davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Cuba on Trial

BY vote of Is to O-with Mexico
abStaining and Bolivia and Haiti not
present-the Organization of American
States now has taken on the task of
dealing with Venezuela's grave charges
against Communist Cuba. The charges
accuse Fidel CaStro's regime of being a
hemisphere menace engaged in a ter
roristic program of subversion and
aggression against all the troubled
Americas. There is no doubt that this
is true.
The question is, what can the GAS
do about it? Venezuelan President
Betancourt, who only few years ago
was one of Fidel'S stoutest supporters,
has called for drastic measures. He
would invoke the Inter-American Treaty
of Reciprocal Assistance (the Pact of
Rio de Janeiro) to impose an air and sea
blockade against Cuba. He also would
employ whatever additional armed force
might be necessary to put an end to
CaStro'S vicious conspiratorial campaign
to upend not only Venezuela but other
neighboring states as well.
Unhappily, however, the GAS is a
sort of fuddy-duddy debating society
whose key members are disinclined to
take action of the sort advocated by Mr..
Betancourt. Mexico, Brazil, Chile and
Uruguay-the exceptions among the
Americas-Still maintain diplomatic
relations with Havana. And they are
heSitant, to put it mildly, to accept pro-
poSalS as sweeping as Mr.. Betancourt's.
Indeed, it may be assumed that our own
government is not particularly in favor
of blockade measures that could set in
motion new Soviet-American confron-
tation in the Caribbean.
Yet, the fact remains that Fidel
Castro, who is creature of the Kremlin,
is dangerously envenoming the situation
in our hemisphere. Accordingly, regard
less Of the risks involved, the GAS has
reason to give serious consideration to
Mr.. Betancourt'S ideas. At very least,
there should be decision to apply the
most stringent kind Of diplomatic and
economic sanctions. And at the same
time there should be addressed to Mos
COW, stern warnings against what its
Havana puppet is doing. How can the
cold war be abated as long as Fidel acts
as he does with Soviet blessingsP
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Truce at Norwood

The current truce in the Merry
wood dispute certainly does not mean
that the Government has won its case
against high-riSe apartments along the
Potomac. Agreement by the Merrywood
owners to consider a revised Govern
ment offer of payment for scenic ease
ments restricting the use Of the prop
erty does raise the possibility, however,
that this issue may be settled without
a prolonged legal fight. And If that
proves eventually to be the case, the
public interest will be well served.
Whether the developers are willing
to negotiate such settlement will
depend, of course, on the amount of
money offered In its initial legal
action, the Interior Department esti-
mated that 100000 was ample pay
ment for hating the apartment project,
and limiting the estate to single-family
development. BY its own admission,
however, this figure was the result of
a somewhat hurried appraisal. Now,
more intensive appraiSals are under
way, presumably to estimate more
precisely both the value Of the land
as it was proposed to be used and It's
lesser value as restricted under the
Federal proposals. No doubt the de-
velopers will be busy during the next
month with similar appraiSalS of their
own.
This is a logical and reasonable
procedure by both sides. The concept
of scenic easements holds a great deal
of promise as a means of preserving
the natural character and beauty of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Beginning of End

The foreign aid authorization,
though improved in one respect, has
emerged from conference in a form
which indicates that this vast inter
national subsidy at the expense of the
American taxpayer is on its way out
We hope so.
The improvement consists of the
restoration of the Presidents authority
to extend most favored nation trade
treatment to Yugoslavia and Poland.
The theory is that the President should
not be forbidden by law to exercise
this discretion in trying to encourage
countries that seem to be endeavoring
to break away from Communist domi-
nation. This, of course, has nothing
to do with foreign aid. But it makes
sense, and it is too bad that the con-
ferees would not grant the President
similar discretionary authority in the
case of other Communist countries.
The Kremlin'S empire may or may not
be in process of diSintegrating. But
why erect arbitrary bars which can
only serve to discourage that process?
AS for the rest, the conferees split
the House and Senate money versions
pretty much down the middle The
final authorized figure was $500, 050,-
900. When the appropriations commit
tees are through, the total will prob
ably be down to SO billion, or perhaps
even a little less. This will represent
a big cut from the $4.5 billion origi-
nally requested by the administration,
and 1t will evoke anguished screams
from the professional foreign-aiders.
We do not think, however, that
any anguished screams will be heard
from the taxpayers of America.
They have been Juggling this for
eign aid load for some II years and
have doled out something like 500
billion in its support. They are fed up
with it. This Congress should serve
unmiStakable notice that in the bust
ness Of foreign aid we have come to
the beginning of the end.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
For FreeWoys

AS we took our customary route
homeward over the Southwest freeway
the other day, the blurred outlines Of an
idea that had been forming suddenly
became sharp and clear.
Perhaps it was the view of st. Dom
mics Church from the vantage point
of the weStbound lanes. Perhaps 1t was
the graceful curve of a granite faced
ramp contraSted with a stretch of green
grass. Or perhaps 1t was a view, diff
cult to see unless one is up on some
thing, of the great tower of the National
Cathedral rearing up from Mount st.
Alban.
Whatever 1t was, the idea came
into focus in the form of a question:
Why is there so much talk about
the "ugliness" Of freeways2 Why is
somebody forever glooming about cut
ting up our cities with great Swathes
of concrete" put there to crafty lazy
Americans who wrongheadedly like to
drive cars instead of travelling around
some other way?
We happen to like freeways. We see
not only practical value in them but
also a very real eSthetic value. They
are like rivers, from which one enjoys
ever-changing vistas that would hardly
be seen from any place else.
And freewayS are not just good to
look from. When properly designed, they
are, like bridges, also good to look at.
Bridges have been accepted for CEN
turtles as among mans greatest works.
Freeways, too, can possess beauty and
grace of their own.
Let's worry about whether our free
ways are well or poorly designed, and
quit just damning them on general
principles. This much is sure: They are
not going to go away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Secret Service

It Is indeed unfortunate
that q man entrusted with
the high office of United
States Senator would issue
statements so irresponsible
and In such poor taste as
Senator Stephen Young Of
Ohio did. His vicious attack
on members Of the Secret
Service, several of whom
have been recently COM
mended for courageous &C
ton during this tragic affair,
indicates that his thirst for
publicity respects neither the
careers nor the feelings Of
men whose devotion to duty
and sacrifice have been so
great. On the most flimSy
grounds and without men,
tioning names, Senator
Young ISLANDERS by insinua-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Steward of Culture

1t would not seem map
propriate to reawaken inter-
est In and action for the
creation Of q Department Of
Culture. with Mrs. Jacqueline
Kennedy as It's first steward.
1t is inconcetvable that we
can hope to continue leading
the free world indefinitely
without such q function in
the executive branch Of the
Government.
1t is equally inconceivable
that we would allow the rare
talents Of Mrs. Kennedy to
slip into oblivion when her
influence could contribute so
much to @ world cropping for
some common language Of
understanding amongst its
races. Moreover, in the last
three years the artistic talent
Of this Nation has received
greater encouragement and
recognition than in all Of It's
past history.
II 1t Is indeed probable
that some day we will have a
national Department Of Cul-
ture, then why not now?
What better tribute to the
leader who embodied It?
What more fitting tribute to
the woman who inspired
him?
Ruth Lawson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
School Track

I was shocked and dis
mayed to read your editorial
concerning the views of DR..
Euphemia L. Haynes on the
track system in the District
public schools. The Star has
always been careful to res
pect the opinions of others.
Without flag-waving, you
have fought for the right of
each individual citizen to
speak freely.
Why then this TRADE
against DR.. Haynes? Appar-
emily she gave her views to
the Board Of Education at a
regular meeting. In the
exercise Of her functions as a
member of the Board, DR..
Haynes has a right and a
duty to make known her
reservations about this or
any other program.
Ability grouping Is still a
moot question with educa-
tors. AS one who has taught
a slow-learner group IN q
large public school system
mot the District, I am well
aware of the many problems,
questions and confusions Of
students, parents and teach
ers about the program. Your
editorial writer shows his
own uncertainty with the
track system when he writes.
This is the philosophy Of
the program and this is the
way, through constant reap
praisal, it should work in
practice" He did not say it
does work.
RAtty n. Guerin.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Observing Christmas

only the prospect OF Janu-
airy white paper marked
please remit" half a dozen
broken toys, the showing
back into an attic's corner Of
a box marked tree decora-
tions," and q cold winter rain
on Arlington's flame-lit hill
will be needed to remind any
Of us that on the other side
Of this seasons historically
subdued gaiety Is another
year.
One scarcely dares to call
1t new for we may have to
be content with what must
seem, at the start, very much
like the old one. From Con-
gress to any housewife, the
way of living these days
seems to be fashioned Of
tasks not quite accomplished.
Faiths meaning Of Christ
mas cannot be destroyed:
but national and personal
grief-along with unsolved
domestic and international
predic q m e Mt ought to
change the secular obser-
vance of Christmas.
Gifts fit for the Lord scar
cely are to be found in
pretty services that shut out
human reality, nor In boxes
with substitutes for love. We
ought to be offering Him
high progress in the prob
lens of race, disarmament,
hunger, disease, poverty,
crime and ethics. Jesus is
waiting for us to do these
things not Just sing His
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Weird Contrast

On the day Of President
Kennedy's funeral, I was
glad to note that the Su-
preme Court had not en-
joined tax-paid public off,
Gals from praying to God, or
hearing His holy words.
Our unsupported public
schools present a weird con-
trast. Our children are de-
MED similar practices which
the Court has denounced as
subversive to the Constitu-
toni
The children will so con-
tinue as long as the public is
brain-washed to believe an
opinion of the Court is "the
supreme law of the land" or
until Congress and the
States overrule the Court by
a constitutional amendment.
Samuel B. PettengiIl
Grafton, VT.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
THE PASSING SCENE
Johnson's Riqht-Hond Man

which, because Of his down.
played personality. paradox
cally seems almost heSitant.
He is casually gentle: but
very far from lsmb-like. He
can be very tough" II he
must, though nobody not
knowing him well would
sense it. He is never excess
sively high or excessively low
in mood on the outside;
though sometimes. inside, he
approaches one mood or the
other.
He is a compact. slightly
florid-faced man of Al. with
heavy, dark and slightly
CRAVING hair. He is a deeply
conscientious man whose
worries settle in his stomach
rather than show on his
face.
Like most strenuously do
ing men, he Is nervous. The
condition is not helped at the
moment by what he calls.
with a wry smile at the
pretentiousness Of the jar
gon, 1.-THE symptoms of with
drawal." That Is, he Is trying
to quit cigarets-of which,
lately, he was smoking far
too many.
Doesn't Like NOtoriety
He is a Catholic from
Northwest Texas-a rarity in
that region of the State,
whereas it is a commonplace
in the Presidents Southwest
ern part Of the State-and
but for that fact he would
have been elected to Con-
gress In a race made many
years ago. He reads but is
not bookish. He thinks, and
is In fact brilliant but he
would never call himself
intellectual"
There is no pretense OF
any kind in him. He claims
no passion for anonymity"
an attitude cnce desired
in some of the Roosevelt as
sistants. But in plain and
simple truth he is a shy man.
He is not coy; he simply
thinks he can work more
effectively for President
Johnson-as he did for
Senator johnson and Vice
President Johnson-without
standing out in front. He Is,
drawing no long bow at all
about it, one Of the ablest,
most devoted, most truly
moral but totally unself-
righteous public men this
country has known in a long
time. And In a profession
where most men use sharp
elbows on the way up, Wal
ter-Jenkins has never
learned that those joints
have any other use than to
swing as he walks along.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Alcoholism
Ruth Lawson.

AS chairman Of the Board
of Directors for the Wash
ington DC. Area Council on
Alcoholism. I want to thank
you, on behalf Of the board
and staff, for the excellent
article in your Sunday Maya
zine about the services Of the
Council. This is the kind Of
cooperation in a public
service endeavor that sue
cessfully promotes an impor-
tant function Of the Council
to inform and educate our
community about the Ma
tons fourth major health
problem. Mr.. Fuchs did an
excellent Job Of writing about
a difficult subject.
Frank s. Ketcham
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Cultural Center Site

I think 1t entirely ap-
propriate that the National
Cultural Center should serve
as a memorial to our beloved
John F. Kennedy. But it &C.
ours to me that the proposed
site is unsuitable in many
ways. Why can't the Cultural
Center be located on the
large tract Of land already
owned by the Government I
am speaking of the land
lying between the Rejecting
Pool and the Potomac River,
on which World War I tenn
pos are still standing.
Joseph S. McGrath, Sr.
. = =
While driving along Poto-
mac drive recently it &C.
Cured to me that the view
from the new Cultural Gen.
ter will simply be a complex
Of bridges, at least three. if
not more, q not very inter-
esting prospect.
For years we have been
hearing that the old tempo
buildings on Constitution av-
enue are going to be RACED.
The Government already
owns this very spacious and
accessible site. I wonder If
consideration has been given
to turning over this area to
the Cultural Center planners.
A Cultural Center on upper
Constitution avenue would
certainly contribute toward
making 1t one Of the most
beautiful avenues in the
world.
Mvu
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
A BOOK FOR TODAY
The Emphasis Is on Change
By DONALD MINTZ

would be automatically sus-
pect and partly because our
own theology is not particu-
larly suitable.
of course, ideas Of personal
freedom that we share with
many other parts Of the world
must be a large part Of the
mystique. But our notions Of
free enterprise, which for us
are closely related to general
democratic concepts, are not
so widely shared and are
often disdained.
Mr.. Szulc quotes the late
President Kennedy:
they (Latin Americans) re-
sent our insisting upon a
larger role for their private
enterprise, which cannot cope
with many of their problems,
or a larger role for our pri-
vate investors -"
The Cold War
The need for theology and
crusading spirit is as great as
the need for sound and undoc-
trinaire economic planning.
This, in essence, is the mes
sage of 1.-THE Winds of Revo-
luton" It is an important and
well stated message, for such
theological sounds as we
make from time to time tend
to be maudlin, confused and
patronizing, and do not often
separate what is essential
from what is incidental.
Mr.. Szulc makes one obSer-
walton that he might have
pursued further. He remarks
that for all its customary
manipulations and efforts to
cause trouble in Latin Ameri-
ca, the Soviet Union cannot
want Communist governments
there, at least not for some
time. The bill, as she has
found out in Cuba, would
simply be too high.
Since we need well dis
posed, reasonably free states,
but never satellites and in
Latin America not even mill
tary allies, one wonders Il it
might just be possible to
silence or at least diminish in
Latin American the custo-
mary, ugly noises of the Cold
War.
Necessary space cuts on this
column on Thanksgiving Day
caused omission of two impor-
tant points. The review Of
Sigmund Diamonds selection
of readings in American his
history from 1876 to 1905,
"The Nation Transformed" as
printed left out high praise for
the skill and sensitivity with
which the readings were
selected, and the remark that
the volume is Unfortunately
interesting because the i'm
mediate roots both of current
problems and current solu-
tons are found in that period.
Prof. Diamonds book is part
of the six volume American
Epochs Series which Braziller
will complete next year by
publishing Adrienne Koch's
1.-THE American Enlighten-
ment."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used II
letters carry IDriters' correct
names and addresses. All let
tiers are subject to condensd-
ton. Those not used iDiH be
returned only tphen accom-
panied BY self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09

THE WINDS OF REVOLT
TON, Latin America Today
and Tomorrow, by Tad
Szulc. (The Praeger Con-
temporary World Series: No.
o. 800 PIP. Friedrich A.
Praeger, $5.95, hardbound;
$2.25, softbound.
The statistics Of Latin Amer
lean misery have becom {
familiar. But they have moi
become less shocking.
Tad Szulc, a New York
Times correspondent now
with the papers Washington
bureau, goes over the CHASTITY
figures once more in his new
book, 1.-THE Wind Of Revolu'
ton"
Mr.. Szulc's book has a
purpose far beyond docu
menting the living death that
is the lot Of so many citizens
of Latin American countries
and far beyond issuing anoth-
er call to do something.
For we know that. as Mr.
Szulc puts it, "the emphasis is
on change" Something will
be done.
Economics and theology
Mr.. Szulc's main stress i
on the various forms that
something" can assume. In
the course Of the investigation
he discusses the development
of Castro's Cuba in considera-
BILE detail. That development
was complex and 1t cannot
adequately be described by
simple words like betrayal"
and "takeover."
He discussed, too, the re-
markable obtuseness Of the
Eisenhower administration in
general and particularly Of
Dulles State Department that
exercised evil by crying
communism" and the ten
dency Of Latin American
states to avoid taking essen
tial measures to put their own
houses in order.
Above all, there Is the
battling problem of the AL
lance for Progress. No doubt
1t was too late, but we cannot
help that now. It is sound, II
it is useful.Yet despite some
limited but impressive sue
cesses, 1t has not attained the
momentum that was both
needed and expected.
Mr.. Szulc looks for the
answer to social psychology
rather than to economics or to
politics in its more limited
meanings.
The Alliance is a revolu-
tionary program. But, says
Mr.. Szulc, "a revolution
requires an theology" He
disputes the notion that I'll
the structural problems are
solved political instability
will vanish by ITSELF" Latir
America, he feels, must g
beyond sound economics anc
democratic Journalism.
The theology, the myStiqut
that must be developed can
not come from the United
States, partly because i
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09

ton a whole organization
dedicated to heroic public
service.
Until such time as evi-
dence is presented that Sc
cret Service members drank
to excess and in fact were
derelict in the performance
Of their duties, Senator
Young has done q diSService
to his country and to every
one concerned.
Roger r. Coffman.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09
Riqht-to-Work Lows

The story December 81 on
the power of States to en-
force right-to-work laws
being upheld by the Supreme
Court leaves me perplexed.
I see no difference in a un-
ion assessing an employee in
a bargaining unit for services
rendered than I do for a
State or municipality render
ing essential services and as
sesSing the individual citizen.
The union works for the i'm
provement Of working condi-
tons; the State and NUM-
cipality work for improved
community living conditions.
Insofar as I know, right
to-work laws are the only ex-
ception to a long line Of legal
decisions upholding the right
to collect from an individual
for q service or benefit which
accrues to an individual. Just
a few examples should suf-
flee to point this up.
Everyone certainly accepts
without question proportion
ate taxation for police and
fire protection.
II a city decides a sidewalk
is necessary in a block or
section Of q city, such side
walks are put in and each
home owner is assessed his
proportionate share Of the
cost. Likewise with other
property improvements such
as sewage systems, etc.
If q State constructs a toll
expreSsway. those motorists
who use the expressway must
pay the required fee. Motor
lists either pay for benefits or
they are denied those bene-
fits even though their tax
money was used to finance
the construction.
State supreme courts have
consistently upheld State
commission decisions author
izing public utility companies
to charge local customers for
special local municipal taxes
and to bill local customers
pro rata for the amount Of
local taxes and franchise
fees.
Why a union or agency
shop should be the only ex-
ception one can only assume
anti-union prejudice as OPP
posed to accepted govern
mental policies as the reason.
No organization whether gov
ernmental, industrial or &C.
clesiastical, can long endure
II 1t performs q service with
out compensation whether It
be called a fee, q tax, or an
assessment. It Is certainly
obvious that right-to-work
organizations do not want
unions to endure. Right-to-
work laws are transparent
devices to destroy unions in
solar as men Of good will are
concerned.
II the principle Of State
right-to-work laws is q valid
one, then I assume in the fu-
ture no citizen can be as
sessed against his will for his
proportionate share Of costs
for property Improvements
police and fire protection
education Of children not his
own; etc. The future certain
ly will be interesting and II
there Is consistency in appli-
cation Of the principle be-
hind the right-to-work laws
there will be widespread rep.
resentation without taxation
All, consistency, thou art 9
jewel!
Francis ]. Speh.
Corresponding Secretary,
D. c. Department,
American Federation
NN.,n~.. a..A r.. ,.1Ax,Aa
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-09

name. Let Christmas, there
fore. be a hopeful interlude
between q time when evil ran
UP the big score and a year
that possibly may be made
new in repentance and re-
form Of both church and
state.
Carl Ericsson,
Pastor. Knox United Pres
byterian,
Falls Church, Va.