davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-03-14

White House to do Mrs. Ken
nedy's hair for last nights
big party hosted by the
French Ambassador and Ma
dame Alphand at the Presi-
dents guest house? II am
not Kenneth's keeper" she
replied saucily, "but he really
came down to give me his
advice on water pressure
needed for the beauty salon
operation"
Evening star., 1961-07-02
KuW0it:
Set for Trouble

Iraq last week claimed the
newly independent SheikdOm of
Kuwait. The United Arab Re-
public, however, led Arab OppO-
sitiOn to the annexation of the
OiI-rich area, and Britain sent
marines.
Kuwait has been claimed" so
many times in the past that last
weeks clash between 1raq's Kas-
sem and the UAR's Nassau was as
expected as the SO million in oil
that flows daily from Kuwait'S
fields.
No larger than Connecticut, but
richer in oil than all the rest of
the Middle East, Kuwait always
has been eyed by its bigger but
poorer neighborS.
Until recently, these periodic
claims, usually made by 1raq or
Saudi Arabia, were checked by
Great Britain's firm control over
Kuwait's foreign affairs.
Until the middle of the last
century, Kuwait (meaning little
fortD was one of several pirate
ports along the Persian Gulf. A
sideline that especially ired Eng
lishmen was the pirates habit of
kidnapping EngliShwomen and sell
ing them into Eastern harems.
This prompted the British navy
to drive the pirates out of buSi-
ness, and to ensure their loyalty"
subsidies were paid to them. In
1899, the British signed a treaty
with Kuwait, giving it the pro-
lection of the Union Jack in re-
turn for use of the port.
BY granting Kuwait full inde-
pendence two weeks ago, however,
Britain paved the way for the
latest disruption Of Arab unity.
Premier Kassem started the
controversy by making the Oft
repeated claim that Kuwait was
IAN integral part" of Iraq. Basing
Ills doSCI OIOu OIL NuWdAG oAAO
Iraq's common Ottoman Empire
roots, Premier KaSsem said he
would annex Kuwait without
force"
Premier Nasser, whose influ-
ence is strong in Kuwait, stood
behind the wealthy Sheik ($305
million year,, and said he
would oppose any annexation at
tempt, whether peaceful or not.
The Sheik also gained expected
support from Saudi Arabia, Ku-
waits other neighbor. And Great
Britain announced it was ready
to come to Kuwait's aid if the
Sheik asked for military help.
Half of Britain's oil comes from
the Persian Gulf sheikdom.
Britain fulfilled it's pledge yes
terday by sending marines and
equipment in case Iraq attacked.
Alarmed that Iraq may resort to
force, Kuwait asked yesterday for
U. N. intervention. The Security
Council was to take up the matter
this morning.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Western Claims

Mr.. Khrushchev has been very
sensitive in the past to Western
claims of no self-determination in
Eastern Europe. Since he hypo-
critically supports self determine
ton in Angola. but not in Hung
ary, Mr.. Krushchev may be forced
on the defensive by the new gam
bit.
BY bringing self-determination
into the debate, Mr.. Kennedy may
be trying to expand the issue Of
Berlin into a discussion Of gen.
eral East-West differences. This
may give the West a stronger
propaganda position in the
months ahead.
The American stand will be
made clearer next week when
reply to Mr.. Khrushchev's aide
memoire is completed.
Mr.. Khrushchev'S memoire set
the stage for the current crisis,
causing Mr.. Kennedy to tell the
American people on June 6 that
at Vienna "eur most somber talks
were on the subject Of Germany
and Berlin"
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Retirement Age

Principal changes allow men to
retire at 81 instead Of IS with
slightly reduced benefits, increase
the minimum monthly retirement
benefits from $33 to $40, increase
benefits to widows of insured
workers and slightly liberalize re-
strictions on other earnings by
retirees. The estimated $825 mil
lion cost will be financed by a
one-eighth of ] per cent increase
in the payroll tax paid oy en-
ployers and employees, effective
January /.
Administration spokesmen en-
phasized that the legislation is
not designed to establish 62 as a
retirement age nor to encourage
people of that age to retire, but
rather to help older people who
because of i'll health, automation
or depressed economic conditions
in some areas are forced into
early retirement.
On farm legislation, the Presi-
dent and Agriculture Secretary
Freeman suffered a setback. The
administration bill emerged from
committees only a shadow of its
former self. Knocked out was the
key provision which would have
given the Secretary broad au-
thority for controlling farm pro-
duction.
Among reasons for the rejections:
Failure of the administration to
consult closely enough with con-
gressional leaders and desire to
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Compromise

Neither, however, indicated spe-
cific areas where compromise was
possible. And without compro-
mise, East-West negotiations have
broken down in the past.
Negotiations may aid officials,
however, in getting to the roots
of Mr.. Khrushchev's determine
ton to settle" the Berlin prob
lem this year.
Observers have given various
explanations for Mr.. Khru-
Shchev'S attitude. 1t has been said
he needs an East German peace
treaty to strengthen his hand at
home, to prove to Asian and Afri-
can countries that communism is
on the move, and to stop the flow
of refugees leaving East Germany.
Some administration officials
suggested that Mr.. Khrushchev is
worried about rising nationaliSm
in East Europe and wants treaty
to stabilize boundaries and dem
onstrate the Soviet Union still
commands the area.
If Mr.. Khrushchev is having
problems behind the Iron Curtain,
Mr.. Kennedy hit home when he
said discussions will be profit
able If the Soviets will accept in
Berlin-and indeed in Europe
self determination which they
profess in other areas Of the
world"
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Main Points

The mernoire had three main
points:
1. The Soviet Union wants the
West to join in signing separate
peace treaties with East and West
Germanies, thus sealing the pres
ent German boundaries.
2. West Berlin should be made
a "free city" with its access routes
to the West guaranteed by treaty.
8. If the West refuses these two
points, the Soviet Union will sign
a separate peace treaty with East
Germany by the end of the year.
and will turn over control Of &C
cess routes to the new German
government.
The West has said it will not
sign separate treaties with a di-
vided Germany. And since the
West claims that wartime agree
ments with the Soviet Union gave
it legal rights to the access routes,
a grave threat" exists-in Presi-
dent Kennedy's words if East
Germany takes over the routes.
The unilateral signing of a
peace treaty with East Germany
would not in itself touch off a
war, but efforts by the East Ger
mans to stop traffic into Berlin
might.
Evening star., 1961-07-02

last month that the 3-year-old
Geneva nuclear test ban talks
had broken down, pressure began
to mount in Congress and in the
Pentagon for a resumption of
tests.
The argument for resumption
is principally military. It asserts
that while the United States has
not been developing its full weapon
potential-such as the dreaded
neutron bomb-the Soviet Union
may have been secretly taking ad-
vantage of our self lf-imposed ban.
At his press conference, how
ever, the President said the United
States has no evidence that the
Soviet Union has violated the
moratorium. This study will re-
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Action Deferred

The next move is up to the
Rules Committee which must
clear bills to the floor. With the
long July 4 holiday in effect, no
action is expected before next
week. Three weeks of hearings
have been predicted on what has
been described as the school
mess"
House Speaker Rayburn was
optimistic after a conference
Tuesday with the President that
the public school bill, a major
item in the Kennedy program,
would negotiate its tortuous legis-
lative trail. Others had consider
able doubt.
Former President Eisenhower
helped Solidify Republican oppo-
Sition with a statement last week
that the Kennedy bill would "ulti-
mately result in Federal control
of education"
There was good news for some
4 million persons who will bene-
fit from a measure broadening
the social security program.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Laos:
New 'Troiko'

Mai. Gen. PhOumi NOsavan,
Deputy Premier Of the pro-
Western Royal Laos govern
ment, arrived in Washington
last week for talks on his
troubled kingdom.
After agreeing on nothing but
the pleasures of France and Swift
zerland for several weeks, the
three Laotian Princes have
smoothed over their political
differences and agreed to form a
single neutral" government.
They asked their King, who
takes no interest in politics, to
appoint new cabinet; then they
headed different ways from their
Zurich hotel suites.
Before departing, the Laotian
troika affirmed the neutrality of
Laos, and in a seeming swipe at
the United States, said Laos would
not take assistance from any
military bloc. The only such bloc
in the area is the United States
supported Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization (SEATO).
Because of this, Washington
feared neutral" might be a cover
word for Communist" Pro-
Western Prince Boun Oum was
asked to send his strong man,
Gen. Phoumi, to tell officials here
whether their fears were justified.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
THE WEEK IN PERSPECTIVE
Chances for Berlin Negotiation

In separate statements last
week, President Kennedy and
Premier KhruShchev both indi-
Gated they were willing to nego-
tiate differences over Berlin and
Germany.
Since the fall of 1858, no other
issue has so divided East and
West as the status Of Germany
and Berlin. Whenever Premier
Khrushchev has wanted to in
crease tension. all he has had to
do was demand a settlement" of
the German and Berlin issues.
BY telling the West no less Than
five times in the last three weeks
that he will sign a unilateral
peace treaty with East Germany
by the end of the year, Mr..
Khrushchev conjured up visions
of war in Western minds, and
helped create a new high Of
tension in June.
Every word uttered by either
Mr.. Khrushchev or President
Kennedy has been so analyzed in
recent weeks that when both
men by coincidence indicated on
Wednesday that they were willing
to negotiate their differences,
faint hopes rose throughout the
world.
In Moscow, Mr.. KhruShchcv
said he looked forward honestly
and frankly" to start negotiations
on Berlin. President Kennedy
said 1--WE would agree there is un-
finished business to be settled as
concerns Germany"
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Mdritime:
Hard Bargain

A Conditional" agreement
between the biggest union and
two major shipping groups
appeared yesterday to be gaining
little support with other unions.
The President earlier In the
week had invoked the Taft
Hartley Act in the Nationwide
maritime walkOut.
Under pressure from the ad-
miniStration and the threat Of an
Injunction, seaman and ship
owners were struggling at the end
of the week to settle the two
week-old shipping tieup. But pros
poets for settlement did not appear
good.
President Kennedy reluctantly
invoked the Taft-Hartley Act
Monday, declaring that he be-
lieved continuation of the strike
would imperil the national health
and safety.
The fact-finding board ap-
pointed by the President to deter
mine the effect of the strike and
the issues involved went beyond
its obligations and took on the
yeoman task Of trying to get the
disputing parties together-feud-
ing unions and big and little
ship owners.
On Friday the chairman an
nounced a conditional" agree
ment between two major shipping
groups and the National Maritime
Union, biggest of the striking
unions. But other unions involved
did not seem in a mood to go along.
President Kennedy extended
the deadline for the board to re-
port to him until tomorrow in the
hope it would not be necessary
to go further with the Taft
Hartley procedure and seek a
court injunction to force the sea-
men back to work.
Invoking the Taft Hartley Act
described by labor as a slave
labor" law-was President Ken
nedy's first real brush with or
ganized labor which helped elect
him. It seemed likely to spur
presidential action toward seeking
further tools" which Mr.. Ken
Continued on Page CO
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Neutrality Form

The substance of his talks was
not made public, but apparently
he tried to reaSsure anxious Off
cials that Laos would stay clear
of Red entanglements as we'll as
Western alliances. This, even
though Communism backed troops
control nearly two-thirds of the
countryside.
While Gen. Phoumi was in
Washington, neutralist Prince
Souvana Phouma went to Paris for
personal business" and pro-
Communist Prince Souphanou-
yong had business of his own in
Moscow and Peiping.
The three princes expect to
meet again later this month to
pick a single representative to
attend the bogged-down Geneva
talks.
The 14-nation conference there,
now in it's seventh week, is biding
time until he arrives. Contro-
versy continues on establishing an
effective international control
commission, but agreement prob
ably can be reached if the Lao
tian factions are sincere in their
desire for a neutral government.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Torture Chamber
Minneapolis Star

port on whether they might have
violated it.
Since the first country that
resumes testing undoubtedly will
suffer a severe propaganda defeat
around the world. the President
wanted to make sure he could
present convincing evidence for
the necessity to resume tests.
A scientific report indicating
the Soviet Union may have been
testing would help the President if
he decided that tests Should start
again.
With the breakdown in the
nuclear test ban talks, little hope
was held out for the proposed
disarmament conference tenta-
lively scheduled to begin at the
end of this month.
Soviet u. N. Ambassador zorin
and Special Adviser McCloy ended
two weeks of preliminary talks on
Friday, and apparently little prog
ress was made. The Russians
want to merge nuclear test ban
talks with disarmament, and the
United States has refused.
Because of the growing impor-
tance of disarmament in interna-
tional affairs, the President asked
Congress to establish a permanent
disarmament agency that could
make long-range plans in this
highly technical field. The ad-
ministration feels the agency
first of its kind in the world
would underscore the Importance
the United States attaches to the
disarmament problem.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
NucIeor:
Checking Up

President Kennedy asked his
Scientific Advisory Committee
to appoint a special panel Of
scientists to see if the Soviet
Union could have been secretly
testing nuclear weapons.
American scientists last week
recorded an unidentified explo-
sion in the Soviet Union. least
of Finland" The size of the blast
was estimated at between so and
100 tons of TINT, far below that
of usual nuclear explosions, but
it possibly could have been caused
by such materials.
1t is exactly this type of prob
lem-never knowing with GER
tainty that the Soviet Union is
adhering to the voluntary mora
torium on nuclear testing that
both countries have observed since
Evening star., 1961-07-02
THE NATIONAL SCENE
Rules Group Slows
Kennedy Program

Congress spent a busy week,
passing social security extern
sion, housing and highway bills.
Maneuvering continued on
school aid, the House passed the
Presidents defense requests, a
key provision of the admins
tratiOn's farm bill was snuffed
out, and a small spark Of life
was breathed into postal rate
increase legislation.
zone thing can assure you,"
said crafty Representative Smith
last week on aid to education
legislation, "I am not going to be
in any hurry about doing any
thing"
Another thing that seemed as
Sured: Unless someone does get in
a hurry, or unless Mr.. Kennedy
gives it strong push, the Pres
ident'S controversial SIS billion
public school aid bill may still be
languishing in Mr.. Smiths Rules
Committee when Congress goes
home.
Scheduled to move to the House
floor for debate nearly a month
ago, the program for Federal aid
for school construction and teach
ers' salaries has been stymied by
a conservative Catholic -Republi-
can combination, of votes in the
committee.
In an apparent effort to break
the jam, the House Education and
Labor Committee on Tuesday ap-
proved legislation providing $375
million in loans to parochial and
private schools under the National
Defense Education Act. This is
the bill two Catholic Democrats
on the, Rules Committee want
taken up before they will vote for
the public school bill.
Evening star., 1961-07-02

October 81, 1958-that led Presi-
dent Kennedy to ask for the
report.
The scientists have been charged
by Mr.. Kennedy with finding out
what is the extent of our in
formation on whether the Soviet
Union has been or could be en-
gagged in secret testing of nuclear
weapons" and what chronological
progress in weapons could be
under way in that area without
our knowledge"
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Air Travel

Hostile threats by East Ger
many to limit air travel once a
treaty is signed led President
Kennedy at last weeks press con-
ference to say recent statements
by leaders Of this regime make it
very plain that the kind of free
city they have in mind is one in
which the rights of the citizens of
West Berlin are gradually but re-
lentlessly extinguished."
He warned Soviet leaders not to
underestimate the will and unity
of democratic societies where vital
interests are concerned" Such
miscalculations could lead to war.
Strong words like these gained
Mr.. Kennedy support in Congress
and from Amerca's allies. France
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Highway Bill

Highway users will find them
selves paying more Federal taxes
for tires, tubes and tread rubber.
And the Accent Federal tax on
gasoline, which was originally
scheduled to drop TO cents, will
be continued to October, 1912.
The administrations postal rate
increase bill was revived by the
House Post Office and Civil Serv-
ice Committee which agreed to
reconsider its earlier rejection of
the measure. Chances of its win
ming approval were considered
slim, however.
President Kennedy's $42.9 billion
defense bill was passed in the
House, APO, with only slight
change.
Approval was given for the
Presidents plan to place wider
authority in the hands of the
charimen of the Federal Trade
Commission and Civil Aeronautics
Board.
Evening star., 1961-07-02

keep closer control of the farm
program within the legislative
bodies.
On the housing front, President
Kennedy got nearly everything he
asked, plus some extras. Despite
last-minute Republican efforts to
cut it, a $40 billion version of
slightly different omnibus hous-
ing bills passed earlier by the two
houses sailed through the Senate
and House within a hour Wednes-
day.
It provides for grants and loans
for urban renewal, planning, pub
lie housing, park acquisition,
urban transit, and also sets up
program of insuring long-term,
low down-payment home loans
for moderate income families.
Legislation to assure completion
of the 41.000-mile interstate high
way building program by 1912, and
to control roadside billboards, was
signed Thursday by the President.
The bill will pump an additional
Sill billion into the program.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
His Escape Clause

showed its concern over the Ger
man situation by transferring a
division from Algeria to Europe,
and there was talk at the end of
the week of increasing Americas
forces in Euprope this summer.
Evening star., 1961-07-02
Propaganda

President Kennedy's decision to
call for this report stemmed from
both security and political factors.
AS soon as it became evident
Evening star., 1961-01-20
DORIS FLEEsoN
Old Pro as Democratic chief

change-over, 1t has escaped
notice that most Of his new
frontiersmen conspicuouSly
lack political personality.
They may do well, even ex-
tremely well, but they are un-
likely rivals to the President.
Already at headquarters
are masses Of material about
party weaknesses. They win
become the basis of fresh
plans Of the mid-term elec.
tions in 1862.
Democrats still will have
some statistical advantage
over Republicans that year,
especially in the Senate, but
not nearly as much as they
had in 1860.
It Is particularly important
to strengthen the press and
propaganda arms Of the ma.
tional committee, If, as now
seems likely, Mr.. Kennedy
has to achieve major parts
Of his program by bold use Of
his executive order.
Chairman Bailey also will
confront . vigorous challenge
from his opposite number
ct Republican headquarters,
Senator Morton Of Kentucky.
Republicans already have
smothered some deep and
personal differences in favor
Of 0 sturdy offensive against
the Democrats. starting prac-
tically at once.
Evening star., 1961-01-20
POTOMAC FEVER
BY Pete Wyna
By FLETCHER KNEBEL

John r. Kennedy takes the oath S4Ath 34Ath
President fractional assessment Of
Mllard Fillmore
Lyndon johnson Is In as Vice President after
losing 20 pounds When Texan gets ready to throw his
weight around he gives his targets sporting chance
%hAhs
Inaugural ode Out Of the PIT. came Jack survivor Of
enemy flax He faced the Nation without repdaton-then
cried to Jackie. "Unpackl"
Ike urges the date for nauguatons be moved closer
the election Ike figures this could have been held
about October IS. Nixon might have made it.
Washingtons full Of Boston Irshmen and Texans
for the Kennedy inauguration civilian hardly
around.
With Ike bidding farewell to the White House and
Kennedy moving i Republicans claim we've changed from
the father image to the prodisal son image
Evening star., 1961-01-20
Kennedy's Unique Era of Trial

est-by the wise and gener-
ous post-election conduct Of
hts Republican antagonist in
the campaign. Richard M.
Nixon.
Mr.. Nixon, like most other
adult politicians, knows that
the election Is now over and
that we are all in trouble in
this world. He knows that
none would profit--and only
the country would lose-by
petty partisan attempts at
this dangerous juncture to
weaken Q new administra-
ton which must now speak
for us all.
And In this lies the most
hopeful Of all ornens for the
future: Never in this corre-
spondent's experience has q
new President been inaugu.
rated In Q national atmos-
phere Of 50 little bitterness,
so little irresponsibility. on
both sides.
Evening star., 1961-01-20
RALPH McGILL
The White House and the Tourist

planned. It might be that
Hoban was not well regarded
by Mr.. Jefferson because Of
his property and the manner
Of its accumulation.
The architect had seen,
from the beginning. that
property in Washington
would become valuable. He
knew where buildings would
be located. and he invested
wisely and largely. In ad-
dition to drawing the plans.
he also served as contractor.
In our time he almost GER
tainly would be condemned
under the conflict Of inter-
est statute. But in this day,
there was no law against
such practices and Hoban
was regarded, In the con-
text Of his time, as O man
Of probity and piety. He
served on the city council
and was in every respect q
solid citizen.
Architectural practices
were not then professionally
established. His buildings
were all academic and, while
not copies Of existing build
ings, were close to being so.