davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-04-28
Neal Declares Pepco
Isn't Asking Increase
Despite Low Returns
Cites War Economy
For Present Policy
On Electric Rutes
BY BAINBRIDGE CRIsT.

Alfred G. Neal, president of the
Potomac Electric Power Co., told the
Public Utilities Commission today
his company was not asking for an
increase in rates despite the fact
that we are not earning a fair re-
turn"
Except in extraordinary circum-
stances, such as unusually high rates
or threat to the financial integrity
of the utility, which are not here in
volved, rates of charge for electric
service should not be increased or
decreased while wartime economy
prevails" Mr.. Neal declared.
Explains Company's Attitude.
Answering the question of why the
company was not seeking an in
crease If it felt it was entitled to
one. Mr.. Neal explained:
"The basic reasons for our posi-
ton are simple. They are the result
of recognition by the company of
the abnormal conditions which re-
suit from the war economy.
I'm particular, the excess profit
taxes imposed in order to meet the
abnormal expenses of war cause a
distortion which I firmly believe
renders it impossible to obtain a
reasonable result by the application
of any of the theories of rate max
ing with which any of us may have
become indoctrinated in peacetime. II
Mr.. Neal defended the sliding
| scale arrangement for annual rate
adjustment which has been in effect
since January l, 1925.
Limited to Present Hearing.
Asked by Alan Johnstone, general
counsel for the Federal Works
Agency, what he meant by not ask
ing for a rate increase "at this
time" Mr.. Neal replied that he
meant during the present rate hear
ings. He pointed out that his COM
pany could not tell what situations
it might be confronted with later
during the war.
Pointing out that the company
will need $38,000,000 of capital in
the coming years, Mr.. Neal told Mr.
Johnstone that the company must
be kept in shape to obtain this
money at as cheap rate as possible
for the benefit of the company and
CONSUMERS.
Charles II. Fell, director of the
utilities division of District so of the
United Mine Workers OF America
suggested to the commission that
each years surplus of the company
over the allowed rate OF return be
divided $3.50 between the company
and employees.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
District Legion Cited
For Aid in Bond Drive

The District Department. Ameri-
can Legion, last night received the
Treasury Departments citation for
meritorious work during the Fourth
War Bond drive when it exceeded it's
million-dollar quota by 100000
The presentation was made by
John A. Reilly, chairman of the Dis
trict War Finance Committee, as
District Comdr. G. Francis Nc
Carthy and National Comdr. Warren
H. Atherton looked on. Citations
also were presented to individual
posts, auxiliaries and individual
members for outstanding work.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
400 Club Put
On Probation
In Ration Case
Warrant Is Sought
For New York
Meot Supplier

The 400 Club. restaurant and
cocktail lounge ut 1923 r street NV.
today was suspended from dealing in
rationed commodities for the dura-
ton Of the rationing program. but
Immediately received a stay Of the
order so long as respondent does
not again violate the regulations"
The decision by Acting oPA Hear
ing Commissioner Joseph Harrison
was announced at the hearings into
|OPA charges that the 400 Club ana
two other restaurants, Fan and
Bill's and Del Rio, bought choice
cuts Of meat without payment of
ration points.
Immediately after the decision.
John L. Laskey, District OPA en-
forcement attorney. announced he
had asked the District attorneys
ofnce to issue q warrant for the ar
rest Of Ira Well, New York supplier
OF meats to three restaurants here.
We intend to see that he does
not go unpunisl1ed in this jurisdic-
tion, Mr.. Laskey informed the
hearing.
Charges In Warrant.
Mr.. Laskey said that the warrant
will charge Well "wilfulIy and un-
lawfully sold Fan and Bills ra.
toned meat" without requiring the
surrender of ration points, contrary
to the provisions Of Ration Order
No. 16 and in violation of the Sec
ond War Powers Act"
Admitting that the circumstances
in the 400 Club case showed a lack
Of motive, but that OPA regulations
had been violated technically" Mr..
Harrison declared: "In view Of all
the circumstances I feel that the
respondent should, from here on
out, be put on his good behavior"
Alvin L. Newmyer,, attorney for
the 400 Club, earlier had moved that
the case be dismissed on the grounds
that the Government had failed to
substantiate its charges and that
there was nothing in this case but
suspicion"
Ration Points Surrendered.
Mr.. Newmyer claimed that the
evidence showed e. r. Sangeorge,
manager Of the club, surrendered all
the ration points required under
lOPA regulations and had available
in his rations bank account approx
imately 100000 points. Mr.. Sam
george testified yesterday he had
sent Wenl three separate ration
checks based on what Mr.. San
george determined was the correct
weight fer the meat.
There Is nothing in the OPA
regulations governing q case where
There Is q dispute over. ration points
land weiehts," Mr.. Newmyer de-
lclared In his arguments today. "It
would have been as much q viola
ton Of the spirit Of the regulations
Ito have given less or more points
than ARE required" He added that
Ia business establishment SIS ahso-
'ilutely at the mercy OF an out-of-
ltown supplier In respect to points
land weights" for commodities de-
|livered.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
20 D. c. Youths Sought
As Form Workers

John Jones, District farm recruit
ment head, said today that 20 Wash
ington out-of- school youths between
the ages of IA and II are needed as
summer farm workers.
MIR. Jones said the boys will be
given a two-week farm course on a
farm near Manassas, Va, and will
be paid Is cents day and lodging
during the training period. After
the training period they will be
placed on farms and will receive $35
to $40 month, plus board and
room. ...-
Interested boys are asked to apply
to Mr.. Jones at the United States
Employment Service, Fifth and K
streets NV.
Evening star., 1944-04-28

The torpedo hits were followed by
three more bomb hits and another
suicide plane crash which started
more fires. OF 27 attacking aircraft,
20 were shot down by antiaircraft
fire, but the attack, which lasted IL
minutes, left the Hornet dead in the
water with many fires on board and
with decided list. Our wounded
personnel were promptly removed
by destroyers, the fires were ex-
tinguished in about half hour, and
the Hornet was taken in tow by
the Northampton, but in the after
noon she was again attacked by
torpedoes and dive bombers and had
to be abandoned and sunk by our
own forces.
Just before noon the Enterprise
was subjected to an attack by "a
enemy dive bombers, of which seven
were shot down by antiaircraft fire
in which the South Dakota partici-
pated. Shortly after, she weathered
two attacks by torpedo planes and
one more attack from dive bombers.
Catch Wounded.
The first dive bombing attack re-
suited in three hits on the Enter
prise. OF the torpedo planes making
the first attack, one dived on to the
destroyer Smith setting her on fire
forward and exploding the planes
torpedo. BY energetic measures,
however, the Smith brought the
flames under control and was able to
make port. During this action dive
bombers scored a hit on the South
Dakota. wounding her commanding
officer, Capt. now Rear AdmiraD r.
l.. Catch, and inflicted considerable
damage on the light cruiser San
Juan. ...
There were no further attacks and
the two task forces were ordered to
retire independently. During the
night they were pursued by Japa-
nese surface units, which turned
back when it became clear that the
enemy attacks were not succeeding.
Enemy planes estimated to have
taken part in the attacks on the
Hornet and Enterprise numbered
between ITO and 180. OF that num-
Der So were shot down by antiair-
craft fire and about the same num-
ber by our own planes. Our own
losses were the Hornet, the destroyer
Porter, which was torpedoed while
rescuing personnel of one of our
planes, and IA aircraft. We sank no
enemy vessels in the engagement,
and our carrier strength in the Pa
cific was now dangerously low, but
there were partial compensations.
Two enemy carriers had been put
out Of action and four Japanese air
groups had been cut to pieces.
Ito be continued Sunday.)
Evening star., 1944-04-28
District Woman Dies
OF Burns After Leap
From Apartment
Wos Lost of FomiIy
To Escape When 40
Others Reached Sofety

Mrs. Audrey McNeely, 80, who
suffered severe burns last Sunday
before she escaped from her blazing
apartment at 81 Randolph place
NV. by leaping to the roof Of an
adjoining house, died of injuries to-
|day in Casualty Hospital.
Mrs. McNeely was the last to es-
|cape from the fourth-hoor apart
ment. Her husband, Robert L. Nc
Neely, 80, led the spectacular flight
(Df the family. From a window OF
the apartment he leaped 6 feet to
the roof of an adjoining house. Fol.
lowing him was Mrs. McNeely's TO-
|year-old daughter by a previous
marriage, Betty Jane Rattig. Mr.
McNeely caught her and then urged
Mrs. McNeely, who was perched II
the window, to jump.
About 40 other residents of the
apartment house fed to safety by 4
stairway. One other resident, Mis-
Rose Liberty, Who made q similar
jump from the other side OF the
building, suffered d fractured ankle
and Is in Emergency Hospital.
The blaze burned the roof of the
four-story building and gutted the
entire top floor. Investigation dis
closed that the fire started in the
bottom of a wooden dumb waiter
shaft for trash disposal.
Subsequent investigation by Fire
Marshal Roy A. Warfield and Dis
trict Building Inspector John W.
Oehmann revealed that the building
had been cited as being occupied in
violation of District fire regulations
several months ago.
Owners of the building were or
dered either to fireproof the wooden
dumwaiter shaft or remove it. Ac-
ton was delayed, the building in
spector's Office said, by a pending
court action between the owner and
leasee OF the building to determine
who was to pay for the alterations
Interstate Properties, Inc, 726
Jackson place NV, is the owner
and j. w. Block, 723 Carroll avenue,
Takoma Park, Md, is the leasee and
operator of the building. Part of
the structure has been converted
into small apartments and, accord
ing to the District building code, is
now subject to regulations govern
ing rooming houses.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
State Unemployment Aides
To Be in Alexandra

Hubert M. State, manager of the
Alexandria United States Employ
ment Service Office, said today that
Representatives of the State Unem-
|ployment Compensation Commission
will visit two places in Arlington
County, where unemployed workers
may file claims for compensation.
Mr.. State said the Representatives
will be at the Arlington Motor Co.,
1917 North Moore street, from $50
a. m. to noon each Thursday, and at
the Monticello Cleaners, 687s Lee
highway, Falls Church, from ! to
$3.50 pm. the same day.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
ADMIRAL KING'SREPORT::
BATTLEOFCAPEE

The most interesting portion OF the report BY Ad-
miral Ernest j. King on the Nays part In the ,Da,
fDds his chapter on Combat Operations" The Star
iUil publish in instanents the Nauvs report the
most important battles NTH the japanese. The nth
tnstallrnent tollo,ps:
Following the engagement in the Eastern
Solomons, no major action took place in the
South Pacific area for period of about six
weeks. During those six weeks. however, the
supply lines had to be kept open to Guadalcanal
Japanese submarines and air forces were active
in the vicinity, and there were numerous scat
tered actions which cost us the carrier Wasp,
the deStroyers OBrien, Blue, Colhoun Gregory
and nd ShinS damaQad
Evening star., 1944-04-28
SurruttsviIIe Hiqh Fete Set

Miss Nora Desiderro, freshman at
the Surrattsville High School, Clin-
ton, Md, will be crowned May queen
at May Day program, to be held
during a student dance at the school
beginning at $50 o'clock tonight, it
was announced. Her maids of honor
will be Miss Lillian Keller and Miss
Ruth Harvey.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
Suve This Newspaper

Many paper mills are shut
ting down for lack of waste
paper to convert into cartons
for Army and Navy supplies
shipped overseas. Every pound
Of old newspapers and maga-
zines is needed. Telephone your
nearest school or notify some
school child in your block to
have your paper picked up.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
Luncheon PIunned

The Montgomery County Public
Health Lay Committee will hold a
luncheon Tuesday at Hayden Farms,
marking child health day, to be
| observed Monday In the county.
Evening star., 1944-04-28
500 Women Pay 81!
For Ham and Salad
Al Fashion Parade
Proceeds Reoch s., 900
Despite Slow Stort;
Mrs. Boettiger Wins

More than 500 women paid s. q
plate for ham and potato salad at
q Stage Door Canteen benefit
yesterday to see wives Of generals,
ambassadors, Supreme Court JUS
tices and society leaders model
clothes by leading fashion designers.
The proceeds reached an esti-
mated 5000 when Miss Arlene
Francis, radio and stage star, auc-
toned of three Of the show dresses
for $425. The crowd appiauded the
dresses as they were modelled but
were slow to bid. 10
I"T'I have to buy one. niysef III
desperation" Miss Francis said .sShe
bought the third, shantling blue
suit modelled by Representative
Winifred Stanley, Republican, 81
New York, for $3.50. One Of the siz
men in the audience, Eugene Rice
bid 4125 for cotton playsuit, ant
|said he would present 1t to tht
model. Miss Nancy Rheem. 4 Lad,
DIN, wife Of. st. John. DIN. opening
the bidding, purchased an afternoon
dress designed by Adrian and mod
Feled by Mrs. Ira Eaker, wife Of Gen
Eaker. for $50.
Mrs. Boettiger Wins Dress.
A fourth dress, to be made to
order by Hattie Carnegie at a value
of $185, was won for 81 in a lottery
by Mrs. John Boettiger, daughter
of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
Mrs. j. Boettiger of the White
House." Miss Francis read from the
card she selected from hundreds
tossed in hat box. That's q nice
address. Who is it?" The audience,
including Mrs. Roosevelt. laughed
Several voices explained the identity
Of the winner.
The loudest applause. of the ben
eft went to 4-year-old Niyana Pra-
moi, who modelled a mother -daugh-
ter combination with her mother,
Nine. Semi Pramoj, wife of the Min
lister from Thailand. Modelling an
evening dress, Baroness Stackelbere
came on the stage leading a huge
Russian wolfhound.
Besides photographers and one
husband, the only other men in
front of the stage were Marine STAFF
Sergt. william Frank and Marine
Corpl. Allen Buck. stationed by the
stage to assist models down the
stairs to walk among the audience
Sergt. Frank, returned recently from
duty at Guadalcanal, described the
assignment as mot bad"
Difficulty With Models.
The toastmistress had dificulty
getting the models, mainly inexpe-
rienced, to pirouette on the stage
long enough to permit pictures to
be taken.
Mrs. Bard" she called as the
wife Of the Assistant Secretary OF
the Navy hurried off the stage, .'if
you don't come back I'll have to
tell Mr.. Bard" Mrs. Bard returned.
Among the other models were
Mrs. Hugo Black, wife of the Su-
preme Court justice; Mrs. Patrick
j. Hurley. wife of Gen. Hurley, and
her daughter; Mrs. David Hughes,
Mrs. Dorothy Vredenberg, secretary
Of the National Democratic Commit
tee, and Mrs. George Wheeler, Sd.
Servicewomen modelling their uni
forms in the finale we're WAC 1t.
Robin Elliott, Ensign Marjorie
Hatch, U. S. N. r.; Ensign Kathryn
Kumler, Coast Guard, and Marine
1t. Ferne Wait.
Evening star., 1944-04-28

Also the made almost nightly of what came to be
termed the Tokyo from the area to Guada
canal bombed marine positions by day and
by night.
spite offensive operations directed against ground
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
VETS EMPLOYMENT:
C0mpany Plan

With many of its $4,000 men and
women in the services already being
discharged, the International Har-
vester company announced one of
the first comprehensive vets re-
employment plans in industry for its
81 plants and 1877 sales branches.
Objective of the plan is to restore
vets in their old jobs, or positions of
comparable seniority and pay. Spe-
cial training programs are to be
established for physically handi-
capped, while full use will be made
of new skills acquired by vets in the
services. Vets pay during training
will be reviewed at least once
month.
Handicapped employees will be
given lighter work, and mechanical
changes will be made to further
ease the labor of the more seriously
disabled.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24

forget that what you are doing is
supremacy important-and just as
backbreaking, too.
I wouldn't desert this unappreci-
alive family. But l WOULD read
what is popularity known as the riot
act to the whole crowd of them. I'd
ask the two young uncles to board
elsewhere or pay up. I'd delegate
to Ada and Marie alternate weeks
of dish-wiping and table clearing.
I'd construct large chart of finan-
cial obligations, and hang it in a
prominent place, so that every men,
Der of the family might know just
where he stood.
You are in a powerful position.
If you go away one of the young
women will have to stay at home
and take all the criticisms and in
considerations, to say nothing Of
the hard work. Strike now. You
know that in your heart you want
to be with the family, and are need
ed by the family, but make it on
fair terms. Talk it over with Clyde,
if you like, or better yet, talk it over
with all of them, and start with a
clean slate. Remember, that if
their war work is essential, so was
the war work you we're doing; you
can always return to it. To drudge
about overwhelming household tasks
with hurt and resentment in your
soul is like taking a daily dose of
strong poison.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
South Pacifc's Only
Hamburger Stand Rushed

The South Pacific's only ham,
burger stand operates full blast-be-
tween 500 and 1000 sandwiches a
day-at the United States armed
forces officers mess located in the
Hotel du Pacifique, formerly Nou-
meas leading hotel.
The hamburger stand is located in
the patio of the hotel, shaded by
palms and tropical plants, and is
operated by Sergt. Peter C. Albert
son of the United States army, from
Hetland, S. D., and Pfc. Carl C.
Reddeck Jr. of the marines, from
High Point, N. C.
On the first day of operation Al
bertson and Reddeck turned out 627
hamburgers and on the second day
they sold 1926 at 10 cents apiece. The
stand is open from 1880 a. m. to
l:30 p. m. and p. m. to 8 p. m.
daily. 1t also serves other types of
sandwiches, chile con carne and free
coffee, but hamburgers-a touch of
Americana sadly lacking in the
South Pacific-furnish the piece de
resistance.
The USAF officers mess also 3D.
crates restaurant and bar in the
hotel and furnishes rooms for tran
sient officers. The only card of ad-
mission required is the officers uni
form of one of the United Nations,
the merchant marine or Red Cross.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
EUROPE:
See Zero Hour

As the Axis radio dinned that the
invasion of Europe could be expect
ed at any day, huge fleets of heavy
U. S. and British bombers escorted
by fighter planes continued to pour
fire and destruction on the enemy's
industry and defense installations,
with Berlin the No. l target.
Expecting the grandest amphibi-
GUS assault in military history, the
Nazi high command continued to
boast of its steel and concrete coast
al Notifications equipped with long
and short range rocket guns, and,
declaring the impending hostilities
were to determine the future fate of
Germany, insisted that they must
fight it out in their deep defenses
rather than make wholesale re-
treat.
In Italy, strong armored German
forces jabbed at stubborn U. S. and
British lines on the Anzio beachhead
below Rome, while heavy slush and
snowfall slowed Allied advances on
the bloody Casino front, where bit
ter house to house fighting again
was resumed after long lull.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
ESSENTIAL

Work in car plant has been
classified as essential. Surely the
individual ,Uho keeps the york.
ers on the job-the housekeeper
is just as essential. Health,
efficiency, and the attitude Of
workers to their jobs is largely
a matter OF the cleanliness and
serenity Of the homes from ,ohich
they come. A group Of workers
,Uho haze completely overlooked
the fine ,Uork OF 54-yeur-old
,Uoman and ,cho are taking it for
granted that she should carry an
impossible load of rork. are the
subject Of this tceeks Kathleen
Norris article.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
u. S. CASUALTIES:
ReDOrt 1929

OF Americas 62,282 battle casu-
alties as of February %, 1888 lost
their life and ,565 were missing,
either as prisoners of war, dead or
men lost who had not yet made
their way back to friendly hands.
More than $1,000 were wounded.
OF the total, army casualties in
cluded 20,592 dead and 47,318 wound
ed, while the navy reported 1921
dead and 1910 wounded. The army
suffered it's heaviest losses in the
Mediterranean region, where up to
January 81, 9,271 were dead, 29,278
wounded, 3,l41 missing and 1851
prisoners.
In London, the army's chief
psychiatric consultant, Col Lloyd J.
Thompson, reported that rs per cent
of the mental cases treated have
been cured and returned to duty.
Another so per cent Of the more seri-
GUS cases have been cured after spe-
cial insulin, shock and sleep therapy
and group psychotherapy.
AGRICULTURE:
To assure farmers of an incentive
for production, War Food admins
tration is engaged in support pro-
gram on so separate crops.
Unable to dump its produce back
on the market, the VIA must make
other uses of it, donating some of
the food to schools or institutions.
In the case of potatoes, VIA
stocks will be dehydrated and made
into munitions alcohol or stock feed.
Some of the dehydrated potatoes
will be consigned as food, mostly
for lend-lease.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24
PACIFIC:
Big Base Crun,bles

Once Japan's big nerve-center in
the South Pacific, Rabaul, had be-
come increasingly untenable for the
enemy under the heavy fire of U. S.
bombers and fighter planes.
Formerly a beehive of activity
with Jap cargo ships carrying ma
terial into the port for transfer
to smaller barges used to supply
troops in the battle zones, U. S.
fliers returning from raids over the
New Britain base reported that big
ships no longer could be seen.
Further demonstrating U. S. ST.
periority in the area, American
troops battling in the Admiralty is
lands to the north of Rabaul were
supplied by cargo vessels sailing
right into the fighting zone under
protection of warships which en-
countered no resistance.
u. S. Interests
AS high U. S. officials prepared
for conferences with British leaders
in London on Americas postwar role
in the Pacific, congress moved to
appoint a Gilman committee to look
into this country's military and eco
nomic interests in that part of the
world in peacetime.
The whole question of Americas
future position of the Pacific was
drawn into sharp focus with Austria
las and New Zealand's declaration
that these two countries are to be
defensive centers for islands to their
east and west, and use of any terri
tories during time of war does not
entitle nation to claims or rights
on them.
Not only is the U. S. concerned
in the establishment of military
bases in the Pacific for defensive
purposes, but it also is anxious to
provide equal opportunity for such
American interests as airlines.
Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-24

ORCHIDS: American soldiers in
Italy are showing decided pref
erence for orchids as Easter flowers
for their sweethearts, wives and
mothers in the United States. Red
Cross workers who are arranging to
have the flowers purchased and de-
livered, report that these exotic bios
SONS are leading the more conven-
tienal roses, lilies, and gardenias- in
soldiers choice.