davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1948-08-04
PERCY L. TOWNSLEY
Continued from Page IL

years old. However, his moth
er, now 70 years of age, makes
her home here in Zion with her
son and his family at 3105
Ezekiel Avenue.
Mr.. Townsley attended the
Hindland grade school and the
Hillhead high school in Glas-
gov. This city is located on
the Clyde River, which runs
directly into the Atlantic
ocean. The internationally IA
nous shipbuilding works are
located on this river. Hence it
was only natural that when
Percy finished his school days
that he served a three-year ap-
premiership as a pattern
maker.
The surge of the sea was ma
turally being developed and
so it was that on March 20,
1928, Percy set out in quest
of adventure and fortune in
the new world, aboard the
S. S. Casandra. Although the
Spring storms and fogs churn-
ed the ocean, our traveller was
none the worse, after a rough
voyage, upon his arrival in
Canada.
On his arrival at Halifax,
Nova Scotia, although a total
stranger, Mr.. Townsley was
fortunate in having a trade
and sufficient funds to tide
him over until he found en-
ployment as a pattern-maker
in Brockville, Ontario. Later
he worked for the Phillips
Electrical company also of
Brockville.
In the fall of 1923 Percy
brought his mother over from
Scotland and she kept house
for him.
In Brockville Mr.. Townsley
became acquainted with his
future wife, Miss Annie Grace
Conner also native of Glas-
gov, having been born at Can
non Place. She emigrated to
Canada from Scotland, but
had never met her future hus-
band until they met in Brock
Vile. Miss Conner became in
terested in nursing and with
six other girls from Ontario
were accepted as the first class
of student nurses by the Vic
tory Memorial hospital, Wau-
kegan. After years of training
she became a registered nurse.
This led the way to Wauke-
gan also for Mr.. Townsley IN
1880, where his first employ
ment was with the Andrew
Barr Pattern company.
On December &c, 1880, Per-
cy became associated with the
National Tea Company store
at 1419 Washington street,
Waukegan. One year later,
January, 1881, he was ap-
pointed manager of this store.
Annie Grace Conner and
Percy Townsley were united in
marriage at the First Presby-
terrain church in Waukegan by
the Rev. Chichester on NOvem-
Der %, 1881.
Mr.. Townsley remained as
manager of the Waukegan
store until June 10, 1889, when
he was appointed district re-
lief manager, serving in sew
era1 different stores in this ter
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1948-08-04

Khaki uniforms were adopt
ed by the United States army
during the Spanish American
war.
The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1948-08-04
PERSHING LEFT HERITAGE
OF INSPIRATION TO
LEGION - O'NEIL.

Indianapolis, Ind.-National
Commander James F. ONeil
of The American Legion is
sued the following statement
on the death of General John
j. Pershing, former command
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Boy,9, Riding Bicycle,
Killed by Automobile

A 9-year-old boy riding bicycle
was killed yesterday afternoon when
he apparently lost control and was
run over by an automobile at Forty
ninth and Eads streets NE.
The boy was Harold Middleton.
colored, 1881 Fitch place NE. Police
said the automobile was driven by
Camillus H. Wells, 10, colored, OF
493l Fitch place NE.
Police reported that the boys
bicycle left tire marks on the paw
ing of Eads street as the rider ap-
parently sought to stop 1t. The
automobile was going north on
Forty ninth.
The boy was pronounced dead at
the scene.
After the accident Wells drove on
to his home, picked up his step
father, Andrew Jones, and was re-
turning to the scene when he was
arrested. He was charged with
driving with unsafe brakes and leav-
ing after colliding, and was held for
the coroner.
Mr.. Jones, owner of the car, was
charged with permitting the opera
ton of his automobile in an unsafe
mechanical condition.
The boys death is the 18TH traffic
fatality of the year. compared with
u at the corresponding date last
year.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
By the Assocjoted Press

PRAGUE, Czechoslovakia, Feb.
28.-Communist Premier KLEIN
ent Gottwald threatened mer-
ciless war on "agents of domestic
and foreign reaction" today. He
said there were going to be
thorough going changes in
CZechoSlovakia.
simultaneously the formation OF
a >seven-man commission to purge
all political parties of reaction
aries" was announced. The COM
mission is headed by Communist
Rudolf Stansky, who helped organ
ize the Communist International
Information Bureau (Cominform)
at the historic meeting in Poland
A member is Alexej Cepicka, new
Communist minister of justice who
succeeded the, Czech National So
cialist, Prokop Drtina.
Dr. Drtina, a former secretary to
President Eduard Benes. was found
badly injured today. AN announce
ment from communist controlled
police said he had attempted sui
eide.
DR.. Drtina had been at logger
heads for weeks with Vaclav Nosek,
Communist minister of interior who
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Second Floor
|Of White House
Is Reinforced

The second floor of the White
House, which trembled when group
of persons walked across 1t, has
been strengthened by a series OF
steel rods attached to the third floor.
Charles G. Ross. White House
press secretary, said the work was
done as a protective measure. Ends
of old wooden beams supporting
the second floor were attached by
the rods to a steel superstructure on
the third floor.
The work was done two weeks ago
by the regular White House repair
men after President Truman had
called in consultants, Mr. Ross said.
Among those consulted were Com
missioner w. E. Reynolds of the
Public Buildings Administration:
Lorenzo S. Winslow, White House
architect, member Of the Amer
ican Institute OF Architects and a
of the American So
ciety of Engineers.
Mr.. Ross said the work also would
the ceiling over the state
dining room on the first floor.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
7 Russian CoIoneIs
Reported Directing
Troops in Albania
n BottaIions Organized
Defenses Being Built,
Athens Society Hears
By The Assoe;o,ed Press

ATHENS, Feb. pa high
Greek official said today the
Greek government has received
information of extensive mill
tary preparations IN Albania.
Two Russian colonels reporteddy
are directing some OF the work.
The reports first were made
known by the Epirus society,
which says it has informants
within Albania. The accounts
gave this picture:
Twenty-Five Albanian volunteer
battalions have been organized for
an international brigade. Fortifca-
tions are being built along the AL
banian coast southwark from Va
Iona with anti-aircraft installations
at Aghi and Sarante. Valona is go
miles northwest of the Greek from
tier.
Strong Guerrilla Activity.
Other Albanian military installa-
tions are being constructed along
roads to the coast and on heights
near the Greek border. The Rus
sian colonels, identified only as Pro-
homin and Tsingeri, are directing
the strengthening of the fortified
island of Saseno off Valona The
same two colonels are said to have
constructed the defenses of the Bull
garian Black Sea port of Burgas.
Press dispatches told of strong
guerrilla activity in various parts
of Greece.
Greek army troops operating near
the Albanian border were pressing
an offenSe against the communist
led insurgents, the dispatches said.
The action was taking place north
of Delvinaki, where the national
government forces drove the rebels
from nine villages
13 Executed in Athens.
A 5OO-man insurgent force was re-
ported engaged in battle with
Greek units east of Agrinion in
south central Greece. In the Pelo-
ponnesus $50 guerrillas attacked
Vordonia, eight miles northwest of
Sparta yesterday, dispatches said.
Thirteen persons convicted of slay-
ings during the 1914 leftist revolu-
ton and of aiding guerrillas were
executed today in Athens.
Meanwhile, government officials
moved to implement a recent deci-
sion to clear cities and towns of
dangerous elements" Seven hum
dred communists and members Of
the communist organization self
defense" were arrested in Athens.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Campaign, Sponsored
By Boord of Trade, to
End in Mass Meeting
By George Kennedy

Washington embarks on a
courtesy campaign today.
The Commissioners have is
sued a proclamation making the
campaign an official one.
Everyone is going to be asked to
be courteous-not to demand cour-
teSy, not to expect it, but to give
courtesy.
Mutual courtesy. the campaign
leaders hope, will have effect. The
campaign runs from today to March
%, ending with macs meeting in
Constitution Hail. If the campaign
is successful, habit patterns formed
in that period might endure.
Employees of public service organi-
cations have been instructed to be
courteous to the public But this is
believed to be the first time cour-
tesy campaign has been planned for
community of 100000 persons.
While public courtesy makes for
pleaSanter living. which in itself
would be reason enough for such a
campaign, there is another reason.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
By the AsseeiatedPrs..

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28.-Sena-
tor Vandenberg, Republican, Of
Michigan, may make the keynote
address at the national Republican
convention here in June, the Sunday
Bulletin said today.
Republican leaders arranging con-
clave plans also limited that Speaker
of the House Martin probably will
be appointed permanent chairman,
the newspaper added.
Both choices, however, were said
to worry the arrangements COM
mutee, since Senator Vandenoerg
and Speaker MaAin have been
mentioned as presidential possible
titles.
Other men listed as available for
the keynoter's Job include Senator
Lodge. of Massachusetts,; Senator
Millikin, of Colorado: Senator
Wherry, of Nebraska; Representa-
tive Halleck, of Indiana, and Sen
ator Martin of Pennsylvania.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Costa Rican Tension Rises
In Presidential Contest
By the A.soeiated Press

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 3D.
The national electoral tribunal de-
clared today that Otilio Ulate Banco
had been elected president of Costa
Rica in the February elections.
Disappointed supporters of the de-
feated candidate, Rafael Calderon
Guardia, Immediately rallied for a
big demonstration and tension
mounted in this capital city.
Congress will meet Monday to
consider the findings of the elec-
toral tribunal and make a final de-
cision.
Feeling has been running high
since the elections. Calderon
Guardia conceded defeat on the
basis of unoficial elections returns,
but charged fraud. He was sup
ported by the government.
Four days after the balloting an
attempted coup of the government
was put down by police and soldiers.
One person was killed and many
wounded.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
District Courtesy Drive Starts
Today to Help Attract Tourists
Courtesy Contest

A courtesy contest with valu-
able prizes to be announced
later will be conducted during
the courtesy campaign which
starts today and ends March
%.
The Star is cooperating in
this contest and entries mailed
to the Courtesy Editor" of
The Evening Star, Washington.
4, will be forwarded to the
judges.
All that is necessary to win
one of the prizes is to report
an act of exceptional courtesy
occurring during the campaign
and give the name and ad-
dress of the courteous person.
Reports should be mailed be-
fore midnight March II so that
the winners may be announced
at the mass meeting at Con-
stitution Hall. March "a, end
ing the campaign.
Evening star., 1948-02-29

WARSAW, Feb. 28 (P. - The
Polish government announced to-
night it would sign a military al
lance with Romania in the near
future. A communique issued after
three days Of conferences here said
an agreement was reached for
pact. The Romanian representa-
tives. headed by Premier Petru
Groza and Foreign Minister Anna
Pauker, left by train for Bucharest
tonight after signing cultur Il
convention
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Vondenberg May Be Keynoter,
Martin Convention Chuirmun

, Meantime, the arrangements
committee is considering William j.
Hanrahan of Indiana for chief
doorkeeper, and William S. Liven-
good, Pennsylvania, and Victor Nc
Kenzie of Washington, for ser
geanY-at-arms.
Committee Chairman Walter
Hallanan of West Virginia said
final selections will be made at a
meeting here April 20.
The Henry Wallace third party
presidential candidacy has perked
up more interest In the Republican
convention, MIR. Hallanan said.
1T was already at the boiling
point before all this happened" he
said. Now the activities OF the
Republican candidates and the in
terest of the organizations are in
tensifying day by day.
Il think this will be the most
convention since the
party nominated Lincoln
Evening star., 1948-02-29
New Czech Premier Warns
OF MerciIess War on Reaction
Commission to Purge Political Porties;
Benes' Former Secretary Body Injured

directs the security police. It was
DR.. Drtina who brought the con-
f1ict between Communists and an
ti-Communists in the cabinet into
the open on January 81. He charged
in parliament that Communists at
Olomouc were implicated in mail
ing explosive parcels labeled as per-
fume to three cabinet ministers in
an assassination plot last September.
DR.. Drtina himself was one of the
intended victims. Foreign Minister
Jan Masaryk, non-party man, and
Vice Premier Peter Zenkl, an anti
Communist, were the others. DIR.
Drtina also had charged a Com
munist deputy, Jaroslay Sosnar,
with being involved in collecting
arms for Communists. Sosnar was
obliged to resign few days later to
face the charges.
DR.. Drtina and Mr.. Zenkl were
among the IL ministers who re-
signed eight days ago, an action
which eliminated in Gottwald's
emerging with his Communist
packed government.
The police announcement, only
version of the incident concerning
DR.. Drtina, said he was found out
side his house this morning, his
(See CZECHS, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Red Moves Call for Quick Action
OnForeign AidXandenbergSay
Finland Expected to Bow to Stain
Senate Debate
On Marshall Plan
Starts Tomorrow
By J. A. O'ieory

Recent Communist moves in
CzechoSlovakia and Finland
should impel Congress to, act on
this country's foreign-aid policy
as soon as possible, Senator
Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan said yesterday.
His statement to reporters came
after closed session of his Foreign
Relations Committee. at which final
plans were made to start Senate
debate tomorrow on the Marshall
Plan, to help Is Western European
nations achieve economic recovery,
and thereby retain their indepen-
dence.
Asked II what Is happening in
Prague and Helsinki affect the time
table for congressional action, Chair
man vandenberg replied:
''I think it makes it obvious that
time is of the essence in doing what
ever we are going to do. I am sure
even those who disagree with por-
tions of the program foreign add
would agree that whatever the de-
cision is to be it ought to be made
as promptly as possible"
Four-Year Plan Defended.
Other developments yesterday at
both ends of the Capitol were:
/. The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee made public its formal
report in defense of four-year Eu-
ropean Recovery Program, with S.
300,000,000 to be spent in the first
u months. from April /. The COM
mittee concluded it would impose
mo dangerous strain" on the domes-
tic economy, and will be adequate
to provide the margin OF success"
2. The Senate committee decided
to push for Senate passage of the
Marshall Plan without injecting the
needs of China, Greece or Turkey
into it. The committee set March 10
as the date to begin separate closed
hearings on China, Greece and
Turkey.
8. Senator Vandenberg expressed
hope the separate ERP bill would
be passed and sent to the House by
March Is.
% A. In the House, however, there
were indications all phases of for
eign aid may be bundled into one
bill. Republican members of the |
House Foreign Affairs Committee
held a strategy conference yesterday |
with Speaker Martin, but no definite |
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Senate Fund Group
Seeks Adjournment
By Middle of June
BY the Associated Press

The Senate Appropriations
Committee is shooting at a mid
June adjournment date for
Congress.
Chairman Bridges said the
committee decided yesterday to
make every endeavor" to finish
up its work on the appropria-
tions bills by that time. Action
on appropriations normally is
the final act of a Congress:
Senate action hinges, how
ever, on the House where all
appropriation measures must
originate. Senator Bridges in
dicated that the House was
going to try to 60 along with
the mid-June date, which
would permit adjournment be-
fore the national party conven-
tions.
If Congress fails to adjourn
before the opening of the Re-
publican convention at Phila-
delphia June 81, leaders have
indicated that a recess will be
called. This means that Con-
gress would have to come back
later and finish up it's business.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
House lJnii Backs q lleiruY Rises Io8l
TNtNN !.aS W..
For !. Feb. q Record;
Colder Weather Due
Neurs AII-Time Mark
For Month; Drop to
Sos, Wind Predicted

Yesterday was the warmest
February % on record, with the
thermometer registering 80 de-
grees at 1928 pm.
The previous high for that date
was 73 degrees In 1903. The 80
degrees also established some other
records. 1t was the highest this
year and the highest since last
October %, when the mercury went
to IS.
Except for one instance the SO
degrees was the highest ever re-
corded in February. The exception
was reading of "a on February Is,
1880.
Sunny Weather Predicted.
Today, February will be blown out
with rather a windy day, with tenn
peratures reaching only to the upper
SOS. The end of leap year day
is expected to bring colder weather
tonight, but the Weather Bureau
is undecided whether March will
come in tomorrow like a lion or a
lamb. Mostly sunny and somewhat
colder weather is predicted
Strangely, while Washington was
dofflng its coats yesterday and ad-
miring the green sprouts of jonquils
tulips, and even an occasional tree,
Baltimore was buttoning it's wraps
against temperature of 55 de-
grees at $3.50 pm.
The Weather Bureau explained
that the eastern boundary of warm
Evening star., 1948-02-29
By Joseph A. Fox
Stnr Stnff Corrssnondsnf

KEY WEBf,s Fla, Feb. 3d.
President Truman tonight
signed legislation liberalizing
civil service retirement benefits.
The President issued the follow
ing statement:
{ Il have today signed the LANCER
Chavez-Stevenscn retirement bill to
liberalize the benefits provided by
the Federal Civil Service Retirement
System.
'"The bill is one more foreward
step in the strengthening of our
Federal service-a step which brings
an increased measure of protection
and security to tfose who have
chosen to devote their lives to the
pHhic service, sss u
eThe new law directly affects the
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Truman Signs Bill LiberoIizing
Federal Retirement Benefits
Halls Measure as Affecting SOC, 900;
Payments Increased Effective April
savings and future welfare of l.

savings and future welfare of L.
100000 Government employees"
Mr.. Truman used IA pens. in
signing the bill for distribution to
sponsors of the legislation.
The pension legislation becomes
effective April /. The measure
was worded to make it effective
the first day OF the second calendar
month after date of signature. If
Mr.. Truman had waited until Mon
day there would have been
months delay. -,
known as the Taft-Stevenson
bill, the legislation contains these
major provisions:
The 125,000 persons salready re-
tired receive an annuity increase
Of as per cent or $500 annually,
whichever is smaller.
More than 100000 active en-
GSee RETTREMENT PAGE A-10.1
Evening star., 1948-02-29

timetable or course of action was
decided upon.
S. Representative Judd, Repub-
lican, of Minnesota, announced that
when the House committee begins
closed sessions Tuesday he will try
to have the needs of China, Greece
and Turkey considered in the same
bill with Western Europe He said
he believes it would be better for
this country and for the distressed
peoples of the world to know that
the United States is approaching
this "as a world problem, and not
in piecemeal fashion"
Combining of Funds Opposed.
For China the administration has
recommended $570,0OO,OO and for
Greece and Turkey, an additional
s275 100000. Although the China es-
innate is for civilian supplies, Con-
gress has been told that this gov
ernment has made other arrange
ments during the past year to let
China purchase surplus war sup
plies at greatly reduced prices.
Some supporters of foreign aid
will oppose combining Gceek-Turk-
ish funds with the European Recov-
(See FOREIGN AID. Page A-4)
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Bridges Charges u. 5.
Air Aid 10 Chinese Is
Superficial, Reluctant
Senator Takes Issue
With Symington Report
On Number Of Plones

A charge that the administra-
tion has given only areluctant'''
and Superficial military air
support to the Chinese IN tloiaal-
lists IN their fight against Com
inuuist forces vas s4 last
hight shy Cha M Hftdoe4 a0f
the Senate Appropria lions COM
mittee.
He issued a statement challeng-
ing an administration document,
made public Friday, which indicated
that secret 1945 agreement to arm
China with 1,071 American planes,
suspended in 1916, had been revived
and that all but 135 Of the planes
have been delivered.
"The impression produced by the
letter that the United States prom
ised to deliver to the Chinese gov
ernment 1,071 combat and bombing
planes, and has delivered 936, will
deceive many innocent readers if it
leads them to believe that the
United States has been maintaining
Chinese air force for the present
defense Of China against the Com
munist assault" Senator Bridges de-
clared.
Bridges Contradicts Figures.
A letter from Secretary OF Air
Symington to Secretary Of State
Marshall said at least 936 planes
have been transferred to Chang
Kai-Shek's Nationalist government
for use in battling Communists.
Commenting on this report, Sena-
tor Bridges declared:
Information available to me in
dicates that a total of only 633
planes have been delivered to China
by the United States since VI Day
and that of that number 158 could
not be used because of lack OF
equipment, and 1877 OF the total are
transport craft.
This is a completely different
picture from that which the ad
'ministration seeks to put across at
a time when the communistic as
sault on China is daily becoming
more acute.
Senator Bridges is a longtime
critic of the Nations policies toward
China. He declared that not sim
gle combat plane or bomber had
been delivered to the Chinese since
August, 1916.
He said further. that the admin
istration has. not made spare air
plane parts available to China for
two years. He observed tartly:
Automobiles are quite useless
(See CHINA, Page A-50