davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Alcoholic Clinic Head
Sought After WexIer
Rejects Post Offer

The District was no closer than
ever today to obtaining a director
for the projected new Alcoholic
Clinic following the announcement
that DR.. Leopold E. Wexberg, di-
rector of the Health Department S
Bureau of Mental Hygiene, had re-
jected the post.
Obviously disappointed by the
development, Commissioner Guy
Mason announced late yesterday
that Dr. Wexberg refused to accept
the clinic dictatorship unless he is
permitted to continue as director
of the Mental Hygiene Bureau.
Mr.. Mason said DR.. Wexberg was
reluctant to leave the broad field
of psychiatry offered in his present
job for the comparatively narrow
scope of work with alcoholics. The
alcoholic clinic job, however, would
have raised DR.. Wexbergs pay about
81, 600 a year, to $500.
Qualified Man Sought.
Lacking another qualified nomi-
nee for the job, Commissioner
Mason Immediately asked Federal
Security Administrator Oscar Ewing
to see if a psychiatrist can be found
in the United States Public Health
Service. Mr.. Ewing told Commis-
sioner Mason he would confer with
Surgeon General Scheele and the
Mental Hygiene Bureau to see il
the request can be granted.
Mr.. Mason said he did not want
to group the alcoholic clinic with
the Bureau of Mental Hygiene, be-
cause alcoholics 90 not like to be
regarded as mental cases. 1t /.
thought that this association nigh
have a bad effect on attempted
cures.
May Ask Congress Action.
He said he may have to asl
Congress to raise the $500 pa.
scale limit for the alcoholic clini'
dictatorship, but he added that HI
couldn't do that until Congress
convenes next month.
i DR.. Wexberg's refusal to take tn
post came less than "a hours afte
Commissioner Mason and the Citi
zens' Advisory Committee on tn
clinic unanimously decided to rec
ommend the psychiatrist's appoint
ment to the Commissioner. Th
nomination was to have been mad
next Tuesday, and it was regarded
. as certain that the city heads woult
approve.
At the same time, Mr.. Masol
said he intends to recommend tina
the clinic be set up as an indie
pendent agency within the Healtl
Department, under DR.. George c
Rutland
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Two Christmas Parties
For Children Set TODAY

Christmas activities scheduled for
today include two programs at the
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and a party
for children of the Barney Neigh
oorhood House at the Arthur MUIR
ray dance studio.
Residents of Phyllis Wheatley, 90l
Rhode Island avenue NV, were to
hold party for children who need
Christmas most" at 5 pm. today,
and at 9 o'clock will sing carols and
present a skit.
Eight children representing Bar
ney House were to attend the party
at the dance studio, 1106 Connecti-
cut avenue NV, at 5 pm. today, ia
receive gifts from teachers and pu-
pills for the house. A dancing exhi-
bition also is on the program.
Children from the Georgetown
House, st. Joseph's Home and School
and st. Vincent's Home and School
were guests of the Washington,
Soroptimist Club today at a showing
of Alice in Wonderland" at the
Village Theater
Evening star., 1948-12-18

Dennis O'Shea, 13-year-old school,
boy patrol at the Groveton Ele-
mentary School, was honored yes
terday before more than 300 other
members of Fairfax County School
patrols for leaping in front of an
automobile to save the life of a
fellow student.
Dennis was presented a pair of
fur lined gloves for his heroic act
by Fairfax Police Chief Carl Nc
Intosh at the annual Christmas
party for county patrol boys and
girls at the Fairfax Theater. Sergt.
Lewis Shumate, county safety officer,
was in charge of the event.
Sergt. Shumate said David Blavers,
11-year-old fifth-grade student at
Groveton, ran into the path of an
Evening star., 1948-12-18

Little Michael Rector, the medical
miracle child at Casualty Hospital
fought his way back to consciousness
after a delicate skin grating op-
Grafton this morning, and surgeons
said the pain in his f1re-seared body
will be greatly relieved.
Cheering Michael on in his gal
liant fight for life after the operation
was George Becraft. 81, the soft
hearted beer salesman who allowed
surgeons to peel rs square inches OF
skin from his thighs because Michael
is his friend and he admires kids
with spunk."
The doctors at first had planned
to take 100 square inches of skin
from Mr.. Becraft, but cut the opera
ton short because of the child
weakened condition after covering
the rawest areas on his body.
Now, the next big event in
Michael's life will be his fourth
birthday Thursday, and the doctors
and nurses who have labored night
and day since November IL to fight
off the ever-present threat of death
are planning party.
Its still touch and CO." the
surgeon said, "but every day we gain
now raises our hopes"
Michael suffered third and second
degree burns over three-fourths of
his body-from his ankles to his
shoulders-when his cowboy suit
caught fire. He was not expected to
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Youths Toe Cut as Officer
Shoots After Order 10 Halt

A l6-year-old boy who may have
been struck by a police bullet when
he ignored a policeman's order to
halt was nursing an injured little
toe today.
Police of No. IA precinct reported
that three patrolmen want to ques-
ton a robbery suspect believed to
be living in the $500 block of Eads
street NE.
AS they approached, a youth
identified as Raymond Williams, 16,
colored. of sos Fifty-seventh street
NE, was seen running in back of
the house. They called on him to
halt. When the youth failed to do
so, Pvt. Tarver j. Thomas, colored
fired two warning shots.
Police said that when they picked
up the boy he had a cut on his toe
Gallinger Hospital officials said it
was not determined whether the toe
had been struck by one of the bull
lets or whether the youth had
stepped on a sharp object.
The Williams boy was not wanted
for questioning in the robbery they
were investigating. police said.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Maryland Pupil Fare
Raise Effective Dec. II

In accordance with ruling of the
Maryland Court of Appeals, an
order has been filed in Baltimore
Circuit Court authorizing a scent
zone fare for school children riding
on Capital Transit lines in Mary
land.
The rate will become effective De-
cember 27.
The order, signed by Judge w
ConWell Smith, permanently re-
strains the Maryland Public Service
Commission from requiring special
3-cent rate for school children. The
PSC had fixed the pupil rate as a
condition Of granting generally
higher fares in Prince Georges and
Montgomery Counties.
Judge Smith upheld the PSC
when Capital Transit brought suit
for relief. He was reversed when
the utility took an appeal.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Woman Is Held in Staying
OF Man With Butcher Knife

Simpson Wilson, about So, colored
of 2635 I street NV, was stabbed
to death with a butcher knife IN
front of 14l9 Hopkins place NV
last night.
Held for action of the coroner is
Alice Booker, 33, colored, of the 260t
block of I street NV.
Police said the man was slain
during an alteration in the street
He was pronounced dead at Freed.
mems Hospital.
The woman, appearing before
United States Commissioner Cyri
S. Lawrence on a charge of murder
was given a continuance without
bond until Thursday.
Evening star., 1948-12-18

oncoming car. Dennis ran in front
of the car to push David aside and
save him from possible death. The
car narrowly escaped striking both
boys.
Police Pvt. Paul Dove who was
about so feet away guiding children
across an intersection. witnessed the
incident. He said the car stopped
within inches of both boys.
Every patrol boy and girl who
attended yesterdays event received
candy and fruit. James E. Palmer,
jr., special assistant to the Attorney
General, spoke on citizenship. The
program also included a variety show
of amateur and professional talent.
The Fairfax County Police Associa-
ton sponsors the annual event.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Ross|yn Auto Shop Annex
Burns; Loss Put at $4,000

The interior of the Rosslyn Auto
Body Co. building at Nineteenth anc
North Moore streets, Arlington. was
badly damaged by fire of unde.
termined origin this morning
The building which burned was q
one-story cinder block annex USED
for upholstery repair work. A COM
pany spokesman estimated damage
to equipment and upholstery stock
at about $4,000.
The fire was reported at 6 am
by Arlington policemen who noticed
smoke coming from the building as
they passed by in scout car The
blaze, fed by the combustible uphol-
stery stock, had good headway by
the time it was discovered, police
said.
Fire Chief A. c. scheffel said
heavy smoke made fire-fighting diff
ficult. Early morning traffic was
tied up for about three hours while
firemen brought the flames under
control Chief Scheffel said he had
not determined the cause OF the
blaze.
Fire companies called we're Ar
lington, Ballston, Clarendon and
Cherrydale.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
PUG Allows Removal
OF Streetcar Tracks
For Benning Buses

The Public Utilities Commission
has cleared the way for the Capital
Transit Co. to begin removing Is
miles OF streetcar track along the
Benning -Rosslyn streetcar line so
that buses can replace the street.
cars.
The buses will take over the route
on May l, when the first sections of
track will be removed. The COM
pany will decide soon, in conjunc-
ton with the District Highway De-
partment, which section is to be
removed first.
The tracks are doomed all the way
east from New York avenue and
H street NV. to Thirty-fourth
street and Benning road NE.
Tracks to be taken up include those
on the Seat Pleasant and Kenil-
worth branches.
Earlier Request Denied.
Permission was first sought by the
transit company to change to buses
last April, but the commission with
held approval because of the nation
al gasoline and oil shortage.
Last week Robert E. Friedman,
acting director of the Interior De-
partment's Oil and Gas Division,
told the PUG at a public hearing
that the petroleum situation has
improved considerably. Yesterdays
order rescinds the earlier PUG
document forestalling the CONVEX
sion from streetcars to buses.
Another controversy concerning
the changeover was temporarily
ended last September when city
officials announced they have no
immediate plans for removing the
40 elm trees that line New York
avenue between Ninth and Thir-
teenth streets NV. The trees stand
on both sides Of the streetcar tracks
in parkway style. Many officials
had advocated removal of the trees
when the tracks are taken out, de-
claring the trees to be a traffic
hazard.
Merchants Critical.
A storm of public criticism of any
move to take out the stately tree.
resulted in announcement that tht
trees probably will be left in place
when the tracks are removed.
Some merchants on H street NE
also opposed the changeover wher
the proposal was first made, fearing
it might result in eventual shifting
of the line to another crosstowr
street. Most motorists and resi-.
dents OF Northeast favored the
switch, however. because of the ex.
pected improvement in traffic con.
ditions along H street when the
streetcars are gone.
The new bus line will terminate
at Lafayette Park. according tC
transit officials. Rosslyn passengers
will take streetcars for the rest OF
the ride to Virginia. In addition
there will be two rush hour services
running from Benning, one to Nine
teenth and r streets NV. and the
other to Constitution avenue and
Twenty second street NV.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
|SymphonyFund
Appeal Limited
ToSing|eDri
Campaign in February
To Seek More Than
$l65,000 TotoI of '48

Oflcers Of the National SYM
phony Orchestra Association def
nitely have decided to make only
one fund appeal in 1949, it was
learned today.
They also expect to seek a larger
amount than the $165 600 raised
this year. The 1949 drive opens
February 8.
/ Whether that appeal will include
funds for the summer Water Gate
series, however, appeared today to
depend on a decision of the WASH
ington Board of Trade on a propo-
sal that it aid in the drive.
Top officers of both organizations
conferred on this proposal yester-
day, and later the symphony lead
ers decided to await Board Of Trade
action before setting definite fund
goal. Some action may be taken
by the Trade Board at a meeting of
its Executive Committee Monday.
Single Drive Recommended.
Yesterdays conference was called
after symphony leaders sought to
learn whether the Trade Board
would be willing next year to repeat
last summers special Water Gate
fund drive, organized under Trade
Board leadership. That drive
raised $4,000 in guarantees.
Leaders of the business group
recommended for next gear a sim
gle-package fund drive large
enough to include the summer as
well as the winter concerts. This,
it was learned, was accepted in prin-
ciple by the symphony conferees.
The orchestra directors are under
stood to be willing to tie in the
Water Gate budget, however, only
II Board of Trade help can be ex-
pected in the regular fund drive.
Even If the Water Gate series Is
abandoned-and officers of both Or
ganizations hope this can be
avoided-the orchestra is expected
to need more than this years $685.
900 to keep it operating through
the 1949-50 season. Plans for next
year call for the same 85-piece Or
chestra as this year, plus the usual
guest soloists and additional guest
conductors.
Estimated Top of 100000.
New music rentals-substituti
for a 5000 library being lost with
the resignation of DR.. Hans Kind
ler-and possible increases in mu-
sicians' pay are among higher costs
expected to be encountered.
Despite these problems, orchestra
leaders are wary of any drastic in
crease in the fund appeal because
of fear of an adverse effect on the
public, particularly in view of the
impending change in the organiza-
tion's leadership. When DR.. Kinder
leaves in March, it will lose both
its founder and its director for all
its II years.
Thus, while no official prediction
of the fund goal is yet available,
key leaders are known to consider
100000 an outside limit, and some
regard even that amount as too
high.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
D. {. Man Killed in Crash;
VIRGINIA Truck Driver Held

A Washington resident coming
home for the Christmas holidays
was killed instantly Thursday night
in head-on collision about Is mile.
south of Fredericksburg, Va, it was
learned today.
He was Leonard S. Baird, %, oi
829 Quincy street NV, a graduate
student and part-time instructor at
the University of Richmond.
Virginia State police reported Mr.
Baird's car collided with a light
truck, which burst into flames after
the crash. The driver of the truck,
listed as Sidney G. Blevins, 81, of
|Powhattan, Va, was charged with
reckless driving.
A tentative trial date was set for
January IA, and Blevins, who was
uninjured, was released on $4,000
bon l.
Mr.. Baird is survived by his
mother, Mrs. P. r. Sussell, and a
brother, Roy A. Baird, both of
Washington, and his father, David
IL. Baird of Richmond.
A Navy veteran, he graduated
from the University of Richmond
last year. He was teaching biology
! Powhatan, Va, was charged with
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Maryland Faces
|8% Rise in Tax
Assessments
Property Values Of
1914 Will Be Used
As Yurdstick

Tax assessment increases averag-
ing 8 per cent are in prospect for
Marylanders as the result of q de-
cision to use 1914 property values
as the assessment yardstick.
The State Tax Commission has
just issued instructions to its asses
sors for the change. Heretofore,
cash values of 1912 were used as
the yardstick.
The increase will be reflected in
1850 tax bills for most sections of
the State but in Montgomery Coun-
ty will show up late next year.
Under the Maryland system Of
continuous assessments, the new
basis will be used first for the sec.
tlons now being reassessed in Mont
gomery County. Elsewhere it will
apply first to areas to be reassessed
during 1949.
1914 Called Fair Level.
One-fifth of each taxing area is
reassessed every year. MONTGOMERY
County is ahead of most of the
State because the plan was inaugu.
rated there. in May, 1943. Hence,
the first cycle was completed last
May and the county now is re-
assessing the Bethesda-S Silver
Spring -Takoma Park area o second
time.
Albert w. Ward, executive secre-
tary of the State Tax Commission,
said the change was made because
sale and building prices have been
up SO long it now is fair to use the
1914 level as representing the normal
market values of property.
Increase Will Vary.
He said the commission felt that
if recession comes, values will not
decline below this level. The infla-
tionary prices of more recent years,
similarly, are regarded as abnormal
for use as yardstick, he said.
Mr.. Ward said the assessment in
creases would depend on the type Of
construction. He estimated they
would range from 6 to 10 per cent.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
More CIergymen Warned
On Reporting Marriages

Ten clergymen, summoned to Mu-
nicipal Court to explain delays in
reporting certain marriages they
performed, were warned yesterday
to get all future reports in on time.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Clark King reported he held a one
hour hearing with the ministers in
his Office. None was charged with
violating the District Court rule re-
qulring that marriage reports bs
filed by the performing clergyman
within 10 days of the ceremony.
Mr.. King would not reveal names
of the latest group called to his
Office. OF nearly 20 ministers in
volved, only one has been charged.
About so more will be summoned
in the near future, the prosecutor
said.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
| Dead, 7 Hurt in Shooting
In Baltimore Apartment
BY the Asseeiefed Press

BALTIMORE, Dec. 18.-One man
was killed and two others wounded
last night in a mysterious outbreak
of gunfire in an East Baltimore
apartment
Police tentatively identified the
slain man as Edward Eagan, 26,
They said minor wounds were suf-
fered by David Brandenhurg, Is,
and Ernest Appetite.
Police 1t. Otis Bradley and Sgt.
Walter Messner reported five men
and a woman were in the apart
ment at the time of the shooting.
The other said they had neither
recovered the weapon nor estab-
lished a motive for the shooting.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Club Porty Gambling
Roid Trial DeIuyed

Trial of William r. Schreck, 2704
Central avenue, Alexandria. who
was charged with gambling after
Fairfax County police raided an Ar
lington Optimist Club party Novem-
ber 10, was postponed yesterday and
Assistant Commemorative Attorney
Lytton Gibson said the gambling
charge probably will be nolle
pressed.
Mr.. Schreck was chairman of the
committee which staged a benefit
party for the Optimist Club at
Hunters Lodge, on Lee highway
near Centerville. Police said when
they raided the place horse race
game, using motion pictures, was
being conducted.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
6. ". G|ee Clubs 10 Present
Christmas Concert Toniaht

The George Washington Univer-
sity combined Glee Club will present
their traditional Christmas concert
at 8:l5 o'clock tonight in Lisner
Auditorium.
DR.. Robert Harmon, university
physician and organizer of the Glee
CLUBS, will direct the concert-his
25th annual Christmas concert al
the school, The program will include
'The Christ Child Cantata," by G
B. Hawley; the Hallelujah Chorus
from Handel's Messiah; ''Tht
First Noel "Cantique de Noel" ane
silent Night" A number of carols
will be sung with the audience join
ing in.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Child Guidance Clinic
Hopes 10 Obtain Funds
To Prevent Shutdown

The Mental Hygiene Clinic estab-
lished by the Georgetown Neighbor-
hood Council for children OF
Georgetown and the surrounding
area will have to close unless funds
can be raised for its support, it was
ANNOUNCED yesterday.
The child guidance clinic has been
in operation two half days a week
since May 5, functioning under the
direction of the District Health De-
partment and subsidized by funds
raised by the neighborhood council
| The councils clinic committee
hopes that by spring, District funds
may be forthcoming to carry the
clinic as part of the regular pro-
gram. 1t is out of money now, how
ever, and operation costs amount to
about 500 month.
20 Being Treated.
Mrs. Dorothy Harding, council
chairman, said 20 children are under
treatment at present. Three of the
main reasons for which children are
brought in, she said, are serious
school beheayior problems, bed wet
ting and stealing.
Treatment is by private COUNSEL
ing with parents and children, and
by play therapy.
The latter entails planned play
for groups of children, during which
the youngsters behavior may be OBJ
served and analyzed. An l1-year-
old boy truant who had not been
helped by other treatment was
found through play therapy to b
suffering from a fear of competition
Mrs. Harding reported. He is now
being helped by a program of en-
couragement and development OF
mis- abilities.
Cites Benefits to Parents.
Mrs. Harding said the clinic is O
great Importance to all parents
since the Strengthening out of
child's behavior problem benefit
his fellow pupils at school through
the saving in the teachers time.
The need for clinic was recog
nized by the neighborhood counc
after two years study of juvenll
delinquency in the Georgetown are,
Through consultation with tn
Mental Hygiene Bureau of th
Health Department, they foun
space available in the health centt
on o street between Wisconsin ave
nue. and Thirty-third street NV
Personnel was available, also, br
the council had to raise money fc
equipment and for salary of anothe
specialist.
Left Without Funds.
The neighborhood council is
representative group which usual
does not engage in -raisin
ventures, it was explained. TIL
need for a clinic, however, was con
sidered to call for an exception
Miss Mary Henderson is chairman
OF the clinic committee.
The committee raised enough
money to operate the clinic for :
few months until District Fund,
were forthcoming. An unexpected
earmarking of Health Department
funds, however, has left nothing tt
support the clinic at present, it was
explained.
Residents interested in support.
ing the clinic may send checks made
out to the Georgetown Neighbor.
hood Council to the Rev. William
Sharn 3238 q street NV
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Maryland Traffic Injuries
Rise 10 965 in Month
= BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Dec. 18-Person-
al injuries from traffic mishaps
jumped from 443 in october to 96s
last month, the Maryland TRAFFIC
Safety Commission reported yester-
day.
However, traffic fatalities de-
creased slightly. Last month 80 per-
sons were killed in automobile ac-
cidents, compared with IS for Oc-
tober.a
Nearly half of those injured were
in Baltimore city Baltimore Coun-
ty was next with ISL, with Prince
Georges third, with 66.
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Club Indorses Report

The Mu-So-Lit Club, sponsored OF
leading colored business and pro-
fessional men of the District, has
Endorsed the report of the Commit
tee on Segregation in the National
Capital. A committee to cooperate
with the group which drew up the
report was appointed by Perry w
Howard, club president. Appointed
chairman was George H. Murray
Evening star., 1948-12-18
Robertson Urges Action
To Prevent New War
BY the Associated Press

ROANOKE, Va. Dec 18.-The va
rious factions and interests within
the United States must stop hag-
Cling among themselves and con-
centrate on preventing war with
Russia, Senator Robertson, Demo-
crat, of Virginia said yesterday.
He told the Virginia Horticulture
Society that Russia plans to begir
war with the United States as soor
as she thinks she has the strength
to win.
The society, which ended its 53c
annual meeting yesterday, elected r
s. Graves of Syria as president.