davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

When a Federal Judge recently
declared parts Of the lobby regiStra-
ton act to be unconstitutional, the
court dealt an almost fatal blow
to law that has been at deaths
door for some time.
In fact, the lobby act has been
feeling poorly since its birth during
the 1916 reorganization of Congress.
The law proved to be difficult to
understand and easy to evade. For
awhile the law did supply Congress
with some of the information 1t was
designed to secure-who is spending
money to pressure CongreSs-but
the information was never COM
plete or in a form that was par
ticularly useful. BY casting doubts
on the legality of the act, recent
court decisions have cut drastically
the number of lobby registrations.
There were 345 registrations in 1851,
but only $50 in 1852, when a court
first ruled against the act. Regis
trationS have been even slower so
far this year. as few lobbyists care
to wrestle with a complex regulation
that probably is on its way out for
good. Lobbying on Capitol Hill,
however, has increased steadily.
Courts Criticisms
There is much that is wrong with
the lobby law. Soon after it was
passed-and it slipped through al
most unnoticed in the sweeping
Recognizing Act congressman
said the law was too vague to be
understood and was, in part. I'M
constitutional. Both of those criti-
cisms now have been written into
court decisions.
Last year q special three-judge
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08
Strategic Materials
Iron Curtain Countries Are Getting Goods,
But Not in the Quantities Some Claim
BY EorI H. Voss

Recently published reports that
large quantities Of strategic mate
rails are being struggled into East
ern Europe have caused a new stir
in this country. According to United
States officials who should know,
however, the seriousness of the leaks
has been greatly exaggerated.
In the past 81 months the most
obvious loopholes through which
strategic materials used to slip to
the Soviet bloc have been plugged.
Controls could be tighter. Of course,
but there probably never was any
smuggling on the scale some reports
allege.
Some Of the confusion apparently
results in defining what constitutes
smuggling. Many seem to have the
impression that all trade between
East and West Europe is forbidden.
This is not true. Some foods, plants,
small household materials and other
non-strategic materials are allowed
to pass unhindered behind the Iron
Curtain. AS a matter of fact, our
Government goes out Of its way to
explain that "selective trade" is
desirable. This is because Western
Europe needs some of the things
East Europe has to offer, and be-
lieves it can get them without giving
up more advantages than it gains.
Net Advantage Sought
The object is to extract net adj
vantage from this non-strategic
trade. Ex-Mutual Security Admin
iStrator Averell Hartman thinks we
have been beating the Reds at this
game and can continue to do so.
One nationally circulated publica-
ton passed on an anonymous eSti-
mate a week ago that $225 million
worth of illegal trade poured into
East Germany alone in 1851. A
rough breakdown of this figure was
said to include SIS million worth OF
strategically imported machinery.
SIS million worth of chemicals and
some $4,000 tons Of copper, zinc,
aluminium, mercury, bronze, cobalt
and cadmium. The same publica-
ton quoted another anonymous
source that 1852 smuggling probably
increased by one-third.
East-West trade experts in the
Mutual Security Administration say
this is nonsense and undertake to
show why. The total legal trade
from West to East Germany in 1851
totaled only $35 ,291 900. To say
that the illegal trade was $225 mil
lion, or six times as much as the
legitimate trade. would attribute an
inconceivable amount of laxity to
enforcement officials In West Ger
many. So much strategic material
could not slip by undetected. More
important, the implied impact on
West Germany's economy would be
significant. That there was no
such impact supports the theory
that the $225 million figure is base
less. The chance that illegal trade
Is Of such magnitude is even less
likely when one studies the makeup
Of the $35, 291 900 worth Of legiti-
mate trade. Much Of it was In soft
goods like food, tobacco and textiles
and electric power. The amount of
non-strategic hard goods (behind
which the Illegal trade would have
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

The latest note Of diScord in the
limited harmony Of Western Europe
is a rising fear. especially on the
part Of France, that the British are
about to attempt q IDEAL" with the
United States to make the pound
and the dollar convertible. At pres
ent the pound is subject to strict
exchange controls. Full converti-
bility would mean that the two cur
rencieS could be freely exchanged In
unlimited amounts.
The new French Minister Of FL
nance, M. Maurice Bourges-Maun-
curry. has asserted that an arrange
ment for convertibility only between
Britain and the United States at q
time when other European nations
could not attain convertibility would
compel Britain to withdraw from
the European Payments Union. He
predicts that it would be q DEATH
blow to the union and q serious him
drance to the economic cooperation
that has been the core Of the mutual
security program.
The European Payments Union
was established under the Marshall
Plan to facilitate European trade
by easing the problem Of payments
between the member countries. The
problem existed because the f1nan-
cially weaker countries had almost
continual unfavorable foreign trade
balances, and their currencieS were
weak. They were initiating their
money at home and spending more
than they received abroad. The Eu-
ropean Payments Union offered q
credit cushion that enabled them to
continue trading with other nations
of the Union while, presumably,
they were getting back on their
feet.
Convertibility Not Certain
The French Minister Of Finance
may have overeStimated both the
possibility Of full sterling dollar
convertibility at this time and the
consequences to European accord If
Britain did achieve convertibility.
The fear that Britain would
abruptly withdraw from the Euro
pean Payments Union appears to be
poorly founded. She would have
nothing to gain by doing so, except
under rather unlikely circumstances.
If, Of course, she were to withdraw
and then resort to q severe restric-
ton Of imports from the other coun-
tries 1t would be detrimental to
them.
Only the United States is strong
enough to assist Britain In any step
she takes toward convertibility.
Whether the British mission that
is coming to Washington in early
March will discuss full convertibility
or merely some modification Of
present exchange controls, and what
the political implications may be,
remain to be seen.
The mission. headed by Foreign
Minister Anthony Eden and Chan
cellor Of the Exchequer r. A. Butler,
will be speaking for both Britain
and the other commonwealth coun-
tries and will present a plan that was
determined upon at a conference Of
commonwealth prime ministers last
December. The plans, objective is
the eventual convertibility Of all
sterling AREA currencieS with the
dollar. At the conference it was
recognized that "the restoration of
the convertibility of sterling
can only be reached by progressive
stages"
The gold and dollar reserves Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

law than the courts have pointed
out.
The law requires lobbyists to reg
lister, but it does not specify who OF
the many persons who have regular
contact with Congress or work In
directly to influence public opinion
and, consequently, legislation, must
register. Registration blanks, drawn
UP according to the vague law, are
almost impossible to understand.
Lobby organizations are required to
report their spending, but the law
does not specify the form the report
must take. Duplicate reports must
be filed with the House and Senate,
thereby duplicating files and dou-
bling administrative chores. No
provisions are made for persons who
want to quit lobbying and withdraw
their registrations.
It would be difficult to find a Con-
gresham who will mourn the law if
it is thrown out by the Supreme
Court.
There are many congressman,
however, who would Like to make a
fresh start at regulation Of lobbyists.
They feel the purposes Of the law
still are valid. The public and Con-
gress should know who is lobbying
for particular bills and who is A.
nancing the lobby group.
Publicity Fovored
Such a law, they feel, would not
restrict lobbying, but would merely
bring it into the open. 1t would act
in the spirit of the Securities Ex-
change Act, which requires stocks
that are offered for sale on ex-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

which IS per cent has been obli-
gated. OF this total, 81 per cent.
in the form of material and services,
had reached the island last Deem
Der 81.
Today there is little trace of the
postwar chaos, and Chang has q
secure base for operations against
the Red regime In his homeland.
While President Eisenhower has
given the Nationalist the oppor-
tunity to attack the Red army on
the mainland. he has not withdrawn
orders to the American 7th Fleet
and the Far East Air Force to pro-
tect FormoSa from Communist at
tack.
There are about 1000 American
military and civilian personnel and
their dependents on Formosa. Both
the Navy and Air Force have bases
there, while only a short distance
away on Okinawa there is the prin-
cipal American airbase in the Far
East. It may be assumed that the
protection which will be given to
these Americans and the bases ap-
plies equally to the island and its
Chinese people.
The big question is whether
Chang is as ready and willing to
fight as he seems to be from his
statements. But even small raids
will have the effect of drawing
Chinese Communist army reserves
southwark, lessening the pressure on
the Korean front.
Mainland Support?
There is also the question Of
whether he will receive any large
scale support from the Chinese on
the mainland. The Reds are not
likely to have any considerable un-
friendly population In the area op-
posite Formosa. This is simply DEM
onstrated by the failure of Chiang's
intelligence, and our own, to detect
in time the shift in 1850 Of the large
Red army from that region to Man
churia for the Chinese Communist
attack in Korea.
And there remains Chang him
self. one Of the most controversial
personalities in recent history. He
has been an enigma to most Ameri-
cans who have tried to deal with
him, and has irritated sometimes
to the extent Of arousing bitter per-
Sonal animosity- ctically all who
have tried tn u10rk with him at cl0sa
range.
Only yesterday one interviewer
summed up Chang, in a MASTERPIECES
Of understatement. as appearing
sless humble than any other man
have ever met
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

the sterling area have increased
somewhat from the critically low
point they reached last April. but
they are far less than what could
be considered adequate for making
the pound and the currencies tied
to it freely exchangeable for dol
lars. Nations that make their cur
rencies convertible into another
must have a reserve of the other
currency, or of gold, sufficient to
Withstand temporary adverse trade
balances without being depleted.
The sterling areas stock of gold
and dollars at the end of January
was. $1.98 billion, compared with
$1.66 billion at the low point last
year. It is precariously small sum
and is~about one-third Of what ex-
perts consider adequate. Only if a
large credit or subsidy of dollars
could be arranged would the re-
serve be large enough to assure full
convertibility for any length Of
time.
Allowed to FIuctuote
The unund, as it is now controlled,
is allowed to fluctuate between $2.78
and $2.82. When it approaches the
lower limit the British control au-
thoritieS must use dollars to buy
pounds, and when it approaches the
upper limit they sell pounds in ex-
change for dollars.
Recently the pound has shown
impressive strength, coming within
a sixteenth Of cent of the upper
limit. The demand for pounds has
been so great that the control au-s
thorities have had to sell them on
the market in exchange for dollars
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

don't see any economic reasons why
cattle prices should go down any
further in the next i've or six
months"
To help consumers. Secretary Benz
son persuaded OPS to end immedi-
ately it's ceilings on retail meat
prices. Secretary Benson argued that
this should let retail prices decline.
He said many dealers have kept
their prices up so they would have
a high base for figuring any fur
Their OPS prices. With OPS regula-
tons dead for sure. Secretary Benz
son argued. retailers could feel safe
In reducing their prices to allow
only normal profit margins.
This reasoning spotlighted the
farmers traditional villain, the mid
dleman. This collective individual
usually is blamed for keeping retail
prices high and farm prices low.
Outlook Cloudy
The middleman may give up some
OF his profit on meat--as Secretary
Benson hopes-but he may be more
stubborn in yielding when other
foods are concerned.
At glance. the middleman now
looks blacker than ever. In 1851 the
shippers, professors and sellers of
foodstuffs kept SO per cent of every
retail dollar spent on food. Last
year. they kept IS cents of every
retail dollar.
These two figures give the simplest
explanation Of why your grocery bill
can be high at the same time cat
tlemen and farmers complain about
low prices they receive for their
products.
Prices that farmers receive for
their crops are running IL per cent
below year ago. But retail food
prices have declined only per cent.
To explain, the Agriculture De.
partment points to the middleman--
but not with an accusing finger.
Price gouging is seldom charged.
Explains Economist Wells:
There have been IL freight rate
increases since World War II and
an almost annual round of wage
increases among distributing and
processing employees"
These charges may rise further.
They can hardly diminish until the
country develops greater efficiency
IN handling food-a difficult goal.
No Details
Secretary Benson says, 1--WE en-
vision increased efficiency in mar.
keting and distribution" but he
gives no details.
And as long as these middleman
charges are frozen into the food
business, they will hamper consumer
efforts to win lower food prices and
farmer efforts to get higher prices
for crops.
In way, this is a penalty farmers
are paying for the progress that
labor made during the last 20 years
mostly with the help Of congress
sional farm leaders.
This year. farm State Congress-
men may buck their labor minded
colleagues. One reason is that Amer
can exports of farm products this
year are expected to be only SO bill
lion, compared with last years 81
billion.
Farm interests are eager to sell
in Europe. But Europe doesn't have
the dollars to buy. Some farm State
congressman think the solution is
to have the United States buy manu-
featured goods from Europe. That.
however, would annoy labor interests
eager to retain every possible job
for American workmen.
Congress is best equipped to solve
this conflict through legislation on
tariffs. foreign aid and agricultural
programs.
All of these, as well as general
economic conditions, will affect the
cost of your steak. Republicans say
the outlook is medium well.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

or prospects cause this upward move.
the pounds action certainly doesn't
foreshadow devaluation.
Britain could, Of course, devalue
the pound to a point so low in terms
Of dollars that the demand for
pounds to buy British goods would
be greatly increased for q time. but
devaluation is less likely as meas
ure for achieving convertibility than
as one of last resort. In whatever
way convertibility were achieved,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08
Whatever Chionos Strenqth He Will Pin Down Some Reds

eagerly-after the Nationalist con-
WINGED them they would get an
equitable share in the fruit Of their
labors-in an amazing economic re-
Mobilization program on which
Chang has spent freely of his
treasure and which has received
strong support from the Mutual Sc
curity Agency since the Korean
war started.
From June, 1850, through the end
Of last year, the MSA authorized the
expenditure of 1921. 799, 600. of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08
Publicity Foyored
By Fronk 1. White

military strength. nor are they
likely to, except in a defense against
Communist attack. Otherwise the
Formosans are about equally dis
interested in Chiang's nationalism
and Mau's communism. It is re-
ported Chang has drafted $4,000
Formosans into his army but 1t Is
conceded he can never mobilize
even by force-more than fraction
of the potential native manpower.
But the. Formosans have joined
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-08

to keep the price below the upper
limit.
Some foreign exchange experts be-
lieve that the permitted range of
fluctuation is to be widened. perhaps
to range of $2.52 to 5000. Others
doubt the likelihood of this. At any
rate, the pounds recent strength is
enabling Britain to increase its dol
lar reserve and is also giving hint
of possible change in the dollar
pound relationship. Whatever forces
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-05-07
S. S. League Holds
Bowling Banquet
John Minnich Reelected Pres
ident For 1953-54 Season.

The 9th annual banquet of the
Haeerstown Sunday School Bowling
League was held in the auditorium
of the Masonic Temple on Tuesday
night, with the president, John Min
mich, presiding.
Following a fine turkey dinner,
prepared and served by the ladies of
the two Hagerstown Eastern Star
Chapters-Queen Esther Chapter No.
and Hagerstown Chapter No. 90
President Minnich introduced the
guests, among whom were George
A. Lentz, president of the Maryland
Federation of Mems Bible Glasses
Bowling League of Baltimore, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel Forrest and
Mrs. Mabel Jennings, all Of whom
are members Of the Baltimore
League.
The election of officers was then
held for the 1953-54 season, which
resulted as follows: president, John
Minnich (re-elected) Vice-president,
Rev ID. Homer Kendall, Shilo cub.
Church; secretary Robert Bowman;
assistant secretary, George Staley;
treasurer, Glenn Couchman Ere
elected); assistant treasurer, Ruby
IIause; ladies' statistician, Frances
Couchman, and mems statistician,
Irwin Eyler Cloth re-elected.
/ The meeting closed with the most
important part of the program, the
presentation Of awards for the 1852
So season.
First Baptist m team was the win
ner of the mems Division ! champ
/ ionship and the Washington Square
Methodist team came out on top in
Division 2, In the Women's League,
the Pansies M team was the winner
in Division / and the Gardenias NJ
team was ON top in Division 2.
For the men, Charles Harshman,
Trinity Lutheran NJ, had the high
average in Division / G1526) and
George Kick, of Shilo cub, was
high in Division 2 (10753).
In the Women's division, high av-
erage went to Ruth Dunn, of Daisies
M (10266) and in Division 2 it went
to Anna Mae McSherry, of Roses NJ
$3.50.
A number of other awards were
given, including perfect attendance,
high games and high sets.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-05-07

four public works prison camps
Going back to the Reformatory,
the speaker told his audience that
it operates many industries, includ-
ing a large cannery and a bookbind-
ing department, and plans are now
underway for the building Of a com
plete woodworking plant, ins which
furniture for state institutions will
be made.
Mr. Donnell also pointed out that,
on a statewide basis, the penal sys-
tenn operates twenty industrieS with
all their output, valued at about
three million dollars, being sold to
state institutions.
In closing, the speaker, paid very
high compliment TO Kiwanian John
Dunn, who is a member of the State
Board of Correction, and he con
graduated the City of Hagerstown
in having among its citizens such a
man as Mr.. Dunn, who has given,
and is still giving, his untiring eff
forts towards the betterment of the
State Penal Institutions.
Following he meeting, the mem
bers of the club were taken on
tour of the Reformatory,
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-05-07
Kiwanians Visit
State Reformatory
Regular Luncheon Meeting
Held At The Institution, Fol-
lowed By Tour OF Plant.

The weekly luncheon meeting of
the Kiwanis Club was held on
Thursday in the dining room of the
Reformatory for Males, with the
superintendent, Harry r. Raymond,
acting as host.
Following a delightful chicken
dinner, prepared and served by the
inmates, brief business session was
held by president Oscar Hartsoek,
during which president Hartsoek
and immediate past president AL
bert Long were elected as delegates
to the National Convention to be
held in New York, and Carroll Poff-
enberger and Charles l.. Strele were
elected as alternates.
A brief address was then given
by Harold e. Donnell State Super
intendent Of Prisons, during which
he gave an interesting account Of
the Maryland Penal System.
He told his audience that the Re-
formatory for Males was opened in
1881 as an adult prison. 1t was
built with prison labor, under the
supervision Of Mr.. Raymond, and is
one of the finest institutions Of its
kind in the country. Later on,
young men, as well as some juven-
lies, were also sent to the Reforma-
tory.
Touching on the statewide Penal
System, Mr.. Donnell said that there
are four major penal institutions in
the state and that another is now be-
ing built The state also operates
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-05-07
Longest Blow

Babe Ruth is considered TO have
hit the longest homer on record
a 6OO-foOt blow at Biggs Stadium
in Detroit in 1926-and another Of
587 feet in 1919 at Tampa, Florida.
The Yankees young centerfielder,
Mickey Mantle, has just hit one
that will go into the record books
--5G2 feet over the bleachers in
Ieft-centerfieId and out of the
Washington park . +. Babe Didrik-
son Zaharias underwent four
hour operation for the removal of
a malignancy growth and was re-
ported in a good condition. One of
her doctors said that II things go
as well as it looks she could take
part in athletics again i. Adverse
weather on opening day cut back
attendance at American and Ma
tionaI league games. The totals,
considers ly lower than former
years re: American League
1922; National League - 1928.
Original attendance estimates
were for some $4,000 to sit in ON
the eight contests.