davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-01-18
Letters to The Star
Complains About the High Costs
of Medical, Dental Services

To the Editor of The Star:
I was very glad to read the article
in The Star of January 13 on the high
cost of dental service, having been a
near victim of it. I just happened to
wake up in time to ask for an estimate,
before much had been done, painfully
insulting the exalted dignity of the pro-
fession. One estimate was $500 for the
Strengthening of two children's teeth
and $40 for a few filings (uncomplicat-
ed. Also one dentist made it point
to find out just where I'1ive and, be-
cause it is in better section, proceeded
to raise the price exorbitantly. Even a
substantial salary couldn't stand this
for very long especially when there are
many other people doing likewise for
their services. have been told on good
authority that D. C. has unusually high
dental charges.
One woman know recently paid $40
eyes, with a prescription for glasses for
one, total of Is minutes work!
If there is a setup that needs working
on, it is the medical and dental profess
sions. For people of such high callings
and supposedly high ethical conscious
ness, they are often amazingly calloused
when it comes to giving suffering hu-
manity the help they need at prices
they can afford. F.. T.
Coal Shortage in England
To the Editor of The Star:
On January 2, The Star carried a lead
editorial about "Britain's Coal Problem"
1t is apparent that the writer thereof
did not have all of the facts available
when he wrote his piece
Actually, instead of Britain's coal
mines being worked out, there is enough
coal in Britain (of the finest camel
type) to supply the country for many
more than 100 years. Actually, Britain
has more than 100000 more miners than
America has, yet the production per
man is only about one-sixth that of our
miners, per day.
1t is true that there have been ap-
proximately 10000 of the sons of miners
who have left the pits to follow other
trades. CTheir travels and experiences
in the two World Wars have shown
them their sorry lot as miners) But
it also is true that, only a couple Of
months ago, some $4,000 Polish miners,
men of the Anders army demobilized in
Britain, and to be settled there, were re-
fused permission by the miners union to
work in the British mines.
The sad conclusion seems to be that,
as to miners as well as many other
things, Britons are decadent and in
efficient. They have not been able to
turn out ordinary quantities of coal in
Germany, either. Only some three mines
in England have been modernized and
those, working on American team meth
ods, still fall far short of American
averages. Britain. which used to sup
ply most of the steam coal for ocean
trade and export coal to the continent,
now is shivering in the cold because her
miners, under the utterly incompetent
direction of the Minister for Fuel, can
not supply her own needs.
CHARLES COULTER.
Evening star., 1947-01-18

daylight Time Opposed
To the Editor OF The Star:
I wish to thank Charles T. Allen for
his letter opposing daylight saving. I
agree with him that we do not save"
an hour; we gain a lot of discomfort.
We do, indeed, trade an hour in the
morning which is cool enough fer re-
freshing Sleep for hot hour in which
to wend our way home and eat our
evening meal in a hot dining room.
Then, in order to get-or try to get
enough sleep to prepare us for another
miserable "daylight-saving day. We
nave to 60 to bed when the evening is
just beginning to cool off.
I know very few persons who like
DIST and twice in my division in the
Government it has been voted down.
M
Evening star., 1947-01-18

Veteran Discusses Sound Basis
To the Editor Of The Star:
Since returning from duty overseas,
I have been trying to analyze the psy-
chology of the American people, includ-
ing the politicians, industrialists and
labor organizations, as it relates to our
economic readjustment.
In the greatest country in the world,
with natural resources, material wealth,
the know how" and ability to spare, we
founder around in a mire of confusion
all because people" refuse to cooperate
in re-establishing our wonderful coun-
try on a sound basis.
Supposedly intelligent men resort to
methods of savagery in attempting to
assume control and/or direction of
States and cities. Witness the deplor-
able situations in Georgia and Missis-
sippi. Yet the average citizen merely
Stands by"
Let's get wise to ourselves. P. T. O.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Creedon 10 Abandon
U. 5. Permit System
For Home BUILDING
BY The Assoeiaied Press

Federal permits will not be re-
quired for construction of houses,
effective Sunday, Housing Expediter
Frank r. Creedon announced today.
He also said he is lifting the
restriction on number of bathroom
fixtures that may be installed in
new homes, and is expending the
area limitation from $500 square
feet to 1000 square feet.
Mr.. Creedon said controls which
will be continued include:
Government authorization for
nonhouSing construction; veterans
preference, which provides veteran
first choice in buying Or renting
property not intended for the build
er's own occupancy; rent ceilings on
new construction.
Mr.. Creedon said the permit sys-
tenn is being eliminated to further
simplify the few remaining restric-
tions" on home building.
He said increased availability of
bathroom fixtures makes possible
the lifting of the bathroom
limitation.
Concerning the expansion of area
limits, which were set up originally
because of shortages of building ma
terials, Mr.. Creedon said:
There has been a marked i'm
provement in most of the materials,
although there is still shortage
about half dozen items"
Mr.. Creedon emphasized that the
remaining controls will be continued
until conditions permit further
relaxation or unless Congress di-
rects their removal before then"
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Tokyo Trial Justice Asks
Grew Presence as Witness
BY the Assoeioied Press

TOKYO, May 28.-The presence
of former American Ambassador
Joseph c. Grew as a war crimes trial
witness was requested today by Sir
William Webb, president of the
international Tribunal.
Sir William made his request in
connection with the rejection of
another defense attempt to intro
duce excerpts from Mr.. Crews book
MY Ten Years in Japan" into the
court record. He suggested that il
Mr.. Crews health did not permit
him to make the trip to Tokyo, eve
would like to see him interrogated
fully" in the United States.
Defense counsel repeatedly at
tempted to use excerpts from Mr.
Crews writings to bolster their case
in behalf of former Premier Hidek
TOTO and "a other major war crimes
defendants.
Defense Attorney Bruce Blakeney
of Oklahoma City was prevented by
the courts latest ruling from intro.
ducing Mr.. Crews comment on the
contention by defendant Koki Hirota
premier in 1886, that the Japanes,
were seriously disturbed" by in
creaSing Russian armament which
exceeded that of the Czarist regime
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Alexandra Exceeds
Cancer Goal by S142

The Alexandria cancer control
fund drive for 1947 exceeded its
ST 900 goal by $142.16, and became
the first Virginia city in this area to
go over the top, it was disclosed by
the Cancer Committees final cam
paign report.
Mrs. Frank Christian, chairman
of the Alexandria drive, reported
that the drive has been closed now
that the goal has been surpassed
with a total collection of $7,142.16
These funds are to be turned over
to the Virginia Cancer Foundation
for research, treatment and care OF
patients in the fight to control
cancer, Mrs. Christian said.
The final report disclosed that
letters sent out by members of the
Carlyle Woman's Club brought in
$1,613.50, and the booths which were
under the direction of Mrs. Edward
Foreman and the Junior Carlyle
Club collected $1,376.17.
Albert v. Brown, who headed the
special gifts group, reported that
his committee collected total of
$2,35350. The cancer boxes which
Mrs. J. Randall Hicks and COM
mite of the Carlyle Club distributed
throughout the business establish
ments of the city accounted for
S67o.83 of the total funds collected,
and the schools division collected
$1,128.16.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Alexandra Wafchmar
On Trial in Murder

Boykin Branham, Alexandra
city watchman, today went on tria,
for the murder of Mrs. Reba Nc
Lane, 43, who was found dead
March 4 in room where the de-
fendant lay unconscious.
Testimony in Alexandria Corpora
ton Court was expected to continue
throughout today and the case tt
reach the jury tomorrow. Branham
was indicted for murder without
a preliminary hearing.
Commonwealth's Attorney Albert
v. Bryan said he would prove the
Staying at a house in the $500 block
of Mount Vernon avenue here was
motivated by jealousy. Mrs. Nc
Lane, described by police as a for
mer music teacher, was divorced
about 10 years ago. Mr.. Bryan said
she was a housekeeper. Mr.. Bryan
said a blood stained knife was found
in Branham's pocket and Mrs. Nc
Lane died from a slash on her
throat by sharp instrument.
Defense Attorney, Walter Young
contended ti'e evidence is all cir
cumstantial and he would show that
any one of three persons could have
killed the woman. He said he would
show Mrs. McLane's affections were
not hared by Mr.. Branham alone
He described Mrs. McLane as "a
woman of culture at one time who
had gone down, down and down."
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Howard R0TC TO Stage
Annual Drill Competition

The ROTC Battalion of Howard
University, comprised of three COM
panieS and approximately 400 cadets,
will stage its annual drill competi-
ton in Howard Stadium beginning
at 1:30 pm. tomorrow.
Following the competitive squad
platoon, company and individual
drills, mass parade will be held.
Awards to winners will be made at
$3.50 pm. An exhibition of preci-
sion drilling by composite organ
ization under the command of Cadet
Capt. William Rumsey will be given.
Judges for the drill will be Capt.
Kermit E. Quick, 1t. Eugene L.
Manary, 1t. August j. Ruck, all of
the Military District of Washington,
and Capt. Robert Friend. Music will
be furnished by the Howard ROTC
Band, under the direction of Cadet
1t. William Reynolds.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
.273 Information Aides
Get Dismissal Notices

The State Department today
handed out 3o-day dismissal notices
to 273 employees in its Office of In
formation and Cultural Affairs pend
ing a final decision by Congress on
whether to continue the Voice of
America, official overseas broadcasts
and related activities.
Approximately $50 of these en-
ployes are in Washington and the
rest are stationed in New York.
Department officials said the re-
naming 800 employees in the bureau
would be given 30-day notices on
June l unless Congress gives legis-
lative sanction asked in the Mundt
bill and provides appropriations for
the program.
Funds for the program were
stricken by the House from the
State Departments reduced annual
appropriation for the next fiscal
year. About 750 employees are sta
toned in Washington.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Youth Is Sifted
From IS Tons
OF Sand Unhurt
By the Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R. T., May 28.-
Rugged is the word that best de-
scribes 15-year-old William Sweet.
William was sucked into 85 tons
of sand in huge hopper yesterday
and came out a funnel at the base
suffering only a few bruises and
shock.
Police gave this version:
Young Sweet and another boy
playing around the top of the hop
per, which is level with vacant lot
were sucked into the machine wher
workmen started conveyor belt.
William helped his companion
reach a crossbar as they went into
the chute and then sank from sigh
himself. Workmen cut the conveyol
belt and began emptying the hopper
Fifteen minutes later the boy hae
funneled through the tons of sane
to 12-inch-square outlet at tn,
base. Firemen pulled him out, CAV,
him a few drafts from an inhalato
and sped him to Rhode Island Stat,
Hospital.
He wasn't there long when h,
shook off the shock and bruises ant
went home.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Safe Hunted as Clue
To 3 SIoyinq Suspects
By the Assoeiofed Press

GRETNA, Va, May Sheriff
Ia. H. Overbey of Pittsylyania
County said yesterday that county
and State police, aided by State
ABC Board investigators, were
pressing the hunt for an iron safe
which they believe might lead them
to three men sought in the Staying
of Ernest Gilbert, IS, colored, Satur-
day night at his farm home near
here.
Mr.. Gilbert's wife told police that
three white men, posing as officers
in quest of loot from a service sta
tion, came to the Gilbert home. two
entering the house and one re-
naming outside. AS they departed
after taking the safe they fired five
shots to prevent Mrs. Gilbert from
obtaining the cars license number,
police were told.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Clio Protest Prompts
LauderdaIe Hearinq

A public hearing on the nomina-
tion of James w. Lauderdale for a
full term as member of the Public
Utilities Commission will be held as
a result of CIO protest against
his recent decisions in the Capital
Transit Co. fare case.
The Senate District Committee
yesterday Withheld a recommendation
on confirmation because of protests
filed by Henry Beitscher, president
of the CIO Washington Industrial
Union Council. Chairman Buck
said he would name subcommittee
to hear arguments.
In another action, the District
Committee asked the Senate to con-
firm the Presidents nomination of
Charles A. Robinson to be mem
ber of the Districts Redevelopment
Land Agency, the new agency in the
city's slum clearance program. Mr.
Robinson, former vice president OF
the Chesapeake g. Potomac Teie-
phone Co., was named to succeed
George A. Garrett, the new Ameri-
can Minister to Ireland.
Mr.. Lauderdale now is serving q
short term as a PUG member. The
CIO council contended he had dis
qualified himself for the PUG or
these grounds:
That he had joined with other
PUG members in granting ian un.
warranted" increase in streetcal
fares and that he had joined in set
ting an "unreasonably short" period
of three days in which the public
might petition the PUG for recon-
sideration of the fare decision. The
three-day period, the Beitscher pro-
test added, included only one work
ing day.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Diet BIomed as Loon
Gives Up Ghost After
Airport Landing
spesiaI pi.puieh to Inc siaf

MARTINSBURG, w. Va.
May 28.-Louie the Loon which
crash landed at the Municipal
Airport here has turned up his
toes and died of his injuries
yesterday.
After Louie skidded to cover
during a rainstorm onto the
runway which he apparently
mistook for a lake, E. c. Par
kinson, airport manager, fed
the bird and put him in a near
by stream.
In fact, Mr.. Parkinson was
preparing to take the loon aloft
in a plane to launch him when
Louie gave up the ghost.
Mr.. Parkinson, who said that
a loon needs 800 feet of water
for a takeoff tmore than the
stream offered, expressed the
belief that it was a lack of fish
diet rather than bruises sus-
tanned, in the wheel-up landing
which sent Louie to loon heaven.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Scores Lose cIoihinq
III Cleaning Plant Fire

Scores Of Mount Pleasant area
residents lost suits, dresses, furs
and other clothing early today when
a fire In the Moliere French Dry
Cleaners, 17s5 Lanier place NV,
caused damage estimated at $40 900.
Paul F. Kent, owner. made the
estimate. Clothes in the pressing
room at the back Of the place were
damaged by heat and flames. Those
on Well-filled racks in the adjacent
room were damaged by smoke and
water.
Five engine companies and three
truck companies, called shortly after
8 o'clock this morning, fought the
blaze. Lanier Market, adjoining the
cleaning establishment, was dam
aged slightly.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
THE EVENING STAR, Washington, D. c. -. Al
rs 4
Reinforcements Asked
To Avert Bengal Riots
BY The Assoeiofsd Press


CALCUTTA, May 28.--Gov. Fred
erick Burrows Of Bengal arranged
today to have troops in the province
reinforced as precaution against
new outbreaks of communal yio-
lenee next Monday, when the Brit
ish plan an announcement concern
ing the method OF transferring the
government to Indian hands.
High-ranking leaders of both the
Moslem League and the predom-
inantly Hindu Congress Party issued
a joint appeal to refrain from vio-
lence.
Five persons were reported killed
and II wounded yesterday during
Hindu- Moslem rioting in Calcutta
and LOG persons were arrested,
Evening star., 1947-05-28
lManagua Funciioning
Normally Again After
Custer Of President
BY the As.oeioted Press

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, May 28.
Stores and business houses here
were functioning normally and air
transportation was again on regu-
lar schedule today after brief in
terruption resulting from the blood
less coup which forced President
Leonard Arguello out of Office Mon
day.
Only few armed soldiers were
seen on the streets. They were sta
toned at the principal corners, per-
forming the usual duties OF traffic
policemen.
Deposed President Arguello, his
wife and several army officers who
remained loyal to him were still
in refuge at the Mexican Embassy
The Ambassador refused to let
newsmen interview Mr. Arguello.
New Election Promised.
Gen. Anastasio Somoza, head of
the army and former President who
led the coup, has promised the
Nicaraguan people that a new presi-
dental election will be held soon.
Gen. Somoza acknowledged his
leadership of the stroke in an inter-
view last night. He blamed the coup
detat on a plot to oust him from
his post as director-in-chief of the
national guard He said ne had
been marked for death.
Mr.. Arguello was elected-with
Gen. Somoza's blessing-in balloting
February 2 and had held his Office
only 26 days. He succeeded Gen.
Somoza, who had been chief of
state for 10 years.
Congress, at a special session
Monday night. declared Mr.. Ar
guello unfit" for the presidency and
named the first presidential alter
nate, 60-year-old Benjamin Lacayo
Sacasa acting president.
i "The new President" Gen. So
moza said, will convoke free elec-
tions and I believe it is a magnifi-
cent opportunity to choose a candi-
sdate in harmony with the combina-
tion of all the political parties"
Country i'm Complete Calm
Mr.. Lacayo Sacasa issued a state
ment short time later saying
new election would be called Sin
due time"
MY only ambition" Gen. Somoza
said, 'is the internal tranquility and
the cohesion of the army to the
service Of the constitution and the
exterior prestige of Nicaragua.
THE country is in complete calm
In the unfolding of the events there
was not a single shot fired nor a
single drop of Nicaraguan blood
spilled nor a single political arrest"
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Southern Operators
Present Proposals
In Talks With Lewis
By james Y. Newton

Southern soft coal operators and
John L. Lewis United Mine Workers
opened contract negotiations here
today and the operators made pro-
posals for an agreement at the first
session.
Representatives of the miners and
mine owners met for more than two
hours at the Washington Hotel.
Afterward, Lawrence Tierney, chair
man of the conference, announced
"the operators submitted some ideas
to the conference and these were
discussed briefly. The discussion
will be continued at 10 am. to-
morrow"
Neither Mr.. Tierney. a Bluefield,
w. Va, operator nor the representa-
tives of the union would reveal i'm
mediately the nature of the contract
proposals.
The talks are separate from those
which have been going on for nearly
two weeks between Mr.. Lewis and
Northern, MidWestern and Western
operators. The latter groups were
to hold another session with the
miners at 2:30 pm. today.
The miners pitted their second
team of negotiators against the
Southerners headed by John T.
OLeary, UNIV vice president.
The Southern group represents
about Is per cent of the Nation S
soft coal tonnage under contract
to the mine workers. Operators in
the larger conference represent the
other rs per cent of production.
Most observers expected the
miners to merely mark time in their
talks with Southern operators, be-
lieying they can make a better
deal with the larger group and
force the Southerners to accept its
terms
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Quints Are Is Today;
mobility to Swim
is Worry to F1ther

cALLANDER, Ontario, May
28.-The Dionne quintuplets
celebrated their 18th birthday
today, and their father said he
was worried because they
hadn't learned to swim.
Olivia Dionne added that he
was thinking about building a
private swimming pool on his
farm for daughters Annette.
Cecile, Marie, Yvonne and
Emile.
The girls took holiday from
school to admire their gifts
including watches and neck
laces from their parents.
Evening star., 1947-05-28
Investigation Of Pepeo
1916 Rates, Finances
SET for June 5 by PUC
By John w. Thompson. Jr.

The Public Utilities Commission
investigation of the rates and
finances of the Potomac Electric
Power Co. for 1916 will open at
10 am. June at the District
Building.
1t will follow al1-day hearings yes
terday into the 1914 and 1945 rate
status of the company, delayed until
now by court test of the commits
sion's 1914 rate order.
Although no formal rate sched-
ules were adopted, the 1914 order
now upheld by the courts calls for
a refund of 1,037 900 to the con-
sumers for 1914. This rate of refund,
carried through 1915 and 1916,
brought the total refund to $3,213,-
Sol, which was authorized by the
commission yesterday morning.
Estimates Differ.
The session ended yesterday with
company officials and PUG account
ants $241, 1866 apart in their esti-
mates of operating expenses of the
company during 1945.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Lloyd B. Harrison asked the COM
mission to rule on this issue before
the hearings resume.
The amount at issue is a savings
Pepco made as the result of debt
reducing payments made by Wash
ington Railway 81 Electric Co., the
corporation which owns Pepco. The
saving was made through the pay
rnent of joint Federal income taxes
by the two companies.
v. A. McElfresh, chief accountant
for the PUG, said the company
should absorb its share of the tax
under Security Exchange Commits
sion rules.
Charles L. Carr, assistant con-
troller of the company, countered
with the view the savings had
nothing to do with the electric op-
erations and should not be included
S490,482 Refund Involved.
II the commission rules for Mr.
McElfresh, the company will have
$490, ,482 OF excess earnings for the
year available for refund to con-
sumers.
If 1t holds with the company, the
amount available for refund would
be reduced to $295 ,429.
In any event, however, the prob
ability was that the amount would
not be added to the refund already
ordered, since both Mr.. McElfresh
and Mr.. Carr asked that 1t be placed
in a special reserve fund as a cushion
against possible future rate increases
or possible future distribution to
consumers.
Mr.. McElfresh argued that putting
it in reserve would be better for
awhile until a full view of company
operations during the current year
under the 1914 order can be OBJ
tanned. The order reduced authorized
rate Of return of the company from
per cent to 51a per cent. 1t also
changed the rate base from nom
deprecated to deprecated base.
U. s. Representative Protests.
Byron E. Harding, representing
the Federal Government, the COM
pany's largest single consumer, twice
sought to block the suggestion that
the money be put in reserve. Each
time Chairman James H. Flanagan
denied his motion.
Mr.. Harding contended such
move was a violation of the So
called sliding scale arrangement.
Under the arrangement, he pointed
out, the company is permitted to
keep half of the excess profits and
turn the other half over to the
consumers. BY permitting the reserve
fund, he went on, the company has
the use of the entire excess.