davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1955-02-16
By Charles E. TroceweH

stands the shorthair. or common house
cat.
He looks up patiently at his old
friend, man, and wonders what he will
do next.
All the house cat asks is shelter,
food, and understanding.
r.
"A New Dealer. eh?." some one shouts.
Indeed, it is amazing, the way this
intelligent creature has worked his way
into the affections Of mankind, and at
the same time managed to get his
dinner
Home care does not at all interfere
with his nousing activities.
II he is not fed. he feeds himself,
and II he is home-fed, by loving friends,
he hunts mice for sport.
Aided by the owls (Which look very
much like him1, the cat helps keep
house and yard and street free from
rodents
Friends Of rodents, If there are any
such tand we believe there are) need
not worry too much. 4
There will always be plenty Of rats
and mice. Did we not say that they are
persistent. intelligent and capable?
In the meantime, the faithful cats
will do their best to help us get rid of
them.
Let us be glad there is one memorial
to all cats. There should be more.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
By THE HASKIN SERvIcE

Q. Who erected the memorial to Jen.
ME MARY Virginia) Wade at Gettys-
burg? What is the inscription?-
E. D. K.
A. The memorial to the only civilian
killed in the battle was erected by the
Women's Relief Corps Of Iowa in 1901.
The inscriptions are: North side
Jennie Wade Aged 20 yrs. 2 mo. Killed
July 8, 1863 While Making Bread for
the Union Soldiers" East side-"With
Courage Born Of Loyalty She Hath
Done What She Could" West side
Whatsoever God Willeth Must Be
Though Nation Mourn" On the South
Side is a record of the erection.
Q. Is capital punishment ever in
voked for any crime in the State of
Rhode Island?--E. p. r.
A. Section of Chapter 606 of Gem
eral Laws Of 1888 provides for sentence
for murder in the first degree, life Inn
prisonment: sentence for murder in
the second degree. prison for not less
than 10 years up to what may be prison
for life. The last sentence OF the Sec
ton reads as follows: Every person
who shall commit murder while under
sentence Of Imprisonment for life shall
be hanged by the neck until dead"
Evening star., 1955-02-16

ferent one from that which has been
promulgated by his present advisers.
For years there has been bipartisan
approach In the Senate, led by the late
Senator Taft and Senator Hill towards
solution Of the school emergency
construction program. For years, they
were aware Of the fact that real crisis
in education existed until today only
q major surgical type of operation can
cut the Gordian knot which has almost
strangled our public school system.
Anyone who has studied the needs
OF the public school system will accept
the Presidents conservative figure of
a 100000 school room shortage as of
today. These class rooms are needed
now for II million students for this
years new crop and for about 9.5 mil
lion who are now in obsolete or over
crowded schools. The cost of these
needed classrooms is put at $I2 billion
by the experts in this field. OF this
amount the United States Office Of Ed
ucation reports that local school dis
tricts can provide about $5.5 billion.
This would still leave deficit of more
than 10000 classrooms. As for the
ability of the States and local units to
take on the kind of responsibility pro-
jected by the President, few impor-
tant facts would help diSpel any such
hopes. In 1851, 57.2 per cent from
local taxes were devoted to the cost of
elementary and high school education
Omitted States Office of Education fig
ureS), 39.7 per cent came from State
revenues and the Federal Government
put up 81 per cent. Furthermore,
special State school building authorities
are unconstitutional in some States. It
has been proven that very often such
bodies where they do exist complicate
the work of local school boards and
superintendents of education by delv-
ing into matters concerning which they
have very slight knowledge They GER
tainly are not fortnight solutions to
the problem because they are often con-
stituted so as to avoid tax and debt
limits.
Add to all these factors the fact that
last year Federal funds for highways
on the basis of cash grants were in
creased to $685. million from $685. mil
lion and that the President is now
seeking to promote 500 billion road
program on matching basis with the
States, and we can readily see why
Americans. particularly parents, are so
concerned with this vital problem. We
might well ask ourselves whether the
Federal Government shouldn't be as
much concerned with our schools as
1t is with our highways! The fact Of
the matter is that we have somewhat
larger stake in our children's future
education and should put into it as
much direct Federal aid as we do for
our road program.
Philip Schiff.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
WYOMING AVE.

Dear Sir:
"You would be amused at the num-
her Of your faithful readers who began
looking for the stone cat mentioned in
your article last week.
1.-THE corner Of Florida and Massa-
chusetts avenues, at 22nd street, would
surprise you--all Tracewell fans look
ing up In the air, and some pointing.
Il have been in Washington some
part of every winter since 1914, and in
40 years had never noticed the cat until
last Sunday. when we drove up and
down the 1900 block, gazing at the
roofiine.
"Of course, we saw it, and got out to
look up better.
People crossed the street to ask us
If we read your column, and cars
stopped to see what was causing the
group to look up.
IF you drive that way. you will find
that there is face peering up at your
cat from nearly every west bound auto
mobile.
Thank you for the pleasure you give
to all Of US who read The Star so
faithfully.
'"I expect you will have many reports
from the cat Razers.
Sincerely yours. MGR"
The cat Is beautiful animal, and
Evening star., 1955-02-16
IN Other Words, Keep Ii Short

According to news reports, former
President Herbert Hoover reports that
his committee has come up with sug-
gestions of improved methods" OF
handling Government paper work
which could result in yearly saving
Of $250.000.
Mr.. Hoover's observation that with
Government expenditures as they are
today this is a mere drop in the
bucket" suggests a way in which we
might whack OF another drop" Per-
suade Government writer's to read and
observe Joel Chandler Harris Advice
to Writers Of the Daily Press" It goes
like this:
When you've got q thing to say,
Say it! Don't take half day.
When your tales got little in 1t.
Crowd the whole thing In minute!
Life is short-a feeting vapor-
Don't you fill the whole blamed paper
With tale which, at pinch.
Could be cornered in an inch!
Boil her down until she SINNERS.
Polish her until she glimmers.
Lila d. Sonnemann.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Drawing a Clear Line

The Hoover Commission has pointed
the way for clearer demarcation between
the career civil service and the policy
making noncareer jobs which change with
every new administration. AS its report
states, the line unfortunately, has not al
ways been maintained as 'rigidly as the
interests of good government require. Wit
tingly or unwittingly, some key careerists
have been called upon publicly to expound
upon or defend policies Of particular ad-
ministration, thus identifying themselves
with partisan matters More recently, a
controversial White House memorandum
even has set up system for political clear
ance of certain top classified civil service
Jobs. All Of these developments are con-
trary to the spirit, If not the law, of the
merit system.
The commission believes that the Gov
ernment would benefit by strengthening
Of the career service at the highest level
and an expansion of the noncareer posi-
tions to enable the policy makers to handle
their responsibilities without delegating
part of them to nonpolitical employees. To
improve the career service-and make it
more impervious to political inroads-the
31OOfCA 61Oup WOuAO S1CdCC q oClA1Ol S4VA
service" composed of carefully picked, ex-
perienced executives capable of shouldering
major administrative burdens. This elite
class would be paid salaries above the pres
ent classified ceiling and ranging up to that
of assistant secretaries ($17 7,500). The pick
ing would be done by special Senior Civil
Service Board Of bipartisan membership.
These top-ranking administrators would be
expected faithfully to carry out the program
of any administration, without being re-
quired to defend it at congressional hear
tngs or elsewhere. The defending or ex-
pounding would be the job Of the noncareer
ofilcials in policy making posts.
The personnel task force specifically
condemned any appointment plan involving
political clearance Of career appointeeS,
high or low. The commission ignored this
comment, perhaps to avoid the appearance
of a direct slap at the so-called Willis
Republican clearance memorandum. But
there would be no place for political clear
ance of merit positions under the Hoover
program-juSt as the Willis plan has no
rightful place In the selection Of career
employees.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
A Matter of Fact
Philip schin.

In The Star Of February a para
graph headed Maori Plea Rejected"
stated that, the New Zealand Parlia-
ment had rejected a petition calling
for direct Maori representation in that
legislative body"
The statement is incorrect and, since
the status of the Maori people in New
Zealand is matter of first Importance
so far as we are concerned, the EN-
bassy would be grateful If you could
find an opportunity to publish the
facts. The Maori people have been
directly represented in the New zea-
land Parliament since 1867. when the
Maori Representation Act made pro-
vision for the addition of four Maori
members to the House of Representa-
tives. At the present time, the House
is made up of 80 members; that is to
say, rs representing what is usually
known as the European" community,
and the remaining four representing
the Maoris. The names of the four
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Seven Thirty

There ,oas a room. not large but large
enough
To compass loUe and those wlao lovcd.
to tDdll
The toorld atuav. to shelter them tDhen
loUe
Went TO outpard m little. oreath'es'
OF each to each. fts palls Wepe ledfy
green
And one ioide tUindop stretched 20
hold the night
For tiDo icho leaned like gods above the
scene,
Bdthed iDhite and radiant IN the
moons cool light.
An ordinary room as such things 90. i.
But not for themi The Ualls pushed
out and up;
The room, oroDn huge 10Th Donder.
seemed to k,iotD
1t held all lore In It's enchanted
One room wttlin world In spinning
space,
Yet world and stars condensed to At
that piacei
Bonnie Elizobeth Parker
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Age and chiong's Troops

Now that Formosa has become the focal
point Of great tension, there Is renewed
speculation over the quality of the Chinese
Nationalist soldiers commanded by General
iSSimo Chang Kai-shek. And this Specula-
tion includes, among other things, the old
question about whether or not the aging
process has had the effect of impairing their
combat efficiency. The answer is mo-"
despite rather widespread impression to
the contrary.
This is so for a number of reasons.
First Of all, even though the years have
crept over them since Chang led them to
Formosa from the mainland in 1949, these
troops are anything but old men. Most Of
them still are in their late 20s-a good fight
ing age. Further, as shown by the military
experience Of our Nation and others, some
of the finest professional soldiers-espe-
cially in the vital group of noncommissioned
ofacers-are to be found among those who
have matured deep into their 30s or early
40s. Finally, as far as manpower resources
are concerned Formosa's population OF
about million is quite big enough to supply
whatever requirements are needed to MAIN
tain the Chinese Nationalist army. at its
present level of strength.
In short, although other factors could
adversely affect it, that army (made up of
between 350,000 and 100000 excellently
trained and equipped men) does not have
to worry about the aging process. Indeed,
assuming that its morale is not allowed to
deteriorate, it must be regarded as one Of
the free worlds greatest assets in the Far
East--a f1anking asset that can exercise
a tremendous restraining influence on Red
China's aggressive ambitions in Southeast
Asia and elsewhere. And that is the main
reason, of course, why Communist Peiping
wants to destroy 1t by "liberating" Formosa.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
BIusts Triseer-Hoppy Hunters

Like Pedestrian" have no love
for starlings. but am skeptical of his
solution Of the problem. A double-
barreled shotgun is hardly the answer
to our bird problems any more than 1t
is the answer to our human ones. There
Is many q trigger-happy hombre who
has only aggravated the problem Of an
overabundant species, whether it be
starlings, jackrabbits, gophers or what
not. because he was entirely too ready
to line his sights on most anything
that moved including the predators
that might control the situation.
came upon hillside recently COW
cred with dead starlings. I counted
SO dead. evidently killed day or two
before. and three with only broken
wings or injuries which prevented their
flight but did not kill them outright.
But too often, the casual target Of the
gunner is hawk or an owl, as I have
often seen in my walks. These are the
very birds that would help to keep
nuisance species under control.
I don't like the starlings, but prefer
them to the creature who thinks a gun
and hunting license give him a life
and death ukase over everything that
flies.
Bird Watcher.
The starlings in Washington should
be exterminated.
Mrs. Branson Gilbert McIIwee.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Critic Not on His Toes?

would like to back UP the comment
of Eloise r. Walsh whose letter was
titled Kick for Our Ballet Critic. y
What. ballet critic?
Like other people in my cate
CORY. I thought your u. G. DIS"
report pitifully lacking in knowledge
of the art or any feeling for it. even,
apparently, any interest in it. If you
do not have someone on your staff
who can review ballet adequately, in
keeping with the stature Of your news
paper in its other departments. why
bother at all? 1t would be more re-
spectful to your readers, yourselves,
and especially the ballet arts if you
left 1t alone, if you don't do it profess
sionally.
Mrs. r. F. Dovener.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Nevada and Atoms for Peace

In starting new series of nuclear deto-
nations in Nevada, the United States is act
ing In accord with imperative defense re-
quirements that compel it to keep itself as
strong and as advanced as possible in the
field of A-weapons. At the same time, how
ever, it is continuing to make heartening
moves in an effort to effectuate President
Eisenhowers atoms-for-peace plan.
The latest such move is the agreement
under which our Government has sold 10
tons of heavy water to India. This material
which costs upward of $50 pounds an
effective moderator or controller of chain
reacting atomic processes, and the amount
purchased by the Indians will be used in
the nuclear reactor they are building in
Bombay The reactor, in turn, will enable
them to produce variety of radioactive
substances that will serve them as vital tools
in medical, agricultural and industrial re-
search of the sort that promises to lead to
great and beneficent achievements in to-
morrow's world.
Made possible by our recently revised
atomic law, this example of international
cooperation adds up to further evidence of
our country's earneStneSs in seeking to pro-
mote peace with nuclear projects that could
usher in an age Of immense blessings for
nations everywhere. The reaction abroad
can hardly fail to be salutary. Certainly,
coupled with our Governments other steps
along the same line-including Its initial
offer of 220 pounds of fashionable material
to world agency dedicated to harnessing
the atom for non-military uses-the heavy
water sale to India should help to encourage
the negotiation of similar agreements aimed
at translating the Presidents plan into con-
crete action on an ever-increaSing scale
All this is in line with the recommended
tions made by subcommittee Of the Joint
Congressional Atomic Committee. Headed
by Senator Bricker, the subcommittee has
unanimously reported that the Presidents
plan has won an overwhelmingly favorable
response abroad and that the United States
should do everything it can. in concert with
the receptive nations, to speed up progress
toward the plans obiectives. True, the task
has been complicated by Soviet nay-saying,
but action speaks louder than words, and a
great deal can be accomplished without the
Russians-perhapse enough to persuade them
eventually to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Of course, as emphasized by
Evening star., 1955-02-16
PoIitieking at Its Worst

The Democratic members of the Joint
Congressional Atomic Committee are play
ing the shabbiest kind of politics with the
so-called Dixon-Y Yates contract Although
they have attacked the project with all sorts
OF holier- r-than-thou arguments, they have
not produced the slightest bit of convincing
evidence to support their lurid talk about
it particularly their ridiculous charge that
1t is an economically waSteful and morally
wicked undertaking cooked up In sinister
plot to enrich the private power interests at
the expense Of the American people and the
sacrosanct Tennessee Valley Authority.
This charge of course, is about as un-
juStified and as fantastic as any charge
could be. Actually. although the Dixon
Yates contract has certain administrative
features that are open to legitimate criti-
cisnl, 1t seems In many ways to be sounder-
from dollars -and-centS viewpoint-than
similar agreements involving private power
and the Atomic Energy Commission. And
certainly, considering how the contracts
terms have been subjected to exhaustive
public debate and congressional scrutiny,
few things could be more absurd than the
effort to depict the project as an evil
brewed in the dark by men conspiring
against the public interest Yet, despite
this, and even though the venture has been
resoundingly approved by both the AEC
and the Securities and Exchange Commits
sion, the Democrats on the joint committee
continue to kick the issue around with un-
abated intensity.
Thus, having vested interest in their
own muddling Of the facts, and apparently
convinced that they can gain some partisan
advantage from attacking without letup,
these Democrats demand that the Acc and
the SEC reverse themselves with vote to
kill the contract. Further, with crocodile
tears in their eyes, they warn (1) that unless
this Is done the Dixon Yates controversy
which they alone are keeping alive-will
continue "for years to come" with injury
to the Aces military work, and (2) that
the administration, not they, will be re-
sponsible for that fact. Here, surely, is
an example of politicking at its worst, and
the President, needless to say. has every
reason to feel more determined than ever
not to yield to it.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Blue Jeans Controversy

Now that Paul McQuain, who was
expelled for wearing tight-fitting jeans.
has quit school, Montgomery County
School Board members should hang
their pedantic heads.
Aside from disregard Of a family's
economic welfare, the real jarring note
struck by the ban on jeans was the one
sounded against civil rights. No person
or group in free democratic nation
has the right to tell any citizen or group
of citizens what they may or may not
wear SO long as they are decently and
fully covered. z1E
American Mother.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Highway 1913

I wish to express. in behalf Of the
Clifton Park Citizens Association, our
appreciation for reporter John Stepp's
excellent article on Highway 1913 in the
January 80 issue of The Sunday Star.
Not only as an associate, but also
through the activity of our members in
the Allied Civic Group and in the Com
inittee on Highway 1913, we have pur-
sued this project continually. MIR.
Stepp's article. in very impressive
manner, focused attention of all users
of the road on its complete inadequacy
and will assist materially in its early
replacement with highway capable of
safely handling the current volume Of
trafic.
Charles w. Bliyen,
President. Clifton Park Citizens
Association.
Evening star., 1955-02-16

Chairman Strauss Of the Atomic Energy
Commission, we must ,continue-lest we
"imperil our liberty. even our existence
to stage tests like those in Nevada to insure
that We do not lag behind In weapons. But
our country can do this, as the Joint sub
committee has suggested, without holding
back on measures to make reality OF the
atoms-for-pe plan-a plan far too prom
ising, too rich in its potentials for the whole
world, to be forsaken or neglected -
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Blueprint for CIussrooms'

Your editorial Of February 10. "Blue-
print for Classroorns." seems to me to
have missed the point completely with
reference to the implications of the
Presidents program for Federal aid to
school construction. It is not at all sur
prising that the Presidents program
should be under fire on Capitol Hill.
] am convinced that If Senator Taft
were alive today the program Of the
President would have been a much diff
Evening star., 1955-02-16
The Russian Way

Georgi Malenkov has lost his job hut
he has not been liquidated-yet. He
has been named deputy premier and
Minister Of Power Stations. This will
give him no jurisdiction in the most
important power station in Russia, that
of the Office of the Secretary of the
Communist Party, in the hands of
Nikita Khrushchev.
The following Soviet statistics are
of interest: Out of the II individuals
elected to the Central Committee of
Evening star., 1955-02-16

the United States to halt the march Of
communism in Asia by force of arms is
murderous absurdity.
AS another correspondent has aptly
written, what should we think If the
Chinese were on Staten Island?" Or
Cuba?
What about Monroe Doctrine for
Asia?
Theresa H. Russell.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Monroe Doctrine for Asia?

Thank God for President Eisen-
hower's patience"
If Admiral Radford. Senator Know
land and their crew ever have a lucid
interval that would enable them to face
the facts of life, they would acknowl-
edge that the recognition of Red China
is inevitable and that any attempts of
Evening star., 1955-02-16
letters to The Star =.

Maori members at the present time
are: T. Omaha. T. p Paikea. Hon. E.
T. Tirikatene and Mrs. /. NJ. Ratana.
G. r. Laking,
Minister. New Zealand Embassy.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer To anv
question OF fact by writing The EvenirlS
star Information Bureau. 1900 Eye AZ
NV Washington D. c please incIoS.
3 cents for return nnstare ~
Evening star., 1955-02-16

Pen-ndn,es may be used II letters carry
aOriters' correct names and addresses.
All letters are subject to condensation.
Evening star., 1955-02-16
Bird watcher.

The starlings in Washington should
be exterminated.
Mrs. Branson Gilbert McIIwee.
Evening star., 1955-10-07
come, one and all to our
HARVEST ART FAIR

Wotercolors. oils, prints. drawings Displayed
on the picket fence Of our Alexandra Store,
Soturdoy the 9th. Join in the Teen Age Fosh-
ion Festival and Donee. $50, Saturday. Alex
ondrio Stores south porkine lot.
Evening star., 1955-10-26
~ JAMES q. DEANE

Board of Education President
lC. Melvin Sharpe said today he
will seek q meeting with the
Commissioners as soon as pos
|sible to urge restoration Of 1853
teacher to the District school
budget.
Mr.. Sharpe said he planned
to see Supt. Hobart M. Corning
this afternoon about visiting the
District Building.
Or. Corning yesterday de-
clared that the 1863 teachers
|slashed last week by the city
heads from next years budget
|estiinatesare essential. Ele-
|mentary classes will be oversize
next fall unless the teacher are
|retored, he said.
Quick action by school off,
|cials is necessary because the
budget estimates are due to 90
shortly to the Budget Bureau.
School officers may have a
difiicult time selling the city