davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-08-19

A Catholic priest has success
fully freed a 14-year-old Mount
Rainier. Md, boy of reported pos
session by the devil here early this
year, it was disclosed today.
The priests name was withheld
by the National Catholic Welfare
Conference. The ritual of exor-
cism driving out the satanic in
f1uence). however. can only be
employed with the permission of
the archbishop.
This permission, it was ex-
planned. was given only after the
boys affliction was studied ex-
haustively at Georgetown Univer-
sity Hospital and st. Louis Uni
versity. both Jesuit institutions.
Psychiatrists were unable to
help the youth, The Star was told,
and both Catholic universities
found themselves helpless to elm
mate the manifestations. The
boy, in the presence of witnesses,
was first afflicted in his small
home January 18.
Once he was tipped out of a
chair that he could not have
turned over himself and another
time a blanket on which he was
lying slid completely under set
of twin beds. The manifesto
tions were accompanied by strange
scratching noises in the walls OF
the home. according to clergy
man who studied the case. 4
Furniture In which the boy sat
slithered around the rooms. &C
cording to testimony given to 8
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Estate Of Contractor
Valued at $777,50O

Walter B. Avery. building oon-
tractor who died in Doctors Hos
pital last Sunday, left an estate
valued at more than $277, 500, it
was shown today in a petition
for probate of his will filed in
District Court.
His widow. Mrs. Ximerla B.
Avery. and son. John B. Avery
Of Dover, Del, are to share in tie
estate.
Mr.. Avery, who was 81. left the
son stock in the Good Humor Ice
Cream Co., the value of which was
not listed. He left his widow a life
interest in the family residence
at 5120 Loughborough road NV.
uhless she should remarry.
Under terms of the will, the
bulk of the estate Is to be placed
in trust with the Second National
Bank of Washington, which was
named executor. The widow, in
turn, is to receive three-fourths
Of the income from the trust fund
for life, unless she remarries, and
the son, one-fourth.
On the death or remar1iage OF
Mrs. Avery, the son is to receive
! the entire estate.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
GaI|inger Patient Escapes
From Operating Table

Gallinger Hospital patient was
the object of a police hunt today,
q few hours after he had jumped
off an operating table and fed.
The patient, John Williams, 80,
colored, was placed in the Gal
linger lookup at 1915 o'clock last
night, charged with drunkenness,
assault and assault on police
man.
On his chin was one-nch. cut.
possibly received while Pvt. #. B.
OBryant, colored, of No. 2 pre-
cinct was arresting him at Seventh
and @ streets N. w.
Pvt. O'Bryant reported that, In
resisting arrest, Williams kicked
him in the stomach. Capt. Clyde
N. Strange, No. 2 commanding
officer. said it was not clear
whether Williams fell or was
struck by the policeman.
At $50 am, today, Pvt. w. B
Edwards, stationed at the Gal
linger lookup, took Williams to the
operating room. Attendants were
poised, ready to give the patients
chin cut a couple of stitches, when
he jumped up and departed in
haste.
Evening star., 1949-08-19

to his work. She added that the
doctor told her the aged news
dealer would die of inactivity If
he didn't return.
"Ee was a wonderful old mar" "
Mrs. Porter said. "he never said
an unkind word about any one and
he was well-informed on current
events" She said he read all the
papers every day right up to his
death and never wore glasses.
"He also carried a Bible in his
pocket and read it whenever he
had free moment" she added,
ION Sundays he would sit out on
the porch and study his Bible for
hours"
Mr.. Porter never married. He
was born in Charleston, S. c.,
where he was a patternmaker in
the Navy Yard most Of his life.
When he reached 10, he retired
and moved to Washington.
Evening star., 1949-08-19

A Justice Department employe
called The Star today to insure
that an old acquaintance, a white
bearded newsdealer at Eighth and
Market place NV. received due
recognition at death.
The Government worker. who
said she had talked with the
sweet old man" each day. was
anxious to find out whether The
Star was going to publish an
obituary. She said she didn't
know his name. but described him
as known and loved by hundreds
Fof Washingtonians who bought
his papers or just passed him
every day at his stand."'
She said that when he had not
appeared on his corner for some
time, she became curious and
asked around the neighborhood as
to his whereabouts. Finally in
Quiring in Kann's Department
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Sister Of Girl Who Diet
Treated al Hospital.
For Lead Poisoning

The 3-year-old sister OF a
Hyattsville girl who died of lead
poisoning was being treated today
for the same ailment at Chill
dren's Hospital.
Elizabeth Carver, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Claude L. Carver,
4503 Decatur street, was admitted
! to the hospital last night after an
examination showed she was suf-
fering from chronic lead poison
ing, according to hospital author
tiles. They said the condition was
not acute
Her sister, Claudette, 4, who
her parents said, had been eating
paint off furniture for the last
year, died Saturday in Prince
Georges General Hospital.
DR.. William Manion, hospital
pathologist, said an examination
of Claudette's body fluids at the
National Institute of Health, Be-
thesda, revealed "16 times the
normal amount of lead"
Health Officer Visits Home.
Meanwhile. DR.. Thomas S. En-
glar. Prince Georges County
health officer, who visited the
Carver home yesterday, said a
nurse will be assigned to advise
Mrs. Carver about proper diets for
her three other children. :.
Accompanying DR.. Englar were
Montgomery Morrow. a county
health inspector, and Miss Ruth
Coveney, public health nurse.
In a statement issuedHafter the
visit. Dr. Englar said his principal
interest in the case is Ito protect
and help. as far as possible, the
other children in this family"
Our other interest,"" he added,
lis in widespread education of
the public in matters Of nutrition
so that such regrettable episodes
may be prevented"
Declaring the other children
appeared well fed, DR.. Englar
emphasized that "even a plump
child is not necessarily a properly
fed child"
Criticizes Advertising.
In discussing the Health De-
partment's efforts to promote
proper feeding Of children, DR..
Englar attacked the competition
Of advertising"
1T is very hard" he explained,
Ito convince a morher that whole
wheat bread is tine best for ner
children when an attractively COL
ored billboard depicts a cut
loaf Of bread. its cross-section The
snowy white Of the paper on v hich
the advertisement is printed .
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Thief Reyerses Practice,
Breaks Out Of Cafe

The humdrum business of look
ing for people who break into
places was relieved for police to-
day when q man broke out Of a
restaurant. taking $3.50 and two
watches which were not his.
Leon Rosin, co-owner of Leo
and Marty's Restaurant, 521 Mas
sachusetts avenue NV, said the
thief apparently was hiding in
the place when he locked up at
2::30 am. The visitor helped him
self to the cash and watches
found in an unlocked safe.
Sometime during the next two
hours, a passerby saw a white man,
5 feet 5 inches tall and wearing a
khaki shirt and tweed trousers,
break the glass in the front door
and crawl through to the street.
Police were checking hospitals,
believing the intruder might have
cut himself.
Evening star., 1949-08-19

Store nearby, she was told he had
died of q heart attack.
She then called The Star. Fur
ther inquiry revealed:
Charles 8. Porter, 81, who had
sold papers on that spot for IL
years, rain or shine, in hot and
cold weather, died August l Of a
heart attack while lunching in the
Atlantic Restaurant. 625 Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV. He was buried
in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Mr.. Porter's family. his brother
and sister-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph j. Porter with whom he
lived at 1888 Massachusetts,
avenue Sc, said he had suffered
a heart attack q year ago and had
remained at home for a month
to rest up.
Mrs. Porter said he had become
restless, about that time and his
doctor told him he could return
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Priest Freed Boy of Possession
|By Devil, Church Sources Say

parapsychological society here by
the clergyman. The organization
described the boys condition as
being due to the presence of a
poltergeist - literally NOISY
ghost"
After an exhaustive scientific
study of the case at St. Louis
University. it was disclosed. the
boys afliction was diagnosed as
being spiritual.
The boy, a non-Catholic. was
received into the Catholic Church
at his own request. the National
Catholic Welfare Conference said,
and permission was obtained for
the ritual of exorcism to be per-
formed to drive out the evil pres
ence.
A priest said the ritual takes
about half an hour. The priest
first says mass and must himself
pray for divine strength to combat
successfully the diabolical in
f1uence.
The priest then follows a ritual
of prayers and psalm singing
which includes the sprinkling of
holy water on the afflicted person.
The boy became completely
normal after the ritual, The Star
was told.
Diabolical possessions are COM
paratively rare in Christian coun-
tries but are rather frequent In
pagan lands. The church never
permits use of exorcism until an
afflicted persons case is completely
| ldocumented as bona f1de.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
You Moy Have Missed Him, Too; Here's His Story

Bart Vassallo. wholesale news
paper dealer, who delivered MIR.
Porter's papers, recalled today the
aged man had never missed q day
of work in the last IL years except
for an illness q year ago.
Another customer who had
missed him on the busy corner
right Off Pennsylvania avenue
NV, expressed sorrow over his
death. "He had one Of the kind
est and sweetest expressions I
have ever seen on an old mans
face. He looked like . Victorian
character with his long slender
hands and white beard. He re-
minded me Of my grandfather, "
she said.
HE never failed to speak a
word of greeting or to add q
Thank you to his customers. The
corner won't seem the same with
out him." .
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Two Held in Alexandra
In Theft of Machine

Two men accused Of taking q
$73S calculating machine from
the Wallace & Herring lumber
yard in Alexandria June 16, were
held for grand jury action in Alex
andria Civil and Police Court yes
terday.
Police said the machine was
found Tuesday In the room Of Ro-
bert E. Cowhig, 81, of the 100
block Harvard street. Arrested
as Cowhig's accomplice was Mar
tell Taylor, colored, "a, of the 800
block Montgomery street.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Two A. F. Generals Head
Reuctivuted Divisions

The Air Force has re-estab-
lished its training and require
ments divisions and assigned two
top-ranking generals to direct
them.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth P. Nc
Naughton, former director of
training and requirements, was
named training director, and Maj.
Gen. Gordon P. Seville, COM
mander of the Air Defense Com
mand at Mitchell Air Force Base,
New York, was assigned to re-
quirements command.
The divisions formerly were
units Of the operations staff Sec
ton. The action also abolished
the directorate Of training and
requirements in the office Of the
Deputy Chief of Staff.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
500 P|asterers
Strike, Slowing
Work in Area
Local Votes WoIkout
As Contract Expires;
Welfare Fund Is Issue

About 500 plasterers struck here
today. slowing up construction
work in the District and in near
by Virginia and Maryland.
The latest demonstration on the
troubled building trades fronts
developed last night when the
members of Local 96, Operating
plasterers and Cement Finishers
voted to back new contract de-
mands with the work stoppage.
Thomas Crawford, local business
agent, said the men refused to
work without a contract, which
expired at midnight. but that the
union was willing to meet with the
employers today or tomorrow.
Welfare Fund Involved.
He said the union was demand
ing a per cent welfare fund,
paid by the employers, and an
equalization of the three rates
of workmen's compensation now
being paid for work in the District,
Virginia and Maryland.
The union wants the District
workmen's compensation rate OF
$35 a week to apply for contracts
In Virginia and Maryland. which
now pay $40 and $25 week, re-
spectively.
Mr.. Crawford said the member
ship decided, in taking the strike
vote, to drop two other demands.
Those were for S cents mile for
work outside the District and
checkof of union dues.
William S. Farris, president OF
the Employing Plasterers' Associa-
ton, said the 18 contractors In the
association were willing to grant
the District compensation rate, but
were opposed to the welfare fund,
the TRANSFORMATION assessment and
the checkoff.
Schools Affected.
The employers have offered to
approve the $35 compensation and
extend other terms Of last years
contract for two years, he said.
The employers apparently had not
been officially advised the union
had dropped two of its demands.
The strike, halted plastering at
new District schools and at some
commercial and apartment house
construction, thus further retard-
ing work that had been impeded
by q six-week strike Of carpenters
and laborers earlier In the summer.
There is no dispute over wages
as such, but employers said they
were unable to foot the Accents
a-day welfare fund would cost. or
meet the added cost of transporta-
ton mileage. The plasterers now
receive So a day. Union sources
said the total demands would cost
the employers $3.37 a week per
worker. - -.
Evening star., 1949-08-19

has been pro-
NOTED to the
rank Of briga-
dier general, it
was announced
y e S t e r d a y
by Maj. Gen.
L a u r e nc e S.
K u er, COM
mander Of the
M iii ary Air
/ 7 q II b p y ! Y
Service.
Gen. OKeefe
W a S born in
New York City,
&z r,e L,,
Evening star., 1949-08-19
|Peptohvlslstigiting !
Power House Blast
Fata| 10 Test Engineer

An investigation was launched
today into the cause of an ex-
plosion . at the Potomac Electric
Power Co.'S Buzzard's Point power
plant which killed one man and
scalded another late yesterday.
Richard D. White. 80. died when
a metal chamber blew apart
sending steam and flying metal
into the air. He was a graduate
engineer and test en-
gineer at the plant, First and v
streets S.W., and lived at 1887
Twenty-f1 first street NV.
Harold Clatterbuck, 20, of 2606
South Veitch street. Arlington, a
steam operator. was admitted to
Garfield Hospital with face burns.
His condition was described as
good.
Test Of Metal Planned.
The plant superintendent.
Howard Harrigan, said special
metallurgical tests will be begun
today to determine If q faulty
casting caused the blast.
Mr.. White was struck in the
head by parts Of a semisteel cast
ing, part Ut a pilot valve control.
ing pressure to a boiler, Mr.. Har.
rigan said. He was also scalded.
He was pronounced dead al
Garfield Hospital and his body
was taken to the morgue. A death
certificate is expected today.
Mr.. White and another test en-.
gineer, Donald Erdman. were
testing the control apparatus ane
Mr.. Erdman, standing about II
feet to one side, escaped injury
Mr.. Clatterbuck, however, was al
his station under a grating below
the valve and scalding water
poured down on him.
Other Valves to Be Tested.
I've been in this business since
1916 and have never seen any
thing like this" said Mr.. Harri-
gan There are several other
valves like this in the plant. We
plan to have special tests made
to see If any are faulty. They
we're installed in 1945."
He said Mr.. White had been
at the plant since January 8,
1949. During the war he was
an Air Force pilot. A bachelor,
he is survived by his mother, Mrs.
Ruth c. White, and a sister, Mrs.
Shirley johnson, both Of Cam
bridge, Mass.
Plant operation was not inter-
rupted by the blast.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
A. U. Alumni Holds
Picnic. Tomorrow

The Washington Club of the
American University Alumni As
sociation will hold a picnic at 3
pm. tomorrow on the campus
at Massachusetts and Nebraska
avenues NV.
Alumni, faculty and students
are invited. Picnickers should
bring their own lunches, but soft
drinks and ice cream will be avail
able on the grounds. Swimming
starts at S pm, and there will
be soft ball, tennis and other ac-
tiyities. including program Of
supervised activities for children.
Mary Jane Hayes, Miss WASH
ington Of 1949," will be among the
guests. Walker Winters is in
charge of the affair.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Man Held in FutoI Beating

John Henry West, %. colored,
Of the first block of Ritchie ave-
nue.. Silver Spring, was ordered
held for grand jury action after
an inquest at the Morgue yester-
day into the fatal bludgeoning
Sunday of Strollen Dallas, %,
ccloEed, 1880 Georgia avenue NV
The Attack occurred in the 1900
block of West Beach drive NV.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Hospital a|Center
Work 10 Begin
lin 18Months
Gen. Fleming to Head
Board; Building Waits
On Observatory Shift

Construction Of the $23, 900. .00O
Washington Hospital Center will
begin on the site Of the Naval
Observatory. Thirty-fourth street
and Massachusetts, avenue NV,
in about 18 months.
This was disclosed by the Board
Of Directors which held its first
meeting yesterday. Its first Of
fetal actions were to make formal
selection of the Naval Observa-
tory site and to elect Maj. Gen
Philip B. Fleming, chairman of
the Maritime Commission, as pres
ident of the corporation.
The board reported agreement
on selection of the Massachusetts,
avenue site, which will be avail
able as soon as the Navy receives
Congressional approval and funds
for a proposed transfer of the OBJ
servatory facilities to Charlottes-
vile, Va. The tract covers 70
acres. Only the residence of the
Chief of Naval Operations will
remain on the observatory site
when the Navy leaves.
Must Wait Til All Are Moved.
It is estimated the Navy will
require about year and half
to. remove its observatory facili-
ties. Construction of the hos
pital center cannot begin, how
ever. until the last observatory
facility is gone since the build
ing operations might interfere
with celestial observations.
Construction of the center
which will include a seven-story
l ,000-bed main structure, will re-
quire about two years, according
to present plans.
The project will make Wash
ington the foremost hospital CEN
ter in the world. Gen. Fleming
said in a statement last night.
Three Washington Hospitals
Emergency. Episcopal Eye. Ear
and Throat and Garfield-will
join facilities in the center.
$21.70O,0O0 Available.
Construction of the center by
the Federal Works Administration
was authorized by Congress in
1916 and present appropriations
make $21, 100000 available for the
project. The eventual cost is
estimated at $23, ,000,0
Other corporation officers
elected at yesterdays meeting in
cluded Mrs. Millard E. Tydings,
wife Of the Maryland Senator,
vice president: A. Murray Preston
of the Episcopal Hospital Execu-
tive Committee, secretary: Attor-
ney Frederick Bradley. treasurer.
Members zof the board present
were Samuel Z H. Kaufman
Thomas H. Reynolds. DR.. John
Lyons, DR.. Howard Parker, Leo
Schneider. DR.. Worth B. Daniels,
Deaconess Margaret Bechtol. DR.
Victor Alfaro and H. r. Rust.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Years 33d Polio Case
In District Reported

The thirty-third polio case II
the District this year was re-
ported today by health authori-
ties.
The patient is q 14-year-old
boy, whose parents live in the soc
block of Franklin street NE. He
was sent here from Virginia after
being stricken while in that State
He was, admitted to the Medical
College in Richmond on Au-
gust II.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Star Movies

The only community movie to
be held tonight, after having been
postponed by rain, will be at
Stephens playground. Twenty
first and L streets NV. A pro-
gram Of comedy, sports. cartoons
and music will be shown.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
WiIdIife Fellowship
OF S2,4OO Offered

! A $2,400, two-year fellowship at
the University of Massachusetts
for research into methods of film
ing wildlife Is being offered by the
National Wildlife Federation. it
was announced today.
Any graduate of an accredited
university who majored in wild
life management. forestry, agri-
culture or related subjects Is eli
gible. Applications should be made
through William G. Shelton, Mas
sachusetts Cooperative Wildlife
Research Unit, at the university
in Amherst.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Negro Busines Group
Plans Exposition Here

The first annual exposition
sponsored by the Affiliated Busi-
ness Associations, q group of
Washington Negro business Or
ganizations, will be held from
September II to 13 in Turner'S
Arena.
4 The exposition will be opened
\ with a parade on September IL
starting at First and U streets
NV. and proceeding to Turner'S
Arena.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
Nurses to Be Graduated

Graduation exercises of the class
of the st. Paul Institute School
Of Practical Nursing will be held
at $3.50 o'clock tonight in the main
ballroom Of the Wardman Park
Hotel. One hundred and fifty
Washington girls are among the
1853 graduates.
Evening star., 1949-08-19

ated from Dewitt Preparatory
School here in 1926 and fro m
West Point in June, 1880. He has
a distinguished war record. Now
residing with him in Saudi Arabia
are his wife. Mrs. Louise Shinn
O'Keefe, and two sons, Richard
Dennis, IL, and Charles Torrance.
TO-. Another son. Joseph Is. is
attending q school in Michigan.
Evening star., 1949-08-19
|Pantheisf Takes Place
On Brentwood Council
After Law Is Voided

J. Milton Stanford, who re-
fused to take prescribed oath of
office because his religious be-
liefs, today is an official member
of the Brentwood Town Council.
Mr.. Stanford, a pantheist, was
seated last night at the direction
|'of the Prince Georges County
Circuit Court. which last week
ruled the oath unconstitutional.
The 40-year- r-old investigator for
the Civil Service Commission
denied he is a Communist.
Although he was not required
to take the oath the council
offered originally, Mr.. Stanford
had to swear his support of the
Maryland and United States
Constitutions. The ceremony was
held in the chambers of Judge
Charles G. Marbury in Upper
Marlboro.
1t was Judge Marbury who ruled
unconstitutional a 95-year-old
Maryland law requiring public
officials to swear to belief in
Christianity or a hereafter.
The swearing-in took place late
yesterday and Mr.. Stanford actu-
ally was seated last night at a
council meeting in the Brentwood
fire house.
New Member No Christian.
Mr.. Stanford, elected as a coun-
Gilman on June 27, had refused to
take the oath because of section
requiring him to say: II believe in
the Christian religion"
He pointed out that a pantheist
is one who believes that the
universe is God and who does not
accept the doctrine of a future
state of rewards and punishments.
The communism issue was
brought into the limelight during
last nights session. Mr.. Stanford
said he had heard rumors around
the nearby Maryland community
branding him as Communist.
IF any one has any idea from
what I have said that I have any
resemblance to a Communist,
either living or dead, or that
I don't adhere to moral standards,
I want to correct that impress
sion," he declared. II will be glad
to talk it over with any one who
comes to me-"
Mayor James L. Russell. after
the seating of Mr.. Stanford, said
II do not believe he is a Commu-
mist. I asked him about it and
he convinced me he was not"
In taking Office. Mr.. Stanford
said he regretted that the whole
incident occurred.
Il think that the proper atti-
tude for us to take is to let by
cones be bygones." he explained.
THE sooner we forget any misun-
derstandings we had, the better
off we'll be-"
Dissenter Wants Appeal.
Councilman Benjamin Castle
moved to seat Mr.. Stanford rather
than appeal the case. Mr.. Mahaf-
fey seconded it. Councilman Ell
bert Brown was absent both times.
Before seating Mr.. Stanford, the
mayor asked if anyone had any
objections to it. One man from
a group of seven citizens said he
hoped the town would appeal
The lone dissenter, H. E. Long,
ley, of 4405 Thirty-seventh street,
told reporters later that he was
willing to contribute to legal ex-
penses involved in an appeal. He
was advised to get up a petition.
Judge Marbury had ruled that
the 1854 law requiring the belief
in Christianity oath was super
seded by the State Constitution
Of 1867 and hence, repealed by
implication.