davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1960-02-12
NucIeor Paradox

The Atomic Energy Commissions
special report on radioiSotopes leaves no
room for doubt about the enormous
actual and potential value of these rela-
lively new tools of research and develop
ment for human betterment.
In foreword to the report, DR..
Willard F. Libby, until recently mem
ber Of the Acc, has summed up the
matter in the following words: Radio
1sotopes, which are versatile byproducts
Of reactor operation, are having great
impact in accelerating scientific prog
reSS, assisting agricultural progress, aid
ing in medical diagnosis and therapy and
contributing to industrial productivity"
OF course, since science, agriculture
and industry have barely begun to cap
1talize on them, there is no way at pres
ent Of measuring their precise worth in
terms Of dollars and cents. However, as
DR.. Libby has pointed out, the use thus
far made of these radioactive elements
(they are many and varied, and they
include the misnamed waste" materials
of military nuclear production) plainly
indicates that their Importance in the
field of pure research and practical
peacetime application can hardly be
exaggerated.
Indeed, in DR.. Libby'S words, which
are fully supported by the text of the
Aces lengthy report, the applications
Of radioisotopes to agriculture "hold
promise of being, like FortunatuS' purse,
inexhaustible in their benefits to man
kind" and they represent "a resource of
truly incalculable value" in humanity's
never-ending struggle against disease.
AS for their industrial uses, they have
long since proved their economic signifl-
canoe to the tune of scores of millions
Of dollars yearly, and their potential in
that respect has scarcely been tapped
AS matter of fact, with the Acc
generally agreeing with him, DR.. Libby
believes that the future uses of radioSo-
topeS-in the fields of pure science,
medicine, agriculture and induStry-will
yield annual nonmilitary dividends equal
to or exceeding the total we spend every
year on our entire nuclear program, in
cluding weapons production Nor does
this estimate seem exaggerated in view
Of what these tools have already accom-
pliShed.
In any case, here we have another
example of the great promiSe-and the
paradox-inherent in the atom. Al
though nuclear energy can be the
destroyer of civilization, it Is also capa-
BILE Of serving man with unprecedented
benehcence.
Evening star., 1960-02-12

to reject new contract proposal. Thus,
752 Of the locals 400 members partici-
pated in the balIoting. The 528 mem
bers who voted adversely not only
rejected the new contract; they repudi-
ated the work of their own negotiating
committee and ignored appeals from
their local and international officers to
accept the proposals.
This is hardly background which
encourages hope for an early agreement
in the continuing negotiations. Never
thelesS, all possibilities of a settlement
should be explored and pursued with
diligence. For the public should not be
required to endure the inconvenience,
and even hardshipS, of a prolonged
strike over the relatively minor differ
enceS which led to the walkout.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Wanted: Another Lincoln

This 151st anniversary of the birth
Of Abraham Lincoln is a good time to
reflect upon the Tooth anniversary of
Lincoln'S campaign for the presidency,
and to give little thought to condi-
tionS then and now.
In 1860 the Nation was facing a
crisis as grave, in its portentS, as that
confronting the United States in today's
era of cold war suspicious and threats.
The country was torn by disSension
over slavery, confused by demagogic ex-
tremiStS of both sides, threatened with
civil conflict that could destroy the
Union. There was need for emergence
of great leader to allay passions, rise
above partiSanShip and provide rally
ing point for all who hoped to preserve
the united Nation bequeathed them by
the founding fathers.
None of the candidates for the
presidency Of that day was regarded
by the people at large as such poten-
tial paragon. The gangling lawyer from
the prairies, chosen on the third con-
vention ballot as his party'S choice for
President, had none of the attributes
usually associated with dynamic leader
ship. His appearance was anything but
preposSeSSing. He was yet to be &C
claimed as great orator. He was not
too well known to many of the voters.
His Springfield law partner described
him, bluntly but affectionately, as "this
long, bony, wiry, sad man."
Yet 1t was this seemingly unpromis-
ing man who, in the crucible Of a great
emergency, was transmitted into a mag
nificent example of human strength,
courage and faith. His desperate efforts
to prevent war failed, but not so his
determination to save the Union, at all
costs. Upon his death at the hand of
an assassin, one of his earlier critics,
New York author G. T. Strong, pro-
phetically wrote: mo prince, no leader
of people was ever so lamented.
He will stand in history beside Wash
ington-perhaps higher"
Today, as the people prepare to
elect another leader in time of acute
national and international tension,
there is need for another Lincoln to
guide the destiny Of the Nation in the
critical days ahead. Only the more de-
voted supporters of any of the actual
or would-be candidates for the White
House would have the temerity to claim
that their man measures up to the
stature of the Great Emancipator. But
history, as is its way, may repeat itself.
The man elected President next Novem-
Der may prove under testing to be as
equal to the occasion as was the "long,
bony, wiry, sad man" chosen a century
ago. Certainly we must hope so.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
'One-Arm' Bonditry

David Hume, resident of
Bryantown and treasurer of
the Democratic Party in
Maryland, according to The
Star, is requesting an in
veStigation of Southern
Maryland'S slot machine sit
uation by the Federal Gov
ernment. He says the Federal
Government collects $3.50 in
taxes on each machine and
takes in over a half a million
dollars from machines in
Charles County alone. If there
are criminal elements con-
nected with the slot machine
industry, says Mr.. Hume, the
Federal Government should
let us know.
I agree with Mr.. Hume.
Representative Lankford
should request this inveSti-
cation by an impartial body
the Federal Trade Com
mission or whatever other
investigatory body would be
appropriate. In other areas
where the slots have been
legalized the people have
found, according to good re-
port, that criminal syndi-
Gates got control of the ma
chimes. After the Little Reno
episode down at Colonial
Beach one begins to wonder
what the situation is here in
Charles County. The other
areas have had to ban the
slots, and maybe after in
vestigation we shall have to
also. Mrs. Ebert r. Sisson.
Charles County, Md.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
RocioIism in Music

The recent hubbub about
segregation by color in the
armed forces in Iceland re-
calls a matter closer home
that has interested me for
some time. I refer to the
refusal of the armed forces
to accept Negro instrument
talists in their major bands.
Music is a language that
knows no race nor color-at
least it is that outside of the
United States Marine Band
and the corresponding Army
and Navy organizations.
There are so many magnif-
icent musicians among Ne
groes that this particular
evidence of our continuing
need to degrade these people
seems particularly inhuman.
Maybe the military brass
are waiting for a Negro from
bonist to perform on the
steps of the Lincoln Memorial
in the Marian Anderson ira
dition. Maybe they would
even allow him to play the
national anthem.
White Music Lover.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Grocery Strike

A spokesman for the striking chain
store butchers offers the assurance that
1t probably would be two weeks before
the strike really hurts the public. Just
what is meant by really hurts" is far
from clear. But that segment of the
public represented by the housewives
who are scrambling around to find food
for their families is hurting right now.
And these housewives are not going to
be cheered up bit by any suggestion
that the strike may hurt worse two
weeks from now.
The strike began after the members
OF the butchers local voted 528 to 224
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Counter Attack

The President has hit back hard and
effectively at those critics who have
questioned the good faith of his ad-
miniStration and who charge that our
national security is being sacrificed on
the altar of a balanced budget. Mr..
Eisenhower made these points:
He is primarily concerned with
the real needs of the Nation, not a bal
anced budget.
2-He wants the country to be strong
and safe.
She has been in the military Serv-
ice long time, and he has listened to all
the arguments, pro and con, with respect
to our defense needs.
4-He has done the best he can, and
has based his decisions on one and only
one conSideration-what is best for
America.
5-Finally, he is not running for any
effice. In other words, selfish political
considerations do not enter into his
judgments.
This may not silence the critics of
the President and his program. But 1t
will blunt the cutting edge of their
weapons. For it is obvious that Mr..
Eisenhower is telling the truth, and the
great majority of the people will believe
that he is telling the truth. He may be
mistaken, of course, in some of his
judgments, but the burden of proving
this rests with the critics, and they have
not proved it. Nor do we see how it is
going to be possible for them to Go so.
If thew continue with their haa dl0nC
attacks on the Eisenhower program two
results, we think, are predictable: The
critics will end up with king-sized
headache, and the people are going to
get tired of listening to them.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
LincoIn's InouquroI

1t was a beautiful day in
Washington, March 4, 1861.
Abraham Lincoln, a Repub-
lican. had been elected PreSi-
dent by 1866, ,452 popular and
180 electoral votes. His near
est opponent, Stephen A.
Douglas, had 1,375,157 popu-
lar votes.
President Buchanan has
tened to the side of President
elect Lincoln although friends
had advised him to "let Lin
coin ride alone" But Bu-
chanan knew that his pres
ence would compel respect
and enhance the safety of
the endangered Lincoln.
At IL am. Buchanan and
Lincoln came out of the old
Wizards Hotel, arm in arm,
passed between files of regu-
lar Army soldiers and entered
an open carriage. Infantry
and cavalry formed on each
side of them.
1t. Gen. Winfield Scott,
commanding the Army. had
assigned Col. Robert E. Lee
to protect the President-elect.
Lee placed ritlemen on the
roofs Of all the buildings on
both sides Of Pennsylvania
avenue. They were all picked
men. veteran Indian fighters,
on whom Col. Lee could con-
fidently rely. Thus, the last
great service Of the ablest
colonel in the Army, Robert
E. Lee, was that Of protecting
the life and guarding the
safety Of Abraham Lincoln.
Chief Justice Taney stood
upon the inaugural platform
and administered the oath of
office. Lincoln, the lawyer
and Republican politician,
had vigorously opposed the
Dred Scott decision and de-
nounced the venerable Chief
Justice.
After taking the oath Lin
coin came to the front Of the
platform to begin his inau-
gural address. Senator Ste
phen A. Douglas of Illinois
arose from his seat among
the Senators, stepped to the
front and took his stand close
beside Lincoln, ostensibly for
the purpose of holding his
hat. But, actually it was an
unspoken warning to all pres
ent that any shot fired at
Lincoln would certainly en-
danger the life of Douglas.
During the entire address
Douglas stood there. All per-
sons present fully compre-
hended the patriotic purpose
of "The Little Giant" that
he would offer his own life to
protect the President of the
United States.
william Francis Mcdonnell.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Ex-President's Future

Ike has already given of
himself to the country "above
and beyond the call of duty"
Why should the country be
like a penurious man squeez-
ing the last drop of Juice
from a lemon rind? What
would really be gained by
automatically making ex-
Presidents Senators? They
would be tied down to certain
formal duties and obligations
or they would not truly be
Senators. But, you may say,
we could give them the hon.
orary title of Senator and
certain senatorial privileges.
Is Senator" more honorable
than "ex-President"?
Have our living ex-Presi-
dents been handicapped in
expressing their ideas and
giving advice to the country
because they are not Sena-
tors? Has it ever handicapped
Harry Truman?
OF what pertinence to the
present situation is it to cite
the history of the life after
the presidency of Washing
ton, John Adams. jefferson,
Andy jackson, U. S. Grant,
Grover Cleveland, or Teddy
Roosevelt? Is Ike likely to be-
come a leading land specu-
lator if we fail to incarcerate
him in the Senate? Is he
likely to found a university
to rival the U. of Va? Is he
likely to be forced to sell fuel
to steamboat captains to keep
himself and Mamie from
starving? Is he in danger of
getting chummy with crooked
Wall Street bankers? Is he
likely to have to go to war for
q living? Can't we let him
peacefully hunt quail in
Georgia if he'll promise not
to hunt lions in Africa?
Carleton X. Lewis
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Plea for

1t is said that the storage
of surplus foodstuffs costs US
rental and other charges of
more than 1855 million Isl
million plus daily annually.
Much of it spoilS.
The greatest experiment in
charity is CARE (Co-opera-
tive for American Remit
tances to Everywhere. This
is the philosophers dream
a concern for the welfare of
people one will never see.
The greatest bargain is %
pounds of food for one dollar
sent to a hungry family. The
greatest thrill is one of those
rare notes of thanks from a
recipient. One came from far
away Greece and called me
Dear American Friend"
Adrian P. Lofts.
Evening star., 1960-02-12
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

Getting to work in a big
city has multiple drawbacks.
The best thing that can be
said is that one gets there, but
in the meantime there are
many problems.
If you drive by yourself,
you are lonesome. If you take
a companion along. boredom
stops, to a great extent.
If you are a member of a
car pool, you are herded in
like sandwiches in a lunch
box. and you might as we'll
be on a bus.
If you take the bus, you
are stacked in like a sardine
in a can. and are lonesome.
too, in most cases.
You are in much the same
boat as the poet who wrote.
Water, water everywhere,
but not a drop to drink"
If you happen to be of the
friendly type, and start to
talk to the man next to you.
the chances are that he
doesn't want to talk.
All in all. walking would
be the best way to get down.
town, if it weren't for the
distance. the traffic, and the
time element.
All in all. many a worker
finds the downtown trek tn"
hardest work of the day.
Except, of course, the GO.
ing home journey which is
always slower, when one i;
tired and often too warm.
1t seems that most per-
sons. in public transport. are
sort of salamanders. sitting
wrapped up in overcoat and
muff1er and hat, without bat
ting an eye.
Temp Jones, accomplished
downtown goer Che has been
at it for years., has solved
one of the daily problems.
He wears a light coat, and
takes it off the moment he
mounts a bus. The coat is
one of these affairs that can
be folded and wadded around
without showing.
In this way, Jones man
ages to arrive at his desti-
nation without being in a
complete sweat.
+ X y
Getting downtown in one
piece is a work of art. or
something, in modern traffic.
Grave persons, members of
committees and research
groups, meet together to dis
cuss the problem of how it
is going to be done 10. 20
years from now.
The solutions so far ad-
vanced, including helicopters,
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Elusive independence

1t is regrettable that independence
for Cyprus, agreed upon nearly a. year
ago by all interested parties, has been
postponed indefinitely because of frus-
trating dispute over British military base
rights. Years Of strife and bloodshed,
not only on the island itself but spread
ing occasionally to cities of Greece and
Turkey, represent high price already
paid for peace and political freedom in
that Mediterranean colony. 1t would be
tragic indeed If the current impasse
should revive the violent emotions or
the sometimes cynical politicking which
prompted those past unhappy events.
AS of now, however, this is dam
ger which seems relatively remote. AL
though obviously disappointed at the
delay and bluntly blaming the British
for the breakdown of base negotiations,
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders have
appealed to the islanders for restraint
and calm" until new efforts can be made
to resolve the differences. In brief,
the major issue centers upon the size
of two inStallations-authorized in the
original agreement-which the British
will hold on the south coast of the
island. Through several weeks of con-
verSationS in London and Nicosia, the
British have scaled down their estimate
of need to about 120 square miles while
the Greek Turkish Cypriot coalition has
insisted upon limit of about 40 square
miles.
. 1t is, of course, a question which
would seem subject to compromise. I'm
portance of the bases, which would be
Britain's last foothold in the eastern
Mediterranean, and which would fit into
the interlocking defense systems of the
NATO and CENTO alliances, is not
being disputed. To fill an effective
role, their size and unconditional con-
troll must be adequate and fully as
sured. Archbishop Makarios and DR..
Fail Kutchuk, Greek and Turkish Cyp-
riot leaders, respectively, have demon
strated their craftsmanship in bringing
their people so close to the goal of po-
litical freedom. There is reason to be-
lieve they will not let it slip from their
grasp at this point.
Evening star., 1960-02-12

do not seem quite adequate.
When Temp Jones gets
too old to dream, as the song
put it, he hopes he won't
have to go downtown any
more.
Especially if the trip in
wolves helicopters.
Helicopters strike him as
being scarcely more than
aerial hanson cabs.
Few OF today'S young peo-
pie know what a hanson cab
Is, or was. and have never
seen one, except in pictures.
This was a carriage on two
wheels, with the horses reins
running over the top, the
driver seated high behind.
This meant more or less
privacy for the occupants.
and was always a favorite
way of getting around for
lovers.
The carriage was invented
by John A. Hanson, an
Englishman.
Probably only an English
man could have invented it,
The English have always
valued privacy, however Sc
cured.
They put thick, nigh walls
around their grounds, 90 in
Tor halls to keep the common
people out of their living
quarters, and in other WAYS
how their desire for privacy.
The hanson, or hanson
cab, as it usually was called,
was the peak of this desire
for privacy. even from your
coachman.
The appearance of the
hanson cab always suggested
that the weight of the driver
at the high rear of the affair
would pull the horse of his
feet and send the combina-
ton crashing to the ground.
This catastrophe, of course.
was only in the imagination,
since the horse was securely
hitched between the shafts.
Maybe getting downtown
in the old days was not as
easy as we remember it!
Evening star., 1960-02-12
D. c. 'Compromise'

Unlike other municipalities
in the United States, Wash
ington shares it's problems
and interests with the whole
country. Elsewhere, elected
officials are empowered, for
good or i'll, to manage their
cities as may to them seem
expedient. The people
throughout the so States,
however, would rightly re-
sent having their Capital City
run solely by local politicians
on funds largely appropriated
by the National Congress,
Federal property being un-
taxable.
A compromise that would
protect both local and ma
tional interestS-and one far
more worthy of adoption
than a reversion to last CEN
tury'S tried-and- discarded
experiment with mayor and
city council-would be, in
substance:
AS in part provided by the
recently proposed constitu-
tional amendment, give Dis
trict residents the vote for
President and Vice President,
for one or two voting Sena-
tors and for its due quota of
voting members of the House
but. as in many cities and
counties that employ man
ayers, retain the present
well-tried and efficient man
agement by a board of three
District Commissioners, one
to be elected by the people,
the other two, as now, ap-
pointed by the President.
Thus, without either assem-
bly, or council. ample checks,
counterchecks, and balances
would be provided for the
smooth operation of our
great National City and for
protecting the rights and
property of the local citizens
as well as the interests of the
people Of the whole country.
VIM. H. Cheesman,
Evening star., 1960-02-12
Price of Survival

This is for those doctors
who take issue with us for
protesting high fees.
However, I have just come
back from a depressing visit
to the clinic in one Of our
best hospitals. My husband
is sick and unable to work
and I went to the cardiac
clinic because a previous
visit to a heart specialist cost
me $40. I am supposed to
return to his Office every
week, but just the thought
Of his high fee is enough to
aggravate any existing heart
condition. So to the clinic I
went and I'll never go again
although I did have an ex-
animation very much like
the one I had at the Office of
the specialist, at a cost of
only 81. The doctors were
very nice but the interviewer
made me feel like a beggar
and the other clerical help
seemed to have the same
attitude-that If a person
has to visit a clinic he must
be made to realize that he
is receiving a great favor. I
waited over two hours to be
seen by a doctor, and as I
looked around me at the
wretched specimens of hu-
manity I felt heartsick that
such conditions can exist
in our Capital. Each one. as
his name was called, seemed
pitifully grateful to at long
last be able to see a doctor.
I'm sure that I looked out
Of place in that pathetic
crowd-possibly being better
dressed-and as their sick
eyes kept looking at me 1
felt as though I was taking
something that didn't be-
long to me,
I have never needed nor
asked for charity and those
poor people in the clinic
made me realize what q ter.
rible thing it is. Charity
grudgingly given is not char
ity at all but an insult to
the dignity that lives in every
soul. 1t is a shameful thing
some people have literally to
beg for the privilege of con-
tinuing life. The old adage
that money doesn't buy
health is as false as it can be
because money not only buys
health today but buys life
itself.
Surely there must be a
middle road for those of us
who don't want charity but
who simply cannot pay the
exorbitant fees of the medi-
cal profession.
Wouldn't it be possible for
a group of doctors to form a
clinic-a general medical
clinic-and have their own
illness insurance or else
charge a nominal fee of per-
hapS SO a visit? The aver
age person certainly realizes
the value of a doctors time
and isn't looking for some
thing for nothing, and he
wants to pay his way if only
to maintain his integrity as
a person and an individual
whose personal health is i'm
portant to the doctor. The
wound to a mans pride when
he is reduced to a statistic
in a welfare report is some
thing no doctor can heal.
Eva Allen.