davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Thor for Britain

Although there is considerable OBJ
position to 1t in Britain, the new five
year Anglo missile agreement
flows logically from the decisions reached
at the Eisenhower Macmillan Bermuda
conference of last March and NATO's
summit" meeting in Paris last Deem
Der. Certainly, especially when viewed
In relation to Soviet advances in rock
etry and the generally dangerous nature
OF today'S world, it is an agreement that
can be fully justified as a realistic de-
fenSive endeavor to increase the Vests
deterrent power and in that way add
to the security of the United Kingdom,
our own country and the Atlantic COM
munity as whole.
Thus, in keeping with that broad
and vital objective, the agreement pro-
videS that the United States, with Ship
mentS likely to start late this year, will
supply Britain with Thor intermediate
range balliStic missiles capable of hitting
targets at a distance of $500 or more
miles from the launching site. 1t pro-
vides, too, that we will make available to
the British nuclear warheadS of type
designed to be delivered by those missiles
in the event of war; At the same time,
however, the accord makes clear that the
warheadS will remain under our owner
ship and control unless or until there is
a joint Anglo-American decision that
circumstances" (meaning, presumably,
aggressive enemy action) require that
the weapons be unleaShed forthwith.
1t can be argued, of course, that such
decision would call for inter-allied
consultation of sort that might be so
time-consuming as to rule out the posi-
bility of an effective retaliatory answer
TO surprise Soviet attack big enough to
devastate free Europe within a matter
OF minutes. But our Anglo-American
military experts apparently are con-
WINGED that the agreement allows for
sufhciently swift action to bolster NATO's
strategy of difference against that kind
OF aggression. In any event, acting on
that assumption, Britain has committed
itself to prepare the necessary launching
sites (and also to develop an advanced
missile of its own while we have UNDER
taken to supply the Thor IRBMs and the
nuclear warheads.
Needless to say, this is not policy
that cheers the heart. For what it boils
down to is grim and deadly business in
which the West is posing its own mis-
siles against those of the Kremlin to
maintain balance of terror" deemed
essential to survival. But one cannot
argue against such a course without
arguing at the same time that the At
lantic community and the free world at
large should go unarmed in this field
even at the risk of being annihilated.
Clearly, as long as the Soviet Union re-
jectS effective international disarma-
ment, we and our allies must strengthen
our defenSes with measures like the
Anglo-American Thor agreement.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
T uxpoyer's Lament

Why, oh why, can't the
Fairfax school and county
officials learn to live within
the available revenue for their
budgetary demands-particu-
larry with the present existing
state of affairs? Here again
this year it is the same old
story with the school budget
20 per cent higher and a
probable Ascent tax increase.
Fairfax officials seem to
overlook the fact that approx
imately 10000 home and
property owners signed a pc
tition last year requesting
that the tax rate be lowered.
The existing tax rate of
1925 is a burden to many
home and property owners
and works a hardship on
many. Some people have &C
tually been taxed right out
of their homes.
A property owner pays 81
per cent of all revenue COL
lected by the county, accord
ing to a report last year by
the Northern Virginia Re-
gional Planning and Eco
nomic Development Commits
sion.
Do the school and county
officials consider the above
facts as important when pre-
pairing the budgets? Evil
IDENTIFY not. 1t appears to me
that they are more con-
cerned with their own spe-
cial interests in building up
their departments - higher
salaries, hiring more en-
ployes, etc.
Mrs. M. Curtis.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Crime Control

Congratulations to tn e
Metropolitan police for as
signing more police to patrol
beats where crime seems
worst.
The Police Department
alone is not able to make our
city completely safe, but it is
the task of every citizen to
aid this city-wide crusade for
the reduction of crime and
the protection Of life.
More plain clothes men
should be used; women
should not travel at night
alone; social betterment SER
mons should be preached
more often, and all citizens
should be highly vigilant of
suspicious persons seeking to
become familiar.
Davis w. Board, Ph.D.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Viruinio's Leaders

Why print at such length
such absurdities as those
from Henry P. Taylor on
great Virginians"?
Everyone in Virginia who
has done any thinking since
1860 is painfully aware Of
how the present leadership
would stand up with Virgin
ians like Jefferson. In fact
the difference is so vast and
so obvious between present
and past leadership that the
subject is seldom raised by
those trying to defend the
present.
Here is the only compare
son intelligent people can
make: Great humanitarians
like Jefferson wrote our Con-
stitution, to which present
leaders in Virginia are apply
ing massive resistance"
But apparently to Mr.. Tay-
lor and many others these
two views are 100 per cent in
agreement. Too much, too
muchi Cliff Owsley.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Hiqher Annuities

Would someone like to bet
that this current Republican
administration will not find
the means of depriving re-
tired civil service employees
of a living annuity?
The last two Congresses
were overwhelmingly in favor
Of such legislation, and many
members Of this Congress
have introduced bills to help
those good men and women
who devoted q lifetime to
Government service. They
paid a portion Of their salary
each month under the false
impression that they would
have a semblance Of security
in their old age.
Our current Republican
administration says: mo;
we need that money for the
Far East or Near East, but
We just cannot afford to
redeem our promises to those
civil servants that we signed
up 80 years ago!"
Retired, Disabled
and DiSillusiOned.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Birthday Sales

Thanks to The Star for re-
porting ceremonies honoring
the Father of his Country"
I contrived to find a brief
reference on Page "a Of the
issue of February %. 1t would
have been difficult to miss the
front-page photograph of
shoppers milling around Elev-
enth and F.
After all, for what have we
to thank George washington.
whose birthday was formerly
celebrated on February %?
Just the little episode Of free
ing our country from tyranny.
Besides, that was less than
two centuries ago. Perhaps it
is an event not old enough
to be venerable. The subject
of bargain hunters on Feb
ruary %, on the other hand.
suggests an ancient occur
renee: The driving of the
money changers" from the
temple. Early bird shoppers
made the front page; stealing
the show, doubtless by reason
of the antiquity of the event
that was memorialized in The
Star.
Yours, with memories of
Valley Forge,
Thelma r. Miller.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Mr.. Mack Should Go

Richard A. Mack should resign from
the Federal Communications Commits
sion. He should do this, we think, even
If one accepts at face value his testimony
before the Harris subcommittee and puts
the most favorable Interpretation on it.
For Mr.. Mack, whatever the fact as
= to his personal integrity, simply Is not
qualified, on the basis Of his own teSti-
mony, to serve on this important regu-
1atory agency. If he should remain on
the FEC no one would have confidence
In any vote he might cast in the future.
And this alone, putting aside other con-
SiderationS, is reason enough for him
to resign.
Mr.. Mack has had his "day in court"
and has told his story. It has been
story which was summed up rather well
by Chairman Harris when he said to
Mr.. Mack: II feel sorry for you. You
are to be pitied, in my opinion, because
think you have been used as tool
in this unfortunate mess"
It is a mess. It is true that there is
no place for tools on the FEC. In saying
this we do not mean to imply that the
departure of Mr.. Mack, If he decides to
resign, will end the matter. For this, as
Chairman Harris has said, would be but
a FIRST step" in correcting this eds
graceful situation" The evidence which
has been developed up to this point
indicates that there is something very
much wrong with the internal operations
of the FEC and with the external pres
sureS which have been brought to bear
on that agency. 1t will not be enough
to put the skids under Mr.. Mack. A
thorough housekeeping is needed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Report

The Associated Press gives
a review of a forthcoming
report from the Kinsey In
stitute purported to furnish
data on premarital behavior,
and percentages relative to
those who stumble and how
their future is affected. Youth
should be warned against
reading such trash. It would
be better to remind that,
Blessed are the pure in
heart"
Referring to behavior dur
ing courtships of 5 to 10
years, the report seems to
excuse the liberties which
might be taken, indicating
that maintaining chastity sis,
biologically speaking, a most
unnatural, as well as difficult
task"
Does mankind need such
Kinsey reports for its welfare
and progress? King Solomon.
with all his wisdom, expert
ence and observation, ought
to be thought a better author
ity on this subject; and in
Proverbs xiv,12, we read:
"There is a way which
seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the
ways Of DEATH"
The oldest book in the Bible
contains more wisdom. In
Job we read:
"If iniquity be in thine
hand, put it far away, and let
not wickedness dwell in thy
tabernacles."
nuak.Iaa
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
TroHeys Made 1t

If nothing else good was
accomplished, the baby biz
zard in Washington should
certainly have convinced the
authorities that Streetcars
are absolutely necessary for
mass transportation. With
sll the hills, grades and in
clines of Washington, 1t
should be apparent now-if
never before-that buses can
neither make the grade" nor
accommodate the hordes in
an emergency such as this
was.
The answer, as far as the
transit company is con-
cerned, is to give better and
more adequate service, in or
der to increase patronage. AS
for the P. U. C. if the officials
who dictate procedures for
others to carry out would
find it necessary themselves
to use public transportation
they would soon find out
the advantageous use Of
streetcars over buses. Vehic-
ular travel is difficult enough
without more buses clutter
ing up the streets. There is
no reason why this city can
not make use of both.
H. L. H.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
FWe-Cent Stamp

Harry truman Salo: II Cney
(the Republicans have over
looked anybody in dishing out
punishment, I don't know
who 1t is. In fact, if you are
not on this list in any other
way, you haven't been for
gotten-you1l get a scent
stampl"
Is Harry so naive as to be-
lieve that he can hoodwink
the American public into be-
lieving that the President
establishes our postal rates?
Does he not know that Con-
gress, and Congress alone,
has the power to enact legis-
lation setting these rates?
And does he not know that
his Democratic friends con-
troll both branches Of Con-
gresS?
And If he is so ill-informed,
does he not follow the day by
day accounts Of actions Of
his Democratic controlled
committees in Congress to
know that only last week his
Democrat-controlled Senate
Committee on Post ONCE and
Civil Service reported out the
bill carrying the scent postal
rate on out-of-town first
class mail by q 2 to 6 vote?
And whose vote brought out
the bill by this one-vote mar
gin-none other than Demo-
crat Senator Neuberger Of
Oregonl Let him read the
colloquy on the floor Of the
Senate last Thursday between
the two great CD Senators
from Oregon-Neuberger and
Morse-battling each other
tooth and nail over this very
provision - and then see
whether "give 'em hell"
Harry can in any way justify
his charge that you'll get a
Scent stamp" from this Ad-
ministration!
About time Harry awakened
to the fact that the American
people believe in fair-play,
truth and factual criticism.
T. H. d.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES z. TRACEWELL

greens, pines and ivy-cov-
cred walls, we would see a
host of sleeping birds.
Tangles of rose vines on
fences, as our particular win
tering mockingbird had dis
covered, make a fine sleep
ing place.
Ivy growing up tree trunks
also is a good resting place.
particularly for common
sparrows, but some of the
larger birds also prefer this
position.
Some years ago, before our
big locust tree had to be
taken down, we watched the
going to bed of a jay.
He flew into the ivy at 4
O'Clock on that winter day,
and spent at least half an
hour getting himself fixed for
the night.
First, he would disappear
among the leaves.
There would be a move
ment, a rustic, and out his
head would pop.
Then he would go under
again, and we could see him
burrowing himself along the
trunk. In this way he man
aged to move some four feet
before he finally found the
spot that suited him best.
The whole performance re-
minded the watcher Of some
human being settling himself
down for the night. first
moving his pillow this way
and then that, fixing the
covers to his better satisfac-
ton, then smuggling down.
Nature has so adjusted the
temperature Of the birds
(higher than ours) and the
matter Of their feathery pro-
lection so that they are able
to go through even the worst
nights snug and warm, pro-
vided they have had enough
to eat during the day.
The bird temperature rang
es from 1903 to Ill degrees.
according to the species.
Birds in deep snow will be
suspicious, at first, Of paths
dug out, and may not come
down right away to food put
in them.
This suspicion is normal
with them, and will be over
come by hunger in due time.
To be suspicious is a proper
part of bird psychology. 1t
saves them from harm in
many a situation.
Their brain power is small.
by comparison with that Of
man, but it is sufficient for
them. Combined with their
intense nervous setup, 1t
makes caution" a real word
In their vocabulary, even
though they have no alpha
bet, or dictionaries. They do
not need any, so long as there
are enough human beings to
help them In the cold.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
Step Toward Area Pact
Chances of Virginia's pa

Chances of Virginia's participation
in a Washington Metropolitan Area
transit regulation pact have greatly
improved as result of the unanimous
approval by the State Senate of a bill
to create Unconstitutional commission.
Virginia in the past has SHE'D away from
proposals for such pact, being loath
to give up any State control in the public
utility field. However, the Senate was
advised by the bills chief sponsor,
Arlington Senator Fenwick, that the
proposed agency, instead of invading
State powers, would give Virginia voice
in regulatory authority now vested in
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Senator Fenwick is right. Under the
present diSjointed arrangement, intrd-
state transportation is handled by the
State Corporation Commission, while
bus operations across the District line
come under the jurisdiction of the ICC.
1t is obviously confusing to have the
suburban buslines under orders from
both the State and Federal agencies.
Furthermore, neither the ICC nor any
other regulatory agency exerts any
control over INTERPRETATIONS taxicab
fares or services in the Metropolitan
Area. This is void that only regional
agency could fill. And it ought to be
filled as soon as possible.
The proposed commission would
consist of representatives of the Virginia
State Corporation Commission, the Dis
trict Public Utilities Commission and
the Maryland Public Service Commits
sion. Such an agency, of course, must be
created by interstate compact The Vir-
ginia Senate has given the movement
a big push. We hope the House of Dele
gates will join in approving the plan
at the current session. Then only action
by the Maryland Legislature and by
Congress will be necessary to clinch the
agreement The latter bodies are likely
to fall in line in due time. Virginia has
been regarded as the biggest hurdle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01
THE POLITICAL MILL
Hoover Advises Expenditure Cuts
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Former President Herbert
Hoover, joining the rising
chorus on what to do about
the business recession, has
declared that the greatest
possible stimulant to recov-
cry" would be a tax cut. &C.
companied by and made pos
sible by cuts in Government
expenditures. In addition,
the former President has
taken a strong stand against
any wave of wage increases,
and against any wave Of
price increases by industry.
His advice was given In an
address before the New York
Chamber of Commerce. Mr..
Hoover took occasion to de-
clare that the present slump
in business and employment
is minor" and no indication
that a depression comparable
to that which started in 1929
is to follow.
The former President
harshly criticized proposals
that there should be a cut in
taxes without a correspond
ing reduction In Government
expenditures to maintain a
balanced budget. He described
these proposals-for a tax
cut and high or higher Gov
eminent spending-as opiate
drugs that should be re-
garded with horror" That
opiate, he insisted, will
poison you with more in
fiation," and he added: mo
doubt the voices Of the pres
sure groups will rise in even
greater anguish over any
such cut in Government
expenditures"
Kerr FavOrs Spending
In contrast to Mr.. Hoover's
advice, Senator Kerr, Okla
homa Democrat, apparently
is anxious to have the adj
ministration and Congress
rush into higher spending,
along with local and State
governments for many kinds
Of domestic projects, as well
as the national defense pro-
gram. He proposes that the
Government should immedi-
ately step up public works
programs Of flood control,
soil and water conservation
and development, reclama-
ton and road building. And
he adds, there should be a
broadening Of the base of
\ un e m plo yment insurance,
and immediate tax adjust
ment by increasing personal
exemption (of the income
taxi from $500 to $500, in
creasing the purchasing pow
er of 80 million taxpayers. /"
And apparently Sen ator
Kerr's proposal, if carried
out, would lead to greater
imitation. It is still to be DEM
onstrated that the cure for in
flation is more imitation, that
the cure for higher prices is
more imitation.
Mr.. Hoover, like President
Eisenhower, is firm in his
position that the defenses of
the country must be main
tanned, no matter what the
cost. He referred, indeed, to
an address the President
made in Oklahoma last No
vember, in which Mr.. Eisen-
hover said increased expend-
itures for defense would have
to come out of nondefense
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01

programs, some OF which
would have to be deferred.
This, the President said.
would result in walls Of
anguish from the pressure
groups. Mr.. Hoover COM
mented that there are 1900
such pressure groups with
headquarters in Washington.
"Those who do not know
how these cuts in expenditures
can be done without injury
to any essential service can
find the answer in plain
language in the reports Of
the Commission on Organi-
zaticn of the Government"
(the bipartisan, nonparti.
san Hoover Commission),
Mr.. Hoover told the New
York Chamber Of Commerce.
And in this, the former
President knows what he Is
talking about. For example,
a major recommendation OF
the Hoover Commission Is
contained in a House bill
scheduled to come before the
House next Wednesday, a
bill which would strengthen
congressional control over
spending by placing appro.
priations, including long.
range programs, on a year.
to-year basis. Federal agen-
cies under its provisions
would be required to SUBJ
NIT annual progress reports
on all projects to justify ad-
ditional funds, thereby Civ
ing Congress a look once a
year at all these Government
programs. AS things stand,
huge "carryover" appropria-
tons pass into the hands Of
Government agencies beyond
further congressional review.
The current total Of these
carryovers is estimated at
$40 billion-not millions, but
billions Of dollars. A similar
bill passed the Senate, Of
fered by Senators Byrd Of
Virginia, Kennedy of Mas
sachusetts and Payne Of
Maine-two Democrats and
one Republican-in the last
session of Congress, but it
was sidetracked in the House.
The House is finally to have
a chance to vote on it. 1t
could result, If enacted into
law, in very material savings
to the Government and the
taxpayers.
A Public Boomerang
The outpourings Of gloomy
predictions about the eco
nomic situation from Demo.
cratic leaders has mounted
but here and there Demo-
cratic leaders in Congress
are taking another look.
They fear that this pessi-
mism may be overdone. and
prove a boomerang. On the
Republican side, President
Eisenhower, Vice President
Nixon and Secretary Of Com
merce Weeks have taken a
more optimistic view Of the
situation. At the same time,
they have asserted firmly
that the Federal Govern
ment will take whatever &C
ton is necessary to stop the
economic downturn and slim
ulate recovery. AS Mr.. Nixon
has said, it is a question
of timing; that too fast andN
too great action can only re-
suit in increased imitation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-01

In the recent snowstorm,
our mockingbird took refuge
in a tangled rose vine on the
fence.
The gray-and-white bird
stood his ground against the
bitter wind and the cold by
remaining beneath the thick
pad of snow over him.
Thorns seemed to present
no difficulty at all to him.
He hoped around almost
gaily, from one branch to
another. He faded out of
sight amid the tangle, then
appeared again.
Where he spent the night,
we did not know, but there
he was next morning, all
primed to perch on the porch
railing and chirp for raiSins.
This is a special sort of
noise. It might well be called
his raisin song.
Seedless raiSins make the
best food for him and others,
notably the cardinals. There
is a whole set Of raisin eaters,
most of which have not APP
peared on the local bird scene
as yet.
Poor shivering robins,
caught in the inclement
weather, found the raisins
their best protective food.
A few raisinS go a long way,
with q bird.
The mocker, for instance,
even on the coolest days, did
not eat more than three OF
them at a time.
This contrasted with the
greed of the starlings. These
also like raisinS, but could
consume a boxful at a time.
4 4 \ 4
Bread makes the best
starting food.
In putting out raisins,
bread and kibbled dog food
for the big black birds, we
found that they ate the
raisins first, the bread next,
and the dog food last.
One Of the troubles with
moistened kibbled dog food
is that 1t freezes in bitter cold
weather before the birds can
eat 1t.
It is very difficult in such
weather to furnish the birds
with water.
Fortunately, many Of them
eat snow. The starlings are
experts at this, and seem to
get a real kick out Of doing 1t.
We will never forget one
canny old starting. He did
not like the idea Of freezing
his claws, so lit on the back
Of a friend, from which po-
sition, he seized a piece Of
bread, then few away.
AS far as we could see, the
bird selected as a footstool
did not mind in the least, II
he ever knew what had hap
pened.
= -
Where do birds sleep?
II we could look into ever