davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-01-27

"a Land. by DR.. Allen E.
Bank. 1t reveals the health
potentialities of mankind as
being much greater than is
commonly believed to be pos
sible. aiding it should
arouse a desire on the part of
those connected with working
for the aged. and others who
read it. in this nation, to
work towards attaining a
standard commensurate with
the challenging high standard
of the people Of Hunza Land.
In this fascinating true
story of these people in this
fabulous health and foun-
tain Of youth wonderland of
the world. happiness and
long life prevail. Women of
80 look no older than our
women Of 40. Their men live
for 100 years. and still father
.children at 80. The people are
friendly, active and alert.
The asserted long disease
free life Of the people and
their perfect eyesight even at
an advanced age would indi-
cate a relationship between
the eyes and general health
Apparently through their way
Of life, their bodies have be-
come resistant to disease
Their men of 80 or 80 can
walk IS miles and back
carrying a load and then re-
turn to their regular work
Immediately without any
rest. They do not know what
fatigue is in their daily work
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Vigilance Pays off

The narrow escape which the con-
stitutional amendment granting WASH
ingtonians the right to vote for Presi-
dent and Vice President experienced in
the Wyoming Legislature this week
should serve as timely warning of the
pitfalls which lie in the path Of ratif1-
cation. But the happy outcome In
wyoming also is heartening proof Of the
good that can result when supporters
Of the amendment are alert to this
danger, and when they act swiftly to
resolve misunderstanding.
On Tuesday, committee Of the
Wyoming Senate voted against ratifica-
ton because they feared this was prel-
ude to statehood for the District, which
would mean equal representation with
the States in Congress. Learning Of
this, Representative William Henry Har-
rison Of Wyoming wired leaders of the
Legislature, urging them to re-study
the amendment, and to ratify it. Similar
appeals came from Wyoming newspa-
pers. After second look, the State
leaders agreed there had been a mis-
understanding, and with extraordinary
speed the entire Senate convened in
special session, called up the amend
ment, and tentatively approved it.
Washingtonians are deeply indebted
to Mr.. Harrison, to the newspaper edi-
tors who came to their assistance and,
most Of all, to the Wyoming senator's
for their fair and expeditions action.
We hope now that the Senate confirms
its earlier action, as technically it must
do, and that the other house of the
Legislature will quickly follow suit, so
that wyoming can become the next
State to complete ratification.
A further word about the misun-
derstanding in Wyoming, however, is in
order. For while confusion over the
question of statehood perhaps is under
standable, 1t is ironic that this should
become stumbling block. Actually, the
entire concept Of the amendment, its
sole reason for being, is based on a rec
ognition that Washington, D. c., never
should become State, that under the
Constitution it occupies unique status
which sets it irrevocably and forever
apart from the States.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Who's SHOOTING Whom?

There are times when our heart
goes out to Judge Howard Smith and
his embattled Rules Committee. Only
from the right do these gentlemen enjoy
respite from the whitening fre. In
front, from the rear, and above all from
the left the cannon are volleying and
laundering.
What is this all about? Who is
shooting at whom, and why? We have
read from time to time that Speaker
Sam Rayburn is shooting at Judge Smith
and the Rules Committee because he
thinks the Kennedy legislative program
will be doomed unless this committee is
moved down, or at least packed with
two new Democratic members who will
roll over and play dead when the Speaker
snaps his fingers.
All Of this is little hard to under
stand. And it is especially hard to under
stand If one looks at the record and
reads the words Of Mr.. Sam. Shortly
before the last, the 86th, Congress
adjourned on September /, 1860, Speaker
Rayburn made a little speech to the
assembled Representatives. I'VE have
come" he said, Ito the close Of one of
the busiest and, in my opinion, one Of
the most fruitful sessions Of Congress
it has ever been my privilege to serve
in. And am winding up my oath term"
II this is the case, what has
happened since the first Of last Sep
tember? Judge Smith and the Rules
Committee, were right there, Johnny
on-the-spot so to speak, throughout all
of the 86th Congress. And yet, according
to Speaker Rayburn, that was one of
the busiest and most fruitful sessions in
all Of his experience in Congress. What
has happened since to change the
Speakers mind? Certainly the Rules
Committee has not blocked or frustrated
or bottled up any legislation in the 87th
Congress, which has barely begun to
function. So what Is the shooting all
about? Is it possible 1--WE most certainly
think so) that there Is more than meets
the eye In this unwarranted and un-
reasonable drive to pack the Rules
Committee?
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Against BHIboords

In conversations with a
great many people on the
subject Of billboards. I have
only found one person who
did not recommend their
elimination. That one was
worried about what would
happen to the artists" who
design them. at the same
time admitting that they do
not seem to be very good
artists. Practically everyone
regards billboards as deface-
ments Of the landscape and
unwarranted and unwanted
intr,isions on peoples privacy.
Unfortunately they can't be
turned off like radio or TV
commercials or tossed in the
fireplace as can the news
paper with a distasteful ad.
They are generally regarded
as evidences of bad taste on
the part of the advertisers.
Their effectiveness is based
on the principle that If you
can repeat a thing often
enough, people will begin to
believe 1t. even If it is an
obvious lie.
AS a means of seeking the
public's good will I would say
billboards are a complete fail
ure. They are much more
likely 10 obtain Ill will. My
own reaction. when I see a
billboard. is to make a mental
note not to buy the product
advertised.
IN
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Rules Wronq1e

VIII the Southern Demo-
Gratis again support the cause
OF liberalism? This time by
approving Speaker Sam Ray
burns move to enlarge the
House Rules Committee from
IL to Is? A No. l liberal Pres
ident with a No. / liberal
platform was elected with
the vote Of the Southern
Democratic States. Without
the electoral vote Of most
Southern States. these two
liberal victories would not
have been achieved.
Liberalization Of the Rules
Committee will result in
sweeping the New Frontier
programs to the House floor.
Here Speaker Rayburn with
full backing from the White
House expects to get House
approval on Kennedy's pro-
grams and then send the bills
to the President for signature
as law.
Southern people are
basically conservative. Lib
eralization Of the Rules Com
mittee will be drawing a little
tighter the moose around the
neck Of conservatism.
Rayburn is confident OF
winning the Rules Committee
change.
q. n Curtis.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Persistent Ladies

Naively, perhaps, we had thought
the campaign to give part Of Norman
stone Park to the wives and daughters
clubhouse was killed and buried on
Capitol Hill year ago.
Obviously, however (and by no
means for the first time), we under
estimated the power Of female perse-
verance, for one of the first bills dropped
into the hopper this month by Senators
Anderson and Dworshak has revived
the drive all over again.
Now most Of Normanstone Park, as
has been said before, is no great shakes
as public recreation area, being more
fitted for mountain goats, really, than
for people. Its location, furthermore,
just across Massachusetts, avenue from
the British Embassy, could hardly be
more desirable for clubhouse, and one
would imagine that any number of
women's groups, not just congressional
wives, would delightedly find it so.
The point, however, is that Norman
stone is public park, portion Of the
system of National Capital Parks
acquired with public funds, and unless
1t is repurchased from the Government
with private funds 1t ought to remain
available for public uses. This is a prin-
ciple which the National Park Service
has defended with all It's vigor over the
years-a fact which Senator Anderson,
as the new chairman of the Senate
Interior Committee, undoubtedly is well
aware of.
Evening star., 1961-01-27

Perhaps a study of the way
Of life of Hunzukuts may un-
lock great truths helpful to
the many vital questions that
seemingly remain unanswered
to us, and give us an oppor-
tunity to take advantage of
the lessons we can learn from
them and incorporate them
in our programs for the ag-
ing.
For, as Amiel's journal in
Time" says: For to know
how to grow old is the mas
terwork of wisdom, and one
of the most difficult chap
ters in the art of living"
Ann r. BOOras.
Editors Note: Hunza Is no
imaginary Shangri-la, but it
is hard to reach. 1t is an iso-
lated mountain kingdom near
the Himalayas, bordering
Chinese Turkistan and At
ghanistan and is only a few
miles from Russia on one
side and India on the other.
1t was described well in the
october, 1858, National Geo
graphic Magazine by Jean
and Franc Shor, who said its
$4,000 inhabitants are taller
and fairer of skin than their
neighbors; their agricultural
methods are superior; they
have a well-ordered and
stable economy, and a IA
nous British physician has
called them the healthiest
people in the world. .~
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Renewing Downtown

The newly = disclosed preliminary
sketches and plans for revitalizing
downtown Washington are not yet spe-
ciic enough to depict a finished prod
uct, and anyone who searches for this
will be disappointed. What they do
present Is concept of general ideas
and goals which we think are on the
right track, and we predict that public
enthusiasm and support for them will
grow as they become more fully under
stood.
While the distinction is not clearly
made by Downtown Progress-the busi-
nesSman group conducting the program
two major goals are being sought. One
Is to eliminate the obvious pockets of
blight and deterioration, and to reclaim
the entire section between Fifth and
Fifteenth streets NV. through long
series Of new construction, renovation
and public improvement projects. A
key element Is trafic plan designed
to make the area accessible while at
the same time reducing the clutter of
.through-traf1c. During the last year,
the downtown planners have amassed
a staggering number of facts about
both existing conditions and the eco
nomic potentials,
The second and far more challeng-
ing goal, however, is to accomplish all
this in manner that will transform
downtown from place which is avoided
to place where people from every part
OF the area will want to congregate In
large numbers. 1t will draw people
il 1t Is SuccesSful-because it offers a
concentration Of attractions which the
suburbs cannot match, not only in shops
and stores, but In theaters, restaurants
and any number Of cultural and enter
tainment amenities. Certainly down.
town should contain pedestrian oases-
broad open areas where people can sit
(where downtown today can one simply
stop for few minutes to rest?) or stroll
at leisure, where automobiles would be
banned. For visitors, downtown should
enhance and supplement the great
beauty Of the Nations Capital, but with
facilities that can be used and enjoyed
day and night, not just with the sterile
beauty Of monuments.
In order for these things to happen,
the biggest single stumbling block is not
money, but transportation. 1t requires
completion Of the Districts freeway
system. More important, downtown can
reach its highest potential only If an
effective rapid transit system is devel-
Evening star., 1961-01-27
All, to Be Resident of 'Hunzo Land

The purposes Of the recent
White House Conference on
Aging, as I see it, were. QD to
formulate recommendations
for improving and developing
programs to create conditions
which would better enable
the aged to meet their own
needs: az to do further re-
search on aging: and 90 to
take informed action to i'm
plement the recommended
tions Of the conference.
One Of the problems men,
titioned seems to be the pres
ervation Of health. This is
thought-provoking, inasmuch
as other research on better
health has tended to be more
concerned with illness rather
than health per Sc. The major
concern Of people with regard
to the aged, truly is the
problem Of their health. In
order to best meet the health
care needs Of the elderly, 1t
will be necessary to utilize
the most effective illness
prevention measures, and
most effective restorative pro-
cesses known, which inciden-
tally would benefit not only
the aged but people Of all
ages.
In the list of books sugges.
ed by the conference, I found
no reference to one book
which many, after reading
it, would likely consider a,
worthy Of being listed with
those Of top priority in value
This excellent book is Hun.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Presidents LEGACY

l cannot help but comment
on the similarity of the sun
coming out the day our
President was inaugurated
and, the day he came to
speak in Hartford. Conn.
We had not seen the sun for
quite a few days and that
day it was cold. gray and so
windy! When John F. Ken
nedy arrived and just as he
mounted the steps of the
rostrum. the sun broke
through brightly and warmly.
Therefore, let the thou
sands of unemployed my
self included) take courage
that this is indeed a good
omen, bearing in mind how
ever, that he has inherited
thousands of us all over the
country.
H. C. d.
East Hartford, Conn.
Evening star., 1961-01-27

Of small vernier rockets.
When the missile is fired,
all five are ignited. A few
moments after launching,
and when the Atlas is in its
proper trajectory. the boost
er engines are jettisoned,
and the sustainer engine ac-
CELEBRATES it to its proper We
locity of over $4,000 m.p.h.
Then the suStainer engine is
stopped. The vernier rockets
are used to trim the missile
to the exact velocity required
for impact in the target area.
The nose cone is then Sepa-
rated and follows a ballistic
course.
@. Is there a worm called
the horSehair worm?-B. T.
A. The Nematomorpha
are popularity called hair
worms or horsehair worms
because of the old belief
that horsehairs soaked in
water turn into this kind
of long, slender worms. They
appear suddenly in such
places as pools and watering
troughs. emerging in their
adult form as worms after
having lived as larvae in
the bodies Of insects and
Shellfish,
Evening star., 1961-01-27
Good Start for JFK

President K edy has
made an excellent beginning!
He has given more surplus
food to the unemployed in
depressed areas. He has ap-
proved a plan for the return
Of the International Control
Commission to Laos. He is
repeatedly considering the re-
opening Of consular relations
with Cuba. And he has said
that our country is ready to
reappraise its relations with
the Soviet Union on a basis
Of the points which unite the
two great powers rather than
those which divide them.
These powers got along to-
gether well during World
War II when united to resist
Nazi Germany. Both coun-
tries are now confronted with
an even greater danger than
they faced at that time: the
danger Of an atomic world
war. Neither side wants this.
However. if the arms race
continues, war will inevitably
explode through blunder, mis-
calculation or accident. There
is no deterrent to accident!
So it is to our mutual ad-
vantage to lessen tensions
and develop a friendly, CO.
operative climate. This can
not be done If arms appro-
priations continue to be
raised; II we permit a resur-
gence Of McCarthyism; if
our planes buzz Soviet ships
or our Central Intelligence
Agency trains Cuban coun-
ter-revolutionaries.
War industries, the Penta-
gon, Atomic Energy Commits
sion and Central Intelligence
Agency have a vested inter-
est in the cold war. They will
exert every possible effort to
maintain international ten
Sion-and many commenta-
tors will collaborate with
them.
Since they are so powerful
and have unlimited access ia
our President. we need tc
give him strong support fol-
the friendlier. more coopera-
tive policy he is proposing.
Alice Franklin Bryant.
Seattle, Wash.
Evening star., 1961-01-27

@. Was there ever such a
word as snollygoster?-A.K K.
A. There has been, and ap-
parently still is. such a word.
Snollygoster was included re-
Gently in a published list Of
newly important words" and
defined as "a rascal or un-
scrupulous person. especially
an unprincipled politician" I"
In one meaning (pretentious
boaster) it has been listed
elsewhere as obsolete slang
of fanciful origin. Mathews
Dictionary of Americanism
illustrates another oldtime
use of the word with the
following 1895 quotation from
the the Columbus Dispatch:
"A Georgia editor kindly ex-
plains that a snollygoster is
a fellow who wants office,
regardless of party, platform,
or principles. and who. when
ever he wins, gets there by
the sheer force of monu-
mental talknophical assum-
Macy"
@. How many rockets are
used in the Atlas ICBM, and
in what Sequence?-D. v.
A. The Atlas has five rock
cts: two booster engines, a
sustainer engine. and a pair
Evening star., 1961-01-27
VSTAS IN SCIENCE
Plant Growth Tip-OH on Ore Deposit
By THOMAS R. HENRY

normal growth Of various
kinds. Recently reported from
Russia Is the effect on veg
citation Of nickel-cobalt de-
positS in the southern Urals.
Here a species Of anemone
can be used as an indicator
because so per cent Of the
blossoms are a bn normal lily
white in color and produce
many blooms without petals.
Uranium deposits in the
soil have several curious ef-
fects. Plants of the mustard
family, for example, produce
abnormal flower stalks with
out petals and stamens. and
consequently no seeds. A
recent study Of the flora
around Great Bear Lake,
Canada, showed blueberry
bushes with berries Of unusual
shape, each variation being
limited to descendants Of one
plant. The survey also showed
fireweed flowers varying from
pure white to magenta in the
same small area over radio
active ore.
Zinc Deposit Found
Nickel, copper, chromium
and manganese in excess Of
normal soil concentrations
interfere with a plants as
similation Of iron and hence
with the formation of chloro-
phyll. the green colorin g
substance in leaves. Hence
chlorosis, or yellowing of
leaves, occurs. Chlorosis also
is due to an excess Of zinc in
the soil. Recently it led to
location of a zinc deposit 20
miles in extent in New York
State.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
InouquroI Scheduling

Two ARTICLES III 1nc quar-
on January 81 stressed the
regrettable fact that the in
augural parade Of the day
before ended after dark. One
article reported remarks Of
F. Joseph Donohue that the
days proceedings should start
earlier, even by a new con-
stitutional amendment about
the timing Of presidential
terms. It is to be hoped that
the latter suggestion was an
offhand remark. not to be
taken too seriously, as 1t
would seem rather ridiculous,
and not necessary for the
purpose, to amend the Con-
stitution Of the United States
to allow more daylight time
for q parade.
The proceedings scheduled
for noon on January 20 be-
gan late. and various fea-
lures and intervals from then
on through the parade took
longer than planned. II it
is not desirable to cut any
features out Of the Capitol
events or the parade, nor
practical to eliminate de-
lays, nor governmentally con-
venient to amend our calen-
dar again for q springtime
Inauguration with better
weather prospects as well as
a couple more hours Of day
light. why not just start the
ceremonies earlier with the
Constitution as 1t is? The
Goth Amendment preScribes
that Q presidential term ends
and q new one begins at noon
on January 20. but 1t does
not thereby set the hour for
beginning the ceremonies or
even the time for taking the
oath.
Adroit handling Of cere-
monies scheduled for IL
O'Clock might cause the oath
to be taken Just at the cli-
mactic hour Of noon, with
little else to be done before
adjourning for the luncheon,
to be followed by an early
start Of the parade. But such
precision is not necessary,
though 1t would be an inter-
esting challenge which might
sometimes be met.
It makes no practical dif-
ference whether, as in nearly
all inaugurations up to now,
just a little bit Of the Presi-
dents term (about so min
utes this year, has already
elapsed before he has quail
fled by oath actually to "en-
ter on the execution Of his
office" as the Constitution
phrases 1t: or whether the
term begins with the Presi-
dent already sworn in ad-
vance. which has happened in
just one case (187D when
public ceremonies on Monday
for q term beginning on Sun.
day were preceded by a pre-
cautionary private taking OF
the oath on Saturday. The
same rules would apply tc
the Vice Presidents oath,
which customarily precede,
the Presidents but could Just
as logically follow it Il
desired.
George w. H0dgkins.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
WATCHING THE WORLD
By CROSBY S. MOVES
Foreign Correspondent Of The stor
Allies Likely to Help Protect Dollar
Foreign Correspondent Of The St

boosting American exports.
the effect on the whole
Western currency sySte m
would be very serious. Those
countries such as France,
which have no wish to de-
value their own currencies,
have welcomed President
Kennedy's assurances that
the dollar will be protected
at its present value at all
cost.
Other Dangers
At the same time, it is
urgently hoped that this cost
will not be increasing the
economic and political isola-
ton of the United States.
Severe cutbacks on American
spending abroad for defense
and foreign aid or a retreat
behind protectionist tariff
barriers are recognized here
as even greater dangers than
devaluation. To prevent the
need for such measures, even
the most conservative Euro
pean economists are talking
of cooperative measures that
normally might be considered
radical.
Far from providing an ex-
cuse for an isolationist policy,
leaders like Frances Jean
Monnet see the dollar prob
lem as an opportunity to bind
the United States more close
ly than ever to Western Eu-
rope. They believe that
institutions such as the new
Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Develop
ment can provide the ma
chinery for a real collective
attack on the problem Of
guaranteeing a stable inter-
national currency.
The immediate steps which
DECD might take would in
clude coordination of inter-
est rates between the United
States and countries Of
Western Europe to halt the
outflow of hot dollars"
which accounts for a consid-
cradle part Of the present
deficit. A greater European
contribution in the field of
foreign aid and a progress
sive lowering Of European
trade barriers for American
goods would be other ele-
ments Of a long-range cure
which only cooperation
could bring about.
Ultimately such prophets
as Mr.. Monnet look forward
to the day when a common
Western currency would
eliminate most of the vexing
problems caused by the inter-
national balance of payments.
But even a beginning of a
common effort to stabilize
the currency Of the West,
they believe. would 60 a long
way toward restoring conf
dence in the future Of the
dollar.
Evening star., 1961-01-27
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used If
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses. All let
ters are subject to condensd-
tion. Those not used iDill be
returned only tDhen accom-
panied by self = addressed.
stamped envelopes.