davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14

The human torpedo has
come to stay. He no longer
need be q volunteer suicide.
A few days after the taking
of Remagen Bridge across the
Rhine. the turning point Of
the last war in Europe, a half
dozen German underwater
swimmers were pulled out of
the river. They had been as
signed to blow up the vital
bridge over which American
divisions were starting to pour
into the fatherland.
Probably no men ever were
happier to be taken prisoners.
They were completely en-
caSed in rubber suits with
goggles and some kind of
breathing apparatus. They
were completely exhausted
and sweating profusely. Two
or three collapsed when the
suits were removed, and Army
doctors had a hard time re-
viving them.
Even had they succeeded,
their mission would have been
futile. About that time the
strategic bridge collapsed by
itself, but American Army
engineers, with a foothold on
the other bank, already had
completed a suitable pontoon
bridge beside it. They had
swum, the Germans said,
about is miles underwater
when they were detected.
They were suffering so badly
they were about to come to
the surface anyway and be-
come voluntary prisoners.
This probably was the
American Army's first con-
tact with "scuba"-self- con-
tanned underwater breathing
apparatus-in the European
campaign. This first look was
certainly far from inviting.
The Germans said frankly
that they had been sent on
a suicide mission. Still the
apparatus enabled man for
the first time to range for
long distances completely
submerged and entirely in
dependent of any surface
attachment.
Italians Invented Lung"
1t was an invention of the
Italians who had passed it on
to their allies. according to
an Office of Naval Research
report by DR.. Loyal G. Golf
of the Biological Sciences
Division, on present Ameri-
can progress along the same
lines. This has progressed to
the point, says the report,
where men can remain
underwater for a maximum
of two hours without too
great danger or discomfort.
Early in the war, ac-
cording to the report, the
Italians had achieved con-
siderable success with the
scuba" Their human tor
pedoes" destroyed an esti-
mated 10000 tons of allied
shipping in the Mediter-
ranean and we're a constant
threat. There was no great
secret about how it was done
but American forces, both
Army and Navy, made only
small and isolated efforts in
the same direction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Pedestrians Rights

The safety of pedestrians
is Of the greatest concern in
the Districts traffic safety
program. Over the past IS
years, about three out Of
every four persons killed on
the Districts streets have
been pedestrians. One of the
major reasons why pedes-
TRANS are killed is the failure
of motorists to yield the
right-of-way to pedestrians
at intersections. Last year
this driver violation alone
killed six pedestrians and in
jured 500 others in the Dis
trict. Apparently, many Of
our motorists fail to under
stand that a pedestrian cross
ing the intersection in a
crosswalk with the green
light has the absolute right
of-way over the motorist.
Even more important, they
fail to realize that the pedes-
trian has the right-of-way
at an intersection. even where
there are no traffic lights
when he is in the crosswalk,
and the crosswalk does not
have to be painted to give
the pedestrian this right-ofa
way. I know that pedestrian
safety on our streets will be
greatly increased if motorists
will remember that pedes-
TRANS, too, have rights in
traffic.
Wallace L. Braun,
Acting Director of Vehicles
and Traffic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Benson Admirer

Everybody in the country
seems to have gone of the
beam in a wild orgy of SPEND
ing and spending, taxing and
taxing, from the top politi-
clans down through the
States. cities and towns.
10. the poor taxpayer and
the consumer.
In all this grand spree, one
man is trying to save him a
few pennies and because of
that. he is criticized and
harassed, even by members Of
his own party.
We should elect Secretary
Of Agriculture Ezra Benson
as the next President of the
United States. Maybe he
could bring US back to our
senses.
Taxpaying Voter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Coexistence

Why should the United
States continue deficit SPEND
ing to perpetuate a false
prosperity and add to an al
ready prodigious public debit
That we must continue an
arms race with Russia is no
good reason.
Mexico and Canada don't
think they are about to be
attacked by Russia. Brazil
and Argentina are not fright
ened by Russia. Britain and
West Germany are not seek
ing to antagonize Russia as
some Of our newspaper col
umnists seem to be doing.
II peaceful coexistence is
good enough for those coun-
tries, 1t ought to be good
enough for our country.
Our present trend may be
attractive and glamourous
for the time being. But how
about the future? Aren't we
likely to find ourselves living
in a FOOLS paradise, probably
leading to a nuclear war with
near humiliation?
Xanthippf.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
VISTAS IN. SCIENCE,
Human Torpedo's JOB Now Safer
BY THOMAS R. HENRY

Because the missions
which could be performed"
says DR.. Golf "were con-
Sidered to be somewhat sui
cidal they we're not endorsed
or condoned by United States
warfare philosophy"
The only American troops
actually trained in under
water swimming were a few
members Of the Office Of
Strategic Services who served
primarily with the British
forces. Still war is war, and
no weapon is to be over
looked. In 1948 the Navy
started training a few under
water demolition team menu
bers at Deep Greek, Va, but
there was little interest in
the project. This interest
gradually increased. however,
as the swimmers demon
Strated superior capabilities
over conventional divers
in such diversified jobs
as underwater photography.
mine location, ship bottom
inspection and damage con-
troll.
Two years ago the Navy
established a school for un-
derwater swimmers at Key
West. Training and perform
ance since then have been so
successful. says the report,
that the former lightweight
diving gear for shallow water.
with an attached hose, has
been discontinued as a sup
ply item and replaced by
scuba"
New Problems
But along with the in
creased freedom of move
ment permitted came many
new problems. Release from
all surface attachment re-
moved the possibility of COM
munication and the margin
of safety afforded by any
kind of life line. The diver
Immediately became more
susceptible to accidents. He
was more apt to become in
capacitated under water and
then drown with no oppor-
tunity Of asking for help.
Gradually, according to the
report, these hazards have
been cut down by research,
especially into basic phys
iology. Limits have been set
according to present posi-
bilities.
I'm general" says the re-
port, swimmers cannot be
expected to work for more
than two hours continuously
under water. This time limi.
tation is imposed by the cur
rently available breathing
equipment. Closed circuit
gear which provides pure
oxygen could be designed for
several hours gas supply but
is restricted because of the
present inability to provide
for efficient removal of car
bon dioxide over long periods
Of time. Cylinders of COM
pressed air would be too
large and bulky if designed
for several hours diving. Adj
ditional air supplies have
been added by individual
divers but such units are too
bulky for routine use."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Retirement Inequities

&AASNAA0 A1OS O~~Se - 80" =
employees, Of the general
clerical force, who were re-
tired for disability before the
194S Retirement Act made
radical changes in the method
of calculating all annuities,
receive separate conSidera-
ton by Congress, especially
since the 1856 law, while
changing the general rates
for calculation of annuities.
made separate provisions
with respect to disability re-
tirement?
Before the passage Of the
1913 law, the maximum an
nuity was $1,000 for 80 years
of service for employees max
ing $1,620 or more, length of
service being the only vari-
able factor. The 1913 law
based annuities upon both
wages and service. In 1945
the first 4 grades were wiped
out, resulting In wage in
creases all through the sys-
TEN. BY other acts Of Con-
gresS, wages were increased
in 1916, 1913, 1919, 1851, and
1856. OF course, each wage
increase granted by Congress,
as well as each added year
of service, raised the poten-
tail future annuity.
Under the 1856 method of
determining disability an
nuities, the very lowest an
nuity would be for five years
in Grade /, or sos a month.
Compare this with a pre-
1948 annuity of SIS a month
for more than double five
years and in higher grades.
Such an annuity, it has been
found, would be increased
by 46 per cent, If calculated
under the new law and upon
the equivalent values under
the present wage scales.
One influential official
claimed that increases for
the already retired" are
"gratuities." as they are not
based upon contributions to
the Retirement Fund. Why
then, has the Government
several times, when 1t
changed the rates Of contri-
button and the percentage Of
the annuities, allowed en-
ployes retiring Immediately
after the passage Of the lib
eralized laws to receive the
benefit OF the new provisions
although they had not con-
tributed the new rates to the
fund for even one month?
The same ofiicial said that
the low annuities are being
drawn by employees who
worked S or 10 years. No en-
ploye in the departments re-
tires after 5 or 10 years ex-
cept upon disability. That
kind Of retirement is fatal
with respect to any further
suitable employment within
or without the service. 1t was
said further by the same Of
fetal that supplemental in
comes from social security,
railroad retirement, and
other sources we're received
by many. II that is true with
respect to many, 1t is not
true with respect to many
others. And when has q
United States Government
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Proud of Southeast

Readers of recent news
paper articles might get the
idea that the Southeast Sec
ton is an undesirable place.
We who live in that part
Of Southeast east Of the Ana
costa River still resent a
statement made some years
ago by a prominent WASH
ingtonian that:
If rent controls were re-
moved, then single people
living in apartments would
have to move, and $40, 000-a-
year executives living in the
Southeast would move to the
Northwest"
Now comes a statement re-
portedly made by a Health
Department official discussing
the need for health clinics
at a meeting of the American
University Park Citizens As
ISOLATION (Star, February A.:
you know how to take
care of yourselves. The peo-
pie in Southeast Washington
don't"
The fires in the publicly
operated Highland Dwellings,
too, reflect upon the char
acter of the Southeast.
Many of us fought such
housing as early as the 1940s.
to no avail; Northeast and
Southeast have been re-
garded as dumping grounds
for such developments, with
Northwest being saved for
private real estate specu-
latorS.
True, there are less de-
sirable areas in Southeast
Washington, just as there
are areas in other sections.
However, they cover only a
small proportion Of the en-
tire Southeast area, and the
area east of the AnacoStia
is far more open and deSir-
able for every day living
than are many other more
congested sections of the
city.
Southeast has in the past
been treated as the city's
stepchild. It's elementary
schools had to be over
capacity before new ones were
considered.
We have had to fight for
needed sewers. for more
bridges to relieve intolerable
traffic congestion, for addi-
tional fire houses, etc. OFF,
Gals lived in the Northwest
and didn't know we existed.
Only in the past few years
has it seemed that we, as
taxpayers, were getting some
thing back for our money.
Now come these new reflec-
tionS-and we rise in protest!
Mrs. Edward B. Morris,
President. Randle High
lands Citizens Associa-
ton,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14

We have always associated
it, in our own thinking, with
the fox sparrow, a sort of
cousin, removed.
The foxie scratches pleas
antly in leaves and this
habit, along with his bright
coloration makes him well
come wherever he goes.
If you see a commotion
among leaves, think first Of
a visiting fox sparrow, and
If it isn't the foxie, then
think of the white-throated
sparrow. another scratcher.
4 4 = \
The fox sparrow and the
purple finch may be regard
ed as casual visitors to most
yards.
In this class also comes
the evening grosbeak, and
now we are asked to look
out for stray specimens Of
the African cattle egrets.
These are nearly pure
white, with cinnamon-col-
ored plumes on the back Of
the head. on its back and
breast.
How the birds got to Amer
lea. in the first place. is some
thing Of a mystery.
Some experts believe they
few across on their own,
being able to fly at 40 miles
per hour. The egret is about
II inches long, which gives
him a pretty good wing
spread.
These are the birds that
perch on the horns of Afri-
can cattle and rid them Of
various insects, a nice ex-
ample Of cooperation among
the creatures.
Another theory of how
these egrets got here is that
laborers from India. shipped
to various places in South
America, brought them with
them as pets.
The cattle egret now nests
in Florida, Georgia and South
Carolina.
This egret must not be
mixed up with the snowy
egret, which is about the
same size.
The cattle egret. in addi-
ton to its colored plumes.
has a yellow bill and yellow
legs; whereas the snowy egret
has white plumes. a black
bill. and black legs with yell
low feet.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Veteran Preference

Your editorial. THE
Threatened Merit System" is
misleading. ! do not take
issue with the court decision,
including the dissent of
Judge Prettyman. His choice
Of words in his dissent was,
to say the least, unfortunate.
Your editorial, however,
did not stick to the facts.
Where in the court opinion.
as you imply, did it state that
veteran preference gradu-
ally causes the civilian service
Of the Government to be
manned by veterans of sub
stantially less qualifications
than experienced non-vet-
eranS?"
Editors note: The edito-
rial specifically attributed the
quotation, correctly. to Judge
Prettyman in his dissent.)
Veterans are not so stupid
as not to realize that certain
pressure groups are attempt
ing to detract from veteran
preference in Federal en-
ployment, and that the
favorite cry today of this
group is that superior quail
fed and long time non-vet-
Grams are being separated and
less qualified veterans. with
short periods of service, are
being retained because Of the
Veterans Preference Act. The
Civil Service Commission re-
Gently made a study Of this
very question. They could not
find this argument to be
supported by any evidence
they we're able to obtain
from agencies.
I agree with you that in
justices occur in Government
reductions in force. but it is
not due to the Veterans Pre-
ference Act. It is due to the
layoff system now used and
the continual hiring and
firing of employees by Gov
eminent agencies.
Judge Prettyman's remarks
we're based upon a hypoth-
esis, It could possibly hap
pen-but has it,. Based on
the same hypothesis the court
used. an outstanding quail
field non-veteran could be
separated by the reduction
in force system, and another
non veteran of substantially
less qualifications retained.
Surely veteran preference
does not cause this.
Under the present reduce
tion-in-force system. an out
standing qualified veteran
with a career-conditional ap-
pointment could be laid of
and q substantially less quail
fed career non-veteran re-
tanned. Veteran preference
does not cause that either.
We are all interested in
good Government. run in the
most efficient manner with
the most efficient employees.
Whatever trouble there is in
this system, 1t Is not the
Veterans Preference Act.
John w. BurPis,
DAV National Director Of
Employment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Another Mallory Upset

Another murder conviction - the
third in recent months-has been set
aside by the Court of Appeals under
the rule announced in the Mallory case.
1t should be noted, however, that
this reversal does not foreShadow the
release of the criminal-Robe Starr, jr.
The Government seemingly has enough
evidence to convict him at a new trial
without using the statement which the
appellate court held to have been lille
gally obtained.
Starr killed his wife on June II,
1856. There were numerous eyewit-
neSSes. When the police arrived, at
about O'Clock in the morning, they
questioned Starr for an unSpecified
period of time at the scene. He was
taken to the precinct station and queS-
toned for As minutes. Then he was
locked up to await further questioning
by the arreSting officer at the every
earliest opportunity" This opportunity
came at about 1880 that morning. BY
1920 transcript of questions and an
swerS had been typed up and signed by
Starr. The man thereafter was ar
ralgned, but the record does not disclose
the exact time of arraignment.
The appellate court, in a 2-to-1
decision, held that the statement was
invalid because Starr had not been ar
raigned without unnecessary delay"
as required in the Mallory decision. The
court did not say what might have con-
Cfiff1fnd cI1fH0inVaf1xy io,,, i
ment, although we do not suppose the
police were required to rout magis-
trate out of bed for an arraignment
at am. 1t is clear, however, that the
period of questioning, about 31a hours,
was too long in the courts judgment.
Thus the rule laid down in Mallory
seems to have been frightened a bit in
Starr.
There is another interesting aspect
of the Starr decision. At the trial the
Government introduced the statement,
not to prove that Starr committed the
murder, but as evidence to rebut his
claim of insanity. The defense attorney
objected, but apparently rested his OBJ
lection on the ground that the state
AACAAI AAdO OCCIl COCICCO, dIIu IlOI LlldL
1t had been obtained in violation of the
prompt arraignment rule. In view of
this the Government contended that
the latter point could not be raised for
the first time in the appeal. But the
court disagreed.
Prior to the Supreme Courts NAL
lory decision, the appellate judges said,
"the view was not uncommon that the
McNabb rule was essentially a variant
of the coerced confession rule" This is
another way of saying that, in common
understanding, there is a difference
between the Mallory ruling and the
McNabb decision of Is years ago. The
difference is that, under McNabb, many
people thought it was necessary to show
something more than mere delay in
arraignment = for instance, that a
confession was caused by the delay. In
other words, that, technically at least, 1T
was coerced. The Mallory rule, however,
says that delay of itself invalidates a
confeSSion-and thus it changes the
common understanding of the McNabb
rule.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

@. May a man cut of his
wife completely in his will?
k. X.
A. In most States he may
not. Most States require that
a wife Tor husband) must be
left at least the same part Of
the estate which she (or he)
would receive If there were
no will. In many States. II
the will does not provide as
much as the law requires,
the surviving spouse may re-
fuse to accept the amount in
the will. and may invoke the
statutory rights instead.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
Soqe on Crime

When Scion, the wise man
of Athens, was asked how
crime could possibly be abol-
ished in any state, he re-
piled: 1T will be abolished
when those who are not
wronged feel the same indig-
nation as those who are"
This bit of philosophy
from ancient Greece has a
very distinct application. it
seems to me, to our present.
day problem Of juvenile de-
linquency. Adult delinquency,
too!
Troy G, Kniffin,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14

I wish to take this means
to express my thanks TO
the Wheaton Rescue Squad
for the assistance that was
given to my family February
6. when circumstances arose
that made us very glad to
have them so close and so
willing to help. Their con-
sideration, thoughtfulness.
and assistance to my wife and
daughter we're wonderful and
I am sure could not be
matched by any other
organization.
Paul Hammett.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14

and that such travel, once the equip
ment is available for it, will be rea-
sonably safe. Indeed, regardless of all
earthbound skepticism, Explorers assur-
ances in that respect may well be vindi-
Gated within the next i've years. and
conceivably even sooner. The age Of
space is truly rushing in upon us.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used IL
letters carry tUriters' correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
SGtion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-14

pension been related to sup
Elemental income?
Rebel.
Arkansas State press., 1958-01-31
Revived Virginia NAACP Seen As
Result Of Court Ban On State Laws

last year by the Association for
the Advancement of Colored Peo-
pie and the NAACP Legal De-
Tense and Educational Fund. In
the argument heard last Septem-
Der and October, Robert L. Carter
of New York, NAACP general
counsel, and Oliver w. Hill, MAJ
CP attorney of Richmond, repre-
scented the Association. The Legal
Defense Fund was represented by
Thurgood Marshall of New York,
the Funds director counsel, and
Spottswood w. Robinson, III. of
Richmond.
Arkansas State press., 1958-01-31
Florists Plan
Detroit Meet

Members representing the exc
eutive board of the International
Florists Association, Inc, met in
Detroit last Thursday and Friday
to make plans for their annual
convention to be held in Detroit
July Is to July 16
The Motor City Florists COM
mittees were hosts to the sessions
held in the Gotham hotel, Ill
Orchestra. Those who came to De-
troit to inspect hotel and conven-
ton facilities and to discuss
plans with the local committee
were w. o. Perry of Miami, Fla.
Arkansas State press., 1958-01-31
Boulevard News

The Layman's Organization will
convene at Antioch Baptist church
February 8 at 2:30 p. m. The pub
lie is invited. Rev. V. M. Nelson
pastor, Delmo Scott, president,
J. r. Green, booster. Pilgrim
Progress Baptist church, j. R.
Green, booster, organized a BTU.
Attending were 81 members and
80 visitors. The bookes of Mat
thew, Mark and James including
rs verses were discussed. Music
program was sponsored by bro
ther James. Six quartets were
present, and the sum Of 5000, was
raised. Attending were 372 per-
sons. Rev. Miller, pastor, j. R.,
Green, booster
Arkansas State press., 1958-01-31
College Station

Odell Booker of Los Angeles
is here visiting his mother and
relatives. The senior usher
board of Mt. Nebo church had
a fish fry Saturday evening.
Antioch church had a singing
program last Sunday Walter
Thompson left Friday for Tex
arkana to attend Masonic meet
ing. Mt. Nebo church will
sponsor a chitterling supper Sat-
urday evening. &. The College
Station Women's Bible Glass