davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
Historic Turn

Nikita KhruShchev was using both
the club and the carrot in his letter to
West Germany'S Chancellor Adenauer.
In one breath he dangled the entice-
ment of economic benefits. eve are not
competitors" he said. ION the contrary,
the economies of our countries have
mutually complemented and can COM
plement each other" In the next pas
sage, he cautioned against any attempt
to revise frontiers or to force settle
ment of the German reunification issue.
While diSclaiming any purpose to intim-
idate, he made quite point of claim
ing Soviet military superiority over any
force which West Germany might be
able to draw upon.
There is some basis for both of these
statements. Without access to the full
text of the letter, however, it is hardly
feasible to know where the carrot tech
nique ends and the club waving begins.
And in any event, at the end of the let
ter, a more interesting and possibly
more significant comment appeared.
Mr.. Khrushchev said that great i'm
portance was being attached in the So
Wet Union to his coming talks with
President Eisenhower. He said that a
basis exists for mutually acceptable de-
ciSions, and then he added: "It may be
that we are on the eve of historic turn
in the policy of the two blocs-from
further isolation to gradual rapproche-
ment and adjustment of the outStand-
ing issues to insure the peaceful CO.
existence of all states"
OF course, this may be nothing but
pure propaganda. 1t does not differ
greatly, however, from what some of
our own best informed officials have
been saying-that Mr.. Khrushchev does
not want war; that he really favors
peaceful co-eXiStence in the form of an
economic competition which he believes
will be won by communism Certainly
the logic of the worlds situation calls
for this kind of competition, as an alter
native to war, and it seems to us that
1t is test of strength which the West
can well afford to welcome.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
Lookino at Taxes From Official Side Of Fence

serve is that the total cost Of
State and county government
tai services increased to Mr..
Hoffman only $5.73, which is
actually a decrease in terms
of purchasing power of the
dollar. The big increase in
his bill is the $220.68 increase
in the school tax-which tax
is about IL times his tax for
that purpose in 1884. Perhaps
retired persons should be re-
lieved from the obligation to
support educational costs. 1t
is probable, however, that at
the present time organized
pressure for snowballing
spending in the name of ed
ucation is too effective to per-
nit any legislative body to
exempt retired persons from
the school tax. (Approxi-
mately Is per cent of the To-
cal tax increase-1959 over
1934-is hidden Federal in
come tax. Local government
salaries were not taxed in
1934D
Just how badly has Mr..
Hoffman been treated by this
county?
The. increase in the dollar
value of his property has
been so great, according to
our calculations, that it has
been sufficient to pay all OF
his taxes and special assess
ments, to pay for the original
cost of his land and the con-
struction of his home, and to
leave a balance in his favor
in excess of $4,000.
In other words, instead OF
paying for the privilege OF
living in this county for 80
years Mr.. Hoffman has been
enriched in excess of $4,000
merely for the courtesy of
consenting to accept local
hospitality.
Alex X. Hancock,
Director of Finance. Mont
gomery County, Md.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
LETTERS TO THE STAR
How to Tame Sovoges Roaming Our Dark Streets?

himself and his like-these
people respect nothing but a
big stick, a ffashlight and a
.38 Police Special. All of them
had some discipline and
psychic love from schools
where they were guided by
good teachers. but it just did
not rub off on them.
Originally, a juvenile de-
linquent was a boy who used
to steal signs for a prank.
trespass, or steal automobile
accessories. These teen-agers
in Washington and New York
today who rob. MAIN and
murder citizens are by no
stretch of the imagination
"delinquents." They are fell
ons and should be dealt with
accordingly.
We may get those 500 more
police officers. We may, too.
have to organize a Citizens
Auxiliary Police; it has been
done before in this country.
Walter J. Shank.
y + + =
I hope Mr.. Davis subcom-
mittee passes the bill which
will add two judges to the
Juvenile Court bench before
this session of Congress adj
journS.
The need for such a bill
has become apparent when
lawless juveniles cannot be
tried for some eight months
after their offenses, during
which time they are free to
roam the streets.
Has our democratic system
of enacting laws become so
antiquated as to be strangled
in its own labyrinth of rules
and regulations, when a sub
committee, or even yet. a sin
gle individual, be allowed to
restrain the passage Of this
urgently needed bill?
r. A. Schubert.
So
It was ironic that an arti-
Gle about the school coaches
pay bill fading in the Sen
ate appeared on the page
following The Star editorial
page August 20. featuring
letters about crime on D. C.
streets after dark.
The article has definite
connection'with the letters. II
legislation is not passed pro-
viding pay for the coaches
for work which they do after
school hours, then in all
probability the coaches will
refuse to volunteer coaching
any longer. This they will
have a perfect right to do.
With no coaches to volunteer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
THIS AND THAT
Bv CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

They suffer many kinds Of
foot and leg injuries, from
BROKEN toes to broken legs.
Even one-legged birds may
be seen, now and then, which
some how manage to get
along.
Kind-hearted persons can
feel pretty sure that food
they put out is a great aid
to such manned creatures.
Even in the coolest winters
they can survive, if they can
manage to find food.
A ruby crowned kinglet,
one of the daintiest of all
bird species, was caught in
a tangle of honeysuckle and
hung head down until res
cued.
The tiny bird did not seem
in the least thankful for res
cue, but flew away instantly.
This had to be taken as its
thanks.
Starlings sometimes have
their claws frozen to metal
roofs, only managing to get
loose when the sun comes
out.
In yanking and pulling they
injure one or more toes.
There are a number of toe
maladies that aff1ict birds.
Nature sometimes succeeds
in healing them, sometimes
not. AS a physician, nature
cannot be called the best.
She often fails. and the wild
creatures suffer.
y y
Attempts to help the wild
birds often result in failure
A cardinal, for instance, is
such a strong creature that
it is almost impossible to
hold it, even if it can be
caught. One could as easily
help a bull as a full fledged
male cardinal.
AS a matter of fact, the
average householder would
do well to let the birds
handle their own ills. Often
these are not as bad as they
seem to kindly eyes, and
often enough nature does,
after all, heal them to the
point where they do not
bother the victim.
If food and shallow water
are made available the year
around. the birds receive
great help. and the watcher
has done about as much as
he ordinarily can do.
Death of the little Gre
atures, unless accidental. is
usually preceded by shock,
which mercifully protects
them in their last moments
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
Airmen to Supermen to Spocemen(IL)
By THOMAS R. HENRY

AIR UNIVERSITY. MAX
WELL AIR FORCE BASE.
Ala: 1.-THE human organism
has a great capacity to adapt
to superhuman require
ments." a..
Thus concludes DR.. Bruno
Bake Of the staff of this
University Of the Air after 4
long series Of experiments
with volunteer airmen. in a
report just published in the
university's prof S sional
journal.
Man has lived for 100000
or more years in a very mar
row belt Of space-mostly
within a mile or so of sea
level. All the mechanics of
his body have become condi-
toned to air pressures. air
CHI e m istry, temperature
ranges, pull Of gravity and
probably many other factors
of this environment. Norms
common to all mankind have
become established.
But human beings may
have been destined for some
thing quite beyond slavery
to their environment. Hidden
within the human constitu-
ton are capacities to exceed
these normals in almost ev-
cry direction. They can be
brought out only by special
Misunderstanding compared
to which that of football
player or prize fighter seems
almost SISSY"
From Man to Superman
DR.. Bake, former chief
medical officer of Hitler's
Army Mountain Corps of
infantry, believes this train
ing is the way open from
man to superman. Both
with the Nazi troops and now
with Air Corps soldiers he
had made a beginning Of this
training to be superhuman-
that is, development of ply
steal capacities which will be
essential for space explora-
ton and settlement.
DR.. Bake has carried out
his tests both on high noun
tain tops of two continents
and in chambers at approx
mately sea level where con-
ditions at various attitudes
can be simulated. He des-
cribes a crucial experiment
carried out with two volun-
teers who spent 10 days in a
low pressure chamber at
Randolph Air Base, Texas.
after a long period of train
ing on a Colorado mountain
top nearly three miles high.
A notable feature of this
test was demonstration OF
mans capacity to live and
work with food" stored in
the tissues of his own body.
This capacity, it was demon
strated, can be vastly in
creased by training. Three
meals a day and snacks be-
tween meals, it appears, are
requirements only of bodies
"sissified" by sea level civili-
cation.
The Randolph Base tests
were planned to establish
base lines from which to
reach out in various direc-
lions towards the superman
ideal. They revealed some
basic weaknesses to be over
come-but these weaknesses
are not necessarily inherent
in man.
The chamber environment
was kept at barometric
pressures equivalent to IA
600 to $4,000 feet. The eff
fective simulated altitude
was controlled at levels be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 feet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28

The average temperature was
kept at about 20 c at night
and 81 c during the day.
Relative humidity was varied
between 10 and 90 percent
and the level Of carbon diox-
ide In the air was kept be-
low l per cent most of the
time.
1.-THE most severe condi-
tons were encountered" DIR.
Bake reports" when at an
effective altitude Of 10000
feet the levels Of carbon d.
oxide, humidity and tenn
perature were allowed to
rise. There was an enormous
rate which was most uncom-
Portable, but the circulatory
and respiratory reserves
built up by the men while
on the mountain top) were
only slightly affected.
"A cold spell, unusual for
that time of the year in
Texas, terminated the heat
ing part of the experiment.
Attempts to counterfeit the
effect of the drop in outside
temperature by more rigor-
GUS exercise on a bicycle
ergometer failed. Despite a
high expenditure for 80 min
utes the inside temperature
dropped, the relative humid
ity rose to almost 100 per
cent and the carbon dioxide
content of the air to SIS per
cent.
But five hours later the
subjects were in good physi-
cal and mental condition.
When at this point, however.
they attempted to clean up
the chamber the increase in
physical activity caused
an unexpected respiratory
and cardiovaScular response.
Within 80 minutes the pull
monary ventilation increased
to maximum and the rise in
pulse rate and blood pressure
indicated impending limita-
lions in carbon dioxide toll
erance. Intense efforts were
required to make the last
physiological and environ
mental measurements before
putting on the oxygen mask.
Body Balances Disturbed
Under the severe environ
mental conditions of the ex-
pertinent the energy, fluid
and electrolyte balance Of the
body was distributed. Meals
and beverages were not cook
ed but consumed luke-warm
at the prevailing chamber
temperatures. The hig hly
chlorinated water and the
canned baby food was unap-
petizing. Occasionally one or
the other subject became
slightly nauseated. The daily
energy intake Tin the form
of food) did not exceed 1900
calories on the average while
the expenditure was eSti-
mated at approximately $500
calories. The total loss OF
body weight during the 10
day experiment averaged 10
pounds per person. Undoubt-
edly the great metabolic re-
serves achieved during the
period of extensive physical
work high in the mountains
had been adequate to cope
with any of the acute or
temporary energy require
ments of the experimental
situation"
The experimenterS haven't
"superman" mentality. About
all that can be said now, &C
cording to DR.. Bake, is that
there were no declines in
mental alertnesS under the
most severe experimental
conditions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28

missoners of that day DELHI
erately reduced the tax rate
to a point lower than ever
before or since in this CEN
tury in order to ease the bur-
den on the average taxpayer
and in order to forestall the
necessity for large tax sales.
There was possibly an addi-
tional reason which was an
abortive attempt to mend
sagging political fences.
Whether or not the officials
of 1884 knew that such a low
rate could only be a tempo
rary expediency, time has
established that as a fact.
1t would have been a much
fairer comparison for Mr..
Hoffman to have used the
year in which his house first
. appeared on the tax rolls,
which was 1923, a much more
normal year than 1884.
However, Mr.. Hoffman
selected 1884, and that year
has been accepted for pur-
poses of comparison: His bill
did increase by $369.58. How
ever, $126.30 of this amount is
for services which were not
available to him from gov
ernmental sources in 1884.
Water and sewer service and
fire protection account for
$105.16 of the $126.30. Among
the minor services not avail
able in 1884 (minor in terms
of present tax cost are free
libraries, recreation, street
lighting, traffic control. all of
which Mr.. Hoffman may not
want, but which many per-
sons demanded and few, il
any, opposed. There was an
increase of $243.28 in serv-
ices which we're, in general
comparable; although in
some cases the 1859 services
are much more comprehen-
sive.
The interesting point to OBJ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
Private School Troubles

Public sentiment in Front Royal,
where the Blue Ridge Mountains begin,
is overwhelmingly against indignation of
the Warren County High School. There
is no doubt about that. Nevertheless, the
private school for white children which
was set up last year is finding the going
pretty rough at this time.
There are at least two reasons. One
is that the public high school, which
normally accommodates something over
1000 students, is going to be opened on
an integrated basis. At the last report,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28
TAKOMA PARK, MD.

TAKOMA PARK, MD.
Dear Sir:
Last fall we had a mock
ingbird come to our yard with
one foot off and the right leg
banded. I'm wondering if one
of your readers might be the
kind person who took care
of this bird and then banded
him and let him fly away.
"I do not have binoculars
and can't see the number on
the band.
This summer it seems to
me I can see a change in the
bird-feathers looked some
what ragged-after an alb
sence of about a month, when
he returned for raisins which
we put out regularly for him.
1.-TWO years ago we fed a
mockingbird that had big
knots on all the toes of one
foot, and he finally came to
our back porch up in the cor
ner to die. 1t was a sad
sight to watch. he was so
miserable with feet he could
hardly stand on all winter
long.
Sincerely yours, C. S."
Birds run many risks, in
civilization as in the wild.
They can be caught by
twining vines, hurt their feet
in a variety of ways. and
suffer being run over the
same as a dog.
Not too long ago we saw a
redbird lying in the gutter,
and found that it had been
struck by a car.
The cardinal seems to lack
traffic sense. Few birds pos
sess it, but their agility and
powerful wings usually take
them out of danger.
Pigeons commonly f1irt
with danger in this respect,
keeping in the street almost
until vehicles are upon them.
Common SparrowS often
may be seen flying just over
the top of a bus.
In some thirty years three
birds have smashed into our
home. One struck a full
length window screen on the
north side and was not hurt,
The second, a partridge. was
killed when it failed TO nego-
tiate a curve and smashed
into the east-side house wall,
The third was starting
killed when it few into the
same side of the house.
Birds often take daring
chances, being automatons,
in a sense, and not realizing
how narrow their escapes
often are.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28

1t is time for a postscript
to the outburst of comment
precipitated by Representa-
tive Diggs' report of Witness
ing a brutal street assault.
Stimulated by justly aroused
public feelings. our officials
have shown commendable
speed in planning and taking
appropriate steps.
An attack such as the Con-
gresham from Michigan be-
held is a form of maniac
savagery that must be stamp
ed out with fitting and un-
renting severity. The streets
at all hours should belong
to the law-abiding citizens,
not to the head-hunters.
Unfortunately, public con-
Germ, while it on occasion can
boil over in efforts to elimi-
nate effects, coolS too rapidly
in dealing with causes. The
preponderance of Negroes as
criminals is to a great extent
explainable mote that I do
not say "justif1able~ in terms
of the warp and wool of our
social pattern of racial pref
udice. In the realms of hous-
ing, apprenticeship and job
opportunities - especially in
private Observation-Disclosures
are always present and often
coldly exclusive.
From time to time. feature
articles appear in the press
on the handicaps Negro youth
encounters in finding occupa-
ton both inside and outside
Government service. No
manifestation of deep and
moving public concern has
yet followed such disclosures.
In similar vein, there is much
ado about removing the SlumS
and the jewellers from the
slums, but less interest in
removing the slums from the
jewellers. Revelations were
recently made along this line
in connection with District
land redevelopment proce-
dureS.
Unless and until we show
at least as much zeal for re-
moving the causes of our
social ills and blot out their
effects, both will remain pc
rennial.
J. w. Haywood, Jr.
4 80
The low breed type of
degenerate in Washington
who breaks the arms of men
and women past 10, who robs
the helpless, who rapes and
murders with no emotional
feeling excepting that Of
saving his own skin and ap-
pealing for sympathy for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28

there will be no interscholaStic
athletics. Boys will be turned
out on the streets who would
ordinarily be participating in
and training for athletics
after school hours. School
morale will drop. This will
increase the problem of crime
on the streets of Washington
at night.
I think that a big crime
will be committed in Congress
if legislation is not passed
providing pay for coaches.
William C. NaylOr.
+ y
I read with interest the
many letters relative to
Evolves Overrunning Our
Asphalt Jungle" l wonder
if those who suggest the
NAACP take up the problem
of correcting the situation
are cognizant of the objec-
tives of this and other agen-
cies affiliated with this ethnic
group.
1t would seem that the
Council on Human Relations,
Urban League. Police Boys
Clubs and Youth Council
could also be called upon to
revamp their programs to in
clude some effort in the
direction of improving the
situation. We could add many
other organized groups, in
GLIDING the citizens asSocia-
tons, civic associations.
PTAs, and even business
associations.
1t is hardly excusable that
such extreme steps as knock
ing down and injuring per-
sons should be followed when
the small pittance derived
from the contents of most
pocketbooks snatched would
not sustain the culprit for
more than a day.
The background Of the
culprits should be studied to
learn the. causes before def
mite action can be taken,
and it should not be after the
boy is called before a juvenile
court. This would call for an
organization, supported by a
foundation, with dedicated,
employed citizens. not social
workers alone, who would
find it economically possible
to diligently pursue the facts
and make recommendations
Reviving the old CCC
camps and a curfew law
would do wonders in keeping
boys from lettering or of
the streets after certain
hours.
Lawrence L. Whaley.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-28

This is to supplement the
information in the very in
teresting communication
from Irwin Hoffman on his
Montgomery County tax bill.
Montgomery officials are
appreciative of the great
burden placed by imitation
upon retired persons who
must live on a fixed income.
When the burden of inf1a-
ton is supplemented by a
transition from rural to ur-
ban living with the attend
ant increases due to such
things as boom promotions
and so-called higher stand
ards of living, such a bur-
den can become intolerable.
The nostalgia sentimental
value placed upon a home
stead established in the years
of ambition deserves recogni-
ton. 1t is Understandable
that a person might wish to
continue to maintain his
homestead of long standing
even though that homestead
becomes too large for his i'm
mediate needs and too great
a burden upon his income
There is a question, however
as to whether nostalgia SEN
timent should take prece-
dent over the overall eco
nomic situation. If such
precedence is to be given
and to what extent it should
be given, is a matter which
should be considered, and
is being considered, by State
and Federal legislative bodies
Mr.. Hoffman compared his
1884 tax bill with his 1859 tax
bill. In the first place, 1894
was a depression year. Judg-
ing from the number Of
properties which went to taS
sale, it was harder for the
average taxpayer to pay the
taxes of 1884 than the take;
of 1859. The County Com
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-15
FLYERS Lose Immunity
In Neor-Miss Reports

shave yielded all the useful in
formation they are capable Of
producing for the time being"
Reports numbered several thou
sand, he said.
Under last years Federal
Aviation Act, the FAA &C
quired the safety-rule- making
responsibility from the board.
An agency spokesman said
the FAA will follow the nor
NAL investigative procedures
established for handling other
safety reports" and that it will
investigate each incident to
establish accuracy Of the re-
ported facts.
IF the investigation reveals
a violation. it will be handled
the same as other violation
matters" the spokesman said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-15

The Nations airplane pilots
today were told that near-miss
reports they file may be used
against them If they are at
fault.
Erasing a program for volun-
tary reporting Of near-misses
with immunity" instituted by
the Civil Aeronautics Board in
1856, the Federal Aviation
Agency said it has established
internal procedures for ham
ding the reports Of near
misses.
In February. 1856, the CAB
asked pilots to file voluntary
reports on near-collisions they
had witnessed or in which they
were involved, adding that such
information would not be used
against the reporting pilots or
crewmen.
The project sought to de-
termine whether there was a
pattern in near-miss Incl
dents.
In the joint announcement
today by the two agencies. a
CAB spokesman said reports
gathered in the last az years
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-15

apparently reached the runway
through broken fences and
through an unguarded open
gate near the terminal. the
CAB said.
Pan American pilots meeting
here said the CABS estimate of
the number that could have
been killed was extremely con-
sentative.
They said that II the plane
had swerved. and its engines
had ripped loose and hurtled
into the crowd, thousands Of
persons would have been killed
or injured.