davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Bottle of Christmas Cards

There are at least some civilians, not
connected with the Christmas card trade,
who may feel that Army Chief Of staff
Taylor's attempt to discourage the ex-
change Of such greetings among his sub
ordinates is not without merit.
The trouble lies in the compilation
of lists of those from whom cards are
received one Christmas, in order to re-
ciprocate the courtesy on the following
Christmas. This is battling sometimes in
the civilian world. In military estab-
lishment the practice can become highly
complicated A lieutenant, for example,
who received a Christmas card from a
general to whom he has failed to send
one, probably quakes in his boots for
IL months. The following Christmas he
sends one not only to that general, but
all generals, colonies, majors and cap
tainS whose names he can remember.
His Superiors, receiving such communica-
lions, remind themselves not to forget
the lieutenant next Christmas, lest the
lieutenant feel that he is the victim Of
rank discrimination.
And so It goes. The thing snowballs,
as one tired officer explained. 1t gets out
Of hand. It centuries up disturbing spec
tacles of the whole Pentagon involved
in turmoil over Christmas cards, instead
Of planning how TO win the next peace.
The fact that the Air Force follows
different policy, and encourages the
exchange Of Christmas cards among its
personnel is OF course, confusing. But
no more so than other differences be-
tween the Army and the Air Force. Hav-
ing settled the row over who has which
guided missiles. Secretary Wilson, sooner
or later, must iron out this difference Of
opinion on the Christmas card issue. It
BODIES no good for unifcation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Reflects on Election

Regional resentment inside
the Democratic Party is not
new. But with Senator Hubert
Horatio Humphrey and others
promising an attack on the
Senate rules in 1857. bitter
days are ahead. The goal. of
course, is the filibuster mot
unused by even Northern lib
erals), which has saved the
American people a lot Of I'M
pleasantness.
Other Northern Democrats
speak Of a victory celebration.
How's that again?
President Eisenhower won
Tennessee by $3.50 majority,
versus 2.437 in 1852. thanks to
the Honorable Sims Crownover
and mis- associates. who took
1920 votes away from Ste
venson and Kefauver and gave
them to Andrews as q protest
vote.
Whereas. a Republican was a
rare sight In the section Of
Dixie where / lived as a child.
such is no longer the case. And
the old cry, Look. yonder goes
a Republican," Is outdated.
Witness Louisiana. which voted
Republican. rejecting the good
sense Of whites and Negroes
alike. who think in terms Of
moderation. like Ike. Al the
same tire, many voted against
Kefauver because he In his
thinking was out Of step with
the times. II also was q
glorious opportunity 20 give
Reuther, the ADA and the
NAAcP q kick IN the pants
that viii not soon be forgotten
and they made the most Of
Col Jacob Arysg = quoted
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Inaugural Idea

Every four years. for the
presidential inaugural. the
Government buys the very
finest lumber to build tempo
rary stands and seats In front
Of the Capitol and the White
House.
On the day following inau-
guration, wrecking begins. and
the lumber is sold at a frac-
ton Of the original cost.
Why doesn't the admins
tration have these stands and
seats prefabricated as perma-
nent. demountable props TO be
erected when needed. and
stored when not in use?
The demountable seats could
be used from time to time for
the numerous Washington
parades. and. II q new munic-
ipal stadium Is erected. the
seats could be both used and
stored at the same time.
I understand that the Gov
eminent is giving cash awards
70 employees who offer money
saving suggestions. II this one
Is adopted. ! promise 70 donate
the proceeds 10 a fund for the
welfare Of the over-educated.
under-fed Mcnvaine clan.
Paul McIIvaine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
SPIRES OF THE SPIRIT
A Benediction on Two Leqs
By DIR. FREDERICK BROWN HARRIS
CHAPLAIN Of the United States Senate

A great heart is dead. His
name, Chris Jensen, mission
airy to Korea and to all the
world it is written on thou
sands of hearts as the mourn
ers go about the streets of
two continents. But in his
case, an obituary is not a
characterization it is a jubi-
late. Behold a servant of God
and of man who was indeed a
spire of the spirit. For these
dedicated moments we shall
turn away from the shouting
and turmoil of these bitter
days with their narrowing an
mails of misery and murder to
think of one who, for faithful
and heroic years, toiled terri
bly, yet radiantly. The great
heart who has so suddenly left
us gazing at a vacant place
against the sky, was a bene-
diction on two legs. But a, few
days ago entering a jeep as.
after a conference he emerged
from the American Embassy
in Seoul. he went out and up,
surely with the commentator
of the Master of all good
workmen. Of no man Of this
stricken generation does Saint
Paul's parting valedictory APP
ply with more appropriateness.
Il have fought a good fight.
have kept the faith. ! am
ready"
But q few weeks ago this
dynamo of ceaseless energy
grasped my hand as / stood
IN the receiving line at a diplo-
matte reception in the capital
Of the Republic Of Korea. He
pied for a f1fteen-minute talk
and 1 stepped out of that line
to hear a burning message
from his lips. knew that for
fruitful years he had been a
flaming herald Of the evangel
n that dear land. I knew also
that he epitomized in his own
poignant experience the cruci-
fixion which Korea has en-
dured. For, as a captive of
the Communists. Chris Jen-
sen had faced with intrepid
spirit three years Of a living
death. Again, like Paul. he
had been in the clutch Of a
totalitarian power, with all its
horror Of pain and peril and
persecution. After three years.
during which not even his de-
voted wife knew whether he
was dead or alive, he was ex-
changed by way of Moscow
and came out scarcely able to
stand and weighing less than
100 pounds. The inhuman suf-
fering he and other prisoners
of like faith were subjected to
by their cruel captor is a tale
of horror.
When the Communists were
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Administering the Courts

1t is significant that the Federal judi
cial circuits with the worst backlogs of
cases are administered by judges well
over 70 years old. Three of these preSid-
ing judges, with heavy administrative
responsibilities in addition to their reg
ular judicial duties, are 70, 80 and SO years
old. Circuits with young chief judges, on
the other hand, have made good progress
in speeding up trials and reducing the
frustrating delays which hamper justice
in civil and criminal cases.
There is logic, therefore, in the rec
concentration of the Judicial Conference
of the United States that chief judges Of
district and appellate circuits be required
by law to relinquish administrative duties
on reaching 20. This plan would enable
the older judges to devote all their time
to trying cases, while younger and more
vigorous judges took over the job of keep
ing the judicial machinery moving at
maximum speed and efficiency
The conference also has proposed
that wider use be made of pretrial proce-
dures in civil cases, as a means of narrow
ing legal issues and thus reducing the
amount of time required to try cases in
court. Such procedures already are in
use here and in a number of other juriS-
dictions. However, the pretrial confer
ence plan has been resisted in number
of circuits-and a slowing down of justice
has been evident.
1t is gratifying that the Department
of Justice and the courts are collaborating
in a program designed to expedite the
handling of cases in the Federal circuits.
The log jams in some Federal courts are
disgraceful, with delays of up to four
years occurring in the trial of civil cases.
More judges, as urged by Attorney Cen
eral Brownell, would help, of course. But
great deal to improve the situation un-
doubtedly could be done by the present
judges, through administrative and pro-
cedural reforms.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

leagues. The last word they
caught from his lips expressed
pride and privilege in being al
lowed to walk with Christ, the
Via Volorosa. But all this was
only the beginning of a
stretched-out torment still to
come that somehow our great
heart found strength and grace
to endure. Do you wonder that
I dropped out of that recep-
ton line, with its barrage of
nonessential chatter, to talk
to one whose shoe laces / was
not worthy to unloose and who
still carried the marks Of the
nails? Now great heart is dead.
A letter here before me recent
ly received from him, written
in his own hand, says II have
so many irons in the fire. We
have in Korea not only a full
time task in our own Korean
Church fellowship but also the
American Embassy, the Ameri-
can Army. and the U. N. per-
sonnet, fill up our time. We
have many difficulties to face
in Korea these days. but some
how we are given courage for
the task" And now hosts Of
friends will miss the vibrant
letters of this modern apostle
who wore out his strength in
the service Of his adopted
country, Korea.
MultitudeS could say Of him,
as Robert Louis Stevenson said
Of another great missionary,
HE was far bigger than any
church. To meet him was to
meet one who represented the
essential. so free from the for
NAL and from all sham" When
years ago another noble and
kingly missionary, James
Chalmers, was cruelty MUIR
dered by those in New Guinea
he sought to serve. and the
words James Chalmers is
dead" electrified and saddened
England, John Oxenham de-
MED that news in stirring
words. Let us borrow his lines
to give us the sacred assur-
ance as men everywhere are
saying: Chris Jensen is dead:
Great Heart is dead. they
say,
Nor dead nor sleeptng-he
Iiues onl His name
Shall kindle many a heart
to equal flame,
The fire he kindled shall
burn on and on
Til all the darkness of the
land be gone
And all the Kingdoms of the
earth be non
And one:
A soul so fiery stDeet can
neDer die
But Hres and loUes and works
through all eternity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
THE CANE or POLITICS
Donkey Broys BroveIy After TrompIed
BY FRANK r. KENT

Possibly there have been in
the past less fruitful political
conferences than that held
early last week in washington
by members Of the Democratic
National Committee sum-
moned by Chairman Paul
Butler to lay down a policy
and program for the party's
future and prepare for vic
tory" in 1858 and 1860.
But if there has been one
less fruitful it cannot now be
recalled. At any rate. there
was one political realist at the
conference in the person of
Col. Jake" Arvey, Demo-
cratic boss Of Illinois and the
man who in 1852 and also in
, 1856 was more responsible for
the nomination Of Adlai Ste
venson than any other. Col.
Arvey is national committee
man for Illinois and q very
practical politician, indeed.
After listening to- a number
of speeches about the great
victory" of the Democrats in
retaining control of Congress
by a margin Of one vote in
the Senate and of the de-
STABILITY of celebrating this
victory" with a victory"
dinner and ball simultaneously
with the second Inauguration
of President Eisenhower, Col.
Arvey very dryly said at the
close of the conference: 1T is
all very well to talk about
this great victory and the
idea of celebration. but it
seems to me we were hit by
a truck"
Farm Policy Cited
No one has replied to that
realistic observation. The rea-
son, Of course, is that there is
no adequate reply. That 10
million popular Eisenhower
majority very greatly outweighs
that single vote in the Senate
and the 20-odd votes against
him in the House, whenever
Mr.. Eisenhower chooses to in
yoke it in behalf of either
domestic or foreign policies
which are clearly in the ma
tional interests. One example
is the farm policy advocated
by Secretary of Agriculture
Benson and strongly Endorsed
by the President. This policy
a short time ago was denounced
by Senator Kefauver, now one
of the titular leaders of his
party, as disastrous" and dis
honest" Immediately, follow
ing the Kefauver denunciation,
the National Grange. oldest,
most respected and most in
fiuential of all farm organiza-
lions, Endorsed the Eisenhower
Benson farm plans and policies,
Considering this. not many
have real doubt that the COM
ing Congress will go along with
the Eisenhower administra-
tons farm program.
The truth is that. despite
Democratic majorities in both
Senate and House, the more
astute observers Of the con-
gressional scene believe that
Mr.. Eisenhower will have con-
siderably more success in get
ting his program through in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

Congress opened a session
so years ago, and the public
was interested. no matter what
the political pundits thought.
On December 8, 1906. The
Star reported: THE fact that
both houses of Congress were
to meet today for the short
session had the effect early in
the day of giving the Capitol
an appearance of activity such
as it has not presented since
adjournment last June. The
first day of a session never
develops much interest to
those used to attending the
sessions of Congress, but no
other day Of a session seems
to possess greater charm for
the average citizen. Today was
evidently not to be an excep-
ton to the rule, as the cor
ridors were not without visi-
tors even before Senator's and
Representatives had begun to
arrive. and there was a marked
increase as the day advanced
Most Of the attendants were
from out Of the city. and there
was the usual importantly OF
m m bers for tickets. These
we're. as usual, freely given.
and for the time at least both
Congressman and constituent
were happy. Both visitors and
m m bers found the great
building in excellent shape to
receive them. Vast as is the
structure, 1t has been thor
oughly renovated, both inside
and out. during the recess, and
1t looked as clean and inviting
as many newer buildings. =. :"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

vice to others. he was captured.
Most of the other missionaries,
including his wife, escaped in
the nick of time. The priS-
oners were literally dragged
along with insufficient cloth
ing and food, often in bitter
weather. They were driven on
day by day from one miserable
overnight stopping place to
another. They knew all kinds
of privations and indignities.
At the slightest provocation
they were beaten without
mercy. The haunting dread
was the knowledge that if be-
cause Of ebbing strength their
weakened limbs and swollen
feet could no longer obey even
an iron will, and they sank to
the ground, that meant the
the end. Soon along would
come a squad of Communist
butchers, whose gruesome task
it was to shoot such victims
and leave them lying dead by
the way. Our "benediction"
was often on the verge of fall
ing. thinking each day would
be the last, but somehow try
ing to bolster up the others he
managed to keep upon his own
feet. During the last days,
with the physical and mental
resources of the surviving
prisoners almost gone, they
reached the Yalu River, across
which the defeated ruffians
ought to have been hurled
when long before we had them
on the run.
The pitiable captives car
ried in their trembling arms a
Catholic priest to prevent him
from being slaughtered If he
fell out Of that tottering line.
But while they saved him from
the fatal shot at the end Of
that agonizing trek, he died
in the arms Of Protestant col
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

the new Congress than he did
IN the last one. For this con-
viction there are several rea-
sons. One. of course, is that
no part OF his program is par
tisan. Another is that. accord
ing to those who know him
best, the President intends to
use his power, popularity and
prestige. much more force
fully in behalf of administra
ton measures than he did in
his first term. A third is that
he knows much better now
than he did in his first term
how to do these things. Four
years Of experience with Con-
gress has taught him a great
deal. And while of course, he
cannot succeed himself as
President, no President with
the kind Of popular majority
which he piled up on Novem-
Der 6 will be devoid of politi-
cal influence whenever he
chooses to invoke it---that is
unless he becomes silly. OF
that there certainly is no
sign.
Party Split Evident
A fourth and final reason
supporting this belief is the
condition Of the Democratic
Party. As the laconic Colonel
Jake" so truthfully says. it
was "hit by a truck" Also
1t was, as used to be said,
knocked higher than Kilroy's
kite" 1t seems at this time
utterly leaderless. Two days
ago one of the prominent
Stevenson columnists pre-
dicted that in a few days Mr..
Stevenson would declare him.
self unavailable as a future
candidate, determined to go
back to the practice of law
and the joys of private life.
In his effort to do this, few,
indeed, want to restrain him
quite the contrary. The
general feeling among party
people is that neither Adlai
nor Estes has what 1t takes"
for the high Offices to which
they aspire. In the last cleo
ton the American people gave
unmiStakable evidence that
such was their feeling. too.
One result of the conference
was the passage of several
pious resolutions calling upon
Democrats ito act" and au-
thorizing Mr.. Butler to appoint
a special committee" The
actual result was to reveal
more clearly the wide split in
the party. The real leaders
who did not attend the con-
ference and were not invited
to we're Senator Lyndon john
son, Speaker Of the House Sam
Rayburn, both Of Texas. and
Mr.. Truman. 1t is claimed
that these powerful party poll
ticians will go along" But no
one thinks they will "go along"
with the garrulous Senator
Humphrey of Minnesota, the
left-wing Senator Paul Douglas
of Illinois. the radical Walter
Reuther of CIO, or Mr.. Butler,
the very unpopular chairman
who is struggling so hard to
hold on to his job--and its
salary. In brief. there exists
no real leadership in the party.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

being pushed north by Korean
and ~. N. victorious troops,
they passed pell-mell through
Seoul, burning, bombing and
plundering the capital. Because
Chris Jensen remained for a
few hours on a mission of SER
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Plane Spotter

On the FIRST page Of The
Star Of November q you had
an Associated Press story from
Raymondville. Tex. headed.
TWO Jet Trainers Collide and
Crash" The set planes we're
identified as AID Skyraiders.
which actually are prop-driven
aircraft. To my knowledge
there are no Jet propelled
Skyraiders.
Robert Bruce Wheeler.
Editors note. Mr.. Wheeler
Is night, and the Associated
Press. after rechecking the
story. discovered Il had
wrongly identified the SKY
raiders a. jeta)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

With half the world on IRE
and FATO coming apart ~
the seams. our beloved Presi-
dent runs away from the
White House 70 play golf and
enjoy himself. Nero loafed
and played his hddls wills
Rome burned.
John Z. PnFkerson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Bad News

Rabbit sold briskly at meat
stands a half a century ago,
but with the approach Of the
Thanksgiving holiday there
was bad news for rabbit eat
ers. On November rs. 1906.
The Star reported: 1T is UNI
likely that the residents OF
Washington will be able 70
enjoy rabbit for several days
unless shipments are made TO
the local merchants very soon.
More than 5000 Of these
ordinarily plentiful animals
were condemned by inspec-
tors Of the District Health
Department within the last
three days. who declared they
we're spoiled. There will also
be a shortage Of game birds.
II Is stated. because Of the
activity on the part Of the
inspectors. More than 1000
birds Of all kinds which had
been shipped 70 the local mer-
chants had 70 be thrown out
as unit for food within the
last three days. The un-
usually warm weather which
has prevailed In Washington
for four or I'VE days Is given
- the cause for these whole
sale condemnation proceed
inRs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
FIFTY YEARS AGO IN THE STAR

before the Atlanta train en-
tered it. Thieves took advan-
tage Of the confusion to rob
the belongings Of passengers,
despite the suffering about
them. :"
Mr.. Spencer was a grand
father of former District Com
missioner Samuel Spencer.
On View
Washington got its first
look at the National Gallery
Of Art so years ago. On No
vember 81, 1906, The Star
reported: THE first step
toward the realization Of a
National Gallery of Art has
been taken. The lecture hall
Of the National Museum has
been reInade into q picture and
exhibition gallery and therein
have been placed the Har-
rlett Lane Johnston collec-
ton, some casts from the
antique and a work Of sculp-
cure by Edward Kerneys. This
was opened to the public yes
terday and gives concrete
form to an interesting project.
Interest has been aNak-
ened in the project all over
The country and the Smith
sonian authorities are going
to actively carry on the
work /"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

Automobile advertisements
Of = half century ago acre
not ~ fiarnboyant as todays.
In q modest little I'D on NOV
ember n. 1906, In The Star.
Cook Il stoddard Co. At TWen-
ty-second and P streets NV.
declared. "Our Model q
Franklin $3.50 ear has ar
rived. and y nov ready for
demonstration. The same high
efficiency ~ before. With sew
eral decided improvements.
Let % show Il 70 you -.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Wreck

A railroad president was
killed so years ago in the
wreck Of one Of his own trains
seven miles south Of Lynch
burg. Va. On November 20.
1906. The Star reported:
President Samuel Spencer
Of the Southern Railroad
Company. one Of the most
prominent railroad men In
the country, was killed this
morning while on a hunting
trip on the line Of which he
Is president. His Eaest. Mr..
Philip Schuyler, Of New York.
and three others were killed.
and q number Of others in
lured. Mr.. speneers death
was q horrible one. His pFi-
vate car was burned, and he
was literally cremated. The
accident, although there II
no definite information ON the
subject. seems 70 have been
caused b. the failure Of the
operator 70 clear the block
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
Post Cards

The post card business got a
break a half . century ago
when the Government. working
with the International Postal
Union. decided they would go
at the same rate as the Gov
ernment's own postal" cards.
Postmaster General Cortelyou
ruled that post cards shall be
admitted TO the mail wnen they
bear the same postage as postal
cards" The Star added: The
date for admission Of these
cards TO domestic service was
fixed as March / next. :"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02

letters are subject TO conden-
sdtton.
as saying that. while the DEM
ocrats won a victory lin the
Congress) they also got hit by
a truck, while the Nashville
Banner thinks: IF carpetbag-
ger attacks continue by the
party's Northern wing, Dixie
may be the first area on earth
to set It's compass by the South
POle 49,.
And David Lawrence is Of
the opinion Hubert Horatio
Humphrey may well hold the
key to the future Of the party
as q national institution,
though not locally. Of course.
E. II. Alexander,
Member (nonpartisan)
Tennessee Chapter. Fed
Grafton for Constitu-
tional Government.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names map be used u
letters carry UTiteyg correct
names and addresses An
letters are subject TO conden-
sdtton.