davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
Because 1t Is Rioht'

President Kennedy concluded his
plea for favorable congressional action
on his civil rights package by striking a
note which has long appealed to us. "In
this year of the Emancipation Centen-
nial," he said, Justice requires us to
insure the blessings of liberty for all
Americans and their poSterity-not
merely for reasons of economic effici-
ency, world diplomacy and domestic
tranquility-but, above all, because it is
right"
This theme runs throughout the
message and it serves to underScore Mr..
Kennedy's direct personal appeal to all
members of Congress to set aside Sec
ttonal and political ties land look into
your hearts-not in search Of charity
:. . but for the one plain, proud and
priceless quality that unites us all; a
sense of justice"
The President knows Of course that.
in some cases, this will fall on deaf ears
Most Southern legiSlators-fromc onvic-
ton, from keen desire to stay alive
politically, and perhaps in some in
stances from both-cannot set aside
sectional ties. Much the same goes for
the Republicans. For political reasons,
some will not want to march under a
civil rights banner which bears the i'm
print of John F. Kennedy. Nonetheless,
it is our belief that the President has
couched this message in language cal
eulated to rally maximum support in
Congress. And if one is to Judge by
current comments from such men as
Senate Minority Leader Dirksen, who
says he will support the package except
for compulsory Federal regulation of
hotels, restaurants and the like, the
Presidents proposals will cut across
party lines and in the end may attract
significant bipartisan support. without
this, Of course, the program has vir-
tually no chance of being passed at this
session.
AS for the package itself, its en-
actment would bring giant forward
strides in the elimination of diScrimina-
ton. We will deal editorially from time
to time with individual major proposals
as the committee hearings and the floor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

statesmen but he does not tell
all. He has his eye on a sig
able body Of land Immediately
east Of the existing Library
annex. This land is In private
hands. It Is a thriving res
toration area. This apparently
makes no difference TO the
Librarian. He does not seem
concerned with the rights OF
private citizens, taxpayer
burdens, or the future OF the
Capitol Hill area as a decent
place In which TO live.
I am not familiar with Lii
brary matters. Yet. / would
wager that much OF the ma
terial for which Mr.. Mumford
wants storage is seen 30 sell
dom that. for all practical
purposes, II might as well be
placed In Cotton Plant, Ark.
(my home town. as within
sneezing distance OF the Cap
itol.
The District already is
loaded down with memorials
and statues. many so ugly
that they repel even tourists.
In view Of our overall situa-
ton, including a public debt
whose size I cannot compre-
bend, and a tax burden more
meaningful. should not fur
ther memorials 10 our great be
functional In character?
Dorothy ID. Bledsoe
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

I am told that thoughtful
members Of the Congress are
concerned about the body's
public image. fearing the ex-
travagances Of some members
are destroying public respect
and regard. Another reproach
10 our national legislative
body is its very poor record
In governing the haraSsed
city OF Washington.
II Congress is really con-
cerned about its own public
relations / would like 10 vol
unteer some advice. II is
time. and past time, 10 estab-
fish constructive standards
for the Government acquisi-
ton OF land In the District.
An example is the congress
sional takeover Of Square 1872,
two blocks east Of the Can
non office Building. In 1860.
This STABLE area, where a
restoration movement was
thriving was pounced upon
without giving the business
and home owners a chance
TO be heard. The primary
reason advanced for the grab
was that the Library Of Con-
gress needed an Annex.
Now. we find a proposal by
Representative Smith OF Vir-
ginia. that Square 1872 be
used for a memorial 10 James
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
Sparks Between Capitol Hill and White House

ing introduced civil rights
legislation ahead of the
Presidents decision).
Similarly, last year Mr..
Kennedy kept the Nation in
suspense while he decided
whether or not to tell Con-
gress to cut taxes.
And this year "the word"
from Presidential sources is
that the House shall not
vote until next year on
"medicare."
Query: Is the executive
influence in the legislative
process really as dominant
as it seems? Or is it only the
way newspapers habitually
report it?
Critics frequently express
despair because Congress is
not more amenable to the
Presidents wishes: we are
accused of being "obstruc-
ZIONIST" But If it is to be
assumed that the President
holds the prerogative to
shape and initiate all major
legislative proposals, then is
it not inevitable that Con-
gress - left with only the
function Of reacting to the
President will react mega
lively more often than notP
AS a relative newcomer to
Congress. I have not as yet
found satisfactory answers
to the above questions-and
others. too. But from my
brief previous experience at
the State level, I remember
the Ohio General Assembly
was most effective and pro-
ductive in 1858 and 1855
when a solid Republican
majority under strong lead
ers declared its independ-
ence, ignored Democratic
Governor Lausche and Gre
ated a very positive record
OF legislative accomplish
ment. strictly on its own in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

To start with, the Russians
should be encouraged to
locate in this new area and
sufficient land should be
made available to them for
this purpose. In time other
governments would be in
duced to relocate within the
area.
Thus would our RESPONSE
bilities as host to other gov
ernments be discharged in a
manner that would be of
benefit to these governments
and would also create a new
monumental area for the Ma
tons Capital.
John r. Inner,
President, Dupont Circle
Citizens Association
The Star, In its support of
the Chancery Bill, and in its
opposition to the Soviet
Government being granted a
permit for its proposed
chancery, equates chancery
office use to commercial Of
flee use. The distinction is
superficial, and fails to take
fundamental facts into con-
Sideration.
In a general commercial
office building downtown,
there are multiple users,
with a high percentage of
in-and-out activity. The Of
flee buildings are compli-
mentary as a group and form
the business and financial
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

After the House voted to
refuse an added $455.5 mil
lion for the Area Redevelop-
ment Administration, Presi-
dent Kennedy announced.
This program must not be
allowed to die, and it is my
intention to give the Con-
gress another opportunity to
support it,"
Query: Who is Mr.. Ken
nedy that he shall decide
what legislation Congress
may consider, or reconsider?
And after the House voted
to end the Mexican bra
cero" program, CALIFORNIA;
Governor Brown began "a
campaign to put pressure on
President Kennedy to have
a new bill submitted"
Query: Why does Cover
nor Brown assume it is Mr..
Kennedy who can determine
whether or not a new bill
will be considered by Con-
gress?
Initiated by White House
news leaks, the Nation has
waited (for weeks in breath
less suspense while the
President tried to decide
what kind Of civil rights bill
should be considered by
Congress. That despite the
fact that very able, respon-
sible Congressman already
had carefully prepared and
introduced strong civil rights
legislation.
Query: Why should sound,
timely civil rights proposals
already initiated by mem
bers Of Congress be ignored,
be languishing for weeks,
until the President gives the
"go" sign by sending over
his own program? Il count
The Star tJune Al dead
wrong in It's editorial scold-
ing Of Republicans for hav-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

MISUNDERSTANDING the Gov
ernor's vetoes when neces-
sary. Then, in 1857, when
essentially the same Repub-
lican majority abdicated its
initiative and deferred to a
Republican Governor -
waited for him to tell us
what to dove failed mis-
erably.
I suggest the trend to
dominance by the executive
may not result in the most
effective possible governing
process. Instead a new,
strong breed of Congress
sional leaders might we'll
evolve. ready and willing to
act Independently. Of the
White House influences
and the long run result
could be more effective, Gre
alive. responsible govern
ment.
When the majority lead
ers in Congress seem more
responsive to the President
than to the members who
chose them leaders, then
there develops among the
rank and file Congressman
a negative, even resentful
response to that relation
ship. It's inevitable. And
thus Congress acquires its
do nothing" reputation.
But a strong majority
leadership. grabbing the leg
islative initiative, acting
creatively and independent
ly Of the President with or
without his blessing) could
perhaps win a more ready,
cohesive. effective majority
support in the House.
Query: Is my notion that
such a reform" could
evolve, mere fantasy?
Charles A. MOsher.
United States Representa-
tive, 18th District, Ohio
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

district. necessitating q high
density.
In the case Of such users
as philanthropic institutions,
colleges, and chanceries,
there is a single purpose,
which does not necessitate a
high density. American Uni
versity, for example, has
more car activity than any
chancery; yet, the single
family residential property
values in that area are
among the highest in the
District.
The issue Is not therefore
one Of a solid line between
office use and residential
use; but one of sensible zon-
ing. Zoning must permit the
7 q I'll o n q development OF
property without harm being
done to others. In determin-
ing whether harm is done,
the Board Of Zoning Adjust
ment has to take into &C
count parking, traffic, bulk,
etc. Protests from other
property owners should be
listened to, but the Board
OF zoning Adjustment has
the duty to determine wheth-
er the protests are rational.
As in cases involving COL
leges and philantropic insti-
buttons, it is better to leave
chancery cases to the BzA.
Justice is better served than
by an ironclad prohibition by
Congress.
COrtIandt Herbst.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

I'VE must go on building
bridges across the dangerous
CULTS In our world" Sir
Charles Snow said. I'VE
must 60 on building bridges
rather than dynamiting the
bridges and shouting horrible
insults across the CULTS, even
though some things go over
these bridges that we don't
like to see :"
The British author adj
dressed the annual conven-
ton of the American Book
sellers Association in WASH
ington. He talked at a time
when Americans are destroy
ing some Of the few racial
bridges they have-and are
shouting horrible things
across the CULTS.
We are in desperate need
Of bridge-builders. They need
not be those capable Of put
ting up vast. and far-reach-
ing spans. Indeed, what is
most needed now in every
community are builders who
can put up relatively small
and simple footbridges. There
Is a dismaying failure of re-
Sponsible persons at all lev
els. The problem cannot be
left entirely to the President.
Patience Wears Thin
No person denies that for
generations the Negro citizen
has been patient. But pa
thence wears thin and is
wiped out by such vicious
displays Of Flaw" as that
staged in Birmingham. Com
munities that make laws they
know to be unconstitutional,
as many Southern cities have
done, already have rendered
incalculable harm to the i'm
age Of laws and courts. In
too many areas and too many
places, "the law" seems to be
symbolized by a Bull Conner
or by the police chiefs in
those cities where people are
dubbed by police for peace
full protests.
There is an urgent need,
for example, for lawyers to
come forward. The American
Law Institute in Philadelphia
released a statement uttered
by As lawyers addressed to
the Governor of Alabama
asking him not to defy the
court order in Tuscaloosa.
This was one of the rare
instances where any promi-
nent members Of the bar
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
PEOPLE AND PROBLEMS
BY RALPH McGILL
Desperate Need of Bidqe-BuiIders

have given evidence of lead
ership in q critical field.
Almost 10 years have
passed since the school deci-
sion Of 1854: yet only one
bar association II the South
that of AtlantaAhas made
a public statement seeking to
educate the people in the
meaning Of an interpreta-
ton Of the Constitution by
the U. s. Supreme Court and
of this courts obligation to
interpret and rule.
Does it not disturb lawyers
to see people with long exist
ing grievances abandon the
court rooms and seek to re-
dress existing wrongs through
street demonstrations and. II
need be, street battles? One
wonders what would have
happened had the Bar Of the
State Of Mississippi asked the
Governor, himself a lawyer,
to obey the court. He might
have scorned them, but the
profession of law would have
been assisted.
Great Names Silent
Business slowly and pain
fully is learning that 1t deals
with human beings. It is dis
turbing that the great names
of the bar have not spoken.
They, too, may need to learn
that the law basically is in
tended to represent human
beings and not merely cor
porationS. The par asSocia-
tons of the several States and
the American Bar Associa-
ton are desperately needed
to assist with the building
of bridges. So are leaders in
every field of American life.
The responsibilities are heavy
and, to some, difficult. But
they will be neglected at our
peril.
There is one thing we must
understandable rebellion of
American Negroes latter gen.
erations of patient expect
ancy) against ugly practices
of discrimination cannot, and
should not, be suppressed.
The vast majority of Ameri-
can people will not agree to
the use of police violence to
deny these Americans the
substance Of citizenship and
dignity.
If Americans are going to
stand back-and not come
forward to assist the law and
the courts-then indeed will
we reap the whirlwind Of
such a sowing.
IAN Rights Reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
To the Editor of The Stor

~ AHS 60tNQt VI NS StQt
A recent article by Max
Freedman charges me and
two other Congressman with
having been critical of Puer-
to Rico. I have re-read my
testimony before the House
Interior and Insular Affairs
Committee and can find no
basis for this charge in so
far as my own testimony is
concerned.
My testimony propose d
that the time has come for
Puerto Ricans to pay Fed
eral income taxes even if
Puerto Rico retains its Com
monwealth status.
I do not regret the past
exemption Of Puerto Ricans
from United States income
taxes. since this undoubtedly
played a part in the impress
sive economic development of
Puerto Rico. I do believe.
however, that the time has
come to remove this exemp-
ton, so that Puerto Ricans
can now assume the role of
dues-paying members Of our
Nation.
In my testimony I listed a
number Of reasons for believ-
ing that Puerto Ricans should
pay United States income
taxes the same as anyone In
the SO States.
First, they have been
American citizens for some
decades with the right to i'm
migrate to the rest of the
United States and to send
goods there free Of duty.
Second. they receive the
full protection Of the United
States national defense. of
no small value In the Carib-
bean area in these troubled
days.
Third, they are eligible for
all the grants-in-aid as re-
ceived by each of the so
States. In 1861, they got more
grants for public assistance.
employment security, health,
education, and highway con-
struction than those received
by any Of l3 States and
Washington, d. C. (Statisti-
cal Abstract Of the U. s., 1862,
page 2770
Fourth. residents Of Alaska
and Hawaii paid income taxes
In the years before they
achieved Statehood. Residents
OF the District OF Columbia
currently pay Federal income
taxes, despite the fact that,
until ratification of the 23rd
Amendment. they were unable
TO vote for Presidential cleo
tors and have no other elect
ed representation.
Fifth. IL is true that Puerto
Ricans pay property taxes
and income taxes 10 Puerto
Rico. But residents OF Mary
land pay real estate, sales,
and income taxes 10 Mary
land and still pay Federal in
come taxes. Wen-to-do resi-
dents Of poor States are not
excused from paying United
States income taxes. Neither
are poor residents OF rich
States. Two Of my constitu-
ents are currently being
pressed 10 pay arrears on
income tax. A trucking en-
ploye with a mentally dis
turbed wife Is being dunned
to pay several hundred dol
lars In arrears on his Fed
eral income taxes. An elderly
lady, quite III, living on an
income OF s25 a week, Is be-
ing pressed for $1,000 arrears.
Yet some Of the Puerto
Ricans whom ! am asking TO
pay income taxes are more
wealthy than the overwhelm-
ing majority OF persons in my
Congressional District. II Is
true that the taxes paid by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

benighted opinion, is more feverish win.
ners' lookS-and less Of those SAD,
stunned expressions we're accustomed
to wear as we tear up our tickets and
head home from the track.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
Taxing Puerto Rico

the Puerto Ricans to Puerto
Rico are theoretically gradu-
ated as the United States
taxes are. However, they are
not, even theoretically, as
high as those borne by
StateSide American who pay
both Federal and State in
come taxes. Incidentally,
some question has been
raised in the Puerto Rican
press as to whether these
theoretical Puerto Rican
rates are actually paid. In
1861. personal and corporate
income tax paid by Puerto
Ricans to Puerto Rico were
only about Az per cent Of
personal income, compared to
20 per cent of Stateside per-
sonal income paid FOR Federal
income taxes. '(Statistical
Abstract of the U. s., 1862.
Pages 313, S86-387, 9O4, 9O7.)
Sixth. it is true that the
income taxes paid by Puerto
Ricans to Puerto Rico go to
m ny worthwhile projects
and help to build up its econ
omy. Federal tax exemption
was justified in the past, but
should we continue it, now
that Puerto Rico is far more
prosperous than many other
parts Of the world that cur
rently need our help? Indeed,
some Of our less prosperous
States would like to be al
lowed to keep all of the
money they now pay in U. s.
income tax for local improve
ment and development, vet
continue to receive grants-in-
aid from the Federal Govern
ment. 1t is possible, though
not certain. that Puerto Rico
would not develop as fast II
1t had to pay taxes to the
United States instead Of
keeping all Of the tax rev.
enue there; but neither
can Mississippi, or Mary
land be expected to develop
as fast as they might II
allowed to retain all income
tax revenue now going to the
Federal Government.
! am not unappreciative Of
the economic development Of
Puerto Rico. I applaud the
magnificent job Of lifting the
economy Of that great island.
But ! wonder whether past
history is relevant to the
present question: Should
now-prosperous Puerto Ri
cans continue to enjoy ex-
exemption from United States
personal and corporate income
taxes? AS our fellow Ameri-
cans-enJoying legal and eco
nomic rights Of Americans
and, In many cases, far richer
than millions Of their fellow
Americans In the States
they should. I think, now
carry their share OF the load.
Payment Of United States
income taxes would enable
Puerto Rlcans more accu-
rately To label their develop
ment as operation boot
strap" II would reassure mil
lions OF tax-weary Americans
that there can be a happy
ending TO the burden Of help
ing the unfortunate Of our
own and other lands. with
the generous exemptions and
deductions OF our Federal in
come tax, II would not affect
the great majority OF Puerto
Rican poor, only the rela-
lively well-to-do and rich.
And. II nothing else. II would
enable us 10 transfer help 10
the people Of other lands, as
desperately poor now as the
Puerto Ricans we're a Rener-
alton ago.
Clarence ID. Long,
Member Of Congress from
Maryland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20
LETTERS TO THE STAR
'Moqnificent Mie' of Chonceries and Embassies
FIRST AMENDMENT

Our association has long
been opposed to the location
OF chanceries in residential
areas. We have seen the resi-
Dental character of parts Of
our own area destroyed by
this incursion of a strictly
business function.
At the same time we rec
ognize the responsibility Of
--~-~------~-~
See Editorial. BOD Doy at Bonnie
Broe".
this Capital city to the gov
ernments of the world which
are represented here. We be-
lieve that special attention
should be given to their needs
and that they should not be
embarrassed by a lack of
planning on our part to pro-
vide suitable areas for them.
Therefore we propose that
Massachusetts, Avenue-long
known as the Avenue of the
Embassies" - from North
Capitol Street to Scott Circle
be officially designated as a
special area for chanceries
and embassies and that gov
ernmentS be given special in
ducementS to locate their
chanceries and embassies in
this area. There should be
special planning to produce
an area which would eventu-
ally be known as the Mag
nificent Mile" and the en-
tire street would be planned
for its monumental and Dip
lomatic character.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-20

See Editorial. BOD boy at Bonnie
BFoe".
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-10

Alexandria Services for
Armed Forces, a club for serv-
icemen, will no longer receive
money from the United Givers
Fund after December 81 I'M
less the club makes an effec-
tive appeal. to the board Of the
Health and Welfare Council
next week.
The HWC admits and budg-
cts local agencies sharing in
the United Givers Fund. Its
board voted yesterday to &C.
cept a recommendation of its
membership committee that the
club be dropped from financial
support, but deplayed final ac-
ton until the appeal Monday
afternoon.
Austin Kiplinger, chairman
Of the membership committee,
told the board that the club had
been active in Alexandria in
World War II and had en-
joyed another squirt of activity
during the Korean War, but
had lost its old headquarters.
and now was based in a former
store at 112 South Fairfax
street.
Use Of the lounge has de-
creased steadily and the staff
has had trouble getting volun-
teers and hostesses, he said.
Men from Fort Belvoir and
Quantico bypass Alexandria
to go into Washington. and
more and more posts also are
providing their own recrea-
tional facilities, he added.
The club budget is $l5,338. OF
which $13,473 comes from the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-10

tested the lagoon in a petition
they gave yesterday to the
County Board of Zoning
Appeals.
The hearing was called to
consider a petition from Halle
ton for permission to build a
new administration building on
the tract. When the discussion
turned to the sewage lagoon
the board granted Lytton H.
Gibson, the lahoratory's at
torney, a delay until May 7.
The lagoon would eventually
be four acres large, enough to
handle the sewage from 400
h UNI ans, 1000 dogs, 800
monkeys and 300 cats, county
sanitary engineer Payne john
son told the board. He said
there would be no outflow from
the lagoon. except for the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-10

waters possible use for irrigs-
ting pasture in the summer.
Feasibility Study
Mr.. johnson said that the
nearest home is more than
1900 feet from the pond.
Health officers approved the
treatment method only after
their studies disclosed 1t would
work, he stated. A similar
lagoon is in use now at Dulles
Airport.
The citizens petition said
I'VE are concerned with the
effect on property values. with
odors and with possible health
hazards and water and stream
pollution"