davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-04-13

Harold E. Stassen is the over
vhelming presidential choice OF
Methodist ministers from 38 States
who took part in poll taken here
today. Henry A. Wallace took sec
ond place in the vote.
Mr.. Stassen was given 43 votes
and Mr.. Wallace 18, while other
candidates won these votes: Gov.
Dewey and Senator Taft, 7 each;
President Truman and Gen. Mac
Arthur. 5 each, and Senator VAN
denberg, l.
The poll was taken at a graduate
seminar held by American Univer-
sity. The more than 100 ministers
opened their three-day meeting at
the Willard Hotel this morning.
In discussing Mr.. Wallaces Sec
ond-place showing in the presi-
dental poll, several of the min
listers ascribed it to his books which
"have definite Christian en-
phasis." Others said Mr.. Wallace
was well known as a Methodist lay
man before he became cabinet
officer.
On the question of whether oul
relations with Russia are being ham
died "in an intelligent manner" "a
ministers replied no" while IL sale
yes"
President Truman's handling oi
world affairs was rated inferior" by
56 of the ministers while 27 con.
sidered 1t average" None voteo
that the President is doing the "best
possible job while s voted that he
was doing "the worst possible" job
On the question of universal mill.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Visiting Methodist Pastors Rate
Stossen First, Wallace Second

tarv training, 81 voted that 1t is
not necessary while said it is.
A note of optimism concerning
a possible third World War came
in response to a question on its
'inevjtability. The vote was 81 to 6
that new war is not inevitable.
Chief speaker at the morning ses-
sion was George V. Allen. Assistant
Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
The final session of the gathering is
scheduled for Thursday morning at
the Hotel Washington.
Mr.. Allen told the gathering that
oil in the Near East was both an
economic and strategic question" p"
However, he declared that "oil has
by no means been the dominating
or even an important factor in COM
parison with the other factors de-
termining our policy in the Near
East"
Russia fears the United States
but I do not think she has a basis
for that fear" Mr.. Allen said. I'VE
are willing to live in peace with the
Communist system in Russia but
am afraid Russia does not want to
live in peace with the democratic
system outside"
The gathering heard DR.. Ernest
S. Griffith. director Of the Legisla-
tive Reference Service. Library of
Congress, speak on What Is the
Nature of Communism" at their
luncheon at the Carlton Hotel today.
The seminar will break up into
work groups this afternoon and will
visit different Embassies late in the
afternoon and this evening.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Horan Committee Studies
D. {. Hospital Problems

The Koran Subcommittee of the
House in charge of the District bud
get turned its attention today to
hospital problems.
Representatives of virtually all
public and private hospitals here
attended the session. The cost OF
charity patients was examined.
Officials said at the end of the
morning hearing requests were made
for large District payments to pri-
vate hospitals for charity cases and
for extending this system to more
private hospitals.
The pending budget calls for an
outlay Of $685., 900 to four private
hospitals for the care of charity pa
tients. This Is divided: For Chill
dren's Hspital, $4,000; Emergency,
5000; Casualty, $65, 900, an Wash
ington Home for Incurables, $35, 900.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
American U. to Have
.Sonq Contest Tonight

Three fraternities and four soFo-
rites Of American University will
compete at 8 o'clock tonight in the
annual Panhellenic- -Interfraternity
Song Fest at the university's Leon
ard Student Center.
Vocal groups from each fraternity
and sorority will sing two songs, to
be judged on appearance, presenta-
ton and musical ability. An Inter-
fraternity-Sorority Committee will
award a cup to the best boys and
girls group. Judges will be Wester-
welt Romaine, Mrs. Edith Henry. and
Gordon Smith. all Of the university
music department.
Trophies also will be presented
tonight to the persons voted out
standing fraternity senior and out
standing independent senior. The
university will give keys to nine
students in recognition Of their work
in behalf Of the institution.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
New Presbyterian Pastors Here
Must Pass Psychological Test

questions to be given by psychol-
ogist from the Presbyterian Board
of Christian Education. DR.. Clifford
E. Davis of Philadelphia.
Wilbur La Roe. jr., moderator OF
theeGeneral Assembly OF the Pres
byterian Church in the q. s. A.. will
head a delegation of three min
listers and two other laymen to the
annual meeting of the denomina-
tons body next month at Seattle,
Wash.
Ministers elected yesterday to
represent the Washington City Pres
bytery are the Rev. J. Hillman Hol-
lister, pastor Of Chevy Chase Pres
byterian Church; George H. Yount,
pastor Of First Presbyterian Church,
Arlington, Va, and James F. Lund-
ouist, pastor of Lewinsville Presby-
terian Church, Mclean, Va.
Laymen chosen were John Cum
ther OF the Clifton tVa) Presbyter-
ian Church and Jennings e. Brown
of the Vienna (va) Presbyterian
Church.
The Rev. J. Howard Braunlein,
moderator Of the Synod of Balti-
more, addressed the gathering last
night. Mr. Hollister. moderator Of
the Washington Presbytery, pre-.
sided
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Bond Is SET in Mailing
OF Obscene Pictures

United States Commissioner Need
ham C. Turnage today ordered
James A. Murphy, "a, colored. Of the
1900 block of Corcoran street NV,
held under 5000 bond on charges
of sending obscene photographs
through the mails.
Postal Inspector Harry j. Simon
showed the commissioner photo
graphs which he said were among
thousands conf1scated yesterday dur
ing a raid on the Corcoran street
apartment when Murphy was ar
rested.
Mr.. Turnage said he had never
seen anything as bad as this" in his
Is years as commissioner here.
Il have an idea," he declared
that sex crimes here and elsewhere
are prompted, at least in part, by
the distribution of such photo
graphs"
Murphy pleaded not guilty and
waived a hearing.
Mr.. Simon identified him as a
former bookbinder at the Govern
ment Printing Office.
1t. Roy Blick, head of the vice
squad, said it took several hours to
remove the files of pictures, orders
and Photographic equipment from
the apartment. The arrest. he said,
climaxed a two-months investiga-
ton by Mr.. Simon.
Police said Murphy. a photogra-
pher, advertised sale of the pictures
in a national magazine and hired a
number of models to pose for the
photographs. A 27-year-old woman
who was in the apartment with
Murphy was held for investigation.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Montgomery Defers
School Bond Issuance

The Montgomery County Com
missioners today voted to defer is
suance of more bonds for school
construction until September.
County Supervisor Irving G. Nc
Nayr said that by May l the Board
of Education will have spent ap-
proximately $1,139, 900 of the $2,-
000, 900 bond issue Of last october.
He added that the Board of Edu-
cation now has funds available to
meet all outstanding commitments
and any new ones which may be
entered into through August Of this
year.
At that time, the commissioners
said in their resolution, they will
issue bonds or make other funds
available based upon estimates of
the Board of Education. The
amounts will not exceed the $3,000,-
900 however.
"A 5000, 900 bond issue was auth
orized at the 1947 session OF the
General Assembly. and the Board Of
Education has urged that the re-
manning 5000, 900 be issued i'm
mediately.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
8o6 Increase in Rents
At kennedy-Warren
Backed by Examiner

District Rent Examiner James G.
Tyson today recommended an aver
age 834 per cent increase in the
monthly rentals OF the BIT apart
ments in the Kennedy-Warren, 1888
Connecticut avenue NV.
Unless his recommendation is ap-
pealed to District Rent Control
Administrator Robert F. Cogswell by
April % by owners or tenants Of the
apartment house, it will become
effective automatically.
The owner of the building, the
Klingle Corp. had sought an increase
averaging 1434 per cent, an in
crease in revenues of S49,396.08 a
year. The company, in its petition,
cited increased expenses as well as
the effect of higher real estate taxes
and water rents, as justification Tor
the proposed rent increase.
The increase recommended oy MI
Tyson will yield the owners OF the
building an additional $28,746 a year.
Hitherto. rents at the Kennedy
Warren have ranged from S545o a
month for two rooms and a bath
to $3.50 a month for seven rooms
and three baths. Under the recon-
mended increase, they would range
from $3.50 to $205.0O
A preliminary hearing on the case
February 10 was continued to Marcn
%. At the later hearing, tenants
presented testimony challenging
validity of bookkeeping practices OF
agents for the owners in connec-
ton with the rent-increase petition.
At that hearing James A, Crooks,
attorney for the tenants. said they
we're not protesting against a rent
increase, but wanted it held within
'sya1id limits"
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Coroner's Jury Holds Two
In Deaths, Abso|ves Third

A coroner's jury yesterday held
two persons for grand jury action
and exonerated a third.
Absolved of blame in the Friday
traffic death of Henry Cook. IA,
colored, of 1929 Chesapeake street
NV, was Albert w. Miller, "a, OF
4424 Butterworth place NV. Mr.
Cook was struck as be crossed Ne
braska avenue at Thirty-eighth
street NV.
Held for further action and
charged by police with murder were
George Brooks, 80, colored, Of the
1900 block of Ninth street NV,
and Lucille Belton, 30, colored, OF
the 600 block of N street NV.
Brooks was held in connection
with the death Of Wilfred Smith,
4s, colored, of 2232 Eighth street
NV. He was shot Sunday at Ninth
street and Florida avenue NV. fol-
lowing what police said was a dis
pute over a dice game.
The Belton woman was held IN
the death Of George Simmons, IS,
colored, of the N street address. Mr.
Simmons was stabbed March n at
his home.
Evening star., 1948-04-13

Lady Astor presented the Capitol
yesterday with a fragment of the
British Parliament Building de-
stroyed by German bombs on May
10, 1941.
The stone, bearing an inscription
in lead and inclosed in a glass case,
was accepted by Speaker Martin in
a brief ceremony in the Speaker S
rooms.
Lady Astor, in making the presen-
tation read this statement: May
I as the first woman member of
Parliament and a native of Virginia
present this stone to the United
States.
May these fragments Of stone
and lead, once part OF the fabric of
the House of Commons, serve
as a memorial to the common
heritage of the English-speaking
peoples"
She then left the prepared text to
say, "Mr. Speaker, I've heard the
bombs fall and seen the members of
Parliament sit quite still and not
turn hair. 1t was a most in
spring thing"
In accepting the stone, Mr.. Mar
tin said that, after the victorious
conclusion of the second joint Brit
sh-American war effort, it seemed
not too much to hope for a better
Evening star., 1948-04-13
| Star Carrier
Traces Owner of
| Rino He Found

Star Carrier William Little Is
IS richer today and Richmond
has recovered a ring
ne lost five years ago.
About a month ago, young Little.
who is IA, found Masonic gold
ring in the 5400 block of Colorado
avenue NV. Inscribed within the
band was the name Irving
Markell"
Then. aided by his mother, Mrs.
Edward Little, 924 Longfellow
street NV, the hunt for Mr.. Mar
kel began. They called the Markets
listed in the phone book. Finally,
they found man who knew the
owner OF the ring.
The ring is being returned to Mr..
Markell in Richmond. Young Little
already has received his reward.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Man Pleads Guilty
In SIoyino of Wife

Duval l.. Smith, SO, pleaded guilty
to second degree murder today in
District Court in the fatal stabbing
of his wife, Hazel, %, a domestic
worker, on october Is.
Smith told police he and his wife,
were playing" in their basement
quarters in the 2800 block OF Thirty
eighth street NV, when she ran
into the knife. Both are colored.
Smith was indicted for first degree
murder last November, but today
was permitted to plead to the lesser
charge before Justice David A. Pine.
Assistant United States Attorney
A. j. Mclaughlin explained there
were no eye witnesses to the stab
bing. No date was set for sentenc-
ing.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Lack of Funds to Fix Grounds
Puts New Schools in 'MudhoIes|

enough money available to get the
work done, school officials point out.
Some Work Being Done.
There remains only small bal
ance from the cost of construction.
The other money available must
come from the amount allotted to
current maintenance and improve
ment of present grounds, from the
money allotted the continuing pro-
gram of resurfacing present grounds,
or from further appropriations.
From current funds, some work IS
being done, according to Howard P.
Stafford, associate superintendent In
charge of buildings and grounds.
Grading and seeding of the bare
clay in front of the Richardson
School will begin soon. At Slowe,
construction of retaining wall
with drain is under way to keep
the water from washing clay down
on the building.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, presi-
dent of the Board of Education
pointed out the dilemma facing the
school officials. It was matter of
whether it was more important to
get the schools built. which were
badly needed, or sticking to declared
policies which recognized the i'm
portance Of recreation in education,
she said.
1--WE accepted the schools that
way because it was necessary" she
said. I'VE were pushed and had
to make some concessions we didn't
like to make. We didn't want to
deprive the children of the educa-
tion they should have #
Every new school now contem-
plated will have to be accepted
without the grounds in proper con-
dition, school officials said. Under
contract now for construction are
nine new schools or major addi-
tions. Six schools authorized in the
1948 appropriations act should be
under contract soon. Ten more are
in the planning stage, but no money
HI been appropriated for begin
n ng construction.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Senator Chavez to Speak
At NAACP MEETING

Senator Chavez, Democrat, Of New
Mexico will speak at mass meeting
sponsored by the National Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Colored
People at 5 pm. Sunday in All
Souls Unitarian Church, Sixteenth
and Harvard streets NV.
The meeting, at which Walter
White, executive secretary Of the
association, will preside, will mark
the end of the current membership
drive. Six radio stations will re-
ceive awards for their cooperation
in the drive. They are WWDC,
WQQW, WTOP, WINK, WOOK and
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Poll Ordered
In University
Women Slight
Referendum to Shape
Reply to UItimotum
Over Racial Ban

A referendum will determine
whether the Washington branch of
the American Association of Uni
versity Women will continue its
present practice of "selective mem
bership' in the face of an ultimatum
from the national AAUW.
The ultimatum climaxed con-
troversy that began more than 18
months ago over the refusal of the
branch to admit a colored college
graduate, Mrs. Mary Church Ter
rell, to membership. The national
group has ruled that degree from
an AAUW-approved institution Is
the sole requirement for member
ship.
The national board told the
Washington branch Saturday 1t
would have to decide by May 6
whether 1t will change its member
ship rules or cease operating as
branch of the AAUW.
The decision to put the question
to the membership through a refer
endum came at a meeting OF the
Washington branch's Board OF d.
rectors.
Mrs. G. r. Wilhelm, branch presi-
dent, said the board decided the
entire branch must make the final
determination.
She said the ballots will be sent
as soon as the question can be
worded concisely. She expected the
results would be known in 10 days
or two weeks.
In substance, she said, the mem
bership will be asked this question:
wv neither the Washington
branch wishes to conform to the
bylaws of the national association
as interpreted by their Clarif1cation
Committee or to continue in their
contention that the branch bylaws
do not conflict and that branches
have autonomy in selection OF their
membership" J
The national ultimatum, she said,
will be quoted on the ballot so the
membership will know exactly what
it is voting on.
"Well do everything we can to
present the whole situation fairly
to the membership" Mrs. Wilhelm
said.
The national association, she said,
was in error in saying the Wash
ington branch has a business meet
ing scheduled for May 6. Actual
ly, she explained, the next meet
ing is the annual one at the end
of May.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Full Refunds to Be Paid
On Blossom Fete Tickets

Ticketholders to last Sundays
Cancelled performance of the Cherry
Blossom Festival may present them
for full refund at the information
booth in the lobby Of The Star
Building, Eleventh street and Penn
sylvania avenue NV.
Refunds for the show, which was
called off because OF bad weather.
will be made until pm. Saturday.
according to C. J. Mack. chairman
of the Festival Committee.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
By Colt HendIey Jr.

Board of Education members have
described the new Richardson and
Slowe Elementary Schools as build
ings sitting in a "mudhole."
School officials, teachers, building
custodians and everyone concerned
agrees that sums up the situation.
The problem the Board OF Educa-
ton is studying is what to do about
it.
AS a result Of what was practi-
cally a mandate from Congress last
year, Municipal Architect Merrill
Coe revised plans for proposed
schools to cut out "frills" and reduce
construction costs by about 6 per
cent. This was done SO that much
needed schools could be built within
the appropriations granted by Con-
gress.
Improvements Dropped.
One item eliminated was the
improvement Of grounds"
The Richardson School, Fifty
third and Blaine streets NE, and
the Slowe School, Fourteenth and
Jackson streets NE, we're the first
to feel the ban. Both buildings
were completed and put into use for
colored pupils early this year.
Here is what pupils and teachers
at the two schools have to contend
with:
Richardson sets back from the
street, surrounded by red clay. Three
of four cement walks lead TO- the
entrances, but they end in a stretch
of clay separating the street and
school property. Planks are laid
from the street to the walks.
When it rains, the school grounds
turn into a six-inch deep mudhole
1t is sweep and scrape all day long
custodians say, as a result of more
than TOO children tracking mud
into the building. Even after the
rain stops, it takes several days fol
the mud to dry. Then it gets dusty
Action IS Sought.
Slowe School, on the other hand
stands at the corner Of Fourteenth
and jackson streets NE. with a
high clay bank on two sides OF
the building.
When it rains. muddy clay runs
in torrents around the school and
settles in pools between the building
and the bank.
The Board of Education has asked
the Commissioners to rush estimates
of how much it will cost to improve
the grounds and get the work under
way as soon as possible at Richard
son..
Slowe Is a more difficult task as
the hilly terrain calls for much i'm
proving. The board also asked the
Commissioners to rush estimates
on work there and to take steps to
dispossess the occupants of 1921
Jackson street NE. That house is
school property and is on the section
of the land to be improved.
Actually, there probably is not
Evening star., 1948-04-13
W. r. Hearst, Jr., in Collision

William Randolph Hearst, jr.. 40,
of New York, publisher OF the New
York Journal American, was in
volved in a collision of three cars on
the Fourteenth Street Bridge this
morning. No one was injured. Po-
lice said Mr.. Hearst was the driver
of the third of three cars which
piled up on each other when traftlc
on the bridge suddenly halted.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
'Viers Mill Probers
Study VA Approval
OF $500 Sale Price

A House Expenditures Subcon-
tmittee investigating the 1,40O-unlt
Viers Mill Village dwelling project
near Wheaton, Md, today had be-
fore it Veterans Administration
ptnciars. indorsement of the ss,7oo
sale price.
The approval OF that price for
the houses offered veterans came
from Morgan B. Callahan, loan
guarantee officer of VA for Metro
politan Washington.
Mr.. Morgan testified the VA has
made a tentative commitment to
insure $1,000 second mortgages on
the homes. if the houses are built
according to specifications and re-
ceive a certificate of compliance
from the Federal Housing Agency.
At a previous hearing, James H.
Hewitt, director of the FHA Dis
trict Insuring Office, told the sub
committee the houses will very
definitely be worth" the s8,700 price.
"Rock . Chimney" Offer.
Another development yesterday
was an offer of $1,000 to any one
who would rock chimney" The
offer was made by Max E. Green
berg, attorney for the Harris Con-
struction Co., which is building the
homes.
David B. Johannes, Silver
Spring architect, testified before
the committee a week ago that
chimneys set flush on basement
floors of the homes "swayed alarm
ingly" when pushed.
Mr.. Greenberg's offer came during
Mr.. Callahan's testimony. Chair
man Snyder of the subcommittee
rebuked him for volunteering state
ments when he was not on the
witness stand. Then Mr.. Snyder
added:
There may be some to take you
up on that offer There are some
people here who have rocked them
(the chimneys). know of num-
Der of charities who could use that
$1,000"
Mr.. Greenberg stipulated that the
chimney must be one on which the
mortar has set.
Retained Appraisers.
Mr.. Callahan said he retained five
experienced appraisers to 60 over
the plans and specifications. He
said they also viewed the site last
January 3. They reported unani-
mously that, if construction was ac-
cording to specifications the value
of the homes would be s8,700.
One of the, five was Richard l..
Parli, architect and appraiser. Mr..
Callahan said Mr.. Parli had been
employed by the developers Of the
project to draw set of plans for
the houses. He said he ascertained,
before retaining Mr.. Parli, that the
man had not been engaged as super
vising architect of the project.
Edward r. johnson, Government
employe living at 5051 First street
NV, said he visited the model home
at the project and thought it "far
inferior" for the price. He said he
was testifying as a citizen and
veteran and did not have any
special knowledge of home con-
struction.
The subcommittee will resume its
hearings at 10 am. next Tuesday.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Students to Give Show

Students of Bladensburg High
School will present minstrel show,
"Swanee Serenaders," in the school
auditorium at pm. Friday. The
cast will include 40 pupils of the
school, under the direction of Miss
Margaret Wilmington. music in
structor.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
lO6 Traffic Tickets
Cancelled or Adjusted

Traffic ticket cancellations and
adjustments totaled LOG last week,
police headquarters announced yes
terday. That figure is five below
the total for the preceding week.
Police said eight TRANCE tickets
were cancelled last week, while SO
violators were excused with warn
ings.
Evening star., 1948-04-13
Higher Costs Predicted
At Building Congress

Some rise in construction costs
may be expected in the wake of re-
cent inflationary actions on the
part of Congress, Robert c. Sim
mons of Johns-Mansville Corp. told
the Washington Building Congress
yesterday.
The meeting was held in the
Mayfower Hotel.
Mr.. Simmons urged builders to
seek to improve efficiency and ad-
vised them not to be discouraged
by higher prices.