davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Furniture Row Store
In Richmond Burns
BY the Assoeioted Pres.

RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 13.-The
entire stock of Rountrees Furniture
Co. was destroyed or damaged be-
yond repair last night when flames
burned through the building on
Furniture Row" in downtown Rich
mond.
Company officials refused to esti-
mate the loss, pending the return
from Florida of the firms president
David Eanes, but said it would run
into many thousands of dollars"
An adjoining building, the Ma
sonic Temple, which houses another
furniture company, was severely
damaged by the flames and water
pumped by scores of firemen, police
and volunteers.
More than 10000 persons gathered
to watch the fire, and traffic was
snarled for hours.
Six firemen were injured or over
come by smoke. Five were hos
pitalized, but none were believed Sc
riously hurt.
The blaze was discovered about
$50 pm. Forty-foot flames were
squirting through the roof by the
time firemen arrived. They were
brought under control about 9 pm
1t was the second time in fou,
years that a building occupied by
Rountree's, one of Richmond's larg-
est furniture stores, had been badly
damaged by fire on the same site.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Trumun's Order Gets Action
|On Widows Insurance Claim

payment on the insurance policy
Monday.
A Veterans Administration spokes-
man said the delay was not all red
tape. He said Mrs. Power had to
wait for her money because she did
not file claim until six months
after her husbands death and did
not indicate the type of settlement
she wanted. Mrs. Power said some
of the delay resulted because the
certifcation of her husbands death
was incorrectly made out by Army
officials.
Mrs. Power said she still is wait
ing for Army reimbursement on her
husbands travel expenses and a
disability benefit because of war
time injury he incurred.
Declaring that she does not like
all this personal publicity" she COM
mented that it might help speed up
similar claims. She was grateful to
President Truman, she said, for TAX
ing time out "in all the worlds trou-
bleS" to have her case investigated
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Truman ProcIaims
Thanksgiving Day,
Asks Peace Guidance

President Truman. proclaimine
Thursday, November rs, as Thanks
giving Day. today asked Divine guild
ance in helping to safeguard free
dom and peace.
The text of his proclamation fol-
lows:
LAS the traditional day of Thanks
giving approaches. our thoughts In
cline, as in previous years, to the
richness of our blessings. The
spiritual endowments of our country
are undiminished; we may, as al
ways, walk as free men unafraid.
Our 'harvests have been bountiful
our production of goods abundant
Our resources have permitted us tc
aid the needy and helpless of other
lands.
I'VE are privileged to participate
in international efforts to advance
human welfare. We are profoundly
grateful for the existence of an
international forum where differ.
ences among nations may be SUBJ
mitted to world opinion with a view
to harmonious adjustment.
I'VE pray this year not only in the
spirit of Thanksgiving but also as
suppliants for wisdom in our ap-
proach to the problems confronting
this Nation. Believing in the dig.
nifty of man and his right to live In
freedom and peace, We ask. divine
guidance in helping to safeguard
these gifts for ourselves and other
peoples Of the earth.
Nov, therefore, I, Harry S
Truman, President OF. the United
States of America, in consonance
with the joint resolution of Congress
approved December 26, 1941, des-
ignating the fourth Thursday of
November IN each year as Thanks
giving Day, do hereby proclaim
Thursday, November Is, 1948, as a
day of national thanksgiving: and
call upon our citizens to observe
that day by giving thanks to
Almighty God for the bounties which
have been bestowed upon our Nation
and by resolving to render generous
assistance to the hungry and home
less in other lands. thus renewing
our devotion to the cause of good
will among men.
In witness whereof, have here
unto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States of America
to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington
this 18th day of November in the
year of Our Lord nineteen hundred
and forty-eight, and of the in
dependence of the United States of
America, the one hundred and
seventy-third."
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Optinists Still Are Optimistic
Though Fund Party Is Raided

Arlington Optimist Club members
we're trying today to live up to the
organizations name after their first
attempt to raise money for club
work ended in a police raid on a
party in a Fairfax roadhouse.
Staged by county police and
agents of the Virginia Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board, the raid
resulted in gambling and liquor
charges against the operator OF
Hunters Lodge on Route 211 and
gambling charge against the chair
man of the clubs Ways and Means
Committee. The incident occurred
Wednesday night.
Clifford w. Perrin, who conceded
he had done good job as chair
man of the Attendance Committee
by getting about 300 persons to the
party, explained:
we decided on the party to have
good time and to raise funds for the
clubs work. We had hoped to raise
fr7n $500 to $400.
Now we'll be lucky if we clear
s,c1," he added, optimistically.
he gambling, according to police
and club members, involved betting
Oh movies of old horse races. A
picture of the horses first was
shown and then bets were placed
according. to the numbers on the
entrants.
OF the amount bet on each race
Is per cent was kept for the clut
and the remaining rs per cent was
distributed among holders of win
place End show tickets"
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Syphilis Experiments
By Doctor Reported

Progress of a young Johns Hop
kins doctor who Is trying to grow
spirochetes, the organisms that
cause syphilis, outside the human
body, was outlined yesterday to
Washington reporters at the uni
versity medical school in Baltimore.
Importance of the experiments is
that, If successful, they could lead
to a vaccine to immunize against
the disease, doctors believe.
The experiments first were re-
vealed here several weeks ago by
DR.. Joseph E. Moore, associate pro-
fessor of medicine at Johns Hopkins
and a noted authority on venereal
diseases. The experiments are being
carried on by 25-year-old DR.. Robert
Nelson and DR.. T. B. Turner at the
university School of Hygiene.
While development of a vaccine
is a far step from present develop
ments, DR.. Nelson has succeeded in
keeping the organisms alive on
artificial media for several days. In
addition to the vaccine possibility
doctors hope the studies will yield
far surer test for syphilis than the
present blood tests, which frequently
falsely indicate presence of the
disease.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
PILOTS Sentence Deferred
In Assault on Nurse

Sentencing of Boiling Air Force
Base pilot for assault and battery or
23-year-old Doctors Hospital nurse
was deferred yesterday in Prince
Georges County Circuit Court pend.
ing further investigation of the
pilots background.
Judge Charles c. Marbury re.
ferred the case of 1t. William Algel
Dawes, Is, to Roy D. Bright, county
probation officer. and set sentencing
for November %.
Information has come to my at
tention," Judge Marbury said
which indicates need for further
investigation
Nature of the information was
withheld.
1t. Dawes was convicted Thursday
after jury acquitted him Of 6
charge of rape. He is free on $500
bond.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
DC. Medical Licenses
For Doctors in Nearby
Virqinia Area Held Up

Pending a meeting of the Healing
Arts Commission on Licensure Prac-
tice to be held December 13, ap-
plications of physicians in nearby
Virginia to practice in the District
are being held up, it was announced
by the Health Department.
Physicians from nearby Maryland
counties are permitted to practice
in the District in special cases,
when they have obtained what is
called border line certificates. A
number of such licenses also have
been given Virginia physicians, but
the decision not to issue any more
came after District physician was
questioned when he attempted to
treat a patient in nearby Virginia.
This physician complained to the
Health Department that he was en-
ployed by a large District institu-
tion to care for the health of its
employees on the job. One of the
workers became i'll on the job and
was removed to his home in Vir-
ginia. The company physician went
to his home, he said and when it
was known he was treating a pa
tient in Virginia, his authority to
do so was questioned by medical
officials In that State.
Reciprocity between Maryland and
the District has existed for some
time. although, during the war, an
attempt was made by Maryland to
discontinue the practice. Health
Officer George C. Rutland and Of
ficials of the District Medical Society
went to Annapolis and had the
movement stopped.
Virginia medical officials say they
are willing to grant border line
permits to District physicians but
that, under the present law, they
are unable to do so.i They have
suggested that District medical au-
thorities seek enactment of a law
from the State Legislature to per-
NIT such practice.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Death Of Mrs. Sterago
I'm Annapolis Ruled Suicide
BY the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Nov. 13.-Thc
death of Mrs. Dixie Sterago, 33, wife
of Anthony Sterago, freelance news
paper and radio reporter of West
Annapolis, was listed as suicide yes
terday by police.
DR.. Howard J. Maldeis. chief med
ical examiner said in Baltimore that
Mrs. Sterago died Of a bullet wound
in the head October 30. She was
found by her husband on the floor
OF her bedroom October 28, criti-
cally wounded, and taken to Univer-
sity Hospital, Baltimore, for brain
surgery.
1--WE found 1t to be suicide" said
Patrolman Elmer Hagner of the
Anne Arundel County police, who
investigated the case. Mr.. Hagner
said Mrs. Sterago had Threatened
two or three times to commit sui
eide" He said .32-caliber revol-
yer was found on the floor nearby
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Possible Ban onEndino
Jobs in Midterm May
SnarI Charter Shift

Possible legal complications were
forecast today in the abolition Of
certain Montgomery County Offices
when council manager government
replaces the commissioner system in
January.
David E. Belts, Rockville attor-
ney. suggested the possibility in con-
nection with a study of County
Treasurer John B. Diamonds re-
sponsibility for funds under his
control.
Mr.. Belts, who was among the
lawyers for charter opponents dur
ing recent unsuccessful court test,
said there is "a whole body of law
on abolishing elective Offices in mid
term. He said he was reviewing it
for the personal protection of Mr.
Diamond, who is under both State
and county bond.
To Reach Decision in 30 Days.
Mr.. Belts said decision would be
reached within 80 days on whether
Mr.. Diamond should or should not
turn over to the new Department of
Finance the public funds with which
he is entrusted. The composition of
the new council may be a factor in
the decision. he added For, if Mr..
Diamond is appointed collector of
taxes in the new department, he
would hold continuing responsibility
for the money.
The attorney said legal difficulties
may also be involved in the removal
of the five elected county commits
sioneTs before their terms expire.
He has not examined the law on this
point, however, he added.
Only Other Elective Officer.
Under the charter adopted No.
vemter 2, a member council
will replace the commissioners. Mr..
Diamonds position is the only other
elective Office abolished Other coun-
ty positions which will be dropped
are filled by appointment.
County Commissioner Wesley l.
Sauter of Bethesda, who fought the
charter movement. said last week
that the county may be legally
bound to pay the commissioners for
the unexpired two-year portion OF
their terms after the council takes
Office.
Evening star., 1948-11-13

Mrs. John S. Power, 3432 Baker
street Sc, who was helped by
President Truman in getting Vet
erans' Administration action on her
husbands Army insurance 10
months after his death, said today
she now expects early action on her
other claims against the Army.
Mr. Power, a veteran employed as
a civilian by the Army in Berlin,
was killed in a Paris plane crash
last January. When Mr.. Truman
was informed at Key West, Fla,
that Mrs. Power had not yet re-
ceived payment on her husbands
$4,000 national service life insut-
ance policy, he directed Veterans
Administrator Gray to check on the
case. He also told Administrator
and Defense Secretary Forrestal to
recommend steps to prevent such
delays
The young widow, who has three
children. said she was notified late
yesterday by the Veterans Admin
istration that she would get first
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Berwyn Housewife
Assaulted and Robbed
|0f Her Automobile

A 41-year-old Berwyn housewife
reported to Prince Georges County
police that she was raped, beater
and robbed under threat of death
early today by an unidentified mar
who later drove of in her automo.
bile.
The woman. wife of an electri.
clan and herself telephone com.
pany employe, suffered cuts anc
bruises on the face and sprainec
wrist during struggle with the as
sailant, Detective Earl Huber said
She did not require disqualification
however.
Detective Huber said no trace hao
been found of the assailant. He
described the man as about 80 years
old. 5 feet inches tall and weigh
ing about ITS pounds. He has black
curly hair and was wearing a blue
suit, a light blue shirt and a rec
necktie.
Met at Tavern.
The detective said he was giver
this account in the complaint:
The woman met the man while
both we're drinking beer and watch
ing fight telecasts at Riverdale
tavern about 10 pm. When she
started to leave the man asked fol
a ride to his residence in Riverdale
and she agreed.
On the way they decided to stor
for more beer at Brentwood ane
College Park. She said that at Col
lege Park she was slugged and the
man gained control of the car. Un.
til then he had made no advances
He drove short distance of
Greenbelt road toward a gravel pit
and then ordered her to submit OF
be killed. She said she agreed but
suggested that they get out OF the
car. When she was outside, she
said, she tried to run away, but the
man caught up with her and pulled
her back to the automobile. where
he assaulted her.
Assailant Drives Of.
Eventually she got away when
another car approaches about l am
While she was enlisting the aid OF
a couple in that automobile, the
assailant drove off in hers.
In her automobile, 194l coupe
we're some clothing and $50 check
from the telephone company. She
also was robbed of a IS bill anc
some change, she reported.
The woman said her assailant
was not drunk.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Theft Of Taxi and Assault
By 7 Passengers Reported

Bernard B. Blanford, 80, of 919
B street NE, lost his taxicab early
today to two passengers in Army
uniforms, who hit him on the head
after he had taken them to Fort
Myer.
Mr.. Blanford told police he picked
up two men at Tenth street and
Pennsylvania avenue NV. and took
them to the Army post, where they
asked him to wait while they
changed their uniforms and take
them back to town to pick up some
girls
AS he stopped by the main gate
of Arlington Cemetery, en- route
downtown, he related, he felt a
hard object strike the back of his
head. He said he slumped down
in the seat, fearing the object to
be q pistol, and the cab rolled to
the curb. He jumped out and the
two passengers drove away, Mr.
Blanford told police.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Maryland Progressives
Vote 10 Garry On Party
BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Nov. 13.-Members
of the executive committee Of the
Progressive Party of Maryland an.
bounced yesterday they had voted
unanimously to carry on as per-
manent party" in the State.
Henry A. Wallace, the Progressive
Party candidate for President, re-
ceived 9,939 of the 596,70 votes cast
by Marylanders for President.
Leaders of the Maryland pro.
gressives said they retain full con.
fldence in Henry Wallace and the
national party"
Evening star., 1948-11-13
BY the Assoeiofsd Press

W1LL1AMSPoRT, Md, Nov. 1s.-
The appearance Of black-robed,
yelled mystery woman has kindled
vigilante excitement in this small
Washington County town, and its
Mayor appealed to citizens not to
carry firearms.
Some one may get hurt If this
keeps up," Mayor Richard c. Hawken
said, urging residents to cooperate
with police in tracking down the
stranger.
The woman in black, police said,
pounced on two women Sunday
night to set of a wave of apprehen-
sion. Since then, she has been re-
ported haunting. several lonely,
darkened sections of the town.
Police Chief William Shipley said
the sinister-looking figure appeared
only after dark. As result. lot OF
residents now stay home after sunset.
Mayor Hawken spoke up after
Chief Shipley reported to him that
some Williamsporters had taken TO
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Two Arlington Churches
To Broadcast Services

Faith Lutheran Church and West
over Baptist Church, both Of Ar
lington, will broadcast their II am.
services tomorrow.
Faith Church, with the Rev. Rob-
ert L. Long in charge. will broad
cast over Station WARL and West.
over Church, with the Rev. w.
Barker Hardison oficiating, over
Station WEAM.
Devotion services Monday through
Friday will be given by the Rev.
Lee A. Peeler, Bethel Evangelical
and Reformed Church, at 8:45 am,
over Station WARL and by the
Rev. Herbert E. Hudgins, Manas-
sas (va) Grace Methodist Church,
at 10:15 am. over Station WEAM.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
Temper Believed Sole
Motive for Staying
Glen Burnie CoupIe

The flaring temper of a man who
said he was crowded off the road
may be the only motive behind the
September II murders of a young
Glen Burnie couple, it was indicated
today.
A 23-year-old sugar refinery work
er, Thomas Alexander Edwards, COL
ored. has confessed the Staying OF
John H. Mahlan. rs, Glen Burnie
postal clerk. and his companion
Mary c. Kline, 18, police say.
But Edwards has consistently de-
MED that robbery or rape was the
motive. Mr.. Mahlan's wallet and a
watch owned by Miss Kline are still
being sought. Medical authorities
say she had not been raped.
Edwards, who lives at Freetown. a
colored settlement near Glen Burnie,
is in the Baltimore City Jail after
retracing his route the night of the
murder and apparently re-enacting
the crime for authorities yesterday
afternoon.
Handcuffed to q policeman, the
husky refinery worker was led to the
spot along "lover's lane" on the
Marley Neck road where, police say,
he admitted shooting the postal
clerk as he sat in the parked car
with Miss Kline.
One of his questioners said Ed
wards was angered when the Nah
Ian car forced him off the road as
it turned into the Marley Neck road.
They quoted him as saying he walked
up to the parked car, tapped on the
window and fired through the glass
when Mr.. Mahlan refused to open
it. He shot and killed Miss Kline
later. Edwards was walking toward
his home about II p.nls after SPEND
ing the evening in a poolroom, po-
lice said.
Evening star., 1948-11-13
w. N. & A. Bus
Route Extended
In Southeast
PUG Refuses to Let
Line Abandon Service
On Ridge Rood

The Public Utilities Commission
has authorized extension Of the
Washington, Marlboro and Annapo-
lis Motor Lines route into a large
area of Southeast Washington south
of Bradbury Heights. The service
will begin on November 28.
The order, issued late yesterday by
PUG Chairman James H. Flanagan.
refuses to permit abandonment of
bus service on Ridge road, Alabama
avenue north of Ridge road and
part of Hillside road, because 1T
would inconvenience a substantial
number of persons" The company
had asked to be allowed to end this
service.
Protested at Hearing.
At a recent hearing, residents of
the area north of Ridge road pointed
out the proposed change would af-
feet adversely most of the section
bounded by Bowen road, Forty fifth
place. H street and Fort Dupont
Park.
Residents of the area near the
intersection of Pennsylvania and
Southern avenues and near South
ern avenue on Fort Dupont street,
Forty-f1rst place, Forty-first street
and Forty-second street, appeared
at the hearing in support of the
proposed extension of service. It
was pointed out that Southern ave-
nue. recently was paved and is avail
for vehiclular use.
Local Route.
The PUG order establishes the
following local route into southern
Bradbury Heights:
Inbound-From the terminal on
the east side of Benning road at
H street Sc, north on Benning
road to Hanna place, west on Hanna
place to Forty-sixth street, south on
Forty-sixth street to Hillside road,
west on Hillside road to Alabama
avenue, south on Alabama to Ridge
road, east on Ridge road to South
ern avenue, south on Southern ave-
nue. to Pennsylvania avenue, west
erly on Pennsylvania and Alabama
avenues to Thirty-eighth street,
thence north to Pennsylvania ave-
nue and then west to the Barney
Circle terminal.
Outbound-From the Barney Cir
Gle terminal, east on Pennsylvania
avenue to Southern avenue, north
to Ridge road, west on Ridge road
to Alabama avenue, thence north
to Hillside road, east on Hillside
road to Benning road and thence
north to the terminal at Benning
road and H street Sc.
Evening star., 1948-11-13

habu species. poisonous snake of
Okinawa, and the other two are
the akamatah, nonpoisonous. They
were sent here by the Medical Re-
search Department of the Army via
Manila, DR.. Mann said. The Zoo
first acquired snakes of this type
during World War II, after Ameri-
can troops landed in Okinawa.
At that time, DR.. Mann asserted
the habu venom was analyzed for
serum to counteract its poison
Kin to the copperhead moccasin, it
was found the same serum (25 per
cent stronger could be used against
the habu's bite.
Both the habu and the akamatah
eat frogs and rodents. Other than
this, little Is known of the latter
snake.
Evening star., 1948-11-13

The Washington Zoo today has a
cinnamon bear-the first since 1880
It arrived in Washington yester-
day from Cameron, Mont, along
with six snakes from Okinawa.
The small chestnut-colored bear,
now in a lion house cage, was sent
the Zoo by Bob Stinnett of Cameron,
who raised the bear from a cub,
Zoo Director William M. Mann said.
DR.. Mann said he had planned to
send the bear to the Antwerp Bel-
gium Zoo but decided not to when
he discovered it was of the CHINA
mon variety. The last such species
died at the Zoo in 1880. 1t had
been given to President Coolidge by
an admirer in Mexico in 1923 and
was sent to the Zoo.
Four of the snakes are of the
Evening star., 1948-11-13
D. c. Buys 500
Badges for Extra
| InouquroI Police

The District has awarded a con-
tract to supply 600 special police
badges for the Inauguration of Pres
ldent Truman and Vice President
Barkley, it was announced by Ro-
land M. Brennan, District Purchas-
ing Officer.
The new badges will be some
what like the badges used by auxil-
iary police during the war but will
have the names of Truman and
Barkley stamped on them.
The badges will come from the
Lamb Seal and Stencil Co. of this
city, and will cost 96 cents each.