Evening star., 1946-07-20
Continued From First Page.)

the coaster pointed up the hill. Ac-
cording to witnesses, Mr.. Ihlder was
walking away from the finish line
after two racers had been clocked
in when the third coaster struck
him in the foot, sheering off a heel
on his shoe
Young Terry was not injured.
Boys Shoulder Injured.
In another accident during the
morning races, Franklin Delano
Nicholson. 13, Boy Scout of 1873 @
street NV, suffered a dislocated
shoulder when he was knocked down
by runaway racer driven by w. Bill
Schantz, Is, of 459 Delafield place
NV. The accident occurred just
after the 18th heat.
Young Schantz was stunned and
both boys were taken to Gallinger
Hospital for treatment.
The first dead heat came in the
14th race. Newton D. Davis. II, of
22l3 H street NV, and Alfred E.
Ashton, 10, of 1902 Thirty-first street
Sc, crossed the line in a finish so
close even the photo-electric equip
ment could not catch the winner.
1t vas rerun and Alfred won.
Earlier Robert L.. Smithers, IL, of
14l1 Taylor street NV, lost wheel
from his racer near the finish line.
He was uninjured. Before the start,
his racer was found to be an inch
too long. Nothing daunted, he pro-
ceeded to saw his racer in half. take
off the extra inch, then nail his
coaster back again.
Spectators began arriving at the
scene before 7:30 am. Radio an
nouncers, telephone linemen, mill
tary police, race officials and other
groups handling arrangements
milled around the start and finish
lines making last-minute prepara-
tions for the launching of the derby.
Contestants Arrive Early.
Under bright skies and in heat
tempered slightly by breeze,
youthful contenders began arriv-
ing with their coasters by 8 am.
They busted themselves in final ad-
justments on their racers and in
comparing notes with other con-
teStants.
Officials estimated between 125
and $50 would race through the day.
Uncertainty of the exact number
was due to the fact contestants were
permitted to qualify their cars until
a few minutes before starting off.
For instance, car rejected for poor
steering gear might still enter pro-
vided the driver can make repairs
in time.
Director o. C. Holleran said early
heat results offered little basis for
a prediction as to the eventual win
ner, but added it appeared times
recorded would be faster than in
1941, when the last Derby was held
here. He pointed out traffic had
worn away much of the pavement's
nonskid ''brooming" during the
races wartime suspension, thereby
reducing friction to be overcome by
the boy-built, gravity-poWered cars.
Parade Begins Program.
The program began at 9:15 am.
with a parade in which the young
contestants, wearing cleaning sill
ver-colored racing helmets and white
shirts bearing the Derby insigne,
marched down the hill over which
they were to vie later for the honor
of representing the Capital in the
national finals at Akron, Ohio, Au-
gust 18.
A contingent of motorcycle police
ment headed the column. Follow
ing were distinguished guests,
marching detachments from the
armed services, the Maritime Com
mission Band, the American Le-
gion National Guard of Honor and
massed colors of local Legion posts
and auXiliaries.
The District Department of the
Legion is a co-Sponsor of the
event with The Star and Chevrolet
dealers.
The Drum and Bugle Corps of