davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-12-25
Ais Well in Switzerland

The orderly Swiss have disposed of their
latest political problem in orderly fashion, in
notable contrast to the troubles experienced by
their cousins in la belle France. AS provided
constitutionally, the Swiss Parliament has duly
elected-promoted is perhaps better term
Rodolphe Rubattel of the Federal Council to
the presidency. AS Vice President during the
past year, the minister from the Canton of
Vaud was assured of being elevated to the top
Office for a one-year terms. Council Member
Joseph Escher heading the department of post
Offices and railways, was named Vice President.
Max Weber, the only Socialist Party mem
ber in the government, resigned recently after
a popular referendum had rejected his plan for
a constitutional amendment to authorize fed
eral income tax. DR.. Hans Streuli OF Zurich
was elected to the Federal Council to replace
Mr.. Weber as Minister of Finance. DR.. Streui
is member Of the Radical Democratic Party,
right-wing organization that is the majority
party in government. Mr. Escher and retiring
President Etter belong to the Conservative
(Catholic) Party. Thus, with the departure of
Mr.. Weber, there is no leftist representation in
the Swiss government today. The Communists
hold five seats in the Parliament but have never
had place on the Federal Council, the real
seat of executive power. The country's foreign
Evening star., 1953-12-25
BETHESDA, Md.


Dear Sir:
"I hope people this Christmastime
will feed the birds and other wild
things in the cold.
"I have friends who put out bread on
Christmas day, and think it is nice
thing for them to do, even if they for
get it the rest of the year;
"Our Heavenly Father has seen to
it that there are seeds and other things
for them to eat, even when snow is on
the ground, but there can be no queS-
ton that every one of us can help.
"I believe that no bit Of bread is too
little to use in this way.
Every home has some bread left
over, and if this is placed in the yard
at this season it will find ready accept
ance.
GAS you have so often pointed out.
those that come may not be exactly the
species we prefer, but that cannot be
helped.
1.-THE main thing is that help is Of
fered and accepted.
st hope you can print this appeal.
It is an old appeal. it is not at all new,
and you have made it for many years.
but it always rings true, and is often
acted upon.
Sincerely yours, j. E."
'P. S-Even the hardest heart may
be helped by watching. if only for a
few minutes, the birds eating in the
cold.
"I had an old uncle who complained
that feeding the birds was silly, but
after we got him to personally put out
Evening star., 1953-12-25
By Barbara Funkhouser

TXTHILE THE SPIRIT which Santa
Wv Claus represents is universal, chill
dren in other lands know him in diff
ferent ways.
Our own Santa Claus is descended
from two personalities bishop saint
named Nicholas of Asia Minor and a
pagan god of pre- Christian Germany
named Wooden.
st. Nicholas, whose life is legendary,
lived in the third and fourth centuries
and was reyered by Greeks and Romans
on December and in the Saturnalia
festivals from mid d-December to Janu-
ary 1, during which period people had
a boisterous good time and exchanged
gifts. The son of wealthy Christian
parents, Nicholas was hard-working
saint and as he went about his travels
he left small gifts for worthy people.
st. Nicholas came to be known as the
patron or guardian of many things
He became the guardian of children
from the legend that he restored life
to three boys who had been murdered.
He also became the guardian of
sailors. Many churches in seaport
towns bear his name and there sailors
give thanks for their safety at sea. st.
Nicholas is patron-guardian of scholars.
travellers, pirates and the peoples of
Lapland. Samoa and even Russia. At
one time, thieves were known as CLERKS
of st. Nicholas" because once he made
a group of them return their loot.
It is from Russia that our modern
st. Nick gained many Of his attributes.
He has long existed in Russian lore as
Grandfather Frost" wearing big black
boots and wide leather belt.
With the coming of Christianity to
various countries, st. Nicholas and his
special day of December 6 had to
undergo some change, for the Chris
tians did not approve Of paying homage
to a non-existent god. But although
the people gave up worshipping him,
the Saturnalia remained to be inter-
mingled with other festivals through
out the world to make up our Christ
mas season.
Since the exact date of the birth of
Christ is unknown, it is believed by
some that in the fourth century Pope
Julian set the Mass Of Nativity Christ
Evening star., 1953-12-25
BY Charles E. Trocewen

Some grow red in the face when a
squirrel arrives to eat what has been
put out for the birds. In time, such a
person may train himself to under
stand that food is food, and hungry
creature is a hungry creature. Train
ing in self-control goes on all the time:
feeding the birds is, in effect, sort of
classroom. where good things are
learned.
Adult education is more than books.
1t may go on wings, or appear on four
legs. as in squirrel.
There is no telling what lessons may
be found in the wild things, provided
only one will accept the teachings they
bring.
1t is for this reason, as well as for
real help in the cold, that the appeal to
feed the birds must be made endlessly,
because it is always new to some, and
even those interested sometimes forget.
What better time than now? There
are many foodstuffs left over, and
some of them might as well go on the
ground. And there are raisins, for the
mockingbirds that stay with us, and
for the cardinals and others. There
are pieces Of suet. all too often found
as trimmings" around pieces of beef.
These may be nailed to tree, or just
thrown on the ground for the wood
peckers. although dogs may get them
there. Well, dogs are hungry, too. They
seem always hungry, no matter how
well fed at home.
Christmas plates for wandering dogs
and cats may hold salmon. or shredded
wheat biscuit in milk. Dogs love sal
mon, and seldom get 1t at home.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
This and That

some bread, he became great bird
watcher.
"1t is the personal doing that brings
both results and happiness. Happiness
always results from good deeds, even if
they be Just little gcnd Deeds"
4
This good appeal may be acted upon
by every one with so much as slice of
bread, or q cracker, or a leftover bis
cult in the pantry.
Though special mixtures of seeds and
grains, commonly called wildbird food,
or feed, are very good, they are not
always on hand.
But bread, in some form, is, and it is
among the best winter foods for most
of the birds.
Starlings may come, and pigeons
Both of these love bread. But these are
hungry in the cold, as well as the
chickadees and titmice and nuthatches.
One Of the best effects of feeding the
birds, next to the help extended to the
feeders, is the way it reacts on the
person who puts out the food. 1t is
impossible to do this little good deed"
as our correspondent calls it, without
feeling some glow of pleasure. It may
not be great glow, and it may not be
shown. or even understood, but it has
it's effect, just the same. because all
human beings are, basically, very much
alike.
One of the finest things about the
combined indoor Outdoor sport of feed
ing the birds is that it interests so many
different kinds of humans - doctors.
merchants, children-boys, girls, wom-
en-, men-au kinds and types.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
Ten Seconds to Live

Worth reprinting, believe. is the
following warning to motorists from
the Iowa Department Of Public Safety:
'sHe pushed his sleeve back, held his
wrist close to the lighted Speedometer,
squinted to read the time. A little
after nine. Five, ten minutes after
Ought to be home in half an hour.
"If he'd known he had only 10 Sec
onds to live, he might have checked the
time more closely He might have done
several things differently.
"Ten seconds to live. He massaged
his eyes with thumb and middle finger.
trying to rub out some OF the sand.
Mine seconds to live. He'd driven
almost eight hours since lunch, and
was beginning to feel it.
Eight seconds to live. Lousy driving
in the rain. Light from your headlights
just seem to soak in along the water.
"Seven seconds to live. Probably
need new windshield wiper blade
Old one just spreads the water around
instead of wiping clean. Get one to-
morrow, or next time 1t rains.
"Six seconds to live. Somebody threw
a cigaret out of an on-coming car. The
red glow dissolved almost before 1t hit
the pavement.
'Five seconds to live. He planted his
heels on the floor seat, trying for COM
fort
-Four seconds to live. At so miles
an hour, a car covers 88 feet of pave
ment every second. -Four seconds, 352
feet.
Three seconds to live. Something
looked wrong through the blurry wind
shield. A tentative dab at the brake
stiffened into desperate pressure as he
made out truck ahead.
1.-TWO seconds to live. Panic moved
in. Turn to the left. No, car coming.
Headlights too close. Can't make it.
Turn to the right.
"One second to live. Horror numbed
everything into slow motion. He was
floating through the air. He opened
his mouth to scream.
mo seconds to live"
Nathan Gordon.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
The 500 Million

Vice President Nixon's report to the people
on his 45,000-mile tour will add to the rather
remarkable growth in stature of this relatively
young man.
It is little difficult to believe that Mr..
Nixon is but 40 years old, and that he came
to Congress slightly less than seven years ago.
1t is little difficult because the quality of his
service as Vice President suggests a maturity of
mind and sense of responsibility which are
not ordinarily associated with man of his age
in public life.
During the campaign of 1852 there were
those who looked with deep miSgiving on Mr..
Nixon Many of these people, sincerely enough,
feared that he was "owned" by those who con-
tributed to the so-caled political fund. Others
thought that there was something of the witch
hunter about the Congressman who was most
directly responsible for exposing Alger Hiss.
Nothing in Mr. Nixons service as Vice President,
however, lends support to these apprehensions.
And his report on his Asian tour does quite the
opposite.
The Vice President was relating his report
to the 600 million people, more or less, who are
uncommitted-wh stand somewhere between
the $40 million whom we think of as being COM
mitted to the free nations and the 800 million
who are on the Communist side. These 600
million, Mr.. Nixon Said have experienced the
depths of poverty, but they also have achieved
a certain courage and dignity. "They are a
great and vital force in the world and they will
be decisive force in the future"
The Communists, according to the Vice
President, care making an all-out effort to win
these people to their side." What are we doing?
What can we do?
AS Mr.. Nixon sees it, these 600 million want
independence; they want economic progress;
they want peace; they want freedom of choice
as to their culture religion and economic sys-
tem and they want fundamental recognition
of their equal dignity as human beings"
Of course, we in the United States cannot
give these things to these people. But we can
at least recognize the fact, and conduct our
selves accordingly, that these people will be "a
decisive force in the future" We must do what
we can to advance their legitimate aspirations.
It is good thing that Mr.. Nixon is on the
right side of this question He can contribute
much from his own talents. It may well be,
however, that he can contribute more because
of the simple fact that the most reckless oppo-
nent of rational foreign policy cannot accuse
Mr. Nixon of being "Soft on communism" or
of being "a starry-eyed New Dealer"
Evening star., 1953-12-25
For the Foreseeoble Future

There is more than American security inter-
est involved in the decision of our Government,
announced by Secretary of State Dulles, to
retain control of Okinawa and certain other
strategically located Pacific islands "for the
foreseeable future"
The Communist domination that has fas-
tened upon so much of the northern area of
Asia is a clear threat to Japan to the Philip
pines and to the Far Eastern reaches of the
Pacific Ocean. If this threat some day should
lead to conquest, the menace would then be
directed with comparable clarity toward the
Western Hemisphere. Okinawa has become a
major link in the American defense chain in
the distant Pacific but our concept of defense
extends to much more than protection of our
Republic of the Philippines and to Japan that
has not yet reached a stage of mounting even
a token form of defense If American forces
should be withdrawn.
When the conditions of threat and ten
sion" in the Far East are replaced by genuine
stability and confdence"-in the not so fore
Seeable future-Mr Dulles has promised that
the United States may then consider return Of
the islands to Japanese control.
The informed and responsible leadership in
Japan is no doubt fully aware of these consid-
erationS, involving that country's own security
as well as that of Others and it is unlikely that
continued American control of friendly and
powerful island bases viii prompt any antago-
niSm or concern.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
Christmas, 1853

This years Christmas festival finds the
world far from cured of its troubles. Peace
reigns in theory but not yet in fact. Many ma
tions, many different peoples, still are captives
of a dogma which clashes with the principles of
freedom tracing down the centuries from Beth
lehem. Strife between classes and between
partisan groups continues to mock the ideals
of cooperation and brotherhood. The all-too-
human faults and failings of individuals re-
main a problem and burden to the whole
community.
But Christmas, 1885, proves again the power
Of men to work together for humane purposes
to share what is good and to correct what is
evil. At least for few hours millions will join
in recognition of an Infant Child who, for
centuries, has Symbolized righteousness and
mercy as spiritual forces for the government
of the earth as kingdom of God. During that
time those multitudes will be, IN effect, mem
bers of one family.
If only the temporary achievement of such
fellowship could be carried into succeeding
days, the Mission of the Holy Babe of Bethle-
hem might be realized beyond even the belief
of the most ardent and hopeful believers
Christmas this year holds out the same historic
invitation, the same traditional challenge, as
1t did in generations past. Let us strive to rise
to them SelfeSsly.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
Civil Defense Oversight? :

While the Federal Civil Defense Ad-
ministration persists in its struggle to
get the populace in state OF frenzy
through repeated statements as to just
how much suffering the individual
will experience at the time of bomb
ing (Which bombing is almost promised
by the releases) they have never, to
my knowledge, or sufficiently loud to
be noticed, made any suggestions for
the individuals action during the many
practice alerts necessary for testing
and preceding actual bombings.
We have been advised to seek shelter
in some of the silliest spots imaginable
but to "always seek shelter" and this
means, usually, within buildings and
preferably on the lower levels. Now, it
Evening star., 1953-12-25
ByAny Name, He Is Hope and Joy for All

the morning. These receptacles may be
special porcelain shoes. plates or bas-
ketS. They are often filled with carrot
and potato peelings and hay for the
horse. Sweets and toys are left for the
good children and rods for the bad,
disobedient children.
In Finland st. Nick's name is "Wain-
amoinen," hero Of a national epic, and
in Sweden he is the dwarf, 'aTomte." In
England he is Father Christmas" and
in France he Is ''Pere Noel"
It is "Jule NiSsen" who comes on
Christmas eve in Denmark, bringing
gifts for the good children and spank
ing the bad children with "yul-bok."
long pole covered with goat skin with
an animal head at the end.
So what is our Christmas today? It
is the tree Of pre- Christian Germany
decorated with the star which led the
three Magi to the manger. It is the
candle and the holly wreath from an
cient Roman feaStS with the red berries
representing the drops of blood shed
by Our Lord as He wore the crown of
thornS. Our miStletoe came from the
Celtic culture and the custom Of kissing
under it came from the ancient fer
tility festivals. The Yule log is from
pref Christian days in Northern Europe
where the Yule feast was to celebrate
the beginning of the rise Of the sun
on the horizon. Candlelighting process
sions, the 'creches" displaying Christ
in the manger. and Christmas carols
all came from France and Spain The
hanging of the stocking before the
fireplace is also European and in Eng
land the first Christmas card was
mailed.
AS st. Nick or Santa Claus guides his
sled and reindeer over snowy rooftops
he wears the red pointed cap given to
him by julie Nissen of Denmark. His
boots and belt are from Russia and he
brings presents symbolizing the gifts
given by the three wise men to the
Christ Child lying in the manger.
But he is more than this as he travels
the world. His little snub nose glows
brightly, his eyes twinkle and his whis-
kers glisten with new-fallen snow. He
is part of children everywhere and as
he goes about spreading peace on earth
and good will toward men there are
no boundaries for him. He is hope
and joy for all.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
A Prayer for Christmas

oh, Son of God and man, once more
Your star
Sheds on eGrth'S tDGyiDGrdneSs its
tranquil light,
Recalls the radiant meaning of this
night
To all whose taltering steps haze
strayed dtar.
Dear Child of Bethlehem. that peace on
earth,
That Righteousness You came from
heGven to bring,
Jog that poor shepherds heard the
angels sing
Hdpe Wrought transcendent beauty
since Your birth.
And get the world is torn NTH fear and
strife,
In greed for pot1er, men trdn,ple on
the good,
Distrust makes n1ockery of brother
hood.
Rededicate in US the selfess life.
We catch glimpse of heaven on
Christmas Day
When hearts are 1Ddrm tDith ,Donder
and delight.
Sustain the Uision. Keep loUe's pas.
sion bright.
Let nations DGlk in jog and peace. toe
Inez BoreIoy Kirby
Evening star., 1953-12-25

Mass) on December 25 because he
wished to turn these festivals into the
Christian custom of worshipping Christ.
but parts of them remained as they
were. Christmas was not among the
earliest festivals of the church.
For this reason in 1914 the Parlia-
ment of England forbade the observ-
ance of Christmas. On st. Nicholas
Day, prior to this time, ''boy bishop"
was elected who would burlesque vari-
GUS ecclesiastical functions and cere-
monies until December %. He went
about London singing and was received
In homes with good cheer. This ended
when Professionalism came to England,
but Charles II revived the feasting part
of the occasion.
In Belgium and Holland December
is still day of joy, but it is not Christ
mas. On the evening Of December s.,
st. Nicholas goes about in his robes and
riding a gray horse, learning the con-
duct of the children and giving appro-
pirate praise or warning. Then the
children place receptacles under the
chimney, in a corner, before the door
or on the bed, to receive the gifts in
Evening star., 1953-12-25
cCurthy's Methods

McCurthy's Methods
am sick and tired of hearing criti-
cism voiced against the methods"
used by Senator Mccarthy.
It is clever, of course, for a politi-
clan to say, II agree with McCarthys
aims. but not his methods" It is
completely safe position to take. The
Communist Party will not strike back.
as long as you condemn it in general
terms. Only when one adopts an
effective method of digging out and
exposing the undercover, dangerous,
Sacred COW" Communists is all the
venom Of the party loosed upon him.
When politician or office seeker
mounts the speakers roStrum and says
that he condemns Mccarthy tactics"
he should then be asked what tactics
he, himself. would use to get rid of
Communists in Government. He ought
to be asked to name single Com
munist that he has forced out of
Government by his methods.
I do not mind the Communists
screaming about the methods of Nc
Carthy. They are under orders to do
so. But isn't it rather nauseating to
hear politicians and self-proclaimed
liberals" too lazy to do their own
thinking. state how vigorously they
oppose communism, while, at the same
time. condemning Senator Mccarthy
for taking off his gloves and really
ngntmg II? Elgar Smith.
The latest attack on Harvard Uni
versity by Senator Mccarthy should
not come as too great a surprise to
those who are familiar with the tao
tics of man who from the very be-
ginning has depended solely on sensa-
tional headlines. Anything goes that
puts Mccarthy in the news.
I seriously do not believe that any
good thinking American who has stud
led communism and knows full well
that it does not attract any particular
race, religion, field of endeavor, station
in life, field of education, or geographic
cal location, would point at any one
school and call it sanctuary for fifth
amendment cases, as has Mccarthy.
President Pusey of Harvard may not
answer this latest outburst of McCar-
thy but. if he does not, it will not
matter. Mccarthy is cutting down his
own size every day in every way. Nc
Carthy will be left all by himself in
due time with no support from any
body. anywhere.
IT.
Evening star., 1953-12-25
By THE HASKIN SERVICE.

@. When were adhesive postage
stamps first used in this country
e. E.
A. Local issues were introduced in New
York City in 1842. The public was at
first cool to postage stamps and some
persons regarded prepayment of post
age as discourteous Others licked the
stamps so vigorously that the gum
came off, and were angry when stamps
did not stick. A Boston newspaper
finally advised the public to lick the
envelope instead of the stamp. The
United States Post Office Department
originally was hostile to adhesive
stamps and postponed accepting the
new idea until 1847.
@. What causes the ridges In the
bark of tree?-A. Mem.
A. A tree grows in height at the top.
and in circumference in the cambium
layer of the trunk. AS the girth in
creases the bark splits into vertical
lines. producing the familiar ridges.
@. Were motion pictures made Of the
recent successful trip to the summit OF
Mount Everest?-A. u. B.
A. Yes, the ascent was filmed. the
last shot was made at 27,200 feet just
before Hillary and Tensing began the
final trip to the summit.