davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1957-12-15

From Italy comes the news that a
tailor shop In Rome has Just delivered
to some Soviet emissarieS lot of stylish
clothes for Hikita Khrushchev. Made
to order to At his rotund measurements
(he'S 5-foot-5 and has 49-inch waist),
the clothes include two suits and two
overcoats. plus two pairs OF fancy
pointed shoes, three rakish hats and
four silk necktieS of fairly lively hues.
All this-done in the latest West
European style, with some American
touches here and there's likely to
spruce up Mr. Khrushchev quite bit,
and 1t is interesting to speculate over
his reasons for placing such an order
In a capitalist land According to a
broadcast by Radio Moscow, the Soviet
tailoring industry has Just invented"
a marvellous new stitchless suit that is
held together by glue, but here we have
the top boss OF the USSR buying his
clothes in Italy. Why2 Has he no faith
In glued garments? Or could 1t be that
he has grown tired of the dull and
unattractive Russian male getup-the
baggy trousers, the droopy coats, the
tank-like shoes and the drab and un-
imaginative ties?
Certainly, although he may not
have so intended Mr.. Khrushchevs ac-
ton in this matter seems to be nothing
less than a Snub TO Russias clothiers.
Actually, however, II may merely reflect
a simple desire on his part, now that
he is "the observed OF all observers"
among his countrymen, to be recognized
throughout the Soviet Union as "the
glass Of fashion and the mould Of form"
In any case, he'll probably look pretty
Snappy when he dons his smart new
habiliments. But let none of us be de-
ceived he'll still be the same tough
guy underneath. After all, as has been
writtengThe hood makes not the pDonk,
nor thu apparel the man." W
Evening star., 1957-12-15
A CENTURY AGO IN THE STAR

The War Department S
great experiment with camel
transportation in the deserts
of the Southwestern United
States was about to get under
way 100 years ago. The ex-
pertinent was doomed to fail
ure-the camels proved too
cantankerous. But hopes still
were high when. on December
is. 1857. The Star reported.
The Camels. Lieut.. D. c.
Porter, commanding United
States store-ship Supply.
writes to the War Depart
ment. on the l4th ult.. from
Smyrna. that he would sail
for the United States on the
18th tthe next day. and ex-
pected to reach the mouth of
the Mississippi by the Goth Of
January--there to turn over
his cargo Of camels to an off,
Ger Of the War Department.
prepared with a steamer to
receive them and take them
to Texas. Lieut.. Porter had
on board the Supply forty
four camels-six of which
were presented to the Gov
ernment by the Sultan. the
remainder were purchased by
Lieut.. p"
Evening star., 1957-12-15
Lobor's Go-SIow Signal

Having done a commendable job Of
giving the boot to several corrupt unions.
the AFL-CIO now is flashing a go-slow
warning to the Mcclellan committee.
In effect, 1t is accusing the committee
of being biased against unions and
reluctant to expose business corruption.
1t is possible that this is a gesture,
made necessary by the demands Of
union politics. The expulsion of the
TeamSters and other unions. whose cor
rupt leaders had been exposed by the
Mcclellan committee. was a pretty stiff
dose. 1t was not an easy thing for the
AFL-CIO to do. And 1t may be that
the criticism of the Mcclellan commit
tee was thought to be necessary to
sugar-coat bitter pill for labor's rank
and file.
We do not believe that many people,
in or out of the labor movement, will
take the criticism Of the committee
seriously. Corruption among union
leaders is an old. old story-especially
In the AFL. 1t is inconceivable that Mr..
Meany and his associates were unaware
of it, although they may not have known
how extensive it was. The AFL-CIO
resolution speaks disapprovingly Of
evidence obtained in violation of Fed
eral law" But the fact remains that
the AFL-CIO Is indebted to the Nc
Clellan committee for the evidence
which made possible the expulsion of
the corruption-ridden unions. They had
been corrupt for long time. But 1t was
the Senate committee and its disclosures
which paved the way for the AFL-CIO
house cleaning.
The criticism of the committees
failure to devote more time to manage
ment abuses is equally hollow. This is
like the horse and rabbit stew blend
of one horse and one rabbit. There has
been some evidence in this investigation
Of corrupt management practices-often
by some manager who was looking down
a gun in the hand of union racketeer
This, however. is the rabbit part of the
stew. The primary concern Of the Nc
Clellan investigation has been union
corruption. The disclosures speak for
themselves, and it must have taken quite
a bit of doing for the AFL-CIO, what
ever the motive, to publish its indict-
ment of Senator Mcclellan and his
fellow committee members.
Evening star., 1957-12-15
PreIude?

A portent Of the decline
in New England's whaling
trade was sounded a CEN
tuly ago. On December 10.
1857. The Star reported:
There was an arrival, a day
or two since. at New York.
Of a vessel from Aspinwall
having on board 900 barrels
Of oil. There was nothing
very startling in the landing
of such a cargo. but 1t will
be regarded as ominouS to
one Of the most important
interests in the commerce Of
New England. Those 800
barrels Of oil were carried
into Panama by a whaling
vessel, transported across the
isthmus on the railroad, and
landed in New York in less
than one NTH the time that
would be occupied in send
ing it home in the usual
manner. around Cape Horn.
II the oil taken in the Pacific
can be sent to the Atlantic
ports in this manner as
cheaply as in the old way, II
will put an end TO the whal-
ing business, which has been
so prolific a source Of wealth
to New England hereto
fore.
Evening star., 1957-12-15
Letter of Credit

/ read with interest an
Associated Press story De-
cember 10 10 the effect that
Secretary Of Welfare Folsom
Is supporting a plan to pro-
vide for State-administered
Federal scholarships to meet
the Nations educational
needs, particularly in the
fields OF science and mathe-
mates.
On September 20, 1856, ]
made a talk at Ocean City
before the State Convention
OF the Young Democratic
Clubs Of Maryland. Included
in my remarks were the fol-
lowing words:
Every year. about 100000
Of the top students graduat-
ing from high school, those
best qualified to continue
their education, are unable to
go to college because OF
financial reasons.
"The country is losing a
lot OF brain power, which is
going to waste and cannot be
replaced. II is time we ex-
panded the program Of the
Rational Science Foundation
or started q new schol1 1rship
program TO enable thed stu
Evening star., 1957-12-15
Fairfax Reaches Out

Another town-verSuS-county strug-
gle over land is in prospect in Fairfax
County. This time the tug of war will
be between the county government and
the historic county seat, the Town Of
Fairfax. Only recently the county lost
about two square miles of territory TO
Vienna, few miles away. BY coinci-
dence, the latest annexation threat
comes as the county is trying desper-
ately to find additional sources of tax
revenues. II it should be forced to give
up more of its taxable real estate, the
countys financial plight would be even
more serious.
Ironically, the towns plan to reach
out into the county for more land
results from study of its own revenue
problem by firm of consultants. The
firm recommended the broadening of
the towns real estate tax base by acqui-
sition OF about three square miles of
adjacent county territory. The annexa-
ton would triple the towns area and
nearly double its population Of $500.
The extension of the towns corporate
boundaries would be largely to the
north, east and south, encompassing
generally the land within the drainage
area of the towns sewage treatment
plant. The town already provides water
and sewer services TO about 10 per cent
Of the residents in the area under
consideration.
Fairfax County officials have become
increasingly concerned in recent years
over the threat of further land losses to
the towns within It's borders. They
fought vigorously Vienna's annexation
suit before three-judge court. but In
vain. Traditionally, the annexation laws
In Virginia favor expansion plans OF
towns and cities at the expense OF
counties. The principle underlying the
laws is that urban areas should be under
urban government and rural areas under
rural government. In Fairfax County
however, county executive form OF
government was installed several years
ago, in recognition oath countys rapid
urbanization. II the annexation move
ment continues as the county's urban
ized communities grow. the county could
find itself carved up to a disastrous
degree. Arlington solved the annexation
threat years ago by securing legislation
safeguarding the connty from any land
seizures. may be haat Fairfax County
Evening star., 1957-12-15

This Is an anniversary.
Ten years ago this very date
Spires OF the Spirit" were
first lifted against the sky
Of this National Capital. For
these memorable years In the
worlds history. from this
temple OF religious faith
topped by an emblem haunt
ingly dear TO the hearts OF
multitudes "a spire - there
has been proclaimed a week
ly message. Beneath the
leaping spires rising above
the turmoil OF the city OF
world affairs q pulpit has
been set up 70 whose words
q great newspaper gives
wings. Across the Nation in
this materialistic day the tall
slim fingers OF spires point
ever TO eternal verities. Al
ways a spire is a solemn re-
minder that man cannot live
by bread alone. even as he
cannot live without II.
For these momentous years
we have tried to keep our
eyes upon the truth expressed
In a sentence printed in the
first "Spire" ten years ago
today: The paramount prob
lem confronting us all is how
TO fashion the kind OF hu-
man stature that can be
trusted safely with the knowl-
edge and power science has
now put into human hands"
It is men and women OF all
creeds and of no formal creed
as they struggle for bread to
sustain life and yet yearn for
the bread that the ovens Of
the busy world do not fur
nish. to whom IL has been a
high and holy privilege 10
minister. Our deep desire has
been to render a spiritual
service without divisive shib-
boleths. We have sought to
emphasize the broad areas
OF agreement among those
whose ecclesiastical tags are
very different. yet whose
needs for spiritual under
girding and guidance and a
realization that underneath
are the everlasting arms" are
so poignantly alike. The con-
slant "Amens" from those Of
all faiths to whom in the des-
perate testing OF these days
Spires Of the Spirit" have
proved a beacon Of faith and
hope are more golden than
gold.
This has been a decade
when the sinister Soviet con-
spiracy. wherever its ten
tacles extend. has been fell
Ing spires and propheSying
that those still standing will
ultimately be toppled. Spires
of the Spirit" has not ceased.
in season and out OF season.
TO summon all in our own
dear land who vehemently
repudiate the Soviet blatant
attack on the very spires Of
our faith. to face the search
ing question as to how much
of our boasted creed is trans
lated into our personal lives.
The tragedy OF tragedies
would be for our 20th-cen-
Evening star., 1957-12-15

Juvenile delinquency was
not a term used 100 years
ago, but youngsters who
strayed from the paths Of
legality were viewed with as
much alarm as today. on
December 10. 1857, The Star
reported: More Juvenile
Thieves. The readers of The
Star recollect that. a few
nights since. Richmond's lace
store. Pennsylvania avenue.
between Eighth and Ninth
streets. was robbed of goods
valued at about 5000. Id
formation was given to OF
Ger Boss which enabled him,
Evening star., 1957-12-15
LETTERS TO THE STAR

too difiuse. its voices too vari-
Gus. to steer the Nation to a
safe harbor.
Can the Vice President take
the helm? Not unless the
President is declared disabled
or delegates the task TO him.
The Vice President is said To
have grown on his job, but
should We grant the leader
ship Of this Nation to a man
who attained his present en-
inence by the dubious tactics
Of smear campaigning?
This is. indeed, a time to
try mems souls and to test
our political institutions.
Bruce Barclay.
Evening star., 1957-12-15
SPIRES OF THE SPIRIT
A Decade of Spires
BY DIR. FREDERICK BROWN HARRIS
Chaplain Of the United states Senate

where fortunes are made or
lost in an hour"
A most impressive Christ
mas greeting has arrived at
our home. 1t is from an out
standing leader in the indus
trial life Of America. In a
very important post he also
has served the Government
with devotion and ability.
Because OF his culture and
character he is favorably
known in all parts Of the
Nation. He would not want
his name to be mentioned.
He is one Of the most cher
ished friends Of all the years.
On the outside OF this glori-
Gus greeting is a reproduction
Of The Christ with arms ex-
tended in gracious invitation.
Inside. the pictorial part Of
this exquisite creation is a
perfectly gorgeous etching OF
a Spire. It is a striking view
Of Trinity Church, New York.
in its unique setting in the
financial district.
But this great business ex-
ecutive and public servant.
as Christmas comes. is seeing
Trinity spire. so familiar to
him in his business career. in
a new light, even as my friend
of long ago really saw. for
the first time. the white Spire
at which he had looked
countless times. Now, on this.
as lovely a greeting as was
ever received. on the panel
opposite Trinity and its spire.
is a message. And now on
this anniversary / am ask
ing this splendid layman to
mount the pulpit Of Spires
of the Spirit and repeat
what he has said to his
friends in all parts Of the
world. Here We him! This
etching shows Trinity Church,
which has a most significant
name and an enviable record
of $50 years. 1t stands erect
as a sentinel Of righteous
ness in the midst Of some of
the worlds most prominent
business places. Surely here
is a lesson for us all that We,
not only on the Sabbath Day.
but each hour of every day
may bring into the midst of
our business more and more
OF the spirit Of Christ and
make effective His words.
Whatsoever ye would that
men should do to you. do We
even so TO them and by
this daily practice voluntarily
help bring to pass Peace on
Earth, Good Will Toward
Men. The peace and good
will expressed in the life
Of Christ should give us
all pause in these days Of
human chaos. II His will
were invoked only to the ex-
tent Of our human under
standing Of 1t great good will
Immediately would result TO
all the people OF the earth"
So speaks a great American
to us all as he stands by one
OF the most famous spires in
the world, where for IS dec
AIDES has been proclaimed the
Message of the Spires.
Evening star., 1957-12-15

were pulled out of existence
by a selfish materialiSm.
Against this catastrophe
spires warn.
I have just been reveling
in q chapter on "A White
Spire." written by a dear
friend long ago gone over
to the painless other side.
The Spire Of which he writes
had long surmounted the
little New England village
church, steeple prim. pre-
else. dignifled. For many
years he had known it as an
integral part Of the tiny lit
tie settlement near the cape.
He had no personal ties to this
little meeting house topped
by the spire. None of his
loved and lost slept in its
shadow IN the churchyard.
None Of his close friends were
among those who weekly
passed in beneath the spire
questing God and forgive
ness.
But for some reason the
spire Of that white church
which he had passed unheed-
ing became vocal one twilight
hour. As day was dying in
the west and he beheld the
graceful symbol from a dis
tance. 1t really spoke to him
for the first time. Suddenly
a familiar landmark became
an altered. sacred thing
Until now on his long winding
walks 1t had been just an
object to tell him how far
from home he was. What 1t
now said TO him is a story
into which we cannot so. To
many even a historic church
may be simply that and
nothing more. There is
Trinity Church in New York.
for instance. with its ancient
towering spire. AS one put it.
Trinity at the head of Wall
Street. frowning or smiling
down that world : famous
canyon Of finance. at least
notifies even the unchurched
stranger that he has arrived
Evening star., 1957-12-15

President. These were the
people he sought out here
and by whose counsel he was
guided. They were, it is true,
supplemented by a small
group Of journalistic left
wingers who have been the
center of anti Eisenhower
and pro-Stevenson propa-
ganda for nearly six years
and still are.
These are the friends upon
whom Mr.. Stevenson relies.
They were pleased-as was
he-that Mr.. Eisenhower had
asked him to go to Paris.
First, because merely being
singled out somewhat re-
stored what was certainly his
greatly impaired prestige;
secondly. because he could
so easily refuse, which he
promptly did, without SEEM.
ing absolutely chTlish and
political. There are some
well-informed men in Wash
ington who insist that from
start to finish Mr.. Steven
son, in this episode. has been
motivated by politics and not
patriotism.
denomination Proposed
His CLOSE friends" have
succeeded in putting the idea
that in 1860 he can be re-
nominated for the presidency
back in his head and this
time win because Mr.. Eisen-
hover cannot run again. Mr..
Nixon, who most observers
believe will be nominated for
the presidency at the Repub-
lican Convention in 1850, is
man he can really defeat. II
is pointed out by his friends
that while there are plenty
Of Democratic aspirants for
the presidency they are not
outstanding men. and with
Nixon instead Of Eisenhower
running there should be little
trouble for Adlai TO get
third nomination If he plays
his cards right.
There is slight doubt that
this idea strongly appeals to
Mr.. Stevenson. True, he has
indicated that he will not
actively seek the nomination
in 1860. but he did the same
thing in 1852 and 1856. In
brief. he has never really
slammed the door. He still
maintains his association
with the Americans for Dem
ocratic Action. with the
AFL-CIO. with the disgrun-
tied farm element. with the
Democratic Negro leaders
and Mrs. Roosevelt. In brief.
though he says he is not a
candidate he behaves very
much as though he were. In
particular. he has done so in
the last few weeks. From the
start. his whole attitude
toward the bipartisanship he
was asked TO promote does
not present a pretty picture.
It is now charged that rather
than help in a national crisis
he prefers TO make the Presi-
dents job more difficult by
criticism and com ment
which-to put il mildly-is
neither constructive nor CO.
operative.
Evening star., 1957-12-15

tury civilization. capable OF
such tremendous possibilities.
fitted to be the instrument in
the hands Of God for creating
a new world where all men
could live truly full and happy
lives. TO decay and crumble.
failing both God and man be-
cause the very spiritual roots
Evening star., 1957-12-15

Even minor accidents re-
ceived due attention in the
news columns 100 years ago.
On December 20. 1857. The
Star reported: Accident.
This morning Susan Mat
tingly was taken up from the
street where she had fallen
through the combined influ-
ence of Sleet and whisky.
Susan's head was badly cut
By the fall. She was assisted
to a neighboring house. and
DR.. Young. who was sum-
moned. rendered such aid as
the case demanded. She. with
another woman named Ann
Cahoe. was released only a
short time ago from the
WorkhouSe."
Evening star., 1957-12-15
PIebiscite on War

Would YOU vote Tor agrees
sive war-other than in case
Of imminent attack? DO you
believe the people OF any
other nation. including
Russia. II given that choice
would do so?
II every nation was re-
quired TO get the consent Of
its citizens by popular vote
before II could start q war.
would there be any more
wars2
Frank Tanderhoci.
Evening star., 1957-12-15
'Driftinq' Nation

1t is a painful experience to
watch a great nation drifting
toward disaster. Like a ship
without q rudder. the United
States suffers from lack Of
guiding leadership. There is
a "crisis OF confidence" In
which writers appeal for "a
spark OF genius" or some
other miracle TO rescue us.
Can Congress repair the
vacuum OF leadership" in the
White House? Congress can
talk and II can investigate
and expose. but II Is too kai-
merous q body, its Leadership
Evening star., 1957-12-15

with the assistance Of Off
GERS Wise and Simonds. 10
succeed. on Saturday night.
in recovering from two wom-
en-, to whom they had been
disposed. and VINO readily
gave them up on the demand
Of the officer. about 500
worth of the goods. and in
the arrest on Sunday Of four
boys for the larceny.
These boys are between II
and is years Of age. and
their case is another evi-
dence OF the necessity Of a
House Of Correction"
Evening star., 1957-12-15

dents TO continue their edu-
cation-particularly in engi-
neering, science. medicine and
other fields where there are
shortages"
More than a year later,
after the Sputnik surprise
and the Vanguard embarass-
ment, the administration has
awakened TO the worth Of
that suggestion.
May congratulate them
for 1920 hindsight vision?
May I, in turn, claim a little
credit for foresight?
George p. MahOney.
Evening star., 1957-12-15
WhirI

Washington'S social season
got under way early a GEN.
tury ago. and The Star. on
December IS. 1857. COM
mented on 1t in this manner:
The crowd. Washington
city is becoming thronged
with strangers. The season
has fairly opened. We never
before knew 1t TO begin until
after the first Of January.
There are more visitors here
st this time by far than ever
before in December. AS yet
there are few stranger-ladies
among them. When they ar
rive in the usual numbers,
what a buStling and rustling
city we shall have around our
ears. TO be surel Among
those now here are multi
tudes of Democratic poll
ticianS from all quarters.
enticed hither IL is to be pre-
sumed by a desire to know
what may be in the sind in
the matter Of the formation
Of the incoming administra-
ton"
Evening star., 1957-12-15
Effect

A word Of advice appeared
on The Stars front page 100
years ago. The story, on De-
cember l9. 1857. said: "A New
York correspondent writes:
one Of our rich merchants
"a man of fortune Of a mil
lion and a half-a resident
on Fifth avenue-connected
with one of the first houses
in New York, was carried yes
terday to the Insane Hospi-
tai. He is another illustration
of what our city shows in
many lamentable cases Of the
danger of over-attention to
business