davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
Jet-Age Sonic Threat

Two news dlSpatcheS IN the same
edition have brought out most disturb
ingly the ominouS implications of the
jet age insofar as persons living near
airports are concerned. The dispatches
make it plain that those of us who have
been complaining about the noise of
conventional airplanes haven't heard
anything yet. The worst is yet to come
and there seems to be little prospect of
escaping the sonic bombardment
One item, datelined London, told
of the mobilization of indignant sub
urbaniteS near the London Airport in
protest against a flight-Schedule change
that will have Pan American World Air
ways big jet airlinerS taking off right
over their heads at 130 o'clock in the
morning. To add insult to injury, the
change was made to enable the air.
liners to land in New York in daytime,
in compliance with New York's no-jet-
landings at-night rules. The English
villagers hope to make their protests
more effective by Immediately telephon-
ing government and airlineS officials
every time they are blasted from Sleep
The idea behind the scheme is to let
those responsible for the change know
how it feels to be awakened in the
middle of the night by noise, whether
sonic or telephone.
The other item, originating at Las
Vegas, Nevada, quoted General Curtis
LeMay, vice chief of staff of the Air
Force, as warning residents of the Wash
ington area that they should be pre-
pared to Give with" jet-age noises
including the thunderous sonic boom.
He pointed out that before this year is
over the Air Force will be operating
faster and louder jet fighter intercep-
tors from Andrews Air Force Base. It is
inevitable, he said, that these planes
will be breaking the sound barrier fire.
quently, with ear-Shattering and win
dow-rattling reverberationS throughout
the Metropolitan Area. He described
this as complex problem" for which
there are no ready technical or Scien-
tific solutions. And when the new Jet
airport at Chantilly is opened, the din
of civilian airlinerS will be added to the
military cacophony.
Well, we may have to take all this
in stride, as General LeMay implies
but we don't have to like it. And we
are convinced that much more can be
done to ease the impact on our ears of
the laundering jets. For example, we
doubt the necessity for a lot of sound
barrier breaking by military planes in
the Washington area And a careful
scheduling of flights and arrangement
of routes could help materially to soften
the sonic effects of jet airliners on city
and suburban dwellerS Furthermore,
the complex problem" is serious enough
to warrant intensive research by the
scientists, who seem to be able to cope
with far more complex problems than
jet-age noise. They ought to start their
studies right now, however, for they
may not be able to concentrate when
the booming and roaring are In an
about stage
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
Last Full Measure

1t is entirely in keeping with the
character of John Foster Dulles that he
should step aside when it became clear
to him that he could no longer carry on
effectively as Secretary OF State. For
despite the gross caricatureS invented
by his more venomouS critics, Mr.. Dulles
is dedicated, selfieSS man. The search
for just and durable peace has been,
for him, the major occupation of life
time. To bow out now, when the great
opportunity may be at hand, must have
been wrenching sacrifice. So much
so, in fact, that in sense it may fairly
be said that Mr.. Dulles, in resigning,
has given the last full measure of dcvo-
ton to the cause which he has served
with such fidelity for so long. Still, it
is precisely what those who knew the
man would expect of him.
Mr.. Eisenhower has spoken without
exaggeration in describing his loss. For
he has leaned heavily on Mr.. Dulles,
and the latter'S resignation is serious
blow to President whose own health
is none too robust, but who neverthe-
less must cope with the great problems
which bear down so threateningly upon
the future of mankind. And of course
the same thing is true to some degree
in all of the capitals of the free world.
The dispatches from London, Paris and
Bonn are all of the same tenor. Even
those whose criticism in the past was
most extreme are saying now that an
all but irreplaceable man has been lost,
and the irony of this, we suspect, will
not be lost upon Mr.. Dulles.
The fateful show must go on, how
ever, for in less than month the for
eign ministers will assemble. 1t had
been generally thought that Mr.. Herter
was slated to move up to the Secre-
taryship, but the President has cast
doubt on this assumption circum-
stance which will not help Mr.. Herter
If he ultimately should be chosen. In
any event, whether the choice is to be
Mr.. Herter or someone else, the sooner
it is announced the better. The next
Secretary of State will need all the time
he can get to prepare himself for the
trial which lies ahead.
As for Mr. Dulles, the outlook is
grim, and it would be idle to pretend
otherwise AS he is not given to self
deception, he would not want others to
deceive themselves. Perhaps he will be
able to help in the consultative capacity
of which the President has spoken. We
hope so. If not, one may still hope
that this admirable man will see the
day that marks some progress, however
small, in the struggle toward that bet
ter world to which he has given so much
of himself.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16

about the saucer" conceded with an
other Flying saucer" report, this time
from Montreal An Associated Press
dispatch told Of an unidentified flying
object cavorting over the Royal Cana
dian Air Force base near the Canadian
city. It,was described as round like
balloon, with sparks emanating from
underneath and with yellow light in
side. It lowered over the field a while
and then darted of "at terrific speed"
Just another saucer story? Well, who
are we to doubt such stories in this
bewildering, fast-moving age?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16

There is no conceit about
a mockingbird, who, as all
know. is not a migrator, but
stays with us all year around.
In the mocker, as in all
the birds, the ego is the one
put there by nature. 1t is not
built up by education or lack
thereof, as with us. 1t is al
ways the same. and speaks
of something far beyond us
and our modern whims.
*& ~
One of the amazing fea-
lures of migration is that the
birds seem so well to know
what they are doing.
A human, watching them
come into his small yard,
tiny things in the universe,
wonders how they know so
well how and where to drop
down.
Maybe it is no more than
a patch of green that beck
ons to them
But how about that old
robin, whose breast has not
grown red yet, taking up his
perch on the end Of the
branch Of the maple by the
garage?
Isn't he waiting for rail-
sins?
He Isl
This is a marvellous fact Of
the everyday. a small fact Of
fetal science would ask us to
forget.
Our own science Of the
everyday says mo! Hold onto
these simple facts as some
thing precious"
The robin must have been
here before
All the way from Yucatan.
how many miles is that? Far
enough, surely. to make it
wonderful that this ounce of
feathers, flesh and thin bones
managed to come all the way
back.
There can be no doubt Of
it. He has been here before.
He knows his way around. as
we say. He waits for raisins.
OF course, he has no word for
"raisin," but his stomach has!
We take him out a few
from the red box, and sprinkle
them on the ground.
He does not fly away. as
other robins do, but somehow
remembers we are his friend
In a friendless world, rapid"
ly becoming worse, friendship
seems unusually marvellous
now.
It was so in youth; middle
age dulled it, and now old
age seems to bring back the
sense Of wonder and delight
in friendship. Our migrating
birds help.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
Labor and Congress

Labor union cars, through
their constant demands for
wage increases, are forcing
American industry out of
business and millions of
workers out of jobs.
Perhaps the automobile
industry is hardest hit. Be-
cause of huge union wage
increases, auto makers are
having a tough time COM
peting with foreign car manu-
facturers. Not only the I'M
tial cost of the American
made car is being priced out
of reach of the average Amer
lean but the maintenance cost
of materials and labor are
priced out of reason. 1t has
been figured by experts that
80 per cent Of the cost Of a
car is labor. including the
cost of labor that produces
the materials and parts that
go into the car.
Will the Democrat-con-
trolled Congress do anything
to stop the labor lords from
plunging the country into
imitation? Certainly not. They
still remember that it was the
labor unions votes that swept
them into Office last Novem-
Der. This Kennedy-Ervin la
Dor bill is a sham. 1t coddles
labor racketeers. 1t gives
them a bigger field and more
leeway in which to cover up
and further enslave rank
and-flle members and dig
deeper into their union
funds.
Nish Showers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Life Was Simple in DC. in 1900

I particularly recall the
Stanley Steamers and the
electric buggies. A pilot light
furnished the heat to form
the steam in the Steamer. On
a windy day it was necessary
to relight this frequently and
await the generation of more
steam before the automobile
could proceed. The electric
buggieS had to be recharged
frequently because, as the
electricity became low, the
speed of the automobile was
correSpondingly decreased.
Neither automobile attained
the speed of 20 miles per
hour. Tires were pneumatic
but very vulnerable to pune
ture. 1t was a conversation
piece when a motorist could
report a trip to Chevy Chase
Circle (six miles from town.
which did not include a
puncture.
A popular meeting place
town was Huyler's
Candy Emporium at Twelfth
and F streets NV. There
were no cocktail lounges or
night clubs. Harvey's Restau-
rant on Pennsylvania avenue
was a rendezvous for prom
inent politicians, as was
Shoemakers' Bar farther up
town near Fourteenth street.
Shoemakers' cobwebbed CELL
ing and old barrels and bot
ties provided a background
for members of Congress who
dropped in to discuss events
of the day over an appetizer
or two before dinner
Washington then was al
ready a city of monuments
to commemorate great SOL
diers and statesmen of the
past. They we're so numerous
that many of the Oldest in
habitants were ignorant Of
the names inscribed on them,
and passed them by daily
without a glance.
The Capitol faces east be-
cause it was intended that
the city would develop in that
area which has high ground
with beautiful views and Is
physically the most attrac-
tive section of Washington.
Greedy landowners and real
estate operators overpriced
the land and drove the clti-
zenry to the west. So the rear
of the Capitol faces Wash
ington'S most important part.
In 1900, Southwest was the
home of many of the elite,
and as time passed beautiful
homes were deserted in favor
of the Northwest, now the
most desirable location for
Washington residents.
If Rip Van Wrinkle took
his famous nap in 1900 and
awoke in 1859, he would not
recognize the small, sleepy
town he once knew, and
which after World War I
became a large, thriving,
crowded metropolis.
James A. Cannon, MD.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
To the Editor Of The Stor:

Imagine, if you will, a
small city, scarcely larger
than a comfortable village.
That was Washington in 1900.
Life was simple. Amusements
were usually confined to
home. with an occasional
visit to the National Theater
or Albaugh's Grand Opera
House. The newcomer was
called upon by neighbors,
and the call was duly and
formally repaid.
Evenings were spent in
reading, listening to the
photograph with a big horn,
or communal singing around
the piano. Callers on the
daughter of the house were
often treated to welsh rare
bit or oysters prepared in a
chatting dish.
Street lighting was by gas
lamps, ignited each evening
by the lamp lighter. Crime
was not prevalent, but few
ventured out after sunset.
This applied particularly to
downtown, where shops were
closed.
Telephones were few, and
automobiles rare. TranSpor-
tation was by bicycle, horse
car and herdic. A herdic was
a vehicle nearly as long as
a horse car. drawn by a pair
of slow moving horses, which
piled between the foot of the
Capitol and Georgetown, and
also between the White
House and Florida avenue,
which was then the city'S
northwest limit. In winter
straw covered the herdic's
floor. This provided psy-
Geological comfort. One
entered by steps in the rear.
and seats lined each side
facing each other. One
handed his fare of five cents
through a small aperture in
the glass window behind the
driver. The gait of the horses
was leiSurely, like the city.
No one appeared to be in
a hurry, and usually one met
and conversed with friends
during the trip.
Horse cars were propelled
on tracks and, if a lady
as far as a block away sig
nified her desire to be a pas
senger, the observant driver
would stop the car and wait
for her approach. He would
then dismount and assist her
aboard.
Several large markets were
located at strategic points in
the city, but, of course, no
supermarkets as we know
them now. Most products
were transported each morn
ing from Maryland or Vir-
GINA by truck farmers and
meat dealers who lived there.
lii summer one could enjoy
the riot Of color supplied by
fresh-cut flowers on stands
surrounding the market build
ings. At inside stalls, where
food was displayed, the owners
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
Welcome McGM

AS a Star reader who was
an avid follower of the style
of the late political columnist
Thomas Stokes, I believe the
new column of Ralph McGill
is a welcome addition to your
newspaper.
Mr.. McGill's few writings
thus far have received most
warming reception, in my
opinion. He appears to be a
writer in the best tradition
of both Mr.. Stokes and Ad-
lai Stevenson, i.e.. talking
sense" to his readers.
Needless to say, I believe I
am one reader (Searching)
who has finally found an
other Thomas Stokes-and a
Ralph McGill, too!
Leonard S. Brown.
\ \ x
I am delighted to see the
column of Ralph McGill on
the off-editorial page of The
Evening Star.
The sincere Southern mod
crates badly need an articu-
late spokesman in the Ma
tons Capital. Mr.. McGill is
one of the best journalists,
if not the best journalist, in
the South today and has been
the voice of reason and con-
science in that region for
more than a decade. He is a
worthy successor to Henry w.
Grady, who edited the At
lanta Constitution and
preached reason and patience
in a time of grave tensions, as
Ralph McGill does.
Since 1916 the editorial
and opposite pages Of The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16

themselves usually presided,
in long white coats and derby
or straw hats, depending on
the season. Each housewife
had her own particular dealer
who was interested in the
health and welfare of the
children, the schools and the
incidents which occurred dur
ing the day of housekeeping.
A visit to the market was
largely social. A SIS bill Suf-
feed to fill the market basket,
and many times there was
change left over.
Homes were mostly illumi-
mated by kerosene lamps or
gas, and heated with hard
coal. The wash was done by
waSherwomen who called for
it, washed and ironed it and
delivered it two days later.
1t was deposited on the bed
before being put away.
The corner pharmacist was
everybody's friend, and would
leave his home after hours to
open I'D his store and fill a
needed prescription. Many
drugstores were equipped with
soda fountains, and the ice
cream soda was a novelty.
One scoop cost five cents.
Druggists sold only drugs,
with the exception of the
soda fountain products.
Those who could afford
horses housed them in stables
behind their homes. A good
horse, fine harness and sub
stantial buggy cost about
5000. Washington's sparrows
did not go hungry in those
days.
Horse-hair furniture &C.
cupied the parlor in many
homes. The parlor was kept
closed and dark, except when
someone very special called.
Hair oil was applied gener-
ously to the heads of we'll
groomed men, and this neces-
STATED a lace protector be
adjusted to the back of each
chair. This was called an an
timacasSar. The only other
time the parlor was used was
for funerals.
Just after 1900. automobiles
began occasionally to appear
on the streets of Washington.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16

ballot. When the late Wendell
Wilkie came from behind
to win the 1910 Republican
nomination. his principal OPP
ponents were Gov. Dewey Of
New York and Senator Taft
Of Ohio - ands Mr.. Willkie
won on the sixth ballot.
Senator Kennedy has Just
returned from a swing into
the Middle West-Wisconsin
and Indiana, particularly. His
supporters say that his recep-
ton. both at public meetings
and at meetings with party
leaders and workers. was
most gratifying. His visit
came almost simultaneously
with publication in the Chi
cago Daily News Of the re-
suits Of a poll of delegates
to the Democratic National
Convention Of 1856. giving
the delegates preferences for
the 1860 presidential nominal
ton.
Poll FavOrs Kennedy
This poll showed Senator
Kennedy running far ahead
of the other potential NOM
inees. More than half of the
1856 delegates replied. 1t is
expected that three-fourths
of the 1856 delegates will
be delegates to the 1860 ma
tional convention. This is the
way the poll showed up, with
a projection to cover all
delegates: Senator Kennedy
would have 400 votes in the
1860 national convention,
Senator Symington 2501a,
Mr.. Stevenson 244, Senator
johnson 1861, Senator Hum
phrey 1907 and Gov. Meyner
43l2. If it takes 687 delegate
votes to nominate. Senator
Kennedy will be within strik-
ing distance.
The Massachusetts, Sena-
tor is withholding any state
ment of candidacy until next
year, he says. 1t is fully ex-
pected, however. he will run.
An important decision then
will be whether he will enter
the presidential preference
primaries in such States as
Wisconsin and Oregon. Vic
tory for him there would
make almost certain his
nomination. Judging from
the Chicago Daily News poll,
Senator Humphrey, who has
been discussed as a leading
opponent of Senator Ken
nedy, has a lot of ground to
make up in this race.
The latest important poll
on the Republican side, con-
Quoted for Look Magazine
by Richard L. Wilson, chief
Of the Washington Bureau
of Cowles Publications, COW
cred the preferences of Re-
publican county chairmen
throughout the country and
some party leaders of equal
status-in all 3,205. Replies
were received from 1857.
For Mr.. Nixon there were
1874, for Gov Rockefeller
469, and Ill were non-com-
initial. Mr.. Wilson found that
Gov. Rockefeller had only a
bare majority of the county
leaders in his own State of
New York who replied-30
out of 81, with Mr.. Nixon
having Is and Gov. Rockefel-
Ter IS, and two non-commit-
tai. Mr.. Wilson added, how
ever, his belief that Gov.
Rockefeller, if a candidate.
will have the New York dele
cation practically solid in the
national convention. What an
active Rockefeller campaign
could do, if launched, re-
mains to be seen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

The annual return of the
birds, scientifically called
migration, comes as a pleas
ant relaxation in the midst
of alarms of war.
Probably the first mention
of migration in literature
occurs in Euripides' play,
Helen" produced about 400
BIC.
The chorus, that strange
product of the Greek mind,
sings of the birds flying with
outstretched necks" on their
way to Libya.
The same sight comes to
us, here in Washington,
though in less dramatic fash
ion.
In April we have the quiet
return of the wood thrush,
the catbird and the little
house wren.
They were preceded. by
scores of warblers. and will
be followed by other birds as
May comes around, includ-
ing the tiny hummingbird, Of
which just one species comes
here.
No one has quite solved
the mystery of this annual
return.
Light is thought to have
something to do with it.
Even a child can see that
cold or heat has very little
influence one way or the
other.
1t is here as with the color
changes in leaves in the
autumn. One thinks, offhand,
that it is the frost. but the
National Geographic Society
says cold has little to do with
it.
Probably the solution Of
migration, if there is a solu-
ton, will be traced back
finally to electrical impulses
of some sort.
If the bat can own a sort
Of radar, and keep himself
from smashing into trees
and buildings by its use. then
the vast hordes of songbirds,
large and small, ought to
be able to guide themselves
in life in much the same way.
Our returning birds keep
alive in us the same sense of
mystery that the ancient
Greeks felt at the same phe-
nomenon.
Hand touches hand over
the ages, as wings sweep
overhead, the good wings, not
those bringing death and de-
struction.
This is the best thing
about the birds, next to their
beauty; they are good. in
natures honest way, without
fiubdub or Boosting.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
Lies 'LmboIonce'

Perhaps / represent one Of
the minority" groups who
fail to realize 81. untoward
consequences of imbalance
between birth and death :"
referred to by G. Franklin
Edwards in his address to
the District Planned Parent
hood cult.
If this "imbalance" were
not a natural. preconceived
evolvement of Gods plan for
the human race. there would
still be only two people on
earth-one Adam and one
Eve. J. ID. X.