davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-11-22
$4,000 Suits Filed
On Noronic Disaster
By the Assoeioied Press

r TORONTO, Nov. %. Frank
Wilkinson, counsel for Canada
Steamship Lines. Ltd, said today
three damage suits totalling $340,-
900 have been filed against the
company as result of the Noronic
disaster here September II.
He said Alvin Metzgar of Cleve-
land is asking 100000 for the loss
of his wife, drowned when she
jumped from the ship into the
harbor. Gordon and Arthur Albes,
brothers, from Cleveland, are
claiming 1925, 900 in joint action
for injuries.
At Chicago. a suit for $4,000
has been entered by the estate of
Earl Doermg, both Mr.. Doering
and his wife died in the fire.
Mr.. Justice r. L. Kellock, in his
findings of "a federal commission
inquiry into the disaster delivered
at Ottawa yesterday, ruled loss of
life was due to failure Of the COM
pany and Capt. William Taylor,
the ships captain, to follow out
basic fire precaution measures.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Thomas Refuses to See
2 Swedish Journalists
Rx the Assoeiofsd Prsss

PARIS, Nov. %. en- ato1
Thomas, Democrat. of Oklahoma
who criticized Sweden for "lack OF
courtesy" to his Senatorial inves-
tigating subcommittee. today re-
fused to see two Swedish journal
lists who asked for a private inter-
view.
Come to tomorrow's press con-
ference" said the Senator. u
haven't time to see ali OF you in
dividually."
Senator Thomas and six other
Senator'S on the Armed Forces
Subcommittee of the Senate Ap-
propriations Committee, have
scheduled q news conference to-
morrow to tell reporters about
their fact finding tour Of Europe.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
India Needs Outside Help,
Nine. Pandif Tells Forum

Nine. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit.
India's Ambassador. said last night
the people Of her country are
running a race against time and
cannot go very far without outside
help.
Speaking before an audience Of
about 1,700 persons in Constitution
Hall, at the weekly Town Hall Of
Washington, Nine. Pandit con-
tinued, I'VE in India are living in
the 18th Century while you are
living in the Goth Century. We
have to make up for 200 years Of
foreign rule"
1--WE can do this" she said, "by
industrializing the country, by
spreading education and by mod
ernizing agriculture"
Mime. Pandit insisted, however.
that India wants only tools and
materials to help her develop her
own resources, not charity.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
5 Children Burn to Death
In Wisconsin Farm Fire
BY the Assosiofsd Press

EAU CLAIRE, Wis, Nov. 22,-.
Five children died today in--a
flaming house at the e--Joha-B Berg
farm near Rock Falls. 10 miles
south OF here.
The victims were identified as
the three daughters and one son
Of Mr. and Mrs. John Berg and /
granddaughter. They were Max
inc Berg, IS; Donna, 10: David. z;
Jackie, 6, and the 4-year-old
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Orrin
Stai.
Another son. Alvin, II. jumped
from q second-story window. He
is in q hospital with serious In
juries.
Mr.. and Mrs. Berg said they
were In the barn when the fire
broke out. They found the home
in flames and were unable to
enter,
Evening star., 1949-11-22

he could call the youth back into
court and impose a penalty II
the condition were violated.
Miss Butts said young Aber-
nethy slapped her during an argu-
ment at the Halloween dance.
The youth, who had dated the
girl, denied this. He admitted
becoming Involved IN an argument
and said he may have touched
the girl, out he produced wit
nesses who testified there was no
slapping.
His mother said today that 1t
was ridiculous" that the matter
was taken to court.
I'VE tried to settle this thing
among ourselves" she said. "The
whole thing grew out of child
ish argument about a remark she
had made"
Accused Of Speeding.
In the second case, Maurice
Smith, 100 block of Kingsley ave-
nue.. Bethesda, was charged with
speeding and passing two stop
signs In Bethesda Saturday night
In reyoking his permit, Judge
Miller suspended q 15-day SEN
tence and placed him on two
years probation. Judge Miller in
dicated young Smith could re-
apply for a driving permit after
September /.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Judge Deprives Youth Of Auto
For SIopping Bethesda Girl
Judge Condemns
Insult to Beauty
Queen Contestont

The face slapping Of a Bethesda
beauty queen contestant has de-
prived one-time Montgomery
Junior College athlete Of his driv-
ing privileges until February l.
Gene c. Abernethy, Is, of $500
Broad street. Brookmont, Md, re-
ceived the punishment yesterday
from Judge James r. Miller in
Bethesda Police Court.
Judge Miller said 1t was, IAN
insult" for the 6-foot-2-inch youth,
who weighs 185 pounds, to slap
Miss Connie Butts of 106 Lucas
lane, Bethesda at the Bethesda
Chevy Chase High School dance
October 81.
:. Miss Butts, 5 feet 6 inches tall
and weighing 100 pounds, was
runnerup for the title of queen
Ut this years Bethesda Trade
Show.
Permit Not Suspended.
Judge Miller did not formally
suspend the driving permit Of the
athlete. The punishment was pre-
scribed as a condition to the sus-
pension of a formal fine or SEN
tence.
The court did, however, revoke
the driving permit Of a Montgom-
cry Junior College freshman in
another case involving a traffc
charge.
With a number of teen-agers
present, Judge Miller said he i'm
posed the rather heavy penalties
"as an example and as a deter
rent to other youths who might
commit the same offenses in the
future"
Holds Fine insufficient.
With respect to the second case.
Judge Miller observed that he did
not impose a fine because 1t would
be paid by the students father
and indicated this would not be
sufficient punishment.
A warrant charging assault and
battery was sworn out against
young Abernethy by Roger C..
Butts, father of the girl.
Abernethy is a former boxing
champion and football star at
Montgomery Junior College.
After court adjourned Judge
Miller told reporters lie could not
enforce the driving ban against
young Abernethy. But, he said,
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Atherfon Youth Admits Gull
In Alexandra Robbery

Leland T. Atherton, jr., l9-year-
old son of a Justice Department
attorney. who is on four years
probation in the District for
armed robbery, pleaded guilty to
a robbery charge today in Alexan-
dria Corporation Court.
Judge William p. Woolls re-
ferred the case to the probation
officer for report before passing
sentence.
Young Atherton was indicted in
Alexandria for the $3.50 holdup OF
the Burkley Bakery in darlington
on March 4. A juvenile who ac-
companied him has been turned
over to juvenile authorities, police
said.
Atherton,s bond Of $1,000 was
continued. He formerly lived In
the 9700 block Of Bexhill drive,
Rock Greek Hills, Md. He was
granted probation In District
Court in July after being con-
victed Of q SIC holdup Of an ice
cream store on March %.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Kaiser-Frazer Sets Up
Pension Trust Fund
BY the Assoeioisd Press

DETROIT, Nov. 22.-Establish-
ment of q pension trust fund for
Kaiser -Frazer's $4,000 production
workers was announced today by
the company and the CIO- United
Auto Workers. :
: The new agreement also in
Efs10ESIxension E1eealthHdd
weafnFe-and life -iasuraHeepiaHs.
Under the agreement. Kaiser
Frazer will begin immediate pay
ment Of 6 cents an hour for
each worker into a retirement
trust to be controlled. invested and
administered by q joint company
union board.
The seven man board will con-
sist Of three members appointed
by the company. three by the un-
ion and an impartial chairman
to be chosen by mutual agree
ment.
Details of the plan remain to be
worked out by a joint union-man-
agement committee. The pension
agreement extends to November
II. 1884,.
It was assumed that the UAW
would insist on nothing less than
Ford's 500 monthly pension dn-
cluding social security after 80
years service.
Kaiser-Frazer also agreed to in
crease its contribution to the
health and welfare and life insur-
ance fund from S to 72s cents an
hour. This fund, established In
June. 1948, also Is administered
by company-union booard.
It provides free disqualification
and surgical benefits as provided
by the Michigan Hospital Service
(Blue Cross, sick and accident
disability benefits and life insur-
ance. The agreement extends the
program to May II, 1852.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
.U..N. Political Group
To Resume Debate on
Rival Peace Proposals
BY The Associated Press

LAKE SUCCESS, Nov. 22.-The
United Nations Assembly returned
today to committee debate on
rival Soviet and American-British
proposals for peace after deciding
overwhelmingly to make q SOW
ereign nation of Libya.
The rival peace plans, now be-
fore the Political Committee. 60
to the core of East-West disagree
ment in the United Nations. They
have produced heated debate and
are expected to continue to do SO
until the Assembly finally dis
poses of the issue.
Involved is a Soviet request for
a non-aggression pact among the
five major powers-the United
States. Britain. France, Russia
and China. and the American
British counterproposal reaffirm-
ing the binding nature of the
peace pledges contained in the u.
N. Charter.
War Preparation Charged.
Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei
Y. Vishinsky has used the Rus
sian proposal as a base to launch
charges that what he describes as
"reactionary elements" in the
United States and Britain are
preparing for a new world war.
The Western powers have de-
clared his charges are insulting by
their very nature and completely
unfounded. They say the U. N.
Charter itself makes unnecessary
any such five-power pact as the
Russians suggest.
The settlement Of Libya's future
came yesterday in an Assembly
plenary session at Flushing Mead
ow. It was part of a larger deci-
sion disposing Of 1taly's prewar
African colonies.
Libya. the largest Of those colo
nies. will become independent not
later than 1852 under the binding
decision left to the o., N. under
terms Of the Italian peace treaty.
Eritrea's Fate Waits.
The Assembly also decided to
send Italians back to Africa as
trustees for 10 years over italian
Somaliland and to set up a U. N.
commission to decide within year
what to do with Eritrea.
The vote on the entire three
point program was 48 to with
nine countries abstaining. Ethi-
opia bitterly protested the return
Of Italian administrators to So
maitland and cast the lone mega
tive vote. The nine countries
abstaining were White, Russia
Czechoslovakia. Poland. the So
Wet Ukraine. the Soviet Union,
France, New Zealand, Sweden and
Yugoslavia.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Latin Coffee Drinking
Factor in High Prices
BY the Assoeioisd Press

Reduced Brazilian cultivation
and higher United States con-
sumption aren't the only reasons
for record-high coffee prices in
this country.
Fact is, the Commerce Depart
ment reports. South Americans
themselves are drinking more cof-
fee. than they used to.
An analysis by the department
said that mo immediate short
age" Of coffee is foreseen in this
country, and listed some cheerful
signs in recent developments:
/. Fresh reports from Brazil. 1t
said, indicate that a two months
drought there has ended, and that
the next harvest Of coffee may
be as large as the current crop"
2. Present high coffee prices
may encourage additional plant
ing. as well as lang fertilization
and more careful cultivation Of
Brazilian coffee trees"
3. Colombia, which ranks next
to Brazil as a coffee producing
country, has increased production
almost one-third above the pre-
war output and is expected to keep
dp the present pace.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Store Group 10 Open
On Thursday Evenings
Through Christmas

A group Of downtown merchants
have agreed, beginning next week,
to stay open on Thursday evenings
through Christmas and to work
toward making Thursday night
openings permanent policy next
year.
The action was taken by % re-
tailers, representing dozens Of
downtown merchants, at meet
ing yesterday at the Chicken Hut
Restaurant.
Parking Problems Cut Trade.
Sid Bertram, Of Bertram's
Smokers and Leather Goods Shop,
said the move was taken as the re-
suit Of trade lost to suburban areas
because of downtown parking
problems during the day.
The Thursday night proposal
was part of a three-point pro-
gram approved last week by the
Federation Of Businessmen's As
sociations. Mr.. Bertram said. The
other two points include consid-
Grafton Of underground parking
facilities and plans for a down.
town pageant or other activity to
attract crowds.
The plans for a pageant or pa
rade. Mr.. Bertram said, have been
abandoned, but ideas for some
other activity will be presented to
merchant groups next week.
subcommittee Formed.
At yesterdays meeting subcom-
mittees were formed to urge COM
mercial groups to participate in
the plan. Those attending, Mr..
Bertram said, pledged to Coop
crate in the Thursday night open
ing beginning next week.
Mr.. Bertram, temporary chair
man of the committee. said the
group was formed as the result
of informal conferences during
recent months about the parking
problem.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Two Held for Grand Jury
After Gas Station hoIdup

Two suspects were held for the
grand jury under $1,000 bond to-
day after the $177 holdup of q
filing station at 100 Eleventh
street Sc. They are Eugene H
White, 81. of the 1900 block of
Twelfth street NV, and James
Hawkins, 10, of the 800 block Of
N street NV. Both are colored.
Fred S. Potts. 81, night manager
Of the gas station. told police that
three men forced him at gunpoint
to open the cash drawer. They
ned in an automobile and MIR.
Potts reported the theft.
Police later saw the car and
Hawkins was arrested. White was
picked up shortly afterward.
Charged with holdup and robbery,
they were arraigned before Com
missioner Cyril s. Lawrence. The
third suspect has not been appre-
hended. -, z. l..
= Police -ssid .thestwo admitted
holding up another gas stallion
recently, obtaiuing $50. .---~-
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Escaped Trusty Returns
To Alexandria Jail

A trusty who walked away from
the Alexandria jail October Z gave
himself up at Alexandria Police
Headquarters last night.
+ do you remember me?" asked
Mervin Calvin Brown. rs. colored,
800 block North Patrick street, as
he walked in. Pvt. Andrew Bena-
rick did remember him and
charged him with escape.
At the time Of his escape, Brown
was serving q short sentence for
a misdemeanor. Police said Brown
explained his absence by saying
he "had something important to
do" on the outside.
Evening star., 1949-11-22

& HAMPTON, Va. Nov. 20 R.-
Her sails torn away. her hull
leaking, and her auxiliary engine
out Of fuel, the yacht Tonga was
towed into Hampton today by a
Coast Guard picket boat. The 60
foot ketca, owned by John Hurtz
Of New York. left New Jersey last
week and ran into a storm Sunday.
Evening star., 1949-11-22

ment's animal
husbandry d-
vision, were to
be h eld this
afternoon. Pri-
vate burial will
follow In Fort
Lincoln Ce M
etery.
Mrs. Sheets,
who died Sat-
urday after a
weeks illness at
her home, 1881
Lamont street
NV, was born
In Rl1Ha10 w
Evening star., 1949-11-22
DougIuses to Return

LONDON, Nov. 20 R.-Ambas-
sador Lewis Douglas and his fam
lily will return to the United States
early in December for the Christ
mas holidays, the American En-
bassy announced here today. The
announcement said they will re-
turn to London in January.
Evening star., 1949-11-22

l4udA NV4CbA ACANAA'
They said President Truman
told them he wants Federal en-
ployes to participate whole heart
edly in the event and that he
would give Government workers
the day of on June IA.
Such a move would set a prece-
dent which, in all probability.
would mean that each June IA
would become a holiday In the
Government.
The plan for a big annual Flag
Day observance in Washington is
the brain child of William c..
Doherty, president of the AFL Ma
tional Association Of Letter Car
riers, and Thomas G. Walters, the
operations director of the AFL
Government Employees Council.
Both men said they got the
idea from the fact that previous
observances Of Flag. Day have
been rather cursory ones. They
felt Flag Day is the holiday that
should be used as a demonstra-
ton Of Federal employees deyo-
ton to the principles Of American
democracy. President Truman's
enthusiastic Endorsement has en-
couraged the participants to give
the annual event a rousing send
of next year.
ECA-There were two major re-
signations at the Economic CO.
operation Administration during
the past week. Those resigning
were Eric Kohler, ECA's control
Ter, and Norman Taber, the
agency's budget officer. Both
have taken jobs in private in
dustry.
Their successors have not yet
been chosen.
TOP PAY-It will be after the
first Of the year before the Civil
Service Commission decides who
among the Governments officials
will get the choice 400 Federal
jobs that pay salaries Of $11 900
to $4,000 a year. More than
/ 900 names have been recon-
mended to the commission by the
various agencies. s~ crit,
.,.El& ~syH *r+<4.a5 ...2g
PLAY "The Public Bosom" :"
a full-length comedy about the
Federal service, will be given by
Agriculture Department employees
on. December. q and 10 in, the De-
partment's auditorium. ts,
It's the first major postwar pro-
duction of the Agriculture Players,
who plan to follow it up with
other plays. "The Public Bosom"
was written by George Copeland
and George Carrot, two former
newsmen. now with the State
Department. The comedy was di-
rected by Zelda Fichandler, and
the sets designed by Mike Curry.
Government employees, as well as
the public. are invited to see this
and another play to be given
Agriculture group. The combined
admission for "The Public Bosom"
and another play to be given
later will be 81. Write or call,
Charles H. Cunningham, Room
1073-S, Agriculture Department,
Evening star., 1949-11-22

ceremonies on
the Washington
M o n u m e n t
grounds.
The sponsors
h We obtained
the enthusiastic
upport OF
President Tru-
man, who told
them last week
at the White
House that he
is anxious that
the affair be-
come an out
S t a n d ing an
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Mrs. Leda A. Sheets
To Be Buried Today

Private funeral services for Mrs.
Leda Atkeson Sheets, so, wife OF
Earl Woodden Sheets, former
chief of the Agriculture Depart
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Murphy Reaches Brussels

BRUSSELS, Nov. az R.-Rob-
ert D. Murphy, new American Am
bassador to Belgium, arrived today
by plane from Paris. He was ac-
companied by Mrs. Murphy.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
The Federal Spotlight
The Federal Spotlight
Flag Day Due to Be Observed
AS Annual Government Holiday
by joseph Young

employees in all probability will get an additional
holiday every starting next year.
H. Flag scheduled to become
major Washington day off for Federal
ployes here .
sponsored by the AFL Government
Evening star., 1949-11-22

Employees Council, together with
the parent AFL organization.
Plans call for a huge parade every
June IA, climaxed by impressive
Evening star., 1949-11-22
River Report.

(From United States Engineers.)
Potomsc River clear at Harpers Ferry
4nd at Great Falls; Shenandoah clear at
Harpers Ferry.
Evening star., 1949-11-22
Yucht Towed to Port

holding Up another gas ST
recently. ohtatuinE $50.
Evening star., 1949-08-21

1t was like the mechanical voice of an au-
tomaton speaking predetermined lines.
Nitrate test, sir"
Indeed! Will you men ever grow up?"
His voice was still monotone, but into it
crept calculated scorn. "Is this test your
own idea?"
''Yes, sir. take all responsibility.
VERY well. Now take that collection of
wax and cotton you've been playing with -
and burn it,
But, Mr.. Craig ="
That's an order from someone higher than
your immediate chief won't tolerate such
procedure against Mr. Jameson's depart
ment heads. You're not dealing with crimi-
nals'
Reeves appeared fustered perhaps was
over jealous
Mr.. Craig agreed. Perhaps you were."
He faced Jameson. Where is he .. ?"
AT the end of the hail." said Jameson.
Last bedroom on the right Our meeting
was expected to last part of the night So
assigned each person a room to relax in"
BY the time Jameson had finished, every
one present had followed him down the hall
where he opened a door.
Mr.. Craig was first to step into the room.
His eyes focused Immediately on the body of
Evening star., 1949-08-21
BY ROBERT LEITFRED
illustrated by Chiriacjsa

frowned. Why hadn't the Bureau sent an
older man? A man with some sense. What
good could come from having the back of
ones hand scorched with hot wax?
Hardly had Reeves peeled the mold from
Jameson hand, when the housekeeper opened
the hall door.
'Mr. Craig, gentlemen" she announced
tall, distinguished man with restive eyes
entered the room. Gray-haired, faultlessly
dressed, grimly reserved, Stephen Craig was
not the type his associates called Steve" He
was always and correctly referred to as mr.
Craig" Few people knew his exact status in
the government. Those who did were aware
that it was high and powerful
''SoRRY was delayed" His voice was
monotone with little or no infection. Who"
he asked bluntly, lis this gentleman?'
He aimed the words at Jameson, but his
eyes were on Reeves.
He was sent here by the Bureau -"
began Jameson.
. on suspicion of foul play" Reeves
broke in. ITO save time in questioning these
people, I'm using this method of determining
which person present might have -"
What method?" Mr. Craig's monotone
maintained the same pitch. No variation.
Evening star., 1949-08-21
A Short Story

1--WE men and one woman, all holding re-
Il sponsible positions in a strategic Wash
ington bureau, had been summoned, for secur-
ity reasons. to the home of their Chief,
Director Will Jameson. Outwardly friendly
when they arrived, they were now, many
hours later, acutely hostile toward each other.
Death had reduced their number by one.
Investigator Reeves had come, following
Jameson's phone call to the proper authori-
ties. He appeared rather young for an inves-
tigation of this nature But the bureau he
belonged to was composed of keen young men.
Mind holding out your hand, sir?" His
voice was friendly
Riordan. head of the Documentary Sec
ton, was touchy. "Yes," ne snapped. Il do.
But since happen to be here, suppose. :. "
This won't take long," said Reeves
Quicker, too, than asking lot of questions.
Hold your hand steady"
Reeves's fingers were deft and incredibly
swift. On the back of Riordan's hand, be-
tween thumb and first finger, he poured
warm, melted paraffin. He allowed it to set,
then added more which he reinforced with
layer of cotton. He covered the cotton with
still more parafin, allowed it to cool, then
peeled it from the skin in the form of mold
and set it aside.
>'AREN'T you making too much oueof some
thing that is, quite obviously, an ordinary
suicide?" asked Jameson.
ANY death that is unnatural" said Reeves,
must be investigated" He turned to the
next man.
Hallock, Chief of Personnel, said nothing
as he watched those deft fingers at work on
the back of his hand. His face and eyes were
unrevealing. They held no clue to the thoughts
inside him.
Sidney Client, former attorney and now
one of the top legal men in the bureau, showed
no concern at all - merely cool curiosity
as the cotton and paraffn mold was peeled
from his hand.
Woodbury., Section Chief, was definitely
agitated. He was a big man, tanned from
geological trampings over mountains and
deserts. Yet he submitted wordlessly.
Lena Matthias, secretary and chief file clerk
for Woodbury., was visibly shaken. Her prim
but attractive face mirrored the concern she
felt. Miss Matthias disliked being suspect.
1t frightened her.
Finished with these five. Reeves faced
Jameson. you, too, sir" he suggested
Director Jameson held out his hand and