davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
This and That
By Charles E. TroceWeN

True enough, leaving the cross bar
of the "t", and failing to dot the "i'
makes the penman feel very individual.
These things have way of building
themselves up. over the years. That is
one of the good things about putting
ones signature in ones books, so that
20 years later one may compare
the latest with the old signature, and
note, with some honest surprise, the
difference.
In most cases, such examination and
comparison reveals a WorSenlng sigma
ture, over the years. Perhaps this is
not to be wondered at, since penman-
ship is hand work, and manual dexter
ity, even in so little matter, SlackenS
as time passes. 1t is an irremediable
matter, one which most sensible per-
sons would not change If they could.
and of course they can't; all they can
do, if they will, is realize that the
letters in their signature now do not
meet at the top, as they should, etc.
They should try to remember that
signing ones name is two-way street,
for themselves. and for some one else,
or in some instances for several some
one elSeS.
The signature that does not reveal
itself may be likened to a man wear
ing a mask.
Then what shall be said about the
scrawl that resembles chicken scratches
more than human penmanship?
Any one who has occasion to sign
letter. in particular. and especially to
some one who Is not acquainted with
him, should by all means make certain
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Not Really 'Tnhumon'

1t is possible to understand why Crooner
Dick Haynes does not want to be deported to
his native Argentina-especially If Rita Hay
worth, his wife, does not intend to go with him.
But there is hardly any basis for his lawyers
claim that deportation would be "cruel and
inhuman Punishment"
Mr.. Haynes first came to the United States
in 1897, but never tried to become a citizen.
During World War H. when he was a young
man in his 20s, he obtained draft exemption as
q neutral alien.
When one thinks of the millions of Ameri-
can boys who fought in that war; and of the
hundreds of thousands who died, it is difficult
to engage in much handwriting over the
plight of Mr.. Haynes. Certainly he has min
imum claim on the hospitality of this country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31

that each letter in the name is made
correctly.
This is one of the easiest correct
neSses" any one can arrive at, but
surely many offend, in this respect.
through failure to take prior thought.
Every one should critically inspect
his own signature, now and then, and
try to see it as others might.
Then, and this is important. he should
try to make an honest effort to pull
the letters together, after making each
one correctly
It is just matter of determination.
But determination grows old, too,
and with it ones signature. The years
lead toward chaos and the night, but
amid the encircling gloom there is
Light. We can all help in this. if we
determine to do SO little a thing as
overhaul our own signatures now and
then. Part of the fault is due to others,
undoubtedly they stand over us, at
times, and make us sign up in great
hurry, SO that we must Scurry through
something that should be matter of
great pride, and so care, to us.
The old fashioned ''penmanShip"
course was a good thing. 1t taught the
young to write carefully, according to
a determined plan. What the years
might do to them and their signatures
was not part of the plan, but it was to
operate, just the same. Nothing was
said. however. about it being necessary
to ruin handwriting, so that at last
no one. not even the author thereof,
could recognize his own name.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Servicemen Also Puy Toxes

would like to comment on Greatly
Confused's" letter about taxing the
military
am in the service and agree that
an equitable tax law Is necessary.
Therefore. would like to recommend
that per cent sales tax be imposed
on all commodities except food. Such
a tax would be more than fair since
it would have to be paid by each in
dividual man, woman, child. civilian
and military. native sons and for
eigners alike-down to the very last
penny.
Now would like to know just what
other taxes, besides gasoline and
county tags. help pay for the roads in
Arlington County? If interpret the
law correctly then I also pay my share
in their maintenance. Each time I
purchase 80 cents worth of gasoline 6
cents goes to the State of Virginia-Sup-
posedly for the roads upon which am
compelled to travel and congest" not
because relish the thought Of want
ing to be in Virginia among fellow
Americans who are in many instances
downright hostile to the servicemen.
Just to keep the record straight I,
too. pay my share of taxes, income.
property. luxury and all other hidden
taxes. Furthermore, if Greatly Con-
fused" feels he can better pay his taxes
by being a member of the military, then
he shouldn't hesitate joining the ranks
of the 3 million.
From all indications 1t seems that
other Americans do at this time that
service personnel are nothing more
than a necessary evil" I, as one Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Widows Views on Social Security

I have read q number of letters in
The Star regarding injustices Of the
Social Security Act, and would like to
contribute a widows view on social
security.
Why should social security widows
who wish to remarry have to forfeit
their monthly social security checks?
To remarry is one Of their rights
the right to one of the four freedoms;
the right to pursuit of happiness which
only marriage can bring to lonely. aged
people.
If America has anything to offer her
aged people, let her be most generous.
Who needs it more than those lonely
ones who have been left behind?
Won't Congress amend the Social
Security Act and grant social security
widows, even If they remarry, the right
to pursuit of happiness and companion
ship. to round out their remaining days
on this earth. and not force them to
walk alone?
Please, let's do it the American way.
Mrs. James L. Dunivin.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
MothboIIs for the 'Miqhty Mo-

If it is true that the battleship Missouri is
headed for mothballs, and that the Wisconsin,
the Iowa and the New Jersey will follow, an
era dear to the hearts of deep-water Navy men
has indeed ended.
It is an era which began on the chilly morn
ing of March 9, 1862, in Hampton Roads, at the
mouth of the James River. On the day before
a Federal wooden war fleet had been cut to
pieces by the Merrimac, sunken Union frigate
which had been raised by the Confederates and
clothed with four inches of sloping iron armor.
On March the Merrimac easily destroyed the
Cumberland and the Congress. The Federal
steam frigates Roanoke, st. Lawrence and Min
neSota had run aground. The mood in Wash
ington that night was close to panic, but
before dawn on the 9th strange looking fight
ing ship of novel design steamed into the
Roads. This was the Monitor-the cheese-box
on raft-which had been hastily completed
and rushed southwark to meet the known
threat of the Merrimac.
Shortly before am. on the 9th the Mon
itor, sporting from five to eight inches of ar
NOR of her own, sailed forth to give battle
For two hours the ironclads blazed away at
close range. The Monitor then drew of to
replenish the ammunition in her revolving tur-
ret. Once again battle was Joined, and shortly
after noon the Monitors commander was
That was the end of the battle, and neither
ship was to see any significant action again.
But these two crude precursors of the Mighty
Mo had made their mark on history-the age
of the wooden ship was over; the age of the
ironclads had dawned.
Much can happen, however, in 90 years. The
passing decades saw improvement piled upon
Improvement until the 1,2OO-ton Monitor would
have seemed as a child's toy if pitted against
the 450O0-ton Missouri. But the years also
brought the big carriers with their jet planes
capable OF carrying atomic weapons. And these
have doomed the great ships of the line, the
huge floating fortresses just as surely as the
Monitor and the Merrimac sgnaled the end of
the era of wooden ships and iron men,"
But there need be no moaning for the
Mighty Mo- She has seen stirring days, and it
was to her broad decks that Japan's emiSsaries
came to sign the articles of surrender which
triumphantly terminated the greatest naval
war ever fought. The Mighty Mo and the men
who sailed her will have years in which to live
with their proud memories. Not so with the
Monitor That unlucky craft went down in
gale of Cape Hatteras a scant nine months
after the battle which changed the course of
naval history.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Scorns Acheson's Opinions

The great Dean AcheSon has spoken!
He tells us that Secretary Dulles plan
for massive retaliation will provoke
World War III. The man who prepared
the way for the Korean War by an
nouncing to the world that Korea was
outside our perimeter of defense, and
then refused to permit our commanders
to win the war! A man well qualified to
speak!
Mr.. Acheson may be right. AS long
as we were permitting the Kremlin to
call the tune and tie up most Of our
forces without committing any Russian
soldiers. and as long as we were con-
tinuing to destroy our economy by un-
controlled imitation and ever-increasing
deficits, there was little incentive for
them to risk general war. We can
rest assured, however. that when they
feel they are strong enough to destroy
us by a general war the fact that we
have not attacked them will not stop
it. II they feel now that our strength
ened economy and new military policy
make war the only possible way to
destroy us and if they feel that they
can do so without themselves being
destroyed in the process. then World
War III is inevitable. In the immortal
words Of Patrick Henry, els life so dear
or peace so sweet as to be purchased at
the price of chains and slavery?" If so.
we could be sure Of avoiding World War
III by electing Alger Hiss-Acheson will
never desert him-aS President of the
United States.
Is it not at least possible that, II we
had not told the world that we would
not defend Korea. we would not have
suffered the loss of 100000 American
men? Is it not also possible that if we
had announced before 1850 that we
would choose our own place for the
massive retaliation If the free world
were attacked, Red China might not
have interviewed? The Truman Acheson
foreign policy has been such complete
failure that the American people should
pay little attention to anything either
of them has to say.
Let's forget factional differences and
extreme partisan politics and all Of us
get behind the constructive and COM
mon sense policy Of the present admin
istration. Let's be sure this fall that
we give President Eisenhower a Con-
gress and Senate that will put across
the most forward-looking program we
have seen for years.
w. B. Penn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31

and tax adjustments designed to encourage
American investment abroad legislation already
is in the congressional assembly line" and
probably will be passed. The proposal to relax
the BUY America" Act, however, is another
request that is sure to arouse opposition.
But whatever happens on the program as
a whole, the President has demonstrated polit-
ical courage in advocating tariff and trade con-
cessions in an election year and at time of
declining employment at home. It is his con-
viction that bold policy" to stimulate world
trade is best for the American national inter-
est He has shown his own boldness here
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Queens Fly the Oceans

Forget the finlSy sails OF centuries
past:
Forget the straining oars and
creaking bGrgeS.
Queens fly the oceans notD, and fly
them fast.
Realms may diminish. but the pie,O
enldrgeS.
And duty means a thousand things It
neUer
Meant in the dreamy, leisured long
ago.
Engines haze changed it all; changed
it forever.
Flying the oceans queen Is sure
to knoD
Hon. desperately time is Of the essence.
Ard yet hoiO little any of it matters
More permanent. perhaps, the
eferUeScence
OF 1UdUeS belo1U. and clouds in Shreds
and tdtterS. :.
God SGDe, indeed, this neiD type flying
queen,
Daughter of heaven and earth Z.
drborne bettDeen.
Minnie Hite Moody
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Popular Decision

The tranSit-riding public will welcome the
two-to-one decision by the United States Court
of Appeals hating further Capital Transit divi-
dend payments until an investigation can be
made of the possible effects on rates and serv-
ices. The company'S patrons are little concerned
over the litigation and legal issues growing out
of the surpluS-milking policies of the Wolfson
management They are directly and justifably
concerned, however over the upward trend in
fares and the downward trend in services
rendered.
Appellate Judges Edgerton and Fahy have
stayed a scheduled quarterly dividend payment
of 1884 900 and bond-redemption plan, pend
ing completion of Public Utilities Commission
study of the company'S prospects. In vigorous
dissent, Judge Wilbur K. Miller upheld District
Judge Curran'S opinion that there is no legal
ground for such a stay. Judge Miller accused
the majority of telling the P. U. c.. in effect:
"You did not make out case in the five days
of hearing before Judge Curran. But we give
you an additional period of about 80 days to
see if you can discover something more to
present in support of your application for
preliminary injunction" Certainly this is the
practical effect of the majority ruling.
There is widespread feeling in Washing
ton. however, that Mr.. Wolfson and his aSSo-
ciates are more interested in milking the COW
dry than in preserving it as an essential public
asset. That feeling would seem to be Soundly
based, in view of Mr.. WolfSon's statement last
week to a Star reporter who interviewed him in
New York City. Il have responsibility" he
said, Ito see that the stockholders of Capital
Transit get fair return. If there is no fair
return, then I will have to take other action to
protect their equity. If necessary, will even
go so far as to liquidate the company I'll
protect the stockholders, within the limits of
the law, in spite of Notwithstanding Con-
greSS and the Public Utilities Commission"
Nowhere in this statement was there any mem
ton of Mr. Wolfson's concern for what happens,
in the process, to the public. Under these cir
cumstances, it is difficult to feel that there is
anything unreasonable about the 3O-day stay
which the decision of the appellate court ma
jority imposes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Bold Policy on Economics

Almost from the first moment of his en-
trance into politics, President Eisenhower has
taken clear and consistent position in favor
of an expanded and freer world trade. He be-
lieveS and he has so stated on several occasions
that the United States must take the lead In
removal of the "uneconomic, man-made bar
riers to mutual trade and the flow of funds
among U.S."
The President has reStated this philosophy
in the lengthy message on foreign economic
policy sent to Congress yesterday. Essentially,
the message was blueprint for legislative action
based upon the 102-page report submitted in
January by the Randall Commission. without
important exception, the Presidents recon-
mendations are those of the commission major
ity and he summarized the program neatly as
consisting of four major parts: "Aid-which we
wish to curtail. Investment-which we wish to
encourage. Convertibility-which we wish to
facilitate. Trade-which we Wish to expand"
In these terms, it is a good program. I'm
fortunately from the standpoint of the Presi-
dent and many others who share on the whole
his views about world trade, this oversimplified
four-part label covers some features so highly
controversial that there appears little chance
for passage by this Congress in the form re-
quested. And, as has been the case on some
other legislative matters, the widest division of
opinion is to be found in the Republican ranks
The major recommendation, for example,
is that the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
should be extended for three years, with amend
ments which would give the President increased
authority to cut tariff rates. But the f1rmest
diSSents filed within the Randall Commission
were those of Chairman Millikin of the Senate
Finance Committee and Chairman Reed and
Representative Simpson of the House Ways and
Means Committee, all Republicans. And their
primary target was the tariff section contain
ing this major recommendation. In the light
OF this opposition within the Presidents own
party, speculation that Congress may settle on
a simple one-yearS extension of the act in its
present form takes on added FEASIBILITY
Other sections of the Presidents message
require separate legislative action. In some
cases, such as revision of customs procedures
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
A Fierce Portison
Serviceman.

How we'll remember "Star Mary
and what fierce partisan she was of
The Star when she sold your paper in
the vicinity of Fourteenth and g
streets NV. One day asked for an
other paper Il had read The Starr and
she said with scorn: "You don't want
that paper. You want The Star" and
The Star got.
Another character of those days was
''The Violet Lady" She was as gentle
as "Star Mary was blatant, and the
lace at her throat was soft and white
and she always wore little black
bonnet. When in season, she carried
basket of violets and later carna-
tons. She liked to stop in my Office
in the Colorado Building for coup o.
tea" Like Mary, she disappeared and
left no trace.
always enjoy the Fifty Years Ago"
column in The Sunday Star.
Lydia Mantle Fox.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Superbomb and SupersoIesmon

An interesting coincidence: The same
week that we read about the new and
more powerful hell-bomb. your columns
carry the report that new "supersales-
man. has been hired by Congressman
to attract" new industry to Wash
ington.
Isn't he. in fact, likely to be a
merchant Of death" for all of us? For
the larger the population of Wash
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Letters to The Star

the 3 million necessary evils" feel
that great need exists today for the
mainstay of strong and intelligent
America. Please bear in mind that in
addition to making monetary con-
tribution in support of fine America.
I also happen to be on duty "a hours
day aiding in the protection Of such
Greatly Confused" people.
Serviceman.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31

ington. the more difficult dispersion
and evacuation will be.
If we really want to live, Washington
merchants should hire men whose job
it would be to arrange defense in
depth" to disperse Washington indus
tries to places like Cumberland and
Garrett County-and to move as many
Government departments as possible
there. too.
In the final perspective Of history.
perhaps such "supersalesman" will
turn out to be one of the most suicidal
ironies Of our time.
Lewis A. Dexter,
Industrial Analyst.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31

With regard to the letter, Fair
Trade Views" by Roland Bieren, MD,
think Dr. Bieren so misleading, so
obviously miSinformed, and SO wrong in
what he has to Say-not to mention
what consider an unethlcal dig at the
profession of pharmacy c.. the price
of prescription drugs SO high') that it
necesSitates a reply and Qualification
of the facts concerning fair trade.
Fair trade is exactly what it says
fair trade. Fair trade is law to guard
fair play over the counter. Fair trade
curbs retail juggling-a form of
deceitful, unfair competition which
tricks the consumer. destroys small
business and cheapens valuable trade
marks. Price-juggling merchants use
deception to make money, destroy COM
petltorS and have monopoly. The
price-juggler offers popular brands
the stars of the merchandising world
as bait bargains to make customers
think everything he sells is bargain.
He thus tricks customers into buying
other items at hidden high prices which
more than cover his losses on the bait"
brands make his competitors look like
high-priced gougers. He uses this trick
to put them out of business.
Why is fair trade needed? Many
manufacturers of trade-marked prod
ucts sell through wholesalers and thou
sands of independent retailers. Fair
trade is the only legal way such manu-
facturerS can protect their trade
marked products against damaging ex-
ploitation while maintaining mass dis
tribution. To be eligible for fair trade, a
product must bear distinguishing
trademark and it must, by law, be in
free and open competition with articles
of similar class produced by others.
Manufacturers. wholesalers and retail
ers in the following fields need fair
trade: Audio-visual products, automo-
tive accessories, books. clocks and
watches, drugs, electrical appliances
electronic products, groceries, hardware.
household products. jeWelry mems
furnishings. petroleum products, photo
graphic equipment. sporting goods to-
bacco products and others.
Fair trade prices are competitive. Fair
trade does not give private individuals
power over prices, only the consumer
has this power in our free enterprise
economy, because she has complete
freedom to choose among many COM
peting products and prices. If fair
trade price is not to her liking. she will
buy something else. The manufacturer
must make his price right for the con-
sumer-or lose his market.
]. o. Hubbard. Jr.,
Pharmacist.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Fair Trading

have noticed few contributors who
believe "fair trade" is in their interest
as consumers.
sells some items at cost, he must neces-
sarily charge more for other items. This
may not be valid argument If a few
bargains bring in other profitable BUSH
ness at regular mark-ups.
One writer. Victim" seemed to
imply that druggist who has bargains
will make it up by fraud or price goug-
ing on prescriptions. However, fair
trade" would not abolish bargains COM
pletely, unless everything was forced
under fair trade" price fixing by law,
and this only q pirate or fascist would
dream Of. Even if we should be so
stupid as to outlaw bargains. we would
not add one iota to the honesty of the
world.
Personally, I am opposed to loss lead
ers. and would refrain from bargain
lures were I merchant. However, as
most every citizen hereaboutS knows.
the discount houses specialize in we'll
known merchandise and have discounts
on all of it, and usually 80 per cent dis
counts and more. Let us remember that
grocery supermarkets halved wholesale
and retail margins. and believe dis
count houses can do even better if we
do not let flair trade" laws interfere
with the normal forces of competition
and efficiency.
The absence of flair trade" law in
Washington is a matter of national i'm
portance. Most merchants insist fair
trade" is good medicine, and it has been
slipped down the Threats of people in
As States. The Grange has insisted that
we have few places in the country as
a check to see how consumers fare
without this fair trade" medicine Hav-
ing saved at least $85 last year at dis
count houses, I am inclined to feel that
fair trade" would be very bad medicine
for my pocketbook.
Consumers all over the country will
come to realize that fair trade" is bad
for their pocketbooks unless these dis
count houses are soon closed down in
Washington.
Lloyd c. HalvOrSOn,
Economist.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Questions and Answers

The leader can get the answer to any ques-
ton OF fact by writing The Evening Star Infor-
nation Bureau, 1900 Eye St, NV, Washington
B c. Please inclose three (3) cents for
return hostage
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Easter Symbol
]. o. Hubbard. Jr.,
Pharmacist.

I hope l am only one of many who
second the motion of Mrs r. Y. Nichol-
son to put cross in the window during
Holy Week, as urged by her in The
Sunday Star.
Andrew j. Mara.