davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Prisoner Problem

The Star on July 81 reiterated and up
held the U. N. position on exchange of
diSenchanted Chinese Communist pris-
onerS Of war in Korea. The arguments
advanced in favor of this position are
"honor and humanitarianism."
cannot understand the logic support
ing this view. Since when have the rules
OF war, Geneva convention, etc., pro-
vided that any action could be taken
with enemy prisoners except that lead
ing toward their ultimate exchange and
repatriation? Have foresighted individ-
uals in the u. N. decided what is to be
done with 10000 Chinese soldiers in the
event they are not returned to their
homeland? Where they will go? What
they will do? Since they can't return to
China, what nation will accept them as
responsible citizens? Who will foot the
inevitable bill for their transportation,
subsistence. pay, ETC.?
Looking at the problem from the mill
tary standpoint, these men are soldiers:
they do what they are told and go where
they are ordered. They killed Americans
under Chinese command and now must
go home, likewise under Chinese COM
mand.
If we refuse to repatriate these men,
it will establish dangerous precedent
in the annals of war. What is to prevent
any enemy from keeping any American
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
The OIympics of 1852

The fifteenth modern Olympiad which has
Just ended in Helsinki drew record field of 5781
entries under ST flags. When the 16 days of
competition were over, the unofficial team scores
showed 40 nationalities sharing in the point
totals.
1t is quite appropriate that Americans
should find satisfaction in the victorious team
showing of our own athletes-their point total
of GA and their 40 f1rst-place gold medals
Washingtonians may take particular pride in the
fact local Negro boxer, Norvel Lee, not only won
the light-heavyweight championship but also
was voted the outstanding boxer OF any class and
nationality in the tournament.
Since the pattern of life in the world today,
Including that in the arena of sports seems
always to call for philosophizing on interna-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06

tional politics and ideologies 1t is interesting to
note that one of the basic detectives in the
modern revival of the Olympic games in 1896
was the promotion of international under
standing Among the 81 entries in these 1852
games were all the countries behind the Iron
Curtain. Athletically, they accredited them
selves extremely well, with Soviet Russia and
Hungary running second and third behind the
United States in team score and Czechoslovakia
among the first ten. As sportsmen and gentle
men, there were evidences that they did equally
well and there were numerous stories of the
friendly relationship between Americans and
Russians during and after their competitions.
Presumably it would be unrealistic to project
the effects of this camaraderie too far into the
realm of world politics. When it was in being.
however, it represented mite of international
understanding that still seems more human than
the cold protocols of diplomacy or the hot angers
Of the pen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Defining 'Humonism'

Edmund A. Gibson in his recent letter
quotes certain standard definition OF
"HumaniSm.' Unfortunately encyclo-
pedias are not always up to date, and
the one on which he relies has appar-
emily failed to record the totally differ
ent humanisnn. which in the past 40
years or so has come to overshadow the
former types.
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines
humanism more adequately as "any
system of thought or action which as
signs a predominant interest to the
affairs of man as compared with the
supernatural or abstract" That is any
philosophy which is primarily interested
in and devoted to the affairs Of men
rather than the affairs Of God. Is hui
manistic. In other words, it is basing
it's faith entirely upon the recognized
and changing facts Of human experience.
This humanism-or naturalism-
it's origin in early Greek philosophy and
reaches its present status in the i'm
portant contributions Of John Dewey.
It finds expression nationally in the
American Humarist Association with
headquarters at Yellow Springs. Ohio;
and locally in the Humanist Fellowship
of Washington. OF which the writer cur
rently Is president.
Such humanism does not reject the
wisdom of the ages" It re-examines
those teachings in the light Of current
knowledge and accepts those consistent
Herewith, it rejects those which cannot
Withstand critical examination such as
the concept Of supernaturalism based on
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Echo From Chicago
Transit Rider.

Joseph McGarraghy'S somewhat foot
m-mouth apology for the vote of the
District Republican delegates at Chi
cago, though humorous, was really quite
unnecessary. Undoubtedly he was in
structed for Mr.. Taft by 60 per cent
majority of the votes cast in the May
primaries. The question Of the point at
which he should have perceived the
political realities is merely one of mental
fexibility, as opposed to fundamental
firmneSs of conviction.
Both are necessary virtues in politics,
or should be. No man can measure pre-
ciSely where one should take prece-
dence over the other. Carried to the ex-
IRENE. either virtue becomes vice, or
at best nullity. Unalterable tenacity
gives us prohibition party, a passion
for theocratic state, the black dun
geonS of Communism. Extreme nimble-
ness Of mind, without q foundation Of
character and purpose, gives us a man
who could campaign with ringing indig-
nation against q national deficit of q
billion dollars, proclaiming in q we'll
manicured, soft-handed Groton voice that
Taxes are paid in the sweat of every
man who labahs!".: and then after his
election piles up deficit of quarter
trillion dollars, and quintuple taxes pill
ing them on an additional forty million
"labahahs" who previously had escaped,
and on generations of their children still
unborn. Such a man could nourish an
antithetical MIRA and AAA at one and
the same time, kid the South and bam-
booZle the North, cozen the East and
himflam the West; and leave the world
in great deal worse mess than he
found it.
Happily we have q candidate and
future President who combines firmness
of character with opennesS of mind.
Suauiter in n1odo, tortiter in re. We are
all one party under him now. as Mr..
McGarraghy says. The only way to go
forward is to move forward, and not look
back. Let the Democrats do that.
They're good at it. They've been fighting
the campaign Of 80 for 20 years.
with the monomania of senility. just
listen to dear Alben and Eleanor and our
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
New Convention Etiquette

The motion made and seconded before the
Democratic National Committee that special
room be provided in which the Massachusetts
convention delegation could be polled intermi-
nably is bound to gain lot of public support
At least for those who attended" the recent
convention by televiSion or radio the consistent
inability of the Massachusetts, delegation-the
worst offender-to know or to agree on how it
was supposed to vote was pain to the eyes and
a pain to the ears. In fact, if the device of de-
handing poll on each vote was calculated to
win friends and influence voters back home, one
good bet is that it did just the opposite.
More seriously the national committees of
the two major parties must definitely before 1856
cope with the problem of some new ground rules
for convention etiquette in the televiSion age.
For in the past three weeks the knowledge that
as many as 70 million people-a rather generous
estimate perhaps-might be watching what was
going on in Chicago certainly had its effect both
good and bad, on the course of events.
It can hardly be disputed now, for example,
that the decision of the Republicans not to allow
televisng of their credentials committee fight
aroused public suspicion that made itself felt
back on the convention floor within matter of
hours. The sense that the public back home was
actually in attendance at the conventions very
likely played its part even if the bosses were not
fully aware of it, in the very choices of the two
parties to head their tickets The face-to-face
appeal of both General Eisenhower and Cover
nor Stevenson is a positive quality proved by the
reaction of the televiSion audiences and certain
to be of great Importance to each of them in the
campaign months to come.
It follows quite logically then that the con-
vention procedures and habits of many years
might profitably be streamlined to this new me-
dunn of public kibitzing. Despite the unques-
toned talent of Republican Mr.. Romany Of
Puerto Rico-it is still not quite certain whether
he was or was not an accredited delegate-the
television audience really was watching the pro-
ceedings not for entertainment but to see first
of all what was being done and, secondly, to see
If it approved the party that was so doing. AS
a continuing proposition it is not likely to be
politically intrigued by continuing chaos on the
convention floor or boring bombast from the
convention platform. Party leaders and precinct
workers may care how Delegate x wishes to cast
his one-third vote but not many among the 7C
million in the television audience are interested
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Wild BIueberries

BlueberrieS oreiD along the rocky. edges
OF rough old pastures that IlDsed to
knotD, BF
Then struggled up among the seamy
lodges
OF rugged hills phere little else ,0ould
CT0tD. .e4a
on summer mornings. NTH "a merry
clGtter e:
OF old tin cans or shiny pals to I'LL.
We children raced across the fields. to
scatter
In search OF berries rtpentn0 on the
hill. -
II, on the irorld. the early light tDas
cleaning
And bird notes frightened nleadoic-
path and tDood.-
And fruit ipas scGrce.-G child might fGll
to dreaming
And find NTH jon that life Is sUeet
and good.
But now stand IN stores. dismayed.
comparing
Great celIophane- iDrapped berries Of
tered me
With the toild fruit OF childhood. and
despGirinu
Lest progress rob our years OF poetry.
Inex Boreloy Kirby
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Armor for All els?

If the statistics about its performance in
Korea may be taken at face value, the expert
mental armored vest may well become part of the
American infantryman's standard equipment. At
any rate as tested thus far, it certainly seems to
have been effective enough to be considered
seriously for general issue as potential life
saver of the first Importance.
Made of IL layers of nylon, the vest has
been tried out in front-line Korean combat by
1,40O of our troops during the period from last
March to mid-July. After studying the results
of the experiment. American quartermaSter
officers have estimated that if this body armor
had been worn by all our infantrymen since the
start of the war; IS per cent of fatal chest wounds
could have been avoided and the total number of
men killed in action would have been reduced by
between 10 and 20 per cent.
AS for casualties in general, the quarter
master officers are of the opinion that such
armor, if worn as standard item, could effect
a reduction of 60 per cent in wounds of the chest
and abdomen. It's effectiveness has been
demonstrated in number of striking incidents.
In one case, for example, an American infantry
man wearing the protective gear was the target
of three Communist grenadeS. He suffered
serious arm injury, but his chest and abdomen
even though 70 grenade fragments hit and
lodged in his nylon veSt-were little more than
scratched.
Despite this impressive showing, some OF our
troops in Korea-generally the green ones who
have had no combat experience-have taken
dim view of the vest on the ground that it weighs
too much g pounds) and is too hot to wear in
summer. According to the quartermaster people,
however infantry officers and doctors in, the
service are unanimously in favor Of 1t, and
practically all GIs who have been in battle
apparently want it as standard garb. In fact,
in limited poll, it has won the support OF 70
per cent of the enlisted men questioned.
True enough, an 8-pound vest can be uncom-
Portable soldier, but he can well afford to
carry such a burden if it will give him effective
life insurance without impairing his combat
efficiency. Besides, this all-nylon armor-which
has replaced an earlier 12-pound models not
the last word on the subject. An improved type,
as a matter of fact, is being tested now, and
conceivably with further laboratory and field
experiments the weight factor can be substan-
TALLY cut down.
In any event, further experiment is clearly
in order, for the limited-scale use Of the nylon
vest in Korea has achieved results that seem
much too promising to be shrugged off. Every
possibility in this field should be explored and
exploited to the full. The objective is highly
important: Genuinely effective body armor for
all our GIs would in itself be great addition
to our military strength.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
New Threat in Coal

The American economy, already strained by
the weight of the defense effort and grievously
hurt by major steel strike, is threatened now
with possible stoppage of coal production.
President John L. Lewis of the United Mine
Workers has served notice on both the bituminous
and anthracite industries that their work con-
tracts are expiring in go days. The notice is a
tactical maneuver in compliance with existing
agreements permitting Mr.. Lewis to submit
demands for new contract terms-presumably
higher wage scales and other benefits which
would add to coal production costs. A cost-of-
living clause in the present contract entities the
mine workers to an upward adjustment estimated
at 10 or II cents per hour. While Mr.. Lewis has
not yet made public the new terms which he will
seek, it is expected he will ask at least as much
in wage increases as was won by the steel work.
erS-approximately 81 cents per hour.
It happens at this moment-partly as the
result of decreased demand due to that very steel
Strike-that the bituminous industry has an esti-
mated "a days supply of coal above ground, one
of the highest reserves on record A lower-than-
expected export demand and rated increase in
productivity per man-hour are other factors
which have contributed to the unusual supply
on hand. The inference to be drawn from this
is that shutdown in soft COAL perhaps for
month or two, would not be directly damaging
to the industry or its customers and might even
result in firmer prices.
similar contention that the steel market
was in oversupply was made during the unsuc-
ceSsful negotiations preceding the steel strike.
Whether this was true or not, the mishandled
negotiations and the two months strike which
followed caused heavy damage to the defense
production program, while the agreement eventu-
ally reached is now beginning to have its inf1a-
tionary impact upon the national economy.
With so days in which to explore each others
positions it will be an act of responsibility and
poverty of industry-labor craftsmanship if the
coal operators and union leaders are. unable to
work out some better way of resolving the inter-
ests of both while protecting those of the Nation
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Letters to The Star :.

alleged revelations and so-called holy
books.
Humanism Is claimed by it's adherents
to be the most ennobling philosophy yet
conceived. It raises man from his tradi-
tional stature as creature subservient
to deity. to that of being, who.
within the limitations Of his natural
environment. can become the master of
his own destiny.
Irving Alexander Zaret.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Diplomatic Immunity

On July %, 1852, your paper had an
article concerning diplomatic immunity
in civil suits in which it was stated that
the State Department had informed your
paper that any one on the diplomatic
list was entitled to immunity from suit
without specific request for such i'm
munity.
The State Department apparently is
not aware of the holdings of our courts,
tnasmuch as in the case of Lesage
against Girauld, to be found in our own
District Court, under No. 38262, Judge
Proctor held on June IL, 1947, that q
motion to quash service on the grounds
of diplomatic immunity would be denied
because although defendant appears to
have been registered with the State De-
partment. the ambassador, acting for
his sovereign, has not claimed immunity
on behalf Of the defendant, who Is in
the service of the ambassador as do
nestle servant"
Judge Learned Hand, In q District
Court case in New York, likewise held
that the sovereign or ambassador must
ask for the diplomatic immunity, and
the same principle was set forth by our
own Municipal Court of Appeals in
frost VS.. Tompkins, found at A A. I'd,
226.
The last mentioned case refers to a
ruling by the State Department itself in
volving one of their employees at the
Rome Embassy, in which after conced-
ing the employees right to immunity, in
structed the ambassador. "He is not to
seek to avoid the consequences Of the
law by recourse to his character as an
employee of the embassy" The Munich
pal Court Of Appeals said that ''this IL
Illustrates concretely the subordination OF
the employe to the will Of his superior
In claiming diplomatic immunity"
Sidney M (SOldSfein
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06

Harry, and see II that isn't their autumn
song.
It would be only appropriate, in pass
ing, to pay. much overdue tribute to
Mr.. McGarraghy and the District Or
ganization for the extreme fairness
with which they conducted the primary
vote in May. We early Eisenhower up
starts were given every chance to regis
ter, without challenge, on our state
ment that we were Republicans only.
We were fairly and soundly trounced, in
open folk moots, arranged with con-
siderable effort by the District COM
mittee.
Joel Townsley Rogers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Urges Tronsit Coop

believe that the workers in Washing
ton should organize and form a CO.
operative to take over Capital Transit
and operate the buses and streetcars on
a nonprofit basis, for the benefit of all
Of the working people: employees of the
Federal and District governments and
private industry, people in domestic serv-
ice. housewives who have to go several
blocks to market and also. retired people.
Many of these have low incomes and
are handicapped in their activities by
high transportation fares.
Transit Rider.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Questions and Answers

any hs ssa fs
NV. Washington s. D. c.. ana inciosing 5 cents
return postage. or By teiephOninE ST. 1858.
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE
Q. When was green paper money first
issued by the United States Govern
ment?-W. Med.
A. The law Of February Is. 1862. pro-
vided for the issuance Of greenbacks as
a means of financing the Civil War.
This was the first real paper money
ever issued by the United States Gov
eminent and the first paper money to
be engraved with green backs. No spe-
cial reason was given for the use OF the
color green except that 1t was pleasing
and the green ink worked well in
printing.
@. Why have there been varying
lengths Of the marathon race IN modern
Olympic Games?-H. II.
A. Because the race was run between
different points, and also because Of
road conditions. In 1908 in London.
the Princess Of Wales was asked to start
the race, and selected Windsor Castle
SO that the royal grandchildren could
see the fun. The distance from there
to the finish line at Shepherds Bush
Stadium was 26 miles, 385 yards and this
has been the standard distance ever
since.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
Democrats, Jefferson, etc.

Gen. Eisenhower and Gov. Stevenson
are men of unquestionable integrity and
ability, but their experience is funda-
mentally different. AS a military COM
tnander. Eisenhower is superb: but as
governmental executive and administra-
tor, Stevenson Is obviously superior.
The platforms of both parties are good
in some respects. bad in others. Nat
urally, the average voter cannot be ex-
pected to give full approval to every
thing in his partys platform. There are
some features Of the Democratic Party
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06

platform which the majority Of Virginia
Democrats cannot approve but the Re-
publican platform in many particulars is
far more Objectionable.
After all, very few people fully approve
of everything in the doctrines and teach
ingS of their own church. Yet. they do
not shift their memberships or support
to some other religious denominations
because of dissatisfaction or resentment
over some special feature or pronounce
ment.
In the final analysis, the most impor-
tant question for the voters in the COM
ing presidential election is whether they
prefer to continue the Democratic Party
which has brought America unparalleled
progress and prosperity, or q return to
the Republican Party which-when last
entrusted with power-brought disap-
pointment, establishment, dishonesty
and disaster.
The recent Democratic Convention, in
according full recognition to Virginia
and her sister Southern States, demon
strated that the Democratic Party is still
loyal to the principles of its founder.
Jefferson. In my opinion, the best in
terests of Virginia and Of the Nation
will be promoted by wholehearted sup
port of the Democratic ticket Of Steven
son and Sparkman. In spite of all the
complaints Of high taxes, etc.. Vir-
ginians. as well as Americans in gen.
eral, are far better of today-in every
way-than they ever were under any
Republican administration. Consequent
ly, believe that the great majority Of
voters in the November election will
unite to produce another national Demo-
cratic victory.
John J. Wicker, jr.
Richmond. Va.
In the study Of theology, or the evolu-
ton of human ideas, from the point Of
view of theology we find the high point
in the pronouncement Of the precept:
do unto others as you would have
others do unto YOU" Politically we find
the ideal in the Constitution Of the
United States which has been epitomized
in the immortal words of Thomas JEFF
ferson: Equal rights to all, special privi-
1eges to none"
While claiming Jefferson as the patron
saint and founder of their party, wherein
does the Democrats 1852 platform con-
form to the Jeffersonian dogma?
Rather we find the party following
the pragmatic rule that practical results
(votes) are the sole test Of truth: and
their patron saints words corrupted
into: Equal rights where the votes are
coming along all right, special privileges
when and where we need a few more. !"
Henry r. Smalley.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06
New Election System?

Since both Democratic and Republican
choices are very poor this year, perhaps
the people need to get busy and start a
new party or change the rules for nomi-
mating Presidents; do away with con-
ventionS.
Ex-Republican Since Eisenhower.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06

prisoners, on the claim that they do not
want to return to the United States.
Both sides agree that this is the only
issue preventing an immediate armistice.
That being the case, let's return all en-
envy prisoners, get our own men back
while they are still alive and whole. and
in the future refrain from being placed
in these impossible positions which all
logic and common sense cry out against.
r. ]. p.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-08-06

The stars readers can get the enswer 70
any question q fact BY either S TritinE The
NV, Washington 8. d: c.. and inclosing cents
return postage, or By telephonng ST. 1868.