davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-02-12

acquainted with our country's ventures
into the high heavens.
Vice President Johnson and Senator
Kerr, both knowledgeable in the space
field, are reported to have urged the
appointment Of Mr.. Webb on the ground
that he is an experienced administrator
excellently equipped-in terms Of
energy, Imagination and simple common
sense-to run NASA's billion -dollar-a-
year business. It is fateful business,
and all Americans have reason to wish
him well as he prepares to assume the
task Of running it.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Statehood for D. c.?

I note with alarm that
Arkansas refused to ratify
the Constitutional Amend
ment granting to the Dis
trict the right to vote for
President and Vice President
on the grounds that such an
Amendment would be merely
the groundwork for state
hood for the District.
Arkansas, forgetting the
democratic principle Of "the
greatest good for the great
est number, with protection
for minority groups" is upset
by the preponderance Of Ne
groes in the District and
fears that If the District Is
eventually given statehood,
its principal offices from that
Of Governor on down, will be
filled by members Of the Ne
gro race, since they are in
the majority. Personally, I
believe that our international
prestige and integrity would
be greatly enhanced II more
qualified members Of the Ne
gro race were elected to pub
lie office. We should practice
what we try to preach all
over the world about democ-
racy, freedom and equality.
The District should be
granted statehood, and soon.
The District is ready to be-
come the State Of Columbia.
Congress does not have the
time or interest in seeing to
it that we do not suffer from
being deprived Of local self
government. The Metropol-
itan Police must protect the
White House. foreign en-
bassies, legations. official
functions and other national
concerns; we must maintain
trees and shrubs planted for
the ornamentation Of the Ma
tional Capital; water is pro-
vided free to the Federal
Government, raising the cost
to the private consumer; gas
is supplied to the Govern
Inent below cost and since
the private gas company must
make a profit. this raises the
cost to the private consumer;
we pay over half Of the main
tenence cS parks like Rock
Evening star., 1961-02-12

the wetness as the train
pulled away. 1t was the last
time they would see their
fellow townsman alive. One
of the last things Lincoln did
in Springfield was to call on
William H. Herndon. his law
partner since 1848. They tied
up some loose business ends
and Lincoln stretched out on
an old office sofa. Billy"
he said. "how long have we
been together?" Herndon
told him. We've never had
a cross word during all that
time. have we?" His partner
agreed, vigorously. AS he
left. some law books under
his arm, Lincoln requested
that the shingle on rusty
hinges outside be left as it
was. Let it hang there un-
disturbed" Lincoln said.
Give our clients to under
stand that the election of a
President makes no change
in the firm of Lincoln and
Herndon. If I live I'm COM
ing back some time, and
then we'll 60 right on prac-
ticing law as if nothing had
ever hapnened
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Sensible VotinQ

I was interested in your
editorial February 4, "20th
Century Disgrace" Since I
have for a long time admired
your editorials, I am conf
dent that you had thought
this through" before publish
ing it. In the editorial, you
advocate q shorter period Of
residence to establish the
right to vote: without speci-
flying any definite period.
you indicate that one year
is much too long.
It seems obvious that when
q person moves from one
State to another. that change
Of residence should have no
effect on his qualification to
vote for President and Vice
President. since the neces-
sary information on which
to base judgment is available
in all parts of the country.
But when an individual votes
for President he often may
vote at the same time on
State and local issues. !
doubt that a person moving,
for example, from California
to Fairfax County, Virginia.
would Immediately be well
qualified to vote on q queS-
ton Of q local bond issue for
parks and libraries, or for
the even more complicated
question Of changing the
present form Of county gov
ernment to q new urban
County" form.
It has been more than Q
year since I ceased to serve
on the Board Of County Su-
pervisors; there have been
two supervisors successfully
filling my vacancy. Not long
ago, however, a person living
not far from me. in the same
district and precinct, called
me concerning a local matter
and was surprised to learn
that I no longer serve on
the board. There was a
rather active election cam
paign to select my successor.
but it obviously had made no
impression on her. Perhaps
a years residence wouldn't
help her to understand the
local problems, but I doubt
that q few weeks would be
sufficient to insure q we'll
informed electorate for local
issues.
I would be interested to
know how you would recon-
cile the national and local
interests in such cases.
Richard p 0veuehIne
Evening star., 1961-02-12
100 Years Ago

President elect Abraham
Lincoln was en- route to the
Capital q century ago this
week. He left Springfield.
H., by train at $3.50 am.
February II. 1861. 1t was a
rainy. cherries morning, es-
pecially so for Lincoln. Mary
Lincoln is reported to have
quarreled with her husband
over a political appointment
she wanted him to make.
She refused to leave for
Washington unless he granted
her wish. Lincoln left with
out his family. His wife. so
the story goes. was scream
ing with hysterical rage as he
closed the door. The Star of
February IL, 1861, said in a
dispatch from Springfield:
"Mr. Lincoln left home at
7::30 am. yesterday. ac-
companied by a large con-
course of people to the depot,
where nearly 1000 citizens
had collected. After he had
shaken hands with a number
Of friends, he spoke as fol-
lows: My friends. no one
in my position can appreci-
ate the sadness I feel at this
parting. To this place I owe
all that I am. Here I have
lived more than a quarter
Of a century; here my chill
dren we're born. and here one
of them lies buried. I know
not. how soon I shall see you
again. A duty devolves upon
me which is perhaps greater
than that which has devolved
upon any other man since
the days of Washington. He
never would have succeeded
except for the aid Of Divine
Providence, upon which he at
all times relied. I feel that I
cannot succeed without the
Divine aid which sustained
him, and in the same Al
mighty Being I place my
reliance and support, and I
hope you. my friends, will all
pray that I may receive that
Divine assistance, without
which I cannot succeed, but
with which success is Ger
tain. Again I bid you an
affectionate farewell cloud
applause and cries Of We
will pray for you.D During
the speech Mr.. Lincoln be-
trayed much emotion and the
crowd was Affected to tears.
:" The people Of Spring
field stood barehSaded in
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Shades of FDR'

Much has been written in
newspapers about President
Kennedy's desire to weld the
political differences in this
country and his desire to
have the other half of the
people who did not vote for
him. support his administra-
ton for the good Of all, now
that he is inaugurated. Yet
he begins his administration
by resurrecting the shades Of
FDR, first by drawing about
him some Of the old familiar
personalities so obnoxious
during the Rooseveltian
blundering years Of OPA and
WPA and other socialistic
methods.
Mr.. Kennedy's Democratic
Party Is now tanning the
fires for q monument to this
man who labeled the aver
age man in America "the
common man." called him
my friend" and soothed him
with promises he never kept.
Should we build a monu-
ment to the man who recog-
nized the Communists as
allies, who created the Ber-
lin situation which still
hangs over our heads like
the sword Of Damocles after
20 years?
It would seem that If
President Kennedy is the in
tellectual he is claimed to be
by the press, then his new
d horizons should not be pat
termed after nor compared to
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
administration which many
Of the minority party remem-
ber as a blot on American
history.
Guanetta Gordon.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Better Go Slow

The desire of the Kennedy admins
tration to have key positions in the
Government occupied by officials SYM
pathetic to its aims is natural and
understandable. Previous regimes, Re-
publican as well as Democratic, have had
the same desire. That is why there was
created &c" category of Federal jobs,
subject to change with each new admin
1stration. However, great care should
be taken to make sure that the arm Of
partisan patronage does not extend
beyond the policy making and similar
posts which logically fall within the &c"
classification.
A cautionary note is pertinent
because Of the report that President
Kennedy'S personnel advisers will seek
to enlarge the number of &C" jobs that
can be filled by deserving Democrats.
There are 1900 such positions now and
there is no question as to the right Of
the new administration to put its own
people in these important Offices. But,
according to The Stars Federal Spot
light" reporter, Joe Young, the word is
out that more &C" jobs will be added
to the list.
1t may well be that some of the
key posts now filled with Republican
career employees might properly be
included in the &C" group Of jobs. But
career employees, regardless Of their
politics, have certain employment rights
which must be protected. They cannot
oe dismissed without good cause and
they should not be transferred to jobs
which represent a demotion. We hope
the Civil Service Commission will be
alert against any raids on the merit
system inspired by patronage rather
than determination of the new admin
istration to have trusted officials In
key posts.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Weaver Confirmation

IL mIsuG nave Deen POSSIBLE 10
have suppressed or to have swept under
the rug complaints against Robert C.
Weaver, the Presidents choice to head
the Housing and Home Finance Agency.
But now that he has been confirmed
by the Senate, 1t seems clear, or at least
1t seems so to us, that it would have
been mistake to have done so.
The hearings and the debate on the
Senate floor have pulled the teeth from
accusations that Mr. Weaver, years ago,
was connected with organizations which
subsequently were claSsed as Communist
fronts. His explanations will erase
doubts from the minds of all sensible
people. He was equally fortnight, we
thought, in meeting the charge that
because of his race (he is Negro) and
his NAACP af1liationS he will be biased
in his official conduct. During the
hearings, Mr.. Weaver said he retains
his Arm belief that all Federally sup
ported housing should be open without
discrimination based on race. He added,
however, that he would carry out the
policies laid down by the President and
the Congress, and this is all that anyone
can properly ask.
What remains is the test Of per-
formance. This new post, the highest
ever held by member Of his race, will
be exacting. 1t calls for tact, sound
Judgment and high order Of admins
trative skill. If Mr.. Weaver measures
up to these requirements the furry over
his nomination will soon be forgotten.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
so Years Ago

John Philip Sousa, the
American March King" was
going over big in London so
years ago. The Star of Feb
ruary 3, 1911, said: London
is quite delighted to have
Sousa here again. Queens
Hall yesterday was crowded
to hear his famous band, and
noise was the note of the
afternoon-that Is, most of
the notes were very noisy.
Delight in mere volume of
sound is one of the barbaric
pleasures that outlast civili-
cation, and it was generously
provided. One of the
latest Of Sousa's fantasies is
a tone poem on the theme,
Has Any One Here Seen
Kelly?' The trombones ask
the question and the player,
Evening star., 1961-02-12

Greek, etc.; the transient
population Of Congressmen,
their secretaries. Govern
ment officials, foreign repre-
sentatives. etc. receive munic-
ipal privileges without pay
ing much in taxes.
George Washington, him
self. did not consider the
District as solely a residence
for Government officials,
saying over and over again
that he hoped 1t would be-
come q great Commercial
emporium" and Congress de-
cided upon this site for the
National Capital because Of
its advantageous site for
business development.
How then was this and
other illustrious opinions SO
misconstrued that we lost
one Of our most priceless pos
sessions, political freedom?
Elsa Happel Swisher.
&H
America, the beautiful"
but not the most democratic.
At q time when old tradi-
tionS matured by time meet
the new ideas Of a new era,
conflict is bound to follow.
In all the States In which
the District Of Columbia
suffrage amendment has been
introduced and voted upon,
only one State has vetoed 1t.
Could it be that the members
Of the Arkansas Legislature
do not wish their fellow
Americans in the Capital
Of Democracy" to vote for
the President and Vice Presi-
dent Of this great country?
The right to vote was a
major issue in the molding
Of Americas Constitution,
yet a State Of these United
States has rejected q mea-
sure that would allow Wash
ington residents to vote.
The basis for this rejection
could not. be because Of po-
litical party strife. since the
District is staunchly Demo-
cratic as Is the Southern
State Of Arkansas.
Arkansas veto OF the
amendment shows that
States view Of our status as
full-fledged citizens. Such
shocking action toward this
bill is not only bias but con-
tradictS one Of the most i'm
portant American ideals for
which United States soldiers
have fought and died.
! sincerely hope that Ark
anSaS' rebenious rejection
will not sway other Southern
States into q chain-reaction
Of vetoes,
Robert L. Evans. II.
Evening star., 1961-02-12

From his early years he
had loved the verse of Robert
Frost ..
The moods are lovely, dark
and deep,
But I hare promises to
keep,
And miles to 90 before !
sleep,
And miles to 90 before 7.
sleep.
Yes, he had promises to
keep as he extended the
benefits of American medi-
cine to the neglected corners
of the earth. He had miles
to go, and he went miles
and miles before he kept
the faith and finished his
course at "a. He had miles
to 60 in healing the sick,
comforting the afflicted, and
harboring the homeless be-
fore he slept.
He knew that he was on
the last mile when Al days
before the end, racked by
pain of the malignancy
which slew him, he wrote
a letter from the jungles Of
Laos to the president of
Notre Dame where he had.
spent a year in the forties
as a pre-medical student.
Fond m e mories Of his
months in that great insti-
tuition of learning were
fitting through his drug
dulled brain. He felt a COM.
pulsion to write to DR.. Hes
burgh, the president. To do
so he contrived q way of
pumping up the bed q bit.
and getting to my type
writer" He states that his
cancer was acting up and
though I lack a certain
buoyancy in my bones, just
now I lack none in my
spirit"
AS he wrote he was evi-
IDENTIFY thinking of his hos
pitals around the world and
Of the 81 doctor friends who
were raising funds for his
loved projects. Then comes
a superb statement Of his
religious faith as the fiery
affliction was spreading-"I
think Of one Divine Doctor.
and my own personal fund
Of grace. The storm around
does not matter-the winds
within do not matter. Moth
ing human or earthly can
touch me-a wilder storm Of
peace gathers in my heart
what seems unpoSSeSsable ]
can possess. What seems un-
fathomable, ] can fathom.
What is unutterable, I can
utter-because I can pray
/ can communicate. How can
people endure anything on
earth If they cannot have
God?"
What can one say after
q victorious valedictory like
that - except perhaps to
quote the verse of an old
hymn
o may / triumph so.
When all my tDGrtGre'S
past,
And dying find my latest foe
Under my feet at last.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Irote Commuters

II some Of these fatheadS
who jam onto the Arlington
buses In snowy weather-and
then drive their cars to work
in good weather-would ride
the buses regularly, the bus
company could afford to
have enough buses for every
one, good weather or bad.
AS it is now. we regular bus
riders support the bus COM
pany all year round and then
during snowy weather we
sometimes have to wait IS
minutes to an hour for o bus
while IS or 20 buses pass US
by. loaded with many Of the
shortsighted. small drained
motorists who insist on the
convenience" Of their auto
mobile the rest of the year.
.. Violet Palmer
= = =
The snow. the sleet and
the ice do not cause the ter
rible Washington traffic
jams; 1t is the retarded mem
tality, the ignorance and the
diScourteSy of the people.
II you don't believe this, try
to push your grocery cart
through a crowded super
market. The situation Is
identical.
ObgerveP.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses. All let
ters are subject to condensa-
tton. Those not used tDilI be
returned only Uhen accom-
painted By self . addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
Proud Democrat

You all heard about the
missile gap from Mr.. Ken
nedy, when he was cam
paigning for the Presidency
last fall. And you Repub-
ncans predicted II Kennedy
was elected. the country was
done for and we would fan
further behind the Soviet in
missiles.
Well now. Mr.. Wise Re
publicans. how about this
after only three weeks Of Mr..
Kennedy. we have already
caught up with the Soviet
and there is no longer a mis-
sile gap! Makes one proud
to be a Democrat-doesn't 1t?
James ]. Matthews.
Evening star., 1961-02-12
SPIRES OF THE SPIRIT
Miles to Go
BY DIR. FREDERICK BROWNcHARRIS
Chaplain Of the United States senate

CractlVe thing in all the
world. Helping others void
Of the alloy Of self is the
most fascinating spectacle
earth affords. Goodness ex-
pressing itself in selfless
service is an irresistible COM
bination. That is why in an
acquisitive age piled high
with material gains, with
names galore in the Who's
Who Of success, the name Of
DR.. Albert Schweitzer, who
has given his life to suf-
fering humanity, leads all
the rest. His working day
has now stretched into the
80s and even the modern
world, with its mania for
getting, sensing that he has
chosen the better part. bows
at his feet and exalts his
healing hands, and acclains
him as perhaps the greatest
human now alive.
It Is because the same
glory that for so many years,
has famed in that African
hospital, has recently shone
in the service of another doc
tor-now dead at 34-that
the name of DR.. Tom Dooley
suggests, to millions a blaz-
ing meteor flashing across
the sky of uncalculated
altruism. In the midst of
sordid surroundings of mis-
cry and brutality on the
other side Of the world from
where he was born, this
Missouri boy has been hailed
not as the Ugly American"
but as the beautiful"
American. DR.. Dooley in his
brief but intense service to
the want and woe of the
Asian jungles did infinite
things for those for whom
his care, his medicine, his
hospitals, snatched life from
the clutches of death. What
he was and what he did came
as q divine revelation to
many reveling in the soft
luxuries Of the West. AS
an editorial on his life truly
put 1t: His boyish enthusi-
aSm. his zest, maintained
even during his fatal illness,
marked him as one Of the
rare people who reflect the
goodness Of God and the full
fillment Of human potentials
for selflessness."
Tom Dooley ended his work
at approximately the same
meager age span as did
MANS Best Man" We are
reminded that the greatest
like ever lived came to its
earthly close at 33, but that
one hanging dead on two
crossed beams Of wood be-
fore he was 81 has invaded
more realms, inspired more
endeavor. influenced more
lives, and captured more
hearts than any other per-
son who has ever lived.
How little the incident of
ones obituary has to do
with the total record. Emer-
son once remarked: 1--WE do
not count q mans years
until he has nothing else to
count" Alexander the Great
conquered the known world
and died before he reached
the age when cancer took DR..
Dooley. Raphael had deco
rated Rome with immortal
masterpieces and was in his
grave in his 34th year. If
Thomas Jefferson had died
at "a, he would still be the
author of the Declaration Of
independence. Much is made
in this day Of health assets
in adding years to life. It
is a tremendously greater
thing to add life to years
that DR.. Dooley did in a way
to win the worlds grateful
applause.
Evening star., 1961-01-01
child in your
IL SIGNS OF
a GIFTED CHILD

Z. Learns easily. Walks and talks early,
perhaps learns to read before entering
school. Wants to be taught to read at an
early age.
z. Seeks answers. Has diverse and intense
interests. When he asks questions, really
wants the answers, to the point of becom-
ing very angry if he doesn't get them.
.. Collects things. ALI kinds of things =
birds, stamps, chemicals, pictures of ball
players or movie stars, rocks, marbles,
insignia. Often these collections are very
complicated.
q. Is physically advanced. Usually above
average in height, weight. Above-average
measurements of shoulders, hips. Has de-
veloped strength, coordination and endur-
ance. Physical poise may be one of first
indications of giftedness.
q. Enjoys complicated games. Especially
those involving a system or rules. Plays
easily alone. When young, often develops
imaginary playmates.
O. Is highly creative. Tends to be original
in all things: play, work, planning, conver.
sation, writing, and in adjusting to new
situations. May show unusual skill in art
or music, have good sense of rhythm or
color. States an idea in a picturesque way.
y. Has sense of humOr. Makes up jokes
and laughs at the humor of others on
more mature level, often on an abstract or
imaginary basis.
@. Likes school. At least at first. But
achievement in subjects may be lower than
expected because of boredom. Participates
in many extra-curricular activities.
o. Understands element of time. Studies
calendars, takes clocks apart. Talks about
yesterday" and tomorrow" days Of the
week, ''then" and ''now.'
10. Anatyzes himself oyectiOely. Is usually
more trustworthy when tempted, more hon.
est, has better emotional stability.
%. Prefers older children. Even though
rejected and mistreated by bigger friends.
I2. May be 'diEcult." Passive attitude of
those around him, including parents and
teachers, may make gifted child inpatient
and even at times rebellious.
Evening star., 1961-02-26
Voices Optimism

Commenting on his visit to
America next month to make
personal contact with Mr.. Ken
nedy, Mr.. Macmillan said:
Prom the speeches he has
made since his election, it is
clear that the maintenance Of
q Strong Western alliance pur-
sued by all his predecessors will
continue with vigor and imag-
ination. We all wish him well
in the heavy responsibility he
has assumed.
81 shall be able to assure him
that he and his fellow coun-
trymen need be in no doubt
about where the United King
dom stands. It stands with its
friends in good times or bad.
1--WE must strengthen the al
lance at every point but that
does not mean that we should
waste our energies In attempting
to match Soviet polemicS. We
should be absolutely firm in
our attitude toward the Soviet
bloc, yielding nothing to threats
Evening star., 1961-02-26
Teheron University
Shut After Attack

TEHERAN, Iran, Feb. "A
(AP).-Teheran University an
nounced today 1t is closing
down temporarily because some
students tried to kill former
Premier Manuchehr Eghbal and
burned the car which the Shah
gave him when he was ousted
from the premiership.
The university win stay closed
until the $4,000 students have
re-enrolled under close scrutiny
to weed out hackers Of the Com
munist-line Tudeh Party.
Tudeh students were blamed
for the incident.
Mr.. Eghbal. q professor at
the university. was attacked
when he went to the university
Thursday to have q dental
X-ray. He was rescued by den
tistry students.