davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-12-17

Certainly the double-page spread
showing lesser snow geese leaving their
feeding ground is photograph long to
remember.
The color work in this book is of the
highest excellence.
1t is, of course, absolutely authentic.
When you see the young cowbird de-
manding food from its foster parent, an
indigo bunting, you see the real thing,
without interference from the mind or
heart or hand of painter.
An albino rose-breasted grosbeak,
called Pinkie. with its rosy breast and
creamy white feathers, is as real as II
the viewer was looking at it in cage.
This is the great advantage of photog-
raphy.
With all due respect to the many fine
illustrators of bird books, most of their
work seems to lack something, and it is,
of course, versimilitude, in the best
sense.
1t was this precious quality that DR..
Allen caught, and which has been trans
ferred to these glowing pages.
The little redpoll, on page 81, looks
ready to step right out of the page.
Pink fiamingos will remind older
readers for all the world of those pink
coconut cakes of their childhood.
One should not think that photo
graphs are all that is here.
In this volume one discovers what
birds hear, how owls see at night why
cardinals shadow-box at windows. all
Evening star., 1951-12-17
This and That

If you want superpresent for bird
lover, Stalking Birds With Color Cam
era" by DR.. Arthur A. Allen, recently
published by the National Geographic
Society, is it.
This beautiful volume, with 331 color
photographs. will come as an answer to
a photographer dream, too, for it con-
tains some of the most marvellous of all
photography. in perfect reproduction.
OF the 331 color plates, 264 were made
by DR.. Allen, 81 by other authorities,
with all the text by DR.. Allen, except
the chapter on shummingbird fight.
DR.. Gilbert Grosvenor, president of
the National Geographic Society, states
in his Introduction:
For 20 years the author and his Cor
nell colleagues have engaged in a series
of expeditions with camera and micro
phone to film in motion the behavior of
North American birds and to record
their songs and calls. Many of these
expeditions have been sponsored by the
National Geographic Society. and re-
ports of their achievements have ap-
peared in the National Geographic Mag
azine.
THE Society is happy and proud to
make available to bird lovers in a single
volume at a nominal price this magnifi-
cent collection of DR.. Aliens natural
color photographs and his fascinating
narrative of his studies and experiences"
X
The photographs In black and white
are an extra bonus in this lovely work.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
DwindIine Cadet Corps

The Board of Education was advised
recently that the Army would withdraw
support of the Washington High School
Cadet Corps if the cadet strength in each
high school is not elevated to mini
mum of 100 cadets"
1t is felt by the Parents of Cadets at
Western High School Association that
to decimate the corps of cadets through
withdrawal of support would be extremely
unfortunate, as this corps dates back
to 1888, has supplied the Nation with
many people of prominence. and has
enjoyed the prestige of marching down
Pennsylvania avenue with other ira
ditionally famous units. Being the Ma
tion's Capital High School Cadet Corps.
it should continue as such.
Bernice Smither Gering,
President. Parents of Cadets at West
ern High School Association.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Further Study Advisable

The National Capital Park and Planning
Commissions request that the Commissioners
give further study to their plan for taking over
certain land purchase and sale powers now
vested in the commission is unreasonable one.
This part of the Robinson reorganization pro-
posal would upset the authority which the
NCPPC has had since the Capper-Cramton Act
was adopted That law gave the planning agency
control over the acquisition and sale of public
properties in the District as guarantee of the
orderly development of the National Capital.
The plan has worked we'll
That the arrangement is worth while is in
dcated by the case of the old Jones School, which
the District decided to sell recently. The NCPPC
disapproved this sale for the logical reason that
the school property lies within an area tenta-
lively set aside by the District Redevelopment
Land Agency for major slum-clearance project.
If the project is approved, much OF the real
estate in the area will have to be acquired from
the owners. 1t would not make sense for the
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Concerning 81 cyeni'

In times like these. when wars, corrup-
ton and imitation are uppermost in our
minds, it is a relief to read your edi-
torial, Concerning 81 Cygni." For a
moment. at least. it carries us off into
a world where law and order and peace
are absolute, where distances are un-
fathomable, and where serenity exists
such as BELTS God and His angels.
Your distance figures remind me of
our national debt, expenditures and in
fiationary program, and add to my I'M
derstanding by knowing that such sums
as billions exist on other planes than
this harried world. The difference, per-
haps, is that their billions stand not for
imitation, wars and corruption, but for
the calm and poise of an even world.
which believe will come to the children
of men only after we learn, as they
do, to sing together in harmony.
Herman Felter.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
The Singing Republican
r. b. B.

Your columnist, Lowell Mellett, re-
Gently cast asperSions on the Honorable
George H. Bender, saying he hoped
George would not raise his dismal
voice" in song at the Chicago conven-
tion as he did at Philadelphia in 1948.
We conclude that Mr.. Mellett is no
student Of the fine arts of hymnology,
classic lyricism, or political parodies,"
and has not properly evaluated the con-
tribution of Congressman Bender to
the Republican conventions of recent
years.
Mr.. Mellett must have avoided the
dank and lugubrious quarters of the
Benjamin Franklin Hotel in the City
of Brotherly Love throughout the 1948
convention. else he could not have been
led to the amazing conclusions he
reached. Had 1t not been for the peri
odic, mscheduled, unpredictable. incred--
ible. amazing. effervescent. ebullient out
bursts of George Bender and his equally
f1uorescent bandleader whom Mr.. Ben
der imported from the provinces, the
Benjamin Franklin would have resem-
bled q mortuary at midnight. Nor
would the streets of Philadelphia have
been mindful that motley conglom-
Grafton of humans off the beaten East
ern track were present anywhere in the
world. had it not been for the enthus-
iasm with which George Bender's BOOM
ing baritone lifted the hats from un-
wary pedestrians and thrust the tired
Taft task forces back into the f1tful fray.
Without George. Philadelphia in 48
would have been like Pennsylvania with
out Penn. And who can say that if
Georges voice and trusty right hand.
yielding that huge unbroken clang bell,
had not finally succumbed to the fate
that befalls all mortals-laryngitis and
blisters-the history Of America might
have been rewritten. If George had
outlasted the delegates: If Taft had
been nominated. we might have saved
Gallup from the Truman tide.
So there you are, Mr.. Mellett. We
think you have Freudian complex
based on the fact that George Bender
can sing and you have always sup
pressed a deep-rooted yearning for
grease-paint and/or the guitar. Say
what you will, we are going to Chicago
with George, and we may come up with
q new song. But new ditty or anachro-
nistic anthem, George Bender will be
in there sounding the pitch.
Bender Fan and Marching Club.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Hazardous Highway

The Baltimore pike continues to live up to
its unenviable reputation as one of the Nations
most dangerous highways. Already the 40-mile
stretch of U. S.. Route l between Washington
and Baltimore has claimed more lives this year
than it did during all of last year, with two
more weeks of potentially bad weather remain
ing to make the 1851 accident record worse. The
demands Of three State Senators that the State
Highway Commission "do something" to make
the road safer are justified. For the pike can
be made safer-although not fooproof.
The best suggestion for making the highway
safer is the oft-repeated one that concrete
curb be laid down the center of the road wher-
ever only painted lines divide the two opposing
streams of traffic The legislators pointed out
that most of the worst crashes are of the head
on type in places where no barrier separates the
north and south traffic lanes. Bad lighting has
contributed to some of the. accidents at night
The Senators believe that concrete strip down
the center of the highway will force drivers to
keep on their side of the road. They also want
more lighting on especially hazardous sections
and more State police to patrol the pike.
Traffic records show that SO far this year
there have been more than 1000 accidents on
the Baltimore boulevard, resulting in "A deaths
and injury to more than 400 persons. Property
damage has been estimated at $3,762000. Last
year 40 persons were killed there. The State
Highway Commission has spent millions in recent
years in reducing grades and eliminating sharp
curves. The main trouble cannot be fixed, how
ever. This defect is the failure of its builders
many years ago to provide two separated traffic
lanes instead of one shared by traffic moving
in two directions. But at that time the traffic
was relatively light. Today the road is one of
the most heavily travelled in the country.
Some relief for congestion on the pike is
expected when the new Baltimore Washington
Parkway is completed. But the State cannot
afford to wait for this relief to develop at some
uncertain date in the future. Lives are being
lost with appalling frequency on u s. l. Addi-
tonal safety measures are imperative right now.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
By John P. Leococos

PARIS.-Political hatchet men from
the United States already are shopping
around Gen. Eisenhower in search OF
campaign ammunition. What dulls the
ak for the partisan politicos is that they
can't quite make up their minds
whether Eisenhower is Republican or
a Democrat.
Reports that Republicans in America
have the Generals go-ahead and/or that
he would be the ideal Truman successor
are reconciled on the dreamed-up theory
that Eisenhower Is attempting the un-
usual-a grand-slam double-nominatio
from both parties.
Gen. Eisenhower himself goes along
grimly doing his job. His staff has strict
orders to keep presidential speculations
out of his military headquarters. The
few correspondents who get q chance
to talk to him privately are warned to
lay of political questions. Neither may
they quote him. or attribute remarks to
him.
Tension undeniably exists as the hour
nears for decision to be or not to be
a candidate for the highest Office in
the world. 1t can't help but affect
everyone in SHAPE like tropical fever.
A few officers go around starry eyed.
thinking that maybe their future Is
made If their boss is to be President,
but none dares face the generals ice
cold blue eyes and hot flush of wrath
by broaching any such hint.
The supreme commander these days
seems to be drawn as tight as a drum.
visitors say. His famous chuckle to
many appears to be bit forced. his
normally easy manner self-conscious.
According to those lucky enough to get
to see him. he RECEIVERS his notable
affability as he talks, and ranges over
the Kaleidoscope interests which fill
his mind.
Democratic politicians and members
of Congress who see him appear almost
unanimously to regard him as one Of
Evening star., 1951-12-17
CompIucent Public
World War II Vet.

In another country, the horrendous
facts brought to light about the Truman
administrators conduct since the be-
ginning of World War II would warrant
a revolution. Yet the majority of Ameri-
cans remain more or less complacent as
though afraid to express their opinion
where it might count.
The most important immediate fact
is that thousands of American sons have
been fed into the maws of war. AS
result, we are still deep in a frustrating
deadlock totally irreconcilable with our
past victories.
There never has been and never will
be war that can be successfully brought
to sane conclusion by appeasement.
AS proof, the Korean truce talks have
been going on for months and look fully
able to continue for years.
1t is obvious now that the Truman
administration is bent on appeaSing the
Soviet government and its satellites at
every important turn and, indeed, has
been doing so ever since early World War
II went it diverted war supplies from
the Chinese Nationalist government and
tried to propagandize us into believing
that the Nationalists were worthless as
allies, that China was of no use to us,
and that we had nothing to fear from
the harmless, agrarian reformers" as
they were won't to call the Chinese Reds.
When are we going to stop looking
the other way when something bad turns
up? How many more lives do we want
on casualty and atrocity lists? Have
we fallen completely for the emotional
security sob-song of the Democratic
Party? Wy p 1.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Mountains

The Uorld Is such big pldce-yet to me
1t seems so small-d little, round
plateau,
Set high upon the earth and hemmed
around
BY mountains oDer Which no road
could co.
I stand alone and Uietu this npajesty
OF heights and depths and trees that
touch the sky,
Small 1oonder that feel so tiny here,
speck OF life so near to ,phers
clouds lie.
And In the distance far as eye can see
The blue rims OF the peaks reach on
and on,
Strong. sturdy t0alls that shall for aces
stand
The same as noiD. plen nan-n,ade
things are gone.
Catherine Z. Berry
Evening star., 1951-12-17
The Impending Straw

Roger L. Putnam the new Economic Sta
bilizer, has posed a kind of devils choice for
this country in connection with the threatened
breakdown of the steel wage negotiations.
Philip Murray's steel union is demanding a
wage increase. Spokesman for the steel industry
have said they cannot give wage increase with
out price increase. Mr.. Putnam says he will not
approve price increase to cover wage increase
GAS calamitous as steel strike might be-" he
says, running our stabilization program would
be even worse
1t is hard to tell just where that leaves the
country. steel strike would be intolerable
since it would wreck the defense program
Equally intolerable would be any break through
of the stabilization structure in steel, for while
the immediate effects of that might seem to
be lesser evil in the long run 1t could ruin the
national economy. There is, Of course a middle
ground The steel industry probably is entitled
to some price relief under the Capehart amend
ment to the Defense Production Act for higher
costs incurred prior to last July 26. Under the
stabilization regulations, the steel workers also
are entitled to a coSt-of-living wage increase Of
approximately 6 cents an hour if the steel COM
panies are willing to grant it. If both parties
to the negotiations will be reasonable settle
ment may be worked out within the permissible
limits without price increase. That would
call for some profit sacrifice by the industry and
the waving of some part of its yet unspecifled
wage demands by the union
If both parties display an intelligent regard
for their own interests, as well as regard for
the best interests of the country, this may be
done. II not, If the choice narrows down to
steel strike or breach of the Stabization pro-
gram, this country will find itself in a desperate
situation. That, however, is bridge which need
not be crossed now. There is still time for ra-
tional industry union leadership to assert ITSELF
and for intelligent Government mediation to
influence the decision. There will be time to
consider the next step when these influences
have been exerted and have been found wanting
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Planning for Snowstorms

While the public generally has accepted with
phiosophic resignation the city'S worst traffic
tie-up" of last weekend, there is no cause for
official complacency with the situation It is
true that Baltimore, Philadelphia and other
cities experienced bad traffic jams during the
big Snowstorm But the fact remains that better
planning might have averted some of the delays
and discomforts in the Washington area.
Just because Washington does not often find
itself in the path of such storm as hit here
last Friday is no reason why there should not
be standby plans for controlling the release of
Government employees according to some sensible
traffic schedule. There was no controlled release
last week, with the result that thousands of
Federal workers rushed to their cars almost
simultaneously and. headed them into slippery
bottlenecks ahead of the city's sanding crews.
The bottlenecks quickly were clogged Some
motorists who had the foresight to put chains on
rear tires got through before the big paralysis
developed. Most cars, however, skidded and
stopped, blocking the way for others behind
them. Sand trucks were unable to reach the
spots where they were needed most.
Municipal and Capital Transit emergency
crews were handicapped by the beated warning
of danger they received from the Weather Bu-
reau The storm apparently accelerated its
approach to Washington catching the meteoro-
logistS and everybody else by surprise. Even so.
there is good chance that had the Federal
departments, by some agreement with city
authorities, held their employees long enough
for critical traffic points to be sanded conditions
would have been considerably better when the
workers started homeward The delay, too, would
have given the bus lines more opportunity to go
on an emergency basis. Instead, bus and street.
car passengers had to stand In line for hours
waiting in the snow and cold for transportation
that never came.
Commissioner Donohue is correct In his
opinion that reassessment of Washington's
traffic plans for such winter emergencies as that
of last Friday is needed There should be
conference among municipal, public transporta-
tion and Federal officials with view to avoiding
as many of last weeks mistakes as possible. With
more snowstorms to be expected there is no
time to lose in planning to deal with them.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Can't Blame Eisenhower If He's Tense

all the inside stuff, once he gets on the
political soapbox. The unfriendly Repub-
licans are plainly looking for issues. if
not dirt.
American labor representatives in
Europe. no partisans of Eisenhower.
likewise are doping out their future
line for the campaign hustings. Other
American visitors say that Gen. Mac
Arthur plans to battle any primary
Eisenhower enters.
Among the allegations or data being
dredged up for the Eisenhower
files are the following matters:
His responsibility for ''unwise" poll
tical decisions of his civil affairs Of
ficers in North Africa, Italy, France and
Germany during World War II. Why
he did not let Gen. Patton take Prague,
or his own armies get to Berlin? Did his
British attitude in the war work to
the detriment Of United States interests?
Why is he reported to call himself "one-
twelfth American" in his NATO post?
Silly as some Of this palpably is, 1t
is only little of what may show up in
American electioneering, observers add.
What really worries thoughtful
characteristics Of the generals: One, his
relations with the public. the other.
his personal forte of a superb diplomat.
To date, Gen. Eisenhower and the
press have been in harmony. Reporters
know he tells them facts, or tells them
nothing Hardly ever can you find an
article critical Of him from those who
report his doings.
In brief, in his public relations. Gen.
Eisenhower has had it all his way virtu-
ally throughout his career. But what will
happen if he steps out of his protective
Gordon of officers and into the mire of
politics? Can he slug 1t out? Can he be
fully candid? Friends say crisply that
he is not, and never will be. sacred
COW. Moreover, if he gets his Dutch up.
watch the sparks fly.
North American Newspaper Allianceo
Evening star., 1951-12-17

Goebbels. Goering, etc. Are we so blind
in our hatred of communism that we
can make Nazi murderers our matinee
idols?
I served in the infantry in Germany,
where I was wounded by the Nazis. l
saw their Dauchau. saw DPS treated
worse than animals. "The Desert Fox"
should be boycotted and Hollywood be
reprimanded for making such movie.
I guess that five years Of civilian life
should have made me think in civilian
terms but they havnt because I can
still remember the horrors perpetrated
by the Nazis. I say that the men who
gave the orders for these crimes are
even more guilty than the men who
carried them out-and Rommel is in
cluded.
World War ii Vet.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Hot Stove League

When leading newspaper such as
The Star devotes an editorial to ball
player, and ranks that ball player with
Cobb and Ruth. 1t is high time for some
one to ask on what grounds such rank
ing can be made.
A glance through DiMaggio's ''rec-
ords" shows exactly one actual record
for league play. 1t must be granted that
it is a good one-56 consecutive games
batted in safely-but Joe holds no others
in regular season play. He never hit
400. His major league lifetime batting
average is 1926, compared with Cobb's
.367, Hornsbys 1853, Brouthers' .348.
Delehanty's .346, Keeler's .345, Speakers
344, Ruth's .342 and quite few others
named Sisler, Anson Lajoie, McGraw.
Collins. Wagner, Duffy. ETC., who played
more than 13 seasons and outbatted Joe.
DiMaggio never came remotely close
to the season records for runs batted in,
or home runs, or doubles or triples or
base hits, while his total stolen bases
amount to the stupendous figure Of 80.
Sure he was a good outfielder. but
would you take him over Speaker? His
throwing arm. though good. was inferior
to that of many outf1elders of modern
times A couple who played on the same
team in different period. Meusel and
Ruth, were rifles.
Nope, in generation which lacks any
player with the color of Ruth or Cobb
or Dean, the sports writer's had to build
up somebody and they picked this rather
brittle player as the best bet. Today's
youth probably will go on believing he
really is in class with Ruth and Cobb.
unless somebody can tell them enough
about Wagner, Keeler. Speaker. Sisler
and the other great ones. including a
fellow named Gehrig whose big league
batting average was $40 and who went
quite spell without missing a game
2130 games. to be exact. The Yankee
Clipper was good. but the Iron Horse
was the second greatest Yankee Of them
all.
Richard Holiday.
Evening star., 1951-12-17
Letters to The Star

where from so cents to 81 an hour. The
teacher is required to do it for nothing
while sacrificing part of her own lunch
hour.
Those mothers who want the con-
venience Of having their children remain
in school and be watched during lunch
should pay fee. Let the fee be a
nominal one, say 81 week for each
child. 1t would go to reimburse the
teachera and serve as mild deterrent
to those mothers who let teachers do
everything.
u u u
Evening star., 1951-12-17
'Boby-Sittine' Teachers
Richard Holiday.

Since there are no cafeterias in the
elementary schools. the children are
required to go home for lunch. Those
who live too far are permitted to re-
main and eat in their classroom or in
a special room.
If teacher is assigned to supervise
this lunch period. it means that she
is giving up her free time. not to teach,
but to baby sit. Baby sitters get any
Evening star., 1951-12-17

their own. After all. they point out, 1t
was the Democrats who lifted him from
a lieutenant colonelcy to his present
eminence
Also, has he not been the very spear
head Of the Truman foreign policy in
Europe? And, even If he disagrees in
details, 1t would be counter to his in
grained loyalty to complain -.
The friendly Republicans talk less Of
issues, but go around smirking. "Ike's
our boy" They assume that he will spill
Evening star., 1951-12-17
RommeI No Hero to Him

Much to my horror and disgust (par-
ticularly since am a veteran of World
War ID. movie depicting the life of
Rommel was made. can't imagine that
a man responsible for the killing of SO
many Of our men should be glorif1ed.
II Rommel can be so glorified perhaps
Hollywood next will release movies of
Evening star., 1951-12-17

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uriterS' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.