davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Court Permits Sale of Famed Hope Diamond for $780,
Gem Purchased on SIS 900 Down, $1,000 Month Plan
By Hermon F. Schoden

The Hope Diamond, tabled
harbinger of misfortune, once
adored and feared by royalty,
soon will adorn the neck of a
new owner.
District Judge James w. Morris
yesterday gave the executor of the
late Evalyn Walsh McLean's estate
permission to sell that stone, it's
less awesome but higher priced
companion piece, the Star of the
East, and other gems. with a total
value close to $600,000.
Purchased by Louis XIV of
France, locked up by Louis XIV
because of it's bad luck reputation
and placed around the neck of the
Inflated Marie Antoinette by the
equally ill-starred Louis XVI. the
Hope Diamond came to Washing
ton 81 years ago.
Details of the transaction by
which Mrs. Mclean and the late
Edward B. Mclean obtained the
gem were revealed today ip a state
ment Of the account with Carriers,
famous New York jewelers..
Settling all arguments about the
sale price. the statement discloses
the McLeans agreed to pay Car
tiers $4,000.
The statement shows $4,000
was paid in cash at the time of
purchase and credit for $35, 900
allowed two months later for two
other pieces of Jewelry turned in
on the purchase.
Dated October l, 1918, the state
ment describes the purchase this
way:
Jan. %, 1927 head orna-
ment of oval shape links all in
brilliants containing in center the
Hope diamond weighing 4412
carats. Price agreed following
terms of contract signed February
l, 1912. $180,000.O0."
The statement shows credit of
$4,000 on February 2, $1,000 on
Marcn ana 81 ,OuO on April !.
On the latter date, credit also is
given for $4,000 for a brilliant
cravette collar mounted on plat
mum" and $4,000 for pendant
composed of one button pearl sur
rounded by brilliants and l hexa-
gonal-shaped emerald with a
small clipp."
These were applied to the Hope
diamond account, and thereafter
the statements lists $1,000 month
ly payments.
Another Cartier statement shows
that the McLeans purchased a
diamond and emerald bar pin val
ued at $12,680 on January S. 1918.
BY the court order, the Mclean
jewels may be sold at public auc-
tion or private sale at not less than
the appraised value of $591, lot.
The Hope diamond was appraised
Evening star., 1949-03-19
vepco Warns Rising Costs
May Require Higher Rates
BY the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va, Mar. Ia
Continuation of rising operationa.
costs may necessitate request fol
increased rates, the Virginia Elec'
trio & Power Co. told its stock
holders yesterday.
In it's annual report, Vepco sale
194S operational revenues were
more than $50, 100000, or 12.1 pei
cent above the 1947 figure. This
increase was attributed to in.
creased use of current by new ane
old customers.
The years net income OF slightly
more than $5,800,000, however
was IA per cent under the 1941
net. The company said this was
due to 22.9 per cent rise in tota
operation and maintenance ex.
penses, caused largely by "the in.
creased costs of coal, purchased
power and payroll"
The report listed net conStruc.
ton expenditures in 1948 Of
$28, ,000, 900, more than double the
1947 total, and added the company
plans to spend about $80,000.00(
for new facilities in 1949, 1850 ano
1851.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Prince Georges Chest
Names Publicity Aides

Members of the Public Relations
Committee of the Prince Georges
County Community Chest and
Planning Council were announced
today by Fred T. colwen, chair
man.
They are: K. c. McCloskey Of
Cheverly, in charge of motion
pictures; Mrs. Elizabeth Steely,
Hyattsville, planning council bull
letins; Bernard Molohon, College
Park, radio; Miss Mary Thompson.
supervisor of health education Of
the Board of Education, schools.
and the. Rev. w. w. Sylvester,
Brentwood, speakers bureau.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Home Ru|ebi||
To Stream|ine
ID. {. Is Ready
Kefauver to Offer
Elected Council Plan
To Senate Next WeeI

A new 'home rule" bill calling
for an elected and streamlined
city government for Washington
is scheduled to be placed before
the Senate next week.
Brief public hearings on the
final draft of the bill, under the
plans of Senator Kefauver, DEM
ocrat. of Tennessee chairman of
the Senate Home Rule Subcom-
mittee, are to be held beginning
March %.
While most details of the new
measure still are wrapped in
secrecy, the general subject is to
be presented at next Tuesdays
meeting of the full membership
of the Senate District Commit
tee. At that time additional
members of the committee will be
asked to join in the move as CO.
sponsors of the bill.
Provides Reorganization.
Senator Kefauver last night
lifted the veil of secrecy enough
to reveal that the new measure
would call for reorganization of
the city agencies, as we'll as for an
elected and partially autonomous
city government.
AS he described it, the reorgan-
ization plan is similar to that
proposed to the House last year by
the Auchincloss Home Rule Sub
committee. But it is briefer and
simpler. he indicated.
His statement indicated that the
Senate Home-Rule Subcommittee
has agreed on the general prin-
ciples to be followed and is calling
for an elected city council of nine
members and an elected Board Of
Education.
Gives Ordinance Authority.
The council would be given all
the ordinary ordinance making
powers of an American city, plus
the power to propose" District
Legislation that would be effective
within so days, unless a veto was
adopted by either the House or
Senate.
This would be departure from
the plans of the Auchincloss group,
which held that some affirmative"
approval of legislation would be
necessary to avoid Constitutional
questions.
The Kefauver Subcommittee
plan has been developed during a
series of closed meetings during
the past month.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
|Suit|and Man in Hospital
As Result Of Tavern BrawI

A Suitland man was in serious
condition at Gallinger Hospital
today, police said. as the result
of head cuts and eye injuries re-
ceived yesterday in a tavern brawl.
District police said the man is
A. L. Byrd. 26, of the 4700 block
of Hudson avenue, Suitland. An.
other man, Frank j. Talbot. 38.
Of the 1900 block Of Allentown
road, Allentown. Md, received a
cut near the left eye but was not
admitted to the hospital. police
said.
According to the District re-
port, the fight occurred at the
Bucket of Blood. a tavern seven
miles from Marlboro.
Prince Georges County police
said no report on the incident had
been filed at Marlboro.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Miss Joyce Hoffman Wins
Roanoke College Honor
SpeeioI Dispatch 10 The Stnr

SALEM, Va, Mar. 10 Miss
Joyce Hoffman, 1908 Second
street, Arlington, this week won
her second outstanding honor of
the year from Roanoke College,
when she was elected first presi-
dent of the newly established
Womans Student Government AS
Sociation.
Earlier this term Miss Hoffman.
a senior, was the only woman
selected to represent the college in
who's Who" for college students.
in recognition of her many campus
activities.
She is a member of virtually
every student organization for
which women are eligible. The
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Edwin
H. Hoffman, she is majoring in
English. She plans to become a
teacher.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Virginia U. Report on Students
Brinos Only One Critical Reply

larly serious problem here at the
university"
Everybody, from President Dar-
den down to first-year students
and including Dean Newman
agree that conditions have i'm
proved since the period covered
by the report. which was the year
ending last June.
The one letter writer told Presi-
dent Darden he hoped the report
was printed with your knowledge
so you will be prepared to handle
the unwarranted publicity that
will result from it."
Mr.. Darden said he was aware
there might be adverse comment
and, in answer to a question OF
why he permitted the printing, he
declared:
II can't imagine a more inefh-
cient report going to the Board
of Visitors than a report which ]
had edited"
Evening star., 1949-03-19
| |PrisonerFIees
7oEscopeQuiz
On Narcotics
BY the Assoeiofed Press

FREDERICK. Md, Mar. 49,
Police today were looking for &
man who avoided questioning by
federal narcotics agents by es.
Gaping through hole in the jai
roof.
No charges have been filed
against the man, described as a
39-year-old resident of Delaware
but Police Sergt. Daniel Swomley
said his clothing was full of CO.
define tablets when arrested. some
of it sewed into Innings.
Federal agents began question
ing the man yesterday. Then they
went to lunch, and workmen who
had been working on the jail roof
went to lunch too.
The prisoner climbed through a
hole, slid down a rainpipe, and
made his escape.
Sergt Swomley said he arrested
the man Tuesday. He became in
terested in him when he found
him offering to sell postage
stamps at less than their face
value.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Virginia OAR Backs
Restoring Wood|awn
ey the Assocjoted Press

ROANOKE, Va, Mar. 19.-Vir-
ginia members of the Daughters
of the American Revolution yes
terday indorsed the restoration of
the Woodlawn Mansion. near
Mount Vernon, as a National
Shrine.
The conference, at its closing
session, authorized Mrs. Everett
L. Repass, State OAR regent. to
appoint a special State chairman
to work with members wishing to
contribute to the restoration.
Woodlawn was George Washing
tons wedding gift to his adopted
daughter, Nellie Gusts. 1t is part
of the original Mount Vernon
estate.
The Woodlawn foundation re-
Gently made a 100000 down pay
ment on the estate and assumed a
$4,000 note.
Miss Kathleen Douglas. regent
of the Mount Vernon Chapter,
told reporters the foundation
hopes to open Woodlawn in about
80 days. It will not be furnished
by that time, however.
Mrs. Repass was nominated by
the conference for vice president
general of the OAR in 1850. Her
three-year term as State regent
expires then.
The conference indorsed per-
sonal contributions rather than a
quota system as the best means
of raising money to complete the
100000 OAR administration
building in Washington.
The group agreed to establish
three research rooms dedicated to
prominent members of the Vir-
ginia organization at the new
building.
Women to whom the rooms will
be dedicated are Mrs. Hampton
Fleming of Richmond, National
and State parliamentarian; Mrs.
Repass and Mrs. Bruce D. Rey-
nolds, Charlottesville, national
yice-president-g
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Gineerich Is Appointed
Tokomu Park Counsel

The Takoma Park Town Coun-
Gil announced yesterday that 1t
has appointed Vincent L. Ginge-
rich, 80, to be corporation counsel
for the city. succeeding J. Douglas
Bradshaw, who resigned when he
was elected a member of the
Montgomery County Council.
A former president of the Ia
koma Park Chamber of Commerce,
Mr.. Gingerich has been active in
civic and church affairs.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Judge Suspends Sentence.
OF 7 ARLINGTON Policemen

Judge Walter T. Mccarthy
yesterday suspended the remain
der of five-year sentences i'm
posed February 81 on Arlington
Policemen Louie L. Lipptrap, "a,
and Charles H. James, %.
The men. who pleaded guilty to
storebreaking while on duty, were
put on probation for five years.
Conditions will be determined by
the probation officer and Judge
Mccarthy said these would be
severe.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
d. C.. Budget Cuts Are Kidding
Status of Neqro Schools

Children ana teacnerS, alreaoy
hard pressed in classroom worl
because of lack of books anc
other instructiona material. will
get little relief. The school boarc
asked for '$624,799 for instruc.
tional materials. This was cut
$4,000 by the Commissioners
and $50,000 by the House.
Right now, school officials esti.
mate that each school teacher
spends from SIS to $50 a year from
his own pocket to buy materials
needed in the classroom to give
proper instruction.
Other major items which the
school officials felt we're neces.
sary but which the House deletec
include:
$4,000 for the regular city
wide school census which schoo
officials take every three years
Planning a school program de-
pends to a great extent in &C.
curate knowledge of how many
pupils will be attending schools
in the immediate future.
Floor Requirements Ousted.
$4,000 for the first part Of g
three-year program of replacing
auditorium floors in mcfarland
Stuart and Paul Junior High
Schools. Plans called for replac~
ing the worn, fat floors with in
clined floors.
$4,000 to convert two class
rooms at the Orr Elementary
School into a makeshift audito-
rum. The school has no as
sembly room now.
$4,000 to remodel the audito-
rum at the Sumner Elementary
School. This auditorium is pad
locked now. because it does not
have sufficient exits to meet fire
regulations and leaves the school
without an assembly room.
$4,000 to replace worn floors
at Dunbar High School.
Hine Plans Eliminated.
$29, 400 to draw up plans for re-
placement of the Hine Junior
High School. This old school has
been branded by school officials
as one of the worst in the city
and is high on the priority list OF
construction jobs.
The House approved budget
calls for only $2.075,250 for con-
struction, all on buildings already
authorized or underway. The
Board of Education did not ask
money for new buildings not al
ready authorized, following a di-
rective of the Commissioners
although it has cited the need for
additional buildings many times
DR.. George Strayer in his re-
port called for $38,000,000 in new
construction immediately to bring
the schools up to a point where
they will be able to meet exist
ing needs.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
By a Staff Correspondent. Of The Stor

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, Mar.
Republication of a deans re-
port which criticized social life
at the University of Virginia SO
far has brought only one unfavor-
able letter from alumni.
The deans charge was in the
annual report of University Presi-
dent Colgate w. Darden. jr.,
which was distributed to about
$4,000 alumni and friends of the
school. Although the distribu-
ton was made five weeks ago, the
observations of j. H. Newman,
dean of students, did not appear
in newspapers until Thursday.
Dean Newman charged that
"unchaperoned girls and women
are being entertained at all hours
in the dormitory rooms"
and that drinking lis a particu-
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Code Ruling Awaite|
On Segregated
|Hyattsvine Theater

A ruling by the Hyattsville City
Council probably will determine
whether the old Arcade Theatel
on Gallatin street can be convert.
ed into a non-segregated legiti-
mate theater.
The National Repertory Theater
Inc, obtained a permit this week
from the Maryland-National Cap.
ital Park and Planning Commis.
sion to remodel the structure. II
has filed plans for alterations with
the Council which will consider
the question Monday.
Howard Dingee. Hyattsville
treasurer. said the Councils de-
cision on the application would
depend on whether the proposed
alterations meet specifications of
a new building code.
Code Adopted Recently.
The code. which has been de-
scribed as stringent" was adopt
ed a few weeks ago. Its principal
application is to theaters.
Robert v. Viner, Washington
civil engineer who drafted plans
for the Arcade remodeling. said
they conform and expressed belief
there would be no reason for the
Council to deny the permit.
The building, situated just west
of the Baltimore boulevard, was
leased from Sidney Lust, who op-
Grated a motion-picture theater
there until about 10 years ago.
The structure has been condemned
for auditorium purposes. Part
of the building is used for COM
mercial purposes.
Drama School Planned.
National Repertory. which is
headed by Dean Goodman, for
mer drama critic and producer,
announced that it would conduct
a drama school in connection
with the theater. It said it would
retain a permanent staff and
would augment this by support
ing players from other cities for
various performances.
A spokesman said the proposed
alterations would cost $500 or
more. An asbestos curtain is in
cllded in the plans and seating
capacity would be reduced from
$50 to 400. The spokesman said
the remodeled structure could be
made ready for use by mid-April.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Resort zoniinq
In Map Service
Area Protested
Park and Planning
Commission Opposes
Saloon Operation

The National Capital Park and
planning Commission has Joined
two other interested Federal units
in protesting a zoning move to
create a resort" area in the vi
cinity of the Army Map Service
plant on the Macarthur boulevard
in Montgomery County.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III,
chairman, said the operation Of
saloons in this area" would result
in an undesired increase In traffic
on the boulevard. The road
serves the Dalecarlia Reservation,
Washington's principal reservoir.
For these reasons the National
Park Service and the Army Engi-
neers also opposed the plan. he
said.
Reconsideration Asked.
The Planning Commission, at
its closing session yesterday, con-
f1rmed a letter to the Montgomery
County Council asking for a re-
consideration Of the order by the
previous County Board Of Com
missioners, which zoned the area
commercial. If the Montgomery
Council decides to hold hearing
on the proposed rezoning, the
planners intend to send a repre-
sentative to protest the move.
The planning commission also
approved the location of two new
wave tanks at the Beach Erosion
Board Laboratory on the Dale
Carlin Reservation, with the un-
derstanding, Gen. Grant said,
that a general plan for the future
use OF this large reservation as a
whole be completed with due re-
gard for landscaping around the
tanks" The tanks are for the
purpose OF testing the effect Of
wave action on shore lines.
Two Bills Supported.
The commission directed Gen.
Grant to appear before the ap-
propriate congressional committees
in support of two bills. One of
these. before the Senate Public
Lands Committee. would transfer
the Baltimore Washington Suit
land Parkway to the National
Park Service.
The second bill, before the
House Interstate Commerce Com
mittee, would authorize the Civil
Aeronautics Administration to
select a site for an additional
commercial airport for the WASH
lngton area. The planning COM
mission wants to make sure the
CAA would have to get its ap-
proval for any site.
Gen. Grant revealed there are
still four unfinished chapters of
the so-called Comprehensive Re-
port OF the Washington Metro
politan Area. The commission
hopes, he said. that the desired
100000 to publish the report for
public consumption will be forth
coming in the Independent Offices
appropriation bill.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Prince Georges Board
Schedules Hearing
On Budget March 81

A public hearing on Prince
Georges County's proposed budget
for the fiscal year beginning July
l will be held at Upper Marlboro
at 10 am. March 81.
The date was fixed by the county
commissioners yesterday after
studying budget requests during
a special executive session at the
county courthouse. They said
they would continue their study
on Tuesday, their regular meeting
day.
Board President Harry w. Nc
Nance told reporters after the
meeting the budget does not have
to be adopted by April /. as was
customary in the past. Changes
in State regulations governing
county budgets permit their adop-
ton any time during April. he
explained.
He also announced public
hearing will be held March 80 on
a proposed master zoning plan for
the county.
Mr.. McNamee reported the COM
miSsioners were doing everything
possible to keep the present tax
rate of $1.97 per 500 valuation
on real estate.
Were trying to keep it around
So, but we can't say what it's going
to be yet because we don't know
how much We'll get from the
State" he declared. That's the
$64 question"
A major factor in maintaining
the current rate is the increase in
the county's assessed valuation
from $155, ,895.570 to $193.571 ,060,
a jump of nearly $40,000,000. ac-
cording to Linden Briscoe. clerk
to the commissioners. The State
also may provide increased rev.
enue to the county. he added.
The 1859 county tax rate was
based on a levy of $3,070,27e, al
though the county actually appro-
priated $631.9 additional from
surplus funds and anticipated re-
ceipts. Practically every major
department of the county has
asked for an increase in next
years budget.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Marines to Take Over
Stafford Housing Project
BY the Associotsd Press

FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Mar
19.-The Midway Island housing
development in Stafford County
will be used exclusively by Marine
Corps and Navy personnel sta
toned at Quantico in the future,
housing officials have announced.
About 40 civilian families now
living in the area. which was de-
veloped during World War II,
have received notices to yacate
their homes within 80 days. Mid
way Island, situated about four
miles south of Quantico Marine
Base. has 249 housing units.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Time Of Crisis
By Colt HendIey, Jr.

The Negro high school gradu-
ate in Washington is in danger
of losing his opportunity to enter
college without special examina-
tions, because of slashes made in
| school funds by the House-and
further cuts still face the Dis
trict.
The school cuts were part of
the $5,584,000 taken from the
1850 District revenue bill by the
House. The Commissioners will
have to slice off another $780,
900 from the total city budget,
unless additional revenue. ex-
pected to be raised by the sales
tax the House voted down. can
be found.
The absolute minimum"
school budget was reduced $304,-
612, and funds already appro-
priated for construction of a new
colored high school were res
cinded by the House.
Part Time Glasses
Because of this, the three col
ored high schools here face part
time classes, lowered standards
and possible loss of accreditation.
School Supt. Hobart c. Corning
said the present school financial
situation is serious and that
further cuts would be unthink-
able"
Resembling of the $1,187, ,399 ap-
propriated in previous years to
build Spingarn High School at
Twenty-fo street and Benning
road NE, for colored students
leaves the other three colored
schools in a bad spot. Enroll
ment is increasing steadily at
each of the three.
At present. Cardozo High
School has an enrolment OF 1.744
in a building designed to take
care of 1,040 students. The school
uses a "triple-relay" system to
avoid part time classes. The STU
dents attend at staggered hours
in three sections so that class
rooms will be available.
Armstrong High School has L.
178 pupils with a capacity OF only
LOTT, and Dunbar High School
handles 1,712 while having room
for only 1.615.
Lower Standards Inevitable.
Without Spingarn High School,
part-time classes and lowered
standards are inevitable. DR..
Corning said, with the result
probably being the loss OF &C
creditation.
Many colleges, including How
ard University. allow graduates
of an accredited high school who
have maintained certain grades
to enter without special entrance
examinations. The accreditation
is based on definite standards. and
| If that accreditation is removed.
it means the colleges no longer
consider the education offered
adequate.
The school budget asked for no
more immediate funds for the
Spingarn school but sought an in
crease in the authorized cost
limit from $2,505,000 to $780,
900 so the contract could be let.
This was refused and the funds
already appropriated were re-
pealed.
The total school budget sub
mitted by the Board of Educa-
ton was for minimum needs only
and amounted to $23, 1920. The
Commissioners reduced this by
$422,80 and the House cut of
$3O4,612 brought this down to
$23,018,838.
This is $2,038,845 less than the
schools were given for the cur
rent year.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Student Fined $3.50
On 0bscenity Charge
BY the Assoeiated Press

BALTIMORE, Mar. 19.-Neil M.
Briggs, 26-year-old University Of
Maryland student of aeronautical
engineering, was fined $3.50 today
in Federal Court when he pleaded
guilty to charges of sending OBJ
scene pictures through the mails.
University records list his ad-
dress as the 1900 block Of Wood
land road. Silver Spring.
Postal authorities told the court
Briggs exchanged pictures with
New York man and corresponded
with him about obscene movies.
Evening star., 1949-03-19
Military Boil Tonight

The annual military ball of the
University of Maryland, sponsored
by the Reserve Officers Training
Corps and the Scabbard and Blade
military honorary fraternity, will
be held at 8 o'clock tonight in
the university armory.