davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-09-23
The Berio Story

Although Vice President Nixon, Senator
Mccarthy and all other parties concerned have
commented on the matter with large measure
of skepticiSm they have not ruled out the
fantastic possibility that it may be true, as
wildly rumored, that Lavrenty P. Beria has
escaped from Russia and is seeking asylum in
the United States.
The story, as it stands at the moment,
may be more or less summed up as follows:
1) There is a man somewhere abroad VINO
claims to be the former head of the dread
Soviet secret polce-the purged member of the
post-Stalin Observation-Disclosures triumvi-
rate t2p He "allegedly" has been in touch with
certain American agents" 60 He is said to
have told these "agents" that he is anxious
to negotiate for sanctuary in the United States
and that he is ready. in exchange, to reveal
everything he knows about the Kremlln. And
a. he is reported to have declared that he wants
to do his talking only to Mr.. Nixon or Mr..
Mccarthy
There are many reaSons-including the
seemingly firm way in which Premier Malenkov
announced Berias doWnfall-why this story
merits an immense amount of doubt. Yet,
though it has all the earmarkS of an outland-
ishly implausible cloak -and-dagger burlesque,
it appears to have just enough possible sub
stance in it to be dignifed with the special
attention of the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
ton and the Central Intelligence Agency. The
Vice President himself has said as much. More
over, while voicing his skepticism, he has been
at pains to emphasize that it is too early as yet
to laugh the whole thing off as hoax.
After ALL this is a strange world in which
the strangest kind of things can happen. Con-
ceivably the Beria rumors may be true But the
odds are against it and The Stars advice would
be not to count any such fine chicken as Mr..
Beria until the egg is Matched.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
To Fulfill an Obligation

There is a good reason why the District
Commissioners should heed the urgent request
of Cleveland Park citizens for inclusion in the
new budget of funds with which to complete
the Cleveland Park branch library. The money,
a relatively small sum, is needed to meet an
obligation which the District government and
Congress incurred when they accepted COM
munity-raiSed funds to help pay for the new
branch building. 1t was the mutual understand
ing then-and one that still holds-that the
completed project would include not only
library but community rooms for general civic
USE The community rooms are missing from
the new building to be dedicated next month.
The Cleveland Park branch library has
been the outgrowth of extraordinary civic enter
prise For many years the citizens of that resi-
dental area have agitated for joint library
and community center. A fund of $4,000 was
raised by popular subscription toward purchase
of the site, which was threatened with COM
mercial development. After World War II 1t
was proposed that the building be dedicated as
q living memorial to men of Cleveland Park
who served in uniform. More recently, scrap
Evening star., 1953-09-23
Above the Sound and Fury

The warmth of the popular reception ac-
corded President Eisenhower in Boston adds
another chapter to the story Of the high esteem
in which he is held by the people To read his
speech to the assembled Republicans however,
is to wonder wherein lies the secret of this
popularity
Those who scan the lines of the Boston
address for something substantial in the nature
of program or policy will find little to reward
their effort. For the speech in these respects
contained nothing that has not been said
before.
The record of eight months in Office was
brushed over lightly. There has not been time
to expect much in the way of specific ac-
complishment, and the President conceding
this, said that the items in the record which he
reviewed suggest rather than define the char
acter and purpose of those who support or who
belong to the Republican Party" There was
precious little more in the preview which he
gave of things to come. Certainly there was
nothing in this phase of the speech which
could be called tangible or well-defined plan
or program.
What, then, did the President have to
offer? He summed up the principles <of his
party in these words: I'VE are one Nation, gifted
by God with the reason and the will to govern
ourselves, and returning our thanks to Him
individual" There followed a generalized ex-
position of a political philosophy which was
keyed to, and which repeatedly reverted to, the
same central theme-"the dignity and freedom
of the individual
Farther along, there were more generaliza-
tions: mo more as party than as Nation can
we expect to find our greatness in anything but
dedication to the good of America" =. 1--WE can
conceive of no higher commission that history
could have conferred upon us than that which
we humbly bear-the preservation, in this time
of tempest and of peril, of the spiritual values
that alone give dignity and meaning to mans
pilgrimage on EARTH
Most men in public life would be hard
pressed to sustain high degree of popularity
with such thin diet as this One can readily
think of dozens of public men who, uttering the
same words, would succeed only in boring their
audience. How does it happen, then, that Gen
eral Eisenhower seems to retain his popular
following while keying his speeches to themes
that are high above the sound and fury of
practical politics?
Perhaps an answer may be found in a sort
of revulsion against the crudities of practical
politics. Or it may be that General Eisenhower,
speaks from an inner sense of conviction which
the people sense and to which they respond
Whatever the reason, it is political technique
which served him we'll throughout last years
campaign and which seems to have lost little.
if any, of it's magic in the eight months since
Inauguration. Whether it will survive the bat
tering of four full years in office, however, is
something that remains to be seen.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
By Charles E. TroceweN

trays stuck. and the oil burner thermo-
stat didn't feel ahead; the famous
"thermostatic TO- was too much for
Jones.
So he junked the oil burner, and
went back to coal. He got rid of the
electric refrigerator, and predicted the
day when its faults would be corrected,
as most of them have been.
That was long time ago, as such
things run.
Still the airplane is as noisy as when
Lindbergh few
1t is there in the skies for good, and
since it is one of modern mans dearest
toys, no doubt it will stay there until
the heavens fall.
It is not possible at this time to think,
even of day when some form of air
plane is not going overhead.
If mans nature remains the same,
be sure of it that his machine will be
as noisy as ever.
For man, as a baboon that came
down from the trees, liking there to
rattle cocoanuts, viii love his great
noisemaker, which rattles the very
skies and the chimneys below.
There is nothing that can be done
about it, now; there will be nothing
that the slaves of that distant era will
be able to do about it, either.
Man and his noises are inseparable.
Evening star., 1953-09-23

with President Jefferson. At the same
time. it voided the 1889 Judiciary Acts
provision that would give the court
original Jurisdiction to grant such writS
against executive officers.
1t thus raised aloft the principle
of judicial review and the authority of
the court to rule that legislative act
was invalid because it went contrary
to the Constitution
Marshall's customary lack of haste"
was illustrated in his years as Chief
Justice from 1901 to 1885. He was con-
tent to lay firm foundations for the
future. None of his later opinions,
many as important and far-reaching
as Marbuly VS.. Madison, declared a
congressional enactment unconstitu-
tional. Not until the Dred Scott de-
cision in 1857 did the court again do
that.
1t is a debatable dictum of Gilbert
and Sullivan that 'the laws the true
embodiment of everything that's ex-
cellent." There is a question too,
whether John Marshall, with all his
genius. embodied the law. But few will
dispute that the institution of judicial
review is practically synonymous with
his name.
Perhaps that is why the great Chief
Justice is so often looked upon in the
same rare and aloof atmosphere as is
George Washington, whose biography
Evening star., 1953-09-23
Longer School Days

Longer School Days
A large percentage of the blame
for juvenile delinquency properly is
chargeable to the public school system
which turns children out of school
at 8 o'clock in the afternoon to
roam the Streets and get into devil
ment. Many parents send their chill
dren to school to get rid of them:
the schools turn them out at 8
o'clock to get rid of them, and the
teachers spend the rest of the after
noon till o'clock or later study
ing useless special courses" listening
to dull, useless lectures by DR.. Oso
Dundreary, who has taken a special
course in pedagogy at some dull, dreary
normal school, and making out useless
reports for the sole benefit of useless
job holder, the school clerk. All of
of which is of no value whatever So far
as the children are concerned and is
a tiresome bore for the teacher
To many children, especially poor
children, the hours spent in school are
The most pleasant hours of their lives,
and they should be kept in school,
given the privilege of staying till or
1'"V P'AA', oAlu IL ClAa1 10 GOO IO1s d
study period for the younger ones, the
last 80 or 40 minutes should be de-
voted to reading or story telling by the
teacher, or games. as now is done in
many private schools
Howard B. Smith.
X X
It is time we reopened the Civilian
Conservation Corps camps and gave
youth a place to live in decency and
under moral discipline. This. along
with instruction in trades, should re-
move young people from the oppor
tunity of committing crimes, and en-
able them to grow into useful citizens,
Mrs. James C. Palmer.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
By Robert K. WoIsh

THIEF JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL,
~ first man to fill that Office when
the Supreme Court settled in the Dis
trict, was born in Virginia 1913 years
ago. He would be the last to dissent or
disqualify himself in a. birthday OBJ
Servance at this time, pending the for
NAL celebration of the 200th anniver-
sary proposed for 1855.
This September "A is also the an
niversary of passage of the judiciary
Act of l789 And 1853 marks the l50th
anniversary of Supreme Court opin-
ion written by Chief Justice Marshall
to void section of that law in an ap-
parently trivial case of a man who
wanted to be justice of the peace
in Washington.
The enactment and the opinion, as
well as the Chief Justice, are inSep-
arabic in history as the first instance
OF an act OF Congress being declared
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
They still stand together in. any study
of MarShall's judicial career that did
so much to guarantee the prestige and
power OF the court, contribute to the
strength of the National Government,
and make Marshall himself towering
and unfortunately awesome-figure
for posterity to contemplate.
The case of William Marbury versus
James Madison, Secretary of State, is a
fascinating historical facet that often
stops farther and deeper look into the
tremendous effect of Chief Justice
Marshal's work and character.
Marbury was one of the midnight
judges" appointed by President John
Adams few hours before Thomas JEFF
ferson took over on March 4, 1901. Mar
shall then was Secretary of State. He
also was Chief Justice, although draw
ing only one salary. His appointment
to the court in January, 1901, was at
tackled by JefferSonians as Calamity
if not Incredible.
In any event, through an oversight
or otherwise, Secretary of State Mar
shall failed to send the signed and
sealed commission to the would-be j. P.
The new Secretary of State, Madison
refused to hand it over. Marbury asked
the Supreme Court to grant a writ of
mandamuS to compel Madison to de-
liver the commission.
MoQefn legaI etnlcS experts can argue
whether Marshall, as Chief Justice,
could have sat in on the matter. He
nevertheless plunged into the case, but
not in a mere Squabble over justice
of the peace. He Immediately saw a
challenge to the power of the Supreme
Court.
The courts opinion he wrote in 1903
was tWo-edged. It showed both con-
stitutional thoroughness and legal
cleverness in handling an issue that
might easily have boomeranged against
the tribunal. BY denying Marbury's
petition, it avoided direct showdown
Evening star., 1953-09-23

drive brought In 8la tons of metal, proceeds
from the sale Of which were added to the library
fund Congress eventually provided additional
funds for purchase of the site and preparation
of plans and, in the 1858 budget provided
$335000 for construction of the library part of
the building, only. But the original plans called
for three community rooms, including one seat
ing 185 persons. An additional appropriation
by Congress of $4,000, added to money already
available, would complete the building as
planned as expected by those who con-
tributed toward it. The Commissioners should
do their part by seeing to it that these civic
minded citizens are not let down.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
SunfIower

One toho has never matched q sunfo,cer
groW
Up tail. close By his ,1indo,U. does not
E7lo10
All he can learn of tallneSs. ANY one
Who neUer matched q foUer repeat
the sun
With yellot0 rays. Teiterdte the earth
With bro1Dn seed-hGrUest'S necessary
aCoTth
Does not knolC all he needs to know
of foUerS.
And one iDho has not seen. tn Utuid
hours,
A goldJfnch cleaning in the great green
leGUeS,
Glad for the good provision it yeceiues.
Has neUer learned, joy- Smitten,
tConder- stirred.
Exactly HON it feels to be bird.
Jone Merchant
Evening star., 1953-09-23
His Name Is synonymous With the Law

he found time to write. Contemporary
accounts prove he was anything but
high hat or old hat Some of his more
fastidious fellow citizens felt he cid
not measure up to their idea of judi
cial dignity because as Federalist he
was too democratic in manner. He car
ried his market basket, pitched quoits
near the Capitol, and sometimes
showed up in court with cockleburs
on his coat. Nor were his good humor
and hilarity" and his not-too-hand-
some face and rather awkward figure
regarded as assets.
Later he was charged with using
that same engaging personality as well
as his power OF persuasion to bring
associate justices around to his way
OF thinking. IF so, that was no mean
achievement. Many of them were ap-
pointed by President jefferson.
prodigious worker and penetrating
thinker, Chief Justice Marshall wrote
opinions in more than 500 of the ap-
proximately 1900 cases decided by the
court between 1901 and 1885. And
what cases they were! Fletcher VS..
Peck, interpreting the Constitutions
commerce clause and the first decision
lnValldating State law under the
Federal Constitution; McCulloch VS..
Maryland, constituting the power of the
National Government and holding that
State tax on federally incorporated
bank was not allowed under the Con-
Stlut1on; the Dartmouth College case,
dealing with contracts and corpora
tlonS and so greatly affecting the busi-
ness development of the United States
for so many years.
1t may be merely a legend that he
once told colleague: THAT is the law:
now you find the precedents." But
there is no denying he himself set
precedents which are as compelling
today as when he handed them down.
His opinions have not gone altogether
unchallenged or unchanged That is
justly an essential part of the Nations
system of equal justice under law and
of the unusual function of the. Su-
preme Court, position almost unparal-
leled in the world
To describe John Marshall as the
apostle of judicial supremacy is not
entirely accurate. While assuring the
Supreme Court of its stature in the
constitutional plan of checks and
balances his decisions and conserva-
tism and basic democratic outlook
seldom aimed at restricting unduly the
power and activities of Congress and
the Executive.
On his birthday this year, as another
Chief Justice is about to be appointed,
it seems especially fitting that John
Marshall be remembered for the en-
during responsibility he placed upon
his successors. The responsibility runs
concurrently. 1t rests as we'll on the
President who appoints and the Senate
that confirms Chief Justice of the
United States.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
BeIoted Union Cleanup

The American Federation of Labors house.
cleaning operation on the New York-New Jersey
water front-Would have been more newsworthy
if it had not been so long delayed. That
cleanup was necessary and, indeed, inevitable
was apparent to most observers long ago.
Reams of testimony before various investigating
groups more notably the Kefauver committee
and the New York State Crime Commission,
showed that the AFL International Longshore-
mems Association had become thoroughly DOM
mated by hoodlums and racketeers. The situa-
ton disclosed during the inquiries was disgrace
not only to the union but to New York City.
Even while William O'Dwyer was Mayor of
New York City the public was demanding
waterfront purge. When New York grand
jury started delving into reports of thievery,
eXtortion and murder on the docks, however,
Mayor ODWyer, for reason never satisfactorily
explained, ordered the district attorney to lay
off. But public indignation increased until
State and Federal action brought results. These
Investigations exposed shocking corruption and
criminality the part of union members and
officials. Representatives of big steamship lines
reluctantly admitted they had paid many thou
sands of dollars to lila "labor bosses" for prom
ised protection from pilferage. An undercover
agent who joined the union testified he had
received $125 week for doing practically
nothing" and that he had helper" on the
"job." Several witnesses swore that ex-convicts
were given priority for union jobs on the docks.
The AFL announced during the course of
the Investigations that it was watching devel-
opments and would take whatever action was
necessary at the proper time. It was disclosed
at this weeks convention of the AFL in st.
Louis that Joseph P. Ryan, lifetime president
of the pier union, had been given an ultimatum
some months ago to clean up the union-With-
out apparent results. In the meantime, Ryan
has been indicted on charges of stealing union
funds. Now the membership of the AFL has
voted overwhelmingly to expel Ryan's union
Preparations already are under way to organize
a new union in the New York-New Jersey area.
number of LILA members are reported to be
interested in joining the proposed substitute
AFL union. 1t is to be hoped the AFL will take
lesson from the past and exercise greater
vigilance in screening applicants than was the
case under Ryan's leadership. State authorities
have offered to cooperate in the screening
process. If the undertaking works out as ex-
pected, a new era of clean labor relations on
the docks of New York Harbor is assured.
A Detroit burglar runs off with an athletic
clubs weight-lfting equipment, and we can
hardly wait for his lawyers plea that he did
it in moment of weakness
The Army promises its controversial bars
for the troops will not resemble "gaudy night
clubs" but doesn't specify just what kind of
night club they will resemble.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
Letters to The Star.

ultimate end, or is toll be halted, or even
reversed, is still to be seen.
To us it seems reasonable to assume
that there are other places in this vast
country less densely populated and less
productive which would serve just as
well as ranges for military experiments
without disrupting the work and pleas
tre of so many thousands.
We believe this question must some
day be resolved by Congress. In the
meantime we are grateful for the eff
forts of The Star to throw light on the
problem so the people will understand
the issue.
The Cobb Island Citizens Association.
Tribute to Shep
Thanks so much for printing Norman
M Littell's eloquent tribute to his be-
loved old dog, Shep. In these days of
uncertainty and strife it is indeed re-
assuring to know that the beauties of
life have not entirely passed. Here. Mr..
Littell rises above a trend which
threatens our national life--a loss of
true values. Without a doubt Shep
played stellar role in Mr. Littell'S
successful, though busy, life; and as
much as Shep shall be missed, Mr..
Littell may rest assured that his tribute
is destined to rank with the late Sena-
tor Vests eulogy on Mans Best
Friend ]. NJ. Jack) Kyle.
The letter which you printed signed
by Norman M. Littel, on the loss of
his dog, has touched me deeply
Mr.. Littell has written beautiful and
stirring piece on a subject that is close
to my heart. AS long as it beats it will
always be on the side of the dog. My
love for this species of animal will at
all times remain constant. Among
other things, they are so terrifically
understanding. How much we so-called
humans could learn about the better
things of life from such a dog as MI.
Littell so aptly describes More power
to man that has the instinct to write
about the soul of an animal, such as
Shep. and God bless the doggie in its
doggie heaven.
At the moment I remind myself of
story. One day casually remarked
that the more I saw of people the
more attached / become to dogs, and
not necessarily my own. The person
to whom I addressed this bon mot
retorted by branding ME with cyni-
cism. My demurring went for naught.
Only true dog lover could understand
just what meant.
MahIOn Ashford.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
POGO Second to None

Ye Heavens upside down by deeds of
men.
Foolhardy; bold these men in blindness
made,
Who dare the heavens crash; and word
send
Of this, by turning DER their comic cage
So that for two days past Sir Marlin
Keel
And not Immortal Pogo rests on top
Repent! In shame let error turn the
heel,
Fore Heaven sakes and earth begins
to rock
Return our Pogo to his rightful spot!
Louis Homer.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
Back to SpoiIs System

AS a retired employe for over 10
years. it makes my blood boil to hear
and read all the "prattle" about the
firing of Federal employees.
The press and especially the COM
mentatorsa are guilty in harping on
how the bureaus are planning to get
rid of thousands of employees, many of
whom have spent a lifetime in the
service.
I served for over 40 years in the
service and through both Democratic
and Republican administrations, and
never during that period did I ever
know of such widespread terror and
suspense as prevails in the depart
ments today
What does civil service really mean
today if it is possible to fire employees
indiscriminately without any regard to
the merits of the employe?
It would seem far better to abolish
civil service and resort to the old spoils
system of SO years ago. In that event
an employe would know that a change
Of administration would mean the loss
of his or her job provided they belonged
to the wrong party. Retired.
Evening star., 1953-09-23
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any ouestior
OF faGt by writing The Evening Star Informa-
L1or bureau. Zoo l street NV. Washington 5,
postage ~ ~ 'eeuI"
Evening star., 1953-09-23
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.

Q. Who said that quorum is "a
sufficient number of members of a de-
Lucrative body to have their own way.
and their own way of having it"?-
j. L. E.
A. Ambrose Bierce, American author
and journalist. gave this cynical def
milton of the word in his Devils Die
tionary," published in 1906.
Q. What is genre" painter?-B. L.
A. One who paints domestic, rural
or village scenes, or pictures of real
life.