davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
The
Rambler
White Elephants
Still in Demund,
BY JACK JONAS

Let's drop over to Burke,
Va, for a story that has Moth
ing at all to do with airports.
1t happened some weeks back,
and concerns the adventures
of a farm wagon, minus one
wheel.
A couple who work in Wash
ington moved to Burke a few
years ago. The place they
bought included the wagon.
1t sat around for a while, not
being much good to anybody.
Then, last year, along came
the annual Burke auction for
the benefit of the fire de-
partment.
The wagon went to the auc-
ton. Despite the lack of a
wheel, it sold for 50 to a
neighbor of the couple in
volved. When the neighbor
took it home, his wife was not
too happy about the deal.
Then it sat around in their
yard for a year.
This year, there it was again
at the Burke auction-Still
minus the wheel. Everything
costs more these days, and this
year the wagon went for So.
The couple who bought it
originally along with their
place were curious as to why
anyone would want such a
wagon. The buyers reason
was logical enough. He was
building a pony cart for his
son and wanted the springs
and other metal parts.
So the couple watched the
wagon carted of on the
buyers truck, and mentally
busted their hands, thinking
that was the last they would
see of it.
But on their way home from
the auction they saw the
wagon in the middle of a main
Burke street. 1t had jolted
of the buyers truck.
81 gave him a piece of rope
to tie it back on" the man
said. after following it
around all these years, 1 felt
it was the least ! could do, to
get it on its way to something
useful"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
Democrats to Meet

RICHMOND, July 81 (P.-The
executive C o m mittee of the
Young Democratic clubs of
Virginia will meet at 2 pm. Sum-
day in Fredericksburg.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27

A lady. noting the sign,
dogs Strictly Prohibited" be-
side the wide-open gates at
the Zoo, calls to inquire If
Washington's dog population
has become literate. :.
Our Rochambeau Building
correspondent informs us
that he was by there recently
and noticed three automo-
biles parked in the Connec-
ticut avenue buildings drive
way--two Of them parked
across the white line the ICA
painted there recently to 60
with its sign warning mo-
florists not to cross over 1t. 80.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
CONVENTIONS
TODAY

Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity
continues its meetings in the
Willard Hotel.
The 314th Infantry Asso-
citation opens a three-day
session in the Woodner
Hotel.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
Prospect

A fellow was watching tele-
vision with his daughters the
other night after mother had
taken a rare vacation by
going to bed early.
The women wrestling show
came on, and after watching
them throw one another about
a bit, the youngest of the
daughters declared penSively:
I'VE ought to get mommy in
condition, and make a lot of
money"
But our friend says that
getting mommy into condition
for things like that is too
horrible to contemplate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
Appetite

Young boys are not noted
for their liking of salads, but
when the salad was put on
the table at a recent neigh
bOrhOOd party, one 7-year-
old pitched in and polished
his off in a hurry. Then he
asked for some of his
fathers.
How much do you want?"
the father asked.
'MOre than you think ]
should have. Okay?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
SurpIus?


reared a city boy, passed a
parking garage on L street
near Fifteenth street a couple
of days ago and saw, growing
in a tree well, several stalks
of something too tall for city
grass.
Wheat" he told himself.
"Wheat?" his friends Scoffed
when he told them. What
do you know about it?"
He rushed back to the tree
well to get some samples, but
someone had been there ahead
of him and cut it down. He
managed to retrieve one stalk,
however-and it tOGs wheat.
Luck
Oh, that lucky Archie
COnnOrS.
Mr.. COnnOrs heads the
American Automobile AsSO-
Citations driver training
school.
Now he's telling it around
how he has Mrs. America
and Miss America enrolled
as prospective drivers Mrs.
America is Mrs. Angel
America, who called to APP
ply one morning recently,
and Miss Americana rela-
tive-is Miss Rita America,
who called the same day to
enroll.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27
CAMP FUND DONORS

The following contributions to
The Evening Star Summer Camp
Fund are acknowledged today:
Previously acknowl-
edged -- $21, 1851 Sc
Richard, Nancy, Roberta,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-27

Total to date ----$22, 4s766
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
THOMAS L. STOKES
Full Measure of Senator's Vote

planned the importance Of
finding out to what extent
big interests Of all sorts are
trying to dominate elections in
small States in seeking to en-
large their influence upon
Congress.
If Senator Tom Hennings,
Democrat Of Missouri, who is
retiring as chairman Of the
Elections subcommittee in
the near future because he is
a candidate for reelection this
year, is able to get his pro-
posed investigation under way.
1t will be pursued to completion
by Senator Gore when the
Missourian steps down.
Senator Hennings became
entangled with the Democratic
and Republican leadership Of
the Senate when he summoned
Senator Case before his sub
committee. The Senate leaders
insisted that the Case inves-
tigation was the function of
a special select committee,
headed by Walter George.
Democrat of Georgia, which
the Senate had authorized for
that purpose at the behest Of
Senate Democratic Leader Lyn-
don johnson and Republican
Leader william F. Knowland.
This attempt to gag a Sena-
tor was vigorously protested as
unprecedented procedure by
Senator Gore in a closed meet
ing subsequently Of the Senate
Rules and Administration
Committee of which the Hen
nings Privileges and Elections
group Is a subcommittee.
Senator Gore is determined
there shall be a broad in
vestigation of oil, gas and
other lobbies-and he is an
energetic gentleman who IL
not easily turned aside.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
Legality of Case Inquiry QUESTION:

on the subject of communism
in labor unions as sufficient to
require a witness to answer
questions about his experiences
with Communists in the unions
Of which he was a member.
This isn't novel doctrine,
either. among judges nova
days. For the other day U. S.
District Court Judge Aldrich
in Boston freed a witness,
ruling that the permanent in
vestigations subcommittee Of
the Senate Committee on Gov
eminent Operations didn't
have the right to ask questions
of employees in defense plants,
even though the power to make
contracts for defense is in the
hands of a Government de-
partment.
Circuit Court Judge Walter
Bastian, one Of the keenest
jurists recently appointed, dis
scented from the Edgerton-
Bazelon opinion as follows:
I'm the instant case. there
was no claim Of privilege
against self incrimination-
simply a refusal to answer.
And certainly here the witness
selected his own stopping
place in the testimony.
with difference to the
members of the majority, I
suggest that this decision puts
us in the position of a court
Of appeals over the Congress
and its committees. allowing
us to pass upon questions Of
admission of evidence in con-
greSsional inquiries relating to
legislation and limiting the
scope Of such inquiries to what
this court thinks that scope
should be. In conclusion. I
would state that the action Of
the court Is. in my opinion,
an interference with the legis-
lative prerogatives and vio-
lates the doctrine Of separa-
ton Of powers"
But Senator George and
Senator Hennings and the
members Of their respective
committees cannot go by this
dissenting opinion. For the de-
cision Of the two Circuit Court
judges is for the present, at
least, the law Of the land.
Hence, the congressional in
quiry into what happened In
the matter Of the natural gas
case or into the activities Of
o particular lobbyist may not
be considered pertinent" to
the making of laws regulating
campaign fund contributions.
Any witnesses called could re-
fuse to answer even without
invoking the Fifth Amend
ment, and there are Circuit
Court judges here who. 1t may
be assumed, now would sus-
tain such a refusal.
Reproduction Rights Reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
His Bloc Feels Eisenhower's Praise in Past
Would Give Vice President Inside Track

whom the Governors good will
is important, its members
doubtless will be slow to annoy
him. At least this proved true
when Warren ran.
Knight is willing to deal
with Knowland in the distri-
button of the delegates. Up to
last week, Knowland had not
indicated any readiness to deal.
The Senator's California as
sociates are ready to do battle
for him. They say he has still
to suggest to them any Cali
fornia plans. A few are wor-
ried by this reticence. They
fear that Knowland Is relying
too much on the old Taft
forces and on right-wing Sem
ate colleagues who do not
reflect his generally moderate
temper.
For 1t is one of the many
para doxes of the present
strange situation that Know
land. who has irritated and
alienated the White House
with his foreign policy views.
has a nearly perfect Repub-
can voting record on domestic
issues.
Vice President Nixon has
kept his head down during the
difficult period Of uncertainty
about Eisenhower's intentions
and he has enforced a rule of
public silence on his lieutenants
here. They are permitted.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
Broad Inquiry Into All Phases
OF Gas Bill Pressure Is Urqed

South, from big interests to
help in the election OF
Senators.
This is pertinent background
for the revelation by Senator
Francis Case, Republican Of
South Dakota, Of the offer Of
q $4,000 contribution to his
campaign from a lawyer who
previously was a registered lob
byist in Nebraska for the ST.
perior Oil Company of Cali
fornia.
The gas bill, which exempts
natural gas producers from
Federal Power Commission
regulation, passed the Senate
and now awaits a decision by
President Eisenhower as to
approval or veto. The Incl
dent disclosed dramatically to-
the Senate by Senator Case in
the closing hours Of debate on
that measure Is in the process
Of investigation.
But the Senate will fail Of
It's duty II 1t does not go be-
yond the Case episode and
make a thorough investigation
Of all influences and pressures
brought to bear by all sorts
OF interests for and against
the gas bill. Such a scrutiny
becomes almost imperative in
view Of the cloud thrown over
the gas bill by Senator Cases
revelations - and because of
what the bill may mean to big
oil interests and what 1t may
mean in the way of increased
prices to the consumer.
Senator Albert Gore, Demo-
crat of Tennessee, In stress
ing the Importance Of the over
all lobby investigation, ex-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09

The British government. at
long last. is studying" the
possibility of close and signif-
icant British ties with the ma
tions of Western Europe. Such
links, informed sources state.
would be more than the
friendly type. They involve
really dependable economic
and social connections which
would involve Great Britain in
the affairs Of the continental
powers as closely as If the is
land kingdom were q part Of
the main land herself.
Logical as this move may be.
1t still represents q radical de-
parture from traditional Brit
ish foreign policy, hallowed in
the history Of European diplo-
macy. Splendid isolation" has
long been not only a feature.
but the very keystone. Of
Whitehall's foreign policy. In
the eyes of the cynical. British
policy has invariably been to
follow the formula Of aid to
the weaker contender In con-
tinental power struggles. Thus.
the British aided the Germans
and the Russians against the
paramount power Of Napoleon.
Then, when the policies Of
the Empire seemed best served.
the situation was reversed and
the French Republic. was
aided against the might Of
greater Germany.
But at no time did the EN-
pire concern herself with too
close an identification with the
jockeyings and tactics Of the
balance-of-power politics Of
the continental powers. She
was only eager to keep the bal
ance. an eagerneSs under
standable II we remember that
the strife Of two power blocs
in Europe kept the British
power paramount in the pay
offs,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
DORIS FLEESON

LOS ANGELES, Feb. Gin
the face of Gov. Goodwin
Knights lively animosity and
Senator william F. Knowland's
dogged ambitions, the Califor-
mia managers of Vice President
Richard M. Nixon profess to be
completely confident. All three
men are poised for the presi-
Dental race in the event Presi-
dent Eisenhower does not run.
Since they have all achieved
their respective eminence
without ever competing de
rectly against one another
there are no objective tests
that can presently be applied
to the situation. The known
facts are few.
Gov. Knight is preparing to
enter the national convention
as a favorite son. He proposes
to adopt an old Earl warren
device to maintain his hold on
the delegation.
This device takes the form OF
q rule binding the delegates to
vote for the Governor on the
first ballot and permitting
them thereafter to be released
from this commitment If they
so desire. The gimmick is that
they must express that desire;
the release is not automatic
after the first ballot. Since the
delegation will consist largely
Of State officeholders, business
men and other citizens to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
Britain Looks to the Continent

been able to keep the ancient
glory of England from eclipse.
They know the impending dis
aster to the British economy
implied In the loss Of empire
and the loss Of the immense
financial support Of the riches
of Southeast Asia.
And In the existing scheme
Of things. the British leaders
see the handwriting on the
wall If the Soviet bloc is to be
permitted to extend its grow
ing influence in Central and
Western Europe. They see the
growth of neutralism In France
and Germany and Italy. They
fear the rise of a pro-Soviet
philosophy In those nations.
Thus the British concern.
altogether unprecedented, with
the affairs Of the continent as
a participating equal. Britain
could well become the leader
Of Western European thought
and action II she were willing
to forgo her ancient policies
Of aloofness. That seems to be
the determining factor in the
London concern with the prob
lem now.
In addition to the ~1liti"ol
significance of the probable
move, there exists di4- 4
course, the consideration of the
Golfers of the United King
dom. Britain must export her
industrial production and I'M
port her foodstuffs. To do this
successfully requires a polit-
ical situation friendly to the
development Of British trade.
And more than this, unless
something is done. and done
soon, to bolster the British
economy in a lasting way.
there will be no British infiu-
ence to mention within the
foreseeable future.
And in all this lies an irony.
In the United States, the ia.
vorite epithet for years has
been "isolationist." Yet Brit
ain has conducted her foreign
policy up to this day on "iso-
lationism" entirely.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09

What is a Senator from a
populous State like New York
bound to have In common with
a Senator from a State Of
small population like South
Dakota?
The answer is that when
the roll is called In the Sem
ate, each is one vote. Issues,
including the very big ones.
are decided by the total Of
such individual votes. Often a
single vote decides an issue
that may mean a great deal
to business, industry, banks,
labor or farmers.
When the chips are down,
when the roll is called, the
Senator from Arizona or Ne
vada or Delaware or South
Dakota who represents a few
hundred thousand people has
exactly the same voice--one
vote-as does the Senator
from New York or Pennsyl-
vania or Illinois or California
representing several million
people.
This simple fact finally
dawned q few years ago upon
big interests Of all sorts with
big stakes in politics and ST.
multaneously the fact that
election campaigns are much
less expensive in small States
to elect a Senator who has
one vote than in q big State.
50 we began to discover, from
regular campaign reports or
otherwise, that contributions
were being sent into the small
States. mostly in the West and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
Departure From Historic Isolotionism
MoyBring Close Ties With Europe Notion!
CONSTANTINE BROWN

Today. however, things are
different indeed. Britain is no
longer the mighty world power
of the 10th century, when the
boast could be made that the
sun never set on British pos
sessions around the globe.
Those were the days when
Great Britain was, almost
without challenge. the might
est nation in the world. Her
fleets cruised the oceans Of
the world and under their
guns kept order and a species
Of tranquility everywhere
from Gibraltar to Singapore
to the Falkland Islands.
The British Empire has
ceased to exist today. Her
most important former Colo
MES are now independent and
full Of a bellicose spirit Of
self determination of their
own. The few remaining colo
MES are FESTIVE and rebellious,
determined to break loose from
the empire. Canada, India,
Burma, South Africa and Cey-
lon are free and independent,
though still members Of the
British Commonwealth, q rela-
tionship that requires nothing
except q sort Of sentimental
fealty to the ancient Empire.
So Great Britain looks, as
all nations must. to the reali-
ties Of the world and ponders
steps considered likely to re-
tain, as much as possible, Of
the prestige and glory Of the
Union Jack.
The policy-makers in the
Eden government see, In the
possibility Of close ties with
the Western European nations,
o chance for the revival of
British leadership in world az
fairs. They are keenly aware
of the sad state Of British in
fiuence in the world today,
when the largesse and support
Of the United States have alone
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
POTOMAC FEVER
FLETCHER KNEBEL

House Republican Leader Martin Ike to Abraham
Lincoln Republicans say Lincoln freed the slaves and Ike freed
the slave owners.
Definition political nobody: fellow who can't fnd any
reference himself Harry Trmans memoirs worth denying
Department to quit sending weather bal
Russia Too bad Our Weather Bureau was hoping
to add real international flavor to its alibis.
Ike indicates he'll make decision by March whether to
run This tip he won't since real candidate always
claims the decision was not his-but the peoples
Adlai Stevenson continues to stress moderation in all
things Democrats aren't sure whether Stevenson run
ming for President-or chairman OF the board
Ike urges changes McCarran immigration law. Any
invasion country bound fall No Russian could get
past the McCarran Act.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
DAVID LAWRENCE

Both the Hennings commit
tee and the George committee,
each Of which has decided to
investigate an alleged effort to
influence the vote Of Senator
Case of South Dakota on the
natural gas legislation, had
better watch their step. For
it is questionable whether
either committee of the Senate
has the legal right to conduct
! such an inquiry-at least the
United States Circuit Court Of
Appeals has raised some doubts
which would seriously narrow
the powers Of a congressional
committee to engage in any
proceeding that could seem to
be an exposure"
1t seems incredible that a con-
gressional committee wouldn't
be able lawfully to expose any
one who attempts to influence
Congress, but that's the effect
of what two judges Of the
Circuit Court of Appeals
actually wrote in a recent
opinion. It could be, of course.
that, because the decision in
volved exposure only of per-
sons who were once Commu-
nistS. a different rule applies.
Logically. however. it would
seem that. II those who once
embraced communism can
enjoy such newly defined civil
liberties, persons who always
have been non-CommunistS
and are merely engaged in
lobbying and similar activities
might also be considered i'm
mune from congressional
harassment. For 1t must be
conceded that lately much
more consideration has been
given those alleged to have
had Communist connections
than ever was given to the
bankers, businessmen and
others who became the victims
of the New Deal hysteria in
congressional investigations in
the 193os.
Chief Judge Edgerton and
Judge Bazelon had before
them the case Of a witness who
didn't even plead the Fifth
Amendment but simply refused
to tell about persons he met
who were Communists in a
labor union during the time
he was a member Of the Com
munist Party. He argued that
he didn't want to expose such
persons to public hostility"
The lower court found him
guilty of contempt but the
two Circuit Court judges re-
versed the decision. They
made the fiat statement that
the questions asked by the
House Committee on Un-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-09
Court Stand Raises Doubts on Probe
That Could Seem to Be an Exposure

American Activities we're not
pertinent" and that, while
Congress could investigate
communism. sit is very ques-
tionable whether exposure OF
individuals to public contempt
or hostility is a valid legisla-
tive purpose" The opinion
says further:
"Since Congress has no
powers of law enforcement 1t
would have no power, in the
absence of a valid legislative
purpose, to expose former Com
munistS even if there were a
law requiring that former Com
munists be exposed. If we were
obliged to decide what the
committees purpose was in
asking the questions that Wat
kins would not answer. we
might be forced to conclude
that the committee asked them
for the sole purpose Of ex-
posure."
The Circuit Court judges
said they were relying on q
case decided last year by the
Supreme Court of the United
States, known as Quinn VS..
United States, but in that case
the defendant, Quinn. had
sought immunity. under the
Fifth Amendment. while in
this case the defendant, Wat
kins, didn't ask for such pro-
lection against self -incrimina-
ton at all. He merely refused
to answer because he didn't
feel like involving his friends
or former associates in the
Communist Party, especially
since he thought they had or
may have since repented.
BY what right then can Sen
ator George or Senator Hen
nings order the Nebraska
lawyer or the persons he talked
with to testify in the natural
gas case? All he did was to
offer to contribute to a SEN
ator's campaign fund. He
didn't offer money to the Sem
ator. He didn't violate any
law. It can be argued. there
fore, that there Is mo valid
legislative purpose" involved
in the investigation, but only
an attempt at exposure"
Most observers will immedi-
ately ask, however, Hasn't
Congress the right to legislate
on lobbying or on influencing
a Senator's vote?" That has
always been true, but the two
Circuit Court Judges now rule
that there are ways to find out
what to do about making new
laws without subjecting indi-
viduals to exposure" They
didn't regard a congressional
committees desire to legislate