davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Cutting Some Red Tape

The Commerce Department has
taken a reasonable step In easing the
licensing requirement on export of GER
tain nonstrategic goods to Iron Curtain
countries. The list, totaling about 700
items, is made up of goods already ex-
portable to the European Communist bloc
the change in this instance being pri-
marily reduction in the "red tape"
formality of obtaining special export
license for each shipment. In announc-
ing the new regulations, Secretary Weeks
emphasized that there will be no relaXa-
ton in existing bans on strategic goods
or in the embargo against all shipments
to Red China and North Korea.
The subject of East-West trade has
been a controversial one throughout, and
more recently because of charges that
some goods of war-making value have
been shipped by West European nations
to Soviet-controlled countries. Our own
policy is expressly opposed to any such
practice. 1t is well to have this policy
reaff1rmed. At the same time, dating
back to last summers Geneva Conference,
there have been changes in Russian be-
havior-on the surface, at least-that
warrant more flexible attitude on our
own part. 1t was President Eisenhower
himself, at Geneva, who spoke most
forcefully in favor of conditions (which
will encourage nations to increase the
exchange of peaceful goods throughout
the world" Simplification of the licensing
procedure may provide some Of that en-
enlargement, while not opening the way
to trade in really strategic items. 1t may,
also, invalidate Communist propaganda
complaints that we are still pursuing
policy Of unreasonable restriction.
AS practical matter, 1t is question
able whether American exports to the
Soviet bloc are likely to reach any i'm
portantly high level in the near future.
Licenses granted in the first quarter Of
this year were considerably higher than
in 1855, but still represented merchandise
valued at less than SO million. In l947,
by contrast. American exports to the
Communist countries in Europe had
total value of S340 million. Since there
is small demand here for goods or COM
modities which might be offered in ex-
change, the opportunity for trade in large
volume is relatively limited. The net
value, in other words, of easing the trade
restrictions is more psychological than
material.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Warning Voices

General Curtis LeMay, chief of the
strategic Air Command, was talking in
grim terms before the Senate Investi-
eating Subcommittee when he compared
American and Soviet long-range air
poWer-now and in the near future. And
his conclusion that our superiority today
! may become inferiority by 1880 is one
that both Congress and the executive
branch should weigh with the utmost
seriousness. For the blunt-spoken bomber
chief, the answer is action-now, not
later. Action, in his terms, would mean a
stepped-up program of building B-52s
sand KC-135 refueling tankers, more SAC
bases on the North American continent
sand greater attention to developing even
J more powerful successors to our best
: planes Of today.
In evaluating American deterrent
power, General LeMay used a yardstick
similar to that employed by Trevor
+: Gardner, former Air Force research Sec
rotary, in Look magazine article dis
.cussing missile development. 1t is, in
short, that the Russians, apparently I'M
restricted by conventional budget con-
siderationS and interservice rivalrieS, are
devoting a relatively greater effort to
building or perfecting the critical weap-
ons. There is, perhaps no complete GER
tainty on Russian progress either in
quantity or in quality. There is evidence
enough, however, to lead these two men
each an expert in specialized fields of
air strength-to fear we are losing ground
In an obviously vital race, There are
others, with qualifications, who do not
share these fears and who report encour-
aging progress in missile development.
The Army, for example, has announced
new superior superSonic weapon of the
Nike type" and significant scientific
breakthrough on atomic weapons. But
the years 1958-60 are close at hand. Those
who have the ultimate responsibility for
the national security should not be con-
tent for time alone to prove that we can
get by safely with the present effort-or
worse, that we cannot.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Buckfire Likely

To give aid now or to promise to give
It later is pretty much the choice facing
Congress on the much-debated farm leg
islation. And, not surprisingly, the ques-
ton appears to be hanging more upon
partisan political considerations than
upon the farmers needs-today or next
year. Both parties are agreed, at this
point, on $12-billion soil bank program
The Republican leadership, in Congress
and downtown. favors advance payments
OF $500 million this year to farmers who
agree to participate in the plan next year
The Democrats, on the whole, oppose
proponents.
The explanation, advanced by Demo-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

It's healthy sign to have
people voice their grievance
against any form Of enforced
conduct. After reading Tom
Stokes shocking article cap
toned. "Confederacy Comes
Alive Again." I ask myself if
it is wise to give liberty to
those who wish to destroy it.
Does he really think he is put
ting himself above those patri-
otto Southerners against whom
he reviles? He says, Some in
the South whip up the frenzy
for their own cheap political
ends, shamelessly."
The only great mistake" I
see was that your reputable
paper permitted such bunk to
be published. The only good"
that will arise will be a crop of
new applicants who will rush
to join citizens councils.
Paul Chicra.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

In regard to discussions Of
the poor educational system in
the public schools of Washing
ton. would it not be a good
idea to consult with some of
the heads of nearby secondary
schools and get their ideas of
what mistakes are being made?
1T was my experience in con-
sulting with some of them in
regard to progress made with
my children in public schools.
that they were very critical in
many ways about d. c. schools.
In recent years isn't 1t true
that many subjects that are
not essential have been added
to the school system?
II the teachers who are
teaching these nonessential
subjects could be transferred
to the essential subjects.
wouldn't 1t help the d. c.
teacher shortage2 Pm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

Kentucky. almost always a
political battle-ground, leaps
into the limelight again. The
sudden death of Kentucky's
own ''Mr. Democrat" the late
Senator Alben w. Barley,
makes it necessary for the
State to elect two Senators this
year instead of one. Gov. A. B.
Happy Chandler. who has
been engaged in an effort to
eliminate Senator Earle c.
Clements who is seeking re-
nomination on the Democratic
ticket. now faces the task Of
selecting another of his own
friends for the Barley va
cancy. In addition, Gov.
Chandler expects to go to the
Democratic National Conven-
ton as Kentucky's favorite-son
candidate for the presidential
nomination. Decidedly. the
Bluegrass State has become a
hotbed.
Unless the Chandler and
Clements factions get together
in some measure, the Republic
cans may have a chance to
pick up one. or even two,
Senate seats now held by the
Democrats. The Governor is
backing former Representative
Joe B. Bates for the senatorial
nomination against Senator
Clements. Clements, on the
other hand, is in position to
block the nomination of a
Chandler man for the Barley
vacancy, since Clements and
his friends dominate the
Democratic State Central Com
mittee which. under existing
law. will pick the nominee.
The deadline for filing candi-
dates for the May 20 primary
was April 4. If Clements will
not accept a Chandler man.
the Governor might call a spe-
cial session of the Legislature
and put through a law for a
special election-and primary
to fill the Barley vacancy.
This, however, would not help
heal the breach in Democratic
ranks.
Republican Strategy
The Republicans, on the
other hand, already are
grooming former Representa-
tive Thruston Morton to run
for the Clements Senate seat.
If they can persuade former
Senator John Sherman Cooper,
now Ambassador to India, to
make the race for the Bark
ley seat. they will have a pair
of unusually strong candidates
to offer in the general election
next November. One or both
of them might win, if the
Democrats are divided seri-
ously. This is particularly true
with President Eisenhower
heading the G. OIL national
ticket. Eisenhower lost the
State by only 700 votes to
Adlai Stevenson in 1952-and
that same year Cooper was
elected to the Senate with a
lead of 28,864 votes over his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Pedestrians Riohts

I read with interest the ar
ticle. Give This Traffic Pest a
Name" in This Week Maya
zine. I have often wondered
why the city goes to the ex
pense to paint lines for cross
walks since most drivers dis
regard them. Instead, most
drivers rush up and squat di-
rectly across the crosSwalk,
glaring brazenly at the pedes-.
trian he has forced into the
path of right-angle traffic.
In her letter which appeared
in The Star of April &c, Eliza
beth F. Hart says that two
things deter most motorists
from complying with the law.
First, they sometimes can't
find the white lines, which
in most cases are allowed to
fade away" 1t seems to me the
lines are reprinted quite fire.
quently. Common courtesy de-
mands that the pedestrian be
allowed some consideration
even if the crosswalk has not
been designated. Second. dur
ing rush hours there are some
times no police to watch the
intersections" Is it always
necessary for a policeman to
remind the public that traffic
laws are to be obeyed? That
applies to the so-called, "jay-
walker" too.
Miss Hart also says:
give us an adequate police
force. and fix Il believe she
means repair the streets. now
full Of potholes, and we won't
have any traffic problems" I
am at loss to understand how
fixing the potholes" connects
with the driver disregardinp
the crOssWalk IT NJ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
THE POLITICAL MILL
kentucky a Political Hot Spot Again
By GOULD LINCOLN

Democratic opponent. Demo-
cratic maneuvering in Ken
lucky in the next few weeks
will bear watching. Happy
Chandler is a shrewd poll
tician, and ambitious.
1t has been charged often
and recently that the Ken
lucky Governor is shooting
for higher ofhce-indeed, the
presidential nomination of his
party, and if not that, second
place on the ticket. He will be
one of the group of favorite-
son candidates in the coming
Democratic National Conven-
ton if he has his way-which
seems entirely in the cards.
Should the national conven-
ton be dea blocked, with
neither Stevenson nor Senator
Kefauver of Tennessee able to
win a majority of its votes for
the presidential nomination,
Chandler might be able to
maneuver himself into a stra-
tegic spot. He halls from an
important border State. He is.
however, likely to have plenty
of competition from other
favorite-son candidates, all of
them with lightning rods UP.
FavOrite- Son Lineup
Chandler presumably will
have the 80 delegate votes of
Kentucky. Gov. Hartman Of
New York will have the great
bulk of his States SO conven-
ton votes-not to mention
strength in some of the dele
cations of States west of the
Mississippi. Gov. Mennen Will
liams of Michigan will have
his States Al votes; Gov.
Frank Lausche will have Ohio's
So votes; Gov. Meyner will
have New Jerseys SO votes:
Representative John McCor-
mack of Massachusetts will
have the bulk of his States
40 votes; Senator Stuart SYM
ington of Missouri will have
that States 38 votes; Gov.
Ribicoff may have Connecti-
cuts 20 votes. and Senator
Lyndon johnson of Texas. his
States SIS votes. There may be
other favorite-son candidates
by the time the convention
meets.
The total convention vote
of these nine favorite-son can
didateS is 400. In all proba-
bility some of them will pick
up votes from delegations of
other States. In other words,
they can play an important
part in preventing a first or
second ballot nomination for
President. Senator Lyndon
johnson may become the rail-
lying post for a large number
of delegates from the solid
South. The total vote of the
Southern delegations will be 80
or 80 per cent of the conven-
TONS 1872 overall vote. AL
most anything could happen,
if the convention becomes
deadlocked.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Man With a Record
When Maryland'S demo

When Maryland'S Democrats go to
the polls on Monday they will be faced
with this choice: whether to pick as their
senatorial candidate a man with a dis
! tinguiShed record in public affairs or
man with no record at all.
George P. Mahoney has been a tire
less-though largely nsuccessful-candi-
date for Office. There is little to be said
. against him. Even when losing, he has
polled good vote. He has shaken thou
sands OF hands, has gotten to know
thousands Of voters, and, this year, has
Tined up the support of a substantial
number Of professional politicians. SO
he will be a hard man to beat. But, these
/. things aside, what is there to be said for
Mr.. Mahoney? What equipment has he
for the position of United States Senator?
What would be his position on the great
issues which will come before the Senate
during the next six years? How we'll would
he serve the people of Maryland, and of
the Nation? There being no record to
serve as guide, we do not see how any
voter can know the answers.
( The record of Willard TydingS, on
the other hand, is there for anyone to
see. 1t is not record which, in all of
its aspects, is beyond criticism. No man
with IS years Of public service behind him
can lay claim to faultless record. But
In our view, having had opportunity to
observe the work Of Millard Tydings, es-
pecially during his "a years in the Senate,
his record is one which compares favor
ably with that Of any other Senator, and
! OF which he has every right to be proud.
He suffers from the disadvantages of
having been out Of public Office for six
years, and of having entered this cam
paign rather late in the day. We believe,
however, Mr.. Tydings is much the better
qualified of the two candidates. But he
will need every vote that he can get, and
we hope that no voter who is favorably
; impressed with his qualifications will
neglect the opportunity to register his
preference on Monday.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

in support Of the United Ma
tions, the Marshall Plan, NATO
and the Point w program. We
believe that our Government
has a unique opportunity, and
one which may never come
again, to build peace in this
region by guaranteeing the
security Of Israel, selling her
arms to defend herself and by
stating unequivocally that we
shall not appease aggression or
submit to threats.
The time has come
when our Government must
commit itself to positive action.
The only country which will
benefit from further inaction
and delay will be the Soviet
Union"
Mrs. Mark Bensinger,
President, D. C. Section,
National Council of Jewish
Women.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

Pigeons at the Chevy Chase
terminal set their clocks up for
daylight saving. sp
These canny birds are ca
pable of learning. after all.
Last year they failed to show
up when Templeton Jones
dismounted from his bus with
a big bag of food for them on
the first Monday of daylight
saving.
This year they were Johnny
on-the-spot, all 80 of them.
along with 100 sparrows and
one grackle.
Nobody will ever convince
Jones that common pigeons
lack intelligence. after this.
There they were, solemnly
waiting for him on the roof
OF the transit building.
4 X
When they saw him, or may
be that bag, they flew down
over his head as he came
along the path sprinkling seed
and grain, mixed with broken
bread.
These canny fellows, and
their cousins and their aunts,
help keep Washington clean
by eating all bits of food they
can find.
Jones just helps them out.
X 4 x
No sooner had the birds set
tied down to eat than in flew
the grackle.
1t was one of the largest of
its kind, with an extremely
long tail.
At first Templeton Jones
wondered if it might not be
a baby crow, but he settled
for grackle.
No sooner had the pigeons
seen the big glistening fellow
fly in than they all few
away.
Some contented themselves
with landing at the edges OF
the gasSy plot.
Others scared to the roof
Of the transit building.
4 \
The eager grackle settled
down, seized the biggest piece
Of bread within striking dis
lance, and few away.
Then the pigeons came back.
One came on a waddling
run. something that Jones
had never seen.
This particular bird had a
queer way of moving his feet,
resembling pacing.
Jones laughed at this fat
pigeon, then got on his bus for
downtown.
Some people think pigeons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

Inc Women'S Congress on
Housing held by the FILA was
an excellent idea, but did not
go far enough. The only way
to find out what women want
in housing is by a general sur
vey OF the whole country. One
hundred women can't give an
accurate idea of what the
many women Of the United
States want. Each family has
its particular needs and de-
sires; many women have been
SO brainwashed by builders
and real estate men (the only
way the latter can sell the poor
housing available is to present
it in a good Light, they think
they want what is given them;
many women are so used to
poor housing-planning they
stolidly rock along with it,
feeling it is hopeless to expect
anything better; many women
don't think at all.
In the meantime, builders
are allowed to go blissfully
ahead throwing up all sorts
of bad housing, because no one
has had the common sense to
insist on legislation requiring
all building, residential or COM
mercial, to be approved for
good planning and good taste
in architecture. just as the
electrical wiring and plumbing
have to be approved. This
would mean more money for
the builder in the original sale,
more money every time a house
is resold, more tax return, and
above all, happier and more
satisfactory living.
No one should be allowed to
plan a home who has not had
experience caring for a home
and children. 1t would be just
as impractical to have ships
designed by people who had
never had experience or train
ing plotting them. If the en-
gines were placed on the top
deck and the coal in the hold.
it would not be more ridiculous
than the arrangements in
many homes, especially plac-
ing the laundry tubs in one
end of the house and the
kitchen in another.
Isabel G.. Moore.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

are great nuisances. and they
are when too many of them
come to a residence or busi-
ness place.
But in reason they are not
too bad. and can be put up
with for the good they do.
Every large city in the
world has this cosmopolitan
creature.
Doves and pigeons belong to
the same group.
They are poor nest build
ers, and do not scratch for
their food. owing to rather
weak claws.
They grow to immense size.
when food is good, as it must
be in Washington, for we have
some of the largest pigeons
ever seen.
In several downtown parks
people come with large bags of
food for them every day.
The time has gone by, evil
IDENTIFY, when this form of out
door amusement was regarded
as the right only of the queer
and eccentric.
Now those who feed the
pigeons seem outstanding citi-
zens in every way. This is just
their way of doing a little good
in a wicked world.
* x ~
The big pigeons come in as
sorted colors. with many gray
and blue tones. others tan.
others black. One of the show
lest models is black and white.
Feather busters are said to
be the best way to get them
to leave a place.
Those with black turkey
feathers are hung out the
windows. on wires, so that they
will wave in the breeze, and
the claim is that the pigeons
will not come, or will not stay
if they do come.
In the old days people tried
black cats Of cardboard, with
no success. They tried imita-
ton green snakes, only to find
the pigeons standing on them
next day. They tried imita-
ton owls with moving heads
and bright eyes. without sue
cess.
Certainly pigeons are best
downtown, where they add
something to the scene, and
actually do clean up a great
deal Of waste matter.
At a bird-feeding station
they consume more food than
they are worth, and just by
continual eating tend to keep
smaller birds away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03

@. Is it a fact that Arkansas
has more miles Of rivers than
any other State?--J. S. H.
A. The Geological Survey
has not determined the mile
age Of rivers by States, and
hence cannot verify the state
ment that Arkansas has more
miles Of rivers than any other
State. The Survey says that
although the statement may
have some validity on q square,
mile basis, 1. e.. miles of river
per SCARE mile Of area, It is
unlikely that the total mileage
Of rivers In Arkansas equals
that In Texas, or possibly that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
After Shower

Listen to the dripping.
The cool, cool dripping
OF Shower-drenched trees.
Sun on bright rdindrops
QuickenS the meadow ..
Birds make christening music
And their scattered fute-notes,
SiUeet-oold as vtlldoe bells
In the tDdke OF scuddino clouds.
Sprinkle the hills.
KothoYn WoIeott
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
Young Soyoges

There is little doubt that
most Washingtonians applaud
the Police Departments new
policy directed toward the ter
mination Of teen-ager tiger
ISM" Such juvenile savagery
as was recently inflicted on a
bus driver should be prosecuted
with severity.
Police Chief Murray will be
wise to break up wolfish packs
that gather at corners or roam
noisily about. Gang compan
1onship mothers much of this
miSbehavior.
], w, HAYWOOD. Jr.