davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-05-11
They're All Great Americans Least in Their Campaign Literature

clubs-the headquarters like to
play what might be called the
numbers game. Weekly news
letters from Eisenhower and
Taft command posts add UP the
delegates safely in their corner.
They never agree. Kefauyer
newsletters, which go out as
often as three times a week. are
full of suggestions on how to
influence people and help I'LL
the war chest. They recon-
mend the sale Of coonskin caps
for $40. The caps cost SO.
Most of the literature is posi-
tive, and stresses the winning
qualities. personal as well as
political. Here it must be noted
that not only is Senator Taft "a
total stranger to defeat" but
also that he has "a friendly,
infectious grim Eisenhower
supporters go further. when
Ike smiles. America smiles,"
they say. Generally, they are
pictured in the bosom of the
family.
Senator Russell, the only
bachelor in the running, is
shown surrounded by his twelve
brothers and sisters and their
offspring. His 84-year-old
mother figures prominently.
Senator Taft's people are about
to unleash a tide of full-color
pictures showing the entire clan
gathered on the front porch of
his Ohio home.
Beautiful Mrs. Kefauver under
standably is pictured often in
her husbands literature.
Cookers Replace Scotties
AS for pets, cocker spaniels
have replaced scotties and there
isn't a collie in sight. The Ke-
fauvers are out in front with
two dogs. The Kerr family por-
trait shows only one. but he is
identified-name of Candy.
There have been some sour
notes. In New Hampshire and
Pennsylvania, smear literature,
generally anti-Semitic nature.
was circulated. Investigators of
the Senate Privileges and Elec-
tions Subj Committee, who have
gone to various States to watch
primaries, report, however, that
this was the work of lunatic
fringe groups not directly as
sociated with rival candidates.
Mostly, at the moment. the
hopefuls are too busy building
themselves up to be bothered
with tearing down any one else.
They are. in a manner of speak,
ing. whistling in the dark, as
each one maintains that victory
will be his alone.
Evening star., 1952-05-11

waging a defensive campaign.
contenting themselves with
mimeographed sheets answering
in detail Republican charges.
Direct Mail Boom
Direct mailing has been used
to some extent in presidential
primary campaigns. BY mid
summer. the postmen will be
staggering under the weight of
the literature. Candidates have
never undereStimated the power
OF the postcard. One of Sena-
tor McCarthy's most effective
tactics in his last race is said to
have been an 11th hour shower
OF postcards addressing the voter
by his first name and inquiring
for Mrs. Voter by her first name.
A Congressman from an immi.
grant district says that his pic
ture postcards, often the only
mail delivered to the house in
sometime. are prominently dis
played on living-room mantel-
pieces of his constituents.
Senator Russell is the only
candidate so far to put out
little cards, suitable for palming
at the 50-yard limit outside the
polling places. He also has the
snappiest slogan at this point.
Hustle for RUSSELL" he urges.
Senator Kerr says Bob Kerr
can win" The others, except, of
course. those who say. II Like
Evening star., 1952-05-11

Ike" are obviously still cropping.
Senator Taft is both "A Man
You Can Trust" and &C. o. P.'s
Best Bet for So" Senator Ke-
fauver is "One Democrat Who
Can Lick Any Republican in
1882" Mr.. Hartman is THE
Man for the job" Stassen
brochures, in extremely short
supply. tell the voter to BE
Sure With Stassen." Warren
literature is unavailable here.
The die-hard Stevenson sup
porters simply set forth his rec
ord in government service in
relatively dispassionate terms.
Nicknames and humble ORR
gins are apparently all to the
good. Gen. Eisenhower is al
ways Ike, and it is written that
he was brought up in Abilene.
Kans., in "a little white frame
house on the wrong side of the
Evening star., 1952-05-11

said DR.. Hoballah, "the building
plans for the center were drawn
up by the Egyptian Ministry of
Walks. Irwin S. Porter g.
Sons of Washington are the
architects and the builder,
A. Joseph Howar, also of WASH
ington, is an American Mos
lem"
It was time, it seemed, to pro-
ceed with the tour of the mosque
itself.
Lecture HoII
Avoiding tubs of liquid con-
crete and workmen wheeling
wheelbarrows. the expedition
descended from street level
into the basement. This large
room, capable of seating 400 to
500, will be the main lecture
hall, which is scheduled for
use by July. On the day Of
this reporters visit, it looked a
room which might be in use in
July Of, say. 1856. DR.. Hoballah.
apparently sensing this thought
IN the reporters mind, said:
due to the nature of Islamic
architecture, and the design of
this project, the work here pro-
crosses much more slowly than
in ordinary buildings. But never
fear, we are on schedule. AS a
matter of fact, this room will
be not only a lecture hall but a
library containing many price
less works Of Islamic literature.
both ancient and modern, from
all over the world. Ablution
facilities are also being built
into the basement, in order that
prayers, in full accordance with
Islamic requirements. may be
performed in this room until
the superstructure is COM
pleted."
Regarding the application to
an ancient religion of modern
techniques," said Mr.. Hosny,
you might make a note that
this basement room will have
soundproofed walls of the most
up to date design, a fully
equipped motion-picture booth.
and complete. year-'round air
conditioning"
Unfinished Wings
Back on the street level, In
the court in front of the mosque.
Mr.. Hosny pointed out where
the two wings of the institute,
not yet begun. will stand. One
wing will house the institute
proper; the other will contain
the center'S administrative Of
fees and the home Of the direc-
tor. The court between the two
wings will soon be a cloiSter-
arcade, with a fountain in the
center. Mr.. Hosny emphasized
that the fountain win be purely
for decorative purposes-not. as
has been enormously reported
in. the local press, for preprayel
ablutions.
To top Of the preview trip,
Mr.. HoSny and DR.. Hoballah
translated the Arabic lettering
which is already inlaid on the
front of the mosque. It is a
quotation from the Koran and
it reads, in English: In the
name of God. the most benef'
icent, the most merciful =. :
The inscription is . beautiful
sky blue.
Evening star., 1952-05-11
By Mary McGrory

Hard by the mimeograph ma
chimes and the electric type
writers, the small boys are
stapling erratically. The re-
tired generals and the politically
minded housewives are folding
and stuffing with a will. AS the
pre-convention campaign quick
ems. the passing out of the lit
erature-bales Of it, tons Of it
is under way.
At this stage. the distribution
Is in bulk. Except when indi-
viduals write in for enlighten-
ment, the mailings are in the
hundreds and the thousands to
county chairmen, political or
ganizations and candidates
clubs. They will be responsible
for getting it into the hands Of
the pollward-bound citizens.
The national committees have
not yet got into the act. Their
turn comes after the candidates
have been chosen. It is the can
didates-or. as they like to say,
their friendS-who are sending
around the brochures and the
cards and the leaflets which
show them to be typical, yet
superior Americans, men of dis
tinction. character and vote
getting qualities; champions of
dogs. children and oppressed
minorities; the friend of the
farmer. the workingman and
the veteran.
'Broochers'
One local worker, a little
shaky on French but sound on
political practice. calls these
mailing pieces "broachers."
That Is surely their function.
Congressional candidates, ex-
cept those in hard primary
fights, have not begun in earn
est to apprise the voters of their
qualifications. Meantime, how
ever. congressional committees
are coaching the hopefuls. Per-
haps the single most interesting
piece of campaign literature in
Washington today is an 8-page,
full-color comic book called
Here's What a Republican
Congress Did for You" Obvi-
ously, the G. o. P. strategists
feel that the group that Harry
Truman called the DO Nothing
Congress" can be resurrected to
do something for them. The
comic book shows old folks.
farmers, laborers, and veterans
praiSing the 80th, A character
1Stic page shows one worker
saying to another, "Taft-Hart-
ley helps us honest guys to
throw the Communist leaders
out Of our unions"
The Republicans are also
making available to their candi-
dates an illustrated booklet of
helpful hints for the campaign.
They offer not only a looseleaf
kit of speeches with prepared
addresses on 20-odd important
issues, but TV props, films and
q sheet of "quotable quotes,
quips of a humorous nature and
short. pungent examples of Gov
ernment waste" *sr
The Democrats. so far. are
Evening star., 1952-05-11

tracks," Oil tycoon Bob Kerr
was fortunate enough to have
been born in a log cabin, pic
tured large in his brochure.
Dick Russell's devotion to the
old homestead in Georgia is
stressed. Senator Kefauver
worked his way through Yale
by waiting on tables and stok-
ing furnaces" Bob Taft's youth
full years in the White House are
not belabored. In the case of
Averen Hartman Che has
dropped the initial wv" for the
campaign the whole question
of poor but proud" is by
passed. They simply say he
had background like F. D. RS.
QuotobIe Quotes
Candidates do not always ask
the voter to take their word for
it. All of the literature is heav-
lily larded with quotes from
Evening star., 1952-05-11
Star Staff Photo.

newspapers and statements from
other great Americans" (Can-
didates themselves are, to q
man, naturally "great Ameri-
cans.'',) Senator Taft has even
gone over to the opposition for
Endorsement. His most popular
leaf1et quotes both President
Truman and Senator Douglas
on his ability and honesty.
Ike's backers, who have
already commandeered much
newspaper support, use many
editorials. Much of their ma
terial protests that ''his position
is clear" He is, incidentally,
always pictured in civilian
clothes and, though Senator
Taft might demur, is repre-
sented as having already saved
the Republican Party"
When preaching to the con-
verted-that is, in communicat-
ing with the members Of their
Evening star., 1952-05-11
By John c. Henry

least rs percent of the yearly
budget.
The greatest payroll load re-
sulting directly from collapse of
the oil industry has been that of
keeping some $4,000 Iranian
employees of AIOC on full salary
during the shutdown. Roughly.
this cost is estimated at So mil
lion monthly or $24 million per
year.
The Iranians' explanation for
this costly decision is that they
must keep these employees avail
able for reopening of the indus
try. This is a valid explanation.
but another one is that the
Government fears the result if
$4,000 persons are cut off and
allowed to drift back to their
native villages in all parts of the
country. Jobless and without in
come, they could in this circum-
stance become a disaffected ele-
ment that might become a core
for serious political trouble.
Tox Collections
Iran has a tax structure, in.
cluding an income tax that rises
to so per cent on net income
above $4,000, but collection
procedures are relatively loose.
Normally, the income tax brings
in about Is per cent of budget
needs, with import duties and
excise levies being the other
principal revenue earners. There
has been talk of more severe
tax laws and better collec-
tions. but no appreciable prog
ress in this regard has yet been
made. There has been talk also
of capital levies. But such an
alternative is politically dan
gerouS in Iran, as elsewhere.
The Iranian economy is pri-
marily agricultural and primi-
tive by Western standards.
Some observers feel it can '@tick
along" slowly in the fashion Of
the past year for a relatively
prolonged period. Others feel
Evening star., 1952-05-11
OPS Boss

In Atlanta three months ago
Ellis Gibbs Arnall. newly named
as head of the Office of Price
Sterilization. told the press: II
have no extraordinary ability.
am no economist and know of
no magic formula which will
solve our price problem" This
was a fittingly modestl state
ment for a politician freshly
reSurrected from limbo. In the
ensuing three months. many
observers. watching Mr.. Arnall
at the helm of OPS. have come
to the conclusion that his initial
estimate of his limitations was
essentially correct.
In the meantime, however,
Mr.. Arnall has learned to look
at it differently. He now en-
visions himself as a sort of Ho-
ratius at the bridge. defending
the common people against ma
tional chaos. And he has small
sympathy for those-like Sec
retary of Commerce Sawyer
who are less expert than he in
understanding and speaking of
the intricacies of price control.
The Stumbling Block
However one looks at Ellis
Arnall, it can hardly be disputed
that the steel wrangle might
have been settled a month ago,
for better or worse. but for him.
Charles E. Wilson, former de-
fense mobilizer, apparently had
the deadlock broken late in
March. He had engineered a
quid pro quo-$5 a ton for the
companies, 2612 cents an hour
for the union.
Then Mr.. Arnall stepped in.
He got President Truman to re-
pudiate Mr.. wilson's deal. Ne
gotiationS between labor and
management broke down. The
steel industry seizure and the
resulting chaos eliminating in
the current deadlock followed
as night follows day. =.
In the shuttle, Mr.. Wilson left
Government service, apparently
after Mr.. Arnall put the matter
up to the President on a "me or
him" basis. Actually. it is en-
tirely likely that If Mr.. Wilson
had won his point. the Govern
ment would have continued to
enjoy the services of both men.
Mr.. Arnall has shown no con-
vincing disposition to bulge VOL
unfairly from. his. capacious
Office, come what may.
"A Motter Of Principle
The price stabilizer makes
much of the principle involved
in the steel dispute. It's as
simple as this. he says: 1t
would not be right to give steel
more than it has coming to it
just because the industry is big.
powerful and vital.
Be that as it may. Mr.. Arnall
was ready to go along a month
or so ago when the, Government
was on the point of giving the
companies $3.50 ton to avert q
strike. The average price, in
crease to which the industry is
entitled was fixed in the April
IS Federal Register at So. The
OPS frankly calls the $3.50 offer
an administration effort to buy
off Steel. Apparently the, SIS
Wilson offer, at which Mr..
Arnall boggled, is in the same
category. Where the difference
in principle lies between an
extra-legal $3.50 and an extra
legal SIS is not quite clear.
MIR. Arnall's busy OPS staff
calls him Governor. This
honorif1c is a hangover from
his Georgia days, when Mr..
Arnall piled up an impress
sive record Of progress in a
Evening star., 1952-05-11

bonds today are quoted at about
rs per cent of face value.
The National Bank, govern
ment-controlled but ordinarily
independent of political winds,
has loaned $50 million. The
bank has done this on previous
occasions when repayment was
assured through the oil income,
but it is now indicating a re-
luctance to make further sub
stantial advances.
Prior to the crisis, the Iranian
currency had 100 percent back
ing in gold and sterling, a
traditional orthodoxy which is
strongly rooted in the Iranian
mind. In the past year, however.
the Government has issued $36
million in extra notes against
this currency reserve and finan-
cial.experts feel that any further
dilution will have serious politi-
cal repercussions.
$40 Million DefouIt
Efforts at economy have not
been spectacular. except per-
haps in defaulting on about $40
million in contract obligations
to private enterprise. Naturally
enough, this recourse already is
having the effect of discourag-
ing contractors from entering
into further commitments with
the Government. Small savings,
again of the one-shot variety,
have been achieved by selling
Government automobiles. cut
ting down on Iranian missions
abroad. and even selling rugs out
of Government Offices.
Government payrolls have
been met more or less on time.
and more or less in full. First
emphasis in this regard has
been toward the military estab-
lishment. But the civil services
have not yet Jared badly. Most
Of what is considered the middle
class in Iran is in Government
service and the salary require
mentS normally make up at
Evening star., 1952-05-11
Mosque
Massachusetts Avenue Soon Will Rino
With Five Azons to Allah Every Doy
By ChorIes Cooke

AS a man with an off-hand
conviction that America should
tighten its ties with Islam, this
reporter went out to the new
mosque being erected on Massa-
chuSetts avenue one day last
week, to see if he could pick up
any pointers on solidarity. The
excursion developed into a pre-
view tour of the mosque, and an
Introduction to wealth of in
formation about it.
The honors we're done for the
mosque by Hassan Hosny and
DIR. Mahmoud Hoballah. Mr..
Hosny is third secretary of the
Royal Egyptian Embassy and
executive secretary of the
Washington Mosque Founda-
ton, Inc.
DIR. Hoballah, a graduate of
both AL Aznar University
Cairo and London University,
and professor Of ethics and
psychology at AL Azhar. has
been loaned by the Egyptian
government to be director of
the institute.
Electronic Azon
Neither Mr.. Hosny nor DR..
Hoballah flinched when asked
right out about rumors that
the mosque will call its faithful
TO- prayer. not by lungpower,
but by loudspeaker.
"That is absolutely correct"
said DR.. Hoballah, "but it Is not
an innovation: 1t has been done
for years in several mosques in
Cairo"
"The mueszin won't even go
up into the minaret," said Mr..
Hosny. give times a day he
will chant the dzdn, or call to
prayer, into a microphone on
the first floor of the mosque.
Amplifiers in the minaret will
carry his voice out over the
city"
Unity Symbol
"Far more important" said
DR.. Hoballah, "are the reasons
why a mosque and Islamic in
stitute are being built in WASH
ington. :, It will be a symbol OF
the unity that should exist be-
tween the Christian and Moslem
worlds"
"Its open door will be a stand
ing invitation to all, Of what
ever religious faith, who are in
terested in studying the Islamic
arts, culture and religion" said
Mr.. Hosny.
ut is hoped it will lead Amer
ica," said DR.. Hoballah, ito
a better understanding and ap-
probation of the rich legacy
which the East has given to the
West"
Incidentally" said Mr.. Hosny
"the foundation Is encouraging
donations to the building fund
from Moslerns and nom -Mosien1s
alike. To those who give SIS OF
more, the foundation will pre-.
sent a two-volume set of thu
Holy Koran in Arabic and Eng.
lish. Those who give between
SIS and $40 will be presented
with a copy of The Religion o
Islam,' by DR.. Ahmad A. Gal
wash These books have beel
contributed by the government
of Saudi Arabia"
ITO insure conformity will
Arab ard Islarnic architecture.
Evening star., 1952-05-11
Ellis ArnoII Seems to Be Bearing Out
Statement He Made ; Months AGO
By WiIiiom Hines

State that had been subjected
for years to almost unbelievable
misrule. He does not vince at
being called just plain mister.
but he obviously prefers to be
known by his erstwhile political
title. This probably is not mere
empty conceit. Mr.. Arnall
comes from a section of the
country where former justices
of the peace end their days as
Judge" where retired railroad
conductors are known as
"Cap'n" and where time-expired
district attorneys glory in the
title General" In Georgia,
Mr.. Arnall is "Governor"-and
will remain so for the rest of
his life, unless he is elected to
the Senate. The incongruity Of
the titles use in Washington
apparently escapes him.
To the visitor bent on dis
cussing the steel situation, Mr..
Arnall hands two documents
a printed pamphlet entitled
1.-The OPS Position on Steel
Prices" and an unheaded. type
written sheet giving earnings
and profit data. With the aid
of these sheets and occasional
consultations with q squawk
box on his desk, he lays down
the OPS line on an increase for
the steel companies.
Figures Don't Lie
One Of Mr.. Arnall's major
points against a raise is that
the steel companies could take
a So price rise. pay out a $5-
atom equivalent in wages, and
still be about as we'll Off as they
were in l947. His argument is
based on OPS estimates of steel
company profits. In the period
1947-1949, these estimates show,
steel was earning $3.50 a ton
after taxes. With the proposed
wage scale in effect and the
Capehart price rise granted.
steel would make SCAT. The
fact that SCAT in 1852 money
is only about 81 per cent of
$3.50 in 1947 money is of ex-
treme disinterest to Mr. Arnall.
1--WE don't translate into
prices commensurate with the
depreciation Of the dollar" he
explains.
Mr.. Arnall operates In a Jack
Armstrong sort of universe
where things are all right or all
wrong, where villains are deep
est-dyed and knights wear only
the most shining armor. He
has little patience for steel COM
pany argumentS-which to him
are fallacious. He has nothing
but support for the administra-
tion's acts. This is natural
enough, since he is a part of the
administration. But it tends to
make the issues seem simpler to
him than they actually are.
Mr.. Arnall is one of the few
men in politics today who can
sit on the fence in an unequiv-
ocal manner. He is for Senator
Russell. being a native Geor-
gian," but he also thinks "Sena-
tor Kefauver would make a very
fine choice for President"
Five years ago Senator Ke-
fauver-then a young Repre-
sentative from Chattanooga
doomed Mr.. Arnall as vice presi-
Dental runningsmate for Presi-
dent Truman. The trial balloon
never got off the ground. Asked
about the Georgian as a presi-
dental possibility in l948. Mr..
Kefauver said. I'VE are saving
him for 1882"
At last reports Senator Ke-
fauver was too intent on other
business to be handling a presi-
dental campaign for Ellis Ar.
nall.