davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Sovinq the ShoreIine

The National Capital Planning Com
mission proposal under which most Of
the lovely Potomac River shoreline in
Prince Georges County between the
District and Fort Washington would be
purchased as "parkland" appears to be
a sound compromise. We hope that the
House and Senate confereeS on the
Interior appropriation bill will agree to
provide the Federal share of funds for
this acquisition so that the door may
be kept ajar for the possible construc-
tion, some day, of the George Washing
ton Memorial parkway
One citizen group is vehemently
opposing the compromise as an "emaS-
culation" of the initial parkway proposal.
This, however, strikes us as being short
sighted in the extreme. The essential
need is to preserve the lovely shoreline
in public ownership, and to do so i'm
mediately, lest it be lost forever in
private development Actually, some 90
per cent of the original parkway right
of-way would be acquired under this
plan, including all Of the shoreline not
already developed. For the time being
these areas could be well used as parks,
with the ultimate possibility remaining
that the parkway still might one day
be built, if future Congress sees fit to
authorize it. To combat such plan as
this because it does not meet the re-
quiSiteS Of an ideal is to risk losing
everything.
Representative Kirwan of Ohio,
whose opposition has blocked the park
way, recently indicated that he might
be receptive to plan for the preserva-
tion of certain areas of the shore for
park purposes. We hope, therefore, that
he will look with favor on the proposal
OF the Planning Commission, and that
he will support this last-ditch effort to
save the Potomac Shoreline below the
Nations Capital.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
No Relief for Newburoh

Inc Guy OF NeWpurgn, community
Of some $1,000 in New York State, has
been spending about a third of it's
budget on public relief. Most of the city
fathers, not to mention the taxpaying
residents, concluded that a lot of this
money was being paid out to chiselers
and deadbeats. So they decided to do
something.
From this there emerged a 13-point
program setting forth the ground rules
under which relief payments would be
made. Some Of these may be extreme.
Others certainly are reasonable-such
as the proviso that there would be no
relief payments to able bodied males
who refused to work 40-hour week for
the CITY,
When the word got out, however,
the bureaucratic roof fell in on New
burgh. State welfare officials, possibly
with an anxious eye on the 5000 million
which New York gets from the Federal
Government, turned thumbs down on
the plan. They said it was illegal, and
would not even listen to the Newburgh
side of the story.
II theSe higher echelon people have
their way, there will be no relief for
Newburgh. And the State welfare
officials apparently have the power to
cut off $500,000 in assistance which the
city gets from State and Federal sources.
But the Newburgh city council members
say they intend to go ahead with their
program in any event-that they will
make out with the half million dollars
put up by the community's own tax
payers. If they do this it will be an in
tereSting experimental test of whether
a local community can administer its
own relief program, or whether it must
bow to the dictates of State and Federal
agencies which put up half the money,
and care little whether it is wasted or not.
Evening star., 1961-07-13

reference to the enslaved peo-
pies of Eastern Europe. The
facts should be roared forth,
and repeatedly, to the world.
What a reflection on our own
publicity methods that the
cries of imperialism directed
against us have not been
Silenced by knowledge of the
facts concerning our relations
with the Philippines!
Shall we continue to meet
the Communists at their low
level of materialism, or merely
citing our own admitted supe-
riority in that respect, stress
the blessings of God-given
freedom for ourselves and for
the entire world? AS for Mr..
Khrushchev, let us make it
clear that we will not tenn
porize with evil, and that we
will not negotiate with those
whose bad faith and unre-
liability have repeatedly been
made manifest. Let us make
these things clear if we first
decide in our own minds and
hearts to take such a stand.
LLOYD Buchanan.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Stand on Berlin

Recent disclosure Of GER
tain differences, real or fan
cied, between the Communist
regimes in the Soviet Union
and China suggests that the
Communist structure is less
monolithic than we had per-
hapS believed. Our Govern
ment and other free-world
nations should seek to take
maximum advantage of what
ever differences, theological
or practical, exist between
Moscow and Peiping.
Nevertheless, Americans
would be well advised to re-
member that, although there
may be differences between
the two sets of Communist
leaders, both are committed
foes of our democratic way of
life. The differences between
the two sets Of Communist
leaders do not involve real
friendship for America, but
rather appear to arise from
points of friction between
them and possible rivalry for
theological primacy in the
Communist camp.
President Kennedy has re-
minded us and the Russians,
in words Of strength and de-
termination, of Americas
stake in free and gallant West
Berlin. The rights of the
United States, Great Britain
and France were secured
there with the blood of our
free soldiers, sailors and air
men.
To withdraw, leaving West
Berlin to the mercy Of the
East German Communist re-
gime, would be a dismal be-
trayal of our past sacrifices
as well as of the liberty and
hopes of the people of Ber-
lin. To weaken our stand, be-
cause of some hope that the
Communists may get around
to fighting among themselves,
would at this time unneces-
sarily weaken democracy's fu-
ture throughout the entire
world.
We must not be deferred
from a position of strength
in Berlin. David Hume
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Budget Cuts

While the House Appropriations
Committee made deep cut in the Dis
trict public works program (from $32
million to $15.2 million), it also used
judiciouS care in selecting the projects
to be deleted.
Nearly S13 million of the $17-million
reduction, for example, was wrapped
up in single project-the long planned
construction to connect the three main
treatment buildings at D. C. General
Hospital, thereby providing more work.
ing space and improving the facilities
for treatment of patients. If reductions
of these dimensions had to be made,
then it was better to postpone the D. C.
General project than to inflict indis-
criminate cuts across the board. Much
the same might be said for several other
major reductions.
The bad thing about the entire
$17-million slash, however, is that all
of these projects are needed. Their
postponement does not really solve
anything. 1t merely adds to the backlog
of unmet needs for which funds must
be found in future years, and makes
the fulfillment of these needs on an
orderly basis more difficult.
We hope, therefore, that the Senate
will see fit to reinstate as many prof.
ectS as possible, and that they may be
financed by higher Federal payment
than the $50 million approved by the
House. While this was a substantial
step forward it is not yet an equitable
amount. The Senate, meanwhile, and
the community as well, will be in
better position to evaluate the impor-
tance of the deleted construction items
when the cases for them are presented
at public hearings of the Senate Appro-
priationS Committee.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
War of Words

Shortcomings in our inter-
national dealings, resulting
from our failure to think
things through, are reflected
in our propaganda. When we
don't know what to do, we
certainly don't know what to
say. Thus the Voice of Amer
lea features a good shortwave
program called Forum"
which appeals to educated and
professional groups abroad.
The program includes lectures
in medicine, music, education,
chemistry, law, visual arts,
modern American literature,
and the behavioral and bio
logical sciences. We are
further informed, MANY of
the subjects involved contro-
versial issues like civil rights
and school segregation. In
these cases a balanced view
was presented"
Why are we thus on the
defensive? And why do we
emphasize studies which are
relatively free of the shackles
Of totalitarianism? Surely in
the battle for mems minds we
should contrast freedom and
slavery. We should never ac-
cept the collectivist's empha-
sis on materialism. Even while
we point out that we are
ahead Of totalitarians in ma
terial benefits, we should
minimize those benefits while
we emphasize freedom. Our
appeal should be to the ed
ucated and the professionals,
but it should also be to the
uneducated. A diploma is not
a prerequisite to appreciation
Of freedom.
We need not claim perfec-
tion for ourselves. But what
ever our shortcomings, where
ever our dislocations, the free
enterprise system provides the
opportunity for self-correc-
ton.
An article by the press
counsellor for the Philippine
Missions to the United Ma
tions is a stirring answer to
the pot calling the kettle
black antics of the Red i'm
perialiStS. There has recently
been a renewed whisper of a
Evening star., 1961-07-13

produce effective collaboration between
the factions in the pre-November cam
paign. Presumably, Mr. Rockefeller will
be a candidate for reelection in 1862
and presidential fortunes in 1864 could
be directly affected. With all their
feuding, the Democrats traditionally
are favored in New York City. But If the
current fight leaves permanent scars
the G. o. p, and most of all Mr.. Rookie
feller, stand to gain in the statewide
balloting of 1862.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Heart of Housing Law

Robert j. Lewis is to be
commended for being the
first reporter to attach ap-
propriate significance to the
provision in the recently en-
acted housing bill, which for
the first time provides Gov
eminent owned shelter for
moderate-income families.
He is correct when he
writes in his interpretive re-
port (Sunday Star, July 81
that this provision is "by far
the most fundamental depar-
ture from the past" and
probably the least known.
Mr.. Lewis expresses surprise
that public attention never
focused on the proposal" and
that inste ad controversy
ragged over other provisions
of the bill.
A determined effort was
made by this association
through its testimony, public
speeches of it's officials, press
releases, ETC., to warn that
the heart" of the Admins
tration'S bill was the extern
sion of Government-owned
shelter to Americas middle
class. In the Senate an
amendment to eliminate
Government ownership in
this program was adopted.
However, a similar amend
ment in the House was de-
feated on a point Of order
after Mr.. Rains 100 = to /
parliamentary trick shot hit
the green and bounced in.
Mr.. Lewis and others might
well reflect on how so far
reaching a provision could
become law without much, if
any, public attention. The
press might recall the press
conference of March %,
1861, held by the Housing
and Home Finance Admins
traitor at which time the pro-
visions of the bill were ex-
planned. Each member Of the
press was handed a detailed
and technical analysis of the
bill, and only a technician
after thorough study could
perceive that Government
owned housing for moderate
income families was included
in the bill.
However, the reporters also
received a copy Of a memo
randum from the admins
traitor to the President of the
United States. This memo
randum purported to set
forth highlights Of the bill,
and this memorandum pro-
vided the basis for the news
paper reports on the Admin
istration's housing bill, 40
year no-down-payment loans,
$4,000 25-year loans for
Evening star., 1961-07-13

@. How are tolls deter
mined for ships using the
Panama Canal?-F.Y.
A. Tolls are levied on the
net tonnage Of vessels, which
is theoretically the earning
capacity Of the vessel. Ton
mage is based on each 100
Gu. #. of space usable for
revenue purposes, whether
passenger or cargo. Vessels
of war and other floating
craft are charged on dis
placement tonnage. Panama
Canal tolls cover all transit
charges including pilotages.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Apothetic Selling in Keeping With Spirit of Our Times?

on a shopping tour with my
wife.
While my wife busted her.
self in the women's apparel
department of one of our
large stores, I ambled over to
the mems wear to inspect the
neckties. Within 10 minutes
three persons came up to me
with questions, as if I were
an employe Of the establish
ment. No. 8 was a mature
woman, herself an employe,
apparently on her way to
lunch. It was almost noon.
She asked me if a certain
other member of the sales
force had yet gone to lunch.
In another area of the
store, a customer asked me
where he could find mems
furnishings. I politely direct
ed him and off he went. I
came away still wondering
whether ! should ever go
shopping with my wife again,
or whether I should try to
find myself a job in one of
our large department stores.
Retired.
4 \ Il \
Secretary Hodges article,
Everybody SELL" was good
and timely for its morale
mending values. Mr.. Grigg's
following up on this article
on a few places of business
was a splendidly done job.
Secretary Hodges article &C
tually hits the spirit of our
times-apathy, passive indif-
ference, and on and on.
Now how about your own
newspaper? 1t wouldn't hurt
to examine it. The Star is
our favorite newspaper. We
have always loved it. But I
wonder if something has hap
pened to it-such as its pass
i've indifference in reporting
crime.
In the Sunday edition of
July 9, a hideous rape was
reported in a small article
on the second page. Sure, it
was reported in Saturdays
edition on page one. But, the
report was as Indifferent as
an auctioneer's monotonous
chant in selling an antique
chair. No indignation. No
feeling. Just passive accep-
tance of one of the worst and
most disgraceful periods in
our Nations Capital. What
has happened to our spirit
our pride? Even a great news
paper seems to have become
timid and Spiritless.
Earl Coyle.
Evening star., 1961-07-13

After reading William
Grigg's article in The Sunday
Star on the follow-up of Sec
retary Hodges Everybody
SELL" I question the surface
approach to the matter and
defend the average retail
merchant.
I am in an objective posi-
ton, as I neither gain nor
lose by inefficient selling or
service. My dubious title is
Visual Merchandiser." I
present current ladies' fash
ions in stores and shops to
the customers in an area of
what is termed "point-of-
sale"-in other words the
display of merchandise.
At this point my RESPONSE
bility ends. The sales force
takes over.
The majority of merchants
have become resigned to a
condition that is unique in
this area. Washington being
the only major city north of
a large Southern area, with
its well known low earning
potential for comparative
work or positions. attracts
thousands of beginners in
employment in Government
and private business, after
their formal education has
been completed.
Then there are the families
of Government people as
signed to this area who enter
the labor market, as you well
know.
The merchant or selling
service operator finds him
self in competition with the
salaries and hours of Gov
ernment employees and the
more lucrative offices of
professions and industries.
The result is the retailer
finds himself choosing be-
tween the misfit or iilcompe-
tent Government reject, or
people who are employed
while waiting for Government
appointment, or a wife or
daughter waiting to be as
signed to another area with
the head Of the family.
I am not condemning all
people in the sales bracket.
There are many fine and
sincere people involved. I am
only pointing out the rule
rather than the exception.
Can a merchant who pays
$38 to $42 per week, t4O hrs.)
compete with Government
salaries and hours, or indus
tries? 1t is we'll known that
the threat Of the $1.25 per
Evening star., 1961-07-13

home improvement, 100000
units of public housing, hous-
ing for the elderly, urban re-
newal capital grants, open
spaces, all received mention.
Conspicuous by its absence
was reference to what Mr..
Lewis states to be "the most
fundamental departure from
the past"-the extension Of
Government owned shelter
to moderate income families.
The only reference to this
most fundamental depar-
ture from the past" was this
language in the memoran-
dunn to the President: ". :.
loans, through existing Fed
eral Housing Administration
and Federal National Mort
gage Association channels,
for nonprofit rental and CO.
operative housing at lower
COSTS" Can anyone conclude
from this language that the
legislation proposed an ex-
tention of Governm e n t.
owned shelter to moderate in
come families?
The damage was done. The
press picked up the 40-year
no-down-payment loan and
the $4,000 25-year home
improvement loan and they
provided the essence of any
public attention focused on
this bill.
Thus it was that the most
far-reaching provision of any
housing law enacted by Con-
gress became the law of the
land. We now have a new
form of Government-owned
shelter for Americas middle
class, whose self-reliance has
always proved the measure Of
a nations greatness.
John C. Williamson,
Director, National Associa-
ton of Real Estate Boards.
Evening star., 1961-07-13

hour minimum in retailing
establishments has already
started a reduction Of en-
ployes to the extent that
firms care little about SER
vice standards.
Secretary Hodges should
realize that to encourage
Everybody Sell" you must
have incentive and reward
which are sadly lacking in
the Washington area.
w. r.
Thanks for Mr.. Grigg's re-
port on his recent shopping
trip. His findings sound like
the gripes of many Of my
good friends who work and
shop in the city. True "sales-
manship" in and around
Washington seems to be a
lost art and confined to only
a few self-respecting, dedi-
Gated old timers in that
category of workers serving
the public. Congratulations
to Mr.. Grigg on a clearly
descriptive report of his ex-
periences. It was a sad pleas
ure to read.
Rose AdamSki.
I read the article, Every
body Sell, But Some Stand
and Wait" I am all too
familiar with this practice in
many of the local stores.
Recently I went to a chain
drug store and asked a young
woman for a package of we'll
known razor blades. She said
she had never heard of the
make. I told her I had been
buying them there before she
was born. She then asked a
druggist who opened a draw
er packed with the blades
m e n toned This young
woman seemed to resent this
and she almost threw my
change at me.
I visited the mems depart
ment at a big downtown
store. I wanted to purchase
a suit. I stood around IS
minutes looking at suits and
four or six clerks were gos-
siping. None paid any atten-
tion to me and finally I left,
went to another store and
made the purchase. I have
had this experience countless
times in so-called better
stores.
The article by William
Grigg is all too true.
G. M.
Ihad an amusing experience
Evening star., 1961-07-13
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 tDin be
returned only tDhen accom- =
panied By self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
Bankruptcy Bound?

Any business that spends
more than it earns, owes
more than it is worth, and
makes no effort to reduce its
Indebtedness is headed for
bankruptcy. This includes
the business of government.
What ever amount Con-
greSs appropriates for the
payment of interest on the
n ational debt, an equal
amount should be appropri-
ated to be applied to the pay
ment Of principal. We can,
and we must if this business
Of government is to remain
solvent.
X, ID. VaSS.
Evening star., 1961-07-13
THE POLITICAL MILL
Byrd's Flag Is FIyinq Hiqh
By GOULD LINCOLN

Had the tuesday primary
election seen the defeat of
the Byrd ticket, it would
have been called a defeat for
Senator Byrd and the prin-
ciples he advocates. His in
fluence and prestige in the
Senate would have been
marred, even though he, him.
self, was not on the ticket.
Senator Byrd is a Demo-
crat. He has never an
nounced support of a Repub-
lican candidate, either for
the presidency or for office
in Virginia. In 1852 he went
so far as to say he could not
support A Adlai Stevenson,
the Democratic nominee for
President. In 1856, he re-
mained silent when Mr..
Stevenson was again nomi-
mated, and in 1860, the Sena-
tor again said nothing about
the presidential race. In all
three presidential elections,
Virginia was carried by the
Republican candidates.
Governor at SO
Born in 1887, Senator
Byrd was elected to the State
Senate in 1915 when he was
% years old. He was SO
years old when he was chosen
Governor. to serve a four
year term extending from
1925 to 1880. AS Governor,
he Immediately made his
mark. He became a political
power of major proportions.
Three years later, he was
appointed to the Senate to
fill a vacancy caused by the
resignation Of Senator Claude
Swanson. He later was
elected to fill out the Swan
son term in the Senate and
has been a member of the
Senate ever since.
Senator Byrd's friendship
has been sought and valued
by many Presidents. His per-
Sonal relations with President
Kennedy are very friendly.
Indeed, President Kennedy
flew last spring in a helicop-
ter to land on the lawn of
Senator Byrd's home at Ber-
ryville to attend a luncheon
party. But Senator Byrd's
personal friendship for Mr..
Kennedy, with whom he
served in the Senate for eight
years, does not affect the
Virginian'S theories of gov
ernment and financing.
There were many conflict
ing angles involved in the
primary election won by the
Byrd organization. The out
come, however, reflects the
conservative viewpoint of Vir-
ginia voters. The opposition
ticket, which drew a very
considerable vote, pulled out
all the stops in its fight to
overthrow the Byrd control.
An amazing feature of the
primary, in view Of the hard
campaign and great publicity,
was the small turnout Of
voters. Although more than a
million qualified voters are on
the rolls, only $4,000 went to
the polls. The Republicans,
Of whom there is an increas-
ing number in the State, are
included in the million quail
fled to vote. 1t had been ex-
pected, however, that some
375,000 to 100000 voters
would cast their ballots.
The Democratic nomina-
ton for Governor in Virginia
has been tantamount to elec-
tion. There seems no reason
to challenge that precedent,
although the G. o. P. will
have a candidate in the field
in November.