davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
For Consistency

ruling by the District OF Columbia
Tax Court in 1852 seems to give the
commissioners all the authority they
need to bring District tax policy on social
security income" into conformity with
Federal policy. The opinion, cited in a
letter on this page today from Percy r.
Rogers, held that "a reasonable regard
for consistency and reasonable avoidance
OF utter confusion require that the Dis
trict authorities act in accord with basic
Federal determination unless good rea-
son to the contrary appears" Right now
Federal and District policies on the taxing
OF social security payments are as incon-
siStent as it is possible for them to be.
The Federal Government, by administra-
tive Interpretation, has excluded such
payments from the Federal income tax.
But the District, falling to "act in accord
with basic Federal determination" in
cludeS social security payments under
taxable income.
Although the Commissioners have
indicated their belief that the District
should follow Federal policy in this
matter, they have been advised by the
Corporation CounSels Office that the
District law would have to be amended
to accomplish the accord. However, the
fact remains that the Federal exemption
was made by an administrative ruling,
that the Districts decision not to follow
Federal policy was an administrative one
and that 1t would be logical, If not
imperative, under the D. C. Tax Court
opinion of 1852 to "act in accord with
basic Federal determination" No new
legislation should be required to effect
this administrative consistency.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Our Casual Air Force

We recently encountered on
the street a group Of eight Air
Force officers ranging in rank
from lieutenant colonel to LIST
lieutenant. Five had both
hands pushed into their pants
pockets midway between wrist
and elbow and then flexed
their elbows. This raised the
bottom of the trousers up so
that they could definitely be
classified as high water"
Now, / do not know If they
had their hands in their pock-
cts to keep them warm, to hold
their pants up or for some
other reason. The sixth officer
had only one hand in his
pocket. The seventh swung his
arms freely but wore an abomi-
nation commonly called an
Eisenhower jacket. A we'll
padded man who attempts to
wear one OF these should be
shot without benefit of court
martial. The eighth, / believe
a captain. presented a reason
ably good military appearance.
The Air Force has enjoyed
the reputation OF being a rag
time semimilitary outfit. and
a foray such as this acts to
confirm that reputation. The
Air Force uniforms are Of good
color and smartly designed.
They should be worn with
greater dash and pride.
Horse Cavalry.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Moscow VS.. Relation

The Kremlin is launching a new
assault on the Roman Catholic Church
and religion in general A strong indica-
ton Of this is the fact that Pravda has
just devoted almost two full pages to
an exceptionally virulent attack on Pope
Plus XII. Whenever such things happen
In the Soviet Union, they happen for
purpose. They are deliberate. They are
planned. They always have some special
objective, and in this instance the objec-
tive seems to be to counter the recent
rise OF the clergy's influence in countries
like Poland and Hungary.
Pravda's contribution to that end
has been made in the form of lauda-
tory report on poisonous speech deliv-
cred to gathering of Soviet artists by
82-year-old Sergei Konyenkov, a party
line sculptor who once lived in the United
States The nature Of the speech can be
judged from such excerpts as these:
"All the evil forces in the world are
embodied in the Vatican! The blood
thirsty clergy tries to put its paws on
the throat Of mankind Today the
head of the Catholic Church, with a
cross in one hand and an atomic bomb
In the other, breaches crusade against
the new world" (Which means, of course,
the world of Red totalitarianism).
Moreover, describing Pope Plus as
leader of an international conspiracy of
hypocrisy" and tyranny" seeking to
enslave the sweet lands of liberty behind
the iron curtain, the senile Konyenkov
oil e.
to fight more actively" against this Co
alition Of the forces of darkness" Not
since Stains day has there been quite
such violent or Orwellian Soviet attack
on Rome. And what the thing suggests
particularly in view of the prominence
accorded it by Pravda-is that the Krem-
lin has decided that it must undertake
another campaign against religion and
men OF God within the Red empire. Even
in the USSR, 1t seems, there are far too
many people who believe in something
infinitely better and higher than Mos
cows despotism.
This state of mind and spirit that
the Soviet leaders cannot tolerate For
they base their tyranny on the monstrous
fiction that they alone are all-knowing,
all-wise and adjust, and hence any sub
ject who believes otherwise-who clings
to stubborn faith in God and regards
his leaders as mere fallible creatures
with feet Of clay--iS a menace to them.
Events in Poland and Hungary have
demonstrated the great power Of such
faith, and maybe Nikita Khrushchey and
his colleagues have been little bit
frightened by 1t. But If they really mean
to try stamping 1t out they will fail just
as Stain did.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Navy Shift

The Navy should have continued
smooth sailing as it changes top civilian
leaders on April /. The resignation Of
Secretary Charles S. Thomas, an old Navy
man, will result in the elevation to the
secretaryship of another Navy veteran,
UnderSecretary Charles S. Gates, jr.
Thus, the loss of Mr.. Thomas will be off,
set. fortunately, by the promotion Of Mr..
Gates to the important sub-cabinet post.
Both men have made substantial contri-
buttons to the building Of a strong, mod
ern Navy, capable not only Of holding its
own against any attacker but of retaliat-
ing with devastating blowS-including
atomic.
Mr.. Thomas, who saw service in World
War I with the Nays then infant
branch, naval aviation, always main
tanned his interest in flying Navy. In
his departmental assignments, he con-
cerned himself particularly with the
production and procurement of aircraft,
although he was active in promoting all
types Of naval development in the nu-
clear age. His successor will take over the
Secretaryship with the benefit of first
hand experience in both naval warfare
and naval administration. Secretary
designate Gates knows what 1t means to
be under enemy fire. He was decorated
for service as Reserve officer during the
invasion OF Southern France in World
War II and in the Pacific Wars Two lima
and Okinawa campaigns. So he will bring
to the secretaryship an understanding of
military procedures and problems that
should be beneficial to the Navy and to
national defense.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
IsroeI's Refugees

We have displayed deep
feeling for the Hungarian ref
ugees. We sent our Vice Presi-
dent TO see the stream Of es-
capees from Hungary. Here
at home We have gone in for
all sorts Of promotional pub
licity to keep the Hungarian
refugees before our people.
There have been Hungarian
dinners. suppers and break
fasts all over the country. TN
my neighborhood two saloons
serve Hungarian cocktails
The radio has done its bit. TV
has donated valuable time,
and our top talent has offered
itself to the cause" without
stint. The word refugees is by
now synonymous with Hun
garians.
Be that as 1t may, since we
are so fond Of doing things for
refugees and since our hearts
go out to those who had to
flee an impossible life. may /
remind you that the state OF
Israel is peopled by about one
and a half million refugees
refugees from the most per-
sistent and unspeakable hor-
rors the human mind can con-
ceive and mete out? They are
refugees from Yemen. Cairo,
and Belsen. from Auschwitz.
Dachau. from Bucharest. Mos
COW. Leningrad. etc.
They are survivors OF the
German crematoria and Hit
ler's lime cars. They escaped
a Teutonic sport which de-
lighted many subhumans-the
sport of fashioning lamp
shades from human skin.
One and half million refu-
gees asked for and got a tiny
piece of real estate--a strip
OF sterile land which they
transformed with superhuman
love into a little paradise. They
established a democracy in an
area which never was, is not
now, and may not for many
years be democracy. despite
our bowling and scraping be-
fore King Saud. These people
will cling to this strip Of land
because they contemplate with
horror any remote possibility
Of a return to slavery in Yem-
en-, or to that past In Ger
many where 6 million Of their
brethren were massacred with
out cause and without reason.
They ask for no special func-
tions IN Washington. no sup
pers. no dinners, no speeches.
They cannot forget that our
beloved friend and ally. King
Saud. has expressed a will and
desire to sacrifice 10 million
Arabs In the effort TO wipe
Israel of the map.
The threat Of sanctions will
not save them. DO you re.
member the massacre at Wal
saw--and. remembering It. q
you wonder they cannot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
An Old Valentine

I sdw it one day IN a rare old
book
Which someone had treas
ured NTH tender care.
IL DdS still as dainty, and
fresh and S,Deet
As nhen long ago she had
put IL there.
The paper lace, and foWerS
and cupids too.
And the nee little heart all
flaming red,
"IH lore vou nv darling until
I die.
Those are the iDordS the old
valentine said.
Her hands are all Drinkled
and trembling now.
And fen misty tears are In
her eyes.
But the olo,Dino light Is still
shouting through:
"TH loDe vou my darling
until ! die"
Sarah Lee Johnson
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Taxing Benefits
tSee editorial. For Con

tSee editorial. For Con-
SiStency."
District tax authorities make
Federal social security pay
ments subject to income tax.
The instructions accompany
ing the tax form state that
such payment must be re-
ported as the law makes no
provision for its exclusion from
income.
The Federal income tax law
does not make provision for
the exclusion OF such payments
but the Internal Revenue Serv-
ice has declared such payments
are not subject to Federal in
come tax in the hands of the
recipients. internal Revenue
Rulings I. T. 3447 and I. T.
1920
The District assessor should
be reminded that he is re-
quired to follow Federal inter-
probation as set forth in Sea
board Realty, Inc. V. District
1882 D. c. Tax Court Dkt.
1924. OPP. 1856" wherein it was
held that "a reasonable regard
for consistency and reason
able avoidance of utter confu-
sion require that the District
authorities act in accord with
basic Federal determination
unless good reason to the con-
trary appears" The D. c. Tax
Court was created to settle
disputes between the D. C. as
SCISSOR and taxpayers subject to
D. C. income tax. and, unless
reversed by the courts, its de-
cisions are binding on the
assessor.
Since both the Federal and
D. c. tax laws are silent on the
taxability of social security
payments, 1t would seem that
under the D. c. tax decision
the Federal Interpretation
should prevail.
Percy r. Rogers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Atomic Heating Plants Envisioned

space heating system"
Obviously. he points out,
there were many technical
problems to be overcome to
get this heat into a circulating
system. Especially important
is the possibility of escape Of
radioactive gases into a build
ing. DR.. Nelson is confident all
these problems will be solved.
Atomic technology" he
says, lis fully capable of pro-
ducing a long-life, low-power
safe reactor. suitable for
space heating. Although not
enough work has been done on
the economic aspects of space
heating to make any evalua-
ton, a preliminary glance in
dicates that for some applica-
tons 1t would be attractive
even now.
"Of course this doesn't mean
that within the next ten or
20 years smokeless atomic
furnaces will replace combus-
ton furnaces. 1t does clearly
mean that the use Of atomic
energy for heating large hotels.
Office buildings and other COM
pact areas with large space
heating requirements is feasible
even now and will become
economically practical in the
future.
Several things must happen
however, before this becomes
a reality. Military needs must
be satisfied until atomic fuels
become available in quantity.
A reactor must be designed
specifically for low energy heat
production. and at the same
time offer absolutely safe
operation and long mainten-
auCe-ITee service.
Fuel Main Problem
The most difficult problem.
at present, he points out. is
fuel. 1t is certain that for some
time to come all uranium OBJ
tainable will be channeled into
more immediate and urgent
projects. Besides. methods Of
controls must be worked out.
providing for adequate inspec-
ton and safety standards. All
this we'll may require years Of
hard work.
But within a few decades"
DR.. Nelson confidently pre-
diets, city centers. factories
and Offices may be heated
without a speck OF SCOT, an
ounce Of ash, or a cubic foot
of smog."
There is no prediction
that this will mean anything
so far as the heating prob
lens of the average home
owner are concerned. Atomic
furnaces, it is probable, al
ways will be too expensive.
complicated and dangerous
for the home. Central furnaces
for heating large blocks Of
homes, however, are possible
in the remote future.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES (. TRACEWELL

go back to the kitchen on
Saturday night.
How the water got there 1t
never occurred to us to ask.
Things were done for us.
1t is the same way today.
The modern American child
takes for granted the shiny
new bicycle he so thoughtlessly
allows to stand out in the rain
the very first night he has it.
Daddy will buy me a new
one" a boy said to another
who foolshly reprimanded
him.
In the old days. too. the
children accepted what they
got without question.
So the water, for those dimly
remembered baths.
Maybe it came from a pump,
but when we got old enough to
know, the pump was gone.
Perhaps it came from the
new spigot in the kitchen.
All We remember is that all
the blinds were down. and
there was steamy feel in the
kitchen, and the big wooden
tub stood on the piece of oil
cloth by the drum stove.
Wooden tub. oil cloth. drum
stove
All words and phrases I'M
known to the majority of our
ever-increaSing population.
The wooden tub has given
way to the fancy bathtub or
shower; the oil cloth to lino-
leum or tile: the drum stove to
central heating, as the British
call it in establishment when
they come over here.
The miracle of the bath alone
remains the same as ever.
However we took it or take
it, the bath is our greatest act
of civilization.
1t is a daily symbolic purifl-
cation in a dirty world. where
all our piety and wit. and de-
odorantS cannot altogether
take away the signs of our ami
NAL nature.
Perhaps it is Just as well
that they cannot. that no wa
ter from pump or pipe can
quite erase these marks OF kin
ship with all the other strug-
Cling things which breathe
and move and live with us for
a time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Over-SoHcited

When the United Giver's
Fund was instituted, I was all
for 1t. One big drive for chari-
ties and health groups. / was
told by my employer that this
would eliminate banging on
doors, passing the cans in the
theatres, and being stopped on
street corners.
Now it seems to me that
there is as much soliciting as
ever. If a certain group wants
to hold a benefit dance or din
ner to raise more funds for
their group, that is alright.
II the Red Cross needs addi-
tional money for relief in
disasters both here or abroad,
that is alright. But l protest
all this additional solicitation
from groups that did not take
advantage of the U. G.. F.
have looked into the mat
ter very carefully, and 1t looks
to me as if there is one Of
three reasons why they failed
to Join U. G. F. /. They were
ineligible to join. 2. They
thought that a separate drive
would bring more donations.
3. They were forbidden to join
U. G. F. by their foundations.
The Arthritis and Rheuma-
tism Association of Metropoli-
tan Washington was one group
that braved the wrath Of the
home Office and was promptly
thrown out of the foundation
after joining U. G. F. Now the
outside groups are here solicit
ing. / protest that these out-of-
state and out-of-county or
CARNATIONS can come here
and solicit and take our
money of somewhere else.
EGvun 81 N DuaaaIl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06

for young architects has its
summer headquarters at Talie-
sin. Spring Green. Wis. Winter
headquarters are at Taliesin
West, northeast Of Phoenix,
Ariz.
@. Is the wintergreen plant
grown commercially for oil2--
H. o.
A. No. The Department OF
Agriculture says that the oil
is obtained entirely from plants
growing wild in a few scat
tered localities in the noun
famous sections OF the East
ern States. This creeping
stemmed. evergreen woodland
plant can be cultivated. in
leaf-mold soil and in a shady
location. by setting out divi-
sions Of wild plants in spring
or fall. However. there is so
little demand for wintersreen
as either herb or oil that ~
cultivation Is not likely 70 be
commercially profitable.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Negro History
!. S. Bercovici.

Much of the turmoil going
on in the minds Of men over
integration could be eased if
more of the history of the So
called Negro were taught in
our schools to both white and
colored children. A recent
book, entitled "A Pictorial
History of the Negro in Ameri-
ca" should be available in
every school and many fami-
lies. Its authors are Langston
Hughes and Milton Meltzer.
Following the pattern of
many periodicals it tells a
story in brief pungent para
graphs and contains over
1000 pictures of people. docu-
ments and events. From Africa
through the civilized world the
contributions OF Negroes to
civilization are made vivid.
One of the reasons white
Americans resist de-segrega-
ton is because the Negro is
looked upon as a child race
having no history, and be-
cause civilization is meas
ured in terms of military
might. mileage. speed. sky
scrapers. population growth
and gadgets. Many Negroes
lack desire for freedom and
vision because they have never
learned about the civiliza-
tons that existed in Africa
when the Teutons. the Franks
and the Anglo-Saxons were
Barbarians unaffected by the
glories Of Egypt. Greece. and
Rome.
Civilizations existed in Al
RIGA from the 7th through the
18th century that compared
favorably or exceeded the
progress Of the Goths, the
Vandals. the Huns, the Angles,
the Saxons. Jutes and Franks,
The Negro kingdom of Ghana,
being revived today on the
Gold Coast. lasted from 700
BIC. to 1885 AID. Tertullian,
Cyprian and Augustine are
recognized African Fathers OF
Christendom; Queen Nefertari,
Alienation ". Amenhotep
III, and Ptolemy XIII were
Egyptian African pharaohS OF
note
African civilization failed to
keep pace with Western Gull
ture when Turkish and Mo-
hammedan hordes began the
conquest of Africa from the
9th century and turned the
attention of governments and
Kingdoms to easy profits from
the trade of men. Slave trad
ing took the place of civiliza-
ton building.
BY reason of contacts made
through trade sources along
navigable waterways: through
wars and migrations the So
cial heritage OF Rome and
Greece afforded the opportuni-
ties for our western culture,
Africa remained dormant while
her sons and children to the
extent Of millions were added
to other continents and ma
lions.
Negroes have contributed
in great measure to the build
ing OF our American nation,
More knowledge Of the his
tory OF the Negro in the world
and in America is needed to
dispel myths and canards as
to racial inferiority.
z. Il. Henderson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06
Cutting the Budget

When President Franklin D.
Roosevelt took Office, the bud
get was about 81 billion. Mr..
Roosevelt was elected on his
promise that the big spend
ing OF President Hoover would
be stopped. Many Of us Bit
terly criticized Presidents
Roosevelt and Truman. How
ever. even the spending pro-
grams Of those days are
dwarfed by the giveaway adj
ministration now in power.
I have always considered
myself a Republican because of
my opposition to the philos-
ophy Of the New Deal. It now
appears that my own party
has not only adopted Demo-
cratic programs. but is bent
on expanding them. Examples
are numerous: the Federal
highway program. the draft.
the foreign giveaways. Federal
laid" to schools. the establish
ment Of the Department Of
Health. Education. and Well
fare. the participation in the
United Nations. the low tariff,
FEPC, ad infinitum. When
people voted the liberals out Of
Office in 1852, many were vot-
ing to halt these policies
which we consider socialistic.
I would like to urge Con-
gress to vote for adoption Of
the Hoover recommendations
for efficient government. II
these proposals were accepted,
a step. at least. in the direc-
ton Of the restoration Of
States rights would have been
accomplished.
EllwOod F. James, Jr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-06

Atomic furnaces Tor heating
buildings are a probability of
the not-too-d distant future.
They would constitute one
of the most economical and
least dangerous ways of utiliz-
ing atomic energy and a heat
ing system is already under
way at the Atomic Energy
Commissions plant at Rich
land, Wash, operated under
contract by General Electric
Co.
Eventual wide use Of atom
furnaces for space heating is
forecast in a company publi-
cation by DR.. s. L. Nelson.
manager of one Of the depart
ments at this plant.
Heating with atomic energy
Is relatively simple compared
with obtaining atomic power.
he explains. To provide steam
power for a turbine requires
high temperatures and pres
sures-the higher the better.
But, he points out. there re-
main very formidable OBJ
stacles in the way. Many ma
terials that work well inside
a reactor lack strength at high
temperatures and materials
that will stand high tempera-
lures are notorious for absorb
ing the neutrons necessary to
keep the reaction going. Ad-
dition of expensive. artif1cially
enriched atomic fuels con-
stantly is necessary.
Materials Unsuited
Many materials also become
highly radioactive after they
have been inside the reactor.
This makes repairs difficult.
or even impossible. Stainless
steel, for example. becomes so
radioactive that a close APP
proach for even a minute
would be fatal. Thus remote
handling techniques must be
developed.
But. says DR.. Nelson. many
of these problems sink to in
significance if low pressures
and temperatures below the
boiling point Of water can
satisfy the designer. While not
worth much for driving a tur-
bine. this range Of heat does
nicely for space heating, as in
the new atomic space heating
system at the Hanford plant
in Richland.
For 10 years engineers sor-
rowfully watched tremendous
amounts Of heat energy lit
orally go down the drain. The
reactors were built to produce
plutonium. Heat energy be-
came a troublesome by-prod-
uct. 1t was dumped back into
the Columbia River. The para
dox of running hot water into
the river while burning coal
to heat plant buildings chal-
lenged the engineers. They
pioneered in the design of a