davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1960-01-21
School Board Secrets

1t would be disappointing
If there were an end to the
current diversion of teasing
the Arlington School Board
about secret sessions" This
would be spoilsport at a time
when daily news pages need
the leaven of a local crusade.
whether the lance is tilted
at a real dragon or a wind
mill.
But it does seem that any
indictment or defense of the
board should be drawn in
perspective. What looks to
the primitive view like a
great barrier wall may be
indeed only a small sign
pointing to an open front
gate.
To stand back a bit: Some
years ago in a city north of
here, my beat as a reporter
included the school board.
Reporters got to know the
minority member of the
board rather we'll; We had
plenty of time to discuss
really important matters
such as sports, movies and
comparative quality Of bev-
erages while we-the report
ers and the minority men,
ber-sat in the boards ante
room awaiting the pleasure
Of the majority caucus.
Formal public sessions rarely
exceeded five minutes.
On the basis of attendance,
the public showed little ac-
tive interest in school mat
ters then. 1t was before the
time Of volunteer textbook
editors and related vigilante
endeavorS. PTAS, where they
existed, were principally con-
cerned with ice cream socials.
Arlington today is a re-
markable contrast. l have
attended many of its meet
ingS-always with interest,
sometimes with delight, some
times with evaporation,
sometimes in eXcruciating
boredom. But never have l
been left wondering what the
board did or why it did it.
This I think is the core Of
the matter. If the board
accepts information and
opinion from the public, If
in public meeting it discusses
its decisions and the reasons
for them, if it invites and
considers public comment on
its decisions and is amenable
to altering them in the light
of new facts, then is it really
necessary that the public
look over its shoulder while
its members study, either
alone or together?
I do not answer this ques-
ton. 1t may be that in the
next few years, public in
terest in schools will slide
into apathy and the school
Evening star., 1960-01-21
EquoI Partners

Despite harsh Soviet and Chinese
communist attacks on it, the new jap
anese-American treaty of mutual CO.
operation and security is wholly legit-
innate defensive undertaking designed
to serve the cause of peace, freedom and
progress in Asia.
To that end, replacing the pact of
1851, the treaty makes Japan an equal
partner of the United States in carrying
out joint commitments to foster the
development of peaceful and friendly
relations by strengthening their free
institutions, by bringing about better
understanding of the principles upon
which these institutions are founded,
and by promoting conditions of stability
and well-being" through programs of
economic collaboration.
AS for security arrangements, Ar
ticle V of the treaty pledges the two
countries to act together "to meet the
common danger" in the event of IAN
armed attack against either party in
the territories under the administration
of Japan" And Article VI continues to
make available to American armed
forces certain land, air and naval facili-
ties on Japanese soil, but with the un-
derstanding that there must be "prior
conSultation"-in case Of a war emer-
gency-on whatever action the United
States might propose to launch from
those bases.
This latter provision suggests that
Tokyo would have veto power in such
situation. At any rate, the communi-
que issued after the signing of the treaty
declares that Premier KiShi discussed
the question with President Eisenhower
and that the President assured him
that the United States Government has
no intention of acting in a manner con-
trary to" Japan's wishes in matters
calling for prior consultation" The
assurance is designed, among other
things, to emphasize that the Japanese
could not be embroiled in war by some
unilateral American act.
In the circumstances, it is absurd
for Soviet critics-echoed by the Chinese
CommuniStS-to say that the treaty
makes Japan an unequal junior part
ner" and virtually entities the United
States to enlist japanese forces for
joint combat action" in any future Far
Eastern conflict. Actually, not less so
than the similar pacts between our
country and its Atlantic allies, this is
a pact between sovereign equals.
AS such, the new treaty merits
speedy ratification. Our own Senate can
be counted upon to give it strong sup
port, and Japan's Parliament, despite
bitter minority opposition, seems likely
to do the same thing. In terms Of both
cooperation and security, the outlook
thus seems bright for future Japanese
American relations.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
Arabs and Jews

If the statement in the
letter Of Jamal A. Sad, as
sistant director Of the Arab
Information Center, was
issued in an official, or even
a semi official, capacity, it
should have been placed on
page one as a news story.
Speaking of the Arab coun-
tries he says, I'VE have never
Disseminated against Jews
as Jews. :" He goes on to
say that the Arab worlds
struggle with Israel has
nothing to do with Jewry as
such.
II this be true. it must be
assumed that Saudi Arabia
has dropped its ban on the
stationing Of American Jews
in the United States Air
Force at the base at Dhahran,
and that American Jews
wishing to visit Israel by car
are now permitted to drive
through the adjacent Arab
nations to get there. Such
was not the case the last time
I was in that part of the
world, in 1858.
Roger Blake.
Evening star., 1960-01-21

the crawling plague that has
attacked so many notable
structures. BY publishing this
article. The Star is joining in
the defense of the city in the
role of civic champion which
it long has filled.
DR.. Rowland defended the
old State, War and Navy
Building which takes its
motifs from st. Paul's Ca
thedral and the Louvre, and
attacked the numerous new
structures, many of which,
lacking cornices, look like
men with their eyebrows
shaved. His and similar warn
ings seem to have had little
effect. Right now there is
under construction a re-
modelling of the building at
Fourteenth and G streets
NV. Here, incredibly, fine
stonework of grace and dig
nifty is being covered over by
a garish, tru.npery veneer
which is transforming an
architectural ornament into
what looks like some honky-
tonk Joint, disfiguring the
entire neighborhood.
Doubtless, a woman with
two heads. three legs and
four eyes would be striking
in appearance and Ito use
a currently fashionable archi-
tectural term be eminently
functional. But it would not
be long before her momentary
admirers would long for the
Capitoline Venus, the Venus
of Milo or even the Gibson
girl! With these equally un-
desirable new buildings in an
equally fantastically hideouS
form, we must endure them
for many years unless a
merciful bomb comes to
destroy them.
Homer Joseph Dodge.
Evening star., 1960-01-21

1t was with considerable
interest that I read about DR..
Richard Hubbard Howland's
views on Washington archi-
lecture in George Wilson's
article. Modern D. C. Build
ings Worry Critic" DR.. How
land president of the Ma
tional Trust for Historic
Preservation) seems to be a
rather irate member of the
old school and I suspect he is
against change in almost any
form.
There certainly is a great
deal Of value and richness in
tradition, but in terms of con-
temporary architecture we
should remember that we are
now forming the architectural
traditions of the future. I'm
sure Athens could never have
been built if the ancient
Greeks had refused to accept
new ideas. DR.. Rowland
seems to advocate basing our
new buildings on the archi-
tectural concepts of the past.
He likes the Old Senate Of
flee Building because the de-
sign is adopted from the east
front of the Louvre. a struc-
ture which houses the finest
art collection in the world,
but which in itself is an
architectural monstrosity. The
Louvre was not even suited to
serve the needs Of the time in
which it was built, much less
the present, and I think most
Frenchmen would agree.
DR.. Rowland does not seem
to be aware that there is
a correlation between artistic
quality and what is func-
tional. The very buildings
which he attacks with most
venom are those which have
a functional simplicity and
Evening star., 1960-01-21
Pattern for Transit

Residents of the Washington area
owe vote of thanks to the Federal
Budget Bureau for the reasonable atti-
tude it has taken respecting the form of
legislation to create an agency to ad-
vance rapid transit system here.
As a result of the Budget Bureau
conference last week, the administra-
ton presumably will give every consid-
Grafton to concerns raised by local gov
ernment officials in drafting final bill
for the proposed Federal transit corpo-
ration. These concerns reflect natural
and commendable desire by local leaders
to participate in decisions on transit
routes and facilities to the fullest extent
possible. The Federal Government, in
addition, should welcome the local feel
ing that the proposed Federal corpora
ton should be replaced by regional
authority as soon as such an interstate
body can be set up. On their part, how
ever, the local officials must not forget
the critical Importance of the Federal
Governments role; for without the
strongest kind of Federal support the
prospects of financing an effective rapid
transit system are virtually nil.
We think that Assistant Budget
Director Hughes, at the same time, is
entirely right in pressing for an early
submission to Congress of the legisla-
ton, and that those local officials who
repeatedly favor an indefinite delay are
wrong Certainly there is little to JUS
tify the strategy" that the legislation
should be held up in order not to "con-
fuse" Congress about the pending inter-
state regulatory transit compact bill.
The only valid reason for delaying the
new submission is to obtain draft on
which there will be broad community
wide support.
To attain this agreement, compro-
misses on all sides will be required. We
Evening star., 1960-01-21
Successful Stokeout

My company and I felt at
this time, when everyone is
quick to criticize the Police
Department, we would like
to express our gratitude and
appreciation for a job well
done.
On Thursday and Friday
of last week our place of
business was broken into and
naturally the police were
called. Capt. Douglas came
down to see us and assured
us that every possible effort
would be made to apprehend
the person or persons re-
sponsible. He then asked our
permission to stake out the
place. stating that it seemed
like the work Of an inexperi-
enced person or persons. At
approximately 2::35 Saturday
morning the thief returned
to the scene of the crime
only to run into Officers
James Clarke and Ronald
Winters who had been staked
out in our Office by Capt.
Douglas. Officers Clarke and
Winters with great bravery,
especially in view Of the re-
cent police killing. appre-
hended the thief as he once
again broke into our Office.
Again I would like to say
Thank you" to Capt. Doug
las, Officers James E. Clarke
and Ronald o. Winters and
all the men of Number 2 Pre-
cinct.
Bernie GittlesOn,
President, Federal Wreck
ing Co., Inc.
Evening star., 1960-01-21

board will follow the natural
tendency to do its business
more efficiently" lie. in
private. Successor members
may have forgotten. or never
have known, what it was like
on st. Crispin's Day. PTAs
and other vigilant citizens
may have found other objects
of pursuit. Local papers may
no longer have alert re-
porters. or may decide schools
are not worth news space.
This seems unlikely.
Present members of the
board need no defense from
me. and none is offered. But
comparing experience else
where. I wonder what the
shootin's all about, and
whether the target is apt.
william G. Raleigh.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
Measuring Up to Job

Congratulations on your
editorial, "Wanted-A Super
man." When I read Senator
Kennedy's Press Club speech
I wondered If it would be
wise to send a boy to do a
mans work. especially If the
job was one of such stupen-
dous proportions and impor-
tance.
Elmer c. Helm.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL

it is difficult tor us to under
stand this.
Surely they can think.
Surely they can-but it is
not our way of thinking.
y
The fur of animals in the
outdoors grows increasingly
thick and coarse.
Both qualities tend to pro-
tect the animal.
The very fact they are
dirty, in our sense of the
word. makes for protection,
since there is some grease
and oil, and these help water
to slide off.
Nature protects her very
own in her own way, and
this again is not our way.
Human skin, unwashed,
may suffer from "staph" and
other germs.
These seldom bother the
wild animal. since his true
skin is protected by the outer
coat of fur.
In the outdoors, a little
warmth goes a long way.
1t is said that there is
enough extra warmth in an
average windowsill of a
heated home to keep the
claws of starlings from freez-
ing.
These birds are particularly
susceptible to frozen claws,
we have never heard Just
why, since other species in
the cold outside never seem
to suffer.
We found a downy wood
pecker frozen to death and
there was no claw injury.
y y y
The wandering cat comes
from a very adaptable strain
OF living creatures.
The original home of the
cat was a den, not a house,
as we call it.
Probably in Africa, where
cats came from, the first
home was a depression in the
sand, so the modern Ameri-
can cat, digging out itself a
slight shelter in a tree box
is just returning to its native
habits.
Our correspondent may
feel sure that when rain and
ice and snow make its tree
box cradle uninhabitable,
the cat will find itself a better
shelter under a flight of steps,
beneath a porch, or even in
a corner of buildings.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
"R STREET.

III . EbGE J..
Dear Sir:
"Out my Office window I
see a small depression in the
earth of a tree box, and I
wonder what it can be?
Can some animal sleep
there? The depression is
only about 4 to 6 inches deep,
but 1t would afford some pro-
lection from the winds.
II have watched this place,
but have never seen anything
in it. The burrow or what
ever one might call it is per-
fectly smooth.
The branches of the tree
would give a slight protec-
ton from above.
What do you think this
animal is?
Sincerely, AGNES r. T"
"
1t is a cat.
The cat does not need too
much protection, except in
the coolest weather. Despite
the fact that millions of cats
have lived indoors for CEN
turies, hence they are called
housecats. they still can live
outdoors.
Often in downtown areas,
there are cellars beneath,
some of them extending even
under the street.
Sometimes electric sub
stations set up in such places
send out a great deal of heat,
and this heat may warm the
sidewalks and tree boxes for
many feet.
1t is this warmth sought
by the cat.
In suburban areas, wild
rabbits dig themselves such
depressions, and in them
find some shelter.
\ \ y
Starlings and pigeons and
other species find a bit of
warmth on windowSills.
This warmth might not
register to the human touch,
but 1t is enough to help a
wild creature in the cold.
Birds and others know
nothing of the difference be-
tween cold and hot, wet and
dry.
They have no words, as we
have, hence have no way of
making these comparisons.
AS we look at our pets, with
their glowing, knowing eyes,
Evening star., 1960-01-21

lack the archaic gingerbread
of the past.
DR.. Rowland probably will
be disillusioned to hear that
the National Geographic So
ciety, "a fine looking build
ing with character" is slated
to be torn down in the in
definite future to make way
for a new NGS building. I
hope the society extends DR..
Rowland the courtesy of ap-
proving their new plans. He
will also be interested to know
that the National Geographic
rents one wing of the Ma
tional Education Association,
an example of "by the yard
architecture" for their map
department and that the
tenants are very happy with
their temporary quarters.
AS staff member of the
National Education Associa-
ton, I can say that I'm per-
sonally quite satisfied with
our building. I am surprised
that such a diligent student
Of antiquity presumes to pass
judgment on the intellectual
capacity Of our organization
as we'll as the architectural
merits.
Carl Purcell.
-
Many Washingtonians have
been delighted with George
Wilson's report in The Sum-
day Star Of January II on
the opinions Of DR.. Richard
Hubbard Rowland concern
ing the progressive vandalism
which rapidly is destroying
the character of the National
Capital, The city has reason
to give thanks that, as presi-
dent Of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation. DR..
Howland Is sounding an
alarm in an effort to defeat
Evening star., 1960-01-21

hope further face-to-face conferences
will be held toward this end. The time
for action, however, is now After years
of fruitless discussion, public sentiment
for rapid transit is favorable, and the
interest of government at all levels is
unprecedented. Allowed to simmer too
long, the opportunity for progress may
never be so bright again.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
THE POLITICAL MILL
Gotes BIunts Defense Issue
BY GOULD LINCOLN


The Defense Department,
through Secretary Gates and
the chairman of the Joint
Chiefs Of STAFF, Gen. Twin
ing has made a timely and
factual report to the House
Appropriations subcommit-
tee, showing that the United
States is on the whole ahead
of the Soviet Union in nuclear
weapons; that the United
States has not become a
second rate military power"
as charged by Democratic
critics of the Eisenhower ad-
ministration's defense pro-
grams, or second to any ma
ton.
Secretary Gates and Gen.
Twining backed up their esti-
mates of the United States
military position with reports
from our intelligence service,
containing new and impor-
tant data. Their statements,
now released in part for pub
lication. are timely because
Of the flood of criticisms
which have attempted to
show this country on the
toboggan.
Indeed, some Democrats
have already undertaken to
make what they call our lack
OF adequate national defense
a leading issue in the COM
ing presidential campaign
among them Senator Stuart
Symington of Missouri. And
some of the Democratic crit
les have gone so far as to
charge that President Eisen-
hover has been willing to
sacrifice our needed military
strength in order to balance
the Federal budget, to put
dollars ahead of Americas
chance for freedom, and to
make it possible for Amer
leans to have all kinds of
production for an easy life.
When analyzed, such a charge
against the President of the
United States. sworn to de-
fend this country, amounts to
a charge of treason-certainly
to a more serious charge of
treason than the Democrats
have been able to build up
against Vice President Nixon,
who they have been fond of
charging with calling them
reasonable because of their
handling of Communists in
this country and abroad. For
the Democratic critics of the
Presidents defense programs
say he has deliberately cut
down necessary spending and
estimates of appropriations
Tor the armed services. not
because of ignorance of the
needs or misjudgment of the
needs for national defense,
but merely for the purpose of
saving money and balancing
the budget.
Red Actions Exaggerated
Further. there has been a
strong inclination on the part
OF the Eisenhower critics to
give credit to Russian
achievements for which they
nave no real factual basis of
knowledge. Gen. Twining told
the House committee con.
Sidering the defense appro-
priation bill, in this connec-
ton: To-day we read and
hear a tremendous volume
OF material comparing the
strength of the United States
and the Free World with
that of the Soviet Union and
the Communist bloc. All too
often, the writers and COM
mentators are inclined to de-
grade the capabilities of the
American people and peoples
OF the Free World. At the
same time. the efforts of the
Soviet Union and the Com
munist bloc are reported in
glowing terms. The plain and
unadulterated truth of the
matter is that the moral,
Evening star., 1960-01-21

military, physical and eco
nomic strength of our people
and of our allies has been
adequate to resist and deter
Communist aggression. I am
confident that this will con-
tinue to be the case"
Both Secretary Gates and
Gen. Twining warned that
continued statements Of the
weakness of the United States
militarily, as compared to the
Soviet Union, when it is not
true, is only playing into the
hands of Communist propa-
gandists. They took the posi-
ton that the high officials of
the Soviet Union, through
their own intelligence, are
aware of the military
strength which the United
States possesses. This knowl-
edge, they contend, has been
the necessary deterrent to
attack by the Communist
bloc. But the repeated state
mentS of Americas alleged
weakness are likely to aid the
Soviet at the conference
table, when summit meetings
are held.
Balance in Our Favor
Secretary Gates made it
amply clear, and backed it
up with factual reports, that
this country has a retaliatory
power, in the event of a sur
prise attack upon us, so
great as to deter the Soviet
or any other potential ag-
gresSor. Mr.. Gates not only
told the committee that when
all our nuclear weapons and
ability to deliver are added
up and compared to those of
the Soviet, "a clear balance
in our favor" is shown.
The Secretary listed in
detail the weapons we have
and the agencies we have for
delivering them on target.
He also told the committee
this country is still far ahead
of the Soviet Union in its
economy and production. In
deed, the picture that Sec
retary Gates drew of the
United States and it's power
and resources when COM
pared to the Soviet Union
was vastly different from
those reports which have
come from less informed
sources in this country.
Neither Secretary Gates
nor Gen. Twining suggested
in any way that this country
should be complacent or rest
on its oars. Both told the
committee that the proposed
military programs. which
they discussed in much de-
tail, must go forward. They
insisted that the appropria-
tionS for these programs
proposed in the Presidents
budget can handle the job.
While Chairman Russell of
the Senate Armed Services
Committee commented that
the presentation made by
Secretary Gates had been
encouraging, Representative
Mahon of Texas. chairman
of the House subcommittee,
said that it was the most
rosy" and enthusiastic"
and "reassuring" report sub
mitted to his committee in
years.
The factual reports made
by them will not cause an
end to the attacks m ade
upon the Eisenhower mill
tary programs. Indeed, al
ready some of the critics
are sounding off. Some of
them apparently without
having read the testimony
now released by the commit
tee. But the effect will be
to take the gimp out of the
charges brought by these
critics and to blunt the So
called national defense is
sue in the coming campaign.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
After You,. Mister Chairman
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry ,Driters' correct
names and addresses. An
letters are subject to conden-
Sdtton.
Evening star., 1960-01-21
GERS and Cheers for Architectural Historian

Elmer c. Helm.
Evening star., 1960-07-03
Program Listines

the hanging of an innocent
friend. Clint Walker, Chorles
QuinIivon. tRepeot.)
9-Kote Smith Show. Music
Guest: julie Styne. (Repeot.)
500
Slim Bowie. Adventure.
9-The Texan. Western.
Rory CoIhoun stors. (Repeot.)
$50
4-Toles of Wells Forgo.
An outflow saves Jim Hordie's
life. Dole Robertson. (Repeot.)
5-imPucf. Crime.
Starring Frank Loveioy.
7-Bourbon Street Beat.
! Hour. "Tereso." Rex Rom
doIph helps beautiful girl find
her ployboy brother and runs into
eonesters and O hurricane. Rich
Evening star., 1960-07-03
July 4

ord Long, Morie Windsor. Brod
Dexter, Karen Steele.
9-Fofher Knows Best. Cmdy.
Betty ponies when she reoIizes
thot she hosn't received on invi-
totion TO the Founders Day pic
MIC. Elinor Donohue stors. Ire
peot
Evening star., 1960-07-03
$50
4-TV Theoter. Dromo.

A pilot is branded O murderer
when his plane crashes into
farmhouse and kills two children.
Peter lowford. Worren Stevens.
tRepeot)