davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1956-08-04
T~opyRdnking v. /.
Democrats Deport for
u. S. to Convention

Top ranking members Of
the Democratic Party in the
Virgin Islands are now on the
mainland or planning to de-
part, for preconvention con
ferences in New York before
proceeding to Chicago where
the convention is scheduled to
open on August IS.
Joseph Alexander, veteran
Democrat from st. Croix, left
on Thursday evening; another
veteran, Ralph Paiewonsky Of,
st. Thomas, yesterday. They
will go to Chicago to join in
drafting the Democratic plat
form
Other Democrats who are
scheduled to depart from the
Islands include Alexander
Moorhead, and Ron de Lugo
from ST. Croix; and from st.
Thomas Atty. Daniel Am
brose, Alfred Loekhart,Jr. &
Lionel Roberts Raphael Bas-
ten Of St. John is also sch
duled to go.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
Opening Bid in Steel

StatiSticians often disagree on the
precise meaning of their own figures 1t
is not surprising, therefore, that repre-
sentativeS of the steel industry and of
the SteelworkerS should have differing
estimates on the exact cost of the latter'S
demands as contract negotiations opened
In Pittsburgh. AS expected, the union
has asked for wide variety of improve
mentS in its contract-ranging from wage
increases to numerous fringe benefits. 1t
has been clearly indicated in past weeks
that industry expects to meet some of
these demandS-and to pass the costs
along to consumers through higher prices.
The pattern of eventual agreement
will be of direct interest to more than
the steel industry. Stable union gains
undoubtedly would bring comparable
wage and benefit demands in other
industries. Stable price increases for
steel undoubtedly would be reflected in
the prices for a multitude of secondary
products requiring the use of steel. The
combination has been described as "the
eleventh round of wage-price spiral
that began in the days of World War II"
and that has had an overall inf1ationary
effect on the economy The current
negotiations are beginning at a time when
widespread concern is being expressed at
signs of a new inflationary surge on one
hand and showdown in certain industrial
enthusiastically automobile manufac-
ture-on the other.
One spokesman for the negotiators
expressed the hope that settlement will
be reached without strike and lin the
best interests of the SteelworkerS, the
owners (of the industry and of the
national economy" 1t is hope that will
require high sense of responsibility on
both sides of the bargaining table, but it
is one that should be Endorsed by all.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
For Smaller Cars

l see by The Star that Con-
greSS is about to raise the tax
on gasoline, oil and tires. so
that we can pay $51 billion
for wider. faster roads neces-
STATED by our juggernaut auto
mobiles.
The hypnotized public has
been brain-washed through
persistent, excessive advertise
ing into decisions of grandeur
and into the belief that size
and horsepower are the meas
ure or indication of social
standing or business success.
II the higher taxes on gaso-
line, oil and tires don't cause
a demand for smaller, more
sanely designed American cars
there should be a stiff State
registration fee imposed on un-
necessary size, power and
weight.
Why shouldn't autos be
taxed according to the unnec-
essary amount of our public
highways they occupy?
I have often followed small
foreign cars on the Mount
Vernon highway into Wash
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

flag, the college has publicized a still
timely compliment which the young
alumnus paid to colleges in general and
st. Johns in particular few years after
graduation. Today'S seniors would do well
to contemplate these words with which
Key defined the functions of a college:
"Then Tin college, are the victories to be
achieved over the temper and disposition,
over the temptations from within and
from without, that make the man master
of himself through life Patience in
investigation, accuracy of research, per-
severance in labor, resolution to conquer
difficulty, zeal in the cause of learning
and virtue. are then to be acquired"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
A Wonderful Thinq'

1t is gratifying news for our whole
community that the Commonwealth
Fund has granted 100000 to the George
Washington University School of Medi-
cine. AS Dean Walter A. Bloedorn has
declared, this is the biggest single gilt
ever received by the school in its distin-
guished l30-year history, and the money
undoubtedly will be of great value in
promoting the schools work and progress,
which in turn have a bearing on the
health and well-being of our city and its
environS.
That is one of the outstanding
virtues of all such grants: They richly
serve not only the recipient institutions,
but also-at least indirectly-the COM
munities in which those institutions exist.
In that sense, Washington in general has
reason to join DR.. Bloedorn and his
colleagues in hailing the Commonwealth
Fund for having done "a wonderful
thing"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

Alexandria is facing the loss
of its National Guard after
long years of proud service.
This is really a great shock to
the old-timerS of the city.
There has been local militia in
Alexandria. and ever since the
War Between the States the
local men have been answer
ing the calls to the colors in
defense of their country. Many
died in such service.
The old infantry unit sta
toned in the city prior to the
present unit served with glory
during the invasion of France
during World War II. The
present unit, 125th AAA Gun
Battalion, was formed while
the 10th AAA Gun Battalion
was on active duty during the
Korean conflict. Those who
saw the men of Baker Battery
OF the 10th march up King
street in August, 1850, will al
ways have the memory in their
hearts.
The question is, why is the
National Guard being forced
to vacate their home town?
Let's rally to the call and keep
the National Guard in Alex
andria. James Carlin
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
A Start on Farm Aid

President Eisenhower aptly described
this years farm legislation when he
remarked, on signing it, that "its advan-
tageS outweigh its harmful provisions"
For most of the past five months,
Congress has engaged in controversy and
interparty pickering over what action
should be taken to help this most
depressed segment of the national
economy. Almost as If inviting veto, it
passed an earlier omnibus bill that would
have restored the diScredited rigid price
support formula, and the President
rejected it. His frank explanation to the
Nation, and his urgent recommendation
that Congress try again, prompted pas
sage of the bill signed this week.
The heart of the new legislation,
as of the administrators initially rec
commended program for farm aid, is
the soil bank plan. In brief, it provides
for taking as much as so million acres of
tillable land out of production of surplus
commodities-placing part of it in cover
crops and applying to the remainder long
term conservation uses. Compensation to
participating farmers will be paid out
of a $1.25-billion fund. Unfortunately,
although the farmers needs are current
and have been foreseeable for months,
immediate benefits from the bank plan
will be limited. Delay in the bills enact
ment makes it inapplicable to much of
this years acreage. In addition, a
Democratic majority blocked the admin
istrations proposal for proponents on
land to be taken out of cultivation in
1857. Aside from expressing regret at
these shortcomings, the President was
critical particularly of provisions for
mandatory cotton export sales that would
take little account of costs or of foreign
market conditions.
In summary, however, the legislation
undoubtedly is the best that could
reasonably be expected in a climate of
partisan maneuvering in an election year.
1t promises help where help undeniably
is needed, some of it soon and more of it
later. 1t avoids, too, complete return to
panaceaS that have done more harm
than good in the paSt-notably the rigid
and high support payments that encour-
aged so much of the surplus production.
There is reason to hope that the ebb tide
in the farm economy may now be checked.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
Cut and BIeedino

% The wounds inflicted during Mary
lands Democratic State convention are
not going to heal tomorrow-and maybe
not by November.
1t is more or less accepted in politics
that the SpoilS belong to the victor-in
this case the George P. Mahoney faction
OF the party. But the Mahoney victors
in the convention as distinguished from
the recent primary-were not content
with the SpoilS They cut the Willard
Tydings hackers into little pieces and
swept them out of the ballroom of Balti-
more'S Emerson Hotel.
Mr.. TydingS, who beat Mr.. Mahoney
Tor the Democratic senatorial nomination,
was at home, sick with an infected tooth.
He appealed for poStponement of the
convention until he could have a chance
TO bring the warning factions together.
But the Mahoney forces, in firm control
OF the convention, would have none of
that. The TydingS request was Spurned,
66 to So, on a roll-call vote Then the
heads began to fall. Baltimore's Mayor
DAleSandro was ouSted as Democratic
National Committeeman and was denied
a place on his own city'S delegation to
CIIc OeIIlOCrdClC NdClOIldl convention III
Chicago. He will have to go to Chicago
as county" man. Former Governor
Lane and former Solicitor General PERL
man are not going at all. They were
replaced as delegates by Mahoney men.
In all, 10 Maryland Counties will not
have any representation on the delegation
going to Chicago. What this means is
illustrated by the case of Montgomery
County, which went for Senator Tydings
by nearly $4,000 votes. There are 10000
voting Democrats in Montgomery. But
they will have no voice in shaping the
Democratic platform or in choosing the
presidential candidate-a pretty good
argument, one would think, for popular
election of State convention delegates.
1t may be said that the Mahoney
forces have merely turned the tables and
done to the Old Guard in 1856 what the
Old Guard did to them in 1852. In sense
this is true. But true or not, it was
Steamroller performance that is hardly
calculated to unite the party for the
November political war At this juncture,
one would have to say that Republican
Senator Buffers chances look pretty good.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
Try Try Again

read your editorial "Try,
Try Again." May "a, believing
that you would give some
practical reasons for opposing
rebuilding Of the gas station
at Wisconsin and Massachu-
sets avenues.
Seems to me your "text
book" opinion was based sole
ly on city-wide new coming
regulations, and that it would
be bad to make exceptions in
any case.
I have lived two blocks from
this gas station for 35 years
and feel that it should have
been allowed to grow with the
neighborhood. 1t pioneered gas
service in the neighborhood
and has served us we'll since
Massachusetts avenue was a
dimly lighted two-lane asphalt
street with no curbing.
AS for the zone location,
who can deny that Wisconsin
avenue is a commercial street?
There are large shopping CEN
ters a few blocks to the north
and to the south Of the gas
station, and mostly apart
ments and stores in between.
With the exception of the pri-
vate houses. recently built.
between Thirty-eighth and
Macomb streets, you couldn't
see a dozen private homes on
Massachusetts avenue using
binoculars.
Forcing the gas station to
stay "as is" admits that 1t has
a right to be there. And city,
wide coming regulations which
require the gas station to stay
"as is" physically should have
an exception in this case when
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
Some Theories on Radiation Exposure
BY THOMAS R. HENRY

this knowledge as widely as
possible"
There are now more than
400 fossil birds known from
North America and the West
Indies.
Less than half of them are
represented by extant species.
They range from the gro
teSque, toothed flying crea-
lures of the days of the giant
dinosaurs to some more re-
cent fossils that hardly can be
distinguished from some of the
common song birds of today.
DR.. Alexander Wetmore, for
mer secretary of the Smith
sonian Institution, has just
compiled a checklist of all the
birds of which fossil traces
have been found in this area.
For the most part, bird fos-
sils are quite fragmentary.
Birds. with their light bones
and aerial ways of life, are
much less likely to be pre-
served as fossils than the heav-
ier-boned, earth-bo rep
tiles and mammals. Z
List Of Species Grows
Still almost 100 species have
been added to the previously
known list during the past Is
years. Several of these, DR..
Wetmore points out, are known
only from extremely fragmen-
tary remains found in pre-
historic Indian kitchen mid
denS. Since these were extant
during the time of man they
cannot be very old, as bird
species go. but they have no
living representatives.
Birds, like the mammals,
presumably arose from a
dinosaur-like stock. Several Of
the ancient reptiles had de-
veloped the ability to fly, or at
least glide. but they hardly
can be said to have had true
wings.
Birds and mammals APP
peared at about the same time
at the end of the so-called
Cretaceous geological period
when the great dinosaurs that
had been lords of creation
were near the end of their
heyday.
Fossil remains of the early
mammals are quite abundant
in some localities, notably the
Rocky Mountain area of the
United States. The early birds,
however, were unlikely to have
left traces unless they were
water birds that became en-
bedded in lake or river bot
tom mud when they died.
When they were devoured
by other animals, as probably
most of them were, there were
unlikely to be any traces left.
DR.. Wetmore is considered
the foremost American author
ity on bird fossils, with an
enormous background of re-
search on the anatomy of ex-
tant bird species upon which
to base his reconstructionS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
For Safer Boating

The remarkable development OF
Small-boat activity in recent years
especially in the poWer-eraft category
has been accompanied by an increase in
the number of boating tragedies through
out the country. The situation has be-
come so serious that two of the larger
boating organizations have joined in
urging Congress to study the problem,
with view to promoting water safety.
The move is timely, for it is predicted
that more inboard and cupboard pleasure
craft will be operating this summer in
salt and fresh water recreational areas
than ever before.
1t has been estimated that there are
now about Is million Small-boat en-
thusiastS who spend their week ends or
vacations enjoying their favorite sport.
Many of these are novices whose I'M
familiarity with vagarieS of weather and
water and with elementary rules of navi-
cation and boating safety may be ex-
pected to result in more accidents and
drowningS in the next few months. There
is no regulation of small boating by the
Coast Guard, and few local authorities
exercise any effective control. But as
Chairman Bonner of the House Merchant
Marine and Fisheries Committee re-
marked, the rise in serious boating mis-
hapS indicates "a possible need for greater
precautions to be taken by both State and
Federal Governments" in the small-boat
field. The program might we'll include
an extension of safety inspections by the
Coast Guard to include boats smaller
than the 16-foot-and-un group (now
exempt) and tightening up by State
and municipal authorities on safety re-
quirementS in recreational waters under
their jurisdiction.
The proposed inquiry has the support
of the National Association of Engine
and Boat Manufacturers as we'll as of
the Cupboard Boating Club of America.
This teamwork between industry and
customers is logical, for both groups have
an interest in making boating safer and
more popular.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

@. How many American au-
thors have won the Nobel Prize
for literature?-D. T.
A. Five-four men and one
woman. Sinclair Lewis. first
United States author to attain
the prize, won it in 1890; Eu-
gene O'Neill, 1896; Pearl Buck,
1888; William Faulkner, 1919;
Ernest Hemingway, 1854. Mrs.
Buck, who was born in West
Virginia but lived in China for
many years with her mission
airy parents. was honored for
books on life in China-ln-
GLIDING THE Good Earth" and
1.-THE Exile" The latter is
based on her own childhood
and the life Of her mother.
@. Do today's heavy bomb
ers take longer to build than
World War II bombers did?--
c. T. S.
A. A recent issue Of Planes"
official publication OF the Air
craft Industries Association,
reported that it takes almost
~ million engineering man.
hours to bring a modern heavy
bomber to its first production
fight, as compared with $751;
900 man-hours for World War
II bombers. Today's cost is
around 81 million. as compared
with World War II cost OF
100000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
Known but to God

In Arlington Cemetery niqht
and day q lone sentry
PAGES to and fro
He matches oUer the craze OF
one Of that immortal
band iUho fought that
iCdr to end all tOarS-
What cruel establishment and
bitter lUoel
1t i1GS not for him to ask the
reason tDhg, nor count
the grieuouS cost,
He iGaS told 'twuS the only
thing to do so he Uent.
When the battle tDds
DER his name tDdS listed
among the lost.
The body OF this unknopn
hero tGdS brought home
from France TO rest in
the soil he died to saue
and loped so iOeH.
His mother qrteres, unknoWing
t0here he lies. no funeral
chant iCdS sung. no
tolino OF the Sombre
passing bell.
His grateful country has oiuen
him this honoured
Craze. this treasured to
call his DUN by the
Grace OF God,
Here rests in honoured GLORY
an American soldier
knotCn but to God"
6Iodys N. HoverfieId
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30
In Memory of Key

ST. Johns College at Annapolis has
chosen an appropriate time to honor
distinguished alumnuS, Francis Scott Key.
AS a Memorial Day tribute to the author
of the Star Spangled Banner, the college
has announced plans for $l-million
music and fine arts building named for
Key. The announcement comedies
approximately with the l60th anniversary
of Keys graduation from st. Johns.
While the hero of the Fort McHenry
bombardment is best known for his
inspiring verses paying homage to the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

Any amount of exposure to
radiation can cause heredi-
tary changes in a plant or
animal.
The number of such changes,
however, is proportional to the
amount Of exposure.
The effects are cumulative
that is, an exposure to 10
roentgens. the ordinarily used
units of radiation, per month
for 20 months has the same
genetic effect as 200 roentgens
received in an hour.
These are conclusions re-
ported by DR.. George w.
Beadle, president of the Amer
lean Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science. They
represent, he says, the most
generally accepted beliefs
among geneticists. 1t is a sub
ject on which there has been
wide disagreement in other
scientific circles and concern
ing which, as it applies to
man. there is little expert
mental evidence.
The kind Of radiation emit
ted by the fall-out from
a nuclear bomb. he says in
a special report. produces
hereditary changes in all ex-
perimental animals and plants
in which the effect has been
studied.
Most Cases Hopeless
For most types of genetic
damage" he reports, (which
result from low doses, there is
no recovery. The effect is
permanent and is transmitted
from generation to generation
until removed by the slow
process of natural selection.
Probably SO per cent Of
these changes in heredity,
whether spontaneous or in
duced by radiation, are dele
FERROUS. On the average for
two such changes an indi-
vidual in some later generation
will die before reproducing.
Most induced changes in
heredity are recessive, or large
ly so. This means that they
are not likely to be detected
among the children or grand
children Of exposed individ-
uals. 1t may be many genera
tons before two like changes
come together in the same in
dividual and produce an easily
detachable deleterious effect"
Although geneticists as a
whole thoroughly realize the
dangers, DR.. Beadle stresses.
this does not mean that they
advocate stopping all nuclear
bomb tests. But their values
must be weighed against the
dangers.
But, he says. "there is one
way in which they differ sig
nificantly from nongeneticists.
They have special knowledge
about the hazards and. in my
opinion, would not be fulfilling
their responsibilities as citizens
if they did not do everything
in their power to disseminate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

ington. I have been surprised
at how easily they took the
bumps. Just as easily as the
super road-hogs.
Now that the auto market
is overSold, there is some I'M
employment in the auto in
dustry. The fault is with the
industry. but the taxpayer will
foot the bill. Possibly, we may
have to subsidize the dealers,
as we did around the close of
World War II, again at the
purchasers expense.
A concerted drive by labor
and the auto manufacturers
to increase the import duty on
foreign cars is now in progress.
Too many people are buying
these small, easily handled,
economical and efficient for
eign cars to suit United States
manufacturers. They blame
foreign competition for their
unemployment instead of their
overproduction of cars that
the average person can i'll af-
ford to buy and maintain.
Efte.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-30

in essence, because human be-
ings are behind them all.
X X x
If we can succeed in max
ing people realize that gossip
may be good, just because it is
human, perhaps the stigma Of
the ages can be lifted from it.
To gossip, is to tell a story.
Now, story may be good or
bad. true or false.
1t is only when the latter
aspects get in the aScendancy
that gossip. or the answer to
the pertinent question, Whats
new?" becomes what the older
books called gossip mongering.
We prefer to believe that
gossip is so deucedly human
that it simply can't be wrong.
One must be on the watch
out, of course. for the agent
provocateur. He didn't go out
of style with the French
revolution.
He is the guy who sidles UP
to you and tries to lure you
into making a statement
against some one else, so that
he can run to him and tell him
what you have said.
The worst type of this brute
is he who, failing to get you
to fall for his line, makes the
statement himself, and then
runs and says that you said it!
Once this pest is met and
defeated, or better, avoided,
honest gossip comes into its
own. Discretion is not Just
the better part of valor; it is
the soul of real gossip.
you use it." says one.
whenever you are in tough
spot"
Now, there is a gossip, If we
ever heard one.