davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Alabama Boycott

The strategy adopted by the authori-
ties in Montgomery, Alabama, in an
attempt to break Negro boycott Of a
busline is almost beyond belief
This boycott, started in protest
against Montgomery's bus segregation
arrangement, began on December 5. It
has been extremely successful, with
nearly $4,000 Negroes finding other
means of getting to and from their
destinations. As a result, lis Negro
leaders now have been indicted under
an antiunion law, adopted in 1921,
which makes it miSdemeanor to con-
spire or agree ito interfere with or
hinder business"
It is hard to believe that this is
happening in 1856, and we suppose that
the indictments, If the Negroes should
be convicted, will ultimately be thrown
out by the courts. Meanwhile, however,
the spectacle remains-the spectacle Of
white people, who are staunchly opposed
to integrated schools, attempting. to
compel Negroes to patronize segregated
buses. And this in the face of the fact
that the Negroes, surprisingly enough,
are willing to accept modified system
Of bus segregation-a first-come, first
served plan under which whites would
start seating from the front and Negroes
from the rear.
The Montgomery grand Jurors,
speaking through the indictment, said
this: ut is the feeling Of this grand jury
that If we continue on our present course
Of race relations, violence is inevitable.
The leaders of both races are urged
to take long and thoughtful look into
the future" This is remarkable ex-
preston to come from grand jury
which seems to think that Negroes can
be compelled to patroniZe segregated
buses. And it is even more remarkable,
perhaps, for what it implies, but does
not explicitly state.
The implication is, or seems to be,
that reason and sense Of fair play are
being destroyed in Montgomery by rising
racial feeling. II this is correct, 1t Is
indeed time for the leaders Of both races,
and, in this instance, especially for the
leaders of the white race, to take long
and thoughtful look into the future.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Authority Membership

Questions raised by members OF the
House Commerce Committee about the
uncontrolled" powers of the proposed
Washington Metropolitan Transit Au-
thority are serious ones and merit careful
consideration. Fears were expressed that
a purely local "self-regulating" agency
might run wild" unless there were some
overall control by superior authority"
The committee wanted to know II
thought had been given to making the
agency Federal, rather than a District,
authority.
Commissioner Spencer testified that
the original plan was for Federal au-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

Day. and very gray. let US hope
for an early spring. Best
wishes to you and your COLI
umn.
Sincerely yours. M. B. H."
The more this column writes,
and the better, about other
things, the more letters we get
about-birds.
We are branded, tagged.
and feathered by birds.
II anybody in Washington
sees a cardinal, he says, There
goes Mr.. Tracewell!"
If they see us, they say.
locke, darling. see the jay!"
A hundred years from now,
II the world lasts that long,
somebody will cry, when he
sees the last chickadee, There
used to be a man who wrote
about birds. think his name
was-let me see-yes, it was
Templeton Jones.
r
O. K, folks, If 1t has to be
birds, here goes again:
Robin bands are a bit early
this year, probably due to the
unreasonable cold in the south
land. But the main body Of
them was still sequestered in
some county in the South at
this writing.
To this bird watcher, there
is no first robin except the one
we see in our own backyard.
To the official of the Bank
ers Life, we replied that if he
is here during the last week
Of April and the first week Of
May. he probably will get to
see the warbler flights, and that
the Gao Canal is as good a
place as any. For more infor-
nation we referred him to the
superintendent, Shenandoah
National Park. Luray, Va: to
the Audubon Society of the
District of Columbia, P. o.
Box 2. Ben Franklin Station,
Washington 4. D. c.. and to the
superintendent, National Park
Service. Interior Department,
Nineteenth and c streets NV,
Washington, D. c.
Purple finches, and some eve
ming grosbeaks, have been
numerous this year.
Putting out feeding stations
on all sides of a home con-
stitutes the best way to handle
a belligerent mockingbird. It
gives the smaller birds q chance
to get something to eat, and
runs the big fellow ragged. In
time. he is glad to calm down.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Veteran Suits Up

A colorful and well-known veteran Is
returning to the political wars in nearby
Maryland Willard E. Tydings, whose "a
years In the United States Senate set
record for the Free State, has announced
his candidacy for the Democratic sena-
torial nomination. The party primary,
with FIVE candidates now announced, will
be held on May 7.
Mr.. Tydings, generally identified with
the conservative wing of the Democratic
Party, was forceful figure during his
career in the Senate and one never IN
clined to sidestep political fight either
within his party or outside 1t. He Is
committing himself to another one now,
with his principal primary opponent
being George P. Mahoney, Baltimore
contractor, who has been vigorous
campaigner but not yet conspicuously
successful one. Mr.. Mahoney lost TO
Republican Senator Beall in the 1852
race but, up to the time Of the Tydings
announcement, had been widely expected
to win his own party nomination again
this year.
Actually, whoever carries the Demo-
cratic standard will be facing an uphill
battle next fall. Not since 1946 has
Democrat won a Statewide election in
Maryland. In 1850, both Senator Tydings
and Governor Lane were defeated In re-
election bids. Republican Senator But
Ter, who defeated Mr.. Tydings in that
year, already has announced his bid for
reelection. And since the 1850 cam
paign was one of the bitterest ever con-
Quoted in the State, a comparably rough
fight seems assured for this fall
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Would Eisenhower SheIve Nixon?

Speculation regarding q vice
presidential nominee. to run
with President Eisenhower,
provided the President decides
to become available" for a
second-term nomination, has
reached almost a fever-heat in
this Capital City. There are
those who are "sure" Vice
President Richard M. Nixon
will be the man tapped.
Others, listening to the at
tacks made on Nixon and the
rumors that he would hurt. not
help, the Republican ticket
this year, are gingerly betting
that Nixon will be given an
other job, and the Eisenhower
running mate will be a Her
ter, a Knowland, q Warren, q
Dewey or any one Of a dozen
others. Take a look at what the
President himself has said on
the subject Of picking a vice
presidential candidate.
Put Nixon on List
At a May 81, 1885. press con-
ference, the President was
asked specifically what had
been his role in the 1852 selec-
ton of Nixon for the Repub-
lican vice presidential nomina-
ton. Without the slightest
hesitation, Mr.. Eisenhower re-
piled that he had written down
the names Of i've or six young
err men, whom he admired.
who had made names for
themselves, and said tpresum-
ably to the party leaders, that
any one of them would be &C
ceptable to him. Nixon was on
the list. And the President ex-
planned that when he found.
Immediately after he himself
had been nominated to head
the ticket. he was expected to
pick a vice presidential can
didate. he said he wouldn't do
it: that he didn't know enough
about the things that had been
going on in the country dur
ing the two years he had been
abroad.
Clearly the situation is diff
ferent today. The President
knows what has been going on
in the country and in the Re-
publican Party. He is in a
position to decide for himself
whom he wants as a running
mate. But that does not nee
essarily mean he would not. II
occasion arose, again write
down the names of a number
of men who would be accept
able to him-leaving the selec-
ton to the party leaders and
the convention.
But the President made 1t
clear he intends to have say
in the matter of the selection
of a vice presidential nominee
If he himself Is a candidate
for President. He definitely
will not leave the matter en-
tirely in the hands Of the ma
tional convention. At the same
May press conference he said:
"It seems obvious to me that
unless the man chosen was
acceptable to the presidential
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23

nominee, the presidential nom
inee should Immediately step
aside"
That's q strong statement.
With 1t hanging over the heads
Of Republicans who want.
above all, Eisenhower as their
presidential nominee, it is clear
the President will have the
man Of his choice-or else. He
went on to say: eve have q
Government in this day and
time when team work is 50 i'm
portant, where abrupt changes
could make so much difference.
II a President is later disabled
or killed. it would be fatal, In
my opinion. If you had q tense
period. not only to introduce a
man of an entirely different
philosophy Of government, but
he in turn would necessarily
then get an entirely new cabi-
net. I think you would have
chaos for a while. So, ! believe
that II there isn't some kind
of general closeness Of feeling
between these two (the Presi-
dent and Vice President), 1t Is
an impossible situation"
President Eisenhower force
fully declared his belief that
the Vice President Of the
United States should never be
a nonentity; that he should
be used prof1tably for the
country. He quickly added that
Nixon had been so used. He
added that Nixon "has worked
as hard as any man I know in
this whole executive depart
ment." And at a recent press
conference the President went
all out In his praise Of Mr..
Nixon. expressing both his af-
lection and esteem for him.
Secretaries Under Fire
with all this on the record,
it is difficult. to believe that
President Eisenhower. If he
runs, viii agree to shelve
Nixon. He has not yielded to
demands by critics that he get
rid of other important mem
bers Of his "team"-for ex-
ample, Secretary Of State
Dulles, Secretary Of Commerce
Weeks. Secretary Of Agricul-
ture Benson, or Secretary Of
the Interior Mckay. all Of
whom have been under terrific
fire from time to time.
1t is urged, Of course. that
the vice presidency differs
radically from a cabinet post
since the Vice President would
become President If the Chief
Executive were disabled or
should die. And because Of
Eisenhower's heart attack, the
nominee for Vice President
should be the party's second
choice for President. Nixon
might be that choice, II it came
to a showdown.
The President. when asked
about Nixon, said he had not
consulted the Vice President
about Nixon's own plans and
wishes, and he would do so
before reaching any decision
himself.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
First Person

A national weekly has just
concluded the publication of
excerpts from Harry Truman's
memoirs, so maybe a short
review is in order.
I, Truman, self-anointed
saviour of the Democratic
Party and the United States of
America: ! L. L 4.
I ! L
Angus sinclaif.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
UNITED PRESS.

Dear Sir:
Each spring. as my wife
and I drive along the high
ways, we have a lot Of fun
seeing who can spot the first
robin
ION January 20 we spotted
a flock of several hundred
spread out over the fairways
and In the trees Of the. Coun-
try Club at Fredericksburg,
Va.
I'VE were astounded at such
an early mass migration
north. and. as avid readers OF
your column, wondered
whether you have any such
record in your archives.
'In years past we have seen
some as early as February 6,
but more recently about March
!.
1.-THE flock yesterday was
fat and frisky and set up quite
a tuneful racket.
do you. by chance. recall
an earlier migration in these
parts? And are you one Of
the school that believes spring
can't be far behind the
robin?
Sincerely, H.W.S."
4 X y
"DES MONIES, IOWA.
Dear Sir:
MY wife and I are planning
to spend some time in May
In the hills of Virginia doing
some bird watching. among
other things. We wondered
if you had any information as
to when the flight of the
warblers usually occurs and
whether there are any particu-
lar areas you would recon-
mend.
Actually we will end up at
the convention at the Green
brier in West Virginia. There
fore, we will not be in a posi-
ton to visit coastal spots and
prefer staying somewhere west
of the Skyline Drive.
Thank you for any infor-
nation you can give us.
Sincerely yours, D. B."
X X X
"Macomb Street.
Dear Sir:
II have enjoyed reading
your column for many years.
Now thought that perhaps
could pass on a few words
of encouragement to those
citizens of Washington who
are owned by mockingbirds.
1--WE have now established
feeding stations on three sides
of our house and now &C
tually feel sorry for our old
boy.
Hes frustrated and so busy
that he hardly has time to eat
or even fight with the mocker
who lives across the street. In
the meantime, we're enjoying
the circus and every one has
plenty to eat.
"It has been my privilege to
have a flock of purple f1nches
come to my yard every day
and feast on the berries of the
hawthorn tree. And to think
that I was considering having
it cut down because the bios
SONS are unpleasant smelling
and messy. Never again, such
thoughts.
This being 0roundhoe
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
AIcohoI's Slaves

I agree with every word of
the letter by Mrs. Jesse w.
Nicholson entitled Demon
Rum" The American people
are becoming slaves to alcohol.
Congress is now discussing a
ban on liquor advertising in
magazines and newspapers and
over radio and television. If
every church member refused
to subscribe to media that car
ried such ads, it would soon
stop them and help prevent
alcoholics.
Mrs. A. M. Black.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Monpower

When munition plants are
leUeled
And the cyclotronS are doi0n;
1t pil be the mdnpoDer forces
Who DiH toedr the uictor's
crotDn.
Lloyd MeLeon Roberts
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23

@. On what date in early
spring can robins be expected
to return to their northern
home?-E. F. O.
A. There is no set time; the
robins return depends upon
the weather. Usually the birds
are seen early in March, ar
irving on a south wind, in q
loose flock. The males come
first, several days ahead Of the
females.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23

tcttCTS wv onOyCSk ~ SSsNS
sdtton.
opposing the Kaplan plan are
clear and well known to all.
On the other side, the rea-
sons behind the opposition to
the Johnston bill and support
of the Kaplan plan by a
certain few administration
Spokesman are not equally
clear nor as well known. In
deed, 1t is strange and rather
unique in the history Of the
Federal service to find the
appointed guardians Of the
Civil Service system favoring
a plan that will damage and
opposing a bill that will
strengthen the very system
they were appointed to pro-
tect. In the absence Of any
reasonable explanation for
linking social security and civil
service retirement. other than
the excuse that 1t will accomp-
fish Generalization" Federal
employees are justified in view
ing the proposal with skep-
ticism and inquiring whether
it is not motiyated by politics
or a desire in some quarters
to see the Federal merit sys-
tenn destroyed.
II. W. Brawley,
Executive Director,
Senate Committee
on Post Office and
Civil Service.
In its editorial Federal
Employee Annuities," The Star
comes to the support of the
Kaplan plan so vigorously OPP
posed by all employe organiza-
lions, and states that Federal
employees ought to inform
themselves fully on the ad-
vantages Of the expanded pro-
gram before rejecting it in
favor of something else"
I might suggest that that is
exactly what the Federal en-
ployes have done. which ex-
plains their opposition to the
plan. If the administration
feels that the retirement sys-
tenn needs revamping, there is
ample opportunity for doing
so without dragging in social
security. These employe organ
izations are headed by men
who devote their entire time 10
Federal employe problems, and
one, the National Association
of Retired Civil Employees, is
concerned with retirement
problems alone. These men
and their stats are experts
and far better equipped in
their field than an editorial
writer for a newspaper, how
ever talented he may be. Fur
thermore, the writer Of the
editorial, because he is en-
ployed by a commercial con-
Germ. will some day retire un.
der social security. Naturally
he leans toward that system.
Last summer when those
who had retired we're fighting
desperately to obtain some leg
islative relief from conditions
brought about by imitation,
The Star made not the slight
est effort to aid these persons
until the writer wrote The Star
a vigorous letter of protest.
This resulted in one not-too-
strong editorial and then utter
silence.
We need help now, but the
employees and retirees are quite
capable Of smelling cheese in
rat trap.
G. r. Simcox,
Secretary Treasurer. Vir-
ginia Federation of Chap
tiers, National Association
OF Retired Civil Employees.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used "
letters carry Drtters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
sdtton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKN SERVICE

A reader can get an answer TO any
Evening Star Information bureau,
1900 Eye ct NV, Washington B,
D C Please tnclose I cents for re-
turn postage
Evening star., 1956-03-31
Crippled Children

At this Easter season it is appropriate
to remind the public that the Easter Seal
campaign of the District Society for
Crippled Children Is still under way.
Although good progress has been made,
the drive is still short of the 1856 goal
of $165,000. Unless the full amount is
raised, plans for aiding at least 700 dis
abled boys and girls this year will have
to be curtailed
The society last year helped total
OF 581 children-and all of the treat
mentS and other assistance were free.
The organization operates treatment
center, nursery and kindergarten schools
for crippled children, including those with
cerebral palsy. The funds for this impor-
tant work come entirely from the pro-
ceeds of the sale of Easter Seals and from
contributions by other friends of the
society and of it's young benef1ciaries.
There is yet time to share in this COM
munity enterprise, as the campaign will
not end until April 10. Headquarters of
the society are at 1857 Massachusetts,
avenue NV.
Evening star., 1956-03-31
Convenience Is Important

The proposed new home of the
Northern Virginia branch of the Univer-
sity of Virginia would be welcome
addition to any community. Therefore,
it is not surprising that sharp contest
has arisen in nearby Virginia over site
for the expanded institution, now tenn
porarily housed in Arlington's Washing
ton-Lee High School. 1t would be unfor-
tunate, however, if, in the keenness of the
competition, the site decision should be
influenced by pressures or Establishments
that tend to obscure basic considerations
that ought to control the choice of site.
A major consideration, for example,
is convenience of the location for those
attending the university branch. Land
has been offered in various parts of
Evening star., 1956-03-31
Skip Eighth Grade?

AS a teacher in the Wash
ington area, I heartily indorse
Gen. Lanes memorandum. If
he can bring District schools
UP to the standards outlined
in his memorandum, I am sure
schools over the country will
follow his leadership.
In our schools, have found
discipline the greatest single
deterrent to successful teach
ing, and I feel that having
separate high schools for boys
and girls would help greatly.
I have also gradually be-
come convinced that we should
abolish the eighth grade. Since
there is little new subject mat
ter taught in this grade and
it is largely a review of the
elementary grades and a pre-
view of high school, I have
observed it bores more students
than it helps. I feel that in II
years we could accomplish
more than is now being done
in our present. II years of pub
lie education.
Following Gen. Lanes pat
tern of returning schools to
their places as educational in
stitutions, the eighth grade is
certainly unnecessary. Also. by
eliminating one year of in
struction, more teachers would
be available, appropriations
would go further, and students
would be ready for college or
jobs one year earlier.
Teacher and Parent.
Evening star., 1956-03-31
Mr.. Stevenson's New Mood

Adlai Stevenson has done two things
In the past 10 days to back up his post
Minnesota primary promise that II will
now work harder than ever" to win the
Democratic presidential nomination. The
first was to postpone scheduled visit to
Florida in order to make new personal
drive for support in California. The sec
ond was to become "a little angry and
upset" and to throw a few oratorical
punches at his principal rival, Senator
Kefauver of Tennessee. It is questionable,
perhaps, whether either course is going
to help Mr.. Stevenson materially, but the
combination has at least added new
spice to the campaign.
The Importance of California is
obvious. The State will have 68 votes in
the Democratic convention, virtually 10
per cent of the number needed for nom
ination. Senator Kefauver was the pri-
mary choice there in 1852, when Mr..
Stevenson was not entered, but earlier
signs this year indicated that the former
Governor of Illinois would be the party
favorite. This picture has changed, how
ever, in recent weeks, particularly since
the Minnesota test, and the big Western
State is now the number one battle
ground. Mr.. Kefauver went there di-
rectly from his Minnesota triumph
shaking hands freely and complaining
that all the party "bosses" and their
machines are against him. Mr.. Steven
son followed soon after-and the Kefau-
yer implication that he is merely the
pawn of these bosses has aroused the
Stevenson ire.
Up to a point, at least, the Tennes-
scans complaint is truthful. 1t was
generally understood that party leaders
worked quietly for Mr. Stevenson in New
Hampshire-Where he made poor write
in showing They worked openly for
him in Minnesota-where his showing
was surprisingly bad. Most of them in
California have been active in his behalf.
There is nothing reprehensible in this, OF
course, and it does not follow that this
makes him merely pawn of the bosses"
Meanwhile, Mr. Kefauver-with no
reason currently to be angry and upset
will pick up another % convention votes
in the uncontested primary in Wisconsin
next Tuesday. And before California
Democrats vote on June S, these two top
rivals will clash directly for another 28
convention votes from Florida on May %.
There again, early signs favored Mr..
Stevenson, but it is worth remember
ing that Senator Kefauver in 1852 ran
a strong second to Senator Russell OF
Georgia, the Southern Democratic favor
ite that year Mr.. Stevensons new mood
of working harder and with greater
emphasis on personalities will be fully
tested in these next few weeks. At this
point, his prospects are not bright.
Evening star., 1956-03-31
Research Crisis

Bravo for your March %
editorial, Research Crisis" !"
Let's have more of the same.
The exodus of top-level Gov
ernment scientists to "greener
pastures" is continually in
creasing. Requirements are
next to impossible to find.
Government agencies cannot
wine and dine recruits for
these positions as can private
companies who in many cases
are working on Government
contracts.
The solution is to increase
the Government scientists sal
aries to a comparable level
with industry. This should
induce many more capable
people into Government lab
oratories where research is
conducted for the sake of re-
search in contradistinction to
industry where research is
motivated by future profits.
Underpaid Physicist.