davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Look, Man, No Hands!

We hope that DR.. Hermann j. Muller,
Nobel Prize-Winning geneticiSt, has not
dampened the space-probing enthu-
Siasm of our astronautS, now In training.
The picture he envisions of life on other
planets certainly is not apt to stimulate
the desire Of the average explorer to be
marooned among the inhabitants, II
any, of Mars, Venus or any other heav-
emily body where life might exist.
If Dr. Muller's conjectures outlined
to the American Association for the Ad-
vancement Of Science, should prove to
be correct, the man who first steps from
his space ship to another inhabited
planet will not be greeted by human
like beings with outstretched hands Of
welcome. The welcoming committee
men may be handlesS and armIeSs.
Even headless, probably. The planetary
strangers may breathe through aper-
lures in their Stomachs, see through
eyes protruding from an unlikely loca-
tion and smell through an organ not
recognizable as nose.
In fact, the space creatures may be
something like the horrendous blobs or
insects depicted in some science fiction
stories or movies. But the amazed ex-
plorer cannot safely assume that such
things are of lower order of intelli-
gence than he is. On the contrary, DR..
Muller believes it possible that there
may be other forms of life out there in
space with brains vastly superior to
those of mankind. That would make
matters worse for human venturing
among the things" 1t is bad enough
to be confronted with such monsters,
without knowing that they possess facul-
ties and brainpower beyond the compre-
henSion Of mere man.
Our admiration for the brave souls
who may volunteer to be first human
explorers Of distant inhabited planet
will know no bounds. However, having
had glimpse of what these adventurers
are In for, thanks to recent nightmare,
we are glad to leave the volunteering to
others.
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Democrats to Summit

Former President Truman
has offered an excellent sug-
geStion in asking President
Eisenhower to consider tax
ing Democrats to the summit
meeting. We ought to send
the best talent available, for
this will be something more
than a Dutch kaffee klatch.
We should remember past
history. events such as the
signing Of the German-Rus-
sian pact. the double-cross of
the Hungarians by Moscow.
to name only a couple. That
ought to teach us that Tricky
Mkt and his Kremlin Nine
rarely say what they mean
to do.
I am certain N. K. won't
fill us in with his problem
Of China and other behind
the-Iron Curtain countries.
but undoubtedly will tell us
about his space and missile
program, where they excel.
What's more. If we are to
judge the Russians by deeds,
since Nikita's visit, l see
nothing to shout about.
Herbert SOmmers,
Evening star., 1960-01-19
A Buddet in Black

PRESIDENT Eisenhower offers two
highly welcome Short-term (18 monthS)
prospects in his 1861 budget. One is a
surplus of $42 billion-the fourth sur
plus in eight years of Eisenhower budg-
cts. The second-related directly, of
course, to the f1rst-is a really sizable
reduction in the massive public debt. in
fact the largest such curtailment since
fiscal 1948. For the longer term. Mr..
Eisenhower points out that If his es-
Inmates of today are proved realities
twelve months hence, the next adminis-
tration and the next Congress will be
in position to consider either further
debt reductions or tightening OF the
tax burden, or both.
AS usual, there are potential pitfalls
along the 18-month course in which
budget estimates evolve into budget
history. In this case, Mr. Eisenhower
counts upon a record revenue yield Of
$64 billion-a prosperity crop" that
figures to be $5.4 billion higher than
estimated receipts (alSo a record) for
the current fiscal period Aside from
prosperity, as the major stimulus for
this peak yield, the President counts also
upon the willingness of Congress to
accept recommendations which would
account for approximately $700 million
Of new revenue and would assure ex-
tension Of current tax rates affecting
an additional $27 billion. In the first
category, the most controverSial-and
certainly not assured of congressional
approval--are proposals for postal rate
increase estimated to yield 1854 million
and an increased tax on aviation fuels
to yield S72 million. The estimated yield
OF S2'7 billion depends upon another
years extension, after June 80, Of cur
rent excise and corporation income tax
rates.
On the spending side, where the
President projects total of S79.8 billion,
the risks are obvious-particularly under
the pressureS of an election year While
total estimated expenditures are STA
billion above fiscal 1860, they are nearly
a billion dollars below the actual figures
for fiscal 1859. Champions of greater
defense spending and of more costly
welfare programs on the domestic side
are strong in the present Congress.
Significantly, in presenting this
budget, both the President and Secretary
OF Treasury Anderson made a direct
appeal for public support of their con-
cept OF prudent management" OF the
Nations fiscal affairs. For the record, it
is strategy that Mr.. Eisenhower used
with considerable effectiveness during
the 1859 chapter Of the annual battle of
the budget" It's employment with conf
parable success, to protect substantial
portion of the estimated $42-billion
surplus, probably will be essential in
the coming six months.
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Justifyinq Full Payment

1nere Is reason to hope that the
Districts request for full payment of
the S32 million authorized in 1858 as the
Federal share of the cost of running the
Nations Capital will be acted upon
favorably this year. This is because
the formula which the House used last
year to justify only $25-million Federal
payment now justifieS appropriation of
more than the authorized figure And
the full payment, added to increased
revenues from proposed taX increases,
will be needed to meet the big $2527
million budget just submitted to Con-
gresS.
The House Appropriations Commit
tee last year said it based It's $25 million
Federal payment recommendation on
estimated losses suffered by the District
from tax exemptions granted Govern
ment, diplomatic and other properties
In Washington. However, a recent COM
putation of such losses, after reaSSeSs-
ment OF real estate in line with rising
valuations and taking into account
recommended realty tax increases in the
new budget, has shown that the revenue
losses on tax-exempt real estate will
total 1884 million during the coming
fiscal year. Can Congress in good con-
science appropriate any less than the
$32 million which it authorized two years
ago, but which never has been granted
In full to date?
Another favorable factor in connec-
ton with the Federal obligation is the
decision Of the Commissioners to rec
ommend not only hike in the realty
tax rate (from $3.50 to $3.50 per $1OO
OF assessed value) but in several other
local taxes Revenue from personal
income taxes would be increased bv
lowering the taxable income floor"
from $4,000 to $4,000 Last year the
House committee charged that the Dis
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Chooses Lousche

I will brave the wrath OF
the Kennedy supporters to
say that Ohio's Senator
Lausche is the logical choice
for his States "favorite son"
nomination. Indeed, Frank
Lausche is the best man this
country could send to the
White House next fall.
Senator Lausche's expert
ence in public service far ex-
ceeds that Of any candidate
of either party. This includes
several years as judge, Mayor
of Cleveland and five terms
as Governor of Ohio. During
all this time the Senator has
served with tremendous in
tegrity and courage and with
great common sense. One OF
his most outstanding quail
f1cations is his refusal to
yield to the selfish interests of
pressure groups when those
interests run contrary to the
common good. Another as
set: AS Governor Of Ohio,
Lausche repeatedly refused
to yield to the pressure of
political bosses who wished
him to replace good public
officials with party hacks.
Unlike certain current presi-
dental candidates, Senator
Lausche realizes that you
can't spend what you haven't
got without eventually pay
ing a heavy penalty. He also
knows that Communist i'm
perialism cannot be stopped
merely by bold new ideas; he
knows that a considerable
amount Of perseverance in
brave and just principles is
needed.
For those of us who feel
that everyone is represented
in Washington but the peo-
ple," that the spoils system
is not only distasteful but
Evening star., 1960-01-19

l wonder why some people,
when they mention Adlai
Stevenson, always say the
tWice-d defeated" Surely they
know that everyone knows
that by now, so it seems they
are trying to keep that before
the people because they are
afraid he might run again.
They should know that two
strikes is not out.
Pearl Wright.
Evening star., 1960-01-19

In the report OF the meet
ing Of the Montgomery
County, Council appearing in
The Star January 5. Mrs.
Stella Werner was quoted as
making q personal attack on
me.
1t is curious and ironic that
in the face of Mrs. Werner's
statement that a woman
might be more patient and
understanding" as a mem
Der Of the personnel board.
she, the lone woman mem
Der of the council had to be
the only one to adopt that
kind Of tactic. All other
members-males and, by ex-
tension Of her view, impa-
tient and Misunderstanding
were willing to consider
professional qualifications as
the deciding factor.
Not only did / not engage
in any political maneuvering
for this appointment. or for
that matter any other pur-
pose, I had bipartisan sup
port and some of the best
Endorsements came from
Republicans who thought a
combination Of ability and
experience was to be a
major criterion. 1t is regret
table that so far as Mrs.
Werner is concerned they
were wrong.
Kipling must have had
politicians in mind when he
wrote the female of the
species is more deadly than
the male"
Fail Mach
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Tourisn1 and the Summit

This is a time of extraordinary top
level touriSm in the world. With Prime
Minister Macmillan still visiting Africa.
the weeks Immediately ahead will see
such other trips as President Eisen-
howers to South America, President de
Gaulle'S to the United States and Pre-
mier KhruShchev's to France-all prior
to the May summit meeting in Paris.
Next, after the Anglo-French-
American-Soviet get-together at the
summit, Mr.. Eisenhower, repaying Mr..
KhruShchev's visit to the United States
last September, will go to Russia in June
for Today Sojourn. The weather over
there is likely to be very pleasant, very
Springlike, at that time, and the Presi-
dent will surely receive an exceptionally
warm welcome if the Big Four heads-of-
government Paris conference, instead Of
precipitating new international frost,
proves helpful in thawing out the cold
war.
The 'if" involved here, however, is
big one. At any rate, Western OBJ
servers have begun to suspect that Mr..
Khrushchev-deSpite what he calls "the
spirit of Camp David" the spirit mark
ing his September talks with the Presi-
dent at the latterS Maryland retreat
intends to be as tough and demanding
as ever at the May summit meeting.
This suspicion applies particularly to
Berlin, the feeling being that the Soviet
Premier still is determined to use threat
and pressure to force the West out Of
the city.
OF course, if that is the truth Of the
matter, the Big Four Paris conference
will get nowhere, and its failure will
cast pail on Mr.. EiSenhower's projected
Soviet visit. Certainly, II Mr.. Khru-
Shchev is really anxious to play host to
the President and ease international
tension, he will be receptive to reason
able compromise at the summit III Paris.
Evening star., 1960-01-19
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

perhaps has had more pub.
licity.
Owners Of cats know better.
Any cat. any color cat, any
sex and any age, can beat a
mule any day, when it comes
to being stubborn and con-
trary.
You open the door to let
the cat out, and the cat
stands still.
You close the door, and
then the cat demands in
stant exit.
You open the door again,
and the cat stands still.
You say. "All right then,
stay in!"
And the cat wants out.
Fluffy's favorite pastime
is a species Of bribery.
Cats, being honest, do not
call it payola.
With them, it is plain
blackmail.
He wants out, so does he
run to the door?
He does not.
He jumps lightly as q
feather to the top OF the
bookcase. from which DO
sition he threatens the new
vase.
He brushes lightly against
1t, as If to say, We'll, now,
l can knock it of as easily,
unless I hear the doorknob
move"
You give in. You open the
back door. Fluffy comes
running, but at the sill he
hesitateS.
You close the door.
He runs back to the book
case, and lightly leaps there
on
You open the door. This
time it is "out" or nothing.
1t is "out." Fluffy runs
down the steps, and looks
back, his one blue eye and
one yellow eye showing the
light Of triumph.
You carefully remove a
big hunk Of white fur that
got caught on the door as he
went through.
You pick up a few more
hairs from the rug, and look
into the bookcase.
There are some long white
hairs at the base Of the vase.
Well, Fluffy is his name,
isn't it, for heavens sake?
Evening star., 1960-01-19
Etched in Acid

Regarding the letter from
Clare Ferriter defending Cor
coran's policies, I am sorry
to see a sincere artist, whose
teaching technique I admire.
fronting for the many "hor-
rible examples" hung in the
Corcoran Area shows.
More-I would question
Miss Ferriter's remark about
"self-styled professional ar
tistS"-which again brings up
the subject of what is a pro-
fessional artist?" Does one
have to starve in a garret or
cut off an ear or grow a beard
or teach bored housewives. or
encourage children to express
themselveS-to be a profess
sional artist? No! At some
point-and I think this Is i'm
portant-an artist who has
studied and painted for many
years and shown in many
shows, and taught in many
places, can choose not to be
an amateur. And it is at this
point we separate the men
from the boys" What really is
pertinent is that an artist like
Clare Ferriter should feel it
necessary to defend an obvi-
Gus situation. perhaps because
she is one of those whose
works have been chosen by
every single juror in the last
ten years"
Are we painting with our
own visions-our own love of
the beautiful-or are we be-
coming servants of the chan
cey quirks and desires of the
gallery directors, who seem
to be competing with each
other for sensationalism in
art3
There is much need for en-
couraRement in the Washing
ton Area for those who have
resisted these temptations. I
don't think that the Corcoran
Gallery has been making this
effort. l do think that the
American Art League, though
gallery-less and without pub
lie funds, is a rallying point
for the sincere artist, both
professional and amateur.
Jane O'Neill.
Evening star., 1960-01-19

trict was tagging behind suburban COM
munities in raising taxes.
Congress traditionally has had no
qualms about raising local taxes. but
it has been reluctant, as a rule, to lift
the Federal payment in proportion.
Unless 1t rejects its own formula for
estimating the Federal share, however,
Congress this year will find itself obliged
to grant the full $32-million payment.
Evening star., 1960-01-19

Let us hope nobody got a
white Persian cat for Christ
mas.
OF all the color and kind
of cats. this one is the worst
on ones clothes.
The fine long white hairs
cling as If by magic, espe-
cially to the fronts of coats.
No matter how much OF a
friend of cats one may be,
the clinging wool of this
pretty creature has its bad
points.
Eternal combing helps, but
does not settle the matter.
The fluffy animal will leave
his fur behind him.
So
Every white Persian is
called Fluffy, of course.
There is an unwritten law
about the matter.
When the animal is first
introduced into a home, as
a kitten, its appearance set
ties the matter at once.
There is no dispute.
He is Fluffy from the be-
ginning. No doubt there are
hundreds of FlutfyS around
the world at any given
moment.
A few may be named
Snowfall, now and then. but
always end up as Fluffy, in
some form or other.
y u &&
Fluffy is always a fine
fellow.
He has the broad, fiat Per-
sian face, a terror to mice
and rats, a pleasure to his
human friends.
Beneath all his furry fur
are strong, thick legs and
wide paws, armed with sharp
claws.
His teeth are piercing.
He is cautious and careful,
while stalking a rodent. He
takes no unnecessary chances,
but pounces at last and with
one bite through the spine
kills his prey in merciful
manner.
He may look sissy, this
Fluff, but he is capable, in
dependent, and stubborn.
&&
Now, the stubbornneSS OF
cats is an old story.
Not even a mule can ex-
eel them in this, though
Missouri'S famous animal
Evening star., 1960-01-19

dangerous. that imitation
ought to be stopped and that
the Communists ought not to
be appeased, the advent of a
Lausche administration would
indeed be a refreshing and
joyful event.
Mary Meehan.
Evening star., 1960-01-19

Then there are the Eisen-
hover opponents who insist
that he has neglected So
called welfare programs, in
cluding appropriations for
public education, public
health, the farmer and q
number Of other problems re-
quiring attention If this Ma
ton Is to progress. The Dem.
ocrats will have an opportu-
nifty at an early date to show
whether they are prepared to
go down the line for in
creased welfare appropria-
tionS over the Presidents
budget. For Senator johnson
has announced he will bring
up the school construction
bill for consideration by the
Senate soon, and that he will
have a meeting of the Demo-
cratic caucus Of the Senate
to discuss what position shall
be taken on the measure.
Up to People
The President, in his
budget, has shown the way
to the Congress and to the
American people to a sub
stantial surplus at the end Of
the fiscal year 1861. It re-
mains to be seen whether
public opinion will back him
up, for he is confronted by
a Democratic Congress in a
year when politics is q prime
motive. If the President is
able to convince the people
that he has the right idea
that they will prosper better
by an economic handling Of
the Governments fiscal af-
fairS-he may be able to
bring the country through to
a substantial balance by the
end Of the fiscal year, June
80, 1861. The President was
able to fight of raids on the
Treasury by Congress in its
last session. with the aid of
economy minded Democrats
as we'll as Of economy minded
Republicans. And very large
ly the sentiment Of the coun-
try at that time was for
governmental economy.
If the President is correct
about the estimated Govern
ment receipts for the next
fiscal year and the huge total
of $84 billion is the Gov
ernment take, 50 per cent Of
that amount will come from
individual income taxes, %
per cent from corporate in
come taxes. II per cent from
excise taxes (Which is another
name for sales taxes on goods
and services) and 9 per cent
from other sources. Obri-
ously, both individuals and
corporations would dearly
love to have some tax reduc-
tion-and the President holds
out the hope of such q
reduction next year.
With the political situation
on Capitol Hill, it is a gamble
whether the Presidents pro-
gram will prevail. and the
odds seem to be against his
getting all that he asks for
in the matter of economy or
increased taxes and postal
rates. Further. it is a gamble
but probably not so great q
gamble whether the economy
Of the country will mount so
high as the President has
estimated it will. The election
will take place after Congress
has acted on all appropria-
tions and legislation at this
session. The period Of eco
nomic development, however,
still will be in process at the
time Of the voting. II the
economy is on the high road,
all may go well for the
Republicans, no matter what
the Congress does.
Evening star., 1960-01-19
THE POLITICAL MILL
How Realistic Is the Budoet?
By GOULD LINCOLN

President Eisenhower's
budget, now revealed to Con-
gress in all its details, opens
a veritable Pandora's box of
political issues in this presi-
dental campaign year. The
budget touches, indeed. all
kinds of groups specifically
and the American people and
the country's economy. The
President in his message to
Congress said expected rev.
enues of the Government
would total $S4 billion,
while his estimates of ex-
penditures are $79.8 billion.
If these estimates are cor
rect, the result would be
a $4.2 billion surplus.
1t is this surplus estimate
that has excited the greatest
interest. 1t has also brought
many protests that the
budget is unrealistic. Such a
surplus, If realized, could
mean some tax reduction leg
islation next year and also a
material payment on the tre-
mendous national debt which
is now between $285 and $3.50
billion. All of which has po-
litical significance.
One of the reasons ad-
vanced Immediately for de-
claring the budget "unrealis-
tic"-a criticism that has
come flowingly from Demo-
cratic mouths-is that the
Congress is not going, in
this year, of all years, to
grant the Presidents requests
for increased taxes and in
creased postal rates, which
would play a major part in
any $4.2 billion surplus. This
assertion has been made
without examining the justi-
fications for such tax and
postal rate increases. The as
sertion is simply made that
they will not be granted, and
that is that.
Another charge of admins
tration opponents is that the
estimate Of Government re-
ceipts is entirely too opti-
mistic. The estimate is, of
course, based on a belief that
employment will continue at
a very high rate-it is now
we'll over IS million-and that
business will be good. Nothing
could have a greater effect on
tne polltlcal SE2lation than
an extremely prosperbuS year,
which seems to be on the way
to fulfillment. 1t is true that
a disastrous Nationwide
Strike-such as the steel
strike last year-could upset
the economic apple cart.
There have been strong signs
that such a strike may occur
on the railroads: however,
the belief prevails that it will
be averted.
Attacks Are Certain
The Presidents budget Is
based, too, on the premise
that his recommendations for
appropriations won't be in
creased by Congress. Anyone
who has followed the attacks
upon the Eisenhower national
defense programs-especially
by senatorial Democrats who
aspire to their party's nomi-
nation for President next
July-does not have to won
der whether attempts will be
made to increase his SAL
billion defense fund.
Should any one of these
Senators become the Demo-
cratic presidential nominee.
the matter of national de-
fense and space development
undoubtedly will be raised as
a prime issue against the Re-
publicans. But this has been
a sure thing ever since Rus
sia put its first Sputnik into
space.