davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-07-11
White House Now Rests
On Piers 26 Feet Deep
Soil Layers Were Sampled
Before Construction Beeun
By Thomos R. Henry

The White House now is assured of
a long. safe life.
When the reconstruction project was
started it was realized that the original
outer walls, to be retained for the sake
OF tradition, needed new underpinnings.
So did the massive steel framework
which would support completely re-
built interior.
DR.. Donald M. Burmeister. professor
OF civil engineering at Columbia, was
called into consultation by one of the
permanent engineering consultants of
the Commission on Renovation of the
Executive Mansion, to investigate the
soil layers upon which the White House
had been standing.
Soil Layers Sampled.
There were many problems to be
solved before construction began, such
as how far into the ground foundations
had to go to support a heavier building.
how much the rebuilt structure would
settle. and how long the settling process
would take. Prof. BurmeiSter also was
asked whether the subsoil on which
the White House rested would support
the structure during construction, or
would it shift as its burden changed.
Careful sampling of soil layers and
detailed study by special soil tests at
Columbia provided the necessary an
swers. The original footings, found at
depth Of only six feet. would have to
be replaced by underpinning piers
reaching down to an average of 26 feet
INTO stratum Of compact gravel, It
also was determined that despite the
heavy foundation loading of 3.5 tons
per square foot, about 80 per cent of
the settling would be completed in two
or three weeks after the job was finish
ed. Soil settlement and stability studies
indicated that the maximum settlement
to be expected would be between 80 and
40 OF an inch. A comparison between
estimates and actual measurements of
settlements. covering the construction
period, showed Prof Burmeister to be off
only is of an inch in extreme cases and
.O9 OF inch In most Of the others.
X
The United States is about two feet
lower than has been recorded In the
past.
This has just been established by
mapping parties Of the United States
Geological Survey working in Death
Valley. Calf.
The area has long been recognized
not only as the lowest spot In this
country but in the Western Hemisphere.
The lowest spot is just west Of Badwater.
Calf. where the survey shows mini
mum Of 2S2 feet below sea level.
Area Of 10 Square Miles.
The low mark covers an area of about
10 square miles. The previously recog-
nized low mark was 279.324 feet in the
same general area.
There is possibility that this varies
from time to time. Geological Survey
engineers offer the conjecture that the
rough surface Of salt actually may be
floating on the water. or brine. beneath.
The water level is only about three feet
below the surface, and varying stages
Of the water table presumably could af-
feet the elevation of the floor of the
valley.
In time Of flood the lowest portion of
Death Valley was completely covered
with water. This would seem to indi-
cate that any changes In the elevation
Of the valley floor would not be excess
sive.
Evening star., 1952-07-11

working well under the King. Let's stick
TO 1t and not change It, The Liberals
say: No. Let's change things. Let's take
away power from the King and give it
to the people,"
Here. in our own country. We have
the Republican Party and the Demo-
cratic Party. The Republicans say: When
government goes wrong. it is q dreadful
thing; 1t hurts all the people. Therefore,
stick to the old true and tried principles
that work well and don't change them
unless you are sure it viii be q real i'm
provement.' The Democrats say: oh
no! Let's make changes; maybe we can
make an Improvement They usually
upset business, unstabilize money. do
things that increase taxes and the ma
tional debt. and make it harder for
people to get along"
Mother made a Republican out of me.
for child though was. could see the
good sense of the conservative view
point, and the folly of the radical notion.
Since then. the Democrats have given
US the income tax previously uncon-
stitutionaD and the Federal Reserve
System Git was the Federal Reserve Bank
Of New York that brought the great
panic Of 1929, causing the long depres-
sion greatly prolonged by Democratic
antics and trickery), they have taken
away the peoples gold and buried 1t in
the ground (where it came from In the
6rst place.. they have greatly increased
the national debt and have ENCOURAGED
the labor unions to strike. strike, strike
(such tactics increase prices to no end.
and are a national disgrace in any case).
they have invented bureaucracy, and
have erected multitude Of new offices
and sent hither swarms OF officers to
harasS our people and eat out their
substance: they have raised their own
salaries again and again. and have In
creased the cost of government and tax
alton hundredfold. II the Democratic
Party is not stopped this time, it will
bring us bankruptcy, then socialism, as
surely as folly and wickedness bring
trouble.
l. Noah RetferweiSh
Evening star., 1952-07-11
The Bitterness of Defeat

Moments of desperation can drive men to
strange deeds, to behavior that would be
irrational and out Of character in other
circumstances.
A progressive political desperation began to
seize hold Of the supporters Of Senator Taft
on the first day Of the Republican National
Convention when their panicky maneuvering in
the floor fight on adoption Of the convention
rules indicated their awareness that they simply
did not have the delegate strength they had
been claiming. It was then that Senator
Bricker and Representative Brown, Taft stal-,
warts, failed by appeal and by pathetically eager
offer Of compromise to avoid the first roll-call
defeat at the hands of those favoring General
Eisenhower.
The next 48 hours brought other evidences
Of the Taft campaign weakness and of the
somewhat frantic hope that by compromise it
might be turned into strength. The really
desperate gamble, however, and one which was
starky revealing of the Illustration and defeatism
which had taken over the Taft command even
if not the Senator himself, was the decision of
Senator Dirksen OF Illinois, another Taft lieu
tenant, to launch a honey toned but vitriol-
permeated attack upon the Pennsylvania and
New York delegations during debate on the
Georgia contest Mockingly and with cruelty
that could hardly have been uncalculated, the
Senator rebuked the New York delegation and
in particular its chairman, Governor Dewey,
for having taken the party down the road to
defeat In 1948. His words brought chorus of
booes, some directed at him and others at the
man who had been the party's presidential
nominee In 1914 and 1948.
Much has been written about the bitterness
which has been engendered by the Taft-Eisen-
hover fight and the dif1culties which the
Republicans will have in restoring party harmony
for the November campaign. In the beginning
of his talk, Senator Drksen himself pledged
that he would support the party nominee when
that choice is made and he dealt scornfully with
those who would demean or otherwise detract
from the dignity Of the party.
To an observer, however, it would be hard to
imagine more gratuitous insult in cause
which he obviously knew to be lost, or more
demeaning act of behavior, than the Senator's
attack upon Mr.. Dewey. The Republicans indeed
will have scars to heal when this convention
ends-and the deepest will be those that have
been inflicted by the desperate and unreasoned
words of their own losers.
Evening star., 1952-07-11

really know just what language he ex-
pected Canadians to speak! But since
spoke English, he queried whether
Canadians used the American alphabet,
and (get this) the Roman numbers sys-
tenn like they used in ''the States" Now
am quite aware that there is a num-
bers system in "the States" but have
all this time been unaware that it was
patterned after anything the Romans
had. further believe that it is also
fair game for an amazing number of
Americans to the tune of-not $50 mil
lion-but hundreds Of millions.
James C. Lovelace.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Letters to The Star !.

of school age The burden Of building
parochial schools is not being forced
on the people as claimed. ] am pres
emily working with the members of my
parish to establish such a school, and
this work is being carried on and sup
ported by parents who wish their chill
dren to receive balanced education,
both spiritual and material.
Mrs. Meyer asserts "the greater num-
ber Of our youth who attend inde-
pendent schools the greater the threat
to our democratic unity" The theme
Of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish
schools is For God and Country" and
with such standard there can be
no threat from this source. Graduates
OF public and private schools have
stood shoulder to shoulder In the armed
forces in every war since the Revolution
without disunity. OF all the political
scandals, spy trials and other evidences
Of poor citizenship that have filled our
newspapers the past few years, can not
recall one instance where the training
Of parochial schools have been shown
as the cause. However, lack Of religious
training at home or in school, or
abandonment of religion can very def
nitely be pointed to as basis of many
of our unity or good citizenship prob
lens today.
Public, private and parochial schools
all have place in our system. On this
subject speak with some authority,
as received my grammar and high
school education in the public schools,
and my higher education in q nom
sectarian private school. My son is
presently attending a parochial school,
while I, as home owner, am con-
tributing without protest to the support
Of our public schools.
Charles F. Canavan.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Temporary Pension Relief

The long-overdue legislation increasing
annuities Of retired Government employees con-
tains provision no less important than the
immediate monetary benefits of the act. The
additional pension payments to more than
10000 former Federal workers are temporary
boon In the battle against rising living costs.
The provision for special study Of the whole
pension program, however, offers hope for per-
manent improvement of the much-criticized
annuity system.
Congress made it plain that the modest
annuity increase which 1t authorized is to be
regarded as stopgap relief only. The raising Of
the ceiling pensions will give retired employees
from $50 to 1924 more year. When it is con-
sidered that the average pension of employees
who retired prior to 1948 has been only $1,000
a year, and, of those retired since 1948, only
81 200 year, the increased allowances cannot be
called overly generous The new scale will become
effective September. Of this year and win end
June 80, 1854, unless Congress votes a special
appropriation to continue it for one more year.
In the meantime the additional grant will come
out of the retirement fund.
In ordering study Of the retirement system,
Congress took cognizance Of Civil Service Com
missioner RamSpeck's repeated requests that the
retirement fund be put on frmer acsdarial
basis than now is the case. As Mr.. Ramspeck
has pointed out in objecting to use Of the retire
ment fund to pay pension increases, If the books
were closed today there would not be enough
money to meet all obligations. However, there
is no conceivable situation which would require
such pay-off at one time. There are conflicting
opinions among actuarial experts, however, as to
how much Of a deficit the retirement fund can
safely stand.
The question Of solvency raised by Mr..
Ramspeck ought not to remain in the air. That
is why the appointment Of six-man board to
investigate the adequacy Of the fund and of
pensions paid from it is of unusual urgency. It
Is unwise to vote any permanent changes in
Government annuities until the soundness of the
retirement fund has been established beyond
all doubt.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Steel Strike By-Products

Many qualified authorities, including Presi-
dent Truman, have warned that long shutdown
OF the steel industry would be extremely damaging
to the national economy and perhaps danger
ously so to the national security.
It is not surprising. therefore, even though
it may be greatly distressing to those who have
the welfare of the country truly at heart to
read each day of the lengthening list OF COM
panieS and industries that are being forced to
lay of employees, curtail production and even
shut down operations entirely because OF
shortage or complete lack Of steel.
It is not particularly surprising either,
although again it is disturbing In extreme degree,
to read that sympathy cessation OF labor" by
$4,000 iron-ore miners in Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Michigan threatens the steel industry with
shortages that may force new ShutdoWns next
winter or early spring While most OF these
miners are members of the CIo Steelworkers
Union, they were not involved in the contract
negotiations which preceded the steel strike
In fact when the strike call In steel came on
June the miners did not choose to call their
own response q strike but rather MT upon the
term, cessation of labor"
The steel industry depends In large measure
upon the ore production Of these three North
Central States. It depends also, on the moving
of that ore by ship across the Great Lakes during
the seven "open" months of the year. II ore
is not stockpiled on this side Of the lakes before
the winter freeze sets in, the Nations steel
plants do not operate. Presumably, although 1t
may be rash presumption, some formula will
be worked out to allow the steel industry and
the ore-mining industry to return to production
before the winter Of 1952-53 arrives. Already.
however, the cessation OF labor" by the ore
miners has caused shipments across the lakes to
fall IS million tons behind those Of q comparable
Evening star., 1952-07-11
New Republican Rules

The Republican Party went step further
toward confirming its own rejuvenation when
the national convention adopted the report Of
the Rules Committee yesterday.
Three rules changes which cumulatively
would tend to prevent such bitter delegate
contests as aroused the convention, and the
country, this week were approved. AL reflect
the type Of party leadership that forced this
years "dirty linen" into the open and succeeded
IN the clear light of exposure in gaining the sup
port Of the majority of the convention delegates.
One change makes permanent the conven-
TONS decision this week that contested delegates
should have no vote on either their own or other
contests unless or until their own case has been
settled in their favor or they have been seated
by a two-thirds vote of the convention. A second
change provides for the creation Of seven
member contests committee, to be named by
the chairman of the national committee, to
define the issues Of law and fact properly under
dispute.
third revision is aimed primarily at mini
mixing the exaggerated party influence which
relative handful Of perpetualy non-Repubican
States have gained in the national committee.
It was this influence, protected over the years
in the South by the fact that Republicans were
few and the party easily controlled in those
States, that permitted the nearly successful and
5disrupting efforts to "steal" convention delega-
tions in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. The con-
vention has now voted that an extra membership
on the national committee shall henceforth 60 to
States that establish certain evidences of Re-
publican strength In being, rule that will in
effect decrease the proportional committee rep
resentation of the Southern States and the
relative influence of entrenched Southern Re-
publican leaders
The signs today are that new and young
leadership is coming into its own in the Republic
can Party. It must be so If the party ever again
is to cast OF its futile and frustrating position
as minority party. With such new leadership,
new rules are inevitable and 1t is encouraging
to find them already in formulation.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Evolution Of d Republican

When was seven, we were having an
election. and the boys at school were
talking about Republicans and Demo-
Gratis"
Mother" ] asked, "what is a Re-
publican and what is Democrat?" She
answered:
"Son. in nearly every country there
are two great political parties-a con-
servative party and radical party. In
England they have the Tories and the
Liberals The Tories say: 1--WE have a
strong and fine government that is
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Judgment on Junior

You'll probably get howls of protest
for publishing Professor Joad's uncom-
plimentary comments re our American
brats. but he was right as rain!
Why can't we realize the truth of
Browning's idea that "it is the last Of life
for which the first is made" The most
popular girl in junior high school is
faded. oyerblown rose by her twenties.
I'm no old maid, talking through my
hat on subject about which I know
nothing. I have four kids, ana If the
good Lord lets me live to rear 'em, you
can bet my sons will have jobs after
school and my daughter will earn her
spending money by baby-sitting no mat
ter what our income!
Other parents may be wiser than NV
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Macarthur Loses q Point

For that trip to Chicago, did Gen.
Macarthur fail to pack decimal point
in his B-4 bag?
The perennial fade-er and returnee
quotes railroad telegrapher's cost of
living as increasing 1890 since 1941.
For that period the BIS Consumers
Price Index shows an increase Of 80.9%
rather than 1899.
II cleanliness is next to godliness,
shouldn't accuracy also be next to the
generals dearly beloved morality?
III. H. Harris.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Whut This Country Needs .

think that If ran for President and
my only political promise was to abolish
the parking meter. and people could
directly elect their choice, would gain
the Office with almost no opposition.
There can be no more positive evidence
than the parking meter that the people,
themselves, are not consulted. What a
nuisance! walter Dearborn.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

return postage or ny telephoning 81. 1888
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.
@. What vote would be required to
repeal the Taft-Hartley law? Would a
simple majority be enough?-B. w. p.
A. The only way in which a law ia
repealed by Congress is by the passing
OF another act which by virtue Of being
q later one supersedes the earlier law.
In passing such a law only a plurality
OF votes is needed.
@. How long does a whale live?-
o. B. o.
A. According to the Fish and Wildlife
Service no one knows definitely. In sew
eral instances individuals have been rec
ognized by some peculiar mark, and
have been observed for at least 20 years.
Estimates Of much greater longevity
about 20 years-have been made.
@. Is Rattlesnake an area in Tampa.
Fla? What are the industries there?
M. D.
A. Rattlesnake Is merely q post Of
nee. not inside the city limits Of Tampa.
but long since inside the area of Greater
Tampa. It has. to all intents and pur-
poses. lost its identity as a city. In the
area are located such business firms as
machine shops, fishing camps. drive-in
restaurants. etc.
@. What books did Robert Louis Stev-
enson write during his stay at Saranac.
N. Y.?-A. M. j.
A. Most of "The Master of Ballan-
trae" was written in the cottage on the
outskirts Of the village, during the win
ter 1878. Here. also. Stevenson pro-
duced several essays. including "Pulvis
ct Umbra."
Evening star., 1952-07-11

Pen-n1n,es may be used II letters carry
a0riterS' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.
Evening star., 1952-07-11
Questions and Answers

sn,, sny Guestion Of fact by either 'vritins The
Evenlng star information Bureau 1900 I street
NM, NM, Washnston. ., G.. and inelosing cents
Evening star., 1952-07-11

self. and maybe modern psychology will
work for them-hut I've never found
satisfactory substitute for an old-fash-
ioned hairbrush in certain circumstances.
We will soon take our children to
Europe. and while ! know they can stand
Improvement hope they viii be sufii-
GENTLY disciplined that our friends
there will say that some Americans still
believe children shouldn't dominate adult
conversations. and that they should be
seen and not heard. RI.
+
How the English do lovet?) us! Wow!
William McGaf1n'S article quoting
from Professor Cyril Joad's column in
the London Sunday Dispatch reveals
quite neatly what q terrific dislike, If not
downright hatred. some Britishers have
for Americans and things American.
But, would any Of us Americans want
to change places with Professor Joad, or
any of his countrymen? Nay. say Il!
M. Lesley.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22
IN AND AROUND 1AITHERSBURG
Mrs. George Darby Gaithersburg 900

The Gaithersburg Library will
not be open on May 30.
Recent guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
V. L. Schwab were their daughters
Mrs. Howard Gehr of Girard, Pa,
and Mrs. Melvin Groupe of Butler,
Fa. They have as their guest now
Mrs. Schwab's aunt, DR.. Elizabeth
Lewis of Grove City, Pa.
Congratulations to Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Walker on the birth of
their daughter, Anne Elizabeth,
who arrieved on Sunday, May 10,
al Sibley Hospital.
Special Memorial Day services
will be held at Forest Oak Gene
terry on May 80, at 1890 am.
Mrs. Harvey Selby, who was op-
Grated on recently at MONTGOMERY
County General Hospital, is i'm
proving and hopes to be home in
ten days.
Guests last Sunday of Rev. and
Mrs. Arthur Ewell were their son
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22
Gaithersburg 800

and daughter-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs,
Lynch Ewell and family of Towson
and Mr.. and Mrs. William Griffith
of Baltimore.
Mrs. Marshall Walker has re-
turned home from a visit with her
son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and
Mrs. Frank Hoadley of Bristol,
Conn. Mrs. Hoadley and her son
Jack returned home with Mrs.
Walker for weeks visit.
Mrs. Allie Engle and Mrs. VIII
liam Watkins of Kemptown who
were guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Tom
Plumber for ten days, returned
home on Monday.
The Gaithersburg Washington
Grove Neighborhood Garden Club
met on Wednesday at Owen Hail
in Grace Methodist Church. Mrs.
A. c. Watkins and Mrs. Harris of
the Mt. Airy Garden Club present.
ed a program on miniature collec-
tions and line arrangements of
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22
judy Canova
Dress Prints
On Feed Bags

The Herbert Bryant Company,
Inc. of Gaithersburg, one of the
leading feed manufacturers in this
vicinity, is sponsoring a very I'M
usual and original idea in conjunc-
ton with Gittlin Bag Company of
Newark, New Jersey and Char
lctte, North Carolina, a well-known
textile bag manufacturer, and Judy
Canova of Republic Pictures who
will be seen in the Forthcoming
picture "Oklahoma Annie"
The special feature of this en-
terprise is the DRESSPRINT feed
bag, which has been used so wide
ly for packaging feeds during the
last decade.
Special patterns were designed
for these DRESSPRINT bag fab
RIGS by Gittlin Bag Company, and
original styles for dresses which
can be made from these fabrics
were created by McCall's, the
leading dress pattern company of
this country.
The same fabrics with the iden-
tical designs that were manufac-
tured to make these dresses for
Miss Canova, are now available
in Dressprint bags and are being
used to package the feeds of the
Herbert Bryant Company, Inc, of
Gaithersburg, at the present time.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22

flowers. Hostesses for the after
noon were Mrs. Thomas Bailey,
Mrs. Grover Armstrong, Mrs. o. w.
Anderson, Mrs. Edwin w. Fry, and
Mrs. Walter Byrne.
The Seniors Class of Gathers
burg High School will present 9
three act play "Men Are Like
Streetcars" on Friday evening,
May %, at $3.50. Leading roles
will be taken by Miss Phyliss Her.
shey and Bobby Lee.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22

Bobby Bordeaux was recently
elected resident of the freshman
class. Ninth grade graduation will
be held on June Id.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22

Baccalaureate service will be
held on June Is at the Grace
Church.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-05-22
THE WEEKS NEWS OF GAITHERSBURG HIGH

The Trojanettes defeated the
Sherwood nine, 81, last Friday.
This marks the first time that a
CHS softball team has ever de-
feated SHS.