davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19

G. Bryan Pitts, who served a
lengthy prison sentence for con-
spiracy to embezzle funds from the
former F. H. Smith Co., which he
at one time served as chairman of
the Board of Directors, left an es-
tate of $23,500, but owed more
than $2,500, 900, according to petit
ton for administration Of his estate
filed in District Court.
Mr.. Pitts died November Z.
The petition, filed in behalf of Mr.,
Pitts daughter, Miss Glee Bryan
Pitts, Of Milwaukee, through At
torney Richard L.. Merrick, asked
that Mr.. Merrick be named adj
ministrator.
The known assets are $22,500 in
cash and about 81 900 in jewelry, Mr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19
Admiral Persons to Talk
At Army Moss MEETING

Rear Admiral William S. Parsons,
Navy atomic research expert, viii
speak at a mass meeting Of Army
reserve officers at 8 pm. tomorrow
in the Interior Department Audi
forum.
Brig. Gen. Claude B. Ferenbaugh,
commanding general Of the Military
District of Washington. will intro
duce Admiral Parsons.
Approximately 1900 reserve off,
GERS Of the District and adjacent
communities are expected to attend.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19
Citizens Fight Plan
For Bannockburn
| Golf Course Rezonino

The Bannockburn Citizens Asso-
citation has voted to oppose the pro-
posed rezoning Of the Bannockburn
golf course property TO permit con-
Istruction Of apartment houses, Cleye-
land Norcross, association president
said today. 4
Two applications to rezone parts
Of the 124-acre golf course tract at
Macarthur boulevard and Wilson
lane have been filed with the Mont
gomery County commissioners by
the Bannockburn Co operatives
Inc, the present owners.
Mr.. Norcross said the association
met last night at the home Of Car
son Lyman, 6740 Selkirk drive, Ban
|nockburn Heights, with all members
represented. They decided to op-
pose the applications at commits
sioners' hearing on December is.
Cfilcers of the association were
instructed at the meeting to take
all appropriate action necessary In
opposition to the plan" Mr.. Norcross
stated.
The present owners plan to turn
the golf course into q modern COM
munity Of detached homes, duplex
houses, apartment houses and Q
shopping center in a garden" set
ting Of trees and park, according
to Mrs. Mary Fox Herring, Coop
eratiyes president.
Addressing last nights meeting
James S. Taylor, former secretary
tof the Department of Commerce
Advisory Committee on City Plan
ming and coming, said the proposed
apartment house construction called
for too heavy a concentration OF
buildings on the land area available
Residents Of the Fairway Hills de-
velopment, which Is adjacent to. the
golf course, are planning a meeting
tomorrow night to discuss the pro-
posed rezoning.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19

The present with q future! Give
United States Savings Bonds as
gifts.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19

board Railway, which use the r., F
& P. tracks, operate largely with
Diesel locomotives and neither ex-
pected much dislocation in SEIZED
ules.
Southern May Drop One Train.
There was a possibility that one
Southern Railway train to Florida
would be suspended, An official said
the road would comply with the
order where it could save the most
coal and affect the least people
Most Southern trains are pulled by
DieselS.
The Chesapeake q Ohio Railroad
has not announced what trains will
be affected, but three from Wash
ington to the West are coal burners.
ODT estimated its curtailment or
der would save $4,000 tons of soft
coal a. day.
Apparently it will remain in effect
at least until the outcome of the
legal test set for November 81, but
it may be lifted quickly then, II
the strike threat evaporates.
Col. J. Monroe Johnson, ODT. di-
rector, disclosed that consideration
is now being given by the Office OF
Defense Transportation to restrict
ing freight transportation"
"The first restriction to be issued,
as soon as conditions warrant it,
will be the elimination of all-non-
essential traffic" he said.
This will include all export
freight to foreign countries, includ-
ing Canada and Mexico, except food,
clothing and medicines"
He added that additional restric-
tions viii be imposed" after that,
depending upon the coal supply.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19
Pitts Had ST., 500 in Pujomos
At Deuth, but Owed ~ Million

Merrick said. The cash, he added
included $12,500 in $1,000 and $500
bills found pinned in, a pajams
pocket when Mr.. Pitts became UNI
conscious. shortly before death.
Mr.. Merrick said a search is con-
tinuing in an effort to discover
whether Mr.. Pitts left other assets.
The F. H. Smith Co. sold millions
Of dollars worth Of bonds, and many
Of its securities turned out to be
worthless.
In 1882 MIR. Pitts abandoned an
appeal and began serving a 14-yeai
sentence. A large part of his in
debtness was the result of judg-
ment for more than 81 ,621 900, OBJ
tanned against him in District Court
in 1887, according to the petition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19
Britain to Take Over
Coal Mines January |
By the Assoeiatsd Prsss

LONDON, Nov. lathe British
govfrnment viii transfer coal mines
to national ownership January /
Emanuel Shinwell, minister Of fuel
and power, told Commons yester-
day.
The transfer Is authorized under
the Coal Industry Naturalization
Act, part Of the legislation passed
by the Labor government In its
program of Matchmaking Britain'i
heavy industry.
Evening star., 1946-06-09
Guard Guilty in Theft Of S.
From Blind Mans Stand

Theft of S. in dimes from a blind
mans concession stand in a Gov
eminent building in the 17OO block
OF Fifteenth street NE. was charged
to a 31-year-oid colored building
guard who was found guilty yes
terday on larceny charge in Mu-
nicipal Court.
Robert Hunter of the 600 block
of G street NE, the guard, told
Judge Walter j. Casey he had found
the money on the floor behind the
stand and intended to return it.
Police said, however, he had con-
verted the money to bills.
Raymond Sine of the 600 block of
I street Sc. told police he had
locked the money in a cabinet pro-
vided by the Washington Society
for the Blind Friday night, and
that it was gone Yesterday morning
Hunter told the court he had
served several years with the Army
in the Pacific. Judge Casey re-
ferred the case to the court pro-
baton Office for a report before
passing sentence June 81.
"The bonds of our Government
are the ONLY securities this ex-
change has ever recommended in
the more than $50 years of its exist
Evening star., 1946-06-09
British Labor Expected
To Exclude Communists
by the Associated Press

LONDON, June 8.-Britain's La
Dor party, whose government lead
ers are showing mounting irritation
at Red propaganda, may slam its
political door this week on organized
Communism.
The party will convene its week
long 45th annual conference at
Bournemouth Monday and Party
Secretary Morgan Phillips limited
strongly at a news conference that
an anti Communist amendment to
the party constitution may slide
through with little dissent.
Debate on the move will be led
by Herbert Morrison, Labor floor
leader in the House of Commons.
The amendment, written by the
National Executive Committee,
would ban Labor's adoption of any
party having their own program,
principles and policy for distinctive
and separate propaganda or
owing allegiance to any political
organization situated abroad"
An apparent grassroots approval
Of the British Communist party's
application to join Labor's political
federation, expressed itself in eight
conference resolutions, but Mr.
Phillips said two of the strongest
ones had been withdrawn and that
"others may be withdrawn before
Monday"
Evening star., 1946-06-09

the remarkable printing of those
days were the numerous pages ot
gold and silver illumined illustra.
tions. One sees similar illuminated
pages in the Bibles of that period.
| Some of the girl reporters eye!
glistened greedily and quite par.
donably so when Maj. Salb dis.
played for the benefit of all the
small piles of precious gems. They
were heaped on four pieces OF
paper.
Col. Durant, it was said. hae
loosened them from their origina
settings. 1t was intimated that thi!
probably was done with view tt
passing them on to some fence" fol
disposal. They were recovered in q
pasteboard box in the station locker
in Chicago to which Col. Durant lee
investigators and supplied the key
They glistened brightly IN the
sunlight that penetrated the Office
diamonds galore and of all variety
of sizes appeared to be in the ma
jority.
Blood-red rubies and green en-
eralds brought even some masculine
gasps of appreciation.
Ivory Handled Court Fans.
Lending variety to the jewel col.
lection were several eXquisitely
ivory handled court fans. Some were
studded with stones. There were
solid gold jewel boxes for milady's
vanity table, miniatures OF famous
Ipersonages, and any number OF
rings, bracelets and necklaces. One
tiny bracelet was valued at s25, 900
ut was said That was just chicken
feed" some one remarked, compared
to several diamond tiaras and huge
breastpins.
Many of the boudoir boxes were
examples of the finest workman.
ship and heavily studded with as
sorted jewels. Equally enticing te
the eye of any housewife were the
collections of royal plate-some solio
gold, others trimmed with gold OF
silver and bearing crests.
All the jewelry left intact in
settings was recovered, it was
claimed, at the Wisconsin house
where Capt. Durant is alleged to
have concealed it. 1t was found
here and there about the house,
almost any place." Col. Pierce ex-
planned. He shifted at the idea that
any had besn seWed into mattresses.
And where is the remainder of the
treasure being held now? I'm one OF
the vaults in the Pentagon building,
an official explained. And you can
bet your life it is closely enough
guarded"
The decision of what next to dc
with the jewels and collections was
said to be up to higher officials OF
the Government. They are part OF
the evidence that will be used in
the forthcoming court martial trials
of Col. and Capt. Durant and the
other two accomplices still at large
Trials to Be. Held Soon.
The trials probably will be helc
soon, and no doubt in the American
zone of Germany, in which the mis-
appropriation occurred.
Col. Pierce filled in some gaps to
round out the latest chapter in the
mystery thriller, involving the larg-
est amount of Misrepresentation
in any such case in United States
Army history.
He revealed that Col. Durant and
Evening star., 1946-06-09

was explained, by means of Lie
detector machine in Chicago. When
the machine actually showed up GER
tain statements in the stories OF
both the colonel and his wife, it was
explained, they broke down and con-
fessed.
Within Is minutes Of Col. Durant's S
confession Friday afternoon, he led
Col. Pierce and Maj. Salb to the
cache in the Chicago station.
Ofdcials said they believed Col
Durant had brought back part Of the
jewels from Germany, at least those
stripped from their settings. He had
flown back and with the superficial
customs examinations, they said ii
was comparatively easy for most
any officer to bring in undeclared
valuables and get away with it.
Shipped by Parcel Post.
His wife, the then Capt. Kathleen
B. Nash, was said to have shipped
other jewelry and objects of art ano
heirlooms in parcel post packages
addressed to herself in this country
A wrapper of one such package
showed postal charges of $125.
AS numerous as are the articles In
Evening star., 1946-06-09

his bride. who formerly was mess
officer for the Army Club at Kron-
berg Castle, were married by a jus
tice of the peace in Chicago. They
were "honeymooning' in the Wis
consin home of the brides sister,
and among their new possessions
was 1s46 model passenger car.
Col. Pierce emphasized that no
other member of either family was
involved in the inquiry which had
centered in the Chicago area since
May 30.
The honeymoon trail led Army
agents to ST. Paul, Minneapolis,
Chicago and other places.
Practically all of the missing valu-
ables were recovered after the two
alleged accomplices had confessed.
The confession was obtained, II
Evening star., 1946-06-09

the entire collection, they can easily
be carried off in two large suitcases.
Meanwhile, some additional facts
relating to Col. Durant developed
here yesterday. In addition to
graduating from Illinois University
and Georgetown University School
of Law, it was learned he also had
attended American University in
Washington. For a short time he
took classes there in social sciences
and public affairs.
A Washington woman informed
The Star that she had known the
former Capt. Kathleen B. Nash some
years ago. She recognized the WAC
officers pictures in the newspapers
and remembered her as a former
acquaintance. The informant said
she had attended her wedding to
Kennth Nash years ago in Phoenix,
Ariz. Mrs. Nash then was Veronica
Burke, she said. They have two
children, Burke, now %, of Tucson,
and an adopted daughter, Mrs.
Donald Wilcox of Hudson, Wis.
Col. and Mrs. Durant are believed
Evening star., 1946-06-09

II was surprised to find some very
fine modern jewelry, bracelets
brooches and clips set in platinum
OF the very finest workmanship.
believe it was American. They don't
do work like that in Europe"
The item that impressed him most
was gold fan, painted with Gu.
pids and encrusted with diamonds
and rubes. That might be worth
S50,000," he said.
Mr.. Won Steinner-Goeltl, an Aus
trian Army officer who came to this
country in 1911, retired IL years
ago from Won STEINER & Baum
gartner Co., a manufacturing jew
elry firm which he started here be-
fore World War I. He has been
engaged in designing and apprais-
ing ieWelry since.
Evening star., 1946-06-09
Senate Unit Approves
S242,S5S More for
D. {. Deficiency Bill

District items totaling s242,85s
were adyfd to the third deficiency
bill yestaday by the Senate Ap-
preparations Committee as it sent
the measure to the Senate floor fol
action.
The extra funds were recon-
mended by the Commissioners fol
eight divisions and services to cover
personnel and other costs, including
the care of increasing numbers OF
patients at increased costs at St
Elizabeth's Hospital.
The bill carries an additional S62,-
100 for District patients at st. Eliza
beth's, bringing the total for the
year to $3.50 300. The original esti-
mate for this fiscal year was based
on the expected care of 4,5OO pa
tients, but later the actual number
of patients was found to average
4,572, and the per diem charged had
increased from S180 to S2.35 a day
Committee members asked if the
ratio of mentally unbalanced pa
tients to the total population was
hign. Budget Officer Walter L
Fowler replied it was very high"
There are reasons for it" he said
Because so many people Of that
kind are dumped upon the city oil
Washington from all over the coun-
try; because so many come here to
see you gentlemen here on Capitol
Hill. That is the reason we have
such a high rate"
The measure also includes S65, ,OOC
for refunding taxes enormously col
lected by the District and SAT 500 fol
fire department salaries.
Other items include: Washington
Aqueduct, $32, 400. for reallocations
of pay; Public Library, S27,50O, sal
ary reallocations and for 40-houi
week: Office of coroner, $3.50; super.
intendent of buildings, $1,750, anc
National Guard, 1868.
Evening star., 1946-06-09
Too Many Diamonds to Count
FoundbyCrown JeweIApproiser
Old-Fushioned Gems
MingIe With Modern
Bracelets, Brooches

The appraiser who examined the
abulous loot from Kronberg Castle
esterday was more impressed by
The quantity than the quality of the
jewels.
There we're more diamonds than
we could count" said Albert Won
Steinner- -Goeltl. "I and my assist
ant scooped them into my diamond
scale. There must have been more
than 1000 unset diamonds. They
weighed 575 carats They must have
been worth 100000.
None were of gem quality. A
one-carat diamond is worth s1,6OJ.
These, l would say, were worth $500
TO $500. They were of the old-style
cut. The emphasis on quality in
diamonds only came in 80 or 10
years ago with modern cutting"
Mr.. Won Steiner -Goeltl, who is in
his 70s but looks much younger, de-
scribed his unusual experience.
/ At noon he had a telephone call
from an officer in the War Depart
ment asking what was his fee for
the appraisal of jewelry. He told
the officer l per cent.
Great day!" said the officer after
hasty calculation" that would be
$4,000. We couldn't pay that"
The officer explained the circum-
stances and what was wanted. Mr.
von Steinner-Goeltl offered to help
classify the jewels and waive his
fee.
When I walked into the room in
the Pentagon," he said, IAN officer
picked up diamond and emerald
bracelet from the table spread with
jewels and asked me what it was
worth off hand,'" Mr.. van STEINER
Goeltl said.
II said $4,000. He picked up an
other. said $500 but don't hold
me to 1t. I told them it would take
me two weeks to examine the Jewels
and estimate their value. They said
I could have only two hours. So I
made no estimate of value, merely
classified them.
Il was disappointed. There were
many pearl necklaces. They were
large but of poor quality They were
worth $4,000 each or less.
L examined 68 loose emeralds.
My assistant handled a few more.
There were few loose rubies. There
was a great quantity of loose anne
thysts. I don't know why they had
so manV.
Evening star., 1946-06-09
Fugitive Surrenders
In PimIico Ringer Case
By the Associoted Press

BALTIMORE, June 8.-Rolanc
Bennett Sanner, wanted since April
9 on charge of conspiring to OBJ.
tain a purse from the Pimlico Race
Track by substituting a horse fol
one officially entered in race, sur
rendered to States Attorney j. Ber-
nard Wells today.
He was released in $1,000 by Judge
Herman Moser, in Criminal Court
Indicted jointly with Sanner were
his wife Mary and j. S. ODonnel
of Washington, who is under sl,50t
bail awaiting trial
Evening star., 1946-06-09
.AP Photo,

to be in custody at Fort Myer, Va.
or Fort Belvoir, Va. Army officials,
refusing to disclose the place, prom.
ised further details in another
chapter of the Hesse jewel mystery
tomorrow.
Evening star., 1946-06-09
Jewels
Continued From First Page.)

any time and are not worried about
them escaping.
Eager to see the promised display
of jewelry, autographs. family Bibles
and other priceless items, newsmen
made q dash to the Public Rela tions
Bureau Office after scribbling de-
tails of the meager facts disclosed
about Col. and Mrs. Durant, now
under close confinement some
where in the Washington area.
Col. Ralph w. Pierce, chief of
the Provost Marshal Generals GRIM
Evening star., 1946-06-05

it, I decided, and said:
Honey, you've done a marvellous
job of cleaning. 1t will look BEAU
tiful when we push the stuff back
in place"
why, Freddy" she gasped, hurt
and disappointment in her voice.
This is my new arrangement. Don't
you like it?"
What could I say? My big chair
had been shunted from its spot by
the radio to a dark corner of the
hall and the sofa stood at a wide
angle across the doorway. I had
to hurdle it to get in, but Foxy said
it balanced the room" A bunch
Of old sticks, leaf mold and wilted
wild flowers were in the fireplace
where the andirons should be.
Quick changes are nothing new
around here. Foxy bought desk
for second floor room. 1t wouldn' t
go up the curving staircase so she
had it hauled up on the outside and
through the window. A month
later she read cute Ideas for Cute
Homes" in some magazine and de-
cided the desk must go on the first
floor. The boy and I tackled the
job, but the thing stuck halfway
down the stairs. The family
crawled over or under that darn
desk for two days before we could
get a carpenter to the rescue. Now
FOxv Is WANDERING If the desl
wouldn't really look better up
stairs after all.
In a house where milk pitchers
become flower vases and baby's
crib turns into fireplace wood
box, it is well the furnace is an
chored in the cellar floor. If it
weren't, Foxy would cover it with
cretonne and take 1t upstairs to
use for a dolls house.
Evening star., 1946-06-05
Summer Camp
BY 4 ngelo Pafri

Home is the best place in the world
for children. But, like every other
experience in life, home becomes
so much matter of course that it
Is taken for granted, even to the
extent of being ignored. Remember
how Temmy or Jane came home
with the astonishing fact that
Chum's mother made wonderful
cookies, although their own mother
made far better ones? What be-
comes routine is overworked. A new
routine, fresh experiences, new asso-
ciates are needed to brighten and
sharpen children's minds, stimulate
ideas and attitudes.
A good summer camp allows the
children to work at essential jobs.
Home often is too hurried for that,
or its conditions do not permit it.
In camp there is time for house.
work, need for cooperation of the
group and its leaders. That CO.
operation is not arti1cially prepared.
It arises out of the way of life that is
laid down. Every member of a hut
must do his full share of household
duty, or camp life cannot go on.
One Of the best disciplines of
camp life is the group opinion, free
ly expressed; the group pressure
frankly brought on each member
to promote unity, harmony and
achievement, both personal and
communal.
Then, there is what to many of us
is most important-the opportunity
to get closer to nature. The feel
of moss under the feet, the vast
reach Of Heaven, day and night
that fairly stretches the soul even
family aware of it; the smell of
warm sunshine on young pine and
hemlock and balsam; the feel of
rain on the face and wind through
Evening star., 1946-06-05

istry keeps our hopes ever high.
One item already here is an amaz-
ing household cleaner that requires
no rinsing and no wiping. 1t cleans
all painted, vanished, enameled and
linoleum surfaces in exactly half
the usual cleaning time. It's secret
is a special formula which picks up
the dirt, and transfers it to the
cloth, leaving the surface shining
clean with no soapy streaks or sudsy
marks. 1t is also claimed to leave
protecting coat that seals out
dust and dirt to a large degree, thus
making the next cleaning an even
easier job. Although many house.
wives may already be familiar with
it, this product, we feel certain,
there are just as many who are in
terested in hearing about it.
Plastics have come through for
the housewife again. This time,
it's an air cushion. An inhatable,
def1atable pillow which may be
folded fiat to fit in an apron pocket
and blown up in a moment to make
the kitchen chair more comfortable.
The cushion is made of a tough.
hard-wearing plastic and by special
process the seams are electronicaIly
welded together so that they are
actually stronger than the material
itself. The cushion has many uses
AS seat pad, back rest, knee
pad, and, as an added feature, the
manufacturer provided it with side
eyelets so that several may be easily
laced together to form an exercise
mat, pad for sun bathing or a
hassock! Excellent to take on fish
ing trips and picnics.