davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07

courage. All OF us suffer the
one great incurable ailment-
We grow old. and nothing can
cure us of this. And, for our
remembrance, we have always
with us our little" incurableS
the lady with Gripping arth-
ritis. the old gentleman who
seemingly has nothing wrong,
but will live to be only 70. Or
the young boy with cerebral
palsy. who will live a long life,
and yet cannot be cured. 1t
should be remembered, too,
that many ailments consid-
cred incurable when the home
was founded have since been
conquered. Perhaps we may
continue to hope that the
miracles of modern medicine
will soon vanquish all.
! would say to any Wash
ingtonian who feels sorry for
us. or who wants to apply COR
receives to us: 1t is help we
need, not pity nor admoni-
ton. We are doing a badly
needed work with limited tools.
Thank you for giving us
space to say these things.
Mrs. Richard T. Mcdonnell,
President, Board of Managers,
The Washington Home for
1ncurables-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
The Storm Passes

NOW Jhat the political winds have
died down in the House of Commons,
with the Eden government shaken but
still intact, it is time to turn to the seri-
GUS business which lies ahead. This BUSH
ness, in the words of Foreign Secretary
Selwyn Lloyd, is Ito see if we britain
and the United States) can create an
effective basis for working together in
the future"
For our part, we hope and believe
that such basis can and will be found.
And while it will not be found in an
atmosphere of mutual recrimination, it
seems desirable to deal with one point
made during the parliamentary debate.
This came as Harold Macmillan,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, was speak
ing. Mr.. Macmillan said that Neville
Chamberlain had been "pilloried" for
20 years for appeasing Hitler. And then
he added ''Now the accusation is that
this government has taken action"
This could well be ignored If it were
nothing more than a thrust in the course
of partisan debate. But the chances are
that it was something more, that it ac-
mind which dominate a substantial seq
ment of the Conservative Party.
If this is the case, it ought to be
pointed out that the accusation, at least
as far as the United States is concerned,
is not that the British government took
action. The accusation is that the Eden
government took the wrong action in the
wrong way.
AS for the latter point, 1t acted in
the wrong way because it struck at Egypt
without consulting the United States,
without informing us, and, as some of
our own officials charge, after an attempt
to miSlead us as to their intentions. That
is not basis upon which an effective
working relationship between allies can
rest.
That the action itself was wrong is
self-evident. The canal is blocked, Mas
ser remains in the Egyptian saddle more
firmly than ever, Britain's economy has
been heavily damaged, and British pres
tige and influence are at an all-time low.
In short, despite the after the event
claims advanced during the Commons
debate, the attack on Egypt gained moth
ing and lost great deal.
1t is to be hoped that the British
government, now that the political storm
in London has at least temporarily sub
sided, will come to recognize that this
is the case, will understand that the real
accusation is, not that it acted, but that
it took the wrong action. If this change
of mind comes about, there will be
much better chance of finding that
effective basis for working together"
to which Mr.. Lloyd alluded, and in the
search for which this Government is
ready to join.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07

and yet they did not do so well in the
Olympics either. Australia was a poor
third in the unofficial point standings.
American contestants were no more
accustomed to the Australian climate
than any other foreign athletes, including
RuSsia's However, our boys and girls
piled up creditable point total that
kept them in first place until the final
stretch. And we are pleased to note that
our own Shelley Mann, from Arlington,
helped the cause by leading an American
swimming team in sweep Of the wom-
ems 100-meter butterfly finals.
AS a matter of fact, neither the
Russian contingent nor any other team
needs alibis of the sort advanced by
Trud. All performed well and the final
results attest only that the best ath-
leteS won.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Hiqh-Tension Post

Some citizen recently COM
pared President Eisenhower's
postelection vacation 10 Neros
fiddling while Rome burned.
It's too bad that people ike
thst--people who used TO crit
icize Truman for his president
tial yacht trips-can't realize
how demanding the Chief Ex-
ecutive's job is. It's too bad
that such citizens don't realize
how necessary II Especially
when half Of the world Is on
flre"-that the President run
away from the White House 70
play golf and enjoy himself"
II these people would look q
little more closely at the Pres
ident's vacation activities be-
fore they complain. they could
see that he's not just playing
golf. The President has been
working. too. during his Au-
gusta vacation.
Americans should be glad
that their Executive can SAL
wage some peace Of mind and
relaxation in the turmoil OF
such times a. these. II Is when
the President has no relaxa-
ton that We should become
concerned.
Loretta ". Reeves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Is There an Obligation?

reader has written to ask us what
our obligation" to the Hungarians is.
What have they done to obligate uS?"
he wants to know.
We do not think we can answer him
In terms that will satisfy him, because
1t Is fact that we have no treaty with
these people which obligeS us to go to
their aid. Nor did we ask their men to
rise up as one man, with bare hands,
against tyranny. We did not suggest that
their youth, ignoring their Soviet indoc-
trination, should engage in individual
acts OF heart-stopping heroism against
their overlordS We did not tell their
women to march, bearing flowers, up to
Russian guns and taunt their oppressors.
We did not direct them to gather up their
children and crawl past Russian machine
guns on their hands and knees to the.
Austrian border and freedom.
No, we did not suggest any of these
things, because no one would ask any
human being to do what the HungarianS
did.
What the Hungarians did for us and
the whole world was to give the lie to the
faint-hearted, the cynical, the defeatists
of which the world has too many. They
translated into terms that any child can
understand the literal truth of the truths
we live by. We believe in liberty; they
died for it. We preach the unconquer-
ability of the human spirit; they showed
us what it means. We have often said
that life lived half-Slave and half-free is
not worth living. Since October %, with
total disregard of the consequences, the
Hungarians have echoed this in actions
which have made gallantry virtually
commonplace. Thus they have obligated
us.
AS we are all members of the human
race, we are the better for what the Hun
garians did. And we are the better, too,
for saluting their valor, weeping for their
suffering, and helping them in the best
way we can, with food, clothing and
asylum. 1t seems at best meager
repayment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Macarthur to Tokyo

Although his work heretofore has
Z been confined primarily to European
affairs, Douglas Macarthur I'd is amply
qualified to be United States Ambassador
to Japan. His name, of course, is already
famous and highly popular over there,
and that in itself-the fact that he is
nephew of the celebrated General of the
Army who first conquered and then so
we'll befriended the Japanese-should
serve him as an asset in his new post.
Distinguished as it is, however, Mr..
MacArthur's name is the least of his
qualifications At Al, serving now as
counselor of the State Department, he
has worked himself up through numerous
important assignments, and his perform
ance in all of them has been impressive.
That is why he is generally regarded as
one of our ablest career diplomats-a
top-notch professional who is excellently
equipped to succeed Ambassador John M.
Allison, another top-notch professional.
Mr.. Allison, who is coming back to Wash
ington for reaSsignment, has done an
outstanding job in Tokyo for the past
four years, and he will be leaving things
in very good order for Mr.. Macarthur.
The Ambassador designate, whose
appointment by the President will be
subject to Senate confirmation next
month, is expected to take over his new
post in Tokyo some time in February.
Meanwhile. Japan may become member
of the United Nations and undergo other
changes or notifications in status and
policy. Among other things, Mr.. Mac
Arthur will have the responsibility Of
promoting the closest possible ties be-
tween our two countries. This is some
thing that may be more easily said than
done, but he can be counted upon TO
handle the task with distinction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Olympic AEbis

The mystery OF why RuSsia's ath-
letes did not do better in the Olympic
Games down under (they only came in
first) has been cleared up It was because
the "fckle weather" in Australia pre-
vented them from measuring up to "ex-
pectations." At least that is the state
ment made by the Soviet magazine
"Trud" Presumably, In the Russian
view. the American contestants would
not have been such close contenders for
first place II the RusskiS had not at
various times suffered Paintings" from
the heat and "numbneSS' from the cold.
There Is something wrong with this
theory which Trud apparently over
looked This is that only the Australians
are accustomed 70 their "hckIe weather"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
ChonneIs of the Mind

Hon potent are the yoadwdys
Of the mind,
Where hordes Of thoughts race
JorDard. fan behind,
A network IN tchich dreams
originate
Then tTGDel on toudrd a
stCtnotHo catei
The trails hold ciotCn and
satire IN dispute;
And scliemtn0 evi silent as
a mute.
ideas congreodte from source
Of good.
Some cTystai clear and some
nisWnderstood.
Within these channels Jats and
courage greet
Here all conflicting moods Of
ltvtne meet.
Amy Woodward Fisher
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07

Fhere may be a happiness
vitamin."
II it exists, it is to be found
in the grubs of beetles. cater
pillars. grasshoppers and to
some extent in the blood Of GER
tain birds and lizards.
All these are eaten by various
primitive peoples. The eaters
are conspicuous for their care
free attitudes in the face Of
hunger, cold and oppression.
This is q conclusion of Rev.
DR.. Martin Guisinde, professor
Of anthropology at the Cath
Ollie University Of America,
who has just returned from
an expedition among the ex-
tremely primitive pigmies Of
New Guinea.
His attention first was called
to the possibility. DR.. Guisinde
said, by publication in the
German scientific journal,
Zeitschrift fur Ethnology, Of
an article by DR.. Eugen
Fischer. retired professor Of
anthropology at the University
of Berlin. who called the hith-
erto unknown Vitamin T to
the attention Of German phar-
macologists several years ago.
Since then extracts of bee
tie larvae have been injected
into the blood of ducks, dogs
and apes. The most striking
effects reported by Prof.
Fischer were on apes in Ber-
Inns Geological Gardens. The
great apes are close to human
in their psychology. In close
captivity they become morose
and mean, like man.
Changed by Injections
Injections of the beetle larvae
extract changed them tenn
porarily into happy, playful,
rather gentle animals, accord
ing to the reports of the phar-
macologists to DR.. Fischer. 1t
has been difficult, however, to
demonstrate this with hui
mans. Many primitive people
eat beetle grubs, butterflies
and grasshoppers, but only as
tidbits. Not long ago dried
grasshoppers were served at
a meeting of - prominent
scientific society in Washing
ton and they were on the
menu of the annual dinner of
the Explorers Club of New
York two years ago.
But this proves nothing.
When DR.. Guisinde went among
the pigmies of the Bismarck
Mountains in New Guinea,
however. he found that the
almost unknown little people,
driven back over many gen.
erationS into a harsh environ
ment that will hardly support
human life, made beetles and
grasshoppers a major part Of
their diet. And, he says, he
has never encountered a hap
pier people in travels among
primitive races all over the
world than these who should
be the most miserable. He
can account for it only on the
presumption Prof. Fishers
vitamtn T, or happiness vita
min. is a reality. In nature
insects are a considerable part
Of the food of certain Jungle
monkeys whose happiness
and carefree attitude is in
striking contrast to other jun
gle animals.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07

The Star is to be congratu-
lated for noting editorially at
long last c'Repair Time for
NATO," November 29) the
bitter anti-American feeling,
deep and widespread" that
our policies have engendered
in Britain and France. The
cause of a well-informed pub
lie opinion would be even
further enhanced if some fac
tuai report were made Of the
reasons attributed by the
French and British themselves
(rather than explanations"
offered by apologists for our
own policies) for "the badly
shaken status of Anglo
French-American relations"
According to our policy
makers the differences that
have arisen +. are those aris-
ing from a particular interna-
tional incident" 1t is by no
means clear that this is the
case. At any rate. any fair
presentation of the French and
British points of view would
include a discussion of the fol-
lowing: ID The circumstances
surrounding the steady deter
1oration of Anglo-F I e n C h
American relations which pre-
coded the Anglo French de-
cision to invade Egypt and
which at least in part were re-
sponsible for that decision: (2)
the insistence Of Secretary
Dulles land President. Eisen-
hower) that United Nations
support for Col. Nasser must
not be conditioned in any way
upon the willin gnes.s of
Col. NaSser to recognize the
legitimate rights of the nations
Of Western Europe to unob-
structed passage of the Suez
Canal, as those rights have
been. or may be, determined by
the United Nations; 80 the
persistent refusal Of Secretary
Dulles, allegedly out Of per-
sonal spite, to even discuss
with representatives Of Britain
and France the problems posed
by growing Soviet influence in
the Middle East until Britain
and France have carried out a
humiliating withdrawal of their
forces from Egypt.
A news dispatch in the Bal
timore Sun, datelined Novem-
Der rs. which gave a brief fac
tual summary of newspaper
comment in the British press
(Which incidentally was in
marked contrast to the Asso-
ciated Press report on the same
subject appearing in The Eve
ming Star, datelined November
81, quoted the Sunday Times
as saying that very shortly
after the cease-fire, Sir An
thony Eden approached pres
ident Eisenhower personally,
and received cordial response
to his suggestion that he visit
Washington forthwith to clear
away misunderstanding and
rebuild mutual confidence. A
few hours later this message
was reversed" presumably
after having been reviewed by
Mr.. Dulles.
Many readers Of The Star
who place truth above parti-
sanship, and who are not en-
tirely convinced that the whole
blame for the threatened
breakdown of the Western
Alliance rests with our Allies,
have been waiting, thus far in
vain. for a full and fair pres
entation Of the French and
British side Of this extremely
serious and tragic controversy.
William j. Daley.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Turn for the Worse

Perhaps it will help the
traftic situation in the rush
hours If left turns are prohib-
tied on all main arteries. Nat
urally. there win have to be
exceptions made.
Surely. the police must have
seen trafiic backed up for a
mile while one car turned left
on Maine street. along the
Tidal Basin or at Thirty
fourth street and Reno road.
Instead Of turning left. let
the cars go around the block
and cross with the lights.
A. X. {.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

Dear Sir:
This is the way I like to
begin a letter, with nothing
much on my mind but quite
sure I am writing to a friend.
For many years, as one Of
your readers, I have tried to
figure out what makes me read
you. next to the fact that your
material is very well written.
Good writing is always some
thing.
The main point OF your
worth. If you will permit me to
say so. is that you write in a
friendly manner.
$50 much of today's writing,
whether in books, magazines
or newspapers, is basicaIIy I'M
friendly. Somebody is pointing
out others errors, somebody is
warning somebody else, or
taking them to task, or, at
long last. telling the whole
world what is the matter with
it.
you do at times point up
some Of mankind's foibles. but
in the main you are friendly,
because you like people, ami
mails. ants, pigs and ] am sure
elephants and tigers.
so the more power to you'll
Sincerely yours.
ANNE 10 j."
After getting this friendly
letter, we went down in the
elevator, and nearly got In a
fight with a man who was try
ing to get in.
Where do you think you are
goine?" he asked.
Determined TO be friendly at
all costs, we said nothing,
which usually Is the best way.
The last time a fat lady
stepped on our very personal
and precious foot in a bus we
did say one word. though.
In the old days Of the de
luxe coaches on Connecticut
avenue. we liked very much
the first seat just inside OF the
vehicle.
The advantage OF this posi-
ton was that you got fresh
air when someone came in or
went out.
The disadvantage was that
you often got one or both col
lection Of toes stepped on at
once.
II Is q curious, but well
known. fact that practically
everyone who rides public
transport has q favorite seat.
Just how person decides
what Is hts favorite seat in a
bus or streetcar Ia something
Of a mystery. but II ia 4 very
Well-knOwn phenomenon, both
known 70 the people concerned
and TO trsfiic managers.
These latter are worthy
characters with very red faces
and brusque manners They
are outdoors all the time. and
are trying their best 70 make
both buses and drivers behave
~ they should. a ciHicult task.
indeed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07

Traffic managers often won
der to themselves, and occa-
sionally aloud. why people
insist on standing in the cold
to get q certain seat, when
they might get inside and
keep warm. or maybe too
warm.
One manager got sarcastic
the other day, as q line Of
passengers. males mostly, re-
fused TO get inside, when all
the seats by the windows were
taken.
They want" he said to the
driver, just before waving him
on. Ito get the third seat by
the window"
often 1t is not as easy as
that.
One man wants the third
seat, right side; the next. the
first seat directly behind the
driver; a third. the window
seat across from the back door;
a fourth. the center position in
she rear seat, and, 50 on up
and down the bus.
Positions by the windows are
easily understood. There the
passenger is free from being
stepped on.
Our own fayorite position
now is the seat directly behind
the driver. This is the only
place in the bus where one
can be sure Of getting some
fresh air. at least now and
then.
The air was cooler and
seemed fresher in the old de
luxe coaches. mostly because
the heating was very poor.
The fat lady stumbled over
our friendly feet. as she got in,
and slared as she went back
TO q rear seat. but she had
her eyes on US all the way
downtown. You can always
tell. even II you haven't got
eyes in the back OF your head.
When she came forward to
get OF, she gave an ill-con-
cealed look Of triumph, be-
cause she knew what she was
going 70 do, and we didn't.
Just before she started down
the steps. she slid out her right
foot. and brought II down with
precision on our precious toes.
For once. our friendliness
deserted Us. We shouted out
a most frenzied and unfriendly,
"Ouchl"
"Ha. ha. hs." Uttered the
lady. and a. she tip-toed down
the steps. ''Ha, Ia. ha."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
Hold Your Hots


ington's downtown business
and shopping development was
reported in The Star Novem-
Der 20. Some of the concepts
referred to as fantastic may
not appear drastic or even un-
real in the not too distant
future. To meet the over
crowded conditions in the
Metropolitan Area. many pro-
gressive ideas were advanced
by the experts, such as NOV
ing sidewalks, monorailed cars,
helicopters. carveyors. sub
way and elevated railways.
An additional idea is Of
fered: In the area where auto
traffic would be banned, the
city should provide, by own
ership or concession, a fleet OF
bantam autos similar to those
found in amusement parks for
the benefit of pedestrians who
wish to cover the shopping
area.
These miniature cars could
be operated efficiently and
safely by anyone regardless of
age. BY inserting the proper
coin in q meter, the gasoline or
electric car could be brought
into operation. The vehicle
would be safe, serviceable. and
might be profitable. These
cars could be parked at the
curb in sufficient numbers to
take care Of the demands dur
ing business hours. Attend
ants would cruise in the zone
OF operation to supply fuel or
TO take over in any emergency
merely by a signal flashed by
the operator. Other zones
could be established in WASH
ington and elsewhere once the
idea is found to be a success.
Nn.,s..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-07
WSTAS IN SCIENCE
Happiness Vitomin' and Picnies
BY THOMAS r. HENRY

Perhaps the word "vitamin"
maly be a misnomer, DR.. Guis-
indie admits. Several substances
are known that make people
happy temporarily--for ex-
ample alcohol and the peyote
obtained from cactus buds by
some Indians Of New Mexico
and Arizona. Effects Of these.
however. are temporary and
often are followed by q hang
over which more than balances
the period Of exhilaration.
There is nothing Of the sort,
though. among the New
Guinea grub eaters. Whatever
the substance they consume
may be, it never has any de-
pressing effects.
DR.. GuiSinde entered the
Bismarck Mountains. snow
covered and barren during
most Of the year, with "a ma
tive carriers and one Catholic
monk. They went unarmed, al
though warned that the little
men Of the mountains were
cruel and treacherous. They
found precisely the opposite.
The priest-anthropologiSt for
some years has upheld the
thesis that true pigmies, such
as are found in Central Africa.
parts of the Philippines and
the Andaman Islands off the
coast Of India, constitute a
distinct. and probably very
early, branch of the human
race. Their small stature is
hereditary. No changes in diet
or living conditions ever will
make them bigger-in contrast
to the situation among some
other very small people who
have become so through made
quate diet over many genera
tons. These latter, well-fed,
soon would become normal
sized.
True Pigmies
The New Guinea mountain
people, he found, are true
pigmieS. They were, he be-
lieves. the original inhabitants
of the earth's third largest
island who over many CEN
turtles have been driven into
the inhospitable hills by
Polynesian and Melanasian in
vaders. Naturally they fear
and flee from strangers. Nor
mally they have no contact
with the outside world and
live in small, isolated groups
on the very steep mountain
sides.
All they ask of the world,
fortified with their beetle
grub vitamin, is to be left
alone and the ways of civiIiza-
ton are almost completely
unknown to them. They have
essentially no agriculture and
are not a hunting people.
Happiness under all circum-
stances, DR.. Guisinde points
out, Is not an outstanding
characteristic Of pigmies in
other parts of the world.
Some seem rather miserable
over their inferior position.
The actual chemistry Of the
hypothetical T vitamin, Dir.
Guisinde said, remains UNI
known and its existence re-
mains to be scientifically
demonstrated. The happiness
Of the New Guinea mountain
folks. however. is strong pre-
sumptive evidence, he believes.