davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-05-06

debauched at the same time? One is
reminded OF an important citizen who
was addressing the pupils at q public
school, the stars and stripes in full view
on the wall. Rhetorically, the orator
asked What Is back of that flag p" One
boy taking the question quite literally,
answered "A big black spot" And sure
enough, the flag purposely had been
placed to cover an ink-spattered portion
of the wall. The Crime Committees
report suggests the question What is
back of the fiag?" It is easy to see the
flag and even to become emotional about,
its meaning and to ignore the blots
which it covers.
The present situation ought to bring
back to many minds the ancient story
of Hercules. who was commissioned to
clean out the pollution which made the
stables Of Augeas stencil and an abom-
nation Of corruption. The accumula-
ton of filth because Of the 5000 cattle
was piled up near the very gates of the
palace. the symbol of government. It
was stipulated that the labor must be
accomplished in one day. The task
seemed impossible, but the reward was
high. BY an ingenuity suggesting genius,
Hercules channeled the nearby streams
of Alpheus and Peneus through the very
area of pollution. The waters bore away
the whole mass of putrefaction and
made the putrid area clean again.
To cleanse the American stables re-
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Fifty Years Ago in The Star. :.

Laws. now chief Judge of the District
Court; Magruder Macdonald, District
coroner: Earl Leese, optometriSt: Julian
Dickerson, Victor and Edward Blunden.
Bernard Dickman, Edward Lawrence,
Jarrett and Edward White. Norman
Brown, William Perry, Donald Wolf.
Missouri Brodenham, Helma Cheesman,
Carrie Gibson, Grace, Jennie and Matte
King; Mary and Cecilia Nicholson, Min
ME and Ethel Sylvester, Mary Windsor.
Margaret White and Jessie Weyrick.
Lille grew up to be talented painter,
but she died in her early 20s. Her
brother, Harry D. Gordon, real estate
broker, still has some of her pictures.
Judge Laws says: "Remember Lille?
Certainly, do She was lovely little
child so years ago!"
The Ringing Brothers Circus paid its
second visit to Washington on May 6
and Z, 1901. It claimed to
Circus be the newest. biggest, best
In Town and most costly" enterprise
of its kind in the world, and
1t supported the claim by calling at
tention to the fact that it included 80
elephants enough pachyderms to start
a jungle One great EQUINE display"
brought into the arena 81 horses. In the
menagerie tent there were 100 tableaux.
dens and cages Of wild beasts. More
than 800 famous star performers took
part in the program. Among the fea-
tured artists were: Amelia Feeley.
celebrated equestrienne: the Holloway
trio of high-wire walkers: the nine
Carcinettis, incompatible acrobats, and
40 clowns. A street parade in. 80 sec
tions, closing with steam calliope,
moved from the grounds at Thirteenth
and c streets NE downtown and back.
Tickets Of admission ito everything"
were So cents each. The main tent ac-
commodated $1,000 people.
Evening star., 1951-05-06

Fifty years ago the textbooks used in
Washington public schools were being
attacked for alleged mac
Schoolbook curacies. The leader of the
Criticism campaign was Brig. Gen.
Henry Van Ness Boynton,
president of the Board of Education.
According to The Star of May 2, 1901,
he was especially critical of Ridpath's
History of the United States" Six seri-
GUS errors in single paragraph of that
volume were cited. Gen. Boynton espe-
cially objected to AMtietam being called
"a drawn battle" He complained, too,
against Picketts final charge at GettyS-
burg being described as three miles
long," Grant he insisted should have
been credited with planning the capture
of Forts Henry and Donelson, not Hal
leck. Many other details we're reviewed
and it was urged that the offending
book be withdrawn from use until
corrected edition should be made avail
able. The publishers of Fiske's history
meanwhile notified the board that they
were correcting alleged misstatements
in that work. Gen. Boynton seemed to
know what he was talking about when
the Civil War was his theme. He had
been personal observer of many battles
and was skilled reporter. His brother,
Charles Augustus Boynton. was super
intendent of the Southern division Of
the Associated Press. Both were active
in the Sons of the American Revolution
and the Gridiron Club.
=
May was the birthday anniversary of
Lille c. Gordon of So S street, and each
year her parents gave
Lille Gordon's party for the neighbor-
R;r.hdov hood children who were
her friends. The list of
those who we're present in 1901. as re-
ported In The Star, included: 4olitha
Evening star., 1951-05-06

Board of Education to increase teachers
salaries - recognizing. among other
things, that adequate salaries are needed
now if the teaching profession is to at
tract and keep teachers of the highest
quality.
Montgomery County can afford good
teachers. It can't afford teachers who
can be obtained at bargain prices. Nor
can we afford to stuff $500 new pupils
next year into school system which
already has 5,625 children of its % 900
total enrolment receiving instruction in
halls. churches Easements, gymnasiums,
and on stages. as well as in overcroWded
classrooms It can't afford to continue
double shifts.
Perfection is never obtainable How
ever, records of the colleges throughout
the country indicate the superb Job that
has been done by the Montgomery
County School System with the tools at
hand. These tools have not kept pace
with the 81 per cent increase in enroll
ment since the end of the war. Mont
gomery County parents insist that we
must catch up, keep up and at the same
time maintain existing standards. Their
decision was reached after a careful ap-
praisal of the facts, and by a unanimous
vote Of delegates from schools through
out the county. ~
ID. L. Weed.
President. Montgomery PTA Council.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
H. /. w.

On May 4, 1901. The Star reprinted
an editorial from the Philadelphia Tel
egraph. reading in
Notionol 6ollery part: TT is satisfac-
Forecast tory to note that the
promoters of the prof.
ect for the establishment of a national
art gallery have finally settled on the
CITY OF Washington as the proper loca-
ton Tor such an institution There
should be no question as to what is
right and suitable in such a matter, but
New York has always claimed to be the
center OF artistic interests in this counA
try and the art institutions of that city
have been designated accordingly as
the National Academy of Design the
Society of American Artists etc. The
proposal for the formation of a national
gallery was hardly spoken of in public
before the Gothamites interested in
such affairs took it up and proceeded to
discuss it, on the assumption that as
matter Of course the project could not
possibly be carried out anywhere but on
Manhattan Island. The patent fact
that the National Capital is the fitting
place for National Gallery was abso-
lutely ignored in this discussion, and
the only reply deemed necessary to any
and all questions respecting locality was
that New York and New York alone
could provide the funds required. ;.
It now seems, however, that the Gov
ernment of the United States may take
an active interest in the project and
that possibility disposes effectively of
the Gothemites' pretensions." However,
when the National Gallery eventually
was established. it was private citizen
who provided the money and practical
plan for spending it to the best adj
vantage for the purpose indicated. The
Government merely ratified his gift and
his labors.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Giyers Deserve Relief

District Budget Officer Fowler was speaking
as friend of charitable organizations when he
spoke out anew in criticism of the growing num-
Der OF independent fund drives in Washington.
He was speaking also as one of many govern
mental officials who are haraSsed by the multi
pllcity of campaigns requiring organized solci-
tation OF employees. He was right when he told
the Health, Welfare and Recreation Conference
that the number of solicitations is almost be-
yond the realm of reason" and that so many
drives are jeopardizing the success of all fund
raising efforts in the Metropolitan Area.
80 These causes, Mr.. Fowler pointed out "are
beSeeching us for funds in an almost endless
stream-each demanding separate recognition
plus contributions in sufficient quantity. The
techniques they employ vary from single requests
to multiple solicitations and payroll deductions
The hostility they engender by lack of discre-
tion in the means of solicitation often finds
itself reflected in their inability to meet estab-
lShed goals"
The hostility of which Mr.. Fowler spoke is
not directed at the causes themselves, most of
which have great merit and are deserving of
public support. The resentment arises from the
fact that the once-well- -pubicized idea of giving
"once for all" has been tossed out the window.
The idea led to establishment of the Community
Chest, which promised relief from the very an
noyance which once more is present.
1t is not the fault of the Community Chest
that the same old conditions have returned
however. 1t is the result of the desire of numer-
GUS agencies largely in the health field to make
certain of raising adequate funds through indie
pendent appeals The failure of the Chest in
recent years to raise its goals undoubtedly has
discouraged the so-caed Independents from
Joining the Chest, despite urgent invitations. The
Chests difficulties in attaining its goals probably
have been aggravated by the Springing UP of so
many new fund drives for charitable or health
research purposes.
Small wonder that the public is left con-
fused and uncertain as to where its charity
dollars should go. If this confusion and resent
ment continue and increase all the agencies
that depend on financial support of private citi-
zens will suffer proportionatey. Mr.. Fowlers
call for re-examination and re-evaluation of
all fund campaigns held in Washington by the
agencies themselves and by governmental au-
thorities should be needed before it is too late.
Other cities have succeeded in reducing the
number of appeals through cooperative efforts
of Chest and indenendent groups There is no
good reason why Washington should lag in this
co-ordinating movement. In fact, unless some
constructive steps are taken before long to con-
solidate fund collecting here, serious crisis
may develop in the field of private charity and
welfare throughout the Washington area.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Sores of the Spirit y.
The Auqeon Stables

The scene was staged in one Of the
most beautiful rooms In all the Capitol.
glorified by some Of Brumidi's most
outstanding freScoeS. The mammoth
chandelier. cascade of glittering prisms.
seemed to tumble from the pictured CELL
ing. On an April morning every nook
and corner of the conference room, with
its long baize table, was crowded with
representatives of the press and
bewildering array of glaring lights, flash
bulbs and sound and news reel equip
ment. All this symbolized the fact that
the eyes of an aroused Nation were upon
that room.
In the center of the brilliant tableau
were the five public servants composing
the Senate Crime Investigation Com
mittee. On this day of revelation and
report their faces were unsmiling and
solemn. For long months they had
moved from city to city. Beneath the
fair surface of our boasted liberties they
har uncovered foul things that creep
and crawl, deadly parasites which fatten
on the democracy they betray. This
probing committee had seen the ominous
handwriting of destruction on the
boasted ramparts we are supposed to
watch. AS one Of those five Senators
put it: What I have learned scares
me. Has criminal and political corrup-
ton, which we now know is rampant
in the United States, reached the point
where this country. too. must follow the
downward path after others?" Then he
spoke sadly of IAN alliance Of con-
scienceless mobsters and of cynical.
equally conscienceless so-called respect
able businessmen" The startling report
thus brought to the Nation vividly
betrays that America is not only spire
OF the spirit; it is also pit of perdition.
The insidious menace of gambling and
criminal elements is a cancer threaten
ing our whole way of life and the body
polite. 1t is revolving picture of ex-
tortion, racketeering. robbery. burglary,
mobsters and murder. enough to stab
broad awake every true patriot Viewing
with CONSERVATION the infested areas of
the national life, who is not tempted to
exclaim: so this is America, at time
when she is challenging crime and cor
ruption and tyranny abroad"
How can democracy be defended and
Evening star., 1951-05-06
A Loss to the Defense PROGRAM

There is real cause for regret that Marx
Leva has resigned from the Government service.
AT time when it is difficult to obtain competent
men for key Federal jobs the departure of such
an outstanding public servant as Mr. Leva is
severe loss to the defense program As he
leaves the Pentagon today to enter private law
practice, he can look back with satisfaction on
an 11-year record which includes combat service
with the Navy during World War II and major
contribution to defense uniication after the war
Although it is not generally known, Mr.. Leva
had much to do with the preparation of the
original plan for merger of the armed forces
and with final adoption of the plan He had seen
the value of Army Mayfair Force teamwork as
an ensign in the Naval Reserve during the
operations in Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Nor
mandy. After the war he became counsel to the
fiscal director of the Navy and later special
assistant to Secretary of the Navy Forrestal With
passage of the National Security Act of 1947
he became Mr. Forrestal's right-hand man in
effecting consolidation of many of the defense
branches In 1949 he was appointed Assistant
Secretary of Defense. Mr.. Leva developed a
single legislative program for the Defense Depart
ment directed the study of military justice that
led to numerous reforms, helped to unity the
Naval Air Transport Service and the Air Trans
port Command and otherwise had leading part
in making the merger plan work.
In recognition Of his achievements he was
selected by the Junior Chamber of Commerce
in 1949 as "the outstanding young man In Gov
ernment service" 1t is good to know that Mr.
Leva will hold himself in readiness to return to
the Government if more serious emergency
should develop. Fortunately his successor, Dan
Kramer Edwards, former mayor of Durham
North Carolina also is lawyer with fine COM
bat record and with an intimate knowledge Of
military problems. He is well equipped to carry
on the fine work begun by Mr.. Leva. ~,
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Birds Do 1t. Bees Do 1t
Soldiers Mother.

Your correspondent. Theresa H Rus
sell. turned on lot of heat in her
recent blistering denunciation of univer-
sal military training. UNIT, she wrote.
filled her with shame for the human
race" But she didn't get around to
suggesting a substitute
Lower animals" she pointed out,
make every effort to protect their
young" Right. She neglected to point
out they do SO by teaching them to
fight, to resist attack, to defend them
selves. The ass equips it's young with
weapons of defense and teaches them
how to use them: the skunk likewise;
the bear. too. And all other cubs, colts,
foals, and young of the animal world
get UNIT.
Why should the young of the human
race. living in the same kind of a jungle
world, not be taught how to survive by
defending themselves-before the tiger
goes into his leap?
Carlyle b. Haynes.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
About Some Soldiers

I read recently letter to The Star
signed by Nettie NJ Hodson entitled
"The Great and the Small" It moved
me because we had looked in. via TV,
on the Macarthur orgy in Washington.
I noticed that some one had brought
wounded GIs from Walter Reed and
placed them right at the foot 'of the
stand where Gen. Macarthur and his
party sat. Evidently the idea was that
they were to add color and pathos to
the celebration. The announcer had
them speak. and they were intelligent,
understanding lads. They nearly broke
my heart In their simplicity and sim
cerity.
thought surely the great and glorious
Macarthur would notice them, but he
didn't. He let me and those wounded
Korean veterans down.
I have thought long and seriously, and
I have come TO the unhappy conclusion
that most citizens Of the United States
can't think as adults. They are carried
away with the tide.
Certainly the general is a handsome,
self-possessed, lordly sort of romantic
figure. and would not take one iota of
his glory as great soldier away from
him. But he has lived too long in the
Orient. He no longer thinks as an Oc-
cidental. much less as an American.
The people are foolishly swayed by his
magnif1cence, just the way bobby-soxe
used to swoon over Sinatra.
They have forgotten that the plain,
very human little man who wears glasses
on his big, unbeautiful nose and whom
they elected to the presidency and the
position of Commander in Chief of our
armed forces. is typical American in
the best traditions. The people have
forgotten that this little man from Mise
souri, also was soldier who acquitted
himself with honor He was no West
Point grad, but has any one heard Of
his ever failing to obey orders by his
superior officers?
OF course Harry Truman makes mis-
takes! Who doesn't? But most of his
have stemmed from the very things we
as Americans believe in and have fought
for and died for since the Pilgrims
landed.
Why will the people tolerate such
statements as Senator's Taft and Nc
Carthy are making? Are they the words
of wisdom expected from our law
makers? Did the people who elected
these men to high Office expect or want
them to be character assassins and
trouble makers. here at home and
abroad?
They aren't even good Republicans.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
D. c. Mental Health Society

The week beginning April % was
formally designated National Mental
Health Week" yet it slipped by, as usual,
unknown to most people. The pur-
pose behind Mental Health Week is to
focus attention on the vast and wide
spread problem that mental illness
creates in our society.
Organization at the community level,
to insure that homes, schools and courts
operate in accordance with mental hy-
giene principles. is probably the most
valid method of attacking the problem
Yet Washington, D. c., which has be-
come one of the outstanding psychiatric
and psychoanalytic centers in the coun-
try, still lacks local mental health
society.
Now that three hitherto-existing Or
ganizations devoted to the promotion of
mental health have seen the wisdom of
merging into the National Association
for Mental Health, in order to lend their
joint strength to attacking the common
enemy. it would certainly seem high
time that local society was formed in
the District Of Columbia.
HI. /. w.
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Montgomery PTA Aims

hesitate to dignity, with a reply.
the attack on Montgomery County
schools which appeared in your letter
column of May 8. Apparently. once
again. perennial agitator seeks to un-
dermine public confidence at budget
time. The people of Montgomery County
are entitled to know the facts.
The facts are these:
Metropolitan Washington has the
highest living costs of any area in the
United States. To obtain and hold good
teachers, these must be paid at least as
well as Government stenographers and
clerks. Obviously they should get more
Actually a good many get less-with
the result that Montgomery County is
now losing teachers at the rate of one
a day. The PTA Council has asked the
Evening star., 1951-05-06
Man rs, 900 Years on Earth?

Certain finds in a cave on the south shore
of the Caspian Sea have raised once again the
question of how old is man. An expedition from
the University of Pennsylvania headed by DR..
Carleton S. Coon, aegedly has discovered human
remains dating back $4,000 years. Excavation
went down 80 feet and cut through strata repre-
senting the Iron Age, the Bronze Age, the New
Stone Age and the third interglacial period The
fragments of human skeletons apparently were
located on floor of the classification of the Old
Stone Age. These scraps. it would seem, should
belong to the Pleistocene geological period In
other words, they ouoht to be contemporaneouS
with Neanderthal man, Rhodesian man, Heidel-
berg man and Piltdown man. JUDGED by struc-
ture and with particular regard to association
with such prehistoric animals as the wild OK and
the wild goat, they far antedate modern types
of men.
Yet Dr. Coon affirms that the dwellers in the
cave near Behshar in Iran were similar to
modern humans" Thew were about feet 8
inches tall, had smooth foreheads, strong chins
and teeth, large hands and feet rather massive
and bony bodies. In the shape of the head and
in the shape of the Jaws. they fulfilled the
requirements for homo saplens and in an anthro
biological sense were brothers to men now living.
Obviously the connotations of this opinion are
revolutionary They indicate that the notion
that modern human beings have evolved dstinc-
lively in the past 10000 or 10000, or even $4,000
years would have to be discarded. If there has
been no important change in the form Of the
human head in $4,000 years. it is reasonable to
suppose that there has been no important change
in twice or thrice that long Indeed, it might
be argued from DR.. Coons pronouncement that
the human head is incapable of natural change
and that mankind today is almost exactly what
mankind was when the aurochs were running
around The only differential of any con-
sequence noted by the University of Pennsyl-
var1ia party is that of a smaller brain-a mere
200 cubic centimeterS smaller
1t is too early, of course to appraise what DR.
Coon and his colleagues have found. No formal
report has been issued, and the preliminary
statements from the field are not detailed enough
to furnish basis of intelligent judgment. II
homo sapiens in effect has stood still for 75t
centuries, the principle of evolution, at least a.
it relates to man, is bound to take licking
Maybe that would be matter of no specia
significance; maybe it would require long lis
of philosophic and social reyisions. 1t could have
religious interpretation What is certain ant
definite at this moment is that the world at larg,
as yet knows too little about what really ha
been discovered in the cave near Behshar II
reach any verdict worth entertaining. Modern
~'an may be IS millenniums DID, but If so tn