davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-03-15
BY the Assoeioted Press

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Mar. Is
A desperate Costa Rican govern
ment tried today to stem a revolu-
ton sweeping the nation. The op-
position has virtually isolated the
capital.
Seventy-five per cent of San Jose's
power plants have been blown up
and opposition forces said they were
trying to cut the remainder last
night. The city's industry is at a
virtual standstill. A general sit
down strike has been called for to-
day.
Underground sources say the gov
ernment has appealed to Gen.
Anastasio Somoza, former President
and now strongman of Nicaragua,
to send help as soon as possible.
Three Nicaraguan planes are here
at the Sabana airport with their
insignia painted out with yellow
paint.
Jose Figueres, leader of the revo-
lutionary forces, said over the un-
derground radio he had wiped out
half of the mobile unit sent to
force him from his hidden noun
tain stronghold south of Cartago.
This unit had been trained by the
United States Army.
Jules Dubois. latin American
correspondent for the Chicago Trib.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Mexico Denies Breaking
Trade Treaty With U. 5.
BY the Associated Press

MEXICO CITY, Mar. 15.-Ths
Mexican Foreign once last night
denied charges that Mexico violated
its trade treaty with the United
States.
The statement was In reply to
Chairman Knutson of the House
Ways and Means Committee Mr..
Knutson said Saturday in Washing
ton that Mexico had withdrawn all
its trade concessions to the United
States. Yet the United States con-
tinues its own lowered tariffs.
! The accusation attributed to
Knutson is entirely without basis" +"
the Foreign Office said 1t reviewed
last years ban on luxury imports
to protect Mexico's dwindling dollar
balance, and a tariff boost to keep
pace with price increases. The de-
partment added:
+ Both measures were taken in
accordance with the CUnited-States-
MexicO agreement. In both cases
they were preceded by consultation
between representatives Exchanges
of diplomatic notes regularized the
situation under terms Of the treaty"
Evening star., 1948-03-15
a Killed, 70 Injured
In Louisville Blast
RY tho Associofed Press

|. LOUISVILLE, KY, Mar. 15.-Four
workmen were killed and at least
20 others were injured here today
il an explosion at the big plant OF
the International Harvester Farm
Equipment Co.
The cause of the explosion had
not been determined hours after
the blast demolished a $50 by IS foot
brick and steel building in which
engines made in the nearby main
plant were tested.
Normally about Sc of the COM
pany's 1000 employees worked in the
test building but the explosion took
place just as the night shift was
leaving and the day shift was ar
irving so officials were not certain
how many men were in the build
ing at the time.
Fire followed the blast but soon
was extinguished by city and county
firemen. Then police and volun-
teers aided the firemen in rescue
work which was hampered by in
tense heat and the fact that the
basement of the building was
flooded.
There were two 5000 gallon fuel
tanks under the test building but
firemen said they apparently did
not explode as first reported.
Workmen said the blast was be-
lieved to have weakened the roof of
the main building. All workers were
sent home and production halted
completely.
Some engines which were being
tested were blown out into the plant
yard. Windows were broken in many
of the buildings and some doors
buckled.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Revolt Sweeping Costa Rico;
Plants Blown Up, City Isolated

une, has been placed under House
arrest at the Gran Hotel by Rogelio
Granados, acting Minister of Pub
lie Security. Mr.. Dubois said Gra-
nados told him his security was in
danger and that all his liberties
were suspended.
Mr., Dubois, colonel in military
intelligence during the war, tried to
send story In which he said:
"Twenty-four hours of revolt
against the Communist control of
this republic, located at the north
east flank of the Panama Canal,
produced a toll of 7 dead, 30
wounded and Is persons captured
by government troops"
Before he was picked up, Mr..
Dubois contacted the Tribune in
Chicago and reported that A. P. Cor
respondent Reginald L. Wood was
under house arrest in his hotel room.
This, however, proved to be untrue.)
President Licencido Teodoro
Picado Michalski declared martial
law in Costa Rica Saturday. He
ordered troops to quell revolt led
by Figueres.
Fighting began in Costa Rica
March when Congress annulled
the election of Otilio Ulate Blanco,
opposition candidate for President.
He and ~ followers are reported to
have reached Guatemala by plane.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Defense Plan Due in 10 Days;
Air Power to Be Cornerstone

tence on wrapping all foreign aid in
one package with its inevitable de-
lays has made that timetable i'm
possible. Barely three mouths re-
main before the Congress adjourns
Members jealous for defense are
already groaning about the politics
laden atmosphere, the tax reduc-
ton both houses are bent on hav-
ing and the fact that so many con-
gressional leaders are active candi-
dates for President.
The Russians have timed it well,
one mourned. Those dictators al
ways pick our presidential year"
Mr.. Forrestals choice of air power
as the lead-off will be popular. But
air-power advocates like Senator
Johnson, Democrat, of Colorado and
Senator Taft will also argue that
it makes unnecessary the universal
military training to which the ad-
ministration is strongly committed
The Secretary will fight for both
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Surplus Exceeds 5 Billion
For First Time in History
By the Associated Press

The Government budget surplus
climbed to $5,076 ATS, ,49460 today.
1t was the first time m history
that Government income has ex-
ceeded its spending by IS 600 900 600
even for temporary period.
But the surplus is only two thirds
as large as President Truman pre-
diets 1t will be when this fiscal year
ends June 30.
Chief reason is the record flow
of tax collections. but also respon-
sible is decrease in Government
spending from the last fiscal year
which ended with an excess of
$754, ,000, 900.
The record surplus figure for a
full fiscal year is about 1,155 900 900.
1t was set 81 years ago in the Cool
idge administration.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Variety in Senate
Foreign Aid Billions
To Doecotcher's Puy

1--WE certainly get a variety
of things here in the Senate" ="
Senator Cain, Republican, Of
Washington, said today during
a subcommittee hearing on Dis
trict affairs.
Saturday night we voted
IS, 300. .O0O,O 900 for foreign aid
and today we are concerned
with the $1,000 salary OF our
dogcatcher."
The subcommittee sent to the
full committee a bill to raise
the pay of Poundmaster Frank
Marks from 5000 to $1,000. 1t
was coupled with a suggestion
for a substitute bill which would
make the poundmaster eligible
for the general pay classification
system rather than to raise his
pay by statute.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Marshall Warns Against Failing Buck Group Approves
Greece; Red Italy Will ose AidD C. Rent Control Bill
U. S. Ready to Act,
But Does Not Believe
Communists Can Win

The State Department said
today that if the Communists
win in italian elections next
month, Italy would not get any
further economic assistance from
the United States.
This action would be in line with
the general policy of refusing aid
to Communist dominated countries.
Michael j. McDermott, State De-
partment press officer, issued the
specific warning to Italy in reply to
question lat a news conference
today.
He was asked about a Paris dis
patch in the New York Times re-
porting that the United States
planned to issue an announcement
soon that Communist victory in
the April 18 Italian elections would
eliminate italy from the European
Recovery Program.
Denies Decision on Stand.
Mr.. McDermott said that no de-
cision to make such an announce
ment had been reached by this Gov
ernment.
Then he went on to say what
amounted to the predicted an
nouncement.
Mr.. McDermott remarked that
the Paris story may well have
originated from the Senate debate
on ERP in the course of which the
intent OF the Senate was pretty
clear"
He said this intent was that none
of the American aid under ERP
should go to Communist-do dominated
countries.
The European Recovery bill, as
1t passed the Senate. provides that
the administrator may terminate
assistance to any country whenever
he determines that changed condi-
tions would make such assistance
no longer consistent with national
interests of the United States. The
bill also makes American aid to
individual nations contingent upon
cooperation of those countries with
other European nations working to-
gether under ERP.
The statement today is expected
to strengthen the hand of demo-
cratic forces in the Italian pre-
election campaign during which
Communists, despite their opposition
to the European Recovery Program
have been reported as saying that
American assistance in some form
would continue to italy regardless OF
the election outcome.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
7 Big Packers Spurn
Arbitration 10 Avert
Meat Strike Toniqht
Swift, Cudohy Refuse;
Union Will Deal With
Armour if Requested
By the Assoeieted Press

CHICAGO, Mar. 15.-Two of
three major meat packers yes
terday turned down an offer to
arbitrate their wage dispute with
the CIO United Packinghouse
Workers, who have called Ma
ton wide strike for 1901 am.
tomorrow.
The arbitration proposal was sent
to Swift & Co., the Cudahy Pack
ing Co. and Armour & Co.. but
Swift and Cudahy quickly rejected
it. They said they were standing on
their offer of a 9-cent an hour
wage increase.
The union, which originally had
demanded a 29-cent an hour in
crease for its 100000 members said
it would call of the strike if the
companies would accept arbitration
Of the 20 cents difference.
Armour Reply Awaited.
Armour has not replied to the
proposal but the union said it would
arbitrate with that company alone
if it accepted.
Ralph Helstein, union president,
said the offer will be kept open
until midnight tonight, one minute
before the strike is scheduled to
start. The proposal, he added, pro-
vides that the companies agree to
immediate payment of their 9-cent
offer retroactive to January IL.
In turning down arbitration, Swift
said it considers the cents a fair
wage increase" and added it recent
ly had come to terms with the AFL
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Workmeri Of North Amer
fca on that basis. The company
said that about 40 per cent of its
employees are members of the AFL
union.
New Meeting Called Today.
Federal conciliators called another
meeting for today in an effort
to avert the strike which industry
sources estimated would cut the
Nations meat supply by so per
cent and affect most consumers
within a few days. :,
Mr.. Helstein said that two thirds
Of the unions members. now receive
less than Sl.10 an hour.
In the event of a strike tomorrow,
a Swift spokesman said it's 1S
other plants throughout the Nation
and those of other companies would
attempt to step up production with
the help of the AF'L unions.
Wilson & Co., with whom the
union also had been negotiating,
had withdrawn its offer of the g.
cent increase and was not included
in the unions arbitration offer.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
by the Assoeiotsd Press

vASSALBORO. Me-, Mar. 15-
Senator Taft of Ohio, Republican
presidential aspirant, crash
landed on the ice-covered Ken
nebec River in a State of Maine
plane today but escaped injury
Senator Brewster, Republican, of
Maine, who was accompanying
Senator Taft, and the planes
pilot also escaped unhurt.
The engine cut out and there
was no time to be worried" said
Taft.
The Senators were en- route to
Old Town to inspect the airport
there. The Old Town Airport has
been suggested as an alternate to
the Dow Air Force base at Bangor
which eventually will be closed to
commercial flying
Senator Taft started a two-day
campaign tour Of Maine yester-
day.
A scheduled talk before University
of Maine students at Orono after
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Ban
|0nPoIiticsRuIed
Unconstitutional
| Indictment Of Murruy
| And CIO Dismissed
In District Court
BY the Associated Press

Justice Ben Moore in District
Court today held unconstitu-
tional the Taft-Hartley Acts ban
on union political expenditures.
On that ground he dismissed an
indictment accusing the CIO and
CIO President Philip Murray Of
violating the ban.
Mr.. Murray had sought indict.
ment in order to test the laws pro-
hibition against unions spending
money on behalf of candidates for
political Office
Labor men particularly wanted to
get ruling because they have laid
plans for extensive political activi-
ties ir this national election year.
Held to Abridge Freedom.
Justice Moore, visiting from West
Virginia, ruled the ban is IAN un-
constitutional abridgment" on free
dom of press and speech.
The CIO was thus set free to use
union newspapers In the coming
presidential campaign and to pro-
coed with its attempted purge Of
Senators and Representatives who
voted for the Taft Hartley law.
Justice Moore did not read his
opinion from the bench. He merely
handed copies to lawyers for the
Government and for the CIO. He
invited them to read his ruling and
then take any legal steps they felt
necessary
The Justice Department, as
matter OF policy. is expected to take
the case on up to the Supreme
Court Only the highest court can
give final, conclusive ruling.
Accused in 1947 Primary.
The CIO and MIR. Murray were
indicted for violating the act In
Maryland congressional primary
in l947. Mr.. Murray deliberately
sought the test. He and the CIO
asked dismissal of the indictment
on the ground the spending ban
violates freedom of speech and the
press.
The section concerned prohibits
labor organizations. or corporations,
from contributing or spending
union funds for or against a candi-
date in Federal election.
The C1O president admitted that
he had written a front-page in
dorsement in the CIO News for Ed
ward Garmatz. Democratic candi-
date for Congress in Baltimore. who
was ultimately elected.
1t also was admitted that union
funds were used to finance the CIC
News. Copies of the edition wer'
distributed in Baltimore on July IA
the day before election.
Case Watched by Union.
The case has been watched for q
ruling to guide unions on how fal
they can 60 in taking part In the
1948 presidential campaign.
Most labor organizations have an
nounced ambitious plans for 194s
campaign activities.
In argument before Judge Moore
the Government upheld the right OF
Congress to say that labor unions
cannot use union n-supported papers
to attack or support candidates
CIO attorneys contended that
Congress might have limited the
amount of money unions or corpora
tions might spend politically, but
they said the outright banning Of
political spending Is invalid,
Evening star., 1948-03-15
By Doris FIeeson

Influential Senators have been
informed that within 10 days Sec
retary of National Defense For
restal will bring to Congress a
rounded -out preparedness program
whose cornerstone will be air
power
They expect a strong message
from President Truman to accom-
pany 1t.
Mr.. Forrestal and the military
experts of his department have
been at Key West hammering the
program into shape and balancing
the demands of the still jealous
services whose heads he has been
knocking together in an effort to
achieve genuine unity.
The administration had hoped
that the preparedness plans would
not have to 60 to Congress until
after the European Recovery pro-
gram was approved. House insis-
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Meyers Gets Sentence
OF From 70 Months 10
5 Years, Starting Now
Retired General Led
To Cell in Hondcuffs;
Judge Hits Defense
By Robert K. Walsh

Maj. Gen. Bennett E. Meyers
was sentenced in District Court
today to serve from 20 months
to 5 years in prison and was or
dered by Justice Alexander
Holtzoff to begin the term i'm
mediately. At the same time
Justice Holtzoff denied a motion
for a new trial.
The 52-year-old retired Army Air
Forces purchasing agent was led
hand-cuffed from the courtroom
and put temporarily in a basement
lookup adjoining the United States
Marshals Office.
His attorneys, Immediately filed an
appeal in the United States Court
of Appeals. They also asked that
the appellate court order Justice
Holtzoff to release Meyers on bond
pending a decision on the appeal.
Meyers was to be taken to District
Jail late this afternoon, the United
States Marshal's Office announced.
The Office said it had granted a
defense request that his removal
from the courthouse be delayed
until the last "trip" is made to the
Jail by the marshal's van, usually
at 4:30 pm.
Meyers was convicted last Friday
of subornation Of perjury charges,
the specific accusation being that he
induced Bleriot H. Lamarre, an as
sociate, to testify falsely before a
Senate War Investigating Subcom-
mittee last fall.
Defense "Insinuations" Censured.
Denying a defense motion for
continuance of the $1,000 bond on
which Meyers was free since his
conviction, Justice Holtzoff declared
that the defense had not acted in
good faith during the recent trial.
He declared that defense attorneys
made frequent insinuations, inti-
nations and assertions" that Meyers
was being black-mailed by the Gov
ernment's chief witness, Lamarre,
(See MEYERS, Page AID
Evening star., 1948-03-15
provision for voluntary rent II

provision for voluntary rent In
creases up to IS per cent.
The issue over landlord-tenant
contracts for voluntary rent in
creases will be carried to the full
Senate District Committee.
Senator Cain, Republican, of
Washington, who piloted the ma
tional rent extension bill through
the Senate for the Banking and
Currency Committee, served notice
he would fight for the voluntary
rent increase provision before the
full committee.
Senator Buck, Republican. Of Del
aware, who heads the rent subcom-
mittee as we'll as the full commit
tee, maintained his stand against
the rent increase provision, con-
tending this would give District
, landlords better treatment thar
those elsewhere since the rent ad-
ministrator here already had au.
thority to grant increases on the
basis of proved increased costs ol
property management.
Two Liberalizing Changes.
The Buck subcommittee recon-
mended two liberalizing changes il
the District rent control law which
had been informally agreed u
earlier. These would decontrol nev
construction, properties which nav
been reconverted to new uses ant
transient hotel rooms.
January of this year was recon-
mended as the date for freeing
newly built or reconverted proper
ties from rent control Hotel room
would be decontrolled as of Marcl
81, the terminal date for the presen
District control law.
The proposed measure would ex
tend District rent control for othe
housing accommodations until Apri
30, 1949.
Action on the extension measure
1See TEN NFyV pace Al
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Bevin Urges Inclusion
.0f Western Germany
As ERP Farley Opens
Proposal Also Expected
To Add Spain to Nations
Under Marshall Plan
BY the ASsecioted prs.s

PARIS, Mar. 15.-The 16-na-
ton European Conference was
asked today to include Western
Germany in the reconstruction
plan for the continent.
Brisish Foreign Secretary Ernest
Bevin made the proposal. French
Foreign Minister Georges Bidault
had told the delegates that Europe's
division has become aggravated to-
day in a manner as fearsome al
it unfortunate.
Europe has been reduced to the
is nations here" Mr.. Bidault said
French occupation officials in Ger.
many announced that German rep.
resentatives from the French zone
will take part in the conference
Indications were that Portugal
would propose that Spain also be
included under the Marshall Plar
for European recovery.
Announce Proposal.
Mr.. Bevin announced a proposal
! that the Anglo American zone and
the French zone tof Germany
should be fully associated with the
work of our continuing organiza-
ton"
I'VE must cooperate together OF
perish Individually he said.
Mr.. Bevin called for reduction
of European trade barriers and ac-
ton on everything possible to pro-
mote European economic and social
well being"
He promised the conference ma
tions with overseas territories will
have special contribution te
make" He added that Europe, ir
turn, can contribute to the economic
success in these overseas terri
tories
Russia and her satellites have
spurned participation in the Mar
shall Plan, for which the United
States Senate early Sunday voted
s., 300, ,000, 900 for its first year.
Mr.. Bidault, as host, welcomed
the delegates IN the name OF liberty
He said:
THE qualified representatives OF
16 countries are proclaiming today
by their presence that they solemnly
confirm their will to work out their
own salvation, while insuring liberty
through their friendly and confident
cooperation and by aid of the
United States"
Mr.. Bevin presided. United States
Ambassador Jefferson Caffery at
tended
In Frankfurt, Gep, Lucius D. Clay
the United States military governor
said Great Britain. France, Belgium
Holland and Luxembourg already
(See CONFERENCE, Page A-41
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Moscow Warns Danes
About Press Treatment
By the Assoeiaisd Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark. Mar. IS.
- Moscow has informed Denmark
that the Soviet government is mot
too enthusiastic about the way in
which Russia is being treated by the
Danish press" Foreign once
spokesman reported today.
The Russian statement was made
by a high-ranking Soviet Foreign
Ministry official In reply to Danish
protest to Russian newspaper claims
that Denmark had formed secret
alliance with the western powers.
The protest was delivered to the
Kremlin some time ago by Danish
Minister Conrad Hanen.
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Taft and Brewster Escape Injury
As Plane Crashes on Icy River
Pilot Brings Croft Down on Kennebee When
Motor Quits After Tokeoff at Augusta, Ne.

the Old Town inspection was can
celled because of the crash.
Climbing out of the plane, which
tilted its nose into the snow cover
on the ice, Taft and Brewster, Sena-
tors, and John T. Clark, the pilot
hiked $50 feet to shore and plodded
through knee-deep snow across
fields to an inn.
Il feel good" Senator Taft said
on his arrival at Bangor. Il had no
trouble getting out of the plane.
1T was a very nice landing. We
came down slowly"
Senator Taft said Mr.. Clark told
them the crankshaft of the plane
evidently had broken.
After the landing, the plane skid
ded along the snow-covered ice
about 100 feet, coming to stop
with its nose titled down. The
propeller was bent.
To reach the river bank the trio
had to walk about $50 feet on the
ice which had a 4-inch snow cover
Climbing the steep bank, they
g. TSn CTJ na~. AcI
Evening star., 1948-03-15
Mercury 10 Reach 7Os
Today, Drop 10 S. TONIGHT

The mild weather which the Dis
trict was experiencing today will
continue tomorrow and is reasonable
evidence that spring, If not here. is
just about due, the Weather Bureau
said.
Temperatures we're expected TO
reach the lower 70s today, drop back
to about IS tonight, and then repeat
tomorrow. There is some chance Of
showers tomorrow afternoon, how
ever, the bureau said.
During the last "A hours the high
was 56 degrees, recorded at 3:54 pm.
yestei day, and the low was Il de-
grees at 6:02 am. today.