davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-03-31
By J. A. OLeoy

Backers of the $6,2O5, ,OOo. 900
foreign aid program won a de-
cisive victory in a preliminary
test today as the opposition
staged a stormy last-minute
fight in the House to cut the
European Recovery Program
fund.
Representative Dorm, Democrat, of
South Carolina forced the test when
he was denied permission to speak
longer than the five-minute rule
under which the House was operat-
ing.
He made motion which would
have stopped consideration of the
bill for the time being. He lost a
standing vote, 173 to 10.
Mr.. Dorm later got his extra five
minutes by another parliamentary
maneuver-by moving to strike the
enacting clause from the bill. After
he had spoken he Withdrew the mo-
tion.
Although Republican leaders still
hope to- pass the bill tonight, a con-
tinuation Of the debate stirred up
this morning over the IS 300, 900 900
for the first year of ERP could put
of passage until tomorrow.
Rayburn Chides Opponents.
The House spent more than two
hours debating the first amendment
today, motion by Representative
Vursell, Republican, of Illinois, to
cut 81 300, 900, 900 from the ERP fund
After dozen opponents had de-
nounced the foreign aid program,
claiming it would not accomplish
the purpose of stopping communism
Minority Leader Rayburn asserted
he heard the same kind of debate
from opponents Of national defense
appropriations In the years before
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mr.. Rayburn described as "rot"
the claim of opponents that not
more than SO House members would
vote for the bill II the ballot could
be taken In secret.
I'm my opinion, this bill would
get more votes on a secret ballot
than it will otherwise" Mr.. Ray
burn added.
Dorm Is Enemy of Reds.
Representative Dorm is a veteran
Of World War II and an outspoken
opponent of communism. He took
the floor today. however. to argue
that putting faith in the Marshall
Plan is only "stalling for time" and
that time will work to Russia's ad-
vantage because the United States
is the stronger of the two today.
so, I say, let's have a showdown
now" Mr.. Dorm shouted.
The Senate cleared its last for
elgn-aid hurdle late yesterday by
approving its s463 3,o0O,O China
aid bill The Senate already has
passed separate bills carrying S.
300, ,000,00 for the European Re-
covery Program and $275, 5,O00, 900 for
Greece and Turkey.
In conference, the Senate is ex-
pected to 90 along with the House
plan OF wrapping all foreign aid
into one bill, but some compromise
will be necessary on changes the
House had made in details.
If the House passes the bill to-
day. Chairmen Vandenberg and
(See FOREIGN AID, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1948-03-31
Weekly Boating Page
In The Star Friday

Beginning next Friday, April
2, The Star will renew its
weekly page of boating and
fishing news. Follow this fea-
ture in the Sports Section for
news of waterfront activities
on the Potomac River and
Chesapeake Pay.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
Franco May Install
Premier if ERP Role
Is Granted 10 Spain
House Action Is Hailed
By Madrid Newspapers as
Correction Of Injustice
BY ths Assoeiotsd Press

MADRID, Mar. 3l.-Generalis-
simo Francisco Franco may re-
shuttle his cabinet and install a
premier If Spain is included in
the European Recovery Program,
informed sources said today.
The United States House of
Representatives voted, 14s to 81
yesterday to designate Spain as a
participant under the Marshall Plan
in the s6,2o5, ,ooo, 900 foreign aid pro-
gram. The House amendment still
needs Senate approval.
Madrid newspapers greeted the
news this morning with editorials
proclaiming the House action the
correction of an injustics and a
recognition of the truth.
1T had to come" said va, the
Catholic organ. I'VE knew it be-
forehand and were not the least
surprised. In good logic the con-
fusion created by Russian diplomacy
could not prevail"
Taylor May See Franco.
ofieial Spanish sources main-
tanned a guarded silence on reports
that Myron c. Taylor, the White
House Ambassador to the Vatican,
is coming to confer with Gen.
Franco tomorrow.
Mr.. Taylor is reported due when
half a million Spaniards are sched-
uied to be watching a victory day"
parade of 10000 soldiers, sailors and
police in Madrid on the anniversary
observance of the end of the civil
war in 1899.
1t is reported Mr.. Taylor also will
confer with Foreign Minister Artajo,
and Enrique Cardinal Pla y Deniel,
primate of Spain, during his visit.
A cabinet reorganization program
long has been rumored in Spain,
and news of the congressional ac-
ton stirred up such talk again. One
unconfirmed report said the reor-
ganization may occur after the next
cabinet meeting, set for April 2.
Political Parties Abolished.
Principal among the rumors is
that Gen. Franco plans to create a
premier, who would head the
Evening star., 1948-03-31
7 Major Efforts
To Alter ERp
in House
Opposition Beaten
By Only 10 Votes
On One-Yeor Limit
BULLETIN

Two major efforts to alter
the European Recovery Pro-
gram were beaten off in the
House this afternoon. The op-
position reached its peak on a
move to limit ERP to one year,
which failed, 1877 to lit. The
other was an attempt to cut
s1,300,ooo, 900 from the first-
year fund, which failed, 112
to 81.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
BY The Assoeiotsd Press

BERLIN, Mar. 31.-A Russian
plan for new stringent control on
traffic between the Western and
Soviet zones of Germany ran into
British opposition today.
The Russians informed the
British, French and American
headquarters they plan to tighten
controls on the traffic.
British authorities rejected a
Soviet demand for a Russian in
spection of British military trains
travelling through the Soviet zone
and ordered British train COM
manders not to permit Russian SOL
diers aboard.
The Russians. in notes sent the
three Western Allies last night, said
all military and civilian personnel
Evening star., 1948-03-31

NeAAAe' 1AdAlo1cS Dig 6uylQg wave.
Page Az.
BY the Assecietsd Press
NEW YORK, Mar. 3l.-The presi-
dent OF the New York Curb Ex-
change did a night watchmans s
trick last night and some members
welded mops to clean the floors.
Francis Adams Truslow. Curb
president, said he did a fve-hour
trick from pm. to / am. with
Edward C. Werle, chairman of the
Board of Directors.
Since the AFL financial employees
struck the Curb and Stock Ex-
changes Monday. many brokers have
been acting as pages, messengers
and clerks.
With maintenance workers on
strike along with the clerks, Mr..
Truslow led the way in substituting
for non-clerical employees.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
bulletin

BERLIN GA sudden So
Wet order, If enforced, will
make 1t impossible for $4,000
American, British and French
troops and civilians to leave
Berlin after midnight tonight,
except by Russian consent.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
By joseph Youno

A hot fight Is due in the House
Civil Service Committee tomor-
row, when an attempt will be
made to liberalize the $468 tenn
porary pay raise bill voted out
yesterday by its pay raise sub
committee.
At least several members Of the
subcommittee sharply opposed
the s4s8 figure as niggardly and
argued for an $800-a-year Federal
pay raise to meet increased living
costs.
But they were outvoted by other
committee members. In the end,
they decided to go along in report
ing out the bill In the hope the
full committee would increase the
measure by several hundred dollars.
Il would have voted the bill out if
it had only provided a dollar-a-year
raise, just to get it before the full
committee" declared one subcom-
mittee member after yesterday aft
ernoon's session. The member, who
asked that his name not be used,
had been critical of the subcom-
mittee's slowness in reporting out a
measure.
"Some Hope" for $780,
The chances are the subcom-
mittee's bill will be upheld In the
full committee, but several men,
bers say they have some hope" for
a 5000 compromise.
There also will be a fight In the
full committee to provide a more
liberal retroactive provision in the
bill.
The original Rees bill provided
that the pay raise be retroactive
to last January l, but the sub
committee struck that out and made
(Continued on Page Al Col Al
Evening star., 1948-03-31
40Die, 50 Hurt
In Blowing Up ol
Palestine Train
Explosion Believed
Jewish Retaliation
For Arab Attacks
bulletin

JERUSALEM (P.-The toll
In the blasting of the Cairo
Haifa train today was 40 dead
and 60 injured, the govern
ment announced.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
President Directs NAHot Committee Fight
To Plan Power Output Due on LiberaIizlng
Boost in Emergency $468 U. 5. Pay Boost
Some Members Planning
To Seek $500 Increase
At Session Tomorrow

KORAN PROPOSES Per Cent
Sales Tax Here to Offset Pay
Raise for D. c. Employees
Page B-1.
Evening star., 1948-03-31
|Curb President
Does 5-Hour Stint
As Wutchmon

STOCK MARKET, HAMPERED by
Strike, Handles Big Buying Wave.
Page Az.
Evening star., 1948-03-31

(See JOB CUT. Page A-4D
Evening star., 1948-03-31

Continued on Page A-2, Col. g.
Evening star., 1948-03-31

(See SPAIN. Page AS.
Evening star., 1948-03-31

(See COAL, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1948-03-31

(See DRAFT, Page AS
Evening star., 1948-03-31

(See FOREIGN AID, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Heavy Mud Virtually
IsoIaies RiverdaIe Heiqhts

Residents of Riverdale Heights,
Md. complained today that heavy
mud has virtually isolated their
area from the rest of Prince Georges
County.
The mud is the result of rains
falling on streets torn up in the
process of rebuilding and construc-
ton. Particularly affected are resi-
dents living in the 5000 and $500
blocks of Fifty-seventh and Fifty
eighth avenues.
According to Mrs. George 10y,
6313 Fifty-seventh avenue, rain has
made streets impossible for fuel
trucks and other delivery vehicles.
IF we had a fire, we'd have to
stand around and watch our house
burn down. Mrs. Loy said.
Prince Georges County Engineer
Arthur w. Tayman said the same
condition exists wherever streets
are under construction. Mr.. Tay-
man said the only hope for relief
is the return of warm weather.
Work in the area is part of the
county's special improvement dis
trict program, Mr.. Tayman said.
The firm of Corson g. Gruman,
Washington contractors. is con-
structing streets. curbs. cutters and
storm drainage facilities.
Evening star., 1948-12-30

A secretary to member of Con-
gress yesterday was convicted in Ar
lington Police Court of failing to file
a Virginia State income tax return.
Mrs. Stella Merrill of zoos Key
boulevard, who is secretary to Rep
resentative Gossett, Democrat, of
Texas. noted an appeal to her con-
viction. She was fined the minimum
penalty of $40. Mr.. Gossett appeared
IN court with her yesterday.
The commonwealth attorneys Of
fee said Mrs. Merrill contended she
was not liable to the Virginia in
come tax because her legal residence
is in Texas .She'agreed to file per-
sonal property tax.
A spokesman in the commissioner
of revenues. Office explained that
members of Congress are regarded
as transient sojourners" and there
fore are not taxed as a courtesy in
accordance with State policy. But
this courtesy does not extend to
Evening star., 1948-12-30
tuberculosis FaciIitie,
Stir Virginia Dispute
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

NEWPORT NEWS, Va, Dec. 80
DIR Lee B. Todd, Newport News
health director. maintains that this
city lis still having dif1iculty" get
ting patients admitted to tuber-
culosis sanatoria.
He made the statement yester-
day. after DR.. L. J. Roper, State
health commissioner, said in Rich
mond Tuesday that it wasn't diff
cult at the present time for the
hospitals in the States tubercu-
losis program to accept patients in
fairly quick order.
I'VE can get ambulatory patients
admitted in from 80 to so days, but
bed patients are required to wait
from four to six months" Or. Todd
said.
In Richmond yesterday, State
Health Department officials pointed
a finger at a shortage of inflrmary-
type beds as the reason tubercular
patients have to wait to get into the
States three sanatoria for their care
DR.. William F. Wagner, director of
the States tuberculosis program,
said the majority of some 120 per-
sons awaiting admission to sanatoria
require this type of bed. The bed is
the type used to treat serious tuber-
cular cases. The officials maintained
that the waiting list at Catawba and
Blue Ridge, institutions for white
patients, could be eliminated imme-
diately if enough infirmary-type
beds were to be had.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Party Slated for Children
OF Prince Georges Areas

A New Year eve party, featuring
a turkey dinner and entertainment
will be held for children of four
Prince Georges communities at $50
pm. tomorrow at the Landovel
Md Civic Hall.
Between IS and 80 youngsters who
live in Landover, Radiant Valley
Cheverly Manor and Cheverly Gar
dens will be guests at the affair
sponsored by two churches and resi-
dents of the areas.
The Rev. Robert L. Whittenburg
pastor of the Magruder Memorial
Christian Church in Landover, will
be the toastmaster. He said money
for the dinner will come from a
trust fund established by Carleton
Pyles, Silver Hill automobile
dealer.
Co-sponsoring the affair along
with the Christian Church is the
St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church
.f Landover. It's pastor. the Rev
Ronald J. Fannon. will deliver the
invocation. A short talk also will be
given by the Rev. DR.. J. Lloyd Black
of the Ninth Street Christian
Church in Washington.
The program will include an illus
trated talk by Richard A. dick,
Mansfield, retired Metropolitan po-
lice inspector, now safety director
for The Star.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
5 Sentenced in Alexandra
In Car-Sticker Theft Case

Four men received fines and Jail
sentences in Alexandria Civil and
Police Court yesterday for possess
ing stolen auto insrectinn stickers,
and fifth man was sentenced to a
Jail term and fined for theft of the
stickers.
George Witherspoon, 36, of the
900 block North Patrick street;
John Brown. 25, of the 500 block
North Alfred street and George
Randall. 80, of the 900 block North
Patrick street, all colored. were fined
s25 each and each was sentenced to
serve five days in Jail. All pleaded
guilty.
Laden Yancey, 20. colored, of the
600 block South ST. Asaph street,
who pleaded not guilty to the same
charge, was fined s25 and sentenced
to 10 days in Jail.
Benjamin Peterson, %, colored, of
Manassas, Va, was fined S25 and
sentenced to serve 10 days in Jail
for theft of the stickers. Twenty
two stickers were stolen from an
automobile garage by Peterson, an
employe. A sixth man was SEN
fenced earlier.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Pennington Girl, II,
To Be Buried Today;
Death Held Suicide
so.eioI pispoteh 10 The S,or

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, Dec.
30-Funeral services were to be con-
Quoted this afternoon for Miss
Esther Camilla Merriman, IT, men,
ber of a prominent Pennington
family, whose death was ruled a
suicide.
The girl. student at Miss Halls
School. Pittsfeld, Mass, died Thurs
day afternoon as the result of gun
shot wounds in the temple Dr. E.
D. Davis of CroZet, Albemarle Coun-
ty coroner, returned the verdict of
suicide.
Miss Merriman was the daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. C. H. Merriman.
jr. Her father is vice president of
the Crompton Shenandoah Co. of
Waynesboro, professors of fabrics
According to- DR.. Davis and a
friend of the family, the girl had
lunch with her mother Tuesday and
appeared in good spirits. A shot
was heard shortly after pm. and
servant found her body in her
mothers bedroom, a 22-caliber rifle
beside her.
DR.. Davis said he was informed
Miss Merriman frequently became
emotionally upset. He said she left
note. but that it apparently did
not give a reason for her action.
The Office of Sheriff j. Mason
Smith said no formal report of the
shooting or death had been filed.
No investigation was conducted.
In addition to her parents. Miss
Merriman is survived by a brother,
Charles.
The funeral services were to be
held in st. Paul's Episcopal Church,
University of Virginia. Burial was
to be in Monticello Memorial Park.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Police Called by Mrs. Mundi
To Investigate loiterer

Police summoned Mrs. Karl Mundt,
wife of the Senator-elect from
South Dakota. last night searched
the area around the 200 block of
Massachusetts avenue NE. for a
man she said had been lettering in
the neighborhood with a brick in
his hand.
A lookout was broadcast later for
the loiterer after the search proved
fruitless.
Mrs. Mundt said she first saw the
man about 1870 pm. He was
standing in a doorway near her
home, 208 Massachusetts avenue N E
Because he appeared to be acting
suspiciously. she asked an off-duty
Capitol policeman to investigate
The policeman took brown paper
parcel containing a brick from the
man, and told him to leave.
Metropolitan police were sum-
moned when Mrs Mundt saw the
man in the same spot half hour
later.
Senator ELECT Mundt, now a Rep
resentative from his State and a
member of the Committee on Un-
American Activities. said he thought
the loiterer might have been plan
ming to break a window and take
some liquor from a display at the
Capitol Towers Pharmacy in the
same building as the Mundts' apart
ment.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Marlboro Police Court
To Shift to New Quarters

The Prince Georges County Police
Court at Upper Barlboro will occupy
new quarters in the Courthouse to-
morrow.
The new courtroom is the first
portion of a three-story addition to
the rear Of the County Courthouse
to be placed in use. StiIl under
construction are new facilities for
the county police station and a
second courtroom for the Circuit
Court,
Evening star., 1948-12-30
'48 Employment Rose
In Maryland, but Rate
OF Increase Slowed
BY the Assoeioted Press

BALTIMORE, Dec. 30.-A steady
expansion" of employment in Mary
land business and industry during
1948 was reported today by Chair
man Russell S. Davis of the Employ
ment Security Board.
He declared that 722. 300 Mary
landers were employed in nonagri-
cultural lines last November a gain
of at least 34,700 over the same
month in l947.
Mr.. Davis noted that the rate OF
increase in nonagricultural employ
ment from October to November
1948, showed a so per cent decline
compared with 1947.
Employment Increases.
But virtually all branches OF. en-
ployment. he said. reported larger
work forces this year than last.
The November employment figure,
he said, is $500 increase over
october.
Mr.. Davis observed that in 1948
for the first time since the end
OF the war, the apparel prOuuc-
ton has returned to its prewar
seasonal fluctuations.
1900 More In Industry.
Trade and services, finance, in
surance, real estate, construction
transportation. and Government ac-
tivities led the field in employ
ment increases compared to 1947
Employment lists in manufacture
ing plants, on the other hand, held
only 1000 more last November than
in the same month OF l947, Mr.
Davis said
He added that hourly wages in
Maryland business and industry
averaged $1.325 in November. l948.
compared with $l307 the previous
month
Evening star., 1948-12-30
8 Baltimore Builders
Ordered 10 Pay Back
$4,000 10 Veterans
by the Associoted Press

BALTIMORE. Dec 30.-The Office
of the Housing Expediter has or
dered eight Baltimore home builders
to pay back 100000 to veterans who
bought their houses or to correct
deficiencies in the dwellings. Robert
H. Hodgin, housing field agent, said
last night
But even If such settlements are
reached. Mr.. Hodgin said, the build
ers are not free of prosecution for
failing to construct the houses ac-
cording to specifications.
Prosecution is up to the Depart
ment of Justice, he said. The OHE
cannot speak for that unit and is in
no position to offer immunity. Res
titution, however. would probably be
taken into account"
Field investigators have inspected
about l60 houses purchased by vet
Grams and have not completed the
program, he said.
William j. Muth, vice president of
the City Council. who was credited
with spearheading the investigation,
said one company had been directed
to refund $11O,69s.50 within 10 days
for alleged overcharges and defici-
encies.
Another concern faces 100000
refund, he said.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
LegisIotureG Gets
Bill to Prohibit
Trolley Races
BY the Assoeiated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Dec. 30.-Races be-
ween trolley cars will be illegal if
he General Assembly approves a
dill to prohibit carline contests.
One of II motor vehicle bills ap-
proved by the Legislative Council,
i would make streetcar handicap
races illegal after next May 81.
Ruled out would be competitive mo-
tormen catching up to one another
so. fast that a half dozen cars
pass a given corner in a minute
and none for the next half hour.
The bill provides that the opera
tors of streetcars and trackless troll
leys shall not engage in racing or
speeding contests, or operate on a
bet or wager" Races between autos
and buses on public highways are
banned already.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Secretary Convicted Of Failure
To File Virqiniu Tax Return

their employees, the spokesman said
Mrs. Merrill's case was one of 33
similar cases that have been acted
on in the last few weeks All were
charged with failure to file tax re-
turns. and failure to answer the
commissioner of revenues summons
to explain why they failed to file
proper returns.
Assistant Commonwealths Attor-
ney Paul Brown said % of the de-
PENDANTS were given suspended fines
of $40 each after agreeing to file the
proper returns. -Four cases were
nolle pressed because it was found
the defendants were not liable to
the tax, Mr.. Brown said.
One defendant, William T. Nc
Kinnon, was fined $50 and costs last
week after he pleaded not guilty to
the charge. -Four other persons
failed to appear in court yesterday.
Their cases were left open while an
effort is being made to reach them,
Mr.. Brown said.
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Frederic Lee, Council Nominee
is Both Plant Expert, Lawyer
Election Expected
To Seot-ot-Lorge
In Montgomery
This is one in series OF
sketches OF candidates for the
Montgomery County Council.)
By John V. Horner


Unless all signs fail, one Of the
countrys ranking authorities on
azaleas and rhododendron will be
elected next Thursday to the first
Montgomery County Council.
The expert, who knows how to
grow evergreens where they aren't
supposed to thrive, is one of two
charter ticket nominees for council
seats-at-large. His name Is Fred
eric P. Lee.
Mr.. Lee is no horticultural novice
He has worked successfully with
hardy plants for many years. He
has written authoritative articles
for numerous professional publica-
tions and several years ago the
then Secretary Of Agriculture, Clin-
ton P. Anderson, appointed him
to the Advisory Council Of the Ma
tional Aboretum. which he now
heads as chairman.
He is first vice president of the
American Horticultural Society and
a fellow of the Royal Horticultural
Society of Great Britain
Mr.. Lees interests are hardly con-
fined to evergreens. however.
His profession is the law. For
four years he was legislative counsel
to the House Of Representatives and
for seven more. to the Senate.
Since 1880 he has been in private
practice and has taught law at
Georgetown University. In 1884 and
1885 he was a member of the board
and general counsel to the Federal
Alcohol Control Administration.
He played major role in drafting
the charter which Montgomery vot-
ers adopted last month. Twice he
defended that document in legal
tests carried to the Maryland Court
of Appeals; both times he won the
arguments on questions of consti-
tutional law.
H> has been a special assistant
to the Secretary Of Agriculture, a
member of the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion and chairman of Montgomery
County Selective Service Board.
Twice Mr.. Lee won The Evening
Star Trophy for outstanding civic
Evening star., 1948-12-30
Timko Home Wins Award
In West HyuttsviIIe

The home of ]. S. Timko. 1904
Thirty-sixth avenue, West Hyatts-
vile. was awarded first prize in the
Christmas home decorating contest
of the West Hyattsville Citizens
Association, the organization re-
ported today.
A likeness of the Washington Ca
thedral andi display of outdoor
lights decorated Mr.. Timko's front
porch.
Second prize was awarded C. Fred
Husemoller, 3616 Jefferson street
and third prize went to the home OF
w. G. David, 5716 Thirty-first ave-
nue.