davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

ton representing higher educa-
ton, and the National Education
Association, the major spokesman
for elementary and secondary
schools. A believer that successful
operation results when a con-
sensus has been achieved, DR..
Keppel has been moving vigorous
ly to bring this about among va
rious educational organizations
and groups. He has pointed out
that educators cannot pass edu-
cation legislation, but by their
action or inaction they can keep
it from passing"
DR.. Keppel is convinced that
the key element in raising the
level Of education Is expanding
the number and especially i'm
proving the caliber Of our teach
ers both in school and college.
THE most significant factor in
the learning process, next to the
aptitude Of the learner, Is the
quality Of instruction.
This job Of raising standards
must start In the home. Parents
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

Of new teachers, especially in
science.
Starting from the premise that
reforms in education require
training of people," DR.. Keppel is
pleased Vice Admiral H. G.
Rickover keeps stirring UP a crit
ical point Of view towards our ed
ucational deficiencies but he be-
lieves national examining stand
ard must be considered flexibly.
For example, 1t would be hard to
give the same examination In
schools located in wealthy subur-
ban areas as in those in city slums.
There is also the danger that a
single examining standard might
stultify the independence OF the
teaching staff. DR.. Keppel thinks
that new curricula and educa-
tional research projects will be i'm
portant instruments In raising
standards.
Pointing out that the role Of the
Federal government in education
has been evident since before the
adoption Of the Constitution" and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

Harry Pauley tells this story
and says II is true and ] suppoce
II is actually Is true as any OF
Harry's stories. Some Internal
Revenue agents came down 10
Harry's town OF Jaeger TO investi-
gate the income tax returns Of
one Of the towns more prosper
Gus businessmen. The man was
paying so much tax that the
minions OF that department Of
Government decided there must
be something hidden away. The
report looked Just too open and
above board. The fellows had no
success. They looked at his ledger
and they checked his invoices and
all his Cancelled checks and. stay
as long as they could. there was
no indication OF tax evasion.
Well. they decided then that
while they we're there maybe they
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

fire, storm, shipwreck or other
casualty, or from theft. The term
"other casualty" is held to en-
brace losses Of a character sim
liar to those arising from fire,
storm or shipwreck II occasioned
by natural forces in an event due
to some sudden. unexpected or I'M
usual cause. 1t has further been
construed that "other casualty"
need not be limited to some act
Of nature.
The definition Of "other casu-
atty" excludes the progressive de-
terioration OF property through a
steadily operating cause. A casu-
atty may proceed from an un-
known cause or from an unusual
effect Of an unknown cause. where
either effect may be said TO occur
by chance or Unexpectedly. Where
damage has been done by ter
mites. such losses are generally
disallowed because the damage
was progressive and there Is an
absence Of any accident. mishap,
or some sudden invasion by a
hostile agency. However. where 1t
can be proven that the charac-
teristic OF audiences Is involved.
even In termite cases. the argu-
ment as 10 q casualty could be
offered.
Damage done by other insects
or animals always present inter-
esting situations. Damage 10 a fur
coat by moths is not deductible
as a casualty loss under the 1854
internal revenue code. 800.l67 tc)
80. since the element Of sudden
ness is not present. Also, damage
10 O dwelling allegedly done by
rats Is not deductible as q casu-
atty loss.
From the above, II Is felt that
the issue In the case which you
present is the aspect OF the sud
denness" OF the destructive force
which caused the damage. II is
apparent that an animal OF this
type certainly would not be an
invitee and therefore his entrance
would necessarily be that Of a
sudden nature. Even the skunk's
full weeks forced lodging In the
cellar OF the home would not, de-
stroy such suddenness since there
Is no doubt that q forced eviction
OF this odorous animal was at
tempted. In view Of this, q cas-
unity loss may apply.
AS 10 the amount Of loss claimed
through this incident. q deduc-
ton for a casualty loss, In the
case OF non-business property.
should represent the difference
between the value OF the property
Immediately before and It's value
Immediately after the casualty.
Such amount Is not 10 exceed It's
cost. or other adjusted basis. re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

must think that learning is i'm
portant and show it when dealing
with their children"
The Commissioner believes that
the Federal Government must
help increase very low starting
salaries in many States to attract
better school teachers and also to
raise the top salaries, as he has
proposed In the new education
bill. TOO often 2l-year-old man
can reach the top salary after Is
years. If we are going TO retain
good teachers, there must be a
satisfactory goal to work for"
This would encourage more male
school teachers to enter and stay
in the profession and this DR..
Keppel feels is important, for he
thinks that there is too large a
proportion Of women teaching in
our public schools.
The tremendous expansion OF
college students between now and
1870, when college enrollments
are expected to double" Is going
to require a substantial number
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Court Proceedings

In case that proved unsatisfac-
tory, however, they suggested the
ombudsman also be empowered to
institute proceedings in the courts
on behalf Of the aggrieved citizen
or, finally, to appeal directly to
Congress for redress.
Mr.. Reuss feels the proposal
needs refinement before being in
troduced as a bill. He has written
100 or so academic experts on
government and political science
asking for comments on the idea.
Later, he may seek legislative
hearings on the subject.
If the bugs can be worked out,
the Congressman sees three pos
sible boons resulting.
First, he says, it should "free
Congressman from the back
breaking Job Of being lawyers for
their constituents and enable
them to spend more time on their
legislative work."
Second, 1t should improve the
quality Of service the constituents
receive on their problems. A sin
gle centralized office. with spe-
cialists in individual problem
areas, should be able to do a bet
ter Job, Mr.. Reuss believes, than
the overworked staffs of 535 sep
arate Representatives and Sen
ators.
Third, he says, it should save
money, by reducing the need for
steadily increasing congressional
staffs and additional office build
ings to house them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Might Be Useful

The Congressman for the last
month has been prodding law
makers and political scientists to
consider whether such an office
might be usefully adapted to the
needs Of the American political
system.
Tentatively, at least, Mr.. Reuss
is suggesting that:
/. The office of ombudSman be
created as an agency responsible
to CongreSs-like the General Ac-
counting Office, which checks on
the legality and efficiency of
Government expenditures.
2. Constituents problems with
Government agencies be referred
to the office Of ombudsman by
the Congressman who receives
the complaints thus preserving
the sacred and politically-valu-
able Congressman constituent re-
lationship. Any case the Con-
gresham preferred to handle
himself, he could keep.
3. The ombudsm man help
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Handling Complaints
As a Fun-Time Job
BY DAVID s. BRODER
Star Staff Writer

Is the ombudsman the answer
to a congressmen's prayer?
That is the question being
raised by Representative Reuss,
Democrat Of Wisconsin, a four
term veteran who, like many Of
his colleagues in the House, is
concerned by the mounting de-
mands constituent requests make
on a lawmakers time.
Mr.. Reuss is fond Of quoting a
predecessor who remarked: "A
Congressman has become an ex-
banded messenger boy, an en-
ployment agency, getter-out of
the Navy, Army, Marines. ward
heller, wound healer, trouble
shooter, law explainer, bill finder,
issue translator, controversy oil
pourer, gland hand extender,
business promoter, convention
goer, civic ills skirmisher, veter-
ans affairs adjuster, ex-service-
mans champion, watchdog of the
underdog" and so ad infinitum.
Is there no way, he wondered,
Of getting off the treadmill2
Visiting in Scandinavia two or
three years ago, the Milwaukee
Democrat learned about the ON
budsman, Norwegian word for
parliamentary commissioner, a
fixture Of the governmental sys-
tenn of Norway, Sweden, Finland
and Denmark. Though the pow
ers Of the office vary from coun-
try to country, basically the ON
budsman is, in Mr.. Reuss' phrase,
ian administrative Robin Good
fellow to see that the citizen OBJ
tains the individual rights from
his government to which he is
entitled"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

straighten out problems in social
security, veterans benefits, mill
tary service, immigration disputes
and ALLEGATION of defense con-
tracts.
Mr.. Reuss is not specific, at
this point, on what powers the
ombudsman Should have. Two
political scientists at Marquette
University suggested his chief re-
course should be a recommended
ton to the executive agency that
1t reconsider and amend a de-
cision.
IF European experience is per-
tinent," they said, 1.-The great
preponderance of cases would be
handled in this fashion"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
BY GEORGE w. CAKES
Contributing Writer

The appointment Of Francis
Keppel as Commissioner of Edu-
cation is probably the most i'm
portant action taken so far by
the Kennedy Administration to
advance its program for Federal
aid to education.
The former Dean Of Harvard's
Graduate School of Education is
a professional whose entire career
has been devoted to education at
the highest academic level. He
was born In the world Of education
for his father, the late Frederick
p. Keppel, was Dean Of Colum-
bia College and later president Of
the Carnegie Corporation, one Of
the largest foundations dedicated
to the improvement of American
and international education.
Francis Keppel is noted for a
keen, incisive mind, and the abil-
ity to express forcefully his ideas.
A graduate Of Groton and Har-
ward, he is At, a dark haired, slight
man with brisk manner.
Although he has only been
graphing with his job as Educa-
ton Commissioner since last De-
cember Che was confirmed by the
Senate a little more than a
month ago., he has had time to
formulate some Of his ideas on
national education problems gen.
orally.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Chosen Ones

There are some chosen ones full
Of doubt, humility, and self-re-
proach, unable to believe in their
own election. They wave 1t away
in anger and poorness Of spirit,
trusting not their own senses,
even feeling some injury done to
their unbelief when after all they
find themselves lifted UP. And
there are others to whom nothing
in the world is more natural than
their own election; consciously
favored of the gods, not at all
surprised at whatever elevation
and consummation come their
way.-Thomas Mann in Joseph
the ProUider.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Tied to National Strength

He is deeply convinced for ex-
ample, that improvement Of our
entire educational system is CEN
trail to the Nations strength and
status in the modern world. He
believes that the American people
must be made to understand that
whatever this country can do to
relieve unemployment. 70 refrain
manpower, to accelerate the econ
omy, to carry out our defense and
space programs basically depends
on the urgent expansion and up
grading Of our education from
elementary school through univer-
sity graduate training. Once the
public appreciates the relation
ship between improving the edu-
cation Of our youth and these ma
tional programs, which have wide
spread popular backing, then
rapid progress will be made on
the educational front. AS he said
on March 8 at the University Of
North Carolina: "a growing body
Of evidence indicates that the de-
velopment Of human capital-par-
ticularly investment in education
has actually been more import
ant as a source Of economic growth
than has the accumulation of
physical capital. Education con-
tributes directly to economic
growth because 1t improves the
quality Of the labor force :. AS
I see the situation, national Sc
curity and economic growth now
change the need for q Federal
program in education from a de-
sirable domestic goal to deadly
serious necessity"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

Of the township for assistance D.. &.
was told to contact the SPCA
and from one day to the next Mr..
Skunk held the fort" spraying
the cellar every time an effort
was made to evict him Cor herr
until finally week later 1.
armed with a shotgun waited I'M
til the skunk walked past the
cellar window and shot the ami
NAL.
The family then proceeded TO
clear the cellar and due to the
spraying of the skunk they we're
forced to destroy the corner cup
board-tables- lothing-jelly-
preserves-floor covering. and In
fact most everything in the cellar
plus the clothing worn by /.
when she made the first visit.
Damage Is being claimed by the
family In the amount Of $500
which they say Is q conservative
amount and / would appreciate
your advice as TO whether this Is
a deductible item.
Awaiting your reply. I am,
Sincerely.
Camden, N. J.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
A Valentine

Dear Commissioner,
love you. love you. love you'll I
knew II yesterday when I received
your latest letter wherein you
stated that I'd been selected for a
pre-refund audit. It's like an en-
gagement. isn't it7
True. we have only been pen
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Dear Internal Revenue Service: The Public Speaks Up

Perhaps no other man In the
country gets so much interesting
mail as the commissioner of the
United States Internal Revenue
Service.
The correspondence goes on
year-in, year-out. much Of 1t de-
nouncing the commissioner and
his men as a band Of icy-hearted
money-grabbers who thrive off
the troubles Of others.
Now and then. however, the
commissioner gets q ssunshiny
"Thank-you note" from q tax
payer who just got a refund.
Here is q collection Of letters
from the files Of the IRIS COM
missioner that gives q sampling
Of the bits and pieces Of infor-
nation the taxpayers feel COM
PEELED to send him. The letters
were obtained by the Prentice
Hall editorial staff for an APP
pendix to its forthcoming book,
100 Years Of Tax Collection"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

the radio that in this country we
have the voluntary system Of
self assessment. Now the only
reason I have ever followed any
system of self-assessment in In
come tax was to avoid being sent
to prison. but since I have learned
that this system is voluntary I
shall simply volunteer not to as
sess myself at all.
Dear Sir,
did not make any money this
year.
P.S. have relatives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Wonts Better Form

Dear Sir:
My wife and ! are not incor-
porated. We're married. At your
convenience. please forward to my
residence at a more appro-
pirate tax return than the one
herewith enclosed. IS.
North American Newspaper Allianesl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

duced by any insurance Of other
compensation received.
Very truly yours,
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

Dear Sir:
Reference Is made TO your letter
dated February %. 1855, wherein
the question Is raised as 10 the
deductibility, as q casualty loss.
OF the damage caused by the en-
try OF q skunk into ones home.
Generally. the internal revenue
code allows as q deduction losses
Of property. not connected with q
trade or business. arising from
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
SpeeioIizes in Cooperation

In tackling the task Of trying
to bring together the views Of
educators and educational organ
izations whose rivalry was partial
ly responsible for the defeat Of
higher education legislation in
Congress last year, DR.. Keppel
has the advantage Of command
ing their confidence. He has al
ready made a beginning in devel-
oping greater cooperation be-
tween the American Council on
Education, the largest organiza-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

panion they hit me UP for money
to buy more drink with them and
I told them I didn't have 1t and
said ! was expecting my returns
check and guess I would have to
write about 1t. Just to put her
off. was afraid she had written
so this is the reason. I am writ
ing you now so If you should
get a letter. Please ignore 1t as I
got my check some time ago.
Respectfully yours.
Following receipt Of this letter,
the taxpayers wife telephoned
that she had the check. She added
that II his girl friend wrote to US.
we should ignore the letter.
In Verse, Yet
BROOKLYN. N. Y.
Gentlemen
I consent to your findings and
apologize for lax.
In erring on my income tax.
Whatever the rebate Modern
Style"
I wait abated, with a smile
To enrich the locals with my
hard earned jack
Cause eventually. you all will
get 1t back.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14

Dear Mr.. Director:
Enclosed you will find my in
come tax return for 1861 together
with my check for the amount
shown as due.
You will observe that I am pay
ing $85 taxes for this year. As a
taxpayer Of substance I feel that
I should be In a position to make
q request as TO the spending OF
my money and hope you will con-
cur. win you please see that the
total money which ! have paid
goes to a friendly nation"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
A Reel cosuoIty
CAMDEN. N. J.

SNAAsAA<A1ANg ave- We
Dear Sir:
This date the writer spoke to q
young lady in your information
department relative to q ques-
ton relating to q loss under
casualty-due TO q sudden, I'M
expected and most certainly an
unusual" cause due to an in
vasion of q hostile agency. The
case being so unusual, ! was adj
vised TO write In for q ruling.
The home Of was invaded
by a skunk that sought haven
in the cellar. The first knowledge
Of the invasion was the terrific
smell through the house and upon
investigation the visitor" was
found behind O corner cupboard.
For q full week egg traps and
various other traps were set daily
10 no avail and In the interim
appeal was made TO the police
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Telegram

Due 10 combination Of flu and
pregnancy Of bookkeeper unable
TO complete corporation income
tax return. Urgently need q 90
day extension.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Self Assessment

Greetings:
was thinking Of filing an
income-tax return this year, like
sometimes do. when I learned
through an advertisement over
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Seeks to Persuade StoffeTs

AS the principal administration
advocate for the primary school
to graduate college education bill,
DR.. Keppel began his campaign
of persuasion with the strong
personal Endorsement Of such
influential figures as Senator
Morse, Democrat of Oregon,
Chairman of the Senate Subcom-
mittec on Education, and Repre-
sentative Edith Green, Democrat.
of Oregon, chairman Of the House
subcommittee handling major
elements of the bill. He has been
active on the Hill, talking to
Congressman who both favor and
look with skepticism on the adj.
ministration's program. Unlike
many Government administrators,
he has taken pains to seek out
influential staff aides on both
sides of the Capitol who play a.
vital role In advising their con-
gressional bosses.
Although DR.. Keppel contrib
uted to the education bill and
Endorses 1t. many of its features
and particularly the omnibus ap-
proach were determined before
his arrival.
The real question en- the edu-
cation bill Is whether the admin
istration, highly sensitive to the
religious issue 1t always stirs UP,
will give DR.. Keppel the support
he needs for major education
legislation before the 1864 presi-
dental election or whether they
viii use him to prepare the ground
for a possible push during
second Kennedy term.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
A Reel Variation

A Reel Variation
POTLATCH. Wash.
Gentlemen:
Please furnish me with photo
copies Of all pages Of my 1858
income tax return.
You have probably heard all the
variations. but q puppy ate mine.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS VIEWS NS9yx
Broader Program for Better Schools

citing such landmarks as the Land
Grant College Act, the CT bills OF
World War II and the Korean
War and the National Defense
Education Act of 1858, Dr. Keppel
stresses that Federal participa-
ton should continue to be selec-
tive, stimulative and, where pos
sible, transitional. He favors the
Federal Government working
through and strengthening the
State departments of education in
quality and independence.
Sees q Lioison Tosk
DR.. Keppel is not pushing for
the creation Of a Department OF
Education as was proposed last
year by Secretary Ribicoff. Rath-
err he sees the role of the Office
Of Education in the Federal struc-
ture as a "convener" or "liaison
point" but not a director Of the
40 government departments and
agencies that operate different
educational programs in schools
and colleges. AS Commissioner
of Education, 1t is believed that
the President, who occasionally
telephones DR.. Keppel directly,
regards him as his primary adj
wiser on education matters. DR..
Keppel expects to keep his eye on
the overall effects of government
on education and, If possible, help
to settle any obvious conflicts on
educational policy among the de-
partments and agencies.
DR.. Keppel plans to improve the
Office of Education by upgrading
the key positions and attracting
more we'll qualified personnel.
However, some claim that his own
status was not enhanced by the
recent establishment Of two addi-
tional new commissioners Of well
fare and vocational rehabilitation
in the Department Of Health,
Education and Welfare. Never
theless, Secretary Celebrezze Is
repeatedly letting DR.. Keppel run
his own office without interfer-
ence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Thot Extro Check

That Extra Check
PLEASANT HILL, Calf.
Our Dear Uncle Sam.
You sweet. generous thing. I'm
agine your sending US two refund
checks each for $ll4.76. We cashed
and used the first one Immediate
ly, needless 10 say. but rather
wonder what 10 do about the sec
ond No. 72,ll3,938: May 10. 1862;
-. not that we couldn't put
It 10 beneficial use, and we
do appreciate your generosity. but
since we had 10 send you 80 much
money last year In order 10 keep
you going, we really feel that you
probably need II even worse than
we do, but let US know as soon as
possible what you would like us TO
do with the check.
Your Loving Niece and Nephew.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
A Matter Of Drink

Dear Sir.
I'm writing you 10 let YOU
know that / got my withholding
check all right.
While with a drinking COM