In word, accent the positive
side. Stephen M. Connolly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
World Union

The several States were described be-
fore the signing Of our Constitution as
"the hopes Of their enemies. the fear Of
their friends, and arrested only by the
Constitution from becoming the shame
Of the world" Now the several sovereign
democracies are "the hope Of their
enemies and the fear Of their friends"
Let us hope that they do not become the
shame Of the world"
The very Informative articles on World
Union and the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization, appearing on the first
page Of your editorial section December
and November Is. were read with great
interest. May the peoples of the free
world firmly grasp their opportunities
even as did those patriots who supported
the constitutional convention and laid
the firm foundation of freedom in these
United States.
N. Mason,
Chairman, Atlantic Union Committee,
Washington Chapter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Christmas Light

Across the trenchnnt cold the path had
lost itself By noon,
The train tore through the prairie sky,
and left smoke scalptured there:
A hope that he might come today burst
like pricked balloon,
And sno,Oy nighttaH quietly en-
shrotOded my despair.
The Christmas tree lit up the room
against my darkened heart:
The lofty angel softly swayed to mock
the evi night.
A plane roared: there beside the step he
stood, outlined In part,
Then both of US Uore hnlos iDhen the
door released the light.
4 BeuIoh N. HusYA
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20

Pen-na1ues may be used If letters carry
writers' correct names and addresses.
AL letters are subject to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Office Parties

As usual, at this time Of year many
offices no doubt are getting ready to
throw" Christmas parties. Therefore,
1t might be appropriate to print por-
ton of "A Pastors Personal Plea:
reports in recent years indicate the
development Of certain custom which
has very serious implications. refer to
the Office Christmas party which usually
is held in the closing hours of the last
working day before Christmas. Granted
the normal expression of friendliness on
the part of those who work together, a
well-deserved time for relaxation and the
desire to give gifts, it ought to be a
truly enjoyable occasion. But the dan
ger involved is in none other form than
the introduction of large quantities of
alcoholic beverages at such Office parties.
The net result in consumption and be-
havior is such distortion of the mean
ing OF Christmas as to cause sensitive
people to hang their heads In shame"
Reader.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
By THE HASKIN SERVICE

NV. Washington 5. D. c., and inclosing cents
return postage or by telephoning ST. 1868.
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.
O. How fast does water rise In tree?
*. E. S.
A. The speed depends largely upon
the rate Of evaporation from the leaves.
In some trees water may rise as fast as
80 inches minute. In pine trees, on
the other hand, the rate is only about
one-half inch per minute.
@. Why are schoolhouses painted red?
". Mob.
A. Years ago many frame schoolhouses
were painted this color, not from any
special preference but because red paint
was the cheapest obtainable. White
later became the preferred color. ..
@. What are the terms used to refer
to the horizontal and vertical portions
Of step in staircase?-H. D.
A. The horizontal portion Of a step
is the tread; the vertical part. the riser.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Questions and Answers

The Stars readers can get the answer 90
any question Of fact, by either IwritinG The
Evening t Star Information Bureau, 1900 street
return POSTAGE or BY telephoning 81. 1853.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-20
Letters to- The Star .

regiments and two battalions Of artillery.
When the battle broke on the night Of
December Is. the list. which is credited
for holding Elsenborn Ridge-one Of the
more decisive battles on the north edge
OF the Bulge-was in bivouac in a rest
area in the vicinity Of Aubel, Belgium.
do not know the source of Col.
s,Dupuy's information. but following Gen.
erals Eisenhower and Bradley's books.
the 99th's participation is overlooked in
his statement.
AS to the battle Of Elsenborn Ridge,
the force holding that position were
intermingled groups of the LIST, 99th and
I believe also the I'd and 9th. This
was the situation at Lozer Elsenborn,
some short distance from Elsenborn Hill.
have no criticism of the rest of Col
Dupuy's article. but it would be nice to
see small bouquet tossed at the Goth at
least once.
A Checkerboarder.
Editors note: In being forced to
shorten his own lines to meet The
Stars space limitations, Col Dupuy
was prevented from giving individual
credit to all American units particle
pating in the Battle of the Bulge
Of which the gallant Goth was one.)
Evening star., 1951-12-11
She Con Plant Ivy In This Dependable
TeIechron Kitchen Clock

A kitchen clock with oomph . but with the de-
pendobty Of TeIechron built in. Reody to plug in
and forget . assuring correct time to the second
the year through. Choose it for her in red, zAE
gray, yellow or ereen---- zs20
Evening star., 1951-12-11

No more burned figures :. no more snoeeine
at your toost with fork There's new LIFT-UP
feature to this new Westinghouse which is
news enough in itself and the bread really
pops up high enough to get real hold on it. A
new, wider color range gives you toast the exoot
"shode" you like, and the Time Temp control
automatically takes core Of toostine time to
assure perfect browning. o yes :. she wants
it ;. ond how
The Hecht Co. 7th Floor Washington
lh Floor SlUer Spring and Parkngton Arlington, Va
Evening star., 1951-12-11
Ekco Fine Flint Cutlery

See this master carver demonstrating his skill and
you'll learn lot of tricks-of-t -the-trode provided
Of course, you, too, the famous Exec Fine Flint
Cutlery Pick out the set or pieces you need most.
Flint s-Pc Utility Set consisting Of Gin porne, Gin
French cook Sin ty knives Of hcobon stainless
dum hollow ground cutlery with eonfortep rosewood hondes
$50
Cutlery Sets, zss to I6ss
Fanous Flint 3Pe Carving and Seins Set consisting Of Gin
icer Gin oin ham icer mounted in fitted hard
thsr Flint Carving Sets. 1895 to s2sS
The Hecht Co., 7th Floor, Washington;
Floor Super Spring and Pdrktncton, Arlington Va