davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1955-02-03
StoIIinq in the Senate

There simply is no excuse for the delay
ing tactics which the Senate Judiciary
Committee has adopted in its handling OF
the nomination of Judge John Marshall
Harlan to succeed the late Robert H. jack
son on the Supreme Court.
The President, faithful to self-imposed
rule, was exceedingly temperate in his COM
ment on this matter yesterday. He would
not criticize the committee, but he did say
that, personally he thinks it is unfortunate
that this delay has to occur.
The delay is indeed unfortunate, for 1T
is hampering the work of the court. And
it did not have to occur. The nomination
was sent up nearly three months ago, and
could have been acted on last year In the
new Congress, hearing on the nomination
has been set for February 23-more stalling.
This sort of thing is inexcuSable. The
Senate, soon or late, will have to act on this
nomination. And it could have done. so
promptly if the Senators responsible for the
stalling had not proceeded on politics-first
basis
Evening star., 1955-02-03
This and That

Those who feed the birds often get
angry at squirrels.
They grow red in the face over
pigeons, and some have been known to
throw fits, almost, over starlings.
They all discover, in time. that it is
not worth it, that feeding the birds
ought to be. at least can be. very
happy thing.
If it is not, take stock, someone has
said 1--WE wonder whoO and think
whether the one at fault is you!
The pigeon is hungry, so is the squir-
rel, so is the starting.
Who can reasonably blame them for
eating when they can?
If you, irate human, put out the food,
how can you ask the unwanted to
change their habits just for your sake?
But life is not logical. 1t is biological,
as someone else has said, and some
friends of birds will continue to haraSs
squirrels, starlings and pigeons.
They are on f1rmer ground with the
beautiful mockingbird.
It is believed that Knockers which
stay here all winter are males.
This means that they are belligerent,
to begin with, and are simply building
up their bellicose nature by their winter
pastime of assailing other birds.
Surely they do not need to do 1t, and
that is what makes 1t so upsetting.
But as We have pointed out here for
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Worthy Diplomatic Hands

It has been charged recently that direct
dealings between nations through normal
diplomatic channels is too often bypassed
by consultation between foreign ministers
or by action through the United Nations
1t is true that these alternative procedures
have been followed in many Of the critical
problems of our time. 1t is not true, how
ever, that the Importance of conventional
diplomatic representation has been over
looked or seriously diminished
There is reason for qualification, there
fore, that two of our foremost West Euro
pean allies-France and Italy-have sent
as their new ambassadors here men who
have been tested in modern diplomacy and
who have proved their competence in exact
ing assignments
Maurice Couve deMurville, who already
has presented his credentials to President
Eisenhower; has established fine reputa-
ton in France as an expert on financial
matters and as skilled diplomatic repre-
sentative of his government abroad. He
has, Furthermore, had particularly close
working relationship with the allied Council
of Foreign Ministers and with the United
Nations. There will be opportunity during
his service in Washington to build upon
these foundations and to capitalize on the
Evening star., 1955-02-03
StorIines No Laughing Matter

In The Star of January 81. your cor
respondent "El Toreador" presents the
amusing aspects of the current startling
problem. We might be tolerant and
amused, but this invasion has now
reached point where some deeper
thinking might be in order
This writer is bird lover, just as
love horses, dogs and many forms of
animal life. wild and domesticated. Yet
am not blind to the fact that nature
does not always balance it's population,
and where there are few natural enc
mics, much food and protection of the
law. any group SO biologically unre-
strained may well get out of hand. So
it is with our city starlings. BY day
time they range far and wide over the
nearby countryside. returning to the
city at night to deface and possibly
pollute our streets They are no longer
merely nuisance, they may well be-
come a menace.
make frequent trips to the country,
and on one farm I visit a double
barreled shotgun is always within easy
reach of the owner Any stray pigeon
or startling found alighting on or near
the buildings is promptly and perma-
nently dispatched. "Why?" l asked.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Postal Pay and Rates

The Star states editorially that there
is a relation between the subjects OF
postage rates and pay for postal work.
ers. In 1917 postal clerks and carriers
were paid $500 per annum plus war
time bonus of $400. At that time the
postage was cents for first-clasS
letter. Today postal workers are paid
S407O per annum and the letter still
is carried for the same cents. This
may be dilemmatic, but either there
lationShip has been drawn out exceed
ingly fine or ones head has been buried
in sand for some so years.
1t will be remembered that The Star
reported the language OF the Presi-
dents veto of the postal and classified
pay bills last year, with all the physical
accompaniments of great approval and
true allegiance to constituted authority.
but without reference to the relation
between postage rates and pay scales
of workers in any or all Government
branches.
The same genial attitude is shown
in stating that "the Summerfield re-
gime has reduced the postal deficit
more than hundred million dollars"
History may bear out this statement.
It may even be shown that this was
accomplished in addition to creating
many new superjobs. Time will tell.
Subscriber.
Evening star., 1955-02-03

contacts and the experience he already
possesses.
Manlio Brosio, even more recently ar
rived as Ambassador of Italy, had career
in Italian politics before the emergence OF
fascism in his country. During the Fascist
period of Italian history, he was retired
from the open practice of politics but was
active in his profession of the law. During
the postwar period he has served in the
italian cabinet and for nearly five years
was Italian Ambassador to Soviet Russia.
More recently he has been Ambassador to
Great Britain.
Both of these newcomers are succeeding
men who were popular and effective in their
diplomatic roles in Washington. There is
good reason to believe the assignments have
been passed on to worthy and capable
hands.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
"JOCELYN STREET.

Dear Sir:
do you know when the first mock
ingbirds arrive in the Washington area?
"A brown thrasher has been around
our house all the winter.
Does that mean that it's lost its
mate? Sincerely, I. X. J..
Many Knockers remain in and around
Washington all year long.
Often the wintering birds are sort OF
dogs-in- he-manger, refusing to let
other species eat at feeding stations.
This results in more discomfort to
people than to birds; the kind one VINO
puts out grain and seed, seeing the
other birds chased away from the food,
grows very angry.
Now, it is a part of human nature to
grow angry.
Every newspaper. every day. and the
world around, is filled with evidences OF
human anger.
Somebody is always blasting" some
body else, or "assailing" some institu-
ton.
When it comes to so simple an opera
ton as feeding the birds, we discover
that dear old human nature operates
here too.
People grow discouraged at the i'm
polite mockingbird, and try their best
to chase him away.
Evening star., 1955-02-03

"They eat only grain that might go to
waste" THAT isn't the reason re-
piled my friend. 1--WE have a valuable
herd of blooded cattle here, and the
only clean tested herd in this area.
Those birds come in from every farm
around here. How many carry tubercu-
losis and Brucellosis germs, we do not
know. We can't afford to find out"
Besides, were the local DC. milk
inspector to visit any dairy farm in this
area and find at the door of the milk
room the mess we are obligated to walk
through on Pennsylvania avenue. how
long would the permit to sell milk be
in force? Yet the public and our chill
dren walk on the streets and into the
cars. buses and other conveyances right
into the homes and schools. and little
thought is given to it. Were an un-
controlled horde of rats turned loose
on the streets. they would be less OBJ
jectionable, yet the law would encour-
age every means known of disposing
of them.
It is said the startling has aided in
control of the japanese beetle in this
area, but the opinion of the writer is
that the starting actually does more
harm than good. BY robbing the nests
of other birds, eating their eggs and
driving them away from the feeding
stations, he has practically wiped out
the small-bird population in some OF
the nearby suburban areas. His appetite
is appalling. Have you ever tried to
"fill up" dozen starlings with as much
as they can eat? They will consume
anything that looks like food, and even
turn to the garden plants, shipping out
the soft, tender heart growth OF vege-
tables. see no place for the starting
m our national economy. On the way
out is the wild horse of the Western
plains, the gopher and the jackrabbit.
We can spare the startling as well. Let's
make his passing humane. quick and
very permanent. 1t should not be a
difficult matter.
Pedestrian.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
When Silence Is Golden

The President showed admirable re-
straint yesterday in answering-or perhaps
one should say in not neutrality-suspicious.
relating to the Formosa situation.
One reporter asked whether Chang
Kai-shek wanted some public assurance
that we consider Quemoy and Matsu as
part of the defense of FormoSa. The PreSl-
dent replied that in view of the del1cacy OF
this whole situation he thought it better
to stand on what has been said and to
say no more for the moment.
Another questioner wanted to know
whether the Presidents policy would lead to
fighting in the Far East. Mr.. Eisenhower
said the purpose of the policy is to make
certain that no conflict occurs through mis-
taken calculations on the other side as to
our concern about Formosa and our deter
mination to defend it. In our public state
ments, he said, we have been as exact as
it seems possible to be, and we have GER
tainly tried to avoid being truculent. The
purpose is honestly and hopefully to prevent
war.
A third question was whether the 7th
Fleets orders include the doctrine OF
"hot pursuit. t"-pursuing and destroying an
enemy plane-in event of attack. The
President replied that he had considered
whether he should talk about such things,
and that he thought it best to leave the
matter as it stands because any statement
by him might muddy the water. He said
he was not trying to keep the American
people in the dark, but that this is an
international situation. There is every kind
of influence and cross current involved, and,
in the Presidents judgment, it is wise to
say nothing.
This is not the sort of thing that pro-
duces headlines. But it is truly the course
of wisdom in situation in which an un-
guarded comment by the President might
prove to be the spark to touch of an ex-
plosion Certainly, with the threat of war
looming over us, it is BETTER in off-the-cuff
conferences, to say too little rather than
too much.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
By Charles E. TroceweH

many years, the other species are not
fools; where there is food, they will
find it, although with difficulty. They
will not be able to eat all they want,
but probably get all they need.
They simply wait for the bird-in-the-
manger to fly away, as he must do,
from time to time, then they pop in
and eat as much as they can, for the
time being.
This, of course, will not suit the
person-behind- -the-w window, but it will
serve for the birds.
The answer to the second question
is firm, No.
It simply means that the wintering
thrasher has chosen this as his South,
for the time being.
It's mate probably will fly in later,
ready for spring and summer, the best
of all bird times, as they are human
times
Spring and summer
If it were not for them, in this
climate, what a doleful world it would
be, scarcely worth living, for some.
Spring and summer bring the renewal
of life, not only of flower and vegetable.
but of animal. and even serpentine, too
The world thrills to spring and sum-
mer as it never does to fall and winter,
despite the shrieks Of protest from the
winter wonderland" fans.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
What Is the Alternative?

The proposed public hearings by the
Senate Interior Committee on Joint reSo-
luton to block or restrict action on the con-
troversial Route 24Q parkway extension into
Washington could serve a useful purpose.
There have been many conflicting views
expressed from time to time and In various
forums on the question OF whether or how
the new Maryland highway should be given
access to Rock Creek Park. 1t might be
good idea to bring all the disputants
together at an inquiry which could hear
both sides impartially and thus help to clear
up some of the misunderstanding surround
Ing the project.
It had been generally supposed that the
controversy had about been settled when
group of determined opponents OF the ex-
tension of the 240 approach through the
Maryland part of the park lost their court
fight to defeat the extension. Both the
National Capital Planning Commission and
the Maryland State Roads Commission had
come to a broad understanding on the
undertaking, although details, including
certain NCPC conditions on the location OF
the parkway, were still to be worked out.
Federal park officials, however, have OPP
posed the construction of any parkway the
full length of Rock Creek Park, as tenta-
lively planned by the District Highway
Department.
Chairman Murray of the Interior Com
mttee said, in introducing his resolution,
that it would serve as the basis for public
airing of the whole dispute over proposed
use of park land for traffic thoroughfareS.
The issue is an old one, involving the weigh
ing of modern traffic requirements against
the natural desire to preserve park areas
from encroachment. What Chairman Muir
ray and his committee should keep in mind
is that an adequate connection between
downtown Washington and the Washington
National Pike (Route 240) is an urgent need
that cannot long be delayed. If the COM
mittee can come up with some practicable
alternative to the construction of a parkway
approach through Rock Creek Park, it will
have made a notable contribution to
solution of a battling problem.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Montgomery County Manager

/ request opportunity TO State Cne
basic reasons why many of us who are
interested in the ablest available county
manager and the best possible govern
ment in Montgomery County sought
recently to petition the County Coun-
Gil to appoint county manager who,
through residence, was acquainted with
the people and aware of the problems
and opportunities of this great county.
We did not just ask the appointment
of "local" county manager.
Many of us saw too little determine
ton to keep the pledges for increased
economy in local public spending. and
for less harmful, arbitrary and unrea-
sonable regulation of county residents
by various departments of the county
government, both of which pledges were
made in the last campaigns.
Many of us regarded the importation
of the city manager of small and dis
tant town with $3.50 to $3.50 or
higher tax rate and 100 per cent as
sessment valuation for tax payments as
a danger to the fulfillment of both these
pledges for increased economy and a
change in governmental attitude.
Such an importee will also be entirely
unoriented and even unacquainted with
Montgomery County.
We felt that knowledge of the coun-
tvs relationship with Washington, Bal
timore, Annapolis, Prince Georges and
the Potomac River and our Virginia
neighbors, our transportation and trat-
fic problems, plus acquaintance with
our people and our groups of people,
our communities and their needs and
opportunities, are all important parts
of the equipment that good county
manager should possess to effectively
help produce the good government that
the people of this county deserve.
Montgomery County is the home of
as many capable administrators trained
in the affairs of the greatest govern
ment in the world as any other part of
this Nation. Able career men with dis
tinguished and established records in
government abound in this county and
are aware of the local problems from
knowledge gained through adequate To-
cal residence.
To ignore this basic fact and unusual
asset is both governmental and po-
litical folly.
We suggested that one of these able
and experienced local residents be ap-
pointed county manager.
I continue to believe that our position
is sound and that petition asking such
a well-informed as well as capable and
governmentally trained county man
ager was entirely in order.
E. Brooke Lee.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Dim View of Congress

The great Senator Potter from Mich
igan is right in the swim when he sug-
gests appointment of commission to
study the needs of "old people"
BY the time the commission gets set
up and started, the next election year
will be here and Congress can kick
that issue around before the voters
right up until election time and then
as usual do nothing. Then they can use
it again for the following Congress
just as they have used the pay-raise
proposal. When will America wake up
and dump out of Office this whole. gang
of political parasites? The only thing
wrong with the entire world today is
=, that the politicians are exploiting the
people everywhere, and will continue
to so do until the people rise up in
mass and put stop to it. It's about
time now.
Watchman.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
The Heart Campaign

Few individuals have escaped direct or
indirect experience with heart disease. IL
therefore requires no argument to convince
the average person that the modern sc1en-
tific drive of research, education and treat
ment against this cause of premature death
is vitally important. Heart ailments took
approximately 100000 lives in 1854, and the
mortality for 1855 we'll may be higher. 1t
has been estimated that 10 million Amerl-
cans are suffering from heart or circulatory
disorders, and experts believe that the num-
ber of cases is increasing with the rise OF
population and longevity Most people are
familiar with these facts and understand
that the American Heart Association and its
Sc affiliated organizations, including the
Washington Heart Association, are neceS-
sary agencies, deserving of generous public
support.
This years Embarrassing campaign has
no set objective. The national total OBJ
tanned in the last solicitation was about $1l
million It is hoped that minimum OF $780,
600 will be subscribed locally this month.
During this month and particularly on
Heart Sunday, February 20, every home
in the Metropolitan Area will be given OPP
portunity to contribute. The money thus
gathered will be spent for educational enter
prses research in local hospitals and lab
oratores, and community service In terms
of cardiac diagnosis, clinical aid and occu-
pational therapy Progress is being achieved
in all these fields, and certainly 1t should
be promoted and accelerated.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Old Time Locomotive
Whistle

The mailing strains across the pratrie's
face
Haze ceased to sound, the UhiStle
pe1ls no more
Across the plains a0ide loneSomeneSs
OF space,
And gone are dreams its spacious
echoes bore.
No more the yearnings in the old lament
Find their oppression in the notes
that start
Nostalgia longings of continent
Where men pushed westward Utth
expansive heart.
The pioneer rest Well beneath the
ground
At Boseman SuDer CTotUn. and
Broken BoiD,
No longer do they hearEen to the SOUND
The UhiStle made, nor Dould they
tUiSh to kno1C
That in its place has come an alien
blast
That holds no haunting Semblance OF
the past.
Reid CroweII
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Kick for Our Ballet Critic

take issue with -. G. D." your
dance reviewer. for what I consider a
very sloppy criticism of the London
Festival Ballots performance.
It might very well have been that
j. D. left to write his review after the
performance of Les Sylphides, for all
of the real criticism he displayed. 1t
lacked both perception and sincerity.
He certainly saw Toni Lander's fall, but
the remainder could just as well have
applied to any performance, sight un-
seen, the Nutcracker. Pas de Deux,
Petrushka, and Prince Igor.
I am sure there are a great many
who would agree that the brilliance OF
the ballet merited a great deal more
than the measly appreciation. j. G.. D.
gave it.
EIOise r. Walsh.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Dr.. Frank w. BuIIou

The % years spent by Frank w. Ballou
as superintendent Of the public schools OF
Washington undoubtedly brought him many
irritations and some disappointments. But
he never accepted any of the offers he
received to take other Jobs. He was happy
in his work, tireleSs in his devotion to even
the most tedious of his duties. His associ-
ates often remarked that he did not know
how to rest. Retirement in 1943 gave him
opportunity for new labors in his home and
garden
The local school system as he found 1T
when he came here in 1920 was in deplorable
condition, demoralized by scanty appropr1a-
tions, inadequate facilities, exceedingly low
wages. DR.. Ballou set out to rebuild from
the ground upward. He lifted educational
standards, improved the existing plant and
supplemented it with new structures,
reorganized administrative procedures, OBJ
tained better salaries for teachers, stimu-
lated increased pride among pupils, and
established new and more effective goals
OF scholastic achievement.
Of course, his boys and girls long since
became men and women, parents with chill
dren of their own. Present generations OF
scholars and instructors look to other lead
ers. But DR.. Ballou's influence has not
vanished and his death does not change
this fact, The school system of Washington
has not ceased to be indebted to him and
his example.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Letters to The Star.

gratifying to know that a fascinating
hobby can so readily be turned into an
important instrumentality OF civic well
fare, and that our efforts have received
the public acknowledgment of your
columns.
Reginald Field,
Publicity Director, Falls Church
Community Theatre, Inc.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
In Appreciation
ElOise r. Walsh.

We are extremely grateful for the
generous and accurate story about our
organization in Mr.. Rowland's column,
Community Drama" January 26. 1t
will undoubtedly bring to the attention
of many local organizations an easy and
painless way to replenish their funds
for worthwhile community projects.
While we are nonproflt corporation
with small cash reserves, our sponsors
for the last three or four years have
annually divided about $4,000. 1t is
Evening star., 1955-02-03
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE

@. How far from the North Pole is
the most northerly point Of land?-
I. A. S.
A. The northernmoSt point Of land
is the northern tip of Greenland. Cape
Morris Jessup, at 83 degrees, 80 minutes
north, "a degrees, IL minutes west. 1t is
440 miles from the North Pole.
G. How long has peanut butter been
In use as a food?--W. Mem.
A. 1t first came into use about 1890.
as food for invalids.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
The Story of q Lost Victory

have just read your editorial, "The
Story of Lost Victory" Allow me to
congratulate The Star and your edi-
torial writer for one of the finest, clean
est, most intelligent and most timely
editorials I have ever read.
I have subscribed to your paper for
nearly 40 years and read it nearly 60.
I have also read other papers from all
over the United States.
Herbert F. Mitchell.
Evening star., 1955-02-03
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any
question OF fact by writing The Evening
Star Information Bureau, 1900 Eye ST.
NV Washington s. D. c. Please inclose
2 cents for return nnStage
Evening star., 1955-02-03

Pen-names may be used If letters carry
10riters' correct names and addresses.
AL letters are subject to condensation.
Evening star., 1955-06-10
BOX 448-L, STAR

Write giving resume of education
exnerience, marital status, age anc