davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1954-05-22

c. K. B. of Illinois avenue wants to
know if it is usual for robins to nest
just above the front door beside the
house number.
Robins are notorious for this sort of
thing. 1t does not happen. of course,
too often. Most robins prefer the open.
Some years ago pair of Chevy Chase
birds built nest in the hole left for the
medicine cabinet in a bathroom Of q
house under construction.
The builder, who also was friend Of
birds, gave orders to let the birds alone.
So the house was finished with the
exception Of the installation of the
cabinet.
The busy robins didn't mind at all,
but went right ahead with their opera
tions. and brought up their family to
a triumphant conclusion.
In practically all such cases, the
birds get used to the closeness of human
beings, and fly in and out Of the nest
without much hindrance.
Usually it is q good thing to keep
children from watching at too close q
vantage point. This was solved, in the
case above. by the little ones looking at
the birds from favorite spot on the
inside stairway.
Sometimes too much peering at ami
mails and birds at such times viii cause
the parents to 60 away and stay away
until they think al is safe again.
We recall pair Of wrens. They had
nice nest, when &C was discovered by
Evening star., 1954-05-22

They will run back time after time
to peer at the discovery, with the
result that the human smell around
the nest becomes intolerable to the
mother.
Among the most fearful of creatures,
she is further impelled to stay away
by her actual fright of the children's
presence.
Probably it is too much. in this
strange day and age, to expect human
mothers to order their children to
stay away. and especially to make them
refrain, once they have been so ordered.
So the best thing to do is to hope
that all such nests will remain un-
discovered.
It viii be good thing If all watchers
at the nest" this summer realize that
too much looking is not good. They
should try to understand the problems
faced by the bird mothers and fathers,
and to realize that it is big business,
this thing of getting enough food for
the hungry babies. as well as bit for
themselves on the side
It is always helpful, regardless Of
species. if the parent birds are given
access to a platter Of ground meat at
least. once a day. Now that beef prices
are d little more reasonable, this Is not
too difficult.
The platter Of ground meat makes
o very good substitute for worms and
insects, the legendary baby food" OF
al young birds.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Aid for Junior Viliooe :

Nothing can be done about Junior
Village!n But something is being done.
Not by the mighty ones Of the District
but by q few people like Miss Viola
Cooke whose letter appeared in The
Star May II. Miss Cooke serves Uncle
Sam i've days a week but spends half
of every precious Saturday giving cheer
and comfort. friendship and under
standing to the girls Of this desolate
"Black Hole Of Calcutta"
On Sunday last went to q show
planned and put on by the children
with practically no adult help. Small
boys and girls, white and Negro, romped
over the stage, danced, sang, twirled
a baton, showed of to their best ability.
and bowed gleefully at the applause.
1t was soul-stirring and heart-warm-
ing sight and, to my mind. one of the
most heart-warming features of the
affair was the genuine pleasure and
pride that showed in the faces of the
adults whose job it is to be family"
to these children.
was shown over the buildings. The
larger girls recreation space-two small
rooms combined floor space probably
is feet by 20) was practically bare of
furniture-no curtains, no pictures, no
books, q few straight chairs, a card
table, divan-couch. The smaller room
contained nothing but two broken down
and discarded couches. The boys play
room. ditto, except that it was sunless.
But it had television set.
Nothing can be done? How about
little money? Not floods Of toys at
Christmas but some decent furniture
now. Fifty dollars spent at the Good
will Industries could transform that
playroom and, to quote q young Negro
friend OF mine, would "kill one bird
with two rocks
Suppose we do something now for
Junior Village!
Mrs. r. Frederick Whitehead.
No money for our Junior Village,
where two hundred children who need
institutional care live under less than
decent and humane living conditions!
Our District Commissioners are zap
palled" and shocked" but, alas, they
see no way to relieve the impossible
situation for over year yet. Why is it
that apparently surplus funds are be-
ing literally poured down the drain
at the rate Of something over 100000
year here in Washington. to cover
the cost Of dosing our entire water
supply with sodium silicofluoride, pur-
portedly to effect a possible fifty per
cent reduction in tooth decay in small
children? It is mathematically de-
monstrable that over 99.5 per cent Of
the money devoted to this absurd prof.
ect is utter waste. And this waste rep
resents the earnings of voteless tax
payers, which are being thus Gin
vested" by our local authorities, under
the constant goad, be it understood, of
the Public Health Service.
Junior Village could make good use
of that 100000 a year.
Vera e. Adams.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Improvement-or More Decoy9

Repeal of the ill-advised statutory ban on
redevelopment of Marshall Heights and Barry
Farms, two of Washington's more blighted resi-
Dental communities, is overdue. Congress made
q mistake in including such a restriction in
the l949 Housing Act. The Commissioners are
justified in urging Congress to lift this restraint
on Improvement of two areas notorious for sub
standard living conditions
It is only fair to remember that Congress
adopted the two-way ban only after 1t had
been bombarded with conflicting and confusing
statements as to the need for redevelopment Of
the two neighborhoods. Much of the conflict
and confusion resulted from misunderstanding
of the program by residents Of the affected
areas. At that time the Redevelopment Land
Agency had not given proper attention to
the Importance of adequately informing the
residents as to the rebuilding plans and as to
how the citizens would benefit from the projects.
The agency has profited by the lessons learned
at Marshall Heights and Barry Farms. 1t used
its knowledge to advantage in preparing for the
Southwest redevelopment program.
Recently private investors have shown in
tereSt in undertaking broad Improvement
project at Barry Farms, which is an old SUBJ
division near ST. Elizabeths Hospital. Although
residents of the Farms section never had pro-
tested redevelopment with the vieor shown by
the Marshall Heights group. the bar against any
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Conclusions Before Evidence

Nearly 7,OOO phllanthroplc organizations
with total capital resources of approximately
$7.5 billion are enjoying tax-exempt status in
the United States today. Innumerable public
benefits are traceable to the research and other
workings of these organizations and it is pri-
marily for this reason that Congress has ex-
pressly exempted them from taxation. In writ
ing the terms for this exemption, however,
Congress carefully specified that the advantage
would not apply in cases where any part Of the
net earnings of such organizations might inure
to an individual or where any substantial
part" Of the activities might consist of carry
ing on propaganda or attempting to influence
legislation.
The annual disbursements in grants of these
foundations has been estimated as more than
$500 million and it is clear enough that their
impact upon the American society is a consid-
erable one 1t is reasonable, too, that there
should be awareness of the potential danger of
some of these privileged foundations directing
their energies toward some sinister or subver-
sive purpose. In fact, this awareness led the
House to authorize special inquiry by COM
mittee headed by the late Representative Cox,
Democrat, of Georgia. One of the findings of
that committee was that financial aid and as
siStance for Communist individuals and causes
had been obtained in some instances but that
to society :. a vital and essential factor in our
progress
The unusual spectacle Of q special House
committee undertaking to discredit the findings
of a predecessor committee is being presented
today on Capitol Hill. Brushing aside the con-
illusions of the Cox committee, Representative
Reece, Republican, of Tennessee charged before
the House last July that the foundations are en-
gagged in "diabolical conspiracy" whose aim is
the "furtherance Of socialism in the United
States"
Although Norris Dodd, director of research
for the committee, informed the membership
that ut is the purpose of this inquiry to gather
and weigh the facts" his further analysis of
the committees task reflects the same fixed pre-
judgment Of the question as that expressed by
Chairman Reece. After long bill Of complaints
against the foundations-which at one point
he stated should not be considered proved
Mr.. Dodd concluded that "it seems incredible
that the trustees of typically American fortune
created foundations should have permitted them
to be used to finance ideas and practices in
compatible with the fundamental concepts of
our Constitution"
1t is possible, as charged, that the Cox COM
mittee study was inadequate. There is reason
to doubt, however, that an objective Enquiry to
gather and weigh the facts" Is likely to develop
under the direction Of chairman and q re-
search director who already seem to have re-
corded their conclusions before receiving the
evidence. 11
Evening star., 1954-05-22

the sacred constitutional prerogatives
of either the legislative or executive
branches Of our Government. On the
simple issue of perjury, the judicial
branch of our Government can restore
sanity and national unity. But what
ever decision the Senators make about
whitewash or relentless justice. we the
people have made ours: Politics is a
dirty business.
Thomas E. MattingIy, MD.
While the President has refused to
modify his decision. it does not seem
logical that this should end the Army
Mccarthy hearings. The Army's orig
inal charges are hardly affected by
what went on at the high level" con-
ference.
Regardless of who was responsible
for originally suggesting the charges
against Mccarthy and Cohn, the
charges stand. Respectable witnesses
under oath have sworn to the extreme
attempts to obtain preferential treat
ment for Schine. This testimony can
Evening star., 1954-05-22

broad rebuilding operation remains in the law.
The Redevelopment Land Agency is right in
contending that the question Of future slum
clearance and reconstruction Of any section of
Washington is one that should be decided by
the agency and the Commissioners after hear
ings-not by act Of Congress. This stand is q
reasonable one. Congress should support it by
transferring to local authorities the response
bility for determining whether Marshall Heights
and Barry Farms are to be permitted to de-
teriorate indefinitely or are to be opened for
possible rebuilding.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Clearing a RoodbIock

It would be regrettable If divergent plans
for the improvement of Tenth street Southwest
should prove to be roadblock to the large
scale redevelopment of Southwest Washington.
There are two sets of tentative plans for re-
building this main connection between the
water front and the downtown business section.
One was prepared long time ago by the Dis
trlct Highway Department, the other more re-
Gently by New York firm which is interested
in conducting major face-lifting operation in
the rundown Southwest. Both plans are in
conflict in certain respects-but there are
encouraging indications that they are not
irreconcilable
The Zeckendorf contracting firm which has
offered to undertake an extensive, impressive
reconstruction Of the area along the Potomac
River between the railroad tracks and Fort Nc
Nair, has built its plan around proposed Tenth
street eSplanade or mall. The firm has insisted
that this broad, scenic approach to the new
Southwest must not be abandoned or seriously
modified. This stand has raised the problem of
how to fit the esplanade idea into the Highway
Departments plan for use Of Tenth street as
main artery tied into the Southwest freeway
The projected freeway would run at right angles
to the eSplanade. A grade intersection of the
two major highways would create grave traffic
problems. And a grade-separation structure
WOuAu duu q COMpACdGcU anu COSCIy dQQ1ClOn TO
the highway program.
Fortunately, both sides involved in this
problem have shown a commendable disposition
to work out mutually agreeable solution. Dis
trict Highway Director Robertson has said he
believes the difficulties can be surmounted And
the Zeckendorf firm Of Webb & Knapp has
hired consultant to study the conflicting plans
and endeavor to merge them into an acceptable
solution With such cooperative attitude on
both sides, it should be possible to eliminate
what had threatened to become major OBJ
stacle on the road to the rebuilding of South
west WASHINGTON iet 80 tpT. > SIS E-l Al ..
Evening star., 1954-05-22
The Magic of Distunce

The distant hill looked peluet-smooth
and green,
I longed to gain its height and
sense its spell
OF Quietude iDhere sunlight lay serene
And tDhere the softly rounded
shadows feH.
sought escape from drab familiar
things,
From land too spdrsely green. too
bleak and chill;
lon0ed to grotD q pair of stlUer iDtngs,
To fly diDay and reach the perdant
hiH
But, reached at last, the hill DGs
strangely gray,
Its Uerduye scGnt and faded here
and there;
In disillusionn1ent I turned dicGy
To seek return-to pause, amazed.
and stare.
From here the hin I left tcltle ago
! Was richly green and. somehow.
seemed to ClotD.
Florence Pedigo Jonsson
Evening star., 1954-05-22

not bear less weight because a high
official suggested the charges rather
than some slightly lower official. It
is sworn testimony by the persons di-
rectly involved. It can be handled prop
erly only by developing it fully and
allowing the individuals criticized to
take the stand.
The Army's case against Mccarthy
and Cohn-which was chronologically
first-remains as big as life. If the
Senator's have been confused by an
executive-legiSlative duel, the public
has not. It will lose patience with any
committee member who agrees to let
those original charges remain unde-
veloped.
Howard Wilcox.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Cracks in the Alliance

1t is difdcult to believe that there is, or that
there can be, any serious split between the
United States and Britain on Southeast Asian
policy.
To be sure, the British Foreign Office has
been reported as telling London diplomatic cor
respondents that the rift is 'the most serious
since the end of the war;" If this really is the
official British view, it is not to be lightly dis
missed. At the same time, it is hardly possible
to believe that the incidents which have been
cited actually can serve to rupture the Anglo
American alliance.
There seems to be some British discomfort
because we have been talking directly with the
French at Geneva. And President Eisenhower's
comment on Southeast Asian alliance, as it
has been reported in London, apparently has
caused some concern.
1t would seem well to get some facts in or
der. One fact is that the British, before joining
any concerted defensive action in Southeast
Asia, want to await the outcome of the Geneva
Conference. They are clearly within their rights
in taking this position. Meanwhile, however
the Communist threat in Southeast Asia
marches on.
In view of this, why is it inconsistent with
the spirit of the Western alliance for us to talk
with the French? Perhaps something can be
worked out to check the Communist advance in
1ndo-China. If so, must we await the conclu-
sion Of the talks at Geneva before exploring
that possibility?
Perhaps the talks with the French cover
broader field-the possibility of devising some
kind Of muti-nation defense in Southeast Asia
It seems that it was to this possibility that the
President was addressing himself when he said
in response to question, that it might be pos
sible to work out some kind of Southeast Asia
pact without British participation, but includ-
ing the proper Asiatic nations, as well as Aus
tralia and New Zealand. This assumes, of
course that countries like New Zealand would
not refuse to join if Britain finally stays out
Any comment of this sort touches sensi-
tive spot in Britain. 1t is perfectly clear, how
ever, that the President was not trying to ex-
clude the British. Perhaps he should not have
answered the question. But at most he was
merely discussing possibility in event the
British should ultimately refuse to go along
The important thing to keep in mind is
that, in all probability, some kind of defensive
arrangement must be worked out for Southeast
Asia unless all Of that highly important area is
to fall to the Communists. If preliminary work
can be done now, it should be done, for aggres-
sion is not going to wait on Western conven-
ience Certainly the United States should not
seek to impose what one London correspondent
calls "Washington-gr policy on Britain
Neither should Britain, by inaction, seek to i'm
pose London-grown policy of doing nothing
on the United States.
Happily, there is excellent reason to believe
that neither of these things is going to happen
The logic of our mutual situation compels
Anglo-American unity, and The Star believes
that the leaders on both sides of the Atlantic
are quite capable of bridging any cracks which
may have appeared in the alliance.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Pokiston Holds Its Place

The stout qualities of Pakistan'S determina-
tion to be contributing partner in defending
the security of the free world are displayed in
the signing of the military aid pact with the
United States.
Since negotiation of this agreement between
Washington and Karachi was announced sew
eral months ago, Pakistan has been subjected to
impertinent criticisms and unfriendly pressures
from such larger neighbors as India, Soviet
Russia and Communist China. Aside from re-
minding all of its critics that it has the right
as sovereign nation to seek it's security in
ways it thinks best, the Karachi government
has gone to particular pains to placate Prime
Minister Nehru and whatever Indian public
opinion he represents. In this effort also, the
United States has joined with Pakistan, and the
signing of the agreement was accompanied
by notes Of mutual understanding that the
pact does not involve granting of base rights to
American forces in Pakistan and is not actually
a military alliance. Even broader assurances
were given earlier to Mr.. Nehru by President
Eisenhower in personal letter emphasizing
that the American aid would not be given for
purposes of aggression. Prime Minister Ali Of
PakiStan has echoed these same assurances.
There has been no evidence, of course, that
Pakistan has any aggressive designs on India
or on anybody else. She has, however, taken
realistic view of Communist aggression and
quite obviously is willing to be identified with
those prepared to resist it. In this respect,
Pakistan is displaying the same qualities Of
courage and independence as already shown
by Turkey, with whom she has recently signed
comprehensive friendship pact" The cause
of real liberty is served by countries such as
these. Their active partnership in the COM
munity Of free nations is welcomed.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
The Interrupted Hearing

Amid pious bipartisan hand-washing
and breast-beating, the not-So-proud
authors of the Mccarthy political
morality play dropped the curtain, just
as the swirling, hooded genie Of
perjury menacingly emerged from their
Pandora box.
The Senate committee. which is de-
Tending, prosecuting and judging itself.
has simple way to stop this judicial
hooliganism: Secretary Stevens and
Mr.. Adams. under cross-examination by
Senator Jackson, already have denied
under oath the truthfulness of the
Mccarthy, Cohn and Carr charges.
Now let the opposing trio state under
oath whether the Army allegations are
true or false. There will need to be no
further uSurpation or treSpasSing upon
Evening star., 1954-05-22
All in q Duy's Work

Several years ago, during the famous
Kefauver hearings addressed letter
to you commenting on the monkey an
tics" of the photographers on that
case. I remarked that they reminded
me of the monkeys at the Frank Buck
shows in New York.
Well, I see they are at it again during
the current Mccarthy Army show. Ev-
cry once in awhile when some witness
is testifying a head bobs up entirely
obstructing the witness and then
flash. II. L. III.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
By THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

@. Is it q fact that comparatively
few cases Of polio, involve paralysis?-
j. w.
A. Generally, this is so. The National
Office of Vital Statistics reported 1852
total of 57,879 cases in the United
States, of which 12,802 were paralytic.
@. What is the heaviest organ Of the
human body?-S. B. M.
A. The liver, which weighs about
56H ounces. The weight of the brain
averages 45h ounces, that of the lungs,
80 ounces. The heart, on the other
hand, weighs but 1915 ounces.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
letters to The Star I.

colored non-commissioned officer is no
good reason for being afraid to en-
courage colored officers to work for
line promotions.
I submit the highest type of morale.
police efficiency and real integration
can be brought about by the adoption
Of such policies. It also would go
long way towards creation Of respect
for law and law enforcement on the
part of minority groups.
E. B. Henderson.
Evening star., 1954-05-22
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer TO any question
Of fact by writing The Evening star Infor-
ton 5 D. c. Please incIoss three Is, cents for
return p0atAGe
Evening star., 1954-11-30

feet to the courtyard. The 18th
attendant, Earl Hubbard, was
seized by two of the rioters
and beaten about the head.
Those who went through the
windows suffered cuts. One at
tendant suffered a possible
broken ankle.
Wreck Furnishings.
The % rioters still in the din
ing hall went on e vandalic spree
smashing windows, tables,
benches, lights and dishes and
starting a fire. The blaze was
put out quickly with a hose
poked in through the door.
DR.. Bixby began to talke to
the rioters. and the five ring
leaders told him they wanted to
arbitrate. They said a fellow
inmate had been unjustly con-
Evening star., 1954-11-30
3 Insane Criminals
Riot in New Jersey,
Wreck Dining Hall
BY the Assoeiosed Press

TRENTON, N. j., Nov. 30
Insane criminals staged a two
hour riot at the New Jersey State
Hospital yesterday. wrecking
their dining hall and causing in
juries to several attendants.
Twenty-three of the 371 in
mates took active or passive roles
In the outbreak.
Hospital officials said that
among the passive participants
was Howard Unruh, 33-year-old
EXCL who in l949 shot and
killed 13 persons at Camden In
the bloodiest street slaughter in
the Nations history. Unruh,
who is suffering from deteriora-
ton of the brain cells, an in
durable disease, surrendered
meekly with the others when
they apparently were satisfied
they could not resist for long.
DR.. F. Lowell Bixby. acting
commissioner of institutions and
agencies, said he interviewed
each of the % and found some
"stood dumbly" and others said,
II was under a table" or II had
nothing to do with it," DR..
Bixby said Unruh "just about
can't talk"
Asked if any action would be
taken against the %, DR.. Bixby
said, "The law specifies you cam
not punish an insane man: the
courts can't punish them, so how
can we?"
- Began Throwing Chairs.
DR.. Howard S. Magee, hospital
director, said the riot broke out
when two inmates leaped up and
threw their chairs in the dining
hall. Other inmates Joined them
in shouting and began to over
turn tables.
A "hard core" of five inmates
took command of the frenzied
crowd. DR.. Magee said. Many
headed for the only door into
the dining room. and the II at
tendants decided in the crush
to Jump through windows over
looking a walled exercise yard.
Other attendants braced them
selves against the outside of
the door and urged the pressing
mob to squeeze out one at a
time. Forty inmates leaped
with 10 attendants through the
broken windows, dropping IL