davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-04-01

and telegraphed praise to chorus
girls on stage 20 feet away.
The longest teiegram in 100
years was filed at Birmingham,
Ala. January 80, 1884. A birth
day greeting to President Roose-
welt, it contained 41,000 sigma
lures, stretched 1920 feet. weighed
3 pounds, contained 80.360 words
and took 1.148 minutes and
$1.157.18 to send.
The shortest had no text. Seems
Ia fellow telegraphed his girl:
"Will you marry me? Please rush
answer Immediately by Western
Union"
She wired back her signature, no
message. He checked. The COM
pany checked. She finally wired
YES" explaining she was trying
to tell him II was speechlesS with
JOY"
Western Union was formed on
April 1. 1851, five years after
Samuel r. B. Morse telegraphed
from Washington to Baltimore,
What hath God wrought"
Any schoolboy will tell you that
was the first telegram. which
shows you can't always rely on
schoolhoys. It was the first public
telegram all right, but many
Evening star., 1951-04-01

others had been sent over a wire
before.
Six years earlier Morse tele-
graphed a message from one room
to another in a Morristown. N. j.
factory. One of his financial
hackers who had begun to worry
about his investment suggested
the message: "a patient waiter Is
no loser"
Well. anyway, Western Union
was started as the New York &
Mississippi Valley Printing Tele-
graph Co. and took its present
name In 1856.
Followed Railroad West
It began with one line. from
Buffalo to Louisville. In a few
years 1t absorbed 13 other Mid
western companies but that still
left more than SO other rivals.
Rates ranged from Is cents for
four words to 500. The charges
piled UP as the. message passed
through each competing company.
Service was slow and unreliable.
Western Union went West with
the railroads but before 1861 the
wires reached only as far as st.
Joseph, Mo. Here the kilograms
were picked up by the Pony Ex-
Evening star., 1951-04-01

press and rushed" out to Sacra-
Imento, Calf. This took eight
days.
Three months after the start of
the Civil War the company began
Ito extend it's line from st. Joseph
to the coast, a job that was ex-
lpected to take 10 years. It was
done in three months and 20 days.
largely because the Indians proved
friendly. The Eastern and West
|ern lines were Joined at Salt Lake
City October "a. 1861.
After the Civil War, Western
Union began thinking Of a tele-
graph system circling the world.
While Cyrus w. Field was having
trouble with his first trans
Atlantic cable, Western Union
went to work over land.
Absorbed Competitors
The plan was to stretch the
telegraph up to Alaska, linking up
with 7,000-mile Russian line
stretching across Siberia to Eu-
rope. The project actually was
half completed when Field got his
third Atlantic cable to work.
Western Union has always con-
soled itself with the fact that its
field work contributed to the
United States purchase OF Alaska.
At home, the company con-
|tinued to spread. BY 1865, 1t had
acquired $40 telegraph companies.
by 1943, it had taken over the
Postal Telegraph System. its last
big competitor.
That brought It no monopoly
on the public's business. however.
and company spokesman ruefully
call attention to the competition
provided by speeded-up airmail,
specialized printer and voice serv-
ices Of the telephone companies,
and the IS other cable and radio
firms engaged In international
communications.
Today Western Union has 2
million miles of wire, 8 million
telegraph poles, 10 transatlantic
cables. $4,000 offices, two cable
ships, a yearly traffic Of 8 million
money orders and S million cables.
and $4,000 employees, including
several hundred girls who sing
messages or wake you up by tele-
|phone; 10000 messengers who
travel on bicycles, motorcycles,
motor scooters and cars and about
100 girls who work on slip-proof
roller skates.
The skating girls, used in relay
|centers to carry messages from a
slot, skate SO or 100 yards and de-
liver them to the appropriate tele-
graph operator, are rapidly dis
appearing because the company
now has is high-speed switching
centers where messages are routed
and relayed electronically without
the use of human hands.
This came as part of a 500 mil
lion modernization program to
improve and speed up service. The
latest development, announced in
January. Is a high-speed facsimile
machine which can flash 5000
words q minute over q wire or
radio beam.
Having conquered continent
and defied oceans and bought out
its biggest competitors, Western
Unions biggest complaints today
are against the Is per cent tax
imposed on kilograms.
distributed by the Associated Press.)
Evening star., 1951-04-01
Macarthur Moy Return
Congress Expected to Ask Pentugon to
Summon Him Here for Far East Views
By Constantine Brown

A strong movement Is expected
to develop soon In Congress to ask
the Pentagon to summon Gen.
Macarthur to Washington to
testify before the Armed Services
and Appropriations Committees.
An increasing number of Sem
ators and Representatives from
both parties feel that Congress so
far has had the beenfit only Of the
views Of the "European-minded
diplomats and military men at the
various hearings held since last
January.
Secretary Of State ,Acheson and
Defense Secretary Marshall-the
latter in the dual capacity Of
politician and military man
Gems. Eisenhower. Bradley. Col
Inns and others have empha-
sized the Importance of Europe to
the security Of the United States.
They all have contended that
we would be in a very bad way If
Russia succeeded In conquering1
Western Europe. Their consensus
was that such an action by Russia
would gravely impair our national
security and our chances to with
stand the Reds drive for world
conquest.
But not a single voice has been
heard yet as to what will happen
to our security if Russia succeeds
In her present efforts to dominate
the Asiatic continent. Many
people seem to overlook the fact
that while 5000 miles Of water
separate the United States from
the countries across the Atlantic,
only a few miles separate United
States territory from the U. S.
s. r. in Asia.
We have known for some time
that Moscow has created i'm
portant airbases in Siberia. A.
Soviet ground force estimated
yariably at between II and IS
divisions. including at least four
paratroop divisions. is stationed
IN Eastern Siberia. Russian
naval bases at Vladivostok and
Nikolaevsk have been greatly i'm
proved in recent years and a SUBJ
marine feet, estimated at about
30 undersea craft, including some
Of the latest models, are based in
those ports.
Away for Is Years
Gen. Macarthur has been away
from this country for nearly IS
years. The pressure Of business
following the surrender of the
Japanese in August. 1945, pre-
vented his return to Washington
and his acceptance of the laurels
given by the American people to
other successful generals. There
have been numerous efforts by
some members of Congress to re-
call him temporarily. But these
efforts were not mandatory and
the Pentagon explained that the
supreme commander in Tokyo
could not spare time for such
pleasant but relatively unimpor-
tant functions as being "conse-
Grated as a hero" in a joint ses-
sion Of Congress.
There have been other attempts
more recently to have his views on
the situation in the Far East
given to Congress. The Pentagon
replied that these requests had
Evening star., 1951-04-01

lbeen relayed to Gen. Macarthur,
Ibut he still preferred to complete
his mission in Japan.
i The Joint Chiefs Of Staff went
over to Tokyo and have relayed
to members Of Congress what are
lsaid to be Gen. MacArthur's views.
Last fall President Truman him
self felt that he should have a
heart-to-heart talk with the SUI
lpreme commander. on whom he
lhad placed SO much responsibility
lin the Far East and whom he had
never met personally.
The President chose, however,
to meet his subordinate at Wake
Island, instead of ordering him
to come to Washington for consul
ltation, as has been the case in
1.-THE past with other American
military and political men on duty
Overseas.
May Be Ordered Here
Some political men wonder
whether other motives than Gen.
NGacArthur's eunwillingness" to
come to America after Is years
absence may not be involved.
They wonder whether Gen. Mac
Arthur was told to be unwilling. !"
AS a well-disciplined soldier he
would be bound to obey such in
structions.
The present move In the Senate
and House is to have the Armed
Services and Appropriations Com
mittees ask the Pentagon to order
Gen. Macarthur back to this coun-
try to tell Congress his views on
the defense needs of the United
States in the light Of his expert
|ence In the Pacific.
According to the best views of
top American and Western Euro
|peon military and political strate-
|gists, Russia will continue for
some time to wage q war Of nerves
in Europe. These men say that
we have at least another 10 months
to prepare against a Soviet on
slaught. They base this evalua-
tion on the fact that Russia has
not yet completed her prepara-
tions to cope with the atomic
bomb. Furthermore, Russian
manufacture of guided missiles,
which she inherited from Hitler's
scientists, has not yet reached the
numbers needed for quick victory
over the rest of the world.
In Asia, however, Russia is wag-
ing shooting war. For the time
being this shooting war is con-
fined to Korea, while in Indo-
China, Malaga and Burma she isl
waging a guerrilla war, which is
costly and dangerous for the
French and British.
Moscow's plans In Korea have
misflred for the time being. IN
stead Of throwing us into the sea,
as the Kremlin so confidently ex-
pected when it ordered SO Chinese
Communist divisions to attack the
United Nations forces in Korea
last November, her puppets them
selves have been thrown back, with
heavy losses in manpower, war
material and prestige.
Thanks to the manipulation of
the chicken-hearted diplomats of
the United Nations. these reverses
are not likely to affect the Rus
an-provoked war in Asia for q
long time.
Evening star., 1951-04-01

German submarine at Baltimore a
day or two before.
That was before the United
States had entered World War II,
but Wilson told the lawmakers.
"I'm using every dollar we can for
defense. Germany is going to
make war on us but don't want
to say that publicly"
Mr.. Mcclellan then asked Will
son what he could do If the Ger
mans secretly landed forces by
submarines of Chesapeake Bay,
near Washington.
"EIow do we know? They may
have 10 or 100 or even 1000 sub
marines" Mr.. McKellar told the
President. "And we have no good
highways or roads to send troops
into that section"
Wilson suddenly stopped pacing
his Office. Mr.. McKellar said, and
told them:
ASKED for S100 Million
"Why. that would make these
Federal highway funds legal. I've
made a mistake, gentlemen. This
lis part of our national defense.
|It would be constitutional"
Then he turned and asked how
much would be needed to start a
Federal highway aid program.
Bankhead and McKellar had
talked this over and McKellar
quoted the Senator as saying:
"Ask him for $5 million to start
the roads program. If he won't
lgo along, take four, II he won't
give four, take three, but If he
offers only two million we'll both
tell him to go to hell"
II told the President that ]
thought we ought to have at
least $100 million to make a good
start" Mr.. McKellar said. "I
watched Senator Bankhead and
I thought he'd have a fit.
President Wilson started pac-I
ling again and said, That's a very
large sum-
ST told him this was a very
large country and that we needed
la very large number Of roads and
that would take q very large
amount Of money"
Wilson finally agreed to go along
with an initial SIS million.
As they left the White House.
Bankhead recovered to say, "I
thought you had thrown away
everything when you asked for
that much"
Thomas II. MacD Donald. who set
Iup the original Federal highway
laid program, still heads the Bu-
Ireau Of Public Roads.
"He has been an excellent pub
lie official" Mr.. Mcclellan said.
Since start of the program in
1916 more than So billion has been
authorized by Congress for the
Federal aid highways, not count
ing emergency funds during de-
Ipression years.
There are more than 232, 900
miles Of primary roads through
lout the United States. Some have
been paved and rebuilt three times.
Distributed by the Associated Press.)
Evening star., 1951-04-01
Western Unions Been Sending 100 Yeurs-Stop
Thot's Not True
About Morse Getting
Off First Wire
By Saul Petit

NEW YORK. - Western Uniol
lis 100 years old today and. II
has proved anything. 1t is that WI
are still q bunch Of stumblinl
writer's who tear up at least twic,
as many kilograms as we send.
Every year we send 200 milliol
wires via Western Union, thi
largest privately owned telegraph
system in the world. For ever,
wire sent, two blanks are used
one at the sending end, one at ths
receiving end. That's 400 million
blanks.
But every year the company
prints | billion yellow telegraph
blanks. What happens to ths
other 600 million blanks?
The answer is that many are
swiped as memo pads or used fol
carbons and most of them are
torn up In the pain Of compost.
tion, In false starts, In discarded
phrases and thoughts too inaccu.
rate or too expensive to send.
After all this creative torment
we most frequently end up with
canned sentiment, anyway. OF al
the social. holiday and congratu-
latory wires sent every year, about
rs per cent are drawn from the
500 texts suggested by the COM
pany.
Western Union customers have
more imagination ano
in the varied ways
they've employed Western Union
messenger boys.
Messengers Versatile
Messengers have been hired te
feed the pigeons twice a day ir
front Of the New York Public
Library; to toss rice at weddings;
to rescue a woman from a mouse;
to teach a Bermuda hound vaca.
zionist how to ride a bike; to sup.
ply a fourth at bridge; to baby.
sit; to climb a tree and rescue 9
cat; to buy a snake at the zoo.
And, Of course. they used to sing
kilograms. Now this is done by
the company's phone switchboard
operators.
The most eccentric user Of mes.
senger boys, the company reports
was an old millionaire who livec
on Long Island around 1910.
It was his habit to call a small,
army of messengers to his large
estate. Each boy was assigned q
horse, a wooden sword and some
fighting words. The millionaire
then put a tin pot on his head and
led the boys in a series of scream
ing cavalry charges against an
enemy.
A messenger named Jimmy
Smith carried out the longest er-
rand in 1900. He was sent on q
12.000-mile trip from New York
TO South Africa to deliver a large
book to President Stephanus
Kruger Of the Boer republic. It
contained $1,000 signatures OF
Philadelphia school children WISH
ing the Beers success in their war
with the British.
In its first 100 years, Western
Union found the late Flo Ziegfelo
was the most prolific individual
user OF kilograms. He woulc
rather send a wire than talk.
frequently he sent long tele-
grams to people in the same
building or just across the street
During rehearsals. the Snowman
frequently sat in the sixth row
Evening star., 1951-04-01
Bocktrocking Our Roads
By Edwin B. Haokinson

by EDWIN D. TtookinS0n
The millions of motorists whiz-
|zing over the Nations thousands
|of miles Of high-speed highways
can thank:
/. Tallulah Bankhead's grand
father.
2. The surprise arrival Of a
German submarine at Baltimore
IS years ago.
8. The attempts Of q young
Memphis lawyer to drive his big
new car to New England more
than 40 years ago.
The lawyer is now Senator Ken
meth Mcclellan. Democrat, Of
Tennessee. Rounding out 40
years In Congress, he was one OF
the original sponsors Of the vast
Federal highway system.
'It's pretty good story" SEN
ator McKellar said In an inter-
view. "I've thought of writing it
several times over the years. but
I always am too busy"
Back in 1910 Mr.. Mcclellan, q
bachelor in Memphis, was very
proud of his big new Packard car.
One week end a group Of young
people decided, to motor to Poland
Spring, Me-. in two cars with
chaperons.
"I discovered there was no good
road except one 25-mile country
gravel road out Of Memphis" Mr..
McKellar recalled.
The group shipped their cars to
Washington by rail and then drove
to Philadelphia and on up to
Poland Spring.
II was perfectly astonished to
find that the roads were not better
everywhere" Mr.. McKellar said.
Mr.. McKellar was playing golf
when he received a telegram from
his brother that their Con-
gressman had died and that he
was being mentioned as a possible
successor.
"Not interested" Mr.. Mcclellan
wired his brother from the. golf
course.
Then he learned another can
didate had said, "McKellar is afraid
to run against me" Mr.. McKellar
announced as a candidate and won
the election.
Called On Wilson
Mr.. Mcclellan soon teamed up
with Senator John Hollis Bank
head Of Alabama, grandfather Of
Actress Tallulah Bankhead, In o.
campaign for good roads.
It took nearly four years Of
strenuous effort to push through a
law that would authorize Federal
aid to the States to build high
ways.
zone day in my little Office in
the House Office Building I was
astonished to have Col. Bankhead
Che was a Confederate oflcer) ap-
pear" Mr.. McKellar said.
The Senator told him that Presi-
dent Wilson was determined to
veto our highway BILL"
Wilson thinks it's unconstitu-
tional," Mr.. Bankhead said. what
does he know about law? He's
never even practiced,"
Mr.. McKellar hurriedly tele-
phoned the White House and got
an immediate appointment for Mr..
Bankhead and himself.
At first Mr.. Bankhead protested
against going. He had supported
Oscar Underwood Of Alabama
against Wilson for the presiden-
tial nomination and feared that
for him to visit the President
would be ''like shaking q red flag
at a bull"
Even IL he signs the bill, he'll
not give us any money" Bank
head said. Hes a Scotch skim
flint"
But President Wilson greeted
them warmly and then began pac-I
ing back and forth. explaining
that he feared use Of Federal
funds to build roads was outside
the Constitution.
After q bit. Mr.. McKellar re-
called the surprise arrival Of q big
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16


MIR. and Mrs. Ralph Tutterow
had as their guests last week, his
mother, Mrs. ]. H. Tutterow, from
Athens, Tennessee, and Mr.. and
Mrs. c. R.. Tutterow and Miss
Billy Lee Hodges of Greenyille.
Tennessee.
Miss Marion Kazar, who has
served as music counsellor at
Skyline ranch, Mentone, Alaba-
ma for the past two months, re-
turned to her home Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Claude Jones and
Mr.. and Mrs. Will Barrett of KERN
are enjoying a vacation in Florida
and points of interest on the
Gulf coast.
MI. and Mrs. Mabry Smith Wis
tied Mr.. and MRS. Wallace Robin
son in McComb and went to New
Orleans last week.
Wallace Bedwell of Decatur
spent Sunday with his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. j. M. Bedwell.
Mr.. and Mrs. Willie Jones, Mrs.
C, W. Smith and Miss Ann Bag
ley spent Thursday in Vickshurg.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16
J. M. lack" Tubb
Thunk Voters

j. NJ. Jack Tubb wishes to
thank the people of the State of
Mississippi most sincerely for the
splendid vote given him on Aug
ust z and for his re, election to
the office of State Superintendent
of Public Education.
Mr.. Tubb states that although
the official count has not been
made, the returns so far tabulated
indicate a margin of victory of an
proximately fifty thousand or
more. This vote when examined
on the county level is shown to
be statewide and indicates sup
port from all sections of Missis.
sippi.
Nh. Tubb, in his expression OF
appreciation to the voters of the
state, says he can interpret this
vote only as an expression of con.
fidence and in return for this con.
fidence he pledges a continuation
of his efforts and energies to the
discharge of the duties and res.
possibilities of the office of State
Superintendent of Public Educa.
ton.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16

Mrs. Walter Lowe is enjoying a
visit in Heidelberg, Germany
with her daughter, Mrs. Earl
Edwards and 1t. Col. Edwards.
and baby. She made the trim by
transatlantic arliner from New
York and landed in Frankfort,
Germany, in eighteen hours.
Ann Louise Bagley of jackson
spent last week with her aunt.
Mrs. C. W. Smith and Mrs. Alice
Mae Booth.
S. ]. Foose, Jr., Stephen Foose,
John Edgar Hays and Jimmy
johnson went to Chicago on last
Tuesday to attend some big lea
que ball games. They returned
Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. j. c. Cannon went
to Kosciusko to remain two weeks
with her sister, Mrs. r. r. Watts
and Mr.. Watts.
Mrs. T. ]. Sweet left Green
wood by plane Wednesday to
visit her sister, Mrs. Wallace and
daughter, Mrs. Graham, in Mem
phis.
Mrs. E j. Sheppard, Mrs. Roy
X. Wilson and Mrs. Jack Bar
wick spent Wednesday in Jack
son.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16

Rev. and Mrs. j. v. Stewart
left for Hot Springs, Arkansas,
thursday morning. They were
aNocmoanied by Mrs. Rosa Burton
of Hattiesburg.
M1S. G~,on Grantham, Miss
Barbara Ann Grantham and Mrs.
George Auburtin of Lexington left
Wednesday to visit in Haynesville
Louisiana.
Crawford Logan, Jr., Ray Mel
ton and Collins Melton have re-
turned from a vacation in Florida
Mr.. and Mrs. w. B. Sheppard
were guests Of Mrs. John Mulhol.
land in Canton Sunday afternoon
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16
TCHULA NEWS
MRS. C. R. HHMLIN, Reporter

Miss Becky Baine cornplimented
MIS- j. l.. Shields and Miss
Jeanne Shields entertained in
honor of Miss Becky Baine Tues
day afternoon with three tables
OF bridge and a lingerie shower.
A profusion of late summer flow
erS decorated the rooms where
Inc guests were seated. Mrs. Will
nam Durham scored high and
yrs. Kenneth Parrish bingoed.
lney presented their prizes to
the honoree and Miss Jeanne
shields presented the lovely
shower gifts. The hostess served
a chicken salad course and ice
cream. Mrs. Harvey j. Baine and
Mrs. John Edgar Hayes were tea
guests.
Among Others complimenting
the bride-elect were: Mrs. George
Samaha and Mrs. Jimmy Nader of
Greenwood, with a barbecue
chicken supper on the lawn of
Mrs. Samaha; a towel shower
held last Monday by Mrs. H. B,
MCGEE and Mrs, Byron Sharpe,
and a bridge paYty-kitchen show
er held in the W. M. Henry home
with Mrs. Henry, Mrs. M. L. Turn.
er and Mrs. Jim Turner as host.
esses. The bride received many
lovely gifts.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16
Bridge Parties Compliment
Miss Becky Baine

Miss Becky Baine
On Wednesday afternoon Mrs.
]. J. Kazar and her daughter, Mrs.
William Durham, entertained with
three tables of bridge honoring
Miss Becky Baine. High score
prize was won by Mrs. Il. B. Nc
Gee, Jr., low by Miss Jeanne
Shields, and bingo by Mrs Mar
win Smith. Mrs. Kazar presented
the honoree with silver, and Mrs.
Durham gave crystal in her chos-
en- pattern. Mrs. Eggleston, Mrs.
Baine and the honoree wore Gift
corSages.
Miss Baine was complimented
on Friday morning with a bridge
luncheon in the horne of Mrs,
Everarde Jones, with Miss Sara
Virginia Jones and Mrs. Bernard
Jones, co-hostess. The house was
attractive with arrangements OF
summer flowers and three tables
were placed for the guests. Mrs
II, b. MCGEE, Jr,, won high score
Mrs. Edgar Gwin, low, and Mis-.
Jeanne Shields the bingc. The
honoree wore an aqua t~roussea.
frock with matching scarf ane
gift corsage of stephanotis. The
hostesses presented silver in hel
chosen pattern.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16

Jackson. the ex-roFest rasger,
caaims that when he gets tp Old
for guiding fishins parties he's
siding to guide shoppers-urough
Dad" Halls general seor-
Misht not be . bad ida. Ciut-
tered Up the way 1t is-with all
that hardware. feed.drsss goods,
and what-not piled serywhere-
. person could get ICt in Dads"
store. Dark In theret too.
The sign over u door says
Halls Emporium semi Mdse"
but q poster In tAs window ex-
plains things better,-"The store
Of the 3 wonders. yu wonder n
/ have It -. woner where 1t
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1951-08-16
A<M~4<

Per more informaen, write Mississippi Division. U. =. Brewer feanr
datioa. Roo. III Deposit Guarant, Building. Jackson Mississippi y