davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-04-04
The President to Paris

President Kennedy, in deciding to
fly to Paris at the end of May for three
days of conferences with President de
Gaulle, has taken a step that promises
to help moderate or put an end to some
of the more serious differences that have
developed between our country and
France on number of vital interna-
tional issues and policies.
These differences have to do with
such matters as the strengthening of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
the ic-hydrogen arms race, efforts
to negotiate trustworthy ban on nu-
clear testing, Frances refusal to pay its
share Of the cost of the United Nations
operations in the Congo, and how best
to deal with "the wind Of change" that
is blowing hard throughout the whole
Of Africa. General de Gaulle's views on
these and kindred questions are at vari-
ance, in many respects, with those held
by our Government, and so Mr.. Kennedy
will be undertaking challenging diplo-
matte task when he sits down with the
French leader and tries not only to
establish a good personal rapport with
him, but also to reconcile the policy
divergencies now existing between his
country and ours.
incidentally, Mrs Kennedy, whose
ancestry Is French and who Is said to
speak the language impeccably, will ac-
company the President to Paris, and
possibly she may play an interpreters
role in some Of his informal private
talks with General de Gaulle That could
be helpful. And also helpful should be
the fact he will leave for France with
the benefit of having had his current
talks here with British Prime Minister
Macmillan, and next week with Chan
cellor Adenauer of West Germany-the
two other key members of the NATO
alliance.
Evening star., 1961-04-04
Legislative Briqht SPOT

There is an outstanding achieve
ment to the credit of the 1851 Maryland
General Assembly that tends to offset
It's poor record in a number of other
fields OF important legislation. The
shining bright spot in the picture is the
new law which, for the first time In
Maryland's history, brings savings and
loan institutions under State observa-
tion and control. The need for regula-
ton had become acute, with the growing
influx of out-of-State loan firms
attracted by Maryland's hands-off
policy-a policy that was especially
attractive to fly-by-night outfits.
Other Statewide legislation on the
credit side included passage of sales
tax and cigarette-tax bills to provide
additional revenue needed by the hard
pressed counties and a redistricting
measure which, although short of what
is required to give all Of nearby Maryland
an adequate voice in Congress, will give
Prince Georges County the upper hand
in the choosing of new Representative
from that county and adjoining Howard
County. The two counties now compose
a new 9th district. Prince Georges has
many more voters than Howard County.
Glaringly on the debit side was the
failure Of the Legislature to pass re-
apportionment legislation, which is
urgently needed to give urban areas
proper representation in the Assembly.
Also killed was proposed slot-machine
legislation, including even a bill to
bring the light of day on ownership
and operation of the gambling devices.
On the negative side, too, was a House.
passed bill to permit underground
storage Of gas in Prince Georges County.
The gas bill was killed by Prince Georges
Senator H. Winship Wheatley, despite
its unanimous support by the Prince
Georges delegation in the House and by
the Board Of County Commissioners.
This strange act of senatorial disservice
will cost the county about $250,00O a
year in taxes which the storage facil-
tiles would have produced.
Evening star., 1961-04-04
Warming on Laos

II the Southeast Asia Treaty Or
ganization sends troops into Laos, then
Red China will do the same If Prince
Souyanna Phouma calls upon it to take
such action. That is the sum of the
warning just issued by Marshal Chen vi,
the Chinese Communist Foreign Minis
ter, and there is little or no reason to
regard 1t as an empty bluff.
To be sure, Peiping has not yet de-
clared itself formally on this subject,
and Marshal Chen's remarkS-made in
an apparently off-the-cuff manner at
press conference in IndoneSia-hav
left the impression that Red China will
intervene militarily only if asked to do
so by the Prince, Laos ousted neutral
ist" premier. Nevertheless, irrespective
Of what might be the Princes real
wishes, the United States and the free
world as whole can be virtually certain
that the Chinese Communists, Just as
in the case of Korea, will invade the
country in the event that SEATO moves
troops in in an effort to preserve Laotian
freedom and independence.
1t is because of the grave dangers
inherent in all thiS-dangers involving
the possibility of major war-that the
United States and allied powers are
hoping, with fingers crossed, that an
effective peace settlement can be
worked out. The hope is based on the
Kremlin's ambiguous but seemingly
favorable response to the Vests call for
a cease-fire and negotiations aimed at
ending the civil war in Laos and guar
anteeing the country's independence as
aneutral. Certainly, If the Soviet Union
is honestly interested in such negotia-
tions, If it really wishes to pacify the
situation and thus ease the acute ten
stons of Southeast Asia, the Laotian
people can look forward to better times
in which they will not have to fear, as
they do at present, the threat Of a
Chinese Communist invasion.
Up to now, actually, Peiping has
played only relatively minor part in
supplying arms and other forms Of mill
tary help to the Communicated Pathet
Lao rebels. The bulk Of such aid has
come from the Russians and the North
Vietnamese, and there Is speculation
Evening star., 1961-04-04
Peace Corps Recruits

MUCH mas been written
about the men and women
who are to be recruited for
the Peace Corps; the educa-
tional, physical and social
qualifications they mu t
have. Nowhere can 1 find
any requirement that they
be individuals who are un-
alterably convinced that our
American form of democratic
Government and our system
Of free enterprise are the
greatest stimulus to individ-
ual development and achieve
ment known to man.
I think the Peace Corps
should be made up Of men
and women who are proud
to be Americans, who realize
that men fought and died
for their freedom, and that
liberty and democracy, far
from being distractions, are
the very cornerstones of a
great society. I'd like them
to remember that tyranny
comes in many forms, and
that the subjugation of
mems minds and productive
capacities to the dictates Of
an all-powerful state is an
abridgment Of freedom.
I'd like them to believe in
America, not shouting of
what we have gained materi-
ally. though surely that too
is important, but convinced
Of the worth of q system
which enables any man to
reach the heights in his cho-
sen field by using his full
capabilities-not by climbing
over the dead bodies of his
fellows. I'd want them to
know a tingle of pride when
they salute their flag and to
commit to memory all the
verses Of the Star Spangled
Banner. If they must explain
their countrymen, at least
let them not apologize for us.
In an theological struggle,
brotherhood and living at
the level of the other man
are simply not enough. Let us
remind our ambassadors of
good will that just as we ex-
pect family pride and loyalty
in our children within their
community, so must we insist
on national pride and loyalty
from the men and women in
a world society.
They will be viewed against
a group of dedicated, articu-
late spokesmen for a system
diametrically opposed to our
own. Dare we send forth our
Peace Corps less dedicated,
less articulate?
Elizabeth BlystOne.
Evening star., 1961-04-04
For Wider Inquiry

Now that Bobby Kennedy's
Justice Department has an
nounced plans for an inves-
tigation of the conservative
John Birch Society, 1 suggest
that the inquiry be expanded
to include the National As
Sociation for the Advance
ment Of Colored People. the
Americans for Democratic
Action. and other groups
whose espousal of question:
able liberal" causes has
raised serious questions in
the minds of millions Of
patriotic A m orleans. OF
course no investigation Of
the latter organizations will
ever be undertaken. The def
inition of subversion on the
New Frontier" seems to be
dependent upon whose OK is
being gored.
James A. Mitchell,
Evening star., 1961-04-04
Vets Reddustment Act

The Veterans Readjust-
ment Act of 1861 IS. 349)
is now under consideration
by the Senate Committee on
Labor and Public Welfare.
This. measure would provide
the educational benefits of
the G.I. Bill of Rights for
post-Korean veterans.
For the first time in Amer
lean history it has been nee
eSsary to maintain compul-
sorry military training for a
continued period during a
time of relative peace. Those
called to active service are
subjected to the economic
and family disabilities, and
some of the physical hazards
which have usually been as
sociated with wartime service.
Since the termination of G.I.
Bill eligibility in 1855, they
have had to prepare for ac-
ton in Jordan, Lebanon,
Berlin, Indo- China, the Tai
wan Strait, and other areas
of the globe.
At the same time, the
burden of military service no
longer falls equitably on all
qualified young men as it did
during World War II and the
Korean conflict. Today, less
than half Of those in the
eligible age group ever serve.
Many arrange to spend only
six months on active duty
and would not qualify for
benefits under S. 349. The
minority of men who serve
an extended period forgo
many of the pleasures of ci-
william life, perform tasks to
which they may not be in
clined and which do not pre-
pare them for their future
vocations, at compensation
below what they might earn
in nonmilitary employment.
Meanwhile, their civilian con-
temporaries pursue educa-
tional objectives, increase
skills, and gain seniority in
professions or trades Of their
own choosing.
Studies made both by the
Bradley Commission and the
Veterans Administration
show that military service
today delays many young
men from advancing their
formal education and causes
some to drop their plans for
ever. 1t has been concluded
that in "age, marital status,
educational attainment, and
previous civilian job expert
ence-the factors which de-
termine the readjustment
needs of ex-servicemen-post-
Korean veterans are almost
Evening star., 1961-04-04
Minimum Wage View

Ills Is WTlLCen III reference
to your editorial on Sunday,
March 26, in which the feel
ing was expressed that the
defeat of the administration
on the minimum wage bill
in the House Of Representa-
tives was a good thing"
Opposition to the admins
tration bill was based upon
the fallacy that using a
dollar test for wage-hour
coverage obliterated the dis
tinction between interstate
and intrastate commerce.
The administration bill, as
well as the bill sponsored by
the Honorable Carl Albert,
contained two requirements
necessary for an enterprise
to be covered: I'D the busi-
ness must gross at least 81
million per year, exclusive of
excise taxes; and (2) en-
ployes Of such enterprise
must be engaged in inter-
state commerce activities"
A dollar volume necessary
for jurisdiction is not new.
In many of our Federal labor
statutes today, a dollar cut
off figure has been repeat
edly upheld by State and
Federal courts. The National
Labor Relations Board itself
for years has had money
standards Of $5O0,0O0 in re-
tail trade, and in non-retail
only $4,000, upon which to
base jurisdiction. Your state
ment, therefore, that the
administration wished to
"get away from the estab-
lished concept of interstate
commerce" is factually and
legally incorrect.
1t is difficult to under
stand the argument that it
is constitutional for an ad-
ministrative agency to set
figures of $500,O00 or $50, 900
for jurisdiction, but not for
the Congress to set by stat
ute a figure Of 81 million. In
my judgment this answers
your contention that
Through progressive reduc-
Evening star., 1961-04-04

identical with Korean vet
eranS."
S. 349 does not propose,
however, to provide benefits
for peacetime service equal to
those available to Korean
conflict veterans. The single
veteran engaged in full time
study under this act will re-
ceive only the modest incen-
tive Of $110 a month for a
maximum of So months. In
terms Of consumer purchas-
ing power this is about 25
per cent less than the Korean
veteran was allowed. More
over, the cost of education
has risen far faster than the
general price index. Original
G.1. Bill payments financed
the entire cost of tuition and
subsistence for many World
War II veterans; in contrast,
benefits under the current
proposal would not even
cover the full cost of tuition
at most colleges. .
The immediate cost Of this
bill will be substantial. Ac-
cording to a VA. survey,
however, the increased in
come Of World War II veter-
ans who took advantage of
G.I. educational benefits will
yield enough extra taxes by
1869 to completely pay for
the original G.I. Bill. Over
the long run, there is every
reason to believe that the
proposed program for post
Korean veterans will also pay
for itself.
Last year the Senate COM
mittee which held hearings
on this bill concluded that
"the Federal Government
owes an obligation to post
Korean veterans" and furth-
err" that the readjustment
program recommended . is
the bare minimum required
to discharge that obligation"
Nevertheless, the Kennedy
administration has not yet
announced its position. Last
year the then Senator Ken
nedy voted for the bill but
expressed his preference for
"a loan guarantee program
open to all students" With
out vigorous Administration
support, S. $40 will face
heavy opposition in the
House. 1t is to be hoped
that the CT. Bill will be re-
garded not as a special in
terest proposal, but as a safe
investment by the Govern
ment in the future Of the
young men who have served
her.
Stenhen A SnhrkaR-
Evening star., 1961-04-04

tions" the dollar volume
would be reduced. What so
many opponents of the ad-
miniStration bill refuse to
realize is that any reduction
could be accomplished only
through an act Of the Con-
gresS signed by the President.
On the other hand, the
NLRB. itself by administra-
tive regulation can reduce its
monetary requirements for
coverage. Certainly, the i'm
mediate past history Of
wage-hour legislation bellies
the argument that the 81
million figure by statute
easily could be reduced.
I also note that by an
amendment in the Ayres
substitute bill, made at the
last minute, a dollar volume
cutoff figure approach was
also used, exempting individ-
ual establishments that did
not gross $3.50, 900 a year. It
is strange that a dollar vol
ume for coverage in the
administration bill is op-
posed so vigorously, while a
dollar volume under the
Ayres substitute is supported
so enthusiastically.
In summary, therefore, the
administration approach is
on a sound constitutional
foundation and in accord
with established precedent. 1t
is also sound on the basis of
merit in that only those
large enterprises meeting the
81 million figure would be
covered where it had en-
ployes engaged in interstate
commerce activity.
Adam c. Powell
Chairman, House Commit
tee on Education and Labor
Evening star., 1961-04-04
THE POLITICAL MILL
Pressures on Congress Mounting
BY GOULD LINCOLN

The 9th Congress, when
it gets down to work next
Monday after its Easter holi-
day, will face a drive Of huge
proportions by liberals,
organized labor and other
pressure groups to force
through the entire Kennedy
legislative program. It's ac-
complishments to date, ap-
parently. have fallen short
Of what these groups had
demanded and hoped. So
they are going to work to
arouse the public and to warn
members of Congress Of de-
feat If they fail to toe the
line.
The Congress itself faces
many tough problems, some
Of which cannot be solved by
legislation. Notable among
the latter is the question of
peace or war. This remains
primarily in the hands of
President Kennedy and his
administration, which must
look to the immediate and
long-range security of the
American people. The Pres
ident's hand, however, can
be strengthened or weakened
by the firmness or lack of
firmnesS with which Congress
supports him. At present
there is every reason to be-
lieve that it will go along
with him. The Russian and
Chinese Reds, while talking
about peace in Laos and the
Congo, are again practicing
their old techniques-dilly-
dallying over cease-f firing and
real truce while continuing
to build up and advance pro-
Communist fighting forces.
The liberals and the labor
ites-and the Democrats who
supported Mr.. Kennedy in
the presidential campaign
insisted that if their candi-
date we're placed in office
the answers to the cold war
problem. and to aggressive
action on the part of the
Reds, would be forthcoming.
The test is at hand.
Criticism from ADA
1t is on the domestic front
Gas If that can be separated
from the foreign front in the
long rum that the liberals
and labor leaders hope to
bring Congress to heel. Prof.
Samuel H. Beer of Harvard
University, national chairman
Of Americans for Democratic
Action, has just sounded off:
THE Majority Leader of the
Senate (Senator Mike Mans
field of Montana" Prof.
Beer commented, in defend
ing the record of the new
Congress as it recessed for
Easter, said "it is the quail
ity Of legislation, not guam
tity. that counts So far ADA
finds neither quality nor
quantity in the record Of
Congress"
Prof. Beer said President
Kennedy has tailored" down
the promises made in the
Democratic platform to "fit
the dimensions of a reluctant
Congress-" yet Congress had
cut even that to "paltry pro-
portions" 1T is apparent
now that the conservative
axis in Congress is carrying
on as if the presidential elec-
ton Of 1860 never took
place" he observed.
If the Harvard University
professor were to take a real
look at the election figures,
however, he might not be so
surprised at the reluctance
of Congress to rush into huge
Evening star., 1961-04-04

spending programs and some
Of the social legislation q
demands, including quick &C
ton on the Kennedy mini
mum wage and education
bills. When the Congress has
put through those measures,
Prof. Beer said, it will have
cleared the decks for a long
list of other measures, in
cluding medical care, civil
rights, tax reform, and un-
employment compensation
measures.
Warning to Congressman
A memo from COPE-the
political arm of the AFL-
CIO unions - is in realistic
style. 1t announces a long
list Of AREA conferences"
stretching from coast to
coast, at which "the broad
fields Of analysis of the 1860
elections, legislative issues,
reapportionment and gerry
Wandering of congressional
and State legislative districts
and organization problems"
are being discussed, with a
view to strengthening COPE
for the political campaign
next year. 1t is a gentle way
OF telling Congressman they
had better watch their step
when it comes to acting on
the Kennedy program. 1t
does point out, however, the
extreme closeness Of the
elections last fall. the closest
since the election of 1888,
and the need for labor's ef-
fort to get out every vote.
Not only did Mr.. Kennedy
have a mere 111,000 more
popular votes than his Re-
publican ponent Mr..
Nixon. in a 68 million vote
total, but Mr.. Nixon carried
more States and more con-
gressional districts than did
Mr.. Kennedy. Furthermore,
m ny of the elections of
members of Congress were
decided by one per cent or
less Of the total votes cast, or
by little more. In addition,
six gubernatorial races were
decided by less than one per
cent of the vote cast.
So COPE is out to make
sure, If it can, to increase
the size Of the organized
labor vote in 1862 and to do
so by getting out of this
Congress as much legislation
favorable to labor as it can.
It can be counted on to help
the Democratic National
Committees campaign to
persuade voters to write their
congressman urging support
OF the Presidents program.
COPE, like ADA, stresses the
cloSenesS Of the votes cast
in House and Senate on the.
few major proposals by
President Kennedy already
voted on. 1t refers, for ex-
ample to the fact that the
Byrd amendment to the job
less pay bill failed by only
two votes in the Senate. That
amendment, COPE claimed,
would have made the mea-
sure virtually ineffective in
some States. And it refers to
the fact that the House
adopted an amendment to
the Kennedy minimum wage
bill (Which halted the pay
raise at $1.15 an hour in
stead of going to $l.25) by
one vote - a defeat for the
President.
The pressures on Congress
will increase tremendously
from now on.
Evening star., 1961-04-04
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used If
letters carry trriters' correct
names and addresses. Au let
ters ore subject to condenSd-
tton. Those not used lpill be
returned only iUhen accom-
panied BY self = addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star., 1961-04-04
'ScoIowoq' McGM

Having been frustrated for
some time at what I consider
to be serious errors of opin-
ion in Ralph McGill's COL
umn, you can imagine my
delight at being able to point
to a provable error of fact.
In regard to Mr. McGill's
assertion that Negroes s
served on both sides during
the War Between the States,
the record can be easily veri-
fled from any number Of
-documented sources. AL
though the use of Negro
troops was considered by the
Confederate Congress late in
the war, no Negroes ever
saw service in the Confeder-
ate armed forces. Negro
slaves, however, were en-
ployed in the construction of
Notifications around Rich
mond and elsewhere.
AS a native Southerner, al
belt a renegade "scalawag,"
Mr.. McGill should know
better.
l. NJ
4 y
In his column of March
%, Ralph McGill INDUCED In
yet another of his sleazy, in
temperate attacks which have
made him the darling of
hate he-South" groups in
the Nation. 1t has become a
commonplace in the South
to say that McGill is far
more abusive of Southerners
than any Northern liberal.
His mixture Of half-truths,
malice and hate has ce-
mented opposition to most Of
the causes he espouseS.
Mrs. NJ. COnendall.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-08-10
Browning Reunion Held

The Browning reunion was held
at the Old homestead at Sang Run
on August 5th Among those at
tending were 1t Col. and Mrs r.
c. Browning and sons. Cherry
Point. N c. Mr.. and Mrs. George
NJ Browning and son. Oakland:
Cpl and Mrs. Jack Browning and
children, Cumberland MI. and
Mrs. Art Scofield and family, Lo-
rain, o.; +. NJ. Browning. Mrs
John Hoffman and Mr.. and Mrs.
Sol B. Littman, UniontoWn, Pa;
Mrs. A. c. Englehart Meyersdale;
Major and Mrs Frank Hussey and
family, Scott Field, H.; Mr.. and
Mrs. A. B. McCarter and family,
Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs Will
liam Englehart and family, Irwin,
Pa. Ray c. Browning Washing
ton; Bruce Browning, Mrs. Scott
Paugh. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Paugh
and family. Miss Oma Paugh, Deer
Park; Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Paugh.
ST.. Deep Creek Lake; Mrs. Mary
B. Savage, Oakland, and the host
and hostess, Mr.. and Mrs J Frank
Browning, Sang Run.