davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-12-18
This and That i.

been in very great hurry when she
rushed out of the house.
A passenger who had detached him.
self from the public" for all time,
frovned to himself. as he watched the
waving strands threaten to go into
the buSman's eyes.
Human hair on top Of the head is
Just the opposite of the public: 1t is
exactly right, in the aggregate, but
detached becomes something to get
into the butter or the eye.
1t was not a pretty spectacle, that
waving comb, and the passenger felt
calico upon to say something, but, OF
course, he didn't; but if he had, he
woulo have piped up, Lady, for
heavens sake, either put that comb
away or get off the bus. This is not
a dressing room"
There was that terrible female who
got on one crowded morning, and pro-
ceeded to take off half dozen sweaters
and coats.
Now, doubtless, she was a very nice
person, loved by those who knew her
best, but the other passengers did not
know her, and what she did in no way
endeared her to them.
She pulled bit of dental floss out of
her pocket and proceeded to clean her
teeth, then carefully wiped it of be-
tween her fingers, shook them out, and
put the floss back in her pocket.
And there was that man who picked
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Freedom or Slavery?

Mrs. Portia Howe has done about all she is
going to be allowed to do toward convincing her
American prisoner of war son in Korea that he
should renounce communism and come home
She has the sympathy of other mothers and all
of the rest of us as she searches her mind for
some point at which she may have failed as
mother.
This business of turning to communism is
not an easy thing to explain. Each man has
mind of his own. and that mind has developed
from everything that has happened to him from
the day he was born. The way young mans
mind is led is the responsibility of all who have
contach with him. The failure in the case Of
Richard Howe may we'll have come from many
sources aside from his home in America-pos-
sibly from the Army itself, so busy with the
mechanics of war that it gives too little thought
to ideologieS
It is easy for us to conceive the influence Of
one friend on another, particularly that of an
older friend on an impressionable young man.
But those who have not experienced it can have
no conception of the persuasive methods of a
ruthless foe. 1t is especially difficult when we
are not close to the man involved and to his
hopes and fears, his ambitions and Illustrations.
Perhaps the armed services need to get closer
to the minds of their men.
Stories of American prisoners OF war who
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Three Courses for Russiu

There are obviously three possibili-
ties as the outcome of Soviet delibera-
ton upon President EiSenhower's pro-
posalS for the sharing of the worlds
atomic energy resources: The men of
the Kremlin may accept the proposals
in good faith. They may reject them.
Or they may pay them lip service
merely, seeming acceptance but with
the purpose of gaining their own ends.
Judging from the past it does not
seem likely that the Soviets will accept
in good faith. It would entail a rever-
sal of their policy of nonco-operation
and resistance to all United Nations
policing to insure cooperation and
fidelity to agreements behind national
boundaries. Then, too, it would raise
the Iron Curtain enough to disclose
the disastrous contrast between the
standards of living on its respective
sides. 1t would undermine Russia's
dominion over her satellites and dim
her prestige.
On the other hand, explicit rejection
might destroy Moscow's pretensions to
being the great peace-loving power
contending against Western warmon-
gers.
The most probable outcome is that
of pretended Soviet acceptance with
the purpose. of multiplying all U. N. SUI
nervision within the Russian domains.
In adopting this third possible choice
the SovietS would abide by the teach
ing of their most noted leaders to the
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Questions Courts Authority

Recent headlines state that the Su-
preme Court may decide to abolish
segregation in the public schools. The
question arises by what authority can
this group decide" to abolish Segrega-
ton. There is nothing in the ConStitu-
ton which states that the Supreme
Court shall have authority, by edict
or proclamation, enforced by Injunction,
to pass laws governing the American
people.
It is manifest, however. that this
court is not concerned with such nice
ties of constitutional law. Over the
years, and imperceptibly. it has in
creased it's power over the American
people until it now stands virtually as
a dictator. 1t is stated that this is
Government of laws, not men. This
axiom applies to all except the Supreme
Court, which makes up its own rules
as it goes along, applicable retroac-
lively, without regard either to existing
law, custom or precedent. 1t JuStlt1eS
this on the theory that it is simply
're-examining" previous positions. An
exemplification of this are the recent
school segregation cases, wherein the
court is now in the process of re-
examining previously existing position
maintained without deviation on all
levels of Government, both State and
Federal, for a period of over IS years.
Since the re-examination of posi-
tions, no matter how long standing, is
to become routine activity, then it
might be we'll for the American people
to re-examine the claimed authority
of the court QD to act as super
legislature under the guise of interpret
ing the Constitution, and ca its uSur-
patton of power under the due process
clause of the 14th Amendment, an OBJ
vious procedural measure, which has
been converted by the court into a
device whereby it has enlarged its
powers over the States to such an ex-
tent that no action by the latter, no
matter how trivial, can theoretically
escape its notice.
The solution is plain; the court
should be stripped of it's injunctive
power, and relegated to its proper con-
stitutional function of acting as
court, and not superlegislature.
Citizen.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
By Charles E. TroceweN

his nose, and another who blew his for
five miles, and third who chewed gum
and slapped it out of his mouth around
one of the uprights the dear old public
is supposed to hold onto: and there was
bottle
But why go on? These and many
other types are we'll known to all riders
of public vehicles. Perhaps one is for
tunate not to be able to recall any worse
incidents.
What happens, of course, is simply
this:
That in meeting the public, one runs
solidly into it's worst elements, as well
as its best, and the worst make the big
gest impression. The nice little lady
who seats herself primly. taking up no
more space than is due her, and never
attracts any attention, is completely lost
in the face of the big blow-hard who
runs away with the act.
The trim gentleman who would be
credit to any drawing room in the world
is lost amid the crowd of pushers,
showers and haulers, who evidently were
brought up in stables, as the old saying
had it. 1t has always been so. and no
doubt it always will; the shouting and
the tumult dies only because the blow
hards have stopped blowing-in other
words, when they get of. The driver
brings the vehicle to a Quivering halt.
waits until the door is closed again, and
says something under his breath. Oh,
your guess is as good as mine.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
On Defruyinq District Costs

In q recent news item reporting a
press conference with Representative
Miller, Republican, of Nebraska. it is
said that DR.. Miller declared: wash
ington ought to be the model city for
the Nation" For defraying the costs
Of this model city The Star said that
DR.. Miller proposes "if Congress ap-
proves more liberal Federal payment
toward District costs, that citizens here
should share their proper responsible
ties -. by increased taxes!"
II the parsimonious contributions
of our tax-exempt Federal Government
in recent years, which failed to keep
pace with constantly mounting Dis
trict costs, are any criterion, it is un-
likely that the more liberal Federal
payment" would materially lessen the
burden of the tax-ridden citizens OF
the District, who would pay the major
part of the cost Of this proposed model
Federal City. While this city is "for
the Nation" apparently, Dr. Miller does
not believe that the citizens OF the
States have any proper responsible
ties in it's creation, although their
prideful interest in its realization would
be no less than that Of citizens of the
D1SCr1CC.
In addition to the proposed increased
taxes DR.. Miller should not overlook
the fact that citizens Of the District,
as well as the States. would also con-
tribute to the more liberal Federal
payment" In expending the contribu-
tions of District citizens toward the cost
of the model city, the States, through
their representatives in Congress, would
have the final say, to the exclusion Of
the disfranchised citizens of the Dis
trict.
am all for making a model of my
native city. However, DR.. Miller should
modify his proposals and devise a
method of taxation whereby the cost
burden would be equitably distributed
between all political units of the Nation.
Old ReactiOnary.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Long. Minneapolis Tribune

end that peace conferences and peace
treaties be used to deceive and delude
opponents, to conceal their own steps
toward world conquest. They would
abide by the doctrine that it is not only
justifable to resort to trickery and ly-
ing but that such is good Communists
patriotic duty This is not only their
precept but is their practice. as has
been demonstrated to the werld.
The present juncture offers a par
ticularly tempting opportunity to en-
ploy these tactics. A gesture toward
cooperation by the Kremlin might
lessen the fear. in the Western world,
of further Soviet aggression. 1t is this
which provides the chief incentive for
European union, for West German and
Japanese rearmament, for American
preparations and military support for
free nations in several continents, and
even for many of our economic steps
taken or proposed in cooperation with
our freedom loving friends abroad. All
the policies of the free world aimed at
self protection are believed by the So
viets, and rightly, to be in conflict with
their own aims to Sovietize the entire
planet.
Free peoples are sick of the wars in
Korea and Indo-China. They hate to
60 to the expense of arming against
possible new aggression and, above all,
they dread to consider the possibility OF
atomic warfare.
Under the circumstances it is very
likely to seem to the Machiavellian
practitioners in Moscow that now is the
time to make fraudulent but plaus-
ible gesture toward peaceful cooper
alton.
Perhaps the most important question
in the world today is whether the
American people are wise enough cor
rectly to appraise Russian moves and
staunch enough to lead the free peo-
pies through this period of supreme
stress.
Some men at many times and some
peoples in certain generations have
been called upon by destiny to stand
at the breach. If this Nation for this
generation has been so called upon,
what shall the answer be?
Eugene w. Burr.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Sion of Safe Taxi
Hazel Davis.

One sense-making safety device is
the award to Washington's taxi drivers
of seals which they are allowed to place
upon their drivers cards indicating
that they have had safe-driving rec
ords for periods Of one year on up. I
have ridden with several of them who
have such records for 10 years, with
seals so designating them.
understand that the rules governing
the award of these emblems are very
rigorous and that taxi driver who gets
into even very slight violation of the
traffic rules can be penalized by COM
plete revocation of his right to show
the seal, no matter how many years he
has accumulated.
It has always seemed to me that the
public would rather know which taxi
drivers have these seals before entering
a cab, rather than after. The seals,
or emblems are a fine idea, but they
are tiny affairs, used inside the cab,
on a card up front, and many people
don't know what they mean.
So I move that the cabbies be al
lowed to place large replicaS of these
seals, indicating the number of years
they have won Safe-driving awards, on
the outside of their cabs, prominently
displayed. OF course, they should lose
the right to do this whenever they mar
their records, according to the present
rules.
think it would undoubtedly help
the business of those who have such
emblems If the cabbies were informed
officially that they are free to have
replicas painted on the outside of their
cabs at their own expense, once they
receive an emblem. there would be no
expenditure of public funds on the
project.
Perhaps some other rule, about what
can and cannot be put on taxis. would
have to be modified to accommodate
this idea. but if it has the merits of
making the seal coveted among drivers,
making the award understood by the
public and making safe driving profit
able, so to speak. I am sure the au-
thorities responsible would want to
permit it.
John F. Kane.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Notable Failure of Communism

December 81 is the 333d anniversary
of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plym-
outh.
They faced such hardships that of
the 102 who came over in the May
flower, 46 died the first winter. They
were a close-knit like-minded group
surrounded by wilderness.
They tried having things in common
but even under these most favorable
conditions for success it was failure.
They found that the building of
homes and the tilling of soil for the
benefit of all so lacked incentive that
progress was slow-very slow. Then they
changed to private ownership and with
the stimulating fact of personal gain,
progress was speeded-greatly Speeded.
Pilgrims Learned Communism Lacks
Incentive" by Albert w. Wunderly, con-
cludeS:
IF communism could ever be made
to function it most certainly would
have prospered there. It failed because
it ran counter to all the natural i'm
pulses of the human race. 1t has always
failed and will never succeed in doing
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Disappointed in 6. 0. P.

Wasn't it by presidential edict that
our postmasters in the Post Office De-
partment were put under civil serv-
ice? Then for goodness sake. why is
it that President Eisenhower does not
revoke the edict?
Republicans all over this country are
looking for patronage. Why is it that
this administration is so slow in giving
it? Doesn't it know that it is losing
votes every day by its delay? Doesn't
it know that unless it gets on the ball
at once. that it will not have the sup
por of the people?
Chester Nj. Way.
Middlebury, vt.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Orderly Procedure

The changed procedure for assessing de-
merits and revoking licenses in drunken driving
cases will assure every driver hearing before
any action is taken against him., That is the
fair and orderly way to deal with this difficult
public-safety problem. The new plan, if care
fully adhered to as proposed, will afford the
public the protection against reckless drivers
to which it is entitled. At the same time, it will
protect drivers from arbitrary and unauthor-
lied" penalties of the sort criticized by District
Court Judge Pine in recent revocation case.
Under the revised system, as worked out by
Corporation Counsel West after reading the
Pine decision in the Wilson case, no adverse
points will be marked against any driver until
he has had an opportunity to be heard in self
defense. Heretofore it had been possible under
the rules to take up drivers permit upon his
arrest for drunken driving. However it had
been customary as a matter of policy to offer
hearing to such driver. In the Wilson case
repeatedly through clerks error, notice of
revocation preceded a notice that a hearing
could be had. 1t also had been the custom to
assess II points against drivers record-suf-
dcient for evocation-immediately upon an
arrest on drunken-d driving charge. Hereafter
no points will be levied until after the hearing
OF course, if an accused driver is convicted
in court of drunken driving, his permit will be
automatically revoked, as required by law. If
he is acquitted, however, any suspension or
revocation previously ordered, after administra-
tive hearing, by the Traffic Department will be
Cancelled, together with the dement's. To make
this system effective as protector of the public
safety well as of individual rights it is impor-
tant that there be no undue delays in holding
hearings. There have been long delays in the
past. Fortunately, officials of the department
are making administrative changes that they
believe will materially speed up such hearings
Prompt hearings are essential to the success of
the whole program
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Where Are Those Soboteurs?

Civil Service Commissioners are not bound
by the rules which they enforce against poll
ticking by civil service employees. Commissioner
George Moore therefore within his rights
when he delivered Republican, favored speech
to the League of Republican Women of the
District. But he chose the wrong forum before
which to make such serious charges against
some Federal employees as he made in his talk
to the local Republicans.
Mr.. Moore said: I'm recent months it has
been my privilege to travel many thousands of
miles and to speak to various groups through
out the country. have been told of many
examples of how Federal employees are engaging
In political activity and are Sabotaging the aims
and purposes of the administration. l do not
believe this condition can be tolerated. nor
should the civil service system be used as
device for protecting those who seek to destroy
the policies and programs of President EiSen-
hover" He then said he thought the "over-
whelming majority" of the employees were loyal
to the administration and would neither con-
done nor tolerate activities of their co-Workers
to undermine the administration" He promised
to do all in his power Ito prevent such acts and
to remove their cause"
This is the first time that any responsible
official of the administration has suggested
that there are political Saboteurs, presumably
left over from the Democratic administration,
in many" jobs in the Government. While the
President and his aides have made it clear
that they intend to place their own appointees
in key polcy-makng or confidential posts, they
have not accused any incumbents of deliberately
Sabotaging the Presidents program. If Mr.
Moore was not indulging in irresponsible
rumor-mongering for the edif1cation of parti-
san audience-something that no Civil Service
Commissioner should do-he ought to disclose
publicly any facts he may have to support
the vague sabotage charge. If the dangerous
situation he describes actually exists, it is high
time that the saboteurS be identified and fired.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Unsound Advice

Acting on what he said was the advice of
DR.. Albert EinStein, an engineer named Albert
Shadowitz has invoked the First Amendment as
a basis for refusing to tell the Mccarthy COM
mittee whether or not he is member Of the
Communist Party. Mr.. Shadowitz will find that
the eminent professors advice was extremely
unSound.
Mr.. Shadowitz denied engaging in or hav-
ing any personal knowledge of espionage activ-
ity at the Federal Accommodation Labora-
tories in Nutley, New Jersey, where he is
employed. But he baked at answering questions
as to his Communist affiliations, if any-not on
the ground of possible sef-incrimination but
because of the guarantees of freedom and
speech and thought" in the First Amendment.
He said Dr. EinStein advised him not to
cooperate with the Mccarthy or "any other
similar committee" The committee plans to
institute contempt action against the witness.
It is Mr. Shadowtzs privilege to follow DR..
Einsten's suggestion if he see fit, but he should
be prepared to suffer the consequences. Others
before him have found the First Amendment OF
no avail in preventing conviction for contempt
of Congress on the CommCniSt-query issue.
group of Hollywood writers went to jail several
years ago under similar circumstances In the
Hollywood cases the United States Court of
Appeals said of the Bill of Rights plea: This is
not novel contention. 1t has been before this
and other Federal courts several times in recent
years, with appropriate variations to fit the
facts of the particular case. So that there
may be no misunderstanding and because the
point here involved has proven to be one OF con-
slant recurrence, we expressly hold herein that
the House Committee on Un-American Activ-
tiles, or a properly appointed subcommittee
thereof, has the power to inquire whether a
witness subpoenaed by it is or is not member
of the Communist Party or believer in COM
munism, and that this power carries with it
necessarily the power to effect criminal punish
ment for failure or refusal to answer that ques-
ton" The Supreme Court upheld that ruling.
Had the courts ruled otherwise, every Com
munist and every spy in the land could defy
any committee on a ground of high principle,
and, to go step further, the investigative func-
ton of Congress would be virtually at an end.
Evening star., 1953-12-18

turned from their country are received here
with concern and with regret, because Ameri-
can men are involved. In the background is
the constant thought that, first only an insig
nif1cant number of Americans embraced COM
munism, and, second, that many more Ameri-
can prisoners died rather than accept Com
munist indoctrination. Not so near to us, but
comforting point too is the overwhelming num-
ber of former Communists, who once lived in
slavery but who now have chosen freedom.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
Letters to The Star.

more than enslaving men to greedy
tyrant."
May we keep unforgettably in mind
the grim lesson the Pilgrims taught us
so absolutely: that while communism
may be good in theory, it is bad in fact!
Delcevare King.
Evening star., 1953-12-18
The Christmas Tree

This is the tree all children kno1D.
Along the branches shines eternal SnotU.
They touch bell OF stluer as they pass
And music ripples from the moving
bough.
Music like tOind against a leaf of glass.
This is the tree tDhoSe harvest is the
light,
Whose fragile buds olimmer along the
night,
Whose le1veS unfold to shotc the living
fire
That burns tphereUer children are
Incarndte in the Christmas Star.
Soro Van AIstyne Allen
Evening star., 1953-12-18
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

Dy 11ASNAN SLnV1NEs
@. During the recent surprise snow
storm in the East, brilliant display Of
lightning was seen. Is this a rare
phenomenon?-R. w. H.
A. The Weather Bureau says that
lightning does occasionally occur dur
ing snowstorm, but it is not apt to
be seen because when lightning does ac-
company snow, the snow is usually SO
heavy that it reduces the visibility to
such an extent that the lightning can-
not be seen from the ground.
@. What is the United States Civil
Service speed requirement for stenog-
raphers? Was the figure ever lower
than it is now?-G. B. D.
A. For many years the standard was
So words minute for junior Stenog-
raphers. During the years of World
War II and since that time this stand
ard has been lowered to 80 words a
minute for Junior stenographers, and
40 to As words for junior typists.
@. Why did Martin Luther post his
95 theses on the doors of the Castle
Church at Wittenberg?-E. B. A.
A. The 95 theses were intended by
Luther to be a challenge for disputa-
ton, according to the custom of his
day. Doors of churches were often
used for the posting of such notices.
@. What is the real name of the
Potato Chip Tree?-C. w. E.
A. Ptelea trifoliata is a small tree
or shrub popularity called Potato Chip
Tree because its ripe seeds look like
bits of potato chips.