davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
Senate Luxury

We read in The Star that
the Senate was about to
purchase new chairs for its
members to the tune of $500
each. We were puzzled. An
$500 chair calls for a heap
of swiveling. However, we
constituents want our sena-
tors to be comfortable, and
were about to accept that
figure as the cost of swivel
ing.
Then we read that the
Senate voted itself a cool mil
lion dollars for furnishing
and equipping the new Sem
ate ONCE Building.
Senators Douglas and
Lausche. experiencing diff
Guilty with their consciences,
asked how come? Why not
spread out in the new build
ing some Of the furniture
which has been responsible
for the crowded condition in
the old Senate once Build
ing? Senator Douglas even
had the audacity to call at
tention to the fact that Gen.
eral Services Administration
has warehouses full of desks
and other equipment which
could be used.
At that point. Senator
Douglas suggestion that it
may be well to use common
sense in this matter Of furni-
ture had gone far enough
and Senator Hayden, chair
man Of the Appropriations
Committee. would have no
more Of It. He was unable
to see how furniture which
had been crowded into three
rooms in the old building
could possibly be spread in
i've rooms in the new build
ing. 1t has been done, Sem
ator-in the homes of tax
payers.
Senator Stennis reminded
that "the new building has
315 bare rooms that must be
furnished, and a restaurant"
Senator Humphrey. who
appears to be more restau-
rant-minded than furniture
minded, let it be known that
he wants to eat in comfort
(who doesn't?), and he wants
his constituents to eat in
comfort when visiting him.
We are told that. as matters
now stand, what with hungry
Senators having to stand in
line. the lowly hamburger
price TO the Government may
be as high as $40. The price
Of the hamburger itself, and
a thin one at that. is only rs
cents. but add to that the
price Of the Senators time
and you have a $40 ham,
burger before you know It'll
Some Of us who have been
around Washington for a
long time know that glamor
and grandeur count for very
much, but we sometimes
wonder just how much it
counts with the average voter
after he returns home from
his Washington visit with
very little money left in his
pocket. and begins to realize
that, after all. it is he who
pays the bill. There could be
danger there. Senators, and
you had better spread that
furniture around.
Ada M. Wentz.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
Soviet Missile Claim

The official reaction here to RuSSiaS
claim that it has successfully test-fired
the ultimate" weapon, an intercon-
tinental balliStic missile, runs true to
form. This reaction is marked by GER
tain note of reservation, a certain skep-
ticiSm, a certain suggestion, colored per-
haps by wishful thinking, that maybe it
isn't true.
We do not know whether it is true
or not, although 1t is worth remember
ing that past Russian claims to unex-
pected (by uS) progress in the develop
ment OF new weapons generally have
turned out to be accurate. But perhaps
1t does not matter greatly whether TasS,
which communicated this information,
is telling the literal truth. For If the
Russians have not already successfully
tested an ICBM. they almost certainly
will conduct such test on some early
tomorrow.
When that time comes, If it has not
already come, our real concern should
not be with what the Russians have
done. What should concern us is where
we stand in this business relative to THE
Russians. viii we be at least abreast
of the Soviet Union, or viii we be far
behind? If the latter, our position viii
be little short Of desperate. For at
worst, our Industrial and population
centerS win be vulnerable to attack
an attack that would come without
warning and against which, as far as
we are aware, there would be no pros
pect of successful defense. At best, we
would be exposed to kind of ballistic
blackmail If the Russians chose to use
their missile superiority for such a
purpose.
In short, If the Russians have forged
significantly ahead Of us in this critical
field, and if they have substantially per-
fected their own defenSeS against con-
ventional air attack, the essential foun-
dation of our defense policy has been
undermined. For this policy has rested,
In the main, on the deterrent effect of
our assumed ability to destroy Russia
In event of war with nuclear counter
attack. If we no longer have this ca
pability, or If the Russians have
achieved lead in the ICBM field which
will give them the ability to destroy us
first, one does not need to be military
expert to recognize that the security Of
the United States is in grave jeopardy.
To repeat, we do not know what the
facts are. The information which has
been made public by our own official
sources has been so meager, or so con-
Trajectory, that it is impossible to know
where we stand, and, of course, no one
in this country really knows where the
Russians stand, either. 1t seems to us,
however, that this Russian claim should
be taken with the utmost seriousness by
the men responsible for the security Of
this country. If they cannot tell the
American people what the facts are,
they at least can make up their minds
to spare no effort, or money, to perfect
our own missile program with all pos
sible speed. In the past, we have not
made the maximum effort of which we
were capable. And todays news from
Moscow may be way of notifying us
that that was very serious mistake.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
The Weed

The dissents of heavy
smokers to lung cancer re-
search findings are usually so
unintelligent as to be a little
disgusting, especially when
they are from educated peo-
pie. What is their point in
side-stepping widely publ
cized statistics and talking
about the cigarette-cancer
association as though 1t was
Just a vague idea Of some
playful scientists, as they do
when they repeat the lines
about monoxide gas, ETC.?
Obviously these explanations
don't even touch on the sta
tistics.
So 1t was somewhat re-
freshing recently to read a
letter Offering the theory that
the cause Of lung cancer could
be psychosomatic, and that
the high incidence among
smokers came about because
they we're tense, worried peo-
pie. This at least gives rec
ignition to the figures and
shows imagination-the first
such studious rebuttal I have
seen.
It's writer, Of course, had
only the statistics to go by
and is not responsible for It's
weaknesses In that he evil
IDENTIFY does not realize that
the research has gone far
past the statistics. Jy It as one
example, there are the ex-
periments on livirk tissue.
The only way TO make them
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27

@. Who wrote the hymn
abide With Me"?-S. M.
A. Henry Francis Lyle
(l793-l840. a Scottish-born
Anglican clergyman, wrote
this hymn just three months
before he died. The music
was composed by William H.
Monk (l823-l889D, English
organist and composer. The
song was included in the first
(l86D edition Of the Church
Of England hymn be ok,
Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Mr.. Monk was musical editor
Of this work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27

At into his theory would be
to say that the only mice
and guinea pigs that get
themselves caught for expert
ments are those that are
slowed down by worry and
nervousness.
Howard wilcox
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27

TIOW TIC DUCK SGQI
Harold Owens discussion
Of The Hackers Side" (The
Star. August l6) covers many
phases Of cab driving in adj
dition to tipping, the subject
Of my letter (The Star. Au-
gust ~. I can well agree with
Mr.. Owens ID that. with
very few exceptions, WASH
ington area cab drivers are
uniformly courteous: C2l
that the fare zones should
be more equitably bounded;
go that fees above those
scheduled (tips) are appro-
pirate for extra service only;
and 90 that many drivers
render special services that
are not. but should be. paid
for.
Despite these areas Of
agreement. 1t would seem to
be true that II cab drivers
will put signs mo Tips" (for
routine scheduled services) 1t
will boost their income. their
self-respect as businessmen,
and their dignity as fellow
Americans mot underlings).
The riders, in turn, may
well show appreciation for
extra small courtesies by CO.
operating with the drivers in
helping to remedy conditions
that are unjust to the taxi
cab industry. as suggested
both by Mr.. Owens and (The
Star. August la by c. v. Barr.
VIM. H. Cheesman.
49,
Let me add a fervent amen
to the fine letter by Harold
Owens, taxi driver. Never
have I read a more sincere.
searching and truthful pic
ture of our taxi situation. I
use the Diamond. as they
have a sta n d nearby. In
many years / have never met
a driver who was not a gen.
tleman and the soul Of cour-
tesy and helpfulnesS. AS Mr..
Owens so aptly points out.
many people would be
grounded but for our fine
taxi system. / have found
the drivers helpful in ways
beyond the call of duty
carrying suitcases into the
house, heavy bundles, gro-
ceries into the kitchen. all
done willingly. The small ex-
ira fee given is gratefully
acknowledged. In turn, !
treat the drivers with the
respect they deserve. After
all, they. like the rest Of u.s..
are only trying to make q
decent living. Many drivers
work besides at low-paying
jobs. to provide for their
families. ] say a pox' on the
grouches described by Mr..
Owens. Grateful Rider.
y y
! have used taxis for many
years and have found the
drivers to be just like any
other segment Of society.
some Woodworking and hon.
est, and others who would
cheat a little bit.
I have boarded many a cab
at Minnesota avenue and
Pennsylvania avenue Sc. to
ride to approximately Eight
zenith street and Good Hope
road Sc, which is a short
haul. and never paid less than
go cents and quite often 80
cents. This same distance
cost me on several occasions
81, only because ! had a
3-year-old boy with me. This
ride took about 5 minutes.
Mr.. Owens tries to convey
the idea 1t costs the aver
ager rider a cent a block,
with which I cannot agree.
I have used taxis here for
many years and have yet to
pay at that rate.
Regarding all the extra
curricular" deeds performed
by cab drivers, they are to
be commended. However,
these same things are per-
formed every day by other
groups; the Police and Fire
Departments, the telephone
men. and the trash collec-
tors all do their good deeds
in Zine Of duty"
I have no grievance to-
ward the hacker. but. please.
IL cent a block" is too hard
to swallow. Good luck TO
Mr.. Owens.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to condeH-
sdtton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

reader can gel an answer o. gail
% anv tactual question BY writine The
Evening Star Information Bureau.
1900 Eve 81 N W Washington = D G
Please lnclose ceits for return
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-27
From the Back Seat

Howard Wilcox
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

car, the smiths traditional leather
apron, assorted tools, and a fly
whisk and a stock of yarns which
he spins endlessly while the
sparks fly and the hammer rings.
On the relative merits of "hot
shoeing" as applied to cold shoe
ing" Mr.. Via settles the contro-
versy between horse owners with
this statement: In cold shoeing,
you put on a set of shoes and
trim the foot to fit the shoe. In
hot shoeing, you make the shoe
fit the foot. Since horses feet are
subject to ailments that afflict
human feet-among them corns,
calluses, fallen soles, pinched
heels, too much toe, pinched frog
and a dozen others-the results
are elementary. An improperly
shod foot is a had foot and if you
haven't got a foot, you haven't
got a horse.
Long Apprenticeship
And, Mr.. Via points out, there
is considerably more to shoeing
a horse than lacking on a pair
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

rister house which Historic An
napolis saves, during 1855, by
moving it through city streets to
its present location on the camp
us of st. Johns College.
A principal feature of the pres
ent exhibit, which no visitor
should miss. is a colored map, 6
by 4 feet. displayed under glass
in massive waist,high case
Greenbury Point, where the
Nays ten huge radio towers now
look down across the Severn
toward Annapolis, is the present
day name for the site of ''the
lost town on the Severn" shown
in detail on the map. But in 1649,
and for many years afterward,
the flouriShing community of
Providence occupied most of this
water-embraced finger of land
pointing out into the Chesapeake
Bay. 1t was settled by Puritans
who came here from Virginia to
escape the familiar burden of re-
ligious persecution.
Only after years of painstaking
research by James E. Moss, a de
scendant of a 1649 settler of
Providence, has it been possible
to locate the boundary lines of
the Jamestown-era settlement. In
addition, however, the complete
names of most of the original set
tiers have been set in on this re-
marketable map, as well as the
titles of land grants, such as
'Howard's Folly"
The same research, further
more, developed the information
that the word "folly," so often
used in naming early places does
not usually refer to a foolish
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

The village Smithy may have
vanished from beneath the spread
ing chestnut tree but Charlie Via,
72-year-old blacksmith who has
oeen shoeing horses for about 60
years, keeps the traditions of the
DID smithy alive and flourishing
from the trunk of an ancient Ply
mouth. He is one of the few black
smiths left in this area who still
phys his trade as it was taught to
him and his father before him.
Most any morning, you can see
him rumbling along Upper Coun-
ty roads answering calls of horse
owners who, like Mr.. Via, scorn
the more modern method of "cold
shoeing" the mightiest of mans
four-footed friends and prefer the
shot shoes" of an earlier gener-
alton.
Was a Virginian
Mr.. Via, who weighs 108 pounds
soaking wet, drove" his first set
of shoes in his fathers smithy
down on the James River near
Springwood, Va, back in 1895.
Despite his weight and the years
which have interviewed, he can
handle 1900 pounds of horse like
a breeze, and the ringing sound
of his hammer on his fathers old
anvil would put many younger
man to shame. He does his own
clinching and trimming. He can
draw a chalk line around a hoof
and never 'bust it" when he drives
the nails. Never wore glasses in
his life.
His rolling smithy which he
unloads in barnyards and pad
docks throughout the upper Coun-
ty, includes forge, an anvil, a
few buckets of coal, a pile of
shoes dumped in the trunk of his
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15
Embryo Museum Now
Set Up in Annapolis

The nucleus for a future An
napolis and Anne Arundel County
museum has just been established
in Annapolis by members of His
toric Annapolis, it is announced
by Mrs. j. M. P. Wright, a vice
president of this non-profit group
working for historic preservation.
Although small in scope, this
embryo museum exhibit has
proved itself, within few weeks,
to be top attraction of the So
ciety's daily Heritage Tours which
enables visitors to stroll through
the old byways and enter several
of the handsome old Georgian
buildings of this maritime city.
The Heritage Tours will con-
tinue until late afternoon of
Labor Day, Monday, September
2. Through them, those who visit
Annapolis may step back into
history by walking in leisurely
way, for an hour or two, led by
Junior or Senior Guides who have
been trained by historians of His
toric Annapolis committees.
This way of staging these sum-
mer-long Heritage Tours is no ac-
cident. The Oldest portion of An
napolis, is small in area. Many of
the most interesting Colonial-era
buildings are only stones
throw apart.
The guides, therefore, have
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

discovered for themselves the
truth of Talleyrand's observa.
ton: Zone who walks may see
history in a way forever denied
to those who merely ride" Those
who stroll and larry as they go,
in Annapolis, may see beautiful
ly-furnished interiors of the Ham
mond-Harwood and Chase-Lloyd
houses, and may enter such
equally interesting old historic
landmarks as Ogle Hall; the Will
liam PacA house; Mcdowell Hall;
the Old Treasury Building; Reyn-
olds' Tavern; and Americas old
est State House still in use
Q772).
The Historic Annapolis mu.
scum may be seen, this summer,
only on the Heritage Tours. 1t
has started its existence in one
room of the city's recently-re-
stored Maryland Im--itself a fine
old building going back almost
to the time of Lafayettes first
visit to Annapolis.
Most of the items exhibited,
such as an unusually fine French
muZzle-loader which saw service
in the French and Indian wars
and the American Revolution,
are on loan. Included are some In
dian artifacts recently found in
Anne Arundel County. and items
found in the Charles Carroll Bar
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

The last two athletic tourna.
ment events on the Department of
Recreation calendar for the 1857
summer program will be held Fri
day.
Over 400 boys and girls were to
compete for championships in
horseshoes, ping pong and arch.
cry. The three Journeys are held
simultaneously at the Rock Creek
Recreation Center, Meadowbrook,
starting at 10 am.
Archers will compete in the'pee-
wee, midget, junior and senior
classes, as win aspirants in ping
pong; horseshoes competition
viii be in three classes only,
emitting peewee.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

of Shoes" With a scornful sniff
at 'blacksmithing learned in six
MONTHS he recalls the years he
spent in his fathers smithy plus
the four arduous years he put in
as lowly apprentice in a big
smithy in Cleveland, Ohio" just
after the turn Of the century.
In those days, he said, you
went in as a driver and you
spent a good many months learn
ing to do nothing but drive nails.
There were sixteen smiths in that
shop eight on each side :.
and one man who did nothing but
lead horses in and out - there
would be carriages and wagons
lined up outside and we did
rushing business. The head smith
big, believing man, with
arms akimbo, would walk up and
down = he had gimlets for eyes
- and it was a sorry day for the
trimmers, the drivers, the turn
ers, and the apprentices who
turned out an ill-shod horse.
"Horse shoeing was an import
ant trade in those days. / spent
nearly three years driving and
trimming then the last eight
months / learned to be a turner.
In other words, l reached the
point where l could take a bar of
metal and end up with a set of
shoes that met the approval of
the head smith"
With his apprenticeship behind
him, Charlie Via went back to the
James River and took over his
fathers smithy where set of
shoes was made and put on for
ninety cents and three men
worked two weeks to make a
wagon - from hubs to body -
that sold for $50. In his hey-day,
Mr.. Via could turn out eleven
well-shod horses in day. Today,
he can shoe "two or three" some
times four, but four makes him
a 'little tired"
Autos Responsible
When automobiles began to
clutter up the roads just before
World War and blackSmithing
came a cropper, Charles Via
moved on to the coal mines in
West Virginia and shot the big
mules used to haul the coal cars
in and out of the mines. Later
he ran a shop in Clifton Forge,
Virginia.
In 1889, he came into Mont
gomery County and currently
shoes about 125 horses. He scorns
the use of a telephone because
too many people call you up at
all hours" He keeps date book
of clients-and if you need him
in a hurry II you bump along
Tuckerman's Lane and look for
an old red farm house on the side
of the road. OF his fourteen chill
dren, eleven are living. OF his six
boys, only one works with horses
Charles, Jr., night man down at
MeadoWbrook.
Does Mr.. Via, rowing black
smith, like horses? You bet.
Horses are like people. All diff
ferent different personalities
and different feet. Is he going
to retire soon? Not on your tin
type-not so long as he can blow
nm a fn,.era ay,1 e,.xyf,ao - Lo,,o~~oo..
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15
S ENTINEL e eoSTTq. mD.
thursday. August Is, I957-R7

fled an area of land considered
sufficient for a hundred settlers.
Because they feared the In
dians, these early settlers laid
out their town of "Providence"
along a point of land where water
could be line of defense or pro-.
lection, and palisade closed off
the rest, followed, before long, by
erection of a salt house, tavern
and other places of comfort, de.
Tense, or shelter.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15

bargain" but actually has been
often used as an old English
word derived from the Latin
folium, or a leaf, as in the pres
ent-day word foliage"
The older usage usually re-
ferred to land having plenty of
trees. Broad Neck Hundred"
was the name given to the area
surrounding Providence" and
here, following usage of earlier
times. the word hundred" signi
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15
King Dairy Herd

The 47-cow herd of James w.
King, Gaithersburg, averaged r.
758 pounds of milk with an aver,
age of 465 pounds of butterfat on
two milkings day-305 day-ma-
ture equivalent bases, according
to the Holstein-Friesian Associa-
ton of America.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-15
Veteran Blacksmith
Still Plying Trade
By Lila Thomson
Staff Reporter

Urbanzaton Notwithstanding the forge ring
the bacsmhs mighty hammer the
into cold tempeng water Montgomery County
Evening star., 1957-12-06

At q luncheon meeting yes
terday at the home Of the
secretary Of the Opera so-
ciety. Mrs. James II. Doug
las. wife Of the Secretary Of
the Air Force.
The new Women's sgroup
will promote social and en-
tertainment functions and
benefits for the Opera So
ciety, and also enlist new
members. sponsor lectures on
opera appreciation. and. in
general. stimulate interest In
opera and good music. espe-
cially among young people.
Plans also were announced
at the luncheon for the so
ciety's second production Of
the season. "Ariadne auf
Naxos. = 10 be given February
6, 7 and Q at Lisner Audi
torium.
Among those attending this
first organizationai meeting
OF the Women's Board were
Mrs. Sherman Adams. Mrs.
Hugh d. Auchineloss. Mrs.
Neil Carothers. III. Mrs. Cy-
rus Ching, Mrs. Robert Day,
Evening star., 1957-12-06

Marguerite Higgens, Mra.
Ruth Montgomery and vafi-
Gus members Of the embassy
staff.
Another dinner last night
with q heavy diplomatic
flavor was the one given in
their home by Mr.. and Mrs.
Frederick Drum Hunt.
Their guests were the
Swedish Minister and Coun-
tess Douglas. the Austrian
Counselor and Mrs. Zedwitz.
former Ambassador TO Chile
and Mrs. Mario Rodriguez,
Assistant Secretary Of State
and Mrs. Thomas Mann.
Ambassador TO Libya and
Mrs. John Wesley Jones, the
Coast Guard Commandant
and Mrs. Alfred c. Rich.
mond. Air Force Maj. Gen.
and Mrs. Richard Carni.
chael. and the Deputy Di.
rector Of the Once Of Inter-
American Regional Political
Affairs and Mrs. william L.
Kreie.