davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
Transit Comes First

The Metropolitan Area Authority
proposed by Representative Broyhill Of
Virginia in bill he plans to introduce
would have wide-ranging operating
powers in many fields of public trans
portation, including transit. Some agency
OF this sort has been advocated by citizens
and organizations concerned over ever
growing regional traffic and transit prob
lens. Many persons who have studied
the complex local situation, with its d.
vided jurisdictions and conflicts, believe
that the ultimate solution lies in this
long-range plan for an overall authority.
It is so long-range in it's potentiali-
ties, however, that any legislation on the
subject ought to be laid aside in favor Of
Immediate short-range legislation to deal
with Washington's current transit crisis.
The transit problem is difficult enough,
standing alone, to demand exclusive at
tention Of Congress in its consideration
OF a local transportation authority. It
would only complicate the task and delay
solution If the scope of the authority
plan were to be widened to include not
only StreetcarS and buses but bridges,
airports, harbors and other transport
facilities. Let's get the transit mess
cleaned up first.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
Division on Merqers

There are clear overtones Of partisan
politics in the divided report released
by the House Judiciary subcommittee
that has been investigating business
mergers The Democrats find that efforts
of the Federal Trade Commission and
the Department Of Justice have been
negligible for the most part" in enforc-
ing the laws regulating such combina-
tons The Republican minority, in dis
senting conclusion, finds that the ETC
was giving only token" attention to the
problem before the change in administra-
ton in 1858 and that the Department OF
Justice merits, not the criticism which
the committee now levels, but the warm
est praise" for its elaboration and care.
On the basis of these conflicting
views it is difficult to tell how construc-
tive the House inquiry has been to date.
With Congress returning next month,
however, 1t is virtually certain that the
question posed by the record number and
variety of mergers taking place since 1850
will receive continuing legislative atten-
ton and that the executive agencies will
have no opportunity for laxness.
1l6Te Is ample TOOIIl, VI COuloCJ 1oA
differences of opinion about mergers.
since there are different factors involved
in almost every case. The concept that
competition is desirable and monopoly
abhorrent is traditional in American eco
nomic thinking. The major consideration
to be taken into account by public
authorities, then, is the impact of mergers
on competition. A number Of laws-of
which the Sherman Act of 1890 and the
Clayton Act of 1914 are basic-conStitute
safeguards against mergers that are con-
sidered harmful on this ground. There
are, however, numerous other motivations
for mergers. In some cases, combina-
ton of small companies increases COM
petition vis-a-vis existing giants in an
industry. In other cases, Investigation
of production or an Indignation of opera
lions through mergers permits greater
economy in operation and lower selling
prices. There have been combinations,
too, where companies have established
stronger financial structure or more
competent management through mergers.
And in some cases, the averaging of profit
and loss records has brought substantial
tax benefits. 1t is the duty OF proper
agencies, therefore, to determine the
reasons and the effects involved in each
merger. The fact that there have been
so many In recent years warrants atten-
ton but not necessarily a wholesale
condemnation,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
A Developing Challenge

The congressional Subcommittee on
Economic Sterilization has reached log
ical conclusion in recommending cur
rently against any "broad-gauge" legis-
lation designed to cope with the problems
created by attenuation in industry. For
automation-the control of machines by
other machines-is in such relatively
early, even though rapid, stage Of de-
velopment today that its real implica-
tions are by no means clear enough to
warrant counteraction. Indeed, ad-
vances in this new science of automatic
controls were so staggering in 1855 that
the total knowledge has not yet been
pooled in way to permit an authorita-
tive evaluation. Some Of it, in fact, still
is hidden behind the imposed secrecy of
military experimentation; some of 1t
closely held by competitors in industrial
developments.
wisely. the committd points out that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
@. Why are Masons known

@. Why are Masons known
as Free Masons "?-E.L.W.
A. The earliest use of the
name Free Mason" appears
to have been in the 14th CEN
tury, applied to actual stone
maSons and those in the build
ing trade who were of a higher
grade than the ordinary work.
men. These free maSonS were
free agents, able to- travel
about and offer their services.
BY the period of the 18th and
18th centuries, the term free
mason became used to dis
tinguish the honorary mason
from the actual operative ma
son. This usage has, however.
resulted in confusion and dis
pute concerning the term
Free Mason"
@. What are the most
harmful effects Of smog as 1t
occurs in Los Angeles and
numerous other large cities?
H. N. A.
A. In addition to human
health hazards, affecting
chiefly the eyes Rnd respira-
tory system, smog Is harmful
to livestock. vegetation. paint
ed surfaces and structural
materials. A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
First Things First

President Eisenhower has emphasized
economic prudence In his proposed fiscal
policy for the Federal Government. In
these good times, he made clear in
his state-of-the- Union message, the Fed
eral budget should be brought into bal
ance and start made at paying off the
enormous national debt. Only when these
specifications are met, he went on, can
a reduction in the burdenSome tax load
be justified.
This order of priority reflects most
clearly Mr.. Eisenhowers philosophy on
fiscal affairs. AS he pointed out, con-
tinuous deficit financing in business or
personal life leads to bankruptcy; in gov
eminent, 1t leads to imitation and to
destruction of monetary values. He fore
sees an end to deficit financing In the
present fiscal year with the budget in
balance by June 80. He will propose, he
said, new budget in balance for the next
fiscal year. He implied, then, that there
will be provision for modest" start at
reducing the national debt.
But in placing these detectives ahead
OF tax reduction, the President is not
necessarily closing the door to relief this
year. Rather consistently, revenues have
been exceeding estimates in recent years
and the record high levels of business
activity and personal income indicate
that this may be the case again this year.
Furthermore, the President recommended
an extension Of present rates on excise
and corporation income taxes for another
year, instead Of allowing them to drop
this spring as scheduled. Coupled with
possible economies in Government ex-'
penditures, the revenue picture offers
considerable promise for both debt and
tax reduction.
There will be pressure, of course, for
early action on tax relief-always a temp
tation in an election year. The Presi-
dents formula is a much Sounder one,
however. Influential figures IN both po-
litical parties and in both branches of
Congress already have indicated their
approval. There is opportunity here for
executivelegislative teamwork that will
carry on what the President described as
building a stronger, better America"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
Foure's Appeal

In terms OF the popular vote reg
istered In France on Monday, there is
some comfort to be derived from the fact
that the extremiStS-the Communists on
the far left and the neo-FaScist and
Iunatic-frtnge elements on the far right
have not acquired any new strength.
On the contrary, again in terms of their
percentage share of the total number Of
ballots cast, they have actually lost
ground compared to their showing in the
last national election, in 1851.
Unfortunately, however, although
this Is point Of considerable significance
as a measure of the French political
temper, the extremists have nonetheless
formidably increased their power to sab
otage and paralyze the parliamentary
process in Paris. This is so because of
the divisions and feuds that have riven
the relatively moderate parties and fac
lions headed by such men as Premier
Faure and former Premier Mendes-
France. In the 1851 election these In
between forces went to the polls as allies,
and they accordingly Jared rather we'll.
But on Monday their story was different.
war with themselves. And as a result,
under Frances complex electoral law,
the Communists have picked up an ad-
ditional So seats in the National Assembly,
giving them total of about 150 At the
same time, on the far right, demagogic
and Fascist-tinged new party-the Pou-
jadists-has won no fewer than 81 seats
DC
~extremes-if they operate in combination,
as they are likely to do on many vital
isSues-will be able to marshal almost a
third of the National AssemblyS 627 votes
against any government replacing that
of the outgoing Premier Faure. Accord
ingly, even more so than ever before in
It's postwar history, France can hardly
fail to escape continuing and mounting
political instability If the moderates do
not patch up their differences. For the
Communists and the Poujadists, together
with the dissident elements in between,
will now have extra power to immobilize
parliamentary procedures and topple one
cabinet after another in dizzying sue
cession, unless the "right-center" and
"left-center" parties smoke a peace pipe
and organize themselves into durable
coalition. Certainly, in calling upon Mr..
Mendes-France and others for such a
coalition-a coalition that would enact
constitutional reforms to strengthen the
executive branch-Mr. Faure has not
exaggerated in suggesting that there is
no alternative but to drift toward an
anarchy form of governmental
paralysis.
AS matters stand, Of course, the
"right-center" and "left-center" groups
control between themselves more than
majority of the Assembly's seats. But
what remains to be seen is whether they
have the wisdom to rise above mean and
petty politics and act in a patriotic and
affirmative manner on Mr.. Faures APP
peal At the moment, sundered as they
are, they seem in no mood to do so. Yet
how can they do less without defaulting
on their duty in a way that could gravely
injure not France alone but the entire
Western aHanceP A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07

the benefits Of advancing technology and
increasing productivity must not be
denied to the national economy. To adj
just to these changes, industry, labor
and Government must be alert to the
dislocations created and must cooperate
in time in their solution. Attenuation,
in effect, amounts to new industrial
revolution, but one that promises greater
rewards than damages. It's real chal-
lenge is in It's adaptation to our economic
system, and it is challenge that cannot
be met by restrictions through hasty
and perhaps ill-advised laws.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
THE POLITICAL MILL
By GOULD LINCOLN
Democrats Find Message Disturbing

balanced and that balance
must include payment on the
huge and staggering national
debt, Senator johnson also
favored q return to the 90 per
cent Of parity. rigid price
supports for farmers ''basic
crops" This President Eisen-
hover IL not for.
Senator Johnson's promise
Of favors TO the low-incoms
group-through tax reduction.
and to the farmers through
rigid 90 per cent price sup
ports-certainly has its "polit-
ical overtones." But why not?
This is q campaign year. and
the Democrats are doing their
best to line up the numerous
low-income group and the
farmers, to give them victory.
Nor is it strange that the DEM
ocrats find President Eisen-
hower's message contains "po-
ntical overtones."
One of the Presidents rec
concentrations, which left the
Democrats, both the conserva-
tives from the South and the
liberals from the North, snort
ing with indignation. deals
with civil rights" especially
for the Negroes. He proposed
the creation by Congress Of a
bipartisan commission to look
into charges that Negroes. in
some areas, are being deprived
Of their right to vote and are
likewise being subjected to UNI
warranted economic pressures.
The Southerners, particularly
those from Mississippi. took
the ground that the States. not
the Federal Government, were
concerned with such problems.
Distasteful to Democrats
The Northerners saw the
President stirring a witches
caldron for the purpose Of
embarrassing the Democratic
Party as a whole and losing it
the votes of Negroes in the
North and West. 1t is extreme
ly doubtful, therefore. that this
Democrat-controlled Congress
will adopt this suggestion Of
the President. The President did
not say who should be mem
bers of such commission. But
If members Of Congress were
to serve. and Senator Lehman
Of New York and Senator East
land Of Mississippi and Rep
resentative Clayton Powell of
New York, all Democrats,
should. be included, the pro-
posed investigation might be-
come highly dramatic.
The President enumerated
all the steps taken by his ad-
ministration to do away with
segregation and discrimination
because Of race and religion.
He laid no claim to the SUI
preme Courts decision out
having segregation in public
schools-but the inference was
there. Quite naturally. Demo-
Gratis who have relied upon
the Negro vote in Northern
States for years found little
to relish in the Eisenhower
comments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

selling novels would be pub
lished.
Since it cannot, 1t must re-
main a secret.
About all the reader can
know Of it is that it is some
thing worth while, in general,
and especially so in particular.
y
The appeal of such a classic
as Jane Austen's Emma" is
to the individual reader. II
masses of readers like the
book. so much to the good, but
1t is not necessary.
When the dear lady took
this book, Of all the thousands
she knew. for her last reading,
she was putting not only the
seal Of her opinion on it, as a
story. but was sanctifying the
verdict Of countless other
readers.
Jane Austen is a quiet
writer.
She does not leap at you.
Nobody ever told her that her
stories had to have a narrative
hook, or asked If they were
triggered in. or if she had as
sured the glance level, or had
taken cognizance of the me"
angle.
No. she just wrote from her
heart and mind, IN her own
way. without flubdub, always
true to herself and others.
1t makes a wonderful COM
bination. and has resulted in
her stories being among the
most satisfying ever written,
with a peculiar appeal which
keeps them as bedside books
of those who constitute the
reading elite. This may sound
SnobbiSh. but it isn't. Every
one who reads Jane Austen
feels that way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07

The Democratic Policy Com
mittee Of the Senate does not
like the political overtones" Of
President Eisenhower's state
of-the- Union message. The
COMMITTEES, asserting its mem
bers had attempted to CO.
operate with the administers
ton in matters Of national
interest. expressed its disap-
pointment In o statement read
by Senator Lyndon johnson Of
Texas. majority leader. Il
Nature Of "Overtones" z
What are these "overtones"?
The first. as correctly dag
nosed by the Democrats, was
the Presidents claim Of peace
and prosperity for the Union
and its people. The second Is
a program Of legislation, look
ing to the welfare Of the Ma
ton, which the Democrats may
disregard, but at their own
peril. The third lies In the
nature Of The entire message,
which amounts to q platform
on which President Eisen-
hover. or any other Repub-
hcan candidate for President.
or any candidate for Congress,
can stand with satisfaction
and q large degree of hope for
victory in this national cleo
ton year.
The message gave assurance
that the Federal budget will be
balanced when the new fiscal
year begins next July, the
fiscal year 1857. To Demo-
cratic ears this promise Is
decidedly political in its over
Unconstitutional they cannot
afford to attack a balanced
budget. The more politically
minded Democrats have been
hoping that the Republican
Observation-Disclosures in 1852
promised to bring the budget
in balance-might fail of this
goal, especially on the eve of
an election.
President Eisenhower de-
voted. too. a considerable part
OF his message to the problem
Of the American farmer, to
whom he promised the utmost
effort by the administration
for relief. Here is the prob
lem. the issue, on which the
Democrats have relied and
continue to rely, in great part,
for victory at the polls in the
national elections next fall.
Majority Leader Of the Sem
ate johnson not long ago pro-
duced a 13-point program for
the Congress-which was in
terpreted in many quarters as
a Democratic platform. This
program differed in two ajor
respects from President Eisen-
hower's. as given in the state
of-the-Union message. Sena-
tor johnson favored an in
come tax reduction, through
lower rates or increased ex-
emptions, which would benefit
particularly the low-income
group. The President prom
Used no tax reduction-al-
though ne did not entirely
close the door. But first, he
insisted, the budget must be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07

When a famous literary
figure went to the hospital.
what was the book she took
with her?
Emma" by Jane Austen.
This choice will please all
those readers who think this
one of the greatest stories
ever written.
1t is a novel by the lady
practitioner whose kindly acid
wit has had many imitators
since, some of them very good.
but none quite her equal.
We think that a fair state
ment.
Jane Austen pleased the
little and the great. Among
the former are millions of
everyday readers. In the latter
class. no less a writer than
Sir Walter Scott said he never
tired of Persuasion"
There was just one whom
she could not please, and this
was Theodore Roosevelt.
This doughty reader and
writer, in both of which classes
he excelled, would not allow
the lady to get to first base.
Her books bored him, and
he said so.
Yet later in life he was to
give enthusiastic praise to one
of her imitators.
Life is, at best, a strange
proposition, as George Cohan
once said in one of his best
songs.
There is no telling just what
makes one man like one au-
thor, dislike another
The taste in fiction is notori-
ously odd, or publishers would
be able to hit the jack pot
every time.
AS it is, they must put out
a hundred stories to get one
best seller.
X \
A best selling piece Of fic-
ton does one great thing.
1t hits the mass market.
It plays on the herd instinct,
but here is it's great triumph:
This is herd instinct at its
best.
Many facets are brought
into play in any best selling
novel, but basically it possesses
something that makes a COM
mon appeal.
Many persons go through
life trying to get away from
the herd instinct, in all its
phases, only to find at last that
there is something good in the
old thing. after all.
Herd or mass instinct is not
all bad, or silly. as when the
teen-age girls rock the room
in recognition of a singing
favorite.
Even parents stood in dis
may at the sight of their inno-
cent daughters succumbing to
some of the lesser emotions.
This was the herd at its worst,
or close to 1t.
There was and is a better
side, and it exists exactly at
the point a good piece of fic-
ton makes an appeal to thou
sands. sometimes millions. Of
dissimilar souls.
The secret Of the appeal is
unknown. II 1t could BE- put
into words, nothing b best
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
Tracks In Snow

This is a morning OF tiny
tracks,
Birds foot trianoles, dent OF
pau,
Plain and pure as II wrought
In tDdT-
As pretty a sight as ! ever
SdD.
Intricate, delicate, neat as
lace
Friends Nth feathers and
friends NTH fur
Must haze been up and about
the place
Before lazy people iDere dstir.
Rabbit and sparrow. squirrel
and pole
Friends ,Dhose names / may
neuer knoD
Unless decipher an elfin
scroll
OF StDeet, tpild signatures In
snoD.
Minnie Hits Moody
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07

on Vir0inid's Gray Plan.
sion's plan Is an attempt to
circumvent the decision Of the
Supreme Court, with q view Of
maintaining segregation as far
as possible, but isn't that the
right Of the citizen of the
United States, of the separate
States. and a taxpayer Of the
land, to rise up against such
an invasion as is being per-
petrated upon them and which
is specifically pointed at the
Southern States Of the United
States?
Needless to say, I am over
whelmingly in favor OF the ref
erendum scheduled to be voted
on by the people on January 8
and I hope that the patriotic
citizens Of Virginia, the coura-
geous Virginians. stand for
their rights and on the desig-
mated day of election unani-
mously indorse the actions Of
their legislators and give the
constitutional convention as
proposed a landslide of accord.
II there is any question in the
minds of anyone as to the re-
suits Of indignation, I suggest
that he take a trip to Wash
ington!
Stirling NJ. Harrison,
Commemorative Attorney.
Loudoun County, Va.
So many Of the misguided
people opposing the Gray re-
port in Virginia use aliases,
such as "a Christian" ETC.,
that it is refreshing to find one
who Is not afraid to sign his
real name for once. I refer to
the letter in The Star Of jan
uary 3, signed Virginia Imbe-
cile." II l had a vote in Vir-
GINA such letters would GER
tairlly influence my vote and I
would vote for the Gray report.
G. NJ. KOockogey.
On January 8. I shall vote
In favor Of the constitutional
convention to amend section
l4l Of the Virginia State con-
stitution, for the following
reasons:
Because I do not believe In
forcing either white or Negro
parents against their will to
send their children to mixed
schools. Coercion is the an
tithesis Of democracy.
Because I am interested not
merely in what is going to
happen to the schools Of the
county Of my present residence
Fairfax), but in the future
Of the elementary and second
airy schools throughout the
State and throughout the
South. Faced with the alter
natives of forced indignation
or the closing of the public
schools, many communities
will choose the latter. The OPP
ponents Of the Gray Plan do
not take this possibility seri-
ously. Believe me. 1t is real.
My belief is based not on
theory or on secondhand in
formation, but on the init
mate experience gained in five
years of living and teaching
in the deep South. and many
subsequent visits to that re-
gion. Many sections of our
own State share with the people
of the deep South an abhor-
renee of racial amalgamation.
In the face of the Gus
toms Of generations we can
preserve our school system not
by forcing a mixing Of the
races where it is desired only
by the NAACP. but by provid-
ing an alternative for those
who claim the inalienable
right to choose the social en-
vironment of their children.
Because I believe that GER
tain groups Of Protestant
clergymen, among whom I
number friends and college
classmates, have let their mis-
sionary zeal run away with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

A reader can get an answer to any
1actuai question by writing The
Evening Star Information Bureau,
1900 Eye st NV, Washington S,
D. c Please tnclose 4 cents for re-
turn postage
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07
LETTERS TO THE STAR

These are the last letters The .
Star ,oiH be able to publish
on VirQinid's Gray Plan.