davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-08-04

1t was quite an experience
to learn of the Scientific
hoax of the century" as ex-
pounded by Prof. Henry E.
Garrett of the University of
Virginia, His statement. as
quoted by your paper, is that
Racial differences in mental
ability are innate and genetic
and not the results of differ
ent environments" and that
the "equalitarian dogma"
that holds that Negroes are
the mental equals of white
persons, at best represent a
sincere if misguided effort to
help the Negro by ignoring
or even suppressing evidence
of his mental and social
immaturity.
These statements must be
based on remarkable scien-
tific oata which will surely
be released to educators of
the earliest possible moment.
During this time of difficulty
IN obtaining Federal funds
for education what a ire
mendous saving would be
made if educators would SIM
ply dispense with all previous
methods of measuring intel
ligence and merely rely on
something such as color
charts-the lighter the color
the higher the intelligence.
Elizabeth Hart.
Evening star., 1961-08-04
WSTAS IN SCIENCE
Gamma Rays Accelerate Plant Life
BY THOMAS r. HENRY

Gamma radiation from
atomic reactors greatly
speeds up lives of some
plants.
Gamma rays are invisible
electromagnetic waves of en-
ergy quite similar to X-rays.
They travel hundreds of feet
through air and several
inches through lead.
The curious effects on
vegetation have been OBJ
served particularly around
the Atomic Energy Commits
sion's Intentionally unshield-
ed experimental reactor near
Jacksonville, Ga. They have
Just been reported by the
commission. Some plant life
processes were speeded up
three to five weeks over nor
NAL. Some other vegetation
was killed by the same
dosages.
Trees Hard Hit
Twelve months after the
first irradiation," says the
report, "all pine trees up to
1000 feet were killed and
many growth alterations
were noted at greater dis
tances. In the autumn the
leaf fall of oak and hickory
trees was one to three weeks
early between 500 and 1900
feet from the reactor. The
same was true for many
herbs. Some ANIMALS in an
experimental field completed
their life cycles three to four
weeks early.
In the spring, after ir-
radiation during the winter,
winter dormancy was pro-
longed in trees and shrubs
up to 1900 feet from the
reactor. resulting in an is
land of vegetation up to 5000
feet across that remained
leaflesS after surrounding
vegetation had come into full
leaf. The prolongation of
dormancy was proportional
to the radiation dose, but
was reflected differently by
different species. The net re-
suit is to shorten the grow
ing period both by early leaf
fall and by prolonged dor
nancy.
within TOO to 300 feet of
the reactor most terminal
buds of woody vegetation
were killed. Growth was re-
sumed by buds on stems
several years old. Continued
exposure probably would re-
suit in the death of hard
woods, not because of death
in the whole tree, as in the
pine, but by continued de-
struction of these growing
tips. 1t is likely that their
reduction in number and
Evening star., 1961-08-04
TESTING a New Doctrine

The first test of President Ken
nedy's concept of Western Hemisphere
alliance for progress" will take place
during the coming fortnight Meeting
in the resort community of Punta del
Este, near Montevideo, delegations rep
resenting nations stretching southwark
from the United States will attempt to
set up a realistic and meaningful pro-
gram of economic and social develop
ment for each of the needy participating
countries. The meetings will begin to-
morrow, and our own delegation is
headed by Secretary of Treasury Dillon.
There is great hope in many
quarters, indeed it is the foundation
for President Kennedy's call for this
meeting, that this will be a working
conference-rather than forum for
political speeches or a stage for the
Sketching of grandiose and impractical
plans. In fact, from the very beginning
Mr.. Kennedy has emphasized that his
administrations specifications for the
proposed alliance include the require
ments of realistic goals, of assurance
that the social and economic benefits
Will not be confined to those already
highly privileged, and the certainty that
the effort will be reciprocal one With
acceptance of these conditions, the Pres
ident has pledged substantial assistance
financial and technical-by our own
Government in much the way the
Marshall Plan contributed to the re-
building of postwar Western Europe. In
effect, Congress repeated these condi-
tions when it stipulated that there must
be evidence of self-help and of social
and economic reforms prior to the
commitment and disbursement of funds
from the initial $50O-million inter
American aid appropriation.
With all possible good will, the task
is not an easy one for the Latin Amer
lean governments themselves In many
countries, the extremes are wide between
Evening star., 1961-08-04
School Jeopurdized

Great universities in the
Soviet Union specialize in
matters concerning foreign
countries and are given top
priority there, never lacking
in financial support.
There is a scarcity of such
educational institutions in
the United States. One of
the few, the Foreign Service
School of Georgetown Uni
versity, enjoys considerable
reknown. But its very ex-
istence is being threatened.
1t is doomed to extinction
simply because it lacks ade-
quate financial support, for
the Foreign Service School
receives virtually no money
to help it carry out its po-
grams. This is due to the
hort-sighted policy of the
JesuitS which demands that
each school at Georgetown
be self-Supporting, and the
United States Governments
unwillingness to give direct
aid to an institution whose
very curriculum is instru-
mental in obtaining that
Governments foreign policy
objectives.
What happens when there
is not enough money to fl
nance the schools programs?
Glasses are combined, teach
ers are dismissed, specialized
courses are generalized. 1t
is conceivable the Foreign
Service School will be even
tually squeezed out of exist
ence. This would result in
a continuing decline in the
caliber of our representatives,
both governmental and non
governmental, sent abroad.
Has the richest Nation on
earth become. so miserly as
not to be able to afford aid
ing educational institutions
upon which its very well-be-
ing rests?
Anthony c. Perkins.
Class of '63, Georgetown
University.
Evening star., 1961-08-04

The S8.8 billion long range
borrowing foreign aid bill will
authorize the Treasury to
borrow funds the next five
years for the Development
Loan Fund. This is back
door" spending which elm
mates congressional approval
on requested appropriations
and puts the power in the
hands of the administration.
A proposed agency for Inter
national Development could
lend up to 5000 million this
year and an additional SIS
billion the next four years to
different countries.
I object to this feature.
The Constitution specifically
grants the legislative branch
and not the executive branch
this authority. The legisla-
tive branch should keep this
right and not give it away.
Congress reflects the will of
the people and exerts a watch
dog attitude over appropria-
tions, whereas the admins
tration represents only the
left-wing of one political
party whose thinking will de-
termine how, when and where
the money should go.
The President argues this
bill is a must to prevent the
spread of communism in Lat
in America, Asia and Africa.
The long-range borrowing
foreign aid program won't
stop the surge Of Communist
global conquest. Communism
is basically an theology war
and not a materialistic war.
Communism will be de-
feated only when this Ma
ton actively engages in a
freedom theology war. Con-
gress can get started by es-
tablishing a Freedom Acad-
emy.
6. H. Curtis.
Evening star., 1961-08-04
SoIutes D. c. Police

While visiting in Washing
ton and availing myself of
the opportunity to see the
Presidents motorcade. I was
particularly impressed with
the conduct of the Metropol-
itan Police Department.
Their courteous and pa
tient handling of thousands
of onlookerS created a serene
and kindly atmosphere. Such
manly and chivalrous con-
duct represents American
manhood at its best. With
such promising peaceful
technique. this fine institu-
tion bespeaks greatness.
Elizabeth Smith.
Detroit, Michigan.
Evening star., 1961-08-04

shortened photosynthetic
season will result in starva-
tlon and death"
The dosages of gamma
rays, mixed with neutrons,
received by the Jacksonville
trees admittedly were very
heavy. Such amounts of ra-
diation never would be re-
ceived by plant life under
natural conditions. Making
trees wake up from their
winter sleep later, leaf and
bloom earlier, and fall asleep
again sooner than the same
species elsewhere, may have
as yet unknown agricultural
and forestry applications.
Tolerances of different
species were found to differ
by as much as 1,000-fold.
Pitch pine was killed by pro-
longed exposure to dose rates
as low as five roentgens (the
common measure of radia-
ton intensity. On the other
hand gladiolas survived q
dosage of 5000 roentgens a
day throughout a 100-day
growing season. Chrysanthe-
NUNS were alive at the end
of a full season after very
heavy radiation exposure.
Other Effects Noted
The speeding up Of life
processes. however, is only
one side of the plant picture,
according to a commission
report. Other effects, includ-
ing new knowledge of growth
and Towering processes OBJ
tanned by use of radioactive
tracers and new species pro-
duced by induced genetic
changes promise the most
sweeping of all future bene-
fits to civilian populations.
Whole new fertilization con-
cepts are being developed as
a result of atomic research.
Phosphorus, for example. is
a prime nutritional element
for most growing plants.
Radioactive phosphorus now
can be placed in fertilizers
and the uptake and use of
the element by different
plants traced.
Studies already have
shown, for example, that
fertilizers applied as sprays
are much more effective for
some kinds of plant growth
than are fertilizers applied
to the soilf 1t has been found
also than when fertilizer is
placed a few centimeters be-
meath the seed as it is
planted in the ground the
growing plant takes up the
nutrient days, even weeks,
earlier than when the ferti-
lizer is applied to soil beside
the plant.
Evening star., 1961-08-04
WATCHING THE WORLD
Chink in the Red Threat to Berlin
By CROSBY S. NOYE.
Foreign Correspondent Of The stor
BERLIN

BERLIN.
Recent developments here
may be giving Soviet Pre-
mier Khrushchev some sober
second thoughts about the
wisdom of his plan to sign a
separate peace treaty with
his East German satellite.
The flow of East German
refugees through this city to
West Germany reached an
all-time record in July when
almost 10000 men, women
and children passed through
Berlin's Marienfelde recep-
ton center on their way to
freedom. This was more than
twice the normal" flow.
The significance of this
mass flight is only beginning
to dawn on Western experts
here. Up to now. it has been
looked on largely as creating
a problem-as well as a pro-
paganda victory - for the
West. But if it means what it
seems to mean about the
conditions in East Germany,
the flow of refugees must
have a deeper and far more
sinister meaning for leaders
of the Communist zone.
According to the refugees,
themselves, two major fac
tors account for the sudden
increase in their numbers:
First is the deplorable eco
nomic situation in the east
ern zone.
Second and most important
is the belief that the signing
of a separate peace treaty
between East Germany and
the Soviet Union will lead
sooner or later to the COM
plete sealing of sector borders
in Berlin and the plugging of
the escape hatch.
On both counts. things are
likely to get worse rather
than better as time goes on,
despite new restrictions on
East Germans who work in
the Western sectors. The flow
Of refugees. itself, contributes
greatly to the economic prob
lem of the East German re-
gime. More than half are
under Is years old-the great
majority are young people
leaving vital jobs in East
German factories and on
farms.
Greater Flow Likely
Western experts believe,
with some misgivings, that
the flow may rise to critical
levels in the months ahead.
If Mr.. Khrushchev, as many
have expected, goes ahead
with his plan for a separate
treaty something like a real
stampede could result unless
further restrictions are i'm
posed. And in this case the
position of the East German
government would become
very uncomfortable, indeed.
The Communists, of course,
could stop the flow of refu-
gees even before the peace
treaty is signed by sealing
off their sector of the city or
by clamping on tight travel
restrictions throughout their
zone of Germany. That they
haven't done so already is
taken as a sign of weakness
and uncertainty in Commu-
mist Boss Walter Ulbricht's
regime. Among other things,
it would place a severe strain
on the loyalty of the East
German military units and
police who from time to time
Evening star., 1961-08-04
Fires q MIME Ball

AS a Yankee" participant
in the recent reenactment of
the battle of First Manassas,
I have noted many COM
plants as to the inappropri-
ateness of the event. This
would not nettle me if these
protestations did not so often
border on the hysterical, and
express utter ignorance of
the nature of the partici-
pants who Joined together
from considerable distances
at virtually their own ex-
pense.
These bluffs" did not de-
lude themselves that they
were either refighting or re-
living the battle, for many
have known military service,
some have scars of later wars,
and the rest respect the diff
ference between a demon
stration and a bloody COM
bat.
We were asked to contrib
ute our numbers, experience,
and personal property, in the
shape of original and replica
dress, arms, and equipments;
much of which dates from
1861-1865.
The decision Of the appro-
priatenesS of the event was
not ours, but once put into
motion we felt it incumbent
upon such as we, who have
long studied the minutiae of
army life of those days, to
do as nearly as possible as
our spiritual and in some
cases actual, grandfathers
would wish us to, within the
limits of safety.
Although $500 men really
represented only about a
fourth of the men on the
original bloody field sur
rounding the Henry House,
we feel that we demonstrated
the tactics of the battle be-
yond our own expectations.
If such cooperation, coupled
with sincere acknowledgment
of the cost and pain to the
original soldiers in the con-
flict is a "sick" manner of
commemoration, it is diff
cult to understand how these
later day Johnny Rebs and
Billy Yanks have worked so
we'll together, generating in
the process less hard feel
ings than at an average little
league game.
Lack of interest in military
events of 100 years past is
certainly not reprehenSible,
but neither is it necessarily
commendable.
Robert L. Miller.
North-South Skirmish As
sociation Participant.
+ \ y
Now that the first battle
of Bull Run has been re-
enacted, I think it expedient
that those responsible pause
and question themselves as
to efficacy of such episodes
To add insult to injury, it is
only the beginning in this
day of striving for racial un-
derstanding and brotherhood
Further, to what avail is
it? Is the portrayal authen-
tic? Is it accurate? I prefer
our concerning ourselve S
with completing desegrega-
ton and really putting some
sweat, toll, and tears into
making integration work in
1861.
Evening star., 1961-08-04
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used "
letters carry wrtters' correct
names and addresses. All let
terS are subject to condenSd-
ttOn. Those not used Dtll be
returned only When accom-
panied By self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star., 1961-08-04

have been reported conniving
with refugees and even join
ing them in not insignificant
numbers.
Beyond this, however, the
Berlin safety valve is not
without a certain usefulness
for the highly unpopular
East German government.
Mr.. Ulbricht might we'll
ponder what would have hap
pened if the millions who
have fled had remained be-
hind to oppose him. He might
well ask himself what would
happen now if the thousands
who each week become fed
up to the point of leaving
homes and property behind
them were to find the escape
route suddenly closed. AS one
Western diplomat put it:
Closing the border would
be like jamming a cork in
the neck of a soda water
bottle and shaking hard"
Communist Weakness
The refugee situation, COM
bined with the threat of
economic retaliation by the
West in the event of a new
Berlin crisis, are not things
that either Mr.. Ulbricht or
Mr.. KhruShchev can afford
to take lightly. Taken to-
gether, they add up to a
serious weakness in the Com
munist hand, Where the East
is playing from a position of
military strength which it
dares not use, the West plays
from an advantage of eco
nomic and political strength
which it can exploit to the
maximum. From the Com
munist viewpoint a large ele-
ment of bluff is essential to
win.
When it comes to recogni-
ton of East Germany, MIR.
Khrushchev must weigh the
practical results of such a
move. The objective of the
exercise obviously is to
strengthen the East German
regime and consolidate the
Soviet hold on its satellite
empire.
The possibility that recog-
milton would, in fact, have
the directly contrary effect
of weakening Mr.. Ulbricht's
already shaky government
could cause a radical change
in Mr.. Khrushchev's perspec-
tive on the question. To
provoke a full-fledged eco
nomic crisis in East Germany
and at the same time run
the risk of violent political
unrest are not results one
would normally consider in
the Russian interest.
All one can say at this
point, however, is that con-
ditions within East Ger
many, as they look from
here, improve the prospects
for a new round of negotia-
tions on Berlin before any
radical decisions are made.
Already there are reports
OF diplomatic feelers from
the Communist side in sew
eral Western European capi-
tails. Given Mr., Khrushchev's
present mood and the public
commitments he has made,
the West can hardly look for
ward to a pleasant bargain
ing session if the talks
begin. But at least the Allies
can sit down at the table
with the knowledge that the
cards are not already hope
lessly stacked against them.
Evening star., 1961-08-04
Hoax of Century

Mrs. Andrew Fowler
Evening star., 1961-08-04
'Bock-Door' Spending

Detroit, Michigan.
Evening star., 1961-07-27
THE PASSING SHOW
Sointhood Elusive
Asa Film Subject
By JAY CARMODY
Drama Critic of The Star

No road to sainthood ever scenic than that
travelled by Francis of Assist through his native Umbran hills
This an oblque of saying that in many respects
setting the most dramatic aspect of the f Francis
Assist which opened today at oews Capitol theater
in its visual elements this Plato A. Skoura production
Evening star., 1961-07-27

full, from the Giotto tapestries
on which its credits are over
laid to its final scene. Yet, odd
ly enough, the SenSory impact
Of this lovelineSS is to give the
film more the flavor of a docu-
mentary narrative than a dra-
matte examination of the eS-
sence of Sainthood.
The facts of Francis life un-
questionably are there. These
are not without their interest,
as historical narrative never is,
but they leave the spectator
feeling short-changed of the
larger meaning of a dramatic
life.
This, of course, is not uncom-
mon when those lacking the
gifts of saints and geniuseS
undertake an explanation of
either. 1t could even be that
Producer Skouras would be the
first to diSclaim an intention in
Francis of Assist" to make a
how-to-do-it film of sainthood
+ + =
Bradford Dillman plays the
title role in the film which
presents a 18th century Italy
from which any sensitive hu-
man might well withdraw. The
handsome. dashing Francis, son
of a successful merchant, did
more. He withdrew only long
enough to devise a corrective
for the violence and love of
luxury in which the era wal
lowed.
His new vision disclosed to
him a world that belonged to
God, not man. DiveSting him
self of all worldly possessions,
including the pure devotion of
the Clare who later Joined him
Evening star., 1961-07-27

maid in Fry's bright jest will
be played by Anita Dangler,
who last appeared in Under
Milkwood," one of James D.
Warnings most brilliant pieces
of direction.
Lyn Cameron who has ap-
peared in several earlier pro-
ductions at the Maryland
summer theater will play the
title role in "Cecile." The
combined bill, by the way, re-
turns Olney to the blithe spirit
of its first two productions,
both of which set new nine
year house records.
Speaking of faces, familiar
and otherwise, Gene Tierney
will be returning to the screen
after a long absence in Otto
Preminger's Advise and Con-
sent" To be exact, for the
first time in six years.
Miss Tierney, the first woman
to be cast in the film, will play
the Dolly Harrison role, that
Evening star., 1961-07-27

in sainthood, he set out to find
the truly good life.
At every step in the quest,
he found himself Joined by
others. less intently in pursuit
of the highest purpose but will
ing to be led toward it.
By neither society nor a
practical hierarchy were these
early FranciScans readily ac-
cepted. Nevertheless, resting
their case on a power far great
er than their own, the mean
ing of their sacrifice pervaded
both atmosphereS with an un-
easy sense that here was an ir-
resistable force. Pomp and
pride confronted by poverty
and humility slowly crumbled.
The process is innately one
Of dramatic contrasts, yet the
film directed by Michael Curtiz
fails to develop these beyond
their merely narrative dimen-
Sions. A similar inadequate
grasp of Sainthood is the prob
lem Of the performers. It begins
with Actor Dillman, a physically
attractive Francis but a psy-
chically shallow one; proceeds
through Dolores Hart as the
creamy complexioned founder
of the Order of Poor Clares;
and reaches to the bottom of a
long cast without producing a
truly stirring performance.
The picture, then, ends up
more as an inventory of the
facts of st. Francis life than
as a dramatization Of it.
Visually, however, Francis
of Assist" is stunning.
- &&
MEMOS: Olney audiences
will be seeing some attractively
new-and a few recently miss
ing-faceS in next weeks COM
bined bill Of brief plays, "A
Phoenix Too Frequent" and
"Cecile.". The cast of the
first play, by Christopher Fry,
a longtime Olney favorite, will
be headed by Angela Thornton
and John D. Irving. Neither
has made a previous appear
ance at Olney. =. The earthly
Evening star., 1961-07-27

"Romulus and Remus" with
Gordon Scott who used to play
Tarzan. When Steve started his
career in Italy he was paid
$40, ,000-and half of this was
a promiSSory note. But when
Hercules" was released, Steve
was a big star.
was amused to read that
Anita Ekberg, having finished
"Boccaccio 70" for FeIIini, was
cruising in her yacht in Roman
waters. Anita won't admit to
her romance with actor Franco
Silva. Hes just a sailor who
helps me with my boat" says
Anita. So now they refer to
Franco as The Sailor They've
been a twosome for two years,
There is a young actor in
Rome whose name escapes me
for the moment, who is de-
Evening star., 1961-07-27
Films of More Than Routine Merit

. ] HTHS OF WIUTE 7 HUH NOUITHE WGFTI
"BEN-HUR"-Brlliant 11-Oscar production a mammoth
scale of the story Of ChriStianity's birth.
ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR"-Fred MacNIurray in a
daft comedy fantasy from Walt Disney
"MEIN KAMPF"-NaZi archives yield a tale of horror
"RAISIN IN THE SUN"Sidney Potter a superative film
version of the Broadway play.
"SPARTACUS"-A fragile script more than offset by
brilliant camera work; superb acting.