davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-10-09
By Charles E. TroceweN

black" ones should be, since they may
be female black widows.
These are particularly dangerous
when guarding their young.
Only recently young girl came close
to death from the bite of one OF these
creatures
Black widows should not be tolerated
in any home garden. They should be
eradicated ruthlessly.
Once q person is bitten, there is
nothing to do but 60 to hospital as
quickly as possible. and send out a
hurry call for help.
Our Kendall Green correspondent
continues:
"This Is the first summer we have
been without hummingbirds. Editors
note-Probably due to the drought.)
Il grew red bergamot especially for
them.
They were always quite fearless,
and the common belief that this bird
does not come to rest is not true. for
they often sat still very near me.
Zone morning I watched possum
making several trips up and down a
tree. As 1t. grew lighter saw that it
was gathering leaves and stuffing them
into the curl Of its tail. I have never
read Of posstms doing this. but I saw it.
Zone early morning. with the dew
on the roses. found fairy In flower
pot.
"It was tiny doll that my small
neighbors. playing in the garden, had
put to bed there"
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Defense Against a Domestic Enemy

This is good time to consider the state of
our defenses against ruthless domestic enemy
It Is an enemy which is viewed too casually by
most citizens. Yet last year it took toll Of more
than 10000 lives in this country, inflicted ago
nizing wounds on many thousands of others and
destroyed property worth more than $500 million.
The enemy Is fire. ! 4 aE 80 E~t
The time Is appropriate to consider the prob
lem because this is Fire Prevention Week. presi-
Dental proclamation exhorts every citizen to
dedicate himself to the slogan, Defend America
From Fire" Fire prevention authorities through
out the Nation have ample proof that our de-
fenses today are not so strong as they should
be. The proof is in the grim records of deadly
and costly fires that could have been prevented
of lives and property that could have been saved
but for carelessneSs.
We in Washington need not go beyond the
records of fires last year in the Metropolitan Area
to find evidence of public laxity and apathy with
regard to fire safety. During the past year at
least 56 men, women and children were scared
to death suffocated by fires in the District and
its suburbs. OF these deaths, az occurred in
Washington, 5 each in Arlington and Prince
Georges Counties and in Montgomery County.
More than SIS million in public and private
property went up in flames in the area. Hun
dreds of persons were injured-some of them
suffering horrible burns and disabilities.
The District Fire Department. on the basis of
its findings in last years fires which numbered
more than 5000, states fatty that most of the
blazes were definitely preventable." 1t found
that the principal cause of fires that resulted in
casualties were "the careless or improper use of
inaammable liquids and the dangerous habit of
smoking in bed" Careless smoking caused nearly
thousand fires, most of them starting in BEDS
davenports and overstuffed furniture. Other lead
ing causes of serious fires were defective wiring,
careless of electrical appliances, faulty Chin
neys and heating equipment and carelessness in
using matches or in storing them. Matches
largely in the hand of children, caused more
than 300 fires in Washington last year,
The record clearly indicates that the public
is far too complacent about the fire menace
until the flames strike home or next door. Fire
men are properly concerned about this COM
placency-for they see shocking evidences of it
nearly every day as they go about their duties of
extinguishing fires that could have been pre-
vented They know what they are talking about
when they warn the public to be careful with
cigarettes, infiammable liquids electrical equip
ment, matches, heating appurtenances and all
the other sources of accidental fires. Those who
disregard the warning OF these experts are ask
ing for trouble.
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Green Mite

Small as needle point upon nry paoe,
This animated dot OF vGguest green
Almost eludes the eyes i,1sensitiue qauoe.
Seen and get halt unseen.
Within that midget, ,DiH and movement
diDeH,
A feeling presence that no tcords can
name.
Desires may brood, and pain and hun.
ger siDeH,
And terror burn like flame.
And sDlo are De. the great and mise.
to say
What currents tremble there. tohat
lusts and lures?
MY hurricane breath can blop the mite
GiU1y,
But the mystery e1idures.
Stanton A. cobIents
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Congress and Firemen

We congratulate the District Commits
sionerS on making q beginning to end
segregation in the Fire Department. We
are. however concerned with the report
that three members of the House District
Committee, Congressman Mcmillan,
Davis and Smith, have attempted to in
terfere with the execution of this plan.
This situation offers one more illus
tration of the problems involved in ad-
ministering the District without home
rule.
Appointment Of District firemen is
supposed to be controlled by q merit
system. No law impels segregation in
this department; the fact of segregation
therein is simply an administrative prac-
tice which the Commissioners In the
present instance have laudahly decided
to correct. Not only is there no reason
why the department should be seere-
gated, but the desirability Of migrating
the department. as quickly as possible is
generally admitted.
Interference Of Congressman Is purely
and simply intimidation: hanging over
the Commissioners heads Is the fear that
If they do not accede to the desires Of
the Congressman they will have difficulty
in getting appropriations for the Dis
trict.
If the purpose of intervention Of men,
bers Of Congress is to bring about legis-
lation, that is one thing, and permis-
sible: but II it is to control administra-
tive actions of the Commissioners where
no law is involved, that Is something
entirely different, and can only be con-
strued as an intrusion by the legislative
in the field of executive administration.
If the House District Committee is con-
sidering legislation on this point, we
should welcome it, so that this Issue
could be brought to the fore. But in the
meantime, we suggest that the House
continue to concern itself with legisla-
tive functions, and allow the Commis-
sioners to pursue those Of administra-
ton.
Edward d. Hollander,
Clarence M. Pierce,
Co-Chairmen, District Committee,
Washington Chapter. Americans for
Democratic Action.
Evening star., 1951-10-09
By jack Jonas

JOSEPH T. Nittle joel Ferguson, the
- man who last fall vowed to "beat the
pants of Bob Taft" may provide the
Senate with quite workout II and when
1t gets around to inquiring into who did
what to whom in that Ohio senatorial
campaign.
Ohio's State auditor will take it in
stride If he's called to testify. But those
who have observed him in action In his
home State say he'll probably leave the
austere Senators limp, exhausted and
amazed.
Mr.. Ferguson Is the bouncing, effer-
vescent type who appears to be feet
inches Of ceaseless energy and confidence
in whatever he happens to be tackling
at the moment.
Little Joe-his opponents call him
jumping Joe"-is constantly on the
move. His name makes news as often
as that of the Governor, and oftener
in a more spectacular manner.
He is an endless campaigner. Elec-
tions for State auditor In Ohio are held
every four years, but every day between
elections is another campaign day for
Little Joe.
He approaches strangers on the street,
grasps their hand and offers his stock
greeting:
=. "I'm Joe Ferguson, State auditor"
Then he writes down new name and
the following Christmas another poten-
tial voter gets honey Christmas card
from the State auditor. He sends out
more than 100000 such cards each year.
En- route to work in one of the two
State-owned automobiles provided for
his use. he may stop at street corner
to give some one lift downtown.
81 got the people in mind" he says.
In his gravelly voice. "And when you
have the people Id mind you got the
cat by the tail"
The fact that he lost the senatorial
election last year by some 100000 votes
has been explained in many ways, but
nobody has even thought of laying it to
lack Of effort on Little Joe's part.
Joe Ferguson was born in Shawnee.
Ohio. and when his family moved to
Murray City he took job as butchers
helper. Later he went into the mines
to dig coal.
When he started to high school he
took a part-time job as newspaper
carrier. And In school he studied audit
ing and bookkeeping. That's when he
made up his mind he was going into
Evening star., 1951-10-09

about 10 days later, there they were,
among the tomatoes!
This summer, finding the big tell
tale bites in our beautiful tomatoes, we
know our Wilburs are somewhere among
the tangleS.
Always near the same spot, have
found black widow spiders, like polished
shoe buttons decorated with the bright
red hourglass.
Recently I scooped one into a wide
mouthed jar, putting board over the
top.
II didn't know that on the underside
Of the board was big millipede. which
dropped into the jar.
Shortly afterward found the spider
dead, with the millipede travelling
rapidly around the bottom.
"The huge and beautiful black and
yellow spider occasionally spins webs
between the stalks of plants, and that
fellow I leave strictly alone.
"His web is easily identified by the
length Of white 'ricrac braid down the
center.
Twice have inadvertently dug up
very large velvety black spiders, and
these have shown no disposition to
retire. Indeed, one jumped angrily at
q stick tapped on the ground near
him"
The large black and yellow spiders
are not to be feared. but the "velvety
Evening star., 1951-10-09

politics and become treasurer or State
auditor, or perhaps something a little
better.
He became payroll clerk for q coal
company, and when the firm offered
him a promotion he turned it down.
It required Sunday work.
Then, In 1914, he took a State civil
service examination, and began his
long brush with politics. He became
first a payroll auditor for the Indus
trial Commission. later special auditor
under Gov. Vic Donahey.
When the Republicans came in in
1928 Joe Ferguson went out He took a
job as an Office manager, campaigned
for the Democratic nomination as State
auditor and lost.
Then he won three successive nom
nations for State treasurer, but lost in
the general election. In 1886, he went
into the State auditors job in the Dem
ocratic landslide. and has been there
since, winning elections in 1910, 1914
and 1948.
He began making headlines almost
Immediately. as he set about the bust
ness Of auditing the States accounts. He
continually questioned expense ac-
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Arlington Looks Ahead

The $33 million SiX-year construction pro-
gram for Arlington County prepared by the
County Planning Commission and the School
Board necessarily is broad outline, meager in
details. Long-range development programs
always are subject to change. They must be
flexible enough to be adapted to changing con-
ditions and changing needs of community.
The planners have given Arlington County,
however a well-balanced general expansion
program that will serve as a valuable guide for
the future.
approximately half of the costly program
involves public schools. Actually Arlington may
require more than six years to catch up in its
school building program, which was set back not
only by wartime shortages but by the influx of
newcomers to the county. AS a result Arling-
tons schools are overcrowded and some OF them
are outmoded. Controversy over the type of
schools to be built has further delayed progress
but the delay in the end may be beneficial If it
results in more good classroomS for less money.
Criticism of "frilS" in new schools recently con-
Structed led to defeat of one school bond ISSUE
but less costly bond issue plan subsequently
was approved by the voters. There never has
been any real question as to the willingness of
Arlington's citizens to pay for good schools
They have made it plain however that they
will not tolerate extravagant use of their tax
money for schools or anything else. Therefore,
In going ahead with the county school improve
ment program, the School Board will have to
take care to see that the money allotted to
schools is stretched as far as reasonably can be
done without impairing the quality of schools
provided for the growing population across the
river
Other key ALLEGATIONS listed by the Plan
ming Commission include more than $4 million
for new streets and approximately the same
amount for sewage disposal facilities, nearly So
million for storm sewers-badly needed in many
sections of the county; nearly 81 million for
Fairgrounds and parks and 81 million for addi-
tional water storage and distribution facilities.
Sewage disposal plans must remain tentative,
pending completion of the joint engineering
survey to determine the feasibility Of regional
treatment plants. Highway planning also is
difficult, with new traffic trends sure to follow
the opening of large new mercantile centers.
But basic plan for the future Is essential to
Arlington's orderly growth-and the Planning
Commission has supplied an overall pattern Of
vast possibilities.
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Loses Ear for Music

1t would be one thing to say that the
din of the Transit Radio continues un-
abated. But it is something else TO say
that the racket has increased by several
decibels. About month ago this insult
to human dignity and tranquility was
intensified to point where the radio
clatter equals in sonic volume the COM
bined noise Of traffic and streetcars.
A rawer bit of impertinence could
scarcely be found than this ear-rending
blare being forced on to helpless people,
and I, for one, have taken VOW never
Evening star., 1951-10-09
The Vondenberq Diary

The excerpt which has been made public
from the diary of the late Senator Arthur VAN
denberg gives revealing and doubtless authen-
tic glimpse of that celebrated White House
conference of February 5. 1949.
That was the conference at which the ques-
tion of cutting off military aid to Nationalist
China was raised and then abandoned. As the
diary records the meeting, Mr.. Truman said the
National Security Council and his military ad-
vsers had recommended discontinuance of ship
ments to the Chang Kai-shek government, which
was tottering under the blows of the Chinese
Communists and which might collapse at any
time The thought behind the recommendation
was that if we were to ship the balance of the
promised aid $3.50 million of an original total of
s125 million) it might fall into the hands of the
Communists or be sold in the black market.
Secretary of State Acheson, who is also a
member of the National Security Council, was
present at the meeting and the inference is that
he concurred in the recommendation There is
nothing in the diary to bear out Harold Stassens
statement that Senator Vandenberg had told
him Philip Jessup was among those present.
After some discussion Senator Vandenberg
was asked for his opinion. He strongly opposed
the recommendation, pointing out that 1t would
expose us to the charge that we gave the final
push to the tottering Chang regime and in this
he was joined by Vice President Barkley. The
proposal evidently died at that stage.
Why, then. was the State Department so
coy in its recent comments on the StaSsen
statement? If Mr.. Acheson, a member of the
Security Council favored the arms ban proposal,
why would not the department say SO? Why
was it not revealed that the council had favored
the step? If this is attributable to desire to
shield the Security Council from criticism it GER
tainly does not speak well for Mr.. Truman's
professed desire to give the people all of the
news that does not involve matters of legitimate
security.
The incident also tends to confirm doubts as
to our China policy. Apparently it was clothed
with uncertainty in February, 1949 Assuming,
and it is a very dubious assumption, that our
Government and our people would have been
willing at the right time to make the necessary
military effort. China, in Senator Vandenbergs
opinion, might have been saved from the Com
1nunists. But that effort was not made and
China has been lost to our side. Now, new and
perhaps even more difficult questions press in
upon u.s. and there is little evidence of any
clear, affirmative policy for dealing with them.
A few days ago, in a letter to Senator Smith
of New Jersey, Mr.. Acheson wrote: () The
United States has consistently opposed and con-
tinues to oppose the recognition of the Chinese
Communists, the seating of their representatives
In the u NJ, and the turning over of Formosa
to the Communists. (2) The United States re-
mains firmly opposed to any concession to the
Chinese Copmunists with respect to Forrsosa or
Evening star., 1951-10-09

during World War II. In addition, the
Navy has supplied the current blood
needs at the United States Naval Medi-
cal Center at Bethesda, where blood Is
not only used for all calls from surgery
but in the training In all phases Of
blood work Of doctors, nurses and tech
nicians.
The Department OF the Navy has
recorded 6.493 known volunteers for
blood since January /. 1851, until Sep
tember !, and the graph continues up
ward. The Red Cross made q recent
bloodmobile visit to the Naval Research
Laboratory. where in q single day 414
persons volunteered to give blood. This
turnout has only been exceeded by An
drews Air Base. where q larger number
are stationed. but where there were 426
volunteers.
Many other donor groups have made
notable records, not once, but month In
and month out-attesting the indefatig-
able spirit and interest Of their group
activities. II our civilian groups can in
any way approach in spirit and generos-
ity what has been demonstrated by the
civilian and military Of the Department
Of Defense, the laboratories had better
make plans for expansion Of blood proc
eSsing facilities.
Elise L. Skylstead,
Executive Vice Chairman, Navy Dept.
Blood Donor Program.
recently gave pint Of blood at Red
Cross Headquarters. As was drinking
coffee afterwards saw some post cards
on the table. These you were asked to
take and send to friends telling them
that you had become donor and sug-
gesting that they volunteer. believe
that letter to your column will be bet
ter than that.
You may have often wondered what
you as an individual can do in these
times Of war and unrest; when soldiers
q. are dying in Korea, and foods, disasters
and storms cause injuries and suffering
in this country.
You can do the finest thing Of all
you can give your blood to save others
It is simple thing to do. Call the Red
Cross and make an appointment. They
will do the rest. It Is painless, safe, and
quick. for you receive a thorough check
before you are accepted, by doctors who
can judge whether you are able to do
nate blood. It is painless. for you do not
feel anything except momentary sting
which vanishes before you know you are
feeling it. It is quick, because it takes
only few moments, while you rest on a
cot. You do not see any blood drawn,
either your own or your fellow donors,
because 1t flows through q tube into a
closed jar.
There is no substitute for blood when
a life hangs In the balance.
Yours may save that life. And it is
desperately needed now.
Happy Donor.
Evening star., 1951-10-09
Questions and Answers
By Gould Lincoln

Ev11;ss The Stars readers can get the answer 10
evening Star Information Bureau 1900 sfreet
NV, washington 5. d. c.. and inclosing 8 cents
return postage or by telephoning ST 1864
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.
@. What was done with the gifts sent
by France to the United States in graf
ltude for the Friendship Trainp-L. M.
A. The governor of each State re-
ceived one of the cars which made I'D
the Merci Train and decided as to the
disposal Of the gifts.
Q. How much does a sharks liver
weigh and why is it important?-G. MA.
A. The liver weighs from 20 to 30 lbs.
and yields over 21a gals of oil that is 10
times as rich in vitamin D as cod liver
oil. This oil accounts for its value in
commerce.
@. What were the ranks Of the Japa-
neSe peerage?-K. I.
A. Princes, counts, viscounts and ba-
rons. Under the new constitution the
peerage is abolished. Only the dynasty
OF the royal family is preserved.
Evening star., 1951-10-09
The Senate Hasn't Heard Anything Yet

counts, launched Investigations. Unlike
many investigators, he usually came up
with victim.
His jousting Is legendary In Ohio. One
political writer described him this way:
Like many physically small individu-
ais. he's got perpetual chip on his
shoulder. II he isn't in a scrap Of some
kind with some one, the chances are
that he's getting ready to start one"
He'd as soon battle with member Of
his own party as with a Republican. He
launched one fight with the Depart
ment of Liquor Control, and lost court
battle when he tried to halt 50 million
liquor purchase involving a loan to a
distiller.
He lashed out at President Roosevelt
and the New Deal" In general because
Federal authorities didn't give him the
support he wanted In q scrap about
alleged irregularities in old-age pensions.
The fact that he loses many Of these
battles doesn't deter him from starting
others.
"A lot Of people get the idea I'm stub
born," he says, trying to make the
headlines. It's not so. I'm checking to
see that a penny isn't spent that
shouldn't be-"
Little Joe doesn't like to be called Mr..
Ferguson. but he keeps his name before
the public. It appears In large letters
on the thousands Of payroll and relief
checks mailed out regularly. He tours
with his softban team, the ferguson
State Auditors" one of the best In
the State.
In the senatorial campaign In Ohio
last year, opponents labeled him publicly
as Q stupid and Intellectual little man,
but privately laid plans to combat a
shrewd politician.
It was a vicious campaign, with
vitriolic charges made on both sides.
Questions arose over campaign expendi-
lures by both parties. There was comic
booklet put out by labor groups. depict
ing fictitious man named "Phineas r.
Moneybags" directing the Taft cam
paign. The booklet brought unfavorable
reaction in many quarters.
Some said Senator Taft's victory was
due to his popularity in Ohio. Others
charged it came about as q result Of
huge sums Of money spent in the cam
paign. Still others said it was q slap
at labor, which vigorously supported
Mr.. Ferguson.
1t the Senate decides to quiz him,
Little Joe, will bounce into Washington,
ready for anything that comes his way.