davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-01-31
DR.. John 6. jenkins
Found Shot 10 Death

DR.. John G. Jenkins, 46, director
of research and professor of ply.
chology at the University of Mary.
land, was found dead with bullet
wound in the heart last night al
his home, 1912 Clagett road, Uni
versity Park.
Prince Georges County police saio
the bullet came from .22-calibel
target pistol found beside the body
DR.. Jenkins was found on the
couch of a basement study by his
son, John G. jenkins, jr. DR.. James
I. Boyd, deputy medical examiner
for Prince Georges County, said he
would issue a certificate of suicide
A native of New Jersey, DR.. Jen-
kins studied at Cornell University
and Iowa State College. He served
on the faculties at Cornell, Iowa
State and Illinois before coming to
Maryland in 1888.
DR.. Jenkins served In the Navy
during the war as a commander In
naval aviation psychology work.
He was the second University OF
Maryland professor to commit
suicide this week. William Gilbert
Eckles, professor of educational ad-
ministration, shot himself to death
last Tuesday at his home, University
Heights, Md.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
8.0706 Rent Boost Granted
In F Street Apartments

A rent increase averaging 807
per cent for 96 apartments at 2115
F. street NV. today has the approv-
al of the District rent control office.
Thomas J. Fisher and Co., owners
of the building, had sought an in
crease averaging 20 per cent, which
would have raised the company's
yearly revenues by s10,088. The in
crease approved by Rent Admins
traitor Robert F. Cogswell will yield
$4,074.
Under the new schedule, rents in
the apartment house will range from
$3.50 to $50 per month. The pres
ent range is from $50 to $3.50
per month.
Mr.. Cogswell's recommendation
will become effective February 8,
unless owners or tenants petition
against the decision in the mean
time.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Usury Case Dropped
As Firm Explains Fees

Usury charges filed earlier this
week against the Equitable Credit
Co., Inc, 1900 H street NE, were
dropped, after a preliminary hear
ing yesterday, when Chief Assistant
Corporation Counsel Clark F. King
announced he was satisfied" no
illegal interest rates had been
charged by the firm.
Testimony at the hearing revealed
that nearly all of $120 sum, which
the complaining witness had con-
tracted to pay on a $500 loan, rep
resented premiums on two insur-
ance policies, rather than interest.
The policies, each for $500 for life
insurance and automobile accident
coverage, were sold by the firm in
conjunction with the loan.
Harold Freeman, vice president of
the company, showed Mr.. King the
witness, Olivia R. Williams, of the
800 block of Division avenue NE,
had signed to pay a total of $1092 20
in premiums on the policies, effec-
tive during the one-year period of
the loan.
Only $50 represented the interest
charge-Well under the per cent
annual interest rate allowed by law
while $150 was for service fees,
Mr.. Freeman said. The accident
policy premium of $105 covered the
woman's automobile, which she had
put up as security on the $500 loan,
the executive added.
Another hearing on a usury COM
plant involving another loan firm,
Auto Loan Service, 638 Pennsylvania
avenue Sc, was cancelled yesterday
by Mr.. King, when he learned the
complaining witness would not pros
ecute.
Prompted by the appearance dur
ing the day of four other persons
voicing complaints of transactions
with other loan companies, Mr. King
warned those obtaining loans mot
to sign any blank forms and to read
everything you sign and take home
copy of the contract signed"
Evening star., 1948-01-31
7 U. 5. Workers Drop
Fiaht AGAINST Eviction

Two Government workers, named
defendants in an eviction suit, yes
terday waived a jury trial in land
lord and tenants branch of Munich
pal Court and agreed to move by
July 81 from the contested prem
ises, an apartment at 914 Hamilton
street NV.
The agreement was reached be-
tween the Navy Department work.
ers, Mrs. Isabella Melia, Is, and Miss
Sophie Niemiec, 90, and the land
lady, Mrs. Wanda Frank, 1340 Mary
land avenue NE, just before the
case was to have come to trial before
Judge Walter j. Casey.
Under the agreement, the tenants
must pay $65 monthly rental until
the deadline and must forfeit al
rights to an appeal or to a further
extension. Milton Mindell. their at
torney, declared earlier the young
women had to pay $110 a month ir
rent until a complaint to the Rent
Control Board led to reduction te
the $65 figure.
Mrs. Frank said she needs the
Hamilton street apartment for hel
ewn use.
Evening star., 1948-01-31

Movie talent" scouts were present
and radio network was represented
with recording machines as more
than 100 members of Congress, their
families and members Of their stats
met last night at the Statler Hotel
for a "barbershop singing" session.
Representative Carson, Republi-
can, of Ohio was master OF cere-
monies. He named committee to
plan a permanent quartet organ
ization for members of Congress and
Capitol Hill staff members.
A Republican quartet and Dem
ocratic quartet-with one Repubh-
can ringer-showed what kind OF
singing House members can do.
Among committee members named
by Mr.. Carson was one to promote
organization of barbershop quartets
on the Senate side of the hill.
The Democratic and Republican
ouartets Immediately received pro-
posals from motion picture repre-
sentatives present, to appear before
their cameras-either as separate
uuartets or a combined foursome OF
two from each party.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Andersen Regrets Airing
SmuII SpecuIutor LIST
By the Associated Press

Representative Andersen, Repub-
lican, of Minnesota, said yesterday
scores of Government employees
being investigated by his special
House committee on commodity
speculation could not possibly have
had inside information"
"It is to be regretted that their
names have been published by Sec
retary of Agriculture Anderson" he
told reporters.
His committee is combing the &C
counts of "a good many people in
Government service" and has found
some rather extensive trading by
some of them" MIR. Andersen said.
Some are in the $4,000 salary
brackets, ''but the largest percen-
tage are very small operators in the
low-salary group"
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Alcoholics Meeting
Studying Techniques
lin Various Cities
Consideration of techniques used

Consideration OF techn1queS used
by Alcoholics Anonymous groups In
various cities began today at the
Statler Hotel as two-day meet
ing of District, Maryland and Vir-
ginia members opened.
The forums, with AA members
doing the talking, continued through
the day. A banquet was scheduled
for 7:30 pm. at the hotel and to-
morrow's program included a meet
ing at the Warner Theater, Thir-
teenth and E streets NV, at 10
am.
A Washington man, heavy-set
and middle-aged, told the meeting
this morning how the District club
organized squads" from those at
tending their open meeting each
week at club headquarters, 1912
H street NV. The squads, he said,
were the most potent weapon the
AA had.
Meet Regularly.
Composed of about Is admitted
alcoholics, they meet regularly to
discuss and solve personal problems
which lead to drinking.
A bald-headed man from Balti-
more told the group that this would
be the first banquet, of hundreds he
had attended in washington, at
which he would be sober. He out
lined the sponsorship" idea used
by many AA clubs whereby an old
member takes responsibility for a
new member during the terrible
first period" and is always available
at critical moments when nervous
tension threatens a return t odrink.
A young man from Richmond,
with Southern drawl, spoke on
the work his group was doing in the
jails and courts of that city. He
said he was fully qualified" since
he had been in most of the better
Southern jails during his brief
career.
Jail Work Described.
He said their workers were con-
centrating on domestic relations
court because it was discovered that
too many of those appearing in
drunk court would promise anything
to get out of jail-and out Of the
city limits. No one accepts IA
until he has hit personal bottom,
he said, and being in jail on a drunk
charge is often not the bottom.
The subject covered at today's
meetings were those related to the
IL steps suggested by AA for recov-
cry from the insanity of drink.
These steps begin when the alcoholic
admits he is powerless over alcohol
comes to believe power greater
than himself could restore sanity
and leads through until the last
step when the new man tries to
carry the principles to others so in
f1icted.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
a Shenandoah Churches
Left $1,000 by Farmer
Special Dispateh 10 The S.or

WOODSTOCK, Va, Jan. 81
Approximately $4,000 each is left to
four churches of Shenandoah County
under terms of will probated here
The churches are st. Peters Evan
gelical Lutheran Church and the
Methodist and United Brethren
Churches, all of Toms Brook, and
the Valley Pike Church of the
Brethren.
The bequests were made by the
late Granville Painter, retired farm
er of the Mount Olive section. F. L
McWilliams was named executor o1
the estate,
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Possibility Of Charges
Against Capt. Conroy
Studied by Maher

A recommendation as to whether
charges should be preferred against
Fire CAPT. Joseph w. Conroy will
be placed before the Commissioners
within a few days. Daniel B. Maher,
special assistant corporation counsel,
indicated today.
The Murphy case prosecutor had
mo comment" for reporters yester-
day when Commissioner John Rus
sell Young announced he was turn
ing over to Mr.. Maher the question
of what to do about Capt. Conroy.
He said he would make his report
to the Commissioners and that it
would not be long delayed.
Precipitated Inquiry.
1t was Capt. Conroy, president of
the washington local of the Inter-
national Association of Fire Fight
ers (AFL, who precipitated a public
investigation of Fire Chief Clement
Murphy's fitness for Office when he
told a congressional committee last
June the chief had contributed
nothing but decentralization" to his
department.
A special civilian trial board yes
terday gave Chief Murphy a clean
bill of health on all charges that
had been brought against him.
At the time Of Capt. Conroy's
original statement, Commissioner
Young made it plain that If the off,
GERS assertions could be proved
Chief Murphy would lose his job,
but that otherwise Capt. Conroy
might lose his.
Beall Silent on Findings.
Mr.. Young, meanwhile, told re-
porters he would be glad to show
Ill papers pertaining to the Murphy
case to Chairman Beall of the House
District Subcommittee on Public
Service, Streets and Traffic. Mr.
Beall, a Maryland Republican, had
announced earlier his committee
wanted to keep an eye" on the dis
position Of the charges against the
fire chief and he reiterated this in
tention when the acquittal verdict
was announced yesterday.
Mr.. Beall would not comment on
the trial boards decision, but he said
he would talk it over with men,
bers of my committee to see what
they feel we should do"
Evening star., 1948-01-31
DR.. Corning Quizzed
By House Probers on
Earlier Textbook Row

Members of the Miller Subcom-
mittee of the House District Com
mittee closely questioned School
Supt. Hobart M. Corning today on
his attitude toward the Rugg history
textbooks in use in Colorado Springs
(Colo.) schools when DR.. Corning
was superintendent there.
DR.. Corning told the subcommit-
tee there was controversy at that
time over the Rugg books, but
stressed it was not limited to Colo
RADIO Springs.
Further, he made the point those
texts were not the same as the Rugg
books now used for reference work
in some of the Districts history
courses.
Investigation Pursued.
The subcommittee, headed by Rep
resentative Miller, Republican, OF
Nebraska, went into the question
today as it pursued the question OF
possible subversive influences in
school textbooks and consideration
of measure to require stepped-up
teaching of American history and
the Constitution in the District
schools. --.,..
When Chairman Miller brought
out that DR.. Corning, while at Colo
rado Springs had "defended' some
of the Rugg books, the school execu-
tive declared:
This questioning carries an in
sinuation that touches on my pro-
fessional standing. I therefore would
want the committee to make the
most complete investigation Of any
place where I have served and make
its findings public
DR.. Corning declared there hao
been "do difference between him
and the Colorado Springs Board OF
Education over the Rugg books ano
that the question of their use there
had been settled long before I left
Colorado"
No Point to "Implication."
When DR.. Corning a second time
urged the committee to investigate
his earlier cereer, Chairman Miller
said he thught there was no point
to the question of implication" as
to the questioning unless you are
very thin-skinned." He added, 1--WE
were merely asking about your
background since the chairman
knows there was contriversy over
the Rugg books and 1t apparently
hasn't changed
The subcommittee then went into
reasons why the schools here, while
deciding not to purchase any more
of the Rugg reference texts, had not
removed from the shelves those al
ready purchased. DR.. Corning re-
piled that he and the schools were
following normal procedure that
school textbook committee now is
studying the question of removal,
and that he could not act until the
Board of Education rendered a de-
njciOn
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Krug Tries to Stop Construction
OfPon American Union Annex

District commissioners objected
Then it was proposed to close Vir-
ginia avenue and move the annex
back proper distance. That, too
was blocked by the District.
Krug Says Site Is Big Enough.
Mr.. GckeS demanded that the an
mex be built on the present Pan
American Union site. He failed in
that, too. Now Mr.. Krug is insisting
that the site is amply large for the
annex.
The Interior Department spokes-
man asserted that the Pan American
director should maintain a residence
elsewhere in the city, leaving more
than enough space on the union
grounds for the proposed annex.
He also suggested an underground
garage for parking such as other
Federal buildings have to conserve
space for the annex.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Arizona Avenue
bill Opposed
by Planners
Ordinary Park Rood
For Passenger Cars
Proposed for Area

Federal planners were on record
today as opposed to the building o1
an Arizona avenue freeway fol
heavy commercial traffic through
the Glover-Archbold Park as pro-
posed in the Hayden bill.
A resolution favoring, in place o1
the freeway, the creation of an or
|dinary park road for passenger cars
Sin accordance with the standards
and at the discretion of the Office OF
National Capital Parks" was adopted
yesterday afternoon. In addition
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission urged that
recreational facilities in the park
area be developed. ....
The planning commission recon-
mended that the Hayden bill be
amended in such a manner that the
parkway be built by, maintained by
and remain under the jurisdiction
of the National Capital Parks Of
lfice."
Smokestack Hearing Set.
The planners announced it will
conduct session soon to discuss
with all agencies concerned, the
proposal of the Braddock Light &
Power Co. for the construction OF
two smokestacks, each 284 feet high
near the water front at the north
end of Alexandria, Va. The Civil
Aeronautics Administration, which
says the stacks would interfere with
low-flying instrumental landing OF
planes at the National Airport, will
be invited to the meeting.
The commission drew up a num-
ber Of recommendations with re-
spect to the Auchincloss home rule
bill affecting matters in which it
is directly concerned. Maj. Gen
U. s. Grant III, chairman, will pre-
sent the suggestions to the House
subcommittee at hearings which will
begin Monday.
The planners:
Proposed to keep the right to
purchase park and playground sites
in the hands of the commission, in
stead of transferring it to District
officials.
Recommended that ex-officio per-
sonnel of the commission include a
representative of the Public Works
Agency and the Architect of the
Capitol.
Act On Playground Titles.
Asked that instead of transferring
title to playground and recreation
areas to the new District govern
ment as proposed in the bill, the
District be given Jurisdiction only
over the land.
Suggested that the Zoning Advis-
ory Board be given authority to
make zoning changes instead of the
City Council. The planners also
favored adding two members of the
council to the zoning Board.
Recommended that control over
fhe water sources and publication
of the water supply be left In the
hands of the United States District
Engineer.
The commission approved a site
selected for the Amigon School just
east of the new Jefferson Junior
High School which is bounded by
G and I, Seventh and Eighth streets
S.W. Some of the land required
must be purchased.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Court Recesses
Case
Until tuesday
More Testimony on
Letters Possible in
Illegal Operation Trio

The trial of Attorney James J.
Laughlin and DR.. Henry l.. Peck
ham, jr., in District Court on abor-
ton charges is in recess until Tues
day. The third week Of the trial
ended yesterday.
There will be no court session on
Monday because Chief Justice Bo-
litha J. Laws, who is presiding, must
sit with other judges in another
case.
Tuesday may bring additional
testimony by handwriting experts
over the disputed Esther letters" ,"
which Justice Laws has character
lied as very powerful" testimony
for the defense.
So far two handwriting experts
called by Mr.. Laughlin have testified
the signatures on the letters are
those of Mrs. Esther Hobbs, %, the
chief Government witness. One ex-
pert called by the Government has
testified the two disputed sigma
lures are so strikingly similar as
to arouse suspicion but that he
was unable to arrive at any con-
clusion regarding the genuineness
of the signatures.
Two Operations Charged.
The Government charges DR..
Peckham. a physician with Offices
at 428 Eighth street Sc, performed
two illegal operations on Mrs.
Hobbs ION or about" March 20 and
%. 1t charges Mr.. Laughlin as an
accessory. Both have denied the
charges.
Mrs. Hobbs has testified she be-
lieves the two signatures are hers
but she has denied she wrote the
letters. She is the former Miss
Esther Pickard and was at one time
engaged to Mr.. Laughlin. She was
married May 2.
DR.. j. Newton Baker, 1881 M
street NV, the second handwriting
expert called by Mr.. Laughlin, testi-
fed yesterday the signatures
Esther" are those of Mrs. Hobbs.
Comparing the two typewriter let
tiers in question with two others ad-
mitted to have been written by Mrs.
Hobbs, he also stated his conclusion
that all the writing was by the same
typist.
In one letter, dated March 20, the
writer tells of plans to leave i'm
mediately for home and tells Mr..
Lsughlin good-by. Mrs. Hobbs
home then was in Pittsboro, N. c.
The other letter, dated May 16, ex-
onerates Mr.. Laughlin of any con-
nection with an illegal operation.
Explains Similarity.
DR.. Baker testified he has degrees
from Georgetown and Catholic Uni
versities, that he has studied hand
writing and typewriting identifica-
ton for rs years and that he has
testified as an expert for Is years.
He said he is a member of the bar.
His Office and laboratory, he testi-
fled, are in his home.
His conclusion about the type
writing was given after long dis
sertation about the Similarities OF
the typing of the four letters. These
similarities included spacing, errors
and pressure, he said.
Under cross-examination, Assist
ant United States Attorney Arthur
j. Mclaughlin sought to get him to
admit he was retired from Govern
ment service in 1884 after a Veter-
ans Administration physician certi-
fled he was totally disabled from
carrying on any gainful occupation
requiring the use of his eyes. DR..
Baker asserted his eyesight Is all
right. He said he did not know just
what it was the doctors decided
about his disability.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Senate Confirms Burke
To Succeed Donaldson

The Senate late yesterday con.
firmed the nomination of Vincent c
Burke, former Washington city post.
master, to be First Assistant Post
master General. He succeeds Jesse
M. Donaldson, who has been pro-
NOTED to Postmaster General
Also confirmed by the Senate with.
out objection was Wayne Coy, who
headed radio station WINK here, tt
be a member of the Federal Com.
munications Commission, for an un.
expired term, ending July l, 1851.
Evening star., 1948-01-31
Moran Is Re-oppointed
ABC Board Member

James O'D. Moran is to succeed
himself as a member of the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board when his
present term expires February 8.
The Commissioner announced the
reappointment for three-year term
late yesterday. Mr.. Moran has been
filling the unexpired term Of the late
William P. Meredith, who died in
office
Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1948-07-31
White Farmer
Asked Dismissal
Of Charges
Against Negro
After Death OF Son
In Auto Accident
SAY ACCIDENT WAS UN-
AYOIDABLE

...Clarskdale, Miss, July % (Spe-
cial to Advocated C. E. Murphree
farmer of near Lyon who's Swear
old son was run over and killed
by a truck driven by Mathew
YoungbIood Monday night, asked
county officials to dismiss cha
rges against the Negro.
Mr.. Murphree said the acct
dent was unavoidable. Young
blood was brought into a justice
of the peace court an dexonerated
Mr.. Murphree assured Youngblood
that since he lived in his neigh
borhood that he was welcome to
stop by his house any time and
that he felt no i'll feeling toward {
him officers said. &dsi
SDeputy Sheriff N. F. Blackin
announcing the information that
1ouRgblccd had been released
frcn Jail, sugg2ster that this
would be fine opportunity for
Northern newspapers to spread
this item in the front PAGES.
Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1948-07-31
Seottsboro Boy
Leader In Prison
Break

Montgomery, Ala. July 26 Cd
SN) = Haywood Patterson, one
of the defendants in the world
famed Scottsboro Case was said
to have led group of Negro
convicts in a break from the
Alabama State Prison at Kilby
Wednesday night.
Alabama Highway Patrolman
joined Kilby Prison Officers in a
widespread search for the pri-
soners.
The prisoners made their es-
cape from a truck bringing them
back from farm where they had
beenworking. Guards said Patter-
son apparently was the leader
for he was the first to break
away as the truck rounded a
sharp curve.
Prison director Frank Boswell
said would investigate Patterson S
presence outside the prison walls.
Paterson was one of a group of
young Negroes convicted for the
alleged criminal assault of two
white girls on a freight train in
Alabama.
Those who are still at liberty
with Patterson were identified as
Thomas Sloane of EtoWah Coun-
ty, William L. Oakley Of Lauder
dale county, and Joseph Owens of
Jefferson county.
Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1948-07-31

Sloane was serving life SEN
tence for a murder in Jefferson
county.
He and eight other prisoners
escaped from the Kilby Prison
Farm despite a fusilade of gun
fire from a guard. Five were
captured within a few hours.
Still at large with Patterson,
who was serving rs years for his
part in the Scottsboro case, are:
William Oakley, Lauderdale,
eight years for assault with in
tent to murder burglary and
grand larceny; Joseph Owens,
Jefferson five to seven years for
burglary.
Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1948-07-31
ST.. Hilton
Succeeds A. B.
Morant AS LefIore
County Agent

Greenwood, July 81, IS. l..
Hilton was elected as county
agent of Leflore County by the
Board of Supervisors. The ell
ection came following the re-
tirement of A. B. Morant, who
gave many years of use full SER
wise.
Hilton has lived in Lef!ore Co.
unity all of his life and is familiar
with the situation. He was a
All Club boy in the county when
A. B. Morant began working. Hill
ton received his education at
the Stone Street High School,
Greenwood, and 1897 he received
his B. S. Degree in Agriculture
from Alcorn A and M. College
Since that time he has served
as Principal and Vocational Ag-
riculture Teacher at the Brown
ng Vocation School where he has
done an outstanding jib in helping
to improve the living conditions
of the Negro farmers of that
community.