davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1963-01-01
Lawrence Lonqner

Few men have served the theater
and its public with the unwavering fer
vor Of Lawrence Langner who died last
week at the age Of 70. For so of his al
loted years, Mr.. Langner was identified
with the drama, most prominently as a
founder and continuously serving direc-
tor OF the Theater Guild.
His was a devotion TO the highest
standards OF dramatic art-one which
introduced Eugene ONeill to the public.
persuaded Bernard Shaw that America
was civilized, and sponsored "Okla-
homal" among hundreds OF other
achievements. As It's co-director for dec
ades with the late Teresa Helburn, he
shaped the Guilds subscription program
which so largely saved "the road" from
extinction. And, almost single-handedly
he built the American Shakespearean
Theater at Stratford, Conn
These are but a few of Mr.. Lang
ner's contributions TO the American
theater. They are the more dramatic
for having been the result Of merely an
ayocational concern Of this man who
was by vocation an internationally
known patent lawyer.
We have all had a richer life for the
one he lived so richly
Evening star., 1963-01-01
tolerance of Reds

Attorney General Kennedy
has a point in warning other
countries against tolerating
communism. But with our
own little homegrown ter
mites making such headway,
we wonder if such nations
might not often feel justified
in taking such warnings with
a pinch of salt.
For example: In 1861, after
a 10-year legal hassel the
Supreme Court ruled the
Communist Party USA" to
be a subversive organization
directed and controlled by
the Soviet apparatus. Yet,
according to j. Edgar Hoover,
during the fiscal year 1862,
probably more Americans saw
and heard a "self-avowed"
member of this arrogant
group than in all the pre-
ceding 10 years. New fronts
were organized; Commie
leaders offered public state
ments, appeared on radio and
TV programs and made
speeches. Sadly enough, in
just one 7 = month period
their party leaders made 48
speeches before our college
students all across the Ma
ton. Approximately $4,000
persons heard these talks.
Doesn't this really raise a
serious question as to
whether our Government is
making the danger of tole-
rating communism suffi-
GENTLY clear to our own
people? Commies in the
United States are expected to
keep their status case tied up
in legal maneuvers indefi-
nitely In the meantime, as
Mr.. Hoover notes, they are
going all out to disarm and
confuse the unaware by try
ing to change the image"
of their party to one of a
respectable, legitimate, lib
eral faction" self-righteously
pretending they must defend
our rights" yet.
When colleges and other
respected American institu-
tions offer the prestige of
their forums to Communist
propagandistS, how can they
fail to add to the confusion?
Surely a lift to that fog
could best come by our Gov
ernment officials going be-
fore our young people with
what our Government feels
about "tolerating" commu-
nism on the home front.
Evening star., 1963-01-01
New Years New Bill

Uncle SANS role as mlddleman-
taking and spending the taxpayers
money-was broadened a significant
bit on this New Years Day. For those
now covered by the Social Security
system, and for their employers, a 81
billion increase in the annual "taX bite"
BECAME applicable with the beginning
of 1868.
The new schedule means that pay
roll deduction is increased from 31s per
cent to 35s per cent on the first $4,000
of the years earnings-with the en-
ployer tapped for an equal amount per
covered worker. In take-home pay, it
will mean a maximum deduction of
STA for the year as compared to $3.50
in 1862. For the self-employed who now
qualify under the system there are in
creases in about the same proportion.
And, for the record, other rate increases
already are assured by law at the be-
ginning of 1866 and 1968-by which
latter date the combined employe-em-
ployer tax will reach 914 per cent.
There are two ways to look at this
increasingly heavy impost on earnings
The rate to be reached by 1868, if not
the one already in effect, means that
substantial amount of potential spend
ing money-and not, of course, neceS-
Sarily for luxury spending is being
diverted before it reaches the wage
earnerS. This years increase alone may
well offset any relief from reduction
of Federal income taxes, if there is any
reduction. And even the later increases
may be boosted if Congress follows its
usual pattern of jacking up both taxes
and benefits periodically. 1t has done
so nine times since the first Social
Security taX-and-benefit schedule was
enacted in 1885.
But there is the other side of the
coin. Social Security was a very con-
troverSial issue in 1885, but the oppo-
Sition was more noisy than numerous
and more than 80 per cent of those
present and voting in House and Senate
finally were recorded in favor. In the
years since, even the critics have found
it hard to argue against the economic
Importance of the fact that more than
Is million elderly or disabled Americans
are receiving significant part of their
support from Social Security payments,
or against the added fact that the
relatively quick spending of these bene-
fits has become major prop under
the economy.
Somewhere along the line hard
ceiling on taxtake and benefits alike
obviously will be necessary. In our
opinion, this point is close - and for
the good of a system that has meant
much to many it should not become
an every-election-year pool for vote
fishing.
Evening star., 1963-01-01
SkyboIt's Performance
Happy New Year to all!

1t seems now that the Air Force was
a bit too enthusiastic in recently pro-
claiming to the world the first success
full test flight of its Skybolt air-to-
ground missile. At any rate, diScreetly
anonymous "spokesmen" for the De-
fenSe Department have spread the word
that the announcement amounted to
an eXaggeration of considerable magni-
tude.
What the Air Force said was simply
this: That "the USAF air-launch bal
listic missile, skybolt, completed a sue
cessful test today December 221. It
was the first time ballistic missile was
launched successfully from an aircraft
and flew its full mission range under
its own power to point more than 300
miles down the Atlantic missile range.
.. The Skybolt impacted in the target
area. ." Actually, however, according
TO the unnamed Pentagon sources, the
bird did not fly very well at ALL Indeed,
one such source has given the impress
sion that II overShot its theoretical
target by a wide margin and burned
up in the air"
All this appears 10 indicate that the
Defense Departments high command
takes a very dim view Of both the ac-
curacy and timing Of the USAFs claim.
Certainly, as far as timing is concerned
the announcement could hardly have
been better designed to embarrass
Prime Minister Macmillan. For he had
just agreed with President Kennedy-at
their meeting in the Bahamas-to ae-
cept the Polaris submarine missile as a
substitute for the Skybolt, which our
Government has now decided to
abandon as a weapon whose further de-
velopment would be economically and
militarily unsound In the light OF
the latest chronological advances in
rocketry.
There are more than a few experts
Evening star., 1963-01-01
High Cost of Politics

Way back in the days when political
Embarrassing parties were in their in
fancy, somebody decided to pull a real
Shocker. Why not (he thought instead
OF holding a $25-a-plate dinner, tax the
party faithful $1OO (gaspD for their
lukewarm and rather anemic filet mig
mons? 1t was daring idea, but then
fund-raiserS are daring people, and they
managed to cram it down Starch-col-
Jared throatS.
Ever since those rather uncertain
times Of the allegedly poverty stricken
Democratic Party, such dinners have
become annual events or oftener. On one
occasion, double-daring party-planner
upped the ante to $3.50, and probably
felt he had charged as much for the
tepid steak as the traffic would bear
Pikers Didn't these Small-time
operators realize that slightly wilted
lettuce and cold roast beef is worth a
great deal more? Well, it has taken a
new look by the New Frontier to decide
it may be worth $1,000 a plate to get
the country moving again. At least,
that is the tab being talked about for
the second inaugural anniversary din
ner set up at a Washington motel for
January 18.
Even some Of the Democrats are
yelping, and that's hereSy. Doesn't
everyone have ten $1OO bills to throw
into the pot? Some, who are feeling the
fingers Tightening on their arms, profess
not to. Maybe they just don't care lat
that price, whether the country moves
again or not.
Evening star., 1963-01-01

who have assisted and who
continue to assist us in this
worthwhile project. We ap-
preciate the efforts of the
newspapers Of the area for
their press coverage of the
needs and problems at Jun
ior Village. This coverage
helped to make the general
public aware of our need for
assistance, and we feel con-
fident that this interest will
continue into the future.
Volunteer effort has been
one of the great traditions,
not only at Junior Village but
throughout the entire depart
ment. This effort, together
with the continuing dedica-
ton of the staff of the De-
partment of Public Welfare
in all operating divisions, will
result in a better program for
all individuals who find it
necessary to seek assistance
from this department.
Gerard NJ. Shea
Director of Public Welfare
Evening star., 1963-01-01
A New Trial of Time

On New Years Day 100 years ago,
Abraham Lincoln, invoking "the conSid-
crate judgment Of mankind and the
gracious favour Of Almighty God" issued
the historic Emancipation Proclamation
that led in due course to the complete
abolition of the institution of slavery in
the United States.
AS a result, in the century that has
since passed, the American Negro
though he continues to be Disseminated
against in various parts of our country,
especially the South-has made striking
economic, educational, social and polit-
ical progress True, his advancement in
certain areas has been slowed by those
who would deny him equal opportunities
and the full enjoyment of his civil rights
Nevertheless the fact remains that he
has succeeded, with the cooperation of
his white compatriots, in moving steadily
forward-almoSt spectacularly so in the
past couple of decades.
Indeed, the story Of the end of
slavery and of the Negro'S subsequent
advance in America is bright enough
despite the dark chapters still to be
found in ito support the feeling that
the time may yet come when there will
be a much broader emancipation, on a
global scale, than the one proclaimed
by the Civil War President on January
l, 1868. In that respect, the downtrod-
den everywhere, the poverty-stricken,
the oppressed, the exploited, the scores
OF millions who seem doomed to live out
their lives In quiet desperation as cap
tive peoples under the iron rule of Red
totalitarianiSm-all these, if they are
familiar with it, must draw a measure
of comfort, a measure of hope, from the
record Of what has happened to the
Negroes Of our country since Mr.. Lin
coins Proclamation. AS to that, Thomas
Hoods lines on the coming dozen months
Of the New Year seem apropoS:
And ye iDho hare met NTH Aduersity's blast.
And been bow'd to the earth bJ its fury;
To whom the TlDelUe Months, that haze re-
Gently paSS'd
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury
StiH, fill to the Futurel and Join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And hdUing obtained a NetD Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes Of kindlier dozen.
Here we have an apt phraSe-"a
New Trial Of Time"-not only for this
moment Of transition from 1862 to 1868,
but also for the challenging long-range
nature Of the period opening up before
all men, the free as we'll as the enSlaved.
The threat ahead is immense, but so too
is the promise. Let's fill the cup and
toast the Future as optimistically as
Hood suggests.
Happy New Year to all!
Evening star., 1963-01-01

In the light of the con-
siderable amount of publicity
that has been given to the
overcrowded situation at
Junior Village, we felt it ap-
propriate to recognize pub
licly the efforts of several
components of this depart
ment and a large number of
both lay and military persons
in the area.
The Department of Public
Welfare Of the District of
Columbia had turned over to
it officially by the Depart
ment of Buildings and
Grounds one new cottage at
Junior Village on December
IL, 1862. Twenty two chill
dren were moved into this
cottage on December 81, 1862.
Two additional cottages we're
made available to this de-
partment on December 20
and 81. 1862. Ninety seven
children were moved into
these cottages on the after
noon Of December "a In Or
der that the children could
be in these facilities on
Christmas Day.
In order TO do this we re-
quested many staff members
Of the Department Of Public
Welfare TO work In the eve
ming and on their regular day
Off This they did willingly.
We enlisted the interest Of
volunteers from the civilian
community and the military
installations in the area 70
assist the staff. They like
wise responded generously.
Community volunteers will
continue TO work with our
staff In caring for children
until our full complement Is
on duty January 3, 1868.
The administration OF the
Department OF Public We'll
fare wishes 10 thank publicly
the department personnel
who made this move possible.
We wish 10 thank the Ma
rine Battalion Of Henderson
Hall; the Army lst Battle
Group, and the Honor Guard
Company OF Fort Myer.
Quarters K OF the Navy. and
the Women's Marine Corps
Company
We are grateful also 10 the
many individual volunteers
Evening star., 1963-01-01

What a Joy TO see on the
front page Of the December
"a Star a story about a happy
family with a good marriage
for a change. This kind Of
report rarely makes news IL
seems--or does II shine the
more for It's rarity?
/ too would like TO add my
Hallelujah Praise 10 Cod for
a fine husband and a won-
derful family
Surely there are others who
feel this way. too. Why don't
we hear from them more Of
temp How about running a
series about them2
I am tired OF "exalting
jerks"
Mrs. A. r. Palmer
Evening star., 1963-01-01
Strike for Peace

SeA tNC HOt C0NC
Apparently there are still
some people who do not un-
derStand the objectives of
the peace movement nor
the real purpose of the House
Committee on Un-American
Activities when it recently
interrogated several women
from Women Strike for
Peace. Isabel c. Moore in her
letter which appeared on De-
cember 21st expressed an
ger with the attitude of the
women during these hear
ings.
She and your other read
ers should know that the
very nature of this commit
tee is a mockery of the val
ues we hold dear in this
country. It's legislative func-
ton is conStitutionally ques-
tionable, and the history of
its hearings shows its intent
to silence and discredit those
whose opinions differ from
those of its members. Since
these men turn truth on its
head in order to justify their
own distorted views of real
ity. then the hearings which
they hold can be nothing
more than a travesty of gov
ernmental proceedings.
The committee itself sets
the tone of the hearings
from which the witnesses
and spectators must take
their cues. In its opening re-
marks in the recent hearings
regarding the peace move
ment, the committee proved
from various official docu-
ments that the Communists
need and want peace and
that they are anxious to pro-
mote 1t wherever they can.
Genuine peace movements
in non-communist countries
must be playing into the
hand Of the Communists.
Women Strike for Peace is an
active peace movement in
this country. Therefore, it
must be suspect.
What can one do with a
ludicrous premise, presented
by an official legislative
committee Of the United
States Government, except TO
expose its fallacy In whatev-
er manner one can, given the
strict limitations which the
committee imposes? The
women reacted with a mix
ture Of responses: Anger that
the committee should ques-
tion our intent; laughter at
some Of the ridiculous re-
marks and opinions ex-
pressed, and a sincere at
tempt 10 explain TO the COM
mittee the urgency Of achiev-
ing peace In today's fright
ening world.
Women Strike for Peace be-
lieves that everyone every
where should recognize the
paramount Importance Of
achieving world peace before
any other objective can be
accomplished. Survival Su-
persedes economic, political.
and social issues. We well
come the evidence which
the committee presented that
Com m unists really want
peace. II is our aim 10 awak.
en- the American people TO
the imminent danger Of nu-
clear warfare and the neces-
Sity for reaching agreements
with other nations whether
we agree with their way Of
life or not.
Aileen A. Hutchinson.
Evening star., 1963-01-01
Sunto's Oriuin

Charles Puffenbarger, in
Sunday" Dec. %, attempts
to create a purely secularis-
tic Santa Claus in his article
Santa Claus: A Native Pro-
duct" He bases his article
on the research Of Prof.
Charles w. Jones of the Uni
versity of California. He de-
scribes this research as "the
last word on Santa" He
claims that Santa Claus is not
a European product but an
American commodity which
we have exported to the
whole world"
The reason why the New
York Historical Society chose
to celebrate st. Nicholas Day
on December 6 is because
that is the saints feast day,
according to Catholic Church
liturgy. Secondly, Santa Claus
is one of the several ma
tional derivatives of Saint
Nicholas. 1t is a corruption
Of SAINT Nikolaas, the Dutch
spelling. Your writer further
says that the author of the
Visit of st. Nicholas" is
responsible for moving
Christmas from December s
to December rs. This is only
n atural because Christ's
birthday has been celebrated
in the Latin Church on
December 25 from about the
year 300.
1t is interesting to note
that before that time, in the
earliest days, there was no
celebration Of Christ's birth
day. 1t was commemorated
with the Epiphany, the COM
ing Of the Wise Men, January
6, who bought presents to
the Christ Child. This is
called Twelfth Night, also. 1t
is particularly commemorated
in the Greek and other East
ern churches. Clement of
Alexandria, around the year
200, first mentions the cele-
bration of Christ's birth as
being celebrated on May 20.
Incidentally, the Christmas
tree was first made at Stras-
bourg in 1905 and introduced
into France and England in
1910.
The reindeers who pull
Santa's sleigh over the house
tops may be a purely Ameri-
can invention. However. the
red-clad. tbeing a bishop, ,
figure Of st. Nicholas can
not be disassociated from
Santa Claus. The original
idea came from the East.
Europe adopted st. Nicholas.
The idea Of the gift-giving
character was adapted, max
ing Americas jolly figure,
perhaps, more appealing than
a more sedate bishop saint.
Santa Claus may be labelled
made in the U. s. A." but
the idea is certainly not en-
tirely original with the
United States.
NN.NAN.... WN-Uaaa
Evening star., 1963-01-01

of course, who still feel that the Skybolt
should be developed. Be that as it may,
however, the administration clearly was
determined to dump the project. Mr..
Macmillan'S critics in Britain would
therefore be well advised not to attach
too much Importance to the highly
questionable announcement of the mis-
sileS first success in flight.
Evening star., 1963-01-01
LETTERS TO THE STAR

Pen names may be used IL
letters carry tDriterS' correct
names and addresses. All let
terS are subject to condenSd-
ton. Those not used tUiH be
returned only lUhen accom-
panied by self addressed,
stamped envelopes.
Evening star., 1963-01-01

scribe the region. An addi-
tional goal is resolution of
conflicting American, British
and Russian reports on the
rock surface elevation be-
meath the ice in the general
region of the South Pole. Ice
temperatures will be meas
ured continuously to depths
of As feet. generally equiva-
lent to the average annual
surface temperature.
Weather over the Antarctic
Continent influences the
weather of a large part of
the world. For this reason
south polar meteorology will
have a prominent part in
United States scientific OBJ
servations in this remote re-
gion of two-mile thick ice
this winter.
The observations will be
carried out by Weather Bu-
reau scientists, headed by DR..
F. w. Reichelderfer.
AS part of its program, the
Bureau will carry out a COM
bined schedule of analysis of
ice cover and Of solar radia-
tion In the area OF the Ross
Sea. The work will be carried
out largely by air and will in
clude Photographic investiga-
ton Of the types OF ice and
the seasonal variations Of ice
cover In the Ross Sea. Re-
suits are expected TO contrib
ute TO knowledge OF the heat
budget Of this region and the
role Of the sea ice belt around
the continent on ths surface
temperature Of Antarctica In
late winter and early spring.
Scope Of Studies
Studies will be made TO
permit computation OF the
long wave radiation from the
earth's surface into space and
the character Of the atmos-
phere as an absorber and
transmitter OF this radiation
will be analyzed. Studies OF
the stratosphere over the
Antarctic will include It's
change with time and Us re-
lation TO lower altitude phe-
nomena, Us spring warming
and the relation OF It's winds
10 other geophysical phe-
nomena.
All these, II Is pointed out.
have a great influence OH
circulation IN the southern
hemisphere and indirectly on
global weather.
Evening star., 1963-01-01

DuCcn Snultz has laid
down his pen and closed his
typewriter.
To generations of news
papermen who have followed
the political trail across the
country Dutch has been a
warm and friendly counselor.
His headquarters has been
Topeka, Kansas, a State
where politicians and news
paper editors and writer's
have clashed over progress
sive and conservative princi-
pies and issues for many dec
AIDES. For half a century
Dutch has been on the firing
line-as reporter and COL
umnist, committed to giving
the news as he found it.
He is closing out the old
year with a final column,
distributed to the Kansas
newspapers which for years
have used his byline. In it,
Mr.. Shultz states his own
views, his own devotions for
which he has fought for
years.
With the arrival of this
momentouS new year and all
the problems it presents,
these words from Mr.. Shultz's
typewriter in Topeka carry a
message as well as a fare
well.
"All things have a begin
ning-and an ending. The
most certain is the ending.
This is my last column. Please
excuse the perpendicular pro-
noun. After more than So
years on the newsfront firing
line I am laying aside my
typewriter and pen-the only
weapons of force ever knew.
Through miSt-filled but hap
py eyes, I look back on as
sociations and friendships
seasoned with the salt of all
the years. The long and
winding trail l have followed,
has led me the length and
breadth of the State and Ma
ton.
Now in the confines of a
hospital room, l have time to
think and remember and to
be warmed. The memories
enfold my friends in all Of
life's stations. They seek to
understand my enemies. S.
Throughout my years I have
been praised and criticized.
This has been expected. Po-
litical thinking always has
presented both sides of the
public coin. often I have felt
1 spoke with the wee voice
unheard in the wilderness of
new social thinking. Always
I have been forced to con-
tinue. An inner voice insists
there still is unsung virtue
in individual responsibility,
honesty, integrity, loyalty,
energy and enterprise.
Urged Ballot Use
Even as so-called reforms
result from a wilderness of
single instances, so does the
Importance of the common
man slide closer to insignifi-
canoe. I dread the days to
follow me when men, women
and children will be little
more than wards of govern
ment, waiting for disbursal Of
taxes of others. Time after
time 1 have urged citizens to
use the ballot to preserve
what has been a wonderful
way Of life. 1t has been a for
lorn hope, they would try to
inform themselves of the
workings of complex govern
ment. But this voice, however
strong or faint, is being
stilled by circumstances. Per-
haps it will not be missed.
Perhaps its passing even will
be cheered by its adversaries.