davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
No Shokeup In Sight

From the point of view Of the men
who drafted the Symington Committees
report on defense reorganization, it looks
as though things may have to get worse
before they get better.
That this would be the case was
more or less evident from PreSident-elect
Kennedy's reaction when the report was
handed to him early this month. Mr..
Kennedy said this "is an interesting and
constructive study which know will be
carefully analysed by the Congress and
the incoming administration" It is one
thing, however, to analyze report; quite
another to 90 to bat for it. Obviously, Mr..
Kennedy did not intend to do the latter.
Now, some of the reasons are becom-
ing clearer. Senator Russell, from his
powerful post as chairman of the Armed
Services Committee, has let 1t be known
that he thinks the Kennedy administra-
ton should proceed with caution on de-
tense reorganization. And Representa-
tive Mahon Of Texas, whose influence in
the House on defense matters is great,
says he would not favor any very Signifl-
cant reorganization at this time.
At the very least, this means that
Mr.. Kennedy cannot hope to obtain
early congressional approval of any real
revamping Of the defense structure. And
this being so, he apparently does not
intend to ask for it.
There is no reason to assume, how
ever, that nothing will be done. Both SEN
ator Russell and Representative Mahon
say that the administration already has
authority to do great deal to improve
the Pentagon operation. Since this Is
undoubtedly true, the prospect is that
Mr.. Kennedy and his new Defense Sec
rotary, Mr.. Mcnamara, will want to see
what can be done under existing law
before seeking new legislation. This GER
tainly will fall short of the reorganiza-
ton contemplated in the Symington
report, but the progress already made by
Secretary Gates in improving Pentagon
procedures suggests that additional re-
forms, which undoubtedly are needed,
can be made without getting into a
pitched battle with Congress. In short,
with the admonition from Messrs. Rus
sell and Mahon in mind, Mr.. Kennedy
has reason to make haste slowly in this
particular matter. The Nation will suf-
fer, however, If making haste slowly
serves as an excuse for doing nothing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
EIeventh-Hour Relief

The decision of the United States
Court of Appeals to halt the evictions of
300 Negro sharecroppers in Haywood
County, Tennessee, until the legality of
the evictions can be determined by the
courts, was an emergency action ap-
parently justified by the facts. AS re-
suit, the evictions Of 400 other share
choppers in nearby Fayette County also
have been held up.
Under these injunctions, the Justice
Department at least has gained a
breathing spell in its campaign to prove
that the real motive for the evictions
was to interfere with the voting rights
OF the Negroes, in violation of the Civil
Rights Act of 1857 Had the court order
not been issued, most of the evictions
would have become effective tomorrow.
In that event, as the Government con-
tended, 1t Is likely that the sharecroppers
literally would have been starved out"
Of the counties long before the issues of
the case could be fully heard, and for
all practical purposes the ultimate
court decisions would have been mean
ingless.
In presenting a maze Of evidence
last week, the Justice Department
made the claim that economic coercion
can be zone Of the most effective and
vicious methods Of abridging the fran
chise." As this case demonstrates, 1t also
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Criminals Still There

The racketeerS, eX-convictS and
other hoodlums who were supposedly
ousted from the International Long
shoremen'S Association by special legis-
lation are still operating as usual on the
New York-New Jersey waterfront. They
have found big loophole in the BIZ
State compact and are taking full ad-
vantage Of it, according to the Water
front Commission which policies the
harbor for the two States. The COM
missions urgent request for new legiS-
lation to drive the crooks from the piers
ought to receive prompt attention of the
New York and New Jersey Legislatures.
After the commissions sensational
disclosures regarding ShakedownS, ex-
tortion and violence on the waterfront,
the two States jointly empowered the
agency to bar any felon from serving
as "officer and agent" of waterfront
unions. There were many ex-jailbirds
on the officer rosters Of the lila at the
time, some Of them handling large
pension and welfare funds. Their names
disappeared from the list of oflcials-
but, the commission has found, most Of
them have reappeared in positions Of
influence and trust under the guise Of
clerks" or other employees" The COM
mission mentioned q number Of men
with long criminal records who are still
connected with various lila welfare
funds.
The only bright spot in the COM
missions annual report to the Cover
nors Of the two States is the statement
that the amount of racketeering on the
waterfront has been noticeably reduced
as result Of the commissions surveil-
lance Of the longshoremen's activities.
But as long as criminal elements are
able to retain their hold on any phases
Of labor operations in New York Harbor,
the threat Of extortion and pilferage will
continue to hang over the piers. This
is a threat of national as we'll as regional
concern. Since the lila has evidenced
no desire to clean up its own house, the
Waterfront Commission should be given
all the laws and authority needed to do
the job-completely and permanently.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Votes for SoIe-Cheop

Three Democratic precinct workers
in Chicago have been indicted on vote
buying charges, and the circumstances
cast some doubt on the notion that
Americans think Of the right to vote for
the man Of their choice as God-given
privilege.
One voter, according to the Depart
ment Of Justice, was promised pair of
stockings to cast her ballot for the Demo-
cratic ticket. In other cases the price"
was free dinner. If it can be proved
that these deals were consummated, the
vote-buyers, we suppose, will be pun
iShed. But what about these ote-sellers?
Our suggestion is that they should be
barred from voting for the rest of their
lives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Slightly Inconsistent

Governor Rockefeller, whose powers
OF persuasion have been demonstrated
before, apparently has won major con-
cession for New York hospitals which
rely heavily on foreign trained interns.
And in the process, he appears to have
painted the American Medical Associa-
ton and the American Hospital Associa-
ton into something Of corner.
Until few days ago, the ANA and the
AHA had stood Arm as rocks on their
edict that all alien internS who failed
national qualification exams must be
divorced from patient-care RESPONSE
bilities in American hospitals by January
/. After personal conference with the
Governor, however, AMA-AHA repre-
sentatives agreed to permit New York's
hospitals-but those Of no other State
to apply for exceptions" to the rule.
There is no doubt that New York
hospitals, especially public institutions,
are the hardest-hit in the country, and
Mr.. Rockefeller repeatedly presented a
dismal picture Of the problem they would
face II the order were not relaxed. The
irony Of the situation, however, is that
the ANA and the AHA-which In New
York are being pictured in the role Of
villains-are entirely right in cracking
down on those who are not able to
demonstrate even the required minimum
skills and knowledge. Studies show that
less than 03 per cent Of American medi-
cal school graduates would fail the tests
involved. Hospitals, furthermore, have
been warned for more than two years
that the ak would fall, and many of them
have done nothing about 1t. What EVIL
dence is there that the New York hospi-
tails now in trouble with foreign interns
will have competent supply three, six
or IL months from now?
The purpose Of bringing foreign
graduates here in the first place was not
to get service from them, but to train
them so they could return to their own
countries as better doctors. The real
answer to the New York problem is more
vigorous steps to increase the supply of
qualified American graduates, and per-
haps just such crisis as now has
arisen is needed to call attention to it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
AH-White Redskins

Now that owner Marshall
has fired his head coach and
the Redskins have landed in
the cellar, it's time to con-
vince him that his policy
Of refusing to get some Of the
excellent Negro players is q
bad one. Hiring a new coach
is not the answer to the
problem Of q good local foot
ball team. Any one Of a half
dozen good Negro players on
his offensive team could have
made the difference between
a losing and a winning club.
Why does Marshall think
that it is necessary to main
tain an all-white team? The
present customers in Wash.
ington are not always white.
Sooner or later Negroes are
going to refuse to attend
games even though they now
go to see teams play that
have colored stars. There
are many cheers for oppo-
nents and boos for local boys,
something not heard In
games in other cities. This
must have some effect on
the Redskin players.
The new stadium is To-
Gated near a dense Negro
population, many Of whom
could become regular patrons.
It may be that facts could be
presented to the Presidents
Committee on Government
Contracts to show q con-
spiracy not to use players
with colored skins.
The Senators improved
their rating. although be-
latedly, by finding one or two
good colored players. Why
not Marshall?
z. b. Henderson,
Fairfax County Council on
Human Relations.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
MoIfunction of Brain Under Study
BY THOMAS R. HEINZ

late to these neurological dis
orders and the first research
program ever undertaken to
collect this information be-
fore such disorders develop"
There is some evidence,
they say. that some sort Of
virus attacks the rapidly
developing brain. A proce-
dure has been established
with the collaboration Of
Columbia University and
the University of California
for collection of blood speci-
mems from pregnant women
and preserving them in q
specially equipped cold room
at the National Institute for
the detection of some viruS
which may be present before
birth and which does not
erect the woman herself.
Rather, it attacks the I'M
born baby. Antigens of some
40 known viruses have been
prepared for the study.
It is planned to take these
blood samples from more
than 5000 women every year
and to follow them up with
rigid examinations of the
babies to determine If any Of
them show brain defects. It
is hoped that virus and de-
feet may be matched.
At the same time, the In
stitute report stresses all
due attention will be paid to
possible roles Of heredity
and environment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Snowb0Hs Elephant

On the north corner of
First and Carroll streets Sc,
there is a lovely old home
with a long garden area
stretching along Carroll
street. This is the building
occupied by the Capitol Hill
Club. an eating and drinking
society Of Republicans.
After the recent SHOWS, like
good citizens, they shoveled
the walk in the front along
First street, but for the long
stretch along Carroll street
not q thing was done. On
this. one Of the most charm
ing streets on the Hill, theirs
was the only sidewalk not
cleaned. Even with the heavy
thaw Of the past week end.
there is still a dangerous, I'M
slightly layer Of ice covering
the whole walk.
What is the reasoning be-
hind such disregard for
safety and cleanliness? Is it
q microcosrn Of the Republic
can attitude that good citi-
Zenship only applies when it
can be seen and is obvious?
Did the Republican manage
ment feel that because Of the
smaller amount of traffic
along Carroll street that the
cost and effort Of cleaning
the walk would not have a
great enough return in favor
able public relations? Or,
since mostly Democrats live
on the street. was there q
Subconscious hope Of making
them hors de combat? In any
case. the sidewalk is UNI
shoveled. and, once again.
Republicans present a shiny,
clean face to the public be.
hind which hides q mess.
There is. Of course, a pub
lie demand now that Congress
% pass q District Of Column
bia city ordinance requiring
homeowners to keep their
walks clear. We all know Re-
publicans do nothing without
full consideration Of the po-
litical implications. Is this.
then-the maintenance Of
sidewalks free from snow and
ice-one Of the rare areas
which Republicans feel the
private sector Of the economy
cannot cope-unlike public
power and irrigation and
housing? Is their failure to
clean the sidewalk q protest
against Government indiffer-
ence? Or. perhaps. they
hopefully feel this great need
for public funds will reduce
funds previously available for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31

debris. Even men from the
small towns Just south Of
San Francisco came up and
helped. The few city work.
ers Joined in the community
project - their trucks and
those who volunteered their
trucks carried away the larger
debris. I do not remember
the final resting place" Of
all Of this-the main point
is that the ashes and debris
were removed by a commu-
nifty effort, and all in one day.
Oh, yes, even the high-school
pupils helped in this project.
and 1t was amusing to see
even little tots with their
beach-sand-pails trying to
help.
From that wonderful
cleanup" Sunday San
Francisco made rapid strides
toward reorganization and
rehabilitation. and it was a
matter Of personal pride
among those who partici-
pated in that wonderful
community project that they
helped" in such an effective
way.
Why can't this same pro-
gram be initiated when we
have another severe snow
storm? Surely it is not too
much to ask our people here
in D. c., especially when
their own immediate COM
fort and convenience are in
volved. I do not know for a
certainty If there is a law
requiring owner or tenants
to remove the snow and ice
from in front Of their own
premises. but regardless, this
idea Of a community effort
to rid itself of an annoyance
or inconvenience should ap-
peal to everyone. I know I
stand ready. able and will
ing to do my part-and I can
make dandy pies, cakes and
doughnuts. as we'll as fried
chicken.
Lillian Sinclair Large.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31

There is a critical period
when the brain goes wrong"
apparently just before or
within a month after birth.
An all out collaborative
research program to find out
Just what happens has been
launched by the National
Institute of Neurological Dis
eases of the Public Health
Service and a group Of uni
versities. The Importance
hardly can be exaggerated.
the National Institute doc
tors claim. Millions of babies
come into the world with
damaged brains. Once the
thing has happened there Is
little to be done about it.
There now are more than
4 million mentally retarded
persons in this country. They
are adding up at a rate Of
10000 a year. More than q
half billion others are afflict-
ed with cerebral palsy. Two
to five per cent of school
children are reported to have
speech disorders and four
per cent have impaired hear
ing. A majority Of these
cases, the Institute doctors
believe. are due to something
that happens during the crit
ical period.
This is" says an Institute
report, "the first large-scale
effort to collect information
on all factors that might re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Questions and Answers
BY THE HASKINS SERVICE
to


@. What kind of food was
ambrosia? H. P.
A. In mythology, ambrosia
was the magical substance
which, with nectar, formed
the food and drink of the
gods, and which made i'm
mortal those who partook of
1t. Usually. both in Homer
and later writer's, ambrosia is
the food and nectar the
drink. but some used am
brosia as the name of the
drink and nectar as the food.
@. Since Alaska and Hawaii
have become States, will the
number Of members in the
House Of Representatives go
up permanently? r. G.
A. While the number of
Representatives has been
temporarily increased to 437,
the membership of the House
will drop back to 435 when
the members are redis-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
LM Bounces Back

This is about our dog, Lilli-
Frost. whose picture appeared
in The Star on Thanksgiving
Day after she miraculously
survived is days and nights
OF hanging by one leg i'm
prisoned on barbed wire, with
no subsistence apparent ex-
cept leaves or bark, and with
the temperature as low as 20.
/ want to thank all those
who called The Star about
her, and those who sent cards
to her, and especially the ones
who have sent contributions
toward paying her hospital
bill.
Lilli is her old lively, low
ing self again. None Of this
self-pitying amputee stun for
her. She constantly surprises
us with the way she runs and
can Jump on chairs. etc. and
does she eat! She reminds
me to tell her admirers that
they ought to see her after
the lovely bath, etc. given
free by Carole's Dog House.
The dirty coat and smell had
to wait until after she re-
covered from the amputa-
ton Of part Of the leg. When
Miss White heard Lilli'S
story, she offered the free
bath. I am ashamed to say
I do not deserve the credit
attributed to me for Search
ing for her from Oct. % until
November 49," I looked along
the road where the walking
was easy and I made in
quiries. then gave up because
I thought someone had stolen
her because she was so beau
tiful.
I hope this may be q kindly
warning to those who may,
in the future. be missing q
child or a pet-look in the
unlikely and the illogical
places. When you go out
calling for the lost one, iSo-
late every other child or ami
NAL so that their sounds may
not be confused or merged
with those Of the missing
one. Above all pray yourself
and ask others to pray. That
Is what saved Lilli! AS to
what Lilli herself did in those
interminable hours Of suffer-
ing and starving. thirsting
and waiting-who can doubt
that her little face was turned
to Him. who does indeed mark
every sparrow's fall? Maybe
the scientists who are devils
ing studies Of torture with
defenseless animals in rockets.
ETC., ought to ponder this
miracle Of survival and the
Power behind it.
Margaret s. Macleod.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31

tributed among the States by
reapportionment after the
1860 census. New legislation
would be necessary to raise
the number permanently. The
Hawaii and Alaska Statehood
Acts provided one Repre-
sentative for each (adding
two members to the regular
435) but this legislation COW
cred only the period up to
reapportionment. This will
go into effect in the 1862
election and will apply to
all succeeding Congresses un-
til the next reapportionment
after the 1870 census.
Q. How many muscles are
there in the human foot?
N. B.
A. There are 10 muscles
in the foot and lot liga-
ments, which are strong
tough fibers extending be-
tween the bones.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31
Volunteer Cleanup Brigade for ce-Crusted D. c.?

Since you published many
letters from your readers
concerning the recent snow
storm with its subsequent dis
comfort and inconvenience
to the general public. I am
prompted to write you the
following in the hope that it
will inspire similar action.
At the time of the San
Francisco earthquake and
fire in 1905 I was attending
kindergarten. I saw our
home burned to the ground.
I was too young to under
stand the impact Of the trag-
edy but I do remember very
clearly the wonderful clean
up" campaign which was a
community project, about a
year later. Ashes were on the
streets as high as. "a inches.
even more, and bricks and
other debris were everywhere.
This condition naturally re-
tarded rehabilitation. The
city administration was COM
pletely disorganized, and a
solution Of the problem was
absolutely necessary.
The solution I am about to
relate was suggested soon
after the local papers began
to be printed and circulated,
and 1t proved to be a most
wonderful one. Men were ia
vited to join in a community
effort to clear the pavements
and streets Of all debris. and
the women were invited to
provide the workers with
food on a certain cleanup"
Sunday. Little as I was, I
participated in that wonder
full effort-it gave me a lot
Of happiness because 1t made
me feel SO important to be
a part Of that community
effort!
On q designated Sunday
all able-bodied men emerged
at 7 am. from their shelter.
carrying brooms. shovels and
pals, and worked to 7 pm.
clearing the pavements and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-12-31

streets. The men were young,
middle-aged and elderly, all
willing and anxious to do
their part in cleaning up the
city debris. Everybody who
in any way could help
turned out to do their part.
Ministers who at first OBJ
jected to such a work pro-
gram on Sunday finally
Joined the men and said later
it was a joyful project for
them to have helped.
Women we're in their
kitchens all day, making
doughnuts. pies and cakes,
as we'll as beef stew. and 9TH
er items of food. i well re-
member the hundreds of
doughnuts I sugared and
packed in baskets to serve to
the men working on the
streets. My older brother
lifted a 5-gallon metal milk
can Containing nice coffee
made by my mother. We
saved our pony and cart
from the fire and this was
our delivery truck" to the
men on the streets, who were
indeed very happy to have
our refreshments"
You may be sure 1t was a
great adventure for us young
sters. Sometimes our supply
of coffee and doughnuts ran
out before we could even eat
one. The thanks and conpli-
ments we had from those
Woodworking and hungry
men were indeed pleasing to
us. Mother not only spent
hours making doughnuts but
she also made some pies and
some layer cakes, all Of
which were nicely packed in
the pony cart. and away we
went up one street and down
another feeding those men.
At the end OF the day we
were all very tired--but the
Job was done, and to this day
1t remains a happy memory
with me. The streets were
cleared Of ashes and other