davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
In Pace With Growth

An encouraging indication that
Vtrginia'S legislators are awakening to
the need for keeping local governments
In pace with growing urban areas is
seen in latest recommendations of the
Virginia Advisory Legislative Council.
Proposals Of the council for facilitating
interjurisdictional teamwork in public
administration and services seem tai
lored to At developments in Northern
Virginia. The plan is In line with the
overall program Of metro" co-ordina-
ton for Greater Washington.
The report, to be submitted to
the next General Assembly, offers several
approaches to such coordination. One
course would be the actual merger of
separate political units to reduce gov
ernmental expenses and promote EN-
cheney. This step could be taken only
after majority Of the residents of each
jurisdiction had voted in favor of con-
solidation. Another course would be the
merger only Of such constitutional Offices
as treasurer, commissioner of revenue.
commemorative attorney, clerk OF the
court and sheriff. constitutional
amendment would be required to legalize
this sort Of cooperation. A third course
and one more likely to be received with
favor In nearby Virginia-would be the
adoption Of laws to permit local govern
ing bodies to consolidate Offices or serv-
ices not specified In the State constitti-
ton. Under this provision, for example,
Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and
Fairfax-or any combination Of them
could pool their law enforcement, public
works or other services and facilities
for the joint benefit Of the communities
concerned. Thus, considerable savings
In overhead costs might be effected, to
say nothing Of Improvements that might
result In administration.
The council pointed to the recent
merger Of the adjacent cities Of Warwick
and Newport News as an example Of how
economy and efficiency could be pro-
NOTED by Joint action. While such mer-
gers would encounter strong opposition
In Northern Virginia, where the trend is
toward strengthening Of independent
governments rather than any loss of
identity through governmental mergers,
the opportunity to save through estab-
lishment Of some Joint facilities or serv-
Ices would have substantial appeal. There
has been limited Joint action already on
a regional detention home for juveniles,
on water supply and on sewage disposal
and treatment. Additional legislation
would be necessary to authorize Joint
police services and Joint action in other
fields, however. We hope the vALC
report will receive the attention which
II deserves to get from a legislature ira
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

Robert F. Kneipp. assist
ant corporation counsel for
the District Of Columbia,
called the Prevention Of
Blindness Society requesting
that we publicize police
regulations regarding BIB
guns. II seems that several
anxious parents have called
him for protection against
the pleas Of their youngsters
for a BIB gun for Christmas.
Mr. Kneipp quoted the
police regulations which
prohibit selling. giving. lend
ing. renting or otherwise
transferring air rifles. BIB
guns and other lethal devices
TO anyone under the age of
10. II is also illegal for any
one to carry BIB guns and like
weapons out Of doors unless
unloaded and securely
wrapped. Shooting any such
weapon. except on q super
vised, police-approved range.
Is forbidden.
Montgomery, Arlington
and Fairfax Counties. Alex
andria and some Prince
Georges towns have similar
regulations. The Prevention
Of Blindness Society reminds
all parents that the gift Of
Q BIB sun or like weapon 10
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
YuIe Coo Cards

Among the many excellent
features. including editorial
comment. appearing in The
Star Is the column written by
George Kennedy. "The RAM
bier" about town. He takes
our thoughts from the prob
lens confronting the world
today and brings before us
the lighter side Of local
doings.
Mr.. Kennedy's experience
while shopping for Christmas
cards is a grim reminder of
the forces that have become
Indifferent toward the true
meaning Of Christmas. The
reluctance toward pur
chasing gag" as well as
"potted female" cards with
such captions as "Have a
jubilant Yule - You mad
impetuous fool" is a tribute
to Mr.. Kennedy. for his sense
OF moral values.
John T. Bowling.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
On Locating Roads

Marylanu 3 highway 0lc-
tators have for years main
tanned a death trap for the
benefit of the golf clubs on
River road. They have de-
liberately avoided collecting
enough taxes from these IA
vored country clubs TO pay
for rebuilding this road into
a safe highway.
With such bad roads.
development has been in
hibited In this area. Now
the highway engineers argue
that since there are no peo-
pie there to use good roads.
none should be built How
can 1t be in the public in
terest to build a road where
there is no public to use It?
To read the statistical
story in the press as 1t argues
for this plunging Wisconsin
avenue corridor" you'd
think that Maryland never
builds highways that do not
pass through as many peo-
pie as possible. But. noto-
riously. Route 240 has been
built where almost no one
lives, as The Rambler so
pointedly observed when he
explored its leafy lane last
october.
There's also Route 20.
Drive out some day and note
the closely packed dwellings
and commercialization along
that country corridor as it
struggles to penetrate the
tangles Of Silver Spring
much as 240 writhes its way
around the environs Of Be-
thesda.
Why not find out where
these country corridors are
going before building them?
What sense is there in start
ing construction out i'll the
wide open spaces instead OF
where population already is?
Traffic Victim.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
"A Silly Business

Your hard-headed edito-
rial Of December II. "a Silly
Business" comes to grips. as
few others have. with the
realities Of wire tapping to-
day. You have presented ably
the common-sense approach
which should govern action
In what has become a vexing
neld for law enforcement
officials.
Certainly no thinking per-
son condones the unrestrict-
ed use Of wiretaps. But when
adequate safeguards are pro-
vided. we should allow those
entrusted with protecting
the national security TO make
discriminating and prudent
use Of this weapon to COM
bat suhversive and criminal
elements. AS you point out.
they should not be prevented
from obtaining vital evidence
just because the conspirators
happen TO carry on their OPP
erations by telephone. wire
or telegraph.
! am extremely hopeful the
interest aroused by the latest
Supreme Court rulings will
prod Congress to take the
bull by the horns and bring
the Federal laws affecting
wire tapping up TO date. A
bill ! have sponsored in the
House for several years would
do Just that.
Briefly. 1t would make ille-
gal any unauthorized inter-
ception Of messages, but
would permit FBI and mill
tary intelligence agents to tap
wires in national security
cases. with the approval Of
the Attorney General and q
Federal court. The bill would
make evidence obtained In
compliance with these safe
guards admissible in Federal
courts. In addition, FBI
agents would be permitted to
intercept messages in felony
cases. without a court order.
but information 50 obtained
would not be admissible.
Furthermore. 1t would legal
ize wire tapping by State Of
ficials acting under authority
Of State laws.
Though this approach may
not provide the perfect an
swer. 1t certainly would be a
step In the right direction. II
can lead to the enactment Of
Just and realistic legislation.
Such legislation Is needed
not only to safeguard the
privacy Of the individual law
abiding citizen. but to aid,
rather than hamper. law en-
forcement authorities In car
rying out their duty TO pro-
tect the Nation as a whole.
Kenneth b. Heating.
Member Of Congress.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
We Should Do Both

There Is no good reason that we
know Of for fighting among ourselves
over the relative merits, or the relative
urgency, Of missiles and space vehicles.
Assistant Navy Secretary Norton is
right in saying that we should let moth
ing stand in the way of getting missile
with warhead which can land on its
target. But what Is 1t that stands in
the way? Certainly 1t is not the work
that is being done on space vehicles.
According to Mr.. Norton's own testi-
mony before Senator Johnson's commit
tee, we are very close" to success in
developing a family of misSiles-the
Atlas. Titan, Jupiter. Thor and Polaris.
These programs. generally speaking, are
on schedule: it is doubtful that they
can be speeded up to any significant
degree, and we are confident that no
work on space travel will be permitted
to slow them down.
This, however. does not mean that
we need to forget or neglect a space
travel program. This country has the
resources. II 1t will use them, to move
ahead along both lines In fact, the
two, in sense, are complementary.
They involve the same, or similar, prob
lens Of engine thrust. guidance systems
and re-entry. Progress in one program
should be helpful in the other, and
neither should be sighted
Space travel is no longer a Buck
Rogerish" business. We have not done
a great deal in this field, but the race
Is on, the Russians. we may be sure, are
working hard, and 1t will be a grave
mistake If we let them win by default.
The Russians are ahead of US in missile
development today because we let them
get the jump on US. We did 1t de-
hberately. as the result of a military
decision several years ago to concern
trate on manned aircraft at the expense
Of missiles. In retrospect, that decision
was a mistake. Let's not repeat it in the
matter Of missiles and space vehicles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
THE POLITICAL MILL
Alcorn Won't Buy Gloomy Outlook
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Alcorn has travelled through
the grain States Of the Md
west, too, and he Is not will
ing to concede defeat there
either. despite the claims Of
Democrats that the farmers
are in revolt against the
q. o. p.
The Democratic Issue
AS Of today. the chief issue
raised by the Democrats--
from every section Of the
country-is Soviet Russia's
Sputniks, the earth satellites.
and the implied projectile
power developed by the Com
munists. And President FL
senhower is their chief target,
as they hold him responsible
for allowing the Russians to
put q satellite into space be-
fore the United States. How
long this issue will continue
important. however, depends
upon how soon this country
is able to launch its own
satellites successfully and on
its own development Of long
range missiles. The Demo-
cratic spokesman maintain
the President has lost tre-
mendously in influence and in
popularity. especially because
he was supported as the man
above all others who could be
relied upon TO keep this coun-
try militarily stronger than
our potential enemies. These
claims. however, could be
negated almost overnight, de-
pending on future Develop
ments. The Republican chair
man quite naturally hopes
the adverse tide can be
stemmed and even turned.
Mr.. Alcorn is confident, for
his part. that another big
issue, adverse to the Demo-
Gratis. is gaining headway.
That is the civil rights issue
which divided the Demo-
cratic Party and which the
Northern Democrats are an
xiously doing their best to
overcome. It's an issue which
can easily grow in intensity.
It's impact is beginning to
emerge more strongly. Mr..
Alcorn found in the North
west and the Far West. and
in California, Washington
and Oregon especially.
In New England, Mr.. Al
corn found reason for en-
couragement in Maine. where
Senator Payne. Republican. is
now expected to run for re-
election. his health having
improved materially. In Con-
necticut. Mr.. Alcorn's home
State. the G. o. P. made net
gains in the fall municipal
elections. Massachusetts,. a
hard nut for the G. o. P. to
crack, has both a guberna-
torial and a senatorial
election coming up. Senator
John F. Kennedy. greatly
popular, cannot run for both
officeS-and he seems set for
the present on returning to
try to unhorse Gov. Fur
colo. II they should be Sue
cesSful, they viii consider it
a big gain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

a minor Is an invitation TO
break the law.
These regulations were
found necessary because Of
the large number Of eye in
juries caused by BIB guns and
the like. Five years ago more
than 80 children were hos
pitalized in one year with
such eye injuries.
Since 1852. the Prevention
OF Blindness Society has
carried on q Safe Toys for
Christmas campaign. This
year We will mail q copy Of
police regulations to any
parent who needs to convince
Junior Of their existence.
Helen Curtis Demary,
Executive Director.
Prevention of Blindness
Society.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

Chairman Meade Alc0rn OF
the Republican National Com
mittee does not hold with
the gloomy prognostications--
coming gleefully from the
Democrats and mournfully
from many Republicans
that the q. o. p. is in for the
licking Of It's life in the 1858
congressional and State cleo
tons. Mr.. Alcorn for weeks
has been touring various
parts Of the country from
Maine TO California. On the
whole he has been encour-
aged. He has been particu-
larry impressed by the basic
strength Of the Republican
organization. as evidenced by
the willingness Of party work.
ers. and the amount of pre-
liminary work-which ordi-
narily would not have been
undertaken until next year
that already has been done.
Mr.. Alcorn. however, does
not minimize the tough job
ahead. He admits that the
party has been Inundated to
a considerable degree by cleo
tons last summer and this
fall. including the election of
a Democratic Senator. Prox-
mire. In Republican Wiscon-
sin. and the reelection Of
Gov. Meyner in New Jersey,
which in 1856 was a banner
Republican State, too. These
defects. he believes, are les
sons which the O. o. p. will
take to heart. One Of the
party's main problems is to
find candidates on whom all
Republicans can unite-in
State and congressional
races-and who viii appeal TO
the people generally.
G. o. p. Committee TO Meet
The Republican chairman
hopes for increased encour-
agement from a postponed
meeting Of the Republican
National Committee - aban-
doned porarily when
President Eisenhower suf-
fered a slight stroke-now
expected to be held after
the Christmas New Year
holiday period. and from the
January 20 Republican din
nerS which are to be held
throughout the country on
the anniversary Of the begin
ming Of the Eisenhower sec
ond term in the White House.
II possible. the national COM
mittee will be called to meet
here before the January 20
dinners. but II not. the meet
ing win take place in the
latter part Of the month
when the President will be
expected to participates
originally arranged.
Mr.. Alcorn was particularly
impressed with the spirit and
work Of the Republican or
CARNATIONS in the Northwest
and Far West. The pace Of
Republican activity in Cali
fornia. for example. he con-
siders amazing And It is in
California. New York and
Pennsylvania that important
battles are 10 be waged. Mr..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
Oil

We have two hypotheses
that warrant little argument.
First. that our national Sc
curity is directly related to
our chronological advance
ments in all scientific fields.
especially satellites and mis-
siles. And second. these
chronological advancements
require money. Thus. the
question is posed: Do we get
the funds for scientific adj
vancement land consequently,
national security by de-
creasing amounts allocated
70 other parts Of the Federal
budget or do We obtain the
necessary amounts by in
creasing taxation? This ques-
ton is continually posed
under the assumption that
there is no alternative. There
is an alternative. and my
thanks to Thomas L. Stokes,
in his article Urgency Theme
Poses Puzzle" for bringing
the alternative to the public S
attention.
There was a time when the
oil depletion allowance could
be justified. Those were the
days when the United States
was trying to encourage ex-
ploration for oil. The typical
wildcatter might go for years
losing money with his ex-
plorations without striking
oil. Then when he did strike
oil. all the losses Of the pre-
vious unsuccessful years
could not be charged against
the earnings in the year Of
the strike. This was thought
to be a tax inequity so steps
were taken to protect this
wildcatter. He was given a
tax benefit which could be
called q subsidy in the form
OF the depletion allowance.
Currently. 1t is the large oil
companies that carry on the
great part Of oil explorations.
These companies can charge
OF any losses in explorations
as an expense against their
current income. Furthermore,
the oil industry is certainly
lucrative enough so as not to
require a subsidy to encourage
explorations.
So what is the justification
OF the depletion allowance?
There is none. There is a
reason for its existence, but
not a justification. The
reason is as stated by Mr..
Stokes, the pressure in Con-
gress for the continuance Of
this Government subsidy.
CongreSSmen under the in
fluence Of the oil lobby or
Congressman afraid Of in
curing the wrath of the oil
interests financially or other
wise. have neeated any
possibility Of changing the
oil depletion allowance.
The only chance to remedy
the situation. as I see it. is
to have sufficient publicity
given to the allowance, pub
licity designed to show that
there is no justification for
the allowance and that oil
interests are given an unfair
advantage over all other in
dustries and individuals in
our society. When necessary
programs dealing with educa-
ton. veterans. farmers. hous-
ing. mutual security. etc.. are
endangered so oil companies
will have a subsidy, IL Is obyi-
GUS that the facts should be
known to the people.
Barton L. Post,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
Central Bus Terminal

We need a centrally located
bus station for all suburban
buses. AS II Is now. they are
scattered all over town, with
only curb service In bad
weather. II would be fine II
the Maryland and Virginia
bus companies got together
and took over the whole
square Of Tenth to Eleventh
street and 4 to +. They could
still have stores on p street
and all the rest Of the square
for buses on two levels with
q large hotel above.
The Western and Middle
Western cities are far ahead
Of Washington IN this re-
spect.
Rush mAtom.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

Do you suppose dear old
Grandmother had anything
In mind when she insisted
that everyone at her table
eat every scrap of food on his
plate?
It makes less cleaning.
doesn't it?
Lick the platter clean" is
an old injunction that has
come down through the CEN
turtles. and everybody has
thought it was good for them
to eat well and much.
"Muchness." in other words.
was popularity regarded as
the point Of eating.
Even fairness. in the old
days. was held to be q mark
Of health.
Now the ladies read an ar
ticle on reducing in every is
sue Of their favorite woman's
magazine. and even the men
folks go in for dieting.
What much eating does. it
would seem. in addition to
making one fat. is to ensure
a supply Of the famous es-
sentials Of diet. the proteins.
carbohydrates. vitamins and
minerals.
Many q man, In the past
summer. in charge Of the
house and his own eating.
found that by carefully lick
ing his platters clean. he
could save a great deal Of
cleaning.
A good stif supply Of water
from the faucet and the last
remnants Of . scanty meal
are washed away.
Unless one ate it all. to the
very last drop. there were
disagreeable drops Of oils and
the like. and these mostly
refused to come of.
N%&
The job Of cleaning dishes
strikes some people. both
male and female. as about
the worst in the world. with
one exception.
Cleaning dishes strikes
some so badly that they had
rather not eat. almost.
One usually ends up by
drawing q line between eat
ing and not eating.
This is done. usually. by
sticking to cereals and milk.
One could do worse.
This is the traditional diet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

Of lonely old ladies and others.
Medical men say they do
not get enough proteins. and
perhaps they don't, but they
live many years, just the
same.
Once there was a woman
who. for some reason. lived
on canned peaches and lolli-
pops.
This was not a good diet.
since it had practically no
proteins at all. It could not
touch. for efficiency. a mod
ern packaged cereal and
whole milk.
For the lonely person. this
sort Of diet has the advan-
tages Of giving plenty Of heat
units. some energy units, and
some proteins.
And. as the cigarette I'D
says. it is filing.
The cleaning up process
afterward is so easy that even
a child could do it and often
does.
A fine point Of this way Of
eating is to keep the utensils
to q minimum.
Again the cleaning amounts
to little. If the barest number
Of forks. spoons and knives
are used.
Forks are always q nui-
sance to clean anyway.
You even find them with
egg on them in the best Of
restaurants.
Doubling up may be re-
garded as the high point Of
this sort Of thing.
The same glass. or tum-
bier. as the old folks called
it. can be used both for
orange juice and milk. In
fact, one celebrated theory
Of diet mixed the two and
then drank. It's not bad.
The cereal bowl, with a
vigorous rinsing. can func-
ton as a bowl for apple
sauce.
Here again. licking the
platter clean has its uses.
Despite all one can do.
however. the dishes will pile
up. as every housewife knows.
There is nothing to do.
then. except to buckle down
to the task before you.
Nothing ever cleans itself.
1t seems.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
HumiIioted Tito

Headline: ~. s. Arms Re-
jected by 'Humiliated' Tito. p"
When Nehru, Gomulka. Mas
ser. ETC.. are Inundated"
into rejection Of United
States aid. the American peo-
pie will be able to rejoice in
a small victory for freedom
and justice. \
Apparently 1t is too much
TO hope that our policy
makers will voluntarily with
hold aid from our enemies.
actual or potential. and re-
distribute 1t to our proven
friends.
Myron w. Chamberlin.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

stellation Of cygnus. the
Swan. With the bright star
Arided at the head. four stars
Of lesser brightness complete
the general figure OF q cross.
@. Where was lmogene
Coca born? Were her parents
actors?-A. T.
A. Imogene Coca was born
in Philadelphia. the only
child Of Joseph Coca Ter
nandes Coca). Q Spanish or
chestra leader. Her mother
was Sadie Brady. the actress
who travelled with Thurston,
the magician.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
By THE HASKIN ST
By THE HASKIN SERVICE
reader
The Evening star Information
D Please inclose y """"N'N

@. Is the chemical which
greatly increases plant
growth on public sale for this
use?-A. T.
A.. No. The chemical. glib
berellic acid, is still being
used on an experimental basis
by the Department Of Agri-
culture. and is not yet avail
able to florists or home gard
eners.
q. Is there q constellation
called the Northern Crosse
III. M.
A. The Northern Cross Is .
opoup Of otarD In the con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used n
letters carry tDriterS' correct
names and addresses. Al
letters are subject to conden-
sdttoH.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17

ditionally more interested In rural affairs
than in problems Of the States rapidly
growing urban communities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-17
Air Gun Menace

Myron w. Chamberlin.