davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Seven Escape
Laughing Gas
Blast in Hospital

An explosion Of a cylinder of
nitrous oxide, popularity known as
Laughing gas" being used as an
anesthetic, occurred yesterday aft
ernoon in an operating room at
Providence Hospital. Although
there were seven persons in the
room at the time, officials said that
no one was injured and the only
damage was blown-out skylight.
Hospital authorities were at a
loss to explain the exact cause of
the blast, asserting there were no
electrical connections nearby. A
surgeon, his two inferno assistants
and four nurses were just complet-
ing the operation and the patient
was about to be taken from the
room, when the blast occurred.
Name of the patient, cause of
the operation or the names of those
In attendance at the operation were
not disclosed.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Tax Case Jurisdiction
To Be Argued March 18

Arguments as to whether Mr.. and
Mrs. Ernest c. Rick, District school
teachers charged with filling fraud
ulent District income tax returns,
should be prosecuted by the United
States Attorneys Office or the cor
poration counsel's Office will resume
in Municipal Court March 10.
Defense Attorneys James R. Kirk
land and Francis c. Brooks have
moved that charges brought by the
United States attorneys Office
against the couple be quashed on
grounds the 1912 amendment to the
District income tax law of 1889 took
away from the United States Gov
ernment jurisdiction over criminal
violations in filing.
Assistant United States Attorney
John Lane contended the intent OF
Congress in correcting several
minor deficiencies" in the basic
statute does not divest the United
States attorney of power to prose
cute under the section,
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Diversion
In 1943 Brings
$4,000 Fines
Witt & Co. and
President Enter
Guilty Pleas
By w. 6. PoIIord

Witt & Co., Inc, wholesale meat
dealers, HOO block of E street S.W.
was fined $4,000 by Chief Justice
Bolitha j. Laws of District Court
yesterday on charges of acquiring
and distributing 348,1 pounds OF
beef to civilian channels after GER
tifying the meat was to be used fol
filling Government contracts.
At the same time, Justice Laws
imposed an additional $4,000 on the
same charges against the corpora
tion's president, Samuel Kolker, who
entered guilty pleas in behalf OF
himself and the corporation.
Treasurer Fined $500.
Sidney Kolker, treasurer of the
firm and son of the president, had
pleaded nolo contendere to the
charges and was fined $500.
The offenses were committed In
1943 and were misdemeanors. Felony
counts which had substantially
covered the same offenses were ruled
out last year by Justice T. Alan
Goldsborough of District Court In
sustaining demurrers.
The cases were handled at court
by Assistant United States Attorney
John c. Conliff, jr., and by At
torney Ben I. Melnicoff from the
Agriculture Department.
Mr.. Melnicof told the court the
department recommended against a
jail sentence and that the fines be
imposed instead. Mr.. Melnicof said
investigation revealed none of the
meat went into black market chan
nels, but into legitimate civilian
channels and that it was sold at
ceiling prices.
No Concealment Attempted.
The pleas to the counts, contained
III indictments returned in June.
1914, were entered yesterday, shortly
before sentence was imposed. Justice
Laws pointed out that the prosecu-
tion had recommended the fines ag-
gregating $4,000. He added: "It is
agreed there was no diversion of the
meat to black markets, that all soles
were at ceiling prices, and that the
books of the corporation defendant
fully show the transactions without
any attempt at concealment.
Justice Laws said he was informed
that the highest fine heretofore i'm
posed in this type of case through
out the country was $4,000 and
that in a similar case which arose
in the District total fines Of $4,000
were imposed.
Assistant United States Attorney
Conliff nolle pressed another indict-
ment which had accused the corpor-
alton of entering meat into inter-
state commerce without supplying
the necessary shippers certificate
and also of introducing adulterated
meat into interstate commerce. This
case involved shipment of 29,OO4
pounds of meat to Philadelphia, of
which some 1850 pounds were said
to have been partly spoiled. Mr..
Conliff expressed the view that no
good purpose could be accomplished
by prosecuting the latter case after
the substantial fines imposed in the
other cases.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Soldier Pleads Guilty
To Theft Of 5 Purses

An 18-year-old soldier, said to be
AWOL after serving only three days
in the Army, pleaded guilty in NUM-
cipal Court yesterday to five lar
ceny charges in connection with
thefts of women's purses at bowling
alleys.
Robert Henry Harris, 400 block of
Tenth street S.W., stationed at Fort
Meade, Md, was arrested Saturday
night at bowling alley at Mime
sofa avenue and East Capitol street.
Pvts. Jesse w. Ates and Vim
cent c. Wahler of No. IL precinct
said they observed Harris placing his
coat over pocketbook and later
picking up the coat with the pocket
book under it. Harris admitted to
the court that he took the pocket
books from benches at several bowl
ing alleys.
Judge Thomas D. Quinn referred
the case to the court probation Of
flee for a report prior to sentence
March II. Bond was set at $1,000
Police said they found SITS in
cash, more than 500 of which Har-
ris said was his own money, on the
youth when he was arrested.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Limb Antitrust Case
Proceedings Start Today

Judge Bower Broaddus of Okla
homa is scheduled to preside at
District Court as visiting Justice
IN the artificial limb antitrust trial
and was to hold a pretfial proceed
ing In the case today in the library
In the Municipal Court Building.
A trade association, As corporations
and "a individuals were indicted
last November on a charge of con-
spiracy to fix high, unreasonable
and noncompetitive prices for the
sale of artificial limbs for use of
amputees throughout the United
States.
March II was set as a tentative
date for the trial. A definite date
for trial is expected to be set, how
ever, following pretrial proceedings.
The indictment alleged that the
total annual sales volume of artifi-
cial limbs in the United States
amounts to approximately $10,O00,-
600 and that about Is per cent of
the total of such business was done
by manufacturers named in the
indictment.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Boy, Stabbed in Heart
In Fight, Expected to Live
By the Assoeioted Press

BALTIMORE, Feb. 27.-A 14-year-
old colored boy, who had four stitch
es taken in his heart to close a
pen-knife wound was still alive to-
day, and physicians said they ex-
pected him to live.
The boy, Alton Pridgeon, walked
into st. Joseph's Hospital yester-
day after walking a block and
half and announced: 1--WE been
cut"
1t was discovered the knife pene-
trated through the ventricle of the
heart, a wound from which patients
rarely survive.
Four stitches were taken in his
heart tissue approximately $50
stitches in the flesh of his chest
to close the outer wound.
Police said Pridgeon was stabbed
during an argument with a play
mate.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Autopsy Reveals Man
died Of Skull Fracture;
Youth, II, Surrenders

Robert P. Lennon, 18, of 3040 r
street NV, was ordered held for the
coroners jury today in connection
with the death of Andrew R. Nault
Al, of 1922 Thirty-third street NV.
whose body was found on the studio
couch of his apartment yesterday
afternoon.
Homicide squad police said the
youth called No. 7 precinct this
morning and said he wanted to give
himself up. He arranged for police
to meet him at Thirty second and
S streets NV, police said.
An autopsy conducted this MORN
ing by Coroner A. Magruder Mac
Donald showed Mr.. Nault had died
of fractured skull 1t had been
thought he might have been a vic
tim of hemophilia. Police said
the instrument used in the attack
was a half section of an airplane
propeller.
After talking to the youth this
morning, police said he had signed
statement confessing he had
struck the victim during an argu-
ment Monday night.
Police said young Lennon called
Policeman Andrew F. Scheible,
whom he knew personally, at his
home at $3.50 am. today and said
he wished to surrender. Policeman
Scheible met the youth at the ap-
pointed place and took him to head
quarters.
Young Lennon was to be ar
raigned this afternoon before United
States Commissioner Needham C.
Turnage and was scheduled to ap-
pear at the inquest at 1880 am.
tomorrow.
Had Narrow Escape Before.
From friend, Robert l.. Peterson,
26, of 718 Nineteenth street NV,
who found the body, police learned
Mr.. Nault twice before narrowly
escaped death from bleeding, once
during a tonsillectomy and again
from cut finger.
Mr.. Peterson said Mr.. Nault op-
Grated a station wagon for soldiers
going to and from camps, and also
owned city taxicab, which he
rented to another man.
Friends said Mr.. Nault once
owned and piloted a small plane.
Numerous model planes decorated
the apartment.
Mr.. Nault was once employed
by the Australian War Supplies
Procurement. In the apartment
was "15 or 20" new automobile tires,
police said.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Hemisphere Radio Treaty
To End 'Jamming' Signed

An agreement pledging the CO.
operation of all North American
countries to prevent interference be-
tween radio stations was signed
Monday by delegates to the second
North American Regional Broad
casting Conference, held at the Of
fices of the Federal Communications
Commission. The treaty insures the
best possible reception for listeners
located in the United States, Can
ada, Bahama Islands, Cuba, Do
minican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico
Newfoundland and Panama.
FEC Commissioner E. K. Jett
conference chairman and head OF
the United States delegation, de-
clared that the major accomplish
ment of the conference was the Gre
alton of special engineering COM
mittee to assist the various govern
ments in complying with the tech
nical provisions of the agreement.
The treaty is temporary in ma
ture, extending for a period of not
more than three years most of the
provisions Of the agreement signed
in Havana in December, 1887, and
expiring next March 20.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
New Ministers Here
Honored at YNCA
Welcome Luncheon

Seventeen ministers who came to
the District during the past year
were guests of honor at welcome
to Washington" luncheon yesterday
at the Central branch of the YMCA,
1876 G street NV. The meeting was
presided over by w. w. Everett, jr.,
chairman of the Religious Work
Committee of the YMCA.
The ministers were introduced to
the gathering by DR.. Page NICK.
Etchison, religious work director Of
the Washington YMCAs.
Leonard w. DeGast, general sec
retary of the local YMCAs, told the
meeting the organization had a
sevent-point program. He listed
these as aiming to organize, expand
and develop the association of boys
and men in their cooperative in
terests; education; efficient earning
of living and the best use of leisure
time; living with others and the
understanding and use of religion.
The newcomers to Washington
present at the luncheon, and the
church each is affiliated with, were
the Revs. E. B. Willingham, National
Baptist Memorial Church; H. w.
Baucom, jr., Takoma Park Baptist
Church; Milton B. Crist, Potomac
Heights Community Church; H. r.
Phelts, Ingram Memorial Congrega-
tional Church; H. S. Beckwith, First
Congregational Church; E. R. Strait,
Mount Pleasant Congregational
Church; Ben S. Johnson, Takoma
Park Christian Church; Stuart F.
Cast, st. Stephens and the Incar-
nation Episcopal Church.
Also, the Revs. Carl R. Simon,
Keller Memorial Lutheran Church;
E. R. Bley, Zion Lutheran Church;
Robert E. Lee, Silver Spring Lu-
theran Church; w. K. Lyons, Ana
costa Methodist Church; Ralph C.
John, Foundry Methodist Church;
o. B. Langrall, Francis Asbury
Methodist Church: G. C. Cromwell,
Lewis Memorial Methodist Church
H. r. Hodgson, Grace Methodist
Church, and Richard Pursel, Lower
Congress Heights Presbyterian
Church.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Inloys on Walls of Nozi Train
Reminded Germans of Home

High Nazi officials were not pc
mitted to forget German home life
even when travelling, because scenes
of domesticity were inlaid on the
polished wood walls of train re-
putedly used by prominent Nazis
If not by Hitler himself.
Scenes of mothers and children
workers on farms and in other do
mestic pursuits are portrayed in
the three-car, two-engine German
train which was laid over at Po-
tomac Yards in Alexandria yester-
day on its way to its permanent
station at Fortress Monroe.
Powered by a Diesel engine at
each end, the battleship-gray cars
showed signs of the blackout paint
which once covered its windows.
Although the ravages Of war or van
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Baltimore Boy, 4, Dies
As Cowboy Suit Ignites
By the Associated Prssx

BALTIMORE, Feb. 27.-Game of
cowboy and Indians" ended in
tragedy yesterday when brush and
grass on neighborhood lot caught
fire, causing the death of a 4-year-
old boy and critical burns to his q
year old brother.
Larry E. Meisner died when his
cowboy suit was set afire by burning
underbrush on the lot in the rear
Of his home. The origin of the fire
has not been determined.
His younger brother, Wayne, re-
ceived first, second and third degree
burns.
Mrs. Catherine Moore, a neigh
Dor who said she had been watching
the children playing the childhood
game, was burned in an attempt to
save the older boy.
Evening star., 1946-02-27

-dalism have stripped it of most o1
its signs of glory, it was unmistak-
ably designed for luxurious travel
ing.
Two cars are equipped with seats
OF the finest material. The windows
are fitted with ventilators and law
ish use of aluminium trimmings is
evident throughout.
The third car apparently was once
diner with a spacious galley. It's
wall are adorned with inlaid designs.
Now the property of the War De-
partment Transportation Corps. the
train is In the custody of a civilian
employe.
1t was inspected yesterday by
high-ranking Army officers before
starting on the final lap of its
journey this morning.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Georgetown Alumni
Make Plans for Dinner

Plans for a Georgetown University
alumni dinner on June % at the
Mayf1ower Hotel, at which the at
tendance is expected to exceed 1000,
were discussed last night at the first
meeting of the committee in charge.
Joseph A. Carey is committee
chairman and serving with him are
James S. Ruby, executive secretary
of the Georgetown University
Alumni Association, and these
vice chairmen: Al Philip Kane,
representing the law school; DR..
Joseph j. Kelly, representing the
dental school; Maurice L. Nee, rep
resenting the college; John J.
|O'Connell, School of Foreign Serv-
ice, and DR.. Robert c. Rush, med
ical school.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
|2Pcf. Tax Would Give
Social Security 10 All,
AItmeyer Estimates

The Government could bring vir-
tually the entire population under
an old-age pension program of eX-
panded benefits, including disability
insurance, with a payroll tax of not
more than 2 per cent each for en-
ployers and employees during the
next 10 years, DR.. A. J. Altmeyer
chairman of the Social Security
Board, estimated today.
The present tax is / per cent each
and DR.. Altmeyer told the House
Ways and Means Committee that
rate probably would carry the ex-
panded program for five years
The best information available,
he said, indicates that during the
next so years the cost of such a pro-
gram might increase to around 7
per cent.
Subject to Margin of Error.
"It must be emphasized" DIR.
Altmeyer added, that the cost fig
ures are subject to a considerable
margin of error. Changes in eco
nomic conditions, death rates, birth
rates and rate of retirement may
result in substantial changes in the
relationship between receipts and
disbursements"
DR.. Altmeyer said the board would
favor Government subsidy con-
tributing not more than one third
to the cost of social security If
farmers, domestic workers and 9TH
|ers at present outside the benefits
are brought into the system. A sub
sidy would be unfair, he said, If it
brought benefits to only a portion
of the people.
With subsidy not exceeding one
third Of the cost, he estimated that
the tax probably never would exceed
215 per cent each for employers and
employees.
DR.. Altmeyer said the board would
suggest increasing the rate to per
cent each next January and per
cent each in 1949 to place the sys-
tenn on a sound basis. He suggested
that whenever the tax failed to pro-
duce enough revenue Congress then
might decide whether to increase it
or provide subsidy.
Urges Increased Benefits.
The chairman is recommending
increased benefits which would give
aged persons maximum of $120 in
stead of $85 month and increase
other benefits proportionately. He
also is urging cash payments for to-
tai disability incurred at any age.
Representative Wickersham, DEM
ocrat, of Oklahoma, appearing as
the next witness, explained his bill
to provide a direct Federal pension
OF $40 month to every man who
has reached the age of IS and to
every woman past go.
The measure, he said, would re-
tain the social security plan, bring
ing up to $40 beneficiaries of that
system not receiving that much.
All those not covered by social Sc
curity also would receive the pen
sion.
Representative Gearhart, Repub-
lican, of California pointed out that
his State already pays an age pen
sion of $50. Mr.. Wickersham said
his law would not interfere with
any additional sum a State wanted
to paw
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Pet Dog Of so Orphans Killed
By Car Before Eyes of Owners

Tony, a 4-year-old Spitz, was
killed today by hit-and-run driver,
while escorting the orphan boys of
Hillcrest Children's Village to
school.
The grief of the go boys and girls
Of the village was inconsolable. The
boys who saw Tony hit said the
man driving the automobile in Van
Ness street near Nebraska avenue
NV, made no attempt to avoid
striking the little white dog and
left him struggling in the street.
Miss Harriette Wood, superin-
tendent Of the institution, told how
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Truman Invited 10 Texas
For Honorary Deqree

Texans in Congress today invited
President Truman to visit State
Teachers College, Huntsville, Tex.
on May 5 and receive an honorary
degree.
The President did not indicate
whether he would accept, according
to Press Secretary Charles G. Ross
President Avila Camacho of Mex
leo will receive a degree from the
college on the same day.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Petty Cash Fund Bill
Gets Tuck Signature
BY the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. Feb. 27.-Gov
Tuck yesterday signed the bill
authorizing county Boards of Super.
visors to set up petty cash funds
for payment of small bills between
meetings.
The bill also authorizes conversion
of School Board and Board of Super.
visor warrants into negotiable check,
on their being signed by the treas.
urer.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
House Appoints Almond
To Military Committee
By the Associated Pres,

Representative Almond, new DEM
ocratic member of Congress from
the Sixth Virginia District, yester-
day won a place on the House Mill
tary Affairs Committee.
Mr.. Almond has been q member
of the House less than a month,
having been elected to fill the vacan-
cy caused by the resignation Of Rep
resentative Clifton A. Woodrum.
Evening star., 1946-02-27

three years ago the boys came home
with a dog in their arms and asked
if they could keep him; how they
all Clipped in to buy a license for
the dog and decided to call him
Tony.
Tony, she said, took it upon him
self to see that the boys got safely
to school, He would leave with
them every morning as ,they de-
parted for the Phoebe Hearst
School, then walk right back to the
boys house at the village.
, Il do hope" said Miss Wood
that if this gets into the paper, 1t
won't bring us offers of 100 dogs
Evening star., 1946-02-27
United Lenten Service
Arranged by Ministers

A united lenten prayer service for
all congregations east of the Ana
costa River was arranged yesterday
at a meeting of the Trans Eastern
Ministers Conference. The confer
e-lce, which met at the home of the
Few. H. Luther Rhodes, plans to
hold the special service March %
at the Garden Memorial Presby-
terian Church.
Franklin j. Engelhardt, executive
secretary of the YMCA, Eastern
Branch here, spoke on the work o1
his branch. The conference COM
mended his work and voted to do.
nate $25 to the Eastern Branch.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Ice Pick Bandit Gets $40
On Return Visit to Store

Harry Levy, proprietor of second
hand store at Sis Fourth street
|S.W., reported to police that he was
robbed OF $40 yesterday by colored
man with an ice pick. Mr.. Levy
said it was the same man who had
robbed him with the same weapon
six days before.
A colored man with an Ice pick
also robbed Samuel Antwarg of $45
Monday In his grocery at 200 / street
|S.W.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Trumap Hasn't Decided
On Type Of Potomac .Span

President Truman has not yet
decided whether he favors one bridge
or two bridges over the Potomac
River.
The President recently inspected
proposed sites with former Secre-
tary OF Interior Ickes, but told his
news conference yesterday he had
reached no conclusion.
Mr.. Ickes favored one six-lane
bridge. Other officials proposed two
four-lane structures. Mr.. Truman
said he had heard only the views OF
the single span advocates.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
Oyster Roast Planned Sunduy

The annual oyster roast of the
Forty and Eight Society of the
American Legion, will be held Sum
day at the Potomac Boat Club.
Thirty-sixth and K streets NV
The roast will be from 2 to 6 pm.
with dancing from to pm. John
McCabe is general chairman. The
public is invited.
Evening star., 1946-02-27
james Doy Is Granted
Parole by O'Conor

James Doy, serving 20 years in the
Maryland penitentiary for robbery
with deadly weapon, was paroled
yesterday by Gov. O'Conor.
Also paroled were: John L. Ash
ton, sentenced by Prince Georges
County Circuit Court to two years in
the penitentiary for perjury, and
John William Willis, sentenced to
two years in the Maryland House of
Correction by Prince Georges Coun-
ty Circuit Court on charges of as
sault and battery.
Evening star., 1946-02-27

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON-Page NICK Etchison religious
work director of the Central YMCA left row. welcomes
to Washington ministers who here during past year
Mr. Etchison shaking hands with the Johnson
of Takoa Park Christian Church other newcomers look on
Left to right front Mr.. Etchson Revs Johnson O. B.
Langral G. c. Cromwell Richard Purse S. Beckwth H. R.
Hodgson Crist Strait W. W. Everett IT, chair
Evening star., 1946-10-27
MEMBER YOU BUY ONLY THE BOOKS YOU WAN-No 0HRsA FOR
SELECTIONS THOSE SHOWN ABov

CIGNING and mailing the coupon en-
- rolls you. You pay no fixed sum as
member of the Book -of-the- Month Club
and obligate yourself for no fixed term.
You pay for each book as yo~ reeeire it, no
more than the publishers retail price, and
frequently much less. "a small charge is
added to cover postage and other mailing
exPenses.)
Evening star., 1946-10-27

AS member you receive careful pre-
publication report about each ok-of-the-
month (and at the same time reports about
all other important new books). If you
want the book Of the month, you let it
come. If not you specify some other book
you want, or simply write, Send me
nothing" With every two books-of-the-
month you buy, you receive, free, valu-