davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Annapolis Expansion
Costly, LitteH Says in
Urging Pacific School
BY the Associated Press,

5s LAC x-ooOCihlcu IIcSBs
Opposition to further expansion
Of the Naval Academy in Annapolis
came today from Norman M. Littell
former Assistant Attorney General
who suggested three sites for a Pa
cific Coast Navy School.
Mr.. Littell declared that "the sur
render of Japan and imminent avail
ability of military sites no longer
needed for war purposes on the
Pacific adds cogent reasons for To-
eating a naval academy in the
West"
He said he directed condemna-
tions of Annapolis property as As
sistent Attorney General and
watched the Navy chewing off bits
of the Maryland capital at high ex-
pense.
Mr.. Littell said that a 7.33-acre
addition to the school cost $396, ,O72 a
few years ago and that a fair price
for the site of st. Johns College,
included In Navy expansion plans,
would be 81, ,000, 900.
In contrast, he said that the site
OF the Marine Shipbuilding Corp,
Sausalito, Calf, which presumably
soon will be surplus, had cost $685.
600 for 646 acres. Other sites sug-
gested were Whidbey Island on
Pudget Sound and the Washington
|Shipyards on Lake Washington near
Seattle.
The heated controversy over the
acquisition Of the 32-acre ST., Johns
campus overlooks the fact that adj
ditional city blocks of residence also
will be acquired in. the proposed
So, 600 900 expansion of the Academy
at Annapolis Mr.. Littell stated.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Apartment Tenants
Protest Raise in Rent
OF $3.50 10 S11.N

Fifty-seven tenants of an apart.
ment building at 2127 California
street NV. today protested pro.
posed rent increases ranging from
81 so to Sl1.50 on 96 of the building.
l16 units. They said the total an.
nual increase would exceed 5000.
Tenants told Rent Control Elk.
aminer Leonard Hays at hearing
at District rent control headquar.
ers, 1740 Massachusetts avenue
NV, that Frank Lyon, the owner
sought to increase both $3.50 rem
tails and $43.50 rentals to s4s
monthly.
Represented at the hearing were
the Washington Housing Associa-
ton and the Washington Industrial
Union Council (CIO). Robert Sher-
man, council president, said he was
interested in the proposed increases
because his organization is sup
porting retention of price control
Tenants invited him to attend the
hearing, he said.
Mr.. Lyon produced figures which
he said justified the Increases from
the standpoint of additional oper-
ating and maintenance expenses.
He testified he does not wish to
raise rents of present tenants, but
that he wants to obtain authoriza-
ton for increased rentals, so that
they may become effective for fu-
ture tenants.
Mr.. Lyon was said to have been
owner since 1880. When notified of
the proposed increases a majority
of the residents formed a tenants
association to file a protest. They
were represented at the hearing by
Attorney j. E. Bindeman.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
D. {. Kiwanians Indorse
Nine e-Point Postwar Plan

John G. Scharf, president of the
Kiwanis Club, has announced that
nine postwar objectives set forth by
Kiwanis International had unani-
nous Endorsement of the local or
ganization.
In outlining the nine detectives,
Mr.. Scharf said that Kiwanis'
theme would be Building for Peace
Unity-Opportunity."
The nine objectives are:
Develop understanding of the
United Nations Charter in support
of world peace, aid returning vet
Grams, encourage sound programs of
reconversion, strengthen democracy
by personal acceptance of citizen
ship responsibilities, expand youth
services to build character and cit
izenship. mobilize public opinion in
support of individual enterprise and
opportunity conserve natural re-
sources, further good will between
Canada and the United States as an
outstanding example for interna-
tional cooperation and develop ma
tional unity through increased en-
phasis on human and spiritual
values.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
ITaxicab Drivers Meet
To Discuss Plans for
Limiting Licenses

About 300 cab drivers met at 2le
Second street NV, yesterday after
noon to plan an appeal to Congress
to limit the number of taxi licenses
issued, e. Erwin Dollar. secretary OF
the Associated Taxicab Operators
Union, said today.
'We probably will make a direct
appeal to Congress to have the
Public Utilities Commission limit
the issuance Of licenses. In the
meantime. we may call on the
District commissioners to withhold
new licenses until Congress con-
venes, Mr.. Dollar said.
He said more than 100 cab drivers
joined the union yesterday and that
the membership of the organization
was growing" Leon Glatfelter
chairman of the unions executive
council, said the membership was
600 and he predicted it would reach
/ 600 in two weeks
The union, Mr.. Dollar said, favors
issuing new licenses only to return
ing veterans who operated cabs in
this area before the war.
1t. Joseph Harrington of the Dis
trict Hack Inspectors Office, speak
ing at the meeting, agreed with
union officials that new applicants
should prove their intention to be
full-time cab operators in order to
get Identification cards. The Heed
for part-time workers has passed. 1t.
Harrington said.
Thomas O'Brien of the Teamsters
Union (AFL) of New York told the
meeting here yesterday of the ne
cessity for strong organization" to
make their demands felt. He pointed
out the war time Situation-where
transferable operating franchises
rose from their actual selling price
of $25 to $1,200-was handed to them
on silver platter" With the re-
lease of the order limiting the num-
ber Of District cabs to 1888 during
the war and the subsequent rush for
licenses, the silver platter" situa-
ton can be taken away as easily as
it came to the drivers, Mr.. O'Brien
said.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
DsiHRstioniinq
Ga

Meats, Fats, Etc.-Book 4, stamps
o. through U-2 good through
August 81. Stamps W. through
Z-2 good through September 30.
Stamps Al through Ell good
through october 81. Stamps FL
through XII good through No
vember 30.
Points for Fats-Your meat dealer
will pay two red ration points for
each pound of waste kitchen fats
you turn in.
Sugar-Stamp No. SO valid for 5
pounds through August 81. Next
stamp valid September /.
Shoes-Airplane stamps l, 2, 3 and 4
.uu In Book No. 3 good Indefinitely for
ons pair Of shoes each.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
President Commutes
Mergner's Sentence
In Staying 10 Life

President Truman has commuted
the death sentence of Fred C. Merg-
ner, convicted slayer of Mrs. Char
lotte w. Robinson, to life imprison-
ment, it was disclosed at the White
House today. The action was taken
last Friday.
Mergner was sentenced to die In
the electric chair August 81 for the
October, 1943, Staying of his 30-year-
old former housekeeper. The execu-
ton previously had been postponed
twice, pending action on petition
for executive clemency or COM
mutation of his sentence by Presi-
dent Truman.
The 46-year old father of five
children was convicted last June of
shooting Mrs Robinson four times
and leaving her to die beside an
open manhole at Seventh and A
streets NE.
High Court Refused Review.
Last April the Supreme Court re-
fused to review the conviction. The
defense, in its brief. had contended
Mergner was "hopelessly intoxi-
Gated" at the time the police al
legedly obtained a confession from
him.
Informed Saturday that the Presi-
dent had spared his life, Mergner
appeared 'noticeably relieved but
was not demonstrative," according
to Claude o. Botkin, District Jail
superintendent, who gave him the
news
While awaiting execution-or word
of executive ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
has been great reader" who has
kept himself well under control dur
ing his stay in the jail's "mur-
derers' row." the Jail superintendent
reported.
Mergner was to be moved today
out of the cell on murderers' row
which he has occupied since his
District Court conviction. He will
probably be sent to Lorton Reforma-
tory, Mr.. Botkin said.
Five Others Await Death.
During his trial, Mergner denied
he had ever intended to kill Mrs
Robinson, whom he described as
"the only woman outside of my
dead wife whom I ever loved" He
told the jury he was in. an "alco-
holic blackout" the night his one
time housekeeper-later an employe
of Recreation Services, Inc.-was
slain.
Mergner will leave behind him In
murderers' row five men sentenced
to die for first-degree murder before
the years end. One of them, Joseph
D. Medley, convicted slayer of Mrs.
Nancy Boyer, has just started the
machinery of appeal. He has been
sentenced to die November 30.
Others facing the electric chair
include Julius Fisher, colored, sched-
uled TO die October 26 for the mur-
der of Miss Catherine Reardon in
the National Cathedral library in
March, 1914; Earl Mcfarland, Ma
rine veteran of Guadalcanal, SEN
fenced to die November Is for the
October, 1914, murder of Dorothy
M. Berrum on the Potomac Park
golf links; Monroe Nicely, colored,
scheduled to die November IS foN
numbering Policeman Charles r.
Johnston in May, 1943, and William
Copeland, colored, sentenced to die
November @ for the murder of
Mrs. Dora M. johnson in February,
1Qdd
Evening star., 1945-08-20
D. {. Methodists Pay
Tribute 10 Asbury,
First Bishop IN u. 5.

District Methodists today paid
tribute to Francis Asbury, firsl
Methodist bishop in America, or
the 20Oth anniversary of his death
A wreath was placed on his statue
at Sixteenth and Mount Pleasant
streets NV.
DR.. Ralph Della Smith, superin.
tendent of the Methodist Washing
ton West District. represented
Bishop Charles Wesley Flint in plac.
ing the wreath. Dr. Smith pointed
out Bishop Flint, on vacation ir
New York State. asked that the OBJ.
servance be held.
Brig. Gen. George F. Rixey, Army
chaplain, assistant to the Inspector
General of the Army. said in brie1
talk that more than 1000 Metho-
dist chaplains are following the
spirit of Francis Asbury in all parts
of the world with our armed forces.
AS I'VE pay tribute to Francis AS.
bury here, we likewise pay tribute
to those in the service of theil
country" he said.
Memorialized by Congress.
An inscription at the base of the
statue states Francis Asbury in hi.
continuous journeys through cities
villages and settlements from It'll
to 1916 promoted patriotism, educa.
tion. morality and religion in the
American republic" The statement
was part OF an Act of Congress me.
morializing the bishop.
Bishop Asbury was born near
Staffordshire, England, on August
20, 1745. He came to America ir
October. It'll, as religious worker
for the Methodist Episcopal Church
then only years old in the United
States. Thirteen years later. or
December Is, 1874, he was ordained
as bishop at a meeting OF American
Methodists in Baltimore.
The new bishop soon earned the
title of Bishop on Horseback" by
virtue of his wide travels through
his jurisdiction. He died at the
home of a friend, George Arnold
near Fredericksburg, Va, on March
81, 1916, while en- route to a general
conference Of the church at Balti-
more. He left behind him an or
ganization of 14,000 members and
1000 clergy.
Have Million Members.
The Methodist Episcopal, Meth
odist Protestant and Southern Meth
odist bodies united in April 1899
now have more than 100000 men,
bers. -.-
The prayer at the wreath placing
was said by DR.. Chesteen Smith, re-
tired local Methodist minister. 1t.
Julius P. Moorman, Navy chaplain,
representing Rear Admiral William
F. Thomas, Navy chief of chaplains,
participated in the brief ceremonies.
Chaplain Moorman, native of Bris-
tol, Va, saw action with the Navy
at Tarawa, Pelelieu Islands, Guam
and Kwajelein. He is a graduate of
the Duke University Seminary in
1912 and is at present stationed in
the chief of chaplains' Office in the
Bureau of Personnel.
Also present at the ceremony were
D. Stewart Patterson, executive Sec
retary of the Methodist Commission
on Chaplains: Samuel j. Mcintosh,
Methodist Union Of Washington;
William Rankin King, treasurer of
the Methodist Commission on Chap
lains; the Rev. Elgar Soper, Potomac
Methodist Church, and Rev. Francis
w. McPeek, director of the WASH
ington Federation of Churches, So
cial Welfare Department.
Evening star., 1945-08-20

tor Vehicles, cautioned against the
danger facing drivers since the lift
ing of the 35-mile-per-hour speed
limit, and said unless motorists re-
alize seriously the dangers of speed
ing and reckless driving. accident
tolls will begin to climb to an all
time record"
Pointing out that the majority Of
automobiles are in bad condition,
Mr.. Elgin announced that law en-
forcement officers throughout the
State have been asked to exert
greater effort to curb violations and
bring offenders tn court
Evening star., 1945-08-20
IWeek End of Driving
Kills 81 Over Nation
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The Nations traffic death toll
mounted to 81 for the first week end
since gas rationing ended and most
States lifted the 35-mile-per-hour
speed limit. The unofficial total
of reported traffic deaths for the
previous week end was Is.
Traffic fatalities this week end Iy
States were: Virginia, IL; Ohio, 6:
New York and Tennessee, S; Cali
fornia, 4; Michigan, 3; Florida,
Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Okla
homa, Texas, Washington and New
Jersey, 2 each; Indiana, Maryland,
New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ore
gon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wiscon-
sin, North Carolina and Kentucky,
l each.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Aussies to Send Volunteers

CANBERRA, Aug. 20 R.-Army
Minister Francis Michael Forde an
nounced today that more than 10000
volunteer Australian troops will go
to Japan as occupation forces, in
addition to air force and navy per-
Sonnel,
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Most Veterans
Won n'tNeed Aid,
Brad|eySays
Leeendre Urges
Three A. U. Graduates
For Center Advisers

Desclaring veterans difficulties in
readjusting to civilian life had been
overplayed, Gen. Omar N. Bradley,
new administrator Of veterans af-
fairs, predicted today the great ma
jority Of returning servicemen will
take their place In the community
without needing help from any one.
At the same time, however, he
warned that getting these men back
to their old lives with the least
upset in minds" is going to require
the combined efforts of everybody
in the country.
He said one Of the troubles of the
Veterans Administration will be
that many uninformed people will
want to give advice to veterans.
Gen. Bradley was one of the Gov
ernment officials giving send-od to
the fifth class of veterans to start
their training at American Univer-
sity as national service officers. The
breakfast, held at the Willard Hotel
also marked the graduation of the
fourth class from the 13-week train
ing course.
Urges Trained Advisory.
The veterans heard assurances
from Brig. Gen. Harry F. Vaughan
military aide to President Truman
that all the veterans of this wal
won't be treated as they were in
1920.
1t. Col. Leonce Legendre, District
Commissioner John Russell Young s
advisor on veterans affairs. said
he had recommended to Commits
sioner Young that three graduates
of the American University course
be employed at the District Vet
erans' Information Center, 1856
Pennsylvania avenue NV, to coun-
sci District veterans beginning Sep
tember /. Col Legendre said ne
gotiations were now under way to
get the three men. The center has
been criticised since its establish
ment for lack of trained personnel
Gen. Vaughan assured the vet
Grams at the breakfast OF President
Truman's keen interest in veterans
affairs. He said the administration
was now more "veteran-conscious'
than ever before-partially because
most of the top men are veterans
themselves and many of them have
served overseas.
Far Ahead Of 1920.
He said the country was miles
ahead" of 1920 in its thinking anc
planning for veterans and coulc
profit by the mistakes it made
then.
Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, di.
rector of selective service, told ol
the part selective service will play
in returning men to their old jobs
and urged civilians and veterans tt
work together.
Maj. Omer w. Clark, assistant
administrator of the Veterans Ad.
ministration, joined representative.
OF the veterans organizations anc
the Red Cross in telling the new
students they have an opportunity
to contribute something worth
while to veterans for the rest oi
their lives.
Predicting that community prob
lens will be acute, DR.. Paul F
Douglass, president of American
University, who presided at the
breakfast. urged the men to become
good citizens and leaders in their
communities as well as good ma
tional service officers.
The course was started at the re-
quest Of the Disabled American
Veterans and the tuition and ex-
penses are paid by the Veterans
Administration, with supplemental
allowance to the men from DAV
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Firemen's Convention Set

Phil Ryan, Mount Rainier, presi-
dent of the Maryland State Fire
mems Association, said today the as
sociation's annual convention, previ-
ously Cancelled because of the Of
flee of Defense Transportation ban
on conventions, would be held this
year October 3 and in Hagerstown.
Evening star., 1945-08-20
Sunday Drivers, Free
OF Gas Rationing, Jan
Highways, Resorts

The heaviest weekend traffic
since prerationing days jammec
all major highways leading from
Washington to Maryland ano
Virginia resorts.
While nearpy beach and picnic
areas reported their largest crowds
in years, police said many people
were lust out for the sake of rid.
ing"
Defense highway and Landovel
road, leading to beaches on the
Chesapeake Bay, took on a prewa,
appearance with cars damned
bumper to bumper" Maryland anc
Virginia police reported many acci-
dents. They said traffic was really
a headache and we expect much
more in the near future"
Killed in Virginia.
Virginia police reported IL killed
and As injured in traffic acci.
dents. Seven persons, including d
7-month-old baby, were injured ir
accidents on Maryland highways
over the week end.
1t. Ralph Barneko, SO, Baltimore
his wife, Mamie, %, and their Z
month-old baby, Judith, were in
jured when their automobile turned
over twice after being struck by an
other car as they left the Washing
ton Baltimore boulevard at Muir
kirk.
Police listed the driver of the 9TH
er automobile as Corpl. Anthony
O'Shay, "a, Army Air Forces, sta
toned at Dover, Del. He was
charged with reckless driving.
Mother. Son Hurt.
Mrs. Ruth Ivie, Al, and her son
Evan. IA, both of 1137 North Utah
street, Arlington. were injured when
their car was in collision with ar
automobile which police said was
driven by Albert Lazier, AZ, iii
North Royta street, Alexandria
The accident occurred on the Marl-
boro pike.
MIR. Lazier and a passenger in his
car, Elmer Tice, 81, of 11O4 King
street, Alexandria, also were in.
jured. All were treated at Casualty
Hospital.
Among Virginia traffic fatalities
State police reported that Mrs. Una
B. Webb, 40, and her son, Thomas
Webb, 9, were killed Saturday night
in an accident 3 miles north OF
Stafford Courthouse.
d. C. Woman Critical.
Mrs. Jane Franklin, "a, of 1854
Sixteenth street NE. was in a criti-
cal condition at Casualty Hospital
today, following collision yester-
day at Fourth and K streets S.E
According to police, Mrs. Franklin
was a passenger in a car driven by
Thomas Bickers of 1405 North Long
fellow street, Arlington, which col
lided with truck driven by Joseph
Gaylor, 1439 D street NE.
Julius Crowder, 20, colored, 1906
Riggs street NV, suffered a broken
collarbone when he was struck by
a car driven by John Feliciani, "a
Philadelphia, at Thirteenth and w
streets NV. yesterday.
County police said they saw very
few automobiles stalled along the
highways, although many were
"limping" home on their rims after
tire blowouts.
Picnic Areas Filled.
Picnic areas along Memorial high.
way leading to Mount Vernon as
well as the area at Great Falls
Sligo and other nearby resorts were
filled to capacity" Mount Ver-
non drew its largest crowd yester-
day since 1941 and Glen Echo
Amusement Park reported its park
ing area filled all day.
The Maryland State Highway De-
partment reported thousands of
Maryland motorists back at pleasure
driving.
w. Lee Elgin, commissioner of the
Maryland State Department of Mo-
Evening star., 1945-08-20
1000 Veterans Hired
By Standard Oil Co.

More than 1000 veterans who
were not on the Standard Oil Co
OF New Jersey payroll before the
war have been hired by the COM
pany, 1t was announced today.
Evening star., 1945-08-20

TRIBUTE TO FIRST METHODIST BISHOP-Brig George
Rxey chaplain and the assistant inspector general of the
Army places wreath at base Of statue OF Asbuy
Sixteenth and Mount Pleasant streets NV the 2o0h ann
versary OF the birth Of the first Methodist bishop America
1t julius Norman Navy chaplain Oeft) veteran Of four
major Pacific engagements and Dr. Ralph D. Smith, Methodist
laying takes place. Star stan Photo.
Bradley beam., 1945-02-03

The recent induction into the US. Army of two muscle-bound heroes of the world of sport (both of whom previously had been found unfit for service) may indi- cate the way the wind is blowing for other 4F performers in the fields of flesh.
 The two clear-eyed, lithe-imbed young men in question are Will lie Pep, dish-nosed featherweight champion, who was disgorged from the Navy for physical reasons only to be snapped up by the Army which went after Willie like Broad way Rose wolfng herring at Lindy's Restaurant, and Buff Do- nelli, the kindly old coach of the Cleveland Rams in the National Football League, who is almost 38 and the father of three children to boot. Now he's in the Army, too.
 Pep and Donelli were the first big name athletes drafted since War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes ordered re-examination of professional athletes. Others drafted since that date include Stan Musial, hitting star of the St. Louis Cardinals; Johnny Corsica, Detroit Tigers pitcher; Bill Fleming, Chicago Cubs pitch CT, and Tommy Heath, catcher for the Columbus Red Birds.
 Mr. Byrnes' order was followed by a significant comment by the Commander-in-C Chief. Asked at press conference wh e her he thought baseball should continue now, the President replied: If ;t's possible to do so without hurting the employment of people in the war effort or the building of the Army and Navy. He said he was all for baseball. Then he added emphatically that he did not think perfectly healthy young men should be playing ball at this time.
 PREDICTION: More heads will roll. PREDICTION No. 2: Little Orphan Annie and Peck's Bad Boy
Bradley beam., 1945-02-03

will form the opening day battery for the Brooklyn Dodgers ofA April IF. 4
 Blue Plate Special
 Discharged from the Army with CDD is Freddie Cochrane, wei terweight champ, who has six months in which to put his title on the line. His logical opponent is Ray Robinson, uncrowned welter king, who also holds a CDD. :. =. Max Gilgof has suggested that the impending bout between 'Two-Ton played the outfield on M/Gen. Claire Chennault's softball team on which the general himself is the pitcher. Several Big League Cuban stars again have threatened to play ball in Mexico this year, rather than enter the Army in the LISA. Dan Parker. wants to know who is writing unanimous" letters to Broadway Sam Roth without even signing his name" as Sam adds "with devastating force."
Bradley beam., 1945-02-03
HEADQUARTERS = BOWLING LEAGUE

On Monday night, the league leading Pirates again showed enough fight and spirit to take four more points, and maintain their lead in the Headquarters Bowling League. The high team total also fell to the Pirates with pinfall of 1880, second high team total going to the Growlers with a pinfall of 1864. It. N. Campbell captured the individual honors with three string total of BIO. His last string score of 119 was also the high single string for the night.
Bradley beam., 1945-02-03
Powerful Bradley Fighters
 Rip Lord JeHs 70-47
Johnson, Kresge Scoring Stars

Bradley's bruising basketeers travelled to Amherst, Mass, during the past week and hung a 70-47 drubbing on the Purple. Dewey Johnson, up to his old tricks spun ten field goals and two free throws through the cords to give him SCOT ing honors for the evening. Red Kresge hit the target with eight and one for total of IT points. Chamberlain, the collegians' star forward snapped 22 points through the hoop to account for more than half of the Purple scoring.
 The scores: