davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-09-13
This and That

Pleasant late summer reflections Of
a Temple Hills (Md) resident:
$50 many things have happened that
I wanted to tell you (yours is still
out favorite family reading in The Starr,
but somehow there is always time to
do the things one has to do, but never
enough for what one most wants to do.
Back in February, when our blue
birds returned. was outdoors hanging
out clothes when at the far end of
the line heard a great deal Of excited
bird conversation.
IT looked with hope in my heart that
I had remembered correctly my favorite
birds language. and sure enough, there
they were!
"They were the most beautiful pair
it has ever been my privilege to see at
such close range.
''They were house hunting, and de-
cided that those clothes pole holes
were not just what they wanted My
husband had made me during the winter
a grand birdhouse, but had made it
with wren sized opening and it had been
hung 20 feet high in the oak
well. sir, the bluebirds came right
up to where stood and actually talked
to me. explaining that there just was
no place again this year for them to
build close to me. and could hardly
see for the tears that flooded my eyes.
Il promised that next year. the dear
Lord be willing. I'd have q beautiful
Evening star., 1952-09-13
That Old Coal Crate

Our British friends, who have been short of
dollars for some time, are now feeling pinch in
kilowatts and therms.
1t seems that from 1888 to 1851 the annual
consumption of electricity has increased from
20 billion to so billion kilowatts. In the same
period, gas consumption has risen from is million
therms to 2.5 million annually. At the same time,
coal production has dropped from 227 million
to 222 million tons, a backward progression that
makes kilowatts and therms harder to come by.
Searching around at the bottom of the coal
bin, the London statisticians discovered that one
of the villains in the picture is the old-fashioned
coal CRATE which gives maximum of cheer but
minimum of heat for the shape it's in The
solution recommended thereby is to change the
shape-or at least the size-of the home-heating
appliance and to slap 100 per cent'purchase tax
on gadgets that do not conform to the new
regulations.
Presumably no sacrifice is too great in today's
extremities, but the thought that Britons no
longer may toast their coattails inadequately in
front Of little old open CRATE without paying
an extra tax. is sogewhat chilling in itself i
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Mr.. jhIder and Public Housino

One OF the surprising things about the resie-
nation OF John Ihlder from the National CAPITAL
Housing Authority is his revelation that in
another four years he will be more than 30 wears
old When one thinks of it, he has been around
Washington for good many years But to his
friends there has always been something about
him that suggested the daring young man on the
flying trapeze, whose zestful enthusiasm for his
work and scorn of its hazards belied the passage
of years.
His work, of course, lay in the field of public
housing and he is one of its original cultivators
In this country. It is to be doubted that any of
the many agencies now occupied with that field
has been so closely identified with one PERSONAL
tty as the present NCHA-whose origin and
subsequent development are the reflection of
Mr.. 1hlder's own activities His pioneering pre-
ceded by many years the existing acceptance of
public housing as recognized function of gov
ernment He has spent much of his time in
lighting for his own convictions in this relatively
new activity and every new step that has been
taken is to an extent the result of some battle
he has fought.
There is in his statement of resignation, a
discernible note of regret-not that there are
fresh battles and new tribulations in prospect
over public housing, but that he may not have
the time to take part. No one doubts his state
ment that "I would like to take responsible
part in the conflicts Of the future" for he was
always ready to take his part in those of the past
He has spent many years fighting for the
underdog in housing. And it is one of the ironies
of the times that In recent months Mr.. Ihlder
may have been selected as the target in forth
coming controversy, not brought on by his ira
ditional antagonists, the private builders but by
those who have been the greatest benefciaries
of public housing. For in the political capital
that is being made over the issue of segregation
in Washington, public housing will doubtless be-
come a conspicuous arena.
Mr.. Ihlder does not approve" of segregation.
Yet it is his recorded belief that If NCHA insti-
tuted fully integreted housing program mme-
diately, it would wreck the public housing
program, which he does not want to see Sacri-
feed. He favors gradual approach, which has
already begun in selected areas and which can
be expanded while retaining the policy of free
dom of choice among applicants for public
housing. For if the elimination of segregation
Is to be brought about by arbitrary edicts which
likewise eliminate freedom of choice, we shall
witness merely a substitution Of one evil for
another one.
For his attitude Mr.. Ihlder would doubtless
have become subject to considerable abuse by
the pressure groups That would have been no
new experience for him. If he were younger,
he would see it through. His severest critics will
agree with his staunchest friends that he has
never run away from fight His retirement will
create vacancy in the Washington scene not
readily filled.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
BY Charles E. TroceweH

The happiest people are those who
can think about other things. And
there are few easier things to think
Of than than those right at hand and
few closer at hand than the birds.
One is saddened to think of all the
persons who, moving to the suburbs,
refuse to become interested in the wild
life around them. This consists prin-
cipally of birds and small animals such
as rabbits, squirrels. moles, mice. shrewS,
etc.
All too often the only interest in them
is irritation at some fancied nuisance
they constitute. some noise they make.
some interference with human plans, or
some mess of some sort.
These are the common complaints.
whereas they would all vanish in
flash of interest if the complainer first
looked upon them as living things,
sharing the world with him.
Even the insects, as explained in the
magnificent new Department of Agri-
culture yearbook, Insects" can be made
part of ones life. by little thought,
majoring in interest. One does have
to think. It takes little thinking to
be able to see mouse as a resident.
rather than an invader. 1t requires
some thought not to be irked at the
mole In the lawn. The various pantry
pests" may not be acceptable house
guests. but they live and move and
have their being. and can be watched
and studief4 as well as any.
Evening star., 1952-09-13

place right down at the end of the
clothes line.
I'VE have had two tenants in the
birdhouse. At first never decided
exactly what they were, but think they
must have been warblers of some kind.
All they did was fill the house with
moss and then disappear.
Then a pair of wrens, after much
exploration and discussion, decided to
move in. They were much smaller
and trimmer than the house yrens,
and according to my reading they were
winter wrens, except that my bird book
says 1T all too rarely happens that
we see this tiny mouSe-like wren in
the summer, unless we come upon them
suddenly They were happy and busy
and raised three nice little ones. They
moved out like magic one morning be-
fore we were there to watch.
I'VE have had four catbird families
on the place this year. Our old black
cat. Sanlbo, will be Z. so you see he
hasn't scared our feathered friends
away. We also had robin build about
S feet above the wren house and we
enjoyed watching them with their only
child.
May the good Lord bless you for
your contributions to us all
Sincerely, l. L. s."
1t is an excellent plan IN life to
have some such diversion as this of
bird watching to take ones thoughts
on the self. 4
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Eisenhower's Couruqe

Gen. Eisenhower's warning to white
SouthernerS that they were in danger
of losing their own rights unless
they were willing to protect the rights
of their neighbors whatever the color
of their skin" and similar other declara-
tions while speaking in the South are
the first utterances by either candidate
on the touchy civil rights issue south of
the Mason and Dixon line. To favor civil
rights while In the North is good politics;
to speak for these rights while in the
South takes political courage. It re-
mains to be seen whether Gov. Steven
son will display this same forth
rightness on his Southern tour-or will
Senator Sparkman continue to deny in
Alabama what Gov. Stevenson says in
Illinois?
Rny n MiIlenSOn
Evening star., 1952-09-13
More on Humunism

Alice Friedell's letter of August IA is a
sample of how wrong notions can con-
fuse the thinking Of an average person.
She writes: "Humanism has reduced
man to the lowest level of intellectual
degeneration reached by civilized man in
1000 years."
Unfortunately. she confuses humanism
with the practices of the Soviet govern
ment Let me assure her that no hui
manist can survive under that system
because the philosophy of humanism
is diametrically opposed to the philoso-
ply and practices of the Soviets.
/. Humanism believes in the supreme
worth of human life and afirms that
man must be treated as an end, not as a
means to some other end.
2. HumaniSm is based on a sense of
the Sacredness of human life, human
values and human dignity, and it is
therefore devoted solely to enriching,
ennobling and sanctifying human life
through human effort.
3. Humanism teaches that the best ex-
preston of human personality can be
achieved only under democratic proc
eSSeS.
Irving A. Zaret.
Evening star., 1952-09-13

words criticizing the foreign policy of
President John Adams. And, In 1907,
seven years before writing 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner" Key had set words
to the tune which praised group of
American naval officers for their cam
paign against Mediterranean pirates.
AS a matter of fact, in addition to
being successful lawyer, Key had long
written poetry for his own amusement.
He helped win Mary Lloyd for bride
by writing:
20! Mary. couldst thou know this heart,
could words or deeds it's truth
declare,
'Twould higher raise loves fame in
thine, or light it. if it be not
there"
After their marriage, Key sometimes
wrote household memoranda to his wife
in poetry:
Mrs. Key will hereby see that judges
two or three,
and one or two more so as to make
exactly four.
will dine with her today:
and as they can not say. four o'clock
the hour must be
Evening star., 1952-09-13

for dinner, and six for tea, and toast
and coffee.
So saith her humble servant.
F. S. Key"
incidentally. lit years passed before
Congress decided to make THE Star
Spangled Banner" our National Anthem.
The huge flag which inspired Keys
poem still hangs in Washington's Smith
Sonian Institution.
Four hundred yards of bunting went
into this flag, so big it had to be
stretched out on the floor of Baltimore
brewery to be sewed together And IL
holes give testimony even today to the
barrage of steel thrown at Fort McHenry
that momentous night
A corner of the flag is missing. 1t
was the dying request of soldier at
Fort McHenry that night that his body
be wrapped in the flag. The Government
respected the soldiers wish and cut a
piece out Of Old Glory for his shroud.
Editors note: A detailed account of
the circumstances surrounding the
writing of 'The Star-Spangled Ban
ner" will be given in an article by
Edward Boykin in the editorial fea-
ture section of tomorrow's Starr
North American Newspaper Aianee)
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Pown Shop

All these. the trinkets and testdments
OF byoone hour
Are here returbisted and on price
tagged display:
The cameras that one time captured
happiness,
The SecretiDe TeUolUers that speak
not OF their prey:
Brass sdrophones. night blooming
fotDers of another time,
Suitcdses, ntementos OF tphGt unre-
membered cheap hotels;
Medals there are for good or i'll. and
tDedding rings
Past lnSter noto or echo OF the med
ding bells,
Eren the n,any-times, much dry-cleaned
suits
Whose former occupants are dead or
in far place:
Be careful. stranger. ,r1to tarry BY these
trindop iDdTes:
The glass reflects your brief, your
perv mortal face.
Frederick EbriSht.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Fears That Never MoterioIized

If any embarrassment has resulted from
Virginia's action in opening its relief rolls to
public inspection, it must be among the small
but vociferous group of opponents of the plan.
The many dire things which this die-hard group
predicted would happen if the secrecy curtain
were lifted even little Bit are still in the realm
of fantasy.
In what at times bordered on hysterical
efforts to prevent the General Assembly from
letting the taxpayers know how relief funds were
being spent-if they desired the information
opponents of the legislation warned that chaos
mGpt develop. They envisioned plumns of
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Marshal Tito Speaks

While it could hardly be assumed that
Marshal Tito has authoritative information
the Russian military intentions, his expressed
opinion that the Soviet is not contemplating an
attack on Yugoslavia in the near future is a
contribution to the defense planning in Western
Europe.
The marshal'S opinion. given to group OF
visiting Norwegian journalists, is based upon two
points: One. that his people would fght-and the
Russians know it; two that the West appreciates
the strategic Importance of his country and is
prepared to help-and that the Russians know
that also He believes in fact, that Russian
attack on Yugoslavia would start World War III
and there are certain reasons. to feel he is
correct
YugoSlavia shares common border with
four Russian SatellteS-Hungary, Romania, Bull.
garia and Albania. With the Western powers, 1t
shares frontiers with italy and Greece plus the
long coaStine of the Adratic 1t holds, in effect,
an important sector of the line of containment
drawn AROUND the Moscow-controlled powers.
The military meaning of this was demonstrated
in the early phase of the Greek civil war when
the Communist-directed forces in Greece used
YugoSlav territory as both refuge and staging
area. It's fall to a Soviet attack would once
again leave Greece dangerously exposed and
the opening of the Adriatic to enemy operation
would seriously menace the entire Mediterranean.
The association of Greece and Turkey with
the NATO defense machinery has immeasurably
strengthened the Western position Present and
future scheduled defense consultations between
these two powers and Yugoslavia promise
further substantial strengthening of this posi-
ton. The marshal is not out of order in
reminding both his friends and his enemies of
the power and Importance of the Balkan flank
today.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
The Flag Still Woves-in Keys Honor
By Jerry Klein

FREDERICK, Md. Sept. 13.-At sun
set tonight the flag will continue to fly
at one lonely grave here. It will con-
tinue to fly, both day and night, in honor
OF the American who wrote this poem for
q sweetheart:
"For fortunes tickle smile, let others
pine;
Della, thy smile, thy witching smile,
be mine"
But 1t is not for this poem that the
nag Of the United States flies always at
his grave. The same man wrote another
poem. this one beginning:
"Oh. say. can you see,
BY the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
AT the twilight's last gleaming?"
1t was early in the morning of Septem-
ber IA. The war of 1912 was more than
two years old. In Washington, the Cap
1tol had been burned to the ground by
British troops.
President Madison's home was still
at1ame. and British fleet lay in Chesa-
peake bay. shelling Baltimore's fort Nc
Henry before troops invaded the city.
All night long. Francis Scott Key had
watched as the bombardment continued.
By the light of exploding rockets and
bombs, he could see the huge American
nag floating over Fort McHenry.
Look at your flag tonight" British
officers had told the Maryland lawyer
and poet. tomorrow it will be gone"
The gun duel between the fort and
the British feet continued for hours but,
suddenly. it stopped. Key put spyglass
to his eye quickly. fearing that perhaps
the fort had lowered it's colors in surren-
der. but the night still was too dark for
him to see if the British had forced the
Americans to strike Old Glory.
Finally. dawn came, fog lifted, and
Key discovered "the flag was still there"
With wild JOY" he took an old envelope
from his pocket and began to write the
words of 1.-THE Star-Spangled Banner"
Originally, however. the poem was
called "Bombardment of Fort McHenry"
Key had copies made Immediately in a
Baltimore printing shop, and his brother
in-law-who commanded the fort-noted
that the words fitted a popular drinking
song, ITO Anacreon in Heaven"
Probably the rhythm of this drink
ing song had been in Keys mind while
he was writing the verses.
Keys poem spread quickly. That very
night an actor stood on a chair in a
Baltimore tavern and recited it. THE
audience went wild"
Key himself was amazed that 1t had
made such a hit" since 1t was so "has-
tily composed"
Also, the melody was an old one. Key
had first heard it 16 years before, with
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Secretary Acheson Tits

Secretary Acheson, delivering what had been
billed as non-political address, did some OBJ
vious counter-punching at Republican spokesmen
in his foreign policy review at Kansas City.
In itself this turn to his speech does not
warrant criticism. Both Mr.. Acheson and the
foreign policy which is so largely his personal
responsibility have been under continuing attack,
much Of it political in character. He has some
solid ground for his defense and the right to
voice it.
The most vulnerable point of the SecretaryS
position as expressed before the Machinists' con-
vention was his attack upon the idea that we or
the Western powers should undertake the lber-
alton of the dominated territories by
force. Actually there has been no responsible
advocacy Of the use of force in such an under
taking and the repeated Democratic charge that
General Eisenhower so advocated In his August
rs address before the American Legion is dis
tortion of the Republican nominees words.
On that occasion the general reviewed the
tragedy of the captive peoples and declared that
"the American conscience can never know peace
until these people are restored again to being
masters of their own fate" Neither in those
words nor in other references to the same subject
in the same speech did General Eisenhower
counsel a military effort of our initiative. The
general said that America must be militarily and
productivity strong and that the free world must
not and need not wilt before the Russian buga-
boo He said, in effect, exactly what the foreign
policy spokesmen of this administration have
been saying. It's meaning is exactly the purpose
of the present gigantic defense effort of our own
country and the associated free nations.
1t would be beyond reason to think that
General Eisenhower with his own background
in this effort and his particular understanding
of the military and political problems Of facing
up to the Soviet threat in Europe, would have
turned suddenly into a champion of military
aggression. For Mr.. Acheson and other Demo-
cratic spokesmen to imply that he has is strange
ly enough merely an echo of the anti Eisenhower
propaganda coming out of Moscow itself.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Less Light, Please

It Is a bit surprising to read that Governor
Stevenson's managers, over the loud protests of
the newsreel men, have turned thumbs down on
bright lights when their candidate is appearing
on television The managers think that the
bright lights, while they may be good for the
newsreels, are bad for Governor Stevenson. They
create a ghostly effect, it is said, and do not
present the Governor at his best.
This is surprising because Governor Steven
son has seemed to do pretty we'll on television.
He has not only looked well; he has sounded
we'll, and it may be that Mr.. Kenneth Fry,
who is in charge of television for the Democratic
National Committee, is being overly jealous in
this matter.
Possibly Mr.. Fry, in the prevailing confusion,
is getting his candidates mixed up. For it is
the Republicans, not the Democrats, who ought
to be concerned about the lighting, if that is
what is it, that makes man put his worst foot
forward when he Is in front of television
camera. The General Eisenhower who appears
on the living-room television screen is as diff
ferent from the real General Eisenhower as day
is from night A vigorous, attractive personality
is mysteriously transformed into seemingly old
and tired and rather negative individual.
Perhaps this can be blamed on the lighting,
but it is doubtful that this is the whole explana
ton Television, with all of its advantages for
some people, is not the ideal Eisenhower medium.
He is at his best when he is out mingling with
people, shaking hands with them and talking
with them face to face
There is limit to the extent to which this
can be done in national campaign, and time
is the limiting factor. But If the Eisenhower
managers are as solicitous as the Stevenson
managers seem to be- they will hold their candi-
dates formal television appearances to mini
mum and get him out to the crossroads where
he can meet the voters in the flesh.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Letters to The Star !.

NIT that had the police been alert prior
to the game rather than at a later time
they could have dispatched the principal
culprits. the "racketeers" It is apparent
that our overZealous and often mistaken
Metropolitan Police sought to correct
their incompetence by pinning the tail"
on those already victimized. In short,
these unfortunate people are forced to
foot the bill twice.
Is 1t too much to ask that the police
exert an effort to smash the parking
racket at its inception?
EYtNPfaaR
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Irving A. Zaret.
Gibes for Wallace

Why do you give old Kornwallace the
space in This Week to say that he has
been anti-Communist for 20 years?
attended Henry Wallace's convention
at Philadelphia, and there were few of
his followers that had any business out
side of padded cell.
James w. Farmer.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

@. Will a tray of IA compartments
freeze quicker than one of 81 compart-
ments in an electric refrigerator and
why?-E.RH.
A. If there is less water in the IA
compartment tray, it will freeze more
quickly than the other tray, because
there is less heat to be removed.
@. Is permit still required for travel
on the Alaska Highway?-MM.
A. No, travel permits are no longer
required. Travel on this highway is now
safe and uncomplicated and has in
creased greatly in volume.
@. What is another name for the in
sect that Is called mosquito hawk?
j NICE
A. Dragonfiy. Since dragonflies eat
mosquitoes while flying through the air,
the name mosquito hawk" is particu-
larly appropriate.
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Questions and Answers

Any question OF fact by. either yrtinF The
NV Washineton D C. and incIosfns q cents
return postage or by telephoning ST 1858
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Strophonqer's Lament

1t must be source of great satisfac-
ton to those who are musical morons
and lovers Of bebop and jazz. all Of
Evening star., 1952-09-13
Wisconsin and Mississippi

It appears that Mississippi. which has
had the title of being the worst Ameri-
can State" must surrender that dubious
distinction to Wisconsin,
Ted F. Silvey.