davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1956-12-03
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
Liquids Turned to Permanent Solids
By THOMAS r. HENRY

EMERYVILLE, Calif.-Some
day houses may come in
bottles.
Such is q faraway possible
implication of research along
several lines in turning liquids
chiefly petroleum products
into permanent solids being
carried out at the Shell Devel-
opment Co. research labora-
tories here.
In one field, what is essen
TALLY atomic energy is being
used in new transmutation
processes with a 3-million-volt
beam of electrons moving at
essentially the speed of light.
This beam is generated by a
So-called Van de Graaf accel-
orator, the most powerful radi-
alton source in industry, which
is equivalent to about 500
pounds of radium. In a flash
1t transforms liquid resins into
hard, CLASSY, permanent solids.
1t accelerates electrons up to
a speed of $4,000 miles a Sec
ond-so close to the speed of
light itself that their mass is
multiplied seven fold in ac-
cordance with the law of rela-
tivity.
AS these electrons enter the
liquid they create centers
along their paths where one of
two things may happen-sev-
eral smaller molecules may
combine into one larger mole
cule which usually results IN a
solid, or big molecules may be
broken down, probably result
ing in a more liquid-like liquid.
Solid blocks are formed in
which the pattern Of the light
ning-like discharge is trapped
permanently. They call it
trapped lightning" AS yet
nobody really knows the poten-
tialities of the machine. With
it, and in other ways under
study, it may eventually be
possible to create out of liquids
solids suitable for all sorts of
purposes, from the structural
elements of houses to the wings
and bodies of airplanes.
Real Purpose
This, however, for the pres
ent, is not the real purpose of
the intensive radiation studies.
The scientists here are con-
cerned chiefly with using the
beam as a super-probe to find
out what goes on between
molecules and inside molecules.
The chief advantage, says DR..
Harold Gershinowitz, president
of Shell Development Co., is
that it speeds research. 1t
permits making in minutes or
hours studies that would take
so long with other radiation
sources that they would be out
of the question.
The accelerator, DR.. Ger
shinowitz points out, will aid
in developing fuels and lubri-
cants for the atomic age which
many believe to be around the
corner. 1t generates the same
kind of energy that is given
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Shelter Plan Aqoin

In view of the nature of its Job, the
Civil Defense Administration believes it
is only carrying out its duties under the
law when it continues to advocate a
multibillion-do shelter program for
the nuclear age. But Congress has re-
jected the plan on three previous occa-
SionS and there is little reason to believe
that the new Congress will take differ
ent attitude.
1t is reported that civil defense off,
cialS are preparing to ask presidential
approval of an initial request for 5000
million to start the dig-in-and-hide prof.
ect. Ultimately the undertaking would
cost billions of dollars, if expanded to all
cities. The underground refugees would
supplement the rban-evacuation plan,
which also remains a subject of contro7
verSy.
If Congress regarded the shelter plan
as a futile defense against the A-bomb,
it is almost certain to look with even
greater SkepticiSm at the shelter idea
as a defense against the H-bomb threat.
The H-bomb was still in the theoretical
stage when previous shelter plans were
brushed aside at the Capitol. Building
shelters that would give adequate protec-
tion to city'S population against bomb
that, the experts say, is capable of blast
ing crater ITS feet deep and more than
mile in diameter would be quite task.
However, civil defense authorities con-
tend that shelters not destroyed by such
blast would save some people from
effects of the radioactive fallout.
1t will not be easy to convince Con-
gress or many other groups that the
enormous investment in shelters would
be worth while. They will want to know
if it would not be more realistic to spend
additional dollars on military defense
especially in the fields of detection, in
Perception and counterattack. For, after
all, the best defense against nuclear ag-
gression is the deterrent effect Of strong,
alert military resources, ready for instant
action.
Evening star., 1956-12-03
TRANSMISSION Only

Western Europe'S oil shortage will be
eased, but not eliminated, by American
plans to step up production and shipment
of replacement petroleum. In brief, the
program calls for providing an extra half
million barrels daily from the Western
Hemisphere, plus the diversion of another
$4,000 barrels normally imported by the
United States from the Middle East. To
this may be added the usual quantity
flowing by pipepline from Saudi Arabia
to the Mediterranean and some of the
supply normally reaching European ports
by tanker from the Persian Gulf. The
most hopeful estimates, however, leave
the total short by about 20 per cent of
West Europe's precriSis daily imports of
about 2 million barrels from the Middle
East alone.
There are questions left, also, about
the speed and the certainty Of even these
limited supplies. Mobilization of tanker
space for the longer transatlantic and
around-Africa runs places a greater load
on existing capacity and will require some
time before new schedules can guaran-
tee the increased deliveries. Tapline OPP
GRAFTON may still be vulnerable to anti
BritiSh-French sabotage or to restrictions
imposed by the Saudi Arabia government
on deliveries to those two countries. FL
nancing problems, arising out of higher
costs, also remain to be settled.
With all these reservations, however,
getting the replacement program under
way has its obvious advantages. It should,
for example, foreStall any deep and dam
aging curtailment of essential industries
or further threat to military supplies in
free Europe-even if leaving a winter
time shortage in civilian gasoline and
fuel. Meanwhile, every effort should be
made to clear away the problems related
to beginning salvage work on the Suez
Canal and repair of the tranS-Syrian
pipeline from Iraq. And, in the longer
term sense, every effort should be made
also to assure that the vital oil of the
Middle East is not jeopardized again by
the unwise action of those who need it
most. The current program amounts to
TRANSMISSION only-not structure for
adequate and permanent supply.
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Election Post-Mortem
r. E. Winston.

I have read letters from
Laura K. Pollock from time to
time and had arrived at a high
degree of admiration for her
keen mind and facile pen when
her most recent effort (Voters
Ran Scared? shook my con-
f1dence to its very roots.
I cannot argue with Mrs.
Pollock's right to favor Adlai
Stevenson, since "a million
others Joined her. I can even
go along with her opinion that
there is no substitute for
brains" But her implication
that only those who supported
Mr.. Stevenson were intelligent
irritates me.
Now I voted for neither Mr..
Stevenson nor President Eli
Senhower. I had no expectation
of winning with Andrews. My
only regret is that Israel's in
vaSion of Egypt just before
election probably robbed Mr..
Andrews just as thoroughly as
it did Mr.. Stevenson.
By casting her ballot, If she
had one, for Mr.. Stevenson,
Mrs. Pollock, in effect, would
also have been voting for such
men as Walter Reuther, HUI
bert Humphrey. ADA's Rauh
and many others of like philos-
ophy, some of whom certainly
would have attained positions
in a Stevenson cabinet.
Mrs. Pollock undoubtedly
could name some intimates Of
President Eisenhower's Just as
obnoxious to her as Reuther,
Humphrey and Rauh are to
me. I would agree, with the
reservation that they are fewer
in number.
My objection to Eisenhower
and Stevenson is not as in
dividuals but because they
represent two parties with a
single philosophy and that a
vote for either represented only
a choice Of individuals and not
Of political philosophy. On the
other hand. my vote for An
drews plainly said that I
favor lower spending and tax
alton, preservation of the
rights of the white American,
as well as others, and a return
of government to where it be-
longs, in the States.
1t can much more truly be
said that Andrews, rather than
Adlai, received no rabbit votes.
NCharIes w. Carter.
Evening star., 1956-12-03

greasing the pole on which the
feeding station is set. This Is
rather messy job, and usually
rains wash most of it of in q
few days or weeks.
4 \
After a few months, or may
be years, most householders
are willing to give up attempt
ing to thwart the squirrels.
If they have a sense Of hui
NOR, and some admiration for
perseverance, they come ra-
ther to admire the little beast
trying to find food for itself.
After all, If one puts out a
free lunch, he has few legiti-
mate kicks at the guests who
or which come.
Really, the best way to
thwart a squirrel is to stop
worrying about him.
He is a very busy fellow,
after all, with a wide feeding
range, and even at the best
stocked station he longs for
something else, and usually
fares far afield to find it.
1t is true, certainly, that
his brothers, sisters, cousins
and auntS will hold down the
station while he is gone, but
there again, who honestly can
put out a free lunch and ex-
pect hungry creatures not to
eat 1t?
One Of the best things an
interest in birds can do for
you Is to teach that nature is
a whole, not a part or a piece,
and that the squirrels have
as much right to your food as
the birds.
In other words, II SQUIRRELS
exasperate you. sometimes, but
at the same times make you
realize what geology is. they
will have done you a priceless
service.
No squirrel win lecture you
on the matter. 1t would be in
teresting If he could put on
glasses. wave his bushy tail.
and talk as follows:
Sir. geology Is the branch
OF biology which deals with the
mutual relations among or
ganisms and between them
and their environment.
We are all part Of nature.
and each lives here for a time.
in mutual aid. II we are ali
wise.
Some Of US. alas, are not
as wise as we might be. None
OF US owns anything, really.
not you this seed, not me this
tree. We are all merely trustees
for a time"
No, the squirrel can't talk.
but maybe he can put his
thoughts over with q wave OF
his bushy tail. II We are wise
RFOIOb IN favaTo.-@k.s.N -
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Public Power Projects

I noted with considerable
interest the column of Thomas
L. Stokes in your issue of No
vember 20. I do not consider
myself qualified to argue the
politics of his story, nor do I
assume to defend the speaker
to whom he referred. 1 do
note, however, among his
words in praise Of public power
a sentence, "Only public de-
velopment can do it cheaply,
for profit is no motive"
If he were talking of only
a local issue of the Pacific
Northwest of no great concern
to residents of the Potomac
Valley. we might readily gloss
over the statement. Yet, even
since his column appeared we
read that the construction of a
public power project is advo-
Gated for the Potomac River
Basin, in part on the grounds
OF the costs it would save.
A detailed analysis made by
the Federal Government about
two years ago showed that.
assuming uniform fuel costs
and excluding all taxes, the
difference in cost between Fed
eral development and investor
financed development was es-
sentially insignificant.
However, on November 5
the Federal Power Commits
sion issued a release pointing
out that in 1855, 22.6 per cent
of the operating revenues of
the country's privately owned
electric utility industry was
paid out for taxes. Translated
into money this amounted to
about $1,627. 100000. In ad-
dition, the investors in utility
stocks and bonds found that
they had taxes to pay on the
returns from those invest
ments. I think if Mr.. Stokes
would examine the figures he
would find that public de-
velopment may appear cheap
because public power can un-
dersell investor financed power
by the amount of these taxes
plus other subsidies too numer-
GUS to mention in this COM
ment. Now that the issue is
no longer a concern only of the
Pacific Northwest and the
IVA, but is coming to us in
the Potomac Valley, just as
1t came in recent years to
Georgia, North Carolina, and
Virginia, it might be a public
service for The Star to spon-
sor a clear presentation Of
just who pays for what in this
public power business.
For your information. I am
not now, never have been. and
have neither plans nor expec-
tatlons Of being on the payroll
Of either a public power agency
or an investor financed utility.
Charles ID. Curran.
Evening star., 1956-12-03

of by atomic reactors and thus
permits research on the be-
havior of petroleum products
under conditions that will pre-
vail in atomic power plants.
The machine produces new
molecular fragments which are
known to have much to do
with chemical reactions but
thus far have been hard to
study because they exist for so
short a time-thousandths or
even millionths of seconds.
With the new machine it is
possible to produce these frag-
ments at SubZero temperatures
and keep them in crystalline
lattices, which serve as deep
freezes, for study at leisure.
Eventually this accelerator,
and similar sources of enor-
nous energies, may open en-
tirely new fields in chemistry.
1t Is easier to apply than ultra
violet light and in many cases
more selective than heat, the
traditional energy source. One
group here, for example, is
concentrated on the difficult
field of so-called "free radical"
chemistry. In the course OF
this fundamental work ways
have been found to synthesize
two important peroxides-one
OF them hydrogen peroxide
which is an important jet fuel
component.
Vulcanizes Rubber
The radiation beam vuIca-
nizes rubber. One hard, almost
unelastic synthetic product is
changed into a live, resilient
form. Another synthetic rubber
is changed from the putty-like
substance to a live rubber.
Still another is wrecked by
the radiation. Common table
salt is changed to the color
of gold dust. Potassium chlor-
ide takes on a lovely purple
color.
A cylindrical tank, II feet
high and 6 feet in diameter,
houses the instrument. A fast
moving rubberized belt carries
electrons to an electrically iso-
lated terminal at the top Of
the machine. AS the electrons
are deposited here the termi-
nal is brought to a 3-mil-
lion volt potential. The elec-
irons then are hurled through
a vacuum tube to the bottom
OF the machine. Here they are
directed through a thin alumi-
mum membrane and on the
target which is in a room on
the floor below.
A strong odor of ozone fills
the air around while the ac-
celerator is in operation. A
closed television circuit and a
system of mirrors are used in
operating the machine from
the control room and system
OF warning lights and horns,
emergency stop buttons and
door interlocks to cut off pow
er, ensure that the machine
will not be operating when
anybody is in the danger zone.
Evening star., 1956-12-03

Building and other notable and monu-
mental structures. But to watch them,
about 4:3O of a wintry afternoon, sweep
ing in uncounted thousands down the
canyon of Pennsylvania avenue, engag-
ing in their marvellous fight maneuvers
as they chatter to each other of their
days adventures in the country and get
themselves in readiness for the shades
OF night-all this builds respect for the
birds, and forces reluctant admission of
mans puny efforts in a losing struggle.
Evening star., 1956-12-03
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

II would like to have some
advice about squirrels" writes
a suburban reader.
"Is there any way to keep
them away from my bird feed
ing station?
"They eat a great deal Of
seed, which is expensive. and
have practically wrecked my
station"
Well. there are ways that
may be tried.
One is to install a large
curved sheet of tin or other
metal below the feeding sta
ton, if it is on a pole. This
metal should be belled out,
so that the small rodent can
not climb to the seed.
The trouble comes in under
estimating the brains of the
squirrel tribe.
Never underestimate squir-
rel!
He is a clever little party
in a neat fur suit, and has
enough brains for all his
practical purposes Of living.
One of his great needs, Of
course, is food.
To get it. he will exert all
the ingenuity he has at his
command.
Many householders have
discovered that he has plenty
at his command.
If he cannot get up over the
tin. he will leap to the feed
ing station from a nearby
shrub. or drop onto 1t from a
tree, or even from the side of
the house.
II you move the pole and the
affixed station to the middle
Of the yard. he will climb aloft
in a tree. run out onto the
tip Of a branch. and swing
down to the food.
FEA
Another way TO thwart a
squirrel, If you think it worth
while, is to surround the food
with fine mesh wire Of some
type.
Usually there is some room
left. and on this we have seen
a squirrel perch. reaching in
his paw TO withdraw sunhower
seed.
Another type Of squirrel
fooler is made by fixing the
box on a fitting surface, so
that when the squirrel arrives,
being rather on the heavy side,
he Tits a lid down over the
food.
Birds. Weighing much less.
do not cause the cover to fall
down.
It may be realized that the
balance must be Just $3.50
and what do you do when q
very thin squirrel comes along7
Some people have tried
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Ex-StubIe

Where once the handsome bays
Dere led
To grooming. food and pale
gold bed,
IN place OF liUtno iocomotion
That odpe. as Deu, equine
deDotion,
Reigns the latest hfghwdp
god
BlaHk-eyed. chrome-muzzled,
yubber-shod.
Where lantern Oloued, Uhtte
tights filume:
Where stable pungence rose,
gas tuHe.
But orer all. proud hoof and
name
Stal pinnacle the pedtherrdne.
Mersorst EvsIyn SinsIston
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Missile Briefinq

There has been considerable
confusion as to who has been
responsible for development Of
the Navy's guided missile
TALOS. Consequently, your
readers may be interested in
the history of this impressive
Surface-to-air missile, q
weapon which in developmental
tests has destroyed targets at
ecord-breaking distances and
attitudes.
TALOS is the product Of the
once highly secret Bumblebee
program Of the Navy.
A program of great foresight
and imagination, Bumblebee
has been conducted for the
Navy's Bureau of Ordnance by
the Applied Physics Laboratory
of Johns Hopkins University
continuously since 1914. At
that time, the need for vastly
improved air defense was en-
phasized by the tremendous
Kamikaze attacks against our
ships. The Bureau of Ordnance
asked the Applied Physics Lab
oratory to study the problem
and then to undertake the re-
search and development which
would result in an antiaircraft
guided missile of high per-
formance.
TALOS was the main objec-
tive of the Bumblebee pro-
gram from the very start. How
ever, a test vehicle called Ter
rier achieved such astonishing
success in experimental firings,
first on land and then at sea,
that it was engineered along
with complete system for its
control, handling and launch
ing. The result has been the
Terrier guided missile system
in the worlds first two anti
aircraft guided missile cruis-
ers, U.S.S. Boston and U.S.S.
Canberra. A land-based Terrier
system is in operational use by
the Marine Corps.
There have been other valu-
able by-products Of the Bum
blebee program. Many of these
have contributed much to the
Nations progress in guided
missiles and other weapons
systems.
The Bumblebee project was
followed closely by the other
two services. AS the develop
ment Of TALOS progressed. the
tremendous land-based poten-
tialities became apparent. In
the fall of 1854, developmental
work on a land-based system
was started under the techni-
cal control of the Navy's Bu-
reau of Ordnance. in accord
ance with the instruction Of
the Secretary Of Defense.
First the Army, and later the
Air Force. was assigned the
responsibilities for general ad-
ministration Of the land-based
system and provision Of finan-
cial support. This cooperative
effort has, in addition 10 its
primary purpose Of providing
a land-based system. resulted
in a TALOS Of higher perform
ance than would otherwise
have been possible by this
time.
Under the most recent direc-
tive Of the Secretary Of De-
Tense. the Army Is reassigned
responsibilities for the TALOS
land-based system. Under this
arrangement rapid progress is
expected 10 continue toward
achieving the air defense ca
pability 80 badly needed.
The history OF the develop
ment Of TALOS Is one Of the
outstanding examples Of close
military scientific industrial
teamwork. In addition 70 the
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Power of the Press

A recent letter to The Star
attributes Republican success
TO the women voters who ap-
proved the Eisenhower family.
/ have always maintained
that the newspapers in this
country really elect our Presi-
dents. for a large number Of
people. consciously or uncon-
ciously, have TO be told what
TO think. Needless to say they
we're told with a vengeance in
this last election. 1t is just
another weakness Of q democ-
Evening star., 1956-12-03

Q. How DO stage magicians
perform the trick by which a
person Is apparently made 70
doat IN air7-P. /.
A. The leyitation Illusion 81
a very old one. probably origi-
mating In India. and once a
speciality Of the famed magi-
clan. Harry Houdlni. A. de-
scribed in print some years ago.
the secret was that the person
who ~floatsd on air" vors q
specially constructed iron OF
Evening star., 1956-12-03

steel corset. which was at
tached tout % sight) 20 a Mt
Ing mechanism Some magi-
clans concealed the lifting me-
cnanisn In hollow pole. One
arm Of the floating" person
rested on one end Of the pole.
thus coHcsaling the rigid right-
angled joint which connected
me lifting mechanism and ths
o1oy-supporting corset that
held him In . floating" Don-
ton N air.
Evening star., 1956-12-03
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry tDriterS' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
Sdtion.
Evening star., 1956-12-03

racy that money talks-and is
the greatest power in this free
land of ours. In fact it will
get one just about everything
in the world but the hope of
Heaven.
r.. F.. Winston. q
Evening star., 1956-12-03
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

By THE HASKIN SERVICE
We
4 10 sInrrn nranaa |N.NIntNn
Evening star., 1956-12-03

Applied Physics Laboratory,
the list Of those who deserve
major credit is too long to be
included in this letter.
Evening star., 1956-12-03
Edwin B. Hooper,

Captain, U. S. Navy; Assist
ant Chief of the Bureau of
Ordnance for Research.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-05-24
American Technical Society

roof distinctivensss not through varied
roofing materials, but through the
the use of color. Asphalt shingles
come in a multitude of colors,
suitable for any special preference.
The darker colors of roofing generally
are preferred for tall houses, the
lighter colors for low, rambling
dwellings. Early English houses, with
a multiplicity of roof surfaces, usually
respond best to the more subdued
shades. Southern colonial houses also
call for the darker colors, which
help maintain the traditional aspect
of stateliness.
A virtue of the lighter colors for
one-story contemporary and ranch
homes is that they attract attention,
drawing the eye of the observer up
ward. The act of looking up gives
the illusion of greater height and
enhances the Importance of the house.
Years ago, it was possible to dis
tinguish house style, in some mea-
sure, by the materials used in cover
ing the roof. Certain styles were more
likely to be covered by straw, wood,
tile, pitch, or stone.