davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Mental Health Funds Cut

We are writing to congratulate The
Star on its long and active interest IN
mental health and its manifold prob
lens. At the same time, we should
like to voice our disappointment that
the coming years District budget omits
modest sums for important mental
health services. The Nations Capital.
we feel sure you will agree, should set
an example to the rest of the country
in this field.
Perhaps the single most important
mental health item stricken from the
budget was the Board of Education's
request for funds to permit the employ
ment Of special teachers for elementary
pupils with mental and emotional dis
abilities. These children require in
struction in special classes in order to
develop their abilities and to help over
come their Embellishments The need
for special attention for mentally han
dicapped children is obvious. So far
as emotionallv disturbed children are
concerned. they are not necessarily
lacking in normal intelligence. Experi-
ence in other communities. as well as
here in, Washington. has demonstrated
that II these children are given help
early in life, their emotional disabilities
are often corrected and they grow up
to be useful citizens.
Certain other mental heelth services
were also omitted from the budget. not
withstendinr their obvious urgency end
smaIl cost Thus there was stricken the
request for two clinical PSYCHOLOGISTS.
to be employed in the public school
system to DO school testing and adjust
ment work The amount requested
for this service was only some $4,000.
and the need is great when it is rernem-
bered that over 1000 children are re-
ferred annually for such testing to the
10 research assistants who presently do
this work and devote only about one
half of their time to it.
Also stricken was a request for gen.
ercl mental health services for children
in the public schools. IT is estimated
that Of the total school population--
some .000-in the District, 10000
children show some signs of mental
disturbance. OF this number. over 5000
cases are SO severe that they require
individual attention. A large proper
ton of the mentally disturbed children
could be handled and treated within
the school health program, If funds
were available for this purpose. There
is little doubt that much juvenile de-
linquency--a problem that is becoming
increasingly serious in the District
could he avoided If the children were
reached earlv enough and corrective
mc.~~urns instituted.
Other items stricken from the budget
were funds for az additional PSYCHE
atric services in the sum of SIS, 400 for
the D. c. courts. the Department of
Correction and the Board of Parole
services that fleve already proven their
value but which are inadequate because
of the shortage of funds; and (2> q
psychologist to be paid about $6,700 a
year and to be added to the Board of
Surgeons to screen Job applicants for
the Police and Fire Departments. Pat
emily, it would save the city many thou
sands of dollars II emotionally unfit
candidates for the jobs Of policeman
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Mr.. Dulles Tells Little

Secretary Dulles speech to the Foreign
Policy Association viii be Disappointing to
those who had hoped he would spell out our
The fact is that he carefully refrained from
doing anything Of the sort.
There Is no reason, however, why any
one should be unduly mystified, for our
position has been made about as clear as
it is feasible to make it.
One must begin with the unequivocal
statement of our purpose to defend Formosa
and the Pescadores against any Communist
attack. It is equally obvious, however, and
Mr.. Dulles repeated the suggestion last
night. that we would like to settle the future
status of Formosa through negotiation. To
this end, Quemoy and the Matsus are i'm
portant as bargaining pieces. We ought not
to impair their usefulness In this respect by
saying that we will or will not support
Chang Kai-shek in his announced deter
mination to hold these islands
Even If negotiated and satisfactory
cease-fire proves unobtainable, there are
good reasons why we should not state our
position regarding the coastal islands. If
we say we will defend them, we commit our
selves in the face of an uncertain future.
And we give Chang whip which he might
not hesitate to use on us. If we say that
we will not defend them, that would be
an invitation to the Communists to attack;
it would be devastating to the morale Of
the Nationalist forces, and it might Sc
riously damage our prestige in other Asian
countries.
So the matter comes down simply to
this: We are going to defend Formosa. If
there is no cease-f1re, and If the Com
munists attack the coastal islands in such
manner as to threaten Formosa, we most
probably will help the Nationalist, II they
need help. But we are going to retain our
freedom of action and our freedom Of de-
cision. The President, and no one else, will
decide whether and when to throw American
forces into fight for Quemoy and the
MatSus.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Prince GEORGES No Utopiu

The Wall Street Journal recently
featured an article, aptly entitled Sub
urban Snafu," which fits at least some
of Washington's suburbs as If 1t were
written with only these in mind. 1t
deals in large part with the inability Of
suburban authorities 10 cope with the
public services and facilities created by
the furious growth and proliferation OF
suburban communities in recent years.
Prince Georges County exemplifles
this situation in the Washington Metro
politan Area. Here one finds arterial
roads choked by volume Of traffic they
were never intended to carry; develop
ment streets badly designed and con-
structed, crumbling and pitted only a
few years after they were SO hopefully
opened; children playing in streets for
lack Of sufficient conveniently located
recreational areas; large areas of urban
character without street lights, side
walks, curbs and cutters, or street.
cleaning service; laughably inadequate
public libraries; open storm drainage,
and the like. For many county resi-
dents. however. the most frustrating
inadequacy is that of the public
schools.
There simply are not enough school,
rooms In being or in plan to satisfy
current and future needs Moreover,
there are some areas which may never
have adequate schools in convenient
locations because the land has all been
built upon. Developers we're at times
permitted to build to the limit without
reservation of land for schools, let
alone other public facilities. This must
never be permitted to happen again.
If the officials who approve development
plans do not slaave legal authority to
require the setting aside of sufficient
land for schools, they should be given
such authority. Our State Legislature
is now in session and can pass such
law in jig time. If the authority already
exists it must be exercised.
We have recently seen the newly
elected Board of County Commissioners
take the position that, developers must
build streets to urban specifications.
They demand good streets that will
stand UP under urban traffic. rather
than country roads, in built-up areas.
This refreshing departure from the in
difference toward future requirements
shown by their predecessors is most
welcome. The spirit of this decision
must be applied to all public business.
and particularly to the school -construc-
ton program Let those charged with
the responsibility require reservation of
land for schools in all new develop
ments.
Norman Lawrence,
President, West Hampshire Civic
Association
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Resolve the Conflict

There are encouraging indications that
the clash over the proposed Southwest Mall
may not be as serious as at first 1t seemed.
While there are number Of differences to
be ironed out among the competing groups,
all parties concerned have shown COM
mendable desire to work out solution ac-
ceptable to everybody. The strenuous efforts
being made to resolve the conflict are war
ranted, for the Southwest Redevelopment
program as tentatively laid out is at stake.
The controversy revolves around a loca-
ton for the imposing Mall-like approach
to the reconstructed Southwest section and
means Of carrying through traffic over or
around the redeveloped area. It all boils
down to question of how best to preserve
the main esthetic aspects of the zeckendorf
plan, while taking adequate care Of present
and future traffic demands via the South
west Freeway and new or proposed Potomac
River bridges. This Is problem requiring
expert technical advice-and experts for all
interested agencies have gotten together in
search of solution.
Neither the National Capital Planning
Commission nor the Zeckendorf firm, each
of which has proposed its own Mall scheme,
has assumed an obdurate attitude. Both
without question, want to see a grand ap-
proach to the new community Of homes,
public buildings and Office structures
planned for the blighted Southwest. Dis
agreement over collateral issues should not
be permitted to delay endlessly the fulfill
ment of that fine dream Of the city planners.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
.society Of Sponsors

In light Of increasing public interest
and sentiment concerning the problem
Of juvenile delinquency. believe your
readers may be interested In learning
of group Of men here in Washington
who are dedicated to the task Of taking
solid punch" ct the problem.
This group, called the Society Of
Sponsors, represents cross-section Of
the community. Some Of its members
are doctors. lawyers, and business men:
others are Government employees and
military personnel. These men are as
signed as sponsors to boys in trouble
youngsters who are serving time In local
institutions. They visit the boys on
week ends and during spare moments;
not as reformers but as special friends
to these frustrated kids who are at odds
with society and often themselves.
Although these boys may differ in the
seriousness of their offenSes and their
prognosis for rehabilitation, they have
one thing In common need for adult
friendship. The objective Of the spon-
sor's program is TO satisfy this need.
The formula is simple, not reprimands
VI ACCAAAiAAldtiOAAci but llOlICct 4AACLA0-
ship. advice, and counsel. A sponsors
"know-how" does not come from text
book theory but from the school of life
and being kid once himself with prob
lens of his own. The sponsors reward
for his efforts is an intangible but very
special kind of gratification-that Of
seeing boy on the way to becoming
a good citizen.
At present, more boys have asked for
sponsors than can be furnished by the
Society of Sponsors. The Bureau Of
Rehabilitation. Red Feather agency.
coordinates the sponsorship program
with local institutions. The director or
any staff member would welcome an
opportunity to discuss sponsoring with
any individual or group who Is inter-
ested in this "grass-roots" approach to
Number One community problem.
The telephone number is DI. 7-4252.
william H. Bowers,
1t, Colonel, United States Air Force.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Letters to The Star

and fireman were screened out and
rejected.
We are deeply concerned about not
only these cuts but also about the gen.
eral lack of consideration for adequate
services In welfare and recreation budg-
cts. It can safely be predicted that in
the long run the appropriation Of funds
for all these purposes viii save the eom-
lnunity hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars, to say nothing of the moral saving
and satisfaction in avoiding crime.
delinquency and broken homes and in
helping thousands Of less fortunate citi-
zens to make better lives for themselves.
G. H0wland Shaw,
President, D. C. Mental Health
Association.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Their Choice: Freedom

Unhappy as 1t may have been in other
respects, the evacuation OF the Tachens has
involved at least one fact from which some
comfort can be drawn. The fact is this:
That with few possible exceptions all the
civilian inhabitants. as if eager to flee from
a plague, have elected to be taken to For
mosa rather than remain on the islands
under the rule of Communist Peiping.
Why have these people done this? Num-
bering about 1900 in all, most of them are
fishing folk who have led simple nonpolitical
lives. So it might have been expected that
the theological difference between the Pei
ping regime and the Nationalist government
on Formosa would have been Of little i'm
portance to them. But the difference is the
very great difference between tyranny and
freedom, and for that reason apparently
and not just because of knowing that the
Communists would grind them down eco
nomically-they have chosen to uproot
themselves from their old island homes to
60 to a strange place where they can be
safe from oppression.
In short, like the $4,000 Chinese pris-
oners of war who refused to be repatriated
to Red China after the Korean armistice,
the civilians of the Tachens have chosen
freedom And in so doing they have slapped
Peiping's face in way that should be dam
aging to that face through all of Asia. To
that extent, certainly, the evacuation can
not be said to have been kind of victory
for the Communists.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Thut's q Lot of Bricks

1t is unquestionably fact that the
cold weather in the United States is
caused by masses of cold air that orig
mate over Canada and are blown over
the United States.
I suggest that a brick wall Of suf-
ficient height be erected on the border
between the United States and Canada.
This wall would prevent masses Of cold
air from entering the United States and
guarantee this country mild and tenn
perate climate at all times.
Thinker.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
By THE HAsKIN SERVICE

@. How much yarn did it take to
weave the immense new tapestry woven
by Belgian workers for the United Ma
tions?-F. P. S.
A. Fourteen artist craftsmen used
$4,000 miles of yarn to create this huge
tapestry--the largest in the world
working on a special loom. The U. N.
tapestry, 43Lax28la feet in size, will
hang on the wall of the General As
sembly Building In New York.
@. What kind Of wood is used to make
genuine fruitwood" furniture?-C, c.
A. The term "fruitwood" is applied in
some localities to blackberry. medium
hard. inexpensive white wood from
Southern United States, and to beech.
hard fine-grained inexpensive wood
from Eastern United States. French
pearwood and German pearwood, OBJ
tanned from the domestic pear tree of
Europe. is occasionally imported into
this country and could rightfully be
termed genuine fruitwood"
@. What boxer was the first to use
mouthpiece?-S. B.
A. The mouthpiece was introduced
by Ted (Kid) Lewis in 1914, when he
came to the United States for an
American campaign. He lived in Eng
land, and used the rubber protection
for the first time when he visited
Australia. the year before he intro
duced it in this country.
@. What is the simplest way to pro-
tect the chrome plate on a new car?
III. M. II.
A. Many car owners apply lacquer.
and this will give effective protection
for short time. Perhaps simpler
way to take care Of the chrome is to
give 1t coating Of wax and renew this
periodically as 1t wears of.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Pinckney Trapier.
Reserve Program


am interested in what Col Tausch
and ID. l.. N" had to say regarding
our Reserve program, or lack of an
efficient one at present.
AS an old veteran of the Mexican
border in 1916-1917, World Wars and
II, and keen observer of the Korean
war and now the Formosa affair. /
am convinced that our system of
Reserve and National Guard training
is entirely inadequate for any effective
action should our country suddenly
become involved in another shooting
war. which may happen any day now.
In past wars 1t has taken us about
one or two years of training time to
place an effective fighting force In the
field for combat and other duties. and
the only way we can correct our pres
ent sad state of utter lack of Reserve
and National Guard training for imne-
diate combat duty in the field is uni
versal military training of all sound
young manhood without preferential
treatment to any individuals or classes
of people.
Therefore, heartily agree with the
American Legion and President Eisen-
hover in their request for such pro-
gram to start now-not after 1t is too
late-for our national defense of all
our Christian ideals and hard-won
human RIGHTS since 1776.
Lieut.. Col. A. U. S., Retired.
Evening star., 1955-02-17

Canadair, Ltd. comes the fondest hope Of
all, namely, that the airline passenger Of
1885 will get his baggage promptly after
disembarking. For 80 years past, passen-
gers have been hoping the same thing.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
sIoshine Attuek on Congress

As taxpayer always interested in
governmental economy, am happy to
report that have completely new
idea to suggest. It Is so new that even
those champions Of economy, Senator
Byrd and Representative Taber, have
never thought Of tor II they have,
they have ruthlessly suppressed 1t.
NV idea is that In addition to cuttiNg
the executive and judicial branches of
the Government to the bone. we start
work on the iegislative branch. pro-
pose that we slice the number OF SEN
ators and Representatives IN hall.
Think Of the saving AS it is. the
House is becoming more and more un-
wieldy. With the number of its menl-
bers reduced SO per cent we could look
forward confidently to an even higher
level of craftsmanship in the House.
AS for the Senate. in most cases tthoueh
not, I must admit, alb one Senator
could as we'll represent his State as two.
Is there. for example. anyone who would
argue that Senator Robertson Of Viz
ginia does not vote with his senior
colleague. Senator Byrd, 98 per cent OF
the time?
Senator Byrd, Representative Taber-
and like-minded colleagues Of both OF
you-here is your chance. Remember
that economy. like charity, begins at
home. Help start legislation to slash
the House and Senate in two!
Jeffersonian.
The congressional proposal for a
$4,000 pay boost for its members-afld
this in the face Of continuing unbal-
anced budget and the prospect OF no
tax reduction for the public. either in
come, excise or corporation-suggeSts
that the congressional Idea Of economy
still runs in familiar channels. It could
be expressed as follows:
The budget can't be balanced yet.
This country's heavily in debt.
The promised tax cuts have to go.
We're sorry that it must be so.
But cheer up. This is what we've PLAN
ned:
Well raise our salaries ten grand.
E. Mclean Johnson.
Evening star., 1955-02-17
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any
question OF fact BY writing The evening
Stai information Bureau. 1900 Eye st.
3 cents for return postage
Evening star., 1955-02-17

right now, not at some imagined later
time, this Government makes every
effort to reach the Russian people over
the heads of the gang of thugs ruling
them. This can be done by the use Of
electronic devices telling all Russians
that we do not want war against them
and that their government is lying to
them. This could crack the Red gov
ernment wide open. but 1t would take
vision and courage. Also, present Amer
ican propaganda to the Red empire is
childish and naive. 1t does not UNDER
stand the basic elements necessary to
wage propaganda war; it does not un-
derstand how to fight Red propaganda
fire with the same type of fire-hard.
tough, realistic words about facts,
Also, let us start a new approach
along the lines of Gen. MacArthur's
recent speech about world disarmament
It may not be listened to by the Red
governments but it will do much to Off
set Red lies about American determine
ton to go to war.
Pinckney Trapier.
Evening star., 1955-03-11
Virginia Mental Hospital
For Negroes Discussed
By the Assoeioted Press

PETERSBURG, Va. Mar. Ii
A $27 million capital outlay pro-
gram proposed by Central State
Hospital caused members of the
State Capital Outlay Study Com
mission here yesterday to spec
ulate on the merits of establish
ing new 2,500-bed State mental
hospital for Negroes.
The commission, winding up
its day-long tour of State insti-
tutions in Western and Central
Virginia. we're told by Central
State officials that 4,611 patients
are now jammed into quarters
originally designed to care for a
peak load of 1898. What's more.
it was explained, even if the
entire $27 million program is
granted, the enlarged facilities
would still be vastly overcrowded
by the end of 1862 at the present
admission rate.
Commission members, think
ing aloud, questioned the merit
of pouring money into the 10
year-old Central State unit,
which they found largely unsafe,
unsanitary and operationally de-
ficient.
The point was raised that it
might be well to raise the stand
ards of the present unit to en-
able it to adequately care for a
patient load of 5000 and estab-
lish a new, separate 2,500-bed
hospital for Negroes elsewhere.
Evening star., 1955-03-11
Man Crushed 10 Death
While CIinging Car
Wife Was Riding In

An inquest was ordered today
into the death of a man crushed
in a collision while repeatedly
clinging to the side of a car
and struggling with the driver
as the victims wife looked on
from the front seat.
The dead man was James
Holmes, Al, colored, of 902 Twen-
ty-f1rst street NE. Held for
the inquest was the cars driver,
Robert Barno, As, colored, of,
the 500 block of South Royal
street, Alexandria.
Mr.. Barno is a surgical as
sistant at District General Hos
pital where Mr.. Holmes wife.
Mrs. Dorothy Holmes. ,43. is
training as a, nurses aide.
Detective Sergt. A. D. Clarke
of the homicide squad said his
investigation brought out these
details:
About Z pm. yesterday Mrs.
Holmes left her home without
telling her husband where she
was headed. At Eighteenth street
and Maryland avenue NE. she
was picked up by Mr.. Barno.
They were surprised, as the car
began moving. to see Mr.. Holmes
jump on the left side of the car.
He grabbed at the steering
wheel. pulling it to the left. AS
the car turned off Eighteenth
street into L. it rammed a parked
car. apparently injuring Mr..
Holmes. But he hung on. and
continued to struggle for the
wheel, even after the door flew
open.
They pursued a zig-Zag course
until near Seventeenth and L
streets the Barno car struck two
others moving in the opposite
direction. After the second i'm
pact, Mr.. Holmes fell to the
street. He was pronounced dead
at Casualty Hospital.
Letting Mrs. Holmes out of the
car, Mr.. Barno drove to the fifth
precinct station and told what
had happened, Sergt. Clarke said.
Evening star., 1955-03-11
Concert Set Tomorrow
At Missionary COLLEGE

Twenty three professional
musicians, most of whom are
members of the National Sym
phony Orchestra, will present a
concert at 8 pm. tomorrow in
the gymnasium of the Washing
ton Missionary College, Flower
and Maplewood avenues, Tako-
ma Park, Md. 80,
The program. given in CO.
operation with the Musicians
Union and the College, will be
conducted by DR.. George Wargo,
former first violist with the Ma
tional Symphony, now head of
the music department at the
college.