davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-06-27
Postal Workers Plan
Drive for New Raise,
Citing Living Costs

The $3.50 pay raise for postal
workers, provided in the bill await
ing President Trumans signature,
Tags behind rising living costs, labor
spokesmen said last night in an
nouncing a new pay raise drive in
the coming Congress.
They so advised the 10th annual
convention of the Maryland-Dela-
ware Bi-State Federation at the
Washington Hotel last night. Post
master General Donaldson also told
the group that something must be
done about salaries. Local lao of the
National Federation of Post Office
Clerks was host at the convention.
The Postmaster General said:
This increase will be dissipated un-
/ less somebody does something about
the rising cost of living" referring
to the pending pay legislation. Pay
raises for other Federal workers are
also contained in that bill now pend
ing action by the Chief Executive.
Warns of Largest Deficit.
! Mr.. Donaldson commented that
postal workers would be better OH
If living costs could be cut $3.50 an
nually instead of requiring that
amount of pay raise. He reminded
| his hearers he recommended salary
increases, but warned that the pos
tai service faces the largest deficit in
I Of
/ "Wednesday.
| When costs go up, why should
not Congress charge more to our
customers for the service we Sell?"
| he asked.
Postal spokesmen said increased
postal rates in the bill before Presi-
dent Truman will produce $780,
600, 900 in revenue fiscal year. Cost
of the pending salary increase was
put at S225, 100000.
E. C. Hallbeck, legislative repre-
sentative of the federation, and Leo
E. George. federation president,
were the labor spokesman predicting
drive for another pay raise at the
next session of Congress.
First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Vincent C. Burke, former Wash
ington postmaster, who spoke a few
words of greeting, was given trib-
ute by the whole audience standing,
as was Mr.. Donaldson.
North Also Speaks.
w. Gordon Bell, acting postmas-
ter here, was also introduced. Roy
M. North, Deputy Third Assistant
Postmaster General, who has been
nominated by President Truman as
postmaster here, also spoke.
Mrs. Glenn D. Roe, vice president
of the ladies auxiliary OF the fed
Grafton, urged wives. mothers, sisters
and sweethearts of postal workers
to support the federation. Robert
l. Dix was toastmaster
The bi-State federation elected
these officers yesterday: President,
Frank Derr of Baltimore; first vice
president. George B. Statler Of Cum
berland, Md: second vice president,
B. R. Baumgardner of Frederick,
Md; third vice president, F. X.
Pignone of Washington; fourth vice
president, James Quinn of Whining
ton, Del: fifth vice president, c. M.
Willett of Cockeysville, Md. and
secretary treasurer, Hyman Levin
of Baltimore.
Evening star., 1948-06-27
Argentina Will Reduce.
Output il Her Food
Is NOT Sold for Dollars
By the Associoted Press

BUENOS AIRES. June 26.-Miguel
Miranda, chairman of the National
Economic Council. said today Argen-
tina will cut production if her sur
plus food products are not sold to
Marshall Plan countries.
His statement to news confer
ence came after Struye Hensel, a
Marshall Plan representative, said
the world does not need Argentine
food at present prices. argentina
has been asking up to S. -bushel
for wheat, more than double the
Chicago price,.
Mr. Hensel told Mr.. Miranda and
President Juan D. Peron yesterday
that better crop conditions in other
countries probably would result in
the inability of Argentina to sell
her crops for Marshall Plan dollars.
In reply Mr.. Miranda said today:
Insists on Getting Dollars.
"Hensel is very fine gentleman,
but I do not see why he came to
Buenos Aires from Washington just
to tell us the world does not need
Argentine food.
If the world is going to starve.
then Argentina will not get dollars.
If the world needs to eat, We are
going to get dollars
There has been an undercover
dispute between the United States
and Argentina over the high prices
or Argentine wheat and over the
inability of United States business
concerns in Buenos Aires to transfer
profits back to the United States
Mr. Miranda said Argentina will
liquidate dollar obligations abroad
little by little. All transfers OF dol
lars for imports were halted May IA.
Since then the central bank has
gradually been permitting transfers
for most essential imports. Mr..
Miranda said confirmed letters OF
credit were not repudiated but were
paid off as dollars became available.
Exchange Rate Increased.
-Four DAYS ago bank orders in
creased the exchange rate for I'M
ported manufactured goods to f1ve
pesos per ST. The order were de-
signed to bolster Argentine ABROAD.
Referring to the confusion ere
ated by the orders, reporter asked
# it was true that trade with the
United States had been virtually
halted. Mr. Miranda said:
You answer that. If We do not
have dollars. We can't spend them.
If the United States wants us to
play. it must let us have some
marbles
Mr.. Miranda also announced that
Britain and other European GUS
toners would be required to pay
In dollars if they buy food from
Argentina after the termination OF
the present barter treaties.
Evening star., 1948-06-27

Nelson, who smelled smoke when. he
came on duty at pm. and traced
down the origin.
Fire Chief Rex Farley said the
building was a total loss. Local
insurance adjusters estimated the
damage at 100000 to the building,
$4,000 to the contents. and $4,000
to stores occupying the street floor
The hotel, at 500 Atlantic avenue
was 76 years old and years ago
served as stop on the railroad,
which no longer uses that street.
The dead fire officer was Capt
Louis Unger, who collapsed after
being ordered out of one of the
nine stores on the street floor of the
building.
Evening star., 1948-06-27

but one of the concerts will feature
one or more soloists, with Pianist
Claudio Arrau, Violinist Albert
Spalding, and Baritone Todd Dun
can among the musical stars, and
Gershwin, Tchaikovsky and Rach-
maninoff among the popular COM
posers.
At least part of his audience MI.
Mitchell knows he can count on to
be there-"my wife and at least
some of the rest of the family" He
has four children.
Tickets for the concerts, to be
given Sundays. Wednesdays and
Fridays, are available at the Sym
phony Box Office, kits, 1880 G
street NV. All concerts will be at
Bis pm
Evening star., 1948-06-27

music director, is highly pleased
with the new barge.
Lot Closer To Shore"
Its a lot closer to shore than
the old one, bringing us nearer the
audience" he noted. This is Mr..
Mitchell's first season in charge of
the series. In the winter he is asSo-
ciate conductor and first celllst Of
the National Symphony.
Mr.. Mitchell is hoping the II
programs he has planned will be the
most popular in Water Gate his
tory. Aiming to please all kinds of
music lovers, he has programmed
mainly popular" works, with the
heavier" music confined to the
four Wednesday night concerts. All
Evening star., 1948-06-27
Rodeo Planned

A rodeo to benefit the Falls Church
Teen Canteen will be staged on the
Falls Church High School grounds,
July 3, 4 and 5, according to Joel
Harris. chairman of arrangements.
The famous Frank Biron Frontier
Show will give performances at
2:30 and $50 pm. each day.
Evening star., 1948-06-27
The Federal Spotlight
Continued From First Page.)

pected to go into effect gradually,
incidentally, the price increases
will not Immediately affect patrons
of the Pentagon and Agricultural
Department cafeterias, which are
operated by other organizations.
ACTION-The Civil Service Com
mission will investigate the dis
closures made in this column last
week that Federal employees are
being forced from their jobs on
trumped-up charges of physical dis
abilities
Evening star., 1948-06-27
Temurratures In Various Cities,
Atlantic City Hotel Burned;
tFireman Dies; Three HUT
By the Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., June 26.
The 12O-room Thurber Hotel was
destroyed today by fire starting
at the rear of ground floor res
taurant.
An acting fire captain died while
fighting the blaze and three other
firemen were injured. The few
guests Who were in the building
escaped down the stairway after
Night Clerk Albert Nelson and Sam
uel Tochinsky, owner and manager.
gave the alarm.
The fire was discovered by Mr..
Evening star., 1948-06-27

Automobile lights must be turned
one half hour after sunset.
Precipitation.
Evening star., 1948-06-27

A number Of
these cases have
cropped UP in
the Army De-
partment. t h e
latest one being
in the Army Sc
curity Agency.
Mr.. Irons says
the commission
will investigate
very carefully to
determine II OIL
hcials are using
personal rea-
sons to fire en-
ploye es in the
guise of physi-
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Red Sentry Shoots GI
In Back for REFUSING
To GET Off Sidewalk
Russians Fire at Other
u. S. Soldiers Accosted
In Front of Vienna Hotel
BY the Associoted Press

VIENNA, Austria, Mar. g.
American Army authorities saio
an American soldier was shot ir
the back last night after refusing
to obey a Russian order to get of
the sidewalk and into the gutter
in front of a Russian headquar-
ters hotel in the international
district of Vienna.
The Provost Marsha1's Office said
the soldier probably will lose his
left arm. He was identified as Pfc
Jack Grunden, 18. of Portland, Greg.
The official account was as
follows:
The soldier was walking with two
other soldiers and three Austrian
girls along a sidewalk bordering a
parkway in front of the Grand
Hotel. A sentry ordered the soldiers
into the gutter and the soldiers re-
fused. The sentry then pushed one
of the soldiers, who pushed him
back The sentry then called an
other sentry from inside the hotel
Struck With Gun.
The second sentry struck the
American soldier with his gun
knocking him to his knees. While
the soldier was still on the ground,
the sentry fired shot into his back
Another entered the soldiers arm
smashing the elbow.
The remaining soldiers-unarmed
according to American military reg
ulations-and the three girls ran to
lSee SOLDIER. Page A-6.l
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Schuman's S Party Wins
Test by Only ; Votes
BY the Associoted Press

PARIS, Mar. 8. Government
control in the National Assembly
dwindled to a mere three votes at
one time today when Premier Rob-
ert Schuman's party barely beat
down counter amendment to It's
program of forced loans.
The amendment, proposed by
Roger Dusseaulx, follower of Gen
Charles De Gaulle, was defeated
298-295. Mr.. Dusseaulx contendeo
the amendment would Tighten the
load on businessmen"
Before this morning the closest
the government had come to losing
test on the measure was IA votes
The premier has been holding his
government n power on a 20 to 30
vote majority since he beat down
the Communist strike surge last
December.
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Hatch Won't Run for Senate
Again; Seeks u. S. Judgeship
Secretary Anderson
Moy Enter Race
For Vacant Seat
BY the Associated Press

Senator Hatch, Democrat,
stepped out of the New Mexico
senatorial race today to accept
a Federal judgeship ''in the event
it is offered"
A veteran of nearly IA years in the
Senate, the author of the Hatch
Clean Politics" Act had been an
announced candidate for re-elec-
ton. His term expires January 8.
Today'S action confirmed reports
that he would seek the post of Fed
eral district judge of New Mexico,
now held by Judge Colin Neblett.
Judge Neblett recently announced
that he will retire on July l.
Senator Hatch said in a statement: ::
Il have definitely decided to ac-
cept appointment to the Federal
bench in New Mexico in the event
it is offered to me, either by nomi-
nation now or after the expiration
|of my present term, whichever
course is determined to be in strict
compliance with the Constitution.
This necessarily means I cannot
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Mason Seeks Custer of Blades,
Chief Surqeon at GoIIinqer
Doctor Is One of Five
Who Asked Change in
Hospital Control

Commissioner Guy Mason said
today he would ask that DR..
Brian Blades be replaced as chief
surgeon at Gallinger Hospital on
grounds he had used his official
connection to have a Baltimore
patient admitted to the hospital.
Mr.. Mason said he will ask George
Washington University, which
makes assignments to the Gallinger
surgical department, to replace him
with another surgeon.
DR.. Blades is one of five promi-
nent doctors here who last week
urged that control of Gallinger Hos
pital be taken away from the mu-
nicipal health department. An
other was DR.. Robert G. Coffey
Georgetown University surgical
head, who serves at Gallinger in
the same capacity as DR.. Blades.
II just want you to know who
these critics are," Mr.. Mason said
obviously angered, after confer
ence with Assistant Health Officer
Evening star., 1948-03-08
.B-29,With 70 Aboard ,
Missing Over Pacific
By the Associoted Press

SAN FRANCISCO, Mar. 8-An
Air Force Super Fortress bomber
with 20 men aboard on a fight
from Spokane to Honolulu, has not
been heard from since 1884 am,
rescue operations said at 1920 am.
today.
A second plane, also with 20
aboard. was reported turning back
to San Francisco.
The Civilian Aeronautics Admin
istration control station said a mes
sage on the turn-back was received
from others in the flight of 10 Super
Fortresses making the flighV,
Hickam Field, Honolulu, had no
report from the plane, Neither
had the Civilian Aeronautics Ad-
ministration control station, the
air-sea rescue unit at Hamilton
Field, or the Coast Guard.
The missing ship was in the VII
cinity of Sacramento when it last
reported its position at 1:34 am.
1t was to have given its next posi-
ton report as it left the California
coast, but no report was heard.
Planes attached to the 326th Very
Heavy Bombing Squadron, left Spo-
kane Air Base at 9 o'clock. Last
night with some of the bases top
personnel aboard on a Far Eastern
training mission.
Officers participating in the flight
included Col Albert Shower, COM
manding officer of the Spokane
base; 1t. Col Richard Fry, COM
manding officer of the 9th Bomb
Group, and 1t. Col. James Trask,
commanding officer of the 326til
Bomb Squadron.
Evening star., 1948-03-08

that the consultations be confined
to peaceful measures" of settle
ment.
Representatives of theUnited States,
Russia, France and China meet to-
day in Russia's new Park avenue
offices.
Britain refused to take part in
the consultations, which were Or
dered last Friday in Security
Council resolution. The big powers
were asked to make recommended
tions by March Is on what to do
about carrying out the partition of
Palestine.
Austin Seeks Cancellation.
AS the delegates assembled for the
opening talks, chief United States
Delegate Warren R. Austin was re-
ported ready to urge one more ef-
fort toward conciliation of jewish
Arab differences as the first step.
1t appeared that he would have
the backing of France and China,
but it was doubtful whether Rus
sia's Andrei A. Gromyko could be
lined up in such a conciliation move.
Mr.. Gromyko objected to United
(See UNITED NATIONS, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Grain Futures and Hogs
PLUNGE on Chicago Market
By the Assoeioied Press

CHICAGO, Mar. 8.-Grain futures
plunged on the Board OF Trade to-
day as discouraged holders threw
wheat and corn on the market.
Only limited buying support ap-
peared.
Fresh hogs came in much more
heavily than expected today, and
prices dropped s100 to sl.50 Cattle
were steady to so cents less, and
sheep steady.
Cotton also dropped 81 to SO
a bale at New York.
May wheat slumped 10 cents, the
daily limit, and May corn 8 cents.
the daily limit for that cereal. All
soybean contracts were on their
daily limit of 8 cents in the usual
thin market for this commodity.
Deferred deliveries showed more re"
sistance to the drop.
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Bodies Discovered
Near Burned Jeep;
Were Shot to Death
BY the Assoeioted Press

PARIS, Mar. 8.-Two American
women employed at the United
States Consulate General ir
ndo-China were found slain las
night, a French communique
from Saigon announced today.
They were Mrs. Jeanne R. Sleeves
80. director of the United States In
formation Service In Saigon, ane
Miss Lydia Ruth James. 80, secre
tary at the Consulate General.
miss James, according 70 State
Department records, worked in
the Office of the Adjutant Gen.
eral here in 1941 and 194c. She
went overseas as a WAC il: 1914,
serving III Australia, New Zes-
land and The Philippines
The bodies were found in a dr..
river bed into which the womer
had driven in jeep. They hat
been shot to death.
"The two bodies bore bulle
wounds, particularly in the head.
-he communique, reported by the
French Press Agency, said.
Before Withdrawing, the at.
tackers had set ire to the car.
There has been no explanation
of the reasons which led these two
girls to such a distant spot, un-
frequented by Europeans"
The location was given as neal
the village of Tan Sonnh Ut, some
three miles from Saigon and outside
the security zone maintained by the
French in their struggle with ma.
tionalist Viet-Namese forces. The
bodies were discovered by a French
military detachment.
In Washington, the State Depart
~ 1TT1T~C -. q
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Treasury Seeks End
OF 0|eomargarine Tax
AS Needless Burden
Underseeretory Tells
House Committee Poor
Feel Levies Especially
(See GALLINGER, Page
By Chalmers M. Roberts

The administration today ad-
vocated repeal of Federal taxes
on oleomargarine because they
unnecessarily burden consum-
ers" by adding to the high cost
of living.
The recommendation was made by
Undersecretary of the Treasury
Virgins before the House Agricul-
ture Committee, which today began
five days of hearings on the con-
troversial subject. Mr.. Virgins said
the recommendation had been
cleared with the Budget Bureau
which speaks for the President"
The statement led to an immediate
argument among the 20 committee
members present in the crowded
hearing room over the relative
merits of butter and margarine ano
the question of how much artificial
color is used in butter.
Rivers Calls Levy Ransom"
The tax was called "a ransom ex.
tracted from the housewives ane
consumers of the Nation" by Rep
resentative Rivers, Democrat, o.
South Carolina. He said repea
measure would be approved by Con-
gress overwhelmingly if the com
mittee let it come to the House
floor.
Representative Poage, Democrat
of Texas, a committee member ane
sponsor of one of the l8 repea
bills under consideration, called ths
tax most vicious and undemo'
cratic"
The Texan pointed out that but
ter frequently is colored but that M
law requires this to be shown or
the package or wrapping. He saie
the identical coloring matter" /!
used in butter that is used in mar.
garine.
Mr.. Virgins called the Fedora
taxes of 10 cents pound on coloree
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Burmese Court Confirms
Death Decree for U Saw
BY the Associated Press

RANGOON, Burma, Mar. g.
Special bench of the Rangoon high
court confirmed today the death
sentence given former Premier U
Saw for the murder of Gen. U Aung
San and six other national leaders
shot to death last July 20. The
court rejected his appeal for a
new trial.
U Saw and eight others were
condemned last December 30, by a
special tribunal set up by Sir Hub
ert Rance, then British governor.
He requested a retrial on the
grounds this tribunal lacked juris-
diction.
Evening star., 1948-03-08
By Hermon F. Schoden

1t took IS separate steps, in
volving two trips each through
three different buildings, to pro.
cess an ordinary letter in the State
Department, Representative Stefan
Republican, of Nebraska, revealed
today.
How did Mr. Stefan know? AS
an advocate of less red tape and
economy, he sent a House Appro-
priation Committee investigator to
track down the letters progress, OF
lack of it.
Two and one-half days later
breathing heavily, the investigator
returned with his report. 1t took
him that long to trace the letter s
course.
And if that were true, unused Mr.
Stefan, it must have taken at leas1
80 days for the letter itself to COM
Evening star., 1948-03-08
State Departments 35 Steps
For One Letter Irritute Stefan

pIete its rounds through nobody
knows how many hands and at
what cost to the taxpayer.
The letter was written in Sep
tember by steamship agency which
enclosed a 500 money order with
the request that the State Depart
ment forward it to the American
mission in Bucharest for air pas
sage for an American from Bu-
charest to Prague.
Here are the steps of the cir
cuitous route, so amazing to Mr..
Stefan that he charted it for the
edification of other congressional
members:
l. The letter was delivered to the
Twenty-second street building and
received by the Protection Service
Division.
2. 1t was opened, date stamped
(See LETTER, Page A-6J
Evening star., 1948-03-08
|2U.S. Women, One an Ex-Aide
Here Found Slain in Indo-Chino
Former WAC Joined
Consular Service
To Seek Adventure 4

Miss Lydia Ruth James, 80, a
former Government employe
here, who was found shot to
death near Saigon, French Indo-
China, last night, was looking
for adventure when she went
into the State Departments con-
sular service last year.
A close friend here, who received
a letter from Miss James less than
Evening star., 1948-03-08
Federal Leave System
Abuse Needs Change,
Bridges and Ball Say
Nine-Month Survey Shows
1875 of All Employees
Used Sick Privileges
By Joseph Young

A sharp attack on the Govern
ment's sick and annual leave
system was made today by
Chairman Bridges of the Senate
Appropriations Committee as he
called on Congress to review the
entire Federal leave system.
Senator Ball, Republican, of
Minnesota, who headed a Senate
Appropriations subcommittee which
conducted a study of Federal en-
ployees leave privileges, joined with
Senator Bridges in asking that the
whole system be reviewed with a
view to eliminating abuses and
Tightening up what may be toe
liberal leave system"
The subcommittee study showed
"a widespread abuse Of sick leave
privileges" among Federal en-
ployees, the Senators declared.
Called Hidden Obligation.
"Sick and annual leave consti.
tute an extremely sizeable financia
obligation of the Federal govern.
ment and IN a sense one of the
hidden appropriations in the total
that make up the budget for each
fiscal year" the Senators declared
They said that more than 73 per
cent of all Government employees
use sick leave privileges during the
nine-month period in which the
study was made. In some agencies
the average was close to 100 per
cent, Senator Bridges declared.
The subcommittee report declared
many departments and agencies,
the larger ones particularly, report
frequent abuse of the privilege.
Most frequent among these were
absences Immediately preceding or
Immediately subsequent to a week
end, absences for longer periods than
are actually required for medical,
dental or optical treatment, and
absences when a reduction in force
order is about to be effected"
Government employees are allowed
26 days vacation each year and
Is days of sick leave, if necessary.
Private Work Compared.
Turning to annual leave provi-
sions. the subcommittee report
stated that, in comparison with
private industry, the Government
is unique" in the amount of leave
benefits it grants its employees.
The total sick and annual leave
accumulations in the Government
represent a potential obligation of
81 100000, the report declared,
referring to the fact that when
Federal employees leave the service
(See FEDERAL LEAVE, Page A-5D