davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-04-29
BY the Asseeiotsd Press

BALTIMORE, April 2s.-The De-
partment of Motor Vehicles today
cooled off its mailing machinery as
Commissioner w. Lee Elgin set May
28 as the new deadline for Maryland
auto license tags.
John J. Cayer, superintendent OF
registration, said the machinery had
become red hot because Of people
who send in pennies for postage and
people who forget to notify the de-
partment of their new addresses.
Pennies Just jam up our letter
opening machines" Mr.. Cayer said
mo postage is needed anyway, since
the SIS license fee covers all that
As for the changed addresses, Mr.
Cayer said the addressograph ma
chimes which make metal file plates
for each motorist get heated ur
when about 1900 people wait
until they apply for new license
plates before notifying the depart
ment that they have moved.
Another big headache" Mr.. Cay
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Mother Guilty
| OF Burning Child
As Punishment
BY the Associated Pres,

BALTIMORE, April 28.-Magis-
trade Walter j. Devices has deferred
sentence against 24-year-olo
mother charged with "brutally
burning the hand of her 3-year -old
son.
After neighbors filed complaints
Mrs. Dorothy De Leonardo testified
that to prevent her son, John, from
playing with matches she held his
arm five or six inches above gas
burner last Friday.
Magistrate Devices sent the child
to a hospital in a police car after
he exhibited an open burn on his
left wrist in court.
Sentence was deferred pending
arrangements for the care Of Mrs.
De Leonardo's two other children,
aged S years and IA months. The
mother told the court she had been
separated from her husband for
two years.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Nicholson Elected Head
OF Rockville Pike Group

Jesse Frank Nicholson last night
was elected president of the Rock
vile Pike Business Association at a
meeting at the Montrose School.
Other officers are: John P. Keiser,
first vice president: Arthur Hyde,
second vice president; Lloyd Kirch-
man, third vice president: Miss
Elane Wilcox, secretary, and Miss
Anne Reifsneider, treasurer.
Selected to serve on the Executive
Committee. in addition to the new
officers, were DR.. Wheeler o. Huff
John Dcdson and Rockward Blandy.
The association voted to present
a silver cup to the business place
on the Rockville pike which is kept
in the cleanest condition during the
next four months. This is part of
the groups paint and clean UP
campaign for all business places on
the pike. The next meeting will
be held May 26.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Tobacco Buyers Meet
Growers Before Sales

A committee of Southern Mary
land tobacco growers will continue
a series of informal meetings with
buyers today as preliminary to the
reopening of sales at eight loose
leaf auction warehouses tomorrow
The markets have been closed
since last Thursday in protest
against what farmers consider low
prices. The Tobacco Marketing
Committee of the Southern Mary
land Farm Bureau, which advises
farmers to withhold their crops
from the markets until buyers
ceased offering "ridiculously" low
prices, said the average price Der
pound should be 72 cents.
The 100000 pounds of leaf sold in
the three days the sales operated
last week brought an average price
OF 51.3 cents per pound, or 6 cents
less than the average of year ago
according to Government figures
Top price last week was 64 cents 8
pound. Last years high, reached
late in the season, was "a cents.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
|TwoAr|ingfonF Fami|ies
Return as Gasoline
5eepage Danger Eases

The two families which moved
from : Arlington's gasoline-soaked
Fifth and North Pollard streets area
three months ago because OF the
danger of fire or explosion were back
in their homes today.
The two families are those OF
Ralph E. Gladmon, $40 North Pol
lard street, and William G. Rucker
1910 Fifth road north.
The source of the mysterious un-
derground seepage, first brought to
public attention early in January
still is undetermined despite ex-
tensive tests by a number of Fed
eral Government agencies.
5000 Gallons Jumped Out.
More than 1900 gallons of gasoline
have been pumped from three wells
in the area with the one under the
rear porch of the Gladmon home
yielding the bulk of the supply.
A check for fumes in the basement
OF the Gladmen home last week re-
vealed no evidence of any explosive
mixture" according to Richard Writ,
head of the county sanitation de-
partment.
Mr.. Writ said that there were
slight indications of gasoline fumes
in two places, but no enough to
cause any danger.
Child Wards Not Returned.
Several child wards of the county
welfare department who we're housed
In a nursery in the neighborhood
and who were removed when the
county advised residents to move
on account of the potential danger,
have not returned.
The county still is awaiting re-
port from the United States Geolog-
ical Survey regarding the source of
the gasoline.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
|Fiiremen at AnnandaIe
Vote 10 Sell Land 10
Fairfax School Board

The Annandale Volunteer Fire
Department last night voted by &
three-to-one margin to sell 26 acres
of land owned by the department
to the Fairfax County School Boart
and to borrow $4,000 for refinanc.
ing and for new equipment.
The action was taken at a spe.
cial meeting last night at the fire.
house. .
At the opening Of the meeting
opponents of the measure attempted
to disqualify some of the associa.
tion's officers by contending they
were not bona-fide department
members, according to G. A. Justus.
son, one of the departments char
ter members. President Everett Col.
way turned the meeting over te
the secretary, Malcolm Morrow.
Final action on the proposal was
delay several times when opponents
questioned legality of the procedure
On the vote 1856 members were re.
corded for the land sale and financ.
ing plan, and Al voted against 1t
Chief arguments offered agains;
the proposal were that the AMMAN.
dale School did not need to be en-.
larged and that the Fire Depart.
ment should retain the property fol
community recreational purposes.
Proponents claimed that provid.
ing recreational needs was not in.
GUIDED in the departments charter
and that sale of the property woule
give needed funds for new equip
ment. 1t was stated the sale Of the
2.6 acres to the School Board woule
leave the Fire Department about :
acres of land, which proponents felt
was more than adequate for the de.
partment's needs.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Arlington Agencies Pick
Name for New Group

The name Arlington Agency Ad-
n1inistrators has been chosen for the
organization formed recently by
representatives of 30 Arlington
health, social, welfare and recrea-
tional agencies.
The group decided upon the name
Yesterday at a meeting at the Ar
lington Inn.
The next meeting will be held at
1890 pm, May 26, at Arlington Inn.
when Mrs. Mildred Blattner, county
librarian, will discuss the library
system.
Among the agencies represented
are the Community Chest, Recrea-
ton Center, Library, Arlington Hos-
pltal, the Community Council, Chill
dren's Home Society, County School
Board, Federal Public Housing
Agency, Instructive Visiting Nurse
Association, Campfire Girls. Boy
Scouts and Social Hygiene Society.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Two Nominated 10 Head
MARYLAND Fisheries Unit
By the Assoejotsd Press

CAMBRIDGE, Md, April 2s.-The
names Of two candidates for chair
man of the Maryland Tidewater
Fisheries Commission were put for
ward yesterday.
orville Parks, head of the Dor
chester County oyster dredgers Or
ganization, said Eastern Shore
watermen had urged Gov. Lane to
appoint Amos Creighton, who has
IS years experience with fisheries
conservation work.
The Maryland Commercial Fisher
mems Association at Rock Hall an
nounced 1t would urge the appoint
ment of Delegate John E. Clark,
Democrat, of Hartford County.
Resignation of Edwin Warfeld, jr.,
as commission chairman has been
predicted by the Baltimore Evening
Sun.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Cloth Succeeds Snow
On Game Commission

William c, Cloth. jr., SO, of 30o7
Sixth street South, Arlington, today
had been named successor to Judge
William S. Snow as a member of the
Virginia Commission of Game and
Inland Fisheries.
Mr.. Cloth, an attorney for the last
10 years, was appointed by Gov
Tuck TO fill the 9th congressional
district vacancy on the commission
when Judge Snow resigned because
he is moving to Northumberland
County in the 1st district. Judge
Snow had been a member since the
commission was formed in 1926.
Mr. Cloth, the son of the late
William C. Cloth. ST.. Arlington
Commonwealth Attorney. attended
National University Law School here
and ST. Johns College, Annapolis
In World War II he served three
and half years in the Coast Guard
He is member of the Arlington
Lions Club, the Arlington-FairfaS
Chapter. Izaak Walton League, is
married and has two children,
Evening star., 1947-04-29
1akoma Central Committee
Appointments Announced

Mrs. Philip Woods has been elect
ed temporary secretary of the newly
organized Takoma Park Central
Committee, 1t, was announced today
by Luke j. Bennett, temporary
chairman.
Other temporary appointments in
the organization, which is composed
of representatives of various organi-
cations in Takoma Park, include:
a Horace w. Bennett, Douglas w.
Bradshaw and Mrs. Woods, compos-
ing committee to draft a consti-
tuition and bylaws.
Mrs. Catherine Ground, Philip
Huck and Mrs. William Normandy,
composing the Nominating Com
fmittee.
According to Mr.. Bennett, the
committee was formed to promote
plans for erecting a town hall in
Takoma Park. The committee will
meet at 8 pm. Thursday at 8 Co.
lumbia avenue.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Severn Brig Prisoner
Attempted Suicide,
'Court-MartiaI Hears
By The Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS. April 29.-A Navy
court-martial witness yesterday tes-
titled a North Severn Brig prisoner
among those who were allegedly
mistreated by guards and other
prisoners, attempted to commit sui
eide.
Seaman 1/c Theodore C. Millikir
said he had stopped Stewards Mate
1/c Morris Peay from committing
suicide by cutting his wrists with q
razor blade.
Marine Pvt. John j. Whalen SAID
ne saw Millikin take the razor blade
from Peay.
Defense Testimony Opens.
The testimony came as the de-
fense opened in the trial of Marine
Pfc. joseph c. O'Leary of Buffalo
who is charged with striking pris-
oners, among them Peay.
But Seaman 1/c James E. Childs
who has been tried on similar
charges, said Corpl. William E. Har-
rison, a Marine guard, had told him
and OLeary he would take care
of us with the butt of As if we
didn't take orders to mistreat pris-
oners.
Childs' court martial has beer
completed and his case is under
consideration by Rear Admiral j
Il. Holloway, Naval Academy SUI
perintendent.
Earlier Abuses Indicated.
Child's testimony regarding Or
ders to strike prisoners was cor
roborated by Marine Corpl. Harold
N. st. Clair, another Marine guard
who also is slated for trial.
Child's said he and OLeary had
been told to beat prisoners from
about January Is to February 10
There was an indication OF
earlier abuses at the brig brought
out in defense testimony offered
by Seaman &c Richard Castucci
who said he was hit in December
and when he reported to an inspect
ing Marine lieutenant, he was told
don't fall out of bed so often"
Evening star., 1947-04-29
CherrydaIe Group Votes
To Assist at Special Poll

The Cherrydale Citizens Associa-
tion last night voted to appoint a
committee to assist and aid voters
at polling places May 27, when resi-
dents OF Arlington County vote on
the method of selecting members of
the Arlington School Board.
The Cherrydale group long has
been on record as favoring election
Of the School Board members
School Board members now are
named by the School Trustee Elec-
toral' Board, which is appointed by
the circuit judge
Mrs. Beatrice Smythe was chosen
to head a committee to inform
voters of the associations reasons
for favoring election of School Board
members.
The association decided to ask
the State Roads Office in Fairfax
what steps can be taken to fill in a
large ditch at Military road and
Lee highway in Cherrydale.
President Elias Fox conducted the
meeting, which was held at the
Cherrydale Firemen's Hall.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Maryland Auto Tag Deod|ine
Is Postponed Until May 28

er said, occurs when people ask for
special auto licenses to match their
telephone numbers, or "even-num-
ber" tags which are easy to remem-
Der. ..-'
Most of these go to politicians, he
said.
Gov. Lanes family didn't ask for
any special privilege" the superin-
tendent said. William Preston
Lane, jr., and Miss Dorothy Bryon
Lane got number 376081 and 376082
no better than anyone else" he
said.
The Governors official State Sc
dan, however, will carry the usual
gold seal number, 10000, Mr.. Cayer
added
Commissioner Elgin extended the
deadline for 1947 Maryland regis
trations from tomorrow to May %
because the Maryland Peninten-
tiary. which manufacturers the
plates, will not complete the job for
"at least Is days"
A total Of 275.763 plates have been
issued so far, Mr.. Elgin said.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Silver Spring Plans
Garden Query Booth

The Silver Spring Garden Club
today announced it will set up an
information booth to answer ques-
tions OF gardening at its spring
plant sale Saturday at Jesup Blair
Community House.
Stating the information booth
viii be Edward Ks Bender. Mont
gomery County garden agent, and
Louis O. Regeimbal of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. both members
of the Silver Spring Garden Club,
The booth will be open during the
sale, which will be held from II
am. to 6 pm.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Trial Delayed in Staying
OF Woman in Alexandra

Trial of Boykin Branham, So, who
is under indictment for murder ir
the penknife-slaying of Mrs. Reba
McLane in Alexandria several
months ago, has been postponed un-
til the May term of Alexandra
Corporation Court.
Originally scheduled to begin to-
day, the trial was held over until
next month at the request of Com
monwealth's Attorney Albert v
Bryan. Walter j. Young is Bran
hams attorney. A new date for the
trial is to be set when the May
term of court opens May IL.
Branham was charged with the
murder of Mrs. McLane after police
found him apparently unconscious
from alcohol in a room with the
womans body.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Appeals 10 Be Filed
by Eight Defendants
lin Bank Fraud Case
By the Assoeiated Press

RICHMOND. Va, April 2s.-
Eight of the nine persons convicted
Friday in the Fredericksburg bank
funds case-all but Paul Karsten,
jr., of Fredericksburg-flled formal
notices of appeal with the Federal
District Court yesterday.
Mr.. Karsten, "a, formerly vice
president of the Farmers and Mer-
chants State Bank of Fredericks-
burg, was the only defendant who
drew neither prison sentence nor
fine. He was put on probation
for one year by Judge j. Waties
Waring.
The nine had, been charged with
aiding and abetting William Reeves
Gardner, also a former vice presi-
dent of the Fredericksburg bank,
in misapplication of $435 900 in
bank funds. Gardner, serving a
State Penitentiary term for en-
bezzlement, was granted a sever
ance in the Federal trial because
of Ill health.
The eight who filed appeal notices
were:
Hugh N. Rakes, Leesburg, whose
far-flung dairy holdings were said
by the Government to have involved
a check kiting scheme in which the
nine were accused OF taking part.
He was given a four-year prison
sentence and $4,000 fine.
Mrs. Lillian Conner Rakes, his
wife, sentenced to four months i'm
prfsonment and fined $1,000.
Clarence L. Robey, president of
the Purcellville National Bank, given
three months and $4,000.
Joseph E. Profit, member of the
Virginia House of Delegates and
president of the Floyd County Bank,
three months and $1,000.
Joseph A. Sewers, cashier OF the
Floyd bank, three months.
Kyle M. Weeks, former member of
the General Assembly and law part
ner Of Profit, IL months and $4,000.
Lamson Fined 5000.
Harry Lamson, Washington loan
broker, three months or $1,000. CAL
ternate sentence.)
D. E. Nelson, Roanoke real estate
man, three months or $4,000. CAL
ternate.)
Figures compiled by the staff of
the District Court clerk showed it
cost the Government almost $4,000
in jury expenditures for the trial
The special jury panel was paid
$2,983.90, of which $2,7s7.70 went to
the IL regular jurors and two alter
mates who heard testimony during
the 53-day trial.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Work Begun al Annapolis
On Quonset Hut VILLAGE
BY the A..eeioted Press

ANNAPOLIS, April 29.-Ground-
breaking ceremonies for. a 160-fam-
lily Quonset hut village were held
yesterday at the Naval Academy.
Rear Admiral j. L. Holloway, jr.,
academy superintendent, said This
enlisted mems village, I hope, will be
a rallying point Of community
spirit. 1t will include not only hous-
ing, but community house, ships
service and eventually a nursery"
The 80-hut village will be con-
structed on the old rife range on
the north side of the Severn River
and Is expected to be complete In
six months.
The ground breaking was done by
Capt. r. r. s. Keith Of the Bureau
Of Naval Personnel.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Officers of B'nui Birth
Installed in Montqomer

New officers of the Montgomery
County Lodge of B'nai Birth were
installed last night at stag din
ner at the Trade Winds Cafe.
David Kahn, retiring president
turned the gavel over to Harry Sol
omon of Silver Spring, who was
elected last month. Edward Rosen-
bloom, director of the Jewish Com.
munity Center oficiated at the In.
stallation.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Silver Spring Group
Opposed 10 Rezoninq
Pending Master Plan

| Objection to rezoning of any
property in the general Silver
Spring area, except in the central
business district, pending adoption
OF a master plan embracing outlying
sections, was voiced in resolution
adopted last night by the Allied
Civic Group OF Silver Spring.
The organization reiterated its
approval of the master plan for the
business district which was adopted
in January by the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, sbut expressed opposi-
ton to any rezoning not in con-
formity with this plan.
At the same time it requested the
expeditions preparation of mas
ter plane for outlying areas by the
commission to insure an orderly
development of the community.
Zone Hearings Urged.
Another measure adopted urges
the county commissioners to hold
public hearings on zoning petitions
in the proximity of the area affect
ed. Under new policy of the COM
missioners, 1t was reported, most
of the hearings scheduled for next
month will be at Rockville regard
less of the location Of the property
involved.
The commissioners will also be
asked to amend the county zonine
ordinances so that after rezonine
Iof property has been denied, it can.
not be brought UP for hearing agair
before a period Of two years.
At present a petitioner can seel
rezoning for the same piece of prop
erty every three months, it was said
Opponents of the proposal con.
tended that there could be no ap.
preciable change in the merits oi
the property rezoning before 9
shorter period.
The resolutions were presented by
Maj. r. c. Howie, chairman of the
zoning Committee.
Linden Plan Opposed.
Rhees Burket, member of the
Linden Civic Association, called at.
tention to an application to have the
20 acres now occupied by Carroll
Springs Inn, Linden, rezoned for
apartment house use. He voiced his
opposition to the proposal.
The organization went on record
as indorsing the principles involved
in the Newburyport plan.
In a proposed amendment to the
initial charter draft, the group ap-
proved a recommendation of c. B
ICourtright that the section provid-
ing for the organization of depart
|ments Of finance and public works
and the Office of county attorney be
|deleted. Instead, it was suggested
the organization of the entire county
government should he subject to the
county council.
1t was voted to urge the county
commissioners to push the proposal
to have overhead power lines in the
Georgia avenue business district
placed underground.
Ralph D. Boyd, president, was au-
thorized to appoint a committee to
arrange for the annual banquet
in June.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Jail S Divided
Responsibility in
Escape Probed
Counsel for Two
Policemen on Triol
ExpIoin Situution

Whether the two Washington
policemen who are on trial in Dis
trict Court on charges Of negli-
gently permitting the escape of tive
murderers from the District Jail
death cell were victims of divided
responsibility" will be probed by
defense attorneys today as the trial
resumes.
4 The accused men are Pyts. HUI
bert CsDayis, 80, and Oscar c. San
|derlin, 80.
Davis attorney, James ]. Laugh
lin, charged this was the case In
his opening statement yesterday te
the jury of 10 men and 2 women
The murderers, later recaptured
and executed, were Joseph D. Med
ley and Earl MacFarland. They
overpowered the two policemen, took
their uniforms and escaped from
the Jail with the help of a can
opener early on the morning OF
April 8, 1916.
Peed Testifies.
Benjamin F. Peed, custodial Off
Ger who was in charge at the jail
when the break occurred, testified
yesterday he supervised the police
men assigned as special guards, but
that they received their instruc-
tions from their own superior Of
ficers.
'It seems to me there was d.
vided responsibility Justice Alex
ander Holtzof1, who is presiding
commented.
Mr.. Peed described how he found
Davis and Sanderlin the mornings
of the escape locked In the pent-
house, as the death house is known.
beating on the locked door and
dressed only in their underwear.
After learning the killers had es-
capped, Mr.. Peed released the police
men and inspected the deathhouse.
Two other condemned men, William
Copeland and Julius Fisher, both
since executed, were still there, Mr..
Peed said, so he then crawled on
top of the cells and inspected the
fCllcAdtoI III Vic lOOl WllC1I tilC
pair had opened with the can
opener.
Justice Holtzoff inquired at this
point what hole was doing in the
roof over death cells.
Criticizes Jail.
For ventilation, I guess" Mr..
Peed answered.
That's an awful way to build a
jail, ethe justice commented.
Cross-examination of Mr.. Peed by
Mr.. Laughlin and Sanderlin's at
torney. Charles Ford, was prevented
by adjournment of the court.
John Conliff, assistant United
States attorney, Is prosecuting the
case for the Government. The
maximum possible sentence for such
an offense, on conviction, is 20
months to five years imprisonment.
Mr.. Conliff called a number of
police officers to the stand, one Of
them being 1t. Howard Covell, per-
sonnel officer of the department.
1t. Covell testified that written
instructions outlining the duties Of
the special police detail at the Dis
trict Jail were. issued by then Act
ing Maj. and Supt. of Police Harvey
G. Callahan four months before the
incident occurred.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Policeman Critically Hurt
With Own Nightstiek
BY The Associated Press

BALTIMORE, April 2e,-Police-
man Frederick Ensor, about SIS, OF
Oxford, Md, today was in critica,
condition at University Hospital
after what police said was beating
with his own night stick.
The hospital said Mr.. Ensor, who
underwent a brain operation, was
still unable to name the person who
as reported by police at Easton
struck 4.Ir, Ersor with his fist
grabbed his billy away and beat him
over the head.
Easton police said Mr.. Ensor was
felled April 10 while making a
routine arrest. Police said they were
holding colored man at Eastor
jail, but had filed no charges.
Evening star., 1947-04-29
Fire Destroys Wood Lond
North of Four Corners

A fire destroyed an area of wooded
land about mile and a half north
Of the -Four Corners Wheaton road
in Montgomery County and was
brought under control late yesterday
by six fire departments.
Estimates of the scope of the blaze
varied from so acres to more than
hundred. Difficulty in reaching
the area was experienced both by
flremen and State foresters because
of impossible roads.