davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
Ready to Negotiate

Almost anything different from the
record OF the past six years could be con-
Sidered improvement in the long and
bloody Algerian crisis. It seems encour-
aging, therefore, that both the rebel
leadership and the French cabinet have
now made public announcement Of their
sympathetic interest in direct negotia-
tions. While each such expression has
been guarded and even slightly hedged,
most notable is new mildness and lack
OF belligerence in the official statements.
Basically, the proposal of the So
called provisional government, head
quartered in nearby TuniS, appears to
be a conciliatory gesture Of support for
President DeGaulle's own efforts, and
progress, toward applying some reason
ableness to this vexing problem. In brief,
the position Of the French president is
one Of favoring an orderly process of
Self-determination for the North African
department, and on January he won a
solid Endorsement of this moderate and
realistic policy from the French cleo
torate. Not illogically, perhaps, the pro-
visional Algerian government cites this
Endorsement as evidence that majority
French sentiment favors a negotiated
settlement Of the conflict.
On one point, the possibility of
setting up new provisional admins
tration In Algeria before referendum
on self-determination is held, the Tunis
government stated its disapproval. Such
step, 1t said, would amount to an
imposed" pre-determination that could
only help to prolong the war. At the
same time, 1t added that it recognized
the need Of transitional institutions
and that 1t would exclude nothing from
a negotiation agenda. Left unclear was
the question Of whether the National
Liberation Front, the rebel government,
would continue to insist that the French
army must withdraw from Algeria in
advance Of the referendum-a point
on which President DeGaulle previously
has indicated he would not yield.
Both from Paris and Tunis there
were suggestions, attributed to so-called
informed sources, that the next step
probably would be taken secretly rather
than publicly in the form of direct pre-
negotiation communication between
President DeGaulle and the rebel
leaders. If it Is in fact their mutual
wish to find way toward settlement,
there may be merit in setting up
bargaining table behind closed doors.
For much too long, this crisis has been
fought out to no conclusion in the public
squares of Algiers or in the stark desert
hills Of the North African countryside.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
For Modern Zoninq

Reference is made to your
editorial of January 10. 1861.
in which you quote Director
William Finley Of the Ma
tional Capital Planning Com
mission as suggesting the
tossing of the D. C. coming
ordinance in the waste paper
basket. I would like to add
my Wholehearted indorse-
ment of this idea.
AS was predicted in the en-
actment of the new coming
ordinance, millions Of dollars
of tax money has been chased
from the District Of Columbia
into Maryland and Virginia.
Not only did we lose this
much-needed revenue but, in
building these new structures,
in most cases, 1t would have
meant demolishing the old
worn-out, low-taxed struc-
lures and replacing them
with fine modern buildings.
I believe the time has come
when our present coming reg
ulations should be abandoned
and a new coming code adopt
ed which would be more real
istic as to the needs Of the
city. ....
Alvin L. AubinOe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
Chairman Seoborq

In naming DR.. Glenn T. Seaborg to
succeed the able John A. McCone as
chairman Of the Atomic Energy Com
mission, President John F. Kennedy has
brought into his official family one of
the worlds truly great nuclear scientists
"a 48-year-old American long since
recognized internationally as giant
in his field.
This recognition first came on a
grand scale In 1851 when DR.. Seaborg,
then only 80 years old, won the Nobel
Prize in chemistry (along with DR..
Edwin M. McMillan) for his brilliant
work involving the discovery of
numerous new elements. These elements
include plutonium, an all-important
ingredient Of nuclear weapons, and his
labors in connection with it have given
him firm and rather large place in
history as key figure in the develop
ment Of the dread bomb that opened
up the equally promising and menacing
epoch of the atom.
Another measure Of the remarkable
DR.. Seaborg is the fact that in 1859 he
was chosen to receive the Enrico Fermi
Award-a $4,000 prize, plus medal and
a citation, that constitutes the highest
official honor our country bestows for
personal achievement in nuclear science.
There can be no doubt about his apti-
tude or genius in that respect, and the
American people have reason to feel
gratified that a man Of his caliber-
the first scientist in the Aces history
to be nominated as chairman-has
agreed to give up his CHARACTERISTIC Of
the University OF California at Berkeley
In order to take over his new atomic
duties.
DR.. Seaborg, who has six children,
and who plays games like golf, and who
dislikes people who equate scientists
with such stereotypes as the doddering
professor, seems superbly equipped for
his prospective new Office. Needless to
say, it is an oflce Of high Importance,
not least Of all because the head Of 1t
will be one of Mr.. Kennedy's top advisers
on such questions as whether or not to
resume nuclear Neutrality-suspicious. that
have life-or-death bearing on our ma
tional existence at time when Nikita
KhruShchev keeps on threatening to
bury us and the entire free world.
In many respects, Mr.. K S menacing
talk is wearing bit thin. However,
as indicated by his 20,O00-word speech
recently made public, he feels confident
that Communist global domination is
just around the corner. Accordingly it
will be the task of the American people
during Mr.. Kennedy's administration
Including such agencies as the Acc
under DR.. Seaborg-to make clear to the
Kremlin that it will be gambling most
dangerously If 1t underestimate our
country's resolve to remain free and
support like-minded lands against Red
inhltration and aggression.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21

establishment of this personal working
relationship, furthermore, led to
general improvement in resolving other
differences between officials of the
District and the department. In our
opinion, Mr.. Seaton can take pride in a
number of accomplishments as
member of the Eisenhower admins
tration. AS he returns to his home and
newspaper interests in Nebraska, he also
can be assured that Washingtonians
will fondly remember him for his
services to the Nations Capital.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
Billboard Fan

I read with a sense Of
nausea and disgust your edi-
torial entitled "Billboards:
Keep Off"
A billboard is not a mere
sign which is impotent, or
important, in itself. Bill
boards are merely one of the
several mediums used to sell
the commodities Of our econ
omy. A billboard is an adj
vertisement. Billboard ad-
vertisements sell things.
The billboard advertise
ment conveys to the passing
public that the advertised
product or service is desir-
able, and that 1t is available;
that 1t originates from an
identifiable source. and is
proffered to the public by
an identified owner who seeks
the public's good will.
The laws of need created
billboard advertising. and
these same laws will protect
it. This medium Of outdoor
advertising has been built up
at great expense. and over a
long period of time is imbued
with good will. This good
will is based on the conf
dence of our society-who will
surely speak loud and per-
suasively to protect what 1t
has helped to create.
Stan Stanton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21

One Of the arguments ad-
vanced by hunters to justify
the killing Of wild animals
is that the killing is neces-
sary in order to prevent the
animals from getting too
numerous. But then, is it
necessary to do this killing in
the merciless way that fire.
quently occurs in hunting?
Is there not a more humane
way to do it?
Since there are now ways
to capture most wild animals
without injury to them, why
can't excess animals in any
area be so captured and
humanely disposed of? Ger
tainly this would be more
merciful than blasting them
to death by hunting. The fact
Is. from a humane standpoint
1t would be better to exter-
inmate the animals all at one
time than to continue the
present annual slaughter Of
them by hunting.
It appears that human
beings (who have the ability
to reason) would realize that
there already is enough pain
and suffering in the world
without them unnecessarily
causing more of 1t, which
is what they do when they
shoot wild birds and animals
at random with guns and
bows and arrows.
Mildred L. Sherman.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
THE POLITICAL MILL
By GOULD LINCOLN
Kennedy's History-Moking Address

ness. But he said he would
make a request" that both
sides begin anew "the quest
for peace, before the dark
powers Of destruction I'M
leashed by science engulf all
humanity in planned or &C
cidental suicide" He sug-
gested to these adversaries
that civility Is not q sign of
weakness. And most signifi-
cantly he said that sincerity
Is always subject to proof"
He might have said, and did
in effect say, that If the
Communist nations wanted
peace really wanted peace
they would have to prove
1t by their acts, not merely
by words, written or spoken.
Reassuring
Mr.. Kennedy's inaugural
address should be strong re-
assurance to all the people Of
America and the free world
that he does not intend to be
blinded by the Communists
bearing gifts. But 1t should
also convince the Communist
leaders that he is willing to
discuss the problems that
divide their nations from the
free world today, and to seek
to improve the international
situation. He suggested that
both sides formulate serious
and precise proposals for the
inspection and control Of
armS-as a sine qua non for
real disarmament.
To those who may have
expected him to outline q
program Of legislation to
meet domestic needs, the new
Presidents inaugural may be
a disappointment. His pro-
poSals will be made later.
Yesterday he concerned him
self with the question that
has filled the minds and
hearts of many peoples, all of
whom wish for peace. He has
said his piece to the Khru-
Shchevs and Mao Tse-tungs
Of the Communist world.
With wisdom, he has said to
these Communist leaders that
the time has come to begin
lest the human race be
destroyed.
President Kennedy made
no promise of speedy solu-
tons Of the international
troubles. Indeed, he said such
solutions are not to be
expected within the first
hundred days of his admin
istration, within the first
thousand days, his whole ad-
ministration or for genera
tons to come. But he urged
all the American people to
support the effort for world
peace.
Mr.. Kennedy's delivery Of
his inaugural address was
important for its vigor and
sincerity. He has made a
great impression on all those
who heard him, both in this
country and abroad. His
speech will go down in history
as one Of the most eloquent
appeals ever made by a public
figure Of great Importance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21

When I read the article
dated London, January 10,
that the London Mail, today
called for American aid to
relieve starvation in Com
munist China, and asked
that President-elect Kennedy
make this one of the first
programs in his new Govern
ment." I wondered why the
United Kingdom, which rec
ognized Red China in 1850.
can't start moving some Of
their own supplies to the re-
ported starving people Of Red
China. instead of throwing
the onus on Uncle Sam.
The United States can
make its own decisions in
such matters without the
sugary advice of outsiders.
Herman nj. Young.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
Defends Schools

Every year when the ques-
ton Of Federal aid to educa-
ton comes up, its opponents
use the same tactics. They dig
up some repulsive quotation
taken out Of context from an
obscure textbook. Then they
say, "See-all educators are
teaching this subversive ma
terial. We can't afford to
give them more money"
Constantine Browns arti-
Gle on January IL follows this
customary approach. It seeks
to turn public opinion against
the schools, and hence against
giving them the desperately
needed money, by giving two
quotes which appear repug-
nant to public opinion.
Those who are close to
education know that there
has been a tremendous surge
Of growth and enthusiasm in
our schools in recent years.
Wise and knowledgeable criti-
cism, such as that supplied by
the Council for Better Educa-
ton; Russian scientific gains,
and a growing public realiza-
ton that all children need
more and better education
in today's world, are respon-
sible. Community response,
in the form Of moral support
and cash, have helped many
school districts to go forward.
But many areas are finan-
cially unable to go ahead
Their children. among whom
may be potential leaders in
every field Of American life,
are condemned to over
crowded schools with under
trained teachers. no Libraries,
and outdated textbooks. Even
the richest areas could greatly
increase the opportunities for
their children If they had
more money to spend.
I would like to see The
Star counteract Mr.. Browns
reactionary twaddle with a
series Of articles on the fine
new and improved programs
in reading, mathematics,
science. languages, etc. in
area schools. including the
plans which cannot be put in
to effect. or spread to all chill
dren, because Of the lack Of
cash. This would really be
a help to develop an informed
public opinion on the sub
ject Of Federal aid to educa-
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
VISTAS IN SCIENCE
Space Matter Could InperiI Earth
By THOMAS r. HENRY

wise he might carry to Mars
terrestrial germs against
which Martians. plant or
animal, would have no de-
tense.
Humans have lived with
diphtheria germs for several
million years. They have built
up a degree Of natural i'm
munity to them, greatly sup
plemented in the days Of
modern medicine by con-
ferred immunity. They never
have lived with Venus-germs
or moon-germs. These might
be bacterial-like forms made
Of flourine or glass, not car
bon and water. They might
well be completely immune
to anything earthly and
earthly organisms would have
built up no immunity against
them.
New Disease Hazard
while early traffic to the
planets will be one-way." says
the National Academy report,
I'VE must anticipate the ca
pabiIty Of round trip and
even of manned space flight.
The return Of samples to
earth exposes us to hazard
of contamination by foreign
organisms. Since we are not
yet quite certain of the real
existence of planetary, lie.
Marian, organisms and know
nothing of their properties
it is extremely difficult to
assess the risk of the event.
The most dramatic hazard
would be introduction of a
new disease.
What we know of the BIZ
ology of infection makes this
an extremely doubtful posi-
bility. Most disease-producing
organisms must evolve very
elaborate adaptations to en-
able them to resist the active
defenses Of the human body,
to attack our cells, and to
pass from one person to an
other. However, a converse
argument can be put that
we have evolved our specific
defenseS against terrestrial
bacteria and we might be less
capable of coping with or
ganisms that lacked proteins
and carbohydrates.
"Exo-biota are more likely
to be weeds than parasites,
to act on our agriculture and
the general comfort Of our
environment, or to be per-
vasive nuisances rather than
acute aggressors. However,
even the remotest risk Of
pandemic disease. and the
greater likelihood of serious
economic nuisance must die
tate a stringent embargo on
the premature return of plan
etary samples. At present the
prospect for treating a re-
turning vehicle are at best
marginal by comparison with
the immensely of the risks"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21

Obtaining q sample Of exo-
terrestrial life could be the
outstanding scientific tri-
umph Of a super triumphant
generation.
On the other hand, it might
be an overwhelming disaster
for all living things on earth
especially men. This Mars
life or Saturn-life could be
completely malignant and run
amok in a virgin field where
1t would meet no resistance.
Enterprises in exo-biology,
the National Academy Of
Sciences Space Committee
warns. must be undertaken
with full realization Of the
immense dangers. Even a
few ounces of the moon
brought to earth could be
devastating.
Through the past 4 or 5
billion years the millions of
kinds of terrestrial organisms
with diverse needs and di-
verse interests have struck
up some sort Of balance so
that, after a fashion, they
can live together. 1t isn't,
everybody knows, a very har-
monious family. Both ami
mails and plants must eat
each other, but they ere re-
Stricted from going to the
ultimate extremes by the con-
stantly reforming balances.
Lions eat rabbits. The more
they eat. the fewer rabbits.
the less food for lions, Fewer
lions and eventually a revival
Of rabbits.
Threat Of New Germs
The major conflicts, Of
course, are not between lions
and rabbits, or tigers and
men, or cows and grass.
They are between all these
higher organisms and the in
visibly minute, mostly single
celled bacteria, protocol and
viruses which cause devast-
ating epidemics. They are
living entities-aS much SO
as elephants or orioles. They
must eat to live.
Here also balances Of a
sort have, evolved. Malignant
bacteria cannot live If they
destroy their means of liveli-
hood. 1t long has been rec
ognized, for example, that
epidemics run their courses
and die out. Meantime, they
may kill a few million people.
Furthermore, single -celled Or
ganisms are preyed upon by
other single celled organisms.
There are worse wars in the
invisible world than in the
visible one.
Gigantic, horned. savage
man-like creatures from Jupi-
ter will not invade earth.
More dangerous Joyian pro-
tozoa very well might do ex-
actly that, if given a foothold
on this planet. Man might
be responsible for the same
outcome in another world.
The first astronaut should be
thoroughly sterilized. Otner-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used "
letters carry iDriters' correct
names and addresses. All let
tiers are subject to condensd-
ton. Those not used iDtH be
returned only iUhen accom-
panied BY self - addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
Yesteryeor's Porodes

There are very few people
now alive who saw what my
mother did in the way Of pa
rades.
AS a young girl she lived
with her father and mother
in a very select hotel, the
fremont House which grand
father opened during the
Civil War. Here In Washing
ton she watched from her
window the campfires Of the
troops across the river. Here
she was courted and won by
a young naval officer sta
toned on the blockade, who
occasionally stopped at Ire
mont House. And here she
saw the parade that was to
live in her memory through
out her life and make all
other parades look small.
When the war was over,
the Union Army paraded be-
fore the President. Their
banners were tattered, their
uniforms were ragged and
dirty, but they had won.
And they marched before
the President for two long
days. Occasionally a woman
would leave the ranks Of the
onlookers because she re-
membered Johnny was not
in his place and she could
not keep tears back. But
the men who had survived
the struggle cheered heartily
for the President they had
served so well.
She was married to the
young Naval Officer in 1867
and lived herself to be 81,
but never looked on another
parade.
Years later when Theodore
Roosevelt was being inaugu-
rated, it showed the day be-
fore. stopping about mid
night. 1t cleared up in the
morning into a bright. sunny
day. so a party of us went
down to the grandstand and
secured tickets. We were
very early so we saw an army
Of hose-wagon men turn the
snow into q flood, and an
other army Of street-sweep-
ers stretching across the ave-
nue.. clear the water away
until even the West Pointers
could march without fear Of
soiling their boots. Then the
Annapolis men. After a while
two bands appeared, widely
separated from each other
so that their different notes
would not clash. In the mid
die Of this open space. a
good-sized black and white
dog was walking all by him.
self. The spectators laughed
at him but applauded him
also. Soon the first band be-
gan to play. At the first note
Of Hail to the Chief" the
dog looked straight at the
President and bowed his head
three times. barking as loud
as he could each time. The
President laughed and
clapped his hands. Then the
dog, wagging his tail like a
plume. ran up to the end
man, saying quite under
standingly II did that very
we'll" The owner was pleased,
also, for he stopped playing
music to pet the dogs head.
That Is my best remem-
brance Of the parades.
Edith b. Lowe
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
FAA Not Careless

The letter "Air Safety De-
vices" by Joseph FALLEN in
your January 10 issue came
as a surprise to me, inasmuch
as our organization is an in
dustry member Of the Colli-
sion Prevention Advisory
Group (COPAGD that is
maintained by the Federal
Aviation Agency. The accu-
sation that the FAA has
deliberately turned down
BESAC. which Mr.. FALLEN
apparently considers to be
IAN anti-collision device
suitable for both planes and
ships" startled me because,
as a member Of COPAG, I
have spent quite a bit Of time
studying what some people
mig hit consider screwball
ideas. just on the off-chance
that there might be the germ
Of a practical device or sys-
tenn in that idea. Until read
ing Mr.. Zallen's letter I had
never heard of BESAC.
I can only say at this point
that, to my personal knowl-
edge, the FAA has been most
conscientious in pursuing and
studying any reasonable idea
and a few that often ap-
pear unreasonable. A number
Of our $1,000 members have
sent in idea suggestions, and
every one has been given
careful consideration and a
conscientious answer. The
same has been true Of ideas
from such groups as the air.
line companies, airline pilots,
radio and electronics manu-
facturers, all branches of the
military (who turned over
their projects dealing with
the problem to COPAG when
it was formed, and a wide
variety Of inventors.
It is true, Of course, that
you get yourself educated on
those areas without promise
after a while. and you can
safely turn down duplicates
Of already-discarded ideas.
That does not mean, how
ever, that the idea itself has
been arbitrarily rejected
without sound reason. am
positive that, If BESAC had
been what Mr.. FALLEN casual
ly says it is, it would have
gotten careful study by all of
us who are seeking some
practical solution to the COL
lision problem.
Max Karant,
Vice President Aircraft Own
ers and Pilots Association.
Dollar Solution?
The gold drain problem
could be solved by the tenn
porary imposition of a 10 per
cent tax on all dollars being
traded for gold by foreign
businessmen. Thus. on a
transaction involving $40 mil
lion.- the tax would be 81 mil
lion. Faced with this. foreign
interests would quickly re-
gain confidence in the dollar.
The tax would be a tempo
rary measure (for a period Of
not more than two years. I'M
til the United States can find
ways to cut spending abroad
and keep more American
dollars at home.
VHA,. C--N-s~N-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-01-21
A Warning and q Plea

PremierS Khrushchev and
Castro both have expressed
views that with the incom-
ing Of the Kennedy admin
istration it will be possible to
establish better relations
with the United States. Mr..
Kennedy has now, with
broad strokes, indicated the
road by which better rela-
lions with the Communists
may be attained. To those
nations which Mr.. Kennedy
said would make themselves
our adversary" he made no
pledge, except that we would
always speak from a posi-
ton Of strength, not weak