davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Choice of Successor
To Street Postponed

Appointment of a successor to
Welfare Director Elwood Street, who
resigned last May to take a post in
Richmond, Va, has been postponed
Indefinitely, it was learned today.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen
had indicated last night the vacancy
might be filled at a board meeting
today but later said the matter would
not come up for consideration today.
No hint was given as to when the
appointment would be made.
1t is known, however, that the
Commissioners have under consider
alton a recommendation from the
Board of Public Welfare for the ap-
pointment. Mr.. Hazen conferred
Yesterday with Frederick w. Mercy
nolds, chairman of the Public We'll
fare Board.
Several names have been mem
toned In connection with the ap-
pointment, among them Ray L. Huff,
general superintendent of District
penal institutions. The position car
ries salary of 81, 900 a year.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Ear|yAction Promised
On Plan 10 Relieve
Ga||inger Congestion
King to Call Senote
Committee Meeting
In Day or Two

Prompt Senate District Commit
tee action was promised today by
Chairman King on the amendment
to the lunacy law to relieve over
crowding in the psychopathic wards
Of Gallinger Hospital, which was
one of II local bills passed by the
House yesterday.
Senator King said he would call
his committee together in a day or
two to consider the eight House bills
that still require Senate action.
The lunacy bill would give the
District authorities wider discre-
tion to transfer mental patients to
st. Elizabeth's Hospital more
promptly to avoid the congestion
caused by the provision of the re-
Gently enacted lunacy law requir-
ing patients to be kept at Gallinger
for a stated period before transfer.
1t also would authorize commit
ment Of patients to Veterans Ad-
ministration hospitals if they are
entitled to treatment by that
agency.
Most of the other seven bills re-
quiring Senate action are minor in
character. One proposes to make
permanent the authorization for au-
tomo5ile parking meters and to ex-
tend the number.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Auto Age Develops RecIuse
With Meondering Hermitage
William RetIow, Electrician, Driven
To Odd Life by Booming Radios

Maryland line and hunts for some
peaceful country road.
Though he hasn't always dwelled
alone, the roaming recluse says he
has always hankered to-all his so
years. He was born in Marshall
Hall, Md, came to Washington as
a youth and worked as an expert
electrician. He still wants all the
odd electrical jobs he can get, so he
can buy food and gas enough to do
Is miles day. Now, when he isn't
reading newspapers or semi-scien-
tific magazines, he spends his time
around filling stations or going from
door to door seeking work. His last
job was jacking up front porch
that had begun to sag-and, of
course, his hermitage jack came in
handy for that.
The final straw which divided
society and Bachelor Retlaw was a
radio. Il always hated rooming
houses, with so many people push
ing you around-and then came that
blaring radio and / just couldn't
stand it," he said. Il walked out.
stepped into my car and stayed
there"
Water Wagon Cuts Cost.
Life's expenses can be kept down
by strict abstinence from alcohol
and tobacco and by vegetarianism,
he advised. His diet is made up of
canned vegetables, fruit, bread and
milk. In cold months he downs
lot of peanut butter. which gives
him strength to hop out of his bunk
and meet chill breezes without
finching.
This life is the life for mel
can't think of anything pleasanter
unless it might be cabin way off
in the woods" Mr.. Retlaw OBJ
served yesterday.
Still. he's mighty nervous these
days that the police may get sus-
picious of one who lives in such
manner, and may tell him he can
do it no longer.
"Once they hauled me into a po-
lice station in the Southeast part
of town. to ask what I was doing,
living like this. 1t got me so de-
pressed I just felt I'd have to make
a dash for the open country" he
said. Il would die if any one made
me live in house, you know"
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Van Duzer Suggests Placing
Slams on Learners Autos

Mindful of the 'jitters" suffered
by many motorists learning to drive
automobiles, Traffic Director Will
liam A. Van Duzer said yesterday
he would like to have the public's
reaction to an idea of placing signs
on automobiles to identify their
operators as learners"
In England and several other
foreign countries such a method is
used, Mr.. Van Duzer pointed out.
Undoubtedly, he said, such a sign
would cause other motorists to
give the beginner wider berth.
Although accidents in which per-
sons operating on learners permits
have been involved have furnished
no problem, as revealed in traffic
statistics-there being only "a &C
cidents in the District during the
fiscal year ending June 80 in which
learners were involved-Mr. Van
Duzer feels that signs to designate
learners would constitute a safety
measure. Likewise he believes it
would give the learner more needed
confidence in learning to drive.
1t was pointed out at the police
statistical ONCE that whereas only
"a persons operating automobiles on
Evening star., 1939-07-25

learners permits were involved in
accidents, there was no record to
show what accidents involving other
motorists may have been due either
directly or indirectly to the opera
ton of an automobile by q learner
IN close proximity.
Mr.. Van Duzer suggested that a
sign to designate when an automo-
bile is being operated by q learner,
after the general order of the Il"
used in England, might be placed on
the blind spot on the windshield
directly behind the rear view mir
ror.
Mr.. Van Duzer said a better
knowledge of the mechanics of an
automobile would be an aid to any
motorist. He pointed out that ap-
proximately IS per cent of passen-
ger automobiles are being turned
down for imperfections in the mo-
tor vehicle inspections being con-
Quoted in the District.
More than $4,000 passenger au-
tomobiles had received the stamp
of approval at the end Of last week,
and approximately $4,000 are ex-
pected to pass inspection by August
!, Mr.. Van Duser said.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Planners Approve
Community Use
OF Guard Armory
Co-ordinotine Committee
Is Unanimous in
Decision

City planners were heartily in
favor today of the plan to adopt
the new National Guard Armory to
community activity use.
The Coordination Committee,
composed of District, National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commits
sion, National Park Service and
United States Army Engineer Office
representatives. met today in the
Offices of the Planning Commission
and were unanimous in their ap-
proval of the plan, Thomas S. Settle,
committee member and Planning
Commission secretary, announced.
The meeting was attended by Brig.
Gen. Albert L. Cox, commander of
the District National Guard, and
Col. John W. Oehmann, commander
of the 12lst Engineer Regiment.
Mr.. Settle said the committee
members were delighted with the
idea of adapting the armory to COM
munity use and saw "eye to eye" with
Gen. Cox on the matter He added
that members of the committee had
so placed themselves on record at
hearings on the armory last winter.
Mr.. Settle said, however, that the
armory adaptation was not to be
confused with the proposed National
Auditorium which the Park and
Planning Commission expects to
place at Third street and Constitu-
ton avenue NV.
In addition the site chosen by
Congress at the end of East Capitol
street for construction of the new
building is particularly pleasing to
city planners as it represents an
opening wedge in the development
Of the area east of the Capitol, long
neglected as the city has pushed
northwestward.
Plans for this area call for pub
lie buildings along East Capitol
street and huge sports and COM
munity center in the large tract
now under public ownership where
East Capitol street abuts on Ana
costa Park.
Here it is proposed to have some
day a stadium, water sports and
tennis arenas, a huge drill field and
parking lot, railroad siding and 9TH
er facilities.
City planners hope Army-Navy
games. huge conventions, jamborees
and festivals and even national and
Olympic games will be held there
in the future
Plans for the new Armory will be
ready for consideration within two
months. according to Col. John w.
Oehmann. commander of the 121st
Engineer Regiment.
The Co-ordinating Committee is
designated to do spadework on plans
before they are presented to the
National Capital Planning Commits
sion and National Commission of
Fine Arts in the fall 1t is for them
to smooth out differences so that
speedy approval of the plans will be
given
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Three Seek Custody Of Girl, II,
In District Court. Fight

of District Court when the child's
father, a resident of Bluefield, w.
Va, sought custody of Alice Eliza
beth after custody decree was
awarded in his favor by the Mercer
County (W. VaD Court earlier this
month. The more recent decision
modified a previous decree after the
court there had been presented GER
tain facts, the court here was ad-
vised. The father is utilizing a
habeas corpus writ.
He Is represented by Attorney
Andrew F. Oehmann.
Miss Buckles, through her attor-
ney, Irwin Goldstein, contended, on
the other hand, that the West Vir-
ginia decree was not valid be-
cause complete information was not
furnished the court there-informa-
ton which would have altered the
judges findings.
Alice EliZabeth's mother remar-
ried in March, 1886, and her IA
ther in August of the same year.
Miss Buckles contended the child
h . stranger to both her father and
mother.
Evening star., 1939-07-25

A three-cornered custody tangle
involving 11-year-old Alice Elizabeth
Corbin today was under considera-
ton of Justice Oscar r. Luhring in
District Court.
The question faced by the court
was whether to award the girl to
her father or mother or to permit
her to remain with her maternal
aunt, Miss Elizabeth G. Buckles, a
Patent Office clerk, at 2145 California
street NV.
The child's mother, Mrs. Shirley
B. Ruark of Baltimore, wife Of an
airplane company mechanic, told
Justice Luhring yesterday that her
second husband, who for time was
incapacitated with automobile acci-
dent injuries, had recovered now and
was receiving a good salary.
Mrs. Ruark said she used to come
to Washington and watch her
daughter at play from distance,
but did not speak to her because she
knew she could not provide her a
proper home until her husband was
able 70 work regularly again.
The caSe came to the attention
Evening star., 1939-07-25
D'A|esandro Pledges
Efforts 10 Aid
District Residents
House D. c. Committee
Coins Friend of
Enfrunchisement

1t took Representative D Alesan-
dro, Democrat, of Maryland six
months to get a seat on the House
District Committee, and now that
he's finally there he said today he
would fight for anything within
reason" the disfranchised residents
of the District want.
Mr.. D Alesandro takes the place
of Representative Byron. Democrat,
from Maryland's 9Th congressional
district, which includes nearby
Montgomery Country, who resigned
to move to a more important post
on the exclusive House Military At
fairs Committee.
Mr.. D. Alesandro asked for an as
signment on the House District
Committee soon after Congress con-
vened in January He had de-
feated the former chairman of the
District Committee - Vincent L.
Palmisano-and he thought the Dis
trict Committee was a good place
to light. But House leaders gave
him another assignment primarily
because there were already too
many Representatives from Mary
land on the committee.
First, there was Representative
Kennedy. Democrat, of Maryland.
the ranking majority member, and
Representative Byron, who had
taken the seat left vacant by former
Representative "Davey" Lewis.
House leaders figured two members
from one State on the District Com
mittee were enough.
Acts as Byron Is Shifted.
When Representative D. Alesan-
dro learned that Mr.. Byron was to
be elevated to more important
post he again sought the assign
ment. This time there was no op-
position.
Now that he's a member of the
District Committee Representative
D. Alesandro admits he would like
to do something" to improve con-
ditions in Washington He has a
program, but it's incomplete.
First, Mr.. D Alesandro said he
would support Fundamentally legis-
lation to give the voteless residents
of the District both national rep
resentation, and local suffrage Sec
ond, he said he would push the
resolution he has pending in the
District Committee directing the
Public Utilities Commission to make
survey to determine whether sub
ways should be constructed in Wash
ington for both rail and vehicular
traffic. And third-a proposition
that will benefit both Baltimore and
Washington-he wants the long
proposed high speed highway be-
tween the two cities constructed.
Served on Baltimore Council.
Mr.. D. Alesandro, who lives in
Baltimore, has long been a colorful
figure there in politics. He was
member of the Maryland Legisla-
ture, also served on the Baltimore
City Council and was elected to
Congress at the age of 36.
Representative Byron has taken
an active interest in District affairs
in the six months he has been q
member.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Ice Concern Accused
Of Unfair Practice

An injunction claiming unfair
competition was on record today in
District Court against Consolidated
Terminal Corp, an ice concern at
Eleventh and E streets S.W. The
action was filed by the M. j. Uline
Co., Third and Nj streets NE.
The Uline company asked the
court to restrain Consolidated from
selling ice at price lower than the
general prevailing market price and
"in many instances lower than the
actual cost of production and de-
livery"
The plaintiff contended that since
May Consolidated has diverted q
substantial number Of Uline Gus
toners BY undertaking.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
BY HENRY GEMMILL.


Rain or shine, July heat wave or
January blizzard, lean-faced Will
liam Retlaw will tell you he hasn't
slept In y house for four years.
His wheeled hermitage is his two
door sedan, in good repair for all
its years and equipped to gladden.
the heart OF any man who has fled
from his fellow creatures. Inside
this car Hermit Retlaw cooks his
meals and eats them, writes and
studies, sleeps-and splashes in his
bath.
1t costs him just $3.50 a week
TO live-plus 25 cents more in the
winter, when his little one-burner
stove eats up more kerosene.
Home" in Secluded Spots.
On each of $500 evenings the re-
tiring Mr.. Retlaw has parked his
hermitage on the outskirts of the
District, in the most secluded spot
he can find. At the crack of day
break he's awake, having slept the
sound sleep of the solitary.
A reporter found him yesterday
on a clay road running off to the
east from New Hampshire avenue
extended. Mr.. Retlaw was listen
ing to the twittering birds.
Reticent, he was willing to DEM
onstrate his housing arrangements.
Sleeping and cooking are tricky
enough, in such quarters, but bath
ing is really exciting:
The individual to be bathed sQuats
in fiat enameled pan which at
other times serves as desk and
lunch table. He warns a tub of
water upon the flame of the stove
beside him and when it reaches the
desired temperature he dips IN
sponge and begins sloshing water
about the neck and shoulders, work.
ing gradually downward.
Changes Bathing Tactics.
Mr.. Retlaw used to 60 through
this ritual right in the more pop
ulous parts of town, putting big
squares of cardboard up at the win
dows. But people would gather
around and wonder what was going
on inside and sometimes they nerv-
ously called for the police. Now
Mr.. Retlaw goes out across the
Evening star., 1939-07-25

Police scout cars, cruisers and
motor cycle policemen have been or
dered to join the drive on violators
of the pedestrian control laws, In
spector William E. Holmes of the
TRAFFIC Division said today. He pre-
dicted that his drive on the violat-
ors would cut the Districts accident
toll so per cent.
The Traffic Division chief an
nounced that he would continue the
drive until the regulations were OBJ
served 100 per cent"
The use of police cars and motor
cycles is designed to promote OBJ
servance in the outlying sections.
where most accidents involving
pedestrians occur, he said. Maj.
Ernest w. Brown. chief of police,
has issued special orders to the
scout car drivers, he said.
Arrest OF 81 persons for violating
the regulations yesterday was re-
ported to Inspector Holmes today.
Most of the arrests were made in
outlying precincts. The ninth-in
the Northeast section - reported
eight arrests, and the fifth-in the
Southeast-reported seven.
Inspector Holmes crusade began
after he had made a weekend sur
vey of conditions in all precincts
of the city and had found the laws
widely disregarded.
From now on" he declared to-
day. motorists as well as pedes-
trians are going to be arrested if
they violate the regulations Pedes-
trians must cross with the lights
and motorists must give the pedes-
trians the right of way.
mot only that, but we are going
after motorists who fail to give
proper signals when stopping, start
ing or turning and we are going to
arrest double-parkers.
IF I get proper cooperation
from the newspapers will cut the
number of traffic deaths in this
city by so per cent"
He indicated plain -clothesmen
might be enlisted in the drive.
Pedestrians who look around to see
if a uniformed policeman is in sight
before they jaywalk are going to get
a big surprise one of these times,
he said. He would not elaborate.
Inspector Holmes said he per-
sonally picked up one jaywalker
this morning. He gave the man a
lecture, he said, then released him.
The next one he catches won't get
off so lightly, he said.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
II Church Workers
To Attend Session

Seventeen members, including
seven scholarship winners. of Atone
ment Lutheran Church. North
Capitol street and Rhode Island
avenue, left yesterday to attend the
annual summer school for church
workers at Hood College in Fred
erick, Md.
For perfect attendance and i'm
provement in advanced Bible study
the church awarded scholarships to
Miss Louise Friday, Miss Gene
Beaucard, Miss Dorothy Gibson,
John Fillman, Albert Sauer, Will
liam Long and Edmund Ellis.
Others who will attend the week
long session include the Rev. How
ard E. Snyder, pastor of Atone
ment Church, and Mrs. Snyder.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Pointer Is Injured
Fatally in Fall

James Otis Smith. painter, who
lives at l117 Third street NE, was
fatally injured this morning when
he fell IA feet on his head from a
ladder on which he was painting a
window sill of garage at 1O48
Twenty-ninth street NV. He was
taken to Emergency Hospital and
pronounced dead at noon.
Mr.. Smith had been unemployed
and was at work for the first time
this morning when the accident
occurred, ,.=.--..--
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Esperanto Closes to Open

Free public classes for beginners
in Esperanto will be sponsored by
the Esperanto League of Washing
ton each Thursday, beginning this
week, at 7:30 pm, at the Mount
Pleasant Branch of the Public
Library. Sixteenth and Lamont
streets NV.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Bond Concerts

United States Navy Band, World
War Memorial in West Potomac
Park, tonight at 7:30 o'clock. 1t.
Charles Benter, leader; Charles
Brendler, assistant leader:
United States Soldiers Home
Band, bandstand, tonight at 7
o'clock. John S. M. Zimmerman,
bandmaster; Anton Pointner, as
sitant.
United States Marine Band, Home
for Incurables, today at 3 o'clock.
Capt. Taylor Branson, leader; Will
liam F. Santelmann, second leader.
United States Army Band, Walter
Reed General Hospital, at $50
O'Clock. Capt. Thomas F. Darcy,
leader; Karl Hubner, assistant
leader.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Acid Burns Man

Samuel E. Beeler, SO, Of Hyatts-
vile, Md, was under treatment in
Sibley Hospital today for acid burns
received yesterday while he was re-
pairing q refrigerator at Rhode
Island avenue. Hyattsville.
Evening star., 1939-07-25
Police Intensity
Pedestrian Law Drive:
Hope 10 Cut Toll 5096
Scout Car, Motor Cycle
And Maybe PIoincIothes
Officers to Take Part
Traffic Record

The traffic record, as revealed
at police headquarters. for the
24-hour period ending at 8 am.
today:
Fatalities, none.
Accidents, 33.
Motorists injured. 6.
Motorists arrested, 264.
Pedestrians injured. 8.
Pedestrians arrested for vio-
lation of pedestrian control
regulations, 21.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-12-14
Ely Children To Receive
Special Christmas Treats
Santa Claus to Make Official
Appearance at Community
Center, December %.

A variety Of Christmas treats are in
store for Ely children besides those
coming via fond parents. They include
a special visit Of Santa himself, two
free shows, and Christmas party.
st. Nick viii present each child Of
school district No II with a sack Of
candy on Saturday, Dec. %, at the
Community Center. He will make his
appearance at Il a. m Tickets are
being distributed TO school children
which viii entitle them to a sack of
candy. Youngsters of pre-school age
are also eligible for the hand-out, but
no tickets are required for them.
The Ely theatre viii have a free show
for the children OF the community on
Saturday, Dec. %, starting at $50 a. m,
according TO Dick Davis, manager. It
viii be over in plenty of time fer
everyone to go to the Community Center
for Santa's visit.
The State theatre viii also sponsor
a free movie for the children, according
to Ralph Swanson, manager, but the
date has not been definitely set.
This Saturday at 2:30 p. m, Christ
mas party is being held for children
Of American Legion and Auxiliary mem
berS in the Community Center.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-12-14
ANN ANDERSON
DIES In DULUTH
Funeral for Ely Young Lady
Held Yesterday Afternoon
From Bethany Church.

Miss Ann L. Anderson, daughter Ct
Mr.. and Mrs. Gust Anderson Of tn
city, died IN Duluth, Sunday, after
seven years Of illness
The remains were brought 70 the
Laing Mortuary in this city, Monday.
and the funeral took place from the
Bethany Lutheran church, wednesday
afternoon at O'Clock The Rev. c.
Helgesen Of Duluth. and Oliver Wilson,
student pastor Of the Bethany church.
conducted the last sad rites. The floral
offerings that banked the casket were
many and beautiful. The funeral was
attended by a crowded church. many
from out Of the city being in attend
ance.
Pail bearers were Chester HiIlman.
Milton Stenlund, Onni LaSsi. Bernard
Kovan. Matt Levar. Jr., and Leonard
Levar. The remains were inferred in
the family lot in the Ely cemetery.
Miss Anderson was born in Sweden
on May 9, 1916. With her parents she
came TO this country when she was
seven years Of age. Surviving are her
parents, four brothers and two sisters.
The brothers are Gust, Harry. Andrew
and Everett, all of this city. The
sisters are Mrs W. NJ Somero OF Ely.
and Mrs l. E Refs of Faribault, Min
nesota- -Four nephews and one niece
In Sweden also survive
The bereaved family have the SYM
pathy Of the community in the loss Of
their daughter.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-12-14
Auxy President Urges All
to Unite in Peace Program,
Mrs. A. c. Schaefer, Duluth,
State President, Addresses
Ely Legion Unit.

Every woman is well aware, know,
of the urgent need for united efforts
by men and women who are devoted
to American ideals and principles"
said Mrs A c. Schaefer Of Duluth,
state president Of the department Of
Minnesota, in addressing the Auxiliary
unit at the Community Center, We'd
nesday Of last week, or her first official
visit to the unit in this city.
World conditions and conditions
within our own country demand that
al Of Us give our strength and influence
to the support OF the ideals and in
situations Of our country" said the
state president.
AS individuals We can do little, but
united in the American Legion Aux
iiary, We can be a powerful force for
security, prosperity and peace for the
United States.
The American Legion and its Aux
iiary stand before the public as power
ful guardians of American peace. In
the Auxiliary, women Of families Of
service men can serve most effectively
to protect America from war and from
loss of individual liberty" she said
AS never before in the history Of the
American Legion has so much appreci-
alton been shown by the public 70
these men whose every thought is for