davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
The Need Is Clear

PRESIDENT Eisenhower picked an ap-
proprlate time to give new Endorsement
to program of Federal school construc-
ton. After weeks in which the legisla-
ton has been caught in the cross-fire
OF the budget economy drive and the
Observation-Disclosures controversy,
House education subcommittee has APP
proved measure compromising some of
the Democratic and Republican differ
enceS. 1t is, of course, only first step
with the hazards mentioned above still
threatening and with fundamental diff
terenceS of opinion still prevailing about
the wisdom of Federal Intervention at all.
The Presidents appeal, however, is
a persuasive one. Again he has empha-
sized that Federal help should be limited
to dealing with an emergency shortage
of school facilities and mot imply a
permanent acceptance of responsibility"
which should remain with local govern
ments and communities And again he
has emphasized that after the bricks are
laid and the mortar is dry" the Federal
mission will be completed-that control
OF the schools will remain in the hands
OF the States and localities. But with
these points made. he has reminded the
Nation that major depression and two
wars have resulted in "a drying up Of
normal schoolroom replacement and ex-
pansion" The educational plant simply
is not able to cope with the needs.
There may, indeed, be a sort of Hob
sons choice" in this question of the Fed
eral Government going into the school,
building business. But the national
interest requires that the youth of the
country have the facilities that mean
educational opportunity Congress should
resolve the problem this year with that
interest in mind.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

In Montgomery County,
where live, a rise in the tax
base is now proposed. This
follows the reassessment Of
property made not so long ago.
in which the average increase
In valuation was estimated at
about rs per cent and which.
In some cases, reached levels
OF 80 per cent. The impress
sion given out by the authors
ties at that time was that the
tax base would not be raised
and might even be reduced
slightly. There were some of
us who snickered cynically at
this pleasant talk. The coun-
~ budget proposed for 1887
So is about $52.8 million. Well.
the budget proposed for 1888
81 was some SIS million. /
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
Pentoqon Career Service

The promotion of Air Force Secre-
tary Donald A. Quarles to be Deputy
Secretary of Defense assures a strong
top command for the military establish
ment. Mr. Quarles has had four years of
broad experience in the department,
joining it in 1853 as Assistant Secretary
for Research and Development and NOV
Ing to his Air Force post approximately
two years later. An engineer by profess
sion and a specialist in military cleo
tronics, he brought these uniquely valu-
able qualifications to his first assignment.
They have been most useful also In
directing the Air Force in period when
greatest emphasis has been placed on
chronological and scientific developments.
In both of these Pentagon posts,
Mr. Quarles has been described as one
who takes a broad view" toward the
maintenance of balanced defense force.
AS head Of the Air Force he has not
become partisan in the empire building
sense. This kind of partisanship can
easily develop in Government, and is
particularly harmful in the competitive
relationship of the military services. In
these four years he has also acquired
useful experience in dealing with Con-
gress that is sensitive to the interservice
xivalries and which generally cracks down
on officials who tend to subordinate the
interests of all the services in favor Of
their own.
From the career" standpoint, a
comparably favorable evaluation may be
applied to the choice of James H. Douglas
to succeed Mr. Quarles as Air Force Sec
rotary. Mr.. Douglas, lawyer by profess
sion and a member OF the Air Force
during World War II, also has had four
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
Electoral Votes

Our President can be elected
without getting the majority
OF votes. Some of our United
States congressman are trying
TO change our electoral COL
lege system so the electoral
votes will be divided in proper
ton to the votes cast. Under
the present winner take all"
system, the candidate who gets
the highest vote in the State
gets all Of that States votes
even If he wins by only one
vote.
The less populouS States
have far greater weight in the
electoral count than they
would have in terms OF popu-
lation. Over 100 years ago the
first bill was introduced in
Congress to change the Con-
stitution and divide electoral
votes in proportion to the
votes cast for each candidate.
Carolyn Conner.
Austin. Tex.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
The Waking

The wagons are wditino.
The cattle lace where haze
Hangs ouer leafess brush,
Pencilino the draw along
The riUer. Ground Is lou
And greenin0 shoots OF phedt
Burst from the clodS OF mold.
The houses rest so still
And barns and cribs are closed
To frost. The blades aud shares
Are housed and hung IN ro,0S.
The heat OF sun erhdleS
The steam from piled up dung.
Epen the willows wdit
The burst OF verndl heat
Upon their Jronds: and they
Sigh before they rake.
Cleon Marquis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
Common ScoId

Within recent days, the Kremlin has
been nothing if not an international
common scold. Practically every free
country has heard some snappish words
from it. Through Premier Bulganin, for
example, it has warned Denmark and
Norway of the obviouS-namely, that they
would invite fearful nuclear retaliation
If they let the aggressive" North Atlantic
Treaty Organization use them as bases
for an attack on the USSR And beyond
that, in special statement indignantly
condemning the recent Anglo American
Bermuda Conference, it has assailed the
whole concept of the Western alliance.
Generally speaking, the statement
amounts to little more than typical
Soviet propaganda mixture of gross dis
tortionS, downright lies and the usual
piouS words about the KremlinS ardor
for disarmament and peace. The Ber-
muda Conference, it seems, has increased
international tension and the danger of
new armed conflict 1t has done so,
according to this version of it, because
President Eisenhower and Prime Minister
Macmillan O have agreed that the
United States should supply Britain with
guided missiles for defense, (2) have de-
cided to maintain an aggressive course
In their foreign policies" and (3) have
entered upon "secret" commitments in
preparation for nuclear war-an accu-
sation that looks particularly absurd in
the light of London's plans to make mas
Sive cuts in its military establishment.
Next, just as in the case of the Bull
ganin messages to Denmark and Norway,
the Soviet statement warns that Britain,
In the event of such a war, would be
instantly exposed to terrible retaliatory
blows from the Russians AS worded by
MoScow'S propagandiStS, the warning
seems designed primarily to brighten the
British people and ALLEVIATE them from
their government, and comparable
objective can be read into the statements
reference to West Germany and its re-
armament within the framework of
NATO. Indeed, although supposedly a
commentary on the Bermuda Conference,
this latest OF the Kremlin's outpourings
goes far afleld in what has all the ear
marks of big new effort to SOW discord
among NATO's members and persuade
them to reject American leadership and
pull out of the alliance.
In short by playing its mixed-up role
OF Scolder, threatener, prevaricator and
noble lover Of peace and liberty, the
Kremlin seems to be hoping that it will
be able to promote the disintegration of
the Atlantic community's defenSes. And
what does it offer as 1t argues that 1t
should have the worlds trust? Well, 1t
says it is ready for an immediate ban on
nuclear tests and for general disarma-
ment-but all without any kind of eff
fective policing. Quite obviously, coming
from highly secretive power with ire
mendous military might, an enslaving
tyranny that still has Hungary's blood on
Its hands, this is an offer far from being
good enough. The free nations can be
counted upon to react accordingly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

Walter Reuther's righteous
Indignation at the teamster
bosses is understandable. Just
about the time Reuther had
his several million captive
membership we'll under con-
troll. Beck and his crooked
cronies got careless, and now
they may have undermined
the whole labor movement.
Reuther is probably afraid
people may begin to wonder
about the brutality the union
bosses must use to convince"
the workingman that he should
voluntarily" join, and also
the brutality the union bosses
must use to keep the rank and
file In line after they have
Joined. After all. why is it
morally right to bomb mems
houses and autos, beat men up
severely even to the point of
death, and otherwise deny
them the freedom that we
brag about in this land OF the
free" while it seems to be
wrong to steal their money?
While he has, of course, not
said SO for publication. Mr..
Reuther could we'll be afraid
that the current investigation
might go too far. The Senate
committee might forget that
it is only supposed to look into
thievery and vice by the union
bosses, but should ignore such
minor matters as assault and
battery. and murder.
Mr.. Reuther should stop
worrying. Probably 99.9 per
cent Of our members of Con-
gress can read, and of those.
many must have read of the
brutality that is being exer-
cised right along by the
unions, all for the benefit of
course of the victims of the
brutality. For example. Life
magazine carried a picture
story of union brutality in its
October II. 1855. issue, and
Look magazine had a story in
its November 90, 1855, issue.
Such published stories are on
the wane because such union
activity is commonplace, and
only the unusual is news.
The criminal brutality Of
unions is well known, and
Congress has made no effort
10 stop it or to curb the power
Of unions by enacting a Fed
eral right to work law. More
over, the Democrats control
Congress. and it is unthinkable
that they would permit an in
vestigation into union brutal
ity. because that would reflect
on the men who put those
same Democrats into Office.
Forget it. Walter. Your en-
pire is safe. Just simmer down
and this whole thing soon will
be nothing but a vaguely
UNPLEASANT dream
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
ON THE RECORD
American Travel Ban Has Been Lifted
By DOROTHY THOMPSON

mystery and awe. There are
superb museums in which one
can read the life of man. I
have not visited them all, but
those Of Cairo, Baghdad, and
Old Jerusalem (the Rookie
Teller Museum are extraor-
dinarily fascinating.
In Bethlehem (now Jordan)
Jesus was born, and one can
retrace His steps of preaching
and healing on both sides of
tragically divided Palestine, to
its agonizing climax on "a
green hill without the city
wall"
Jewelry Is Beautiful
In the area craftsmen still
create beautiful jewelry, vessels
Of brass inlaid with silver and
copper, gold and silver
threaded brocades, objects Of
leather or exquisitely inlaid
woods. to tempt the traveller
in the colorful "Souks" and
"Muskies," the clamorous
baZaars.
The cities of the Near East
have their modern quarters,
too, with excellent hotels and
European cuisines.
Since the ban for Americans
and the enforced or voluntary
withdrawal of British and
French travellers, the hotels
have stood empty, the mer-
chants have surveyed their un-
diminishing stocks with dol
orous eyes, and unnumbered
thousands have been thrown
out Of work. The condition of
Old Jerusalem is pitiful, for
this city, now without a him
terland, literally lives from
pious pilgrims.
The return Of the travellers
and customers will be like a
sunrise, and those waiting to
serve them will not inquire
about their nationality. nor
care. for nationalism stops
short of suicide. The return
will be like the budding of the
almond trees and the voice Of
the turtle. II you have been
there before. the patron of
the shop will probably en-
brace you. there will be roses
in your hotel room and the
lovely phrase with which Near
Fasteners always greet the
stranger will be spoken with
hearty sincerity: You are
welcome"
Those who travel just for
enjoyment, bring aid with no
strings attached but the price.
create mutual satisfactions.
and spend their own money.
not the taxpayers. Travel and
trade are the perennial means
by which civilization and cul-
ture are really exchanged.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
Cost of Preparedness

There has been considerable
debate on the budget in both
the Congress and in the news
papers However, while Con-
gress and local and nation
wide critics are arguing about
this topic. the USSR is not
standing idle by their assem-
bly, lines. Surely, the Soviets
are in hopes that our armed
forces will receive cut in
their finances for the fiscal
year 1858. Therefore. the
United States should support
this large budget and, if need
be. increase il.
In these times Of the H
bomb and the development
of missiles. We should be aware
of the constant threa. that
lies over our horizon. Even
now. in the Middle East. there
is the danger of conflict with
Russian-supported Egypt. Not
only do we have to worry
about the inhabitants of
Egypt. there is the threat Of
Russian-trained volunteers.
With this setup in world
affairs, II is necessary that the
United States be prepared for
the worst! Naturally, such
preparation will cost billions.
The cost should not be the
topic Of debate-but whether
or not We like to live as free
Americans.
II it will cost several billions
TO form a secure America. then
by all means the budget should
be made in proportion to this
cost.
William, r nyer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

Inc nftlng OF the ban on
American travellers to certain
Near Eastern countries imposed
five months ago will be ex-
tremely welcome to the coun-
tries concerned, and especially
to the elements in those coun-
tries that are pro-Western and
profoundly anti Communist
out of experience and self in
terest, namely, the manufac-
turing and mercantile people.
When. upon my return from
the area, I was asked what
could be done to improve re-
lations, I replied, Persuade
10000 Americans. preferably
without a political idea or
prejudice in their heads. to
take a months journey to
Syria, Egypt. Jordan and Is
rael"-the countries banned to
ALlCl lCdl IIdVclcIS.
1t was with difficulty that
my husband and my secretary
managed to have their pass
ports revalidated for the above
countries. My right to waive
the ban was not countered.
Journalists are usually excep-
tions. Actually, at no time,
and although we started before
hostilities had ended in Port
Said, did we find anything but
peace and quiet in the capital
cities. But for the merchants
and hotel keepers it was the
peace and quiet Of the grave.
Income Is Large
All these countries, and Leb-
anon, their gateway from the
West. derive a large income
from tourism, and rightly so,
because regardless of interna-
tional politics few areas in the
world are so rich in archeolog-
ical and historical interest, ex-
pressed in the monuments of
the past. 1t is the area where,
according to Biblical lore and
archaeological conjecture. man
first emerged on this planet
in Mesopotamia, now called
Iraq. In the area, civilizations
and cultures have succeeded
each other-Coptic. Assyrian,
Babylonian, Aramean, Hebrew,
Phoenician, Greek, Roman.
Arabic, Turkish Ito name only
some), and each has left its
handwriting.
The antiquities of Egypt,
the most imposing for sheer
strength and power, have at
tracted Western travellers for
centuries; Baalbeck, in Leba-
non, is one of the wonders of
the world; Petra. in Jordan, is
the epitome of the rose red
city half as old as time; in
Iraq. the ruins of Babylon and
the little museum where 1t is
reconstructed evoke feelings of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

The reason for the massed
flights Of thousand or more
birds is easier to explain.
There is safety in numbers.
The large fights mean that
when one sharp eyed bird hap
pens to spot food. the rest can
fly down with him.
This is a primitive safety
rule of nature.
In the fall. when various
species migrate, they do it to-
gether. although they may
have been solitary all sum-
mer long.
Nature has many ways of
seeing to it that her crea-
lures help each other.
This is natural do good"
Jays and others hide nuts and
the like in the crevices of bark,
to be eaten by smaller birds.
Squirrels bury food in the
ground. but so carelessly cover
ed that many other living
things are able to find it.
What one bird sees, in the
food line. others can eat by
following him.
Robins in and around the
National Capital have in
creased in numbers in recent
years. due to their cordial re-
ception by the populace.
Bird feeding, as a hobby,
has seen to 1t that raisins in
large numbers are put out for
these faithful birds.
A robin that has been fed by
you. in your small yard, will
invariably find his way back
to it and you next spring, If
alive.
This is a happy fact that
gives special significance to
feeding, We have always
thought.
The way to do 1t is this:
Select a natural feeding
place. and always put seed
less raisins there.
Beneath a certain tree is
good.
On the annual return, the
robin will fly to this tree, and
look down for raisins.
If there. he will fly down to
them: If not, he will do a little
singing TO attract attention.
These are our robins" as
the phrase has 1t. There are
many robins, but our robins"
are the best.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06
EVANSVILLE, Md.

HYATISVILLE, Md.
Dear Sir:
Some time ago my husband
and l were at our cottage To-
Gated on Breton Bay. This is
several miles south Of Leon
ardtown, Md.
I'VE couldn't believe what
we were seeing!
Thousands Of robins came
to feed in a pasture nearby.
The sky was dark with them
coming and going.
Did you ever hear OF such
a thing?
Both of us were reared in
the country and we have never
seen such a sight before.
Sincerely, ! am. /. H."
This is a natural phenome-
non which has been seen more
in recent years than in the
past.
Some time in February the
robins gather in some one or
two counties of some one of
the Southern States. The place
differs year by year.
1t has been estimated that
at least million robins made
up this congregation.
Now that the bird is classed
as a sonebird. as it truly is,
and always has been, it is
against the law to kill it, but
every spring somebody down
there kills them and is taken
into court. The fine is about
$50.
After several days In this
assembly, the robino begin to
break up into smaller groups
Of about 1000 specimens
1t was one Of these our cor
respondent saw.
BY the time the robins ar
rive here. say 10 miles from
the White House. the groups
have been reduced to about
25 members each.
Such small gatherings come
down on the Chevy Chase golf
club grounds, and the other
links.
BY the time they spread out
to the lawns Of the commune
ties, they have been reduced to
two or three birds. and after
several more weeks have
passed. robins come singly to
suburban lawns.
The exact why of the great
congregation in the South is
unknown.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

An old friend returned last
night. We who live on the
banks Of the Potomac in Vir-
ginia. and have watched the
passing parade. from the days
Of the Baltimore packets and
freight boats and the old
Charles Manchester. welcomed
the Norfolk steamer, missing
for several months. As she
whistled. coming around the
bend. our lights blinked a
salute. to be answered by a
flashing beam from the big
ship. lighting up our shores
a beautiful sight. In these
days OF sudden change. let
us hope the river queen"
continues on, a symbol Of
pleasant travel. of yesterday
and today.
Emile w Miller
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

same courses as men. -Four
women earned degrees at
Oberlin in 1912.
@. How did the horse chest
nut get that name?-S. Y.
A. The hippo" thorse) in
the European trees formal
name. Aesculus hippocasta-
mum, points to a time when
the horse chestnut was used
as a food or medicine for
horses. The tree was brought
to Europe from CONSTANT
nople in the early l500s and
latter was brought to the New
World. Horse chestnuts ma
tive to America differ some
what from the European va
riety and are commonly called
buckeyes.
@. How long was the Santa
Fe Trail2.-F.R.
A. About $50 miles. This
road ran from independence,
Mo-. TO Santa Fe. N. Mex.
There was a short cut called
the Cimarron Cutoff. but the
longer way was much safer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06


sdtion.
take the latter figure from an
editorial in The Star of April
81, 1858. The editorial also
said: Retiring County Man
ager Irving G. McNayr of
Montgomery County has given
the grumbling taxpayers of the
Maryland county something
pleasant to remember him by.
His last major action before
stepping out Of Office recently
was to recommend an approx
mate 10 per cent reduction in
the basic tax rate"
The above is quoted to Jog
our memories. for there is
nothing to indicate, by prece-
dent or prospect, that the
Montgomery County budget
will not again be doubled in
the next four years. And the
increase will come only in part
from an actual rise in income.
production. wealth, etc. 1t will
derive Importantly from an
absolute increase in the per-
centage take from the total.
We may. Of course. expect
that the tax on utilities will
be coming along-and other
ones. Meanwhile. I judge that
about all the average taxpayer
can do is kick the wall. 1t
does not appear that there are
candidates for local Office who
favor firmly some rational
checkrein on the spending
power.
Since in the local areas the
tax wildflre is getting entirely
out of hand and because in
creased Federal taxes only
raise the ante everywhere. I
hope the Maryland delegation
in Congress may have this
particular aspect of the mat
ter in mind. The administra-
ton is openly wringing its
hands over the whole problem
and 1t will take resolute, de-
cisive action by Congress It.
self If the realities are to be
faced.
T. L. Perkins.
Pat M. Holt, legislative
chairman. Montgomery Coun-
ty Council of PTA. strays far
from his qualifications in en-
tering the field Of finance and
county history.
Mr.. Holt writes: There
have not been any raised as
seSsmentS in Montgomery
County in a number of years"
Actually, county real estate
assessments were raised in
1853 and 1856. My assessment
was raised in 1853. It was
again raised in October, 1856,
from $4,000 to $1,000. an in
crease Of $1,000. At the pres
ent tax rate of $3.50, my tax
bill will be increased in the
amount Of $3.50. The mar
ket value of my mortgaged
home is $4,000. Since he is
in close contact with the
county school administration,
1t Is suggested that he apply
for a course in elementary
arithmetic.
Wild and unqualified state
ments such as made by Mr..
Holt are finally bringing the
taxpayer to his feet with a
determination to establish
sound reasoning to this situa-
ton.
Homecoming Taxpayer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

years of executive experience in the Pen
tagon-as Assistant and Undersecretary
of the Air Force Like Mr.. Quarles, he has
not been identified with controversy and
he will undertake his new assignment
with f1rSt-rate qualifications.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-06

@. Which was the first CO.
educational college in the
United StateS?-W. NJ.
A. Oberlin College. at Ober-
lin. Ohio. in 1888 became the
first college in the United
States TO admit both men and
women 20 its classes. II did
not then permit women 10
earn degrees. but in 1888 be-
san to admit women to the