davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Strauss Footnote

One Of the Democrats who voted for
confirmation of Lewis Strauss as Secre-
tary Of Commerce was Senator Gore Of
Tennessee. And one of his reasons, he
said, was that he feared rejection of the
nomination would be damaging to the
prestige of the President In a time OF
international crisis.
This week the Tennessee Senator
inserted in the Congressional Record the
following Associated Press dispatch from
Vienna, Austria:
The Sena..s refusal to confirm Lewis
Strauss as Secretary Of Commerce was
reported by Communist bloc broadcasters
in Austria today as follows: This was
blow at Eisenhower's prestige, the like of
which no President had suffered in three
decades. But then Strauss was big
banker who got his admirals rank for
producing atom bombs, and he was also
noted for advocating the most reactionary
views In domestic and foreign policies Of
the United States"
Any resemblance between this Com
munist Interpretation and some of the
more extreme accusations lodged against
Admiral Strauss in this country is, we
assume, purely coincidental. Nor are we
arguing that Senator's vote in matter
of this kind should be dictated by Com
munist reaction. A Senator's vote, after
all considerations have been weighed,
should be matter between the Senator
and his conscience.
Certainly, however, the effect of an
adverse vote on the Presidents prestige
is one relevant consideration. We think
that Senator Cores point was well
taken.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Air Defense Plan

1t is not difficult to understand the
reluctance" with which Senate Armed
Services subcommittee has approved
the Defense Departments master plan"
for air defense. The Senators were
reluctant because, despite their misgiv-
ingS, they were not technically qualified
to pass judgment on the details of the
air defense plan. And this, needless to
say, goes double for armchair strate-
gistS whose information in this area is
much more limited than that of the
Senators.
Generally speaking, however, the
miSgivingS grow out Of suspicion that
we may be betting too heavily on the
wrong horse. We may be investing too
much money and effort in the Army's
Nike Hercules and the Air Forces Bo-
marc, which are designed for defense
against manned bomberS, and not
enough in missiles designed for defense
against other missiles. At the moment,
1t is believed, ally significant Russian
attack on the United Safes would have
to be made with bomberS, and this is a
possibility which cannot be, and has not
been, ignored. The picture is changing,
however, and within a few years the
SovietS' ICBMS, not their bombers, will
pose the real threat. When that time
comes, the anxious Senators do not want
this country to be long on bomber
defense and short on missile defense.
Therefore, the subcommittee is going
along with the master plan," which
provides for cutbackS in both the Nike
Hercules and Bomarc programs, and
gives some extra push to the Nike-Zeus,
which is being brought along as an anti
missile missile.
{ Senator StenniS, the subcommittee
chairman, made two points, however,
which deserve attention. First he said
that his group continues to believe
strongly in the deterrent influence of
offensive striking power-in other
words, our capacity to hit back will
continue to be our first and best line of
defense. Second, he urged that we
should proceed speedily with all anti
missile research and programs.
The significance of this is that
some qualified people doubt that the
Nike-ZeuS, even when perfected, will
provide an effective defense against in
coming ICBMs. They think a more ad-
vanced and more sophisticated weapon
will be needed And If they are correct
1t would be grave mistake to lull the
country into believing that develop
ment of the Nike-Zeus will enable us to
sleep comfortably at night in the years
to come. 1t may just be a first step in
missile defense.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
'Curbinq the Court

Tnere are those who think or who
profess to think, that there is some
thing Subversive, or at least un-Ameri-
can, about any act Of Congress which
alters or modifies a Supreme Court
decision. The absurdity of such view
Is demonstrated by the rulings of the
court this week in series of so-called
JenckS law cases.
Two years ago the court, in 7-to-1
decision, overturned the perjury convic-
ton Of Clinton E. JenckS, a left-wing
labor leader. The essential ruling was
that JenckS should have been permitted
to examine certain prosecution docu-
ments in order to properly prepare his
defense. The courts language was
ambiguous. Justice Clark, dissenting,
thought that it provided criminals "a
Roman holiday for rummaging through
confidential information as we'll as vital
national secrets" Subsequently, some
lower court judges adopted much the
same view, and it began to appear that
the Government would have to choose
between opening its confidential files or
abandoning important prosecutions
In this situation, Congress stepped
into the picture and enacted the Jencks
lava statute which modified the
courts 1857 ruling in the JenckS case.
In sense it might be said that it curbed
the court, although this is hardly accu-
rate since the 1857 decision grew out of
the fact that Congress had not pre-
viouSly undertaken to spell out the cir
cumstances under which a defendant
might have access to material in the
Governments files. Once the issue had
been raised, and in the absence of any
statutory guide, the court had to make
Its own decision 81
The important point is, however.
that the court now has approved the
Jencks law. 1t has recognized the right
of Congress to legislate in this particular
field, provided, Of course, that the statute
is not applied in such way as to deprive
an accused person of fair trial.
This, we think, is salutary cor
Evening star., 1959-06-25
THE POLITICAL MILL
No Time for Political FiddIinq
BY GOULD LINCOLN

the world-both the free ma
tions and those Of the Com
munist bloc. This Is no time
for political and idle flddling,
either in the United States
and the allied nations or In
Soviet Russia. The latter has.
indeed, as much at stake as
has this country. A war with
nuclear weapons could de-
stroy both sides and devas-
tate the world.
Cold War to Continue
The cold war. it is true, has
endured for practically IS
years - ever since the San
Francisco conference where
the United Nations Charter
was written, and ever since
the first meeting Of the
United Nations in London in
January, l946-when the de-
termination of the Russian
Communists to press for
world conquest became ap-
parent. 1t may continue for
another dozen years. Only q
change on the part Of the
Communist Russians and
their satellites, including the
Red Chinese, or an open war
could throw this cold stale
mate out Of kilter. 1t is a
grim prospect. 1t is a situa-
ton that only time or evolu-
ton, or both, can solve.
1t is no time to rock the
boat in this country. 1t is
time for utmost unity. 1t is
time the American people
really began to think about
what confronts them. This
does not mean that Ameri-
cans should not give atten-
tion to important domestic
problems. 1t does mean these
domestic problems should not
be permitted to obliterate the
an-important International
problem. 1t does mean that
these domestic profile MI
should not be permitted to
override the question Of ma
tional security.
Perhaps it is unfortunate
that domestic politics with a
desire on the part Of presi-
dental candidates and can
didates for other high Office
to better themselves) is tend
ing to color action and polit-
ical propaganda in this coun-
try as the crisis in interna-
tional affairs continues. These
political warriors should re-
mind themselves that the
safety and well-being of the
American people come ahead
OF their personal ambitions.
American people and their
leaders, it is true, should not
be expected to follow blindly
the leadership of any Presi-
dent or Secretary of State. In
this particular case, however,
there are no binders. Secre-
tary Herter and President
Eisenhower have both made
extremely clear the problem
which confronts the Nation.
The President has said he is
always willing to 60 that
extra mile for peace. But he
is not going on any idle trips
to the summit, for example.
And that, too. should be evi-
dent to Mr. Khrushchev
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Truce in Bonn

West Germany and It's friends
abroad should be grateful indeed for the
perseverance and determination of
those who have literally forced at least
truce in the dismaying feud between
Chancellor Adenauer and Vice Chan
cellor- Economics Minister Erhard. For
1t has been evident almost from the
beginning of this unhappy affair that
only the most forceful persuasion
directed at both parties could avert
political explosion that probably would
have torn the governing Christian
Democratic Union apart and might well
have changed the course of history--in
Germany and beyond. Even now it
seems evident that there has been deep
damage which cannot be undone, and
that danger remains in the SCARED
feelings on both sides.
If there were no other measure for
evaluating the depth Of feeling aroused
by this clash between the party's top
leaders, the moves which brought it to
at least temporary end provide a dra-
matte clue. After "a hours Of nearly
unbroken efforts at mediation-Spiced
by an exchange of nonconciliatory
statements by the two principals-rep-
reSentatives Of party majority made 1t
clear to DR.. Adenauer that he would be
riSking official cenSure action unless he
aSsuaged DR.. Erhard'S feelings.
The latter, aroused initially because
of DR.. Adenauer's reversal of a decision
to relinquish the chancellorship, but
outraged personally by subsequent
Adenauer remarks rejecting upon the
Erhard qualifications for this office, had
rejected perfunctory letter of "expla-
nation" not apology. In his reply, the
Economics Minister placed the contro-
verSy in its broadeSt land bitterest)
perspective by charging that the elder
statesman did not "fully realize the
impression that your conduct and your
statements have created" not only in
Germany but abroad, and their corro-
Sive effects upon the German reputa-
ton. Under this reaction, plus the
threat Of cenSure, DR.. Adenauer finally
offered his acceptable apologies, an
appeal for resumption of friendly CO.
operation" and an added tribute to DR..
Erhard's qualifications "as a politician"
"a field in which he had particularly
belittled the Economics Minister.
Quite apart from both the domestic
and international political implications
Of this unfortunate affair, 1t is a SEEM
ingly tragic chapter in the great career
of the German Chancellor. Few men
have contributed more to their country
and none has been more staunch in his
championship Of freedom in the troubled
postwar years. In much of his effort
there has been recognition that DR..
Erhard's genius in the field of economics
has been powerful aid-and there has
been belief that DR.. Erhard is fully
qualified to succeed his older chief. 1t
must be hoped now that time will really
eliminate this diScord between partners
in common cause, and that the Incl
dent will become only footnote in West
German history.
Evening star., 1959-06-25

rection Of an earlier decision which, at
least as interpreted, was unwise. Fur
thermore, this has been done without
congressional intrusion upon the judi
cial province and without any sacrifice
of fair standards in criminal trial. 1t is
a result which should restrain excited
critics If and when Congress again
enacts appropriate legislation which
may have some modifying effect ON a
Supreme Court ruling.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

may whistle it, or, as in the
case of many popular tune
smiths, beat it out on the
piano.
The theory and practice Of
music are intertwined. as
part Of the good mathematics
in motion and sound.
Many theoretical COM
posers have rebelled at the
codes built up over the CEN
turies. They have tried to
get along without time, and
have used half notes and
queer progresSionS, but in the
end 1t gets back to some kind
OF mathematics in sound.
x -
We believe that it is essen
tial for every music lover to
have some theories, such as
these. They make music, as
a whole, more interesting.
They pep" up, as we saw
nowadays, the dull and dry
exercises, on which real music
is founded in execution.
These runs and trills and
progreSSions, keys, times. etc..
are fundamental parts of ex-
pressed or live music.
The listener may or may
not be able to hear them in
a composition. but if he does,
maybe through some per-
sonal experience, he will have
a better appreciation of the
music before him.
Nothing can separate the
music lover from the musi-
clan. This is the tie that
binds. This is what makes
music what it is, the solace
of life, instead of just the
grind of a rhythm. The
mathematics of music is won,
derful because it comes from
the human heart beat and
goes back there. Theory in
action? Very much so, and
a real beat, too.
A little dreaming, at the
right time, and any one, we
think, can see notes moving
rapidly across the sky. We
believe it best, however, not
to tell anyone!
Evening star., 1959-06-25

Three rousing American
cheers for The Stars edi-
torialist who came to the de-
fense Of FBI Chief J. Edgar
Hoover on the nasty problem
presented by the increasing
number Of Soviet political
and psychological warfare Of
ficers carrying on their long
recognized trade in "Agit-
prop" inside our country.
Some other editorialists
ought to learn the facts OF
life before they condemn
Mr. Hoover's right to free
speech as police diplomacy"
In Moscow policemen" don't
have the right to warn their
fellow citizens on that which
threatens their liberty. Some
writer's unfortunately seem as
yet to be unaware that Soviet
diplomats and Soviet agents
are in most cases identical
and that such unreformed
Communists are hand-picked
by the Kremlin for their
loyalty to Khrushchev's de-
termination to bury us"
Khrushchev is determined
to create within our free ma
ton a political atmosphere
conducive to self-destruction
"a veritable Tower Of Babel
COR babble) in which mildly
disgruntled or Realistically
extreme Americans can be
used for his purposes. "Agit-
prop" consists in turning
American against r
Negro against white. Jew
against Gentle, liberal
against conservative, first
generation Americans against
second-generation Americans.
and so on ad inflnitum. This
is not theory. If you follow
your newspapers you'll see
their agents even turning up
as officers in your PTAs. Get
your facts, though, before you
hit a fellow-countryman just
because he disagrees with
you Honest disagreement is
vital to our society.
Let us carry Mr.. Hoover's
pass across the goal line and
shout for the limitation of
Soviet diplomats and con-
sular agents. Only this way
can we keep them from get
ting their fingers into our
own native American has
sles which are none of their
concern. Otherwise. the day
may come when we won't be
able to enjoy the privilege of
our own rough-and-tumbles
which are so necessary to
preserve our way Of life. Re-
member the philosophy Of
the MacGregors and Mac
Tavishes, "It's a private dis
cuSsion me BARNS; If the
Sassenach intrude gi' 'em our
claymoresl" Cincinnatus.
Evening star., 1959-06-25

@. What was the name
of the novel which did not
contain the letter "e"?-A.G.
A. "GadSby," a novel of
SOTO words in which the
letter "e" did not occur. was
published in october. 1899.
1t was the work of Ernest
Vincent Wright, a 66-year-
old Bostonian and a naval
musician in World War I.
who wrote it in five months
while living at the national
military home in Los Angeles,
Calf. Wright completed the
book in March, 1897; he
died at the home on Octo-
ber 7, 1899, Just as the first
copies of his book came of
the press.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Dear Sir:


What do you think Of my
ideas about music? My
friends laugh at me, but I
still think I am right.
Il say that music is mathe-
mates in motion and sound.
Il say music Is theory in
action.
MY friends say I am
cuckoo, or however you spell
1t.
Il am a great music lover,
and when I hear it, I seem
to see it floating in space be-
fore me.
This idea gets the greatest
laugh of all. I still insist
I am right, seem to see the
actual notes moving rapidly
across the sky.
Tell me if I am crazy or
not.
Yours very truly. A. L. H."
Such ideas are not unusual,
as your friends seem to
think.
They have often occurred
to music lovers. If they
happen to get into the brain
of persons who are not in
terested in music, then they
may denote a phase Of manic
-depreSsive disease. the
manic or excited phase.
If one is a genuine lover
of music. however, he or she
has a right to such ideas.
because something extra is
needed to express what music
may mean to one.
Not every one, even among
music lovers, has such ideas.
many are content to listen.
to try to appreciate. as they
say. and to keep on buying
hi-f1 records. Nov it is
stereo, we believe.)
The honest concert goer
need not bother much be-
cause he has no particular
idea about the music he
hears.
Music is great, it contains
much, something for every
body.
The mathematics of music
has struck every one who has
ever taken a music lesson.
This is a mathematics ex-
pressed, indeed, in sound and
in motion.
The beat, the tempo. the
very time, Of a composition,
whether it be popular, low
brow or high-brow, classical
music or light opera, or
Spanish gypsy music, these
are all parts of the same
thing.
The theory of music is
bound up so closely with the
music itself that no one can
untangle them. Composers
of popular tunes. swingy> and
rock-and-roll, feel this pulse
of the music as well as Bee
thoven did when he composed
his seventh or dance sym
phony.
The theory is, in essence.
the musical idea the COM
poser has in the back of his
head. He may achieve this
with pen and paper, or he
Evening star., 1959-06-25

Recently q newspaper ar
ticle appeared concerning the
children in Alexandria inte-
grated schools. The caption
was Two Integrated Stu
dents Fail" In our opinion
this was unnecessary.
Supt. T. c. Williams has
found it necessary to reveal
to reporters by name the
grades Of the Negro children
who recently entered schools
which formerly were at
tended only by white pupils.
Apart from consideration as
to whether these disclosures
were ethical and professional
on the part Of our school
superintendent, one would
think from this statement in
regard to those at Francis
Hammond High School that
these were the only two chill
dren who failed at Ham,
mond. Surely, with an en-
rollment Of nearly 1000 pu-
pills, this cannot be so!
InaSmuch as Mr.. Williams
took pains to emphasize that
he had informed "the court
at the hearing on these chill
dren that the high school
children could not possibly
make up the two-and-a half
year difference in grade level
between Parker Gray and
Francis Hammond" it would
appear that he is more in
terested in emphasizing the
differences betwee the
schools than he is in correct
ing those differences.
AS parents of the nine
children who have been ad-
mitted on a desegregated
basis to public schools in
Alexandria, we feel that the
only way to correct this vast
educational gap which Supt.
T. C. williams admits exists
is through complete desegre-
CATION of the Alexandria
schools. The fact that those
students who failed, accord
ing to Mr.. williams" did good
work in schools from which
they transferred" points up
dramatically that separate
cannot be equal. Since the
superintendent is aware OF
the situation and has not
hesitated to make the public
aware of it, we submit that
this is a challenge to our
community to close rank and
work for the only legally and
morally correct solution to
the problem-complete de-
segregation.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Jones,
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry LOmax,
Mrs. Sarah Ragland,
Mr.. and Mrs. George Turner.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Overworked Word

For many months, we have
been hearing bombastic Of
fers over the TV or radio OF
fabulous" products or serv-
ices for the public. They are
almost as monotonous as the
term "low-priced field"
which now has analogous
meaning. I wonder whether
such statesmen know the
meaning of the adjective
fabulous" or is 1t used with
deliberate intent?
C. I. Kephart,
Col, USAR, Ret.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Critic to Critic

Mary McGrory praised
Richard Rovere's book about
Joe Mccarthy. She never
said anything good about
Mccarthy when he was liv-
ing. so why not let him alone
now?
Nellie M. Stark.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Freedom WoIF

Thank you for the gener-
Gus space you gave in your
Sunday paper to the sensi-
BILE position, taken again
this year, by the Arlington
County government against
the perennial proposal to
erect a huge monument on
the "Nevius tract" - the
Freedom Wall.
I wonder II all Congress-
men and Senator's realize
where the "Nevius tract" is.
This tract, which Congress
Is being asked to turn over
to a private group. was
bought by the taxpayers. It
lies next to Arlington Gene
terry (the best shrine to Free
DOM and the Two Jima Me-
mortal which faces the Lin
coin Memorial. The proposed
huge walled-in monument
designed for a rugged
mountain top~ would al
ways be an imposition on
Arlington Cemetery and the
Two Jima Memorial and re-
duce forever the Importance
and effectiveness of the Lin
coin Memorial and Washing
ton Monument, which 1t
would face.
Why clutter up the natural
green setting that we have
for our established Shrines
with this monument designed
for a mountain top. Let's
stop promoting this Nevius
tract site as a dumping
ground for superfluous struc-
lures which would please
only a few promoters in the
business Of selling monu-
ments.
Shirley Bruce.
Evening star., 1959-06-25
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry irrtter's correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
sdtion.
Evening star., 1959-06-25

The United States is now
on notice that this country
and the free world are faced
with q serious threat Of early
Communist aggression. Sec
retary Of State Christian A.
Herter has made a singularly
clear and forceful report to
the Nation on the foreign
ministers conference in Ge-
neva-now in recess. He left
no shred Of doubt-either
about the present determi-
nation Of the Russian gov
ernment, FIRST, to take over
for its puppet state East
Germany and West Berlin
and its more than two mil
lion population, and. second,
to keep Germany either per-
petually divided or united
only as a Communist state.
He also left no doubt that it
is the purpose Of the United
States never to yield to such
. program.
Fortunately, Secretary Her
ter's report has been hailed
with warm praise by Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike
in Congress. A hope may
be expressed that none
Of the Democratic sharp
shooters, particularly tn e
Democratic Advisory Coun-
Gil. seeking partisan political
advantage, will revert TO
habitual criticism of the
country's foreign policy under
President Eisenhower.
Secretary Herter has also
put Russian Premier Khru-
shchev on notice as to what
he may expect unless the
Soviet chief is willing to
modify the stand which he
has taken through his for
eign minister, Gromyko, in
regard to the Berlin and
Germ any problem. The
United States, Mr.. Herter
said, will not retreat one foot
from its firm determination
not to let free West Berlin
become engulfed and crowd
ed into the Communist bloc.
At the same time. the Sec
retary Of State made 1t clear
that, in his view, the Berlin
problem may be resolved
provided Mr.. Khrushchev will
make an honest effort to
come to grips with it.
Herter Capable
Another important thing
the country has learned from
Secretary Herter's report, de-
livered over a Nationwide
television and radio broad
cast. 1t has. in the person
of Mr.. Herter a capable-in-
deed, a great-Secretary OF
State. fully able to present
this country's attitude and
purpose both to the Russians
and to our allies. The death
of Secretary of State John
Foster Dulles at this criti-
cal period was a real blow
to the country and the
cause Of the free world. Sec
retary Herter has shown him
self a worthy successor.
Mr.. Herter left in no mans
mind a doubt of the serious
ness Of the situation which
confronts this country and
Evening star., 1959-06-25
Answers to Questions
BY THE HASKINS SERVICE

A reader can get an answer. by
mail, In any question Of fact by
writing rhe Star. Information Bu-
reau 636 F street NV Washington
4. D c Please enclose return post.
age or elf-addressed stamped