davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
ArticuIote Ignorance

The case of the Jupiter missile nose
cone used by the President as prop in
his November address illustrates the
hazards of reporting in the missile age.
Mr.. Eisenhower was talking about
the so-called re-entry problem-the
problem of getting nose cone or war
head back through the earth's atmos-
phere without being burned up by fric-
ton. He said the nose cone in his office
had successfully passed this test, and he
stated fatty: Our scientists and engi-
neers have solved that problem"
Two days later background" press
conference was held by man who asked
that he not be identified, but who has
very prominent role in our missile
program. He took issue with the Presi-
dent, saying: Absolutely, positively and
without question, we have not-repeat
not-solved this (re-entry) problem"
This man was quite articulate and one
would have thought that he would know
what he was talking about. But appar-
emily he did not.
Stung by this criticism of the Presi-
CClIC . oOdCClllClL NdIlu VI CIlc AIuly
achievement) Secretary Of the Army
Brucker now has stated formally and
categorically that the re-entry problem
has been solved and that the Jupiter
nose cone exhibited by Mr.. Eisenhower
was an unqualified success" Mr..
Brucker has furnished detailed informa-
ton to back up this claim, and he
undoubtedly is correct in what he says.
We do not suppose that the man
who insisted the problem had not been
solved was guilty of deliberate mis-
statement. His position is such that he
could have been expected to know the
facts, but evidently he did not. This
is not an overly important incident. It
is typical. however, of what happens in
many incidents which result in the
spreading of misleading and erroneous
information respecting our missile
program.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
A Crave Reminder

An old but dangerously troublesome
problem has been presented again to
the United Nations by Henry Labouisse,
director general of the Arab refugee
relief program. For nine years the mat
ter Of caring for nearly one million Arab
refugees of the Palestine war has been
primarily responsibility of the United
Nations. During that same period, So
luton of the refugee problem has been
a major stumbling block in every effort
to reduce Arab-ISraeli tension and to
establish some solid foundation for
peace in the Middle East. United Ma
tions resolutions that the refugees
should be repatriated or compensated
have been ignored by Israel on grounds
that the Arabs were not "driven" out of
Palestine and that, in any event, for
security and economic reasons they can
not be taken back. For their part, the
Arab host countries have not been will
ing to absorb the refugee population
and the homeless people have lived for
nearly a decade in U. N. supported
centerS.
Mr.. Labouisse has dealt with the
problem on two grounds. One Is the
long-term consideration that in his
opinion no real settlement can be
reached unless the refugees are given
the choice of return or compensation,
or some alternative acceptable to all
parties. The other is the immediate
matter of keeping the U. N. program.
providing rations, medical services and
shelter-in operation. BY the end of
this year, the director pointed out, the
relief agency will be down to about So
million in funds-bareiv enough to last
another two months. The United States
and Britain have contributed 90 per
cent Of the support to this S40-million-
per-year program. The Soviet bloc has
contributed nothing, despite current
Communist Efforts 70 establish influence
within the Arab states. Within the next
few days, the General Assembly will
consider Mr.. Labouisse's report and
make the decision on whether this pro-
gram is to be continued. The member
nations should weigh seriously his warn
ing that abandonment, or even serious
curtailment, could have explosive roper
cussions In the Middle East.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
Relinious Beliefs

We hold no brief for the Thomson
Racial Activities Investigating Commit
tee. and this instrument of the Virginia
Legislature most certainly had no bust
ness asking any witness about his or her
church Affiliations. At the same time,
We see no reason why this aspect of the
committee hearings should be raised to
the stature of a major issue, for it
actually was a trivial incident.
One witness, who said he was going
to pray for member Of the committee,
volunteered his church affiliation. An
other was asked what church she be-
longed to, but the transcript of the pro-
ceedings indicates this was casual
question which was not pursued, and
which bore no relation to the subject of
the inquiry. This witness might well
have told her questioRer that her church
affiliation sas none his business But
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E.. TRACEWELL

on an unknown objective, In
proper Sputnik fashion.
Nobody wants to do wrong,
but when he does, he doesn't
much care, because he knows
the center of things cannot
know about it except by in
direction.
II 4 4
Those who do know, and
might tell on him for his own
good as well as that Of the
madly whirling sphere, are
too far away. too; they have
tried making reports before,
and to this day do not know
what became Of them.
Indifference has them all
in its grip and there is moth
ing anyone can do about 1t,
from the highest to the
lowest.
This way, disaster.
The man asks the other to
turn that damn thing
down." and the other just
laughs.
He is a nice fellow, every
body likes him, even the
harmed one, so everybody
ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Even the laughter Is in
different laughter.
How could 1t be honest,
above-board laughter?
How are we going to make
this nice chap stop being
indifferent?
The answer is, we aren't.
1t can't be done. The age is
against it, and the system.
We have to throw In our lot
with everybody else, and be
Indifferent. too. That way,
maybe the thing won't be so
noisy. Maybe If we don't
listen. 1t win 60 away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

Nor are many citizens going
to risk displeasure of police
men. That is why collections
by police for the segregated
Police Boys Clubs is bad
police procedure and not con-
doned in many cities.
Nor is it my opinion that
the NAACP has lost prestige
in the eyes Of the Negro citi-
zenry. Many of the groups
and individuals who casti-
gated the NAACP are those
who condemn 1t on general
principles. One Of the good
things that may result is
more care by young and in
experienced police in the
use of clubs, or firearms. It
is also possible that some of
the abuses complained Of may
be remedied. An investigation
of the NAACP by the Davis
committee in Congress and by
Representative Broyhill will
strengthen the NAACP be-
cause these men unqualifiedly
stand for racial segregation.
The best thing that should
result is the appointment by
the Commissioners Of a
Human Relations Commits
sion that will study the
sources of friction and low
morale and make recommen-
dations leading to a police
system unhampered by pref
udice and racial practices.
E. b. Henderson,
Former Vice President,
D. C. Branch, NAACP.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
the Matter?

Standing on my front
porch on Veterans Day, I
looked in vain for a display
of the Stars and Stripes
other than my own. I walked
around looking at the resi-
dences facing 16 blocks
without seeing other than
my own flag! Anyone want
ing to buy a flag could secure
it easily. What's the matter?
Among the many homes
without flags, there must be
some from which sons went
forth at the call of our
country and did not return,
and some homes from which
sons and daughters now are
serving in foreign countries.
Are their families indiffer-
ent. ashamed or what?
What's the matter, Ameri-
can Legion? What's the
matter, Daughters Of the
American Revolution? What's
the matter, Sons Of the
Revolution, citizens associa-
tons, schools, boys clubs?
What is the matter?
Edward H. DeGrOot, Jr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
A Veteran Complains

Someone goofed at Airing
ton National Cemetery on
Veterans Day this year. This
someone decided that the
cemetery must be closed to
all traffic during the long
period when services we're
being held at the amphithe-
alter, by a veterans group
unknown to mel.
To enforce this boo-boo, a
large detachment of military
police was scattered at all of
the entrances to keep out all
cars-unless they had some
authorization from this un-
official group. To those who
insisted on going in. they
were told to park their cars
on the main highway and
then take a bus to the amphi-
theater. I never listen to poll
ticians at memorial services
anywhere, so I stayed out.
1t so happens that all Of
the lots where I wanted to
pay my respects to men under
whom I had served, with the
exception of that of Gen.
Summerall (and including
my own lott. are in the south
end of the cemetery, about
one mile by road and at least
half a mile as the crow flies,
from the amphitheater. I
wanted to pay my respects to
Gems. Miles, Hartford, Nc
Andrew, Mccoy and some Of
flcers and men of the LIST
Division. and a couple of fell
low founders of the Ameri-
can Legion.
Isn't it time that someone
gave serious thought to the
efficient way to handle such
things, closed off the area
immediately around the am
phitheater. and permitted
those who want to pay re-
spects to the dead in other
parts Of the vast burying
ground access to those out
side areas?
Char Ios C0uIteP
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

It may have been tacti-
cally unsound for the NAACP
to have made Supt. Murray
the target for the attack on
abuses in the Police DEPART
ment. Many of the condi-
tons of complaint have ex-
listed for years. Because the
present superintendent has
been an improvement as an
administrator over some Of
his predecessors under whom
graft was marked. it was
natural that many civic
groups would come to his
support.
Nevertheless little has been
done to correct some of the
practices that have been dis
turbing to the morale OF
colored police and to the
colored community.
Not many years ago it
was considered impractical to
even assign a policeman who
happened to be colored to a
traffic crossing or to an all
white event. In many South
ern communities it lis con-
sidered a breach of faith or
good taste for a Negro officer
to arrest a white lawbreaker
and seldom are Negro police
selected for duty in a white
neighborhood. 1t has been
hard to explain to the Negro
community why, of the num-
Der of efficient, intelligent and
educated colored police Of
ficers, none until a few years
ago could ever combine an
efficiency rating and a writ
ten examination 70 be pro-
NOTED to a corporalcy. The
understanding has been that
white officers would dislike
or possibly rebel against being
in a squad with a Negro officer
as a superior. OF course they
are aware that quite a few
Negro privates have been
made nonuniformed detec-
tive sergeants but usually as
signed to headquarters.
The system has always
seen to 1t that in pairing off,
GERS on beats or in patrol cars
the officers are of the same
race. The reason even yet is
that the men prefer such
assignments, and also that
the Police Department is no
place for sociological expert
mentation." the same argyll
ment used to support a seq
regated army.
1t was almost hopeless for
the NAACP~ to get Negro
policemen to testify as to
conditions Of prejudice within
the department. 1t would be
strange for any hireling to
do so II he valued the good
will Of his superiors or his
job. It was unfortunate that
some Of the witnesses against
police brutality were Hrimi.
mails who had nothing lose.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
THE POLITICAL MILL
Americas Vast Economic StrenotI,
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Union. $l54 billion, and the
United States $415 billion.
The United States total APP
proaches twice that Of all
three combined" Mr.. Weeks
added that 10 years ago the
United States national prod
uct was $232 billion and to-
day It is operating at an an
nual rate Of close to $40
billion. an amazing growth.
Another element Of
strength in Americas econ
only is its fast growing pop
ulation. Since the turn Of the
century the country's popula-
ton has increased by almost
100 million people to 172.5
million, and the Bureau Of
the Census estimates that by
1875 the population win Jump
to around 225 million. AS Mr..
Weeks pointed out, this
means fabulous markets and
a vast manpower pool.
Steel and Investment Figures
Steel, Mr.. Weeks said, is
q recognized barometer of q
nations industrial power. Last
year we turned out more than
lis million tons; Russia half
as much. Khrushchev pre-
dicted recently that by 1879
Russia viii produce 40 mil
lion tons Of steel. American
steel executives forecast that
by the same year our pro-
duction should be around $50
million tons. In investment
expenditures. the Secretary
Of Commerce said, we laid out
SO billion in 1899. This figure
rose to $50 billion in 1858,
and SCI billion in 1856.
In transportation, industry's
blood stream, Americas supe-
riority is very evident. Mr..
Weeks mentioned two great
strides-the building Of the
nuclear-powered ship and the
Interstate and Defense High
way system. For comparison.
he said, London. Europe's
busiest airport, moves less
traffic than Knoxville. Tenn,
which ranks AID among
United States cities in air
traffic.
America has made vast
strides in research and de-
velopment, a field in which
Russia's Sputniks have Gre
ated a challenge and thrown
many Americans into a panic,
Mr.. Weeks pointed out. Total
research expenditures for the
Nation are estimated at So
billion a year, with the Gov
eminent footing half the bill.
Mr.. Weeks insisted, however,
this must be stepped UP.
Much Of the Nations in
ventive genius" he COM
mented, has been directed
to turning out better prod
ucts for better living. We are
proud Of q free system that
can produce Salk vaccine.
color television and q Hoover
Dam"
Mr.. Weeks called on BUSH
ness to support q budget ade-
quate for national defense
good advice, in view of busi-
ness roars of horror over
the budget submitted last
january. which Congress pro-
ceeded to slash.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

The National Education
Association Journal for No
vember, 1857 states: "City-
school salary schedules for
1888 appear to be keep
ing a jump ahead of the ris-
ing cost of living, accord
ing to the NEA research
divisions recently completed
reports for Alb urban school
districts"
The NEA does not designate
the districts studied, but it
gives the impression that
things are moving ahead
that teachers are making
good money. 1t says the
masters degree is a key SAL
airy in most school systems.
1t does not say that it takes
Is years in the, District Of
Columbia to reach the maxi
mum salary with a masters
degree. which is S6,25O. That's
tops up to retirement.
At the age Of 43. many
men, with or without educa-
ton in business, who began
at Is as clerks. are likely to
be making twice as much or
more than the teacher with
a masters degree who started
out at the same time. Is this
an incentive for prospective
teachers?
I taught one year and de-
cided to get out before I got
stuck. Men teachers who
have been in the system 10
or IS or more years.-mer
with degrees representing at
least 4 or 5 years Of college
education-have practically
nothing to show for II. They
wear the same old suits, carry
their lunches and drive an
tique automobiles, If they
have them at all. The mar
ried ones really have II rough.
They must seek after-school
work and weekend or sum-
mer Jobs. Society expects
the teacher to keep up tth
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
@. Who owns Helgoland?-

VI. WHO OWIlb f1eIBOlduuY-
s. H.
A. Helgoland or Heligoland
danish for holy land) Is
now owned by Germany. This
tiny North Sea island, only
100 acres in area. was taken
from the Danes In 1907 by
the British. In 1890 Great
Britain ceded the island to
Germany in exchange for the
island Of Zanzibar, of SOUTH
east Africa. In l945, Helgo-
land. then heavily fortified,
was surrendered 10 Great
Britain. who demilitarized II
and returned 1t to West Ger
many in 1852.
@. May ivory nuts be
eaten?-E. H.
A. Yes. The kernel Of these
nuts Of the South American
palm, Phytelephas macro-
carpa, is Juicy and good to
eat when ripe. When dried.
It becomes so ivory-like and
hard that 1t is manufactured
into buttons. chessmen, and
ornaments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

President Eisenhower, In
his Oklahoma City address
to the Nation demanding q
militarily strong America,
also set forth his conception
Of the, real strength" by
which self-governing democ-
racies have been able to over
come dictator governments
in the past. This strength,
the President said, lis found
In the quality of our life, and
the vigor Of our ideals. It
manifests itself in the ever
astonishing capacity Of free
men for voluntary heroism,
sacrifice and accomplishment
when the chips are down"
On the day that President
Eisenhower delivered his
Oklahoma City speech, Sec
rotary Of Commerce Sim
clair Weeks told the National
Defense Executive Research
Conference In Washington
that. as the Chief Executive
steps up the mobilization Of
scientific and military re-
sources. American business
must move up into the front
line Of defense. The strong,
broad base on which national
security stands, he said, is
the dynamic and progressive
economy Of the United States.
And then the Secretary Of
Commerce, head Of the de-
partment which concerns it.
self particularly with the
business and economic de-
velopment of the country,
fatty asserted that "the
American economy (of today
can support massive defense
and a peace-waging foreign
policy" Mr.. Weeks pro-
ceeded to lay it on the line,
pointing to the enormous ac-
complishments this country
has made in the economic
field, accomplishments which
the American people have
taken for granted, as they
logged along in comfortable
living.
Economy Growing
American economy, he said,
has produced the worlds
highest standard Of living
and the worlds most power
full economic order, and ele-
ments are developing for
more spectacular growth in
the coming decade. In addi-
ton, Americas industrial
system is supporting record
peacetime defense and atomic
energy, programs.
Taking "a hard look" at
some of the country's assets,
Mr.. Weeks pointed out that
the United States, with little
more than 6 per cent of the
worlds population and less
than Z per cent of its land
area, produces and consumes
over one-third of the worlds
goods and services. I'm fac
tory product alone" he said,
I'VE turn out approximately
half the global total. We con-
troll almost half of the worlds
energy output. The total val
ue Of production goods and
services in the following four,
leading industrial countries
last year was: Western Ger
$40 billion; United
Kingdom, $50 billion; Soviet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

Inc request OF q oecenJ
guy made no difference to
him.
He wouldn't turn the
blasted thing down one dec
libel.
The fact that he was hurt
ing the decent guy made no
impression.
The aggrieved one thought,
"How do people get that
way? He could turn the thing
down a bit, without harm to
1t or to himself"
But he wouldn't.
They never do.
They do this sort Of thing
the city around, the world
around.
1t ICONS sputnikly through
space, never stopping, the
harm done without meaning,
we mean.
4 4 4
It gets down to a matter
Of indifference.
Most people are not bad,
per Sc, they are only indif-
ferent.
They don't really care
much what they do, or how
they do it.
Our very Nation Is in dan
ger Of laundering on this
item, and most people don't
know 1t exists.
That is the danger.
If an honest soul tells
them, they pretend he doesn't
know what he is talking
about.
He is talking out Of turn.
they say. and doesn't know
the answers.
4 4 4
Indifference honeycombs
everything.
A college degree won't save
you from 1t.
Indeed. it might make for
1t.
Indifference masks itself
sometimes as go-getting. or
superiority, or even pretense.
1t is jaunty. heads UP
make-believe, when all the
time 1t is that old devil in
difference at bottom.
People mostly do not want
to do things wrong, but they
achieve them easily enough:
they may not want to be
right. either. but they some
times stumble into rightness.
The great human crime is
that they do not care, one
way or another.
4
Modern devices Of all sorts
make for this unhappy state
Of mind.
As organizations grow. they
change from an orbit In
which all are at an equal
distance from the center to
a center whirling about dis
tant spots. shall we say.
These spots, really people,
are now so far away that
they cannot get close 10 the
godhead, as it we're.
The godhead Is ind,fer-
ent. tool
So the whole thing whirls
madly through space. intel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16

she chose to answer that she was an
Episcopalian, and this ended the matter.
It takes quite a stretch of the imagina-
ton to build this up into an "investiga-
ton Of religious beliefs"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-16
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry iDriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
s1tion.