davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
No Apology Required

The Soviet note protesting the
boarding of a Russian trawler by an
American naval inspection party follows
the usual Red line in seeing devious
and dangerous motives behind the Ing
cident. The note accused the United
States Of having provocative aims" in
mind in OBTAINING and inspecting the
fishing boat This, of course, is nonsense.
AS the State Department already
has stressed. the boarding was both
justified and legal 1t was justified
because of the circumstantial evidence
that the presence of the trawler in the
area where several transatlantic cables
had been severed within a few days
period was more than coincidental. It
was legal because an 1884 treaty with
Czarist Russia, later subscribed to by
the Soviet regime, authorized such in
SpectionS in the interest of protecting
submarine cables from sabotage or acct
dental damage and of investigating any
such damage.
The inspection itself was done with
out any display of force by either side.
And while no evidence was found to in
dictate that the vessel had cut the cables
deliberately, the naval officer in charge
of the boarding party has expressed
the opinion that it was probably quite
likely" that the trawler's gear in some
way had broken the cables. In any
event, there have been no further
damage reports since the Soviet vessel
departed the scene.
In summary, it was entirely proper
for the American Government to in
vestigate the series of cable breaks of
Newfoundland and to detafn. and in
spect any vessel in the vicinity which,
accidentally or Intentionally, might have
been responsible. To suggest that in
doing so we were just trying to stir up
trouble is too silly to be taken seriously
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
LETTERS TO THE STAR

liamsburg, school patrol sum-
mer camp. funds for room
mothers. water coolers. PA.
systems, TV sets for the
science program-these will
be provided to our schools
and our children by the only
method known in Fairfax
County at this time-PTA
fund raising activities
which. incidentally, many Of
us find is fun and social in
nature.
One can hopefully wish
neither Of these gentlemen
meant what he said and that
all Of US will continue to
work harmoniously together
toward the goal of better
schools and education in
Fairfax County.
Gordon F. Lombard,
President, Fairfax Ele-
mentary PTA.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
Move DC. to Md?

Home rule Tor the District
is an oft and long debated
subject. Now Gerhard van
Arkel and The Star are con-
sidering the pros and cons
of statehood for the District.
I have a plan, which may
not be original. but 1t would
possibly eliminate some Of
the objections many people
have to home rule. It is to
make Washington a city in
the State Of Maryland and
let 1t include the suburbs
which are now parts OF
Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties. Then
Washington would extend to
the outer edge Of Bethesda,
Silver Spring, Takoma Park.
Hyattsville or Riyerdale and
around to Suitland. The
Post ONCE Department has
already put this plan into
partial operation by includ-
ing Bethesda and Chevy
Chase in the Washington
postal zones.
Such a city could elect a
mayor and a Congressman.
The incongruity imposed by
an obsolete District Of CO.
lumbia would be eliminated
and Maryland would gain in
stature. Several highway
problems which cannot be
resolved under the present
dual control of the area
would then come under con-
troll of one commission. The
latter include the entry point
into Washington of the re-
placement of the existing
U. s. Route 240. Considera-
ton of a public transit sys-
TEN rapid and efficient
enough to attract commut-
ers would be facilitated.
Congress would be relieved
of the petty and subordinate
duties of operating a city.
Disputes like that now going
on between the milk pro-
ducers and distributors could
be settled with more efficacy.
This plan would involve
much planning and a big
task of recognizing If it
were to be put into effect,
but with the support Of the
people concerned it could be
done.
william j. Bowen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
Mr.. Ebon Into Politics

E Abba Eban has spent almost a
decade among us as Israel'S Ambassador
to the United States and Permanent
Representative to the United Nations.
The posts have been exacting ones, but
through all his years of activity in them
intense years, including more than
few moments of criSiS-he has served
his young and often embattled country
with great distinction. PerSonable,
energetic and highly articulate, he has
labored hard and effectively for the
Israeli cause. And he has done so not
only in his formal diplomatic capacity,
but also in many hundreds of meetings
with nongovernmental groups Of Amer
leans to whom he has spoken eloquently
about his land and its aspirations
But now Mr.. Eban has reached
point where he has decided to resign
defective at the end of May from his
arduous ambassadorial role in order to
run for office back in Israel. Still in
his 40s, he is relatively young man,
and he is endowed with all the makings
of formidable campaigner In that
respect, Prime Minister Ben-Gurion
does not seem to have exaggerated in
writing to him that your Indignation
into the political life of our country
heralds many achievements no less
great than those which you have accom-
plished as our representative abroad.
I am certain that the strength which
has sustained you in your foreign serv-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
Rice Prevents Plant Infections

far from a plantless land. a.
1t is ordinarily described.
This is the conclusion Of
DR.. @. A. Llano, National Re-
search Council biologist. afte
studies over q variety Of en-
vironments in the south po-
lar region.
True, DR.. Llano says. no
Towering plants have been
found or are likely to be
found But there is an album
dance Of MOSES and lichens
which can be expected to
extend, under favorable cir
cumstances. far toward the
South Pole.
The land is the coolest on
earth but. says DR.. Llano,
cold per Sc is not the inhibit-
ing force which limits plant
growth. Vegetation Is de-
pendent on a combination Of
sunshine and moisture. the
latter not necessarily sea-
sonal precipitation.
Insulation (sunshine) dur
ing the light period Of the
southern summer" he says.
builds up a shallow heat
layer over the rocks and earth
which is quite independent
of air temperature. During
the growing season the vege-
tation of the land exists
under micro-climatic condi-
tons not too dissimilar to
comparable sites in temperate
regions"
Volcanic Bubble In Area
For example. he says. the
summit Of the headland at
Cape Hallett. site Of one Of
the United States Interna-
tional Geophysical Year sta
tons, proved Unexpectedly
rich. Lichen growth has a
luxuriousness all out of pro-
portion to the surroundings.
The area studied consists
of about 20 acres Of reddish
volcanic rubble, a good abb
sorbent Of solar radiation.
hemmed in by massive. tow
ering ice fields. The place
is irrigated by a slight, sea-
sonal seepage from the sur
rounding ice and snow fields.
Not far away is a penguin
rookery. with about a quarter
million birds, which has been
in existence, it is indicated.
for more than 1000 years. A
fine powder blowing of the
deposit of guiana overlooking
the rookery is raised by drafts
to fertilize the face of the
headland. No plant life.
however, was found in the
rookery itself.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

Francisco's Chinatown, which
is "a city within a city" and
the largest Chinese commu-
nifty outside the Orient. 1t
has its own post Office. tele-
phone exchange, hospital,
newspapers and business
district.
@. Can a Congressman be
arrested for speeding while
on his way to or from a SeS-
sion of Congress?-K.M.
A. No. The Constitution
provides. in Article I, Section
6; The Senators and Repre-
SentativeS shall in al
Cases, except Treason. Fell
ony and Breach of the Peace,
be privileged from Arrest
during their Attendance at
the Session of their respec-
tive Houses, and in going to
and returning from the
same"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
The Promise of Water

Last summer, IN his Middle East
address to the United Nations, President
Eisenhower optimistically asserted that
the worlds water-supply problem-a
constantly growing problem Of tremen-
dous significance to the future Of man
kind-was on "the threshold Of solu-
ton" And now, scarcely six months
later, Secretary Of the Interior Fred A.
Seaton has indicated that we are about
to cross that threshold with remark
able breakthrough."
The breakthrough has to do with
the desalting of ocean water and the
publication of brackish inland water.
AS recently as five years ago, the most
advanced types Of distilling equipment
could achieve sucn conversion only
at the prohibitive cost of about SIS
per 1000 gallons. Since then, however,
and especially within the past several
months, the Interior Departments ex-
perts, working in cooperation with
nongovernmental specialists, have de-
vised new techniques and machinery
that promise, according to Mr.. Seaton,
to produce fresh water from the sea
for less than 81 per 1000 gallons"
On the basis Of this promise, our
country now is engaged in a number of
experimental desalting projects. These
include the operation of a demonstra-
ton plant capable Of converting Ska
water into fresh water at a rate Of
million gallons day. They are de-
CD 80 he xxr1aa
processes will be able to supply mankind
with virtually limitless quantities of
white coal" Zone Of waters apter
names) at relatively very low cost.
The cost, in short, would be roughly
equivalent to what most American
householders currently pay for this ABB
Solutely indispensable commodity
proximately 80 cents per 1000 gallons.
Certainly, given limitless supply
at such a reasonable costa limitlesS
supply of fresh water converted from
the salty oceans and all the worlds
brackiSh bays and INVESTIGATIONS every
where would have a vast new source of
wealth. A country like Egypt, for ex-
ample, would be blessed with the where
withal to transform its desert areas into
lush gardens. And lands like our own,
which are already beginning to thirst
for white coal" in some sectors, would
be able to stop worrying about having
enough of this liquid treasure (which is
as essential to life and progress as the
very air we breathe) to meet the agrf-
cultural and industrial demands of an
explosively multiplying population.
Viewed in this light, what Secretary
Seaton has said about desalting break
through constitutes a promise whose
significance can hardly be exaggerated.
For If the promise is fulfilled in the
next decade or so, as seems likely, not
only our own country but all mankind
will reap benefits of incalculable value.
Indeed, when we think of what fresh
water means to life, few things could
seem more important than this prospect.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
School Funds

Falls Church Councilman
William H. Hansbarger is
reported to have said that
all citizens should be willing
to pay for an adequate pub
lie school system.
It is refreshing to have a
member Of the city council
of the most highly educated
community in the United
States come out in support
Of the principle Of tax
supported public education.
However. since this idea is
about as novel as the postal
system and the secret ballot.
citizens Of Falls Church may
well be wondering what
prompted their councilman
to issue his Endorsement. The
following incident may pro-
vide q clue:
About a year ago. during a
recess at a council meeting.
Mr.. HanSbarger became in
volved in a conversation with
another citizen and myself
regarding the proposed bond
issue for construction at
George Mason High School.
In the course Of the dis
.cussion. Mr.. Hansbarger said
to us that he wants good
schools, too. but he wants
them paid for by those who
use them--not by 60-year-
old people who get no bene-
1T from them:
Mr.. HanSbarger's council
seat is one Of three that will
be at stake in the election
next June. 1t is possible he
has decided that the voters
might consider his views
somewhat archaic, and that
perhaps it would be polite
at this time to put in a good
word for public education,
Charles ]. Hedetniemi, Sr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09

@. Why are deserts like
the Sahara so hot in the day
time and so cold at night?
B. F.
A. Desert areas have a very
dry atmosphere and because
of this there are relatively
few clouds. Without clouds
the suns rays strike the
earth directly during the day
and send the temperature
soaring. At night the absence
Of clouds allows the earth to
radiate freely the heat &C
cumulated during the day,
and the temperature falls &C
cordingly.
@. Is there a Chinese
Chamber of Commerce in
San Francisco?-P. H.
A. Yes. It's address is 100
Sacramento St., San Fran
cisco 8. Calf. More than
10000 Chinese live in San
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
THIS AND THAT,
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

there in the air to be a re-
roof to all the stoop-Shoul-
dered so-and-sos who go
around the world causing
misery and woe.
We watched a very famous
personality the other day as
he walked along the street.
Head bent forward, shoul-
ders Slumped. eyes glazed with
detection. he walked. the very
embodiment of disaster.
Yet that same character
had a wonderful job, all the
money in the world. homes.
boats, cars. a lovely wife and
charming children
His looks bespoke disaster,
however. We wondered how
he could be so ungrateful.
Our robins know better.
They find their lives WORTH
while.
So do the little SparrowS.
and the larger orioles. and
the still bigger hawks.
Every flying thing seems to
find fun in life. Why can't
we?
We are beginning to think.
after a long lifetime of try
ing not to think it, that one
reason we don't find fun is
because of such ungrateful
persons.
They are our leaders, and
they let us down.
There is more than one
way, in this wonder-world,
to let people down.
Not to say good morning
in a cheerful tone. is one.
Not to be grateful for the
favors Of life, is another.
What must the Lord Of all
good things think of us if we
carp, talk nasty to others.
and stick people in the back
when they are not looking?
Robins don't do such
things, of course, and that is
one of the great things in
their favor. in a world made
acrid by fallout and other
deadly things for which no
bird il responsible.
When the grand blowup
comes, it will take millions Of
fine birds with it, but perhaps
some of them will be left, and
they will wing their way to
some deep forests where they
can forget what man tried to
do to them.
In the happy meantime. let
us realize that there are SER
mons in stones, as the poet
said. also in robins, titmice.
chickadeeS. white-breasted
nuthatches, warblers. crows
and bluejayS, to name only a
few of the happy throng.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
For Better Schools

The OLD adage OF bltlng
the hand that feeds" was
most aptly brought home to
the many Fairfax County
PTA members In the state
ments attributed to Sup of
Schools Woodson and School
Board Member Solomon.
wherein the former COM
plains that PTAs are strain
ing electrical and mechani-
cal systems of the schools
with their gifts. and the
latter feels that PTAs should
stop raising money and con-
centrate on discussing edu-
cational and parental prob
lens. Such statements from
men Of this stature in Fair
fax County border on the
ridiculous.
Today's school system in
Fairfax County Is an elo-
quent example of the objects
of the PTAs: a heroic exam
pie Of the sweat, toll, plead
ing and pressuring of the
PTAS who have labored on
their own time evenings and
week ends with no compen-
Sation in mind except enough
schools for our children,
better schools for our chill
dren. better compensation
and conditions for our teach
ers. more professional help
for our hard-preSsed admin
istrative staff, who fought
and still fight to keep Vir-
ginia's schools open, and will
continue to fight on until our
schools and our children's
educational system are the
best. No individual, no group
has done more for the schools
of Fairfax County than the
PTAS.
The Fairfax County PTAs
do not ask for the so-called
frills in their schools-they
want only the schools and
teachers and essentials for
our children's education. The
unnecessary items such as
playground equipment, band
instruments, cafeteria and
library Grapes, school library
books, summer recreation
programs, field trips to VIII
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09

ice will be with you in even greater
measure at home"
This accolade has been well earned
by Mr.. Eban. Just as he has starred In
his work as Ambassador to the United
States and as his country's voice in the
U. NJ, he Is likely to shine more and
more, In the years ahead, in the do
nestle political life of Israel. AS far
as that goes. he can be sure that he
has the best wishes Of all his friends
in America. Whoever is named to sue
coed him here will have big shoes to I'LL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09

In order that the public
may better appreciate a COM
pick legal situation, the fol-
lowing information will as
sist in understanding my pur-
pose in intervening in the
case of Harrison v. Day.
The Attorney General OF
Virginia has requested a re-
hearing in the case. based on
his contention that section
1919 Of the constitution. pro-
viding that the General As
Sembly shall establish an eff
flcient system of public free
schools. was nullifled when
the Supreme Court of the
United States declared sec
ton lao of the Virginia con-
stitution invalid.
! subsequently interviewed,
not for that purpose. but to
request the court to recon-
slider a sweeping statement 1t
made in the course of its
opinion. and which was not
necessary to the decision,
imposing upon the General
Assembly a responsibility for
maintaining the public schools
in the State far beyond what
the constitution of Virginia
now provides.
In the first place, this ex-
traneous statement, or die
tum. Of the court constitutes
judicial lawmaking. OF vital
Importance, however, is the
fact that the Interpretation
Of the court places such a
far-reaching duty upon the
General Assembly that the
expense could become so
monumental pressure would
be generated all over the
State for repeal of section
1919.
Furthermore, should a large
number of Virginia commu-
mites withdraw local sup
port from public schools,
which they have the right to
do under section 1876 of the
constitution. then under the
courts definition of efficient"
a large part of the financial
responsibility for maintaining
public schools in other Sec
tions or the State would fall
on Northern Virginia and
similar type communities.
This would mean that our
people would be subjected to
a heavy and inequitable tax
burden.
C. Harrison Mann, Jr.,
Arlington Representative,
Virginia House of Dele
gates.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
EVANSVILLE, Md.
Dear Sir:

Dear Sir:
"A friend in Florida once
told me while on a visit here
she could not like the mock
ingbird due to the fact it de-
Scended on her dog and
pecked at him.
THE mocker may have
some bad traits. but there is
one that comes every morn
ing when we sit indoors to
breakfast, near the kitchen
window. He is a regular guest.
HE is quite a bully, chasing
jays, starlings and the cardi-
mails. but he is so cute with
it all.
HE does not begin to eat
the suet. bread crumbs dipped
in drippings. ETC.. until he
has stood guard awhile. chas-
ing even the starlings.
His antics are entertaining
and comical as can be.
y
I'VE notice particularly
how the cardinal waits for all
the other birds before he
feeds.
This Christmas, when our
tree was at the front window,
a cardinal came to the win
dow regularly every morning,
perching on an evergreen
looking intently at the orna-
ments.
II wondered if perhaps he
saw his reflection in the
bright balls on the tree.
II left my tree up a week
overtime for him especially.
I'VE want to thank you for
the peaceful note in the day
your column brings us con-
stantly.
Sincerely, M. W."
y 4 X 4
LINCOLN, Va.
Dear Sir.
"Just to keep the record
straight:
please be advised that my
boy Jim and I saw four rob-
ms last Saturday in a field
that had been grubbed and
burned.
They were as frisky as
could be and appeared to be
having fun. Cardinals are a
dime a dozen!
Yours truly. G. P. G."
The robins appeared to be
having fun.
This is one Of the truly
great traits of robins.
In fact, if one stops to think
of it. it is more or less true of
all birds that they seem to en-
Joy life.
Perhaps they were put
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
Encourages Korrick

The term Of District Com
missioner David B. Karrick
expires next month. Al
though he has indicated that
he would not seek reappoint-
ment. 1t Is nevertheless posi-
BILE that he would accept 1t If
offered. There is need, how
ever. for some encourage
ment.
Commissioner Karrick has
been outstanding during his
first term. He has given
generously Of time and effort
to the several areas Of his
responsibility. His activity
with regard to public health
problems has been most note
worthy. When he took office
our Department Of Public
Health was beset by many
serious problems Of admins
tration and finance. Through
his interest and action many
of these were resolved or al
leviated. In addition, he has
spoken effectively before
Congress in behalf Of budget
requests for the Health De-
partment.
The District is exceedingly
fortunate to have a man Of
such ability, integrity and
unselfish devotion to COM
munity problems serving as
Commissioner. 1t Is highly
desirable that he continue in
his present ONCE for a second
term, in order that the con-
tinuity Of progress he has
begun may not be inter-
rupted. We have one Of the
best Commissioners possible.
Let US try to keep him and
encourage. his acceptance Of
reappointment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09

Something In rice pre-
vents virus infections in
plants.
When this is isolated 1t
may be applicable to some
devastating human diseases.
This discovery is an
nounced by scientists Of the
Army Chemical Corps follow
ing experiments in which
bean plants were inoculated
with the well-known tobacco
mosaic virus, fatal to a wide
variety Of plant life. Some
Of the plants after the in
oculation we're dipped in
solutions containing rice ex-
tracts. In most cases, accord
ing to the report, the treated
plants grew and remained
healthy while the untreated
ones died or were severely
damaged.
Following this several diff
ferent parts Of several rice
varieties were used, notably
"rice juice" from crushed
leaves and rice polish. the
byproduct remaining after
rice kernels are milled. The
polish. in general. proved
to be the most effective Of all
the extracts. It did not ap-
pear to matter whether it
was applied before or imme-
diately after the virus.
Some Conclusions
The polish then was APP
piieo to a variety o. plants
infected with several viruses
which usually prove fatal.
Results, according to the
report, were uniformly good
and in several cases complete
inhibition of disease was
noted. The Army chemists
report the following con-
clusions:
Rice polish, in effect,
amounts to an immunizing or
chemotherapeutic substance
for the prevention Of several
types of virus diseases under
greenhouse conditions. It is
perhaps analogous to some
drugs which prevent diseases
in human beings and animals.
"A more rapid approach To
control Of plant viruses may
be gained by this sort Of i'm
munization than by develop
ing resistant strains. Since
rice polish is effective against
plant virus disease. it might
also be effective against virus
diseases of humans and an
imals."
+
The Antarctic continent /.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09

Pen names may be used "
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses Ah
letters are subject to conden-
SGtion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-09
Harold ID. Baker

Editors note: Mr.. Baker
is correct. The Star regrets
the error