davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Peace in the Coal Mines

1t is fair to believe that there is a
mutually satisfactory quid pro quo in
volved in the e-at-a-price contract
agreement reached by the majority bloc
of the soft coal industry and the United
Mine Workers. Both sides have won
something of considerable value. If there
is net "cost" it will be levied, as usual,
upon the consumers and perhaps indi-
rectly upon the overall economy in the
form of one more element of inhationary
pressure. BY itself, even the prospect of
an increase in soft coal prices does not
seem out of line with the many other
basic price increases that have followed
negotiation of major labor settlements in
recent months
For the coal industry, and for so
many other industries that depend upon
1t, the greatest value of the new agree
ment lies in its guarantee of at least
another year Of uninterrupted produc-
ton. Soft coal has made an impressive
comeback in the past two years. not only
In a booming domestic industrial market
but in foreign demand that seems fixed
at high level for some years to come.
Substantial improvement in mechanical
ton Of the mines, accepted by the u M.
w, has increased productive efficiency
far beyond the point found in any other
coal country, Earnings and profits have
kept pace, trend that now seems as
sured for another year and probably more.
Segments Of the industry that have not
yet signed are not likely to hold out for
long, and the union even has taken fur
Their steps to curtail troublesome outlaw
strikes
For the miners, the gains are equally
clear and impressive. In two stages, they
will receive a total pay increase Of So
daily plus approximately 40 cents in
fringe benefits They will, in short, share
in the prosperity OF the industry and the
promise Of fulltime operation is as pleas
ing to them as to the mine owners.
It would be unrealistic to overlook
the inflationary aspect OF wage agree
ment in these generous terms II would
be comparably unrealistic. however, to
think there was any likelihood that the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Another Local Record

This has been a good year in at least
two respects for the District of Columbia.
A report last week revealed that
major crime in the District had declined
per cent during the first six months Of
1956-as against an increase of 14.4 per
cent throughout the rest of the country.
And now the National Safety Council has
announced that Washington, during the
first eight months of the year, had the
most favorable traffic fatality record
among all cities in its population group.
This record was 26 deaths per 10000
registered vehicles "a commendable
showing when measured against the
background of rising traffic fatalities
elsewhere.
We do not think that Washington
has any reason for complacency with
respect either to traffic deaths or crime.
But the city's comparatively good showing
speaks we'll for the patient, persistent
efforts which have been made to reduce
the toll in both fields. These efforts are
paying off, and they should be diligently
continued.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Not Bad Statistics!

Those who are inclined, at this sea-
son of the year, to belittle the degree Of
prosperity in the United States are re-
ceiving little encouragement from the
facts and figures. For in the first half
of 1856, American manufacturers rang
up record sales and proflts-recording
healthy percentage gains over the same
period in 1855. And just as an indica-
ton of which way the trend was running,
the second quarter share of this boom
was higher than that Of the first three
months. Even later, in August, the peril
nent statistics showed that consumer
demand for goods was still running at an
all time high pace. At the same time,
job figures made it equally clear that this
is not prosperity confined to manufac-
turers cash registers alone. Between
August and September, unemployment
dropped by 100000 to total Of less than
two million. And, allowing for the return
Of younger workers to schools and col
leges, employment dropped by less than
100000 from the August record Of 66.7
million. Within this total farm employ
ment was up by $4,000 and manufacture
ing employment down by 100000.
There have been some uncompli-
mentary remarks about treating pros
perity as statistic" There has not yet
been devised, however, an adequate SUBJ
stitute for statistics as a nationwide
measurement Of prosperity. At this point,
the statistics look good and the prosperity
looks widely shared
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
McKeon Sentence Cut

Matthew c. McKeon, who has been
held responsible for the drowning of six
Marine recruits when he marched his
platoon into the tidal waters of Ribbon
Creek last April has had his sentence
substantially reduced by Navy Secretary
Thomas.
The court which convicted McKeon
at Paris Island sentenced him to a bad
conduct discharge, nine months at hard
labor, and fine of $270. The Navy Sec
rotary has cut this to confinement for
three months, two of which have been
served, and reduction in rank from
sergeant to private.
Many people will think that this is
grossly inadequate. Mr.. Thomas said he
had taken into account McKeon'S previous
unblemished record in the Marine Corps,
the fact that his misconduct was not
''willful' in the ordinary sense. and that
McKeon had been and would continue to
be punished by his memories" of that
April night. He added that he wanted
to give the young man chance to re-
habilitate himself, and McKeon has said
that "Ill try to be the very best private
in the Marine Corps" There is room here
for cenSorious judgments by those who
wish to pronounce them. But what can
they accomplish now? We hope that
Private McKeon will seize this oppor-
tunity to redeem himself and that he will
live up to the promise that he has made.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Forecast

A man with a message made
a prediction a half a century
ago, and according to him. the
outlook was black. On Octo-
Der 2, 1906. The Star said:
"All the dire results which
would in the ordinary course
Of things befall the nations
of this earth throughout a
period of IA years are to be
crowded into the brief space
of seven days. dating from
Sunday last, according to the
proclamation of Edmund Scrib-
mel Stevens of this city, but
formerly Of Lebanon, Pa. who
delivers a message which, he
states, was received by telep-
pathy September 30. 1856,
old style, or May 6. 1918,
new style Across the
face Of the earth, he states.
in a broad track will sweep
an unseen and unknown
desolating force. Cities will
be laid in ruins. mountains
torn asunder. parts Of con-
tinents will vanish as II they
had been swallowed up and
new grand divisions Of land
will rise from out OF the
sea. :"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

Uncle Sam, a half a century
ago, was ready to make anoth-
er try at taxing his citizens
incomes. On october 7, 1906,
The Star reported: 1.-THE be-
lief is growing in political cir
Giles that President Roosevelt
will send a message to Con-
gress before his term expires
recommending the imposition
of an income tax, or some form
of Government rake-off on
private fortunes. Everything
that he has said in recent pub
lie addresses lends color to that
opinion. OF course, the right
of the Government to impose
such tax would have to be af-
firmed by the Supreme Court
of the United States. In
the last decision Of the court
upon the constitutionality Of
the income tax the vote Of the
court was 5 to 4 against it, a
reversal of opinion on rehear-
ing. On the first hearing Of
the case the court stood the
other way, but some members
subsequently saw a new light.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Progress

Washington people living on
Georgia avenue we're. 10 put 1t
mildly, disappointed in the
progress Of their street a half
a century ago. On october 5.
1906. The Star reported: Resi-
dents Of Georgia avenue turned
out In full force last night and
attended the meeting Of the
East Washington Citizens AS
ISOLATION. Some Of them car
ried with them samples Of the
Georgia avenue mud upon
their shoes, so much that the
'all-shines-for- would
have raised his price had they
called upon him 10 render
service. But they could not
help taking the mud with
them. and 1t was used as an
object Lesson during the dis
cussion Of their grievances.
Georgia avenue. 1t was stated.
is one Of the original avenues
Of the city and, despite the
fact that II has been improved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
SPIRES OF THE SPIRIT
BY DIR. FREDERICK BROWN HARRIS
Chaplain Of the United States Senate

With deepest emotion every
true American calls the United
States of America, MY Coun-
try" Do not DR.. Samuel F.
Smiths stirring words, sung
from sea to shining sea, begin
with the ascription, my coun-
try It's of thee? That golden
coin of the republic is counter
feited in such spurious express
sions of patriotism as MY
country, right or wrong" car
ried daily as a banner on a
great newspaper. Pushed to
its logical. immoral conclusion,
that sort of patriotism can
lead to what good old DR..
johnson called 1.-The last resort
of a scoundrel."
When with fervid devotion
one thinks of our Nation at its
best, and as his heart and lips
join in the loving salutation
MY country" that does not
mean that the democracy of
which the Star-Spangled Ban
ner is the emblem is thought
of as without flaws; no grow
ing thing is. No nation is
perfect. It is made up of fall
lible individuals. Even the
church as a human organiza-
ton has blots and blemishes.
How could it be otherwise
when its members are so fall
lible and So full of defects?
The most dangerous state of
any nation is to become in
capable of self criticism.
There was a period of her
adolescence when someone
suggested that it was difficult
to get a good picture Of the
United States because the
haloS blocked the cameras
lens. But now, in the time Of
her greatest power and with an
aweSome sense of her world
mission, the burden of which
she would gladly escape if she
could, millions of her most
loyal sons and daughters sing
with a sincerity in which turks
no hypocrisy, America. Amer
lea, God mend thine every
flaw"
1t is a part of genuine democ-
racy to constantly throw a
scrutinizing searchlight upon
attitudes, acts and customs
which deny and betray the
faith we hold. Some OF these
revealing searchlights are in
the spires of churches, in the
domes of legislatures, in the
watchtowers of a free press,
and in the belfries of schools in
whose classrooms truth alone
is sacred. If that light of
constructive criticism should
ever be turned of by the hand
of self-appointed censors who
are at heart traitors to free
dom, then the glory which is
America would take its place
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
From the Record

Relative to the charge fire.
quently heard these days that
the Democratic Party is a war
party. an examination Of the
Congressional Record going
back to the Spanish-Am American
War of 1893 reveals the fol-
lowing:
April 25. 1898, 55th Con-
gress; Mckinley. President.
Senate: Republicans, 46; Dem
ocrats, "a: House: Republicans.
206; Democrats, 1874. Senate
unanimously passed Bill l0036
declaring war against Spain.
Passed by House without dis
cussion.
April 5. 1917, 65th Congress:
Wilson, President. World War
/. Senate: Republicans. Al:
Democrats, 81. House: Repub-
licans. 213a Democrats. 2i2.
epublican controlled
House,. Vote for declaration
Of warehouse: 373 yeas, so
nays, 9 not voting. Senate: 80
yeas, 8 nays. 3 not voting.
December 8. l941. 77th Con-
gress. Roosevelt, President.
World War II. Senate. Repub-
leans, %: Democrats, So.
House: Republicans, 1866: DEM
ocrats. 267. Vote for declara-
ton Of war-House: 3as yeas.
/ nay Miss Rankin, Al not
voting. Senate. 80 yeas, no
nays, 10 not voting.
June rs, 1850. slst Congress;
Truman, President. Korea.
Senate: Republicans, a.: DEM
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
THE GAME OF POLITICS
Stevenson Seen as Thin-Skinned
By FRANK R. KENT

these Eisenhower figures and
facts with any Of his own?
He did not. What did he do?
He bleated.
That is the only word to de-
scribe Stevenson's reply. He
deplored the alleged fact that
the President had now taken
the '4ow road" in this CAM
paign which previously, he de-
clared, had been followed by
his running mate Mr.. Nixon.
He said that always in a poll
tical campaign a good deal OF
nonsense was talked and he
did not mind being accused OF
talking nonsense What he
did resent was being accused
of talking wicked" nonsense.
He was hurt by such an adj
jective, which he said implied
evil, and felt that the PreSi-
dent should not have used
such "loose and reckless" Ian
guage.
Must "Take It," Too
What does Mr.. Stevenson
expect when he himself uses
loose and reckless" language?
Does he want to be petted
when he accuses a decent and
honorable man of breaking his
word and of deliberate bad
faith? Particularly does he
just think it is nonsense to
make accusations of this sort
without offering proof or even
attempting to do so? Does he
not think it is wicked and evil
to bear false witness? Most
people do. What are he and
his coon-skin running mate
crying about anyhow? 1t
might be better for them in
the long run to stop trying to
convince the voters that Mr..
Eisenhower is a fraud and a
fool and continue along the
old demagogic line of promis-
ing all the voting groups
everything they want. In
some ways their campaign re-
minds of a young candidate in
Maryland for the House Of
Delegates years ago. He was
an inexperienced. rather bib
ulous and attractive young
man with a heavy Harvard
accent. Just before he was to
make his first speech his po-
litical advisers said to him:
Nov listen, pal, you want to
make a good impression in
this speech. So don't get tight
and start talking over their
heads. They are just common
ordinary fellows"
ON, SdlQ Ine CdIlQludCc,
'leave it to me. I know how
to talk to the common, or
binary man" With that he
walked on the platform and
said: MY fellow citizens, I
come before you as a candi-
date for your vote You are
entitled to know where I
stand. This is my platform.
% Up with the mahsses; 90
Down with the clahsses; CD
Give the peopul a chawnce."
He was not elected but he en-
joyed himself and got quite
large vote.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

verified picture is not our coun-
try.
When we read with deep sat-
isfaction of the success of the
Marshall Plan in saving Europe
from utter devastation after
World War II, and remember
that we even offered to in
clude Russia and her satellites
in its benefits and know that
its unself1Sh motives were not
tied to economic colonialism.
we say proudly, That's my
country!" When we see Ameri-
ca training for self-rule terri
tory and peoples that could
have been retained as a rich
and enriching colonial prize,
such as the Philippines, in due
time given their independence
AS she had Cuba so many
years ago-we say, That is my
country" When we think of
the bundles of food and cloth
ing from the hearts and homes
of individual Americans,
amounting to astronomical
tons, a never-ceasing flood of
good will to alleviate need any,
where under all skies, with
never a thought of any gain
except the joy of relieving suf-
fering and want. we say with
swelling joy, That is my
country"
When a voice from abroad,
speaking with British accent,
the Manchester Guardian, de-
clares THE United States has
done more than any other
country to guarantee peace in
the world-It is the foremost
country in promoting the gen.
eral welfare-The United
States has done more than
any other country in the world
to help others secure pros
perity." and then speaks Of
"the broad soundness, hon.
esty of purpose, and worth of
the role America has been
playing in the world" we feel
like shouting, exultantly,
That's my country"
And when Whittier was sing
ing of the dear country Of
our love and prayer" declar-
ing that America,
Tried as By furnace fires, and
yet
BIZ Gods grace only stronger
made;
Great, Without seeking to be
great
By fraud or conquest rich
in gold,
But richer in the larger estate
OF virtue Which thy children
hold
he was lifting a TIE Deum for
his country; for which every
privileged American raises the
jubilate: My Country It's Of
Thee, Sweet Land of LIBERTY"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

target for anything that any,
one wants to throw.
Often there are representa-
tiveS of alien attitudes obnoxi-
GUS to democracy who. safe in
the protection of "our coun-
try" hurl anathemas at its
policies in language for which
they would be instantly liqui-
dated if in the lands from
which they come they dared
exercise the same right which
America freely gives them.
One of my dearest preacher
friends recently wrote: my
wife thinks so-and-So, with his
bitter, sarcastic words, should
be suppressed. Sometimes am
inclined to agree with her, for
she takes the words and ideas
she gets from him and uses
them on me-" But no one in
his right mind - our truly
American mind-would want
to see anybody suppressed.
even though his critical speech
is as full of sharp quilts as a
porcupine. A democracy is
made up of porcupines, pur-
ring pussies and parrots
perhaps too many parrots,
who echo words they do not
understand. Even though ut
terly disagreeing with what a
person says. a real American
will agree with Voltaire: II
will fight to the death for your
right to say it," One of the
highest privileges of a democ-
racy is the right to be wrong.
That is my country.
AS blasts of billingsgate blow
across the earth from the cave
of the winds called the Krem-
lin-hoarse voices that distort
our history, blacken our mo-
tives and vilify our policies
we who are a part Of America
know full well that their per-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
Immortal Joe Smith

A columnist (reverting to
the San Francisco convention)
takes a swing at a minister
who referred to Joe Smith" as
representing the man who
might think he had been left
out, or perhaps, taken in"
The columnist implies that the
minister might we'll confine his
sermons to expositions Of
truth"
What could be more like
Christianity than fair play? II
the Galilean Prophet did not
teach fair play for the indi-
vidual, especially for those in
need. the sick, the down and
out. the forgotten man, He
might as well not have lived.
He might as we'll be forgotten.
For the world had long
been accustomed to all this
INSCRIPTIONS unconscionable,
cold. merciless competition be-
fore the herald angels sang Of
the advent Of the Nazarene.
The Republicans at San
Francisco boosted Of an open
convention for the nomination
OF candidates for Vice Presi-
dent. The would-be advocate
for Joe Smith" was simply en-
deayoring TO hold them 10
their word. and he proved that
their word in this respect
meant nothing.
Now II the conventions are
going TO be run on the basis
Of pretense. deception and
sham. how viii Government,
placed in charge Of those DOM
mating the convention be
operated7
BystandeP.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

II ex-President Truman is
TO continue to attack the COM
petence Of President Essen
hover and his administration.
he owes to the American
people a fuller explanation Of
his attacks upon the Compel
ence Of Adlai Stevenson. While
Mr.. Truman during his tenure
in the White House certainly
established himself as an au-
thority on executive incompet-
ence, he nevertheless must
keep in mind the innate fair
ness and intelligence Of the
American voter who will not
accept at face value his sour
grapes" attitude toward the
Eisenhower administration.
-Four years ago. in his posi-
ton as retiring President, Mr..
Truman had a front-row seat
at the Inauguration Of Presi-
dent Eisenhower. His present
crude behavior can result
only in his being relegated 70
the deepest recesses Of pub
lie respect and acclaim.
S. II. z.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

strong and disciplined mine workers
union would end up with contract that
could be compared unfavorably with that
in any other major industry. The fact
that this one has been agreed upon with
out strike and the costs that inevitably
result from a strike is SO much to the
good. This level of labor relations
craftsmanship" may have its price, but
the alternative of closing down an indus
try before finding an area of agreement
usually has an even higher charge.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07

In the past week Adlai E.
Stevenson has shown a side Of
his character in which neither
his personal nor his political
friends can take much pride
or view with very great salts
faction. What he seems to
have demonstrated is that he
is one of those politicians
who can dish it out" but
can't take it,"
For example. in recent
speeches and statements which
pour out from his press
agents in a steady stream, he
has accused President Eisen-
hover Of a number Of more
or less heinous offenses. He
asserts that the President is
dominated by the "big-busi-
ness" interests and cares
nothing about the welfare Of
the small farmer" and small
businessman" He alleges
that he is a feeble Presi-
dent who has neglected his
duties and is against the
working men and women. He
alleges that he has broken
his promises. bungled our for
eign policies and falsely
claimed credit for many things
which he did not do at all.
He blames Mr.. Eisenhower for
the failure to provide for
more schools for American
children and higher pay for
their teachers.
MisrepresentS Record
In brief, Mr.. Stevenson has
personally misrepresented the
Eisenhower record and as
persed the Eisenhower motives.
And for this he was vocifer-
ously cheered by the Truman
"give- 'em-hell" elements of his
party. though some Of his jour-
nalistic supporters expressed a
certain degree of disappoint-
ment. Though he made these
charges with great vigor and a
show of spurious indignation.
for none of them did Mr.. Ste
venson present any data or
supporting facts. In brief, he
made the charges, but offered
no proof. merrily going his
wise-cracking way across the
country, as though there were
no reason in the world to
bother about whether or not
he was justified in what he
said.
That is. he did go along
merrily until on Monday last,
the President, without men,
tioning his name, called the
good Adlai a confused can
didate" and declared that he
was talking a lot of wicked
nonsense" In support of this.
the President presented various
facts and figures. He likewise
asserted that it was Mr.. Ste
venson's own party which had
killed his educational bill in
/ the last session of Congress.
He further cited various other
legislative actions which Mr..
Stevenson now favors, but the
passage of which the Demo-
Gratis in Congress had blocked.
Did Mr.. Stevenson answer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-07
LETTERS TO THE STAR

ocrats, 81; House: Republicans,
1853; Democrats, 26l. No vote
taken, but Truman's action
approved in speeches by SEN
ators Knowland. Saltonstall,
Smith New Jersey, Lodge
and Morse-all Republicans.
Conference at White House
when Truman notified Con-
gressional leaders Of his in
tended action was attended
by most members Of the
House and Senate Foreign AZ
fairs Committees" and APP
proved.
w. r. Graham.