davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-12-29
War Between the Stutes'

Your editorial of December 18 on the
Emancipation Proclamation does not
state that Lincolns order applied only
to the slave owners in those States which
were "in rebellion against the United
States" AS you say, it was motivated
primarily by military expediency to in
Splre those who were fighting to free
the slaves, and to discourage the peo-
pie OF the South, at home and in the
field. If it had included all slave own
ers, it might have thrown the border
States against the Union and thus jeop-
ardlzed the whole cause.
The same editorial refers to the war
between the States" Has The Star
nearly century after the great con-
fiict accepted the dictum of certain con-
temporary Southern writer's that the
war was merely a squabble between
groups of States and not a struggle In
which National Government fought to
maintain its integrity? 1t was first
called the War of the Rebellion" but
this name was dropped on account of
Southern sensibilities. The official des-
ignation became and still is the "Ameri-
can Civil War" Is the effort to change
it again part of the same psychology
that is resurrecting the Confederate
caps and the Stars and Bars? Marse
Robert, you and your boys cast po-
tent spell.
P. S. Day.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Sontu Not Really Burned

Those children who read in The Star
of the burning of Santa Claus in Dion,
France, surely must have felt pang in
their hearts, as I did. The $50 children
who watched and. according to the
story, cheered must have undergone
some rather severe propaganda by the
Well-meaning clergy before they reached
the cheering stage, and no doubt they
too felt pang even then.
The report said that Santa perished
in the flames and that only his gloves
remained. but how wrong that was!
For underneath that jolly little red coat
and the white whiskers of Santa is
something that cannot perish. the spirit
of the Christ Child.
How else could the prayers of the
millions of kiddies be answered except
through somebody who has within him
the spirit of the Christ Child?
If Santa can bring happiness into the
world. what does it matter if the idea
Of the mysterious. jolly little fellow
does have a pagan origin? Doesn't it
appear that he is an expression of our
noblest and most altruistic feelings?
In the words of the Master, do men
gather grapes from thorns or figs from
thistles?"
E. Pluribus Unum.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
By Charles E. TroceweN

1t is an age of unnecessary fears of
course. Why worry?
We are instructed to fear this, and
fear that, and prepare ourselves for the
catastrophe.
We know now what the residents of
ancient Rome must have felt, as they
witnessed the incursions of the barbar-
ianS
Before the barbarians, however, came
fear: Fear of strange people wearing
horns on their heads and bright swords
in their belts.
They were conditioned, as we say
nowadays, to these and Others but the
fear must have lurked there, amid their
cruel triumphs and circuses.
Sammy Squirrel knows nothing Of cir
cuses.
He is circus, all by his little self.
Over and over he turns, when he take
seeds from the bird-feeding station.
He is as timber as any animal, per-
haps, and his bright eyes hold some as
poets of humor, strange in an animal
Or Is humor, after all, unknown
among the lower creatures?
No less an expert than Mark Twain
thought blue jays enjoyed their own
Jokes.
There are some dogs that SMILE or at
Evening star., 1951-12-29

stressed that such collaboration was
needed urgently to repair a badly shat
tered transportation system. many vital
industries, and to get the economic
machine into functioning again. Russia,
he added, had TO import food for people
in some parts Of that immense country.
II asked the generalissimo if he did
not believe that the United States and
Russia, acting together, could, to large
extent. keep peace in the world the
Florida Senator said Stain said he
thought we could" 1t is to be won-
dered if Stain believes that now-or
did even then.
Il emphasized" Senator Pepper con-
tinued, that thought also that We who
were the principal members of the
United Nations could also aid in bring
ing about more and more disarmament.
so that the nations of the world would
have their wealth to raise the standard
of living of their people, instead of for
building armaments and instruments of
war. The generalissimo thought that
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Edmund A. Gibson.

least seem to; the monkeys certainly
know joke when they see one walking.
We recall an old ape at the Zoo which
dew into rage every time a girl in q
green coat came near his cage.
Take off the coat and he paid no
attention.
We always have wondered why green
struck him so.
Sammy Squirrel made his own house
for the winter, at least he made the
door, by enlarging the entrance of
birdhouse.
The door might not seem large
enough, but Sam is timber one, re-
member.
He is not afraid of cats, but launches
himself directly into their faces, if they
orowl too close
His sense of humor keeps him from
biting. He is just frightening them.
quitting them in their proper feline
places
Sans sign came from a kind house.
holder with his own sense of fun.
He carved the sign neatly. finished 1t
IN antique fashion, and lettered it COM
pletely, even to the abbreviation of "Es-
quire" at the end
He had. you see. sense Of humor
almost as rehl as that of Sam.
Evening star., 1951-12-29

to play its role adequately within that system,
restrictions on the size and character of its
armed forces obviously have had to be ended
And now that they have been ended, now
that our Italian ally has been restored to full
sovereignty against the bitterest kind of Soviet
opposition, an earnest effort must be made-as
agreed upon at the NATO conference in Ottawa
not merely to insure that Italys potential will
be used effectively in, strengthening the West as
a whole. but also to bolster the country's long
range economic, social and political health. For
it is a country uniquely important to our civili-
cation, and there is therefore unique need to
help it become as strong and as stable as possible
in the years ahead
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Reprieve in Steel

In calling off the strike scheduled for New
Years Day, the Wage Policy Committee of the
CLOS United Steel Workers of America has acted
in the best interests of both the union and the
Nation at large. But the decision is only tenn
porary. What remains to be seen now is whether
the USWAs special convention in Atlantic City
will uphold it in a way that will make possible
settlement satisfactory enough to maintain
full-scale, uninterrupted production in this most
vital of our industries.
AS matters stand at the moment, the unions
committee action guarantees only three-day
reprieve from a crippling work stoppage What
happens after that will be determined by the
convention. If the Presidents plan is not ac-
cepted-and Mr.. Truman and others in the
Government seem optimistic that it will be-the
strike threat will be back in full force toward
the end of next week. In that case, presumably
the injunctive clauses of the Taft Hartley Act
will be invoked to keep production going for an
SO-day period during which an emergency effort
would be made to work out a new contract agree
ment. The White House, at any rate, has
indicated that it will resort If necessary to every
legal device to head off walkout
The present reprieve has come in answer to
the Presidents appeal in behalf of his plan to
submit the dispute to the Wage Sterilization
Board. Under the plan, beginning on January z,
the board would hear and study the arguments
OF both sides. 1t then would make recommenda-
tons, and these recommendations, although not
binding on either party, would serve as the basis
of settlement. Che of the complicating factors
involved here, however, is that If the steel
workers should win substantial support for their
demands, the companies position would still
have to be reckoned with. Stated simply, that
position is that if there is to be pay increase,
there must also be an increase in the sales price
of the product in order to compensate for higher
operating costs.
In other words, if the wage board makes
recommendations supporting the union some
thing will have to be done-through the Office
of Price Stabzation-to meet the companies
demand. The OPS has already indicated that
the demand will be justified in part If pay
increase is favored. Accordingly, given a settle
ment on that basis there is likely to be at least
a little additional intensihcation of inflationary
pressures That is prospect unpleasant to con-
template, but the Nation probably will have to
put up with it to prevent steel strike that could
upset our entire defense program.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
The Benefits Are Mutual

The Army and the District both will benefit
by the sensible arrangement for periodic assign
ment OF Army surgeons to Glenn Dale Sana-
forum, but the District stands to gain the most
from the bargain. Walter Reed Hospital chest
surgeons will receive essential opportunities to
practice their profession, while the Districts
hospital for tubercular patients will be provided
with an urgently needed expansion of its sur
gical services The direct beneficiaries of the
plan will be the ailing residents of the sanato-
rum for whom, in the past, surgical attention
has been delayed because of limited staff
One of the cher handicaps at Glenn Dale
has been shortage of anesthetists The Army
even has agreed to send aneSthetSts along with
the Walter Reed surgeons. Under the plan ap-
proved by the Commissioners on recommendation
of Health Officer Seckinger, chest surgeons from
the Army hospital will pay regular visits to
Glenn Dale for the purpose of operating on
tuberculosis victims The advantage of this pro-
gram to the Army is that it will enable Walter
Reed surgeons to obtain the experience required
to qualify the hospitals training course for
recognition by the American Board of Thoracic
Surgery This recognition has been withheld
because there were not enough operable tuber-
culoSls cases at Walter Reed to afford required
training for the surgeons stationed there
Whoever thought of combining Walter Reeds
need for more practice in chest surgery with
Glenn Dale's need for surgical and anesthetic
assistance deserves special commentator. The
plan constitutes valuable contribution to the
public health services of the community
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Echo of Doncey Story
P. S. Day.

The hearts of all of us have been
warmed by the heroism of Frank Dam
cey, who rescued four small children
from fire in the Southwest section. His
noble and valorous deed demonstrates
among other things that most Negroes
are without malice about their second
class citizenship. The act reflects rev.
erence for life and love for mankind
which is an integral part of the very
bone and sinew of my people. We press
for the end of segregation because we
know it eats at the moral structure of
our country, and we fondly hope that
at an early date this Nation under God
shall be indeed the land of the free
and the home of the brave
Charles E. Walden, jr.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Dr.. Corning Not Blamed?

AS father of three children attending
D. c. public schools, am bit over
whelmed by this squabbling over
whether DR.. Corning is to be sanctified
or consigned to the region of birthstone
and ashes forever.
I am not particularly impressed by
DR.. Corning's success during his six
years as superintendent. I would like to
see man with nobler sentiments and
broader vision as superintendent while
my children still are in school.
Our superintendent are hired by the
people of Washington (through the
Evening star., 1951-12-29
We Called Him Uncle Joe in Those Dovs

could be accomplished If we would
all work together through the United
Nations. and keep the aggreSsor ma
tionS disarmed, meanwhile"
Stains right bower at this interview
was Andrei Y. Vishinsky, who has tossed
SO many monkey wrenches at U. N. ses-
Sions
The generalissImo warned that we
could not expect all nations to disarm
If we let the aggressor nations rearm
again.
"The generalissimo is realist," Sen
ator Pepper observed, notwithstanding
the fact that he is engaged in the
mightiest effort ever made in a single
nation to raise the standard of living of
some 200 million people. And, as a
realist, he revealed that he recognized
that the United Nations would not, of
itself. assure world peace and security
Yet. with equal clarity, he recognized
that the United Nations is the vehicle
through which the powers which have
been victorious against the Germans
and the japanese, If they work earnestly
and unselfishly together, can keep the
peace and promote the welfare of the
world"
Senator Pepper told Stain that he
was very much admired in the United
States and often, in the most-cordial
manner, referred to as "Uncle Joe" "
Stain smiled and said that he did not
know what he had done to deserve such
esteem, but that he was very grateful
to the American people for their good
will toward him and the Soviet Union.
He then again expressed the deep graft
tude Of the Soviet Union for what
America had done to aid them against
the Nazis and for the disposition on
the part of the United States to help
Russia to recover from the devastation
of war. and to get on her feet again
economically.
George Frost Kennan, who has just
been accepted by Moscow as the next
American Ambassador. was Senator
Peppers interpreter.
The Senator asked the generalissimo
If he would "send me away with some
message or suggestion which I may
remember as coming from him."
Stain hesitated, and then asked:
"Just judge the Soviet Union effectively.
Do not either praise us, or scold us. Just
know us and judge us as we are. and
base your estimate of us upon facts,
and not rumors''
The world beyond the iron curtain
has been trying to do that, without
much success. for almost six years.
North American Newspaper Aliance)
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Letters to The Star
Pen-aanaes may be used if letters carry
Writers' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.

Board Of Education) for one purpose
only-to help educate our children to be
better and more intelligent citizens.
1t is for the people of Washington to
evaluate how successful Dr. Corning has
been during the past six years in achiev-
ing this purpose.
Certainly as the highest paid D. c..
official, DR.. Corning is subject to and
should accept in good grace and answer
clearly every criticism of his administra-
ton and of his philosophy of education
I don't blame DR.. Corning for trying
to hold on to his job However, it is up
to us, particularly parents of children
going to school, to decide whether We
want him to continue
John ID. Michael
Evening star., 1951-12-29
'PIug-UeIy' Drivers
E. Pluribus Unum.

On Christmas Eve. at about 1l:55
m, my wife, our small baby, and myself
stopped for traffic light at Connecticut
avenue and Porter street. taxicab
came up behind us at high speed and
stopped. The instant the light changed
to green, before I could even let my
clutch in, the driver sounded half-a-
dozen loud blasts on his horn, then
pulled around us violently and tore by.
AS he passed he treated us to a stream
OF vocal abuse, in which we could di-
stinguish only single word, one of a
highly insulting connotation.
AS far as we are concerned, there is
nothing new in this. / have been brow
beaten and abused by Washington cab
drivers on innumerable occasions for no
reason whatever: we have as a family
been subjected to the same treatment
more times than We can count. A check
among our acquaintance and friends
indicates that they have all been sub
jected to similar indignity.
/, for one. have decided that there
must be something in the law somewhere
which will protect me and my family
against this type Of ignorant plug -ugly.
have communicated the facts concern
ing this particular incident to the Direc-
tor OF Traffic. now carry in my glove
compartment notebook and pencil, and
1 should like. through the medium of
your columns. to inform all Washington
taxicab drivers of the type described that
it is my firm intention to repeat the
process on every similar occasion in the
future. suggest that other respectable
citizens who have patiently borne with
such humiliation join me in doing the
like.
Edmund A. GihSnn
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Saturdays Son

With burning unQuenched lids / Donder
Dhy
t0ept such rGcking tears that Christ
mas eDe
Because for you, my SON, could not bug
The match and jacket Santa longed to
leGUe.
We toalked the rocky Udy, we t1Do, un-
botDed,
toiled and patched Without apology:
I gaze you euery gift stUeet loUe allowed,
But young you learned priuation's
strategy.
And now this call And In one crystal
hour
The long years reach fulfllment tn
your smile.
There ,oiH be time for tears. God grant
me p010er
To keep this lighted moment net
G,Dhile.
You march NTH all the grace of 2l,
And can borroto strength from you, my
! BIonehe KendoIl McKeyA
Evening star., 1951-12-29
ItoIy's New Status

In keeping with the Anglo o-French-American
decision unanimously endorsed at last falls Ot-
tawa Conference of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization, Italy is now entering upon a new
phase of its postwar history. AS recently set forth
in note by Secretary of State Acheson, it will
no longer be subject to the arms limitations and
other restrictive clauses of the peace settlement
Of 1947 Instead, from this point on, it is to enjoy
the status of real sovereignty-a nation at liberty
to undertake, among other things, build-up of
military strength in alliance with the rest of the
Western world.
This far-reaching change in the terms of the
Italian settlement has the full sanction of France
and Britain as well as the United States The
Soviet Union is the only major Signatory opposed.
but its opposition is based on extremely weak
ground, legally and morally. After ALL what right
has it to object? 1t has long since lost any such
right because it has brazenly violated its solemn
obligations by rearming Hungary, Romania and
Bulgaria far beyond the limits imposed by treaty
upon those three wartime allies of Hitler-a trio
now ruled by puppet Red tyrannies made up Of
native traitors in the service of the Kremlin.
The Italian treaty revision, however, is justi-
fed for more reasons than the fragrant Soviet
violation of the Hungarian, Romanian and Bull
garian settlements or the general policy of sub
version and aggression being carried out by the
Cominform countries behind the Iron Curtain
For the fact is that Italy, after the downfall OF
Mussolini, became a co-belligerent-a co-bellig-
erent enduring an immense amount of suffering
and destruction-in the war against Nazi Ger
many Further ever since We day, it has been
a loyal ally of the democratic West AS matter
of principle and simple equity, therefore, it OBJ
viously has earned the right to be its own master
as a true equal in the family of free nations.
Beyond that, of course, in terms of the
practical realities-meaning specifically the
balance of power in Europe vis-avis the threat
ening Soviet Union-consderation of ordinary
sanity, ordinary common sense, an ordinary
awareness of the hard facts of international life,
have dictated the Anglo-French- American deci-
sion to revise the Italian treaty The biggest con-
sideraton of all is that Italy, strategically To-
Gated in the Mediterranean, is full-hedged
member of the Atlantic Pact--a key partner in
the great and history making system Of joint
defense and mutual assistance against the men
ace of Rad aggression. Accordingly, I'd enable it
Evening star., 1951-12-29
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

Q. Where is the body of st. Francis
Xavier buried, and when was his arm
severed and specially preserved?-D.
K. N -
A. The body of the saint lies in a
church in Goa. India His right arm
is historic relic of the Roman CATH
olic church. enshrined in Rome since
1914. ST. Francis was sent to evangelize
India in 1540, and later went on to
Japan. He is ranked as one of the great
est Christian missionaries.
@. Why is the Schmidt camera used
in conjunction with the 200-inch tele-
scope?-S. P. M.
A. The Schmidt photographs an area
of the sky as large as the Big Dipper,
whereas the 200-inch photographs spot
only 1/10 the size of the moon. The
Schmidt, however, sees only one-third
as far as the big telescope, but its wide
stretch tells the big eye where to look.
@. What was the first large city in
Germany to be taken by the Allies in
World War II?-C. j. B.
A. Aachen was the first large German
city to fall to the Allies. 1t was invested
by the United States 1st Army in Octo,
Der, 1914.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Ransom Notes

When Thomas Jefferson was President
how far did the Barbary states get with
ransom demands?
Why all this sudden indignation about
four pilots being taken prisoners by the
enemy?
/ do not like to see any Americans
taken prisoner. and never did, yet we arc
told We must expect these things in war.
and we are at war regardless of how it
is trying to be explained otherwise.
/ think we do too much soft-soaping
in, the important news and too much
ballyhoo in the unimportant.
r. Kaucher.
To pay ransom to those blackmailers
would be but an added incentive to them,
and like minded criminals, to abduct
and hold for ransom other Americans,
especially those important in the affairs
Of our Nation.
AS an American citizen I would like
to voice my vote against payment of
blackmail to Communist Hungary.
either by the United States Government
or by contributions for the release of
the four American airmen.
When Congress conveneS, let the first
bill be one to pay each of these four
boys $4,000 for their unjust imprison-
ment. and Communist Hungary should
be notified indirectly that retahatory
action will be taken by the United States
Government for indignities or injuries
suffered by them during their imprison-
ment.
Jerry Sanders.
A thousand billion for war; not one
cent for tribute!
ID. M. S.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Benedict Arnold Preferred

In reference to your editorial, "Mr.
Service Tries Again." in the December
% issue of The Star, may suggest that
you now start campaign to vindicate
Benedict Arnold? After all, his service
to this Nation was much greater, braver.
and far more heroic than anything Mr..
Service ever has done. and he made, or
attempted to make, only one mistake.
William G. Hart.
Evening star., 1951-12-29
Questions and Answers

The Stars readers can get the answer Ia
any question Of fact by either writing The
evening Star Information Bureau. 1900 street
return postage or by telephoning ST S3sS
Evening star., 1951-12-29

When Thomas jefferson was President
how far did the Barbary states get with
ransom demands?
Evening star., 1951-09-20
Committee Seeks Public S
Ideas on Driver Permits

The committee appointed by
the Commissioners to review the
procedures Of the Board of Revoca-
|tion and Restoration of Operators
Permits of the Department Of
Vehicles and Traffic will welcome
any suggestions from the public
on how operations can be i'm
proved.
The committee made this an
nouncement yesterday afternoon
after its second meeting in the
Municipal Center.
4 The committee is composed of
Traffic Director George E. Keneipp,
Mrs. Mary A. Silver, chairman of
the revocation board; Col. A. B.
Barber. L. S. Harris. Norman Da-
mon. Joseph A. McMenamn, John
West, Police Inspector John j.
Agnew and Corporation Counsel
Vernon West.