davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Military Waste

The letter by r. H W., appearing in a
recent edition of The Star. provided a
dynamic answer to Senators O'Mahoney
and Ferguson, who had requested that
the people back home write Congress
and the White House with suggestions
for cutting the Federal budget.
A news clipping from the Midwest
shows the Army ut present buying,
among other things, electric pipe organs,
millions of can openers and over 81
million worth of black pepper.
What about those 100000 chairs be-
ing bought by the Army at an intended
cost of over 81 million? What about the
Army chapel being built at an average
cost Of 1925 seat therein?
How about the new tint in wool uni
forms recently adopted for women in
the service, especially styled, designed
by Hattie Carnegie? What became of
the millions of uniforms already tailored
and purchased-in the olive-drab, gray
green colors? Are these what one finds
in surplus stores today for few dol
lars?
The average American is usually too
busy making his living to follow up
Evening star., 1951-04-13
BY Charles E. TroceweN

The brown rats are burrowers and
Easements and drains.
The house rat is aboreal. entering
buildings by way Of roofs and windows.
Rodents form the largest order Of
mammals. with nearly 5000 species.
More than one-third of land animals
are rodents.
What distinguishes them from most
of the other animals is the modification
of the incisors and jaw muscles for
gnawing.
CESSATION time for house and brown
rats is from 20 to "a days Number of
young ranges from / to 20, with the
accent on 8.
Templeton Jones is waiting to see
what happens between his feuding rat
and squirrel. 1t is anybody's guess which
will win. Previously most persons would
bet on the squirrel, since rats have few
friends.
Think of all the rodents -pikas, hares,
rabbits, mountain beavers. squirrels, fly
ing squirrels, ground squirrels. chip
munks. souslikS, marmots, beavers,
pocket mice, pocket gophers, jumping
hares, dormice, birch mice, scaly-tails,
jerboas. jumping mice. Madagascar rats,
muriads, strand rats, guinea pigs,
agoutis, chincillas, hutias, nutria. cane
rays, gundis, octodorts.
And the ardvarks. Don't forget the
AriyarkS.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Musiciuns

Mysterious as the hunln,ing bird In fight
I hold the art that blends melodious notes
Until the hearer, almost bodiless. floats
On airy 1uGues of longing and delight.
But this ! k,,otD: most human sAills are
slight
Beside the po1Der that giues to strings
and throdts
A pulse as OF inmortGls, and devotes
The captipe mind to pi,snacles out OF
sight.
The clerk, the Dielder of the OF and
Buyers and sellers IN buzzing enter
Whatever their calling, icdlk NTH earth-
bound eyes.
But they trho peape the hcrmonies that
fop
Out OF the flute. the keyboard or the BON.
Are of the minstrel troupe of paradise.
Stanton A. CobIentz
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Refund to Charity
N. M. HI.

I read in your paper last week that
the Washington Gas Company would
refund to the consumers of gas in the
Washington area q total sum Of $1.2
million.
I was thinking what wonderful op-
portunuity this would give the public
to really do something worth while to-
wards charitable organizations. It is
money that has been paid out. The
amounts to be refunded among the users
as individuals would be very small;
whereas If every one who is to receive a
part Of this refund would allow the
amount they are to receive to be given
or divided among the charitable institu-
tions. such as the Heart Fund, Polio
Fund. or Cerebral Palsy Fund, or for
that matter, an equal division to all the
charitable organizations in Washington,
D. c., amounts would be such that 1t
would mean a lot to each organization.
I sincerely hope that the people in
Washington will agree with me on this
idea.
O.. Ethel X. Seaman.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Letters to The Star

crisis demands that noble lines have no
private life of inconsistency.
President Truman spoke Of burning
faith" and he condemned avoidance of
personal inconvenience" and the selfish
motive OF personal gain. He affirmed
that American democracy and free in
stitutions are founded upon observance
Of just moral standards in private and
public life
President Truman spoke these funda-
mental truths not as an actor, but as q
sincere believer in their deathless verify.
Yet in the background there was an
ominous vacuum of national trust and
confidence in Mr.. Truman's spiritual
leadership.
The challenge of our times is to re-
capture our fear of God and respect for
His laws. One thing has been lacking in
all OF us. Not once have those in high
places confessed error. Like the publ
cans, they have only beat their breasts
and boasted their righteousness.
The first step to rededication to the
faith of our fathers is humble con-
fession that we have forsaken it. Let
President Truman have the humility
publicly to confess this and he will con-
found his enemies and reunite a di-
vided Nation. All of us have sinned
and none of us can throw the first
stone.
Thomas E. Mattingly, M. ID.
Evening star., 1951-04-13

The birds never lift bill against the
rat, which leaps into the feeder, takes
q seed and races for the hole In the
garage door.
Squirrels, belonging to the same fam
lily, are not in the least afraid Of the
. small rat.
They chatter at him, but all OF them
with one exception-have let him
alone.
Not the one with the big ears.
He evidently has decided to have 1t
out with the intruder.
When Ratio comes toward the feeder,
this squirrel reaches out paw angriy.
Ratio comes right on.
The squirrel leaps out of the feeding
box, but stays close at hand and the
moment the rat StreakS toward the ga
rage with his seed, the squirrel is right
behind him.
Perhaps his tail is something Of
handicap At any rate, the rat always
wins. He makes the entrance in two Sec
onds and goes through before the squirrel
is in smelling distance.
X
Rats are members of a wonderful
animal family.
Porcupines belong to the same group.
did you know that?
They do and don't let those long
spines fool you.
Real rats, such as Ratio, are mostly
house rats, so-called, or brown rats.
Evening star., 1951-04-13

points raised by General whitney notably those
bearing upon the letter to Mr.. Martin and the
antiquities surrounding the December 6 clear
ance order-create number of strong reasonable
doubts about the true nature and extent OF Gen.
eral MacArthIr's recalcitrance.
Actually, even though his fundamental oppo-
son to settled policy made his dismissal virtually
inevitable, the evidence published up to now does
not justify accusations of grave characterization.
Perhaps there is Recommendation in the file to
prove otherwise Unless and until it is produced,
however extremist criticism of General Mac
Arthur must be taken with great many grains
of salt.
Evening star., 1951-04-13

CASBO's claim that it voices the de
liberated opinion of small business, its
methods of ascertaining and formulating
such opinion. sometimes through loaded
questionnaires, prepared resolutions and
otherwise. should make the Congress
wary of any figures which CASIO offers
as measure Of small business opinion"
The Buchanan Committee report on
CASIO concludes its section on "Publi-
cations" with this strong statement:
''Yet the review Of textbooks by self
appointed experts. especially when un-
dertaken under the aegis Of an organiza-
ton having distinct legislative ak to
grind, smacks too much of the book
burning orgies Of Nuremberg to be ac-
cepted by thoughtful Americans without
foreboding and alarm. It suggests, too.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
A DisgrocefuI Surrender

House defeat OF the shockingly ShortSighted
Barden bill can hardly be regarded as victory
for universal military training. For the stark
fact Is that elimination of the UMT-scuttling
Barden bill merely clears the way for measure
that is almost as bad The so-called universal
military training plan tentatively approved by
the House bears little resemblance to the real
thing. It is disgraceful surrender to polit-
ically minded coalition of Republicans and Dixie
Gratis whose chief aim seems to be to oppose
anything the President recommends. They have
added their support to die-hard anti-UMT legis
lators who invariably vote against military
training proposals.
The die-hards are as set against the COM
promise plan as they are against the admin
istration plan. One objector correctly described
the watered down House bill as "silly" proposal
to pass q bill that would authorize Congress at
some time in the future to pass another bill
instituting UNIT. To say that the compromise
Is better than nothing is not very complimentary
to the intelligence of those who devised 1t. Yet
there may be some merit to the contention that
it is better to pass the buck to future Congress
and thus keep UNIT in a state of suspended
animation-than to kill it outright now.
If the opponents of UNIT succeed in delaying
It indefinitely or in completely killing it--and
delay may mean slow death-they are taking
upon themselves heavy responsibility. Secre-
tary Marshall and others have stressed that only
by system of universal training can we with
reasonable safety incur the risk of maintaining
q small standing Army. UNIT is designed to
feed trained men into the reserves and thus
build up q strong standby force Of young men
ready to serve when an attack comes Unless
we have strong reserve In constant readiness,
it is dangerous to hold our regular forces down
to minimum requirements. Are the opponents
of UNIT willing to have the Nation take this
chance? If not, are they willing to vote the huge
additional funds which will be necessary to
support larger standing Army?
The tentative House bill does not authorize
UNIT at all. It merely calls for creation Of
another commission to study the subject and
report to Congress. ANY plan recommended by
the commission still would have to receive the
approval of both houses There Is no need for
any more commissions to study UNIT and prepare
o plan. reasonable, practical plan already is
before Congress. It provides for a gradual
merger of selective service and training, as
advocated by our military leaders. The Senate
has approved the plan in general principle. It
is not too late for the House to wake up and
face the UNIT issue squarely and courageously,
as the Senate has done. If it fails to do so the
time may come when 1t will have grave cause
to regret its folly. 80
Evening star., 1951-04-13
TO the Editor Of The Star:


IN THE April 5 issue of The Star,
rather lengthy article appeared,
headed Lee. Charging Double Gross as
Board Approves Three Textbooks. Plans
New Fight" The tenor of MFR. Lees
objections against the textbooks he
named Is that they are "slanted toward
socialism" and therefore unfit for the
District schools.
1t is not my purpose to criticize Mr..
Lees right to his views nor his right to
express them Neither do wish to
debate the merits of the textbooks
against which he directs his objections.
The matter of textbook selection is one
which properly belongs to the Board Of
Education and the educational staff.
What attracted my attention in the
article was the source Of MIR. Lees in
formation about the books In question.
We are told that he cited comments
from "The Educational Reviewer" II
this source Of information is to carry
weight. then the House District Com
mittee or any other group that probes
into the issue Of possible subversiveness
in textbooks should know. as should local
board members, few important facts
about The Educational Reviewer" and
its sponsor, the Conference of American
Small Business Organizations, more
familiarity known as CASBO.
1.-THE Educational Reviewer" is a
quarterly edited by Lucille Cardin Grain
and published by the Committee on
Education Of CASIO. According to It's
proponents, it claims to be an aid to
teachers who honestly wish to confront
with objectiyity and intellectual honesty
the concealed theories of collectivism."
A recent report on CASIO by the
House Select Committee on Lobbying
Activities accused the 2.900-member Or
'ganization Of acting as an undercover
front in pressuring for laws favorable to
big business. Stating that CASIO has
received support from interests 'that do
not fit into any reasonable concept of
small business" the report adds: "As for
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Mr.. Morrison's Strange Stand

In his comment on the Macarthur dismissal,
Britains Foreign Secretary Morrison said Eve
stand for resistance to aggression, q free, inde-
pendent and unified Korea, and no extension Of
the conflict"
very interesting statement. But it would
be more interesting if Mr.. Morrison would tell us
how he proposes to get free, independent and
unified Korea without any extension of the con-
fct Before he reconciles these two objectives,
the chances are that Mr.. Morrison will be stand
ing on his head.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
General Macarthur and Congress

General MacArthurs removal has created an
emotional storm in this country without prece-
dent in our times. The Republican minority in
Congress has given some indications of being
swept off its feet. The talk about impeaching
the President indicates temporary loss of
balance. And some of the pontifca1 statements
of Republican leaders, trying to act the part of
statesmen in the presence Of the television
cameras and radio recording devices, are plain
silly
But now that the first rush Of wind has
passed, there should be more thought by Repub-
hcans in Congress for the welfare Of the Nation
than for the political capital that can be made
OF the Presidents action. A good place to begin
this return to realities would be the manner In
which the Republican leadership approaches the
serious business Of arranging for General Mac
Arthur'S appearance before joint session Of
Congress.
The General should be invited to make that
appearance upon his return to this country.
But the invitation should be extended with the
same dignity and sef-restraint that General
Macarthur himself will exhibit in responding
to the invitation The WheMy-Martip version
OF the joint resolution inviting him to appear
is couched in such flagrantly partisan terms
that it is completely lacking in dignity. It's
purpose is to deride the President of the United
Sto4CS W1AAAC CuAO61Au4S OIAC NCAlCL
General Macarthur should appear before
Congress for two reasons. One is to receive
the honor which he deserves, demanded by his
distinguished services abroad as representative
Of this country. The other is to give the people
OF the United States an opportunity to hear
his considered views as to the nature OF the
peril which we face in the Far East. Those
views are worthy of respectful consideration
and General Macarthur would deliver them
without disrespect to his civilian superiors or
the contrary views they may hold.
But if General MacArthurs appearance
before Congress is to be arranged as q sort
of political Roman holiday, as the preliminary
Republican maneuvers in that direction seem
to suggest, it should not take place at ALL And
If the Republican leadership insists on that
atmosphere they will accomplish two unworthy
purposes They will succeed In degrading
great American soldier and they will discredit
themselves.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Able Leaders for the Far East

There will be no lack of able leadership In
the Far Eastern theater, despite the removal
of General Macarthur The changes Of COM
mand In Korea and Tokyo have brought ex-
perienced uch-decorated officers to positions
of great responsibility. Those who know Lieu
tenant Generals Matthew B. Ridgway and James
A. Van Fleet are confident that they will live
up to their regulations as masters OF any jobs
assigned them, however difficult.
General Ridgway is more at home at the bat
tie front than in an Office, 1t is true. He is
venturing into a new field Of service when he
assumes his four roles of Supreme Commander
for the allied occupation powers in Japan, United
Nations Commander in Chief in Korea, Far
Eastern Commander in Chief and Commanding
General of the Army in the Far East. In Tokyo
he will have need for diplomacy as well as
military ability. Fortunately, he has had a few
jobs during his long military career which may
have helped to prepare him for his Tokyo as
signment. He was personal aide and adviser to
Theodore Roosevelt, jr, when the latter was Gov
ernor General of the Philippines. In 1946 he
was General EiSenhowers personal representa-
tive on the Military STAFF Committee of the
United Nations and the following year became
senior Army member of that committee. He
also served as senior United States delegate to
the Inter American Defense Board. Basically,
however, he is soldier, not a diplomat, an ad-
ministrator or politician; infantryman-
turned-paratrooper who jumps into the center
of trouble with his men and inspires them by
example His record in Korea, in Italy and in
Normandy gives ample proof of that. In short,
he is the type of soldier the japanese inherently
respect-just as they respected General Mac
Arthur. This is a factor that should operate in
General Ridgways favor as he takes over his
tough task as occupation chief.
Like General Ridgway, General Van Fleet
is front-ne general with numerous combat
medals won in two world wars. He is particu-
larly well qualified to become 9th Army COM
mander in Korea as result of his remarkable
achievements in a somewhat similar theater,
Greece. There he reorganized and stimulated
Greek defense against guerrillas operating from
their Balkan sanctuary" with victorious re-
suits. He was under restraints in the Greece
campaign not unlike those which will limit his
military operations in Korea But he overcame
the difficulties in a way that increased his
stature as military commander. It is reassur-
ing to know that tactician of General Van
Fleets demonstrated capabilities will be in COM
mand of our troops when the Reds launch their
expected spring counteroffensive~
Evening star., 1951-04-13
Crime and John O.

I think The Star has done q fine
public service In carrying Miriam Often
berg's well-written articles on what the
findings Of the Senate Crime Investi-
eating Committee mean to the average
citizen.
She has interpreted accurately what
the average person can do to diminish
interstate crime. Her articles have been
well thought out. and appreciate your
bringing them to the attention Of the
public.
Estes Kefauver.
Evening star., 1951-04-13
About the Draft
Estes Kefauver.

Six months ago was q civilian with
commission In the inactive Reserve.
had served three years In the last war.
My college education had been inter-
rupted. but after the war I went back
to school under the CT bill and now
hold masters degree. I am married
and had been in business three years
when, under the build-up program,
was recalled to active duty. The fact
that was married did not exempt me.
Yet those who never served their coun-
try and who are in the 19-to-26 age
group and married are exempt. am
serving for them, so that this privileged
class may build future for themselves.
When reported for duty, my educa-
tional background did not mean q thing
to the Army. The needs Of the service
came first. Consequently I am work
ing as an officer messenger and doing all
my work with my feet and nothing with
my head. feel that it would be wiser
to put the men in service first and then
let them go to college. Then the school,
ing will mean much more to them and
they will not feel let down when the
Army doesn't care about their educa-
tional background. Also, and other
reservists like myself will not feel that
we are serving again so that this second
privileged class may remain out of
service.
Every other week we are told in the
paper that as soon as replacements are
available the reservists will start to
be released. If they do not draft the
married 1s-to-26 group, If they exempt
college students. and if they continue
to cut the draft call, as has been done,
for the next few months, where are
the replacements going to come from
especially replacements for the officers?
When will the Defense Department stop
establishing privileged classes and come
out with q concrete program to replace
the reservists?
Recalled Serviceman
Evening star., 1951-04-13
The Textbook Critics Are They?

that the reviewers profoundly distrust
the integrity, good faith. and plain COM
mon sense Of the school boards and
teachers Of the country. If these educa-
tors are SO utterly naive and unframed
as to need help from lobbying organi-
zation In selecting proper classroom ma
terials. then our educational system has
decayed beyond all help. This PROPOSE
ton we cannot accept"
In recent speech before the Amer
ican Political Science Association, Con-
gresham Buchanan stated that the
schools Of the country had become
special targets for long-range pressure
politics." Such groups as CASBO with
its Educational Reviewer have as their
long-run aim "the establishment Of
their views as the ultimate standards
Of orthodoxy. both In education and
more generally"
Public school educators are opposed
to all "slanted" reviews Of textbooks.
There is no more sound reason whatso-
ever In democratic community for q
group which purports to represent
American small business to decide what
textbooks are un-American than there
is for religious, racial. or any other
minority organization to usurp this
function. CASBO's Interpretation of the
American way Of life is not necessarily
the ultimate standard Of orthodoxy for
public education.
Thosescharged with the responsibility
Of selecting textbooks must guard
against undue pressure being exerted by
groups taking advantage of unreasoning
hysteria. No matter what their inten-
tions may be. the results of their actions
are to arouse suspicion and SOW distrust.
The selection of textbooks, teachers
and other basic elements Of the educa-
ton process should be assiduously main
tanned in the American tradition as a
basic prerogative Of the local community.
Robert A. Skoife,
Field Secretary. National Commission
for the Defense Of Democracy
Through Education.
Evening star., 1951-04-13

the glazing examples Of extravaganza
and waStefulnesS In methods and ex-
penditures that come to his attention.
He boils inwardly, then gradually cools,
believing the public servants his taxes
help to employ will certainly catch UP
with and correct the errors.
No American wishes to be too par
simonious In making our military COM
Portable In their often unwanted tasks.
= However. the purchasing officers should
know that many Americans are hav-
ing to be parsimonious indeed in order
to barely meet their obligations today.
Why doesn't the Senate set up better
watchdog authority over all military
purchases?
would like to give forth with a re-
concerning saving by the military. The
time has come when the military must
give some consideration to the over
burdened taxpayer-the man in the
barrel.
OF course there could be some saw
ing done! As a former employe in a
branch Of the military service, I was
appalled, by the waste carried on and
the supplies confiscated by employees
and service personnel for their homes
and personal use. The feeling that
the taxpayers will take care of every
thing" seemed to give them the privilege
Of wasting and pilfering.
The waste which goes on in the mill
tary is a gigantic disgrace, and as q
tax-paying citizen I suggest somebody
be held responsible.
N M n
Evening star., 1951-04-13
American Economy

According to 1948 figures, the United
States. with only per cent Of the
worlds population, produced 43 per cent
OF the worlds income. Obviously, Amer
ican democracy is more than meeting
the test. In case total war comes, we have
something to fight for-we have the
greatest economic system on earth.
It has its shortcomings. its inequi-
ties and injustices, but nevertheless It
serves the masses of our people. Our
freedom. our strength. lie in our ability
to produce. AS long as we keep a sys-
tenn Of free labor and free enterprise.
we shall maintain our freedom and our
great industrial productivity.
Harry Daniels.