davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-12-12
StoIemote at Ponmuniom

The tactic of interminable negotiation in
which lack of progress seems to be deliberately
accepted objective-an all-too-familiar pattern
of Communist behavor-is being applied by
the Chinese and North Korean Reds at Pan
munjom today For six weeks past, representa-
tiveS of these two powers have backed away
from every proposal advanced by United Nations
negotiators on setting up the political confer
ence projected in the July q armistice agree
ment. -
Asked fatty on Thursday by Arthur H.
Dean, special American envoy who is heading
the United Nations delegation at the current
talks, if they wished to end the negotiations,
the Reds delivered another of their "long,
crude and inSolent" TRADES completely lacking
in any informative or constructive content. Now
Mr.. Dean, whose patience has been monumental
during these weeks of fruStration has been
authorized to return home "fOr consultation"
and he has indicated to correspondents that
he may do this before Christmas. While Mr..
Dean has made it completely clear to the Com
muniStS that he does not favor ending the cur
rently unproductive talks as long as there is
any reasonable chance" of reaching an agree
ment that would permit the political conference
to take place, there may be a psychological
value in having him walk temporarily
and come to Washington for some review con-
verSations here.
On the table at Panmunjom, meanwhile,
is final" offer by Mr.. Dean to the Reds on the
issue which has stalled the talks-that of how
the Soviet Union might participate in the polit-
ical conference. Against the Chinese and North
Korean insistence that Russia should sit in as
neutral nation, despite the obvious truth
that she master minded and abetted in mate
rial ways the aggression against South Korea,
Mr.. Dean has proposed that the Moscow gov
ernment participate, with vote, as kind of
hybrid power to be recognized neither as
belligerent nor as a neutral The Chinese
North Korean answer thus far has been curt
rejection, accompanied by an excessive number
of vituperative words about the absurd, ridicu-
lous, meaningless and stupid" proposal Quite
UNDERSTANDABLE and very expressively, Mr.. Dean
simply labeled the Communist mouthingS as
garbage"
It is tragically unfortunate that the prog
ress toward a real peace in Korea must be
entangled in the devious evasions and machi-
nations of cynical Communist maneuverings
Mr. Dean has been fortnight in his offers and
sincere in his expressions of hope that agree
ment can be reached Until the Reds are will
ing to respond with some honesty, the U. N.
negotiating team is justified in standing by its
current position and letting the blame for delay
or possible failure fall where it belongs.
Evening star., 1953-12-12

West would create a dangerously tempting
vacuum for Communist activity and perhaps
military penetration. The Arabs, Of course,
know this and there is little doubt that their
fear of Soviet Russia overbalances their dis
pleasure toward the West in general and Britain
in particular. In Egypt's case, however, the
prestige of the Naguib regime is being staked
in large degree on reaching mutually accept
able agreement on the issue of peacetime
withdrawal of British troops from the Suez
area. Since Britain has agreed to such with
drawal in principle it would be unfortunate if
lack of agreement over details should lead to a
breakdown in the negotiations and an outright
disavowal of Arab sympathy with the Western
cause.
The United States has attempted to play
the role of honest broker" in the Anglo
Egyptian dispute in past months and it appears
time for redoublng of that effort.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
A Threat in the Middle East

The possibility that Egypt may turn to a
formal policy of strict neutrality in the cold war
unless progress is recorded soon in the Suez
dispute with Britain holds serious implications
for the West. Egyptian Ambassador Hussein
repeatedly has warned the State Department
of such possibility
In political terms Egypt is the leading
power among the Arab nations of the Middle
East and her conduct is apt to set the course
for the entire area While the military prowess
of the Arab countries may not be highly i'm
portant factor, the denial of Middle East re-
sources and friendly collaboration with the
Evening star., 1953-12-12
SILVER SPRING.

SILVER SPRING.
Dear Sir:
Your articles are always most in
teresting, and last evenings was eSpe-
cially so, for it rolled back the years
for me.
81 was a girl in my teens, driving to
ToWson, Nd with my father as was
his custom, once week, on business.
I'VE drove along the beautiful Loeb
Raven road, with valley of lovely old
farms and their family houses on one
side and the wooded hills on the other,
through which the Maryland & Penn
sylvania railroad threaded its way from
Baltimore to York. Pa.
"I would ask Dad who lived here and
there. Some were more or less his
torical.
Among them was the home of Daniel
of st. Thomas Jenifer, of whom you
wrote.
Another was the farm of Morgan
of Civil War fame.
IT do not know who owns these
farms now, but my last knowledge of
the Jenifer farm was it was still in
the family, and there was a Daniel Of
St. Thomas Jenifer holding and busi-
ness Office in Towson.
incidentally, also read in last eve
ning's Star that this same M. & P.
R. R. had a freight train wreck as the
engine left the tracks and plunged
down a 60-foot embankment, luckily
injuring only one. man.
Here is the clipping about it.
Before the days of buses and autos
Evening star., 1953-12-12
This and That !.

this railroad ran two trains between
York and Baltimore daily; two between
Delta. Va. and Baltimore; two or three
between Bel Air and Baltimore. But
now, I understand, there is only one
train each way a day, besides the
freight trains.
"Where this wreck occurred would
be right along this Loeb Raven Valley
road, beautiful part of the country.
Sincerely yours, F. A. j."
"P. S.-This railroad in the old days
hauled so many high school boys and
girls from Towson that special coach
was added for them. And it was a jolly
bunch-'a good time was had by all. !"
Going to school has always been fun,
and coming back from t often more so.
Templeton Jones recalls his days
vending through city streets to grade
and high school.
In those days, everybody walked.
A mile walk was nothing, not even
to the womenfolk
Persons living in the fashion center
of the city, then Dupont Circle, COM
monty walked down Fourteenth street
to F street, then along F to the Boston
House." as Woodward & Lotllrop was
called then
Jones believes that it is virtually i'm
possible to make the younger people
of today understand how leisurely life
was in the days just before and just
after 1900.
There was curious se-drawn We
biolo IN Cjytnentb ctrcnt fnr incfanpo
which wended its way from Sixteenth
Evening star., 1953-12-12
Responsibility for Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency IS not the re-
sponsibility of the parent alone, but of
the whole community. Throughout the
ages, the behavior of youth is reflec-
ton of the standards of the time and
place, and while the parents are the
ones most conveniently blamed, every
adult has in some way influenced the
behavior of the next generation.
I have brought up three children,
vino seem to be safely past the dangers
of adolescence. but am we'll aware of
the hazards which they faced. Before
you blame helpless parents, consider
what their difficulties are.
We must live in crowded communi-
ties and a child's liberties are restricted
Evening star., 1953-12-12
Master Plumber Replies

In Russell G. Bishops letter regarding
a matter of licensing now before the
Commissioners of the District of Colum-
bia he states that if this new regulation
becomes law the citizens of the District
of Columbia will no longer have to pay
tribute to registered plumbers
This statement must certainly be at
tributed to an unbelievable lack OF
knowledge on the subject of plumbing.
Mr. Bishop should learn the nature
of plumbing hazards-hoW and why city
and State authorities have adopted
plumbing codes to protect him and the
general public.
Every one uses plumbing everyday
and safe plumbing is assured to all
people through, and only through,
public control over the manner in
which plumbing is installed.
Good plumbing is health insurance.
Albert r. Taylor,
Registered Plumber.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
School Segregation Referendum?

1t is the claim of a Justice Depart
ment attorney that it is duty of the
Supreme Court to end segregation
that it could not be maintained under
the 14th amendment. In that case,
why hasn't that law been inter-
preted that way before now? Why
should the courts be asked to twist
that law around today to please only
a few? I sincerely believe that the
courts during my fathers time were
fully aware of the proper interpreta-
ton of that law and were just as smart
as the Supreme Court today. That is
the reason why segregation has not
been, and should not be. changed and
suggest, in fairness to all, why leave it
to the judgment Of but nine men to
decide? Why not put it up to the peo-
pie to decide in a special, selected ma
tional election? I'm sure the right
answer would be found.
NJ. Z. c.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
By Charles E. Trocewen

and U streets down Sixteenth street
to Fifteenth and H streets.
The door was at the back, and the
passenger got in by climbing two steps
and taking seat on the side: in win
ter, the floor was covered with straw.
The driver issued a transfer, and
when ones shopping had been done,
one simply rode home by handing over
the transfer. No one was supposed to
ride both ways. but everybody did, just
the same. 1t was even said that many
persons rode both ways on the same
transfer for weeks at time. No Won
der the line finally went out of business.
In those days, according to the Jones
recollection, which is pretty good, the
small boys liked to cheat the streetcar
line. Perhaps things haven't changed
very much, after ALL
1t was easy. A small boy just sat
still, and looked poker faced, when the
conductor - there were conductors in
those days-came along to collect fares.
If one sat still enough. and looked
as blank as possible, which wasn't very
hard to do, the conductor thought he
had already collected your fare.
Templeton Jones rode for several
months free on this plan. but finally
gave it up. 1t was no fun when it
became easy!
And that, friends, was the big diff
ference between the juvenile of the
gay '9Os and some of them today. In
the old days, Jones feels, the kids did
things for fun. Today, they play for
keeps. Their impressionable malleable
natures take on the tempo of the times.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
No Split in G. o. P.

Doris FleeSon makes the snide COM
ment that Mccarthy supporters are
great letter writer's but are reluctant
to sign their names, making gratui-
tous remark about some ephemeral
postal regulations that might be vio-
lated. Just what regulations she has
in mind escapes me. My name is
signed to this letter, and am happy
for her to know it.
The split in the Republican Party,
which appears to exist more strongly
in the minds of liberal writer's than in
fact, represents to me no more than an
honest difference of opinion. Thank
heavens we still have the right in this
country to air our differences, although
McCarthy's detractors seem to look
upon his statements as foulest sedition.
The Republican Party, submit. is big
enough, strong enough, and flexible
enough to give this country q quality
of government beyond the conception
OF the recent unlamented administra-
ton.
Eben III. Lewis.
David Lawrence speaks logically in
The Star of December g in stating
that a split in the Republican Party
could develop because of an appease-
ment faction such as existed during the
Truman-Acheson regime, but would not
come because of Senator McCarthy'S
criticism of President Eisenhower.
In spite of the wishful thinking of
Democrats and others, who stand to
gain by such split, most of us do not
regard Senator McCarthy's attacks as
Notwithstanding events, and are inclined
to respect the right of all members of
our party to express their opinions on
vital issues of national Importance.
AS voters, we are, of course, solidly
in favor of President Eisenhower's plan
of a progressive. dynamic program,
enhancing the welfare of our coun-
try" and are convinced. too, that Sena-
tor Mccarthy is in agreement with
Evening star., 1953-12-12
What Is to Become of Transit?

How a public utilities company that has
been Starving to death" was able to cut such
juicy dividend melons has been explained to the
Senate District Committee by those who worked
this seeming miracle. AS had been stated else
where before, there was really no mystery about
1t all The $5-million melon had been carefully
nurtured by the previous management of the
Capital Transit Company as a rainy-day asset
Nobody seriously considered cutting it then,
with the company facing declining revenues
higher-fare hearings and proposal for con-
Structlon of $3.5-million repair shop. But the
new WolfSon group had no such baShfulneSS
about these things. Once it had bought control
of the company it simply took the melon off the
shelf and proceeded to divide it up among the
stockholders. 1t was all very legal and very
profitable.
OF course, it was not good public relations
and that is why Mr.. WolfSon and his associates
were summoned by the committee to answer
lot of questions. They answered them quite
fully. But they left unanswered the big question
that is of most concern to the whole community:
What is to become of Capital Transit now that
the melon cutting spree is about over and there
Is no rainyday fund to fall back on? President
BroadWater testified that the company has been
starving" on an average Sc per cent return.
He declared that no transit company could
stay in business indefinitely on that basis. And
Mr.. WolfSon, who moved back to Florida some
months ago, suggested that his group would be
happy to sell out to a regional transit author
ity-a quasi-public tax-free agency. 1t might
be inferred that the Wolfson group is ready to
move out with as much alacrity as it moved in.
From this starving" utility the Wolfsons
have obtained a neat $50 per cent return on
their initial investment They bought in at $40
share, split the stock four ways, and have COL
lected dividends totaling $31 share. And their
stock now, as result of the current dividend
rate, is worth more than they paid for it, While
they have added lot of equipment, including
new Buses they also have curtailed Improbable
services. Right now they are impatiently await
ing decision by the Public Utilities Commits
sion on their petition for higher fares-a petit
ton which UNDERSTANDABLE puzzled customers
who had read of the several dividend payments
There was nothing in the testimony before
the Payne committee to justify any optimism
about Capital TranSit's future, with or without
the Wolfsons in control With most of the rainy
day fund gone, passenger traffic falling off and
the old cycle of rising wages and higher fares
staring the company in the face, Mr. Broad
waters gloomy appraisal of the company's pros
poets is probably justified If the Senate COM
mlttee can come up with feasible solution of
WashingtonS transit probenl-short of public
ownership, which is the worst possible fate of
all-lt will have achieved real miracle.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
The SpoiIs System Is Dead

The policy statement made jointly by the
three members of the Civil Service Commission
should dispel the disqueting reports of sharp
split within the commission over the Esen-
hover administrations So-called "Schedule G."
firingS and hirings. The commissioners have
made it plain that they are in unanimous agree
ment on the right of the administration to
place its own trusted lieutenants in key gov
ernnIental positions the Schedule C jobs But
they also have made it plain that they stand
together against any return to the "spoils"
system, under which normally permanent
career workers would be bumped" to make way
for political appointees.
There had been recurrent rumorS of dis
agreement among the commissioners over how
many and what "key" jobs should be placed in
the c category, subject to administration
changes. Actually, The Star has learned the
three commissioners have concurred on most of
the proposed changes. Republican Commits
sioner Moore generally has evidenced a more
liberal attitude toward the scope of Schedule c
than his colleagues Republican Commissioner
(and chairman Young and Democratic Com
missioner Lawton In a relatively few instances
the latter two have outvoted Mr.. Moore and
rejected departmental requests for the clas-
Sification for certain borderline positions. But
all three have voted together on hundreds Of
such reflections in their firm determination to
draw careful line between nonpolicy making
career jobs and those higher-level administra-
tive offices in which the Republican regime
has right to put employees known to be in
sympathy with its policies.
The record of reflections to date confirms
the announcement of the three commissioners
that they are jointly determined to maintain
the integrity of the merit system against all
undermining influences. direct or indirect. AS
Chairman Young put it, the spoils system is
''gone forever" Public opinion, irrespective of
party banished it and will keep it banished
Evening star., 1953-12-12
Letters to The Star.

on every side. No wonder many Of
them reach stage of rebellion.
Parents have faced terrible odds. and
unless they are blessed with remark
ably tractable children, delinquency to
some degree is almost inescapable
Under modern city living, children
spend smaller proportion of time with
their parents than ever before. No
parent can keep 14-year-old boy
always in sight, and boys of certain
type at this age are in great danger.
Yet the qualities of daring and inde-
pendence may be most valuable asset
to him and to society.
Please, let us all admit responsibility
stop blaming the parents, and resolve
to help, if only by giving friendly
smile to the next child that you meet
Parent.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
A Tax Problem

Taxes don't worry you If the other
fellow has to pay them. If recent re-
assessment of suburban land in Arling-
ton, Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties didn't increase your
taxes materially, you may think it
doesn't concern you. But don't think
an unfair apportionment of taxes af-
fects only the man who has to pay them.
Several years ago, in general pro-
gram of reasSesSment, values OF real
estate in nearby counties were raised
to conform to changes brought about
by the heavy increases of population.
In this process values were determined
by using sales prices of similar property.
Superficially. this sounds reasonable.
Property owners were presumably all
treated alike. Unfortunately, however,
the same methods of appraisal were
used for undeveloped land, as for
houses, stores and income property.
In my section of Fairfax County. due
to recent reasSeSsments, a tract of 80
acres of barren land is today assessed
for taxes equal to those assessed against
any four houses in the neighborhood.
Where nearly 80 per cent of the taxes
are used for schools, and other expenses
dependent upon population alone. this
is ridiculous apportionment. No one
can successfully contend that the tax
burden on such an unpopulated tract
of land should be as heavy as for four
houses, with their dozen or more in
habitants.
Tracts of raw land on the outskirts
of a city such as Washington are like
only significance a sale has, is that it
indicates the selling price when the
article is sold. No fair appraisal of a
merchants stock in trade would value
it at what it sells for. There is no
way to foretell what may happen before
the article is translated into money
In any event time has to elapSe. Yet
county appraisers here in recent years
have assumed that all our undeveloped
land is marketable, and that it all
could be sold today at current market
prices. Nothing could be farther from
the truth
The immediate effect of these unfair
assessments has been to collect a lot
of taxes from owners of land who had
to pay or suffer the consequences. But
the ultimate result is only now begin
ming to be felt. There is heavy pressure
today to put such land to use, to build
on it, to sell it Immediately for sub
division purposes, in hopes of getting
out from under before the present de-
mand for homes is satisfied
This pressure may not be noticeable
as long as the demand for new houses
keeps up. But in years gone by, over
development of raw land on the out
skirts of large cities has produced some
serious problems. It eventually de-
presses the values of all property.
houses as we'll as land. 1t is not a
healthy condition for a community
when unfair taxes are used to force
the sale of land. 1t is uncertain what
remedy is available to owners of un-
developed land, but something should
be done to force assessors to appraise
such land more realistically.
Taxpayer.
Evening star., 1953-12-12
When This Is Over

When this is oUer and done
And only the grass remembers the words
that Were said
When your lips are cold ana mine are
turned to the shade,
Then let the stars sing and seek me
toreUer
For I shall not come.
Only the grass, so cool and Kind in the
darkness
Shall knoU of me then.
Marjorie Louise Aonsw
Evening star., 1953-12-12


who gives every evidence of using his
position and committee for a selfish
Springboard.
Marion S. Michael,
Minister, Bethesda Methodist Church.
McCarthy's campaign has been a
flop Even allowing his claims of the
number of wires received. or increasing
the number to say 100000 or even 250,-
900, the percentage against him is ter
rifle. Compared to the 160 million
citizens of this country, it seems that
Jumping Joe hasn't been able to do very
WELL A much larger response could be
obtained with an appeal to stop in
justices to fleas, or plea for trousers
for men in Outer Mongolia, or almost
any cause whatsoever.
F. d. BascOm.
The latest disagreement between
Senator Mccarthy and White House
officials over the. number of communica-
tionS the White House is receiving
serves to indicate that virtually no one
in this country can any longer be re-
garded as accurate or truthful.
This is disastrous. And all Ameri-
cans must recognize there can be but
one way of making the best of it. There
must be set up-With final power over
every American institutional Ministry
of Truth And only one man, by his
constant insistence on accuracy and
truth, has shown his fitness to be its
head. Since his duties would be to de-
eide ultimately what is true and what is
not true. this is obviously position of
great trust. demanding the highest
circumspection and judgment. And
surely one person alone is fit to hold
this job-the Junior Senator from
Wisconsin.
I urge all Americans "who feel as
do" to write or telegraph their con-
currence. But send these communica-
tions directly to the Senator's office. so
there can be no doubt whatever of their
exact-and tronomical-numbers
Frederick J. Farris.
Evening star., 1953-12-12

these objectives. Undoubtedly, he has
enhanced the welfare of our country
by his exposure of Communist infiltra-
ton and against terrific and continued
invective heaped upon him.
Lila Douglas.