davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-20
ATTIC TO CELLAR
Decor Assumes
The Soft Look
BY BETTY TRExLER

At long last we're hitting mddle-road between the soft
look and the cold look" in home decoration.
We're beginning to combine ideas-severy
ternto comfortable compromise that definitely enhances
place most of us love the best-our home
There bound to reaction the barebones type
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-20

Briggs Construction Co.. Inc,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Communists:
A New Front

Last week the Communist
world. represented in Moscow by
leaders from every Red-bloc ma.
ton, announced in a lengthy
manifesto a new drive for peace,
progress. and prosperity" a goal
which the communique made
clear, could be realized only by the
downfall of capitalism and
imperialism"
The Moscow gathering, largest
in years, called for a new drive to
include nom Communist elements
everywhere against forces of re-
action and enemies of peace" Sig
nificantly. Yugoslavia. although
represented at the two-week gath
ering by Vice President Edward
Kardelj, refrained from signing
the communique. Both the Yugo-
slav Ambassador to Moscow and
official sources In Belgrade let 10
be known that their abstention
was deliberate.
In a companion document the
Communist parties Of "a nations
signed peace manifesto" asking
popular support everywhere
against Capitalist monopolies who
have a vested interest in war"
Yugoslavia's Communist Party in
dorsed this one. which refrained
from direct attacks on the West.
But the refusal of Marshal Tito's
government to join in the major
Communist communique was seen
as open confirmation of persistent
reports that Belgrade and Moscow
are still far apart.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

a revivified Atlantic Pact was
indispensable. The former Illinois
Governor also declared that NATO
must be ready to prevent Com
muniSt breakthroughs in UNDER
developed areas, and to contend
with brush fire" wars anywhere
in the world.
Mr.. Stevenson'S exact function
in the NATO planning project
was not spelled out. Neither did
he have a title. status Except as
a consulting private citizen) or
remuneration. But he does have
an office-"I'm a temporary ten
ant''-in the State Department.
Mr.. Dulles, at his press con-
ference Tuesday. told reporters
some of what he hoped would
develop at next months NATO
meeting. Almost entirely, his pro-
gram as he outlined it was mill
tary: Cd A series of IRBM bases
in Western Europe: (2) Depots at
scattered points for nuclear weap-
ons, to be under United States
control but available to European
nations for use. and 90 a pro-
gram for participation by the
European nations in the missile
Setup if they so desired.
The Secretary had nothing to
say about any political schemes
the United States had in mind for
NATO. He acknowledged the
problem of re-establishing Euro
pean confidence in American in
tentions in the event of Soviet at
tack, but stressed that there could
be no guarantees or advance COM
mitments to employ nuclear weap-
ons in such a case. The allied
countries, Mr.. Dulles observed.
must be afforded sufficient
knowledge and understanding of
our thinking, of our planning, the
kind of thing We might do" to
give them confidence.
The next day Mr.. Dulles
spanked a new controversy with
the statement that military field
commanders ION the spot" would
make the decision to use nuclear
retaliation in the event of attack.
If an attack like that on Pearl
Harbor" were made on NATO
forces, the Secretary said COM
manders would Immediately de-
eide on counteraction..
But the administration moved
quickly to forestall any cutlery
that subordinate field commanders
would, under the Dulles descrip-
ton. have the power to plunge the
world into a nuclear holocaust.
Official spokesman explained
that. although NATO forces have
the right and obligation to use
any weapon at their command. in
practice the use of nuclear weap-
ons would almost certainly have
to get presidential approval. And
Admiral Jerauld Wright. COM
mander of the Atlantic Fleet. said
fatty that naval forces would not
reply with atomic weapons to a
surprise attack unless specifically
ordered to do So"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The Tragedy of PoIovoy-

During the course of that evening happened
to be in a little group that was talking to Boris
Polovoy The conversation concerned Russian
writer's and what they we're currently doing.
Some one asked Polovoy whether he couldn't
provide us with some information concerning the
Jewish writer Kvitko. He explained to Polovoy
that for some time now, rumors had been circu-
ating to the effect that Kvitko among other Jewish
writer's, had been arrested and subsequently put
to death. Could Polovoy settle these rumors once
and for all?
Polovoy said that he could The rmors were
of course. the usual anti-Soviet ISLANDERS. Fortu-
natey, Polovoy said, he was in position to refute
them for Kvitko was at present living in the
same apartment house as he, Polovoy Could
there be better denial Of any rumor? he asked
We were relieved and delighted We asked
what Kvitko was doing, and Poovoy said that
he was finishing translation and planned new
book after that. He also added that he had seen
Kvitko before leaving for America and that he
kvitko, had asked Polovoy to convey his very
best regards to friends in America
So Polovoy answered, and this was witnessed
by too many people that night to be denied But
after Polovoy had gone home. after the goth
Congress- we learned via Jewish-Posh Communist
papers that Kvitko had been dead for years,
beaten and executed.
say: May all the implacable justice of time
and history be visited upon those who not only
murdered men and artists. but who dirtied the
soul of such man as Boris Polovoy. For it was
not merely that he told tragic and grotesque
lie; his invention was the summation Of what
the Communist arty does to a writer.
North American Newspaper Anianee)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The Service War

There seemed to be an intensifi-
cation rather than a lessening of
interservice rivalry in the missile
field last week. The Army, making
a strong bid for control of the
vital antimissile missile project.
asked for Sc billion for an about
effort to produce this defense
against the ultimate weapon" by
1861. The Air Force lost no time
in objecting.
The Army plan. submitted to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and re-
portedly to Secretary McElroy,
asked top priority in the budget
for development of components of
the Army's Nike-Zeus. short
range anti-aircraft missile. Gen.
Maxwell d. Taylor. Army Chief
Of staff urged that Soviet gains
in the missile field had seriously
diminished the effectiveness Of the
Strategic Air Command.
The Air Force quickly replied
% that the strategic concept
was wrong, and 90 that the Army
program for ground-to missile
defense was not far enough along
to justify such huge expenditure.
The Army strategy. the Air Force
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

Party tyranny in Hungary were the voices of
writer's Therein was the logic of my own exist
ence and the existence of so many colleagues
had known well for long years. And therein was
also the tragic and implacable dilemma of the
writer in our time.
The simple crux of it is that the writer. as an
artist, must perish under tyranny do not know
whether the growth of literature as an art is
vital and necessary dynamic within society of
free men. l do know that it is the result of such
society, and also know that when freedom is
interdicted literature shrivels and dies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
THE NATIONAL SCENE
The Economy:A FoItering?

Economic trends, which often
seem to wear disguise. can mean
many things to many people.
Sometimes when the whole econ
omy is clearly in an upturn, there
are conspicuous symptoms of
sluggishness. An increase in the
cost of living may cancel out a
rise in personal incomes, or whole
sale prices may remain on level
course while consumer prices con-
tinue higher in most contra
dictory manner.
The secret Of economic prog
nostication, the economists say, is
to keep an eye on the significant
changes at the significant time.
But there is wide disagreement
over what is significant.
Thus 1t is possible for the ex-
perts to examine the current be-
havior of the economy and de-
scribe 1t variously as a recession"
a "slackening off," breathing
SPELL" or a "stabilizing plateau"
Certainly. the housewife would
complain that her weekly ordeal
at the supermarket still bears
a marked resemblance to imitation,
despite the news last week that
the cost. Of living in October. as
measured by the Consumer Price
Index. remained unchanged from
September.
But there we're these develop
ments that. combined. are not
usual in an infiationary spiral:
. The production OF durable
goods in october was of 5 per
cent from October, 1856.
Steel production for the week
of November IL was at 77.7 per
cent Of the industry's capacity,
compared TO 100 per cent a year
ago.
Railroad carloading continued
to decline week before last, fall
ing 1873 per cent from the same
week in 1856. This was Al per
cent below the previous week,
and was the largest drop in COM
parison with the previous year for
any week since August, 1854.
Personal income for October
fell to a seasonally adjusted an
nual rate Of s345.5 billion-sl bill
lien under September's figure.
The retail trade index for Oc-
tober was down one point in dol
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The Talks

Mr.. Pineau, whose hurried trip
to Washington was ostensibly &C.
casioned by the American and
British shipment of small arms to
Tunisia. also discussed the prep
arationS for the Paris NATO
meetings next month and the
opening of debate this week in the
United Nations on the Algerian
question. (See story by Ned Max
dist on page APO
Without claiming complete
agreement on the Tunisian arms
controversy, Mr.. Pineau declared
he and Mr.. Dulles enjoyed "a high
degree of unity of view" on all the
problems discussed. There was
much speculation that the French
mans chief interest in his trip
here was to seek United States
support for the French position on
Algeria in this weeks U. N. debate.
But the shape of things to come
was foreshadowed by the CONVEX
sations Mr.. Pineau had with Mr..
McElroy at the Pentagon. With
Deputy Defense Secretary Donald
A. Quarles in attendance, the twS
ministers on Wednesday discussed
establishment of United States in
termediate missile bases in France.
Such bases. equipped with a
$500 mile intermediate range
ballistic missile such as the Army's
Jupiter or the Air Force Thor.
would have most key targets in
side European Russia within
range.
Both the Army and the Air
Force say they are ready to go into
production of operational IRBMs
promptly. Mr.. McElroy. who on
Tuesday promised a speed-up in
establishing American IRBM bases
in Europe, has pushed measures
to bolster United States defenses
now in existence as a protection
during the effort just beginning to
catch up with the Soviet Union in
the missile field. NATO approval
of such bases, added to strengthen
ing and dispersal of present Stra-
tegic Air Command bases over
seas, would do much to redress
the present Soviet advantage.
The Defense Secretary told
newsmen he hoped" that mill
tary spending would not exceed
that of the current fiscal year by
more than SIS billion. But in
formed guesses around the De-
tense Department put the total
rise at possibly 50 billion to IS
billion, citing the almost frenzied
competition among the armed
services for pre-eminence in the
missile field and the certain APP
proval Of a worried Congress for
defense expenditures. no matter
how large.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Stevenson and NATO

While most of the weeks news
on American reaction to the new
status Of world politics was of a
military flavor. the accompanying
need for political decisions was
also plainly evident in develop
ments.
Mr.. Stevenson, who came TO
Washington ito help. If / can,
to bring about a closer military
and political association through
NATO," stressed his belief that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Watching Borometers

Two important seasonal barom-
eterS-Christmas buying and new
car sales-are being watched
closely for signs of what the next
few months will be like.
Economists in Government gem
orally feel that. over the long
term. imitation will continue to be
a problem. but that for the
present the major concern must
be to prevent sharp downturns
that would Jolt the economy.
This attitude was demonstrated
last week by William McChesney
Martin. chairman of the Federal
Reserve Board. He indicated that
imitation is still the long-term
problem. despite the boards re-
cent decision to lower interest
rates, a move usually taken in
anticipation Of recession. Mr..
Martin said recent declines in the
economy we're nothing TO get
excited about"
On the other hand, the stabi-
lized tat least temporarily cost
Of living figures inspired Secre-
tary Of Labor James p. Mitchell
to write an end TO "the so-called
infiationary spiral" The index
for October remained at 1911 per
cent Of the l947-49 average. which
still was 2.9 per cent higher than
in October, 1856. and SIS per cent
higher than when the index be-
gan its long surge upward in
March. 1856
Some observers thought Mr.,
Mitchell's evaluation optimistic. It
was noted that increased defense
expenditures. which may be
pushed higher in an effort TO
Continued on Page A.2s
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

suggests, is based on a "Maginot
Line" defensive concept, rather
than an offensive one. Air Force
opinion is that only an over
whelming power to destroy an
enemy on his own ground can de-
!, ter attack or win a war if it
occurs.
The Pentagon, anxious to play
down interserviee quarreling,
would say only that the problem
Of the contramissile "was under
study" Mr.. McElroy has indicated
that a single manager" for the
: antimissile missile and for space
platform projects would be named
later this month.
Moving fast in other publicity
potent areas. the Air Force also
Cd announced construction of the
first ICBM launching base at
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base,
near Cheyenne, Wyo.; 90 claimed
to have fired at least two tiny
aluminium pellets out into space
at a speed of 10000 miles an
hour. Although the pellets may
hit the sun, scientists dismissed
the exploit as of minor signifl-
canoe.
On Friday it was reliably re-
ported, without official confirma-
ton, that a top-secret committee
composed Of prominent citizens
had submitted a report to the
White House warning that Soviet
missile strength by 1860 would
neutralize American defenses. The
committee. headed by Rowan
Gather. jr.. former president of
the Ford Foundation, repeatedly
urged a several billion dollar in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The Investigations

Congress, already vastly dis
turbed by recent events in the de-
Tense situation. begins tomorrow
a full-scale investigation Of all its
phases, particularly missile and
rocket development. Under the
craftsmanship Of Senate Majority
Leader Lyndon johnson, the Sem
ate Armed Services Subcommittee
on Preparedness will open hear
ings at 10 tomorrow morning.
Senator johnson has taken UNI
usual pains to emphasize the nom
partisan nature of the inquiry he
heads. The Democrats, he
promises, will seek no partisan
political advantage from the hear
ings. In his assurances he was
backed Thursday by Vice Presi-
dent Nixon, who voiced confidence
that the probe would avoid
politics. But Mr.. Nixon, in the
same breath, blamed the United
States lag in missile development
on decisions made during the Tru-
man administration. To most OBJ
servers, there seemed to be .
strong hint of politics already.
Meanwhile, the House Govern
ment Information subcommittee
investigation into suppression Of
information heard spokesman
from the Pentagon concede that
civilian scientists working for
Uncle Sam had been prohibited
from discussing scientific re-
search with other scientists.
This, said Chairman John E.
Moss of California, had tended to
weaken" the Nation. Defense
Department officials replied with
assurances that a new classifica-
ton policy will result in the
eventual declassification of thou
sands of documents, some going
back to the American Revolution.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Tyranny vs.. Art

Under tyranny the doctor can continue his
practice OF medicine; the carpenter can build
houses as surely and precisely as before and even
the worker can continue to play his ordinary role
in production. But from the writer TYRANNY
demands the antithesis of his art. which is
obedience.
The nature of Communist Party leadership is
no accident of fate, but simply the logic of Com
munist Party history and organization Neither is
1t through any accident of fate that the writer is
drawn to the Communist Party, vet so often leaves
1t in despair, anger and Illustration.
The nature of the writer, embodied in his
work is compassion. There are writer's who are
hard-boiled," objective indifferent" etc. but
l know of no creative writer who has ever been
able to free himself entirely from certain amount
of love and pity for the poor, damned creatures
OF whom he makes his stores-not even the very
worst of writer's
But within the fanatcal framework of Com
muniSt obedience and discipline, writer's them
selves must suffer-and eventually make the choice
OF giving up either the party or all hope of growth
and achievement as artists
Whatever capitalism does to the writer. II
Goes not exercise the subtle process of destruction
That is part of Communist practice nor does it
set up any single person as the high priest of
decision The entire literary history of capitalis
is threaded through with writer's whose writing
was diStasteful to the state power but in the very
process of their revolt against these influences.
those writer's gained enormous eloquence Dickens.
Dresser and lola come Immediately to mind and
they are representative of host of creative artists
In other words, although capitalism may visit
its curse upon writer, the writer retains the
privilege of cursing and fighting back Demo-
cratic capitalism cannot take hold of his very
creative process and tear it out of him, offering
death as his only alternative
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Amor of Tradition

In democratic capitalist society," a great
writer or artist carries the armor of tradition
Even If he is not understood his art entities him
10 at least degree of veneration In the Com
munlst structure, his art is despised-for all the
large talk to the contrary when he comes into
conflict with the doctrine of the priesthood
Let me underline this out of nv own ex
perience here in the United States In my 10
years OF Communist Party membership none of
the national leaders of the party ever discussed
my writing except when | was brought before
them on charges of violating the party line When
received the Stain Peace Prize. Betty Gannett,
then member of the secretarat. cried out with
anger now he will be more difficult to control
than ever" No national leader of the party. as
matter OF fact ever approached me except in
terms Of punishment or to ask me to attempt
some task to his benefit.
In the United States, was crippled in my
function as writer. At great cost and financial
loss, had to publish my own books From COM
parative wealth and success, was reduced to
struggle for literary existence; and gradually my
continuing york became less and less known
But beyond deprivation these facts are i'm
portant:
/. continued to write.
2, continued to live.
3. continued to fight for my inalienabe priv
ilege Of writing as pleased
l spell them out like that because of the
savage and unjustifiabe experience OF that time.
l opposed the policies Of my government and
minced no words about 1t. l asked no quarter
and gave no quarter; yet one, two and three, as
specified above, were maintained.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Necessary Destruction

When this is seen and understood many
things imperfectly comprehended in the past will
become plain. The Communist Party of the Soviet
Union destroyed Russian literature, not because
the lords of the Kremlin would not like to boast
of great literature but because the very defense
of the party and party rule makes such destruction
necessary
But to get the total impact Of the Soviet
parade of current literature one must read the
books NeVer-but never-in all of mans literary
history, was more incredibly boring body of
work produced. There is no excitement, no con-
fiict no inner struggle of the characters, outer
struggle except to meet norm or quota. Hero
and villain are absolutely pat, unchanging,
identical regardless of writer or dramatic situation
1t was Ignazio Silone who cried out so poign-
antly to the editor of the Russian Literary Gazette
in the recent exchange of correspondence between
them. that if poet we're murdered by the gov
eminent of Italy, the voice of the peoples rage
would rise like thunder. do not know that as
fact. for do not know Italy; but in land where
poets and novelists can be tortured, beaten to
pulp, and then executed in silent degradation
freedom is a stranger.
Boris Poovoy and I were comrades in a
movement that believed in with all my heart and
soul-he the head of the Union of Soviet Writers,
myself Communist writer in America When
finally met him in New York. where he had come
as the leader of delegation of Soviet writers,
embraced him as beloved and old companion
He was big warm, open, his smile thing of
Joy to see as my wife and l dragged him home
with us. What an evening that waS-of warmth
and cloSeness and drink and food and fellowship!
We saw him again the following day, my wife
and l, at party given for himself and his COM
radeS. Again the warmth, closeneSs and openneSs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

into a structural whole.
No matter how bad a
writer he is, he is still
a creature of conscience
and is dedicated to the
truth as he may see such
truth within his own
limitations, and no
Small part of his being
less than a great writer
is the result of limita-
tions, both inner and
outer, in his search for
the truth.
To me, at least, it was
neither surprising nor
mysterious that the first
bitter voices raised
against the Communist
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

lar volume from October. 1856,
despite rise in. retail prices Of
four points.
Nevertheless. the current eco
nomic indexes, although down
from year ago, still are far above
l947-l949 figures: SIS per cent for
durable manufacturing produc-
ton; 81 per cent for the value of
retail sales. and 80 per cent for
personal income--even when the
difference in the value Of the dollar
is considered.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
THE WRITER DESTROYED
Howard Fast Inters
His Communist God

When Howord Fast accepted the $4,000 Stolin
Peoce Prize in 1853 he deelored: This is the high
est honor thot con be conferred on any person
in these times" Now the outhor Of Citizen Tom
Paine" and dozens of other books widely read
around the world hos done on obout-foce and
rejected communism. In The Naked God" just
published by Frederick Proeeer, Mr. Fost tells how
communism destroys writer This article is ex-
trocted from the book.