davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
"BETHESDA. Nd


Dear Sir:
"At a relatively quiet after
church hour, near American
University, I heard a number
Of crows uttering quite a cav
ing.
IT could not make out,
through the trees, how many
there were. was reminded
of how. as boy on the farm, a
number of times had seen
quite a congregation of per-
haps a hundred crows in a
tree. the while skipping from
limb to limb, and setting UP a
very noisy cawing.
Il was told. and still wonder
II it is true, that it was a gath
ering to try some miscreant
among them, perhaps to de-
eide whether to drive the out
cast out, or else maybe destroy
the one in disfavor for some
cause.
Is there any truth in that.
which was generally believed
by many. at least in the years
Of boyhood on the farm?
Thanking you, and adding
my word of appreciation for
your daily feature in the great
Evening Star. l am
very truly. N. s."
Only the other morning we
heard the same thing, a num-
Der of crows cawing in a tree,
with one more insistent than
the others.
He did. indeed. seem to be
the judge.
But, alas, this is just an-
other tall tale from the him
terland.
Perhaps John Burroughs,
the great naturalist, put it
best. He wrote:
"A man sees a flock of
crows in a tree in a state of
commotion; now they all cav,
then only one master voice is
heard: presently two or three
crows fall upon one of their
members, and fell him to the
ground.
THE spectator examines the
victim and finds him dead,
with his eyes pecked out.
He interprets what he has
seen as a court of justice; the
crows we're trying a criminal,
and having found him guilty,
they proceed to execute him.
THE curious instinct which
often prompts animals to fall
upon and destroy a member Of
the flock that Is sick or hurt,
or blind. is difficult of expla-
nation. but we may be quite
sure that. whatever the rea-
son is. the act is. not the out
come Of a judicial proceeding
in which the Judge, jury and
executioner all play their
proper roles"
~
We once saw a small house
cat attack a friendly large
cat in its last illness.
The two had been great
comrades. but in its last hour
the large one suffered the
attack. for no apparent rea-
son that could be seen or even
known. for the two had been
the best Of friends.
Perhaps, since animals have
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Sours on Stevenson

In the past, I have con-
sidered Adlai Stevenson to be
a sincere, dedicated individual.
/ have disagreed with his
party and his policies, but I
have always respected his
viewpoints and opinions. This
I can do no longer. His re-
cent statements and speeches
are overfiowing with self-con-
Trajectory, demagogic state
ments and distortions Of fact.
He apparently has become
convinced that this is the way
to attain the position which
he so earnestly covets.
He speaks Of a strong ma
tional defense yet talks Of
abolishing the draft and
abandoning nuclear testing.
He emissions increased Gov
eminent spending in prac
tically every field imaginable
yet speaks of reducing taxes.
He pits labor against manage
ment, farmer against con-
sumner and small business
against large business. This
may well be the way to win
elections but it must be diff
flcult to live with ones con-
science while so doing.
In his book, Fear God and
Take Your Own Part" Theo-
dore Roosevelt wrote:
THE persons who seek to
persuade our people that by
doing nothing. by passing
resolutions that cost nothing,
by writing eloquent messages
and articles that mean Moth
ing and by complacently
applauding elocution tn a t
means less than nothing. some
service is thereby rendered to
humanity. are not only rem
dering no such Service, but are
weakening the spring Of ma
tionaI character"
John Z. Wilson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
THE POLITICAL MIL
If Alaska, Why Not D. c.?
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Washington. They were de-
rided and denounced = but
eight months later California
was admitted to statehood, and
they took their seats in Con-
gress.
The action by the CaIifor-
mans was a pressure move
ment, but 1t worked. If the
District Commissioners could
be prevailed upon to call for
an election of Senators and
Representatives in Washing
ton 1t might serve as SUFFICIENT
pressure to get action out Of
Congress. too, and the people
here the right to representa-
ton. to which they are en-
titled.
The platforms Of the Repub-
lican and Democratic Parties
both pledge statehood to
Alaska and Hawaii. Hawaii,
like Alaska, has adopted a
State constitution. But it has
not taken the step Of electing
members Of Congress. 1t has
been presumed that statehood
would be granted both these
territories eventually. Strong
opposition from Southern
members Of Congress in the
past has blocked favorable ac-
ton. But with the advent Of
the new Congress next year,
the drive for statehood will be
pressed-and Alaska's claims
will be urged by its elected rep
resentatives, including Dele
gate Bob Bartlett who now has
a seat. but no vote, in the
House.
Chose Andrew Jackson
George H. Lehleitner of New
Orleans, who became greatly
interested in statehood for
both Hawaii and Alaska dur
ing his service in the Pacific
area in World War II. was
largely instrumental in per-
suading the Alaskans to try
the Tennessee Plan" so
called because Tennessee in
1895 was the first territory to
elect its Senators in advance
of admission to statehood.
incidentally, Andrew Jackson.
a 28-year-old lawyer, was a
delegate to the States con-
stitutional convention. and
the States first Representa-
tive in Congress. Later, he
became the seventh President
of the United States.
Republicans and Democrats
in Alaska have nominated
their candidates for two Sena-
tors and one Representative.
On the Democratic ticket, the
senatorial nominees are former
Gov. Ernest Gruening and
William Eagan. who was chair
man of the constitutional con-
vention. Ralph Rivers is the
Democratic candidate for the
House. The Republicans have
nominated for the Senate John
Butrovieh of Fairbanks and
Robert Atwood. publisher Of
the Anchorage Times, and
Charles Burdick for the House.
Obviously. these Alaska
Senators" may have a tough
time getting seated, should
the political complexion Of the
Senate turn on their party
affiliation. But it's a chance
they have to take.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

such keen senses, some odor
given off by the other offended
the little one. ..o
Illness of any kind is a great
trial and tribulation to the
sufferer, and also to all others
concerned. though most Of
them would never admit it, for
the world.
Savages. with culture at no
higher level than the Stone
Age, sometimes dispose of their
Ill in pitiless ways.
In the far North, some tribes
were supposed to make it
mandatory on the father, in
his last Illness. to leave the
igloo and wander out into the
cold, to what he knew was
certain death
Certainly the crows at times
really do seem to be talking
it over"
1t is no wonder that human
beings, listening to their cav
ing, instinctively get the idea
of a trial.
These strange fellows in
their black suits are very much
misunderstood. all around.
They are. perhaps, the best
known of all birds, though few
watchers seem to know the
difference between the COM
mon American crow, length
1924 inches, and the fish crow,
length 1874 inches. Usually
they think the latter just a
small crow" which, of course,
1t is.
Crows will eat corn, and so
earn the hearty dislike of the
farmers, but they also con-
sumo vast numbers of mimi
cal insects. and ought to get
more credit for this service
than they usually receive.
Everybody knows the crows
famous cav. but not everyone
has heard 1t sing. The song is
a sort Of musical little MARBLE,
which it utters only when it
thinks no one. not even an
other crow. is around.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22

Alaska, on October g., will
elect two United States Sem
ators and one member Of the
House Of Representatives.
Whether they will be seated in
their respective houses Of the
85th Congress is anybody's
guess. But the Alaskans are
taking a courageous gamble
following the footsteps of the
early settlers Of Tennessee,
California and Oregon, and
of the people of Michigan,
Iowa, Kansas and Minnesota.
All these States were admitted
to the Union after they had
adopted State constitutions
and elected Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress. All
sent their elected Representa-
tives promptly to Washington
Ito work for admission as
States. California wasn't even
a Territory when 1t followed
this course. It was an unor-
gained Military District.
The people of the District Of
Columbia. who for half a CEN
tury have been knocking at
the doors Of Congress for the
right to elect representatives
to the Senate and House,
might with benefit take a leaf
out Of Alaska's book-and es-
pecially that of California.
This is a Federal district. But
California was merely a Fed
eral Military District when its
people moved. Congress be-
latedly has enacted a primary
election law for the District of
Columbia-which was put into
action this year. This law is
a vehicle which could be used
to nominate candidates for
Senate and House, and to
elect them.
. Presumably-but only pre-
sumably-CongresS would have
to put through an amendment
to the Constitution, changing
the status of the District, and
submit the amendment to the
States for ratification. But
how many States would vote
to deny the people of the Ma
tion'S Capital the right to rep
resentation in the body which
levies taxes and spends the
money Of these people? Fur
ther, it is within the possible
ties that Congress, acting
under the Constitution as it
now stands, could give the
people of the District this
right.
General Called Convention
Brig. Gen. Bennett Riley.
military commander of Cali
fornia in June, 1849, was pre-
vailed upon by the people of
the district to issue a call for
a constitutional convention.
This convention not only wrote
a constitution but provided for
the election of a State legisla-
ture and the election of all
officers. The people acted, and
the State legislature chose
two Senators-John C. FIRE.
mont. the first presidential
candidate of the Republican
Party 100 years ago, and Will
liam M. Gwin, and two Rep
resentatives and sent them to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22

Communist China may be far away from
becoming major power economically
and industrially. 1t does not, however,
need to meet Western standards to record
tremendous progress and to add tremen-
dous strength to the collective power of
the Communist world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Compoiqn Fun

Delighted to learn that Adlai
Stevenson and the Democrat
Party will solicit small-change
contributions from the Amer
lean public, and assume that
Gov. Hartman will head the
list of contributions, followed
by such equally INDECENT DEM
ocratS as Senator Lehman,
Senator Kerr, Senator Green,
Senator Murray, Gov. VIII
liams, Joseph P. Kennedy,
Milton Kronheim, Walter
Reuther and the JAW, Dave
Macdonald and the steel
workers, the AFL-CIO. Chip
Robert, etc.
Poor Republican.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22

@. What prompts some peo-
pie to confess" to murders
and other crimes they did not
commit?-C. v. L.
A. Police and psychiatrists
believe most Of these people
are exhibitionists who want TO
see their names in headlines.
Every unsolved. well-pubicized
crime brings one or more false
confessions. Some Of the CON-
fessors are unbalanced men,
tally: some are chronic con-
fessors plagued by guilt COM
plexes; some simply like trans
portstion at public expense.
according TO the police.
@. On q doctors prescrtp.
ton, what do the letters
S. o. S. mesn?-D. L. K.
A. The letters are the ini-
tials Of the Latin words Isl
opus sit" meaning IF need
exists or III necessary"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Aggressive Type

My husband viewed the TV
program Face the Nation"
with me, a rarity in our split
Republican-Democrat house
hold. The Stars William
Hines was one of the reporters
questioning Postmaster Gen.
eral Summerfeld.
All of the reporters did an
excellent job. Although it was
painful viewing for my hus-
band, he heartily agreed Mr..
Hines performance was an I'M
equaled success. The criminal
world must be indeed thank
full he is not district attorney.
Rosemary Bird.
BROOKLYN, N, Y,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Makes O Point

In all the desegregation ar
guments, the amount of finger
pointing on both sides is amaz-
ing and the self-righteousneSs
of the finger-pointer is based
on the silliest absurdities. Why
not admit that the chief weak
ness of the human race is the
eternal striving for dominance
and power? The idea of select
ing one segment of people and
accusing them of hatred in
their hearts" is preposterous.
No one group OF, Americans
is any more a hating group
than any other. The emotion
is not "hate" but fear-fear of
loss of power, dominance. and
economic security by the rul-
ing class. Supremacy is the
word and supremacy is not
sin; it is a statistic, a fact. You
cannot outlaw a majority. A
majority just is. Whatever that
majority is. it wants to keep
it that way, whether it be
Caucasian, Hebrew. Negro.
American Indian, Chinese,
Japanese, Filipino, Catholic,
Protestant, Jew, Mohamme-
dan, Democrat, Republican,
male, or female.
1t has been no coincidence
that every American President
and Vice President to date, in
Guiding the four present can
didates, have been and are
white Caucasian : Protestant
males. The majority wins. The
majority figures it can be as
successful and happy in their
sinful superioritysas any other
group can. Even the solidarity
of a large and powerful nil
nority can be a threat. The
reason for the no-franchise
policy in the District of Column
bia is perfectly obvious and
needs no explanation. The
white Southerner is in danger
of losing his dominance and
economic security for himself
and his family and he is
afraid, even as you would be if
you were in similar circum-
stances. You, who would point
your finger at him. ask your
self. would you ignore race
land I don't mean just white
and Negro, religion, political
affiliation, and sex, in the Sc
lection Of a President of the
United States, and consider
only qualities of leadership,
experience. education. and
ability? If so, you are with
out prejudice and are entitled
to do all the finger pointing
you want.
White Northerners have
never had their dominance
and supremacy threatened by
racial competition. There just
is not that large a proportion
of any other basic race to
worry them. They can afford
to be SNUG humanitarians in
their nicely developed white
neighborhoods. You, who ac-
cuse the white Southerners of
hate can look at Louisville,
KY, and wonder would you
behave as well in a similar
showdown. Did you vote in the
1928 election? How?
I sincerely hope for the per-
petuation and increase Of those
of my race, religion, political
afflliation and sex. / certainly
do not wish harm to any
others, I do not hate them. and
I will share with them and
help them in any way 1 can.
I frankly confess that l am
prejudiced, bigoted and selfish.
Under no circumstances would
I ever vote for a woman for
President. Would you?
Marian y Rnrnnlde
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Druq Strips

l DO not snare IN the least
your editorial condemnation of
the drag strip"
I am the father of three
teen-age boys and I would be
less than candid if I denied a
sentimental consideration may
influence my thoughts. but I
have a very practical convic-
ton as to the relative merits
of the drag strip.
Boys are condemned if they
"hang on the corner: boys
are condemned if they fire.
Quent beer joints; boys are
condemned if they smoke;
boys are condemned if they
loiter in bowling alleys; boys
are condemned if they-etc.
Boys are condemned if they do
anything, by the same people
who did the same things or
, worse when they were teen
ayers.
I do not for one moment
condone in any degree any of
the above activities, and vet
one wonders what in this
world can our boys do today
without fear of criticism. Per-
haps they should all aspire to
be eggheads. But no doubt
if boys INDUCED in the luxury
to all be eggheads, some
editor would criticize them as
"such foolishness is hard to
understand"
Let the boys try their skills
where they can hurt only
themselves or their own prop
erty.
Arthur E. M0rrissette.
X = X
I read with deep disapoint-
ment and surprise your Sep
TENDER II editorial, Drag Strip
Racing" In my opinion, it is
very unfortunate for the In
ternational Association of Po-
lice Chiefs to take such a
negative view of the good work
done by the drag strip pro-
grams.
However, the California sec
ton of the poll which was
taken most likely did not go
along with the overall de-
cision. This is interesting to
note because California is by
far the leader of the drag pro-
gram, with almost as many
strips" as the rest of the
country put together.
It, therefore. follows that
where this program is spon-
sored actively, there is much
less criticism and more ap-
proval.
Concerning the highway
safety record. in one COM
munity, Pomona. Calf, the
"home town" of drag rae
ing. the accident record of the
UNDERGO group (the group
most active in drag racing)
has declined 8 per cent every
year since 1949, when the
program was activated. as
compared with an annual in
crease of 20 per cent prior to
1949.
AS for it being a dangerous
sport, the record is there, open
for inspection. In the eight
years that the sport has been
active there have been only
two fatalities and less than a
score Of injuries, while in any
year during the same period
the high school football cas-
ualty record has been many
times the racing record. This
| is not because drag racing is
limited; it is very widespread
. indeed.
Drag racing is a good clean
sport, fostering excitement. in
genuity. and. above all. sports
! panShip. 1t Is a sport that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Country Evening

We sat upon the country
porch and listened
To the frogs cTodk and the
cricket's StTum.
We sdw the tall Lombdrdy
popldrs more,
S0U daylight pass and
hooded darkness come.
We toed the porch suing
gently to and fro,
In rhythm NTH the sound OF
breeze and bird,
We saU the full moon rise in
tranquil grace.
We kissed and our otrn
blood tcos all ne heard.
Christie Lund Coles
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry iDriterS' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
Satt0n.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
Questions and Answers
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE

faetual question by writing The
Evening star Information Bureau.
1900 Eye ST NV WsshinRton 5.
d G Please lnciosf cents for re-
turn ooatake
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22

should be encouraged rather
than condemned.
Tony Brisbin,
Past President, Kan Krack-
ers Hot Rod Club. San
Antonio, Tex.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Potomac Dam
Project Hailed

Plans for construction of nine
dams in the Potomac River head
waters were hailed today as a
project that will provide flood
protection. a guaranteed water
supply for the District and great
new recreation areas.
The plans are being examined
now by the Army Corps of En-
.gineers. IT, is estimated that SIS
million VIII be spent on the
project. Surveying is expected to
begin soon.
Representative Staggers, DEM
Iocrat Of West Virginia, said the
Idam-building program signals
I"the dawn OF a new era" for the
Potomac from West Virginia to
the Chesapeake Bay.
These dams will not only
make the Allegheny Mountain
area of West Virginia a great
recreational playground for the
people of the Greater Washing
ton Metropolitan Area, but will
guarantee a uniform supply of
water to Washington and
be the first step in cleaning up
the Potomac pollution.
The West Virginia legislator
said a vast section of the Allie
ghenies in his State will become
one of the most beautiful recrea-
ton areas in the East, with fish
ing, boating and swimming
among the diversions afforded
by lakes to be formed.
Mr.. Staggers said the project
will lnvigorate a large section OF
West Virginia which he de-
scribed as a distressed" area.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Marine Traffic Petrol
Poying Off on Route |

of, We nail him." Mai. Pomerleau
explains.
Military personnel are given
traffic tickets. Quantico Marines
later appear before the Provost
Marshal for an investigation
which may result in revocation
of military driving permit and
tags for periods of 10 days or
more. Unit commanders are then
informed and further disciple
nary action, if any, left to them
Tickets on non-Quantico serv-
icemen are mailed to their base
provost marshals.
Program Not Unique
A program involving patrol OF
a non-military road by military
police is not unique. Second
Army headquarters reports that
Military police at Fort Knox
have been doing the same thing
over the 35-mile Dixie Highway
known because of its traffic
fatalities as the Dixie Dieway
from the post to Louisville, KY
Maj. Pomerleau's patrol has
logged 1912 hours. covered 49,
1876 miles in patrolling Route
to date and handed out 12s
traffic citations. Only A were
to Quantico Marines.
Maj. Pomerleau plans to tie
into the State Police radio net
soon.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
DoorIess Floor Safe
Found in ARLINGTON

A floor safe with no door or
contents was found today in a
parking lot in the 2700 block of
Columbia pike. Arlington detec-
tives reported.
The l8-by-26-inch safe, with
its hinges sawed off. was spotted
by Detectives William Dinsmore
and Walter Cauffman. There are
no identifying marks on the safe.
1t is being checked for finger
prints.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Mohoney Claims
More Purty Okuys

BALTIMORE. Jan. 30.-George
P. Mahoney has laid claim to the
Endorsement of at least a major
ity of the Democratic central
committeeman in IL, of Mary
lands % counties in his bid for
nomination to the Senate.
The Baltimore County paving
contractor yesterday announced
he had gotten the backing of the
Caroline County State Central
Committee.
The day before that, he. said he
had received the Endorsement OF
the Dorchester County group.
Previously. Mr.. Mahoney had
received Endorsements from COM
mittees in Anne Arundel, Garrett
Hartford. Carroll, Howard. Wor-
cester. Allegany, Cecil. Charles
and Frederick counties.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Young Democrats
To Meet in County

The tgomery County
Young Democratic Club will hold
its first meeting of the year at
$3.50 pm. tomorrow in the Peo-
pies Court hearing room in the
Liquor Dispensary Building. $500
Colesville road. Silver Spring.
Newly elected president of the
group, William F. Hickey. urged
county Democrats under 40 years
of age to attend.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Choir Plans Concert

The Westminster College Choir
from New Wilmington. Pa, will
give a concert at 8 o'clock to-
night in the Little Falls United
Presbyterian Church, 6025 Little
Falls road, Arlington. The group
of 81 mixed voices is conducted
by Clarence Martin. a MEMBER
OF the college music conservatory
faculty.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Vireinion Honored

DR.. James H. NJ. Henderson,
son OF DR.. and Mrs. E. B. Hen
derson of Falls Church. Va. has
been elected. a Fellow of the
American Association for the
Advancement of Science. The
younger DR.. Henderson, a grad
uate of Howard University, re-
ceived his doctorate at the Uni
versity of Wisconsin.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
Arlington Announces
Red Cross Chuirmen

Two residential chairmen for
Arlington's Red Cross Fund
campaign in March were an
nounced today by Dean Braley.
fund campaign chairman.
They are Mrs. A. Robert Gins
burgh, 2572 North Military road,
who will head the drive on the
north side; and Mrs. Edward
w. Manwaring. 3-..2 First road
South. who will head the drive
on the south side of the County