davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Lorfon Officials Cleared
In Poison Alcohol Deaths

The deaths Of two inmates at
Lorton Reformatory who drank an
antifreeze mixture were due to their
own negligence, an investigating
board, headed by Donald Clemmer,
director of the Department of Cor
rections, announced today. Prison
personnel were absolved of any
negligence.
Robert w. Williamson, 40, colored,
who was serving to 9 years fol
sex crimes, died Christmas Day,
while Richard O. Taylor, 27, colored,
1900 block of Third street NV, who
was to have been released in March
on completion of a IA months SEN
tence for unauthorized use of an
automobile, died December 26.
Thirteen other men drank anti
freeze but were saved by the "ex-
tremely fine service of DR.. Frank
Klune, prison physician and his
staff" Mr.. Clemmer said He added
that all personnel and inmates at
the prison had been warned about
the antifreeze.
Evening star., 1947-02-04

Southeastern States.
Three other Lutherans were ap-
pointed field secretaries. The men
and their territories are w. Don
Morton, Northwest, with .headquar-
tiers at Minneapolis; William F.
Kedde, Far West, with headquarters
at Omaha, and Alfred Arneson,
Midwest, with headquarters at Chi
cago.
Mr.. McGrory, an organizer of the
Lutheran Laymen's Fellowship OF
Washington, retired from the Ma
rines in 1914 with the rank of COM
missioned warrant officer after "a
years of service. He enlisted May
Is, 1910, and first retired, entering
the Reserve, in 1881. From 1881
he was employed as chief clerk
for the Navy Mutual Aid Associa-
tion of Washington. He returned
to active duty in January, 1912.
A native of Pittsburgh, Mr.
McGrory has been active in local
Lutheran circles for many years
He and Mrs. McGrory live at 32C
Decatur street NV.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Judiciary Unit Hears
Capper Next Monday

Senator Capper, Republican, Of
Kansas, will urge the Senate Ju-
dietary Committee to approve his
resolution on national representa-
ton for the District, at a session
next Monday when final action on
the measure is expected to be taken.
The veteran legislator, who long
has championed votes for Wash
ington, accepted with alacrity
Chairman Wiley's suggestion that
he speak.
"Iu be there" Senator Capper de-
clared. "I'll give them talk on my
resolution. 1t should have gone
through Congress long ago.
Sentiment of the people is
mounting rapidly in its favor" he
declared. "This public opinion now
is stronger than ever before.
ut would be the best thing ever
happened to the people cf the Dis
trict of Columbia, if they were
given a voice in their own govern
ment."
The Judiciary Committee de-
cided yesterday it would act def
nitely on the Capper resolution at
its next regular meeting Monday,
without holding further hearings.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Is More Entered
In Calendar Contest

Eighteen more young art students
yesterday registered for participa-
tion in The Evening Stars Student
Calendar Art contests from RAN
dali Junior High School, four from
st. Paul's Academy and one from
Alice Deal High School.
They are Elizabeth Alexander,
Gypsy Bailey, Lorna Colbert, James
Courtney, Frederick Frost, Bertha
Hawkins, Louise McCarne, Clarence
Mcclure, Marjorie Madison, Nathan
iel Manning, Ernest Moss, Ella Tur-
ner, and Thelmas Williams of RAN
dali; John Downs, Natalie Lutov,
Jerome Nickerson, and Richard
Sheehy of st. Paul's and Patricia
Miles of Alice Deal.
This brings the total number en-
rolled to 70.
The contest runs until April /, at
which time all pictures must be de-
livered to Room 724, The Star Build
ing. Completed pictures may be
delivered, however, at any time prior
to the closing date of the contest.
Each OF the SIX young artists whose
work is selected as best will receive
a 500 United States Savings Bond,
and the winning pictures will be in
corporated in the Stars 1948
calendar.
The pictures should be approxi-
mately 16 by 20 inches in size, with
the length horizontal to provide uni
formity in making up the calendar.
The artists, all of whom must be
Junior or high school students In
Washington and the surrounding
Metropolitan Area, may attend pub
lie, parochial or private schools.
Rules, entry blanks and registration
cards may be had from the Art
Contest Editor, Room 724, The Star
Building.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Bill Seeks 10 Widen
Investment Range Of
Insurance Companie!

Bills to allow insurance companies
in the District to invest IN low-cost
housing projects and a wider range
of securities and to use modernized
standard mortality tables in connec-
ton with industrial insurance, sup
Elementary benefits and annuities
were before the House District Com
mittee today.
Another bill also introduced yes
terday by Representative Smith, Re-
publican of Illinois, at the request
of the Acacia Mutual Life Insur-
ance Co., resulted from decision of
the Circuit Court of Appeals here
last April. The court ruled that
proceeds of life insurance policies,
under an act passed in 1884, should
be awarded to the estate Of bene-
ficiary even though that beneficiary
died before the insured person.
Amendment Proposed
The proposed amendment, accord
ing to a spokesman for the COM
pany, would clarity the statute by
making certain that the phrase
executors or administrators will be
construed to refer to the executors
or administrators of the insured or
the person so effecting such insur-
ance."
Enactment is highly necessary in
the public interest for the citizens of
the District of Columbia who have
countless thousands of policies of
life insurance payable in the same
manner as the policies involved in
the case decided by the Court Of APP
peals," the company stated.
The bill to broaden the investment
field for insurance companies in Me
District, it was explained, would
allow investments in equipment
trusts, ground rents, mortgages on
leaseholds, new issues of bonds, in
come-producing real estate, and pre-
ferred and guaranteed stocks in
companies which paid less than four
per cent on all their stocks for the
preceding five years.
Parkfairfax Cited
Many States are far ahead of the
District in undermining their stat
utes affecting insurance company
investments, the Committee was
told In a statement by local msur-
ance company officials. Local COM
panies feel they should not be de-
MED participation in low-cost hous-
ing projects, such as the Parkfairfax
development in nearby Virginia, a
development of the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Co. of New York, the
Committee was informed.
The bill allowing District insur-
ance companies to adopt tables
based on modern mortality expe-
rience" also sets up new formula
for determining minimum non-for-
feiture- benefits. The proposed
changes would not affect the net
cost of insurance to policyholders,
it was explained.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Death in Dental Chair
Ruled Due 10 Shock

A certificate of death by natural
causes was issued yesterday by Cor
oner A. Magruder Macdonald in the
death of Mrs. Dorothy Nicholson, 26
of 612 Florence street NE. She
died yesterday morning while under
the influence of gas given as an
anesthetic for extraction Of teeth
Mrs. Nicholson died of acute con-
gestive heart failure and anesthetic
shock, DR.. Macdonald said, follow
ing an autopsy at the District
Morgue. The woman, he said, had
retained gland, the status lymph
aticus, which normally disappears
at the age of 4. When retained
DR. Macdonald said, the gland
makes a person more susceptible to
shock.
Mrs. Nicholson had been given gas
by DR.. Stanley Silverman in his
office at 638 I street NV, where
she had gone to have seven teeth
removed.
She is survived by her husband
George Nicholson, an employe Of the
Naval Mine Base in yorktown, Va;
a daughter, Marilyn, Z; a SON.
George, jr., S, and her mother, Mrs
John Schandl, with whom she and
the children had been living.
Funeral arrangements have moi
been completed.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
BetterAccountinq
nPorking Meter
Revenue SOUGHT

The Districts $50 parking meters
although they have shown profit
since they were installed in 1889,
still are not alright enough to suit
District officials.
"At present" according to a survey
report sent yesterday to the Commis-
sioners by Auditor A. r. Pilkerton,
there is no positive assurance that
all coins dropped into the meters are
deposited with the Collector OF
Taxes, nor is there any means OF
definitely establishing this fact"
Mr.. Pilkerton and representatives
of the Tax Collector and Traffic
Departments agreed unanimously
that more personnel should be pro-
yided for daily recording of collec-
tions from each meter or group OF
meters.
The meters have provided total
of $182, ,386.91 in net income since
the first ones were installed. 1t is
expected they will yield So, 600 profit
this year.
An additional 400 meters are
planned in the near future. Event
ually it is hoped there will be 5000 in
operation.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
District Ranked
Sd in Per Capita
Assessments
Commissioners Get
Figures on 81
Major Cities

The District ranks third among
81 cities of 100000 or more popula-
ton in terms of per capita real
estate assessment, as nearly as can
be determined, the District Com
missioners were told today.
Tax Assessor Edward A. Dent
presented the Commissioners with
comparative figures showing that
the District. with a per capita as
seSsment of $1,826, was exceeded
only by New York City and Jersey
City, N. j.
The comparison was made on the
basis of 1910 population and real
estate assessment figures, he said.
At that time District real estate
was taxed at the same SITS of 500
OF assessment value which applies
now.
Mr.. Dent explained he had d.
vided the total assessed value of real
estate, 81 ,211 208, ,484 by the 1910 pop
ulation Of 663, ,091 to arrive at the
per capita figure. At that time, 54.4
per cent Of District land was tax
able, whereas now only 49.2 per cent
is subject to levy.
He said hetprepared the figures IN
answer to complaints that the Dis
trict's tax rate is too low, pointing
out that the rate itself Is no true
measure Of the amount of tax paid.
Only by applying the tax rate to
assessed valuation can true pic
ture be obtained.
Mr.. Dent cited Baltimore as an
example Of large industrial city
with considerably less assessed real
estate value than the District. He
said Baltimore's assessed valuation
in 1910, when its population was $780,
600, was $1,066, ,583 ,000-nearly $l45,-
100000 less than the District. Bal
timore's per capita assessment then
was S1.241
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Veteran Here Morries
His BeIqiun Secretary

A Belgian girl who was secretary
and interpreter to an American SOL
dier in Antwerp was married to him
here last night.
At a ceremony in Holy Rosary
Church, 229 F street NV, Miss
Marie Van Kessel, became the bride
of Robert Hadicke, 81, who was
sergeant in the Quartermaster
Corps. They met in January OF
last year.
The couple will live with Mr..
Hadicke's mother, Mrs. Alice
Hadicke, 319 H street NV, until
they find place of their own. He
is learning the theater business in
Loew's Palace Theater.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Fireman HospitoIized
With Smoke Poisoning

A District fireman was taken to
Emergency Hospital suffering from
smoke poisoning received while
fighting a fire at 414 New York ave-
nue. NV. early today. The fireman,
Pvt. Charles w. Biondi, 40, Of $500
Connecticut avenue NV, Is at
tacherd to No. Engine Company.
E-e was treated and admitted to the
hospital.
The fire, which started at 2:10
am. in the apartment Of Mrs. Mary
Jackson, was confined to one room.
Evening star., 1947-02-04

Wendell WILKES round-the-w world
flight in late 1912.
He became a civilian again last
spring. Then I got married in
May" he added.
Meanwhile, Joseph A. Roney,
court-appointed receiver, reported
that about 5000 local residents have
come to the Howard plant, 1347
South Capitol street, to pick up
their laundry bundles and cleaning
Nearly every one has been CO.
operative, he said, but police have
been called in two cases to quiet
citizens who wanted to rummage
through the thousands of items ir
search Of their laundry.
Mr.. Roney estimated that about
80 per cent of the items on hand
have been claimed. The plant Of
flee will remain open for the next
three days.
After that, disposition Of the
clothing and laundry will be up
to the bankruptcy trustee-who will
be elected at a general creditors
meeting at 3 pm. Friday in Justice
Bolitha j. Laws courtroom in the
Municipal Court Building.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
D. +. Heads Protest
Use Of taxable Land
For Hospital Center

The District Commissioners still
object strongly to the use Of any
taxable land for the proposed new
hospital center.
They asked the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission yes
terday to support their position that
the site be picked from some land
already in Federal possession and
thus tax exempt.
Participating in the proposed new
center are Garfield, Emergency and
Episcopal Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Hospitals.
In a letter to Maj. Gen. U. S.
Grant, III, chairman Of the Federal
planners, the city heads said they
had heard rumors of proposal in
volving 60 acres of now taxable land
which would be withdrawn by use
as a center site.
1.-THE Commissioners are gravely
concerned" they wrote, "over the
effect on the city's financial struc-
ture and well-being, Of the steady
reduction in taxable areas.
They said they were further in
formed that consideration is being
given to request for $4,000, 900 to
be used by the Public Buildings Ad-
ministration for purchasing such a
tract of land.
'It would seem to the Commits
sioners," they wrote, "that the selec-
tion of a site such as the one pro-
posed would tend to accelerate the
withdrawal from the District of per-
sons who carry a considerable part
of our tax burden and contribute
materially to the prosperity Of our
business interests.
The Government could save the
$4,000 and help the city, they
said, by using land already Gov
ernment-owned.
District Budget Officer Walter L.
Fowler has already suggested of the
Soldiers Home tract st. Eliza
beth,s Hospital Farm as possible
sites. One Of the privately owned
sites said to have been under con-
sideration was the Glover estate at
Massachusetts, and Nebraska ave-
nuess NV, but it is believed this
now has been dropped.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Chest Widens
Study Group 10
Include Unions
CIO Counsel Invited
To Take Part After
Beitscher Protests

Community Chest leaders today
expanded the citizens committee
studying Chest operations to in
c1ude the Washington Industrial
Union Council and urged other
groups representing contributors to
get in touch with Chest head
quarters as soon as possible If they
want to join in the study.
The collective" invitation was
issued after Henry Beitscher, presi-
dent of the CIO council and mem
ber of the Chest Board of Trustees,
protested the specific invitation to
the Washington Board of Trade,
the Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions and the Federation of Busi-
nessmen's Associations to serve on
the Survey Committee.
1.-THE specific invitation to these
three organizations, as distinct from
the general invitation to other Or
ganizations who would be willing
to give the time and effort which
a study of this kind entails leaves
the unpleasant and fallacious i'm
plication that these three organi-
cations are more important to the
Chest than any other organiza-
tions," Mr.. Beitscher wrote Chest
Director Herbert L. Willett.
Officials Explain.
Mr.. Beitscher referred to the in
vitation issued Sunday by Lee D.
Butler, Chest president, and Frank
r. Jelleff, chairman of the Chest
Federation's Interim Committee.
Mr.. Butler and Mr.. Jelleff replied
today that the three organizations
were named specifically because a
considerable number of their men,
bers or member groups already had
requested that study of Chest ac-
tivities be made and expressed in
terest in participating in it.
I'VE are very glad to have Mr.
Beitscher's statement and to have
representation from this important
labor group on the study which is
being undertaken" the two Chest
leaders said. I'VE urge any other
groups representing contributors to
get in touch with Chest headquarters
at their earliest convenience if they
want to join in the study"
Trustee Slight Charged.
Mr.. Beitscher also contended that
the invitation "circumvents" the
Chest Board of Trustees ION which
the three organizations are repre-
sented and which is the proper body
to conduct an investigation into
Chest operations" He said he re-
gretted that the top officers of the
Chest had issued the invitation with
out consulting the Board of Trustees.
Mr.. Butler and Mr.. Jellef replied
that the board, which includes more
than 200 members, delegates large
responsibility to the officers and
Executive Committee of the Chest
for conduct of Chest affairs between
board meetings.
They added, however, that mo
final action will be taken on the
present study nor conclusions given
out without first putting the matter
before the Board of Trustees"
Evening star., 1947-02-04
6. W. U. Medical School
Reopens Eye Course

A postgraduate course in ophthal-
mology, the study of the structure
and disease of the eyes, opened yes
terday in the George Washington
University school of medicine.
DR.. Ramon Castroviejo of New
York, who is credited with perfect
ing the corneal transplant, was
among the speakers at the opening
session. He showed motion pictures
of his surgical work in performing
glaucoma and cross-eye operations,
corneal transplants and cataract
extractions.
Additional lecturers viii take part
in the sessions which viii last
through Saturday.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
New Discharge System
Used at Andrews Field

ARMY Air Forces enlisted men at
Andrews Field no longer will be dis
charged at Boiling Field, it was
today. following institu-
ton Of a new system for separating
the men at their own base.
WACs and officers will continue to
be separated at Boiling Field, ac-
cording to I'd 1t. T. w. Grundy,
head Of separation activities.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
0ptomefrists 10 Test
D. {. Drivers Banned
For Faulty Vision

Drivers with faulty vision may
soon be off Washington streets.
With the Department of Vehicles
and Traffic cracking down in an
effort to lower the traffic accident
rate, District optometrists have been
called upon to give an opinion
on the vision of any driver who
fails the tests given by the bureau.
This was brought out in a meet
ing of the District Optometric So
ciety last night at the Ambassador
Hotel, at which nearly 100 Washing
ton optometrists were instructed on
the procedure to be followed in in
dorsing the Traffic Department eye
test card.
Rejected Drivers Get Cards.
The driver who now fails the
vision tests as given at the Traffic
Bureau when applying for drivers
license, or when renewing his old
license, will be given a card to be
taken to an optometrist. There the
driver will be given further tests,
and the opinion on his vision will
be sent to the Traffic Bureau. 1t is
this opinion which will determine
whether the person passes the eye
test and gets the permit.
DR.. Lewis H. Kraskin, secretary
Of the Board of Examiners, told the
optometrists they have definite
moral obligation" to report accu-
rately the faulty vision of any one
sent to them. Under the new and
more stringent rulings, he indi-
Gated, the optometrist will be held
liable for the examination he gives.
DR.. Edwin H. Silver, director of
research for motor vision for the
American Optometric Association,
gave a preliminary summary OF the
new vision standards for drivers
which have been recommended to
the Traffic Department.
The drivers vision, with or with
out glasses, must test at least 20-40.
Normal vision is 1920, which means
that the eye is able to read a line
of letters of a certain size at a
2O-foot distance. The minimum re-
quirement of 20-40 means that the
driver will have to be able to read
a line Of letters twice the size read
by the normal eye.
Side Vision Tested.
The second test is for field OF
vision, in which the driver is tested
for his ability to detect movement
from the side.
The third test is for color blind
ness.
No night vision tests will be given
until the driver has shown by an
accident record that his night vision
is faulty.
DR.. Kraskin indicated that in the
past I'VE have even been offered
bribes to fix up the card OF some
drivers with faulty vision"
Under this new ruling, where the
doctor may be held liable as well
as having a moral obligation, that
situation should not tempt any op-
tometrist," he said.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Bill to Give Falls Church
DC. Water Filed by Byrd

Senator Byrd, Democrat. of Vir-
ginia has introduced a bill identical
with one already pending in the
House to permit delivery OF water
from the Washington supply system
to Falls Church, Va.
The House measure was introduced
by Representative Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Virginio TroiIwoys Puts
II New Buses in Service
By Harold B. ROGERS

Twelve new 37-passenger buses
will be put into operation this week
by Virginia railways on the route
between Washington and Charlotte,
N. c., it was announced today.
The buses are air-conditioned with
thermostatic controls, have wider
seats with more space between them
and a new type Of spring.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Teen-Aqers at Syphox Center Run Their Own Club
By Mary cogdeII

No matter what interest or hobby
teen-ager may have, there's q
place for it in the program Of the
Syphax teen-age center for boys
and girls at 105 S street S.W.
Even if his hobby Is pitching
horseshoes and it's not on the club
schedule, he can organize the group
himself and will be given time
and place in the center for it TO
meet.
That's the way the approximate
ly 10 clubs at the center were
started. Robert Nelson, for exam
pie, likes to use his camera and de-
velop his own pictures. So he found
several other boys who liked the
same thing and they formed the
Camera Club to exchange ideas and
to have an instructor to give them
some expert advice.
The Dance Club became so popu-
lar that there now are two OF them.
There are athletic clubs for both
boys and girls. a Choral Club, Liter
ary and Music Appreciation Clubs
and recently Dolores Washir gton
led in the organization Of a Do
mestic Art Club.
Club Members Consider Applicants.
All the more than 500 members
of the Teen-Age Council on Leisure
Time Activity, which is known as
TAG, belong to some club-that's
one of the requirements for men,
bership.
The idea behind this rule, &C
cording to James P. White, Recrea-
5ion Department director Of the
Southwest area and the person most
responsible for the, way TAG is run,
"is that we don't want merely to
get teen-agers off the streets. We
want to give them q chance to de-
velop constructive interests and a
leisure time skill they can enjoy all
their lives"
But a teen-ager can't join TAG
just by walking in and naming the
club to which he would like to be-
long. Since the whole program is
run by the boys and girls they also
have something to say about who
can join. A prospective member is
by committee of those
who already belong, and, if they ap-
prove his application, he is put on
probation for three months.
Even after he's been accepted into
full membership, If he misbehaves,
not only in the clubhouse but at
any time, he can be called before
the Discipline Committee, also
made up of club mem9 ers. If they
think the offense serious enough,
they will take away his membership.
Evening star., 1947-02-04
Air Age to Be Subject
Of Dunburton Forum

Living in An Air Age" will be the
topic of an open forum at 9 am.
tomorrow by the students and faculty
of Dunbarton College of Holy Cross
in the college auditorium, 1885 Upton
street NV.
Alumnae and friends of the college
have been invited to attend the
discussion. There will be prelimi-
nary speeches by Miss Nora Dolly
more, head of the department Of
social sciences, and Miss Helen
Reynolds, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
John Reynolds, $40 Oneida place
NV, a senior at the school.