davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09

Meteorology Of the American Philo-
sophical Society and the Franklin In
stitute. Henry was the first secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian Institution distrib-
uted circular letter. through Con-
gressmen and others, to persons who
were thought likely to cooperate. The
letter was also published in many
newspapers, and the response was wide
spread and immediate. BY 1849 daily
observations were being reported by
$50 observers.
The Institution aided the observers
by providing instructions. forms on
which to report the observations, and
MISUNDERSTANDING except money.
The observers were rewarded for their
work by being sent the publications of
the Institution. Some observers had to
pay half-cost for the instruments, be-
cause money was limited and the In
stitution sent instruments free of cost
only to the observers who were most
cooperative and located most strateg-
ically. The Board of Regents of the In
stitution did not, in any single year.
allot over $4,000 for meteorological
purposes.
The meteorological work Of the
Smithsonian Institution gradually ex-
banded, and as its merits became
known, private advocates for weather
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09

Pretty soon the song of Hyla Crucifer.
the spring pepper. will be heard in the
land.
For all its shrillness. it is a pretty
sound, one which carries for good
two miles, at least.
Well, perhaps not quite that far-but
that conveys the idea of its power.
Conveying the idea Is the thing, in
the spoken or written word.
Heard a woman the other day telling
something or other about her son, John.
No matter how hard one listened,
however. he could not get head or tail
of the thing: he was left as confused.
evidently. as the woman herself must
have been.
People often talk that way. Many,
unfortunately, write that way. Daily,
hundreds of miSSives come into news
paper offices. and a certain percentage
Of them must be rewritten.
It is an amazing thing, how some
persons can get themselves all tangled
up in words, plainly unable to say just
what they think. The question is, Of
course, do they think well? And the
answer must be that they do not.
The spring pepper has no call to
think at all.
When the first warmth hits him, he
responds directly. in his little way.
He sends forth a blast that is music
to all who love nature and her pure
children.
Most persons. especially in the sub
urbs Of great cities. will never see the
Hyla. but how they can hear him!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
Austria and the KremIin

Judging from past experience, nothing
could seem more unlikely than that any agree
nent will be reached at the resumed four
power talks on treaty for Austria. There are
such things as miracles, of course, but the
record strongly suggests that there will be
none in this instance That is to say, the record
strongly suggests that the Soviet Union will
continue to reject every Anglo American-French
effort to settle the issue on Just, reasonable
and honorable basis.
True enough. the Kremlin-for the first
time since December, 1950-haS agreed to dis
cuss the question with France, Britain and the
United States. But its Observation-Disclosures
Gromyko, who is now Ambassador to London
has announced in advance that his country will
not accept the so-called abbreviated treaty "in
any circumstances" This treaty represents an
gloAmerican-French compromise designed
to break the dreary, years-long stalemate that
has denied to AuStria-Solely because of Rus
sian nay-saying-the freedom and independ-
ence solemnly pledged to it in the Moscow
declaration of l943
The Kremn insists instead, on discussing
only the long, 83-article treaty that has been
the subject of more than $50 futile four-power
meetings during the past six years. In all of
those years, despite seeming agreement on
everything but few minor points, the Russian
representatives have had nothing to offer but
a deliberate and systematic display of stalling
tactics. Why? The answer seems clear enough:
The Stain dictatorship has been intent ever
since We day upon reSorting to any and every
device calculated to spare it from having to
fulfill its promise to Austria in the Moscow
declaration.
This attitude can be explained quite readily.
The men of the Kremlin do not want to carry
out their obligations because that would require
them to withdraw their troops from Austria
and stop looting the country'S economy 1t
would also require them to remove the forces
they maintain in Hungary and Romania to
protect their lines of communication to their
Austrian occupation zone. In Short in addition
to depriving them of source of plumber, it
would make them give up the military position
they now hold as far west as Vienna, deep in
the heart of free Europe.
Accordingly, against such a background
and in view of the fact that there is no per-
ceptible sign of Soviet desire to lessen inter-
national tensions, it would be naive to suppose
that the latest talks are likely to end in agree
ment on treaty. If they do, the event will be
a miraculous one vastly improving the outlook
for peace. On the basis of the record however,
that seems much too much to hope for. Clearly
as long as the Kremlin is ambitious to dominate
free Europe, it will consent to nothing obliging
1t to withdraw from Austria
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
This and That

He is one Of the first true signs Of
spring, just as one Of the very first
sounds. He clamors into the air, his
voice rising in circles. as it were. and
flowing out to listening ears.
If there were no one at all to hear
him, he would make just the same
noise, thereby putting to shame the
convenient theory that nothing exists
unless man apprehends it.
Mans thinking often leads to hazy
conclusions. (Talking and writing
againD
From one viewpoint, it is good to
believe that sound, without ears. would
not exist; from directly another and
opposite view, it is impossible to believe
1t.
Not when you think of the spring
pepper. .
The other morning. still dark, we
heard one of the cardinals spring
songs.
It was new sound in our neighbor-
hood. something added.
It kept the flavor Of the damp morn
ing. somehow. and held it in syllable.
Nothing but a bird can make such
sound.
Even the best imitation holds, to the
careful listening ear, something un-
birdlike.
What the imitator has, of course, is
the timbre, as the musicians call it, Of
mankind.
No one. not even cardinal. would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09

that its safety record for last year was the
best ever set-o.37 fatalities per 100 million
passenger miles.
An interesting sidelight on the industrys
statistical look at itself is provided in the trend
Of cost to passengers during period that has
been marked by imitation in most prices. A
transcontinental flight today costs "a per cent
less than in 1939-as compared to an increase
of about $50 per cent in the cost of low
priced automobile or nearly 200 per cent in
the cost of good steak
With all this, it is probably safe to say
that the record of the past is insignificant by
comparison with what it will be in the future.
The airplane is indeed here to stay.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
Grundmu's Doeuerreotypes

In hallo,Ded care among dear Grdndma's
books
Lie hidden dreams: doouerreotypes
=. antique
Quaint folding cases cl0sped Nth tiny
hooks.
With reverence she lifts the hooks
to peek
inside. tDhere narrow rims OF FURNISHED
gold
Encircle Deluet Innings on UI,icl lie
Dim cherished pictures from the days
of old.
They bring to Grandmamma smile
a sigh.
Cdjolin0 little jackets; tpdtstcoats gay
With stripes; bon ties and foDered
0otDnS, hoopspredd:
A cunning bonnet trimmed Dtth lace
and spray
OF plumes Which tell of times high
spirited.
She smiles a,DGy tear. In each small
case
Are memories OF lavender and lace.
Peggy GIozier
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
No SIums Cleared?

noted In a recent issue of The Star
that Edward r. Carr was quoted at the
Home Builders Conference in Chicago
as making the statement that public
housing "has not cleared single
Washington Sum-" and that such
claim "is demonstrably false claim"
OF course this statement, nationally
applied, is part Of the real estate lobbyS
propaganda against public housing.
Some months ago, however, the Presi-
dent of the National Association Of
Real Estate Board unwisely added to
his repetition of it claim that it had
not been contradicted; so I wrote him
a contradiction. His response was that
he had received so many contradictions
that he could answer only with form
letter that ignored mine. There, ap-
parently, the matter is reSting-though
I hope the rest is somewhat uneasy.
Evidently, however, it is not uneasy
enough to have disturbed the routine
in the Home Builders Associations
neighboring Office.
But as a Washingtonian, Mr.. Carr
should be aware Of the falsity Of the
quotation attributed to him. He should
know that public-housing developments
occupy former slum sites which 1t
cleared in several deteriorated sections
of Washington Southwest, Southeast,
and Northwest. Among them are James
Greek Dwellings. Carrollsburg Dwell
ings, Ellen Wilson Dwellings, Kelly
Miller Dwellings, v street Dwellings and
st. Mary'S Court.
In case Mr.. Carr unwittingly made
the quoted statement shall be glad
to act as his guide so he may have first
hand acquaintance with some facts Of
life in our city.
John Ihlder
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
Bureau Has Weothered MANY Storms

service finally were able to capture the
interest Of Congress.
On December 8, 1869, Representative
Halbert E. Paine of Wisconsin drafted
joint resolution which authorized the
Secretary Of War to provide for the
taking Of meteorological observations
at military stations and at other points
in the interior of the continent and
for giving notice on the northern lakes
and the seaboard Of the approach and
force Of storms"
Earlier in that year, the Chief Signal
Officer of the Army, Albert j. Myer,
had presented plan to the Secretary
OF War concerning peacetime employ
ment of the Signal Corps, covering the
posting Of storm signals and the MAX
ing Of weather reports. Myers plan had
been turned down by the Secretary of
War because such work was not covered
by legislative authority.
Paine's resolution provided such
authority. 1t was passed without de-
bate on February 4, and signed by the
President on February 8, 1870. While
the resolution did not mention the
Signal Corps, the duty was given to
vi
February 20, 1870.
After this. the meteorological work
Of the Surgeon Generals Office was
discontinued. The Genealogical work
Of the Smithsonian Institution also
faded in Importance, and in 1873 its
system Of voluntary observers went to
the Signal Office.
The pressure for transfer Of the
Weather Service from the military was
started by Secretary of War Robert
Todd Lincoln in 1882. After eight years
Of agitation, an Act Of Congress Of
October !, 1890, transferred the Service
to the Department of Agriculture. It
became then the U. S. Weather Bureau,
and President Harrison appointed as
its first Chief. Professor Mark w.
Harrington of the University Of
Michigan.
The newly established Weather
Bureau remained a part of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture for fifty years.
Then, when its work became more and
more important to aviation and other
branches of commerce, it was trans
ferred to the Department Of Commerce
on June 80. 1910. But, because agri-
culture is dependent on the weather
service and its Genealogical records,
certain Weather Bureau functions were
retained in that department. These
included research concerning long
range weather forecasting, relationships
between weather and soil erosf1n, and
relationships between weather and
crops.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
Senator Sporkmon Strikes Out

It may be inaccurate to accuse Senator
Sparkman Of trying to embarrass the Eisen-
hover administration in his comments on the
situation in the Far East. It is not inaccurate,
however, to say that the Alabama Senator has
contributed nothing toward a solution of the
Korean problem.
Senator Sparkman seems to be in the
dilemma common to those who find themselves
in what General Eisenhower has called "a
posture Of paralyzed tension" He apparently
favors the program-a costly programme arm
ing and training Chang Kai-shek's army in
Formosa At any rate, in reference to that
program, he said: 1--WE should continue until
we have fine fighting force great bulwark
against communism in that part of the world"
When it comes to using that force how
ever, Senator Sparkman turns around and
marches hastily down the hill. He says he does
not believe Chang Kai-Shek can ever make
a successful large-scale raid on the Chinese
mainland without American naval and air pro-
lection. And he calls upon the President to-
state unequivocally whether he intends to COM
nit United States forces for this purpose. After
posing this and several similar questions, the
Senator moves on to his conclusion He asks:
us this the first step toward enlarging the
war in Asia? Is this the first step toward
involving United States forces on the MAIN
land of China? Is it the first step toward more
casualties instead of less? Is it the first step
toward global WARP"
The inference to be drawn from this line of
questioning is that Senator Sparkman is op-
posed to any American support for Chiang's
army. Yet he also says he does not believe
that army can do anything effective on its own
Why, then, does he advocate building up this
force as great bulwark against communism
in Asia? How is it to serve as bulwark if it is
not to be used, and especially If General EiSen-
hover, in response to Senator Sparkman's de-
mand, should state unequivocally that it is not
to be used? Such a statement from the Presi-
dent could serve no other purpose than to notify
the Communists that they can safely forget
about Chiang's army-an army in which we are
making very substantial military investment
Actually, Senator Sparkman, by implication
If not expressly, is still advocating the same do
nothing course in Korea which was followed
by the preceding administration and which was
overwhelmingly rejected by the people last
November. To pursue different course-to
give, say, American naval and air support to
Chiang-would unquestionably involve risks It
might prove to be first step toward charging
the war in Asia. Nevertheless, If it promises
to be an effective step in bringing the Korean
war to an end, it is step that should be taken.
We are never going to break out of the
Korean deadlock If we are content to do moth
ing but take counsel OF our fears. New measures
must be tried and new risks taken. If there
is any alternative except indefinite stalemate,
no hint Of it will be found throughout the
length of Senator sparkmans remarks.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
HoIf-Century in the Air

The daringly successful venture of the
Wright brothers in coaxing an engine driven
flying machine into the air above North
Carolina beach a half-century ago has pro-
vided a statistician's delight in the picture Of
commercial air transport today.
From its first scheduled passenger service
in 1919, domestic air transport reached point
in 1852 of recording 1874 billion passenger miles.
Since prewar 1889, this measurement Of traf1c
has increased by 1,7O0 per cent In the last
two years alone it rose by IS per cent Along
with this growth, the industry notes proudly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
Fire-0nd-Rehire Racket

Racket is the only word that fits the
fre-and-rehire scheme just exposed by the ever
1nquiSitive Senator Williams of Delaware Per-
hapS there was nothing illegal about the
practice of firing an employe so that he could
collect payment for his unused leave and then
putting him back on the payroll the next day.
But it was tricky stunt-and those who con-
doned it or benefited by it should have known it.
Senator Williams told the Senate that
while he had knowledge of use of the devious
device only at the Office of Rent Sterilization,
he had reason to believe that the racket had
not been confined to that agency. If that proves
to be the case, many thousands of dollars may
have been lost to the Treasury that apparently
cannot be recovered
The scheme was based on the fact that
Federal employees about to be dismissed were
permitted to receive payment for up to 80 days
OF accumulated annual leave. In some instances
this jackpot amounted to more than $4,000,
with majority of the payments averaging
over $1,000. Somebody hit on the idea of
approving diSmiSSalS for the obvious purpose
of collecting the bonuses and then Immediately
rehiring the enriched employees as temporary
employees. After 80 days the temporary ap-
pointments were made permanent again. The
explanation that this plan was adopted because
of uncertainty over the future of rent control
is lame one, at best
Suspension of three administrative officials
of the rent agency who arranged the leave pay
mentS not only for 81 others but for themselves
is not enough. There should be a thorough
going investigation to determine to what ex-
tent other departments and agencies may have
resorted to the trick. And steps to prevent a
recurrence of the practice are in order. Ger
tainly Federal officials who permit abuses of
the leave privilege are in no position to COM
plain if Congress should further tighten civil
service leave policies, by riders or otherwise.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

By THE HASKIN SERVICE.
@. How did the gentian plant get its
name?-E. D.
A. The plant was first discovered to
have medicinal properties by Gentius,
a King Of the nlyrians. living in 180-
1877 B. c.. from whom the name Gen
tiana is supposed to have been derived.
During the Middle Ages it was much
employed in the cure Of disease, and as
an ingredient in counter-poisons.
Q. Where can a family inquire about
free treatment for drug addic-
tion?-M. Med.
A. One OF the best hospitals for drug
addiction Is the United States Public
Health Service Hospital at Lexington,
KY. Any citizen of the United States
may write to the medical officer in
charge for further details.
@. How does the Army's rotation
system in Korea work.. Y.
A. It is based on points, the men In
combat areas receiving points fastest.
The number Of points needed for rota-
ton is determined by the theater COM
mander. but about SO points or
months service make q front-line
soldier eligible. Others may require 80
points and up to 10 months service.
In all cases requirements must be
ready to take over.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09
An Inspiring Example

It has been my great privilege to be
actively engaged in local church work
for more than so years, during which
time I have counted as friends many
fine church people who maintained
temporary residence in Washington, but
who yet retained (quite naturally, per-
haps) their allegiance to their home
churches.
The result has been that many, after
living here long time. were lost both
to their home church, and also to
church of their denomination here In
Washington.
An inspiring example has been set by
President and Mrs. Eisenhower in i'm
mediately becoming members Of a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-09

Like smallpox and other once-dread
diseases, the scourge of influenza may be elimi-
mated in the not-too- distant future. That is
the bright promise held out in a statement
just issued by the executive board of the United
Nations World Health Organization. Though
carefully qualified, the statement is one of the
most hopeful of its kind in long time.
This hopefulness apparently is well justi-
fed. For the board, which is now meeting in
Switzerland, has based it's announcement on
careful review of the findings of worldwide
influenza study conducted for W. H. o. by out
standing experts working in IS laboratories in
A countries. Final conclusions are expected to
be available next year Meanwhile, there seems
to be little doubt that at that time medical
science will be able to declare that far-reaching
progress has been made toward mastering the
disease in all it's varying forms, ranging from
mild to lethal.
Development of a series of effective vac
cineS-Some of them already used on a mass
scale in the United States and several other
countries-is responsible for this prospect The
manufacture of these vaccines has been made
possible by the fact that science has succeeded
in identifying the ma or types Of virus, together
with numerous subordinate ones, that cause
influenza. AS a result, there is a strong hope
that the world eventually can be made prac-
deadliest pandemic form, such as in 1918-19
when it took perhaps as many as is million
lives throughout the globe.
The beneficent significance Of such devel
opment speaks pretty much for itself. Wholly
apart from promising to end vast amount of
recurrent human misery by creating powerful
control and immunizing weapons against one
of the most serious Of all infectious diseases,
its realization would automatically do an i'm
mense amount of good in the field of production
where heavy SetbackS are suffered with every
winter outbreak of influenza. Thus, as the
executive board of w. H. o. has declared, each
of these outbreaks-even in the present mild
epidemic form-"can cause great economic loss
and dislocation Of essential services"
Although the U. N board has been at pains
to caution against excessive optimism, it has
pointed to a real basis for confidence that the
disease is on its way to being conquered and
that its conquest-which would be another
great advance in human health-may well be
achieved within the present decade. Despite
occasional impressions to the contrary, science
In these days is not concentrating exclusively
on making deadlier and deadlier weapons Of
mass destruction. The progress being made
against influenza is but one of many illustra-
tons of that point
lecture on hypnosis at the Ipswich, Mass.
High School left several students complaining
of drowsiness. Just another example of waste
full educational frills, since the usual economics