davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Soldier Trapped
Atop FreightC Car
After Rampage
Charged With Tokine
Auto, Wreckine 1t,
Robbing Two Women

When police finally captured Pvt
Myron Ernest Benjamin, %, OF Fort
Belvoir, Va, early today they ac-
cused him of a three -hour rampage
which included I'd stealing an auto,
(2) asSaulting and robbing two
women, (3) running the stolen ma
chine into another car and "a re-
sisting arrest by scaling 10-foot
wall.
Meekly surrendering atop freight
car in the lexington railroad yards,
police said the soldier admitted the
misdeeds. He was held for military
authorities.
The outburst began at 1:10 am.
today in a vacant lot at Tenth and
H streets NV. There, police said,
he saw Mrs. Bernice johnson, 81,
and Mrs Lucille Young, At, both of
1865 Kennedy street NV, about to
enter car. Police recorded the en-
suing events as follows:
Pvt. Benjamin grabbed Mrs.
Johnson's purse and struck here in
the face with such force that she
went to Casualty Hospital with a
possible jaw fracture and chin lac
erations. Then he attacked Mrs.
Young, inf1icting minor abrasions
on her face, snatched her purse and
fled in the car belonging to Wilmer
B. Young, A, Mrs. Young's husband
Proceeding west on New York ave-
nue., the soldier ran the car into
the back end of one operated by
Francis v. Dorsey, 81, colored, of
2213 N street NV, turning it COM
pletely around.
That did not stop the soldier,
police said. He abandoned the auto
in the 100 block of M street NE. as
a police squad car drove up. When
police flashed a light on the soldier
he ran to 10-foot brick wall, seal
ing it to escape. The police retired
and awaited developments.
Soon police at No. IL precinct re-
ceived a call from a watchman at
the lexington yards, lexington
place and Florida avenue NE, say
ing that soldier was hiding on a
freight car.
Police Pvts. Donald Drager,
Charles P. Flynn and Frederick
Rabbi arrived at the scene. Pvt.
Drager climbed the car and re-
turned with his man.
Pvt. Benjamin told police he lived
in Albany. N. Y, and was on a pass
from Fort Belvoir, where he had
been stationed Az months.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Hitler Suggests Delay
OF Attack for Few Doys

'Mackensen brings Hitler's written
reply to II Duce. He asks that
the date be changed by few days
because shortly he proposes a de-
cisive attack against French air.
fields He fears Italian action might
cause a reshuffling of French air
forces, interfering with the German
plan of destruction. II Duce agrees
in principle - he prefers the 18th,
"a fatal day for me-"
June 2-"Il Duce writes his answer
to Hitler. He selects June IL.
During the evening Mackensen
asks urgently for hearing and in
Hitler's name withdraws the earlier
objections. 1t seems now that inter-
vention sooner than the one pro-
posed would be more welcome. This
is impossible.
1--WE have moved some divisions
and declaration of war before June
IL would catch them in half-stride.
June 3-"Alfieri telegraps Hitler's
approval. Mussolini says the
King, too, finds the date satisfactory
perhaps because of the slight delay,
perhaps because of his birthday
Nov. III, and perhaps because as a
recruit he was assigned No. I'LL"
June "A council of ministers.
All are expecting political sensations,
but II Duce capriciously gives to-
days meeting a strictly administra-
tive character. Only at the
first, he said, This is the last coun-
Gil meeting in peace I as
sumed command of squadron
of bombers at Pisa"
June 5-"n Duce, who had plan
ned previously an air attack on
France, has decided now to bomb
British ports in the Mediterranean
and to remain passive Coward
France) unless our action
would finish the job"
June CT find II Duce angry.
His majesty has written let
ter in which he repeats that he
assumes command, entrusting at
the same time to Mussolini the
political and military conduct of
the war"
Jure 8-"New German successes,
but one still cannot speak of a
break Through. = MuSsolini reads
to me the speech he will deliver
at 6 pm. Monday (June lO) when
the nation will be called to listen.
II Duce is happy about
French resistance because the Ger
mans at last are being weakened
and will not reach the end of the
war too fresh and too strong"
June 9--"u Duce was angry this
morning at the Germans. From
an intercepted telephone call it was
learned that Ribbentrop pretended
to know the content of Mussolini's
speech. -
'Mackensen brings a message
from Hitler to II Duce. His best
wishes. He accepts the Offer
of the Bersaglieri (crack Italian
troops), and viii send some regi-
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Dagger Blow Strikes
At Fallen France

June 10-"Declaration of war.
received Poncet first who tried not
to betray his emotion. After listen.
ing to the declaration, he replied
Tt is a dagger blow struck at :
fallen man
Editors note: President
Roosevelt, speaking the same
day at the University of Vi-
ginia, said, "The hand that held
the dagger has struck it into the
back OF its neighbor."l
"The Germans are hard mas.
ters. You will become aware O.
it, I did not answer. This die
not seem the time for debate
Don't get yourself killed. he con,
cluded, pointing to my air-forc.
uniform, and he clasped my hand
"Sir Percy Lorraine was NOR,
laconic and inscrutable. He re.
ceiyed my communication withou
batting an eye, -
"Mussolini speaks from the bal.
cony of Palazzo Venezia. The new,
of the war does not surprise any
one, and does not arouse very much
enthusiasm. I am sad. very sad
: May God help Italy" :
.(Tomorvo1D: MussoIini botDs to
~ Hitler t0Gin.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Foundation Purchases
Patrick Henry Relics
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, July 2.-Rare
silver and cut glass, once the prop
erty Of Patrick Henry, have been
purchased by the Patrick Henry
Memorial Foundation at sale OF
the remaining effects OF Mrs. Lucy
Gray Harrison, the last owner OF
Red Hill in Charlotte County.
James S. Easley, president oi
the foundation. said an investiga-
ton revealed that the salt cellars
date from 1777 when Henry was
serving his second term as Governor
lof Virginia, at williamsburg. Mr.
Easley hailed the purchase Of the
Henry relics as thu nucleus Of q
collection that will ultimately be
housed in museum to be built at
Red Hill.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Virginion Tells of Jap Plane
Downed on U. S. Ship; 60 Killed

the flagship for another vessel ir
his force when the first explosion
threw him against a railing and
broke both his arms A second ex-
plosion peppered him with shrapnel
and flung him Is or 80 feet into
the sea.
I'm just lucky to be alive-and
I'm not kidding" the officer assert
ed.
Weighed down by heavy boots and
a shoulder holster. Capt. Ment2
nevertheless propelled himself to-
ward the burning ship, shouting
for help. Aides ran down the gang
plank, lowered earlier for the cap
tain's transfer, and pulled him
aboard.
The Orestes was beached and
later salvaged, Capt. MentZ said.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
; Mussolini Approves
HitIer's Invasion

1--WE found II Duce calm and
smiling. He read Hitler'S note list
ing the reasons for the action and
concluded with an invitation to
Mussolini to make the decisions he
must now consider necessary for the
future of his country. After
almost two hours II Duce told Mack
enSen he was convinced that France
and Great Britain were preparing
to attack Germany through Bel
gium and Holland He approved
Fundamentally of Hitler's action. -.
During the morning I saw him
I'll Duce) many times, and alas
found the idea of intervention grow
ing stronger and stronger. Edda,
too (Ciano's wife and Mussolini's
daughter), has been at Palazzo
Venezia and told her father that
the country wants war and that
continued neutrality would be dis
honor.
"I confer with Poncet French) +,
Lorraine (British) and Phillips
UNITED States). They want news
on the Italian attitude. From
intercepted telephone conversations
it appears they expect our answer
momentarily. -.
Phillips said that what has hap
pened will shake the American con-
tinent deeply. He made no proph-
ecieS, but I would not be surprised
if the United States broke relations
Immediately with Germany as
prelude to intervention.
'Edda comes to see me before
leaving for Florence, and talks about
immediate intervention, about the
necessity to march, about honor
and dishonor. I listen with imper-
Sonal courtesy. It's a shame that
she who is so intelligent also re-
fuses to reason. I tell her it will
/, do her good to go to the Maggie
Fiorentino (spring festivaD where
he may occupy herself with music
% greater advantage. :.
I'll Duce . says We must act
1uickly Gin Yugoslavia). He marks
his calendar about the first of June
and decides to call Gambara (com-
manding italian forces) back from
Spain to command the forces that
will attack. The substitution of
Churchill for Chamberlain is re-
ceived with absolute Indifference
and with irony by II Duce."
May R-"The kilograms sent by
the Pope to the rulers of the three
invaded states have disturbed Mus
Solini, who would like to curb the
Vatican. He said, The Pope
should not think that he can seek
an alliance with the monarchy, be-
cause I am ready to explode both
Of them at the same time.
Editors note: The Pope sent
messages to Belgium, the Duchy
OF Luxembourg and Holland,
saying he 1Oas praying for their
Dictory.)
THE King sends word that he
will give the Collar of the Annun-
ziata Qtaly'S highest decoration) to
Goering, but wants to avoid sending
a telegram of congratulations. 8.
His majesty desires that his wish
be kept secret from MuSsolini."
Evening star., 1945-07-02

proposal from French Foreign Min
lister Daladier was ignored con-
temptuously.
'Ciano wrote:
May 10.-"This is for history: I
had a bad meal at the German
Embassy yesterday When We
left at 1925 Won Mackensen (Nazi
Ambassador said he might have
to disturb me during the night and
took my private telephone number.
At am. he called to say that with
in three-quarters of an hour he
would see me and, and together we
would go to II Duce, as he had or
ders to confer with him exactly at
am. He would say nothing about
the reasons. >.
Editors note: Without UGrn-
ing Germany inUGded Belgium,
the Netherlands and Lurem-
bourg at $50 am. on May 10,
I94O,)
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Maryland School Heads
Confer on 12-Year Course
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, July IA two
week conference of more than 125
county school superintendent
opened today at Towson State
Teachers College to make plans on
the switch from an IL to a IL year
curriculum for Maryland public
schools.
The session will be addressed by
DR.. Paul Good, executive secretary
of the United States Chamber ol
Commerce.
Other speakers will be DR.. Thomas
q. Pullen, jr.. State superintendent
of schools, who will open the con-
ference, and James E. Spritznas, DR.
Earle T. Hawkins and Wilbur De-
vilbiss, assistant State school super
|intendentS,
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Strike al Store Ties Up
Virginia Coal Mine
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ST. CHARLES, Va, July o.
Nearly, 1000 coal miners, claiming
they have been unable to get enough
food to. work since clerks OF the
Blue Diamond Coal Co. commissary
struck a week ago. are staying away
from their jobs.
The clerks, who, like the miners,
are affiliated with the UNIV, struck
for recognition Of their union. The
miners refused to cross their picket
lines. Outside stores in the vicinity
of the mine have had their food
supplies almost exhausted as a re-
|sult.
A spokesman for the miners said
they are not striking, but that ssthey
Just can't work on empty stomachs.' :
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Flown Back From Europe

Pfc. John T. Elgin. whose wife,
Margaret, lives at l4l5 Anson street,
Silver Spring. Md, has returned by
Army plane from Europe where he
has been since October, 1912. He
landed at Miami, Fla, he told his
wife by telephone, and will go to
Fort George q. Meade, Nd. before
coming home. He II among the
first unit Of the $1,000 troops being
returned by air.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Short, Curt Answer
Given to Roosevelt

May 13-"Mussolini begins to
speak as follows: Within a
month ! shall declare war. shall
attack France and Great Britain
by sea and air. 1 no longer think
of action against Yugoslavia be-
cause it would be humiliating side
line
THE Pope has said he is ready
even to be deported to a concen-
tration camp, but to do nothing
against his conscience"
May 14-"Letter from Hitler to II
Duce. 1t is cocksure note,
victories on land and, above all,
in the air"
May 15-"Roosevelt sends a mes
sage to II Duce. The tone is
changed. 1t is no longer covertly
threatening. 1t is rather discour-
aged and conciliatory message. He
speaks of the Gospel of Christ, but
these are arguments that have little
effect on Mussolini, particularly now
when he feels victory is within his
grasp"
May 18-"Brussels fallen, Ant
werp demolished, columns of tanks
running through France as fas as
Scissor. Francois-Poncet
French Ambassador knows
the life of France is at stake.
He refuses to believe that Mussolini
will rob Stain of the glory of
striking fallen man.
"I turn over to Phillips the short
curt answer to- Roosevelt's mes
sage. He receives it without a word
May 20-"Mackensen mentions the
possibility of rapprochement be-
tween us and Russia through the
mediation of Ribbentrop. 1 reply
that we have no objection, provided
the Russians take the initiative"
May 21-"I talked with II Duce
about the Importance of defining
clearly to the Germans our aspira-
tions. If we really are to leap head
first into this adventure, we must
make definite deal. = . After the
first of June I might see Ribbentrop
and draw up report on what will
belong to us at the end of the war"
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Maryland Auto Chief
Warns Holiday Drivers
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, July Wv. Lee
Elgin, commissioner of State De-
partment of Motor Vehicles, said
yesterday that indications were that
Maryland's highways would be
heavily travelled this year by Fourth
of July pleasure seekers and warned
motorists against accidents.
He said seashore and mountain
resort hotels, many of which are
only accessible by automobile, have
reported capacity reservations.
The commissioner also warned
that a careful check would be made
over the holiday to see that drivers
observe traffic laws.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
By the Associated Press

BY the Associated PreSs.
A 'lucky-to-be-aliye Navy Cap
tain told yesterday how a Jap plane
which had been knocked down by
antiaircraft gunners killed 60 men
and injured 80 others on the
OresteS.
Capt. George Francis Mentz OF
Mountain View" Front Royal, Va,
told his story at the Navy Medical
Center, Bethesda, Md. He said the
plane bounced from the sea of
Mindoro Island last December and
landed amidships on the motor tor
pedo boat tender which was his
flagship. Its bomb crashed through
the deck and set of series of ex-
plosions.
Capt. Mentz was about to leave
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Front Royol Post Office
Raised to First Gloss
" the Assocjated Press.

6y tne Associated fresS-
FRONT ROYAL, Va, July EFF
fective yesterday, the post office
here became first-class post ofice,
A. o. Haley, postmaster, said he had
been informed by the Post Office
Department.
The new classification places
Front Royal with Harrisonburg,
Winchester and Staunton among
the first-class post ofl,ces in the
Shenandoah Valley.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Viroiniu Homemukers Elect

HARRISONBURG, Va, July 2
R).-The new president of the
Future Homemakers Of Virginia Is
Helen Royston, a Berryville High
School student. She was elected at
the groups State convention at
Madison College Saturday Ito sue
coed Mildred Sipe Of Weyers Cave
High school. ~
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Police Probe Deaths
of z Youths on Rood
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LEESBURG, Va, July 2.-Police
here were investigating the circufn-
stances surrounding the death of
two colored youths whose bodies
were found at AIS am yesterday on
the Winchester Washington high
way, 2 miles west of Leesburg.
Sheriff C. r. Reed said the two
identified as William Winston, 19
of Leesburg. and Arthur Lee, IT. Of
Paeonian Springs, had suffered head
injuries before death and that 50
far police had not determined the
cause of the injuries.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Navy Returns Norfolk Hotel

NORFOLK, Va, July 2 R.-
Hotel Nansemond at Ocean View,
which has been used by the Navy
as headquarters of the Amphibious
Training Command, Atlantic Fleet,
is being returned to private opera
ton. The hotel operators said they
expect to have the resort establish
ment open for public patronage
within two or three weeks.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Virginia Stote Policeman
To Attend FBI School
BY thc Associated Press.

RICHMOND, Va, July 2.-Lt
Philip Crews of the State police. has
been designated by Maj. James r.
Num-, acting supervisor, to attend
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Police Academy at Wash
ington, beginning July 23.
1t. Crews, 30, joined the State
police as trooper July is, 1886, and
was promoted to his present rank ir
May, 1912. At present 1t. Crews is
second in command of the South
western Division.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Maryland Guurd to Train

BALTIMORE, July 2 (R.-Maj.
Gen. Dwight H. Mohr, commanding
general of the Maryland State
Guard, announced that 10 battalions
of the Guard would undergo field
training at Fort George G. Meade
July 22-31, inclusive. Preceding the
encampment, a four-day school for
commissioned officers will be con-
Quoted.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
STATE HDI1l0Y
Count ciono's Dioy-No. l3
DUCE STRIKES DAGGER
INTO BACK OF FRANCE
Date of Blow Changed to Suit
Nuzis' Plans for Attack
(copyright, 1896 Chicago Daily News. Inc)
countries. tranaon
May lO-June 10, 1910.

The hand that held the dagger struck blow the
France June H. 1910 but planned originally for and
wish of Hes that the Fuehrer himself later
withdrew revealed the diary Count Ciano Italian foreign
minister and son-in-law of Mussolni.
Almost from the first moment of the Naz attack
and the Countries Italian intervention assured Cano
plain. Duce with
reducing writing the Na promises of ays postwar booty
Three appeals from President Roosevelt brushed aside and
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Household Aids
To Be Scarce
For Long Time
Quantity Output
Of Many Devices
is Still Distant

The Government slipped its re-
conversion program into high gear
today. Consumers, however, must
wait months-at least-before most
long-missing household appliances
return in quantity to stores.
The War Production Board re-
leased free" supply of metal for
civilian goods, the amount depend
ing on what is left over from war
demands. 1t also began a gradual
scrapping, over the next six months,
of its priority system for all but
munitions items.
However, electric and gas refriger-
ators, for instance, will not reach
stores until September or october,
and then probably as "demonstra-
tor" models.
Many Sight Unseen Purchases.
In other words, housewives will be
able to see the new machines and
enroll their names on dealers lists
of buyers. In most cases, however,
the customer will be far down the
list-many purchasers already have
ordered sight unseen. This is the
conclusion from an informal sur
vey of Government and trade
sources.
Moreover, these officials believe it
will be the middle of 1916 before
refrigerators are freely available for
"walk-in" buyers, and perhaps five
to six years before the refrigerator
makers have to start pushing sales
instead of merely accepting orders.
Similar guideposts for a dozen
other scarce or unobtainable con-
sumner items were compiled, taking
into account the continuing scarcity
Of some materials and parts, the
volume of war work remaining in
many plants, and the heavy pent-up
consumer demand.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Successful Culture
OF Turkish tobacco
In U. 5. Reported
b. the Associated Press.

BLACKSBURG, Va, July "A
development, which In its economic
aspects, might be one of the most
important to thousands of small
workers in the Piedmont and noun
tain areas since the domestic bright
and hurley tobaccos first were de-
veloped 80 to 100 years ago has been
announced by the Virginia Agricul-
tural Experiment Station here.
The announcement told of the
successful culture-after five years
Of study-of high quality Turkish
tobacco in this country, feat hith-
erto regarded by many as impossible.
The announcement was made sim
ultaneously by Duke University and
the Agricultural Experiment Sta
tions In North and South Carolina.
These agencies have .co-operated
in a study lasting more than five
years to perfect methods for pro-
ducing Turkish tobacco in the
United States.
Grown i'm Three States.
This summer the dimunitiye
aromatic leaf is being grown under
the supervision of Duke and State
experiment stations researchers on
some SIS small farms in three States
to determine whether a high quail
ity product can be grown profitably.
The Turkish plant, researchers at
the Virginia Tech experiment sta
ton say. thrives and produces best
quality on comparatively poor soil
and does not overlap areas devoted
to domestic leaf.
With the possibility of extensive
growing now on the horizon, one
Of the major problems confronting
those studying the development of
the Turkish leaf is the large amount
of hand labor involved. Since the
more numerous leaves on the Turk
ish plant are but tenth the size of
domestic leaves and require con-
siderable handling, continuation of
the research this summer and in
subsequent seasons will include at
tempts to solve the labor-cost prob
lem.
Work at Chatham.
In Virginia, the work was car
ried on at the Chatham experiment
station under the direction of z. M.
Mathews, who long had been in
terested in the possibility of produc-
ing Turkish tobacco in this country
and who made trial paintings there
before the inception of the present
program.
Turkish tobaccos, as described
by the Virginia Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station, are grown under
greatly different conditions from
those of the familiar f1ue-cured
tobacco of the Southeastern region.
Turkish plants are placed from five
to six inches apart and In rows 20
inches apart. Under these crowded
conditions the stalks produce a
large number of small leaves. There
are 5000 to $1,000 Turkish plants
per acre as compared with 5000
domestic plants in the same space.
Since it has been demonstrated
that from TOO to 900 pounds of ex-
cellent Turkish can be grown per
acre, the investigations now are
largely concerned with a study of
the economic factor involved.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
Church to Hold Supper

The annual fried chicken supper
served by the Women's Society of
Salem Methodist Church, Cedar
Grove, Nd, will take place at the
church beginning at pm. We'd
nesday.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
When Items viii Be Available.

Guesses at the length of time it
would take to convert the present
sellers market into buyers mar
ket-that is, when strong promotion
effort must be exerted to keep up
total sales-ran about as follows:
Washing machines, five to eight
years; vacuum cleaners, five to
eight years; sewing machines, five to
six years; electric irons, three years;
alarm clocks, 10 months to two
years; galvanized ware, one year:
scissors and shears, Is months;
plated silverware, Is months.
Evening star., 1945-07-02
MussoIini Insistent
In Desire for War

= May 26-"Hitler has sent anothes
letter to II Duce, and report TO
Alfieri Ambassador TO Berlin on
Evening star., 1945-07-02

ments of Alpine soldiers In ex-
rhonoau