davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Army Medical Officer
Testifies Fb| Made
bratcher Drug Test

Maj. Malcolm D. Harrison. Army
medical examining ofilcer at the
Fort Myer induction station, testi-
fled in Federal Court at Alexandria
today that specimen taken from
Everett M. "Washie" Bratcher,
Washington band leader charged
with using drugs to evade the draft,
was given the FBI to test for ben
zedrine.
Maj. Harrison was called as a
Government witness in arguments
on motion presented by Bratcher's
attorneys that the evidence obtained
at Fort Myer be excluded from the
trial on grounds that it violated the
defendants constitutional rights.
He said the use of benzedrine by
selectees to evade the draft first was
suspected last summer when an
lnductee almost passed away" at
the induction station.
Questioned by Bratcher's attor-
ney, T. Edward OConnell, as to
whether the specimen was turned
over to the FBI at the request of
that agency, Maj. Harrison replied
merely that he had, discussed the
use of drugs by selectees with FBI
agents, and he had been told that
Bratcher was to be called up for
re-examination. Later, he said the
specimen was given the FBI because
it was a law enforcement agency.
Earlier, William E. Leahy, Dis
trict director Of selective service,
testified that out of 400 District
men examined at Fort Myer go had
been sent. back for re-examination
to check suspicious. that selective
service records were incorrect.
Maj. Harrison testified that
Bratcher's physical examination in
dicated hypersensitivity and that
on re-examination in November he
was checked only for abnormal blood
pressure and possible causes. 1t was
then that the specimen was obtained
and turned over to the FBI for
analysis.
Mr.. O'Connell, who with Leslie
Garnett, represents Bratcher, said
the attorneys would present evidence
to prove that the TBI, in obtaining
the specimen from Fort Nyer, had
violated the .copstitutional guarantee
against unlawful seiSme.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Kemp Assumes Office
As Sanitary Engineer

Harold A. Kemp, So, today was
sworn in as director of District
sanitary engineering to replace the
late John Blake Gordon.
Mr.. Kemp was head engineer Of
the Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors at the War Department
at the time of his appointment last
month. He was sworn in by Geoffrey
Thornett. secretary to the Board OF
Commissioners. in brief ceremony
in the office of Commissioner John
Russell Young.
Mr.. Kemp has been loaned to the
District government in the past for
special assignment work under Mr..
Gordon. After Mr.. Young had stated
that the District government was
fortunate in obtaining Mr.. Kemp's
services the new director promised
an efficient administration.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
u. S. Plans Future for Men
Like Soldier Who LostLeq
They Will Walk and Work Again
Under Ambitious Medical and Aid Program

Aware that there are persons like
the landlady who considered her
self too i'll to cope with the sight of
a soldier on crutches, the Govern
ment has embarked on an ambitious
program to enable disabled, soldiers
to resume their place in society
without inspiring either revulsion
or pity.
The story Of the landlady who
asked soldiers wife to leave her
home rather than allow the soldier
who lost his leg at Salerno to visit
her was told by The Star Sunday
and brought immediate offers Of
rooms for the soldier and his wife
That is for the present. but there
are many who wonder what the fu-
ture holds for this young couple.
Army doctors are now working
toward the day when this soldier
and others like him will walk out
of Walter Reed Hospital without
even a noticeable limp.
No Apple Selling This Time.
No one is more anxious than the
Government to see he won't be like
that legless veteran of the last war
you saw selling apples on street
corner. The Government wants to
see him trained for a job of his
own choosing at Government ex-
pense, given pension to add to his
earnings, given more education if
he wants it. given the guarantee of
loan to buy a home or start a
business Of his own.
He's been in Walter Reed for five
months now. It's been a long pull
one hospital after another for II
months. ever. since that hand
grenade exploded. ::5
Psychologically he's now going
through the most difficult time. but
he's already been measured for his
artificial leg. This is the only Army
in the world that sees that its SOL
diers walk again before they're dis
charged tWalter Reed measures
such patients for artificial limbs as
soon as they arrive. 1t makes the
men start looking forward. Surgery
may delay the day the artificial
leg goes on but some men may be
ready to wear one in as little as
six weeks)
Kept Busy in Glasses.
He's not given much time 10 brood.
to think about the past or worry
about the future. Glasses in a
variety of vocations from book
keeping to blue printing are manda-
tory. That's to make him realize
how many jobs he can do. what
the future can hold for hun. It's
another part of the looking forward
process.
Once his leg is fitted. he'll think
he can just walk of. It's not quite
so simple. He'll have to learn how
to balance. At first. it's like walk
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Women in ears os Court
Awards Child to Mother

Amid a fearful scene in District
Court, Justice David A. Pine yes
terday awarded custody of H.
month-old Judith Ann Gillis to her
mother. Mrs. Judith Bojan of
Arlington.
Mrs. Bojan had applied several
weeks ago for writ of habeas
corpus ordering her divorced hus-
band. Leon Gillis, a taxicab opera
tor, to produce the child, which she
said he had taken to his mothers
home in Georgia.
Mrs. Bojan said she and the baby
were visiting her mothers home at
242 Eighth street Sc. on July 4
when her former husband appeared,
On the pretext Of taking the child's
picture, she said, he took the infant
outside, put her In his car, and
'aped avay.
Evening star., 1944-07-18

Mr.. Gillis. who returned with the
child Sunday, told the court he
felt he would be better able to take
care of the child than his former
wife would be.
Both parents have married again
In addition to the parents, i'll
terested spectators at the hearing
included the baby's maternal anc
paternal grandmothers.
When Justice Pine ordered that
the child be returned to her mother
the three women burst into tears
In an effort to ease the situation
Attorney Lewis Shapiro, who rep
resented Mrs. Bojan, said she would
have no objection to Mr.. Gillis visit.
ing the baby every Sunday. Mrs
iBo1an left the courtroom, holding
the blond. blue-eyed baby In hei
arms.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Tuberculosis
Death Rate Here
Second in Nation
Officials Strive
To Ease Pressure
On Glenn Dale

Faced with the highest death rate
from tuberculosis in the country,
except Arizona, District officials to-
day still were struggling with the
|problep Of relieving pressure on
Glenn Dale Sanatorium.
Disclosure Of Washington's tuber.
culosis death rate came from the
National tuberculosis Association,
which reported that the District in
1913 showed 67.2 deaths per 100000.
This exceeded all States except
Arizona where the rate was 1853
per 100000 population. The death
rate there the association an
nounced was due partly to the
fact that many residents of other
States 60 there for health reasons
and also because the numerous In
dians in the Safe are especially
subject to the disease"
For the Nation as whole there
was slight decline in the death
rate, as the figure fell from 43.1 per
100 900 in 1912 to 4l9 in 1943, based
on provisional" figures from State
departments Of health.
Death Rate Declines.
The death rate here has been
gradually declining in the past IL
years, according to Health Depart-
ment figures. The rate dropped
from ISL in 1912 to 67.2 in l943.
| There were 2410 new cases OF
tuberculosis reported during 1943,
according to the provisional" fig.
ures" quoted by the National Tuber-
culosis Association report, and the
number of deaths last year was 598.
District officials meantime still
were trying to keep Glenn Dale OPP
Grating despite the severe shortage
of personnel. DR.. Daniel L. Fin
ucane, superintendent of Glenn
Dale, said that no wing would be
closed. Some patients are to be
discharged, however, he said. to help
relieve the pressure. Only those
whose physical condition has inn
proved sufficiently 50 that ordinar-
lily they would be considered for
discharge" will be sent out, he ex-
planned. Only new admissions to
Glenn Dale will be emergencies, hs
said.
Survey Continues.
Although report on a survey Of
facilities for tuberculosis patients
was expected today by Health Of
ficer George c. Ruhland, the Health
Department said no announcement
would be made until DR.. Rutland
confers with the Commissioners. DR..
Rutland ordered the survey last
week.
i Through the efforts of the District
Red Cross. American Women's VOL
untary Services and the Volunteer
Office. of Civilian War Services, Is
!, women volunteers are taking in
structions in order D.. to serve az
nurses assistanst at Glenn Dale.
Eight OF the volunteers are studying
at Georgetown Hospital and II at
Sibley Hospital.
Tomorrow night the classes will
be combined at Sibley Hospital to
hear DR.. Daniel L. Finucane, super.
tintendent Of Glenn Dale.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
AAA Supports Plan
For Two 4-Lane Spans
Over Potomac al 14th
Advantage Of Proposal
Is Outlined After Study
By Bridges Committee

| Entering the controversy over 9
new highway bridge across the Po.
tomac at Fourteenth street, the Dis.
trict of Columbia Advisory Board o.
the American Automobile Asso.
citation today came out in favor O.
two one-way bridges of four lane!
each.
In doing so the AAA lined up ir
support of the plan proposed by Dis.
trict officials, the Public Roads .Ad.
ministration and the Fine Art.
Commission.
Opposing these agencies. Secre.
tary of the Interior Ickes. who head.
the National Parks Service, and tn.
National Capital Park and Plan.
ming Commission say that the re-
placement structure should be 9
single bridge of six lanes.
Studied by Committee.
The AAA board took its stane
after a careful study by its High.
ways and Bridges Committee. The
board strongly recommends" two
one-way bridges of four lanes each
one on the line of the old bridge
for southbound traffic. and the
other parallel to 1t. and about 40(
feet downstream for nor ,llbounc
traffic.
The principal advantage of con.
structtng two one-way bridges ar
'appreciable distance apart" sale
Washington l. Cleveland, manager
OF the District of Columbia divi-
sion of the AAA, lis that it fits the
requirements OF the traffic which
will flow over the new facility. Ir
l94l the average daily traffic ovel
the bridge was 44,50O, with a max.
imum highest hour of 5000 vehicles
1t is estimated by the trafiic au.
thorities that the 1860 average dail,
traffic will reach $4,000 with a max.
lmum hour count of 10000 vehicles
Traffic Dispersal Cited.
"Twenty-eight per cent of the
travel across the bridge turns lef,
or right at the bridgehead on the
Virginia side of the river and an
equivalent dispersal takes place or
the District of Columbia side al
Fifteenth street, Maine avenue. c
street, D street and independence
avenue. There is further dispersal
by means OF the highway through
the Mall and at Constitution avenue
Because of the heavy turning move.
ment at the two ends of the bridge
| it is desirable to provide exits from
the bridge on the left and en-
frances to the bridge on the right
The two one-way bridges make il
possible to provide direct lanes of
the bridge to the left and on te
the bridge to the right without re-
sorting to the conventional innel
loop or cloverleaf grade separa-
ton.
Increasing the flow OF traffic a,
the Fourteenth Street Bridge woulc
serve to draw off commercial We.
hicles from using the Arlington
Memorial Bridge, thereby preserv.
ing the character and setting o1
Arlington Cemetery and the Airing.
ton Memorial Bridge.
1T should also be noted that the
controversial fourth lane is a ma.
neuver lane, which. with directiona
approaches, is designed to insure
full three-lane capacity in each di.
rection."
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Commissioners Refuse Il
Rooming House Permits

The Commissioners today disap-
proved 2s license applications for
rooming and apartment houses,
hotels and public halls because of
unfavorable reports from the Health
and Building Departments.
Twenty-one of the disapproved
applications were for roomfng
houses, all of which were in the
Northwest and Northeast sections:
two were for apartments. three for
small hotels and two for public
halls.
Twenty-three of the disapprovals
were made by the Health Depart
ment and the other five by the
Building Department.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Bond Sales in District
Reach $1@,600,
121.1 Pet. Of Quota

District subscriptions to the Fifth
War Loan Campaign climbed to
l2l1 per cent of the $107 ,000, ,00C
goal today when an additional $780,
600 was reported for sales during
the week end to bring the overall
total to $129, 600, 900.
Individual sales total S44 4000, 900
or 72.1 per cent Of the SOL 0OO, ,0O(
individual goal, while Series "E'
bond sales have reached $25 ,20O, 900
or TAI per cent Of that $34, ,OOO, ,0Ol
quota. No increase was reported fol-
corporation purchases which stand
at $85. ZOO, 900. or 1863 per cent OF
that units $4,000, 900 quota.
Federal employees are expected tc
exceed their s17,000,0O0 quota by
81, 900, 900 when the final tabulations
of the drive are completed at the
end of the month. according to E. F
Bartlett, chairman of the Interde.
partmental War Saving Bond Com
mittee, who has reported to date a
total investment of $l8,000,0OO by
Government workers.
Pointing to the Impressed
pledges, pay roll deductions and
continuing cash sales yet to be
made, Mr.. Bartlett predicted that the
final result would be at least $19,-
00C, 600, more than half of the Dis
trict's $34, 900. 900 Series e" bond
quota.
Federal employees and their bond
organizations are to be congratu.
lated" ne declared.
War Bond investment by members
of the District American Legion
through last Friday totals more than
81 100000, Patrick Fitzgibbons. War
Bond chairman, reported yesterday
93.3 per cent of the 81 SOC, 900 quota
Meanwhile, it was announced that
Navy personnel. uniformed and ci-
william, during the first week of July
purchased $46. .165, ,762 In War Bonds,
of which $676,474 was credited to
the Washington Navy Yard. Pay
masters aboard ships in fleets on all
the seas chalked up q total Of 81
S96.646 In extra bond buying during
that period.
Five 500 War Bonds last night
were presented to Junior Victory
Volunteers By J. willard Marriott,
president of the Hot shoppes, for the
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Legion Will Add Two
To Washington Stoff

Two executives will be added to
the Washington staff of the Amer
lean Legion, Don G. Glascoff, ma
tlonal adjutant of the organization
announced today.
They are Ebert H. Burns of
Champaign. ILL.,, former head of the
Forty and Eight Society of the Le-
glon, and John r. Barry. Norwalk
ONO. Mr.. Barry was secretary to
Representative Weichel, Republi-
can, of Ohio.
Mr.. Burns will be assistant ma
tional adjutant, and Mr.. Barry will
be executive secretary of the Le-
gion's National Employment Com
mittee.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Owners, Tenants
Invited dtoAugust
Rent Inquiry
Senators to Consider
Legislation to Curb
Goueing' Of Business

Chairman Murray of the Senate
Small Business Committee today In
vited Washington landlords and
tenants to appear as witnesses next
month when the committee resumes
hearings on charges OF commercial
rent gouging here and in other cities
Declaring testimony at a hearing
last week indicated Washington is
one of the areas most seriously
affected, Senator Murray promised
that on the basis of the August
hearings the committee proposes to
consider without delay the possible
necessity for legislation authorizing
control of commercial rents in the
District"
simultaneously with Senator Muir
rays announcement, the CONNER
cial Tenants Protective League made
public a letter urging that imme-
diate steps be taken to bring about
legislation placing commercial rents
under Government control.
Rent Freeze Recommended.
In letter to Chairman Murray
through Richard A. Harman, league
general counsel, the organization
further recommended that COM
mercial rents be frozen as of April
l or Is, l943, and that landlords be
reqeuired to refund to tenants any
amount charged in excess of 10 per
cent above the rate prevailing on
January /, 1913.
Mr.. Harman said the reason the
April date for proposed freeze
was recommended was that the
Once of Price Administration froze
prices as of April of last year.
In other words" he wrote the
committee. 'the small businessman
is prohibited from charging custom
ers more but is compelled to pay
more rent or go out of business"
Hitting at real estate organiza-
tions, Mr.. Harman stated:
Your committee might also bear
in mind that any testimony of real
estate interests, including real es-
state boards. should be considered
very carefully. These boards and
'iASAA SASSdtA'Ns olS ouPpOI ICu III
most part by the per cent COM
mission received by their members
on collections of rent and sales from
which the members pay their dues
and assessments"
Restaurant Case Cited.
He told Of the operator Of a small
restaurant here who for nearly six
years paid a rent of 5000 a month.
Five months ago it was increased
to $3.50 without protest A month
later the building was sold and the
new owner demanded rent of S400.
This demand was cut to $375 pro-
vided the tenant would sign a five
year lease, paying $4,000 cash in
advance to cover the fifth year.
This man is arranging to 60 out
OF business because he cannot pay
any such amounts" Mr. Harman
stated. -His customers will become
an added burden ons other eating
places already overburdened with
war workers. He will be out of en-
ployment and his employees will have
lost their positions"
The league was formed several
months ago by a group of tenants
aroused over growing demands from
landlords for higher rents. The
OPA currently has no jurisdiction
over commercial rents.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Camp Springs Pilot Escapes
Death in Crash

The pilot OF PAT fighter plane
escaped death today when his shin
en- route to the Camp Springs md }
Air Base crashed in a densely wood
ed tract In Sherwood. near Forest
vile. Identity of the pilot was
withheld.
According to Mrs. C. C. HAYES of
Sherwood. the plane narrowly missed
hitting the home of her daughter
Mrs George Trexler, across the
street. She said the pilot walked
from the wreckage.
Mrs. Hayes ran to the scene of
the crash ana attempted to break
into the ship, not knowing that the
pilot had escaped.
The pilot was taken to the base
In q private vehicle. His condition
was believed not to be serious.
Evening star., 1944-07-18

ing on stills. He goes to school tt
learn how to walk again.
One day. he will appear before
board. He'll show he can walk
on level ground without a crutcf
or cane. The appliance will be
checked again and his future vii
begin.
Before he leaves the hospital thu
Army seeks to have all the clinca
records ready for him to file hi.
claim for disability pension with
the Veterans Administration.
representative of the Veterans Ad
ministration at Walter Reed is as
signed to help him with the claim.
Claims Get Quick Action.
1t used to take months for tn,
claim to be adjudicated. but now {
battle casualty can get his first pen.
sion check in as little as 10 days
the Veterans Administration sale
today. In the meantime, his mus.
tering-out pay and back Army pay
are expected to tide him over.
The size of his pension, over 6
standard $35 payment for the los.
of limb. will depend on the ex.
tent of the amputation. Men WHIT
lose a foot get $46 a month plu!
the $35 base payment. Those who's,
legs have been amputated close Il
the hip are considered 80 per cen
disabled and receive $10350 plus tn,
S35. Between these two extreme.
are several other rates of pay.
After he's out for a time his ar,
tificial limb may get uncomfortable
or he may need a new one. He cal
go to Mt. Alto Hospital for out
patient treatment or, II he has t.
enter the hospital, he is entities
to q bed.
Now he's ready to think abou
jobs. The Government is ready t.
pay his expenses for up to four year,
Of vocational training, provided h,
completes it within six years aftel
the war ends. He can go to a col.
lege. trade school or take on-the
job training with the Government
footing the bills for tuition, book.
and tools.
After that, the United States EN-.
ployment Service is charged with
finding him job.
Meanwhile. the CT Bill of Right.
entitled him to borrow from his owr
bank. with the Veterans Admin.
istration guaranteeing $4,000 of the
loan. With Federal loan agency
lending him up to 80 per cent of the
remainder, it's possible for him to
build $4,000 home for himself and
his wife.
But the most important promise
made to him by the Government Is
that one day, as he strides along, nc
one will want to turn their eyes
away because Of an empty trouse,
leg and the clop-clop of crutches.
Evening star., 1944-07-18
Bund Papers
Articles Read 10
Sedition Jury
Eieher Rejects
Defense Protests on
Free Press Angle

BY CARTER BROOKE JONES,

~NAAS
The pro-Nazi, anti-British, anti
Semitic, non-interventionist policy
OF the German-American Bund
newspaper in the month before
America entered the war was put
In the record today at the mass
sedition trial in District Court.
AS article after article was read
to the jury by Special Prosecutor
Joseph w. Burns. the jury learned
that a bund editorial writer de-
clared the Senate had commit
ted suicide" and cast aside civil
liberty. Another time the paper
SAID democracy is not dying-it's
dead"
An "abdicated" Senate. once
known as the greatest deliberative
body in the world. had accepted
selectlve service, said the Weckruf
und Boebachter, the bunds New
York publication.
Invasion Called Impossible.
America was said to have en-
barked on an adventure from which
1t would emerge with a hangover"
which would make the Wilsonian
headache seem mild
Our soldiers" said the paper,
will drown in all the seas of the
world predicting that it would be
found impossible to land them on
the continent of Europe. America
was reported to have openly pro-
claimed its faith in the interna-
tlonal Jewish, Bolshevist madness"
A defense attorney, Ira Chase
koehne, protested that the articles
reflected more on the President and
Congress than on the 26 defend
ants.
And they do not go beyond the
right of the press to freedom of ex-
preston" he added.
Chief Justice Edward c. Eicher
overruled the objection.
The bund contended every Chris
tan group in the country faces
complete annihilation" if the in
ternatlonallstS had their way.
This type of evidence, Defense
Attorney Ethelbert B. Frey objected.
clearly shows that this is a politi-
cal trial, not a conspiracy trial"
The court allowed the Govern
ment to continue.
The prosecution brought in trans
latlons of these bundist expressions
as clrcumstantial evidence of the
alleged Nazi-directed conspiracy to
overthrow the American Govern
ment. Chief Prosecutor o. John
Rogge has promised to follow the
mass OF documentary evidence with
direct testimony linking the de-
PENDANTS with the charge in the
indictment. conspiracy to incite the
armed forces to mutiny. While only
few of the 26 defendants were
members of the bund, the Govern
ment charges that they all joined
in the German scheme which was
spread by the bund..
Bund Article Is Read.
One article in the bund organ re-
ported that millions of identifica-
ton tags had been ordered for the
Army, so that the boys could be
identified when they were killed on
the battleflelds of Europe.
In another defense objection
Joseph H. Bilbrey said: These
articles sound exactly like the
speeches Senator Wheeler was max
ing, not only in the Senate, but up
and down the country If We are
to have freedom of speech for one
set Of persons we should have it for
all others"
The attorney asked that exhibits
of this nature be withheld from the
jury. Justice Eicher denied the re-
quest.