The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 4

4 tUnMshsr It, ittt Editorials Fine New Books LeadJhelwade For ItSS Ttafffte CtkMibil Heights Now that the season of giving is at hand, -we'd like to suggest to our neighbor north of the Appomattox a Christinas present it might buy for iUelf. The present is a device in successful use by many other cities and could "possibly increase the safety margin that'has enabled Colonial Heights to compile such a good "-Traffic-actuated" stop 'lights, ones that adjust their timing to, the flow of traffic, could be used "to advantage that portion of the Petersburg pike which doubles as "The" Tjbte: Boulevard is a through highway two and.anything which will expedite the safe movement of through traffic while within Colonial should be worthwhile. Colonial Heights has seven traffic iignals which are pre-set to change at fixed intervals. car 0 frqm Branders Bridge (or any other) Road arrives at The. Boulevard just as his light turns red, he has to wait for the light to change even though there may be no traffic on the thoroughfare at the tooment.

Converselyj 'motorist on the highway may have-to halt when a side street gets the gi-eeh light, even though'no cars are on the side street. This happens, more frequency 4han the reverse. The installation of traffic-actuated signals would also facilitate 24-hour rotection of the intersection in town, ed-and-green lights are replaced-by, flashing caution lights at 11 p. m. under present operation.

The "thinking" traffic lights would not only give more protection to autos entering the jnain road, but" also remove this night- ly'duty'from the personnel charged with changing The cost of such installations jirob- 'ftbly would not run over, $.5,000 per Intersection if the operate' independently-for ea'ch intersection. Jf 'city chose to go fancy'and put "in a system that feeds-information from all lights into a centers-computer which calculates the proper sequelae of light changing to move traffic as efficiently as possible; the cost could This latter might seem such an extravagance as to'precludFIts consideration, but Colonial Heights would, do well to investigate such a system 'or anything else that-will assist''the smooth flow of-vehicles along its main thoroughfare. It may yet eat its cake and have it too, if it tries to anticipate toll road 1 ai To Make Prosperity I General A Day Christmas brings considerable re- jflectioii of us on the estate our material and that of our "The excessive'. demands of ithe may tie responsible for such i thoughts as the-traditional stories of that "the Wise Men brought the This reports of the magazines Jand newspapers tell-us that prosperity, IBS measured; by how much people are ispendin'gj -'is at all time high. is going on on a imuch broader shopped the- ten-cent i store, a years ago how 'plating purchases in 'the five-figure i range, we are told.

Qn a much broad- ier many of us not. even close five-figure purchases have money. iand credit to spend. General prosperity, like any gener- Jality, has marry exceptions, in.this case are humans in need. of them in Petersburg will be taken care of by church, school, civic: social serv- ice and other charitable groups.

Some people will take from the' Christmas Exchange list the name of. a family and give food and presents for the day. contrary to the popular saying, such efforts don't "always go over the top." There were families left out last year. There-is enough prosperity in Pe; some of the excess to spill Jover onto those who are sick, or have had bad luck, or are suffering from i broken family, or even are shiftless and not much account, or, more likely, just inefficient providers. However, more persons will have to 1 call the Christmas Exchange than did last year, and take any needy family that is available.

The number is RE! gent 2-2115. Teaefcers Speak To The Petersburg Teachers' Club has become the first such organization in this area, if not in the State, to'go on record supporting the proposed constitutional amendment and urging others to do likewise. "We, as teachers in the public schools of Petersburg, by nature of our-positions," reads the; resolution, "are concerned with the education opportunities for them. Believing that this action is the 1 only means of preserving the public school system of our Commonwealth, we" urge the citizens of'this city and the entire state to support ahdy vote for this limited constitutional convention." Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights Priricip'als' Association has. unanimously the convention.

(' "-r Although have been numerous endorsements from superintendents, school; other educational opinion on the teacher level is particularly Not only do thrteachers have the same concern with "the 'matter 'which other citizens -they are! the people who would have to deal Vthe 'mixed classes and who be qualified to calculate- its effect. The statement of the Petersburg Teachers'. Club is explicit and to the point, contrasting favorably with the meaningless recently adopted 'by the board of the Virginia-Education Association. We hope this is but the first of many resolutions Jrom teachers'-organizations in Virginia. If other teacher groups believe mixed classes are desirable or-possible, -let-them say-so.

If they believe, with- the Petersburg teachers, that "this action for the convention), is the only means'of preserving the public school' system of our Commonwealth," then let.them so. Tht Fund's Background (Chicago Daily News) The background for Fund for Republic Is interesting. When the Ford Foundation was established, Paul of Studebaker was hired to run it. The Fords been impressed with Hoffman's achievements at This-was at a time when other Detroit motor manufacturers were calling. Hoffman a a poor choice.

One of Hoffmans-acts that" produced some irritation was 'his selection of 'Robert M. Hutchins, the uninhibited ex-chancellor of the University of Chicago, as his chief deputy. Without; going Into Unnecessary details, the HofT.man-Hutchins combination proved to be unsatisfactory and Hoffman was -resign. He Insisted, however, that some position' be found for'Hutchins'in" commitments which he had personally Hutchins was first engaged. The answer was found by creating-the Fund for the.Republic, an organization dedicated to defending our freedoms.

The'Pund was given million from'the'Ford Foundation with 'no Hutchins became its president and Hoffman was named as chairman of the boaVd. Fund is not, as charged by many of its "a subversive outfit." But it has com-' mitted some hoi-rendous mistakes in judgment and Dr. Hutchins has been under'a withering fire of criticism. Mr. Ford "did well to.

speak his mind. The wonder is- that he has'remained silent so long. At the rate President Hutchins'is making the original $15 million allocated to the Fupd will soon be exhausted. Henry Ford has said: "What effect my comments hare remains to be seen." In all probability, they will make little im- on either Hoffman or Hutchins. But when the money runs out, that will' mean the end of the Fund and Dr.

Hutchins will be looking for another job. THE INDEX-APPEAL FOUNDED 1865 THE PROGRESS' FOUNDED 1888 Published every weekday aficrnoon ond SumlAy morn' Ing by The Petersburg Newspaper Coro 15 Frank, lin Petersburg. Va. Edward A Edlior. Delivered by Carrier.

3oc Per Weefc. Eniered 11 second class a at the Post Office, Petersburg, Dial REgent 2-3456 for all departments. Delivered by Mail, Oally and Sunday. 1 Year. $15.00 Six Months.

S800: Three Months. One Month, tl.50; One Week. 35c In U. S. and posscrsiona Member of The Associated Press, which is entitled exclusively to 'the use for re-pub! leal Ion of all news printed In this newspaper well ai all Auo- Press news dispatches.

Member American Newspaper Publishers' Association, Southern Newspaper Publishers' Association, i i i a Press Association." the State Oharrtbor of Commerce. Petersburg of Commerce. JJMopewell of Commerce. Aurtlt Baron of Circulation. National AdvertlslnR Johnson, Kent.

Gavin SlndlnR. 2.V) Park Ave York 17. N. 807 I. Ill SO Boyl.

Won Boston Ifl, Green Greens- horc, 717 Market San Kranolsco 3, CailfTM wuittin Lot 6. Guilt. Profoundly Simple (Arkansas Gazette) We are indebted to the Warren Eagle Democrat for. calling attention to a delightful bit- of philosophy which seems to fit our own situation to what was once known as a until football coaches took over the expression. The Eagle Democrat quoted Dore Schary, the movie producer.

Mr. Scliary reported that in a frame on his office wall were "the words of a great philosopher, a brilliant student of human nature, and a brilliant pitcher named Satchel Paige." Mr. Schary conceded that Satchel probably "had baseball pitchers rather than executives (or editors) in mind when he coined his precepts. For the benefit of anyone else who needs a guiding philosophy, we recommend Satchel's: 1. Avoid frisd meats which angry up the 2.

If your stomach disputes you, lie down and paciiy it with cool thoughts. 3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around you gently as you move. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful, 5.Avoid "running at all times, 0.

back. Something may be gaining on you. NEW YORK, dee, 17 was the year at last Vincent Peale.was bouac-, ed wt of the No. 1 place oa nonfiction bestseller lists by Morrow Lindbergh, when his "The Power of Positive Thinking" yielded, to From the Sea." TW? was when Van- erbUt wrote book of poems and had them published--Gloria Vanderbilt, "Love This was 'the year whea Ballet Theatre celebrated its 15th anniversary; when the New York Phil- nor LMftic ColMMtt; there tftctacular 4t by Jthfe BrinnU. Other liW MWM Paul Kay Caktwelly Joyce Cary, Mailer, Robert PenM Warren, Joha P.

MarquaMl, HenMa WoMk, Ham- ilUw Baiw and MadUnlajr Kantor. THE PEOPLE'S FORUM: Christmas, Faith, Disbelief, Union Merger, foreign Aid, Safety trustees discovered PriaiM For Hospital Editor, The Progress-Index, Sir: Mygon, Mr. Leonard Shin? Gray, met with a very serious automobile' accident home from a Southern vacation just a month ago today. His wife was killed instantly, but he iurvived and was braught'fo the Petersburg General Hospital. He.suffered a broken nose, seven, broken ribs, broken arms-and legs.

He has been at the General Hospital four weeks-and has received excellent attention. Consequently, his recovery has unusually rapid. He is now, being given Physical Therapy treatments will will soon put him on his feet again. I flew down frpm Clifton, N. J.

with my daughter the iecond week of hit slay at the stayed with him every day for a week helping the nurses arid doctors as much as we could. I nev- -er saw. such a beautifully equipped hospital, neat and managed perfectly. Petersburg should be very prbiid of Ah is Institution, their surgeons, doctors, nurses and attendants. I am so pleased with his progress fhat I am happy to leave him-in their care fully recovered.

am able to talk to him every evening on the telephone, which keeps me in close touch with him. is a employee (Bell System) arid the Bell Telephone Company of Petersburg have done wonders for him, including "The Pioneers," a group of long-service employees, both men and women. Helpers 'in the hospital are a wdnderfuL group give the patients an uplift with their services. Chaplain, Overstreet's spiritual as well as other Ministers in the area who have son, has com-, forted him also. My son's spirits have been good ever since he 'there, the atmosphere of the hospital is so restful and conducive to his happiness.

I know of no hospital that could 'offer more than Petersburg General and therefore it continued support. MRS. ALVERDA V. GRAY 49 Ave. Ciiftonv New Jersey.

The Great Merger Has Come To Pass Editor, The Progress-Index, Sir: The great merger has come to pass. Congress we have no right to be" in The NAM says we have right organize." The a i a Labor Board says we have no time for unions. Yet what are we going to do about it? We must organize all workers that are non-union members. That way we can make ourselves' strong" for any law that goes on the books against the poor working man and woman. Yes.

there is one-way we can protect ourselves. That is to be with the 16 millions that are in the unions. I said once before that the unions would soon come realize that they must pull together or soon there would not be any xinions'left in the country. laws that are on the books are enough to break any union in the United States. Look at the Taft- Hartley law.

Did not Mr. Eisenhower, the President, say that he did not want any union busting laws here. Yet" he has done nothing about it. The stands today as it did when he took the oath President. We must not depend on the Congress of the United States to help the working people.

There are nothing but rich men running the country. Therefore we must show, thent that we are going to be as strong as they are. And that the unions going to protect tho working people wo must not linger wailing for tho next person to join up. Do it yourself and then work on iho next person Show that you cnn br as strong in the union as you can be in your-, homos. Wo must noi forget-thai what we do today wili to the Kormt mint (1) tinned h.v anther, (t) nr letihlr on oMljr.

one aide of each ana free from Indexed! HtteloM material. UTaiMi will IMrat wltb or will not help our children later on." We don't them 1 to face'the hard times, triat we had to face. Let's try -to make it easier for them JIT the years to 'come. 'The merger of the: unions does not mean that we are going to run one of our picking for the President of 'the United States. But to show therrr going to vote for the that is a friend of laboring class of people.

The way we can hurt ourselves is to -be two different factions. union and. the other nonunion. This is the way to soon; break up what we have fought soj- hard for. Yes, the of is watching "all of' us.

Wejr must be the alert Jfor uniofiV made goods. If you3-6 not the" union stamp on the merchandise you are bu3OQg ask the' clerks if they have unfpn.made The month of December is buy union goods month. will not feel the strength of the merger right away, but it will be felt in the coming year. Where would wages be today if- the unions did not fight for higher wages for the working-class people? 'Who would, raise your salary were not a union behind you? Check factories where there is a union and one that is not. You will find the wages as much as 20 per cent higher Jn the union factory.

We have waited for the merger of these great unions. Now let's see much you appreciate it. You can find no better insurance the union. "Join today and put your strength, with: millions of others. W.

J. ARPE, Business Agent, Local 52 54. The Christinas Spirit, A Motto For All Year Editor, The Progress-Index, Must December Mtan Death And Disaster? Editor, The Sir: Traditionally, is a festive month a celebration and joy. tfnhapplly, it is also' a month -of death and disaster. National Safety Qouncirstatiitics "reveal that except for the summer months, June, and August in 1954, December topped all.eoth- ers with "an accident toll of 7,900.

More than 3,500 of these de'atjis were'In motor vehicle accidents. "Many of these occurred when were on the way home from Christmas and New Year festivities, when were not i a fit condition to drive a car or to walk as pedestrians. total of 665 people lost their, lives in automobile accidents during the 1954 Christmas-New Year holiday season. "It is the Automobile Club's con-" tendon that a great many of these fatalities would been avoid-ed if party-goers had observed, a few simple pointers, Which we would Hike to pass on to you. 1.

Don't drive-if. you plan to 2. When driving or walking be extremely careful the will have been" drinking. 3. D.on't ride, with anybody who has been drinking.

4. If "you- take "one for the road," -it coffee. I W. H. HEINEKE Executive' Vice President The Automobile Club of America land 1o Greece: when, the Metropolitan for the first time had Negro'slngers on its roster--Marian Anderson and Robert McFerrln; When great grandson of Alfred Tennyson and a grandson of Elinor Glyn came to visit us; when Fritz Kreisler turned a hale 80; 'when William Gaddis 1 was p'ublished.

Perhaps the" best thing about 1955 1 was Not since the" start of this half of the century have many books to. arouse their enthusiasm. There was'not only Gaddis overpowering first novel; there'-was "The Stories" of "Isaac Babel, a Tartigbed who was a grand master of the short story. MK8IDKS THK8E TWO leaders, the year was marked by the publications of "such- outstanding first novels'as Thomas Williams' ''Ceremony of love," Alberta Murphy's "The'Lilac and from abroad, in first place, of course, Francoise Sagan's "Bonjour Tris- tesse." Other; importations that made for tingling readers and the burning of midnight oil were Kamala Markandaya's, in a Chang's "The Song," Isabel Quigly's "The Exchange of Joy," Mac- Red Petticoat" and other stories, and Forrest Reid's "Tom Barber." written.right at home was distinguished by novels by Anthony Wfest, Mary McCarthy, Aldous Huxley, Francis Irby Gwalbey: by stories, by Flannery O'Con- AirTHOIHI Ailxnr Of eom- Ing and tht Its of T. ennyiion and Glyn; bwU to Alberto Moravia, lUiy; Edith Simon, England; Ralph JElll- aon sailed off for a Prix te'Home year; Paul Bowles switched, from 'Indian 'Ocean' to Mediterranean shore and back again; Ithe Philharmonia, both by Herbert von Karajan, played; for" "enthusiastic- vWilHam wandered all over the map, fronrTokyo tO'Rome James Michener married girl and started off around world.

Sculptor Alexander Calder proved tomethinf "-'In a name; inventor of the "mobile," he flew to India on sculpturing assignment; had a show In Caracas, from which one of hit balancing works' was bought for presentation to Venituela'i president; and stayed tome In Europe. Francis Henry, Taylor, for 15 of ihe Metropolitan Museum, went back to Worcester, where he formerly headed- tht art museum, resigning York post and being succeeded by James J. Rorimer. A COM.M1TIBK was'formed to save Carnegie Hall, which wai threatened by demolition; but in the meantime its principal tenant, the NCAV York Philharmonic, gave thought, like.the.Metropolitan Opera in Its to moving to a new location in a less congested area west of Broadway In the neighborhood of the What was. left of- Arturo Toi- canini's old NBC Symphony, named at least- one service for its faithful followers: Edwin McArthur conducted for a return visit of Kirsten Flagstad at a Carnegie Hall concert.

WASHINGTON SIDtLICHTS: Bipartisan Study Would Be Preferable By' FRED FIJtTCl Christmas; what does it mean to you? This isaae" holiday that we think of as being the greatest of them all. Many of that our Saviour was born "on December 25. We do not really the date when'. our was born because history does not reveal it to us. "However, we do know that Jesus was born of Judea in the days of Herod.

Christinas is almost 2,000 years old. The Roman Catholic Church originated the special occasion. This is 'the spirit of Christmas: 1) It is the exchanging of gifts between persons. 2) It is giving" without expecting to ''receive, like giving a needy family a basket. 3) It is to church to praise the King of Kings, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

When we children our parents told us that if we were good boys and girls Santa Claus would come to see us. Children, wonder how Santa Claus could be i-eal and appear at each- and every home and bring happiness to every heart. The answer is the love which parents feel for little children. The expression of love is shown to be a jolly and lovable man dressed in a red suit, with a sleigh full of toys and- eight reindeer. This makes many children believe that Santa Claus Is a real' person and that after December 25 he goes back' to the north pole and will return again next Here is a motto we should use for Christmas: I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep iu spirit all year.

Koop this motto and show a deep approrintion toward Jesus, who has spared us to sec this joyful day. -ERNEST SHAW Hare Received Nothing In Return Editor, The Progress-Index, Sir: Facts against Fiction! In. World: War we advanced some 10 billions' to our friends, possibly five more billions in friendly assistance. We never received a cent ni 'return! Not one penny! A token, yes. In World War II, we advanced to our friends (Allies) .30 billions of dollars, nearly 12 billions to the USSR, about twice this sum to Great Britain, considering gifts, such as 50 destroyers loaded with food and ammunitions, and sundry other In two wars, over two million casualities: Since the.

war, believe it or not, we'have given our "Allies," would be and former enemies, over 50 billions of dollars of good, sound. American money. What have we received in return I defy you to name one Is it not time we awakened? Over one-half of 'our export- import business is with. Canada, Central, and South America! Why toss-more'American money in Europe, Africa, while neglecting North and South America? Is this common forgotten our old Amer; lean doctrines "America for Americans: Europe Europeans." The sublime Monroe Doctrine! Was General Washington--first- in-peace, war, and statesmanship, so far wrong, when he stated: "Europe's interests are ours!" As old as this doctrine. I defy anyone to suggest a 'better one.

JOHN V. ROWAN Colonial Heights Give These Animals A Happy Christmas Editor, The Progress-Index, Sir: The SPCA has "been to help find good homes 4 female puppies, born October '2. These little animals are short 'hair, ed, three have medium sized paws, which usually means that they will be medium sized dogs when grown, and one has larger paws. One is black with a little brown, two tan and white and one black and white. Please get in louch with Mr.

and Mrs. Browdcr, 35 N. Market St. The Society has also been asked to help find good homes for two kittens, ono black female nnd the other reddish with dark stripes, mnle. Please eall Mrs.

On Page 5) WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 Herbert Hoover's suggestion concerning the of reducing the strain of'the Presidency by creating an "Administratlve'Vice Is because it is anothfer' step in a planned attempt to Fulf the" American people ilnto accepting Presi- dent Elsenhower- as a candidate 'for a second term. 'Actually, the idea is not new; it has been suggested before and the i attempt to reduce the "tremendous Iburdens" on the President a Ibeen- a topic of, discussion ifiack in flay when. Hoover" was president, -the office of was cry from what it is Of. course, the Presl- itself was only a token of the responsibility it is now.

The government was operated on a budget.far less than we-reserve to- for the annual interest on the federal debt. Most of the departments and in Washington were small and the government's interference in the lives of all of us was meager. FEWER' 1 JTHAX, 100 PFRSOXS were inrthe direct employ of the Office" of the President and the House i d. Today there 'nearly 2.000» The Vice 'did virtually nothing President was required "togcnake public appearances on only infrequent occasions when" of "State were involved. Hoover heW few, press conferences, this' chore was not a problem.

Television, and-even radio, we're no problem. If someone wanted to confer with the President, there Was a secretary to clear through but'the present White House 'ichain of command" "was unthinkable. There was no -position" comparable to the "Assistant to the President" position by Adams today. This was a wartime creation of the late Franklin D. Roosevelt to whom the na- tioa owes" much, of the present White Former President Tfuman added to the White House greatly enlarged the force which handles the staff work for the President.

Prior -to the New Deal, there was only a. small personal office force for the today there" Is an untold number of "deputy assistants," "secretaries, 1 "assistants" and other high-sounding jobs which are In the salary category. JAMK8 F. BTRXKS. former South governor, Secretary of State and justice, se'rved ait the wartime "assistant to the and greatly Increased the prestige of tht position because of his work at mobillMTj ok thefCiyfllan economy for the war "When this position was taken over bv the FrtdTVT.

Vlnson, laier Chief tice, practice was continued. During the latter, Ipart -Truman administration, and partly because of the inSaence of the Hoover provision was made for 'an even larger: White House Staff. Some of, the agencies under the Executive Office, of the President would not normally considered in that category, such as the Bureau of the Budget, the Council of Economic Advisors, the Office of Defense "Mobilization and the National Security Council. The picture which some top spokesmen for the administration are trying to paint is of a President all alone in a vacuum with little or no help in making the great decisions with which ht is entrusted. This is not true.

Of course, we agree with Mr. Hoover when he says something ought to be done to free the from some of the which come under the category of "office work." But the question is-just how much officfe work does he do? At one point we recall seeing that he signed-his name as many as 300 or 400 iimes a day. This has been eliminated point, but there are some papers which law requires that the President, sign. These include commissions, pardons but the volume- of this be such as to be the reaf problem. The law could be changed on this, if necessary, without too'much of a howl.

TH.K KAqT IS that the President dictates or signs few. letters compared to the number which go out in most of the departments which bear the' signatures of the top men concerned. This chore (ConUnfted On HOOVER.