davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Powers and the u. S. Conscience

was not aware of the impli-
cations Of his fight, which
the President of the United
States later was to describe
as vital to the defense of
this country"
So we see a man turned
81 years old who could fly
a plane but was uninformed
about all else in his life. He
had a nice wife. He was sit
ting pretty, making 100000
a year. And when that
dream ended 1900 miles in
side Russia, he could say.
with complete honesty. that
he was sorry he took the
job he liked so well. that he
regretted having made the
fight; that he did not wish
to do so, but was afraid Of
being thought a coward.
And, anyhow, someone else
was responsible for it all.
And so he answered up,
and if his replies sustained
all the major points of Rus
sian propaganda against this
country, he did not seem even
to know it. He was dis
turbed. really, when the
prosecutor spoke harshly Of
United States aggression.
Here we have a picture Of
much Of America today .
immature, vague. uninformed.
unable to rationalize self
with events; wanting des-
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Democrats Lose
indiana Chief

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. Is
(AP) Charles E. Skillen re-
signed yesterday as Indiana
Democratic chairman because
the Matt Welsh-for- Governor
headquarters had taken over
practically all of his functions.
In his ninth year as the
party's chairman, Mr.. Skillen
set a record for tenure in the
Office and outlasted eight Re-
publican State chairmen.
There is no friction
everything's fine" Mr.. Skillen
insisted.
Earlier Welsh aides informed
Mr.. Skillen they were taking
over all arrangements for Sen
ator Kennedy's presidential
campaign in Indiana. Mr..
Skillen said the itinerary and
other arrangements were being
handled through party chair
men in other States.
The vice chairman, Mrs.
Georgia Arnsman, also re-
signed.
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Putting the Brakes on Spending

to the majority in the Senate
to be wise. It appears the
House will take the same view
in adjusting in conference the
differences between the Sen
ate bill and a somewhat SINH
lar measure already passed
by the House calling for a
smaller total of Federal funds.
It might have been thought
that, during a political cam
paign, the Democrats would
take a chance and pass any
bill their candidate wanted
and then let the blame fall
on President Eisenhower,
who. it is known. planned to
veto any extreme measures.
But the Democrats who
Joined with the Republicans
in voting against the Ken
nedy measure had to look
beyond the political game on
the national front and face
their own constituents who
are opposed to governmental
paternalism and unnecessary
spending.
Does all this represent a
setback for Senator Ken
nedy. who took his position
squarely on the Democratic
platform adopted at Los An
geles? He said Immediately
after the Senate action this
week:
This vote demonstrates
that if we're going to have
effective legislation in this
and other fields, we're 60
ing to have to have an ad-
ministration that will provide
leadership and a Congress
that will act"
But most of the conserva-
tive Democrats are from the
South and are either assured
of victory in their States this
autumn or 90 not come up
this year for reelection. So
it is difficult to see how the
election of a presidential can
didate on the Democratic
ticket can change the situa-
ton. In fact, the Conserva-
tive coalition seems here to
stay and to vote against in
flation whatever the outcome
of the presidential contest
this year. This is the most
important development thus
far in the whole campaign.
(Copyright. 196OD
Evening star., 1960-08-25

ency might come. The impli-
cation was that it could be
many years away.
John Downey, now 30, is
serving a life sentence in a
Peiping Jail on charges Of es-
pionage. A civilian employe of
the United States Army, he was
captured by the Chinese Com
nunists in 1852 when a United
States Air Force plane in which
he was a passenger crashed on
a flight from Japan to Korea.
Back in Hong Kong
Mrs. Downey crossed the bor-
der from Communist China in
to Hong Kong today after a
two-week stay on the mainland.
She had five visits with her
son, each lasting about two
hours. She had travelled to Red
China once before to see him
in prison, in 1858.
"He looked wonderful" she
said. with a catch in her voice,
healthy and strong, maybe
even a trif1e heavier than when
I last saw him."
Mrs. Downey tried to control
her emotions as she talked.
She spoke clearly at first, her
words coming in a rush but
hesitated and grew nervous as
questions grew more personal.
She looked tired and worn.
Asked if she felt efforts to
obtain her sons release had
been exhausted, she said: "I
have faith in my Government. I"
Wrote to Chou
Pressed on the possibilities
of her sons release, she said
two years ago she wrote to
Chinese Premier Chou En-lai
asking him for clemency.
At that time, she said, she
received a message saying there
was a possibility that with
good behavior her son even
tually might be released.
She said she heard nothing
further and raised the question
Evening star., 1960-08-25
RALPH McGILL

Francis Powers, lonely and
sentenced to 10 years in a
Moscow prison and work
camp, troubles the conscience
of America.
He was not in the tradition
of young Nathan Hale, OF
revolutionary days, or Sam
Davis of 1868 and the Con-
federacy. who. at 18, refused
to reveal any facts or ask
for mercy and was, therefore,
hanged by his Union cap
tors. And perhaps Powers
had no reason so to consider
himself. He was, as he in
sisted, just a hired hand-a
pilot-getting 100000 a year
to fly dangerous intelligence
missions. There was quiet,
frightened valor in him, but
no hint that he regarded
himself as representing his
country's interests.
It had a fast-buck atmos-
phere and causes one to Won
der about the old-fashioned
custom of asking for volun-
teers for dangerous missions
involving national security.
But what troubles us is
that much of contemporary
America was revealed in
Powers at his trial.
Evening star., 1960-08-25
FEVER
By FLETCHER KNEBEL

says Democrats distor facts the farm problem
They're painting the whole picture black instead of picking
out the brighter gray spots Nixon does
The Senate raps both Nixon and Kennedy medical
for the aged Both to be such fearful leaders,
they've scared away most of their followers.
volunteers for Kennedy" is organization with no
bylaws It's all n-laws.
Q-What is the Senate's constitutional duty treaties?
A-To advise and repent.
One voters undecided. He says he's not wild about
Kennedy. but he's had time to work up prejudice
against Nixon
The State Department won't publish the 1945 Posdam
conference papers until after the election Eisenhower
team figures there's skeleton but isn't whose
it's in.
Campaign what-they- means: We've got fighting
chance in all so States" Don't quote me- boys but if
rat, I'd leave this ship tonight
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Trial of U-2 Pilot Viewed as Showing
Poor Picture of Much of America

Against the harsh posi-
bilities of his dilemma he
could use only that which
had been absorbed by mind
and spirit in the whole Of
his 81 years as a young
American.
He testified that he had
never paid any attention to
politics in America"-had.
in fact, "never voted"
He said, too, he had never
had any interest in learning
anything about the Soviet
Union, save to read in the
papers about its scientific
achievements.
Asked if he were mentally
prepared" to fall into Soviet
hands, Powers said he was
not. He had been told he
could not be shot down at
$4,000 feet.
He had, he said. been
proud and happy" to get the
Job with the CIA when he
was turned down by the COM
mercial lines.
Powers defended himself
by pleading political in
nocence and ignorance. Il
was just a pilot" he said.
He did not know about the
summit meeting in Paris; he
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Hoffo Opposition
Held Ineffective
By the Associated Press

Representative Griffin, Re-
publican Of Michigan, said to-
day he doesn't believe the op-
position Of Teamsters President
James r. Hoffa will cost him
his congressional seat in No
vember.
Mr.. Griffin said Mr.. Hoffa
has announced collection Of
$4,000 to oppose his re-elec-
ton, and added in a statement:
"The people Of the ninth
congressional district will right
fully resent this arrogant at
tempt on the part of Mr.. Hoffa
and his associates to dictate
their congressional representa-
ton"
Mr.. Griffin, co-author of last
years Landrum Griffin labor
management reform bill, said
Mr.. Hoffa's opposition serves
to emphasize the effectiveness
Of the reform law which
guarantees rank-and-f1le work.
ers important democratic rights
within their unions"
Evening star., 1960-08-25
DAVID LAWRENCE

The biggest news of the
presidential campaign hap
pened Tuesday night in Con-
gress. A coalition of Demo-
Gratis and Republicans in the
Senate applied the brakes on
unnecessary spending. Even
though, for political purposes,
the candidates of both parties
wanted other legislation, the
majority stuck to the funda-
mental principle that. ire
spective of party, the most
important duty today is to
prevent imitation and excess
sive governmental spending.
For many years now the
Democrats have had majority
control of Congress. But the
Democratic Party is split.
Approximately 20 Democrats
who are against inflationary
spending usually join with
81 or more Republicans to
make a majority against the
"spenders."
Although this has hap
pened several times, the
most significant vote of all
has just come on medical
care legislation. Because of
its political Importance, it
was assumed that the Dem
ocratS would uphold Senator
Kennedy's position. Despite
the fact that the presidential
candidate of their party was
directly involved and that
nearly all the Democratic
Senators have publicly stated
their intentions to vote for
the Kennedy johnson ticket,
the so-called conservative
group adhered to its princi-
Piles and brushed aside part
isan politics.
This means a good deal to
the Nation and especially to
those voters who had begun
to fear that, if a change in
administration should occur
in January, there would be a
spending orgy.
There were two proposals
offered to the Senate as sub
stitutes for the Senate FL
nance Committee bill. One,
sponsored by a Republican
group. wanted to provide a
Evening star., 1960-08-25

again when she reached Peiping
two weeks ago.
Before she left, she said,
Communist authorities told her
again he eventually might be
released for good behavior.
Mrs. Downey said her son
seemed in good spirits and
showed no bitterness.
Frightening with motherly
pride, she added:
"He was very we'll groomed.
His finger nails were clean,
his hair crewcut and he wore
neat blue trousers and a white
T. shirt"
Seemed Well Read
She said they talked about
the family, his friends and
Schoolmates and that her son
appeared we'll read. She said
she regularly sent him sports
pages and magazines from
home and his friends wrote
frequently.
Mrs. Downey brought her son
gifts of tea, coffee, candy and
clothes which he shared with
another American prisoner
Richard Fecteau of Lynn, Mass,
another civilian Army employe
who was captured with Downey
and who is serving a 20-year
term in the same prison on
espionage charges.
She said she tried to see
Fecteau but permission was re-
fused.
Mrs. Downey said Communist
prison officials and Interpreters
were present every time she met
her son, but she added, "they
were very kind. They have .
job to do"
She was forbidden to discuss
conditions of Downey's impris-
onment, the charges against
him and several other subjects
during the interviews, she said.
She said the prison was clean
and her son shared a cell with
two other prisoners. one a Chi
nese and the other a Russian.
The food, she said, was ade-
quate.
Evening star., 1960-08-25

New Red Opening in Caribbean?

the short honeymoon between
the USSR and its former
wartime allies. We needed
reliable air and naval bases;
Washington came to the
conclusion that Spain could
offer valuable real estate for
the defense of the free world.
Not only were diplomatic
relations with Madrid re-
newed and a firm friendship
established, but because of
the economic ravages brought
about by the economic block
ade we had to provide Spain
with upwards of 81 billion in
economic aid. The security Of
our bases demanded an i'm
provement of the standard
of living of the Spanish peo-
pie. Spain, while still not q
member of NATO, has all the
same become one Of the most
important adjuncts in our
planned defense system.
There is much talk, though
little is done from the prac-
tical point of view, about the
tremendous Importance of
Latin America and especially
the Caribbean to our secu-
rity. For the first time in our
history, we have an enemy
dedicated to our destruction
right on our doorsteps. The
Iron Curtain has descended
upon Cuba. Now there is
strong possibility, judging by
the most recent develop
ments, that it will descend
upon the Dominican Repub-
lie as well.
And all this is the result of
a misguided philosophy Of
some of our leaders that
while we should tolerate and
try to befriend Communist
dictators, we must do our
best to stamp out the other
kind,
Evening star., 1960-08-25
CONSTANTINE BROWN
OAS Blast at Dominican Republic Hit
As KrenIin Makes Overtures

Trujillo and even the mod
crate members Of the Do
minican government, as we'll
as the rank and file of the
people, were reported in
dignant not only at the harsh
treatment they received at
San Jose, but also because
at the same time the OAS
mildly raped the knuckles
of Castro, who has been
guilty of far greater misdeeds,
including the confiscation of
legitimate properties valued
at close to 81 billion.
1t seems that the high
priests of our diplomacy
refuse to learn from the
mistakes of the past. In 1946
the United Nations, at the
bidding of Joseph Stain,
decided to make Spain q
democracy by overthroWing
Generalissimo Franco. Since
it was inconvenient to send
troops into Spain-as Stain
had demanded originally
the U. N. ordered the with
drawal of the ambassadors
Of its member nations and
the establishment of an
unofficial boycott. This, it
was believed, would bring
about another revolution and
the demise of Francois dicta-
torial regime.
The contrary happened.
The Spanish people rallied
in support of their strongly
anti-Communist leader,
buckled their belts and with
stood the hardships of the
economic blockade for several
years. The cold war followed
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Dia Departs;
Mali Still Split

PARIS, Aug. 25 (AP).-Sen-
egalese Premier Mamadou Dia
flew home to West Africa to-
day after talks with President
de Gaulle that apparently
failed to heal the rift splitting
the Mali Federation Of Senegal
and the former French Sudan.
my first concern is the con-
struction of my country, the
consolidation of the indepen-
dence of Senegal" Mr.. Dia
told reporters as he boarded q
plane for Dakar last night.
On his arrival in Dakar he
declared that the independence
of Senegal can no longer be
doubted.
Leftist Sudan Feared
Gen. de Gaulle had invited
both Mr.. Dia and Sudanese
Premier Modibo Keita to Paris
in an effort to mediate the
struggle for power between the
leaders of the two former
French colonies. The Frenh
are certain that Senegal will
remain in the French COM
munity, but they fear that Mr..
Keita may turn to leftist-led
Guinea. another former French
colony that refused to join the
community and is now getting
help from the Soviet bloc.
Mr.. Dia made clear on his
arrival Tuesday that Senegal's
break from the union with
the Sudan was final, but he
appeared ready for some sort
of link with the neighboring
territory.
Warning to Paris
Mr.. Keita has not set a date
to come to Paris, but he sent
a telegram warning the French
President that if he recognized
the secession" Of Senegal,
"this could pave extremely
grave consequences interna-
tionally."
Mr.. Keita was Premier of
the Mali Federation. Seeking
to consolidate his power, he
dismissed Mr.. Dia from the
vice premiership last Friday.
But troops and police in Dakar
capital of both the Fedora
ton and Senegal-were loyal
to Mr.. Dia. Mr.. Keita was
put under house arrest and
later packed off to the Sudan
by train.
Evening star., 1960-08-25

would not eject because Of
the force of gravity, then
Powers himself could not
have climbed out. If he
could climb out he could
have destroyed the plane.
And If a parachute opens at
that height 1t does not
check the fall until many
thousands Of feet later and
along the way hands and
feet and face would be
frozen. Broken necks and
other injuries often result
from chutes opened at such
heights. There are mysteries
unrevealed.
But what troubles the con-
science Of America is what
we learned about ourselves.
Evening star., 1960-08-25

The creation OF a Carib-
bean pro-Soviet unit COM
posed of Cuba, the Domini-
can Republic. and inevitably
Haiti would have been called
a ridiculous phantasy a few
days ago. Now it could grad
ually become a reality as a
result of the decisions taken
at the OAS conference at
San Jose, Costa Rica.
There, by unanimous vote,
the government Of the Do
minican Republic not only
has been reprimanded for
the alleged attempts to in
stigate the assassination of
President Romulo Betancourt
Of Venezuela. Drastic meas
ures short of war, such as
the withdrawal Of the GAS
ambassadors and an economic
boycott, have been ordered.
But while President Eisen-
hover demanded legal au-
thority from Congress to hit
the people of the Domini-
can Republic where it hurt
mostly by withholding the
Dominican share of the
United States sugar quota
Moscow, which seems to an
ticipate everything, was
ready for action. Soviet Of
fical agents-the Dominican
Republic does not have dip
lomatiC relations with Com
munist countries-offered to
barter whatever the Republic
needed for Dominican sugar.
simultaneously, it was an
nounced from Ciudad Tru-
jillo that the Dominican
radio station was negotiating
for the service of the Soviet
news agency Tass.
These first steps may seem
inconsequential at first sight.
They do not indicate in the
slightest that there could be
a reconciliation between
Cuba's Communist puppet
Fidel Castro and the tough
dictator Generalissimo Tru-
jillo. But Moscow and Peiping
are not interested in harmony
between such men. They are
interested in establishing as
many anti-American areas
as possible in this hemisphere.
The Dominican Republic
would be a highly important
prize, since it paradoXically
had been adamantly hostile
to alien relationships. Before
and during World War II
Trujillo was bitterly opposed
to the Nazis and opened the
gates of his country wide to
the victims of Nazism, par
ticularly the Jews. Since the
beginning of the cold war he
has been equally bitterly op-
posed to the Soviet Union
and international commu-
nism. 1t took a miracle
such as that performed at
San Jose by Secretary Herter
and his Latin American COL
leagues-to induce Trujillo to
look toward Moscow for help.
Evening star., 1960-08-25

perately to have all the COM
forts of life with none of the
responsibility.
But we cannot put the
whole blame on Francis
Gary Powers.
He reflects what has been
impaired to him in his ed
ucational processes in
America-in and out of
books.
Some Of the story, shrewdly
developed by the Russian
questions. doesn't hold to-
gether. The Soviets pain
Stakingly, repeatedly, had
Powers confirm he was shot
down at $4,000 feet. Yet,
what puzzles knowledgeable
men is that If Powers seat
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Senate Action on Aged Care Bill
Called Biggest News of Campaign

larger program of medical
care but outside the social
security system. The cost
would have been paid on a
$3.50 arrangement between
the States and the Federal
Government. This aid would
have been made available on
a voluntary basis to persons
over IS with incomes of less
than $4,000 for an individual
or $4,500 for a couple. with
beneflciarieS paying not less
than 10 per cent of the cost.
1t was estimated the bill
would have cost the Federal
Treasury $3.50 million q year.
This was rejected.
The other proposal, Spon-
Sored by Senator Kennedy.
would have required an in
crease in the social security
tax. Everyone retired under
social security would be eligi-
BILE for medical benefits at
age 68, with no distinction
made between those who need
and those who don't need
such benefits. The cost was
figured at about $70O million
annually, but it was esti-
mated that the additional tax
on everybody's payc eek
would total around 81 billion
a year.
The Senate. after rejecting
both substitute plans. finally
passed the Finance Commit
tee bill requiring an estimated
1920 million a year from the
Federal Government, though
some argued that the cost
would eventually be higher.
The benefits would go only
to needy persons over IS
years of age and those on
old-age assistance. The States
would determine who would
be eligible and how big a pro-
gram would be needed.
There is involved in the is
sue not only the problem Of
excessive Government spend
ing but the question of self
reliance and the aid that rel
atives can give. To transfer
to the Federal Government
the whole burden of medical
care for the aged didn't seem
Evening star., 1960-08-25
Chinese Give Mother
HOPE of Sons Release

HONG KONG, Aug Is (AP)-NIrs Mary Downey said
today Chinese Communist authorities in Pepng told her that
her son may eventually be released from his life sentence
for good behavior.
The New Britain Comm schooeacher told con-
ference however she given indication when Glenn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-27

no easy job chaperonns four beautiful
fashion models.
900 q OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE.
Drama ] Hour Born a Giant" The
story Of the early career Of President
Andrew Jackson. Starring William Tras-
ers, Barbara Rush. Farley Granger. Wal
ter Nathan.
q II SUNSET STRIP.
Mystery Hour. The Antwerp caper"
Bailey tEfrem ZimbaIist. ir) is hired by
Mr.. and Mrs Carl Neuman John Banner
and Penny Santon) to check the claim
that their daughter. reported killed by
the hazis. is alive.
$50 q MANHUNT.
Detective Honey Baby" Victor Joy.
Patrick Mcvey.
a THE GARLUND TOUCH.
Drama Starring Charles ouinINan.
1000 % MICHAEL sHAYNE.
Mystery / Hour. Blood on Biscayne
Bay" Shayne solves TAO murders and
exposes a blackmail plot when he at
tempts to recover nominating love
letters for client Richard Denning.
q SPEEDWAY INTERNATIONAL.
Americas daredeviIs in action.
q THE DETECTIVES.
Police Capt Holbrook Robert Taylorl,
assigns volunteer Johnny Russo Uige
Andrews) to masquerade as convict in
prison in an attempt to trap fugitive
killer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-27

Drama. Hour. Born Giant" The
story Of the early career Of President
Andrew Jackson Starring William Trav-
ers, Barbara Rush. Farley Granger. Wal
ter Nathan.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-27

no easy job ehaperonins four beautiful
fashion models.
q OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE.
Evening star., 1960-10-10

annapolis a few hours after the
Boston disaster. ut is well
known to those charged with
air safety in Washington, in
cluding Federal Aviation Ad-
ministrator Elwood Quesada.
that structural deficiencies
found on this airplane have
not been corrected. Today's
crash bears out my worst fear
and the fear of many experts
on air safety"
The FAA has made no Of
fetal announcement on its in
vestigation into the Boston
tragedy. One theory is that
scores Of starlings were drawn
into the engines and forced a
stall shortly after takeoff.
Evening star., 1960-10-10

to ground the prophet Electras
after a series of crashes.
Mr.. Quesada said Senator
Hartke had made similar
charges of structural failure
after a non-fatal accident in
volving an Electra at New York
on September IA. The admins
traitor said "it has been crystal
clear to others, as it should
have been to Senator Hartke, :"
that no prior structural dam
age or defect was involved in
the New York crackup.
Mr.. Quesada continued:
IN both instances, speaking
in haste and ignorance from a
point hundreds of miles from
the scene Senator Hartke
took it upon himself to speak