davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
Toronto Area Plan Spurs
Interest in Problem Here

a Commissioners and Governors
Conference on traffic.
More Thon Cooperation
Harland Bartholomew, chairman
OF the National Capital Planning
Commission, feels. however, that
cooperation" is not the final an
swer. Eventually. he says, some
agency will be needed to truly uni
fy" many of these activities.
He agrees that these moves must
begin slowly. But as individual
problems are attacked, he reasons.
the fundamental sensibility of
Joint action will become obvious,
especially as the problems them
selves magnify. That they will
magnify as the area continues to
expand, there is little doubt. Some
experts predict the present 1.8
million population will leap to
3.3 million by 1980-moSt of it in
the suburbs.
Donald E. Gingery, Montgomery
County member of the Regional
Planning Council. feels that Mary
lands and Virginia's interests are
so lntertwined with the Districts
that the States legislators should
band together to support District
projects in Congress. Gov. Nc
Keldin proposed formation of
permanent, high-level group to
consider general area headaches.
Such moves as these are still in
the talking stage. But the signifi-
cant thing is that there is more
and more talk about them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
VIRGINIA
BY ALEX r. PRESTON

Odds appear to favor a return
OF Virginia to the Democratic fold
in the presidential sweepstakes
next month.
Despite the continued popularity
OF President Eisenhower there are
several signs pointing in the direc-
ton Of a victory-though narrow
for Adlai Stevenson in the Old
Dominion.
There are two major factors
that could change the outlook
. If Senator Byrd, head of the
all-powerful Democratic organiza-
ton, should speak out affirmatively.
taking position opposite to what
he has implied thus far. the whole
picture would be reversed.
. The entry of T. Coleman An
drews, former Internal Revenue
commissioner in the Eisenhower
administration. in the presidential
race on the States Rights ticket
could be factor. The consensus
OF politicians is that he will draw
more votes from Mr.. Eisenhower
than from Mr.. Stevenson, but this
reasoning is in hot dispute.
Governor Race a Factor
Not to be overlooked as an under
lying motive for returning Vir-
ginia to the Democratic column
this year is next years guber-
material campaign.
Republicans are expected to
make an about drive for the Gov
ernor's chair in 1857. They scored
a near miss" with State Senator
Ted Dalton of Radford, who polled
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
Location Is Biggest Stumbling Block
In Planning for New Ball Stadium

the last year that the club had
first division team. Since then,
crowds have dropped and so has
the quality of the team.
Revenue and Quolity
George p. Marshall, owner OF the
Redskins football team and a fell
low user of Griffith Stadium, argues
that the stadiums ability to draw
crowds. its financing and the result
ing revenues have a direct bearing
on the clubs ability to purchase
high quality teams.
Under present conditions, the
stadium loses many potential Gus
toners because OF lack Of parking
and because OF the congestion
in the neighborhood. crux OF the
problem for stadium builders now.
therefore, is where to put It.
Suggestions have ranged from
the site OF the National Training
School 10 the Southwest tedevelop-
ment area and Columbia Island.
Still another was offered by a Star
sports writer who suggested that 1t
be placed on Haines Point Island.
Just east Of the highway bridges.
He pointed out this would tie into
the proposed inner loop highway
around downtown Washington and
give fast traffie for Virginia drivers
who come from an area which pro-
duces the peak Of sports enthusiasm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
DISTRICT
BY HECTOR MCLEAN

Forty-five years ago last st.
Patrick's Day-March II. 1911
Washington's American League ball
park burned almost to the ground.
Within less than three months,
the old wooden stands were re-
built Of concrete and steel into what
is now known as Griffith Stadium.
This was only a few months before
Clark Griffith, in whose honor the
stadium is named, first came to
Washington as manager and part
owner.
Now, judging from Calvin Grif-
f1th's threat TO move his franchise
to the West Coast, the problem is
one again OF providing a new sta
dium. This time. however, the
question is not merely one Of re-
building the stadium. but Of find-
ing new site.
The present location has been
outmoded Part Of this results from
a phenomenon which is still re-
making metropolitan cities-the
full Towering OF the automotive
age since World War II.
Even when what is now Grifiith
Stadium was rebuilt in 1911. 1t was
still an era OF relatively small cities
and the streetcar. Automobiles were
few and far between. Even the FIRE
engines which unnecessarily tried
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

to put out the ball park fire were
horse and hand drawn. although
the department was starting to
mechanic itself.
Once ColIed Beyer's Park
John Clagett Proctor, Washing
ton historian and Star writer, re-
called in 1910 that before the sta
dunn grounds became a ball park,
they were known as Beyer's Park,
conducted as early as 1865 by Louis
Boyer "in connection with the hotel
attached TO the grounds"
Mr.. Proctor related that the no.
tel was operated as the Maryland
House until 1914. and that before
the ball park was built the adjoin-
ing grounds provided dance pa
Wilton and an assortment OF at
fractions such as 60 with a picnic
place or a summer garden. And, Of
course. lager beer was served with
the customary collar on the top.
Foot racing was an occasional at
traction and prize waltzing was not
uncommon. At an early date here
was on OF the first board tracks
upon which TO operate the old
wooden bicycle"
1t is notable that the Washing
ton Senators peak year for attend
ance was 1916. the year after the
war. when the team attracted
crowds Of i,o27.2is. That also was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
MARYLAND
BY GENE GOODWIN

There are interesting contrasts
between the campaign techniques
and methods being used by the two
senatorial contenders in Maryland,
Republican Senator John Marshall
Butler and Democrat George Perry
Mahoney.
There are similarities. too. Both
men are we'll off and drive Cadillac
cars. But they are campaigning in
brightly painted, low priced station
wagons. Both speak as native Bal
timoreans. The Republican Sena-
tor, a retired corporation lawyer,
still lives in one Of the city's plush
Ter sections. Mr.. Mahoney, paw
ing contractor, has deserted his
humble East Baltimore beginnings
for a 425-acre estate and dairy
farm in Baltimore County's fash
ionable Worthington Valley.
But there are more differences
than similarities between these two
gentlemen who aspire to the same
S22, 500-a-ye (plus expenses) Job,
and the contrasts are brought into
focus by the way they campaign.
Senator Butler seems so far TO
be relying heavily on personal con-
facts, getting out and meeting peo-
pie, shaking hands. slapping backs.
laughing at stale Jokes and urging
people personally TO support him.
Yet, this personal campaigning
is thing that Senator Butler does
not do very well. He goes at 1t in
an apologize sort Of way and seems
10 be in hurry TO get it over with.
on recent visit 10 the Fred
erick fairgrounds. for example. he
shook very few hands, explaining to
reporters that he felt the people
were there 10 have fun and not be
bothered by politicians.
The Senator apparently feels he
has TO do as much personal cam
paigning as possible since he Is up
against a man whose ability in
meeting people and shaking hands
By the hundreds has earned him
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
By SIMON TUCKER

Just what right not to speak"
does an American have under the
Constitution? Or more specifically,
when is a person entitled to remain
silent under questioning by legis-
lative committee or other official
body?
The decision of the Supreme
Court last Monday to review the
case of Watkins Us. United States
brings new attention to this ques-
ton. one of the big current issues
in the area of civil liberties. Many
great Supreme Court decisions have
strengthened and defined the right
of free speech, probably the most
basic of all civil rights in our
democracy. But the right of silence
is still subject to discussion and
controversy.
The right not to speak" origi-
mates in the Fifth Amendment to
the Constitution. which says: mo
person shall be compelled in
any criminal case to be a witness
against himself"
These words protect a person
from Standardization, that is,
from having to say anything which
would subject him to criminal pros
ecution or which could be used
against him in a criminal pro-
ceeding. Today. however, the big
question is whether this right not
to speak" applies in situations
where criminal prosecution is not
involved.
Matter Of Conscience
The Watkins case is an example.
John T. Watkins, an organizer for
the United Auto Workers Union,
spoke freely to House committee
about his own Communist connec-
tons in the labor movement. But
he refused to talk about the Com
munist connections of others he
had known. He did not claim
the Fifth Amendment protection
against standardization, resting
MS refusal on grounds of con-
science. The legal justification of
fered for his silence is that the
committee was not exercising a
legitimate authority in questioning
him. The court will review his
conviction for contempt of Con-
gress.
Another case in the same area
was the famous Slochower case.
decided last year by the Supreme
Court. Professor Slochower of
Brooklyn College had pleaded the
Fifth Amendment before a Con-
gressional Committee. The issue be-
fore the Supreme Court was not
whether he could be criminally pun
ished for not speaking, which in
effect would have been forcing him
to incriminate himself despite the
Fifth Amendment. The issue was
whether New York City could fire
him pursuant to q municipal law
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
WAN LATND
Butler Adopts the Mohoney Technique

group. He is not fiery orator, but
he can communicate his thoughts
effectively.
Most observers feel that the Sem
ator would have come out on top
if the Butler ahoney debate had
come off.
It should be said however, that
Mr.. Mahoney, who has had only
grade school education, is much
better speaker today than he was
when he first sought public office
six years ago.
Sometimes, when he is speaking
off the cuff. he goes over surpris-
ingly we'll. He is at his worst when
he has to answer questions such
as are asked by the erudite au-
dience often found in Montgomery
County and other suburban areas.
In his speeches, Mr.. Mahoney en-
phasizes his faith in "the little
fellow, the rank and file, the
masses" He says over and over
again that he is for the small
farmer and small businessmen and
against the giant corporations.
Member Of the Team
Senator Buffers standard is built
around his being a member OF the
Eisenhower team" and all the good
he says he's done for Maryland by
revitalizing the shipbuilding and
repairing industry,
The Senator distributes a cam
paign card with picture OF Presi-
dent Eisenhower awarding him the
American Legion maritime Man OF
the Year" award.
He also passes out match books
carrying what appears 70 be
composite photograph Of himself
and the President
Mr.. Mahoney has substituted ball
looms for the Jelly beans he passed
out during the primary last spring.
And In place Of the small picture
card he distributed then with the
Baltimore Orioles baseball sched-
ule on the back. he Is now passing
out the Baltimore Colts football
schedule and the fall horse racing
dates in Maryland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
BOON FOR THE AGED
Shameful Blue Plains
Is Thing Of the Past

when millions Of dollars were
needed.
A year after Mrs. Roosevelt's
visit. beds were still head-to-foot
in some wards, the lights were so
dim that the inmates could do
nothing after dinner but go to bed.
food was still cold and so unpalat-
able that the inmates left more on
their plates than they ate, fire
escapes were still ladders down
which the aged and crippled could
not climb and the men still sat
around doing nothing in the
recreation rooms"
But WPA workers had made some
changes. Some Of the women had
been given knitting and crocheting
to do. Pictures had been hung in
the sun parlors. And a resident
doctor had come to stay.
Hospital Changes Scene
The odds against real change,
however, were too great until 1851
when Congress appropriated funds
for hospital. With the new build
ing came staff and with staff came
care. The inmates of yesterday be-
came the patients or residents of
today.
When the new hospital building
opened in February, 1854, it was
time to change the name of the
institution along with the
philosophy.
Into the home now came the
older people who got along all right
at home until illness struck. They
could afford to pay for some Gaze.
With proper medical care, physical
therapy and an incentive to live,
they could be brought back to an
active life. That became a goal
of the institution.
In 1910, there was no recreation
director, no arts and crafts instruc-
tors, no dietician, no full-time doc
tor, no social work. no physical
therapist. no technicians. Now there
is a recreation director. two full
time crafts instructors with the
American Red Cross providing an
extra 80 hours of instruction
monthly, a dietician. two full-time
doctors as we'll as "externes" to pro-
vide round-the-cloc medical serv-
ice. three social workers, % grad
uate nurses and 10 practical nurses
compared with a complement of
five graduate nurses and two prac-
teal nurses in 1910. There's physi-
cal therapist, an X-ray technician,
two laboratory technicians and a
pharmacist.
The food is hot, varied and we'll
balanced. Heated food carts are
wheeled from the new hospital
kitchens to the tables in the old
residence hall. OF the $50 residents
of the hospital and residence hall,
l65 are served special diets-an
unheard-of feat in the old days.
In the space made available by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
State Seen Likely to Go Democratic
In November's Presidential Election

As per cent Of the vote against
Democratic Gov. Stanley in 1858.
That was the year following the
presidential election in which there
were top-level OBJECTIONS among
the Democrats. Thoughtful Demo-
cratic leaders don't want to be
scared like that again.
1t was Senator Byrd's rejection
of Mr.. Stevenson in 1852 that fig
ured as probably the largest single
factor in Virginia and three other
Southern States voting for Presi-
dent Eisenhower Virginia gave the
President a majority of about 10000
votes.
At the Democratic National Con-
vention this year-as in 1852
Virginia refused to go along with
the nomination of Mr.. Stevenson.
But Senator Byrd since has publicly
assailed the Eisenhower admin
istration's civil rights program in
no uncertain terms. He called it
the most iniquitous" plan ever
placed before Congress. The Sena-
tor also lit into the Presidents fiscal
and tax policies.
The assumption in many quar-
tiers now is that Senator Byrd
without indorsing the Democratic
standard bearer-has turned his
back" on President Eisenhower in
1856 Just as he did to Mr.. Steven
son in 1852.
Virginia's Democratic leaders are
more outspoken for the party ticket
from top to bottom" this year than
they were formerly. These leaders,
particularly members of Con-
gress, seem to be more conscious of
the fact that they can defeat civil
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
By MIRIAM GUTENBERG

I'VE found conditions more closely op-
prooehins those described in the writings
Of Chorles Dickens thon the stondcrds
which should be applied to such q home
in the Nations CopitoI in the year l940"
Report Of boord Of physicians on the
Home for the Aged and lnfirm at Blue
Plains.
That summed up the Blue Plains
story in 1910.
Today, as the institution cele-
brates its 50th anniversary. there
is cause for celebration. Even its
name has been changed.
1t was lover the hill to the poor
house" in 1910. Today, it is more
the place implied by its new name,
d. c. Village-a community of old
er people who can maintain their
personal dignity in an atmosphere
Of nursing care.
The District has not yet solved
all the problems uncovered in that
1910 report. There are still a num-
Der of Village residents who should
be in another type of institution.
The rambling residence hall, vintage
1907, still remains. There are staff
shortages.
But there is new hospital for
half the inmates, the residence hall
blooms with pastel-colored walls,
the staff has grown from less than
so to nearly $50 and new philos-
ophy permeates the place. Mrs.
Eleanor Roosevelt, who started the
agitation for change in 1910,
wouldn't recognize the home now.
A Dumping Ground
The institution on the Potomac,
started with such high hopes for
enlightened medical care for the
aged and infirm in 1907, had sunk
to its lowest point by the late 1905.
1t had become dumping ground,
a place to be stunned.
The Star sent young reporter
there on an unannounced visit. She
returned with shocked tales of flies
on cold food, patients dying alone
and neglected, a crippled woman
using a broken chair for a crutch,
dormitories locked in the daytime
because the inmates might mess
them up if they tried to take after
noon maps, and people just sitting
waiting to die.
Her story was so unbelievable
that The Star sent another reporter
to the institutional veteran who
had investigated Infamous Deep
South almhouses. He reported Blue
Plains was the worst of all.
And then Mrs Roosevelt paid
her call. She called Blue Plains
"far below the standards of de-
cency" and like the old type of
prison" Her unannounced tour re-
suited in a congressional investi-
cation. a city investigation by a
special board of physicians-and
a $4,000 increase in appropriations
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

rights and other legislation ane-
thema to them, if they maintain
their party's control on congress
sional committees.
l948 Is Recalled
The States Rights candidacy of
Mr.. Andrews is bringing to mind to
many Democrats the experience of
1948 when another States RICHTER,
South Cardinals J. Strom Thur
man, had a vital effect on Virginia
election.
In that year Mr.. Thurman polled
over $4,000 votes, or more than 10
per cent of the total in Virginia.
President Truman, with over 200,-
900, polled 48 per cent and Repub-
lican Thomas E. Dewey got 172,000
or Al per cent.
Political post mortems. have led
to the belief by some that the States
Rights candidate pulled support
away from Mr. Dewey, thus aiding
the Democratic cause at a time
when President Truman was po-
litically the most hated man by
Virginia Democrats.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

the title of "Maryland's Kefauver."
Corn Is Abundant
In addition to his handshaking
skill, Mr.. Mahoney frequently dis
plays a great talent for being corny.
Political scientists would shudder
at some Of the things he says and
does, but they seem to make a hit
with the average voter.
The other day in Caroline County,
for example, Mr.. Mahoney took over
the auctioneer's microphone at a
farmers livestock sale. Affecting a
southern drawl, he auctioned of
three goats and four calves and
attacked the Republicans as we'll
1t was pure corn, but the farmers
seemed to like it.
When 1t comes TO public speak
ing. though. Mr.. Mahoney has to
take a back seat to the Senator.
Senator Butler, with his lawyers
background, handles himself very
we'll on the speakers rostrum,
whether before a large or small
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

young people still at the home.
Many alcoholics are there, too. To
keep them away from whiskey
there must be restrictions resented
by other residents. and they pre-
sent psychiatric problem which
requires time of attendants needed
for the old people.
There's a dental clinic but no
dentist to man it. Patients have to
be brought into the city to see an
eye doctor for lack of a visiting
consultant. More attendants are
needed at night in the residence
hall.
Despite the remaining unmet
needs, however, D. C. Village today
can issue an anniversary week in
vitation that the Welfare Depart
ment would have been ashamed to
issue in 1910:
open house daily from ! to 5
pm. Guided tours"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14
By GEORGE BEvERIDGE

For officials cropping with Wash
ington's Metropolitan Area develop
ment problems, there was high
irony last week in the combination
of two events. Within a 24-hour
period, they:
. Heard glowing account of how
Canada's large GA million popu-
lation) Toronto region has formed
a new area-wide level of govern
ment to build expressways, water
systems, subways and sewer plants
within one master development
plan.
. Watched high Maryland, Vir-
ginia and District officials failing to
resolve responsibility for paying
maintenance costs of a new six
lane bridge the Federal Govern
ment proposes to build over the
Potomac at Jones Point.
The latter event was lamentable
example of why Toronto's dramatic
experiment in metropolitan area
government isn't disable here. The
Capitals region is far too divided
in city. county. State and Federal
political jurisdictions for such a
mighty step now.
Need for Unity Seen
At the same time. however. the
interest of more than 200 business
and official leaders in Toronto's
Metro" plan last week was typi-
cal Of a growing awarenesS of the
need to unity more area activities
and to view the whole area more
as a single community.
This need has grown steadily
over the last decade, as Washing
ton has mushroomed outward in
suburban growth. The resulting
problems are double-edged. The
District, in addition to its critical
problems of blight and rebuilding,
also is saddled with the job of
financing more and better facilities
for the suburbanites who roll in to
work every day. The suburbs, vir-
tually urban areas themselves. face
unprecedented demands for more
highways, housing, schools and
other services.
In such fields as retail shopping
and other forms of business. the
suburbs and the old city are COM
peting. But each depends heavily
on the other. The separately
financed highway system all must
mesh. Most Of the area relies on
the Potomac for water. Sewage and
pollution are common headache.
So is transit.
For the first time, all these fac
tors are being considered in a single
plan being drawn by the National
Capital Regional Planning Council
as part Of the current S400,0 900
transportation study. Unlike most
past plans-dreamed UP by out
side expert" this is an area wide
venture4 But remaining to be born
Is some machinery to make the new
plan work.
District Commissioner Robert E.
Mclaughlin stresses that there al
ready is a vast area Of "co-opera-
ton" The Interstate Commission
on the Potomac River Basin is an
example Highway engineers work
well together at the staff level Area
wide agreement on gas and electric
rates has been worked out. A "tri-
State" group is working on transit
More Standardization Is the aim Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

moving infirmary patients to the
new hospital, the institutions main
tenance men created a chapel, a
small auditorium, craft shops, a IL
brary. Constant repainting and re-
wiring. curtains at the windows,
partitions to create some private
rooms-all these contribute to max
ing even the old residence hall liv-
able.
The operating budget has grown
from $152,737 in fiscal 1910 to ST.
335,674 today.
There Are Still Problems
AS the institution starts its Sec
ond half century. however, it still
has problems.
The residence hall cannot be fully
used because heart cases and the
disabled cannot climb to second
floor dormitories. For lack of an
institution for the young chronic
ally i'll, there are q number Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

Mr.. Tucker is a lawyer in Federal service
and writer on Legal subjects.