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Show us sum n Put in New Claim for Merits Of Rammed Earth Buildings By BAUKIIAGE Newt Analyst and Commentator. WSV News Service, 1618 Eye Street N. W., Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON.-Is there a solu-Hon solu-Hon of the low-cost housing problem as simple as the dirt under our ( feet? Have we been overlooking j bet, which! Pliny said the f Romans were overlooking, in f the first century ,' A. D. and to which most peo- i i nlehive ihut t" 3 f their eyes ever since? Anthony F. Merrill says so and so does a Baukhage convincing job of proving the" contention in his book "The Rammed Earth House," which I have Just read. It seems incredible! incredi-ble! It didn't seem incredible to Pliny who heatedly proclaimed that the Romans had, in AfricL and Spain, "walls of earth.", , They are "moulded rather than built," Pliny explains, "by enclosing enclos-ing earth within a frame of boards, constructed on either side. These walls will last for centuries, are proof against rain, wind and fire, and are superior in solidity to any cement. ce-ment. Even at this day (more than a century after Hannibal) Spain still holds watch-towers that were erected erect-ed by Hannibal." The Idea of houses of earth is not incredible to Clinton P. Anderson, 4 I-' ml The old and new in rammed earth houses. Top panel shows modern mod-ern structure at Claremont, Calif. Bottom shows church at Sumter, S. C, which has stood through more than a century and weathered several hurricanes and nn earthqnake. secretary of agriculture, who has written the preface to the book. "If Tony Merrill and his rammed-earth rammed-earth builders want either my blessing bless-ing or my cooperation," says the secretary, "they may be assured of them both." Rammed-earth, according to Merrill, Mer-rill, is a term describing "both the material and the process of wall building by which earth is tamped into the shape of a wall or building block. In essence, a compressed block or section of earth will, when tamped, assume the shape of the form into which it is pressed and, when the moisture dries out, harden into a permanent shape suitable for use as a building material." The reasons set forth by Merrill as to why, if this method of building is so good it has not been widely adopted, are logical: One there's no money in it, except the money saved by the builder. Two contrary con-trary to the impression among sellers sell-ers of building materials, Merrill Insists In-sists it would help rather than hurt their business. The man who builds a rammed-earth house can't afford any other kind. And he has to buy everything floor, roofing, plumbing everything in fact except the walls, which are free except for the cost of the forms and the tamping. Merrill's thesis Is that anyone willing to acquire the rudimentary knowledge of building, can build a rammed-earth house himself with three bedrooms, spacious living, dining and cooking facilities and all plumbing and heating equipment for less than $5,003. He can Duild as BARBS Apples are better than brushes for cleaning teeth, says the Farm Jour-naL Jour-naL Now you're going to make the dentist anti-apple, too. Ten thousand lives are sacrificed annually because of inability to see accurately in night traffic But inability in-ability to see some things that happen hap-pen can be a blessing. .milim'""B, L JJ1 MSI good or better a dwelling than most of the so-called defense homes, so widely used during the war, for $3,000. And there are already modest mod-est cottages in a number of places which cost little snore than a thou, sand dollars for two members of family to build. Solons Have Good Laugh on Selve$ When Bob Hope or Henry Morgan or even Senator Claghorn pokes fua at congressmen, that's supposed to be humorous. It's always open season on politicians in this country where people riddle their public officials of-ficials with gags instead of guns. But it is not generally realized that legislators like to laugh, too-even too-even when the laugh's on them. And at least one of tnem enjoys congressional congres-sional jokes so much he's written a 350-page book about them. Compiling the congressional Joe Miller may seem a far cry from steering policies of the senate Judiciary Judi-ciary committee, but Senator Wiley has been working on the humorous project since 1939 when he first was elected to the United States senate. Last year he got around to sending send-ing a letter to all his colleagues in the house and senate, asking them their favorite Jokes. He was deluged del-uged with stories good, bad and corny; and most of them jokes on or about congress and congressmen. All of which inspired the title of his book, "The Laugh's With Congress." Con-gress." Under the title "The Women God Bless 'em," he relates how in the 44 m closing and very literally hot sessions ses-sions of the 79th congress, the then Sergeant-at-Arms Wall Doxey ruled twice within three weeks that, although al-though women in slacks could be permitted in senate galleries, women wom-en in shorts would be inimical to the dignity of the senate and were to be barred from the gallery. All of which moved Sen. Richard Russell of Georgia to remark: "In hot weather, I am sometimes envious that I cannot wear shorts myself. Mr. Doxey is supposed to be an authority on what creates confusion con-fusion in the senate, but personally, I have no objection to shorts." (If this had been printed in the record there would have been "laughter" after that one.) Another story claimed as the favorite fa-vorite of former Sen. Guy Gillette of Iowa and Arkansas young Sea William Fulbright is a true one. As Senator Gillette tells it, his colored maid had noticed that the senator, then a representative, had his picture pic-ture in the paper. Underneath was a caption to the effect that he might be nominated for the upper chamber. cham-ber. "Is a senatuh higher than a representative?" the maid wanted to know. "Yes," Gillette told her, "they are so considered because a senator represents an entire state and a representative represents a district of a state," The maid's next question was: "Well, is there anything lower than a congressman?" congress-man?" Gillette is said to have been forced to imply that there was indeed in-deed nothing lower than a congressman! congress-man! by Baukhage They now have a combination ski-bike. ski-bike. It has a speed of 70 miles per hour but it won't work uphilL I understand from Radio Daily (which I read hopefully for a notice no-tice of my favorite commentator) dance bands are folding up like accordions. ac-cordions. But you can't take the groan out of groaner. WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS Fear Red Penetration in China; Iron Out W age Inequalities; Act on Box Car Need in West Released by Western (EDITOR'S NOTE) When opinions art Western Newspaper Union's news analysts 3 ml 4 5W i 3k Pi Russian military leaders grow up Into army life under the Soviet training system. Picture shows new group of youngsters admitted to Surorov military school. Bemedalled youth at right was said to have fought in Berlin and Manchuria. CHINA: U.S. Out Diplomatic eyes turned anxiously to the Orient following the U. S. decision de-cision to abandon its peace-making in China and withdraw most of the 12,000 marines on duty there. Concern was expressed lest U. S. withdrawal would invite Russian intervention in-tervention in China on behalf of the Chinese Communists. While Secretary Sec-retary of State Marshall had diligently dili-gently sought to bring the Nationalists National-ists and Reds together during his special peace mission, the U. S. had proceeded on the assumption that the Nationalists constituted the legal government. In supporting the Nationalists, Na-tionalists, the U. S. has advanced an estimated 1 to 3 billion dollars of lend-lease, and also provided technicians tech-nicians for training their military forces. Since the U. S. pulled out of China Without making any strategic arrangements, ar-rangements, the Russians maintain a distinct advantage in view of their half-interest in the Manchurian railroad rail-road and their joint control of Port Arthur and Dairen.. Russia's strategic stra-tegic position thus leaves Moscow in a key position if it wishes to supply sup-ply Chinese Communists entrenched in the north or actually intervene on the pretext of stabilizing conditions condi-tions in the Orient LABOR: Pay Equality Announcement by the department of labor that a special commission had simplified job classifications and ironed out rate inequities in the Big Five packing plants pointed up the growing acceptance of the principle of equal pay for equal work in U. S. industry. Consisting of representatives of the public, government, industry and labor, the commission cleaned up differences between Swift, Wilson, Cudahy, Armour and Morrell and the AFL, CIO and independent unions un-ions over rate inequalities. The companies com-panies and unions had agreed on conditions for 90,000 jobs in collective collec-tive bargaining procedure, and the commission acted on the remaining 10,000 jobs. The number of labor grades carrying car-rying varying pay rates was cut from 250 to 25 under the negotiations and wage boosts averaging 1.8 cents an hdur were awarded to approximately approxi-mately 75,000 workers to iron out inequalities. In general, packing house employees doing the work in the same geographical area now draw equal pay. Previously, the ClO-United Steel Workers and U. S. Steel corporation had ironed out wage inequalities for 175,000 employees. Retroactive to January 4, 1944, the cost of readjustment readjust-ment was estimated at 30 million dollars, with many workers receiving receiv-ing the equivalent of a 1 cent an hour wage increase. FREIGHT: Want More Cars L For the fifth time in three years. Senator Reed (Rep., Kas.) acted to alleviate the shortage of box cars in the West caused by the reten tion of rolling stock in the East by seaboard railroads. As elevators and millers clamored for cars to move grain stacked in the West, Reed threatened to draw tip permanent legislation to relieve what has developed into a perennial problem in recent years. On previous pre-vious occasions, the railroads shifted shift-ed cars west upon Reed's demands. The shortage of rolling stock resulting re-sulting from inadequate additions during the war years has figured in the scramble for cars between East SOUTH: Develop Industry New manufacturing opportunities are being promoted by several states below the Mason-Dixon line to further industrialization of the South. In Virginia, the governor has appointed ap-pointed a commission to study the problem ot developing small, locally-owned industries to process agricultural agri-cultural produce grown in the immediate im-mediate vicinity. . Newspaper Onion xnrmmt In th.. olnrnns. IheT ar ttaei OI and not necessarllv of tbls otwspspet.) .( Is Ft Q O tr,,"' and West. Once cars roll in from the West with agricultural products, eastern railroads have sought to hold onto them as long as possible for shipment of industrial goods to seaboard points. . Because the rail roads also are loath to send the cars back empty, valuable time is lost by shunting them westward with short loads. ARGENTINA: Peron Scores Long the target of American liberals. lib-erals. President Juan Peron of Ar gentina shook some of the ground from under them by employing em-ploying a firm dominated dom-inated by former New Dealers to help plot the industrial indus-trial and agricultural agricul-tural development of the country. As directors of the Worldwide Development De-velopment corporation corpora-tion of New York engaged by Peron, Nathan Economists Robert Nathan and Laughlin Currie are the two promi nent New Dealers involved in the enterprise. Along with engineers, agronomists and geologists, they will help Peron lay out an ambitious program of rural electrification, hous ing and harbor im provements, road construction and hydro - electric 0 plants. In undertaking the development, Rear Adm. Howard A. Flanigan, USN Currie retired, who is president and board chairman of Worldwide, was quoted as saying that the firm was interest ed in the deal because expansion of the Argentine economy would provide pro-vide lucrative trade possibilities for the U. S. Like other Latin-Amer ican nations, Argentine has millions of dollars available for purchases of foreign goods. The wily Peron also has taken other steps to woo the U. S. Taking cognizance of state department in sistence that he rid Argentina of axis firms and agents, he promulgat ed a decree for expropriation of fas cist enterprises. CONGRESS: Retain Luxury Levies , Bent on trimming Income taxes the Republican congress moved to preserve other sources of revenue to carry the huge 1947-48 budget and reduce debt by extending wartime rates on luxury items. As a result, taxes on liquor were scheduled to remain at $9 a proof gallon; 20 per cent on furs, luggage. jewelry and toilet preparations; cent lor each 5 cents charged on theater admissions; $8 a barrel on beer; 25 per cent on long distance telephone calls and 15 per cent on local service; 15 per cent on transportation, trans-portation, and 20 per cent on light bulbs and tubes. Meanwhile, Republican ranks were split on the proposal of Chairman Knutson (Rep., Minn.) of the house ways ana means committee to re duce income taxes 20 per cent on earnings up to $300,000. Increasing favor was shown for the sugges tion of Representative Engel (Rep, Mich.) that exemptions be increased to cut the taxes of low income groups rather than offering broad re lief which might chiefly benefit the upper brackets. Declaring there are nearly 86 million people dependent on individual individ-ual or family income of $2,500 or less a year, Engel said that Knut-son's Knut-son's bill would result in a tax cut of only 72 cents a week for a man earning that much or less. On the other hand, a person drawing $300,-000 $300,-000 a year would gain $942 a week. "If the Knutson bill is passed," Engel En-gel said, "it will place into the hands of the Democratic party the most effective ef-fective campaign argument any party par-ty can have; an argument which will appeal to 88 million people in the low income group . . " I . MM af 1 i . - h -rrmr BUSINESS: Big as Ever Nineteen forty-six was banner year for American farm machinery manufacturers ana u repuii. prospects for 1947 are even better. International Harvester joyed total sales of $482,328,000 In its fiscal year ending ucioDer 31, 1946, and showed profits of $22,326,000. Sales of trucks, parts and service accounted for 35.9 per cent of volume while production of farm Implements and parts made up 17.3 per cent of the total. Deere & Co. sales jumped to $143,- 900,496 in 1948, with profits oi a,- 565,579. With a cessation in war work, production of farm implements imple-ments increased about 23 per cent, it was said. Oliver corporation sales amounted to $50,840,914 In 1946 with net earnings of $2,003,999. Unit sales of farm items reached an all-time peak despite material shortages and labor difficulties. In anticipation of continued good business, Oliver plans improvements in produc- . tion and distribution facilities in excess of $7,000,000. 'ALESTINE: Trouble Brews Having heretofore let the British handle the troublesome situation in Palestine occasioned by Jewish demands de-mands for a national haven in the Holy Land, the Arabs prepared to play a more active role in opposition to London's decision to create a Zionist state in the embattled coun try. As the majority in Palestine, the Arabs have fought increased Jewish immigration or partition for. economic econom-ic as well as political reasons. Because Be-cause the Arabs charge that the country is not productive enough to stand a large-scale increase in popu lation, the U. S. and Britain sought to answer this objection in earner discussions with promises of a substantial sub-stantial loan to develop the nation's industrial - and agricultural resources. re-sources. - . While the Jews forced the British into a consideration of a Zionist state by keeping the Holy Land in turmoil with a terrorist campaign, the Arabs also could turn on the heat. In addition, they command the full support of the Near Eastern Arab league, embracing 33 million Arabs whose dominance extends to oil rich countries in which the U. S. and Brit ain have heavy interests. GERMANY: Friendly Warning Head of the Social Democratic party in Germany, lean, hard Kurt Schumacher warned the Allied peacemakers preparing to draw up a treaty for the reich that only a fair agreement accepted by a freely elected regime would assure, political polit-ical stability. Boldest of the postwar German political leaders to speak out, Schumacher Schu-macher declared that no democratic government could risk signing a se vere peace for fear of repudiation by the people. Since he is the only German political leader who has been openly courted by the western allies, his declaration that he himself him-self would not sign a harsh treaty took on special significance. The specter of Hitlerism and Versailles Ver-sailles hung in the background as Schumacher warned that: The major nations which played politics with Hitler for their own ends must share the guilt of many Germans for the , rise of Naziism. Annexation of the Saar was the worst form of reparations. It would be senseless for Germany Ger-many to accept a provisional eastern boundary determined beforehand by two major powers. pow-ers. BRITAIN: Exports Lag Thanks to the U. S. loan, Britain managed to balance exports with imports last year, but a considerable consider-able increase in overseas trade must be achieved in future months if the British are to stay heavily out of foreign debt and maintain their living standards. Because of its own limited resources, re-sources, Britain must import materials ma-terials for home consumption and fabrication for resale overseas. With Britain owing many countries for war goods, government sources estimated esti-mated that exports would have to be boosted by 75 per cent to help pay off these debts and still receive imports for domestic use. . While exports rose 17 per cent in July, they dropped off to only 3 per cent above the prewar level in December. The slump was attributed attrib-uted to a scarcity of essential materials ma-terials and manpower. Meanwhile, the British are seeking seek-ing to balance their exports with imports im-ports from countries with "soft" currency not easily convertible in world markets. VETS: Resume Insurance Veterans of World War II are put-ting put-ting back in force an Increasing volume vol-ume of the wartime national service serv-ice life insurance which they permitted per-mitted to lapse. Up to January 1 of this year, more than 115 billion dollars of the service serv-ice insurance had been dropped by the veterans, but in the past few months they have put back into force more than 220,000 of these policies and the rate of reinstate-ment reinstate-ment is reported to be increasing. J' J The Broadway Express The Stage Door: Craig Reynolds, first actor to enlist (and the first to get hit with a Purple Heart), gets so. few roles these days he has to take odd jobs to balance the budget. . . . Salaries are rolling back. The $200 a week comediocrities again are being offered $200, instead of the wartime bribe paychecks-and accepting ac-cepting them. . . . Profit on The Jolson Story" now is figured "in ex-cess ex-cess of five million bux." ... The dog in "Lovely Me" has been ordered or-dered to move from his boarding house because he comes in too late (after curtain time) and wakes up the other dogs. ... The role of the fencing champ (he appears only in the first act) of "Cyrano" is so strenuous he has to alternate with, another. ... And you have troubles? Two days after Helen Walker's producer pro-ducer announced she would dance' "for the first time" in her next role, she was badly fractured in a crash. Midtown Vignette: Norman Cordon is the 6' 4 basso of the Met. He is also the top male singer in the revived "Street Scene." . . Norman believes In direct action. ... He was dining m a midtown spot when a clunk at the next table slandered FDK and boosted Hitler. ... Cordon went over, grabbed the nuisance in his arms, carried him to the street and dumped him into the gutter, saying:' "You're spoiling my dinner, Adolf!" v The Press Box: Georgia offered a striking illustration of the methods meth-ods used by Fascists to take advan-i tage of confusion and strong-arm their way to power completely disregarding dis-regarding the laws. Governor Ar-nall Ar-nall deserves support for refusing to be pushed around by the Tal-madge Tal-madge hoodlums. The actions of those muscle-men gave America a chilling example of fascism in action. ac-tion. ... A Bawstin gazette observed so many 'generals and admirals are getting top jobs, Washington is no place for a felt hat. . . ; After giving giv-ing the news from Dixie the onceover, once-over, you'd never think the Emancipation Eman-cipation Proclamation was signed 84 years ago. . . , The Jersey Journal solved the mystery of the "J. S." on the new FDR dimes after check-' ing with the government. They do not stand for Joe Stalin. They are; the initials of John Sinnock, chief of the Philly mint. Character Study: He underpays his help but overtips the waiter. wait-er. . . . He takes cabs to avoid subway crowds but wrestles through choked theater lobbies for a few puffs on a ciggie. . . . He greets every corny line in a show with a cornier comment but thinks a guy is a celebrity when he has more wives than children. chil-dren. The Late Watch: Those strata-, sphere salaries paid ffwood stars are coming down fast. Drop in box office of-fice receipts, curtailed production, etc., have studios pruning costly' player rosters. Many stars, however, how-ever, are willing to take a shave. Supply and demand, you know. Sonora will market 20 million new black label platters at 39 cents retail. re-tail. That 20 to 40 p.c. under current cur-rent market and is the first price break in this field since Dec. 7, 1941. . . Tropical Park track reports at-' tendance was up 50,000 but the "take" is down 10 per cent . . . The police have notified all night clubs they must be closed and empty at 4 a. m. This is very funny considering consider-ing most joynts are empty much earlier. New York Novelette: Justin McCarthy, the young lone-wolf stick-np fool (who was collared recently), is well known to Broad way senheimers. ... He sold several of them plenty of "shares" in an electronic and helicopter firm which flopped. ... Most of his suckers are no little miffed with Justin because "he didn't at least apologize" with some of the loot he got? away with sticking np night club patrons in their cars as they waited for lights to change. ... He almost talked a famed radio star into starting a manufacturing manu-facturing company with him. . . . One of his stock victims was ready to tell the gendarmes about him six months ago (which would have ended his career ca-reer of crime before it started), but Justin talked him ont 0f It. ... The irony of it: Had he gone to the hoosegow then the term would have been short. ne may spend his life In JaO. Truman's admiration for Sec'y of State Marshall amounts to hero wor-JiP. wor-JiP. He is said to have refem;d to Marshall as "the greatest !l Vint American." ... Alan Ladd doesn't know when he's well off; just bought coast night club. ... Despite tte slump everywhere, gambling houses .across the nver report a 15 per cent uptake. . . . Bookies are blowing toeu-tops because too m any fenTef are horning into their racket Mrs- FDR shaking hand, wito I passerby admi-. Netherlands A mprinana Qrawl TT Rptwppn loss ouu la-it) i i leans scent on fornix t.l. ' ftM eweerjstakes annrnvi.,...,61!65 000,000 annually, about tSi of which went to racket er?ei Collier's. Besides th- Z'H tickets sold on fake TJ morettan40percentofthoX on real lotteries were counte , rr --- 'j cent Of genuine tickets snM 1 tions as the Irish Hospital ill ocrpnt horn 3i3c-t,.n.. j '1 -o - ".owujrca Tho M, 4 ouu puv-acicu nic money, ' L CLASSIFIED DEPART M EN' CLOTIHNG, FURSFrr HAND MADE WESTErITT: BOO i s made in Mex m wu log. Crichet Boot Co.. 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It's fresh lemon juice and water j taken first thing in the morning-pt as soon as you get up, the juice oi one Sunkist Lemon ina class of water. Taken thus, on an empty stomach, it j stimulates normal bowel action, ( after day. for most people. And lemons are actively good for j vou.Thev'reamongtherichestsourc j of vitamin C which combats fatigue, f helos resist colds arid infections. They j supply vitamins Bi and P, aid digs- j tion and help alkalinize the sysiem j Try this grand wake-up drink 10 j mornings. See if it doesn't cap w Use California Sunkist Lemons. Ladies Fun-Fashioned Bn V'1? Newest Shad. 8VS to 10 Box of 3 pair 550 Add 10c pt box to cov.r Send Check or Money Or sfi Cushion life's walk j with SOUS as well os j Heels by ro-' tip WNU-W - .. . jS |