davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Tructors-for-Freedom
Two Senators Examine Opposite Sides of the Coin
(See Editorial: 'TrGctors-f for -FreedomJ
ION
(Senator Lausche Of OhiO)

(SenatOf LauSche OF Oh1O)
Mr.. President, on May % spoke briefly
on this floor in expressing my opposition to
the movement, which is afoot, to proceed by
private means, not through q governmental
agency, to comply with Castro's proposal that
he be sent 500 tractors, in exchange for 1000
prisoners. I felt that the proposal by Castro
had all the earmarkS of blackmail, and that
the acceptance Of the proposal would conSti-
tute an abject surrender to blackmailing by
this Communist dictator.
Since that time I have pondered the
subject, and my conviction has become
deeper that what is being done is an indefen-
sible mistake, and in the end will cause great
complications and difficulties to our Govern
ment, as follows:
First We shall be yielding to blackmail.
Second In yielding to the blackmail, we
shall be indicating to the people of the world
that we lack courage and that we run for
cover when the dictator speaks.
Third. In my opinion, we shall add fuel
to the condemnationS and aSpersions that
have been made Of our people in the ugly
American"
Fourth. In these days, as we are ap-
preaching Memorial Day, which is tomorrow.
Tuesday, cannot see how we can sing the
praise Of and psalms to the fallen dead who
gave their lives for our country while at this
time we are abjectly surrendering to the
blackmail of the dictator.
It is not becoming to our honor. It is
not in the interest Of our country. The COM
plications and the losses that will follow in
the years to come are, in my opinion, in
calculable.
Evening star., 1961-06-01
In Memoridn

AS Memorial Day, 1861, fades into
history, it would be appropriate to give
a thought to those who died on the
Nations highways during the four-day
holiday period. Some of these un-
doubtedly were on their way to decorate
the graves of loved ones who had died
for their country. Some in gay mood
were on outings. Others were on busi-
ness errands or other serious trips.
Most of them, according to safety
authorities, would have been alive today
if they or other motorists had used
common sense in driving. But common
sense seems to forsake many motorists
when they get on the open road. AS
result, the 1851 Memorial Day period
will be remembered as the most deadly
to date. What sad way to honor
those who died that others might live
in freedom and happiness!
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Pro
(SenatOr Cooper Of Kentucky

Mr.. President. Il. have listened to
the arguments which have been made by
many Senators against the Castro proposal,
and agree it deserves the fullest considera-
ton and discussion by Members of the Con-
greSS. Castro's offer is form Of blackmail,
and it shows his callous contempt for human
life. And 1t represents the kind Of contempt
Castro has for the opinion and feelings Of the
people Of our country.
Nevertheless, believe the United States
has no choice other than to provide means
to secure the release Of the prisoners, approx
mately 1900 in number, captured in the ILL
fated landing. say this because it was the
final decision of the United States which sent
these men into Cuba, and into captivity.
Whatever arguments may be made about the
deficiencies on intelligence in the CIA, and
on the advice of the Department Of Defense,
it is correct that, finally, the President of the
United States decided to give support to the
CubanS who landed in Cuba.
If these men were citizens Of the United
States, we would have other means to secure
their liberation, even, If necessary, that Of
physical force; but we know that our force
will not be used to liberate the Cuban
prisoners.
: The United States bears a special re-
sponsibility toward the prisoners. E. have
not mentioned the moral and humanitarian
aspects Of the problem. They are important
but we are not always able to fulfill every
humanitarian appeal. But in this case they
have particular significance, because of the
responsibility assumed by our Government
in the landings 1
Mr.. President it seems to me the provi-
sion for tax deductions to contributors and
Of export licenses represent tacit official
approval OF tractor-prisoner exchange. In
thnSA NirNI1Y1 cfanRae T fhiY1k ha
proper and in harmony with the facts for
the President Of the United States to say
that he officially supports the movement. It
would assure our people that the foreign
policy Of our country is being conducted by
the President Of the United States
So wish to summarize my points:
First, support the proposal because the
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Good Flying

1t is too late now to engage in
lengthy post-mortemS about the fate of
Capital Airlines, merged officially into
the larger system of United Air Lines,
but it is not too late to wish "good
flying" and good fortune" to all those
who have been part of the Capital
community here. Known once as
Pennsylvania Central Airlines with
headquarters in Pittsburgh, Capital
moved it's top command to Washington
In 1912 and has had more than 5000
of its total of 1900 officials and en-
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Troctors-for-Freedom

No recent question Of public policy
has produced so sharp a clash between
earnestly held convictions-regard
of political ties - as the proposed
Tractors S-for-Freedom adventure. AS
only one example of this clash we
print elsewhere on this page today
recent Senate remarks by Senator
Lausche Of Ohio, Democrat, who op-
poses the business, and Senator Cooper
of Kentucky, Republican, who sup
ports it.
The debate will doubtless continue.
Yet those who, like The Star, deplore
character for this country and as a
dangerous invitation to yet another
fiasco in our policy toward Cuba,
realize that such a fiasco would be
haStened by failure to raise the ransom
money and pay off the blackmailer
And continuing opposition to what has
now been undertaken will serve only
to increase the risk of such failure
It is incredible that as great and
self-reSpecting Nation we have been
placed in this pusillanimous position.
Note the remarks in Mexico City of the
visiting Cuban Foreign Minister. DR..
Raul Roa, as quoted in a dispatch to
the New York Times DR.. Roa is one
of those with whom group of private
. citizens, encouraged by the President of
the United States, is dealing in this
left-handed liaison to free the prisoners.
He offers this comment: eff the tractors
do not arrive the worms (prisoners)
will not leave Cuba and they will have
to work for the country, which doubt
they will be able to do"
Evening star., 1961-06-01

ployes stationed here in recent years.
William A. Patterson, president of
United, has expressed the hope that
job protection will be extended to
Capital workers and in his "takeover"
statement promised that the surviving
corporate entity after the merger "will
proceed as rapidly as possible toward
the goal Of fulfilling all obligations to
our customers, stockholders and en-
ployes." We hope that this will be
accomplished successfully, and that
even in new uniforms with new insignia
Capitals people will remain part Of
aviation in Washington,
Evening star., 1961-06-01
An Ideal Summit

Like all dlctatorS, many
politicians, labor leaders and
industrialists, Khrushchev is
a vain man, more interested
in maintaining his place in
the world spotlight than he is
in the theories of government
he expoundS and advocates.
He is too stupid to recognize
that as OF today he is the
most hated man in the world,
and that II he continues to
follow his present course, he
will go down in history, If
any history remains, as the
man responsible for the de-
Struction of civilization.
If he were a smart man,
he would recognize and grasp
the opportunity his forth
coming meeting with Mr..
Kennedy affords him to be-
come overnight the most be-
loved and respected man in
the world, and to earn a
place in history second to
none. All that he would have
to do would be to say to Mr..
Kennedy, and mean it, 1--WE,
as the representatives of the
two most powerful nations in
the world, know that we can
bring about the simultaneous
destruction of those nations,
and the elimination of civili-
zation. On the other hand,
we can. implement the steps
necessary for the establish
ment of a quick, lasting, just
and a universal peace, based
on a belief in the dignity of
the individual, the right of
all men to live under govern
ments of their own choosing,
devoid of fear of interference
from other countries no mat
ter how powerful those coun-
tries may be, to partake 'oi a
fair share of the fruits of
their labor, and be they Jew
or Gentle, Catholic or Prot
estant, Christian or nom
Christian, to worship their
God as they see Him. You
and I, and our two great ma
tions alone can do this. Let us
not waste time, and let us
here agree that when this
task is accomplished, we will
join hands with the other
well-eStablished countries in
helping to raise the standard
of living of those underdevel-
oped countries which have
recently gained their free
dom"
w. H. Calhoun.
Miami, Fla.
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Paris and Khrushchev
THE heart-Warminp parisiaY

Inc nearC-Warmlng Partisan well
come accorded President and Mrs.
Kennedy reflects the basic cordiality
that has long characterized Franco
American relations Indeed, "cordiality'
seems too weak word for it; better
and more accurate, perhaps, would be
strong "friendlineSS" of a historically
close kind, dating back to the days of
our own Revolution. Or maybe "affec-
ton" would be yet sounder descriptive
In any case, in greeting the young
Kennedys, the aging but formidable
and quite majestic President de Gaulle
has been at pains to emphasize that
his country "haS never known Amer
leans other than as allies and friends"
And Mr.. Kennedy, for his part, has
made point of declaring that France
is "our oldest friend"-an ancient land
to which he and all of us pay tribute,
not just for cher past glory, but for
her present greatness, her leadership
in Europe and Africa, in science and
industry, the productivity of her
workers, the brilliance of her univer-
stiles, the grandeur of her miesion in
carrying the torch of liberty to new
nations throughout the world"
Nikita KhruShchev, with whom Mr..
Kennedy will meet in Vienna over the
week end, will be making a mistake If
he views this exchange of compliments
as an empty exercise in mutually
inSincere diplomatic flattery. France
and the United States, after all, are
among the Oldest of the worlds friends
and allies, and they mean what they
say when they affirm their determi-
nation to continue to hold fast together.
True, certain differences exist between
us as regards such problems as. forti-
flying NATO, controlling nuclear tests,
supporting the United Nations and
dealing with "the wind of change"
Nevertheless, although we do not see
eye to eye on these and kindred issues,
there should be no doubt in the Kremlin
about our unity-and the unity of the
Atlantic community as whole-in
relation to the life-or-death challenges
of our time.
One such challenge is the Com
muniSt threat to free Berlin. Soviet
Premier KhruShchev Is said to be ready
to use this to test our will and courage,
and the will and courage of the West
in general, to the very brink Of what
could become cataclysmic war. Well,
If that is his true intention, he now
has heard from Presidents Kennedy
and de Gaulle that he will be met at
that brink with the utmost resolutenesS
and force. Moreover, before the week.
end Vienna meeting begins, Paris is
likely to send him some further
SOLDERING messages along the same line.
All of which, of course, is as it should
be. He is man who needs to be dealt
with bluntly and without equivocation.
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Death Comes for TruiiIIo

The assassination of Generalissimo
Rafael LeonidaS Trujillo brings to an
end 81 years Of dictatorial rule in the
Dominican Republic It also creates the
danger that political power vacuum
will invite struggle among the forces
OF left, right and center-a struggle that
could shatter the peace Of the country
and the Caribbean as a whole.
1t is because of this very real and
grim possibility that Secretary Rusk, at
President Kennedy'S request, is delaying
his flight to Vienna for the KhruShchev
meeting. His presence in Washington
is certainly well advised, for the situa-
tion-which is full of obscurities at the
moment-unquestionably has explosive
potentialitieS, and it requires the most
careful study and vigilance in the State
Departments highest echelon.
AS OF now, the indications are that
the late dictator'S hand-picked govern
ment, headed by President Joaquin Bali
aguer, is still in command of the coun-
try At the same time, however, some
fragmentary reports suggest that there
have been Sizeable defectionS from the
army and that rebellion may be in
the making or already under way. At
any rate, the generalissimo's policies
described by his foes as amounting to
q reign of terror and self -enriching cor
ruption-have been of sort that could
hardly fail to have filled many Of his
countrymen with desire not merely to
aSSaSSinate him, but also to overthrow
his rule by force Of arms.
This feeling of revolt, even though
the Trujillo regime admittedly accom-
pliShed great deal of material good
for the country, apparently has been
yelling up among the Dominican people
in ever-increaSing numbers. The ques-
tion is whether the generaliSsimo'S Bala-
guer government will retain the backing
Of the bulk of the army or whether some
military junta-left or right-takes over
power to represS any popular uprising
and impose new tyranny, perhaps
worse than Trujillo'S.
Here is situation in which aggreS-
sive adventures in other Caribbean
lands may feel tempted to intervene
in one way or another. This holds par
ticularly true for Fidel Castro and his
Communist conSpirators in Cuba. To
put it mildly, the outlook is one that
calls for great watchfulness by our
country.
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Opportunity Missed

: acres. free, seem q better
bargain than 16O acres Of
Madeira campus at more
than a half-million dollars
Of tax money.
The Fairfax Board of
Supervisors is one of the
very few groups that have
examined the parkway prof.
ect in the light Of fact and
reason rather than emotion.
Their conclusion is explicit
In the words Of their resolu-
ton: ". the cost of this
acquisition would outweigh
the present benefit of such
a park, and would adversely
affect the general park pro-
gram Of the county"
II this was true in 1859.
when it passed by an over
Whelming 6-to-1 vote, it is
even more true today, when
more county funds than ever
before are earmarked for a
program Of county parks.
1t is true that property
owners In the neighborhood
have seen enough of the
scorched-earth policy of the
National Park Service to
make us skeptical of their
promises about the route of
the highway. But there are
other reasons for our op-
position. We oppose the use
OF county tax funds to help
pay for Federal property. We
oppose spending any tax
funds for park land when
more and better land is
available free. Since the Ma
t1onal Park Service has been
unable to keep order in their
Washington area parks, we
oppose the establishment of
still another one in neigh
borhoods we have been able
to keep safe and peaceful.
And all my neighbors to
whom I have talked resent
the misleading testimony by
which officials of the Fair
fax County Park Authority
and the National Capital
Planning Commission fooled
the House Interior Appropria-
tions Subcommittee into
thinking that the Fairfax
County Board supported the
parkway project.
Scott Seegers.
Evening star., 1961-06-01
Lax Welfare Methods

The eviction of q mother
and her four children from a
North Arlington home a few
days ago disclosed that the
inside of the house was kept
in a deplorable condition.
This prompted Norbert Mel
nick, the county's director of
inspections, to remark that,
nothing could have been
done under existing county
ordinances" )" "No matter how
deplorable the conditions in
side a house." he said, "his
department has no authority
to force its correction. I
couldn't walk into your house
and tell you you're going to
have to wash the dishes"
Let us be thankful that we
have no such ordinance on
the books at the present time,
and hope that we will never
have such a one, whereby an
inspector could walk into our
homes, look under the beds,
pull back the rugs, examine
the kitchen sink, and tell us
to get to work if our house.
keeping failed to meet his
approval.
However, such an ordi-
nance has been proposed.
Under a minimum housing
standard ordinance, the
county manager or his au-
thorized agent would have
authority to make inspection
to determine the condition
of dwellings and premises.
This propose ordinance
would give an inspector the
right to enter your private
dwelling at any time during
daylight without a warrant,
Notwithstanding our consti-
tutional guarantee against
unreasonable searches and
seizures.
While the Department of
Inspection could take no ac-
tion under such circum-
stances, another department
could have, in view of the
fact that the family was be-
ing supported by welfare
payments. A welfare agent
could have told the occupants
to clean up the premises, and
if they failed to do so, then
payments could have been
withheld until there was a
compliance with the order.
Are our tax dollars being
handed out in welfare pay
ments without any Supervi-
sion as to how the money is
spent?
Kitty L. Reynolds
Evening star., 1961-06-01
'Sneoks in Uniform

After reading Senator Symington'S
harsh criticism of certain unidentified
military men, we cannot help wondering
If the Senator would not have been more
constructive had he been willing to
name some names.
The Missouri Senator, former
Secretary of. the Air Force, based his
comments on magazine article and
two news stories. He read into these
articles an organized effort by "rela-
lively small group" to ATTACK their ci-
villain superiors under the vicious cloak
of anonymity" He said these military
men of high rank" are "sneaks in uni
FORM" He thought that this "anony-
nous criticism" amounted to a "disloyal
operation" which he proposed to bring
to the "full knowledge" Of the American
people. He thought 1t was tragedy"
that "some of these military people
have now stopped to- utilizing the Cuban
failure" as a vehicle for attacking the
President. Finally, Senator Symington
expressed fear that civilian control of
the military may be in jeopardy.
Well, we read the excerpts cited by
the Senator, and we find it difficult
to squeeze from them the frightening
differences which he draws. But let's
assume that Senator Symington is not
seeing things under the bed. Can he
identify these military men Of high
rank" these "Sneaks in uniform?" If
so, why didn't he name names? Why
does the Senator wrap his own accuSa-
tions in cloak of anonymity? Is it
helpful to indict a relatively small
group" in terms so vague and so broad
that they could apply to any officer of
high rank? We do not think so. =
Evening star., 1961-06-01
From the SideIines


I see by the papers that
there Is an alleged recrude-
scence of point-shaving fixes
in amateur basketball. AS
a nongambler I think this
is excellent, for it should
greatly decrease wagering un-
less one is like the Easterner
who was advised not to play
roulette at the Diamond Pal
ace Saloon because the wheel
was crooked. But I've got
to play there" he replied.
tits the only wheel in town"
I'm all for the fix. The
players don't necessarily lose
the game; they merely as
sure that Dear Old Siwash
wins by fewer points than
the punters predict. AnG so
the bookies collect. AS, of
course, do the players. The
nonprofessional bier
should know by now that
betting upon any controllable
event Q.e., any sport) is like
pouring his money down a
hole. Instead, he should
spend it wisely on wine,
women and song-though not
necessarily in that order. Be-
lieve me. There is no better
investment.
For that matter, what is
an amateur" player? Don't
believe your dictionary; take
my word instead. My am
ateur not only plays for the
love of the sport; his play
can be witnessed, free, by
anyone who'll bother to look.
But put a college team in
a gym or stadium and sell
tickets. Then, by my book,
they're no longer amateurs
even if their only reward is
the caresses of complaisant
goods. AS soon as Alma
Mumsy takes that first dollar
for a ticket, the whole She
bang is as professional as one
of Polly Adler's myrmidons.
These players are profess
sionals and ought to be paid
preferably a percentage of
the gate. They'll latch onto
some loot anyway, legit-
imately or otherwise. And
that's one of the few things
you can safely bet onl
Robert L. Eichberg
Evening star., 1961-06-01

Your George Washington
Memorial Parkway editorial
COpportunity Missed" May
22) overlooked a few factors
that may have contributed to
the Fairfax Boards decision
not to support any further
land acquisition for this prof.
ect. Certainly these factors
contribute to the opposition
OF local residents.
Most civic and governing
groups which have urged ac-
QUESTION of parkway lands
have done so in automatic
uncritical reaction: Parks
are good. We need good
parks. Let's vote for this
one"
However, q park, like any
other commodity, is a good
buy for the community (the
county in this case) only If:
1t represents the best value
for the money; If there is a
shortage in the immediate
area; and if the county needs
it more than it needs any
thing else the money might
buy.
Acquisition of land for the
George Washington Memoir
ial Parkway west of the Cab
in John Bridge meets none
Of these criteria. The Ma
deira School property is esti-
mated as being worth $4,000
per acre. The most recent
sale of land in that neigh
borhood was at $4,000 per
acre, for land with no 'front.'
age on highway or river, and
no view of the river. River
front land in the area has
sold within the last two years
at $4,000 per acre. Other de-
sirable park land can be
bought for a few hundred
dollars per acre.
The price of every acre OF
Madeira campus would buy
at least 10 acres in sections
of the county where there are
no parks nearby.
AS to need, the National
Park Service has a 50-year
lease with an option to buy
the magnificent 900-acre
PEPCO tract a half-mile up
stream from Madeira. NPS
owns more than 500 acres OF
riverfront about two miles
downstream.
Moreover, there is a 400
acre riverside park available
free in the same neighbor-
hood. The 400-acre-plus of
the Public Roads Bureau
tract at Langley lie all but
vacant, off the tax rolls for
the last 20 years. The Cap
per- -Cramton Act gives the
National Capital Planning
Commission clear, unilateral
authority to convert such
land into a park at no cost to
anyone.
II still more Federally-
owned riverside parks are
needed in Fairfax, these 400