davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
Sick Leave Abuses

1t seems to us more than
passing strange that on the
very eve of final consideration
of the postal salary bill by
the conferees. such Infamous
charges of widespread abuse
of sick leave by postal employees
should be widely circulated in
the press. We are further puz-
zled because the report of
the General Accounting Office
dealing with this matter was
carried in an Associated Press
news release to papers outside
Washington on April %, but
not released in Washington
until April 90, just four days
before the conferees were to
meet ors the postal pay bill.
How come? ~.+e.aseo
Furthermore, the report does
not dovetail with the almost
daily reports of the various
agencies here in Washington
where, upon retirement, many
employees are lauded for not
having utilized a single days
sick leave since the law was
placed in effect in 1920, thus
returning to the Government
all unused sick leave valued at
millions of dollars. We like
wise recall reading of many
postal employees being lauded
for their loyalty and integrity
in conserving their sick leave,
and many, many employees
have been meritoriously cited
from time to time for having
forfeited upwards of 200 days
sick leave at the close of their
service careers.
We suspect an Interior mo-
tive and we desire to assure
your readers that the allega-
lions of abuse of sick leave by
postal workers applies only to
a few individuals and is gross
ly unfair to nearly 100000
postal employees whose loyalty
and integrity are above re-
proach.
J. L. Reilly,
Industrial Secretary, National
Postal Transport Association.
Editors Note: The Star
carried the story Of the re-
ported sick leave ABUSES" on
April % In its Federal Spot
light column. the same day
the House Civil Service Com
mittee released a summary of
the report made for it by the
General Accounting Office.
When additional details Of the
report were made available,
The Star carried another story
on April 29.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
Land Tax Advocate

The revelations of the re-
port OF the Senate Appropri-
ations Committee on Federal
land holdings are most inter-
eSting. I trust that The Star
will follow any future devel-
opments with close scrutiny.
We need not be surprised If
1t develops that the holdings
Of the Federal Government in
land exceed that of Federal
encroachment on private prop
erty through taxes.
Senator Hayden suggests
that it may lead to the disposal
and return of used or I'M
needed properties to the tax
rolls OF States or cities. / do
hope that he is right. But
everywhere, 1t seems to me, the
opposite is developing. Is not
the Government now con-
demning properties for the
purpose of gaining ownership
and redeveloping? Are we not
now sending experts abroad to
aid in socialistic, If not COM
munistc. land redistribution
programs?
Perhaps Senator Hayden is
being a bit idealistic. ! know
of a better way by which every
city land the Federal Govern
ment, for that matter) could
gain sufficient revenue. retain
private property in land, and
encourage redevelopment by
private enterprise. 1t is that
OF getting revenue from q
tax on land values exclusive
of improvements. Wherever 1t
has been applied it has had
the effect of taxing people
into business instead Of out
Of business.
In Denmark there are virtu-
ally no slums because of it.
And even now, the Danes
are seeking further benefits
through its stronger applica-
ton. In Sydney, Australia. no
other means of gathering mu-
nicipal revenue was exercised
for 30 years. and progress is
retarded now only by the in
justice Of the federal taxes on
production and incomes.
Robert Il. Allen, JF.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
Admiral Towers

When the history of American aero
nautics finally Is written, the name OF
John H. Towers will figure prominently
In 1t. He belonged to the adventurous
pioneer period Of aviation. One Of three
naval officers assigned to study under
Glenn H. Curtiss at Hammondsport, New
York, In the spring of 1911, he qualified
as a pilot under the international Code
within few weeks BY January, 1912,
he was test fier at North Island in San
Diego Bay, and by May of that year he
was at Greenbury Point, near Annapolis,
as an instructor.
Such progress obviously was attribu-
table in part to the fact that Navy air
work was Just getting started. The future
Admiral Towers frankly was an expend-
able He took his life in his hands every
time he left the ground. None Of the
planes he flew had any safety gear. Each
was a hazard and gamble. Curtiss built
the "egg- crates," and Towers few them
on even less than "a wing and prayer"
Officially, he was Naval Aviator No. 8 in
1918. The first Navy air station at Pensa-
cola, Florida, was largely his doing. BY
10A0, llC Wdo ACnAJ w
a group flight over the Atlantic IN COM
petition with European aviators who
aimed at similar achievement.
Only readers whose memories go back
SO years can appreciate the excitement
of crowds of Americans when NC-1, NC-3
and NC-4 set out from Trepassey, New
foundland, May Is, 1919. The first and
second of the ships came down in fog near
the Azores, but the third reached Horta
safely and completed the trip to Plymouth,
England, by way Of Lisbon, Portugal, May
S1--the first airplane to make trans
ocean flight. Towers, in the NC-3, arrived
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
Safety Responsibility

The new safety Respon-
sibility" law, which comes into
force on May Is. shows what
can happen to a simple prob
lem when legal minds get to
work.
One will almost need the
services of a legal expert, II
involved in an accident.
In spite of the increased
complexity, the really impor-
tant point is still missed. The
fellow with nothing to lose can
NOV down the breadwinner Of
a family and the victim still
gets no compensation.
Until insurance is made
compulsory, there will always
be this loophole.
r. n. g.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
It was the day he had looked
forward to.

LII was Tie udy Ilc tldO IUOkco
forward to.
Somber and cloudy hours
succeeded each other; the
crowds downtown had been
oppressive; the pushing and
showing on the buses had about
got him down, along with the
heat and lack of fresh air.
Now all that was over
He stood on the green lawn.
with the sun shining down,
and all around him flowers
were in bloom.
The azaleas had suddenly
come to colorful life.
The tulips turned red and
pink and yellow overnight.
And, best Of all. there was
q certain sound in the air, a
real color of a sound.
It was the first wood thrush
Of the season.
This beautiful clear song
seemed to hit the skies and
bounce back, 1t was so effec-
tive.
It was not harsh, but mu-.
steal, and there was o clear
appreciation on the part Of
the musician Of the music he
was making, too.
This is what the wood
thrush means to the subur-
banite.
Suddenly the suburbs have
come into national promi-
hence.
Books are being put out
about the suburban scene, the
flight from the city. the sta
ton wagon and daddy now
ing with a power mower.
There. have even been arti-
cles on the conflict, so that
writer says, between the old
residents Of the rural areas
and the herds of new settlers.
The suburban dweller rep
resents q whole new market,
we are told.
However that may be, every
suburban resident knows one
thing. after his first season:
There is no sound on earth
better than the song Of the
thrush.
This is the first point Of
difference from the city man
he once was.
He may 60 on to the farm.
to scores of acres of land,
some day, but In the mean
time he has discovered birds.
And of all the birds his
favorite has become the wood
thrush, which usually comes
into his block on April %.
but this year appeared a week
or so earlier.
That clear, cool sound
He hears 1t, and rejoices.
The "cheer. cheer, cheer"
OF the redbird he loves, too,
especially since 1t comes in
January or February at the
latest.
And the soft notes Of the
dove. how neighborly they
sound!
But no bird notes surpass
those Of the wood thrush.
Il n
The very name, wood
thrush" somehow fits the bird
into rolling land, set with neat
houses and hedges.
Wood thrush he was FIRST
called, and wood thrush he was
then, and still is, but with q
difference.
Finding human beings good
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07

@. How many young does
the giant California condor
produce at one time?-W.S.
A. A pair of condors usually
has a single baby every other
year. These birds do not reach
breeding age until they are al
most 10 years old, and this is
one cause Of their waning
numbers. In 1858, only 10
pairs Of nesting condors were
known to exist In the entire
State of California.
@. What Is the salary Of q
rural mail carrier2-S. j.
A. Rural letter carriers re-
ceive a base pay plus mileage.
The shortest route OF 8 miles
would pay $1,766 to $2.054,
with a maintenance Of $l64.70
per annum. A long route Of
los miles would pay $4,658 to
$3.50. with 1882 mainte-
nance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07

at Ponte Delgada and was given the Navy
Cross for demonstrating that heavier
than-air machines could negotiate the
Atlantic.
OF course, all that is "old stuff" now;
but there never can be any doubt that it
was the authentic stuff of heroes. Be-
cause of men like John H. Towers, millions
of people currently are travelling safely
and comfortably by air In daily routine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07

program will be studied care
fully as to its practically, its
meaning to our democracy and
its relation to Christianity.
David L. Rogers,
Pastor, Oakton Church of
the Brethren,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen-ndmeS may be used II
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to con-
densution.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-07
Questions and Answers

A reader can get an answer BY mail
to any factual question 6v writing
The Evening star Information Bu-
reau. 1900 Eve St NV. Washington,
s. d c. Please incloss 8 cents for
return postage.
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03

81 million payroll for mainte-
nance, supply and other func-
tions is properly accounted for.
Among the others are Capt.
Robert M. Draney, 1883 Preston
road, Alexandria, charged with
maintenance of the jet aircraft;
Mai. Roger S. Andrews. 1884 Sa-
vannah terrace Sc, supervisor
of communications; Capt. Ste
phen r. Moore. jr.. 209 Maynard
drive. Falls Church, Va. base
and wing staff supply officer. and
Capt. Robert A. Kent, 1888 Ter
rell avenue, Forest Heights, Md,
wing adjutant who is responsible
for all administrative and per-
sonnet matters.
Intensive training, as well as
economy is accomplished by a
rigid on-the-job training pro-
gram. The technicians, being for
the most part World War II Air
Force veterans, with an average
of 10 years experience in their
fields. pay off with results. They
also teach the younger recruits.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
District Air National Guard Lists
SIS Million Facilities, Big Payroll
Unit Has Active Role
While Still HOLDING
Its 'Stote' Stotus
BY HARRY LEVER

The District Air National
Guard-with SIS million worth
of facilities in this area and a
payroll in excess of 81 million
annually-has become a major
business enterprise here.
The Guard. like it's big BROTH
er, the United States Air Force,
has outgrown it's knee pants,
The men are pleased with the
fact that today. for the first
time in the country's history,
the Air National Guard, while
in a state" status, is assigned
an active role In the Air Forces
Air Defense Command and in
augmenting the Air Forces inter-
ceptor squadrons. Heretofore
the Guard had only a training
assignment except In time of
emergency. when it was called
into active service. But it takes
the ultimate in business know
how to accomplish all this, and
therein lies the story.
The District Air Guards in
Stallations are at Andrews Air
Force Base in nearby Maryland.
There are hangared SIS million
worth of F-86A Sabreiet fighters,
CAT transports. B-26 light
bomber and lighter liaison air.
craft. A new hangar is under
construction and machine sllops.
equipment of various types, spare
engines and parts make up the
rest of the picture.
Payroll Broken Down
AS to the payroll, it is broken
down roughly this way, with
most of it spent in the Wash
lngton area. There are 48 drills
a year and six aerial gunnery
exercises, and this runs about
100000 annually. Permanently
employed technicians cost S675.-
600 annually, and another $780,
600 is allotted to Is days of
summer exercises to keep the
pilots and enlisted men up to
par. These exercises this year
will be held from July 9 to %
at Travis Field, Savannah, Ga.
The Guards 18th Fighter
Bomber Wing, which has within
It's fold the 104th Fighter
Bomber Squadron, of MARYLAND
and the 142d Fighter-Bomber
Squadron. from Delaware, is
authorized more than 1000
officers and airmen. The Wing
is commanded by Col. w. w
Millikan, of 3346 Martha Custis
drive. Alexandria. Va. Typical
OF other units within the Wings
fabric is the 121st white House,
f1ghter-Bomber Squadron, COM
by Capt. Griffith B,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
WMIF BoardD Declares
Special Distribution
OF 5OCents a Share.

Directors of the Washington
Mutual Investors Fund have de-
clared the funds first distribu-
ton of capital gains since it was
organized in 1852, it was an
nounced yesterday by Bernard
j. Nees, executive secretary.
In addition to a regular quar-
terly dividend of IA cents q
share. an extra profit distribu-
ton of SO cents a share was au-
thorized. Both payments will
be made on May Is to holders
of record April Is.
Capital gains distributions
have been rather common for
mutual funds. especially in pc
RODS of rising markets.
The Washington fund had as
sets of $3.5 million on March
81. In five out of the last ten
quarterly distributions, dividends
have increased.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
star Stan Photo

radio and radar mechanics,
medical technicians, administra-
tive and personnel specialists,
supply clerks, air operations
specialists, vehicle mechanics
and a Photographic technician.
That, in addition to the pilots.
is what 1t takes to maintain an
immediate air defense of Wash
ington.
These technicians are working
in a civilian capacity, and with
exception of women clerk
typists. all are required to be
members of the air guard. Thus,
in event of mobilization, their
services would not be lost.
Col. Millikan delegates the
actual carrying out of the re-
sponsibilities to his executive Of
f1cer, 1t. Col. Joseph P. Myers of
1928 D street Sc. The latter is
detachment commander. Col.
Myers is aided by Maj. Robert e.
Terrill of Haymarket, Va. base
operations supervisor. They and
several other officers see that the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
A. U. Institute to Study
Personnel Truinina

Training to Increase Eff
cheney" will be the subject for
the seventh session of the In
stitute on Profitable Manage
ment for Small Business at
American University Tuesday
night.
It will be the second session
on personnel problems and j.
Harvey DAILY. management con-
sultant. viii serve as moderator
again.
His panel will include: Nathan
Clark. secretary and personnel
officer of Acacia Mutual Life
Insurance Co.: Dorothy Foster,
training director of Woodward
& Lothrop, and ]. Godfrey But
Ter, personnel and labor rela-
tons director Of Capital Transit
Co
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
Holland of 4719 Fa1stone avenue,
Chevy Chase, Md.

Holland OF 4719 Fa1Stone avenue,
Chevy Chase, Md.
The wing, with it's IA subordi-
nate units, is a typical one in
the Nations Air Guard organiza-
ton. But it's equipment, flying
and motorized. needs main
tenance, inspection and other
work of a technical nature, and
it is here that the bulk of the
annual pay roll, the $675.000, is
accounted for in salaries to
highly trained technicians. The
vast majority of them live in
this area and the money they
receive each payday is funneled
right back to the people of
Metropolitan Washington.
They are in many fields
ground and flying training
supervisors. jet aircraft me-
chanics, aircraft electricians,
hydraulics technicans, sheet
metal artisans, welders, ground
power experts. personal equip
ment technicians, fire control
system men, aircraft armorers,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03

Rates OF dividends IN the foregoing
table are annual disbursements based on
the last quarterly or semi-annuai dec
laration Unless otherwise noted, special
OF extra dividends are not Included.
a Also extra OF extras, Annual rate
plus stock dividend Declared or paid
in 1865 plus stock dividend. e Paid last
year Payable in stock estimated casn
value on ex-divldend or redistribution
date Declared or paid so far this
year Declared or paid after stock
dividend or split-up K Declared OF paid
this year an accumulative issue with
dividends IN arrears PAID this year.
dividend omitted, deferred or no action
taken, at last dividend meeting rpe-
dend. Liauidating dividend cid Called.
ur Under rule xd Elk dividend. x-dis Ell
distribution xr Elk rights. NV Without
warrants WV With warrants, VT War
rants. wd When distributed. wi When
issued sIn bankruptcy or receivership
or being reorganized under the Bank
ruptcy Act. or securities assumed BY such
cOmpanieg.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
Condo Copper Output Up

" OTTAWA.-Canadian copper
production rose in 1854 to 599,-
ISL. 900 pounds, compared with
5o6,5o4.0 900 pounds the year be-
fore.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-03
AMERICAN SUMMARY
Furnished By the AsssI

y Furnished Associated . q q
pre- @
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-08-23
Bash Awarded Fellowship
N. L. Leeic, 43 Halifax
Principal Ciren FUS Post

NJ = Leete. former principal
II Halifax. has been named pr.n-
cipal al FaTmYille High School
. HI VIII repori here the last Of this
week Superintendent I J McIl-
Wai1e announced today
He viii replace Jam II Bash
vino resigned earlier this month
Bash has been granted teaching
fellowship at The University Of
Virginia fer lie coming year
The new principal 43 has been
Al Halifax the past nine years
He was principal at Halifax II 81
School before rs cOnsol dati0H
two years ago with other coun !
school 10 form Halifax County
High School
After the consolidation he re-
NAMED ii the county as principal
Of the Halifax Elementary School
tn an enrolment between 400
and 500 pupils
Marshall Graduate
Loete is graduate at Marshall
rnll"Re Huntington. w Va, and
holds masters degrees from both
that institution and the Universe
~ II Virginia
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-08-23

Superintendent McnWainf said
ne and school board members are
highly pleased to obtain the
sery cea 81 this experienced. cap
able secondary school educator
The superintendent added Leete
comes with the highest Of recon
mendations and said Prince Ed
ward county patrons and pupils
are very fortunate In the selec-
ton
Bash. who held the post here
one year. will combine tcachine
with graduate studies IN the field
Of educational administration He
9iL teach classes IN the under
gsaduate school at the I'm diversity
Hale studying toward hts doctor
ate He already holds the master s
degree IN education
Mr. McIlWaine said Bash S Sc
lection for the FELLOWSHIP IS indi-
catipe Of TIE standings he enjoys
IN the field Of education n the
Commonwt alth
Commonwealth The fellOWships
are granted only after consider
able study Of qualifications and
merit" he said
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-08-23
College Biologists
AtU. Conference
LETTERS Assists In
National Study

Or eorRe W Jeffers
head Of the biology department
of LonRWOod College, is attend
.ng the North Central Work Con
ference at the University of
Michigan Biological Station at
ChaboyRan. Mich August 20-30
Teaching methods IN biological
sciences will be studied
AS a member Df the steering
committee. Or Jeffers will arrive
st the conference August 10 to
put into effect plans made in
Chicago last Jan lIary The con-
ference is Jointly sponsored by
the National Association of Bio
logy Teachers. of which DR. JEFF
fers Is past president, and the
American Institute OF Biological
Sciences. IT will be financed by
the National Sciences Founda-
tion
Or Jeffcrs plans To remain for
the annual meeting of the Amer
lean Institute OF Biological Scicn-
ees at Michigan State College.
East Lansing. from September s.
H. He viii be Joined there by
Or Robert Brumfield and Donald
Foard Longwood College assoc
iateS, who are on the program to
report Oh radiation studies car
RED on al LongWood last winter.
Or Jeficrs reports that the
first biological science teaching
conference was held a year ago
at University of Florida, at
Gainesville Attending we're repre-
sentatives from ten southern
states. Each state team included
high school and college teachers
Of biology techer trainers. spec
ialists and district and state
school administrators.
In this way The findings and
recommendations, published in
The January 1855 issue of the
/ American Biology Teacher have
/ attracted much attention.
Their sincerity and practica-
/ bihty SO impressed the National
/ Science Foundation that it is
/ underwriting tins years confer
cnce along the same lines, DR.
/ Jeffers reports.
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-08-23
Charles S. Miner, 73,
Retired Carrier.
Civic Leader, Dies

Charles s. Miner. retired rural
mail carrier and Cumberland
county civic leader, died at his
Sunny Side home Monday. Al
gust % He was 10
lie served ms "A rural mail car
rier for 80 years fir was dis
trict deputy grand master IN the
Masonic organization with which
he was associated for 40 years
He was treasured OF Cumberland
Lodge No 2S3 for 80 years. He
was past patron Of Dewitt
Clinton chapter. Order OF Eastern
Star
A faithful churehman. he was
a member Of Tar Wallet Baptist
Church. where he had earlier
served as Sunday School supcrin-
tsndent He was clerk Of James
River Baptist Association for 10
years. At various times ne served
as president OF the Cumberland
TB Association and led several
Red Cross chapter funds drives.
He served as a Farmvllle Herald
correspondent AT Sunny Side for
many years.
He WAS born December 20. 1881
at Grand Rapids. Mich
Surviving are his uife. Mrs
Lola Bagbs Miner two daueh-
ters. Mrs Velma NJ Tlippen. OF
Cumberland and Mrs Vera NJ
Fl!ppen. OF Richmond half
f~0'he! y n Rohens. OF Clay
vile. and granddaughter. Bar
bara Ann Flppen. Of Richmond
Services. With Masonic rites.
viii be conducted today Tues
gay AT Z 80 D IN. at Tar Wal
let church. Jnterment viii be in
Grove Me Church cemetery. at
sunny Side The Rev. Thomas p.
Reynolds will o..!c!a.e
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-08-23
Lions Club Welcomes
DIR. Landlord; Maps
Band Concert Plans

Farmvlle Lions Friday vel
coined DR. Francis G. Landlord
il. LongWood College president.
as a member and mapped plans
for the afternoon and night con
cert here September % BY the U
S Marine Band
Dr Ianwkford was initiated bv
Lion Tanner w A Watson, Jr.
and extended An Official welcome
by Emmett O Webster club pres
ident
General Chairman { + Wilson
announced committee heads for
the September % concerts to be
played IN Jarman Hall At Long
wood COLLEGE These are
r Curtis Hubbard, radio and
newspaper publicity and advertis-
ing, +. Louis Dahl, matinee con-
cert tickets: II M BittinRer eve
ming concert tickets John @
Bruce auditorium, patrons list
E G Websters Robert Burger.
club secretary, viii serve as treas
urer
The famed military band one
Of tho finest musical organiza.
tons IN the nation Il expected to
play before capacity houses at
both concerts Plans are bcino
made 70 enable school children to
attend The afternoon program
Club members believe the con
certs Will provide the community
ono OF its finest musical treats in
many years!