davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Improving the Judicial Process

Attorney General McGrath has given an
encouraging report on the progress being made
in simplifying and speeding up the Federal
judicial machinery. Much has been accomplished
in the short time that the new rules for civil
and criminal procedures have been in operation
The record is one which commends itself to
State courts many of which still struggle along
under the handicap of ancient rules and prac-
tices Mr. McGrath is right in blaming such
lack of reform for much of the criticism which
citizens so often aim at the courts-criticism
which is justified by the delays and all-around
ineffciency to be found in many State and local
tribunals
The Attorney General, in speech before the
Maryland Bar Association at Its Atlantic City
meeting, stressed the Importance of maintaining
public respect for the courts-a task that is
difficut when litigants, jurors and others having
business with the courts encounter needless red
tape and Illustration. The revised Federal rules
were designed to eliminate as many of these
exasperating difficulties as possible. Plain
language has been substituted for legal gobbIe-
dygook in indictment and information papers,
grand jury proceedings have been modernized,
arraignmentS Speeded up. In the civil branch
Of the Federal courts the outstanding improve
ment has been the Inauguration OF pre-trial
procedures, under which both sides frequently
agree on shortcuts that save time for litigants,
lawyers, jurors and Judges. Also, the expense Of
litigation Is reduced.
A typical example of how pre-trial pro-
cedures, under court supervision, shorten the
length of civil trials was cited by Mr.. McGrath.
In the Aluminium Company trial last year 1t
became necessary for the court to study the
detailed workings of the aluminium industry, both
here and abroad Before the trial began attor-
neys for both sides secured documentary evidence
from many sources and exchanged the evidence.
As the trial opened both sides had agreed on
admissibility OF vast amount Of evidence, and
little time was lost in placing the documents
in the record At the close Of the trial the Judge
asked the attorneys whether they thought the
pre-trial work had been worthwhile. Both sides
estimated that the time of the trial had been
virtually cut in half
Procedural reform in State courts has been
q slow process, due largely to failure OF State
Legislatures to give the courts the authority to
make their own rules The Attorney General
pointed out that the principle of judicial re-
sponsibility for rule making in the civil courts
prevails in only 23 Jurisdictions and with respect
to criminal courts. in only "A Jurisdictions This
is a handicap to the courts, for the Legislatures
seldom take the time to modernize the rules to
At tpresent-day requirements. This is problem
which calls for more attention in the States than
has been given to 1t In the past. 1t is q matter
Of great moment. for 1t involves the strengthen
Evening star., 1951-06-29
By Edword Boykin

TT SOUNDS monumental to say that
i more than 2 million words Of tes-
mony were taken by the seven-man
Congressional committee that investi-.
gated Gen. MacArthurs dismissal and
delved into Far East policy.
But the record OF this committee.
voluminous as 1t is, falls far short OF
matching the record compiled by an.
other seyen-man Congressional group
the Joint Committee on the Conduct Of
the War. 1861-l866.
The committee sprung from the minds
of clique of radicals In Congress who
wanted the Civil War waged as q crusade
against slavery, rather than as strug-
gle to save the Union. This group de-
cided to try to run the war after be-
coming embittered over Lincoln's failure
to consult them in selecting his cabinet.
They also were angered at Gen. McClel-
Ian for his inactivity and at Lincoln for
refusing to fire Mcclellan forthwith. And
they were stung by the disasters at Bull
Run and at Balls Bluff, where the pop
ular Col. Edward Baker, former Oregon
Senator, was slain In an abortive foray
against Confederate outpost.
Over 200 generals and hundreds of
lesser military lights marched into the
basement room in the Capitol where the
Committee held its heavily guarded,
secret meetings for four long years.
Dominated by its ringmaster chairman,
Senator BENJAMIN Franklin Wade, Re-
publican Of Ohio, this committee con-
Quoted starchamber where reputa-
tions were deliberately blasted. incompe-
tent generals invited to besmirch their
more able fellow generals men ac-
cused wrongly, witnesses nadgered into
giving the right answers and politics
played to the bitter end.
Agents of the committee fitted about
Washington and through the war
camps, cleaning gossip and scandal,
which were poured into the committees
ears under the guise Of promoting mill
tary efficiency gnd prosecuting the
war more vigorously.
The story Of this committee began on
December 2, 186fs when Representative
Roscoe Conkling introduced resolu-
ton calling for an investigation Of the
Bull Run and Balls Bluff disasters.
This resolution led to creation of Joint
committee empowered to inquire into
all lost battles and into the general con-
duct Of the war, past. present and fu-
ture.
Chief inquisitor and driving force was
Chairman Wade. Bluff Ben" was q
ruthless operator with background Of
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Defends IsrueI

Charles K. Lawrence, on June I. ex-
pressed himself strongly In opposition to
the eight of us who. In all sincerity and
after most careful deliberation. sent
letter to your paper advocating q
United States Government grant-in-aid
to Israel. Mr.. Lawrence explains away
our concern with this issue by implying
very openly that all of US have political
ambitions: he goes so far as to insinuate
that this Is true in a somewhat less
obvious" way even of those distinguished
Christian leaders, Prof Reinhold Me
buhr and Bishop Charles K. Gilbert,
or Of 80 disinterested and eminent
thinker as DR.. Harry Overstreet.
/ am afraid that Mr.. Lawrence is
not much more accurate in his descrip-
ton of conditions in Israel and the Arab
states. Where, for instance, did Mr..
Lawrence get the impression that
Israel is the only state In the Middle
East where no religious freedom ex-
ists"? have been to Israel twice in the
last year and given careful attention to
precisely this religious question. It Is
undeniable that Christian and Moslem
both enjoy religious freedom In Israel
today.
It is equally undeniable that the
Christians of Egypt and of Syria feel
that they are being increasingly crushed
and oppressed. 1t was the Melchite and
Orthodox Patriarchs In Syria who, only
some months back. proclaimed bitterly
that the new, Islamic- -oriented Syrian
constitution is turning the Christians OF
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Stupid Is the Right Word for 1t

Supreme Court Justice Jackson used the
right word In describing the pressure tactics
used on him In the case of the IL convicted
Communist leaders. He told Senate SUD-
committee of stupid" telegraphic barrage
which greeted him as he was preparing TO hear
plea for extension Of bail OF the New York Reds
He displayed more than two dozen kilograms,
most of them in identical language urging him
to make the bail extension.
Asked by committee member whether the
kilograms denoted q lack Of respect for the
court, Justice Jackson replied: 81 don't know
If it's lack of respect or Just plain ignorance
It isn't even clever. It's the stupidest kind OF
tactics 1t is probably lack of respect but It's
also probably an outright lack of intelligence"
He added that the Communists are "the only
organized group that tries to make campaign
against the judiciary that know Of"
The tactics first came into public prominence
during the long trial of the Communist high
command in Federal Judge Medinas court. The
courthouse was picketed by placard-carrying
friends OF the Reds, and the demonstrations
became so disorderly that Judge Medina avoided
using the regular entrances to the building The
"Martinsville seven" case, involving Negroes con-
demned for q sex crime in Virginia, also pro-
duced pressure tactics that brought condemna-
ton from Governor Battle. The Daily Workers
"Save Willie MCGEE" campaign inspired large
number OF kilograms to Supreme Court Justice
Black, demanding that he stay the execution
of MCGEE.
No intelligent person would resort to such
obviously improper efforts to sway the judiciary
in q pending case. Justice Black succinctly
commented in the MCGEE case: 'The courts OF
the United States are not the kinds of instru-
ments Of justice that can be influenced by such
knV,o yho 0f w 70 Il
as Justice Jackson suggested, just plain stupid.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
A Good Ideo-With Drowbocks

The Arlington County Board has undertaken
q novel experiment in public information. In
hiring commercial stenographic Arm to take
down every word said at its semimonthly meet
ings, 1t is pioneering in field new to county
governments in this area. That the plan has
met with criticism is only natural, for, besides
being new it has its faults But it also has
advantages that, in the end may win general
public approval of the idea
The principal advantage, as stated by Board
Member Robert W. Cox in resolution proposing
the plan, is that Arlngtons citizens for the irst
time, have available for their convenient inspec-
tion complete record of the doings OF their
board. Copies of the verbatim transcript OF
board meetings not only can be bought at a
reasonable price but may be examined free at
any of the county'S public library branches In
the past only 'Ihighlght" actions and statements
Of the board and its members were recorded.
That left wide discretion to the clerk or stenog-
rapher and in number of instances left the
county with inadequate records on matters
which the clerk did not consider as important rs
they really were. The resolution pointed out that
"all the business of the County Board is the
public business, and the continued improvement
of Arlington's local government depends upon
the participation of larger body of currently
informed citizens
Another advantage is that the system pro-
vides the various administrative departments
Of the county with full record of any discus
sions bearing on matters within their respective
Jurisdictions. This makes for more intelligent
carrying out of instructions and better admins
trative work in general, according to board
members.
The trouble with the verbatim-repor plan
is that much is said at board meetings that is
Of no interest to any one except the member or
citizen doing the talking Testing remarks, pleas
antries, irrelevant comments and sometimes just
plain nonsense 60 into the official record now,
whereas such chaff used to be screened from
the essential matters. The record of the boards
most recent meeting filled 3o4 double-space type
written pages-a considerable wordage for the
average citizen to run through in quest of mat
ters OF special interest to him. And the tran
script OF that meeting cost the board approx
mately $212
It the transcript plan is to merit public sup
port, the board will have to curb any tendency
Of its members and of civic representatives to
indulge in prolonged oratory More business and
less banter should be the rule in future board
meetings Even If the transcript plan accom-
plished nothing more, 1t would be worth the
money invested in it.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Tempo Of the Times

On hot afternoon. with traffic near
the peak. there was great clatter
near the approaches to the Lincoln
Memorial. Everybody was hurrying
home to wife, the kids. the back yard
and perhaps a cool bottle OF brew.
Then round the circle came the mo-
torcycle escort, sirens wide open. There
was the usual result when cars are
riding bumper to bumper and the front
one hits the brakes. Eyerybody's blood
pressure went up 20 points. Everybody
got excited. Bad wreck, no doubt. Then
we realized what was going on.
It was a visiting dignitary-Plaza
accompanied by President Truman.
But where were they headed so fast?
Was Plaza IN pain; were they taking
him to a hospital? Didn't he want to
see our fair city? Did any one ask him
if he wanted to travel at the speed Of a
fleeing fox?
This is the sort Of thing that makes
you want to write your editor. Not
world-shaking event; not q burning
cause. Just another unnecessary nail in
the coffin which already is being built
too fast.
Mrs. V. Dashiell.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Chinatown

Neon ,oas nerer brighter: magenta,
peacock blue, tce-creen
Blaze up. pdgodd fashion. In the noisy
night;
Behind closed doors squedl OF flutes
and drums and gongs
Almost drotons out the traffic horns,
but neDer quite.
Strange vegetables and stranger FISH,
dried octopus and SQuid
Are ranked among the flaming
oranges and hcT,ee nuts and paper
fans.
The ancients, graDely dressed In black,
smoke pensiDely
And ponder NTH cryptic patient eyes
iDhdt destiny is mans
But through the lighted canyon and
into the ice cream store
Troops younger China nttired In high
school sfDeaters and jeans,
Preoccupied Nth baseball scores and
Dhistlino the current song:
And here the tt0ntrt hare met; the
ttDatn are in their teens.
Frederick Ebrieht
Evening star., 1951-06-29
"A PreventobIe Accident

Out of all the testimony taken by House
Armed Services subcommittee there emerged the
salient fact that the fatal Morningside airplane
crash of April was preventable accident But
it took the deaths OF three persons and the pro-
tests of shocked community to produce rule
which, II it had been in force earlier, would have
averted the tragedy. The subcommittee's find
ing that responsibility for the deaths rested not
only on the pilot but on "all echelons of the
command" at Andrews Air Force Base was based
on persuasive evidence
The new rule at the base requires pilots OF
disabled planes to make every effort to fly their
craft to the ocean or bay or similar uninhabited
region before bailing out. The testimony at the
trial of the pilot, who was acquitted OF criminal
negligence, and at the subcommittee hearings
showed that there was plenty of time to fly the
ill-fated BIS to the bay. On this point the
subcommittee reported: "At least eight officers,
all of them pilots, spent over four and one-haH
hours in flying or in directing the flight OF this
disabled aircraft over Washington, D. c. Not
one made the suggestion that the plane be flown
to the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean or
even to an isolated spot in this area before being
abandoned" Instead, the pilot was instructed
to bail out over the Andrews base after setting
the controls in position intended to carry the
plane in the direction of the water. The plane
NccLcu lIUii tllc pldHAcu COuio dlo dCAaoAAoAiSA
the home of an Air Force sergeant in the nearby
Morningside subdivision.
The subcommittee even found fault with
the new regulation on plane abandonment The
report expressed the opinion that the rule still
leaves the pilot of crippled plane too much
discretion in such an emergency. However. 1t is
impossible to phrase rule that will cover all
types Of emergencies An arbitrary rule that
allows pilot no discretion could endanger the
lives OF pilot, crew and passengers in situation
in which no real danger to persons on the ground
existed.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
This Capitol Hearing Ran Four Years

the commanding general was then sum-
moned and confronted with the hostile,
often inaccurate, evidence of his sub
ordinates, OF which he was In complete
ignorance.
After Gettysburg the committee set
out to destroy Gen. Meade, who had
commanded the Union Army in that
fight. Their object was to rob Meade
of credit for halting Lees army; to
restore the" committees favorite, Gen.
Hooker. whom Meade had replaced.
First witness called was political Gen.
Sickles whose mishandling of the Third
Corps at Gettysburg had cost hundreds
of lives. Sickles denounced Meade as
incompetent and disloyal. Next came
Gen. Doubleday. who accused Meade
OF being "pro-slavery." Then, another
who charged Meade with Copper
headism" and so on.
Now the committee brought on its
victim, Gen. Meade, who was assured
by Chairman Wade that there was no
criticism OF him whatsoever, that the
committee was making up a sort of
history of the war; and wanted to get
his account Of Gettysburg. One week
AdeCA VhdC d1Au SAAdAAAlCI WGIlb 10 tilc
White House and demanded Meade's
removal and Hooker's restoration.
Lincoln refused and Wade blew up with
threat of violent retaliation.
In 1853 rumors swept Washington that
Mary Lincoln was q Confederate spy,
that she smuggled to Confederate au-
thorities war secrets she got from the
President. Gossip had 1t that Confederate
spies swan the Potomac by night and
sneaked up ladder to White House
window where she handed out Union
war plans with her own hands.
The committee decided to investigate.
1t set secret date and summoned
host Of snoopers. This was the biggest
game it had yet stalked The inquisitors
had hardly taken their seats on this
morning when the door opened and in
walked President Lincoln. He was not
supposed to know the committee was
probing his wife's disloyalty. but there
he was. The committee was Speechless
Lincoln walked silently to the table,
stood for a moment and then said,
IT. Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, appear Of my own voli-
ton before this committee of the Senate
to say that !. Of my own knowledge.
know that 1t is untrue that any of my
family hold reasonable communication
with the enemy" He turned and left as
silently as he had entered. The inyesti
CATION of Mary Lincoln ended then and
there.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Moonlight Contutu?

It is true, as stated by James w. Adams
in letter to The Star, that the airplanes
drown out parts of the music at the
Watergate. However. let us not forget
that the many airplanes on their way
to the National Airport cast their lights
on the Potomac and give the impression
of moonlight on the water.
That is beautiful sight. indeed. and
is one of the many charms Of music at
the Watergate. And, I'm still hoping
that some generous sponsors will enable
the National Symphony to continue its
splendid summer concerts at the Water
gate. M. C. Stanley.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. What are the earliest records OF
conscientious obiectors to war?-K. q.
A. Conscientious objection to war was
defended by Lao-tze in the 9Th century
BIC. and by Gautama Buddha. The
rise OF Christianity first led to a rapid
growth of objection and few If any
Christians served in the Roman army
during the first century and half AID.
In modern times the Friends from the
l7th century in England and numerous
other religious groups have been as
sociated with the idea of conscientious
objection.
Q. Were any Presidents besides Lin
coin associated with historic New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church?-K. Y.
A. John Quincy Adams was a trustee
and Andrew Jackson also was a COM
municant. William Henry Harrison
often attended services there. anc
Buchanan, johnson, Fillmore. Cleye-
land. and Theodore Roosevelt were fire.
quent worshippers. Pierce was q de-
vout communicate, attending services
twice on Sundays He once entertained
his Sunday School class at the White
House.
Evening star., 1951-06-29

that country-its original inhabitants-
into second class citizens"
And where did Mr.. Lawrence conceive
the notion that Arabian and North
African Jews are recognized as second
class citizens" in Israel? This is phras-
ing that leaves the clear impression
that a deliberate policy to this end
exists In Israel. Nothing could be more
untrue.
/ find it difficult, also. to understand
Mr.. Lawrence acrimonious remark on
the legal status of communism In Israel.
The small Communist party in Israel
has only three representatives among
the 100 members Of the Knesseth tthe
Israeli Parliament).
~ Daniel A.. Polling.
New York CITY
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Questions and Answers

che Stars readers can get tn. ,r,v., =.
any question Of fact By either writing The
Evsning star Information Bureau 1900 street
return postage nv telephonin1 aT zSsa
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Mrs. v. DashielI.
Speed vs.. Safety

The accident and death rate from au-
tomobiles is increasing, in spite of safety
campaigns. Auto makers and dealers are
emphasizing speed. Gasoline makers
are emphasizing power Of their gas.
Is it more speed and power that we
need? Or should we emphasize careful
ness, common sense, decent driving, and
the saving Of human lives? Should
newspapers accept advertisements which
increase recklessness, accidents, and the
mutilation and death of increasing
thousands Of children and adults each
year? Let's work together to save lives.
Carleton n. Ball.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Church Controversy

w. F. Clarke, declaring love for his
Roman Catholic Church, wrote In a
letter to The Star that harbored
malice and prejudice" and made claims
absolutely false" in q speech before
the American Baptist Convention.
! commend Mr.. Clarke's devotion to
his church. but deplore his ugly name
calling. Believe me. made no attack on
the faith. the worship or the institu-
tions of the Roman Catholic Church. I
would fight for the rights guaranteed
under the American Constitution in any
church as quickly as would for them
in my own church. The time has passed.
however, when discussion Of chuch viola
tions Of the Constitution can be dis
Evening star., 1951-06-29
Lund Of the Fee

The Democrats have made our country
the land of the fee. Let's elect Re-
publican President In 1852 and make 1t
again the land of the free.
Henry N. K0st.
Liberty, N Y.
Evening star., 1951-06-29

Imitation has reached the point where
it must be stopped now with Arm
hand. or else Congress shall have re-
solved to let Russia have our country
via the wrecked economy route. have
been shocked and extremely disappointed
at Congress for its attitude toward curb
ing imitation.
These knuckleheads do not realize
that we are very close to total defeat
from within, and do not mean over
throwing the Government. II Congress
allows the cost of living to go any higher.
then the Kremlin shall have won. and
they will have no casualty list to grieve
either.
Ever since 1945. when the President
entered Office. I have been his severest
critic. But his attempt to curb imitation
is 100 per cent right.
Gerald L. Smith.
Evening star., 1951-06-29

Ing Of the Nations judicial system so as TO bring
higher esteem and better public cooperation
to this basic branch of government.
Evening star., 1951-06-29
DefIotes Congress

New York City,
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-03-29

FROM FIT. RICHARDSON
 Earl M. Hamilton of Fort Rich ardson is at the Baranof Hotel.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-03-29
REBEkAHS PLAN FOR FOOD BOOTH
 AT SALMON DERBY

A business and social meeting of Perseverance Rebekah Lodge No. PA was held Wednesday evening in the LOOP. Hall under the direc- tion of Berna West, Noble Grand, at which the Lodge members made plans to again operate a refresh ment booth at the Donohue Fishing Lodge on Tee Harhor during the three Salmon Derby Days, next July.
 Peggy McIver, Isabelle Jorgenson and Leona McKinnon were elected by the members to receive the Decoration of Chivalry, a degree conferred for honorable and meri- torious service to the Lodge by the LOOP. Grand Lodge of Washing ton at the Rebekah Assembly to be held in Tacoma
 During the social hour following the business meeting, Sue Kennedy was presented with a wedding gift from the members of the Lodge Ice-cream and cake was served by the refreshnnent committee, Sigrid Dull Winifred Hanna, Phyllis Enc berg, Marguerite Dudley and Ada Sturrock.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-03-29
BAY
 UNION CASE 2. I5 UP AGAIN

SEATTLE, March 29 -tR- The Alaska Fishermen's Union (Ind) to- day was accepted as intervenor in National Labor Relations Board hearing on petition of 1,400 Bristol Bay fishermen to break away from the AFU.
 Bristol Bay fishermen are seek ing an election to establish their own union. the Boring Sea Fisher mems Union. They object to merg- CT of the AFU with Harry Bridges International Longshoremen and Warehousemen's Union.
 Howard A. Mcintyre, hearing ex- amiper, accepted the AFU as an intervenor on the motion of Roy E. Jackson. AFU counsel Jackson said his union has a vital interest in the matter because it is the only agent that has bargained for Bristol Bay fishermen since 1902