Evening star., 1946-11-08
Woman Guests Attend
Trade Board Meetinq
Honoring City Heroes

The Washington Board OF Trade
broke a long-standing custom last
night and had its womenfolk as
guests at business meeting in Con-
stitution Hall.
Several thousand persons-board
members, their wives, other family
members and friends, plus sub
scribers to the Greater National
Capital Committee-made up the
attendance at the second general
membership of the 58th year of the
board.
Police and Fire Department heroes
were decorated during the evening;
a trio of radio commentators dis
cussed Tuesdays elections, and two
new District Court judges were
honored. There was music by
the Police Band and entertainment
by radio performers representing the
Potomac Electric Power Co.
Washington Film Shown.
Invitation to the Nation" the
Greater National Capital Commit
tees new film which impressively
tells the picture story Of Washington
and its shrines and sights, was given
its first public showing.
Joseph c. McGarraghy, board
president, drew an indulgent laugh
from all when he announced prece-
dent was swept aside in asking the
womenfolk as guests, adding:
I'VE believe that from now on our
members wives will have a better
appreciation of why their husbands
want to get out on Board of Trade
nights to attend these meetings"
Special citations were read for
District Court Justices Richmond B.
Keech and Edward M. Curran and
United States Attorney George Nor
ris Fay. Clifford H. Newell. newly
elected president Of the Federation
of Citizens Associations, was SINH
larly honored.
Medals Presented Heroes.
Robert ", Fleming, chairman of
the Commissioners Committee of
Award for Valor, read the citations
for the Police and Fire Department
heroes of the year. Maj. Harvey G.
Callahan and Chief Engineer Glenn
ent Murphy, heads of the two de-
partments, pinned the medals on
their respective subordinates.
The Gold Medal and Citation
went to 1t. John r. Barry, No. Is
Engine Company, for his coura-
geous aid to a young woman who had
been attacked and robbed by q man
near Thirteenth and v streets NV.
on December 16, 1914. 1t. Barry
was severely beaten during his tus-
sic with the assailant.
The Silver Medal went to Pvt.
William H.. Steuart,- No. 6 Engine
Company, for his initiative and
courage in rescuing a man and
woman trapped on the second floor
Of . burning building on April a,
l945. -. ...>.- =. =, -.
The Bronze Bar was won by Pvt.
Salvatore L. Cocimano, No. 19 En-
gine Company, for preventing sew
eral persons from leaping to the
ground during a fire on April %,
1S45.
Honorable mention went to Pvt.
Frederick J. Ross, No. 20 Engine Com
pany, and Pvt. Benjamin r. Howard,
No. Truck Company, both Of whom
saved children from burning houses;
Pvt. Ernest w. Howard, No. 8 Truck
Company and Pvt. Charles N.
Cnamberlin, No. l Rescue Squad,
who also saved persons from burn
ing houses.
Child's Rescuer H0nOred.
The Silver Medal for Police was
presented to Pvt. John M. Thot,
No. Is precinct, for rescuing a
panicky child from the path of a
speeding automobile on May 3, 1945,
at the risk Of his own life.
MIR. McGarraghy called attention
to the recent death Of Detective
Harry e. Hamilton while attempt
ing to arrest the driver of q stolen
car. The board president said the
family of the detective needs the
financial help Of the community
and asked contributions.
Elmer Davis, as moderator; Earl
Goodwin and David Wills, all radio
commentators, comprised the dis
cussion panel. Forty-flve minutes
of their discourse was broadcast
over Station WMAL. An analysis
Of the recent plebiscite also was
read during the broadcast by Lee
Dayton of WMAL.
Commissioner J. Russell Young
was among the guests.