davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1957-03-27
He Refuses to Answer

A rather dour Senator Mcclellan
extended a tongue n-cheek invitation
yesterday to Dave Beck, who heads the
largest and most powerful union in this
country. Senator Mcclellan said his COM
mittee was happy to have Mr.. Beck before
1t and that we Invite his wholehearted
and enthusiastic cooperation" with re-
spect to suggestions that he had mis-
handled some S320,O00 of Teamster Union
money. Mr. Beck'S "co-operation" was
anything but wholehearted and enthus-
iaStic. In several thousand well-choSeh
words (Which had been written out for
him by his lawyers) the portly boss of
the TeamsterS said in substance: I re-
fuse to answer on the ground that the
truth might tend to incriminate me.
Of course, Mr. Beck has an unques-
toned right to invoke the Fifth Amend
ment The constitutional privilege against
Standardization is fundamental in our
law and is equally available to anyone
provided he honestly believes that truth
full answers to questions might tend to
incriminate him.
But when Mr.. Beck chooses to invoke
the Fifth Amendment, he must expect
that the logical differences will be drawn
primarily, that he is afraid to tell the
truth while under oath. A few days ago,
when he was not under oath, and there
fore not liable to any prosecution for
perjury, he appeared on television pro-
gram and gave at least partial report
of his financial dealings But when he
appeared before the Mcclellan commit
tee, where he was under OATH he refused
to repeat even what he had said on the
broadcast.
1t seems to us there is every reason
for the public and the members to con-
clude that there is something thoroughly
rotten in the operation of the TeamsterS
Union. When the questions which Mr..
Beck refused to answer are added to the
questions which have been answered by
other witnesses. the spectacle which
emerges is nothing short of diSgraceful
What ultimately happens to Mr.. Beck
may be of relatively small Importance.
But it is important that Congress, taking
appropriate notice of the committee per-
formance of Dave Beck and company,
should enact legislation which will de-
prive such people of the -and-death
power which they now hold over their
own union members and over a large
segment Of the American economy.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
FreehiII Congratulated

Publicly elected officials such
as Joseph Freehill of Fairfax
County should be congratu-
lated for taking a fortnight
stand in the recent tax hearing
at Fairfax involving the pro-
posed increase in the county
automobile tax.
1t is refreshing to find an
official who will stand up and
be counted when the chips are
down. My thanks to Mr.. Free
hill should be emulated by the
thousands of citizens of Fair
fax County. Now let's persuade
our board Of supervisors to
spread the tax a little more
equitably by reconsidering the
business tax that went down
the drain. We don't believe
that businessmen would object
to an equitable tax when they
have veritable gold mine
outside their places of estab-
lishment in Fairfax County.
Robert r. Richmond.
Evening star., 1957-03-27

was a little on the light side
to support so intricate a struc-
ture." Even an amateur knows
that this is exactly what vari-
alton at its finest consists Of.
The greatest variation COM
posers purposely took simple
themes to show their skill at
making a set of variations.
Beethoven, that giant of the
variation form. took a notori-
ously trite waltz and from it
composed his greatest varia-
ton work. the Diabelli Varia-
tions. He also wrote at least
20 sets of variations for the
piano alone. Each has as its
principal theme a naive folk
melody. The variations in his
Eroica Symphony are based on
a contra dance. Bach's Gold
berg Variations are based on
a simple air.
Joyce AraujO.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
For Better PIonnino

The compromise planning reorgani-
cation bill approved by the Maryland
General Assembly will have the long
sought effect of bringing the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning Com
mission into closer relationship with
county governing bodies. The commits
sion no longer will be creature of the
Governor" but bicounty body whose
members are appointed jointly by the
Montgomery County Council and the
Prince Georges County Board of Commits
sioners. Thus, each county will be as
sured of local representation on the COM
mission and local voice in It's decisions.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Pretty Safe, but

Chairman Lewis L. Strauss of the
Atomic Energy Commission has cited
some reassuring figures to illustrate the
safety of nuclear power plants The fig
ures have been worked out by the Acc
through calculations based on what may
be regarded as the most pessimistic prem
ises of an actuarial expert employed by
an insurance company to estimate in
advance the worst possible risks involved
in any given project. In effect, what the
figures show Is that the risks-the
chances of a reactor accident spreading
radioactivity over a wide area-are
exceedingly low"
In fact according to Mr.. Strauss,
they are so low that this may safely
be said: Assuming that 100 big nuclear
power plants were in operation in our
country, the odds would be around so
million to l In any single year against
the possibility that runaway or explod-
ing reactor would cause the death Of
even one American. BY way of contrast,
the odds are only 5000 to / in a 12-
month period against the possibility of
a person being killed in an automobile
accident in the United States. This is
a thing that speaks pretty much for
itself. Actually, in relation to major con-
ventional industries, our steadily ex-
panding nonmilitary atomic operations
promise to be amazingly nonrisky.
Yet, since all things are possible in
our world, accidents can happen in nu-
clear power plants For example, as Mr..
Strauss has reported to the Joint Con-
greSsional Atomic Committee, the Aces
experts have tried to visualize "the worst
imaginable" kind of misfortune in this
field. They have estimated that it could
kill 3,400 persons. injure $4,000 and cause
property damage in the neighborhood
of ST billion. Although such an eventu-
ality may be as remote as an August
blizzard here in Washington, something
like it must be reckoned with by private
American companies interested in har-
Messing the atom for peaceful projects,
and it seems real enough to them to
make them hesitate to invest in such
projects lest the liability risk be too great.
That is why the joint Senate House
committee is now holding hearings on
proposals to establish Federal fund of
$500 million to back up private insurance
companies willing to issue limited poll
cies covering liability in case OF major
reactor accidents. Mr.. Strauss, like most
of the committees members, is strongly
in favor of such fund AS he has put
1t, mo single thing could contribute
so greatly to the acceleration of nuclear
power development in the United States
as would early and favorable action on
this subject" Congress should vote ac-
cordingly. The sooner it does so, the
better prepared our country will be to
speed up its atoms for-peace drive at
home as we'll as abroad
Evening star., 1957-03-27
VISTAS IN SCIENCE.
Man BoffIed by Tidal Phenomenon
BY THOMAS R. HENRY

area south of As N there is al
most no change of mass during
the year. North of As N tenn
perature changes are not large
enough to explain the observed
variations in height. South
of the equator data are few but
the indications are that the
changes are volume changes,
not net-maSs changes.
I'VE have found little evi-
dence for any of these three
possibilities. This expansion of
the water in summer due to
local heating, the fourth pos
sibility, must be the cause Of
the observed changes.
Can't Be Confirmed
But, the report stresses, OBJ
servational data are too scant
to confirm this hypothesis. In
any event. says the report. "it
seems as If during summer and
fall warm water must be f1ow-
ing into the Northern Hemis-
phere from somewhere. pre-
sumably from the Southern
Hemisphere.
During the International
Geophysical Year a great ma
tional and international in
crease in effort will be made
all over the world. Dozens Of
new installations will be made
on islands by more than Is
countries. The South American
nations. Australia, New Zea-
land. France. the United States
all have major programs in
near the gauges.
"The expanse of area cover
ed. especially that away from
the edges of continents, will
be increased manifold. For the
nrSC Time we VIII have wide
spread temperature and
salinity observations that are
synchronous in time and are
near tide guages.
Perhaps we will be able to
track the water from one
hemisphere to another. Prob
ably we will get some surprises.
AS a case in point, suppose
that the water is fitting UP in
the north and down in the
south during September. What
in the world is keeping it from
Simply running down hill?"
The phenomenon, it is
pointed out. acts like an an
nual tide running from north
to south-but still cannot be
considered a tide in the ac-
cepted sense of the word. It
is due to some law of nature
which apparently nobody
knows about.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Liquor Reform Bill

To those of US who long for a
Prince Georges County unfet-
tered by an economy based on
liquor and gambling, and poll
tics undominated by financial
support of those interests. the
Wheatley liquor reform bill ap-
peared as a fulfillment of our
fondest hopes.
Its swift passage by special
committee in the State Senate
and letters pouring into the
delegation assuring them
ample support for positive ac-
ton would seem to indicate
that all is well.
However it isn't!
After leaving the Senate. the
Wheatley bill was sent directly
to the alcoholic beverages COM
mittee where it must be re-
ported out favorably before our
delegation can act on 1t. AS
long as it stays there our dele
gates are stymied.
Aside from our own member
Of that committee. Delegate
Ernest S. Loveless. jr., whose
personal and public integrity
and principles are unquestion-
ably fine. the committee is no.
torious for its sympathy for
liquor interests.
Why did Senator Wheatley
permit the splendid features of
his bill to be tied up in one
package? Didn't he know that
separate bills featuring single
regulation each are apt to pass
the Alcoholic Beverages Com
mittee more successfully, and
that often compromises can be
made in single proposal with
out killing every good provision
when handled this way? 1t
doesn't need TO be an "all or
nothing proposition.
Fortunately our delegates
have not been mapping. Sepa-
rate bills that spell out many
needed reforms have been in
troduced. 1t is imperative that
we rally every means of sup
port--individually and as or
ganizationS--behind our dele
gates efforts to secure ade-
quate reform legislation. as
we'll as relieve them of the
blame for the failure of the
Wheatley bill to pass.
Louise ID. Yuill.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Airborne

This giant Silver bird dSSdilS
the blue
Cornfower depths OF space
hung cloud and SKY,
BeloD the sea is held in
shredded fog
That takes gray khoStiy shapes
as De 90 by.
And non iDhite spires and
ttrretS loom below
Like tdiry castles Dredthed
IN gduzy light.
They float. then dance apart
TO clearly ShOD
Our red -broDn earth IN
squares set true and
right.
Wing on. stout SilDcr bird
THO steady hands
Are hdrneSSed TO your
throhbin0, redchin
heart.
Sir magic hours are all the
time you neeed
To split tho thousand
Girborne miles dpdrti
Miriam R. Anderson
Evening star., 1957-03-27

I am beginning to believe
that the true art of music criti-
cism is dead. Critics these days
have a high opinion musically
OF no one but themselves. They
seem to be obsessed with the
false idea that a criticism is
not a true one unless it tears
apart either the composer, the
artist. or the composition.
1t seems that the profession
of musical criticism is overrun
by people with degrees in
Journalism who definitely lack
q solid background in music.
AS result. those who are
guided by these pretenders
casting their own opinions. are
being falsely educated. Thus
the music world is the loser,
for critics are discouraging and
teaching the population to dis
courage composers and serious
musicians who could make a
great contribution to our musi-
cal scene.
Take Irving Lowen's write
up Of a concert held at the
Phillips Gallery. The express
sions used to describe the
music we're an insult to any
composers integrity. One does
not refer to chamber music as
"a tasty mixed grill" 1t merely
shows lack of polish to call a
Beethoven quintet a tasty
mixed grill OF chamber music"
Another blow came In the
criticism Of Kurt George Rog-
ers' Set OF Variations on an
Irish Air" Here the critic tells
his readers that "the set OF
variations was ingeniously put
together, but the theme itself
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Aoe of Usefulness

~ - SCa OaSfSSS
The most recent census in
dicates that there are Is mil
lion-plus citizens of the United
States who are older than 65
years. Those who have at
tanned the age of 70 may
expect to live until they are at
least 81. 1t will not be very
long before the proportions be-
tween youth and age will be
more equal. and the economic
problem which will result will
be more serious than it is at
present. 1t is becoming more
difficult for any individual to
put aside money for a rainy
day because taxes drain away
practically all income above
the current expenses. and the
opportunities for gainful en-
ployment after 65 are becom-
ing fewer and fewer.
The arbitrary rule in indus
try which forces retirement at
65 causes an enormous waste
of experience and ripe judg-
ment. and real mental and
physical suffering to the re-
tired employe. There should
be a better measuring rod for
capability than the mere at
tainment Of years. How much
more satisfactory would it be
for both management and
labor if all employees were re-
quired to submit to a mental.
emotional and physical check
up by competent medical
boards on every birthday after
the employe reaches 40. Some
of us are incapable at 40, and
others reach 80 or more before
our mental or physical facul-
ties become impaired to the
extent that we can no longer
carry on. Many more remu-
nerative opportunities exist for
employees who would be re-
tired before 65.
The wedding -out process be-
ginning at 40 would supply
plenty of opportunity for the
advancement of youth. because
there are many persons be-
tween 40 and 65 who should be
retired by the medical boards
for mental, emotional or phys
ical reasons, leaving the vigor-
Gus experienced employees past
65 to continue to support their
families and themselves and
insure the continued safety
and prosperity of industry.
Besides relieving the younger
generation of the backbreaking
task of supplying food and
shelter to many of those past
65, this plan would prevent
Illustration. resentment, idle
ness and the bitter dregs OF
the sense OF dependency on the
citizen who is still able to pull
his weight in the boat and has
no opportunity to do so.
1t should not be necessary tc
point to high government Off
cials like cabinet members
diplomats. Senators and other
statesmen throughout the
world who have passed IS tC
prove that the matter of years
is inconsequential to the per-
formance of valuable services;
nor TO mention the elderly
writers, the lawyers. the
judges, the sculptors. the
artists. the musicians and the
doctors who have left their
imprint on the world.
The rule which requires re-
tirement at 65 is cruel and
disheartening to the vigorous
employe, extravagantly waste
full to industry, and unfair to
the younger generation which
must meet the tax bill neces-
sary to support the ever
increasing number Of retired
senior citizens.
James A. Cannon, MD.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Four-Cent POSTAGE

The proposed 33 per cent
increase in the first class
postal rate-from 3 to 4 cents
figuratively speaking,
amounts to a stretching apart
by some 1000 miles of the
distance between the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts. Why should
the big family of ITO million
fellow Americans be torn
farther away from each other
by a SO per cent raise of
the financial barriers Of COM
munications?
Unfortunately. such a raise
would hit hardest people who
must count pennies - like
Grandma and Grandpa. whose
greatest happiness in their
remote loneliness comes from
exchange Of letters with their
loved ones. This vast country
by its minimal postal rates is
proud to keep close together
the whole Nation and. through
trade, to bring a prosperity
unknown to any other country
in the world. 1t would be
shortsighted in the long run
to cut the branch on which
one is sitting.
AS to the matter OF the de-
felt operation of the Post
Office Department. one should
remember that by its nature
some public services affect
ing the welfare of the Nation
as a whole. such as communi-
cations. national security ETC.,
simply cannot be operated on
a profit making or business
like basis. This postal de-
felt problem faces not only
olIr country. but all govern
ments in the world.
Let's hope that enlight-
ened understanding Of the Ma
tions interest will prevail.
Hermes.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Is there a year tide?

Is there q year tide?
Something of the sort Is in
dicated by seasonal and op-
posite differences in sea level
between the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres. 1t is as
much as a foot higher in the
Northern Hemisphere in au-
tumn and winter than in the
Southern Hemisphere. The op-
posite is true in spring and
summer.
The two halves Of the worlds
oceans seem to act as separate
units. Only a few conjectures
can be offered for the pheno-
menon but an explanation will
be an objective of Interna-
tional Geophysical Year stud
les all over the world.
The curious situation is de-
scribed by DR.. June Patullo
Of the Scripps Institution of
Oceanography in a report to
the Office of Naval Research.
Explanations Inadequate
Possible explanations which
have been offered seem, for
the most part, quite made
quate. the report points out.
The differences cannot be at
tributed to the same influences
which govern the daily tides
the gravitational attractions
of the sun and moon. These
cause some seasonal differ
ences because Of changes in
the distance of the sun due to
the earth's orbit. These differ
ences, however, can be calcu-
lated precisely. They amount
to only an inch or SO at the
most.
Atmospheric pressure does
have an annual cycle. Hot air
weighs less than cold air. But
the most that can be figured
from that effect is a rise of sea
level between north and south
of about two-f1fths Of an inch
a year. This effect is observa- =
BILE. 1t is important around
Japan, China and Greenland.
But it is far from enough to
account for the differences in
sea level.
Perhaps there is a net mass
transfer Of water between the
two hemispheres.
This is very difficult to deter
mine. Tide gauges indicate
something Of the sort but they
do not tell whether there
actually is more water or
whether the same amount of
water takes up more space.
Says DR.. Patullo:
THE northern oceans seem
to split into two zones. In the
Evening star., 1957-03-27

calories to 1000 calories, with
a good breakfast" tipping the
calory beam at 500.
The meager breakfast has
definitely gone out, not only
because of the admonitions of
food scientists. but also be-
cause of its taste.
If leisure is part of the pic
ture. as it should be, taste def
initely has a real part to play.
This gobble business of a
hasty breakfast means sallow
compilations, no pep" no
grace. no fun in life.
The high protein breakfast
is supposed to give its eater
all of these. provided he carries
his food science through the
rest Of the day.
This best meal begins with
rest. 1t presupposes that one
has slept well. Without rest,
the inner functions of blood
and digestion cannot be car
ried on rightly.
One Of the scientific pictures
to come into being in the last
half century is that Of the
breathing cells.
Life is not only blood. it also
is breath.
Cells that do not breathe
properly cannot digest food
properly.
1t is as simple as that.
So if one is in trim. we'll
rested, with enough physical
exercise, which automatically
spells more breathing. then he
may get all there is in food, in
cluding the taste.
Breakfast is the one meal for
all this.
At other times of the day
there are too many intruding
factors. but at the morning
meal. one may close them out
and away, and eat in comfort.
Neighborhood screamers are
still asleep, the automobiles
have not come out of their
garages. and yesterdays dogs
are quiet as mice are supposed
to be.
Eat. then. dear friends, in
peace. and be glad you have
something to eat. for the time
cometh when we will all prob
ably starve to death. If the
bombs don't get us first.
Evening star., 1957-03-27

ment. About one child in 1000
is born without one or both
ears.
@. Did the original docu-
ment Of the Declaration Of
independence bear that title?
w. P.
A. No. The words "Declara-
ton of independence do not
appear on the original. This
begins with the words: In
CONGRESS. July 4, l776. The
unanimous Declaration Of the
thirteen united States Of Amer
ica." Toward the end Of the
document come the words
e. declare, That these
United Colonies are. and Of
Right ought to be Free and
Independent States. :"
@. What kind of animal has
the biggest range of sizes
among its members?-A. S.
A. Protozoans, single-celled
animals, are said to have the
widest range. One kind is
about / l/25,0O0 of an inch long:
another kind may grow to
nearly 3 inches. DR.. Theodore
jain Of the University OF
California has estimated that
the largest protozoan has
about two quintillion times the
volume OF the smallest one.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES {. TRACEWELL

Breakfast is the best meal"
says a correspondent, a fellow
eater of Americas best foods.
Except for the consumer who
swears that all meals are the
best, this is a standard ver-
dict of unhWTied people.
Those who get up late know
little of the joys of breakfast.
Those who simply will not
give themselves time to get
downtown. who invariably ar
rive 5 to 10 minutes late to
work. cannot appreciate the
leisurely first meal.
1t may be begun with music,
in these days of radio. tele-
vision and phonograph.
We know one man who plays
a symphony before sitting
down to his morning meal.
Says it puts him into the mood.
Most of us who appreciate
breakfast best will need no
music.
Food is enough.
This is the universal cry Of
the world:
Food is all We ask"
Not music. not love, not
work, but something to eat.
Horrible predictions of scien-
fists picture a starving world,
as the human population in
creaseS and few die.
No water. either, so goes the
mournful song.
Faced by drought and lack
of food. mankind will eat up
all the animals and then jump
over the precipice, so they
assert.
In the meantime, tn er e
seems to be plenty of good
food for good Americans.
So much. indeed, that the
Government stores it away to
mold, rot and disintegrate. if
kept too long.
Some of that butter we have
been getting lately tastes that
way!
But back to breakfast
Americas No. meal is
mostly fruit, toast and egg.
and two cups Of coffee.
If one does physical work all
day. to this menu he probably
adds meat, or cereal and milk,
or maybe both. and more
bread.
This meal may run from 300
Evening star., 1957-03-27
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used u
letters carry Uriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
Sdtion.
Evening star., 1957-03-27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

o
eaEei incln
Evening star., 1957-03-27
Critic to Critics

Flourtown, Pa.