davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
Succession

1t now appears certain that among
the top priority issues to be brought up
in Congress in January will be reform
Of the presidential succession law. Such
reform is overdue, and it is shameful
that only the tragic death Of President
Kennedy has made this clear to the
country.
Still more shameful have been the
informal proposals that Speaker Nc
Cormack and Senate President Pro Tenn
Hayden resign their positions to make
way for members considered better fit
for succession to the presidency. Both
men have come to eminence through
long lives of public service Both posi-
tons are needful and important in
themselves, without reference to the
distant chance of their occupants sue
ceeding to the White House
We regard as the result of totally
unjuStified panic the hysterical plea
that Congress Immediately undo its law
of 1947 and let succession revert to the
cabinet. 1t is noted Scornfully that
Speaker Mccormack has been elected
enough, but this is one more than has
elected Mr.. Rusk
The argument for the cabinet based
on continuity Of the party in power
vaniSheS completely if succession is en-
visioned as continuing down through
the cabinet. For after State, under the
old law, the succession would pass to
Treasury and then Defense, both pres
emily occupied by Republicans.
During the past two administra-
a new Importance and a quite proper
one, whereby its occupant has, as a
matter Of course, been in daily train
ing" for succession as never before in
our past. This development, called for
by the times, is wholly good. 1t sug-
gests the continuing need Of an active
Vice President, not merely designated
"other officer" eligible to succeed,
whether from the cabinet or the Con-
greSs.
BY statute or, If necessary, by con-
stitutional amendment, Congress should
provide for the election, by itself but
not necessarily from itself, Of a new
Vice President to assume that position
when the elected Vice President becomes
President 1t should also spell out the
fact that the succeeding Vice President
really is President as we'll as wielder of
the powers of the office.
However unsatisfactory are the de-
tails Of Mr. Truman's 1947 law Of sue
cesSion the spirit of that law represents
an advance for democracy. Mr.. Tru-
mans concern that President should
not, in effect, appoint his successor
remains entirely valid. No retreat from
the principle Of elective succession
should be considered.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
From Altar

We are halfway round the
world from Washington, but
we have been deeply dis
turbed by what we have
read in the Washington
papers about the proposal to
build a freeway through the
Maryland hills and the pal
isades overlooking the Poto-
mac. The house we own in
a closely area would prob
ably not be directed affected,
but it is distressing to viSu-
alize the additional cash
such a road would make in
the green covered flanks of
the Maryland District side
of the river, one of the
few still relatively unspoiled
parts of the Metropolitan
Area haven for nature
lovers and mixers from all
sections of the city, and, in
fact. from all parts of the
world.
For all its many problems,
Washington still has a rep
tation in the world as a
beautiful city. Not the least
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
Broad Inquiry

After last weeks challenge and re-
spouse between Republican and Dem
ocratic members of the Senate Rules
Committee investigating the tangled
web woven by Bobby Baker, the final
decision on the scope of the inquiry has
been delayed. Agreeing to disagree, the
committee will decide each instance on
its merits.
At issue was whether the investiga-
ton should get into the play-girl aspects
of the caSe-the broad position-or con-
fine itself to the bookkeeping-the mar
row. Not surprisingly, the alignment on
party-girlS is party-line. Republicans
favor exposure, even over-exposure, in
the investigation of the former secre-
tary to the Democratic Senate Majority
The Democrats, concerned with the tone
of public life, wish to confine official
and, hopefully, public attention to fig
ures found in books.
In the Baker case as in so many
others, the unfortunate truth seems to
be that what is called private morality"
will turn out to have been intimately
tied up with public improperly. Hence
distinction will be very hard to make.
There's another point in favor Of
broad investigation. If Congress will not
legislate for us-and it certainly seems
reluctant to-at least it can entertain
U.S. The beginning novelist and the
experienced vending machine lobbyist
both know that for entertainment pur-
noses nothing heats seq
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17

Two perennial problems Of
the federal government are
plaguing as the first session
Of the 88th Congress draws
to q close. One is the meth
DDS Of procedure in the
handling Of business in
House and Senate-in other
words. the House and Senate
rules. which the liberals are
shouting now prevent action
on important bills like the
tax bill and the civil rights
bill. The other problem is the
question Of presidential sue
cession-brought to the fore
again by the tragic death of
President John F. Kennedy.
Strenuous efforts will be
made in the session which
begins in January to bring
about needed changes in
procedures. Inthe recent past,
as today. the liberals are de-
manding too much, and the
conservatives are opposing
any material change. And
the conservatives, who fear
that If the demands of the
liberals are permitted the
whole concept of'government
, will be changed and Congress
become merely a rubb er
stamp for the executive
branch. headed by the Presi-
dent, have the tacit support
of the moderates.
8 Proposals Advanced
Senator Mike Mansfield Of
Montana, Democratic leader
Of the Senate, in a television
and radio interview with
Republican Senator Heating
of New York on Sunday, ad-
vanced three proposals which
might well speed up proce-
dures In that body and make
1t more responsive to the
majority will. Senator Mans
field said: There are a
number Of things that we
can do, I think. which would
update Congress and retain
at the same time some of its
old traditions. I think, for
example, the PaStore rule Of
germaneness ought to be
given consideration. I think,
also, the idea that each
Senator has the right to
object to any unanimous
consent request should be
curtailed drastically. And I
think that we ought to do
something about the cloture
rule which calls for two
thirds Of those present and
voting to enforce the rule.
and reduce it from two
thirds to three-fifths OF
those present and voting"
If these proposals Of Sena.
tor Mansfield were adopted
procedure in the Senate
might really be speeded up
AS the rules stand today. Q
Senator may rise and speak
on any subject he desires and
as long as he wishes. A rules
amendment offered by Sena.
tor Pastore, Rhode Island
Democrat, would require thai
when the unfinished business
is before the Senate, Their
must be three hours Of de-
bate, limited strictly to thu
question before the Senate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
Voice of People

1t may be difficult to
achieve the 218 signatures
needed to move the civil
rights bill out Of the House
Rules Committee. In
view Of the admitted policy
Of obStructionism employed
by the Rules Committee
chairman, 1t Is imperative
that all supporters of civil
rights take the initiative in
this regard. After all, the
true function Of the Rules
Committee Is not to pass
judgment on the merits of a
bill. but to place it on the
House calendar. Only bigots
need obstruct our Nations
movement toward democracy
and social justice.
The manner in which
Congress has operated this
year is nothing short Of
disgraceful. Gross irresponsi-
bility has been shown by
anti-Democratic committee
chairmen, who. in the name
Of bigotry, have connived
and conspired to organize a
showdown campaign. I believe
that a thorough revision Of
the seniority system should
be the first step that is taken
In congressional reform. I
would favor having commit
tee chairmen chosen either
by vote of the committee or
of the full House or Senate.
Controversy should be well
coined, not deprecated. At
any rate, Congress must take
whatever steps are necessary
to remodel itself into a truly
representative voice of the
American people. The world
is watching.
Kenneth A. Stevens.
JeSsup, Maryland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
THE POLITICAL MILL
Two InsoIubIe. Problems?
BY GOULD LINCOLN

each day. Senator Mansfield's
second proposal, to curtail
the right Of an individual
senator to block unanimous
consent to the taking up Of
any measure. will be vigor-
ously opposed. His idea is the
refusal Of a unanimous con-
sent should be made effective
only by a majority vote.
As of today, any Of the
proposals may have a tough
road in the Senate, where
the contention is made, as it
is In the House, that when
ever a majority really wishes
to put through a bill or reso-
luton it can do so under ex-
isting rules - as, ideed, 1t
can.
Plethora Of Plans
There Is a plethora OF pro-
posals to do something"
about the presidential success
sion, ranging from bills to
constitutional amendments.
Under the Constitution, Con-
greSS has authority to fix
presidential succession in the
event both the President and
Vice President have died or
been incapacitated. In 1947,
Congress last tackled this
problem. 1t passed a law. APP
proved by President Harry s.
Truman. providing that the
Speaker Of the House and
after him the President Pro
Tempore of the Senate fill
the office of President, in
stead of the Secretary Of
State and the ranking Cabi-
net officers after him. There
has been no case in our his
tory where any officer other
than Vice President has
succeeded to the presidency,
although eig hit Presidents
have died in office. Argument
is now made that there should
a return to presidential sue
cession by the Secretary of
State and other Cabinet off,
GERS in order to make GER
tain that there be no change
in party political control Of
the White House, as there
might be If Congress control
had passed into the hands
Of any opposing party during
the four year period for
which q President had been
elected. This is not an i'm
pressive argument. II political
sentiment has changed to
that degree in the country.
why is 1t imperative to have
the White House in the hands
of the minority party? Presi-
dents have been succeeded
by Vice President, too, who
have not followed the policies
of their deceased predeces-
sors. Theodore Roosevelt's
policies we're about as differ
ent from those Of William
Mckinley as they could be.
But today President johnson
is continuing the policies OF
the late President Kennedy,
and the Speaker Of the
House.. John Mccormack,
would do the same II any
thing happened to President
johnson. The greatest prob
lem is to determine who shall
decide when o President Is
"incapacitate6," a m after
that Congress has never
tackled.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
Honoring JFK

FTeSlOenC kennedy was q
good President. He may even
have been q great President.
In an apparent effort to re-
lieve our guilt feelings as q
Nation over his death, how
ever. we have proceeded at q
frantic emotional rate to
dedicate a multitude Of pub
lie monuments TO him, under
the vindication Of honoring a
martyred leader.
I have no objections to re-
Numbering a man for his &C.
complishments. If President
Kennedy is to be remem-
bered for his life, his
achievements, and his death
we should proceed as a Ma
ton to honor him in a logi-
cal and intellectual manner.
We have responded too
quickly and without fore
thought. II the Kennedy
name Is haphazardly tackled
to the first thing Government
officials are able to think of,
the numerous dedications will
become meaningless and soon
the butt Of unkind jokes.
A rational, sensible group
Of men representing the
American people should be
assembled to determine one
significant and meaningful
monument to President Ken
nedy. A new and undedicated
monument, such as the pro-
posed Cultural Center, which
is not known the world over
as was Cape Canaveral,
would be a much more
m e a ningful and logical
choice.
Terry r 0fiG
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
A BOOK FOR TODAY
'Inordinote Haunting to Plays
By DONALD MINTZ

Midsummer Nights Dream"
and "Troilus and Cressida,"
At the moment, the first five
Of these are available for in
spection.
The plan Of the series Is
uniform and laudable. Each
volume repeats the brief and
highly Informative predatory
remarks" by Prof. Barnet Of
Tufts University.
Then the editor Of each play
takes over and discusses the
work in some detail. The text
Of the play follows. Then
there are pathological notes,
excerpts from the sources
Shakespeare is known or sup
posed to have used, and ex-
tensive extracts from essays
and books on the play in ques-
ton.
The merits Of reprinting
these source and interpreta-
tive materials are obvious.
Explanations and Notes
The need for explanation Of
obsolete words and now OBJ
scure references is consider
able, despite the fact that
many readers find the
proliferation of footnotes irri-
tating. Such readers have not
been spared, king Lear"
IV,vi, 2O1-'I will die bravely,
like a SNUG bridegroom, y
takes three footnotes, one
each for "bravely," "smug,"
and bridegroom" "Bravely"
has two meanings, one of
which is obsolete; the mean
ing Of "smug" has changed,
and bridegroom" involves a
pun that we are not likely to
catch. It is better to have
many notes right at the bot
tom of the page as in this edi-
ton than to miss meanings.
The 'textual notes" that fol-
low each play 60 a good deal
further than one expects in an
edition of this sort: ISL hell
pains (emendation) hell
apines (hells paines QI."
Many people think that re-
ports about textual variants
are the exclusive domain of
the scholar. Prof. Barnet's
preface shows why they are
wrong. he, the INDIVIDUAL
editors and the publisher de-
serve hearty congratulations
for having so insistently
placed these variants before
a wide leadership and thus
having demonstrated again
that you can't believe every
thing you read.
The volumes of the Signet
Classic Shakespeare are ex-
tremely vel l-designed and
well made for their price.
Milton Glaser's cover draw
ings would grace any edition
at any price.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
Esthetic Freewoys

Sssh~SAS NhSSVSyS
Your editorial on the es-
thetic aspects Of freeways
December 81 was a refresh
ing and most welcome con-
tribution toward q proper
understanding of highway
contraction in urban areas.
Most highway planners
and builders have long since
outgrown the narrow point
Of view Of the technical spe-
cialist. Their concern is
broad, and includes how
highways serve the cultural
and esthetic desires Of those
for whom they are built as
well as their basic social and
economical needs.
Constructive criticism, such
as that which raises the
question whether our free
ways are we'll or poorly de-
signed" does much more to
advance the transportation
and other needs Of our
urban areas than "just
damning them on general
principles" Your editorial
is In the highest tradition
Of constructive journalistic
criticism.
Rex NJ. Wilton,
Federal Highway
Administrator.
- -
I have q point to make and
perhaps to help further the
good design" that was
mentioned in your editorial,
For Freeways."
The attributes Of freeways
are good views; however,
good views are not made of
freeways. The main problem
is the same that has de-
stroyed our cities, that Is, the
design problem Of scale. A
six-lane highway is not in
scale to any building in this
area (save the Rayburn
Office Building). Freeways
must go to the suburbs,
which is their purpose and
the thousands Of homes
along the highway are domi-
mated by the street in scale.
Not only are 150-foot-wide
freeways out Of scale with
houses but with any Of our
buildings. Perhaps the Wall
Street financial district with
its great masSing Of skyscrap-
ers would be in scale with a
freeway, but 1t is a mass of
buildings only because it is
dependent on public trans
portation and not separated
by freeways.
When one freeway is built
1t naturally follows that
others must be built and
soon we have Los Angeles
and its four eight-lane free
ways and their cloverleafs
crossing each other in q 100
foot-high mass of concrete
ribbons.
There is no design problem
that cannot be solved with
money and thought. How
ever, to be accepted by Con-
gress the finances must be
practical and when 10 per
cent Of downtown real estate
is turned over to automo-
biles, as has happened in
Pasadena. Calf, the finances
are impractical. Therefore
the uglinesS Of a design
problem" Is not only the
surface looks but the
effects that the viewer knows
the freeway has on the rest
of the cityscape.
Michael d. SiravO.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17

of its assets has been the
banks Of green that sweep
up from the city on both
sides Of the Potomac. To put
a major highway through a
lengthy stretch of one of
these tree covered areas
would destroy what is left of
their natural beauty for all
time.
We hope the Maryland
Roads Commission and the
Montgomery County and Dis
trict authorities concerned
will resist this new effort to
encroach still further on the
diminishing breathing
space Of our National Capital.
Helen w. Sirkin,
Madras, India,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17

THE SIGNET CLASSIC
SHAKESPEARE. General
editor, Sylvan Barnet.
Signet Classics published by
the New American Library,
so cents per volume, soft
bound.
In 1547, the Common
Council of London required
the licensing of plays and
places where plays were per-
formed because "sundry great
disorders and inconvenience
have been found to enSue to
this city by the inordinate
haunting of great multitudes
Of people, specially youth. to
plays. :" It was probably
this requirement, writes Syl-
van Barnet, that drove
James Burbage to rent
in 1876 a plot of land north
east of the city walls and to
build thereon property out
side the Jurisdiction Of the
city-England's first perma-
nent construction designed
for plays"
The stage was thus literally
set for the appearance about
a decade later Of the most re-
markable playwright of all,
william Shakespeare.
Until a century and a hall
ago, it was generally assumed
that art was for its own time;
modern notions Of 'art for
the future" eternal master
pieces" and the like would
have struck cultivated citizens
of any period before the last
few decades of the 18th CEN
tury as distinctly strange.
Obscurity and Rediscovery
So Shakespeare, like any
body else, seemed to recede
as time went on. Until his
"rediscovery" toward the end
of the 18th century, he was ig-
nored, adapted or vilified as
suited the purpose of the mo-
ment.
Now, Of course, he is the
constant object of admiration
and scholarship, and a good
thing in the market place.
Anyone not afflicted by 18th
century notions will consider
the last encomium the great
est.
1t is not surprising that sub
stantial numbers Of low-coSt
Shakespeare editions vie with
one another in bookstore and
drugstore. And it is gratifying
that many Of the editions are
very good.
Perhaps the most interest
ing Of all is the new "Signet
Classic Shakespeare" Ten
plays have appeared so far:
Lear" Macbeth" erich
ard IT," winters Tale, "
"Othello," Gas You Like It, "
Hamlet" "Julius Caesar, +"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used If
letters carry tDriters' correct
names and addresses. All let
tiers are subject to condenSd-
ton. Those not used tDiH be
returned only tDhen accom-
panied By self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-17

will one day stand in Washington as a
training and performing mecca for all
the lively arts.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
BY PAT SALTONSTALL
Star Staff Writer

Which foreign ambassador
will move in the innermost
court circles Of the new john
son administration is a major
question to emerge from the
past historic week.
Great Britain's Sir David
Ormsby Gore held not only
a close official position with
the late President Kennedy's
administration. He and Lady
Ormsby Gore were personal
friends Of both Kennedys.
They were frequent guests at
White House parties, includ-
ing the small, unpublished
private ones. such as the sur
prise cruise party which
Mrs. Kennedy gave for her
husband on his last birth
day.
They often were photo
graphed aboard the PreSi-
Dental yacht Honey Fitz."
and the elegant young British
couple personify the young,
talented. often intellectual,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
EXCLUSIVELY YOURS
The Lyndon Johnsons Will Lend
New Flavor to White House Societv

than Mrs. johnson, Of any in
the country.
Such prestige was Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson'S but she
rarely went out, and similar
prestige has been Mrs. Nicho-
las Longworth's through the
years. But Mrs. Kennedy will
be the most sought after of
all. Because, In addition to
being the widow of q Presi-
dent and a woman of social
background. she has the
youth and beauty that alone
add glamour to any occasion.
In a city where the guests
are rated like stocks - blue
chip, growth, speculative, and
so forth - her presence will
insure the social success Of
any party.
On the official scene, the
play goes on, and the plot is
the same, but the cast Of
characters is changed and
the atmosphere and the color
is S hifte d-from north to
south, from Boston to Austin,
from a city man to a ranch
man. from Harvard accents
to a Southern drawl.
The French chef may stay
on. Although the White
House once stated that he
was paid out Of Mr.. Ken
nedy's pocket, this point Is
not entirely clear now.
The Johnson's excellent
Negro cook, Zephyr, will do
the cooking for the second
floor dining room. Zephyr,
who has been with the John
sons for years, cooks the
best brownies in the world
and superb Mexican dishes
such as chile con queso and
guacamoli. She is accustomed
to Mr.. Johnson's irregular
eating hours and prefers
cooking for him to anybody.
The White House has lost
the most glamorouS and
youngest couple to ever oc-
cupy the top positions, but 1t
will not lack color, vigor.-or
even youth, what with the
presence Of 19-year-old Lyn-
da and l6-year-old Lucy.
Indeed, Washington can
look forward to the first
White House wedding Of a
Presidents daughter since
Eleanor Wilson, daughter Of
woodrow Wilson, became the
bride Of Secretary Of the
Treasury William McAdoo on
May Z, 1914. For Lynd a
johnson Is engaged to 90
year-old Ensign Bernie Ro-
senbach and although her
parents want her to wait un-
til she is through college tc
get married, Lynda Is In IA
vor of becoming a bride
within a year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
AUTOMATICALLY SPEAKING
Which ENJOYS Will Move
In the New Inner Circles?

dynamic type of diplomat
which foreign governments
have been sending here In
increasing numbers since the
birth Of the New Frontier.
White House guests during
the late Presidents IS months
in office also included Peru's
Ambassador Berckemeyer and
his American-born wife. The
outgoing vice dean Of the
diplomatic corps and his wife,
though older than the aver
age New Frontiersman. were
highly respected by both the
late President and Mrs. Ken
needy.
French-speaking Mrs. Ken
nedy also had French Am
baSsador and Mrs. Alphand
as frequent guests.
A Salute to the Dean
One ambassador who holds
a special position in relation
to any administration is the
dean Of the corps. When this
mans tenure spans the