davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
WSTAS IN SCIENCE
BY THOMAS r. HENRY
Atomic Age Won't Help Man MentoI|v

Part of the price mankind
may pay for the dawning
atomic age is some Of its
brains.
An alarming progressive de-
crease in the norm Of human
intelligence over many genera
tons might be a hitherto I'M
emphasized effect of a possible
doubling Of the genetic muta-
ton rate due to atomic radia-
ton or any other cause.
This would be quite above
and beyond the probable in
crease in mental disease, con-
genital idiocy and feeble-mind-
edneSS.
The likelihood is stressed in
a report on the future hazards
Of atomic radiation issued by
the British Medical Research
Council simultaneously with
the report of the National Re-
search Council of this country.
First copies of this report have
just been received here and
are attracting great interest
among American geneticistS.
Intelligence Hard to Define
Intelligence, the British in
vestigatorS point out. is some
thing extremely complex, prob
ably due to a multitude Of
genetic factors, as we'll as en-
vironment. It is difficult to
define. In this investigation
scores of large segments Of the
population on certain stand
ardized intelligence tests was
taken as the criterion. For
the purposes Of the report the
investigators accepted the esti-
mate of DR.. F. A. Peel of the
University of Birmingham that
approximately three-fourths of
the intelligence complex is in
some way inherited,
The intelligence norm of a
population with a doubling of
mutations, it is calculated,
slowly would drift downward.
At present a score of 100 is
considered about elementary
school grade. lis high-school
grade. Scores of from 10 to 80
are considered below normal.
Children with such scores
must be provided with special
schools. When they grow UP
they are more than likely to
become burdens on society.
From the statistical tables
presented, says the report. a
doubling of the heritable vari-
alton could lead in the long
run to a TRIPPING Of the num-
bers falling short of an in
telligence score of 10 and
conventionally regarded as
requiring special schooling.
These now constitute about
81 per cent of the population
of the United Kingdom. A
somewhat larger percentage
fall in the 70 to 80 10 group
and the numbers of these also
theoretically would be greatly
increased.
II both bad and good muta-
tons we're equally common.
the report points out. there
would be a comparable in
crease on the other end Of the
scale of persons with los of
100 and above, suitable for
higher education and the pro-
LESSONS. This. however. would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
Do you like earthworms?

Do you like earthworms?
Robins do, and so do many
human beings, although in a
different way.
The hardy robin eats 'em for
breakfast, lunch and dinner.
bat the human admirer Of the
humble worm breeds them for
his compost pile.
One brand of earthworms,
made famous by scientists,
lives on orange peel.
Throw the peel from two or
three oranges on the compost
pile, and in the morning every
last vestige is gone.
The earthworms, orange va
riety, have consumed them
all.
Charles Darwin was one of
the first to call attention to the
essential character of the
earthworm's work in pulver-
izing and ameliorating the soil.
Without it there might not
be any agriculture as we know
it.
So all of us, if we eat vege-
tables and fruit, and grains,
owe a great debt to these slith-
ering denizens of the dirt.
Scarcely serpents. they new
ertheless remind the average
observer of snakes.
But their role is pacific and
useful.
Earthworms come up, on
rainy days. and wriggle across
concrete pavements.
~ y
In the lawn, they are never
far from the surface, except
in very dry spells.
Then the. robins find it diff
cult to rustic up their favorite
food.
People want to know what
the bird is doing, when he
cocks his head.
Is he listening. or looking?
He is doing both, but mostly
listening. with the bones of
conduction inside his head.
He hears the slither, which a
human can only imagine.
The noise the worm makes
in moving is very real to birds.
They listen for 1t, and then
dive down when the noise
takes on a certain intensity.
1t is true that birds also
watch, and If they happen to
see an unwary worm close to
the surface. dive for it. But
most Of their detection is done
by ear" If we can call 1t that.
$50
Human muscles make noises.
inside the human frame.
There is what is known as
a venous hum in the necks Of
very young children. 1t can be
detected by stethoscope, and
fades away as the child grows
older.
Nobody knows exactly why
there is this hum.
Muscles in the aging neck
often creak, so loudly that 9TH
ers, one thinks. ought to hear
it. but they never do, even
when asked to listen.
Yet to the person involved.
the neck noise is very loud.
Our friend, Templeton Jones,
told us recently that lying in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27

be extremely improbable since
1t is generally recognized that
most hereditary mutations are
detrimental. leading eventually
to the elimination Of heredi-
tary lines.
1t is stressed throughout
that a long time effect is being
considered. A doubling of the
mutation rate for only a few
generations would have only a
trivial effect, the report points
out. and many generations
would be necessary to realize
the full effect. Still the course
would be progressive and in
telligence would drop a little in
each succeeding generation.
1t is even more difficult, the
report points out. to estimate
the probable effects of a higher
genetic mutation rate on out
right mental disease, which is
quite unrelated to basic intel
ligence.
Implication Of Theories
Says the report: Current
theories concerning the genet
ical factors underlying mental
illness imply that a small but
substantial proportion Of cases
must owe their origin to the
recurrence Of mutations. For
the common disease groups,
schizophrenia and manic de-
preston reaction, the situation
is not clear. In 1854 there
were approximately $4,000
cases Of schizophrenia and 81
900 Of manic Oppressive reac-
ton under hospital care in
England, Scotland and Wales.
theoretically any genes re-
sponsible for conditions like
mental illness which lower
biological fitness to a marked
degree would have been elimi-
mated from the population, or
would have become very rare,
unless they had been replaced
continually by fresh muta-
tons. Calculation on the basis
of elementary and simplif1ed
assumptions about gene ac-
ton, leads to the conclusion
that a doubling of the muta-
ton rate might raise the Incl
dence of schizophrenia by
per cent and of the manic
Oppressive reaction by IA per
cent in the first generation.
The number of extra patients
needing psychiatric care at
one time or other during their
lives would be from 5 to 10
times as great. A permanent
doubling of mutation rates
would have in each succeeding
generation an effect similar
to that in the first genera
ton. Over a very long period
the number of cases would
slowly increase until twice
the initial number was ap-
preached"
More easily estimated, the
report points out, is the prob
able increase in cases of
severe mental deficiency, such
as amaurotic idiocy, phenyl-
ketonuria and microcephaly
which are known to have a
large genetic element, Heredi-
tary conditions are known to
be responsible for at least
20 per cent of idiocy. and the
rate may be double this.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
Drive for Golfers

There have been few, If any,
charity contributions by the
thousands Of country club and
public-course golfers of the
District and nearby Maryland
and Virginia. I would like to
suggest that all golfers, ANA
teurs and professionals, in this
area contribute to a Robert
tButch) Upton Fund" to help
toward the rehabilitation Of
that brave 10-year-old boy OF
McConchie, Nd, who had both
OF his arms amputated at the
shoulders as a result Of touch
ing high-voltage wires at his
home on May 10.
If all amateur golfers, who
enter club tournaments, and II
all professional golfers and all
golf-minded spectators attend
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
On Mixinq Races

My sincere thanks to Doris
Bruffey for her most illumi-
mating history of the Ameri-
can Negro. expressed in her
letter to The Star. It was a
splendid example Of handling
the truth in an interesting
and educational manner, with
no intent whatever to de-
mean the Negro race.
History is very much akin
to racial genealogy and there
fore, more interesting because
of the successive develop
mentS. some of which will in
evitably be distasteful. This
is true of any race. Miss
Bruffey has admirably pointed
out the striking advance Of
this race from its primitive
stages to that point when,
though slaves to many in this
country. through living under
the shelter of many of our
finest families and their
family environments they
began to learn something
about the value of culture and
refinement. Many of these
traits became imbedded in
their way of thinking and
they passed these virtues on
to their own race through
their own children. Religion
began to take on a higher
meaning and their white
masters. and later employers,
built them churches and
homes in which they took
much grateful pride.
Each race has its unique
and characteristic qualities
which have found their way
very subtly into every field of
art and we marvel at it and
enjoy it.
Why. therefore, should any
one wish to mongrelize the
races and consequently de-
stroy the pricelessness of these
natural racial God-given quail
tiles?
s. G. williams.
4 %&
Nowhere in her letter does
Doris Bruffey family acknowl-
edge the immortality and in
justice of the institution of
slavery.
The mere fact that a man
is suffering from malnutrition
. and disease in the jungle does
not Justify placing him in a
concentration camp where he
may be fed better than in his
native environment.
The common rights Of the
individual appear to be ever
lastingly jeopardized by a
lot of socio-economic jibber-
jabber.
Francis X. Ohper.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27

seizures. the matter seems far
more special than that. For
the individual is compelled to
surrender to the state merely
nominally, in fact to another
individual.
Only by the most stretched
construction can this under
taking be made to jibe with
public use." The public share
in this project is restricted to
a few new Government build
ings, some landscaping, little
else apparently. The bulk of
the land is to be devoted to new
housing, and not public hous-
ing at that. About the end re-
suit there can be no mistake.
The sites now being seized
from their present private
owners will ultimately pass in
to the hands Of other private
owners, by lease or sale. And if.
as proposed, the Government
sells the land and loses con-
troll of it, it cannot guarantee
that in the years to come an
other Stun viii not take the
place Of the old, the elimina-
ton of which is its stated mo-
tive and only justification for
seizure.
A brief check reveals to me
no prototype, no neat-fitting
precedent for this project. It
seems to have emerged at this
mid-century as a desperate
measure to counterfeit a men,
ace the state has not resisted
before-blight. But whether
the right as here exercised
truly exists in the law as writ
ten is by no means as clear to
me as to the agents Of seizure
who go full steam ahead. It's
conStitutionality seems open to
question.
Confused.
4 4
There appeared this inno-
cent-looking sentence in a
press report of District con-
domination proceedings against
a Southwest house: 1.-THE Gov
eminent appraisers said that
In arriving at a fair value they
estimated the cost of repro
ducing the house at about
$500, but deducted about
400 for depreciation"
Days later while thumbing
through my tax manual for
another reason I ran across
these sentences: "You can
not take depreciation on
property you and your family
occupy as a dwelling" LOSS on
your personal residence from
condemnation, or threat Of
condemnation =. is not de-
ductible." Land (is one Of
the) examples Of assets which
do not have limited lives and
cannot be deprecated" (''Your
Federal Income Tax" Int. Rev.
Serv. Publ. No. II, 1855, PIP 3S,
40 and 50)
The Government bars the
individual from taking depre-
ciaton or condemnation loss
as a tax benefit: but when it
seizes his property, it takes
the depreciation disallowed
him and in so doing infiicts a
loss he may not deduct.
M. s.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
Western Policy

June ID, 1856, will go down
in history as a day of defeat
for Western policy and a day
on which the Western demo-
cratic powers reaped once more
the bitter fruit of appease-
ment, the lesson of which
should have been learned at
Munich. June 10, henceforth
to be observed as a national
holiday in Egypt, marked the
final elimination of the mill
tary, political, and psychology
ical cornerstone which the
British have maintained for
the past three-quarters of a
century in the Suez Canal
Zone and Egypt.
If this had meant only a
further rolling back of colo
nialism, and the realization of
a nations legitimate national
istic ambitions, it could have
been marked down perhaps as
the understandable and laud-
able march of history. If sur
render of the Suez Canal and
evacuation of Suez Canal bases
had meant only the creation
Of a military vacuum where
Western democracy has for
so long enjoyed important
strategic defensive strength, it
would have constituted a seri-
Gus military setback for the
West.
But the vacuum created in
the Suez Canal area by the
withdrawal of the British was
also a political one-which was
Immediately filed, at the in
vitation of Egypt. by the very
Com m unist power against
which the area formerly was
such a vital defensive bastion.
This could have been foreseen
by any aStute observer. The
eminent military authority of
the New York Times, Hanson
w. Baldwin. predicted it in
June. 1854, when he wrote:
at is clear, therefore, that
the impending withdrawal is
an undesirable military expe-
dent undertaken partly be-
cause of the decline of British
power. partly in the hopes of
political and psychological
gains in the Arab world. The
last named is likely to be an
evanescent hope: retreat, par
ticularly under pressure, does
not breed respect but more
pressure"
Neither the Soviet Union,
which processes a deep desire
for peace and for a lessening
of Middle East tensions while
promoting them. nor Premier
Nasser of Egypt could have
dramatized the real Signifi-
canoe of the day for the West
any better than they did by
making newly-appointed For
eign Minister Dimitri Shepilov
Of the Soviet Union, the archi-
tect of the Soviet-E gyption
arms deal, the central figure
and guest of honor at the
ceremonies celebrating the
final departure of British mil
itary power from Suez. With
Communist MICS flying over
head, Communist destroyers
and submarines in the waters
Of the Canal. Stain tanks in
the Canal Zone, and the Cairo
Radio broadcasting its anti
Western campaign TO subvert
the forces of democracy in the
Middle East. this was surely
Shepilov's moment Of triumph.
Those concerned with direct
ing Western policy in the
worldwide struggle with the
Communists would do we'll to
remember Munich--and shift
their policies before it is too
late.
Barnard 6 Whifn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
twilight

Let me be near tDhen Twilight
Begins her quiet song;
Let me be humming softly
The songs iDe loved so long.
mould not mourn for high
noon,
I mould not miss the sun,
II you and ! at tDtlight
Could iodlk topGrd the dark
as one.
Marion Leonard
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27

@. What is the so-called
universal antidote to give to
a person who has swallowed
something poisonous? T.S.T.
A. Two parts pulverized
charcoal, / part magnesiuM
oxide, l part tannic aclu.
Mix, and keep dry. Dose y
one heaping teaspoonful in q
small glass Of water. An en-
Urgency antidote is Q table,
spoons Of powdered burnt
toast, / teaspoon milk of mag
nesia. and 4 teaspoons Of
strong tea.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27

Pen names mag be used If
letters carry iDriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
SGti0n.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-27
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKTN SERVICE

A reader can get an answer BY mail
Evening star Information Biireai
lyOO Eye 81 NV. Washington 5. D C.
Please inclose 3 cents for return
postage
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Bidarka Here Gift to kAIHS

A native bidarka was brought to Kodiak by the Navy ship Tawa- koni Friday afternoon. The famed skin boat, the former Aleut pop ulation'S means of sea transpor- tation, is one of the few remain ing in existence, and was given to the Kodiak and Aleutian Is- lands Historical Society by the Mayor of Unalaska to the West ward. It is 221S feet in length and holds three men. George Cor nelius, president of the Society, was on hand when the bidarka was brought aboard the Naval Station. He was accompanied by Dr. A. Holmes Johnson, a Director in the Society, and Henry White, member in charge of transport ing the craft to Kodiak. Bob Fix, also member of the Historical Group, was on hand for picture taking.
 This is the first gift of any con. sequence to go to the Society. It is valued highly in that none is known to exist in exhibitions in the Smithsonian Institute and other museums, according to Cor nelius.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Car Turns Over
 Five Escape Death

A car driven by a teen-ager plunged over an embankment on Mission Road in front of Vine DalyS and came to rest on it's side on the beach about ? a. m. Mon- day morning. The four boys, who were occupants of the car, mirac- ulously escaped death. One is in the hospital in a critical condition.
 Joe Peterson, l9, was driving the car, which was owned by liar. ry Nelson, 22, also an occupant. According to the story released by the police, Nielsen had pur- chased a case of beer about 9:30 p. m. He and Peterson, Ted Pana- maroff, IT, Daniel VaHy, IS and Mike Bofkosky, 1s, drove around the outskirts of town along Mill Bay Road and later Mission Road. Peterson was trying to see how fast the car could go. In his state ment to the police he said he had told Nelson to watch the speedo- meter as he couldn't watch it and the road at the same time. He stated that the last time he had looked at the speedometer, it re- gistered 70. He admitted he had nine cans of beer while driving.
 At the time of the accident, Peterson apparently lost control as he was trying to negotiate a curve. The car hurtled over the embankment, struck concrete block and turned over.
 Peterson walked to Daly's house, called a cab and went home to tell his wife about the accident, and then went back to the scene. Dr. Bob Johnson was there when police arrived. Patrolman Joe Taylor and Territorial Police Cor don Nelson were Investigating officers. Two of the boys were un- conscious when the police arrived.
 Nelson has fractured skull, broken right arm and cuts about the head. Daniel Valley suffered broken left arm and cut neck. Joe Peterson sustained cuts and scratches. The other two were not injured so far as is known.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Freezing Plant May Yet Be Built

Wallace George is expected to arrive in Kodiak today from ,Ju. neau. He is the principal stock. holder in the company formed here several years ago to build 9 cold storage plant here.
 He will meet with Civic officials and local stockholders to formu. late plans to complete a. storage plant here. He heads the Juneau Ice & Cold Storage Company. sentatives, Anyone interested is cordially invited to attend, accord ing to Strash.
 The classes, which have been conducted nightly the past several months. will be resumed January Is.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Home Display
 Can Be Winner NAvf

A prize of $50 awaits the win nes in the Home Decorations con- tsss sponsored by the Elks and Emblem Club, for the best Christ mas decorated home. A second and third prize of s25 and SIS will be given also. 'a
 A similar contest was held last year. 1t created considerable in- serest and some fine displays. We expect to have more entrees this yar." Bill Lavine, chairman of the sveat, stated. we are attempting S@ encourage the less expensive sype of displays. Two of the win n&rs last year won first and se- eazssa prize on decorated windows. Rg your home has a large window which faces on the street, or where if can be easily seen by the general traffic, a few tubes of show-card paint, some cotton and paper or Hsaterial remnants, could be form ed into a very beautiful and dec awafive display. You can make yauT home an object of admiration fo< just few dollars" he con &saded.
 It is necessary to turn in a signed entry form, in order to compete in the contest. There is no entry fee. Contestants may en. ter who reside in the City of Kodiak or on the Naval Station. according to Lavine. An entry kIank will be found in this and sext weeks issue of the Kodiak Mirror.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
New Service 1naugurated

A new and important communi- cation link between the United States and Alaska was inaugural ed and opened to public service Tuesday. The link consists of an underwater telephone cable sys- tenn stretching some 1,270 miles from Port Angeles, Washington to Skagway, Alaska. This new facility links the entire Alaska Communication System with the United States, providing high quality telephone communications.
 Ceremonies conducted sinIul- taneously at Anchorage. Fair banks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Seattle and Washington, D. c. Inaugural ed the new communications facili- ties. First to make a call over the system was B. Frank Heintzle- man Governor of Alaska.
 The cable system represents two major construction projects, one financed by the ACS and the other by the Long Lines Department of the AT &TC. The total cost of the two sections of the cable is in ex- cess of $20,o00,000.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Rotary Is Party Host
Two Xmas Parties Next Saturday AIM. .

The Rotary Club is calling all Gihe children of Kodiak to attend faaeir two big annual Christmas RaFties to be held next Saturday, xt the Orpheum Theater and the USO.
 The party at the Orpheum is for the youngsters from six years old and over, according to Jess Bal Isards who is in charge of arrange lHnents. Doors to the theater will open at 10:30 a. m. An hour-long Kartoon Karnfval will be a fea- tzre of the entertainment for tn children, and has been arranged Ny Manager Skip Fletcher and the Orpheun. Santa Claus will have presents for all. according to Bal. lard.
 At 10:45 next Saturday morn ing, while the older children are enieying themselves at the thea tsr, the yosang fry will gather at szse USo for slse 6lhristmas party fs De held there. This is for all eaildren five years of age and under.
 The holding of these parties is ssaditional with the Rotary Club. They have been enjoyable affairs in past years. Proceeds from fines &vied the members throughout Inc year defray the expense.
 All children are invited to these parties. Its big day for kids prior Ca their celebration at home on Chsistuas day.
Kodiak mirror., 1956-12-15
Religious Leader Here Sunday Night

pr. Eugene c. Blake, president of the National Council of Church es in America, will arrive here today. He will deliver holiday greetings to the servicemen on the Naval Station, and speak be- fore mass meeting at the high school auditorium tomorrow eve ming.
 Dr. Blake will appear on AFRS- TV tonight. He will be a guest of honor at a dinner arranged by Rear Admiral and Mrs. Ira Hobbs. Civilian, military and religious leaders have been invited. 4
 Sunday, Dr. Blake will speak at the morning service at II. This will be held at the Billiken Thea ter. At 12 noon he will have lunch with the enlisted men in the En. listed Mems Mess hall
 Dr. Blake will be accompanied to Kodiak by Mr. Donald c. Bolles, Executive Director of Public Re lations, National Council of Chut- ches; Chaplain Martin c. PocB, USAF, Alaskan Air Command Staff Chaplain, and Chaplain john M. Highes, USAF, Senior Chap lain Elmendorf AFB.
 The meeting Sunday at the auditorium will begin at 7:30 pm, The public is invited.