davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
One Dead, Five Injured
In New Market Crash
Special Dispatch 10 The Sfar

NEW MARKET, Va, Dec. 81
A Lexington (Va.) woman was
killed and five persons injured in
q two-car crash near here yes
terday.
Mrs. Aurelie Baker. who was
riding in an automobile with her
husband and daughter and q
friend, was killed.
Injured were Hensel Baker, 80,
broken left knee cap and head in
juries, and Floyd Edward Smith.
Is, Mount Crawford, Va, the pas
senger, broken arm. Betty Ann
Baker, 8, escaped injury.
Occupats of the other automo-
bile, according to State police,
were Edward Crane, %. broken
right leg and head injuries; Mrs.
Charlotte Crane. Al, his wife,
broken right leg and head injuries,
and Mrs. Arvel Crookshanks,
broken jaw and head injuries, all
of Baltimore.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Alexandra Group 0kays
Utility Bills Tax

Approval Of the proposed tax on
public utility bills. IF additional
taxes are to be imposed" was
expressed by the North Ridge
Citizens Association of Alexan-
dria in a letter to the Alexandria
City Council, released today.
The association said such q
tax would, reach q substantial"
group of residents Of Alexandria
who, the association says, do not
pay enough taxes-military per-
sonnet and apartment jewellers.
The group also urged a vigorous
enforcement Of existing tax laws.
This tax will broaden the base
Of contribution to the common
burden" the association said.
Escape from this tax is almost
impossible and collection should
easily reach 100 per cent of the
amount due"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

One legend has it that years ago
the nag flew only when the Legis-
lature was In session. Another
says it flew whenever the Legis-
lature or the Governor was pres
ent In the State house., like the
captains flag on q ship.
There used to be q fellow who
got IS day for raising the flag
during the session." Mr.. Strange
recalls. e.
Neither legend has been au-
thenticated by historians. reports
Director John p. Trimmer Of the
State Department Of Information.
AT any rate the nag now flies
throughout the year on orders
from Gov. Lane.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

State nag costs about $25, the
National Flag about $40.
Maryland's banner flies from the
historic Statehouse 347 days q
year. On the other IS days. desig-
mated National Flag flying days by
the Defense Department, the
American Flag is flown. These In
clude Christmas Day, Thanksgiv-
ing, Easter and Mothers Day.
Some on the early watch for
got about, last December Z being
Pearl Harbor Day and raised the
Maryland banner.
When Mr.. Strange came on
duty, q passer-by stopped In to
alert him. Four hours after. sun
rise, the State flag was lowered
and the National Flag raised.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

ident Of the Policeman's@ ASsocia-
ton in 1924, 1925 and 1893.
Inspector Smith is survived by
his wife, a son. Milton A. Smith:
assistant general counsel for the
United States Chamber of Com
merce; three sisters, Mrs. Albert
E. Scholz, Mrs. Charles w. Eaton
and Mrs. Roland Mutt, all of
Washington; a brother, Joseph
Smith of Tuckerton, N. j. A step
daughter, Mrs. Howard L. Roth
of Washington, and two stepsons,
Elroy Horton of Washington and
Bradford w. Horton of San Lean
dro, Calf, also survive him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Frederick Helps Family
Which Lost All in Fire
BY the Assoeioisd Press

FREDERICK, Md, Dec. 49,
Neighbors, church groups and vol
unteer firemen are collecting fur
niture and clothing to help the
Charles Cleavenger family to get
re-established.
The Cleavengers home was all
set up for Christmas. Packages
were out and stockings were up.
Then an oil stove exploded. With
In minutes, the entire house was
engulfed in flames.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleavenger and
their children, one Is months and
the other 4 years, escaped with
only the clothes they were wear
ing.
Mr.. Cleavenger estimated the
loss at $4,000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Hammond StudiesP|aI
For Setting Execution
Dates in Maryland
BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Dec. 27.-A legal
provision for setting the date Of
execution at the time a prisoner
is sentenced to death was being
studied today by Attorney General
Hall Hammond.
A bill to that effect was drawn
up by the Legislative Councils
judiciary Committee after strong
recommendation by Judge Herman
M. Moser.
Here's the way the plan, If
adopted, would work:
When a judge handed down a
death sentence, he would issue a
warrant to the warden Of i. the
penitentiary directing execution
so days later.
But if the defendant appealed
to the Court of Appeals. the war
rant would be suspended.
Followed Execution Delay.
If the higher court affirmed the
lower courts decision. the clerk
of the lower court would notify
the warden of the penitentiary,
and the death sentence would be
carried out 10 days later.
If the case was appealed further
to a Federal court, and the lower
courts decision affirmed there, the
death sentence would be carried
out 80 days later.
Judge Moser's letter was sent to
the council last June after Gov.
Lane had delayed ordering the
execution of Howard A. Fran for
more than q year.
Fran was convicted March. 10,
1913, Of numbering q 77-year-old
West Baltimore grocer. Gov.
Lanes date of execution was an
nounced June II. 1a49.
Lists Four Reasons.
Judge Moser gave four reasons
for his proposal:
l. Punishment should be ad-
while the crime still is
fresh in the public mind.
2. Uncalled-for sympathy for
the convicted person might be
8. The prisoner would be re-
lieved Of terrible mental torture"
during an indefinite period of
waiting.
4. The Governor, If he had
conscientious or religious scruples
against capital punishment, would |
not have to fix the time Of death. i
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

The new year will be good one
for Maryland farmers, according
to a University OF Maryland farm
specialist. but the honeymoon is
over.
Gross farm income and cash
receipts from marketing are ex-
pected to be down at least 10 per
cent from 1949. Farm production
costs will drop some, but not as
much as the income.
S. H. Devault, of the university's
Agricultural Economics and Mar
keting Department. said farm
prices in general now have reached
parity, the lowest since 1941. and
some further decline in the parity
ratio is expected In the months
ahead.
Farm prices have declined about
% per cent since the peak of l948
and are now back to the level
Of July, 1916.
Mr.. Devault said the general
picture looks as II the net farm
income will drop about Is per
cent for the country as a whole,
making the net reduction from
the peak Of 1947 about SO per
cent in three years.
But this would leave the net
income for 1850 at more than
double the prewar average.
Cost Of food at the store Is
expected to be from S to Z per
cent lower in 1850 than in 1949,
he added, largely because q
smaller amount Of the family
budget Is being pointed toward
food and. consequently, the de-
|mand will slacken q bit.
In 1948. the average family
spent 27.7 per cent Of its disposa-
BILE income on food. In 1949, the
figure ran about 1858 per cent. The
1850 prospects are that food will
cost the average family about Is
per cent Of its income. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Inspector Smith,
Police Veteran,
Dies in Sleep
Fearing Death Near,
He Pens Note Telling
Of Heart AiIment

Police Inspector Milton D.
Smith, who needed a height
waiver to get on the force but
did big mans job for 81 years,
died at his home here yesterday
known throughout his career
for meticulous attention to detail,
the penchant and self-discipline
was with him to the last. Be-
lieving he might die, he penned
a note which told of a heart all
ment he had kept a secret from
his family over the Christmas
holidays.
He was found dead in bed at his
home, 1928 Forty-ninth street
NV, by his wife. Mrs. Katherine
H. Smith, at las pm.
Coroner A.. Magruder MacDon-
aid attributed death to heart dis
ease. Inspector Smith, an assist
ant superintendent of police, was
81 years old.
Was Economy Minded.
His efforts at economy while
assistant supervisor of the uni
form division once led to removal
of the arm rests from scout cars
because they were wearing out the
left elbows of uniforms.
A one time chauffeur for the
late Senator Hitchcock of Ne
braska, he knew where to seek the
abrasive.
His campaign saved material by
shearing off two inches from the
tail of uniform overcoats, de-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Bubble Gum Bequest'
Argued in Winchester
BY the Associated Press

WINCHESTER, Va, Dec. '27.-
The bubble gum bequest OF the
late Charles B. Henry to children
of the John Kerr Public School
will be argued this afternoon be-
fore Judge Elliott Marshall IN
Winchester Corporation Court.
Mr.. Henry, 80-year-old curb
side merchant. left an $85. 900 es-
tate, the earnings Of which he
specified were to be distributed
each Christmas and Easter to the
some 400 pupils at the Kerr
School.
He wanted them to spend the
proceeds on bubble gum or toys. -
or in any way they wished. But
above all he wanted them to IRE
member Old Man Henry"
However, three first cousins and
several more distant relatives
Mr.. Henry's nearest Of kin-con-
tested the will on the ground 1t
did not set up a charitable trust
and hence was invalid.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

It's long climb from the tor
floor Of the Statehouse to the
portico around the steeply arched
cupola-a climb Of $50 steps.
IF you're right spry, you can
walk up there In 10 minutes,
says Mr.. Strange. who is 50 and
very spry. "Still. It's lot easier
coming down."
More than once the Maryland
banner has flown upside down
without causing CONSERVATION In
Annapolis.
TITS easy to put the nag on
upside down II you're not hep to
it." Mr.. Strange says. "A new
man will just clamp 1t on the
halyard and let her go: then
you've got to change It."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Liquor Dealer
| Bests Intruder
| With Quick Draw
BY the Asseeicfsd Press

BALTIMORE. Dec. 27.-A Balti.
more liquor dealer was quicker or
the draw this morning than q
gunman.
The dealer, Calvin c. Bitner, told
police a man entered his store
shortly after midnight and started
to pull a pistol from inside his
shirt. g..
But Mr.. Bitner, who has been
carrying a pistol since his brother
was robbed Of $50 last month, drew
his gun first and disarmed the
intruder.
The man was charged with dis
orderly conduct and carrying .
pistol without a license. @
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Ten virginians Injured
When Blast Wrecks House
BY The Asseeiatsd Press

HAMPTON. Va, Dec. 27.-A gas
explosion wrecked . four-room
cottage near Buckroe Beach yes
terday and injured ten persons
none critically. Eight Of them
were brought to q hospital here
with burns.
Injured In the explosion were
seven members Of the Hogge fam
uy-G. G. Hogge, 20: his wife,
Hilda, Is, and their children. San
dra. 6 months; Douglas. 8;
Charles, S; Thomas. Z. and q. G..
Hogge,, jr.. Sand Mr.. and Mrs.
Herman Powell and their son,
Gary, 2.
Mr.. Hogge said the accident
occurred when he lighted q ciga-
rette in the cottage which had
been rented by Mr.. Powell. Mr..
Hogge said he was certain 4 gas
inlet was leaking. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
HyottsviIIe Eastern Star
Elects Miss Coomes

Miss Louise Coomes has been
chosen worthy matron OF Ruth
Chapter No. z, Order Of the East
ern Star, Of Hyattsville.
John Glading has been elected
worthy patron: Mrs. Clara Ouch
associate matron; Robert Taught
associate patron; Mrs. M. Virginia
Thompson, secretary; Mrs. Flor
ence Dorm. treasurer; Mrs. Viola
Curry, conductress;; Mrs. Helen
Marx, associate conductress, and
Mrs. Edna Bozman, trustee for
three years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
W. D. Anderson Retoins
HyuttsviIIe Fire Post

w. D. Anderson has been re
elected chief Of the Hyattsville
Volunteer Fire Department. Othel
officers chosen for 1850 are:
Frank DiVincenzo, assistant
chief; Charles DiVincenzo, cap
tain; Robert Clayton Knapp
jr., lieutenant; Earle 8. Dor
relle, fire marshall Francis K
Geary. superintendent Of ma
chinery; George G.. Griebel, Sec
rotary, and Lawson F. Sanders
treasurer. Charles DiVincenzc
and John F. Seller were named
delegates to the Advisory Board
of the County Firemen's Associa-
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

ANNAPOLIS, Dec. ~. Flags
take q beating atop the Maryland
Capitol.
Brother, they wear out plenty"
says C.. Franklin Strange, one OF
the Statehouse watchmen who
see that the nag flies from sunrise
to sunset. High winds whip them
to pieces"
Whatever the weather, either
the Maryland nag or the Ameri-
can Flag fiies every day from .
staff on the old oaken dome.
''It it's really blowy they won't
last q week. says Mr.. Strange.
IF it's mild q flag will last q
month";" The five-by-eight-foot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Deer Found Dead in Road
Believed Hif-Run Victim

A 180-pound deer was found
dead early today-the apparent
victim Of q hit-and-run motorist
on Mica Mine road. between
Wheaton and Four Corners, Md.
The animal, a white tailed buck.
was skinned by Montgomery
County Policeman Harold Marks
and sent to the county jail In
Rockville, where 1t viii be given
to prisoners for their Ns'i Years
Day dinner.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

signed a special short coat with
removable lining and brought into
use belt with q pouch to carry
the report books which had been
wearing Dut hip pockets. =
For this service 3ie received a
Certtfleate of Merit from the Com
missioners in 1943-or1e OF a dozen
commentators awarded him dur
ing his service.
He was considered a traffic ex-
pert even before entering the de-
partment and much OF his work
was in that Observation-Disclosures
ing placing q violation ticket on
an unmarked vice squad car for
parking IN a zone behind head
quarters designated "for police
cars only
Campaigned Against Noise.
AS early as 1889 he was cam
paigning for rigid enforcement OF
the anti-noise regulation, aiming
his plea at horn blowing motorists.
Inspector Smith was still a
chauffeur late in 1918 and had
helped organize the Professional
Chauffers' to consider traffic prob
lens when Police Chief Raymond
w. Pullman made police depart
ment overtures to him.
At that time, the Inspector was
five feet, four inches tall-four
inches under the minimum. Be-
cause of his interest and knowl-
edge Of traffic problems, he was
given height waiver and went
to the force as a bicycle police
man.
BY July of 1880 he was a lieu
tenant in traffic and two years
later became a captain in that
division. ....
He became commanding officer
of the division in 1886; was ap-
pointed an inspector and trans
ferred to administrative head
quarters as property clerk in 1871.
Trial Board Chairman.
At the time of his death he was
in charge of the police uniform
and property Office, chairman Of
the trial board and chairman of
the Promotional Rating Board.
which determines efficiency rat
ings.
Known as "Chinny" because of
his jutting chin, much Of his serv-
ice was devoted to improvement
of working conditions for police
men and was often jovially refer
red to as ''Pinchpenny" because Of
his concern for economy.
During his service he completed
traffic courses at the University Of
Maryland and at Northwestern
University. While at Northwestern
he served as valedictorian of the
Executive officers Training School
and brought improved traffic ideas
back to Washington for applica-
ton.
AS an aside to this phase Of his
work, hesonee had nine miniature
tombstones made and placed them
in the offices of the Corporation
Counsel Tor re1nindful inspection
by motorists brought In for traf-
fic offer1ses.
Active In Church Work.
Active In church and Masonic
circles, hes taught District Bible
classes sfor more than Is years
and served as president Of the
Harrison Bible Class, named for
the late Police Inspector William
H. Harrison.
He was past master and pres
ent chaplain of the Congress
Lodge 81 of the Masons, past
president of the Circle Club and
q former president of the chauf-
feurs' organization. He was pres
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
HyuttsviIIe Musons Elect

Woodrow w. Page has been
elected worshipful master Of Mount
Hermon Masonic Lodge No. ITO Of
Hyattsville. E. Ivan Rohrer has
been chosen senior warden; Har-
old e. Keen, junior warden; Will
lam c. Morrison, secretary, and
Robert M. James, treasurer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
District Will Request
Extra Five Million for
New Building Outlay

The District will ask Congress
for permission to spend an extra
100000 on construction Of
schools, health and welfare prof.
ects in proposing balanced budg.
ct of approximately $118,000,000
it was learned today.
The Commissioners plan no in.
crease in taxes and present rev.
enues are expected to make ap.
proximately $118,000,000 avail.
able for running the municipal.
government and adding new con.
struction in the 1851 fiscal year.
No reductions in taxes for Dis.
trict residents are in sight either
Despite efforts Of various groups
to persuade the city heads te
proposed a reduction in real
estate taxes, the next fiscal year
is expected to see the sails per
500 tax rate on real property
continuing.
Follow Senate Suggestions.
The record District budget re-
quests will go to Congress in about
two weeks as part Of President
Humans annual Federal budget
message.
The Commissioners. it was in
dicated, are following closely the
suggestion of the Senate District
Subcommittee to add $5,000,00
to the Districts usual annual
outlay for capital improvements
This is the same sum as the
District spent during the current
fiscal year to pay the retroactive
portion Of the $3.50 pay increases
for city employees. Since this is
not q recurring item, the Sem
ate group proposed last spring
that the $1,000. 900 be kept In the
budget "for needed capital i'm
provements. such as schools, well
fare institutions, sewer projects
and others Of high priority"
With the Strayer report under
lining the need for more school
construction. it is expected that
funds to purchase school sites
and draw plans for school build
Ings will use up a considerable
chunk Of the proposed $4,000, 900
increase.
GaIlinser Clinic Urged.
In the current year, the District
Is spending about $4,000, 900 for
permanent Improvements. OF this,
about half comes from the city's
general fund and the other half
from the separate highway and
water funds. The IS ZOO, 900 would
be added to the general fund for
welfare, school, police. fire,
recreation and similar capital ex-
penditures.
Ordinarily, the city seeks funds
for purchase of the site the first
year. authorization and plan
money the second year and build
ing money the third year. Sites
have already been purchased for
some District projects for in
stance, the children's center for
welfare institutions at
Laurel, Md.-and plans have been
drawn for some other projects.
In addition to school copstruc-
ton. department heads and vari-
ous civic groups have urged con-
Of more facilities at Gal
finger - including a centralized
clinic building-and modern well
fare institutions to replace the
present Home for the Aged and
Inf1rm at Blue Plains and the In
dustrial Home School for white
children on Wisconsin avenue.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27
Alexandria Art Exhibit

An exhibition Of water colors
and oils by William w. Roberts
and Jeane Fowler Roberts is be-
ing held this week at M. s. CHM
& Co., 40 King street, Alexan-
dria.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

drta.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-27

inlet was leaking.
Evening star., 1949-06-18
CIV. 10 Receive Share
OF DR.. Ruifin Estate:
hieces Also Get Pat

George Washington University
is 10 receive q substantial sum
from a more than $3.50 900 esia; ;e
OF Dr.. Sterling Ruin. prominent
physician who died here June !
at the age Of g.
A petition for probate Of Dr.
Rufhn's viii Vas fled yesterday
at District Court HIS entire estate
consisted Of personal property
according 10 the petition,
The university. under terms O,
the viii. Is 10 receive one NTH OF
the residue OF the estate after a
number OF other beQueSts are
taken care OF.
Other main benehclar.es are
two nieces. Miss JAMIE RUM
Simms and Mrs. Annie r. Waller
stein. both Of Richmond. who Will
get a total OF two-fifths OF Lhe
residue
Dr.. Run made numerous other
beQuests. ranging from several
hundred TO several thousands o!
dollars each, One beaueSt desig-
mated the Medical Society Of the
District of Columbia to receive
three -fortieths.
Numerous relatives and friends
Evening star., 1949-06-18
Byrd Seeks All Facts
0nRetirements Before
Action on Service Pay
By the AIso<isied Press

Senator Byrd. Democrat. Of Viz
ginia today demanded all the
facts" about the number of for
mer officers and men Of the
Armed Services drawing retire
ment pay. before Congress passes
on a $500, ,ooo, 900 annual pay in
crease.
Senator Byrd, veteran Senate
economy advocate. told a reporter
that retirement pay and benefits
F"is an integral part Of the whole
military pay system" and added
that 1t should be overhauled.
He sharply criticized existing
rules that allow officers and men
with 20 years service to resign
"and draw retirement pay the rest
of their lives"
Says Some Hold High-Paid Jobs.
Some of them also hold high
salaried jobs in industry. he said,
adding:
II have an open mind on this
pay bill but before the Senate
acts we should have all the facts.
Chairman Tydings of the Armed
Services Committee which is ham
ding the pay bill. said in a sep
arate interview he is confident
that when all the facts are known
the Senate will join the House
in approval.
But he backed up Senator
>Byrd's request that the Army.
Navy and Air Force supply COM
plete lists of all officers retired
on pay since 1910, along with their
terms of service.
Can Retire After 20 Years.
Under existing regulations
armed forces personnel can retire
after 20 years service at half pay
if they get approval from top
commanders. After 80 years
service the retirement pay goes
up to rs per cent.
A check with the armed services
showed that 1927 Navy officers
and 889 Air Force officers have
retired since 1910 while there
Evening star., 1949-06-18
Morine Reserve Elects

1t. Col Edward w. Manwaring
37l2 First road. Arlington. ha:
been elected president OF the Othc
L. Rogers Chapter of the Marine
Corps Reserve Officers Associa
ton, it was announced today
Other officers are: Capt. J. II
Roscoe, first vice president: Capt
Robert p. Leonard. second vice
president; Capt. David Stautfer
treasurer. and Maj. L. J. Tate
secretary.
Evening star., 1949-06-18
D. C.'s 428th Regiment
Storts Field Troinine
L. 10 A,,eSse.ed Ptss.

INDIANTOWN GAP. Pa. June
18-Fifteen hundred troops Of the
18th Infantry Division took over
this huge military reservation TO-
day for two weeks Of intensive
field training.
The division is composed mainly
of units in Harrisburg. Philadel-
phia. Pittsburgh. Reading and the
428th Infantry Regiment. Wash
ington, D. =.
RefreSner courses in tactics and
small arms and heavy weapons
FIRE will be the order OF the day
for the Reserves.
Evening star., 1949-06-18

we're / l.S4s Marine of3cers drawing
retired pay UP to May Of this year.
Army totals. expected 10 be much
larger than the others. were not
Immediately available. The Air
Force total Is relatively small be-
cause it has been an independent
unit for less than two years. Many
of its retired officers are on Army
lists.
Evening star., 1949-06-18
Eoby Dies OF Suftocctlon

Ralph Z Prom. is~wr~ks cd
died YESTERDAY @. &spl1yxlA:4on dur
20 Suroca;4oa. according IN Cox
oner A AAggllceg MacDct4AiG v no
issued a ceESIncair c+ natural
death after an autopsy yesterday
The boy Nax found 4nconSc so&4s lrl
his crib a. ss7 X street u W sy
his mother Mrs IAarHy FTuEn Nrs
From said The boy hae beer lsTacrF
a doctors treatment