davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

Fire did $4,000 damage to the
Luther Memorial Church. Vermont
avenue and N street
Fire at Luther NV, on the evening
Memorial of January 90. 1904.
and The Star of the
next day gave a full account of the
conf1agration. A birthday reception to
the pastor, Rev. j. G. Butler, had been in
progress when the blaze suddenly burst
out in the auditorium. Snow in the
streets delayed the fire companies.
When they reached the scene the fire
the south spire could not be saved.
Water poured into the main fabric
of the church. however. stopped the
destruction of that part. It was an
nounced that the property was fully
insured.
The Star of January %, 1904, an
nounced: "On the recommendation of
Rear Admiral
U. S. S. Constitution Capps, chief con-
Preserved structor of the
Navy, Secretary
Moody has directed that the historic
ship Constitution shall be retained at
the Navy Yard at Boston and repaired
from time to time so that she may be
preserved indefinitely. The starboard
of the Constitution will be made into
naval museum, the nucleus Of which
is now at the Boston yard. The Secre-
tary also has decided to name the next
battleship appropriated for by Con-
gress Constitution, in order that the
name may be preserved in the Navy.
1t had been proposed to rebuild the old
Constitution and fit her as training
ship, but this was believed to be i'm
practicable. The decision of the Secre-
tary to preserve the historic vessel is
the result of movement to preserve
the old Constitution, which might be
likened to the agitation when Oliver
Wendell Holmes saved her from the
junk pile by writing his poem, Old
Ironsides. beginning: Aye. tear her
tattered ensign down. Charles Francis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Spires Of the Spirit
Upstoirs

In spite Of many examples Of mod
ern home building which plan for all
domestic life to be lived on one level,
the romance of Stairways remains. A
cultured woman recently was heard to
remark: when stairways disappear
something precious goes out OF the
home"
With bright strands of remembrance
stairs are woven into the warp and
wool of gracious living. A cherished
part of the national heritage consists
of stately homes, exuding the aroma
Of days Of yore, whose stairways are
artists dreams of proportion, SYM
metry and grace. In the annals Of
many family tradition sweeping
stairway is redolent with nostalgia
memories as vivid as Longfellow's pic
ture of THE Childrerl's Hour" There
the poet has. captured forever. in
eternal youth, the gay trio of merry
maidens as they come tripping in the
lamplight, descending the broad hall
stair with whispered plots and plans.
in "a sudden rush from the stairway"
But such stairs tell not only of
jubilant feet descending. but Of the
reluctant feet of pouting children
hating In the ascent. pleading for
some extension Of the parental decree
with its seemingly cruel dictum. up
stairs to bed!" T. A. DAILY has touch
ing little poem in which he etches
never-to-be-forgotten picture of two
dear friends parting after happy, I'M
derStanding hours by the blazing logs.
The one Is seen mounting the stairs
after farewell" had been whispered,
leaving the other standing by the
hearth whose Pickering light had cast
its playful. 1tful shadows on both
faces. As the one turned to go
haloed radiance seemed to creep up
stairs with her, leaving but shadows
where she had sat by the dying red
embers. Holding a candle to light the
way, she disappears at the head Of
the stairs. The door Of an upper room
is heard to close. Then the house is
very still The night seems suddenly
to grow cold and a chill hand to be
laid on the lonely one sitting with
bowed head by the faint-glowing ashes.
That one. in the presence of the other.
had reveled in that winter evening as
in a garden of delight; but now
Good night! And then your candles
feeble glare
Went glimmering up the stair.
For. oh, the summer. iDarnt and bright,
You conjured in the Uinter night.
Went upDard With your candlelioht.
Went Nth you up the stair.
Such a verse Is freighted with the
pathos of the stairs. That separation
is a glowing parable speaking wistfully
of those who have assembled stairs to
an upper room in mansions above. of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

in the history Of the country. is a free
man. at liberty to resume his profess
sion If he desires. But he is probably
too old to ever undertake to make
counterfeitS of United States securities
again. William E. Brockway is SO years
old, with hair as white as the SHOWS of
winter. The famous counterfeiter was
released today from the New Jersey
State Prison at Trenton, and he went
out into the world to renew acquain-
tances and to see how it feels to be old,
practically helpless. and to be cast upon
the world with the brand of the GRIM
inal stamped all over. Brockway'S past
has always been mystery to the Secret
Service detectives, and his record in
the Secret Service office here contains
little about who he was or what are
his connections. All that is known is
that Brockway denied that he had hth
or kin and that what he said must have
been true. IL. I. Brockway was a success
full counterfeiter during the last years
of the Civil War, but the Government
failed to make case against him until
March 7, 1896, when he was convicted
in New Jersey of making counterfeit
$500 gold certificates and 500 Cana.
dian notes. . Brockway took no in
terest in making counterfeits of small
denominations. He always said that
he did not want. to swindle the poor.
He was after the rich" His ensraver
was Charles Smith, "a splendid en-.
graver employed by bank note COM
pany in New York" Brockways part
in the counterfeiting was the assem-
bling of the fractions Of the eneravings
to make whole notes. His process
was one which has never been do.
covered"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

Adams some time ago wrote to Secre-
tary Moody about the deterioration of
the Constitution. The Massachusetts
Historical Association sent a petition
to the House of Representatives. ask
ing that the vessel be again placed in
commission as training ship. Rear
Admiral Capps was sent by Secretary
Moody to Boston to inspect the ship.
not be made At for service unless she
was practically reconstructed , The
Constitutions keel was laid in Boston
and here she was launched October
81. 1897. Her first notable engagement
was with the British Guerrero. August
10, 1872.
In The Star for January %, 1904,
there appeared a list of current fads
compiled by the Irving
Fods Park Woman's Club of
Reviewed Chicago, as follows: yell
low journalism, authors
with long names, dinners for monkeys.
compressed food tablets, the kangaroo
walk. turned-up trousers. burnt wood.
the historical novel. the athletic girl,
Lie uIlCOOhcO.1OOO 1lOU4Okl, AAO4I uAAAAACA .
with live fish on the tables, treatments
to make women beautiful, the microbe
in everything.
The Star on February l, 1904; dis
cussed recent high-speed trials and
contests by automobiles on
Speed a Florida beach course" with
Tests particular reference to the
achievements of young Mr..
w. K. Vanderbilt" declaring: HE ran
so miles at an average Of mile in 40
seconds" or, Ito state it differently"
1920 miles an hour. With the remark
that this is phenomenally fast time
for q small vehicle" The Star then
observed mfr. Vanderbilt's 50-mile
performance is better than the work
done by the 45-minute trains between
this city and Baltimore. which are
among the best in the United States in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

the Fathers House. leaving diSconSolate
those who stay behind while bowed
in the sadness Of farewell. But, going.
such leave a breath of fragrant sum-
met behind: for, before they go up the
golden stairs. their flame has touched
with fire some other. That Is how all
the best and the good has defied the
corroding years as from candle to cam
die has leaped the living flame.
The Church started when tongues Of
fire sat upon each Of those waiting
hearts who had climbed the stairs to"
an upper room. They found the same
Presence which Jacob found as, from
his lonely rock In the wilderness.
stairway suddenly spanned the gulf be-
tween him and the unseen, while the
angels Of God assembled and descended.
Having caught the flame those first
disciples came down the stairs to enact
the wonder of the spreading flame
which Is the heart Of Christianity
Stairways become symbols Of lives
that climb-each new day a step to
higher levels Of thinking and achieving.
Blessed is the man who, having as
cended one more step and with eyes
lifted to others yet to mount, can greet
each eventide with the triumphant sat-
isfaction. I have climbed little higher
today! What an epitaph that is on an
Alpine slope. where gallant climber
met his fate! Where he slipped to his
death is white stone on which is his
name and the simple. significant state
ment: He died climbing"
There ORC hit fuyn vital divisions
among men. The difference between
the two is not one of position. 1t is one
of direction. In the one are those who.
however high they start, are moving
down: in the other, those who, how
ever low they start. are moving up.
Toward the place where you will
one day stand you are now moving. To
keep on living as you are living now.
where will it take you? The answer to
that solemn question is not suggested
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Job Insurance for U. S. Workers

Job Insurance for U. 5. Workers
In the near future, committees in
Congress will consider legislation. sug-
gested by the President and the Civil
Service Commission. which would give
to Federal employees the same protec-
ton against the hazard of unemploy-
ment that has been in effect in private
industry. The enactment of this leg4s-
lation is important at this time for
reasons which follow:
A Federal employe who loses his
position through no fault of his own
faces the same financial strain as other
unemployed persons, and, at the pres
ent time. even greater difficulty in
finding a new position.
Government employment is becom-
Ing more unstable. In 1854 the flow of
reductions in force and the resulting
"bumpings" will continue.
Annual leave can no longer be &C
cumulated in sufficient amount to pro-
vide temporary security against a
period of unemployment.
The building Of adequate savings
for such an emergency is practically
impossible on the salary of an employee
in the lower grades.
Congress has been receiving more
than 1000 letters a day asking for
salary increases for Federal employees.
An economy minded Congress is likely
to postpone any action for higher
Federal salaries this year.
Unemployment insurance for Federal
employees may have better chance for
passage. as the cost would be compare
lively small. I. for one. intend to write
to my congressman, asking for enact
ment of this legislation.
This legislation has an excellent
chance at this time, but If Federal en-
ployes fail to show any interest, a busy
Congress may simply push it aside.
A. ID. Schubert.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Taxes That Hurt Least

Opposition to the Commissioners tax pro-
poSalS to finance the public works program
comes chiefly from those most directly affected
by the tax increases. That is natural. 1t was
anticipated by those who drew up the proposals
and it will be understood by the joint commit
tee now studying the public works program. It
should not affect judgment as to the validity
of the objections, and some of them may be
valid.
The difficult decisions in this field, however,
cannot be reached entirely by weighing the
merits Of the objections standing alone. The
decisions must be reached by deciding whether
the injuries inflicted by higher taxes, on those
most directly affected by them, are greater
In one set Of proposals than they would be by
another set Of proposals affecting another
group of taxpayers.
That was the rule applied by the Com
misSioners and their advisers when they adopted
the set Of tax recommendations under con-
alteration. The intent was to impose additional
taxes that would be least harmful to the
economic and social stability" Of the city as q
whole. For the next few days the joint COM
mittee will seek to satisfy itself as to the sound
ness of the thinking and conclusions reached
by the city'S tax authorities.
That process will inevitably include
review by the subcommittee of all available tax
resources, and whether the right ones have
been tapped Real estate personal and sales
taxes will be re-examined. The joint committee
should take as one of its criteria in this
examination the effects of higher local taxes
In Washington in relation to the surrounding
area outside the borders Of the District of
Columbia; in other words, whether such in
creaSes will encourage the move of more resi-
dents and more business enterprises now
located in Washington, to surrounding Maryland
and Virginia.
The tax problem in this little area of the
District Of Columbia is complicated by consid-
erations not found in any other community
of the country. Many of the needs facing the
city in public works are caused not by the
residents of the District, but by those who live
and pay taxes outside the city. Median income
in the Metropolitan Area is now higher than
in Washington. The yield from sales and use
taxes inside the District has been declining for
the past two years. Exempt real estate In
Washington exceeds taxable real estate. Per-
sonal tax exemptions in Washington exceed
those Of other cities because of the nature of
our population. There are more people living
in the suburban" area of Washington, the
central city, than in the central city itself,
and this central city's boundaries cannot be
extended to take them in.
The problem is not merely to raise more
tax revenue, but to raise it by methods that
will not increase disturbing trends of recent
years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Fifty Years Ago in The Star .

point Of speed on regular schedules"
But "of course. these automobile speeds
are of no practical value. for there is
no prospect whatever that the roads of
the country will ever be thrown open
to vehicles travelling unhindered at
these rates. Short of a special system
of highways. devoted exclusively to the
use of scorching automobiles, nothing
can ever come of this high development
Of speed capacity, outside of the range
of sport"
The Star of January %. 1904, said
edltorially: With success stamped
upon everything he has
Mr.. Tots undertaken. William H..
Future Taft has arrived in Wash
ington to assume the du-
ties of Secretary of War. He brings to
the post generous intellectual equip
ment. a large experience in public af-
fairs and an ample capacity for hard
work. His admirers and well-wishers
are not confined to his own party.
No man in our affairs. indeed. has ever
accepted a national commission under
circumstances more complimentary and
encouraging to himself or assuring to
the country. =. Judge Taft is probably
back in the country to stay. Whether
he will remain in politics or return to
the bench is necessarily question for
the future. Some of his friends think
he may reach the White House, while
others would be glad to see him in time
gowned as justice Of the Supreme
Court. But all agree that the future
is bright for him and that he richly
deserves his possessions and his pros
pects."
On January 26, 1904. The Star re-
ported: 1.-THE cleverest and greatest
counterfeiter the world
Counterfeiter ever knew, the man
Released who bothered the Sc
cret Service of the
United States more than any criminal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
On Trunsit Affairs

With reference to the articles in The
Star recently by Francis P. Douglas
about Cleveland and Chicago transit
problems and their comparison with
those Of the Washington Metropolitan
Area. it seems to the writer that it
would be good idea to investigate the
possibility of using the Washington e.
Old dominion Railroad from Falls
Church, Virginia. to Potomac Yard and
the tracks of the railroads from that
point on into Washington for develop
ment into a rapid transit system be-
tween Virginia points and Washington.
1t would appear that such system
would work just as we'll in the Washing
ton Metropolitan Area as in Cleve-
land and Chicago where the trend
seems to be toward rapid transit sys-
TENS which are off the streets and
highways and result in traffic and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Grateful to Miss Eversmon

The members of the Washington
Composers Club wish to express to
The Star and Miss Alice Eversman
their deep appreciation of her service
to music during her long reign as music
editor of your paper.
Her profound knowledge Of music
and of the problems of composers as
well as performers resulted in criticisms
noteworthy for their penetration as well
as for their warmth and enthusiasm
manifestations Of rich musical nature.
The professional musician will miss
her presence at concerts and her re-
views in The Star quite as much as the
layman, and one thing is certain:
Wherever she may 60 or whatever she
may do we all are grateful to her and
wish her we'll.
r. Deane Shure.
President. Washington Composers
Club
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
BY Frederick Brown Harris
Minister, Foundry Methodist Church;
Chaplain United states senate

by an escalator which automatically
moves up. but stairway up which one
climbs. 1--WE build the ladder by which
we rise-and mount to its summit,
round by round"
There Is an inspiring story Of a
stairway Of service which starts In the
Southland. The climber of those stairs
was once hillbilly lad, named Car
penter. whose childhood was as hard
as the rocks Of his native South
Carolina mountains. lone day he
was taken to q city where he be-
held the wonders of trains and lights
and crowded streets. In him was felt
the urge to climb from his lowly be-
ginnings. To his JOY it was arranged
that he should live with an uncle and
go to high school. He made friends
who believed in him. Teachers rec
ognized his ability. He had the stuff
to climb. They offered to send him to
college. He was thrilled. With SPAR
king eyes. he said, II want to be a
doctor!" He studied hard. He came
through with high honors. The med
ical faculty saw likely candidate for
specialization in hospital research. But
he answered: Thank you, no. I ap-
preciate your help and kindness, but I
want to 60 back to my native noun
tains. There are sick people there
who die because they have no doctor"
That Is where he went and stayed
stayed until he was no longer young
physician. but "Old DR.. Carpenter"
The people he served were 50 poor
they couldn't pay him in money, but
in provisions and feed for his horse.
He lived in two rooms over the village
store, with stairway outside running
up. At the foot of the stairs was q
single: "Dr. Carpenter Upstairs"
A morning came when some one
climbed those old stairs to get their
friend for another case Of need, and
found that during the night the doc
tor had answered q higher call up
stairs" The people came from miles
and miles. in stunned sorrow. And
they laid him to rest In box Of pine,
there in the red earth. One of the
group said: II know Just where to get
a sign for his headstone" While they
waited he ran to the village store. and
at the foot of the old stairway secured
the weather-beaten shingle which had
directed the sick for many years. And
while those mourners stood around in
breathless silence he placed 1t at the
head Of the old doctors grave: DIR.
Carpenter Upstairs"
There is nothing to do now but to
kneel by that sign and pray that for
each of us the things that were and
the things that are and the things
that are to be may form but a golden
stairway by which we shall mount up.
up. up. to our waiting throne and to
the inheritance of the saints in light.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Letters to The Star.

weather free transportation and the
reduction of highway traffic congestion.
Where operated it should successfully
lure the motorist away from his auto
mobile and have the effect of keeping
many Virginia cars out Of the down.
town area during rush hours and avoid
the necessity of building more bridges
in the central area. r. Renny.
AS protest against the recent tram
sit fare increase, the public should pay
all fares in pennies. Twenty pennies
straight fare. seventy-five pennies for
pass and eighty pennies for tokens.
I'm sure the resulting confusion from
such strategy would bring results.
Harold J. Kerr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31
Tax Exemptions

May the policy of granting more and
more tax exemption to parents be ques-
toned?
Children are q blessing. every one
agrees. and the world would soon end
without them. But too often the atti-
tude is that the Government is cheat
ing the parent because each child's up
keep costs more than the $500 allowed
for dependency
What legislators are really doing by
favoring present parents is making it
more difficult for future parents. It may
appear clever to remove by various
taxes-income. travel. amusement. etc.
the excess income over the necessaries
of life from the bachelors, career girls
and young men and women who are
first entering the income producing
years and are aware of no other state
Of affairs or standards of comparison.
But in few short years, with no OPP
portunity to save or put aside for home
building. there will be scarcity of new
parents. Who will buy the new homes,
furnishings, or rent the new apart
menus! DIS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

scribed 1t as "a modest success" that can be
sufficiently improved upon to lead to good
peace. Certainly, as he prepares to leave 1t
now, he can take proper satisfaction and pride
in what he has done to help build It up to its
present status.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-31

Pen-1,Gn1es may be used il letters carry
1DriterS' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation
Evening star., 1954-05-30

if he had to put aside his physical exercise.
He and his physician, Gen. Howard M.
Snyder, agree that golf is just about the best
form of relaxation the President can get. DR..
Snyder knows there is criticism of the Presi-
dent s golf, but he is unimpressed.
I'VE want the President to have all the rest
and relaxation he can," he says. People
sometimes forget that his job is more than a
matter Of eight in the morning until six or
seven o'clock in the evening. Those are just
his Office hours. His job goes on all the time.
Golf is fine for him, so say he should play
whenever he gets chance. Sometimes, /
actually have to urge him to 60 to the course.
He doesn't get away from the Office nearly as
much as Id like him to do"
DR.. Snyders feelings in the matter, how
ever, are not shared unanimously in the polit-
ical community of Washington where criti-
cism is an indoor and outdoor sport second
only to breathing.
When Mr.. Eisenhower first began going to
the exclusive Burning Tree Golf Club on the
Evening star., 1954-05-30
INTERNATIONAL

outskirts of Washington last spring. the Dem
ocratic national headquarters let it be known
that they were keeping score on Mr.. Eisen-
hower's golf dates - for the later edifcation
of the voters.
Elements of the Congress of Industrial
Organizations also began to count the Presi-
dent 8 visits to the golf course on the theory
that he was away from his job too much.
what She DAN Heard
AN UNKNOWN person or persons during the
1853 convention Of the Daughters Of the
American Revolution successfully spread
among the lady delegates story that Mr..
Eisenhower, during his first 80 days in Office,
played golf over 80 times.
This story neglected to mention that the
figures apparently included the Presidents
late afternoon practice sessions on the south
lawn Of the White House = something he
does only infrequently now. Nor was it
explained that in the more than 30 times he
Continued on page IL