davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Internal Revenue Cleanup

Things have changed some since last month
when Commissioner John B. Dunlap, in an ap-
pearance before the National Press Club, deplored
what seemed to him to be general newspaper
tendency to exaggerate the "few bemishes" that
had marred the record of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue. His opinion at that ime-undoubtedy
a sincere one-was that the situation was not
nearly so bad as suggested, either actually or
potentially. Since then, however, on the basis
of his own top bottom investigation, he ap-
parenty has been shocked out Of his original
omplacency-enough so to take broom in hand
and start sweeping Justify in the bureaus Augean
stables.
Thus, on the heels of President Trumans
dismissal of the San Francisco collector, Mr.. Dun
lap has abruptly fired 18 Internal Revenue
officials and brought about the forced resig-
nation of IL others. This large-scale house
cleaning-which may lead to criminal action
against at least five of the individuals involved
means that up to now, in period OF only
few months, inquiry has uncovered sufficient
scandal. corruption and irregularty to require
that no fewer than 81 of the bureaus key
employees be suspended, obliged to quit under
cloud fired outright, or indicted on charges that
may yet put them in Jail. Quite obviously the
few misunderstanding grave doubt on the
integrity of tax operations in more than dozen
important cities and StateS-have been not few
but many and there is no assurance that the
continuing investigation will not expose numer-
Gus additional cases of an equally shocking kind.
What makes all this particularly alarming
is that not many things could be more harmful
to our national life than widespread loss of
faith in the incorrupubiity of the Internal
Revenue Bureau. Of course, honesty is impera-
tive in every Government agency, but the bureau
because it's tax-collecting functions affect
Americans in a way that demands the greatest
measure of integrity-has very special reSpon-
sibiity to keep itself above suspicion. But it is
not above suspicion now. Although most of its
employees are certainly upright men and women,
the faithless ones-the fxers and the bribe-
takers-have been numerous enough, though
still relatively few to besmirch the whole organi-
zation and weaken public confidence in it. The
evil has been done, and it cannot easily be
undone, for the housecleaning should have
started long ago-before the culprits had a
chance to establish themselves in positions of
trust
Even so better late than never. The admin
istration through Mr.. Dunlap and others, can
make up in part for its smugneSs, its blindness
and its cavalier negligence by putting the broom
to work with the utmost vigor in any and every
corner bearing the slightest odor or suspicion
of irregularity or corruption. Given such a
cleanup, plus action to end the spoils-system
practice of rewarding political hacks with COL
lectors' jobs, the Bureau of Internal re enue can
Evening star., 1951-12-01

The true picture window is wider, but
it may reveal sterility of effect Just the
same.
Windows, whether wide or narrow,
that look out at junk, or other untidi-
ness, need shutters or binders to block
out the view.
The modern urge for "show" results
at last in the window too wide and too
high for real comfort.
No one inside can be comfortable
and must always be conscious that
somebody may be looking at him.
Who with sense would put themselves
in show window, when at less cost he
might have the same view, really, and
a great deal more privacy?
Privacy?
What is privacy?
How can any one have privacy in a
world where it is beginning to be
thought all right that every one must
answer hundreds of questions at the
bequeSt of some stranger branded with
the dread name Official?
We have gone a long way, mates, in
the voyage Of human society, but we
find nothing good in questionnaires and
picture windows and cheeky people
without manners.
Look with suspicion, therefore, on the
picture window. It Is glistening SYM
Dol of something wrong with us.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Air Force Arrogant?

Harold Stuart. unofficial mouthpiece
for the Air Force, has demonstrated
clearly one way to win an argument
When your reasons are bad, you simply
pull your rank.
When the Air Forces concept of
close air support could not stand
day-by-day comparison with Marine
and Navy close support, the latter was
simply placed under command of the
Air Force. Since then close air support
of our ground troops has come to a
virtual stop.
Not satisfied with breaking up the
Marine air-ground team, which the
Army would like to see duplicated in
support Of its own troops. Stuart is
now using the disgraceful tactics of
trying to create hard feeling between
Army ground troops and Marine ground
troops by claiming the Marines are
calling for more than their fair share
OF practically nonresident close sup
port missions.
From the arguments presented by the
Air Force spokesman, there is more
than suspicion that the Stuart attack
is an attempt to divert attention from
the miserable failure of the Air Force
to accomplish the very missions they
claim are paramount to giving ground
troops necessary support. The Air Force
has neither succeeded in isolating nor
interdictlng the Korean battlefield and
slowly they are losing control over
the air in Northern Korea. The tip-off
came in a typical Air Force propa-
gandive release exulting over the de-
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Atoning for Virqinio's Short Siqht

incorporated into the new reorganization
Dill for the National Capital Park and Planning
commission is a provision which would rectifv
zo-year-old defect in the Capper -Cramton Act.
Inc oe1ect Is the laws failure to include Vir-
glnla IN the park purchasing program under
WHICH the District and Maryland have been able
70 acquire large areas of unimproved land for
park purposes AS result park development
In nearby Virginia has Jagged far behind that
OF other suburban parts of the Washington
Metropolitan Area
The defect is not the result of an oversight
by trainers OF the original legislation 1t resulted
from an astounding shortsightedness on the
part of Virgnias governmental bodies Back
in 1880, when the Capper- Cramton bill was under
consideration, Virginia authorities showed little
interest in plans for preserving park areas along
the Potomac River and its tributaries Of course
that was before the boom era of recent years
which has brought more and more encroachment
by residential construction on the wooded valleys
OF Arlington and Fairfax Counties. Maryland
more foresighted than Virginia in those days,
gladly joined in reaping the benefits of Capper-
Cramton loans and grants for park develop
ment. With these benefits Maryland has estab-
hshed beautiful parks in the valleys of Rock
Creek, the Sligo and other streams. Virginia,
however, decided to stay out of the program
Belatedly, Arlington has awakened to the
seriousness of its 1880 error. The Arlington
Board and the Arlington Planning Commission
have asked that the park law be amended to
include number of nearby Virginia valleys in
the Capper- -Cramton program. The bill for re-
organization of the regional planning system
would meet this request 1t would provide for
'the extension of the park and parkway system
OF the National Capital in the Virginia environs
OF Washington, as may be agreed upon by the
National Capital Park and Planning Commits
SION and authorized Virginia park authorities.
A fund of S4,500,000 would be provided for the
acquisition of park lands along Hunting Creek,
Cameron Run, Holmes Run, Trips Run, Four
Mile Run, Pimmit Run and Accotink Creek. AS
provided under the original act, two-thirds of
the money advanced by the Federal Govern
ment would be a loan, repayable within eight
years without interest. The remainder would
be an outright Federal grant.
Had Virginia been included in the 1880 law,
this land could have been bought many years
ago at prices far below the cost today. The
increase in price is the penalty which Virginia
must pay for its failure two decades ago to recog
nize the Importance of preserving its scenic
valleys for future generations of residents
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Atoms and Abercrombie's

Nothing has made people wonder about the
state Of the world so much as the Christmas
catalogue of Abercrombe g. Ftch-those plush
outftters to the wealthy sportsman.
For years now this august firm has spe-
cialized in fulfilling the most exacting demands
of its wealthy clientele. It's Christmas catalogue
has boasted such seductive uxuries as mono-
grammed landing nets, canasta card shutters
and exercise bicycles. And so with each new
Yuletide the Messrs. Abercrombie and Fitch have
reaffirmed that leisure and fun still exist and
are profitable in troubled world.
In recent years, however, along with the
usual reassurances, note of alarm is sounded.
Nestled on the same page as a folding poker
table and a de luxe six-power binocular is an
advertisement for Geiger counter.
The booklet explains that "the super -sniffer'
is fascinating way to explore for uranium de-
posits' and must for civilian defense or
ganiZations.
The validity of this claim is not disputed
But doesn't its presence here imply that the
wealth that lets Abercrombie & Fitch flourish
is fading fast? So fast in fact that the Messrs.
A. and F. in their gentlemanly way are suggest
ing that little prospecting for money-breeding
uranium might not be amiss among their GUS
toners?
True, the catalogue Softens the suggestion
bit by describing the Geiger counter as gift
for amateur prospectors." But how many pros
pectors, amateur or otherwise, are in the habit
of frequenting Abercrombie's when getting ready
to go off on pack trip?
Then, too, there is that even more somber
aspect to the affair-the Geiger counter as a
must for atomic defense officials. This asser-
ton isn't even softened by the hint that they,
too, might want to prospect for uranium. In
stead we are given to understand that they'll
be dealing with it in detonated form and pretty
soon.
The implications here, although politely
stated, are distressingly clear: Capitalists must
reckon with uranium in several forms if they
want to stay on top. And loyal Abercrombie
& Fitch, who have never let them down, have
faced the situation this year and are prepared
to see them through once more.
Heartening though this display of loyalty
and faith may be, still the introduction of
a Geiger counter into Christmas catalogue
tends to chill the Split.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
A Timely Dissent

Six years ago three Philadelphia men
pleaded guilty to charges OF robbery and bur-
glary and were sent to jail. Now the Supreme
Court, for the fiimsiest of reasons has reversed
the conviction and made it necessary for the
Philadelphia authorities to start all over again.
The accused men do not claim they are in
nocent. Their complaint was that if they had
been represented by counsel at the time they
might have gotten shorter sentences and that
anyway. the trial judge made wisecracks when
he sent them to jail. For this reason, and this
alone, the high court has set the sentences aside
No opinion was written by the majority
judges. But Justice Minton dissented in writing,
and what he said makes great deal of sense.
Admit the sentencing Judge was facetious, !"
he said, "even that he bulldozed the petitioners
he sentenced them all within the limits
authorized by law. Maybe the judges conduct
called for curtain lecture At most that was
matter for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
and that court did not see even an error of
State law in the judges conduct let alone
Federal constitutional question. We sit only to
determine Federal constitutional questions, not
to scold State trial judges. 1t is utterly in
comprehensive to me how judge can commit
denial of Federal due process in the sentencing
of defendants where the sentences he imposes
are within the limits prescribed by the statute" ="
The Supreme Court ought not to clutch at
straws to set aside convictions in criminal cases
where guilt is admitted and where no sub
stantial right of the accused has been denied
The court has clutched at such straw in this
case, and it has shown an increasing tendency
to do the same in other cases. The result is
to put needless burden on State authorities
in dealing with criminals and to encourage that
deterioration in the enforcement of the laws
which accompanies the delays resulting from
appeals which raise no substantial question
Justice Mintons sharply worded dissent was
fully justified.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Letters to The Star
Pen-nan1es may be used ii letters carry
1Oriters' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.

your support and approval of vicious
legislation such as the Taft Hartley
law.
The movement to overthrow free,
democratic forms of government in
nations in Europe and elsewhere where
Communism has won great victories
originated within the ranks of dis
contented. resentful. poverty stricken
workers. For instance. Czechoslovakia
became communistic when the workers
in that country launched revolution,
overthrew the free. democratic form
of government and established Com
munism. Lessons and experiences of
that kind should not be overlooked or
forgotten by reactionaries in our own
country who extend a full measure Of
support to anti-labor legislation such
as the Taft-Hartley law.
Regarding labor bosses to whom you
refer in an insulting way-it was not
labor bosses who defeated Senator Ball
in Minnesota and elected Senator
Humphrey. who defeated Senator
Brooks in Illinois and elected Senator
Douglas. who defeated Senator Rev.
ercomb in West Virginia and elected
Senator Nicely; it was the rank and file
Of workers who stepped into the vot-
ing booths and cast their votes in the
secrecy Of said booths, free from the
interference of labor bosses. The can
didates for reelection in the States
named were defeated because they voted
for the Hartley law. and those who
were elected won because they opposed
said law.
In the name and in behalf Of the
eight million members of the American
Federation of Labor vigorously protest
against the preparation and publica-
tion Of the editorial entitled "Investi-
eating Senator Taft
William Green,
President, American Federation of
Labor.
Editors Note: The Star, of course.
did not express the opinion that there
should be no limit on campaign eX-
penditures. Senator Taft estimated
he spent 10 cents on each potential
voter, and the editorial said he could
have spent a great deal more than
that with wholesome results in de-
feating the all-out attempt by union
leaders to drive him from public life.
Mr.. Green dissents. But the over
whelming majority of Ohio voters, in
cluding many labor voters, evidently
1elt the same way about it.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Mostermindinq the War

AS military analyst, was interested
IN the statement by Gen. c. A.
Willoughby, printed in The Star.
In that article, the general again at
tempts to defend MacArthurs conduct
Of the Korean campaign-and also his
own operation of that army's intelli-
gence division. To an experienced mill
tary man. his defense is we'll grounded
and plausible But to have spoken at
all was extremely poor judgment
by a professional soldier. even though
prompted by loyalty to his superior.
However. Gen. Willoughby's accuSa-
tions against a number Of newsmen are
well grounded. With. perhaps. the ex-
ception of Hanson Baldwin, none of the
correspondents mentioned in the article
can be considered military experts, quail
if1ed to render an analysis of military
campaign. Two are strictly armchair
generals, one juggler of statistics, an
other a Sensationalist.
Three were in sight and hearing of
the shooting. It is said they were 'front.'
line" correspondents. ! wouldn't know
about that. But, even if they got as
far forward as a division headquarters.
that would disqualify them as analysts.
Any man pinned to an infantry division.
regiment or battalion has a very re-
stricted horizon. He sees only what is
going on around his particular adopted
outfit The war cannot be G-2d from
such position.
grant that there are many good war
reporters on the job, some not so good.
In the early phases of the conflict, there
10 -
Pyles." which resulted in some pretty
distorted on-the-scene reporting. That's
pretty we'll by the board now. and I can
repeat that there are some pretty good
reporters on the scene But there are
no military experts there. which is quite
different matter. Military Analyst.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Mr.. Trumon's Lecture

When the President undertakes, by his own
statement, to lecture the press on the virtues
OF accuracy, 1t is only reasonable to expect
accuracy from him, too
But Mr.. Truman was not accurate when
ne compared the Associated Press story about
the cessation OF fighting along the Korean front
with the erroneous armistice report In World
war from Roy Howard of the United Press
In discussion Of the First World War incident,
Mr. Truman was wrong in both his dates and
his news stories An aide, attempting to correct
him, was brushed aside by the President
This, perhaps, is not important, for the
Presidents factual mistake was not particularly
significant. OF greater Importance was the
grudging correction which finally came from
presidential secretary This said that the Pres
ident after refreshing his memory, was mot
sure" that the false armiStce report he saw in
a French newspaper on October e. 1918, orig
mated with Mr.. Howard. That statement is
much less than candid. For Mr.. Truman, after
having his memory refreshed, knew that the
October 27 story did not originate with Mr.
Howard, whose dispatch was not filed until
November T. Why could he not have been forth
right enough to admit that he had made a
mistake, instead of pretending that there was
still some doubt about it? Until he is ready to
acknowledge his own, errors, it is difficult to be
too impressed by these presidential lectures on
the virtues of reportorial accuracy.
The Star has no way of knowing whether
the Associated Press report was strictly accurate
But it is certain that some kind of an order was
issued to the troops, and it is equally certain
that subsequently, the fighting virtually ceased
among the ground troops along the front Unless
and until the text of that order is made public
the precise accuracy of the story cannot be
determined. But If the correspondent correctly
reported what he saw and what he was told,
he was merely doing his job. That should not
call for lecture" from Mr.. Truman.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
To q Small Boot in Dock

The iDintry moon sails D1ite as ,Dool
And the seas breast gathers stars
Where the laughing breakers pull
Against the r-shifting bars.
Curdled in your painted beam
Lies adventures 1Uine tonight
You dare only in dream
FolloW CheSapeake's far light
or in magic dream explore
Where the bell buoys rock and reel;
Italy, or Spain's famed shore
Are for boats OF mighty keel.
You must dart among the bluefSh,
AlelDiveS, and the nlusSel's shell
Take like man the half filled tDish
From your oUn bays tempered spelll
4 Soroh M. Howard. !
Evening star., 1951-12-01

struction of some MICS on the ground
on airf1elds in Northern Korea. 1t
was masterful job Of making an ad-
mission, that they could not contain
the MICS to Manchuria sound like a
victory.
AS Hanson Baldwin pointed out in the
New York Times. Stuart presents ex-
travagant claims which the military
situation docs not support" and are
totally unjustified." He further points
out that hidden under all the (Air
Force) claims is the plain and simple
fact that there has been, for the last
three months or longer virtually no
close air support of the ground troops
in Korea
1t is past time for Congress to get
Air Force arrogance out in the open
and make them sustain their arguments
or quit pulling their rank with resulting
casualties to our Army and Marine
troops. The blood of our people is too
high price to pay for bullheadedness
Harrison Mann.
Evening star., 1951-12-01
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.
Q. How many names have been
placed in the College Football Hall of
Fame at Rutgers University?-B. R. C..
A. The names of 80 players and 81
coaches. The only man chosen as both
player and coach was Alonzo Stagg.
The Hall of Fame is appropriately
located at the place where Rutgers and
Princeton played the first intercollegiate
football game in 1869
O. Please compare the height OF
North Americas great statue, Christ
Of the Rockies, with that of the Christ
of the Andes in South America
o. H. B.
A. Christ of the Rockies on Sierra
Del Cristo Rey. Ell Paso, Tex, is 10
feet shorter than the Christ of the
Andes. 1t is the largest statue of Christ
on the North American continent.
O. How many by-products are OBJ
tainad from animals that are slaugh-.
tered for meat?-E. j. S.
A. Only little over half of the live
weight Of an animal can be turned
into edible meat. and from the re-
mainder about 140 articles that may
be classed as by-products are now
obtained. :
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Dr.. Cornine's Knockers

You are to be congratulated for Sc
curing and publishing the QUESTIONABLE
with regard to our beloved Dr. Hobart
M. Corning. for it was real revelation
In order to prejudice their case, the
anti-Corning knockers rigged a set
of questions on the order of Have you
stopped beating your wife?" I doubt
greatly that the citizens of Washington
will long endure such petty politics
by small men endeavoring to toss out
a great administrator of our public
schools.
Enraged War Veteran.
When group of men and women
such as the Personal Committee of
the Board of Education" reach such
state Of abomination, our schools are
involved in a precarious situation.
They have apparently lost all respect
and regard as to how honorable men
and women should proceed in evaluating
q man who. to say the least, warrants
and has the respect Of the vast majority
of the citizens.
Arthur C. Monohan.
Evening star., 1951-12-01

once again become what it used to be-a great
agency enjoying the full trust of the American
people. It's restoration to that status is a matter
OF prime national Importance.
Evening star., 1951-12-01

we may have to consider the advice
attributed to brave Southern captain
at the Battle of the Crater In later
years one of the captains men told an
eager grandchild: when the mine un-
der us blowed us way up in the air, we
Evening star., 1951-12-01
Questions and Answers

The Stars readers can get the answer to
any question OF fact. by either writing The
NV, Washington 5 D. C.. and ncIosing e cents
return postage or by teephoning ST 1863
Evening star., 1951-08-26

ifhe did Then decided to take my husband
and son along, too. 1t looked like grand fun
for the whole family"
But Taylor was so impressed with the job
that he ended up one of the Pageants most
ardent boosters And Cornelia Otis Skinner
came home empty-handed as far as story
material was concerned, but convinced that
this Atlantic City thing is pretty serious
business!
Even Earl Wilson, who specializes in
knowledgeable reports on the female form
divine, found being judge hard work.
Evening star., 1951-08-26

He told about one of the contestants,
young girl from Minnesota. who hadn't par
ticularly stunned the judges as far as looks
alone we're concerned just before she went
on stage for her talent performance, the dis
couraged young lady learned that her father
had flown to Atlantic City and was in the
audience. She sang her aria with all she
had, won a tremendous ovation from
$4,000 people.
When it was announced that she was the
winner in the talent division, the girl was
so overjoyed she started to cry. The audience,
Evening star., 1951-08-26
ATLANTIC CITY

ATLANTIC CITY
IF you we're asked to name the pleasantest
lob a man could have, what would you
say? Sweeping up diamonds in an African
mine? Testing steaks in restaurant? Or
picking the winner at the annual Miss Amer
ica Pageant?
Every red-blooded American man knows
the answer. Judging the Atlantic City beauty
contest must be the incest job in the world.
Well. brother, we are sorry to disillusion
you, but it just isn't so. We interviewed
eight of the prominent people who have served
as Judges and they all agree: picking Miss
Evening star., 1951-08-26

America isn't half as easy as it sounds.
You see, the Miss America Pageant is no
longer just beauty contest. The girls have
to be talented, too.