davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Schools Close for Funeral
OF Zelda Mae Thomas

Two Arlington County Schools and
the school board Offices at the court
house were closed today in respect
to Miss Zelda Mae Thomas, secretary
to School Supt. Fletcher Kemp, who
was fatally injured in an auto acci-
dent Monday night.
Funeral services for Miss Thomas,
a former school teacher, were held at
1880 am. at the Ives funeral home
Burial was to be held in the Nam
jemoy Baptist Church Cemetery at
Indianhead, Md.
The Charles A. Stewart Elemen-
tary School of which Miss Thomas
sister, Olivita. is principal, was
closed all day, and the James Mon
roe Elementary School where the
victim formerly taught, was closed
half day.
Miss Thomas, 30, was a passenger
in an automobile which was involved
in q collision with another car on
Lee highway near MeTifield. Three
other persons were hurt in the crash.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
BY the Assoeioted Press

BALTIMORE, Feb. ia re-
cipient of public welfare funds yes
terday received a Jail sentence on
a conviction of fraud and Judge
Joseph Sherbow of the Baltimore
Supreme bench issued a. warning
that others similarly convicted will
be required to make restitution.
Meanwhile, a city paymaster dis
closed that four welfare checks had
been cashed for one client" after
his death.
Mayor Theodore r. McKeldin in
dicated he would back the Com
mission on Governmental Efficiency
and Economy for access to all rec
ords in proposed investigation OF
the city's welfare department.
Since the Federal Government
contributes a share of the money
expended and Federal rules specify
that some records must be held in
confidence, Gov. Lane suggested In
Annapolis that the question of an
Evening star., 1947-02-19

10 active members Of the student
body. Oldest alumnus is Albert
Young, class Of '6s, who is living in
California. He is nearly 100 years
old.
The fact that the student body
numbers only 164 youths indicates
the selective basis on which the
society is managed, according to
M. D. Burgee, principal of the acad-
emy. They are selected both by
club members and by the faculty of
the institution largely with regard
to scholarship.
The clubs home is the Old White
House, built in 1903, most venerable
structure on the campus. Con-
federate troops were quartered there
for a time during the Civil War.
1t was during that war that the
Stonewall Society was formed. the
original literary and debating Of
ganization having been known as
the Washington Society. The for
mer was named in honor Of Stone
wall Jackson. In 1871 the two
societies were combined into the
present group.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Initiative, Referendum
And Recall Provisions
For Charter Urged

A three-point program Of mitia-
tive, referendum and recall was
recommended last night to the
Montgomery County Charter Board
for inclusion in the charter now
being drafted. The proposal was
made at hearing in the Bethesda
Elementary School. sf u
Clarence Smith of Silver Spring,
who said he had not had an oppor-
tunity to present his suggestions at
hearings in the eastern suburban
area, declared that If the nonparti-
san election clause cannot be in
cluded, it is vital that the. three
principles be substituted for it.
Edgar H. Baker demanded that
the charter contain a clear-cut pro-
vision for repeal in case the people
decide in the future that they don't
want it. Mr.. Baker said this ques-
ton was raised many times in the
1914 charter campaign.
Two Provisions Praised.
Dean James j. Hayden of the
charter board assured Mr.. Baker
that the new charter would contain
such a provision.
Gerhard j. Isaac commended two
provisions contained in the old char
ter.
Restriction on bond issues pro-
viding for serial bonds callable after
limited periods, the life of which
would not exceed the life of the i'm
provement;
A budgetary procedure whereby
citizens would be given adequate
time to study the proposed budget
before a public hearing is held.
Mr.. Baker also suggested that the
new charter clarity the power OF the
county manager in hiring and firing
department heads, Opponents OF
the old charter called these heads
"life termers" and declared the
manager had no power to get rid
of them.
Second Hearing Tuesday.
A second hearing for the western
suburban area will be held Tuesday
night at the Bethesda Chevy Chase
High School. j. Bond Smith, an
unsuccessful candidate for the first
charter board and leading oppo-
nent of the charter in the 1914 cam
paign, has announced that he will
appear at that hearing to discuss
what he considers provision limit
ing the enactment of ordinances to
one month a year. Thes meeting
will not be a debate, Dean Hayden
declared, as the board will be there
merely to listen.
Dean Hayden announced, how
ever, that in his opinion the County
Council would not be handicapped,
as Mr.. Smith suggests, since it would
inherit "all the powers now held by
the Board of County Commis-
sioners."
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Railroad Tool Shed Hearing
Continued in Silver Spring

A hearing on a warrant sworn
out against the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad which charges the
railroad with construction of a
tool shed in Silver Spring without
a building permit has been con-
tinued until 1:30 pm. Tuesday in
Silver Spring Police Court.
Charles w. Prettyman, attorney
for the railroad, asked Judge
Einar B. Christensen for the con-
tinuance yesterday. Mrs. Mary
Hayden, 1917 North Springwood
drive, Silver Spring, had the warrant
made out in an attempt to stop
construction of railroad tool shed
in the vicinity of her property.
Mr.. Prettyman said that the rail-
roads application for a building per-
NIT was turned down about month
ago and now is before the Montgom-
cry County Board of Zoning Ap-
peals, which he said has promised
a hearing for Monday.
He added that the railroad will
discontinue construction pending
the hearing.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Alexandra Ordinance
Adopted 70 Control
Sale Of RevoIvers

An ordinance controlling pistol
and revolver sales in Alexandria was
adopted last night by the City
Council.
The new law places heavy re-
sponsibility for such sales on dealers
and provides 72-hour waiting
period for purchasers before a pistol
or revolver can be bought. No place
of business will be allowed to dis
play revolvers so they can be seen
readily from the street.
The chief of police is given the
authority to recommend that sale
of a gun be denied if he finds the
applicant for a gun is not fit ano
proper person to posses the weapon.
To purchase a pistol or revolver the
prospective buyer first must fill out
an application.
Duplicate Record Opposed.
Directors to the ordinance op-
posed keeping duplicate applica-
tion records at police headquar.
ters as provided by the regula-
ton. Charles N. Cox of the
Potomac Rifle Club, termed the cen.
tralization of records a menace.
He said it was possible this country
might be invaded and "if by some
chance they got to our gun records
they would know right where to &c
for arms"
Violators of the regulations art
subject to a fine of $25 to $500 Of
imprisonment of three months OF
both. The ordinance becomes ef'
fective April l.
City Engineer Luckett Watkin:
was instructed to make an investi.
CATION of complaints that the veter-
ans temporary housing project or
Duke street road infringes on pri.
vate property.
City Manager Carl Budweski was
instructed to negotiate for the pur'
chase of property at Alfred ane
Montgomery streets and another
tract in the northeast section of the
city to be used as future school sites
Traffic Change Possible.
On motion of Councilman Jack
Tulloeh it was voted to request Civil
and Police Court Judge James Reect
Duncan to be present at the next
meeting to take up the possibility
of changing the system of booking
violators of minor traffic regula-
tions.
The Council unanimously adopted
resolution introduced by Col
Everett Hellmuth to place sug-
gestion box in the City Hall so that
employees can make recommends
tions they feel will help the city
Col. Hellmuth's motion provides fol
awarding cash prizes to any one
submitting proposals that the Coun-
ellis Finance Committee decides will
help the city save money.
A request of the Ladies Auxiliary
Fire Department to hold a tag day
sale on April 3, and was granted
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Group to See Truman
On Johnson Memorial

A delegation headed by Brooke
Johns, chairman of the Board OF
Montgomery County Commissioners
will call on President Truman today
to seek approval of a memorial to
Walter johnson. the famous pitcher
Mr.. Johns, who heads a memorial
commission, said he would outline
to the President tentative plans for
a memorial stadium and other ath-
letic facilities at the Richard Mont
gomery High School, Rockville.
Evening star., 1947-02-19

Alabama, debated in this society,
as did Thomas Jenifer. who as a
member of Congress used to enter
tain Patrick Henry at his mansion
at Wicomico, Charles County, and
also served at one time as minister
to Austria.
Less thorough, however, were the
society's scribes Of yesteryear in
recording the passing scenes of his
tory.
During the War of 1912 some OF
the student body of the academy,
which was chartered in 1774, left to
engage the British at Washington.
During that period minutes of the
meetings indicated enough students
were left behind to hold the society's
regular meetings.
But not word of the war or
the burning of washington was re-
corded.
Student president of the honorary
society is James j.. Schnitzer of 4736
North Twenty-fourth road, Arling-
ton.
He says there are about 600
alumni of the society living, and
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Virginia Judges Study
Ruling That Affects
Workings Of Courts
BY the Assoeioted Press

RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 19.-Police
judges and trial justices throughout
Virginia today studied a ruling of
Attorney General Abram P. Staples
which is expected to have wide ap-
plication in the day-to-day work of
the trial courts that judges may not
dismiss persons accused of misde-
meanors On payment of court costs.
In an opinion supplied to the COM
monwealths attorney of Friedrich
County, he upheld the old Virginia
law against fortune telling by "gyp-
sizes or other strolling company of
persons" and ruled that prosecu-
ton would lie against itinerant
fortune-tellers even if they had OBJ
tanned fortune telling licenses from
the county commissioner OF revenue.
The attorney general recon-
mended in an opinion to the COM
monwealth's attorney of Fairfax
County that all commemorative at
torneys in Virginia discontinue the
practice of signing bills of indict-
ment which are sent to a grand jury
for it's consideration. The Supreme
Court of Appeals has condemned the
practice, on the grounds that grand
jurors might give undue weight to
such signatures in celebrating upon
whether to return true bill.
Staples advised Commonwealth S
Attorney John D. White of Staun-
ton, that the commonwealth has no
right of appeal when trial justice
dismisses a charge of killing deer
out of season. The fact that the
value of a deer illegally killed must
be paid into the State treasury by
the offender does not create a sit
uation affecting the state revenue"
the attorney general held. The COM
monwealth has the right of appeal
only in cases touching upon the
revenue laws of the State.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Charlotte Hall to Mark 50 Anniversary Of Debating Society
BY A. A. Hoehline
Stor Stoff Correspondent

CHARLOTTE HALL, Md, Feb. 19
One of the Oldest debating socie-
ties in the nation will celebrate its
150th anniversary here Saturday
with "a debate.
To the broad lawns and old CO.
lonial buildings of Charlotte Hall
Military Academy will come some
$50 alumni of the institution's
Washington and Stonewall Literary
Society to renew friendships and
match wits.
After ceremonies which will COM
mence with a dinner and initiation
oft members of the student body
into the society, the group will
thrash out anew the topic which
was first argued by the society In
1913:
Resolved, That doctors are OF
more advantage to the public than
lawyers"
Alumni taking part in the debate
will be, on the Affirmative, DR.. Fred
B. Smith, Is, of Baltimore, and DR.
Wheeler o. Huff, 80, Bethesda; and
the negative, v. Calvin Trice, '02
Cambridge, Md. and John D. Mock,
'02, Cheraw, S. C.
Judges Named.
Judges will be Trial Magistrate
Donald A. DeLashmutt, Of Mont
gomery County, '03, and Judge Wal
ter j. Mitchell, '89, of La Plata.
This controversial topic is closely
in keeping with the standards set
by the society in past debates. In
the yellowed pages of the groups
minutes can be found such subjects
argued by men of a bygone era as:
What is more detestable, a tyrant
or coward?"
Should Troy have been de-
stroyed?"
whether or not the conversation
of ladies is of any real advantage
to literary gentleman"
Ought a parent to choose pro-
fession for his child or leave him to
choose one for himself?"
Other Notes Interesting.
In other parts of equally musty
minutes such notations as these
have been recorded:
"Mr. Gardner was fined Is cents
for swearing"
Resolved, That if two-thirds of the
members present of this society con-
sider the president does not keep
proper order and decorum while
sitting in the chair he shall be fined
II shillings, 4 pence"
Names of families still synonym
GUS with Southern Maryland can
be found on old rosters of the
society, including Bowie, Calvert,
Grain, Carrico, Tarlton, Fitzhugh
and Briscoe.
Admiral Raphael Semmes, skipper
of the famed Confederate raider,
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Plan for Completing
81 Veterans Homes
In VIRGINIA Studied

A plan to complete a veterans
housing project six miles south OF
Alexandria, on which work was
stalled last week, was being studied
today, and indications were that 81
veterans whose homes are started
would have them completed.
About 80 veterans, who bought
land on the site near the Richmond
highway, will be called into meet
ing by Waldron E. Leonard, director
of the Veterans Information Center
at 8 pm. Friday to discuss the pro-
posal.
Mr.. Leonard said the plan called
for the Colonial Investment Co..
which has advanced about $50, 900
for the construction work, to take
over the project and complete all
homes now being built.
Contractor Sues.
A Washington contractor filed suit
Yesterday in Fairfax Circuit Court
for judgment of $4,219.50 against the
Bo-Mar Corp, the construction firm
which began the development last
fall. Filed by Arthur L. Dempsey
the suit asks collection on promis-
sorry note signed by Nicholas E
Bombard, president of Bo-Mar, and
indorsed by Mr.. Bombard and Carl
A. Marshall, an attorney, of Spring
Hill, Va.
Mr.. Leonard said all parties con-
cerned had shown excellent CO.
operation and had reached the con-
clusion they would be able to work
the problem out"
The project began last September
when the Bo-Mar concern sold lots
in the 100-acre Fairfax tract for
81 500 each, according to Mr.. Bonn
bard. Later, he said, the idea OF
entering the home construction field
developed when it was learned a
shopping center the firm was in
terested in building could not be
constructed unless houses were built
first.
Work Halted Last Week.
The Colonial Investment Co. had
advanced 100000 toward the con-
struction of 81 of the homes when
work was halted last week. Nathan
iel j. Taube, vice president of the
firm, was one of the conferees IN
the plan to complete the develop
ment.
Mr.. Leonard said the construction
firm had attempted to give the vet
Grams excellent homes for $4,000
each. They were of stone or brick
construction, of Cape Cod design,
with three bedrooms upstairs, a tile
bath, automatic oil heat and other
features. Twelve of the homes are
virtually completed and foundations
have been laid for 40.
A World War I veteran, Mr. Bom-
bard operated an automobile agency
at 1924 Florida avenue NE. before
World War II.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Gallagher to Head Unit
In Red Cross Fund Drive

Raymond A. Gallagher, Alexandria
insurance broker. has been named
chairman of the Junior Chamber of
Commerce Committee which will
solicit contributions in the city's
annual Red Cross fund drive next
month, it was announced today.
Solicitation of Alexandria busi-
ness firms will be under Mr.. Gal
lagher's supervision during the
campaign.
Evening star., 1947-02-19

A group OF student mem
bers OF the Washington and
Stone,paH Literary Society
stand on the steps of the "Old
White House." most Denerable
structure on the campus of
Charlotte Hall Military Acad-
enay (left). 1t Das erected In
1903 and housed Confederate
troops during the CiuiI War.
BeloU Student members OF
the literary society "police"
the place before celebrating
the 150th anniversary of the
society Saturday.
.... Star Staff Photos.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
LEGISLATORS to Air Views

State Senator Daniel Ellison
Republican, and Delegate Charles
r Argabright, Democrat, both OF
Baltimore, General Assembly pa
irons of identical bills to repeal the
Declaration of Intentions Act, will
be interviewed by the Maryland
League of Women Voters at 2:4s
pm. Saturday over Station WBAL
Baltimore.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Montgomery Board
Adopts Road Code
For Subdivisions

The Montgomery County Board OF
Commissioners at their weekly
meeting yesterday adopted code
to govern road construction in new
subdivisions outside of the suburban
area.
The new rules provide that the
subdivider:
Dedicate a 5O-foot right-of-way
through the subdivision.
Grade the right-of to a width
of at least 80 feet.
Provide stone or gravel base at
least Is feet wide, 4 inches thick
and covered with tar or oil.
Two Requests Weighed.
The commissioners took under ad-
visement request from James Bur-
dette of Clarksburg to improve the
2-mile stretch of county road from
Clarksburg to Lewisdale.
Also taken under advisement was
an appeal by residents of the Chevy
Chase Bethesda area that the COM
missioners suggest to the legislature
the raising of the legal age for
operating a motor vehicle in Mary
land from 16 to 18 or 81 years.
Edwin c. Zavitz, principal of the
Sidwell Friends School. at which 16-
year-old Harriet Winslow of Chevy
Chase. who died Saturday in traf-
fic accident in Washington, was a
pupil, told the commissioners:
1--WE can't Danish carelessness by
laws. We are really admitting we
as parents are doing bad job-we
have forgotten the business and pro-
fession of parenthood.'
Reports on Sick Leave.
County Supervisor I. G.. McNayr
reported that the total annual sick
leave a county employe may take
has been set at Is days, reduction
of Is days from the previous allow
ance. He also said that the Is days
annual leave may be accumulated
for a 60-day total instead of the past
maximum of 80 days.
John B. Diamond, county treas
urer, announced his Office will not
sell automobile tags until the bill
pending before the legislature tc
change the system of motor vehicle
taxes Is acted on.
He also announced that March !
is the deadline for filing returns on
tangible personal property. Those
required to file are business con-
Germs, doctors, lawyers and other
professional men whose Offices are
located in the county, and farmers
House owners are not required to
file returns on their household fur
niture and effects.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
School Budget
is Presented 10
Fairfax Meetinq
Total Of S4,21S,1S5
Near County's Limit,
Superintendent Says

The largest educational budget In
the history of Fairfax County, total
| ing S4,2l8, ,185 as compared with So
289 ,991 for the current year, was
presented to a mass meeting last
night at the Fairfax High School.
w. T. Woodson. superintendent
of schools, told the meeting the
county now Is taxing almost at
the limit of its capacity for educa7
tional purposes and urged that the
State make a larger contribution,
He said he would like to see the State
set, a floor of $1,000 to $4,000 a year
for teachers salaries and let the
local governments supplement that
contribution.
Several speakers pointed out that
unless new scource of revenue is
found or the legislature raises the
limit, the alternative is to increase
valuation of real property which
now is assessed at about one-third
of true valuation.
Starting Salary $1,000.
Mr.. Woodson told the meeting
that the budget provided for range
of teachers salary from $4,000, the
starting salary for teacher with a
B. A. degree, to $4,000 in 10 steps,
and a range for a teacher with o
masters degree from 81, 100 to 1900.
The allotment for teachers salaries
/ is $1,054,590, which compares with
an actual expenditure during 1886
1947 Of $838,170. Mr.. Woodsen said
the increase would be about $400 per
teacher over this years final salary.
He admitted that he would have
preferred the County Teacher As
sociation's recommendation of ST. 400
as a starting salary, but he pointed
out, that with the proposed capital
expenditure totaling $2.748,487 as
contrasted with 81 l,208, 300 for the
current year, the tax rate would not
yield sufficient funds to provide the
higher salary scale.
Several speakers thought the sal
ary scale was not high enough. DR..
Oscar Kiessling of Falls Church said
neither the minimum nor maximum
was adequate.
Several colored residents of the
Gum Springs and other areas criti-
cized the sanitary conditions of Ne
gro schools and urged that some Of
the funds be allocated to improve
heating, drinking water and toilet
facilities.
Consolidation Planned.
Mr.. Woodson said that the county
was working toward consolidating
one and two room Negro schools into
larger and more modern buildings.
He pointed out as an example the
new Falls Church school now is
under construction.
Samuel Dennis, member of the
Falls Church Planning Commission
and the Fails Church School Board.
wanted to know what planning Mr..
I IWoodson was doing in regard to the
1probable requirements of multiple
housing projects near Falls Church.
Mr. Woodson said he had discussed
possible sites for new schools with
the developers, and one of them had
indicated there would be a very
small school population during the
first few years.
Mrs. Mark Regan, president of the
county Parent-Teacher Association,
told Mr.. Woodson she was pleased
with the budget" and that 1t was
larger than we had expected" She
urged the public to support it before
the Board of Supervisors.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Veterans Memorial w
Opens Drive in Arlington

A campaign to enroll colored vet
Grams of Arlington, in the Veterans
Memorial YMCA was launched to-
day, according to Charles Webb,
executive director.
Organized last September. the
Memorial YMCA now has men,
bership of 500. Edmund c. Fleet
is chairman of the drive which will
end February Is. Other members
of the membership drive committee
are William Scott, Edward Hicks,
Mrs. Eva Champion and Mrs. Grace
Crir1i0
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Clarendon Dance Postponed

The annual dinner dance of the
Clarendon Volunteer Fire Depart
ment, Arlington, has been postponed
indefinitely from February 28 pend
ing recovery of Chief Paul johnson
who is seriously Ill in Arlington
Hospital, 1t was announced today.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
$22,396 in Tuxes Refunded

The Internal Revenue Bureau re-
ported yesterday refunds and credits
amounting to s22,396 to the Hartford
County Fair Association, Bel, Air,
Md, for overassessments Of 194l
and 1914 income and excess profits
taxes.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
Tokomu Park Infant
Suffocutes in Carriage

James D. Holland, 7-week-old sor
of Mr.. and Mrs. j. B. Holland, ~
Holly avenue, Takoma Park, Md.
died of suffocation yesterday while
sleeping in a carriage on the from
porch of the home, Montgomery
County police reported.
DR.. Frank j. Broschart, Mont
gomery County coroner, issued
certificate of accidental death. The
Takoma Park Rescue Squad gave
artificial respiration for an hour
without success.
Evening star., 1947-02-19
VIEW Post Plans Dance

The Blue and Gray Post S469
Veterans of Foreign Wars, will spon-
sor a dance at Hunters Lodge, Fair
fax, at 8 pm. tomorrow.