davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Horpers Ferry

Here guardian mountains stand against
the sky,
And in the lovely UGley at their feet
The Shenandoah and Potomac meet.
Mingling their music as they ripple by.
On bridge and stream and steep old
hillside totOn
So peacefully today the sunlight falls
That only hiStory's fading page re-
calls
The M-starred escapGde OF poor John
BrOiDn.
Climb IT you wiu to ,Dhere the arsenal
stood:
Picture the terror of that autumn
night.
The little band, the briet. misguided
fight.
For0iue. for tltey believed their purpose
good. =.
II John BroUns soul goes marching
on today, -
What does it find? The dream bT
him begun
Is unGccomplished still, the task halt
done,
For justice comes 50 slo,Dly on its ioay.
Inez Boreloy Kirby
Evening star., 1953-04-02
By Charles E. TroceweN

side and bring out his special treat Of
raiSinS.
when he wants raisins he will perch
on tree limb and whistle and call
until he is noticed. know If were
home every day he would eat out of my
hand, as he will come to the feeder
while stand beside it."
Sincerely, E. D."
o. e. C. of Falls Church. Va. finds
a m0cker very irksome to her. The bird
bomb-dives other species.
MY one question" she asks, "is
whether or not he will be inclined to
leave as soon as he mates?"
C. c. of Chevy Chase, Md, believes
that an even more striking sign of
spring than the robin and its cherry
warble is the change in the attitude Of
the cardinals. This morning two
males" this writer reports, that all
winter had been concerned only with
getting a full stomach, flew down to
the feeder and brought back Sunflow-
er seeds each for the lady of his choice.
Both pairs sat there in the same tree.
the males solicitously putting the seeds
in the ladies' beakS. Sometimes q pair
will fly down together and the females
take turn at making the love offer
ing. One ruby-crowned kinglet has been
at our suet cup for week now"
These are some Of the small but al
ways interesting observations of those
who find nature wonderful and are
willing to accept it as whole. and not
in parts more suited to their individual
desires. Those who work up spleen
against one or more species fail to find
this satisfaction and happiness In ma
fIlrA
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Who remembers the old dusty coun-

Who remembers the old dusty coun-
try roads?
, And poke bushes growing along the
way?
These are precious memories to N.
A. of Chevy Chase, who writes:
IT was much interested in your
column of several days ago relating to
poke berries I have known them since
childhood when we used to make ink
out of them, and even know families
near us on my fathers farm in Virginia
who used them as medicine for rheu-
matiSm.
''They were mashed to pulp and
put in whisky. It never seemed to hurt
any one. We were told it was an old
Indian remedy. How beneficial, I do
not know.
II also we'll remember, even so years
ago, when our home in rural Virginia
faced a main unpaved highway, how
the dust in dry weather would be at
least 2 inches deep and the air would
be full of it when horse and buggy
would pass. and especially when people
would be passing to and from church
one-half mile away.
"We could see dust rising from the
time they started back home but we
didn't seem to pay much attention but
just looked upon it as one of those
things which we couldn't do anything
about.
"Then in wintertime the roads would
be almost impossible from the mud
and frozen slush, often almost up to
the horses knees and hubs of the
wheels. Whenever possible we rode
Evening star., 1953-04-02
This and That

horseback and the horses would be ice
shod to help prevent slipping.
"Still we were happier than we are
now and looked upon life as a big ad
venture with fox hunting and spirited
horses which loved the sport as much
as we did. Those were the happy days.
II also remember long underwear.
too, and how much We disliked it, but
had to wear it. no matter"
ARLINGTON. Va.
Dear sir:
There was an article the other eve
ming about turtle doves which prompted
me to write. We have feeding station
set about feet from the window, also
a board on the STILL
For the past six years we have had
three pairs of doves come on the window
sill and feed. In summer they bring
their offspring.
IF too many sparrows get around
them they will peck at them until
they leave. The cardinals feed on the
sill along with the doves and our special
song sparrow.
I'm bad weather even the juncoS
come to the sill. This past Sunday a
Carolina wren sat for at least Is min
utes in the feeding station.
I'VE have kept count Of the various
species that have visited the feeder
and our three pools. and there have
been g. Have large metal bath that
is kept filed the year around. 1t is .
welcome treat on cold day to flnd
water to drink.
"Also have a mockingbird that will
follow our car down the driveway on
the street and wait for US to hurry In
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Lillian Genth

Washington will remember the work of the
late Lillian Genth among the American painters
of the first half of the twentieth century She
was an impressionist, but she was faithful also
to the great classic traditions of form and color
first established by the Greeks and rediScovered
by the Renaissance masters. James Abbott Nc
Neill Whistler and Elliott Daingerfield were her
teachers, and it is possible that she owed to
them some part of her love of light. The best
of her pictures are studies Of noble human
figures Illuminated by the sun. She posed her
subjects against forest backgrounds and at the
edge of bright pools mirroring brilliant skies.
Her "Adagio" and Depths of the Woods" In the
National Collection of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton are characteristic achievements They
were presented by William T. Evans in 1907 and
still are regarded as works of distinction.
Miss Genth exhibited at the Corcoran Gal
lery as early as 1910. The last of her important
canvases shown there was displayed in the 18th
Biennial in 1930-31. Meanwhile mysterious
change occurred in the life of the artist
On August 13, 1928, she announced that she
never would paint another nude Since none
of her productions ever had been criticized
because of impropriety, her sudden and drastic
decision to abandon a custom which had
brought her well-deserved fame and con-
siderable fortune raised many questions. Miss
GeACu luIuISIleU HO ANSWERS. 4uSCcdO, Sic
vigorously launched herself upon a new career,
voyaging to New Guinea Java, the Fijis, Samoa
and Siam in quest of different themes" She
visited Spain likewise and executed series of
impressions of bull fighting. Her skill remained
unaffected, but her popularity waned.
Here in Washington, however, Miss Genth
always had following. Leila Mechlin, The
Stars writer on art from 1900 to 1916, was a
friend, and SO was Ada Rainey, the art critic
of the Washington Post. They helped her to
find an ardent and loyal audience.
Evening star., 1953-04-02

Socrates states in his last line IF
you are interested, do something about
it,
/ would like to know what can be
done about 1t as we District taxpayers
have no voice in who makes such regu-
lationS.
Some of these officials must lose a
lot of good sleep trying to think or figure
out how much trouble they can put the
public to in order to secure a slice of
our tax money.
Socrates the Second"
should like to comment on the letter
signed Socrates" concerning re-exam-
ination of drivers over IS.
The Director of Vehicles and Traffic
asked the Board of Commissioners to
approve the periodic re-examination of
drivers SIS and over for several reasons.
Most drivers over IS have never taken
any kind of test, visual or otherwise.
to obtain an operators permit in the
first instance, although every other ap-
plicant for permit is required to do so.
In 1851 traffic accident records dis
close that despite the limited driving
done by drivers in this group, they
were involved in slightly more than
per cent OF the personal---very. acci-
dents, although they constitute but 1.6
per cent of the licensed drivers.
Although Maryland does not require
the re-examination Of drivers over 65,
as Socrates" pointed out Virginia
does. This has created no particular
hardship or aroused criticism in that
State.
You may be interested to learn the
results of the first 1913 examinations
given to persons IS and over beginning
January IA, 1858. OF the 1913 drivers
only failed the test on traffic rules
and regulations which all drivers must
pass. OF the 1913. "a did not have the
minimum 20/40 visual acuity, which all
drivers must have This is over 27 per
cent of the group.
These results seem to justify the
many requests we receive from relatives
OF these drivers asking us to please re-
examine them from time to time as a
matter of greater safety for themselves
and for the public.
We feel re-examination after IS is
in the public interest It promotes
greater safety and should cause no
apprehension to drivers in this group
who have good eyeSight and know the
traffic laws.
Anthony L. Ellison,
Administrative Assistant to Direc-
tor, D. c. Department of Vehicles
and Traffic.
D. c. motorists will soon find it neces-
sary to unionize if they wish to con-
tinue to drive on the streets which they
pay taxes to maintain. Coming events
forecast shadows.
After IS you must face new tests for
driving. A complicated point system
destined to make neurotics of drivers is
maintained at their expense since it
needs more clerks to maintain it.
Two answers come readily as to the
why: The Director Of Motor Vehicles is
not praised enough and does not want
to be forgotten by voteless people. He
recognizes how powerleSs people are to
do anything about anything We are
thus ever making criminals or psyche
neurotics of the most law-abiding peo-
pie in the world by imposing more and
more laws. Where will they stop?
Constructive measures surely are
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Dr.. Astin's Dismissal

There are circumstances surrounding the
dismissal of Dr. Allen v. Astin as director of the
Bureau of Standards which, if left unexplained,
will tend to bring into question the good name
of the bureau.
In his appearance before the Senate Small
Business Committee, Secretary of Commerce
Weeks said that disagreement over the test
ing of solution supposed to prolong the life
of batteries was one reason for the custer of
DR.. Astn. Both Mr.. Weeks and his aide, Craig
Sheaffer added, however, that there were
other reasons the nature of which was not
disclosed.
The result is to becloud both DR.. AStin'S
forced resignation and the prestige of the
bureau-a result which certainly can satisfy
no one
In statement which, in the circumstances,
seems notably restrained and dispasSionate in
tone, DR.. Astin makes two points.
In the first place. his resignation having
been asked for by a new administration, he
felt that he had no alternative but to submit
- 1t. The reasons given him were that the new
administration of the Department of Com
merce wished to make changes in the opera
tionS of the Bureau of Standards. His offer to
cooperate in studies of such changes having
been declined, there was nothing for him to
do but to get out
as to the justice and fairness of Dr. AStin'S
custer. AS long ago as March 4, he points out,
he suggested in writing that the Committee of
Visitors, composed of five outstanding scientists
who report annually to the Secretary of Com
merce on the bureaus scientific operations, be
requested to evaluate the bureaus record and
tests of the controversial battery additive Or
that the same sort of evauation be made by the
National Academy of Sciences. AS far as KNOWN
neither of these suggestions has been accepted
Senator Thye, chairman of the Small Busi-
ness Committee, has said that his group will be
glad to hear DR.. AStin if he wishes to testify
The committee should go further than that.
It should investigate this matter thoroughly,
and inform the public of the circumstances.
The public has right to know whether
there is any plan to mix politics with the
scientific objectives of the Bureau of Standards.
That is an explosive sort of mixture which must
by all means be avoided .l..
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Why Give Spies a Break?

More effective enforcement of Federal laws,
especially those relating to espionage, would
result from legislation which Attorney General
Brownell says he will seek from Congress. A
bill being prepared for consideration of the
lawmakers would permit the use in Federal
courts of evidence obtained by tapping wires.
The bill will be new one, but the subject is
an old and controversial one. However dis
tasteful eavesdroppng may be in polite circles,
the fact remains that rules of etiquette cannot
safely be adhered to in the serious and danger
Gus business of detecting plots against the
national security.
Our enemies, themselves using wire tapping
methods without compunction, have never
understood why our laws have made spies
immune from prosecution on the basis of inter-
cepted communications. But they undoubtedly
enjoy the immunity. Actually, the Federal
Communications Act does not prevent the
Federal Bureau of Investigation or military
intelligence agencies from listening in phone
conversations. The Supreme Court has ruled,
however, that it does prohibit the making
public of such converSationS-and hence that
it prohibits the introducing in Federal court
of any evidence obtained through wire tapping
That places the FBI under a heavy handicap
in its war against spies and saboteurs. Such
a restriction constitutes potential hazard to
atomic and military security.
Wire tapping, even by law-enforcement
officers should, of course, be subject to reason
able restrictions The new Attorney General
favors legislation which would forbid wire
tapping by Federal agents except by his explicit
permission in certain cases involving security
of the country or the saving of lives. Under
such restrictions the rights of innocent citizens
would be adequately protected. Legislation OF
this nature should have been passed long ago.
The new Congress will plug grave loophole in
our defenses against alien spies by freeing the
FBI from the bonds which now hamper 1t in
its vital counterespionage work.
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Strictly UtiIituriun
Ruby M. Little.

odd Timers" letter, March IS, re-
veals astonishing knowledge of Four
teenth and streets In the early nine--
ties. He proves, moreover, that he
knew his saloons of that bygone era.
Let us hope that it was an ultra
modern copyreader who made him
miSspell Shoomaker's-one of the
famous caravansarieS. The first sylla-
BILE is "Shoo." as in 'Shoo 'em out!"
There were no fancy bar fixtures at
Shoomaker'S-no mirrors. no brass, no
chrome and very few bottles-but back
among the cobwebs were barrels and
more barrels, and on the counter were
jugs, demijohns and curious shaped
decanterS. Most patrons took their
rye and bourbon straight, or in a de-
lectable toddy.
At Shoomaker's in the waning eigh-
ties the approach to the newfangled
highball or cocktail was half timid,
half resentful. If you didn't smoke
pipe, black cigar or blacker
Wheeling stogie. you didn't smoke at
Evening star., 1953-04-02

all. In those days cigarettes just didn't
go with Shoomaker's liquor.
Old-Timer may remember that be-
fore they organized Press Club. Shoo-
makers supplied Washington's def
cheney of journalistic clearing house.
A neWsman, coming from the hinter-
land only once or twice a year. sought
professional orientation by barging into
Shoomaker's about $50 pm. The pro-
ceSSion then moved to the other
licensed landmarks Old-Timer has
named, and one he forgot-Hancock's
at one-two- -three-four Pennsylvania
avenue, where the novice was told
sclemnly that he probably was slipping
from the glass once used by Daniel
Webster, Henry Clay or Franklin Pierce.
To the visiting young reporter this was
quite a lift-when Grover Cleveland
was in the White House and the elder
Adlai Stevenson was Vice President.
John p. COwan.
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Mccarthy the 'If Man?

After reading many papers, listening
to radio commentators, besides perus-
Ing other news media, have become
convinced that be the mouthpiece Com
munist, left wing liberal or conserva-
tive, they all have one point of agree
ment in common: The new American
hymn of hate. "McCarthyism."
If one multiplies this sort of slanted
reporting by all the varying news agen-
cles. can we'll imagine it was the likes
of Senator Mccarthy that Rudyard
klpling had in mind when he wrote:
IF you can keep your head when
all about you,
Are losing theirs and blaming it
on you;
If you can trust yourself when all
men doubt you,
But make allowance for their
doubling too;
If you can wait and not be tired
by waiting,
Or being lied about don't deal in,
lies;
Or being hated don't give way to
hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor
talk too wise =. ="
OF course there is more to the poem
and it ends up that if an individual can
endure all these trials he's a man. So
far Senator Mccarthy has proved he
can take it and in my book-he's a
man, bigger than most of his critics.
T. j. C.
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Steady Hand on the Throttle

I wish to add my Amen to the letter
signed Socrates"
/. am 81 years young and received
my first permit about 1905 when we had
very few drivers in Washington and
examinations for permits were held once
a week at the District Building under
the direction Of Mr.. Woodward. It
was almost like taking steam engi-
neer's test.
I am in perfect health. 1920 vision
with glasses, perfect hearing and have
never at any time had an accident of
any kind or even asked to show my per-
NIT knocking on woodO. I find also
that drivers of my age group are
very careful and have fewer accidents
than of any other age group.
have no fear of not being able to
pass the test myself but do protest
against the time, trouble and red tape
necessary to secure my next permit
If a driver is physically unfit to
drive it will show on his application
and the permit should not be issued.
Evening star., 1953-04-02

job in disposing Of the Covell case and aeveral
other questionable cases brought to light during
the Senate crime investigation. It was dim
cult and thankless task which was assigned to
them. The committees final report should
bring to an end the period Of uncertainty
naturally arising from the investigation and
hence should promote efficiency in the much
probed department. With lawlessness on the
increase in Washington, 1t is too bad that time
has had to be devoted to side issues bearing on
the integrity of the force
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Snup Out Of it Pogo!

What in the ever-lovin', blue -eyed
world has happened to Pogo? From
where land several other Pogo fanat-
ics-sit, the humor in the strip appears
to have foundered on the shoals Of Sa-
tire. suggest that Mr.. Kelly throw his
MacCarony character to the sharks
(who will doubtless find him as indigeS-
tible as most of us do). load everybody
else in the Memphis Belle. and return
to the light-hearted days Of the past
when the satirical comment was less
obtrusive-and much funnier.
Claudia Smart.
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Tumperino With the Clock

Nothing is so wonderful as daylight
saving time! Magically, 8 o'clock be-
comes 10. and Tuesday starts on Mon
day. Why. look how we could raise our
standard of living by the same method
we could call lemon a grapefruit; a
dollar bill would become two; a two a
five, etc.
Frederick A. WeiIand.
There is rapidly approaching the
season in which Washington is to be
subjected to the torments, along with
river valley heat and humidity, of day
light saving time. So far as / know,
two arguments have neen advanced in
its favor-that an extra hour IS made
available for sportsmen and gardeners,
and that some businessmen (preSum-
ably stock brokers' would be incon-
venienced by not being in exact accord
with New York time. The first argu-
ment ignores the facts that the vast
majority Of Washingtonians have either
no opportunity or no inclination for
sports or gardening and that they are
in more need Of an hour of restful sleep
than an extra hour Of physical exertion
under conditions Of daytime heat and
light. The second disregardS the fact
that the vast majority of American
businesses operate without conforming
to New York time. After all, this is the
Capital.
Ruhv M Tittla
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Ought to Be q Law

GlSe IN crime is ACCflDOCeQ TO LACK
of Police" reads Star headline. Yet
policeman takes time out to arrest jay
walkers and judge puts them in Jail.
Let the police and courts concentrate
on criminals, not honest citizens. The
judge should be kicked off the bench for
poor judgment if not malfeaSance. The
arresting officer should be reprimanded
and the jailed citizens recompensed for
damages. What is this-Russia?
John T. Sawyers.
Brief Imprisonment of jaywalkers
seems inadequate protection to the pub
lie. suggest that their walking per-
mits be revoked for year. Presumably
these dangerous persons have already
served their time and are back on the
streets, where they may at any time
walk into the side of an automobile
and damage it. Still worse, by failing to
run when crossing street on a green
light, they may force driver making a
right turn to stop so suddenly as to be
run into from behind. damaging both
vehicles and injuring their occupants,
including perhaps white-haired grand
mothers and innocent babes in arms.
Since there are apparently never any
arrests made for violation of the yellow
light, the hapless driver. victim Of the
careless pedestrian, could hardly be ex-
pected to know the legal meaning of
the yellow light warning to the
driver that he must not enter the in
tersection unless he can get entirely
out of it before the red appears.
Charles w. Stark.
+
If recall correctly, the District has
one of the highest rates of crime for
most types, and the papers are usually
full of dope traffic. crimes of violence
and holdups that occur here. Also, DO
lice claim they do not have enough men
to combat it. If this is the case, then in
my opinion they cannot spare the men
to keep tabs on mostly innocent people
who might violate traf1c light.
Robert L. Douglas.
Evening star., 1953-04-02
Letters to The Star !.

more valuable than punitive ones sug-
gested.
The Director Of Motor Vehicles once
managed an auto club and was a
champion of drivers. His job has
changed him.
T.. Y. Williams.
Milford chronicle., 1953-01-30

FOR SALE-SS acres, 68 tillable, S.
room house, running water in porch,
on stone road, $1O,500. 446 acres, 297
tillable, land in high state of culti-
VatiOn, excellent for potatoes, 500, 200
1870 acres, 1S0 tillable, grain and dairy
farm, S55, 900. 100 acres with large
brick house, COW barn with IA stanch-
ions, several other buildings, wonder
full location, S32 000 100 acres, large
8-rOOm frame dwelling, cow barn with
80 stanchions and drinking cups, ten
ant house, several other buildings, in
Guiding silO, good location, 100000 go
acres with bungalow, 5 rooms and
bath, basement, expansion attic,
buildings include stable, implement
shed, grainery, garage and CHICKEN
house, good location, $4,000. Al p acres
with a large 9-room house and bath,
chicken house for 100 layers, barn,
$4,000. % acres with rooms and
bath, broiler houses, capacity 4,5OO,
several other buildings, including
yer. $4,000. One mile from Milford,
ranch type home, 4 rooms and bath,
2 bedrooms, floors are hardwood, lot
100 160, $4,000. Six rooms and bath
in Frederica, IS X 200, excellent con-
uitiOn, immediate possession, $500.
Atlantic gas station, plus large ce-
ment garage, room modern dwelling,
situated on 1 1 Is acre of land, and it
is a corner property, good location,
wonderful opportunity for some am
bilious young man, $4,000 Service
Realty Co, State and LoOckerman
streets, Dover Phone 5752 or Lulu
=. wilkins, associate broker, treder-
lea. Phone 4761. 231-1-SO-1t
Milford chronicle., 1953-01-30

FOR SALE-One 3-head block saw
mill with 50-hoe blade; one 12-hOrse
power, two man, heavy duty, Henry
Diston chain saw (twO chains); one
1880 International tractor, one JOHN
Deere tractor, one 7-horse power skid
motor and other milling equipment.
Sawmill has new white oak timber. No
reasonable offer refused. Will sell all
or part. Tract of timber around so
thousand feet. Between 8 and Is
thousand feet cut in log form. AVail-
able where mill is located. Can be
seen any evening after 4:S0 p. m. eX-
cept Friday or Saturday Ernest G..
Tatum, Greenwood, Delaware. Phone
1850. 100-1232t