davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

Grackles in the white oaks
were sending the acornS down
like rain.
In addition to the creaking
noise made by the big black
birds, there was this swishing
and hitting of the acorns on
the ground.
Every now and then a big
acorn would strike the top Of
a car with a plop!
All the time the grackles
would be squeaking away,
flying in and out the trees,
a constant procession in and
out, with no apparent leader
ship but all in a mood.
At last the time came for
the big birds to come to
earth. which they did by the
hundreds, even thousands.
making the street black for
a time.
A sudden small noise, moth
ing more than the opening Of
a door, made them all soar
up and away.
4 X
Later they could be seen
flying by the thousands to
the West.
This annual movement is
by birds from the North
coming down this way.
The grackle is a mean one,
but in his thousands he puts
up a pretty show in the fall.
Each morning they came
in at exactly 7::20 o'clock,
really $40, real time.
There was no variation in
the time.
1t was impossible to see
whether they ate the acorns
their numbers had precipitated
to the sidewalks and streets.
The birds did not come onto
lawns much. but contented
themselves with the streets and
sidewalks, against which they
looked very. very dark.
The "wheelbarrow chorus"
as the noise they make has
been called, is unique.
Their movement among the
branches. especially if acorns
are present, makes a noise all
by itself. somewhat resembling
the cracking Of flames.
A careful householder. hear
ing this sound. may look
around anxiously, peer down
the cellar steps. and outdoors,
to be on the safe side.
It is always good to look for
trouble, when there is a sound
that might denote trouble.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

This tight money" situation
becomes a national disgrace
when it operates to prevent
low and middle income fam
lilies from owning homes, and
kills a homeowner's chance to
sell his property because will
ing buyers can't borrow on rea-
sonable terms. What it adds
up to is simple gouging by
those who have the money to
lend; through excessive inter-
est rates. loan discounts or
other means, they are over
charging for the use Of their
funds. Such practices are
neither excusable nor justified.
Since the ordinary lending
institutions. by their practices,
have virtually nullified FILA.
and VA. loans by their re-
fuSal to lend on the terms re-
quired by those agencies, it's
high time the Government
stepped in to authorize direct
loans by such agencies. instead
OF insurance on loans that are
becoming practically extinct.
Milton Lewis.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

1t is particularly gratifying
to note that in a report for
fiscal 1856 from the Superin-
tendent of the Child Welfare
Division of the Department of
Public Welfare to the Chill
dren's Bureau of the United
States Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, it is
pointed out that as the result
of a special drive for new fos-
ter homes, which was initiated
in February, 1856, and carried
through April, 1856, 658 in
quiries and direct contacts
were made. From the Begin
ming of this drive until Sep
TENDER /, 1856, 81 foster
homes were found and APP
proved which could provide
homes for SO children. This is
the greatest number of foster
homes ever approved in SIM
liar period by the department.
We realize that a great por-
ton of the success of this
drive is a concrete result of
The Stars efforts to publicize
this need.
The Public Welfare Advisory
Council is extremely grateful
for your cooperation in this
worthwhile project and hopes
that in the future even closer
working relationships to the
benefit of the individuals who
find themselves in need Of
welfare services might con-
tinue to increase and improve.
Edgar Morris,
Chairman. Public Welfare Adj
Visory Councils.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

dealing with Russia, China
and Egypt. Referring directly
to the introduction of "vol-
unteers" into Egypt, he said
he believed at would be the
duty of the United Nations.
which would include the United
States to oppose such an eff
fort" When asked what form
our opposition would take, he
replied: II can't tell what it
would be. But the United Ma
tions, if you will read its
charter, is not by any means
limited to resolutions. and in
one instance, at least. showed
that it was not so limited"
Obviously, the President was
referring to the armed opera
tons undertaken to put down
the Communist aggression on
the Republic Of South Korea.
He added: II don't know ex-
actly what we would do. It
would depend upon the cir
cumStances."
Seeks to Quiet EruptiOns
The President is working
first to quiet the eruptions
due to the invasion of Egypt
by the Israeli, and the military
action by the British and the
French in the Suez Canal
zone. 1t is clear, however,
that this is not the limit of
his aims in the Middle East.
He is firmly convinced that
solutions must be found for
the basic issues which have
arisen, and that steps must
be taken to bring about peace
full settlements. And already
Ambassador Henry Cabot
Lodge, jr., our principal rep
resentative at the United Ma
tions, has stated that the
United States will submit
proposals" looking to such an
end
The United Nations is being
put to a real test-the most
severe it has yet faced-in
dealing with the Middle East
situation and the threat of
the infiltration of Russian and
Chinese armed forces into that
area. If it fails, there must
be a reappraisal Of the U. NJ,
with material changes, or the
agency set up for maintaining
peace at the close of the Sec
ond World War will go into
the discard along with the
League of Nations and all pre-
vious efforts at united efforts
for peace. This is no light
matter-in an age of H-bombs.
The power of the United
States both economically and
militarily have been thrown
into the effort to make the
U. N. an effective working
agency of peace. Upon the
success of this effort rests the
future of the world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

IN your Maryland election
post mortem column by Gene
Goodwin on November IL,
the Democratic Party dilemma
was well depicted. But it was a
surprise that the one bright
spot in the picture was not
pointed out. That bright spot
is Representative Landlord Of
the 5th district.
AS should now be clear to all
thinking Democrats, Maryland
voters want a fresh start. We
are not going to elect any of
those who have failed for ten
years to lead the party. j. Mil
lard Tawes, Tommy D'Alesan-
dro. c. Ferdinand Sybert,
Louis L. Goldstein, John Turn
bull, Clarence Miles and. most
of all, George Mahoney are
through. Unless we have a new
winning young leader in 1858
we will lose again.
Fortunately during the past
ten years such a man has come
upon the scene. The primary
victory for Dick Landlord was
an expression Of the unwilling
ness of Maryland voters to per-
petuate yesterdays failures.
With the primary defeat for
the Prince Georges machine
anc the subsequent win in the
face of the COP. landslide,
Dick Landlord is the only win
ming fresh face we have in the
party. With this he becomes an
obvious choice to lead the re-
birth Of the party. With it he
equally carries the RESPONSE
bility TO assert his leadership
and aggressively 60 after the
governorship for 1858. Should
he fail TO do so. our situation
is as bleak as Gene Goodwin
indicated.
IaouarN VVftfi.,...
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

Some years ago, In a New
York newspaper, there was a
story of a happy household.
The members all heard
sounds denoting flames, but
were too sleepy to investigate.
and just managed later in the
night to escape with their lives.
Their beautiful home was a
complete loss, partly because
they did not look when they
heard something. g
+ 4
Noises which birds make
vary from squeaks, pipings
and squawks to some of the
most beautiful notes in nature.
We see that somebody has
now made a composition based
on bird songs and there is
even a record Of it.
1t is a curious fact that
not even Beethoven did any
thing with bird music except
use some approaches to GER
tain songs as an adornment
of one of his symphonies. the
9Th, or Pastoral.
We have always believed
that a great deal more might
be done with this lovely music.
Any one who has listened
to an old mocker in the moon
light, with subdued stops,
knows that here is real music.
of an unearthly sort yet COM
ing from a very earthly fellow.
The last of our robins left
recently.
He partook with some relish
of a number Of seedless raisins
thrown in the grass just for
him.
He undoubtedly was one of
the steady robins which had
been around since spring. Now
he was on his way down South
at last.
He did not belong to the
various robin groups that had
been coming into the yard
every night just before dusk,
to walk around and eat raisins,
and take late baths.
Our robins are plump, happy
fellows. and all deserve the
praise people generally give
them.
After our last one left. we
still heard his MARBLE some
distance away. then IL grad
ually grew fainter and fainter.
and at last was heard no more.
Happy music. this not al
ways understood or listened TO.
but happy. nevertheless. and
filling in the grand symphony
Of nature.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
ILLEGAL Detention

There has been a concerted-and
welcome-move in the District to obtain
Qualification of the law governing illegal
detention"-or, stated another way, the
time during which suspect in crimi-
nal case may be held before arraignment
without invalidating a confession.
A section of the District Bar Associa-
ton is making a study at the request Of
the Council on Law Enforcement to de-
termine whether legislation is needed to
clear up the question. Similar moves
have been initiated by United States
Attorney oliver Gasch and Assistant At
torney General Warren Olney III, chief
of the criminal division of the De-
partment of Justice. Also, the Supreme
Court has agreed to review a local case
involving the issue, and this may lead
to Qualification.
The important thing, however, is to
set out some clear-cut and reasonable
standards to which the police and pros
ecuting authorities can adhere. No prac-
tice should be tolerated which smacks Of
the third degree or which results in CO.
creed confessions. But at the same time,
the requirement for prompt arraignment
should not be carried to extremes which
make it virtually impossible for police
to conduct a proper investigation prior
to charging suspect. The, objective
should be to safeguard the rights of
suspect without needlesSly Gripping the
police and prosecuting authorities. We
see no reason why this cannot be done,
and we hope that the moves which have
been initiated here will lead to this result.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Drinking Drivers

Judge George d. Nelson of
the D. c. Municipal Court and
1t. A. B. Nicholson, D. c. Ac-
cident Investigation Unit, are
to be heartily commended in
their recent opposition to the
Ohio jurist who claims that
the drinking driver has become
"the whipping boy of traffic
law enforcement"
Actually, there is a growing
pile Of evidence as to how
great a threat TO safety the
drinking driver creates. A
study made in Evanston. Ill,
by a Northwestern University
group discovered that the 150-
pound driver who has had six
cans Of beer, or six highballs
or cocktails, has raised his
liability to accidents IS times.
He is IS times more dangerous
than a sober driver
According to the National
Safety Council, over the
Christmas week end last year
police reports showed that SIS
per cent Of the drivers involved
in fatal accidents had been
drinking.
In New Hampshire. for the
year 1855. blood chemical tests
made Of all who we're killed
In highway accidents showed
alcohol in the blood stream Of
40 per cent.
Whisky distillers are wor-
ried about the drinking driver.
At an international confer
ence on alcohol and road traf-
&c held in Toronto. Canada.
last year. George Z. Mosley.
a liquor company vice presi-
dent. quoted from a full-paee
advertisement his company
inserted IN over 400 mai0
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
PeriIs of Isolation

A recent letter from Joseph
Herman predicts that "in likes
second term, followed by two
terms of Mr.. Nixon, our coun-
try will be blessed with IL
years of complete isolation
from the rest of the world
something this Nation hasn't
seen since the days of Wash
ington, Adams, jefferson and
Madison"
I had~ presumed that the
word isolation" in reference
to America was SO well estab-
liShed as a word of oppro-
brium that not even its adj
vocates dared use it. I do not
believe that Mr.. Eisenhower
favors a policy of isolation
ism. although the isolation
iStic elements in the Repub-
lican Party are more out
spoken than those among the
Democrats. But this leads us
to the larger question, Why
is iSolationiSm bad?
It is bad, in my view, be-
cause of the disproportion Of
the worlds populations. There
are approximately 2.5 billion
people in the world, and
Americas 1913 million is very
small indeed when stacked
against the larger figure. Even
the advocates of isolationism
will concede that the rest of
the civilized world, particu-
larry Europe, will fall under
Russian domination if we re-
tire behind our oceanic
barriers.
Once one comedies that
without our restraining in
fluence, Europe will succumb
to the Soviets, one must agree
that Asia will likewise sue
cumb. Indeed, the Chinese
already have. Thus the
United States, supposedly safe
behind its oceanic frontiers,
will be faced with a hostile
two continent combination
embracing four fifthS or more
of the worlds population.
Surely it takes no Socrates to
divine that the capitulation of
America will quickly follow,
and our isolationists, who had
been so happy in their free
enterprise, non-foreign ex-
penditure nation, will find
themselves faced with a full
f1edged Communist system.
Thus, in exchange for a few
years freedom from taxes,
they will lose everything.
Oliver Mason.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
The Vice Presidency
wASHiN&roN STAG

Now that the election is
over. let us all offer a prayer
for the continued well-being
of the peoples choice, our dis
tinguiShed President, Dwight
D. Eisenhower.
At the same time, it would
seem important to have an
"agonizing reappraisal" of the
method of choosing and elect
ing our Vice Presidents, which
is not done in truly democratic
fashion, giving the people an
opportunity to vote directly for
the nominees to the second
highest Office in our country.
Would it not be in the best
interests of the country to re-
quire each political party to
nominate two or three candi-
dates for Vice President and
have them placed on the ball
los? That would let the people
decide for themselves as to
who should succeed or take
over in case of an emergency
or in the event of disability.
AS matters now stand, the
people have no choice but to
swallow hook, line and sinker
the choice of the conventions,
without regard to nominees
qualifications or past record Of
performance.
Like the constitutional
amendment limiting the term
of Office for the President,
the time is ripe to consider the
controversial matter of select
ing his successor.
i. Dan DanZin4eP-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
War and Desperate Men

Now that Marshal Tito has openly
assailed Soviet armed intervention in
Hungary as "a fatal error" it is inter-
esting-and maybe even inStructive-to
look back to the summer of 1851. At
that time, amid reports that terrible new
purgeS were sweeping Russia, Stain was
waging an about cold war against Yugo-
Slavia'S heretical and defiant Communist
leader.
And at that time, too, there was con-
siderable fear that the men of the Krem-
lin might suddenly go overheard and
do something capable of unleashing
global armed conflict Some pessimists
expected the worst to happen at any
moment, but the optimists felt pretty
sure that the Vests actual and poten-
tial strength would act as an effective
deterrent. AS for the official Yugoslav
view, it was expressed by Nose Pijade,
leading independence minded Commu-
mist and a member Of Tito'S anti-Sta-
liniSt Politburo in Belgrade. What he
said, among other things, was this:
I am not inclined to believe that the
Soviet leaders have lost their minds to
involve them in third world war; But
brains and judgment are not the only
things that activate the Soviet leaders.
Desperation is an important factor. The
Soviet leaders are desperate men, and one
does not know what to expect from des-
perate men, Perhaps the Soviet lead
ers entertain the illusion that they might
be able to achieve what Hitler failed to
do because of the strength of their army
that they might be able to conquer the
world. Perhaps they are such fools as to
believe it. Perhaps they are preparing
themselves for this.
These words, although more than
five years old, seem Singularly to the
point today. At any rate, the appar--
emily divided Kremlin marshal Tito has
suggested that it is critically split be-
tween the Molotov-led Stalinists and the
KhruShchev-led anti-StalinistS) has been
acting in way that indicates measure
of desperation in Hungary. The rebel
lion there, despite all the pitilesS brute
force that the SovietS have thrown in
against it, has not really been put down.
And in trying to cope with it, Russias
leaders-as if finding themselves riding
a tiger-have shown signs that they
are quite worried, if not slightly panic
stricken.
One can only speculate about this, of
course, but the speculation may be WORTH
while nonethelesS. For normal logic or
rational thinking is not necessarily the
controlling factor in the extremely tense
situation now prevailing. Conceivably, if
they are desperate enough, the men of
the Kremlin may blunder their way into
doing something that could plunge the
world into war. In the circumstances,
General Gruenther'S recent warming
namely, that the Soviet Union will be
destroyed" if it attacks the West-SeemS
to have been appropriately timed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. DO newborn squirrels have
By THE HASKIN SERVICE
4 reader
b inelos

@. DO newborn squirrels have
especially hairy tails?-O. A.
A. No. A newborn squirrel
bears little resemblance 10 an
adult. It is an inch or so long.
practically furless. and both
helpless and sightless: It's tail
Is bare and resembles a tiny rat
tail. II Is FIVE weeks old before
It's eyes open and is little body
Is fully covered with fur.
q. Is Il true that George
Washington did not shake
hands with guests AZ his
presidential receptions?-c. r.
A. Yes. As President. wash
ington received at Tuesday
afternoon ieyees from 3 70 4
o'clock. As each visitor was
formally introduced 70 him,
John Tebbell writes. In his
George wsshingtons Amer
ica." Washington sinh ~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Proposal

nv dear. do you belieUe In
stdr-dipped dreams,
or better yet, believe IN moon
tipped schemes
Oh lore. II you could dance
through life NTH me,
II you could dine on JrdOmen-
tdrV tines.
II you mould share a mystic
cobtDeb cloud
And keep Il free for loUe as NE
should be.
4 place TO sip imaginary tcines.
And live and laugh. 50 far
dboUe the crotrd.
on do SAP you believe IN
sun-spun tales.
Ten me you iDiH tread M
stdT-dust trails.
Kathleen Hunt Seib A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

bowed. holding his hands so
that the visitor could see
plainly that no handclasp
was 10 be given. Not even his
best friends we're given his
customary Arm grip on these
occasions. When the guests
we're all assembled. In a circle,
Washington then went the
rounds and talked personally
with each visitor.
q. When and where was the
frat performance Of strayin-
sky's ballet The Rites Of
Bpring"7--B. I.
A. The first performance Of
this brilliant ballet. written
for the Diaghilen Russian Bal
let Of Paris. took place In Paris
on May %. 1913 The first
audience reacted b. kissing and
Tioting. and the performance
was termed "a scandal"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

United States newspapers. The
ad said:
6. But neither whisky
nor any other spurious liquor
has any place at the wheel Of
an automobile. Drinking and
driving do not mix. This con-
viction must be shared by
everyone who reads the news
papers and by every thinking
person who drives a car.
Therefore, we invite you
in the interest of public safety
to join us in the crusade for
safer, Saner driving.
IF you expect to be at the
wheel of a motor Car, we say
to you:
Think before you drink!
Don't drink before you drive!"
With such evidence piling
up against the drinking driver,
we believe that Judge Nelson
and 1t. Nicholson deserve wide
public support in their strong
stand on the drinking driver
issue.
Clayton NJ. Wallace,
Executive Director, National
Temperance League, Inc,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Nearby Planning

My reaction to your recent
editorial on planning for
Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties Is that the
right Of town 70 zone It's own
property should not be usurped
by any State or Government
group. What's happening 70
our democratic principles. any
way? The people are supposed
TO run the Government. not
vice versa. Remember?
ID. L. Saunders.
Town Of Washington
Grove, I'D.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17

1t had taken the parade hours and 80
minutes to pass before the President.
That was too long parade, and we
trust that it will be shortened. That is
easier said than done, for place in the
parade has become something of po-
Itical plum in itself. But the President
is the boss and what he says goes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
LETTERS TO TIE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry tDriters. correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
SdtiOn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Foster Home Proorom

/. Dan DanzingeI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Tight Money Policy

John E. Street
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-17
Democratic Briqht Spot

Oliver Mason,
The Nome nugget., 1956-10-08
Eligibility of Cruening to Run Questioned

ANCHORAGE, R-An Anchor age accountant Friday asked the Federal District Court to declare former Gov Ernest Gruening in eligible to run for senator on the grounds he is not bone fide resi- dent of the territory.
 The action was started by A.. Van Seventer, who asks declar- atory judgment or an injunction to prevent Gruening from seeking the office under the Alaska Ten nessee Plan. Gruening is the Dem ocratic nominee under the plan which would send senator to Washington to take office when and if the territory is admitted to statehood.
 Van Seventer's action contends Gruening could not be legal resident because he obtained gov ernment travel pay and expenses from Juneau ito his home in Washington, DC" when his term expired as governor
 The suit also claims Gruening since that time has been compen- sated for travel to Alaska from his home in Washington, DC" While in Alaska, Van Seventer maintains, Gruening 'resided for the most part in hotels or other temporary lodging"
The Nome nugget., 1956-10-08
Burned Out Switch Is
 Cause of Power Failure

As everyone is probably aware Nome suffered a power failure today at l:15 that lasted until 5:30 pm.
 A conduit at the city power sprung leak and allowed rain to flow down the conduit into a very critical switch causing it to burn out. That particular switch is the one which permits the switching in of mining com pany power, so the city was without electricity until h e switch and wiring were repaired.
 A few streets in the norteast section of town had power all the time.
 When the power was turned on again at about 5:30, one sec ton along Front Street lost its power again almost immediately This was caused by on overload when the business houses on this section had left their heavy cur rent switches on and the sudden load threw. out the circuit break CTS. As luck would have it the Nugget was on this line so we are later than ever.