davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1956-12-24
National Emergency

Grim returns so far In this years
tabulation Of holiday trafnc accidents
Justify the national emergency" procla-
nation Of the National Safety Council.
It is, indeed, national emergency when
more than $50 Christmas -preoccupied
men, women and children are killed by
automobiles before the four-day Yule
holiday period Is half over. The death
count was In addition, of course, to the
hundreds of persons sent to hospitals
= with serious injuries incurred In the
tragic series Of highway smashups
throughout the Nation.
At this rate, the councils reluctant
prediction that $50 Americans would die
on streets and highways during the 1922
hour holiday period ending tomorrow
night would be more than fulfilled. The
most tragic part Of the outlook is that
30 many of these deaths and injuries are
OF the avoidable variety. Hundreds who
die this season Of good will" could have
been saved had ordinary care and
common sense been used by motorists
Ned Dearborn, president Of the Ma
tional Safety Council, in describing the
AAAOuAiCnAS CVAA 90 O HdCAOld1 cHlcIScHCy,
noted that In many of the accidents
reported since Saturday police attributed
the causes to speeding, drinking and
careleSsneSs. rs 1t asking too much"
he said, ito deliberately slow down in
traffic and not take the wheel II you've
been drinking?" The answer to this ques-
tion is to be found in the councils an
nouncement that the holiday trafic
toll would be cut in half If speeders and
drunken drivers could be kept OF the
highways.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Hey, Rube!

To real d-timers-meaning all men
who once were little boys-a circus with
out tent is something less than full
fare. Even so, on the half-a-loaf theory,
II is good to read that the greatest show
on earth" will hit the road again next
season. When the big canvas went down
last July In Pittsburgh, cutting the sum-
mer tour in half, there were grave doubts
that this part Of Americana ever would
be revived. The management says other
wise now, however, and promises every
thing from iugglers TO tigers, from silken
spangles to cotton candy. Sadly though,
for those once-little boys, next years acts
dazzling and spectacular, no doubt) will
not be confined within the usual acres
OF canvas" that always seemed so much
a part OF the annual visit. Gone with
the big top too, will be the several hun
dred rouStabouts whose peculiar skills no
longer will be needed TO move the show
in and out Of indoor arenas. Still. new
crop OF little boys are sure TO fnd enough
Of fascination In what Is left.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Partnership at Work

Representatives of the Export Import
Bank and Of the British government have
worked out commendable and business
like compromise in the agreement for
$500 million credit to the London Treas
ury. Repayment on whatever funds are
drawn will be made within 712 years, at
AZ per cent interest. AS security for
the loan Britain has pledged whatever
amount is necessary from its holdings of
American corporation stocks and bonds
having an estimated total value today of
nearly 81 billion.
In this move to strengthen Britain's
economic position-a requirement that
arose directly out Of the Middle East crisis
the London negotiators repeatedly had
sought an Export-Import Bank credit OF
$3.50 million at an interest charge lower
than AZ per cent. The bank, In turn,
pointed out that its current interest rates
are running higher than this level. In
addition, loan disbursements are reflected
on the spending side of the Federal
budget-for which reason the bank did
not wish to go above the half-billion Idol
lar credit extension. On the other side,
AOWCNCA, Vic OdlA Ilduc oil LIlpOI IduG
concession to Britain in permitting the
loan to be used for purchase of consumer
goods-first Of all oil, but also coal, steel,
wheat, tobacco and other products.
On all counts, this agreement ap-
pears to be sound from both a business
and political standpoint. Prior to the
Middle East trouble, Britain had been en-
joying good year in building up It's gold
and dollar reserves through a healthy
flow Of trade. The military adventure in
Suez and its resultant British-American
differences prompted heavy selling of
sterling and dangerous drain on these
reserves. The granting of $1.3 billion
credit by the international Monetary
Fund, plus possible temporary waiver
Of interest due on an outstanding Ameri-
can loan, have helped restore confidence
in the pound. The Export Import Bank
credit will provide funds for purchases
here and there is no reason to believe the
British trade position will be impaired.
The evidence, in short is that the eco
nomic crisis will be weathered-becauSe
there has been understanding and action
on both sides of the Atlantic.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Still Going Up

There is more than one side to the
coin In the latest cost of living and re-
lated figures released by the Bureau Of
Labor Statistics The fact that the cost
OF living index for the Nation generally
reached a new high Of ll7.8 in November
is disturbing. particularly since this
mark on the high side is the fifth to be
recorded In 1855. And while the latest
monthly advance was by only one-tenth
OF / per cent, the figures for IL months
show total rise OF "a per cent in that
period At the same time, the bureau
found that the take-home pay OF IA
million factory workers. major group
IN the Nations labor force-likewise had
touched new average peak in November
and had increased even faster than their
living costs.
For the near future, there is another
quality OF mixed blessing" IN the upward
trend OF the cost OF living index. The
fractional rise OF November pushes this
measurement to level where automatic
wage increases under their escalator con-
tracts will go 10 nearly million industry
workers-in steel, aluminium, meat pack
Ing and aircraft manufacture. While
these Ray contribute TO further improve
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Conservative Appointee

Another gain for Arlington'S con-
servative element has been recorded with
the appointment to the Arlington School
Board of Mrs. Helen S. Lane, former
teacher. Mrs. Lane, Republican, does
not believe that integration is good for
either colored or white pupils She is the
FIRST member of the board to be appointed
under new law which abolished election
Of board members In favor Of appoint
ment by the County Board. Since the
board has a conservative majority, the
selection of conservative to I'LL the
vacancy caused by the recent death Of
Mrs Barbara Riches occaSioned no sur
prise.
Mrs. Lane will be the first avowedly
conservative Arlingtonian to sit on the
School Board, which, under the elective
system, has been under irm control Of
the county's liberals. The conservative
voters have been showing increasing
strength in recent years, as has been evi-
denced by recurrent criticism of "extrav-
agant" spending for schools, by resist
ance to large bond issues and by adop-
ton of new plan giving property owners
a sort of veto power over further bond
issues.
AS a teacher in private schools in
Arlington and Alexandria and as a
resident of Arlington since 1949, Mrs.
Lane has become familiar with school
problems in nearby Virginia. She has
declared her intention Of supporting the
States efforts to avoid mixing Of the
races in the public schools. Thus, her
service during this critical period will be
watched closely by the opposing factions
In Arlington.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Hiahwoy Slaughter

The subject Of traffic deaths
and suggested cures for this
national evil are now almost
a daily discussion in news
papers and other forms Of pub
lie utterance. While the toll
OF human life on the highways
Is terrific. It's total is only q
fraction OF the number OF
animals. principally dogs,
which are slaughtered every
day.
The attitude Of q great
many drivers Is one Of tndif-
ference where animals are
concerned--What is another
stray dog? But the animal
which has Just been killed
may be the priced pet Of some
little boy. or the loyal COM
panion Of some lonely elderly
person.
At this season Of good
will toward men let US extend
this charitable feeling 70 tn
clude our four footed aSso-
e.ates. that have earned the
right 70 BE- called friends Of
man.
ROJ L. BareFa
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Recommended Reodinq

I thought you would like to
read the following extracts
from q letter received by the
Director of Vehicles and Traf-
f1c, George E. Keneipp, from
an anonymous writer:
"At this season of the year,
with the Spirit of Christ shin
ing through. as ever-though
decidedly cluttered by the
commercialization Of the COM
nemoration Of a birthday-I
join in the gift-giving and
present this book of complete
traffic laws to you. I trust you
will use this book towards the
advancement Of a safer and
Saner movement of traffic
within the District of Colum-
bia.
1T is unfortunate that this
book of traffic laws Is not in
common use as the drivers
Driving Guide for when the
spirit of the meaning that its
words reveal is studied, adored,
loved, understood. and made
continuous use Of, the knowl-
edge gained becomes the own
ership Of the student. Then
the auto driver ahead OF him,
in the back Of him, and beside
him. is seen as man, Gods
image-as his brother man,
and God is seen as the drivers
pilot. Is 1t not clear that this
attitude and knowledge make
Gods rhythm manifest in the
movement of traffic? 1t is clear
when the driver awakens to
the facts of existence
There is nothing amiss
about dispatching a letter
anonymously. What is impor-
tant about a letter is,--does it
contain any genuine good?
Respectfully submitted.
60? E? q"
Needless to say. the letter
was accompanied by a copy Of
the Holy Bible.
Anthony L. Ellison,
Traffic Safety Offlcer, Depart
ment Of Vehicles and Traffic
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Christmas Stor

Brightly the newborn star
Shone
Marking the humble stable.
Making the Chrtst Child's birth
knoDn.
Three Wise Men sdu. were
dble-
FOLLOWING light the star shed
Pointing the wdv--to find there
King OF Kings IN Hts rdn0er
bed,
Baby. OF all. Most Fair.
Tonight I patched nights
ciIyfdtn--
Stars twiHkIed. diamond
bright
Wonderstruck. ! rds certain
One shone tctth HedpenS Opn
Light
cIeorol Lowell
Evening star., 1956-12-24
WSTAS IN SCIENCE
New Ice Age May Be on the Way
By THOMAS R. HENRY

Another ice age may be
starting.
This is indicated by the
past seven years Of the great
Grinnell Glacier National Park,
according to a report by DIR. r.
A. Dightman Of the United
States Weather Bureau.
Studies of this great advanc-
ing and recorded thermometer
Of the ages has been carried
out jointly by the Weather
Bureau. National Park Serv-
ice and Geological Survey. It
flows northward. The extent
and thickness of the ice indi-
Gates climate over long periods
as the height of a mercury
column in a thermometer
indicates rapid weather
changes.
Ever since 1850, after a long
period of recession. the glacier
now is advancing. The advance
logically has come with seven
unusually cold winters in the
Northwest. There have been
similar cold winters in North
western Europe. This has
not been the case, however, in
Eastern North America or
Eastern Europe.
Cooler Weather Trend
Glacier measurements, it is
explained. are very difficult to
interpret in long-range terms.
The great ice rivers will
advance one year and retreat
the next. They are susceptible
to strictly local influences
which do not indicate climatic
conditions as a whole.
Whether or not these OBJ
served trends are only a minor
fiuctuation in the larger
Northern Hemisphere warm
ing trend variously described
as lasting from 100 to 200
years we do not know" says
DR.. Dightman.
I'VE do know that there is
a well established trend to-
wards cooler weather in the
Northwest. 1t is generally
agreed that there is geological
evidence that periods of glacial
advance and recession on
varying scales have followed
each other at intervals of sew
eral hundreds. or thousands,
Of years through the Pleisto-
Gene (ice) ages. with accom-
panying changes of climate.
Results reported from obser-
vations in southern m O S t
Greenland seemed to the exca-
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Accord With Brazil

There are more than purely military
implications in the decision of the Bra
lillian government to permit establish
ment of a missile tracking station on
Fernando de Noronha, a rocky South
Atlantic island. The agreement has been
reached under provisions of the 1852
United States-Brazil military assistance
pact and the underlying t947 inter-
American security accord. It's confirma-
tion in Rio de Janeiro, however, has come
in the face of a Strident campaign of
protest by militant Brazilian nationaliStS
and pro- Communist elements of the
press. That the government of President
Kubitschek decided to ignore this oppo-
sition indicates a reassuring increase Of
confidence in its own strength as well as
a reaffirmation of its commitment to the
principles of inter american solidarity.
In certain respects-primarily in
welcoming foreign capital for develop
ment Of its natural reSources-Brazil has
Jagged in implementing the basic pan
American concept Strong political ele-
ments in the country have kept alive the
specter Of Yankee imperialism" and
President Kubitschek has been cautious
accordingly. He has made 1t clear per-
sonally, however, that he is not a sub
scriber to the fear that United States
foreign policy today has any roots in old
fashioned dollar diplomacy" And in
pushing the current military agreement
to completion he has indicated not only
a certain political confidence, but an ap-
probation Of the mutual security consid-
erations involved.
Actually, Fernando Island is on the
direct track Of experimental long-range
missiles being launched from the Patrick
Air Force Base In Florida. AS a station
manned by American technicians 1t will
have a useful function both in control
and in observation Of the flight charac-
teristicS Of these weapons 1t could, In
some future emergency, likewise be
equipped to serve as a defense station for
similar tracking of enemy missiles di-
rected against the Western Hemisphere,
a consideration important to Brazil itself.
All in ALL the new agreement has advan-
tages for the entire American community.
Evening star., 1956-12-24

ment in the take-home pay averages,
there is the accompanying danger that
they may prompt higher price schedules
for some of these products. Several cat
egories of steel prices have been raised
in recent days. A higher wage bill, plus
freight rate increases just granted, may
stimulate this move toward higher prices.
Perhaps these inflationary signs are
not seriously alarming. But they Ger
tainly should not be dismissed as incon-
sequential.
Evening star., 1956-12-24

robbed tempo, time taken from
one note and put on another
in the same phrase.
Jones liked this slight slow
ing down, this soulful holding
of a note.
His brother didn't.
He was a natural hillbilly
player before his time.
Temp Jones was more of a
salon musician.
He never came out exactly
right with the approved beat
of his brother. and after wran-
Cling for days and weeks over
1t, they finally gave up the ef-
fort.
1t was then that the door
to the world Of music began
to open for young Temp Jones.
He was not naturally a play
er with others.
1t had to be by himself,
and in this way he came to
have an understanding OF mu-
sic he could have gotten in no
other way.
Perhaps there are countless
boys who founder on this one
item In musical education.
They cannot play with Others
but they have to.
In this way. they lose their
musical souls.
Perhaps more boys realize
this than girls. and are thus
correct when they shirk from
practice. which seems to be
leading them nowhere.
No boy musician, therefore.
Jones holds. who refuses TO
practice his scales, should be
reprimanded any more than
lightly. II he has the soul Of a
musician in him, IL will make
no difference. one way or
another.
II 1t is Just q question Of
his future enjoyment OF music.
Wherever he finds it, he had
better be let alone. so that
music becomes happy time for
him. not reprimand time. That
is one sort Of "time" in music
disliked the world around.
Today our music comes In
great waves. We are sub
merged In sound, and some
times wish we could get away
from I all. but 1t is funda-
mental In human experience.
The instrument OF ones FIRST
learning is fundamental. too,
which means that mostly
nothing can take the place of
the musical instrument. That
is why no one need pity the
boy forced TO study his plano
lessons when he would rather
be outdoors playing football.
Today's children are smart
enough for both.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Time to Be Merry

These gala days call upon
us all to tune ourselves to
joyous moods. The stepped-up
happiness of the Christmas
season is not only due to the
fact that it celebrates the
greatest event in history. It
is also an expression of a vital
human need of celebration in
general; the need for some
striking and refreshing change
from the humdrum Of exist
ence. for gala days to look
forward to as an enticement
for living.
And what better period can
there be for week-long cele-
bration than the period Of the
winter Solstice-that period
which marks the end of
winters shortest and darkest
days. and which also marks
the turning point of the sun
from its lowest declination in
the heavens to that slow but
steady climb which leads to
spring.
This period Of the winter
Solstice was joyously cele-
brated by the various races Of
Europe-long prior to the birth
Of Christ. Among the Greeks,
1t was called the Kronia. The
Romans honored it in the
name Of Saturn, whose great
festival was the Saturnalia.
beginning on December 10 and
extending for seven days.
This was q period Of uni
versal rejoicing. All business
was ut q standstill. Schools
were closed. Even the slaves
were given holidays and were
temporarily free, feasting often
with their masters and even
waited on by them. Presents
were universally exchanged.
And even the daily greeting
for this period was changed
TO 10 Saturnalia."
1t is no wonder that the
church fathers-in the face OF
this long established custom
wisely decided TO appropriate
this festival In the name Of
Christ. and for this purpose
they arbitrarily assigned the
birth date of Christ as De-
cember rs, the very middle Of
the Saturnalia gala week. The
church also took over similar
Solstice festivals among the
Celts. the Germanic tribes and
the Angles Of Britain.
So what we also are cele-
brating at this season is the
turning Of the sun in the sky
and the promise Of spring. I
must be growing more pagan
as ! grow older-for I long
with q deep longing. as De-
cember steals upon us, for the
coming Of that day when I
can say to myself: The nights
will now grow shorter. the days
will grow longer, the frosts and
SHOWS Of January will be
obliged to bow out before the
Evening star., 1956-12-24

vator to justify the conclusion
that at no time since 1400 had
the climate been so favorable
as it had been since the l920s.
However. it seems reason
able to expect this long trend
towards a warmer climate to
reverse itself eventually, as
such trends already have re-
versed themselves several
times within the last few thou
sand years. DR.. Hans w. Ahl-
mann has pointed out that the
elimination Of climate i'm
provement had been reached
in many places in the 1880 or
1910 decades and a trend to-
ward colder climate had
started in Northwestern Eu-
rope.
$50 the important question,
which probably will have to
wait many years for an an
swer is whether the trend ac-
tually is reversing itself in
Northwestern Europe and the
northwestern parts of North
America.
Warm Trend Delayed
"The warming trend seems
to have suffered at least a
temporary interruption over
sizeahle areas.
"The periods with which we
are working are extremely
small on the scale of geological
time. 1t may be as many as 200
to 300 years before our file of
climatic information will con-
tain data for a long enough
period to permit reasonably
full correlation between cli-
mate and glaciation. The seven
years Of data accumulated so
far are very small beginning.
1t seems possible that the
measurements on the Grinnell
Glacier have been started at a
turning point in the, glaciers
history.
Whether this is q major
reversal or only a temporary
interruption of the warming
trend only time can tell"
Observations on several
other glaciers in the western
United States. DR.. Dightman
points out. also bear out the
conclusion that the rapid re-
cession noted during the $780,
1910 decades has halted and a
reverse trend set up. Activity
Of glaciers has increased as far
south as the Central Sierras
and as far east as the Northern
Rockies. This must have some
climatic significance. he says,
but 1t is difficult to interpret.
Evening star., 1956-12-24
Good News

An item In The Star Of De-
cember 20 deserves some spe-
cial treatment. hence this let
ter. ! know many people read
letters which appear on your
editorial page and some may
not have read about o very
gracious act on the part Of
some Of our men on the carrier
Coral Sea, now with the 6th
Fleet In the Mediterranean. Let
me quote q few lines from the
dispatch dated Norfolk, Va.
December 20. via the Asso-
ciated Press:
"A Christmas present has
been passed UP by the men on
the carrier Coral Sea. :.
AL hands aboard the big car
rier usually vote themselves
q gift from the ships recrea-
ton fund. The gifts average
about So each. This year the
men signed q petition TO
send the money usually spent
on gifts TO the Presidents
Relief for Hungary Fund. Cap
tain Jaap messaged the At
lantie Fleet Air Force yester-
day that q check for $500
will be in the mail today. The
petition. signed by every man
aboard. Ia as long as the car
rie-s flight deck"
How refreshing TO hear such
good news and how noble and
unselfish Of the men involved.
Such reports Offset the items
We read about mans inhu-
manity 70 man" There Is q
principle involved here - the
more kind deeds We have. the
fewer evil ones. and IN time
the latter could be eliminated
entirely.
Tnis being the season for
good viii 70 men. let me re-
late . simple incident whiehyI
Evening star., 1956-12-24
LETTERS TO THE STAR

tonic warmth Of February, and
February will inevitably merge
its half-warmth into the Ian
guorouS warmth Of spring.
And so from this merry sea-
son I can get a double enjoy
ment. I can enjoy the Christ
mas jollities-the kindly ex-
change of gifts, and of greet
ings by mail. And I can enjoy
the only promise of future
benefits we can surely count
on-the promise of the turn
of the seasons.
WadSworth was not far
wrong when he wrote:
THE world is too much with
us; late and soon
Getting and spending. we lay
waste our powers:
Little we see in nature that
is ours;
We have given our hearts
away. a sordid boon!
-. Great God! I'd rather be
A pagan sucked in q creed
outworn;
So might I. standing on this
pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would
make me less forlorn."
So let us worship the pro-
cession of the equinoxes-the
coming of spring with all its
vernal beauty; summer with
its warmth and lushness: au-
tumn with it's bracing bronze
leaved beauty; and unavoid-
ably, winter with its sterile
diScontentl
StanwOOd Cobb,
Director, Chevy Chase Coun-
try Day School.