davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
No Place for an Ak

Representative PaSSman and other
congressional foes Of foreign aid have
seized upon the Clay committees report
as justification for cutting the program
to ribbons. Thus, although President
Kennedy has requested $40 billion for 1t
in the coming fiscal year, they aim to
slash it by as much as SIS billion, and
they defend their position by suggesting
that General Clay and his distinguished
10-man study group stand foursquare
with them. -
Actually, however, as the commit
tees executive director has been at pains
to emphasize, this is an altogether mac
curate Interpretation Of the report sub
mitted to the President. True. enough,
the document--which calls for q eight
ening up" Of the operations of the
Agency for International Development
declares as follows: "AID informs US
that If our criteria were now in effect,
present programs would be reduced by
approximately $500 million, and there
would be additional reductions IN the
following years as some of these pro-
grams were phased further down or out"
But the Clay critique, in saying this, has
by no means given support to the poten-
italy dangerous economies" advocated
by Mr.. Passman and men of like mind.
On the contrary, while recommend
ing that our economic and military aid
"be phased down in some cases and
phased out in others" over a period Of
three years or so, the critique warns
against "the risks inherent In using an
ak to achieve quickly the changes rec.
commended" Moreover, asserting that
our country's security viii require con-
tinuation Of foreign aid for some years
to come" (eyen II on dwindling scale),
it stresses the fact that future emer-
geicies and unknown challenges are
likely to arise" and that the President
must therefore "have the flexibility to
meet such contingencies" Finally:
81. we would point out that the need
for development assistance and q. s.
interest In providing Il would continue even
If the cold war and all our outstanding polit-
ical differences with the Communists were to
be resolved tomorrow. This Is 80 not merely
because II Is part Of the American tradition
to be concerned with the plight Of those less
fortunate than ourselves. This Is so not merely
because It Is in our national self-interest to
assure expanding markets for our production
and reliable sources Of supply Of necessary
raw materials. 1t Is because the people Of the
United States hope to see q world which Is
prosperous and at peace that we believe those
nations which are seriously striving to pro-
mote their own development should be helped
by US and by our partners 10 create and
maintain the conditions conducive TO steady
economic progress and improved social we'll
being within the framework Of political
freedom.
Although this Is a conclusion very
much open TO debate, 1t serves to demon
strate that the bitter-enders against for
eign economic and military assistance
are taking liberties with the facts when
they try TO make 1t seem that they and
the Clay committee are as one In heart,
mind and objective.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
Colossal Threat

An official report Of the Civil
Aeronautics Board has confirmed the
agency's earlier conclusion that the
fatal crash Of a United Air Lines
Viscount near Ellicott City, Nd, last
November was caused by a large swan
which struck and damaged the tail
assembly Of the aircraft. In the course
Of It's discussion Of the tragedy, how
ever, the report makes the surprising
assertion that the threat which fly
ing birds pose to modern airlines is
colossal"
This is a strong adjective, which
suggests that the G. A. B. Is far more
alarmed about the ramifications Of such
freak accidents than had been pre-
viously suspected. In It's view, the
danger of collisions with flying birds
could well become a major menace, one
which requires both further research
and protective measures, including, per-
haps, the possibility Of strengthening
the most vulnerable sections OF aircraft.
Accordingly, the g. A. B. says, some
Of these studies already are being con-
Quoted by the Federal Aviation Agency.
Thus we have another illustration that
the fight for greater safety In the air
is a never-ending one which leads, at
times, to the most unsupported areas.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
Tough Test for De GouIIe

President de Gaulle's strong handed
ness, more than a match for Frances
petty civil politicians in 1868 and for
the much tougher army politicians who
fought him in the years since on the
issue Of Algeria, is failing him currently
in major crisis on the economic front
at home. The coal miners Of France not
only are proving tougher than expected,
but In their strike are winning surpris-
ing support from the public and from
organized workers in a wide variety OF
unrelated occupations.
There is some speculation, in fact,
that the rong-handedness itself has
backfired and that the generals requi-
sition order-which would allow govern
ment authorities to fire, fine or even
imprison those who refuse TO stay on
their Jobs in the nstionalized industries
brought the strikers courage and
friends alike. The strikers have, In fact,
already forced concessions from the
De Gaulle government, have rejected
them in turn, and may yet be Joined In
nationwide work stoppage by employees
in the transport and utilities industries.
The clergy in many communities has
expressed support for the strikers and
there have been sympathy demonstra-
tons from such faraway groups as milk
truck drivers and winegrowers.
III In its simplest form, the dispute
arises from a wage spread between
employment in the nationalized indus
tries and In the private sector. Unable
initially TO win any wage increase con-
cession, the miners struck on March /.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
The Local Share

UNIFORMED members Of Congress
are too often ready to believe that the
District Of Columbia is not really con-
cerned with meeting 1t own needs, and
that 1t makes virtually no contribution at
all to those areas Of the Nations Capital
which are essentially Federal rather than
local in nature. In fact, nothing could
be farther from the truth. 1t is the Fed
eral Government which is delinquent in
its duty. And too often, those programs
Of special Federal assistance which APP
pear to offer surfeit of free benefits
to the District do nothing Of the kind.
One such program is the now-expir-
ing Capper-C ramton Act, which was
adopted in 1880 to advance park and
recreational development in the Nation
al Capital region. AS far as the Maryland
and Virginia suburbs are concerned, the
act provided loans and grants, to advance
parkwayS and to preserve stream valleys,
which have been both liberal and exceed
ingly beneficial. That section Of the act
which authorized SIC million to acquire
recreational areas within the District
has been much less so. For these funds,
with which the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission has bought
, Fairgrounds and parks, are loans, repay
able to the last cent by the District gov
eminent. It might be said that the
Federal Government was contributing
literally to the repayment of these funds
in 1880, since the annual Federal pay
ment in those days amounted to about
40per cent of the city's general expenses.
Today, however (and for some years
past), this ratio is more on the order Of
10 per cent, leaving the remainder to
be provided solely by local taxpayers.
The final irony in the Capper- Cram
ton case is that the last $774,0O0 remain
&. ing available from the authorization for
the District (which District taxpayers
must repay, has Just been spent to buy
half-acre Of land in Foggy Bottom to
add to the site of the National Cultural
Center.
No doubt It is highly desirable to.
have this valuable half-acre, so near the
Potomac waterfront, in public ownership.
Perhaps, as the Planning Commission
contends, 1t Is a bargain at $3.50 q
square foot. But is this expenditure
really q justifiable charge against the
District, especially in view Of the general
premise that the provision Of the site
for the national center should be a con-
tribution Of the Federal Government?
We do not think 1t is justifiable. The
Commissioners concurred In the land
purchase by the Planning Commission in
an understandable desire to advance the
Cultural Center. In the light Of the
competing needs Of school, welfare and
other District programs, however, 1t is
an expense which the city cannot afford,
and should not have to bear.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26

1t has Just come to my at
tention that Charles H. Ma
son has gone off the board Of
directors Of the Alexandria
(Va0 Hospital after six
years service, the last four
of which he served that in
stitution with distinction as
president. The hospitals by
laws require directors to
retire for at least one year
after completing two con-
secutive three-year terms.
II was my pleasure 10
serve as director Of devel-
opment Of Alexandra Hos
pital for five years during
Mr.. Mason's tenure on that
board, and for three years
during his presidency. During
this time Mr.. Mason pro-
vided the spark and leader
ship which resulted in the
planning, building and OPEN
ing Of the new Alexandria
Hospital. He was responsible
personally for raising a large
portion Of $l.2 million in pri-
vate funds which was OBJ
tanned for this vital project.
In more than 20 years Of
professional association with
hospital and university
boards in various parts Of
the country, / have observed
and worked closely with di-
rectors and trustees Of un-
questioned stature. Mr.. Ma
son stands high in this dis
tinguished group.
His fellow townsmen owe
him q real debt of gratitude
for his effective, unselfish
service.
John r. Busick,
Director Of Development, JEFF
ferson Medical College and
Medical Center. Philadel-
phia.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
For Straight Stick

Several stories appearing
In The Star relative to seri-
Gus auto accidents Of the "ac-
cidental leaping-start" vari-
ETY. remind me that auto
matte gear-shift transmits
sions are now preferred by
many drivers as well as by
the auto repair and gasoline
service stations.
The main advantage Of
these automatic gear shifts
that they make driving cas-
Ter - sometimes becomes a
distinct disadvantage when it
is so easy to MAIN and kill by
the accidental placing Of the
drivers foot on the wrong
pedal or by having the gear
selector in the wrong posi-
Clon (reVerSe) as Cne urlVer
steps on the gas.
The old-style clutch and
straight stick" drives are
practically immune to leap
ing-start accidents. However,
one reason the automated
transrnissions are so popular
is that they are the only kind
some drivers ever learned to
manipulate.
It would be a service to hue
mainly If the issuing Of origi-
nal drivers licenses was
predicated upon an ability to
handle" straight shifts with
9 few merited exceptions); II
auto dealers were to push
straight shifts more, and II
insurance companies were To
offer lower liability Insurance.
rates for straight shift cars
Rnhart n Trimhle
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
LethoI Weapons

Regarding the ridiculous
hearings on Capitol Hill to
try to control the sale Of
guns, ! have o suggestion:
Why not prohibit the sale
Of cars $4,000 people were
killed with them last year, I
BELIEVED, the sale Of ice
picks, the sale Of butcher
knives, pass laws against
slippery stairways. and even
tall buildings people get
pushed off them). The
lengths to which our lead
ers" viii go to try TO stop up
the bungholes Of crime, but
the inattention they pay to
the causes is nothing short Of
fantastic to anyone who
thinks. Does anyone In his
right mind believe that II all
guns were abolished, the
murder rate would 60 down
even ! per cent?
Larston d. FaFrar.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
PEOPLE AND PROBLEMS.
when One Lived for the Day at Hondr
BY RALPH McGILL

not know the meaning Of the
words. but he sang them with
great feeling and delight, and
the uniformed men at the ia
bles loved it.
Meditating there on the
Spanish steps, recalling the
young faces Of those times,
one dwells for q moment on
the high plateau Of existence
Of the war years when one
lived for the day at hand and
the hours seemed commonly
shared. Some of the young
faces had been sponged out
in crashes in February and
March Of that year in the
mountains around Teheran,
Ankara and the Alps Of Italy.
Now the lobby Of the Has
sler is sedate and quiet. There
are no uniforms, no laughter,
no hurried coming and going,
no huge piles Of valpaks and
gear In the corners. only
memory retains the sounds
and. the images Of almost 20
years ago. There Is q bitter
ness in calling up ghosts, but
the mind will not be denied.
Keats Welcomed Death
At the foot of the steps. at
the left going down. Is the
narrow. four stored house
numbered 26. John Keats
died IN q small bedroom on
the third floor. Death came in
the early hours of February
%. 1921. His faithful friend.
Joseph Severn. was with him
when he died. There Is q let
ter In one of the glass cases
from Severn telling Of that
death. Some hours before II
came the young poet. his long
uncut blond hair wet across
the forehead from the terrible
sweats. said. Lift me up. I
am dying, and ! am glad"
Severn watched. describing
how the phlegm boiled UP the
sick mans throat assthe la
boring lungs fought 10 delay
death. II have not slept IN
seven nights" he wrote, "and
am worn out" There are
books there by and about
Keats, Shelley and Bryon.
There are letters from these
poets. and their friends. There
are death masks and draw
ings.
There is always a quiet pill
grimage 10 the flat, year IN
and out. When the Germans
occupied Rome some Of their
soldiers came. paying with
their occupation money. and
talking Of Keats. Peoples Of
all nations, coming 10 Rome,
climb the flights Of steps 10
the Keats rooms. Some quote
from ION First Looking Into
Chapman's Homer"
can Rights Reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26

I have always felt strongly
about high-speed chases Of
miscreants by the police and
q recent tragedy urges me TO
speak out. A 14-year-old boy
was killed and two others in
jured at Wentworth avenue
and Nash street NE. after q
police chase with speeds UP
10 100 miles per hour.
I hold no brief against the
policemen involved PERSONAL
ly, for ] am sure they were
acting according to their
regulations. But laws which
permit. or force police 10
chase stolen cars at such
high speeds are in effect
sentencing someone TO death
without trial. At 100 mile
an-hour speeds, only an act
Of God can prevent someone
from getting killed. II the per-
sons were caught without an
accident they would not be
punished by death. Their
punishment would only be a
short term or probation.
With police handicapped
by laws like the Mallory deci-
sion even known murderers
are not executed for their
crimes. Why should the po-
lice be allowed 10 take the
law into their own hands and
Just as surely. sentence and
execute people who have
com mitted some minor
crime7 Very frequently II Is
not the driver OF the car
being chased who Is killed.
but more often q passenger
In his car. innocent pedestri-
ans. innocent motorists and
their families. and sometimes
even the policemen them
selves who are involved In the
chase.
I think Congress should
revise this law and establish
q safe chasing speed. for in
stance. 70 miles per hour.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
THE POLITICAL MILL
Clay Committee Report Realistic
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Inc report OF tine Clay
Committee on foreign aid is
being variously interpreted,
but one thing 1t is not: An at
tack on foreign aid per Sc.
Foreign aid is not a political
partisan issue. It should not
become one. Two Demo-
cratic Presidents and one
Republican President have
strongly supported foreign
aid since the close Of the
Second World War. Republic
can congressional leaders
have supported foreign aid.
and so have Democratic. The
present q. o. p. leadership.
Senator Dirksen Of Illinois
and Representative Halleck
Of Indiana, have supported
aid in the past when under
attack.
There is no gainsaying the
fact, however, that the Clay
Committee report will be a
stimulus to those who believe
President Kennedy's 1864
budget recommendation that
$40 billion be allotted to
foreign aid. both military
and economic, should be cut.
Indeed, foreign aid has been
regarded as an item where
the economizers In Congress
would seek heavy cuts--of
half or even q billion dollars.
Senator Dirksen, comment
ing on the report, made three
points; the report comes
from a competent COM
mittee," headed by Gen.
Lucius D. Clay; the report is
realistic" and the report
will have great weight" in
deciding what shall be done
in the matter Of foreign aid.
Spenders VS.. EcOnOmizers
In other words, the COM
mittee report can't be
laughed off. And it should
not be. In addition to Gen.
Clay. this committee, APP
pointed by President Kennedy
to take a hard look at our
foreign aid program and its
administration, Is composed
Of eminent men, some of
whom have held high Gov
eminent office. Some have
made their mark in other
elds--educational and bust
ness. There Is bound to be q
battle. however. between the
"spenders," in Congress and
out, and the anti-foreign-
aiders and economizers. These
are the extremists. Fortu-
ately. there Is a large group
in between.
Among the spenders-those
who want to see the Federal
government spend and spend
is one member Of the Clay
Committee itself, the only
dissenter to the COMMITTEES
findings: George Meany,
president Of the AFL-CIO
His minority views call fol
greater spending for foreign
aid, not less.
Also, Americans for DEM
ocratic Action, an organi-
cation which constantly de-
mands greater Government
spending for many projects
has denounced the Clay
Committee report.
On the other side Of the
issue are two Democrats
Senator Ellender Of Louisi-
ana, who has been fighting
for q long time to curtail
aid appropriations. and Rep
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
Whose Docfrine2

Recent months have wit
messed charges and denials
concerning abandonment Of
the Monroe Doctrine; pro-
posals made and rejected
that we ought to abandon
IL. On March 20 The Star
editorialized that "the Mon
roe Doctrine is being chal-
lenged now as never be-
fore" by "the Soviet-directed
Castro menace" and that
"the simple truth is that our
country's response thus far
has been altogether hating
and inadequate. If not weak
kneed."
In fact, whether or not
this was the wish Of our peo-
pie, President Kennedy in
his speech on March 10 at
the Conference Of Presidents
in Costa RIGA had declared
that "the Soviet Union
through its Cuban puppets
absorbed the Cuban nation
into its despotic empire"
Here Is recognition Of
colonization by (a) Euro
pean power" which the Mon
roe Doctrine prescribed; and
our government apparently
accepted the Communists
now successful attempt .
to extend their system to (a)
portion Of this hemisphere. I"
(These latter quotations are
from the Monroe Doctrine. }
II Mr.. Kennedy's state
ment on the 20th as re-
ported. that the Soviet Union
must and will get out Of
Cuba" indicates that the
present situation win moi
be permitted to continue,
such hopeful words UNDER
score the fact that the Rus
slams have been permitted
TO get in and. to this point.
to stay In.
Lloyd Buchanan.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26

GnoSCS at the piazza Oh
Spagna:
After programs at the In
ternational Student Center
and the scholarly Italian In
stitute for Africa. there was
time for sentimental, always
repeated journeys. One goes
always to the Forum and
walks there to the Senate,
where Caesar was killed and
then to the marked site where
his body was, burned, the
mind picturing the great days
Of Imperial Rome as learned
from books and records Of
its years of greatness. An ex-
element Of history presses in
on one amid the old ruins. It
Is but q brief walk to the
Colosseum and one goes there,
to, and looks at the vast
sweep Of it, allowing the i'm
agination to people 1t with
the emperors, the senators
and the rabble OF Rome who
gathered there for its circus
es, its gladiatorial contests,
its professions of military tri-
umphs.
There Is time to sit on the
Spanish steps In the first
warm sun Of Rome's early
spring. and to welcome ghosts
out Of the not too-distant
past. The Villa de Medici Has
sler hotel stands at the top
Of the steps.
Memory Rolls Back
At the bottom, at 26 Piazza
di Spagna. Is the Keats-Shel-
ley Memorial House where
young Keats died. It is not a
good exercise TO call back
ghosts. but sitting warm In
the sun with the first flower
stalls opening. ones memory
insistently brings back the
days when the Hassler Hotel
was an Air Transport Com
mand billet. Hitler's troops
we're driven from Rome. but
fighting still went on In the
north. In the late winter Of
l944-45. the hotel was crowd
ed with pilots and crews.
coming and going.
In the bar downstairs dubi-
Gus wine and grappa. and
worse cognac (called three
bounce cognac because con-
sensus had II that a drink Of
II bounced three times before
staying DOWN, could be had.
A pianist. cellist, a violinist
and a bass fiddler made mu-
sic. A small bright young lad
OF IL years, called Tony, was
q master tap dancer. He could
not converse In English, but
the ATC staff. managed by
Capt. Doggy" Tyner. patient
iy had taught him 10 sing
pistol Packing Mama, Lay
That Pistol Down" He did
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
Zoning Appointees


The recent appointment
and resignation Of Myron
(Ted) Britt TO the Fairfax
County Board of Zoning APP
peals helps TO bring the new
appointive procedures for
this body into clear focus.
Up until very recently, mem
bers Of the Board Of Zoning
Appeals were appointed by
the Fairfax County Board Of
Supervisors. However. the
last session Of the Virginia
General Assembly removed
this appointive authority
from the supervisors and
placed 1t with the Circuit
Judge.
The important difference
as 10 who has appointive
authority is that the Super
visors must once every four
years account TO the people
for their action and therefore
have a responsibility TO see
that those selected for this
important position are we'll
qualified In all respects, 10
protect the citizens Of the
county. as well as promote q
prosperous commercial and
industrial development. How
ever. the Circuit Judge, not
having to account 10 the
electorate, has nc four-year
check on his appointments.
! do not In any way wish
10 criticize Mr.. Britt. nor do
! criticize Judge Brown for
this appointment. ! only wish
10 point out that appojntees
10 any board Of major Inn
portance 10 the citizens OF
that county. should be con-
trolled by the citizens OF that
county either by direct cleo
ton or by election Of those
who appoint II.
] hope the delegates and
senators we send 10 Rich
mond this next time viii work
TO enact legislation 10 return
the appointive authority for
the Board Of Zoning Appeals
from the Circuit Judge 10 the
Board Of Supervisors. where
II rightly belongs.
Thomas X. williams.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26
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 iDhen accom-
panied BY self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-26

which Is high enough in the
city. II the police have not
caught up with the offender
at that speed, obtained a
description or license num-
Der, or been able to radio
ahead for o road block, at
least they cannot be held
responsible for sentencing in
nocent people, including
themselves. and minor Of
tenders, to death.