davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Civic Drive on Crime

In its annual report on crime in this
country, the Federal Bureau of Investi-
cation stated that "it should be remem-
bered that the amount of crime COM
mitted in a community is not solely
chargeable to the police but is rather
charge against the entire community"
The District Commissioners have shown
good Judgment, therefore, in deciding to
call a COMMUNICATIVE conference on
crime in Washington.
1t is gratifying that the suggestion
for such conference came from a
Negro organization, the District of CO.
lumbia Chamber of Commerce. The
chamber has told the Commissioners it
is very much concerned with this
(crime) problem and abhors the in
creaSing incidence of both juvenile and
adult infractions against society" AS the
FB1 has stressed, crime is not the re-
sponSibility of the police-or, in fact, of
any segment of the population. It is a
community responsibility, calling for
wholehearted teamwork and support of
law enforcement agencies by citizens
and groups of all races and creedS
Without such all-out civic support the
anti-crime efforts of the police, the
prosecutors and the courts would be
difficult indeed.
Evening star., 1962-04-20
The Obsolete Hard Collar

If further proof were needed that
the American male is going soft, the
latest announcement from the collar
industry should be clincher. The
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, long
a leading manufacturer of shirts with
detachable, starched collars, has ceased
making this item after 80 years of serv-
ice to men of distinction. And there is
no gainsaying the fact that the neat,
Starched collar, held to the shirt by
gold collar buttons, was a recognized
mark of distinction in the era of watch
fobS, derby hats, spats and waxed
muStacheS.
Just as women, succumbing to new
found freedoms, scrapped the old-fash-
ioned corset, men have virtually aban-
doned the hard collar in favor of the
more comfortable, if ofttimes sloppy,
soft collar sewn to the shirt by the
manufacturer. For the past several
years the Phillips-Van Heusen people
have grudgingly made few detachable
collars and shirts for some diehards of
the old school, but it has found that
the cost of continuing this special serv-
ice is prohibitive. So from now on the
firm will make only the soft, attached
varieties.
Well, we can hardly blame them for
this decision We long ago forsook the
starched and dignified collar, not be-
cause we abhor dignity but because we
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Better Than Federal Aid

There Is probably no more certain
way to make our political system in
creaSingly respectable and responsive
than by broadening the base of public
participation. The Presidents Commits
sion on Campaign Costs has set this as a
fundamental objective in its recommen-
dations for updating the methods and
regulation OF financing the nationwide
quadrennial campaigns for election of
President and Vice President.
Most significant of the commission
proposals is that of offering a modest
tax incentive for small or medium-sized
contributions to eligible political parties
for use at the national level. Two alter
natives are suggested a maximum
yearly credit of $40 against income tax
due or maximum yearly deduction of
$1,000 from taxable income. In effect,
the deduction allowance is the same in
principle as that currently permitted for
charitable and religious contributions.
At the same time, the commission con-
Sidered, but rejected, the idea of direct
Federal financing of national cam
pa1gnS on the sound grounds that such
method would lessen voluntary citizen
participation, especially in the small gift
category, in favor of letting Uncle Sam
do 1t" The commission warned, however,
that If their proposal, or possibly some
other, does not stimulate the massive
giving" needed, some form Of govern
mental subsidy may be inevitable"
In releasing the commission report,
President Kennedy said it will be the
basis of legislative recommendations to
be sent to Congress. Whatever their
eventual form, they will merit careful
study as an effort ito diffuse more wide
ly through the population the sense and
the reality Of participation in the poll
tics of democracy"
Evening star., 1962-04-20
EosterChicks

Thanks to Therese A. Olson
for her letter Easter Pets" :"
Baby chicks and ducklings at
pet and other stores are dyed
to attract children into beg
ging parents to buy them for
live toys. 1t is a cruel Easter
novelty trade that results in
suffering and death to most
Of the fragile creatures,
from injuries from toddlers'
squeezings to adults neglect
and often the cruel diSpoSi-
tion Of them after the novelty
has worn off and they be-
come "nuisances."
Humane forces have OBJ
tained commendable restric-
tions in both the District and
Montgomery County, Md, but
laws must be enacted in
many more places to stop
this heartless exploitation of
baby things.
Parents should teach their
children that these fragile in
fants Of Gods creation must
not be used as toys. They
can be happy only in country
homes equipped for their
proper care. Without the
stores displays of the living
chicks. rabbits, etc., children's
interest can be as readily at
tracted to the very beautiful
inanimate Easter playthings.
Virginia w. Sargent.
Animal Protective ASsocia-
ton.
Evening star., 1962-04-20

the more important con-
ceptS of the book.
Perhaps now is the time for
American liberals to stand up
and be counted on the speci-
fic issues raised by this book.
Perhaps now is the time and
the proper opportunity to
clear the air for the time
being at least as to what
liberals really stand for.
Would they want the record
to stand as it is, with such
a manifesto?
Owen A. Keen.
+ = y
There is much disparage-
ment of the Thunder on the
Right" but little discussion Of
the fuzZy-headed advocates
of Surrender on the Left.
Senator Beall of Maryland
stated that, although he did
not yet have proof, 1T is
claimed that one Of the
authors of the "Ebera,
Papers" is now on the staff
of the National Security
Council" The present men,
bers Of the Federal Govern
ment who contributed to the
Liberal Project" should be
identified.
Purcell L. Smith, jr
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Query on Convoy PQ17

In June, 1912, the first
Anglo-American convoy with
supplies for Russia set out
from Iceland for Archangel
in Russia. This was the tragic
Convoy PQ II. Owing to
faulty intelligence and q mis-
understanding, the escort Of
British and American naval
units was withdrawn when
the convoy still had more
than half way to go. The re-
suit was that appalling losses
were inflicted on the defense
less merchant ships and out
Of "a which set out all but
eleven were lost.
Seventeen Of those which
were lost were American. I
have been commissioned by
a publishing company to
trace as many American sur
vivors of this episode, both
the merchant and USN ships,
as possible. Among the USN
ships engaged in Convoy Pc
IT Hitler referred to 1t as
Operation Rosselsprung")
were: USS Wichita, Tusca-
loosa. Wainwright. Rowan
and Washington.
Can readers who know vet
Grams Of this convoy please
ask them to drop me a line?
David J. Irving.
49, Morshead Mansions,
London, w. 8, England
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Let's Cut Him Down to Size!
LETTERS TO THE STAR

that they do not deserve an
honest rebuttal. But what, I
would like to know, does this
have to do with the art Of
children?
Granted, a cultural ex-
change with these people will
undoubtedly expose us to
some Of their propaganda.
But many Of our people are
not knowledgeable of such
things, and it is they who will
pick UP this tripe and be in
fluenced by 1t. We must pro-
tect them from themselves.
Edward A. Stanley.
- HA
Members Of the Latvian So
rority Organization Of WASH
ington, D. c., express their
profound appreciation Of the
stand that the United States
Government as well as E. r.
Murrow have taken regard
ing the inclusion Of works
from the Baltic countries in
the Soviet Children's Exhibi-
ton which is presently taking
place in Wheaton, Md.
It was extremely COM
mendable Of Mr.. Murrow not
to participate in the opening
ceremonies Of the exhibition,
since the Soviet Union did
not remove the works Of the
Baltic countries from the ex-
hibition, as requested by the
United States Government.
With this request the United
States Government forcefully
showed that 1t does not ac-
knowledge the annexation of
Latvia. Estonia and Lithu-
ania to the USSR.
That the way in which the
United States handled this
issue has caused concern in
the Soviet Union can be de-
duced from the propaganda
measures which the Kremlin
has undertaken regarding
this matter.
Our organization feels that
the present actions of the
United States Government
will prove to have far-reach-
ing, favorable effects in the
struggle against communism.
Zane Freivalds,
President, The Latvian So
rority Organization, WASH
ington, D. c.
Evening star., 1962-04-20
A Verdict in Paris

symbolism to the contrary, Justice
was not blindfolded when a French
military court handed down a unani-
nous verdict Of guilty and a sentence
Of death upon former General Edmond
Jouhaud in Paris last week. 1t was, in
fact, seeing far beyond the tragic person
OF one who had demonstrated high
competence and courage under French
arms before choosing a course of inSur-
rection against his government and of
unreaSoning savagery against an entire
segment of the population of Algeria
In contrast to Jouhaud and his asso-
ciates in the top command of the So
called Secret Army, it could see that his
tory had already passed by those who
are trying to turn back the clock by in
timidation through mass murder. And
since the authority of France itself, as
with that Of any other nation entitled to
call itself civilized, does not condone
mass murder and cannot abide insur-
rection, the verdict against Jouhaud was
assured.
It is possible that a former comrade
Of Jouhaud, Frances soldier President
de Gaulle, will commute the death SEN
tence. He is aware, as was the court,
that the man on trial Is native of Al
geria, not of continental France, and
that the agonies which have possessed
the North African province have driven
deeply into his mind and heart. He
knows, too, that at the moment of YER
dict and sentence the condemned man,
once more at least, was able to muster
the dignity of soldier Of high rank.
1t Is for General de Gaulle to decide, but
if the answer is execution it will be the
same fate that Jouhaud himself has
meted out, without trial, to many others.
Unhappily, there are other execu-
TONERS outside the law in Algeria. The
rabble Of gunmen and terrorists making
up the GAS continue to take their toll,
hoping perhaps to provoke the Moslem
population into retaliation. But for
these men the sun has set. Not only
their government in Paris, but their
compatriotS in France itself, have writ
ten the prescription for peace with
honor in North Africa. And it will not
be rewritten by those who still decree
death in the streets of Algiers and Oran.
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Drivers Needed

For the District to have q
Citizens Traffic Advisory
Board is a step in the right
direction.
The present members Of
the Board are q fine group
Of public spirited citizens.
However, in my humble
opinion most Of them are not
close enough to the motoring
public to know enough about
the problems to come up
with a solution. You cannot
sit in an. office all day, read
statistics, then solve the
problems.
It is one thing to increase
the physical and psychologi-
cal requirements for q drivers
license or make 1t easier to
revoke a permit, but quite
another thing to cause the
public to become sufficiently
traffic conscious to solve our
problems.
A Motorist.
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Liberal Papers

Many Americans await with
interest the debate in Con-
gress on a paperback called
"The Liberal Papers," For
many years there has been
considerable disagreement
about what liberalism is.
For better or for worse, a
group Of liberal writer's has
treated us to an enlighten-
ing exposition as to what it
Is to some citizens. 1t is in
dorsed by no less a figure
than Representative James
Roosevelt, son of the late
President. who wrote a pre-
face and also edited it to
some extent.
AS it Is written by several
authors, it is quite easy for
its sponsors to squeak out of
personal responsibility for
its passages. Many have al
ready done so. Those who are
still in office as well as
those who were defeated
feel an Understandable neces-
sity to repudiate many of
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Art and Propaganda

I protest the Children'S Art
Show currently being pre-
sented in the Wheaton Plaza.
This is supposedly a pre-
sentation of art and crafts
by Soviet children. 1t Is this,
however, and considerably
more.
My protest is based on the
fact that it is a propaganda
mill behind the facade Of an
art show. In addition to
films, there are tables laden
with free literature. Two Of
the publications offered have
to do with Khrushchev's visit
to the United States. One of
these is 232 pages Of per-
fumed garbage which would
have us believe that this man
has devoted his life to the
pursuit Of peace. Another is
the January 1862 edition Of
the USSR magazine. One of
the articles in this Is entitled
Answers to Questions on
Soviet Life" From this I
quote the following:
Question: Why is religion
losing ground in the USSR?
Is it because religious OBJ
Servance is prohibited or be-
cause of some other reason?
Answer: The Soviet Gov
ernment does not prohibit
religious worship nor are
churches, synagogues or mos
ques closed down. The Con-
stitution Of the Soviet Union
grants every citizen freedom
Of conscience. He has the
right to believe, or not to be-
lieve, in God, as his consci-
ence dictates, nor does the
state interfere in clerical
matters; all religious groups
have the right to worship
freely. Churches, mosques,
synagogues, chapels, theolog-
ical schools, monasteries and
converts are open, and re-
ligious groups publish their
own books, newspapers, mag
azineS and other types Of
printed material. The church
in the USSR Is separated
from the state, and the
school from the church.
"The breakaway from the
church is a result Of educa-
ton and enlightenment-the
wide diffusion of scientific
knowledge, the laws of ma
ture and of social develop
ment. This is true not only
in the USSR. Wherever there
is widespread public educa-
ton, belief in the supernat-
ural and in religion tends to
wane and church attendance
falls off.
Education Is the only
means used in the USSR to
wean people away from re-
ligion. Neither churches nor
communicates are perse-
cuted. The anti-religious pro-
paganda that is carried on is
required to state the case for
rational thinking without Of
Tending the Sensibilities OF
believers"
The falsehoods in these
statements are so bizarre
Evening star., 1962-04-20

In other areas the admins
tration may change its mind
on the question Of nuclear
arms.
To believe that any such
tactics stand the remotest
chance of success. however,
is to misread completely both
the character of Gen. de
Gaulle and the motives be-
hind his demands for nuclear
equality.
The General most certainly
would like to save time and
money by buying much Of the
hardware needed for his nu-
clear striking force in the
United States. He himself
is not above bringing pressure
to bear in other areas in
order to make others see
the light in regard to what
he considers Frances basic
rights.
On the other hand, he
almost certainly would refuse
any aid which implied
counter-concessions on his
part or any limitation on
Frances freedom of action
in the international field.
For Gen. de Gaulle, nuclear
equality is a means toward
the end of even greater inde-
pendence than he presently
enjoys. His real obSeSSion is
the total reliance of Europe
on the nuclear weaponry Of
the United States.
Possession of his own nu-
clear force might make him
more Immediately co-opera-
tive on certain matters di-
rectly related to defense. But
those closest to the French
President are convinced that
the broad lines Of his policy
would not be affected in any
way.
De GauIIe's Basic Goal
Nuclear arm a m mt for
France is also a means to-
ward another basic goal: Gre
alton of a three-power direc-
torate consisting of the
United States, France and
Britain to force a common
Western policy on a global
basis.
Despite every rebuff, this
still remains the central am
bition of GaulliSt policy
more important than nuclear
weapons for their own sake,
more important than the At
lantic Alliance. more impor-
tant even than the unifica-
ton of Europe.
These goals, to be sure, are
still far from being reached.
And until they are reached
or until some other leader re-
places Gen. de Gaulle-the
chance Of any basic changes
in French attitudes or French
policies is very slim, to say
the least.
There may be valid "secu-
rity requirements" which
would Justify giving the
French their atomic weapons
in the long run. But the hope
that Gen. de Gaulle's Coop
Grafton within the alliance
could be bought for this price
Is most certainly not one of
them.
Evening star., 1962-04-20
Steel Box Score

once more The Star dis
plays its naked objectivity,
its unassailable integrity. its
matchless ability to assess
the public temper. frame it,
and present it, quivering with
detachment, for the delecta-
tion Of its readers.
I refer to the tailored rep
resentation, in the letters,
relative to the Kennedy-B
Steel set-to. Mondays entire
section was clotted with bris-
Ting attacks upon the Presi-
dent. Not one affirmative
voice. Big Steel: 7: Kennedy:
0. This outpouring Of recti-
tude continued on Tuesday,
when the score read 80 1.-TWO
rather circumscribed pallid
indorsementS). A nice ex-
ercise in indirection.
Readers, including many
thousands Of visitors to our
city, are given the specious
impression that the public
response to Mr., Kennedy's
actions is one of jangling
SynapseS, outraged indigna-
tion and bad-tempered cater
wauling.
I know that you assumed
an editorial position. I know
that you're not responsible
for David Lawrence's predic-
able splenetics. I'm also pretty
sure a 1872 ratio in the letters
does not represent an accu-
rate gauge Of public response
to the administrations bull
dogging Of the fat-cat steer.
What I am suggesting, blunt
ly. Is that you are editorializ-
ing by hindsight in your
letters section by printing q
highly selective sampling of
the traffic.
Just for kicks, what was
the actual box score?
J. Robert Sellers.
(E ditor's Note: As OF
Tuesday only the two pro-
Kennedy letters had been re-
ceived. Our mail is still run
ming about S to / against the
PreSident.)
Evening star., 1962-04-20
A BOOK FOR TODAY
Writer Bites Hand That Fed Him
BY DONALD MINTZ

H. Allen Smith associated
mostly with the occupants of
the city desk, men given to
strong drink and strong Ian
guage. He shares their pro-
penSities.
This upsets some people,
including, one suspects, many
who are perfectly content to
let their children devour the
carelessly veiled pornogra-
ply that is the stock in trade
Of so much mass entertain
ment.
Yet Mr.. Smith is not por-
nographic, not prurient, not
dirty. He is lusty, to be sure,
and fond Of strong Anglo
Saxon expletives. This Is
something entirely different.
But here is his own de-
tense: Sometimes I am criti-
cized quite severely for cuss-
ing as much as I do, by word
Of mouth as well as in my
books. The critics say that
cussing denotes a lack Of
imagination, that the English
language, properly handled,
is adequate in any contin-
gency without resort to cuss-
ing. Oh fiddlesticks and shu-
kinS! What about Mark
Twain?"
HERE AND THERE among
the laughs there are little
oases-or the opposite-of
serious and generally acidu-
lous commentary. Mr.. Smith
likes newspaper men but not
newspapers and one of the
main reasons is that so many
Of them will print anything
so long as it has nothing
whatever to do with news.
There has been," he says,
". a distinct deterioration
in the whole field Of news
gathering. Everyone is aware
Of this except one small
group - the keen-minded,
alert. energetic people Of the
press" There are strong
words, too, for the "prepos-
ferrous farce Of the mass in
terview."
Mr.. Smith Is against more
than newspapers. He / s
against the world-and with
good reason. Almost every
body I know is in trouble one
way or another. Tragedy
seems to prevail, and pain
far outweighs pleasure in this
world" People deceive them
selves. Thornton wilder
waited until he was go to be
rude to them. why wait till
the age Of so to wallop the
lunatic center?" asks Mr..
Smith. There is no answer.
So he wallops-hard and &C
curately.
There Is bitterness in the
fun as there always is when
people are honest. ITO Hell
in a Handbasket" is a better
spring tonic than most,
Evening star., 1962-04-20
WATCHING THE WORLD
By CROSBY S. MOVES
Fosssn Correspondent Of The Star

Forsisa Correspondent Of The stor

PARIS.-Even at this latS
date, o footnote on the argu-
ment over giving the French
atomic secrets may be IN
order.
The argument seems to
have been ended-at least
for the time being-by Presi-
dent Kennedy in the course of
this weeks press conference.
In answer 70 a question
about the French requests,
the President said the policy
of the United States con-
tinueS to be that Of being very
reluctant to see the prolifera-
ton of nuclear weapons. He
added that the policy will con-
tinue on this basis unless we
feel that security require
ments suggest change"
The reaction in Franc. -
this verdict Is about what
might have been expected. In
much Of the comment it is
hinted that domestic poll
tical considerations ipclud-
ing Mr.. Kennedy's rel4tions
with CongreSs-lay behind
the refusal to help the
French nuclear effort.
U. 8. Dollar Gap Bid Cited
1t is pointed out that the
French. in submitting their
shopping list, were in effect
responding to an American
suggestion for arms pur-
chase in the United States
aimed at curbing the dollar
gap. 1t Is suggested that one
Of the major motives of the
administration is to avoid
taking any action that might
upset the Russians. And it
Is asked, exactly what "se-
urity requirements" might
bring about a change in the
Administrations viewpoint?
But If the decision in
Washington will certainly do
nothing to improve the al
ready perilous state of
Franco-American relations,
another question remains un-
answered. If the decision
had gone the other way and
the French request for the
makings of a nuclear weap-
ons system had been granted
how much would this have
affected the picture?
There are schools in Paris
and Washington that believe
this question of nuclear arms
is the whole key to Franco
American problems. Give
President de Gaulle q bomb,
they say. and he will roll over
and play dead. All Of the
obstructivenesS Of the French
regime-in NATO, in disarm-
ament talks, in Berlin and
so on-can be laid to this
obSession Of the general to
make France a nuclear power.
Some go so far as to suggest
that this is exactly what Mr..
Kennedy has in mind. They
see In his deliberately ambig-
uous statement a willingness
to leave the door open on the
question. The inference
perhaps quite false-is that q
kind Of long-range interna- =
tional squeeze play Is in the
making. And that If Gen.
de Gaulle modifies his policy