davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Something Old, Something New

Recent talks by General Ridgway and
Admiral Carney shed little light on the vexing
question of how this country can devise an
adequate defense program which we can main
tain over long period of time without going
bankrupt.
This is not to say that the Army Chief of
Staff and the Chief of Naval Operations are
necessarily opposed to the new look" in our
defense establishment. For they are fully alert
to the rapid strides being. made in development
of new weapons, and to the military significance
of those weapons.
1t is bit puzzling, however, to read that
General Ridgway has said that push-button
war can never replace the ground forces who
"seize or defend the vital areas of land for which
wars are fought" Likewise, it is puzzling to
read that Admiral Carney says the Navy re-
quires old weapons as well as new ones in order
to be ready for anything-"big wars, little wars
general wars, localized wars, Marquis Of Queens
berry wars; savage, ruthless wars; atomic wars
and, perhaps non-atomic wars
This sort of thing is puzzling because it
seems to reject the theory of preventing war by
threat of massive retaliation, because it seems
to want to retain both the old and the new in
military means and weapons, and because it
does not give any hint as to how such defense
establishment can be paid for over the long
pull by the American people.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
This and That
By Charles E. TroceweH

The big dictionary is full of such
terrible words, seldom used in every
day speech.
why. you old hedonist. you." might
seem to be a severe structure. but 1T
just means one addicted to or living
by the pleasure principle.
"Pragmatist" is another funny word.
much used in literary magazines, but
seldom heard in everyday speech. 1t
means one who believes that the mean
ing of concepts is to be sought in their
practical bearings.
GLORIOUS" is rather terrible look
ing word. one seldom used in print,
and practically never in everyday talk.
1t comes from the old word luxor"
meaning wife. and means one excess
sively or dotingly fond of or submissive
to, a wife.
Books about books fill q tremendous
shelf.
We have one, we have never read it.
called How to Read Faster and
Better"
Every time we take a look at it,
there, lonely on its shelf, wedged in
between a row of volumes all about
symphonic music, we feel reluctant to
take it up.
Who wants to read faster anyway?
Already we read too fast; lessons in
faster reading somehow leave us cold.
Surely there is some sense to the
idea. however. People who take year
to go through one book certainly do
not get the best out of it.
One must read at Q fair pace. In
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Security Risk Breakdown

There is but one real reason for breaking
down the 1900 security-risk separations from
Government service. And that is to give the
public the facts on which they can judge the
honesty or dishonesty of various Republican
claims respecting the loyalty of persons dis
missed under the security-risk program.
The Civil Service Commission now an
nounces that classification, or breakdown,
according to broad categories of information"
in the files on the separated individuals is
feasible. One of these broad categories, the
commission says, will reveal the number
whose files contained information indicating,
in varying degrees, subversive activities, sub
versive associations, or membership in sub
verSive organizations"
This is indeed broad language. 1t may or
1t may not result in revealing the true number
of dismissals resulting from disloyalty. This,
however, is something which must await the
report which the commission will submit to
the National Security Council, and which then
presumably will be made public. Meanwhile,
fingers can safely be kept crossed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18

"Your correspondent A. D. l.. wanted
borrowed books" writes a booklover,
Y. c. r.
Here is scheme have tried with
some success. After a borrower has
kept book what consider reason
able time, I ask if he Cor she) is not
almost through with the volume in
question, as some one else wants to
borrow it.
This hint is usually taken. OF
course we list all books out on loan,
as you do. with the titles, dates and
names of borrowers.
"Now that we have new branch
public library near, frequently sug-
gest to would-be-borrowers that they
might find it really more satisfactory
to get the book there!
"On the other hand, nothing is
more fun than loaning book to a
kindred spirit who will enjoy it and
return it promptly in good condition
and perhaps with some interesting
remarks or comments of his own.
But then, nothing is more fun than
books. Period!
Write some more about EN-"
A whole series of books for young
people has been written around the
word fun"
Fun" in books simply means en-
joyment. It's fun to read-that merely
means it is enjoyable to read.
II you read for fun, or do anything
else for the sheer fun Of 1t. you are
Q hedonist. Did you know thAt2
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18

remains that 1t does not take an accurate
speedometer to tell whether driver is travelling
at such excessive speeds as Mr.. Taber was
charged with. 1t would take an incredibly in
accurate speedometer to do an injustice to
any one driving as fast as Trooper Davis
asserted the Taber car was going In any event,
II Judge Manga was as skeptical of the
speedometer's accuracy as his decision indicated,
one would think that he could have recessed
the proceedings long enough to permit vertical
ton Of the recent tests In that way the inter-
ests of the public would have been adequately
protected.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18

order to "get" what the writer means
him to receive, no matter how slowly
or how quickly the author wrote, in the
first place. The reader cannot and
should not try to duplicate the writing
speed. The achieved result flows. or
should flow, and the reader with it.
The average reader has a very good
idea, which is usually correct, of what
sort of a reader he is, and will admit
it, himself. He is fast reader, he
knows, or a medium reader, or a slow
reader. It is the latter who should
read the book on How to Read Faster
and Better" It was for this reader,
in the old days. they placed the
last word on the page to the right, and
then repeated it at the top of the next
page. An average reader, and eSpe-
cially the fast one, does not need any
such aid. because he reads quickly
enough to carry ideas and words with
him as he goes.
Even the fast reader cannot remem-
Der everything, however. and should
not make any attempt to do so. Two
readers, discussing Mr.. IckeS' book, fell
to arguing about whether the old man
has had used, right out. the plain
words for 80 and So" as the euphe-
mism makes it. One could not recall
it, but said that if it was there. he
must have underlined it with blue
pencil. Sure enough, when he got
around to it, he found that he had
underlined it, all right, but had for
gotten about it being there. After all.
1t Is not an expression one wants 10
ref1nAmhep
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Boost for Parkway Program

WaShingtons parkway program, target OF
economy advocates in the Budget Bureau and
elsewhere, has received welcome boost from
Conrad L. Wirth, director of the National Park
Service. Director Wirth believes that more not
less money should be spent by the Federal Gov
eminent on parkway development in the Wash
ington Metropolitan Area. His testimony before
House Public Works Subcommittee is timely,
because the Virginia General Assembly is con-
sidering $150000 appropriation toward extern
sion of the George Washington Memorial Park
way. Reports of Federal apathy with respect
to further parkway construction in nearby Vir-
gnia and Maryland had been noted in Rich
mond by legislators reluctant to vote funds for
highway improvements in the Washington area.
Mr. Wirth was testfying specifically about
proposed Federal aid to highways in general.
Congress is weighing the advisablity of extend
ing the Federal-aid act for another two years.
But the park official stressed the need for fur
Their appropriations to carry out Federal obli-
cations tied in with the Districts highway pro-
gram. He said that So million year for the
next two years would be required to meet these
proper commitments. While he mentioned no
particular projects at the hearing, he later
referred to such important undertakings as the
Glover Archbold Parkway, the Fort drive, Rock
Greek Parkway and the George Washington
Memorial Parkway.
Metropolitan Area park and parkway devel-
opment under the Capper- Cramton Act has
been eyed critically by Budget Bureau officials.
The pending Federal budget includes small
items for the memorial parkway in Virginia
and for stream valley improvements in Mary
land, but there was attached warning of pos
sible Federal withdrawal in the future from
such joint projects. Congress, which initiated
and authorized the original park and parkway
extension program for Greater Washington,
should go slow in permitting Federal withdrawal
from it. Federal investments in this far-sighted
plan have proved to be sound from every view
point. And the Federal Government has vital
interest in helping to improve the park and
parkway system of the National Capital and its
environs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Speaking of Automotive Safety

While the Nations leading experts on auto
motive safety are studying their favorite sub
ject they might give a little attention to the
need for built-in safety devices in some cars
Recent news stories have indicated that more
research in this special field of accident preven
ton would be well worth while.
Only few days ago an Alexandrian mar
rowly escaped serious injury or death when the
hood of his automobile suddenly flew up, cauS-
ing him to swerve the car into guard rail. An
eight-inch- thick section of the rail pierced the
front of the car and came to rest against the
drivers seat. Not long ago a child was killed
when his head was caught in automatically
raised automobile window, the mechanism of
which started operating when another child
pushed button.
Some automobiles have been provided with
safety catches which prevent the accidental
release of the hood. Many cars, however, have
only single latch holding the hood down. The
number of accidents resulting from accidentally
sprung hoods may be relatively few, considering
other motoring hazards, but any driver who has
had the frightening experience while driving
on a busy highway will testify that safety
catch for hoods ought to be standard equipment
on all cars. And there ought to be some way of
making automatically controlled windows less
dangerous for car occupants, especially children.
Motorists have enough accident hazards to con-
tend with on the highways without having to
worry about hazards In their own cars that
could have been corrected at the factory. 4
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18

as one OF his admirers and consider
it unjust to hold him personally respor-
sible for the great depression of the
thirtieS. Nevertheless it is not "vilify-
ing" him to insist that his measures to
fight economic depression and his under
standing of the factors involved in it
were woefully inadequate.
The New York Times Of october 80,
1929. the day after the catastrophe
stock market crash. reported an adj
dress of the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce and one of Mr.. Hoovers
closest friends, DR.. Julius Klein. Re
CARELESS Of speculative uncertainty,
the industrial and commercial structure
OF the Nation" he declared. continues
sound" The New York Times of No
vember S. 1929. reported how the then
Secretary of Commerce, r. P. Lamont.
belittled the slumps effects and insisted
that the economic induces pointed to
continued prosperity. The Hoover ad-
miniStration started off on the wrong
foot when it refused to face unpleasant
facts at a time when there was good
reason for gloom and DOOM
There Is. no such good reason to-
day. The Nations present economic
strength" according to the New York
Herald Tribune of January 6, 1858, still
remains. But we must not fear to face
unpleasant facts. Economic strength
makes whistling in the dark unneces-
sary. We are in a position to be fear
less and we do not have to wait until
it is proved in q court of law before
we express concern over the economic
situation. The monthly letter on bust
ness and economic conditions of the
National City Bank for February, 1854,
has this to say. "a year ago, when
business was at the crest of the boom.
the question of what Government
should do in recession seemed aca-
demic. Today it appears as practical
problem. Since last summer, seasonal
factors considered, there has been a
measurable recession in production and
in employment opportunities. EXpecta-
tons of further contraction have been
widespread. What does the Govern
ment do if these expectations prove
to be correct?"
Sidney KOretz.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
The Mixed-Up War

1t Is probably safe to say that no war since
the development of modern communications
has been surrounded by so much confusion, on
the scene and in far-away capitals, as the one
that has been going on for nearly eight years
in 1ndo-China. The nature Of the fighting, most
of it in quick outbreaks Of guerilla conflict in
jungle terrain, has made good news coverage
almost impossible. And the nature of the polt-
ical considerations behind and apart from the
fighting has been comparably complex and
intangible. When the French, who have carried
major share of the load refer to it as la guerre
pourrie (the mixed-up war; they are guilty of
no overStatement.
There is no question about the war being
part of the Communist assault upon the free
world. The Wet Mini forces, under the banner
of being liberation" army, are led by Com
munist- trained Ho Chi Mini. They are sup
ported by military supplies of virtually every
category, except aircraft, from Red China. This
flow of supplies, estimated at 200 tons per month
in 1882 is close to $500 tons monthly as Of today
and may reach $500 tons monthly by the middle
of this year.
BY definition, however France prefers to
consider this civil war" in which she well
comes American aid in the form of materiel and
the recent assignment of aircraft mechanics
but in which she does not want American inter-
vention with combat personnel This French
position incidentally should help to Offset fears
here that we are ''inching our way" into the
Indo-C China war.
Although Wet Mini forces have engaged in
some relatively spectacular operations in recent
weeks, there have been encouraging develop
ments on the French-Viet Nam side. The
French, admittedly interested in the possibility
of negotiated peace, realize today that they
must be in position of strength rather than of
weakness if they are to engage in such negotia-
tons. There has been accordingly, an increased
emphasis on improving both their military and
political situations.
Aside from optimistic estimates on the
status of the fighting in the field Wet Nam
sources report speeding of the program for
training and employing national army. Gen.
eral Nguyen Van HIM, Wet Nam chief Of staff,
estimates a native strength of $4,000 by the
end OF the year. The French expeditionary
force totals about 10000. Although the French
training program in Indo-China has been slower
than the comparable American operation in
South Korea, the French consider themselves
best fitted by language, experience and long
association with the Indo-Chinese to carry on
Thus far they have indicated a GOODNESS toward
proposals that the American military mission
in Indo- China should take over all or even
part of the training responsibility.
Meanwhile, on the political front, treaties
of independence for Wet Nam and Cambodia-
one with Laos already has been signed-are pre-
dicted for the near future and the three states
have been given to understand there will be no
negotiated settlement with the Wet Mini with
out their support.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Something Less Than Justice

The White House Conference on Highway
Safety, meeting here this week, will discdss,
among other topics, the salutary effect of stern
justice in reckless driving cases. The confer
ence might be interested, therefore, in an
amazing example Of the other kind of justice,
as unfolded Monday in the Hyattsville Police
Court.
Up for trial before Judge Theodore L.
Manga was Baltimore attorney, Walter r.
Taber, charged with exceeding 10 miles an
hour in 4O-mile-limit zone on the Baltimore
boulevard. This section of U. S. has been
called the "bloody pike" because it is one of the
most dangerous roads in the country. State
Trooper Jack Davis testified that he had paced
Mr.. Taber's car at speeds Of IS and 80 miles
an hour from north of Laurel to College Park
At one point, he swore, Mr.. Taber pulled away
from him rapidly although the troopers
speedometer registered TO-
Upon completion of what appeared to be
the States clear-cut case, the defense attorney
moved for a directed acquittal on the ground
that there had been no proof introduced to
show the accuracy of the troopers speedometer
At this point the trooper pulled out a card
showing that the speedometer had been tested
and found accurate only four days previously,
but the defense attorney objected to introduce
ton of the card in evidence, contending that
only the mechanic who made the test could
give admissible evidence. He cited two deci-
SonS in New York courts purportedly in support
OF his argument Judge Manga without further
ado dismissed the case. Later he told reporters
that he would do the same under similar
circumstances in any case in which the point
about speedometer accuracy is raised. Still later
he modified this stand by stating that certif-
icate OF inspection would be satisfactory evil
dence OF speedometer's accuracy.
Granting the Extraordinarily soundness
ofthe judges ruling in the Taber case, the fact
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
The Good Bread

There is q sparkling citadel
I visioned euen as child
Where lion and lamb securely dtDeH,
And disparGte faiths are reconctted,
Others haze wandered in those streets
And ,porshipped In the tranquil
shade,
Listening to recurring beats
OF silence, deeply unatraid.
These are the eriled eUery,Ohere.
ThirSting and hungering for home.
Who cru through laughter and despair
ION earth. on earth Thy Kingdom
comet"
Yet 1Dlen they pause to share the bredt
OF Which their comradeShip is ledoen
Theu are so comtorted and ted =
They halt-toroet to yearn for heauen
RosoIis Boyle
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Delinquency and Diet
James S. MacGruer.

Everyone talks about juvenile delin-
quency. but few seem to be doing any
thing about it.
We were happy to hear Judge
Thompson Representative from Mich
igan) say at a meeting in the May
flower that juvenile delinquency is one
Of her major interests this year.
There is one way we can help her
which will be evident if all could read
the startling, true article in the Oc-
tober IA issue Of Quick, called Teen
Ayers: They're Starving in U. S. A."
Can diet cut juvenile delinquency?
If you doubt it. read the following dis
patch from London in The Star of May
IL, 1858:
"A survey of II maladjusted or de-
linquent girls between the ages of IL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Transit Operators

Your editorial on Negro bus operators
on January 81 was not very pleasant
reading.
When you say there is little reason
to believe that Capital Transit Co. or
the great majority of its patrons would
object on racial grounds to the employ
ment of Negroes as bus and streetcar
operators" you seem to be encouraging
the tail to wag the dog by pleading
caution in the hiring of Negroes be-
cause of fear that the union will strike
You seem to be more in sympathy
with threatening group of employees
than with fair employment practice
Colbert HI. Pearson.
Minister, Berean Baptist Church.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
'Fudinq Crime Picture

1t was encouraging to read The Star
editorial that stated there was q "a
per cent drop in crime in January over
the like period in 1858. But it doesn't
exactly warrant the heading Fading
Crime Picture" Seventy-six per cent
Of the 1858 crime wave in the District
still existed, regardless of percentages.
On a recent visit to Miami and stops
en- route. was amazed at the abandon
with which people strolled about the
streets at all hours of the night and
early morning without fear of harm
Detailing them. They in turn were
flabbergasted to read Washington news
paper accounts of TOO policemen
planted" In business establishments
to apprehend would-be bandits.
Abashed Citizen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
D. c. Highway Spending

We are spending much more on Dis
trict highways than we were a few
years back. At first, new highway
was an improvement. It opened up
new areas to development as we'll as
serving as an avenue of traffic. Now
our highway development program has
become a sort of FrankenSteiniSh
monster, costing more and more, build
ing above and below street level, de-
manding more and more space. Both
the So-called "E" street and Reaches
Run bridges, II built across the Poto-
mac. will entail an extensive highway
construction project covering many
months, and probably end in net
loss of taxable revenue to the District.
This project is to be undertaken to
alleviate Virginia highway problems. II
one of these is built, the Southwest
Freeway will have to follow, in order
to extend the traffic to the AnacoStia
bridges. We already have the so-called
Whitehurst Freeway for Key Bridge.
So any bridges built above Key Bridge
will also have to have freeways for
them. This Whitehurst Freeway is the
first and the only one of its kind which
we have here. Supposedly this is to
ScIfc DIS d pdCICIA 41CCWdy0.
But we see that "freeway" may of
necessity become "through-way' be-
cause the traffic keeps pushing relent-
lessly against the city, forcing further
extensions.
At the recent hearing before the
joint congressional committee consider
ing the $300-million- public works
bill, I spoke in behalf of the National
Gateway Citizens Association, and I
challenged this highway spending.
pointed out that extensive highway
alterations to the city streets in built.
up areas worked q hardship on many
people in the city, and that adequate
compensation therefor was never pro-
vided; and I pointed out that it was
unfair for District taxpayers to be
Saddled with the burden of paying for
these improvements when the main
purpose was to provide easier access
to and from the city for people living
outside. The main point I made, how
ever, was that there was no ultimate
promise of relief in this building pro-
gram. Apparently we were just going
to go on and on in building boulevards
with no place to put the cars when they
stopped. There was no answer to this
by the committee. who were interested
in speedy termination of the hearings.
1t later developed that their main in
terest was in seeing that D. c. resi-
dents paid a larger share of the bill.
Well. no responsible body has yet faced
this issue. and it is high time some one
does. Will it ever end?
william p. Thomas, Jr..
National Gateway Citizens Assn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Our Economic Outlook

1t is becoming standard practice to
refer, as Frank r. Kent does in your
February IA issue, to the civilization"
of Herbert Hoover. Mr.. Hoover unde-
niably deserves the great respect in
which he is held today. count myself
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question
OF fact by writing The Evening Star Informa-
ton Bureau 1900 Eye St.. NV, WASHINGTON
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-18

Pen-''dn1es may be used If letters carry
1OriterS' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.