davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Art and Government

The special report of the Commission of
Fine Arts on art and Government" published
Thursday, will be subject of study and per-
haps of debate for months or even years to
come. 1t is a work of art in itself, beautifully
written and attractively printed But it also is
work of science, carefully reasoned and skill
fully argued. Even a casual glance over its
pages will suffice to convince the average per-
son that the members of the commission gave
their best effort to the task set for them by
President Truman in January of 1851.
Specifically, the commission personnel was
asked to conduct survey of activities carried
on by the Federal Government in the field of
art" and to submit recommendations as to
how such activities could be co-ordinated or
further developed under normal conditions and
during periods of emergency induced by war"
Hearings were held and witnesses heard. Four
large volumes of data and opinion were COM
piled. The commission accepted as guiding
principle the proposition that "Art is an activ-
ity as essential to the general welfare as educa-
tion or recreation. Essential also are those
products of art which attain high standard
of excellence in architecture painting, sculp-
ture, music and the other fine arts Such
works of art are not mere ornaments. They
and the activity that produces them are vital
elements in civilized way of life"
But theory alone was not sufficient. The
commission required for It's purposes a back
ground of history. 1t found this in the realza-
ton that The Importance of art has long
been recognized not only by the Government
but by the people of the United States" Ameri-
can civilization largely is the fruit of art The
commission members agreed that the Govern
ment should set "the highest standards of
design and workmanship" and should preserve
in its museums and elsewhere the fine paintings
and sculpture and other works of art which
have been committed to its care, largely
through the generosity of private individuals" :"
They further concurred that: Such guardian
of which they are the consequence"
Further encouragement, however, is re-
quired of the Federal Government The solici-
tude for good architecture shown by George
Washington and Thomas Jefferson in the in
fancy Of the Republic took the Government
into the business" of art and established an
example for equal interest in many other de-
partmentS of national culture But there never
was and the commission hopes there never will
be any centralized control of art activities l.. . {.
such as exists in many other countries"
Against the backdrop of these fundamental
conceptions the commission presents to Presi-
dent Eisenhower long list of proposals for
sponsored progress in the fine arts, each single
one of which deserves public as we'll as official
consideration. The Capital of the Nation
inevitably is involved in the whole overall pic
ture submitted Much of the activity suggested
would be centered here and it is natural and
proper that 1t should be so. The local signih-
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Permits for RENTING

In defense Of the citizens Of Takoma
Park and M. C. Taft, I should like
to make the following explanation to
clarity the article in The Star on July
II about permit fees for rented housing
units.
The citizens Of Takoma Park do
not refuse to pay the tax imposed on
them by the Town Council for the priv
ilege Of renting apartments. Many Of
them went to the Town Hall with their
money. and it was refused because they
objected to signing the statement that,
in paying their taxes, they give an
inspector the right to come into the
apartments to inspect them.
When rent my apartments, I do
not feel that have the right to open
the door Of the apartment to let an
inspector or any other person into the
tenants quarters. If the council de-
sires to inspect the apartments, they
should get the tenants to sign the
statement after they have accepted
our money for the taxes.
When I bought my place in Takoma
Park, the town or county did not ask
me to sign a statement that I was
going to pay my taxes; that is the law
and am expected to abide thereby.
Why should we sign that we are going
to pay taxes on the apartments for
the privilege of renting them? All we
need is the law, and we will abide
thereby without signing statement
agreeing thereto.
If it is law that an inspector is
to inspect the apartments. then why
should we sign a statement that they
can? We don't sign a statement that
the gas man, the electric man. the
water man is free to come into our
place to read the meters; we know that
that Is the law and they go through
without asking.
I sent my money for the taxes to
the Town Hall. 1t was returned, with
the statement that I will be fined for
each day that lapSes until I sign the
statement, which is most unjust.
Mrs. ]. B. Anderson.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
The Senate District Bill

There is no member of Congress who has
had quite the same experience with District
OF Columbia affairs as Senator Dirksen of
Illinois AS member of the House he served
for 16 years on the District Committee, and
Tor two years of that time he was chairman.
His elevation to the Senate brought him to the
Appropriations Committee, and this year he
has been chairman of the subcommittee in
charge of the District appropriations BILL
Washington has benefited by his intelligent
grasp of local problems, his unvarying courtesy
toward the citizens and municipal officials with
whom he deals and a knowledge of the COM
mun1ty based on long experience.
The appropriations bill which he handled
in the Senate last week, and which he will
help to perfect in conference with his House
colleagues, is good bill. It contained some
surprising features, some of which were elimi-
mated before Senate passage, and one or two
OF which require more clarifcation than they
have been given so far. That will follow, before
the bill is enacted. Most of the changes over
the House version of the bill, however, improved
the bill. The $23 million added by the Senate
is not large increase in measure that spends
more than $148 million, and the additions are
from local tax revenues that will still show a
surplus at the end of the year.
The committee was not able to do anything
GdIIS4pAS CIIlS year W increase Cn6 FeQeral
payment. 1t did the next best thing however,
in carrying unusual recommendation,
directed to the Senate District Committee for
another study of the Federal payment, the
inadequacy of which has become so evident.
One may be sure that Senator Case, the chair
man of this committee, will respond. He and
Senator Johnston and Senator Hill added their
good words to those of Senator Dirksen in
favor of more realistic approach to the
subject of fiscal relations. It was encouraging
to hear from Senator Case his personal ad-
vocacy of public works program, financed on
a $3.50 basis between the local and Federal
Government.
The attitude of the Senate toward Wash
1ngton development has been traditionally
sympathetic, and that is characteristic of the
appropriations bill it has just approved. There
are not many major differences with the House
this year, and with able group of conferees
these differences may be expected to be settled
with dispatch.
Evening star., 1953-07-26

without truth, without pity, without
conscience, without justice and without
all that the tears and tolls of the
struggling centuries have put into the
words "ethics" and "decency."
But times like these present glorious
challenge to do and say the best things.
What we say and, more important than
that, what we are can help to keep
men on their feet in the worst times.
When the worst times came to Britain,
Winston Churchill electrified his en-
battled countrymen as with the magic
wizardry of words he kept men on
their feet. In the darkest hours he
exhorted them so to act that 1000
years from then history would record
that worst trial as England's finest
hour"
Now the best thing to lift up in
times like these, bristling with prob
lens, is that for each individual the
greatest problem is himself. How easy
it is for any of US to enlarge upon
the gigantic evils of this naughty world
and yet be utterly oblivious to our own
beSetting SinS-our own neglected gar
den where vices choke the wilted
virtues! The best thing to bring home
to the hearts of men in these bad times
is this massive truth: For the building
Of better and happier humanity the
most crying need in the world today
Is men and women whose inner lives
are a part Of the solution rather than
a part Of the problem Of our ailing
social order Wanted, men and women
who, scrutinizing their own lives in this
day Of global responsibilities, are not
compelled individually to admit, as did
one of old: "The times summon me
to be a keeper Of vineyards, and my
own vineyard have not kept"
External solutions set up by parlia-
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Senator Charles w. Tobey

The Senate has lost one of its most colorful,
and often one of its most effective, members
in the death of Republican Senator Tobey of
New Hampshire. Highly articulate and ener-
getic, the New Englander possessed cruSading
spirit that drove him into frequent oratorical
combat with any who offended his deep sense
of propriety in either public or private
behavior
Although occasionally jumping party lines,
Senator Tobey made perhaps his greatest
contribution to the vitality of the Republican
Party by this very willingness to fight for his
own principles. His was liberal" influence
within Republicansm and he was often an
impasSoned champion of political resistance to
reaction.
His death leaves the Senate evenly divided
as between Republicans and Democrats but
Republican Governor Gregg of New Hamp-
shire aSSuredly will name one of his own party
to fill the vacant seat The more significant
political implications will revolve around intra-
party differences and the fact that both seats
from New Hampshire will now be contested in
the 1854 elections. Senator Bridges is expected
to seek reelection and former Governor Adams
now assistant to President Eisenhower, has
been mentioned frequently as an aspirant for
place in the Senate. The youthful Governor
Gregg is in strong position to influence this
situation and may even put himself into the
Senate race. The wishes of the President
possibly desire to have such stanch friend
as Mr.. Adams in the Senate-may become
factor in Governor Gregg's decision.
In any case, while factional differences
are deep ones, New Hampshire seldom has
turned to the Democratic Party for one of its
top elective off1ces and the prospects are good
that the State will continue to present a solid
Republican front In the s4th Congress.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Examine This Package Carefully

The Senate, having accepted a House
approved transit bill as part of it's own transit
legislation, apparently expects the House to
return the favor by accepting the Senate bill
This tit-for-ta arrangement should be con-
sidered by the House with caution, however.
For there is a serious question as to the ad
visibility of enacting the Senate bill at this
time. Congress might we'll want to pass it
later-but only after the sort of careful study
which the House bill contemplates
The House bill, sponsored by Representative
Broyhill provides for the establishment of a
nine-member interjurisdictional commission to
make a comprehensive study of public trans
portation problems in the Washington Metro
politan Area. Out of this inquiry may come
numerous recommendations looking to the
improvement of transit and traffic conditions in
Greater Washington. One such recommended
ton possibly will be the setting up of a Metro
poltan Area transit regulatory agency of the
type called for in the Senate bill. But the
study conceivably might turn up flaws in such
a control plan that are not now discernible.
Already there is vigorous opposition to the
Senate proposal from Virginia
Yet the Senate, in move to expedite
House approval of the regulatory commission,
has merged its bill with the Broyhill measure
and sent both to the House in one package.
The House should examine this package with
care. It would be wiser to separate the two
bills, enact the study legislation now and leave
the Senate bill for consideration after findings
of the study commission in. This more
orderly procedure may avert a legislative mis-
take that would aggravate, rather than
ameliorate transit troubles in this region.
Evening star., 1953-07-26

On July 80, 1908, The Star announced
the death Of w. B. Denny. formerly a
watchman at the War
Deoth OF Department and one
w. B. Denny of the best-known
horSemen in Washing
ton. He had lost his right arm COM
pletely and the lower half of his left
arm in the premature explosion of a
gun being fired at the funeral of Gen.
George H. Thomas, but, recovering from
the accident. had continued his career
as driver of spirited equines. His
method was to wrap the reins around
his body and to guide the horses by
gentle movements of the leather and by
talking with them quietly but firmly"
Making his home at Brightwood Driv-
ing Park. Mr.. Denny won many races
there. In his formal obituary notice, he
was referred to as Capt. William B.
Denny in recognition of his services in
the United States Cavalry in his youth
A dispatch from Newport News, Va,
printed in The Star of July %, 1903,
read as follows:
Heir to while there is but
British Throne? a faint, nebulous
f1eck upon the hori-
zon Of Europe. hardly sufficient to war
rant designating his prospects for ac-
ceSSion to the crown and scepter as a
<remote probability, it is possible that
a Newport News man will, one day,
ascend the throne of England as the
successor Of Edward VII. He is Capt.
j. E. B. Stuart, the only son of the
famous Confederate cavalry leader, a
prominent figure in political and busi-
ness circles here. DR.. r. T. Styll, who
has just returned from tour Of Eng
land and France, while abroad made
the discovery upon which the assertion
Is based that Capt. Stuart'S gene
illogical position is such that in the
event Of the restoration Of the house
Of Stuart during his lifetime, the throne
would be his lineal right. The doctor
Evening star., 1953-07-26

is convinced of the accuracy of what
he asserts and offers copies of the rec
ordS to substantiate it all. AS for
Capt. Stuart, he has never given the
matter serious thought and as a loyal
American citizen would probably spurn
the crown were it offered him"
The society column of The Star for
July %, 1908, was devoted almost en-
tirely to an account
Mrs. DoVis Wed of the marriage of
to Mr.. Doll Mrs. Anna Agnew
Davis, widow of the
late Senator Cushman K. Davis. to
Hunter Doll of Knoxville, Tenn. Rev.
Edwin Slater Dunlap of ST. Johns
Church performed the ceremony at the
brides winter residence. 1884 S street
NV. THE couple stood to be married
in the attractive little drawing room
that has tower corner A life-size
painting of the mistress of this charm
ing home and several portraits in oil
of the late Senator Davis are conspicu-
Gus ornaments, as are cabinets filled
with interesting souvenirs of her travel
in foreign lands A portrait of her
Scotch grandmother. the frame twined
with plaid scarf Of the Malcolm clan.
also hangs on the wall. Part Of the late
Senator's books .. make q library of
the square entrance hall" The bride
looked unusually handsome in her
trailing dress of Maltese lace and Pom
padour silk" She wore a small tiara
of seed pearls and a necklace of ros-
cites of pearls. "Well-versed In na.
tional and State politics and o most
agreeable conversationalist on general
topics, she entertained considerably
during Senator Davis lifetime"
Evening star., 1953-07-26
The Matthews Incident

On July 18 The Star published letter
on the Matthews case from Rev. Lee
Holloway, who deplores the "'sacred
cow attitude which so many people
take toward the clergy" and does not
believe that the donning of clerical
robe automatically clothes it's wearer
with an armor impenetrable by Com
munist propaganda. Therefore, he Sug-
geStS that "the blasts condemning Mr..
Matthews made by some of our clergy
men with big-Shot complexes" should
be ignored and "a thorough investiga-
tion made of Communist influence in
the churches"
Here we have a true follower Of the
teachings of the Nazarene who recog-
nizes the fact that clergymen are not
divinely immunized from the human
frailtieS and who does not believe that
his fellow man should be condemned
on the basis of sensational news head
lines derived from distorted interpre-
tation of q single sentence extracted
from the Matthews article. The anti
Mccarthy press by contriving the forced
resignation of DR.. Matthews succeeded
only in making him martyr to blind
prejudice.
Since The Star Joined in the general
condemnation of DR.. Matthews and its
anti-McCarthy attitude is we'll known,
some editorial comment upon the let
ter Of Rev. Holloway would seem to be
in order. M. G. Lyddane.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
By Frederick Brown Harris
Minister. Foundry Methodist Church:
Chaplain. United States Senate.

ments, congresses, courts and interna-
tional councils and assemblies are but
broken reeds without the qualities that
are perSonal-honor, integrity, good
will. Without these tangible qualities
domestic tranquility and world peace
are impossible. Without these the
most sacred trust may become but a
selfish racket Archbishop Temple.
whose early death was a tremendous
loss to the spiritual forces of our trou-
bled world, said one of the best things
for bad times when he declared: mo
craftsmanship can insure peace in
world where men as individuals and as
citizens are selfish in their outlook and
graSping in their conduct"
The best thing that can be said in
what seems like our own worst time
rings out in the clarion utterance of q
distinguished American statesman:
Can we Of America who have reached
heights never before scaled in human
progress be content with utter fruStra-
ton and catastrophe? Where is safety
in world where modern civilization
is giving to countless millions only
A1uA4SCI, OCoL1LOIlOI1S d41Su1OL1 VI UOQy
and spirit? Is there any impregnable
stronghold? The answer is the world
shaking ideas Of Jesus Christ. The new
world that we hope for and dream
about will never come until we ourselves
are changed. A changed world means
changed people. # men and women can
turn back to God and take the hand of
Christ, and learn of Him, there is Moth
ing to fear"
It follows that these dark days
through which our world is passing is no
time for words laden with the germs of
defeatiSn, peSSimiSm or vicious billings
gate, which make men best qualified for
public leadership reluctant to allow
themselves to be put up as targets for
vilification. This is no time for re-
examinations and hindsight posing pom
tifically as wisdom.
This is a time for less Smearing and
more cheering. It is time to remem-
Der that in the fearful apprehensions Of
this volcanic and explosive era, when
we all are in the same boat of imperiled
democracy, we-every one of us-be-
long either to those whose words and
actions are helping to keep men on
their feet. or to those whose words of
discount and encouragement beat men
down to the dust Of despair. In such
days, blessed is the man whose singular
praise it some day will be that he said
and did the best things in the worst
times.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
On Lowering Voting Age

The July 9 item in The Star head
lined Kathryn Stone Pledges Effort
to Lower Voting Age" attracted my
attention. and now see that the lady
has won nomination on the Demo-
cratic ticket for one of the three House
of Delegates seats from Arlington, Va.
BY itself I guess this item is of no
great Importance, but previously I have
seen statements by others. some high
in the ranks of the Republican Party.
to the effect that it would be smart"
politics to lower the voting age to 18
years.
What concerns me is that have
seen not one word of protest, nor any
discussion of the merits of this pro-
posed change in the setup of our Amer
lean electorate. hope that every
person who has the future welfare of
his country at heart will think to the
addle-brained ideas that he had at
the age of 18, and considerably beyond.
before he takes stand on this vital
question. For one thing we must keep
in mind that this is one law that it will
be next to impossible to take of the
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Favorable Impression

Your editorial page of July 21 gave
me so much pleasure that wish to
congratulate The Star staff. LEST We
Sleep" by the Rev. Frederick Brown
Harris contained such well-timed advice
that one can hardly realize how many
of us sleep or eat while our country
slips down the path. Your splendid
editorial. There Has Been Enough
Talk" touched my heart very pro-
foundly. Mr.. Kent's keen analysis Of
President Eisenhower'S first six months
and timely criticism of the partisan
forces. who seem bent upon publish
ing half truths, should be read by
every fair-minded American. It would
seem that the terrible destruction that
goes on in this world would bring us
closer together. When the Republicans
are lucky enough to have such an intel
ligent standard bearer. can't see why
they can not submerge their ego and
follow the leader.
One From the Grass Roots.
Evening star., 1953-07-26

canoe of the entire report hardly could be
exaggerated What actually is projected is a
purposeful and deliberate characterization Of
art in America Here in the Federal City is the
best Of all possible centers for such an inspiring
movement.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Bishop Oxnum

AS unfair as game in which the
players on one team laid out the field,
made the rules, called the plays, served
as umpires and referees, and provided
some playing equipment which had
been kept hidden from their opponents
until after the game started. That is
how felt about the hearing Of Bishop
Oman before the House Committee
on Un-American Activities
Wilbur F. Murra.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
I M e carry
L
eHbierto ocondenu

books if 1t is found to work to the
disadvantage Of our country.
Roy H. Waite.
Evening star., 1953-07-26
Fifty Years Ago in The Star -.

On July 80, 1908, The Star announced
the death Of w. B. Denny, formerly a