davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Senate and Transit

Judging from the tone of debate on
the interim" transit authority bill. the
Senate will approve it. There may be
clarifying amendments, making more
precise the terms under which transit
company property is to be seized The
right to strike under public ownership,
sides to arbitrate labor disputes, may be
spelled out more explicitly. But on the
whole, the bill will doubtless be approved
substantially as it is written.
There are several regrettable things
about this bill. One of them, as stated
by Senator Holland, is that a measure
involving the seizure of private property
and committing the people of this COM
munity to public ownership and oper-
alton of transit, brought only nine Sem
atorS to the floor for Mondays debate.
Another is that debt-free company,
able and willing under reasonable con-
ditionS to continue operation, is being
destroyed not because of it's incompe-
tence, not because it has violated any
law, not because of inefficient manage
ment, but because of the unpopularity
of its principal stakeholder Much has
been said in condemnation of the f1nan-
cial policies of the controlling stock
holder. Yet no proof of any kind has
ever been offered to show that operation
of this strictly regulated public utility
has suffered as result of such policies.
If public ownership is inevitable,
however, the pending Senate bill is
poor way to bring it about. It is not
good example of how to set up Public
Authority. 1t is going to cost the people
of this city a lot of money It is going
to be- an additional drain on the limited
tax resources of this city, many of whose
departments even now are cracking at
the seams for lack of revenue. 1t is going
to place control of public transit in the
hands of two of the same Commissioners
whose misguided activities last summer
brought about the mess. And these men
are left open to the pressures, political
and otherwise, against which a really
sound Public Authority would be care
fully protected.
We hope the Senate bill will not
become law. If it does, our transit diff
culties of the past will seem trivial in
deed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Blossom Time

Potomac fever is a strange affection
that preys on high and low alike, on out
of-off1ce politicians and out-of-work
clerks, sapping their strength, postponing
their departure. This curious disease is
probably at its height now. In high
spring, in blossom time, this fair city is
hardest to leave.
Where else but in Washington do
apartment jewellers wake to the sound
OF bird-song and set forth on their daily
round through lilac-scented air? Hardly
an off1ce-worker but has a bit of full
leaf to look out on these days. These are
considerations that make people want to
stay here beyond their time and term.
And, as BELTS the capital of a demo-
cratic republic, this beauty is available
to everyone. No need to seek in formal
gardens or travel far. Turn a corner and
see an ~azalea blazing away in white or
fiame-colored perfection. The dogwood,
decked and delicate, can be caught in the
headlights of any car driving through
the town at night. The smallest backyard
may encompass the red-bud. Walk along
Pennsylvania avenue. One wall of the
National Gallery of Art is lost in dropping
wiSteria. 1t is truly the hour of "splendor
in the grass"
Votes they do not have, the summer
heat they have to face, but the citizen of
Washington in these days, can with the
poet say,
II Bonded unto me a Dough of May
Thdt / might see and smell. ="
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Respect for Parents

My congratulations to Jean
Carter, student of Eastern
High School, for her letter en-
titled "Teen-ager to Parents"
In the United States there
are many thousands of Japa-
nese-AmericanS and Chinese
Americans. Their teen-agers
are subjected to the very same
environment that other teen
ayers are: The same TV
programs, the same movies,
schools, comic books, etc. Why
is it that in the last 20 years
during the shocking waves of
juvenile crime all over the
country we do not find these
japanese and Chinese Ameri-
cans in juvenile court and in
our prisons?
The reason is the one Jean
Carter mentions - their par
entS. They honor their fathers
and mothers, have respect for
them. and wouldn't lose face
by betraying their trust in
their children. 1t does go a
little deeper: The parents are
worthy of their children's re-
Spect and provide an example
they are proud to follow.
Muriel L. Cruikshank.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Protecting the Criminal

Do we need a change in our
laws in order to sentence a
deliberate murderer to his
just punishment? Reference
is made to the ridiculous
technical dispute that has
arisen over Clarence Watson.
who. two years ago bludgeoned
to death Miss Alyce Taggert.
He acknowledged his crime,
what more are they asking?
To be quite fair I am afraid
to venture out in any section of
Washington after dark. Too
many Of these youths are rep
rimanded and released to ply
their nefarious deeds again
and again. 1t seems our laws.
at the present time, are made
to uphold criminals rather
than protect law-abiding
citizens.
M. HI.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09

Mondays primaries in nearby Mary
land revealed the growing political
strength of insurgent factions of the
Democratic Party in Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties. Both factions,
having campaigned against so-called
"bossism" by local leaders, made show
OF power that could have important re-
percuSSionS in future elections in the two
counties. In general, the insurgency
seems to reflect the increasing dissatis-
faction of newer residents of the Mary
land suburban area over local govern
mental policies and activities.
In Montgomery County the insurgent
forces won five out of seven places on the
delegation to the State Democratic Con-
ventlon. This was severe setback for
the regular Democratic organization, long
dominated by E. Brooke Lee. Never be-
fore had the veteran party leader suffered
such defeat in primary. While the
center of the rebellion" was in the
thickly populated Kensington- Wheaton
section, where thousands of newcomers
to Montgomery make their homes, sup
port for the insurgents came from dis
Sident voters in the older Bethesda
Chevy Chase area, which previously had
evidenced an anti-organization trend.
Whether this alliance will continue is
a question on which future local and
State elections may hinge. Mr.. Lee calls it
a temporary merger of little significance.
The big surprise in Prince Georges
County was the upset of the Sasscer
forces, as represented in the beating
which L. Harold Sothoron took from
Representative Landlord. Mr.. Sothoron
had the about support of the old-line
organization headed by Lansdale G.
SaSScer, veteran county and State Demo-
cratic leader Mr.. Landlords victory
over Mr.. Sothoron by 2to-1 margin was
unexpected in Prince Georges, although
1t had been predicted that he would have
little trouble in getting renominated by
5th district Democrats. Mr.. Landlord
stressed his opponents "subServience" to
Mr.. SaSScer.
What effect the schiSm among the
Democrats in both of the counties will
have on Republican chances of victory in
subsequent elections below the national
level will be worth watching The dis
sension is not likely to have any national
significance, however.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
By THOMAS r. HENRY
Greatest MANIPULATING Job in History

BALBOA, Canal Zone (By
MaiD "A survey line now has
been run completely across
South America from Tacna on
the Peruvian coast to Rio de
Janeiro.
This line, which will serve as
a base line for mapping much
of the still unknown interior
of Brazil, constitutes one of
the most notable accomplish
ments to date of the Inter-
American Geodetic Survey
which is directed by U. S.
Army Engineer officers in CO.
operation with the various
South American republics.
The line proceeds from Tao
ma across the Andes. around
Lake Titicaca, through Bolivia
and skirts the edge of the vast.
unknown Matte GraSso. "the
biggest swamp in the world"
which is visited only by oc-
casional explorers and in
habited by still unknown In
dian tribes.
One of the next steps in the
program of mapping the
southern continent will be to
survey the Matte Crosse it
self. This probably will be the
hardest job of all. The diff
culties are expected to exceed
those now encountered in the
nearly impenetrable Choco
jungle of Western Colombia.
Thus far the engineers have
ventured only a little way into
the great moraSs itself, Great
ed by many rivers flowing into
the Amazon. Probably highly
specialized equipment will be
required for the survey itself.
Great Waste Land"
1t is described as "the great
waste land" On present maps
it is designated by a large area
of blue dots, which signify
swamp" The number of rivers
and their courses are quite
unknown. Some of the Indian
tribes probably never have
been contacted by white men.
The job of setting up the
base line has been attended
by very great difficulties. It
has involved, for example,
working for weeks at a time
at attitudes of $4,000 feet in
the Peruvian and Bolivian An
des. There the surveyors are
subject constantly to the con-
dition known as "seroche." In
the thin atmosphere the back
of the head aches. there is
constant gaSping for breath
and frequent dizzy spells. 1t
is impossible to continue long
at a time with hard physical
work which requires an ex-
IRENE degree of precision.
Freezing is a constant menace.
Critical points have been
established on the transcon-
tinental base line and magnet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

too, and from the sum Of these
might come massive results.
Jones has counted the time
which must elapse from the
time his morning bus arrives
at what the railroads would
call a block" to the time
when it rushes across the Ave-
nue. as if the whole Public
Utilities Commission were after
it.
He counts, as rapidly as he
can, and finds that he has to
wait while 1873 counts are con-
sumed.
That is, he rattles away "one,
two, three, four, FIVE" ETC.. say
ing each number distinctly to
himself. but as fast as he can.
Now he never frets about
the time consumed in this
daily wait.
1t used to bore him beyond
words. He fumed and fretted,
and kicked his miserable heels.
Now he has all the aplomb
of a fat statue of the great
Buddha, as he mentally goes
through his counting.
When he arrives at the
magic number of 1873. he looks
up, shakes his head slightly,
and away rolls the bus.
The Templeton Jones School
of Everyday Wisdom would
also contain a course on how
to use soap.
Not so much the need for
cleanliness. as schools taught
in the past. Everybody today
knows that the world is full
OF germs, and worse, and soap
and water combine to help
get rid of them on the surface
Of the skin.
No, what is needed today.
practical T. Jones says, is how
to make a lather.
Many persons fuss around
with a cake of soap, making
only a fine scum; what is
needed is a real lather. But
soaps containing the new drug.
hexachlorophene, sometimes
make people itch.
A way this can be avoided
Jones says. it is to make a
lather, then pour from the
right hand into the left a
small amount Of water, and
rub up the lather again. Do
this at least four times, and
the end product is a lather
which will keep all the de-
odorizing properties OF the
drug and at the same time
cause no itch to a sensitive
skin.
The time is coming. he says.
when every toilet soap on the
market will contain hexachlor-
ophene, without comment, so
you might as we'll know how to
handle 1t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09

ism and gravity measurements
taken. The engineers now are
working eastward on both
sides of this line to obtain
much more complete data on
which to base their maps. This
year the work is proceeding
along the Maronan and Ucayali
rivers. torrential streams pour
ing down the eastern slope of
the Peruvian Andes which
come together at the city of
Iquitos, in the Peruvian jungle,
form the Amazon. AS it pro-
ceeds the worlds greatest
river, actually navigable as far
as Iquitos, is fed by hundreds
of other streams flowing out
of the mountains of Colombia,
Ecuador and Peru. Eventually
all these rivers will be accu-
rately represented on maps.
Greatest Mapping Job
Somewhat less has been
accomplished to date in the
headwaterS country of South
Americas second great river,
the Orinoco, which sweeps in
a half circle through Vene-
zuela and just touches the
Colombian border. Much of its
water, however. comes from
streams rising in the Colon
bian mountains. Thus far only
geophysical stations have been
occupied by the engineers in
much of this territory. Some
time next year, it is likely,
engineer parties will go into
the largely unknown lost
world" country of isolated,
flat-topped mountains lying
beyond Angel Falls in Vene-
Zuela.
The engineers are working
in all South and Central
American countries except
Argentina, Paraguay and Uru-
quay, which are not parties to
the international agreement.
In most cases the American
Army officers supply technical
guidance and much of the
equipment which must be of
very high quality. A great deal
of the work is done, however,
by soldiers and civilian per-
sonnet of the countries where
the surveys are made.
It is the greatest map
making job in history and
says Col. Robert R. Robertson
who is directing the operations.
it has been a remarkable ex-
ample of international CO.
operation. Heads of all the
governments involved here ex-
pressed complete satisfaction. ~
Accurate maps, Col. Robert
son believes, are absolutely IS
sential cornerstones for reali-
zation of the enormous agricul-
tural and industrial potentiali-
ties of the continent of which,
as yet, hardly the surface has
been scratched,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09

Templeton Jones believes
some one should establish a
School of Everyday Wisdom.
1t is we'll enough to be able
to read and write, and also
figure a bit, but it is good. too.
to handle yourself capably
minute by minute.
Take the fellow who comes
to a curb downtown in the
rush hour.
He has Just rushed across
the avenue with the green
light. turns deity to the right
and stands waiting to cross
again.
How is it that he, Temp
Jones. always knows when to
step out? The others don't.
Jones doesn't want to brag,
but he believes it is because
he uses the brains God gave
him.
He has found that 1t takes
him 26 steps with the right
foot to cross the avenue.
1t requires one step to get
from the mounting curb to
the curb he stands on.
Then-and he has counted
this thousands of times-it
takes exactly four seconds be-
fore the light changes.
On the fifth count, Temple
ton Jones steps forward with
his right foot.
Jones is a Roman when it
comes to stepping out.
The old Romans thought it
was good fortune to step with
the right foot, i'll fortune to
step with the left foot first.
Templeton Jones is not su-
perstitious; oh no, not at all,
nobody iS-but still he thinks
there may be something to 1t.
Other people, standing on
the curb, are caught off bal
ance by the change of light.
You can see it in their eyes.
They hesitate.
Jones. the man who knows
(even in small matters, steps
forward confidently, getting at
least a seconds bulge on his
nearest competitor.
In this hurried day and age,
a sequence of being ahead
adds to the mental increment
of the human ego.
Many harried people never
suspect that a whole day of
being just a little late, here
late, there late, forces them
into a sort of cringing atti-
tude toward life.
Year after year, this must
mount UP. being partly re-
sponsible for the hurt look one
so often sees in the street.
1t can't all be due to great
pressures.
There are little pressures,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09

have divided patients into
those who could pay and those
who could not. We have
abetted our specialization by
consigning the INDECENT to the
bureaucracy Of state medicine.
In effect we have invited the
state to divide patients into
those who have and those who
have not. We have failed to
fight for the human dignity
and right of free choice for
the INDECENT mother or the in
solvent victim of bankrupting
health needs. All we asked of
government was our quota of
pauper guinea pigs for teach
ing, research and learning pur-
poses. When those who could
pay became insolvent, we
blithely certified them as gov
ernment's direct concern. Our
concern has been their SOL
vency. rather than the indi-
visible nature of all human
health needs. This is our OPP
portunity to classify patients
according to their health
needs, rather than their pock-
etbooks.. And If our profession,
through collective bargaining
with the taxpayer, fails to
make healing a social ministry
instead of a profit venture, we
deserve to be socialized. And
if We are socialized, the tax
payer can look upon the mess
at District General as the
shadow of things to come:
Political bureaucracy never
heals. 1t always costs more for
less.
Thomas E. Mattingly, M. d.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Still a Race

For what it may be worth, it should
be noted that there have been VARYING
versions OF what Nikita KhruShchev said
to the British recently in reference
to guided missiles with thermonuclear
warheadS.
Some of the reporters have quoted
him as follows: II am quite sure that we
will have,a guided missile with hydro
gen bomb that can fall anywhere in the
world" But in other news stories he has
been represented as being positive that
the Soviet Union will be equipped with
such weapon soon" or quickly"
AS far as the time element is con-
cerned, these two versions differ greatly.
Nor is either of them the same as the
one broadcast by the Soviet radio to the
world behind the Iron Curtain. For this
broadcast, as pointed out by Secretary of
State Dulles, has quoted Mr.. Khrushchev
as saying merely that 81 also think that
we are not behind in the development of
guided missiles" Which version is cor
rect? The answer is anybody'S guess
But the Russian account is relatively sub
dued and in line with President Eisen-
hower'S comment that there is very
very long distance between laboratory
capacity or capability of doing something
and making an instrument, really eff
cient, effective instrument of war;"
In any case, the Soviet version of Mr.
Khrushchev's statement is no more sem
sational than similar predictions about
our American arsenal. Actually, as the
President has indicated, the probability
is that the thermonuclear missile is not
yet Just around the corner either for
Russia or the United States.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Fast Pair of Aussies

Those who watched-on their tele-
vision sets-Jim Bailey outrun John
Landy last Saturday only few minutes
after Needles virtually had galloped over
l6 other horses in the Kentucky Derby
may have felt two legs are not as fast
as four. They we're right, of course, but
the fact remains that the two Australian
track stars we're running the fastest mile
ever recorded for two-legged runners In
the United States Both of them broke
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
'Rhfed' EMPLOYEES

Your columnist Joseph
Young recently referred to a
bill sponsored by Rep. Broy-
hill which lis designed to end
situations similar to that fac
ing five Naval Gun Factory
employees, with 10 to AZ years
of service each, who are being
riffed from their jobs"
The Congressman is to be
commended for his interest in
the plight of riffed career en-
ployes and in taking action to
protect them. I agree with his
observation that his proposal
to give unemployment priority
rights to riffed Government
career employees represents a
marked improvement in Gov
eminent employee relations.
I am not, however, as san
guine as the Congressman that
the bills adoption will pro-
vide real job security" Its
weakness. in my opinion, lies
in not giving the Civil Serv-
ice Commission sufficient au-
thority in placing employees
who are riffed. In permitting
the agencies to show the COM
missions that the employees
whom the commission has re-
ferred are not qualified, a loop
hole has been created which is
likely to result in endless
wrangling and ultimate capt.
ulation by the commission to
the agency.
To my mind, a deternina-
ton by the commission that
an employe is qualified should
be sufficient. An agency should
be precluded from hiring an
outsider to fill a vacancy if a
riffed employee, found quail
fled by the commission, is
available.
Joseph M. Stone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
MurIowe the Man

! tDonder il his eyes pere broUn
or blue,
And il he tDuS OF fine phv-
Sique or trail.
That ne ,1dS young In life and
IN death. too,
! know; the rest remains
beyond the pale
OF El,sGbethdn documents. I
Donder
II he i0ere lonely as his spirit
scared
In eTdltation'S sweet yet
mighty thunder,
or times he sought the
tGuern or the S1Uord.
Condemned, knotD, By some,
he tpdS admired
By those tcho understood his
scope and art;
Yet who can tell hoiD far his
thoughts aspired,
And tDho, II any, shared
them or his hearth
What part the ,pinoino GEN.
turtles hare concealed
Is greater than his history has
revealed.
Jeon Meroord
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BY THE HASKN SERVICE
reader vtius
The Evening "
D y
RY THE HASKM

@. We hear Of the olympic
Games and the Actian Games.
What are or were the latter?
FIJI.
A. The Actian Games were
athletic games and contests
held every five years at the
Greek city of Actium to COM
memorate the decisive naval
victory of Octavian (who was
later the Roman emperor
Augustus) over the Roman
general Marcus Antonius and
the Egyptian queen. Cleopatra.
The Battle Of Actium in 81
BIC. gave Octavius control Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09

the magic four-minute barrier by more
than full second to demonstrate that
the boys from "down under" are planning
a fast reception for foreign athletes
during the Olympic Games at Melbourne
later this year. This was indeed, a race
between CHAMPIONSHIP personal friends
with no quarter given and no excuses
made. They deserve congratulations for
their craftsmanship as we'll as for their
prowess. Their next meeting will be
watched with increased interest.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
Animals Week

we are celebrating BE Kind
to Animals Week." and I am
delighted that the Tail-Wag-
gers are taking part in it. AS
a member of the board of di-
rectors of the Tail-Waggers I
know that its program stead
lily emphasizes and materially
helps to ensure kind treatment
Of animals.
/ have always been of the
opinion that a child should
have a pet. The companion
ship Of a boy and his dog is a
charming sight to watch. But
it is more than that: 1t brings
to a child a sense of RESPONSE
bility that can help to mold
his character. He must feed
his dog, care for him.
I am especially pleased to see
that the Tail-Waggers are
sponsoring obedience training
classes where children can
bring their dogs. These ODE
dience training classes are
really classes for the owners.
The patience required to train
the dog, the sense of accomp-
lishment when the dog re-
spends to training, the fun of
working with other children
in a common purpose for all,
are excellent for boys and girls.
The fact that dogs become
good citizens instead of a nui-
sance is a help to any commu-
nifty. A worthwhile activity for
groups Of children would be
obedience training classes: A
child concerned with daily
training of his dog to be a
good companion is not likely
to get into mischief.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle.
Chairman. Commissioners
Youth Council.