davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
SLAUGHTER in MARYLAND

Maryland's alarmingly bad traffic
record so far this year-especially in
Prince Georges County-calls for drastic
action on the part of all concerned with
highway safety Pointing to the States
slaughter on the highways" of nearly
400 persons in less than 10 months, as
compared with the 1855 total of $40 fatal
titles, Governor McKeldin has asked
police, highway and safety officials to
attend an emergency meeting next week
on the problem. We hope the conference
results in something more than resolu-
tons and words, of which there have
been plenty in the past. Unfortunately,
there has been too little action to correct
Marylands lag in highway safety meas
ures
1t may be just coincidental, but the
fact is that Maryland is way out Of step
with most States in such fundamental
safety precautions as automobile inspec-
ton and periodic renewal Of drivers
licenses. Maryland seems to be uncon-
cerned over the mechanical condition of
cars which use its highways. There has
been no inspection system since before
World War II, and every effort Of State
traffic authorities to obtain inspection
legislation has been rebuffed by the GEN
eral Assembly. Nor is there any periodic
resistance Of drivers permits as in most
other Jurisdictions.
More effective licensing of cars and
drivers is not enough. of course. CO.
operative breakdown by police, prosecu-
tors and Judges is urgently needed to curb
the reckless drivers who are killing them
selves and other persons almost daily In
Maryland The situation In Prince
Georges County is particularly disturbing,
with 40 deaths so far--l4 of them in the
past l6 days Many OF the recent deaths
IN the nearby County we're caused by
speeding judged by the grim evidence Of
tangled wreckage examined by investi-
gators.
Speeding car be controlled by better
patrol work ard by stern punishment for
those caught in acts Of rsklessness, as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
School HEARING

Furnished with several years
consideration of our public
school needs and studies con-
Quoted prior to integration. the
League of Women Voters of
the District of Columbia sent
two requests to be heard to
the Davis subcommittee.
We did not offer dramatic new
facts and figures, but the in
depreciation of a vitality inter-
ested citizens organization well
aware of the overlarge classes
and minimum special services
in the white schools, and the
even larger classes and almost
nonexisting special services in
the Negro schools. The perpet-
ual problem of half-filled white
schools one block from over
flowing Negro schools was in
escapable at the School Board
meetings. Administrative diff
cultieS were becoming more
apparent, such as the necessity
of releasing white teachers to
make salaries available for
needed Negro teachers.
Such findings. coupled with
the conviction that public ia
cilities should be available to
all on an equal basis, had
brought us to the conclusion
that indignation must be a first
step in making our school
system what it ought to be.
The difficulties emerging with
indignation were a tidal wave
of long existent problems, fin
ally inescapably highlighted
for the whole community by
indignation.
Like other citizen organiza-
tions. the League was not
called to the Hill. We, there
fore, wish all the more to
praise and thank DR.. Corning,
the supervisors, and the teach
ers who made such firm case
for our integrated schools be-
fore the questioning of the
Davis Committee. Most out
standing in their testimony
was the spirit Of moving
staunchly forward to give
every child in the city better
educational opportunity. Most
heartening was the revelation
that in only one year quite a
bit of progress had been made
in raising standards. Most
hopeful was the frequent affir-
nation that time, and money
for the long needed teachers
and classrooms would close the
gaps between white and Negro
achievement, raising the edu-
cational level in the city. rails
ing the caliber of the citizens
in the Nations Capital. Can
the community fail to rally be-
hind those who know our
schools and children best? 9,
Mrs. Henry MunrOe,
President, League of Women
Voters of the District Of CO.
lumbia.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
Delinquency

The discovery of a bicycle
riding gang of Washington
teenagers connected with a
string of housebreakings and
yokings brings to the fore
again the problem of youthful
delinquency in our Capital.
What punishment will be
melted out to these teenagers
whose operations are brutal
and dangerous to society?
Whatever penalties are i'm
posed will not be an adequate
deterrent. we may be sure
for the simple reason that at
present the laws themselves
are too mild.
The theory and practice Of
leniency toward first offense
in minor crimes has to be
reconsidered. In the first place,
the first legally detected Of
Tense is not generally the first
offense but the last of a series
Of undetected offenses. And
secondly, it is no comfort to
the innocent victim that his
injuries are due to a first
offense.
Pathological laws and insti-
tutional care for youth have
been ameliorated and designed
to aid and protect wayward
youth against itself. This is
all very fine from the abstract
humanitarian point OF view
But practically. IL does not
work What we need are more
stringent laws and institu-
tional care 70 protect society
against wayward youth.
Even such mild punishment
as is ct present given for ju-
venile crime is too often made
a travesty Of by the parole
system. A pedestrian Vi
ciously attacked By a paroled
youth. is not made happier by
the fact that the poor boy IS
being given another chance!
Existing institutions for the
care Of juvenile criminals are
too inadequate. and that. !
suspect. IL one cause Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
Fiscal Policies

Your editorial of October 9,
entitled "ProSperity's Prob
lems," commended Secretary
of the Treasury Humphrey for
his defense of tight money"
and his allegation that the
monetary policies of Presidents
Roosevelt and Truman caused
a decline in the purchasing
power of the dollar between
1899 and 1852. You quote Mr..
Humphrey in part as saying
THE record is all too clear. !.
While we had arbitrarily cheap
and plentiful money, the cost
Of living doubled-the value Of
the dollar was cut in half"
But permit me to set before
your readers a somewhat more
complete account of the rec
ord from 1889 to 1852 (the
period chosen by Mr.. Hum
phrey). During this period the
value of all goods and services
produced in the United States
(the gross national product)
increased from $91.1 billion to
$346.1 billion Cor adjusting for
the fluctuation of the dollar
from $157.5 billion to $294.2
billion; corporate profits latter
taxes from IS billion to SIT
billion. Individuals saved 1928
billion during these years, and
corporations increased their
working capital by 1852 bill
lion, after paying out $85 bill
lion in dividends. Business ex-
panded on new plant and
equipment 5000 billion in this
period.
I could go on and cite other
figures which show, as do those
cited above. that the period
chosen by Mr.. Humphrey of
arbitrarily cheap and plenti-
full money" was a period of
the greatest economic and fl
nancial growth in the history
of this country. Surely if he
wishes to attribute the decline
in the purchasing power of
the dollar to monetary causes,
it is also fair to credit this
great economic growth to the
same causes, to wit: the fiscal
policies of Presidents Roose-
welt and Truman. from which
the Republican administration
has now departed, with what
results we cannot at this time
predict.
Walter C. LOuchheim, Jr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
McKeon Verdict

While I agree with you that
Secretary of the Navy Thomas
decision on the McKeon case
has been decided and can't be
changed, it should not die
without a few passing remarks.
Secretary Thomas has
shown that he considers SYM
pathy for McKeon more i'm
portant than a just penalty for
a man who was responsible
for the death, in my opinion,
of many fine Marine boys. The
reduced sentence is a mockery
of justice. 1t shows a poor en-
listed man. particularly a pri-
vate. has little hope of justice
and fair treatment at the
hands of the Navy and Marine
brass.
We can hope the Armed
Services Committee of the
House and Senate will inves-
tigate military training so this
type of brutality will never
recur, but the final decision by
Navy Secretary Thomas does
not give that wish much en-
couragement.
My heart goes out to the
parents of those who lost their
lives as the result of the mid
night march. So justice is al
ways rewarded. What a jokel
Dewitt o. Burke.
\ 4 4 +
About the only thing the
Secretary Of the Navy missed
was pinning a medal on Nc
Keen.
What's happened to justice
in this country? 1t certainly
leaves a bad taste in the pub
lies mouth.
Disguised veteran of World
War II.
Oliver X. Wilson.
Berrien Springs, Mich.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
Makes O Case

There has been a great deal
of debate in this election cam
paign about the respective
merits of the two parties on
manifold issues. l can speak
with no authority on foreign
policy, the farm problem, and
many other Of these keen
points Of dispute. However, as
an active practitioner before
our local Municipal Court I
feel I am qualified to comment
on the conditions existing In
that court.
In 1852 it took q minimum
Of one year to reach trial in
that tribunal If a jury trial
was demanded. 1t now takes
approximately four months.
Among recent appointments
to the bench have been such
competent attorneys as Judges
Walsh, Beard, Burnett and
Munter. and the reappoint-
ment Of Judge Myers.
II is crystal clear 10 me
that II there has been a cor
responding improvement in all
phases Of our Government. as
has taken place in our Mu-
nicipal Court. then the pres
ent administration has indeed
been more than successful and
deserves reelection.
Republican Attorney.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
THE POLITICAL MILL
IDesegregotion Avoided as Texas Issue
By GOULD LINCOLN

have voted Democratic. II
, there is any shift, it almost
necessarily will be in favor of
the President and against
Stevenson.
The Powell incident seems
to indicate that the civil rights
issue really looms larger in the
North than here. In several
Northern States, the Negro
vote may hold the balance of
power. The Democrats have
counted upon an almost solid
Negro vote in those States in
recent years.
Powell. the pastor of
Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist
Church, has crossed over at a
time when the Democrats, and
Mr.. Stevenson in particular,
are doing their best to hold
this vote in line. If Steven
son. in the hope of keeping
these Northern Negro votes
and also those in such South
tern States as Florida. Vir-
GINA and Texas-becomes a
still stronger champion of
desegregation, he may stand
to lose more white Democratic
votes in these States, and he
cannot afford that.
Horns of Dilemma
The New York Congressman
has said that he plans to set
up pro-Eisenhower organiza-
tons in a number of other
States in the North and West,
where the Negro population is
large. All this leaves Mr..
Stevenson on the horns Of a
dilemma. at a time when he
has come to believe that Texas
and other Southern States are
in the Democratic bag this
year
The Texas Democratic
leaders supporting Stevenson
took him at the Democratic
National Convention as the
lesser evil. His moderation"
stand, which he announced i'm
mediately after he decided to
be candidate for the party's
presidential nomination in
Chicago late last year, appealed
to them.
Other Southern Democrats
did the same thing. and have
continued to support him dur
ing the campaign. Powell so
strongly resented this stand. it
seems, that he has finally
crossed party lines to support
Eisenhower. 1t is quite plain
now the Southerners will watch
Stevenson's moves to counter
act the effect of Powell's deser-
ton.
The Southern Democrats
have a greater antipathy to
Senator Kefauver than they
have toward Stevenson. The
Tennessee Senator was nom
mated for Vice President over
the violent opposition of most
of the Southern delegates to
the national convention. They
even went so far as to vote
for Senator Kennedy of
Massachusetts,, a Catholic. in
preference to Kefauver-and
almost put him across. Kefau-
ver's attitude from here until
election day will be followed
also by the Democrats of this
section of the country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE
2

freeze well include meat.
poultry, cheese spreads. peanut
butter and other spreads. Jelly
and Jam filings are not salts
factory for freezing. nor are
raw vegetables or hard-cooked
egg whites Egg yolks, hard
boiled. freeze well In mixtures.
Each sandwich should be
wrapped separately for freez-
ing.
q. Has the Dutch elm
disease attacked any elms In
Canada &C A. VI.
a. Yes. Cornell University
scientists found the disease IN
ieeting trees In Ontario about
nine years ago. II has nov
infected elms In more than ~
southern Ontario counties. and
along q 35-mile stretch Of the
Niagara peninsula.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
Prodding the KremIin

The United States, in concert with
Britain and France, has now sent another
note to the Kremlin in an effort to get
some action on the question of Germany's
reunifcation. This is not likely to pro-
duce any quick results, of course, but it
has the virtue of keeping alive the Vests
diplomatic initiative on the issue, and it
serves as added pressure on the Soviet
leadership to stop stalling.
In effect, the note makes clear that
the Western Big Three fully support
Bonn's urgent" September request to
the Kremlin for a resumption of reunif-
cation talks. 1t makes clear, too, that
the proposals set forth by Chancellor
Adenauer at that time enjoy Anglo
FrenchAmerican backing in all essen
tials. And it gives strong emphasis to
the fact that the Soviet Union has re-
peatedly pledged itself-aS at last years
Geneva summit" conference.-the carry
out its obligations by cooperating with
France, Britain and the United States in
enabling partitioned Germany to unite
on the basis of genuinely free elections.
Nevertheless, just as in Stains day.
the Kremlin still persists in blocking all
progress along this line. Quite obviously,
knowing that their Communist StoogeS in
East Germany would be swept away in
such test, Mr.. Khrushchev and company
are afraid to let the German people
decide the issue through an unfettered
vote. For the results unqueStionably
would be overwhelmingly against Red
totalitarianiSm, and there would then be
a free and united country whose existence
would tend strongly, like a kind of benign
contagion, to make the neighboring Poles
and other satellite peoples press hard for
national liberty of the same sort. Thus,
as Moscow apparently sees the situation,
the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe
would begin to disintegrate in way that
could menace the security of Russia itself.
However, if such a fear actually
troubles the men of the Kremlin, there
is no solid basis for It, This is so because
of the extraordinary guarantees that the
West (including the Bonn Republic) is
prepared to offer Russia in connection
with any agreement permitting Germany
to unite in freedom. Accordingly, the
longer the Soviet leaders obstruct reuni-
f1cation, the more unacceptable will be the
conclusion that they are not really inter-
ested in promoting a good European
peace, but want merely to perpetuate the
present partition in an attempt to bring
about, ultimately, the communication Of
the entire German nation.
IfsthiS is not RuSsia's objective, then
Bonn's September note, like the ones
just sent by the Western Big Three,
should evoke an affirmative response.
But unfortunately, even assuming Soviet
willingness to settle for something less
than a communized Germany, the
chances are that the men of the Kremlin
will try to prolong their waiting game
until they learn whether or not the Ade-
nauer government is weakened or de-
feated in next falls German elections.
In the circumstances, the latest Anglo
French-American move is well timed as
a prod.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
THIS AND THAT
Rv |HAPIEc Z TDAHEM/rI

Perhaps it is just as well.
Let us keep the moon as a
symbol of all those things we
do not know and perhaps never
shall.
1t makes no difference.
The experiencing is the
thing.
knowledge, after all, is Just
a scratching of the surface of
ignorance.
Napoleon, looking up at the
stars in Egypt. asked his lieu
tenants:
Who made all that?"
1t is a good question still,
and despite our modern So
phiStication. we have no bet
ter answer than the ancients
had, when they answered,
humbly. God"
God is a catch-all for what
we do not know. Since He is
great, infinite, He can hold
all our silly questions in His
hand for future answering.
That. doubtless. is the hope
of mankind; that sometime
there will be an answer.
In the meantime, extending
over thousands and millions
Of years. man has made dents
in human ignorance, but has
never been able yet to con-
troll his own use Of what he
finds.
We are the victims OF our
engines and our bombs
We praise the man who finds
out something. no matter
whether IL is good or bad. and
that is our failure.
We have no certainty. as
the Lord God Of Hosts must
have.
II we could we would be Ike
Him. and that is impossible.
So we 20 ahead, century
after century, solemnly peer
ing at the moon. now and
then. and as quickly dismiss
ing It from our sight and
thought.
Only so far can we go. and
no farther. 1t is Just as well.
II we got 10 the moon. what
would we do with IL. except
deface It. or blow II up?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13

Happening to look out of
the window as we went up the
stairs, we saw the moon in all
its splendor and thought how
small a part it plays in most
of our lives.
Usually as children we are
shown the famous man in the
MOON" and at some time or
other we learn a rhyme about
it being made of green cheese.
That is about all.
From then on the moon
sinks back into a minor role in
life.
In the teen age, now gotten
to be such a great thing.
moon" is often rhymed with
spoon" and that is regarded
as quite right.
y
In literature the moon has
a secure place.
Cyrano de Bergerac wrote a
treatise on a voyage to the
moon, and so did Jules Verne.
Probably H. G. Wells did,
too.
And Poe. not to be outdone
had trip to the moon among
his short stories.
Then there was the famous
moon hoax, or was that by
Poe. too?
Today, trips to the moon are
being seriously proposed, with
some certainty of attainment.
though the date is not sure.
Despite all this, the moon
plays a remarkably little role
in the average life.
Sure. farmers plant by the
moon. and so do many home
gardeners.
You would be counting an
argument to tell them differ
emily.
From time to time. some
effort has been put forth to
give a scientific tinge to this
old superstition.
Still the moon keeps its APP
pointed rounds and only those
humans who take up astron-
omy ever know much more
about 1t than they did as
children.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13
Nearby Integrotion

I am a resident of DECKER
son, Md, and the mother of
three students-a boy and two
girls-at the recently intea
grated Poolesville School.
Many of us who live in this
part Of Montgomery County
the GAINESVILLE Beallsville
Dickerson-P oolesville area
bitterly resent the shabby
treatment we have received at
the hands Of school and county
authorities. We resent the fact
that our elected county school
board not only permits Negroes
to enter white schools. but
actually encourages them to
enter white schools. We par
ticularly resent the two women
board members - Mrs. Rose
Kramer and Mrs. Helen
Scharf, who sends her child to
a private school.
! have no doubt that in the
minds Of some people we are
pictured as a bunch Of poor,
ignorant yokels who've been
carefully taught by outside
agitators' to fear and hate
racial indignation. AS a matter
Of fact, we do fear and hate
integration. but our fear stems
from our knowledge Of local
Negroes rather than ignor-
ance, and our feelings on the
race issue we're not created by
outside agitation"
We believe we have valid
reasons for wanting to get the
Negro children out OF the
Poolesville School. What we
have heard and read about the
fruits Of integration In the
District Of Columbia does not
exactly encourage US 10 adopt
the District pattern. We want
no blackboard Jungles' In
our county.
The cultural background Of
the local colored children is
different in many ways from
that OF the white children.
While there may be various
explanations for that fact. TIE
explanations count for less
than the fact itself. Until the
cultural gaps between them
are completely filed in. the
white and colored races should
not be mixed IN the public
schools Of upper Montgomery
County.
Ralherfne Milla.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-13

over-leniency with which pa
role is used.
The accustomed leniency
toward juvenile crime must
cease if juvenile crime itself
is to cease. j. Edgar Hoover
points this out. And he states
that juvenile crime will go on
until the public grows tired
enough of it to do something
about it.
Might one suggest that it
would be a good idea to make
all juvenile crime a Federal
offense and consider these
young criminals as wards of
the Federal Government? Then
some pleasant-climated tropic
isle could be set apart, where
these Maynard youths could
live and work, raising cocoa
nuts and copra instead of
raising cain!
AT any rate. it is up to our
congressional lawmakers to
make the District of Columbia
a model city. and not a city
of risks!
StanwOOd Cobb,
Director Chevy Chase
Country Day School.