davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
The Judoes and the School Board

The law under which our District Court
Judges exercise the power of appointing members
of the Board of Education contains no equivalent
power of removing members of the board whose
activities or lack of activity are prejudicial to
the school system. The addition Of such power
might well be considered. The only power Of
removal from the board now possessed by the
judges is their freedom of choice in reappoint-
ments. The terms of three members of the nine
member board expire each year. Within period
of three years, therefore, the judges are in
position to replace the personnel Of q board,
should it become impotent in furnishing aflrma-
tive leadership to the school system-a condition
which, In the recent past has received some
demonstration.
But no matter what powers the judges may
have in appointing and removing they will be
inadequate unless the judges receive full COM
munity support in persuading outstanding men
and women to serve on the board. Continuing
community interest in the board and the school
system over which it presdes is vital. Without
1t, the school board and the schools will de-
teriorate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25

~ was sitting at my desk in the annex
when there was great crash in the
main building and clouds Of dust began
to pour from It,
Everything in the front part Of the
main building had fallen In, floors, pill
lars. Orders, timbers, desks, chairs,
plaster and employees. In all, az were
killed and SO injured.
Il was frightened but ] wanted to get
my friend William r. King out Of there.
I started down the iron stair case which
was still standing to the first floor. Some
Of the other employees started to follow
me, but yelled that no one should
get on the stairs until tested them.
One Of them, H. H. House. stretched his
arms across the opening and blocked
the onrush.
when I reached the first floor,
started toward the spot where I ex-
pected King to have fallen. In the
binding dust and the darkness I saw
some one staggering, trying to reach
the front door. helped him to the
door and many grabbed for him but
told them for heavens sakes please get
out Of the open door and let some fresh
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
BY Charles E. Trocewen

for us. (Most advice is not; 1t is for
other people, isn't it?)
The good mood means that something
in the mind and heart have clicked, and
then one wants to read particular
thing, say go back to Dickens, or Car
dinal Spellman's charming new novel.
The mood is everything. on a rainy
day. It may not be so on bright morn
ing, when the air and sun combine to
draw us outdoors.
The rainy day casts its reading spell
precisely at the mind and heart.
This path is clear enough to the ex-
perienced reader. Perhaps the less able
will have to do a little experimenting.
but this, too, Is intriguing.
In little time one Is sure to find
exactly the right thing, and thereafter
all is plain sailing. Reading is sort
of sailing, sure enough, with good
wind and a high sea. and plenty Of pros
poets on the horizon.
It is this good adventure waiting
which lies out there In reading, and 1t Is
something unknown in radio or tele-
vision.
It is the clear call Of mind to mind.
the hearts lure, the urge toward great
ness and betterment, which, in the last
analysis, is the best we have.
The rainy day surrounds this adven-
ture with glory. hedges it in. and makes
it special sort Of thing in what at times
seems very ,pnspecial sort Of world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
This and Thot

Sweet are the uses Of adversely, some
one said.
Sweet may be the uses Of rainy day.
too, if one is reader.
Everybody agrees that reading is good.
just as they admit that God Is good.
Reading has a great hold on the
United States.
If any one were to come out in public
with statement that reading Is wrong.
he would be boohed from the stage.
We have all been brought up to believe
in reading. and that is good, for to
many millions of persons there is moth
ing to take its place.
"Why don't you get television set?"
some one asks.
Because / would rather read" is the
honest answer.
It is true. Not every one feels this
way, but those who do will understand.
Reading requires an active mental
participation.
It makes demands, and by SO doing
enables one to enter into the very mem
tai life of the writer.
This is something countless readers
understand. The rest may not. but it
makes no difference.
Every one to his own taste. and the
bomb get the hindmost.
Reading on a rainy day has a special
charm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
The 'DepurgeE Japanese

In keeping with General Ridgway's recent
order relaxing occupation controls the Japanese
government has now "depurged" about 10000
individuals in all parts Of the country. The
action means that they will no longer be subject
to the Allied directive barring them from public
lfe-a directive issued against them after WI
day because OF their prewar and wartime
activities.
These people (about 100000 others still are
in the banned classification were active before
VI day in politics, education, industry, radio,
motion pictures newspapers, etc. With the
coming Of the occupation, they were elected
from their places Of influence and deprived of
the right to participate in public affairs. But
this action was taken against them not because
Of war crfminality, or because Of individual per-
sonal guilt, but because they happened to be
among those numerous Japanese whose activ-
tiles fell within the categories marked for
"purging" by the Allied authorities under General
Macarthur.
The "depurging" OF these individuals to-
gether with the anticipated "depurging" Of most
of the others still on the prescribed list, is q
matter Of common sense. With peace treaty
In the making occupation restrictions must be
eased to prepare the Japanese for self-rule, and
experienced people Of this kind Git should be
emphasized that they have never been held
personally guilty Of war criimes) can render good
and necessary service. Their return to public
life constitutes logical step in the process Of
restoring Japan to f9ll sovereignty.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25

It enables one to blot out for the time
being all human-made noises.
Sometimes we forget just how we are
surrounded by human noise.
The rain takes most Of it away.
Not only do the small children keep
indoors. but even sensible cats and dogs
tend to stay out Of the rain.
The falling water makes its own Pc
culiar noise, from the slither Of tires In
the street to the sounds made by cop
per downspouts.
There is a good creaking Of porch
awnings and shades.
Trees make sound all their own on
very wet day.
1t is to the absence of humanity, how
ever. that the rainy day owes In its best
charm.
Then one may read at ease, not fear
full that the unwanted canvasser will
ring the doorbell.
What to read on rainy day?
There is no requirement.
What one reads, even on such day,
depends upon ones mental mood
This is the best of moods. the readers
mood.
Perhaps not enough has been said
about this mood. We are warned. as
children. not to be moody. but all along
we knew that the advice was not meant
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25

benefits and extend certain other privileges to
veterans or their dependents.
The Michigan Congressman INDUCED in some
philosophical comment that deserves repeating
here, for it is SO true: 1.-THE gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Rankin) and the ranking minor
ity member from Massachusetts, Mrs Rogers
are always and forever bringing in bills for the
benefit of the veterans, and we always go along,
even sometimes when we doubt whether those
bills are needed or sometimes whether the enact
ment of them is desired by the veterans them
selves"
The proposed legislation must still receive
the approval of the Senate. Fortunately the
Senate in the past has shown greater courage
than the House in forgetting political implica-
lions OF veterans bills and considering them on
their merits and in relation to the national
economv
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
By George Kennedy

A n elderly white-haired man, who.
IA although not as tall, looks very
much like Connie Mack, stopped in The
Star newsroom the other day.
s'My name is Samuel J. McNichael,"
he said. "I'm in town on little visit
from Round Top. Va. That's near Blue
mont. I've been living there over 20
years. thought you might be inter-
ested in q recent anniversary, the Ford
Theater disaster-58 years ago this
month. was in 1t and believe ! am
the only living survivor. am 81 years
old"
The writer knew that by the Ford
Theater disaster the visitor did not
mean the tragedy Of April IA, 1866.
when President Lincoln was assassinated
there, but q much later event. Mr..
Ford never got his theater back after
the assassination. Secretary of War
Stanton had the stage and boxes and
balcony ripped out and 1t was con-
verted to an Office building. In the COS
the floors fell through to the basement
with a. great loss Of life.
ut was at $40 am. on June 8. 1898"
said Mr.. McMichael. II was employed
in the annex, which did not collapse.
I believe was the first person to enter
the building after the crash"
A copy boy was summoned to fetch
the June. 1893. bound volume Of The
Star from the files. There it was, extra
after extra, with the entire front page
devoted to the catastrophe and graphic
drawings of rescue workers lifting tim
bers off bodies and putting filters In
ambulances.
To q newspaperman that first-page
coverage Of an accident that had hap
pened that morning-without aid Of
cameras, with limited use Of the tele-
phone-was remarkable performance.
There were long lists of dead and In
jured-with attempts to assess the
seriousness of the injuries. Never once
did it say condition undetermined"
The writing was not as, stylized as re-
ports of accidents are today. While the
story contained subjective expressions
of horror that no copy desk would pass
now, it stood up when measured as to
It's success in telling what had happened
That's it," said Mr.. Michael ex-
citedly when he saw the headlines. 1--WE
were all employees of the Record and
Pension ONCE. There were about 500 Of
us-all men. There wasn't woman en-
ployed in the building.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25

where I could see over the heads Of those
lining Pennsylvania avenue to cheer the
Presidents homecoming after his nomi-
nation at Chicago. A police car drove
up IN front Of me and some others. OBJ
structing our view. called this to the
attention of the driver. who seemed
willing and ready to move, when an
other policeman standing nearby put up
a restraining hand and the car stayed.
I moved. but not to view the procession.
The police car could have parked very
easily In the center Of the intersection.
have been a fairly liberal contributor
to the Police Boys Club Fund, but from
now on I've another cause for my con-
tribution, the Summer Camp Fund Of
The Evening Star. When solicited by
the police next year, shall be glad to
reveal my identity and reason for de-
Ginning to join.
Citizen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Wage Bruckets
w. F. Adams.

Replying to L. r. Whites STANDARD
OF Living In The Star June Is, he
seems to infer that person making
$4,000 a year should get raise of
$1,000. and one who makes only 81 900
year should get 500 raise. And that
the one who makes $4,000 year has
more right to maintain better stand
ard Of living than a lower-bracket in
come.
In other words, my husbands salary
is less than $4,000. therefore. according
to Mr.. White, he should get less than
$500 raise.
People in the lower brackets would
like higher standard Of living but the
higher brackets want bigger raise, and
will probably get 1t. Probably their
wives want new fur coat. or they want
to throw big party.
Would it hurt the higher grades to
take lower raise and give the lower
grades little chance?
Disguised.
Springfield. Va.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Browbeoten by Police

Are the District Of Columbia police
here to protect or to browbeat its citi-
zens? have gone to my last parade.
Standing at Fourteenth and Pennsyl-
vania avenue I was asked by police
man to move from a shady spot at the
curb behind about three rows of people
standing in hot sun. He advised me
wasn't allowed to stand in front of
window. The fact of the matter was.
was not standing in front of q window
but to one side of the Pennsylvania
avenue entrance to drugstore which
was already blocked by five or six per-
sons. Had to do 1t over again. I would
ask him to give me good reason for
moving or refuse to move.
In 1913, stood for an hour at spot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Open House

The summer forest builds its walls OF
green,
1t spreads a patterned carpet on the
ground
In lanbent SHADOWS thro,pn on sunlight
sheen,
ITS breeze-torn edges shifting, trcyed,
unbound.
Foundation roots and trunks OF mighty
frame
Are firm against the mad, tempes-
tuous storm,
The raftered boughs defend their Wood
land aim
To giue the perdant architecture form.
The silent corridors endoi1 their hush
With hints OF high adventure,
Woodland
Botanic dignity surrounds each bush
That shapes its ybouglss to fit a plan
so UdSt.
In openness this architecture grot0s;;
The friendly Woodland builds no doors
to close.
Florence Pedigo Jonsson !.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
He Was There When Ford Theoter Fell

air come in, or please come inside and
help me help the injured.
THE anxious people stood back but
young electrician, whom had often
seen as we lunched together at the same
observation-disclosures I never have been
able to remember his name-and a
colored man came in to help me-
Il could hear mournful sounds way
down under the crushed plaster. I
kept working toward the sound and
calling to the man asking him if he
were King. Then I realized that he
was telling me he was Grogan-W. NJ.
Grogan-whom knew. Just then one
OF the colored men, who had come in,
saw how hard was working and asked
that let him help me. did so but
could not find King who had got out
the door right after the crash, although
severely injured.
II found body which thought was
that Of another friend, A. L. Dietrich.
I identified him principally by his beard
knew Dietrich had red beard but In
all that dust and darkness there was
no way to be sure about color. I
thought that was the reason why the
beard appeared to be black.
When I got out went to send a
telegram to my parents in South Caro-
lima to tell them was uninjured and to
see the girl I married two years later.
We had our 56th wedding anniversary
in May.
"A Star reporter approached me and
asked me about the injured and dead and
told him Mr.. Dietrich had been killed.
That information appeared in the first
extra Of The Star that day. Later in
the day met Dietrich In the street and
realized had made an awful mistake.
Il asked him to accompany me to The
Star Office and In the next edition his
name appeared among the living with a
notation that he had been previously
and enormously reported dead.
"On the following Wednesday group
OF us who had escaped injury went to
the White House reception, for in those
days the President held public recep-
ton every Wednesday at noon. As we
advanced in line was the first one to
reach President Grover Cleveland and
said to him that we were survivors from
the Ford Theater
He graSped my hand, placed an arm
around my shoulders and expressed his
great pleasure that we had not been
injured. I then had the pleasure of in
Producing each Of my friends to him and
each received q hearty hand shake and
congratulations"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
S. S. United States

beautiful ship with name that has come
to mean something In the past ITS years was
christened Saturday at Newport News. The
s. s. United States stands high in the water.
She is a slender ship fore or aft a long ship
abeam. She suggests speed. She has sharp
clipper bow and two huge streamlined stacks
crowned with red, white and blue. She thrilled
spectators who came to the ceremony and her
beauty will thrill all who meet her on the high
seas.
With this ship this Nation is back in the
speed competition in the Atlantic-reminiscen
of the sos when the st. Louis, the New York, the
Saint Paul and the Philadelphia of the old Amer
lean Line competed with the Cunarders in bring
ing immigrants to this country and carrying
travellers abroad. The S. s. United States will
carry the same house flag.
The speed Of the United States and how she
will achieve it have been kept military secret.
All that has been announced Is that she will
do about 80 knots. It is believed there is some
thing new about her propulsion. It may be that
for the first time since that period OF 10 years
ago she will bring back the mythical blue rib
bon for the fastest crossing-now held by the
great queens of Great Britain, the Mary and
the Elizabeth.
Some may think that our return to speed
competition is in the twilight of the ocean liner
that the blue ribbon for the four-day crossing
is unimportant when planes make 1t in less than
"a hours. But recent military experience is
reminder that the day of the ship is not over
and that great ship, fast ship that can
carry division 100000 mem to any shore of
the world and return without refueling Is OF
national Importance.
The United States was christened amid
controversy-a controversy that, regardless OF
the merits, was bound to arise in period when
private enterprise is a good term and subsidy
a bad one. Despite the controversy the building
of this ship is an achievement in which the
Nation can take pride. America cannot only
construct skyscrapers and atom bombs but
q bit belatedly it may bet can build ship
TO compete with any from any port.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Nobody Votes Against the Veterans

Representative Hoffman of Michigan cor
rectly described the attitude of his colleagues
in the House when he told them: I'VE all know
that no one will vote against any bill for the
benefit of the veterans" The House was in that
traditional mood when it approved with little
debate, II veterans benefits bills sponsored by
the House Veterans Committee. No member
bothered to total up the cost OF all the author1-
cations but other sources estimated it at more
than So billion during the next five years. And
the House laid aside the pending tax bill In
order to consider the legislation for veterans
Chairman Rankin of the Veterans Committee
reflected the prevailing sentiment when ne re-
marked: There is no hurry about this TAX
bill let us consider these veterans bills now
and we can take up the tax bill later"
Most of the bills were old ones that had
failed of passage at previous sessions OF Con-
gress Most of them were opposed by the ad-
ministration as not in accord with the Presidents
fiscal program. The most important one, from
the standpoint of cost, was hospital construc-
ton bill that was vigorously criticized by the
Veterans Administration. It would authorize
new VA hospitals at an aggregate cost OF $685.
GOO, 000-plus $50 million a year maintenance
although VA officials have asserted that there
are not enough doctors and nurses to stah them.
The VA also objected to the pork-barrel aspect
of the hospital measure in designating specific
locations for new facilities Other bills would
give free automobiles to larger number Of dis
abled veterans, increase pensions for veterans
of all wars, including the Korean, permit World
War veterans to renew their Government term
life insurance policies, give husbands OF women
In the armed services the same benefits as wives
of servicemen, rberalize pension privileges for
widows of veterans Of the Civil, Indian and
Spanish wars, increase dependency allowances
In service connected disability cases, provide
pensions for veterans who need care of another
person for ailments not related to military serv-
ice, Increase on-service-connected disability
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Franco and StuIin

On June 6, Constantine Brown made
the following statement: "Generalissimo
Franco has notified the United States
indirectly that Spain is willing to join
the United States in defense Of the free
world
One wonders what is meant by free
world" II he means Spain and the
Latin American relationships to be in
cluded within the meaning of that term,
he is insulting the intelligence of good
many people. It is ridiculous to think
Of Dictator Franco and his henchmen
fighting for free world He is as much
menace to freedom as Stain.
The idea that we need Spain in war
with Russia. advocated by Brown, is far
from convincing. We got along without
them in the last war.
w. +. Adams.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Fire Firemen?

read with apprehension and conster-
nation the discussion on a proposed 10
per cent cut In District personnel.
In one breath we are told to be pre-
pared for an atomic attack; instructions
are given to citizens; every one is urged
to cooperate. Then a cut in personnel
is considered, which will reduce the very
force supposed to protect us In time of
danger or attack.
Imagine putting the Fire Department
back on 72-hour week! Let's cut Sena-
tor Ferguson'S salary first.
The Police and Fire Departments
ought to have better hours and more pay.
They have dangerous jobs and small
recognition for their services.
Shocked Citizen.
Senator Ferguson's casual suggestion
that the D. c. payroll be sliced 10 per
cent is reckless and could result in ex-
IRENE damage to the organizational pat
tern Of the District
1t may be true that few jobs could
be eliminated, but why damage the
whole organizational structure to catch
few culprits?
1a4 SAoAAHAC Va Vic Od14dSC uOIS Dy
such wild notions is found In the city
of Bluefield, w. Va. Years ago. the
Council there decided to reduce the
payroll $4,000. To meet this reduction
in funds, many policemen and firemen
were dismissed. This caused the Ma
tional Board Of Fire Underwriters to
send their engineers to re-rate the city.
1t was reported that while the reduction
in 1re-flghting forces would save SOS. 900
in taxes, there would be an increase Of
fire insurance premiums amounting to
100000. The Council soon restored the
$4,000 cut to the payroll funds.
Paul Clarks0n.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
Letters to The Star

will at the same time allow the surplus
water to pass underneath, for the tiles
viii give as much drainage area as the
present food channels around the Cross.
An arched causeway would serve the
same purpose, but engineering cost and
all would probably be more.
Ben Hastings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-25
By THE HAsKIN SERVICE.


@. Have any persons fallen out Of air.
planes from great heights and lived to
walk away?-R. H.
A. On September 8, 1949, M/Sergt.
James r. Hendrix at Fort Benning, Ga.
fell 1000 It. when both his parachuteS
failed to open completely. He suffered
no more serious injuries than tangled
nerves and bruises. Last year, at RAN
dolph Field, Tex, Sergt. Thomas Levario
fell 1900 #. from CAT with fouled-
I'D parachute, but his emergency chute
checked his fall which gave him only
minor bruises.
@. Can pachysandra be grown from
cuttings? Is 1t suitable for use on ter
ranceS?-G. II.
A. Pachysandra is easily propagated
by cuttings which should be taken in
July or August. It grows readily in or
binary soil and makes admirable ground
cover for either shady or sunny positions
Pachysandra terminals is one OF the
most useful ground-covers for terraced
banks.
@. What presidential candidate re-
fused to accept the letter notifying him
of his nomination because postage had
not been paid on ito. Y.
A. Zachary Taylor was for some time
officially unaware of his nomination by
the Wings, until the fate of the official
letter of notification was discovered. The
Wing committee had failed to prepay
postage on it and Taylor thriftily refused
to accept unpaid mail. The letter had
been sent to the Dead Letter Office.