davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-10-27
By Charles E. TroceweN

are spread by such rats, with the aid of
the flea, on which the inimical germs
live for one stage of their existence.
Lice, too. play their part in some of
the terrible diseases spread by rats.
Such diseases fortunately do not make
much headway in America, due to the
campaigns against them, aided by public
and private sanitation. But much more
could be done by cleaning up yards. TAX
ing firewood inside. getting rid of old
piles of lumber, etc.
Though we may not admire the rat, in
itself, we cannot but help be interested
in its mass activities.
They seem to work together, and can
change their habits, even, when condi-
tions demand. This, among human be-
ings, is regarded as highly laudatory.
Winston Churchill lauds the British peo-
pie for the way they reacted to life in
the bomb shelters.
So there are rats and rats.
The wood rats make interesting pets
They love bright objects. especially of
metal resembling in this respect the
bird, the Canada Jay, or whiskeyjack.
Even our house mouse, though he may
spoil some food. is not to be feared from
the germ standpoint.
All in all. the large rat family deserves
our respect, if not our admiration; the
diseases the rats carry make them vic
TINS, even If we cannot waste much
sympathy on them.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Dr.. Harris of Foundry

Last Sunday morning as the Georgia
Alaska bus stopped at P street, heard
a woman behind me- say to her COM
panion, Look at that mans face!
Wouldn't you just know he led a good
life?"
Naturally. as couldn't help overhear-
ing. glanced up. There stood DIR.
Harris of Foundry Methodist Church,
in the midst of a smiling group of
people.
One young lady. with a beautiful
orchid on the lapel of her suit jacket,
gave merry laugh. One just knew DR..
Harris had said something that was
good fun. I found myself wishing I
knew what clever statement had brought
forth such wholesome mirth. Twas
such welcome relief from the war news
which had been blaring from the radio.
Then turning to the woman who had
been speaking, I asked her if she knew
the gentleman was Dr. Harris of
Foundry Methodist Church, also Chap
lain of the Senate. She didn't know
his identity and was much interested.
The faces of several persons listening
some of which had looked sad, sullen,
or bored-changed almost miraculously.
They seemed to take on a reflected
light from the smiling face of DR.. Harris.
on which good deeds and kindness had
left their marks. tHe was, of course,
perfectly oblivious of having started a
ripple of goodwill among those on the
bus who had not had the good fortune
to hear his spoken sermon)
Esther McCrOssan.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
The Legend of Betsy Ross

The Post Office Department has decided to
issue commemorative postage stamp for the
two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Betsy
Ross, and by so doing has raised once more the
question: Who really did make the first Amer
ican flag? Some students of the subject whole
heartedly accept the familiar legend; others
reject it as work of fiction; still others take
a neutral position, hoping that eventually the
facts may be established beyond any doubt.
Nobody, however, denies that there was
Mrs, Ross, who was fagmaker by trade, living
in Philadelphia at the time of the flags adoption
1t also is true that there was a George Ross
among the signers of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and that he is supposed to have been
a member of the committee charged with
designing flag in harmony with the require
ments of the third Continental Congress- set
forth on June H. 1777, to the effect that: "The
national flag of the United States shall be of
stars and stripes, red, white and blue
But Betsy Ross was not identified directly
with George Ross the signer. She was born
Elizabeth Griscom and married John Ross sup
posedly nephew of George, in 1773. With her
husband she conducted the business of an
upholstererS shop at what is now 233 Arch street,
Philadelphia. When he was killed in gun
powder explosion, January 81, 1776, she continued
to work at the address mentioned. The story
of her production of the first Star Spangled
Banner, at the behest of Washington, Robert
Morris and perhaps George Ross, first was made
public by her grandson, William Candy, in March,
1870. He testified that she had told him the tale
in 1884, when she was "a years of age and he
was II. The Americana remarks mo other
prior data and none found since support the
story"
Betsy Ross, nevertheless, was professional
maker of flags The minutes of the Pennsylvania
State Navy Board show that she was paid
&14l12i2 for making ships colours etc." May
49, 1777. So there really is some slight substance
for the legend. Possibly the issuance of the new
stamp next January / will stimulate research
which will solve the knystery once and for all.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
This and That

traits and habits of those universal wan
derers, the black rat and the brown rat.
These two are held to be one of mans
worst competitors for food.
The toll they take of American grain
every year. both on the farm and in
storage. is staggering.
Rat killing is a constant occupation.
but these animals are so clever and
prolific that little inroads are made upon
them.
Cities as we'll as farms find it neces-
sary to conduct campaigns against them
Insanitary conditions around dwell
ings, both in cities and suburbs, attract
rats.
Piles of firewood serve as rat homes,
and scattered foods help them bring up
their young.
The black rat is climber, the brown
burrower. "
Ratio, the pet beneath Templeton
Jones garage, is brown rat
Such burrows and runs are used by
generations Of rats. food being carried
into them and held safe from other rats,
as we'll as from the weather.
Perhaps the kind-hearted Jones did
wrong to let this rat live, but something
about it appealed to him, at the time.
We have not seen Jones since, and so
do not know if Ratio still survives.
There can be no question OF the dam
ger Of allowing rats to live.
Some Of the worst possible diseases
Evening star., 1951-10-27
BETHESDA.

BETHESDA.
Dear Sir:
Il note that from time to time you
have a good word or two to say for
the rat.
Il was brought up to fear rats, and
still do.
rs there anything good about them?
Il will admit that they are clever, may
be interesting. and from some aspects
may be called good-looking animals.
Still. don't like rats, and think they
should not be praised even if they might
deserve it, if you get what mean.
When think of all those germs they
have on them, shiver, and, ] believe,
properly.
''Very truly, A. D. M
There are rats and rats.
American native pack rats, or wood
rats, as they are sometimes called, are
fine animals.
They make good pets, too.
Giant whiskers, clean fur, sometimes
tinged with pink on top; clean. reliable
and interesting in habits, they are
credit to America.
Practically all our native rats and
mice are we'll worth watching and study
ing.
Give a dog bad name"
This applies to rodents as well as dogs.
This huge family, which includes the
.porcupine. has suffered from the bad
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Senator McCorthy's Hand

Brigadier General Conrad E. Snow, chairman
of the Loyalty Security Board of the State De-
partment made speech to the members of
legal fraternity the other evening in which he
submitted the Mccarthy charges of communism
in the State Department to legal analysis Not
that what General Snow said will change any
body's opinion but merely for the sake of the
record, here is what he said regarding the Sena-
tors help in Spotting Communists:
ITO this day, despite all his clamor about
Communists in the State Department, am not
aware OF single item of new evidence of dis
loyalty which Senator Mccarthy has contributed
for the assistance of the Loyalty Security Board
in its continuing and continuous efforts to pass
on all allegations of disloyalty. The board
thought the other day that it might have some
help from the Senator. He had alleged on the
floor of the Senate that department empoye
was asSociating with a Communist. On inquiry
made of the Senator for the name of the Com
munist, his office replied-the Senator had had
the name in his hand when he made the state
ment, on slip of paper, but he had lost the
statement"
This was evidently the same hand that held
"a list OF 205-a list OF names that were made
known to the Secretary of State as being men,
berS of the Communist Party and who, never
theeSs, are still working and shaping policy in
the State DepaI tment"-When Senator Mccarthy
made his speech on the radio at Wheeling, West
Virginia, on February g. 1880 which started all
the ruckus. 1t was probably the same hand that
held st cases of individuals who would appear
to be either card-carrying members or certainly
loyal 10 the Communist Party" when the Senator
explained to the Senate, on February 20, 1850,
what he said he had said over the radio on
February
1t must have been that hand which has been
causing all the trouble. It has held SO many
things that seem to get lost.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Letters to The Star

at least three distinguishable forms" of
Judaism prevalent in Israel at present.
On the other hand, the Vatican is the
very fountainhead of the Roman Cath
olic Church. and all its pronouncements
are binding upon all Roman Catholics.
Isaac Goldberg.
There seems to be a good deal of
commotion over the Presidents appoint
ing representative to the Vatican. The
Vatican City is not foreign country
such as 1t is customary to send repre-
SentativeS to. Myron c. Taylor was sent
there as President Roosevelts personal
representative. The Star published a
picture of HIM. down on his knee shak-
ing hands with the Pope One might
think he was representating a Catholic
country!
Nov you see it, now you dont!"
President Truman's politics with regard
to the yes-and-no appointment of Gen.
Clark to the Vatican is reminiscent of
the phrase. The fact is that either the
President ignored the 1870 law regarding
the acceptance by military personnel of
civilian posts in his original decision or
he was playing an attempted game of
shreWd politics with Catholic voters The
thesiS~citlng the Presidents initial stu
pldlty may be disregarded, and the only
other alternative is to hold him guilty
OF political chicanery.
The manner in which the appointment
was presented to the Senate-few hours
hn1nFp Nnvaf H. 49,
tomary and previous consultation with
Vatican officials themselves with regard
to the choice of the appointee, and the
Presidents washing of -the-hands meth
od IN which he terminated his own par
tlcipatlon in the affair can only suggest
that he intended to win the sympathy
OF Catholic voters without incurring the
disfavor of his Protestant compatriots.
Frank FOlkwOrth.
AS an American Catholic who deeply
believes in unity of church and state
IN It's war against the evils of atheistic
Communism, I strongly urge you to sup
port the Presidents unbigoted decision
to appoint an Ambassador to the
Vatican.
Lewis Kanick.
The millions of Americans who op-
pose appointment of a Vatican ambas-
sador are quiet and law-abiding, but
mostly not vocal.
For that reason. judging sentiment by
counting cancelled stamps, which White
House secretaries probably do, may con-
siderably underestimate the opposition
X. Y. L..
The controversy over the naming of
Gen. Mark Clark as Ambassador to
the Vatican is a sad thing when SO
much good could come of it.
Vatican State is the seat of the spir-
itual government of the whole Catholic
world.
Those who are opposing this appoint
ment are calling down the wrath of God
on this country.
Let us all, Protestant, Catholic and
Jew. unite our prayers for the peace
that the world cannot give, peace
among our fellow men and our peace
with God.
ID. NJ. X.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Indian Summer Set to Scalp the Unwory

his Well-shined shoes stray from the
pavement.
Venture across the gorgeous, golden
woods and fields nowadays and you'll
wish you had been the last Mohican be-
fore you get back to your convertible.
Indian summer holds million tiny
tomahawks in readiness to massacre
you, your hat, your clothes and your
disposition.
Don't think Gitchee Manito can help
you if you fall into an ambush of the
cat briar tribe in your wilderness wan
derings. It will make the Pontiac re-
bellion seem like Sunday school picnic.
You'll be lucky if you're left with
breech clout. and your hide won't be fit
for a wigwam mat, If you think you're
game for little seasonal Indian wres-
tling with nature you'd better dress like
the. Spanish conquistadors-in armor
Otherwise you'll be gripped by thorny
throttle hold that will make you say
lot more than "Ugh!" You'll yell
"Uncle!"
If you want to witness a good war
dance as we'll as a quick divorce suit
suggest to your wife that she pick some
pretty fall wild flowers. If she survives
the sneeze weed and the spider webs
that will hit her in the face, she'll be
SO covered with beggar's lice, tick Seed
sticktights and Spanish needles that
she'll make you wish Columbus had
never discovered this place. Should she
trip over a rip-shin and fall face first
into thistle. you'd better head for the
reservation-faSt.
OF course you won't get far; you'll
probably trip over a rip-shin, too.
Now Indian summer is decked out in
all sorts of war paint.
The bright bonnets of maple and dog
wood decorate many home. But you
must know your signs and symbols.
Pick the pretty red and yellow leaves
known as poison sumac and poison
ivy and you'll wish you had been burned
at the stake. You may think it fun to
help your children crack walnuts or
gather beautiful. juicy, deadly, night
shade berries. If you do you won't be
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Family Rosary Campaign

Members of the Roman Catholic community
of metropolitan Washington are to meet at the
Monument Grounds tomorrow afternoon in be-
half Of the family rosary campaign. At least
10000 people are expected to assemble. The
number may be more than twice that figure.
In any case, the gathering represents a great
popular movement which began at Holy Cross
College on Harewood road, Northeast, in Janu-
ary 1942. The leader of the enterprise is Father
Patrick Peyton of Albany, New York. His purpose
is described as that of bringing about "a return
to the spiritual and moral principles which were
the strength of family life in the past" The
means he has chosen is "the universal restora-
tion OF the practice of daily family prayer"
What the new rosary campaign signifies
actually is a revival of a custom which dates back
to the remotest antiquity, even to an era prior
to the founding of Christianity. The ancient
inhabitants OF India and Egypt made use of
beads or knotted cords in their devotions st.
Francis Xavier found roSaries among the Bud
dhists OF Japan. The manufacture of such aids
to prayer was so important throughout Europe
in the Middle Ages that guilds of "paternoster-
ers" were organized and whole neighborhoods-
In London, for example-Were named for these
workmen Many legends of blessings received
through systematic prayer developed in associa-
ton with st. Dominic and other religious lead
CID VI Q4otLlCIlOl 4ue VlCCOTy aCQleVeQ Don
John of Austria over the Turks at Lepanto in 1871
is supposed to have been benefaction of this
sort. Pope Clement xI commanded that the
Feast OF the Rosary should be celebrated uni
verSally in 1716.
But Father Peytons campaign is independent
from all previous effort. His aim is to bring the
power of family worship to bear upon the prob
lens and issues of the world in our own tumultu-
Gus and perilous time. Basing his faith on the
principle of the united household sharing in
daily recitation of the rosary, he urges the CO.
operation of all men, women and children of
good will for the common benefit of humanity.
He has enlisted the help of motion pictures, radio
and televsion. as well as the press, with the
result that millions of people already have been
reached. The mass meeting at the Monument
Grounds tomorrow is the latest local aspect of the
movement. 1t is not restricted to Catholics or
even to Christians The prayers of all who
believe in prayer, regardless of doctrinal limita-
tions, are solicited to the end that Righteousness
and peace may flourish again.
Evening star., 1951-10-27

ing ground. longing to capture its magic
in poem or on palette. Perhaps pioneer
blood is tingling in your veins. urging
your limbs to be off to the wilds. But
though the odor of burning leaves in
the clean autumn air may tempt your
fancy, city man. stay home. Enjoy the
poems and the pictures of others and
wish the outdoorsman we'll on his wood
land forays, but keep to your car and
to the asphalt. Indian summer is after
your scalp!
Indian summer is potlatch of prick
illness that will make your natty blue
suit look like pincushion and your
temper feel like a punctured Pilgrim
It's called Indian" because it's squat
ting in the underground to ambush
every pale-faced city dweller who lets
Evening star., 1951-10-27

beach isn't safe. The sand burrs will
have the children bowling like Hopis. .
No matter where you go these gor-
geous days, if you tread the trackless
trails, you're in for torture the Indians
never dreamed of. So unless you want
to become a sick-Ward warrior or medi-
cine man at mental institution, don't
go dancing across the crisp, colorful
countryside. Just go dance at the Ritz
instead. After all, artists and outdoors
men dom have to greet clients and GUS
toners with their scratched faces and
ravelled suits. So stay in your tepee at
Apartment 2B, light up your old briar
peace pipe and watch the geranium
leaves fall in your window box City
man, Indian summer is nice to look at,
but don't get too close. It's on the war
path!
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Tropical Medicine Stressed

I hope that the recent Tooth ami
versary of the birth of Walter Reed will
represent to the American public gen.
orally, as it does to us of The American
Foundation for Tropical Medicine,
challenge to go forward in the field of
tropical research. health, sanitation and
economic cooperation. 1t means for
us, for the tropical lands and for the
world good international relations, good
health and sound economic progress.
Thomas T. Mackie, D..
President. The American Founda-
ton for Tropical Medicine.
Evening star., 1951-10-27

a Great White Father to them any more;
you'll not only feel like an Indian,
you'll look like one
OF course those redskin-ki young
sters of yours may outvote you around
the home council fire and you may find
yourself out for country romp with
them against your better judgment.
Don't worry. Little Betty Lou will want
to go home fast enough once she's seen
those klng-size orange spiders that are
at their biggest now And wait until
Tommy picks up one of those nice fallen
apples They've got the orneriest hor-
nets in them he ever felt. He'll be glad
to get back to raking Indian summer
leaves in his own back yard Even the
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Wish

oh, If could 1Dith my t,0o hands
Hold the bright Leaf upon the tree,
Or, euen if could not arrest
Corrosion Which at last must fall
On beauty 1Ohich is seaSonable.
IT / could in some Way attest
To such a things Ualidity!
Perhaps the best might be to clasp
The fallen leaUes as children do.
And in q short gay moment grasp
All that there is in Joy of seeing,
Joy OF haUing, joy OF being, ...
Letting aDhat seems be aUhat is truek
RocheI Mack.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
By John M. Kouffmonn

Indian summer is holding its annual
powwow these days, and all the artists
and poets and photographers and out
doorsy folk are whooping with glee.
Indian summer is red-blooded time
of year. 1t is good medicine for the
creative urge and the untamed spirit.
The flaming hillsides and sunsets, the
gold and the shadows of the corn shocks
are beckoning to all the artistically in
clined, while sportsmen long for tramp
through the clear mornings and balny
afternoons with gun or rod.
City man. perhaps you. too, are long
ing for Indian summers happy hunt
Evening star., 1951-10-27
JoIIiffe Nursing Home

Regarding the Indignation of Villa
Luce Barber in her letter of October 4
that Mrs. Jolliffe'S Nursing Home should
be permitted to reopen, it is only be-
ing reopened on modified scale and
under most rigid conditions.
The Montgomery County authorities
undoubtedly are being prompted in part
by the serious problem of finding salts
factory accommodations for these un-
fortunate people at anything near rea-
sonable cost, and those of us who have
dealt with Mrs. Jolliffe consider it one
of the most efficient and satisfactory
homes operated in this community. We
know. too. that no neglect was respon-
siole for the recent fire and for the
loss of life involved.
Carlisle Bargeron, Rewena E. Parker,
c. c. Schmidt, Elsie A. Clark, Lois III.
Bailey. Mrs. J. S. Milloy, Rose NJ. Har-
grave, Francis J. LaZzain, VIM. A.
Hallisey, Cannon C. Hearar. Emily F.
Hearne.
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Reactions to Voticon Appointment

NS0St'S"S sS Aa'SNH appointment
Your editorial "A Strange Business"
october "a, in reference to the presi-
dental nomination of Gen. Mark Clark
as Ambassador to the Vatican, wonders
why he did it. That strange business"
/ think. is monkey business. Mr.. Tru-
man is a politician, and that is one of
the tricks of the trade.
Ringsider.
Some of my earliest recollections are
centered around the famous or infamous
1928 election. There saw true citizen.
a loyal American, a happy warrior"
derided. DETAINED and denied the presi-
dency of the United States Saturday
of this past week seems to have marked
the beginnings of another outbreak by
the same type of people that cried:
Don't elect Smith, or the Pope will be
over here!"
The same old smoke screen was used
in 1928 as now: Union of church and
state" Certain factions even blame
President Truman for causing a cleavage
between Protestants and Catholics.
There is one force in the world today
that denies everything we, as Americans,
hold sacred. everything that pertains to
God and civil liberty That force is in
ternational communism 1t seems high
time that all the Christian groups should
unite to combat this menace
Dick Super.
1t is good news to learn that the
proposed appointment of Gen. Mark
Clark as Ambassador to the Vatican has
been delayed by the President.
I maintain this whole issue presents
not so much political problem, but
serious religious problem which would
affect the religious liberty of millions Of
n-Catholics.
Therefore. as an American, and as a
Christian, I strongly protest such an ap-
pointment.
Jean Friend.
Let us be practical as we'll as tolerant
The vast world organization of the
Catholic Church focuses a sensitive lis
tenlng post at Rome through which an
American in residence there might learn
many otherwise inaccessible facts that
would be of value in the battle against
Communism
The wise choice of Protestant as
ambassador is compliment to our toll
erance. Let not our reactions prove us
unworthy.
VT. B.
In your editorial in Mondays Star
entitled The President Revives an Old
ISSUE" you make what appears to me
to be an unwarranted and gratuitous
comparison between the Vatican and
the state of Israel The analogy you
make would seem to indicate an un-
awareness of several facts of history,
namely % that diplomatic recognition
of Israel was just recognition of new
sovereign state in the family of nations,
one that had duly been admitted to the
United Nations, and (2) that Israel in
no wise can be compared to the papai
state, which is a phenomenon unique
among mankind.
There is no religious hierarchy in
Israel which presumes to "lay the law
down to world Jew1y; in fact, there are
Evening star., 1951-10-27
Questions and Answers

The stars readers can get the answer to
any question Of fact, by either ,writins The
n W. Was6inTton : b g. and inciosine 3 cents
return postage by telephonng ST 1868.