davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-03-12
BIuckout Test
Is Slated for
Tuesday Niqht

Some time between 7 and IL pm.
Tuesday, the District will experience
its second blackout test since adop-
ton Of the new AFRAID signal
system ordered by Military officials
The practice blackout was or
dered late yesterday by the Com
missioners with the approval of the
commander of the Washington
Military District.
Commissioner Guy Mason, deputy
co-ordinator of civilian defense for
the Metropolitan Area. requests that
Maryland and Virginia counties in
this military district cooperate in
the drill
Civilian defense officials today
expressed apprehension that the
blue signal, steady blast, might
prove traffic hazard as in the last
blackout test. 1t was pointed out
that on the blue signal when traf-
tic is permitted to continue, pedeS-
trians rushed heedlessly for shelter,
although not required to do so until
the red signal Ca wavering blasD.
1t has also been urged that house.
holders look out at the street lights,
which are turned on after the all
clear signal mot audible). before
turning on their house lights. AL
though notification of the all-clear
is broadcast over radio stations.
some civilian defense officials be-
lieve a double check is advisable.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Virginia Schools
Given Rotioned
Food as Surplus

Although they are rationed, canned
tomatoes and prunes have been in
cluded in the foods classed as sur
plus commodities and given out by
the Virginia State Department of
Public Welfare for distribution to
school cafeterias, according to T. c..
Williams, superintendent of the
Alexandria schools.
Mr.. Williams revealed that the
February allotment to the Alexan-
dria schools included l6 cases of
canned tomatoes and Is boxes of
prunes with 25 pounds in each box
Canned tomatoes carry q 13-point
per pound value. Prunes, however,
were cut to an 8-point-a- pound
value by the OPA yesterday.
In addition, seven sacks of dried
beans, also rationed product, were
included.
Although the commodities were
distributed before rationing went
into effect, Mr.. Williams said that
the amounts of tomatoes and prunes
had not been decreased from what
the schools have been receiving all
along
The Alexandria Department of
Public Welfare, which distributes
surplus commodities to INDECENT
families has received no rationed
products other than dry beans, with
280 pounds distributed in February.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Roosevelt Curiosity Leads
To New Chestnut Fertilizer
Potomac Growth Has Some Value,
Agriculture Department Reports

AS result of President Roosevelt's
curiosity. the Agriculture Depart
ment has determined that the water
chestnut growth plaguing the Poto-
mac River for years apparently has
some value as fertilizer but that it
isn't worth hauling very far
Tests conducted at Beltsville
showed that use of water chestnut
fertilizer gave significantly higher"
yields from tomato plants. Secretary
of Agriculture Wickard informed the
President in a letter made public
today.
Farmers living near the river are
finding use of the material "advan-
tageous in producing truck crops"
Mr.. Wickard added. He said, how
ever, that specialists in his depart
nent did not believe it would pay to
haul water chestnut long distances
for this purpose.
Saw Growth From Yacht.
Mr.. Roosevelt became interested in
the problem of what to do about the
water chestnut as a result Of travel
ing on the Potomac in his yacht and
noting the vast growth of the pest.
and suggested more than a year
ago that the Agriculture Department
look into it.
The text of Mr.. Wickard's letter
to the President follows:
In your letter of January 81,
1912. you asked that simple test
be conducted at Beltsville to de-
termine the possible fertilizer value
Of water chestnut taken from the
Potomac.
Such a test was made during
the summer of 1912 by the Bureau
of Plant Industry with material
which the War Department re-
moved from the river about nine
months earlier and left in piles on
the bank. Two tons of this half
decayed material were taken to
Beltsville and applied to two plots
of tomatoes alternating with two
control plots to which no water
chestnut material was applied
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Agriculture Officials
Confer With House Group

Two key officials of the Agricul-
ture Department were called today
to confer with a policy committee
of y legislators chosen from bi-
partisan group Of representatives
from each State formed recently to
bring about through congressional
action, a solution of problems be-
setting farmers.
Called TO testify at the closed
hearings were M Clifford Town
send, head of the Agricultural Con-
servation and Adjustment Admin
istration, and Wayne H DarroW
director of the newly created Agri-
culture Labor Administration
Chairman Fulmer of the House
Agriculture Committee and leader
of the 48-man coalition, said the
two officials were called to give the
policy group inside information
on certain farm problems. He de-
clned TO elaborate
He promised, however. that a CO.
ordinated program for the solution
oi ajor farm problems would be
completed shortly. and that the
plan would be presented to Eco
nomic Sterilization Director James
F, Byrnes.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Gen. Blonde Saunders
Decorated for Heroism

Brig. Gen. Laverne Blonde"
Saunders. 80, whose wife lives at
323 Sixth street Sc. was one of
three Army air officers decorated for
heroism during the Solomons cam
paign, the Navy announced today.
Gen. Saunders, former all-Amer-
ican tackle and coach at West Point.
received the Navy Cross for leading
a group of bombers and fighters in
a daylight raid on enemy shipping.
The Navy Cross also was awarded
to Maj. John Archibald Thompson.
30, Takoma, Wash, commanding
officer of a fighter squadron based
on Henderson Field, and the Navy
Distinguished Service Medal was
given to Maj. Dale D. Brannon, %.
San Antonio, Tex, fighter squadron
commander.
The cross was formally presented
to Gen. Saunders by Admiral Will
liam F.. Halsey, commander of the
South Pacific Forces, acting for the
President.
Gen. Saunders citation said in
part: "On November 18, 1912, in
the face of severe anti-aircraft and
enemy fighter opposition, he sue
cessfully led his planes in a daring
daylight bombing raid on enemy
shipping. At least two 1.000-pound
bomb hits were scored on enemy
vessels and II enemy aircraft we're
destroyed. After his own airplane
was badly damaged and it became
necessary to land his plane in enemy
territory. he skillfully accomplished
water landing near shore, thereby
permitting the remaining members
of his crew to reach safety"
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Nelson .Honors Man
Who Walked to Job
Through Blizzard
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A war worker who walked all
night through a blizzard in sub
zero weather to get to work,
then put in an extra shift, re-
ceived congratulations today
from Chairman Donald M. Nell
son Of the War Production
Board.
The worker, Lloyd Converse,
AZ, employed at the Massena
IN. " plant of the Aluminium
Co. of America, left his home
near Hopkington at 9 pm. Sum
day, walked 20 miles, stopping
enroute for food and a short
rest at his sisters home, and
reached work at 8 am. He not
only worked his regular shift,
but remained an additional
eight hours in place of an en-
ploye absent because of the
storm.
The incident was called to
Mr.. Nelson's attention by the
plants labor management
committee.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Potato Supply
Exhaustion Seen
This Week End
OPA Preparing New
Ceiling Prices for
Fresh Vegetables

With no relief in sight for at
least two weeks. rapidly dwindling
stocks Of potatoes in District stores
and warehouses will be completely
exhausted after tomorrows heavy
shopping, 1t was predicted today by
produdce men.
Meanwhile 1t is understood a new
schedule of selling prices covering
fresh vegetables on the local market
is being prepared by the District
OPA aff1ce. Announcement is ex-
pected later today. These revi-
sions, 1t was expected. would raise
the prices of those vegetables now
governed by ceilings. but it was
hoped the changes woAld relieve
what produce men termed
squeeze" and would allow produce
to flow into the District in greater
abundance.
Low ceilings, in the face of high
market prices, the produce men say,
have made it impossible for dealers
here to handle certain vegetables
without incurring losses.
Offices Hold Conference.
Sylvan Joseph, OPA regional ad-
ministrator. was in the city yester-
day to confer with District OPA
Director Robert K. Thompson and
national OPA officials.
Little hope was seen, however, for
resuming shipments of potatoes into
the District until around April /.
according to an Office of Defense
Transportation spokesman. Move
ments of potatoes for civilian con-
sumption recently we're placed third
on a priorities list governing the
use of refrigerator cars-after Gov
ernment-inspected and selected
seed potatoes. An amendment to
this ruling, issued by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission agent
| for refrigerator cars in Chicago,
exempted movements of stock for
the armed forces.
The ODT official explained that
the ruling on refrigerator cars was
necessary to assure the movement
of seed from Maine and from the
Red River Valley of Minnesota and
South Dakota into the potato-grow-
ing sections Of the Middle South.
Beer Shipments Halted.
| For the same reason, ne said,
shipments of beer in refrigerator
cars was cut down so per cent on
February % and stopped altogether
last Saturday and several weeks ago
ventilated box cars were substituted
for refrigerator cars in moving
Florida citrus fruits to Eastern areas
south of the Ohio River.
He pointed out that seed potatoes
must be planted now in the Middle
South to guarantee an adequate
crop
Many District produce men were
entirely out Of potatoes today. A
few still had limited stocks on hand
because they had been limiting sales
during the past few days, but they
did not expect their supplies to last
beyond tomorrow.
The produce merchants said vege-
tables were being diverted to other
markets where ceilings were more
favorable and the wholesalers could
afford to pay the prevailing market
prices. They conceded, however,
that the recent Florida freeze, "
which caused heavy damage to
crops, was having its effect on the
local supply situation.
Evening star., 1943-03-12

"It had been planned to use
strawberries instead of tomatoes in
the test last season, but exami-
nation OF the water chestnut ma
terial revealed the presence of nu-
merous bony, sharp-pointed seed
about an inch in diameter. The
sharp seeds on strawberry bed
would not be welcomed by and
might injure the pickers; there
fore, it was decided to use only
tomatoes.
"All four plots had been uniformly
prepared, lined and fertilized be-
fore the tomato plants were set out.
The plants, about inches high,
were set in checked burrows and a
handful Of soil pulled around the
roots Of each plant Then on the
duplicate water chestnut plots a
half-peck of water chestnut manure
was spread around the bases of the
plants. The manure was then COW
cred with soil. Cultivation of all
plots thereafter was uniform. To-
matoes were picked from each Of
the four plots on six different days
during the test.
Yield Significantly Higher"
The yield of tomatoes from the
plots to which water chestnut ma
terial had been applied averaged
significantly higher than those
from the controlled plots. This
indicates, as you had guessed, that
the water chestnut may have a
fertilizing value although the ma
terial may also have been of some
value in conserving moisture.
We now have reports that
farmers with land adjacent to the
river, who can secure the water
chestnut material without the. ex-
pense incident to a long haul, are
using the material and finding it
advantageous in producing truck
crops. The results of our expert
ments support this practice, but
our specialists are of the opinion
that it would not pay to haul water
chestnut long distances for this
purpose"
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Army Plans Trailer Camp
Near Camp Springs Base
, the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, March 12.-Maj.
Owen Begley of the Army Engineers
Corps said yesterday a trailer camp
with all modern facilities would be
set up on Government property near
Camp Springs for use of workers on
the new Army airport.
The new plant, less than a mile
from the job, will have running
water, electric power lines and sani-
tary facilities, Maj. Begley added.
Ten trailer camp operators in the
vicinity were fined s25 and costs by
Judge Alan Bowie of Prince Georges
County Magistrates Court, earlier
this week for failing to take out
licenses. The fines were suspended
The charges were brought by
county health officers, who alleged
that the camps were unsanitary and
unhealthy.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Secretary Stimson
Offers No Objection
To Woman Doctors
House Group Weighs
Bill to Give Them
Commissions in Army

The House Military Affairs Sub
committee considering bill to per-
NIT commissioning of women doctors
in the Army and Navy today was
in recess until Thursday, after learn
ing that Secretary of War Stimson
has mo objection" to the measure
In a letter read to the subcom-
mittee yesterday, addressed to Chair
man May of the full committee, Mr..
Stimson pointed out the War Man.
power Commission has set limits on
the number of doctors the Army can
take during 1913. The number later
was announced as 5000.
No Effect on Number.
Therefore, enactment of this bill
will neither increase the number of
physicians and surgeons available
to the armed forces nor will it in
crease the expenditures of the de-
partment." the Secretary declared
in his letter. He observed, however,
that every woman doctor commits
stoned in the Army would mean one
less male physician withdrawn by
the armed forces from civilian COM
munities.
Mr.. Stimson's letter was in reply
to request for his opinion of bill
introduced by Representative Spark
man. Democrat, of Alabama.
Among those testifying yesterday
on the Sparkman bill and on a more
general bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Celler, Democrat. of New
York were DR.. Frank H. Leahysof
Boston. head Of the War Manpower
Commissions Medical Procurement
and Assignment Board. and Mrs.
Frank Vanderlip, chairman of the
Board of Trustees of the New York
Inflrmary for Women and Children.
Bill Indorsed.
DR.. Leahy Endorsed the commits
sioning of women doctors. He asked
there be sufficient flexibility in the
bill SO women could be used where
most needed.
Declaring that women have to be
excellent morally. mentally and
physically to get through medical
school, Mrs. Vanderlip said woman
doctors don't faint and don't mis-
behave"
AS a mother" she said, Il would
welcome woman doctors at the hos
pitals where my sons would be-"
The Surgeon General of the Army
and other War Department wit
neSses will be heard when the sub
committee reconvenes.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
112 Belmont Gardens
Tenants Request U. 5.
To Run Development
Ask Congress to Create
Operating Agency to
Keep Project Open

A group of 112 tenants of Belmont
Gardens, Inc, a large rooming and
boarding house development in the
100 block of r street NV, which
the District rent administrator has
given permission to close on April l.,
today petitioned Congress to create
or Designate an agency to take over
temporary ownership Or operation
of the premises as emergency ROOM
ing accommodations
AS an alternative the tenants re-
quested Congress in the petition to
provide them with priority rights
in Government housing develop
ment, such as Mclean Gardens, lin
order that the undersigned may
continue to remain at their war
work in Washington"
According to Miss Dorothy c..
Pickens, chairman of the Tenants
Committee, the petition also is being
forwarded to Mrs. Roosevelt be
cause of her active interest in the
housing situation in Washington.
The petition points out that mill
tary personnel living at Belmont
Gardens "are in complete accord
with this petition, but are unable to
sign because of military ethics ap-
plying to the signing of Congress
sional petitions in time of war"
The petition climaXes a year-long
controversy between Mrs. Frederick
A. Sterling, owner of seven residence
halls included in Belmont Gardens
and principal stockholder of the op-
Grating corporation, and the tenants.
The rent administrators decision
Is accepted by the tenants in these
words: The undersigned all under
stand and are in complete agree
ment with the democratic principle
underlying the administrators de-
cision in this case, and offer no OBJ
lection to the typically American
principle which permits any indi-
vidual or corporation, with the ex-
ception of public utility, to go out
of business whenever they so de-
sire"
The petition characterized the
rooming house development as a
business which because of the war
emergency has become closely par
allel to, If not actually, public
utility"
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Marines Sent to Instruct
Corps Reserve Women

The Navy Department announced
today that two detachments of ma
rines have been dispatched from the
Marine Barracks. Paris Island, S. c.,
to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's
School at Northampton, Mass, for
duty as instructors for members of
the new Marine Corps Women's Re-
serve.
One detail of drill instructors will
conduct the training of officer can
didates, while the other will organize
a personnel classification section
modelled after the Paris Island sys-
tenn of classifying recruits according
to military aptitude.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Planes. Forced Landing
Kills Civilian Workman

By the Associated Press
MECHANICSBURG, Pa, March
12.-Dr. E. A. Haegele, Cumberland
County coroner, announced a civil
ian workman was killed late yester-
day when struck by plane making
forced landing at the Mechanics
burg Naval Supply Depot.
Z DR.. Haegele said Albert c. Kraft,
ST, OF Camp Hill, died of a frac-
tured skull and crushed chest when
the plane hit him as he was walking,
near the depot entrance. He added
that one of eight passengers in the
plane suffered broken nose, but
that the others were unhurt.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Marlin R. Norins Injured
When Struck by Auto

Martin r. Norins, 90, of 5429 Con-
necticut avenue NV. was seriously
injured today when struck by an au-
tomobile as .he stepped from street.
Car loading platform at Wisconsin
avenue and Yuma street NV.
He was taken to Georgetown Hos
pital suffering from cuts, bruises and
possible skull fracture.
Police said the car was operated
by Lmley S. Van Riper 81, Of Rock
VILE, Md.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Women-in-|ndusty
Conference Backs
48-Hour Week
Leaders Of Ten Stotes
Discuss Problems of
Wartime Production
"A. P. Photo.

Resolutions supporting the 49,
hour week as conducive to maximum
output in war industries and main
tenance of peacetime standards in
civilian industries we're adopted to-
day at the conference on women in
industry at the Labor Department.
Labor commissioners and officials
from 10 States and the District and
representatives of the War and
Navy Departments and the War
Manpower Commission have con-
Quoted the two-day conference to
discuss working conditions of wom-
en- in war plants.
Relaxation of hours laws, for
emergency periods only, was advo-
Gated by the conferees.
Absenteeism Discussed.
Industrial Safety and Health
Standards for Women Workers was
the subject Of a morning session to-
day and later in the day talks GEN.
tered on Adjustments in Home and
Factory to Reduce Absenteeism and
Increase Production"
Labor officials at the conference
testified yesterday that extension of
the work week beyond 4S hours and
the work day beyond hours caused
absenteeism due to fatigue and i'll
health. Most of the States have
the power to relax State labor laws
governing hours and working condi-
tions OF women. That production
falls after go days on a 56-hour in
stead Of 48-hour week was claimed
by William L. Connolly, Rhode Is
land director of labor. After one
plant dropped from the 56-houl
week to a 39-hour week production
increased so per cent, he said.
Miss Ethel Erickson, Women's Blu.
reau industrial supervisor, told ot
the jobs women are performing in
aircraft, ammunition and other war
plants. Determining factors in plac-
ing women in war jobs she said were
strength, height and emotional sta
bility.
Capt. Thomas Sullivan of the
Army Air Forces described the tre-
mendous Increase in the proportion
OF women workers projected for the
next six months In aircraft factories.
In some plants. he said, so to 80
per cent of all workers will be
women.
Last night the group heard Isador
Lubin, commissioner of the Bureau
OF Labor Statistics and A. Med.
Gordon lah0r attache of tho pritic +,
Embassy discuss British Labor
During the War" at a dinner at
Hotel 24OO.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Two Term Presidential
Limit Favored in Iowa
BY the Associated Press.

BY The Associated Press.
DES MONIES, Iowa, March l2.-
The overwhelmingly Republican
Iowa House of Representatives
adopted resolution today asking
Congress to initiate a constitutional
amendment limiting the tenure of
office ''of any President of the United
States to two terms of four years
each"
The vote was 88 to 8. The reso-
luton was sponsored by 81 Repub-
licans and the dissenting votes
were cast by Democrats. The House
is composed of 98 Republicans and
10 Democrats.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Messenger Found Guilty
Of Assault on Guard

A colored messenger for the Board
of Economic Warfare was convicted
of assault in Municipal Court yes
terday after Special Officer A. C.
Kriz, guard in temporary building T
at Thirteenth street and Constitu-
tion avenue. testified the youth had
refused to produce proper identifl-
cation, removed the guards glasses
and struck him in the face.
The messenger. Josephus r. Bra
mic, 20, of 735 Gresham place NV,
pleaded self-defense. He will be
sentenced on Monday.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Admiralty Announces
Loss of New Submarine
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March l2.-The Ad-
miralty announced yesterday that
the P-3ll, a submarine of wartime
construction, the details of which
are secret, is overdue and must be
presumed lost.
It's commander. Richard Douglas
Cayley, "a years old. was rated one
of the outstanding navy officers of
this war. He held the DSO and two
bars and was credited with sinking
$1,000 tons of Axis shipping in Is
months.
Evening star., 1943-03-12
Prayer to Open Concert

CINCINNATI, March IL (P,.-For
the first time in the 70-year history
of the Cincinnati Symphony Orches-
ira, this afternoons concert was to
open with prayer, as part of the
city's observance of World Day of
PRAYER,
Evening star., 1943-03-12
x X
W1sa1Ho~R1s1NiM
WAR BONDS

A huge formation of warplanes
Is an inspiring sight, stretching
away in the dim distance. But you
must keep 'em flying. You must
provide those planes, the gas to
operate them, the bombs which
mean victory, the cost of training
our fearless airmen. You and your
increased purchase of War bonds
every payday does the job.
Evening star., 1943-03-12

1t costs about $10O per hour for
gas alone to keep four -motored
bomber in the air. One bomber in a
nine-hour flight from London to
Berlin and return burns 5000 in gas
oline. A thousand-ship flight then
costs about 100000 for gas alone.
The job ahead is tough one. but
We can do it. You've done your
bit, now do your best" and buy more
War bonds.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-01-24

gnOp:'s The WINGS AND HEB Pei ALLIES FACE KING ApHURS
kEN4TI4E SCOTTISH BORDER THEN PRINCE VALIANT LEADS
QADNG Party AGAINST THE VIKING Supply LINES. TANNG VAST
QUANTTES Or SORES WHICH He LET'S FAIL INTO The HANDS
or TIE ICTS WHEN THE HUNGRY VIKINGS FIND The pCS EATING
Their FOODTHEY FALL UPON THEIR ALLIES AND BATTLE BEGINS