davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Hoffman and FinIetter
To Testify Tomorrow

Economic Cooperation Admin
istrator Paul G. Hoffman and
Thomas K. Finletter, ECA chief in
Britain, will testify tomorrow be-
fore the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee on the need for con-
tinuing Marshall Plan aid to
Britain.
The two ECA officials are en-
pected to urge strongly that Bri-
tain be given the s940000,000
allotted under the S5,580000,000
aid program for the next Is
months.
Mr.. Finletter had intended to
leave today for his post in Lon
don, but was called back to Wash
ington to testify at the hurriedly
called committee session. He now
expects to leave Tuesday.
While the authorization bill now
before Congress does not include
specific amounts for individual
Marshall Plan nations, the total
amount is based on estimates by
ECA of the needs of each nation.
Britain's share for the last quarter
of this fiscal year and for fiscal
1850 is second only to the French
share in Importance.
The Senate committee already
had begun work on the authoriza-
ton bill when the current contro-
versy over British recovery result
ed in the call for reopening of
hearings.
Evening star., 1949-02-27

Five months and one week ago,
Assistant Secretary of the In
terror, C. Girard Davidson. sent
letter to the Attorney Generals
Office asking him to decide who
controlled 62 recreation areas here
the Interior Department or the
District Recreation Board.
The matter still is pending. In
quiries at the Justice Department
bring the answer that Its in
the mill" Mastin G. White, In
terror Department solicitor. says
he understands a decision is due
soon.
At least two months ago. how
ever, reports were heard that the
decision was written-in favor of
the Recreation Department.
1t was Mr.. White who started
the whole matter on its way.
He was asked last summer by
the National Capital Parks to
clear up the matter of jurisdiction
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Peiping News Banned
As Big Farley Nears
BY the Associoted Press

SHANGHAI, Sunday, Feb. 81
The Communists today clamped
the lid on foreign correspondents
in Peiping. 1t was the first such
action in any Chinese Communist
area.
Associated Press Correspondent
Spencer Moosa in Peiping mes
saged the AP Shanghai Bureau:
Communist authorities today
circularized all of us (foreign
newsmen in Peiping) that, in view
of the military situation and be-
cause this is a military area, for
eign correspondents are to stop
gathering and filing news and are
forbidden to engage in any news
paper or magazine work here"
Up to now the Communists have
not censored foreign newsmen in
Peiping but have ignored them.
Correspondents have not been
permitted to talk to Communist
officials there since the Red occu-
patton began Jan. 81.
PEIPING. Feb. ga big po-
iitical conference is shaping up
In Communicated Peiping.
Official sources disclosed the
arrival Friday of more than 80
opponents of the Marking Ma
Eonalist regime by special train
Alrom Mukden, in Red Manchuria.
Evening star., 1949-02-27
CuIcuttu Gonqs Kill Three
BY Colt HendIey. Jr.

School officials are considering
abolishing the midyear promo
ton and graduation system here
and shifting to annual promotion
of students, School Supt. Hobart
M. Corning said yesterday.
washington is almost the last
city to make the change" Dr..
Corning declared.
The school superintendent said
he and his staff are studying the
problem and probably will bring in
recommendations to the Board ot
Education. He would not predict
how soon such recommendation
would be made to the school board
since the shift involves many re-
problems which his
staff is studying at present.
DR.. Corning explained the shift
to annual promotions would sim
plify school administration, par-
ticularly in the smaller schools in
the city. He pointed out that an
Evening star., 1949-02-27
By Richord Kosisehke and
Dimiter Mishev
Associated Press Foreign Correspondent

Associated Press Foreign Correspondent
SOFIA, Bulgaria, Feb. 26.-The
Rev. Vassil Ziapkov. chief de-
fendant in the spy trial of Is
Protestant clergymen, pleaded
guilty today and called himself
"a rotten tool of h-Ameri-
can capitalism.
\ He launched into a four-hour
talk, fearful and sobbing.
Two other ministers who pre-
ceded him to the witness stand
in the Sofia District Court also
had confessed and similarly de-
nounced themselves as guilty OF
treason, espionage and illegal cur
rency dealings.
Mr.. Ziapkov said he had studied
in both the United States and
Britain and that this was the
cause of his downfall.
My foreign education abroad
plucked me out of Bulgaria and
transplanted me on foreign soil,
he wept. Il repent strongly.
IT repent completely that we
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Bulgarian Cleric Calls Self
Rotten Tool of Capitalism
Third Defendant Pleads Guilty, Charging
Bribery With 'Enemy's' Money, Education

pastors became tools of the en-
emy who was bribing us with
money and education, that we
pastors became tools of an enemy
who wanted to organize disorder
and diSsension in Bulgaria.
I'VE became tools of American
capitalism. to that strong and
dangerous enemy who was bribing
us with money 'and education in
order to profit out of u.s."
He told the court, as the others
had done, that he and his CO.
defendants spied for the West in
order to stop Communism and
that they realized now they were
wrong about Communism.
Mr.. Ziapkov is a 48-year- old
Congregationalist who was a
member of the Supreme Council
of the United Evangelical
Churches of Bulgaria and the
councils political representative.
The defendants who preceded
him we're also members of the
supreme council. They were the
Rev. Yanko Ivanov. 48, a Metho-
CContinued m Paoe A Col l !
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Churchill Scorns u. N.
As PowerIess TO Bar
Outbreak of New War
ContemptuousIy Refers to
'BrowIing Cockpit, and
Urges United Europe
By the Assoeiofed Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium. Feb. 26.
Winston Churchill said tonight
the United Nations is poWerleSs to
prevent a new war and called for
a united Europe as a regional
pillar of a truly effective world
organization.
In a speech to the European
Movement international council,
Mr.. Churchill contemptuously re-
ferred TO the U. N. as "brawling
cockpit" in danger of losing the
respect of those who were most
ardent for its creation"
Less Hopeful Than League.
The leader of the European
Unity Movement said the U. N.
Has made far less hopeful start
in these first four years than its
predecessor, the League of Ma
tions."
Regional organizations which
would really function, he said, are
the way to correct the U. Ms
defects.
Large regional units are the
necessary elements in any scheme
of world government. 1t is vain
to build the dome of the temple
of peace without the pillars on
which alone it can stand the
former British prime minister
said.
Mr.. Churchill said a European
movement could not rest con-
tent until the division of Eu-
rope into the free and the unfree
is ended"
I'VE must strive with every
means in our power" he contin-
Iued, whereby our fellow citizens
in the satellite countries will one
day be reunited with us"
Toll For Sake of World.
The former Prime Minister told
the delegates that, in attempting
to unity Europe, they are working
toward the greatest of the re-
gional organizations" which would
become "a principal factor in the
life and peace of the world and a
worthy member of the world Or
ganization."
IF we are striving to raise Eu-
rope from the awful welter of mis-
cry and ruin into which we have
been plunged. it is not only for the
sake of Europe but for the sake of
the whole world that we toll"
He termed the recent trial Of
Josef Cardinal Mindszenty of
Hungary a legal atrocity" which
could not be permitted within the
(See CHURCHILL, Page A-6.)
Evening star., 1949-02-27
House Group Sure to Approve
75c Wuqe Floor, LesinsN Says

vote to broaden the Federal wage
hour law as much as the admins
tration and labor unions have
asked.
There was a good chance, in
fact, that the laws coverage will
not be expanded at all.
The committee has completed
hearings. Mr.. LesinSki has called
a closed meeting Tuesday to start
writing a minimum wage bill.
Mr.. Lesinski, who previously
doubted whether he could muster
the votes to push 75-cent mini
mum through the committee, now
is convinced he can.
II have been counting noses, -
he said. THE 75-cent minimum
is sure. How much more than
that we will have in the bill when
it gets to the floor, I don't know" +"
Three committee Democrats
who said they will back Mr..
Lesinski on the 75-cent figure
said the bill may not carry much
more than that. They asked not
to be identified by name.
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Paraguay's President
0usted After Month
BY the Associated Press

ASUNCION, Paraguay, Feb. 26.
The national radio said tonight
that Gen. Raimundo Rolon. in
stalled only a month ago as pres
ident of Paraguay by revolu-
tionary coup, was ousted today in
another coup.
A new government was formed
Immediately under Felipe Molas
Lopez.
The radio said the overturn
was carried out by triumphant"
civilian movement.
Gen. Rolon. a retired soldier,
took over the presidency after
a bloodless coup deposed ]. Nat
alico Gonzalez January 80.
Gen. Rolons government was
the sixth in 13 months to at
tempt unsuccessfully to bring
political peace to Paraguay. Mr..
Gonzalez himself had led a sue
cessful revolution which paved
the way for him to take office.
Rebellions had unseated the other
presidents.
Gen. Rolon announced last
Wednesday he would not be
candidate for the presidency in
general elections set for April II.
Effect of the new coup on these
elections was not Immediately
clear.
Mr.. Gonzalez, who first took
refuge in the Brazilian embassy
in Asuncion after his custer, ar
rived in Buenos Aires early this
month to go into exile.
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Playground Issue Still in MW,
5 Months After Plea for RuIinq
Justice Department Decision on Control
Expected Soon, Interior Solicitor Reports

on the lands in question. National
Capital Parks is the Washington
branch Of the National Park Serv-
ice which belongs to the Interior
Department.
The playground areas in ques-
ton comprise tWo-thirds of the
recreation area operated by the
city. The land had been bought
by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission since its
creation in 1924 and then had been
assigned to the Commissioners for
recreation use who in turn had
designated the Recreation Board,
as it's agents to operate the play
grounds.
Mr.. White decided that when
the Recreation Board was Gre
ated in 1912, the law rescinded au-
thority of the planning commits
sion to assign the land to the
Commissioners. Therefore, hi
Continued on Page A, Col. s.,
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Merger Of Districts
Two Oldest Banks
Voted by Directors
Stockholders of National
To Act March 10 on
Metropolitan Proposal

The oldest financial institution
in the Capital. the National Bank
of Washington, in which Daniel
Webster and Henry Clay were de-
positors, and the National Metro
politan Bank, second oldest, are
about to merge, it was announced
yesterday by C. F. Jacobsen, presi-
dent of the Metropolitan.
A proposal to combine the IA
cilities of the two banks has been
approved by the directors of both
institutions, the merged bank to
take the name of the National
Metropolitan Bank of Wash
ington. =
Ratification of the proposal,
originated by the National Metro
politan, will be voted on at meet
ing of the stockholders of the Ma
tional Bank of Washington on
March Is.
Founded in 1909.
The National Bank of Washing
ton was founded in 1909. Web
ster and Clay entrusted their
funds to the Institution during the
stirring times when their speeches
were rocking the nation.
One of the earliest loans on
record made by the United States
Treasury was negotiated by the
National Bank of Washington's
directors when the Government
faced bankruptcy after the Wal
of 1912. Many years later 1.-The
doors of the bank were closed fo1
two days following the aSsassi-
nation of President Lincoln"
In July, 1916 the banks direc-
tors subscribed $4,000 to the capt.
Continued on Page AS, Col. q
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Cripps Disowns Moyhew's Talk,
Insisting Recovery Of Britain
DEPENDS on Continued u. S. Aid
Attempts to Counter
Impression Thot ERP.
Dollars Are Unneeded
BY the Associated Press

LONDON, Feb. 26. - Britain
anxiously sought tonight to dispel
any impression that her economy
Is ready to stand without the prop
of dollar aid.
Sir Stafford Cripps, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, was so concerned
that he issued a public statement.
He disowned remarks by Foreign
Office spokesman which were con-
strued in the United States Con-
gress to mean that funds of the
European Recovery Program are
no longer vital to the United
Kingdom.
The Foreign Office itself has
tened to explain that the spokeS-
man. Christopher Mayhew, did not
mean what Americans seemed to
think he meant in speech at
Lake Success Wednesday. Mr..
Mayhem is parliamentary under
secretary for foreign affairs.
Cites Mayhew's Address.
Cripps said Mr.. MayheW'S ad-
dress in the United Nations Eco
nomic and Social Council re
ferred to the economic situation
in the United Kingdom in terms
which suggested that recovery in
the United Kingdom was now COM
pIete'
Cripps commented:
In fact. recovery in the United
Kingdom is not complete and its
achievement is dependent upon
the continuation of American as
sistance."
Cripps declared Britain next
year will need large imports from
the Western Hemisphere. He
said these will cost $1,000,000000
more than Britain has any hope
Of earning with her exports.
Wrench Seen in Cessation.
Cutting off dollar aid to the
United Kindom, Cripps said. would
throw a wrench into the whole
machinery of European recovery.
Earlier in the day the Foreign
Office was asked about Mr.. May
hew's statement that the Labor
Government has long passed"
the stage of talking recovery and
is turning to new social expert
ments.
A spokesman said Mr.. Mayhem
did not mean to imply that
American aid is no longer needed.
He said it is vital to the long
term plan for putting all of
Western Europe back on its feet.
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Tog|iatti Tells Italians
They Have Duty TO Aid
Russian Army in War
Cabinet Crisis Threatened
On Eve of Demonstrations
Sponsored by Communists
FRENCH ARMY REDUCES
Charges Against 4 in Red
Roundup. Page Az.
BY the Assoeioted Press

ROME. Feb. 26.-Communist
Leader Palmiro Togliatti asserted
today it would be Italians duty
to help any Russian army which
might pursue IAN aggressor" onto
the soil of Italy.
The statement, made in pub
lished interview with the rightist
newspaper Giornale della Sera,
did not say what form Togliatti
believes the aid should take.
1t came at a time when the
country. alerted against possible
disorders in Communist-sponSored
demonstrations scheduled for to-
morrow, learned of a threatened
cabinet crisis. Vice Premier Giu-
seppe Saragat submitted his resig-
nation from the cabinet, and an
nounced his anti-Communist La
Dor Socialist Party would consider
whether to continue to support
the government.
He said he was Withdrawing be-
cause of a dispute in the party,
not because of any trouble with
Premier Alcide de Gasperi. The
premier indicated he would reject
the resignation.
Stores of Arms Seized.
The carablnieri, in sweeping
raids, seized big stores of arms anC
munitions in the Naples area. They
arrested 100 persons. The govern
ment charged that much of the
contraband was owned by Com
munists.
Togliatti, Cominform trained
leader of 1taly's 100000 Com
munists, went farther in his state
ment today than last Tuesdays
declaration by the French Com
munist leader, Maurice Thorez.
Thorez said French Commu-
nists would welcome Russian
troops if they ever had to pursue
an enemy into France. French
and Italian Communists have
shared aims, particularly opposi-
ton to the European Recovery
Program. Together they number
about 100000.
The French Chamber Of Dep
uties Thursday night formally
censured the Communist leader
ship in France as a result OF
Thorez' words. The government
there also is reported to have
started legal action against the
Continued on Page AS. Col. S..
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Police Probe Reports
OF Threats 10 Ransom
Before Disappearance
Man Who Offered Check
With Attorneys Forged
Signature Enters Case
NO TRACE FOUND of Missing
Mother and Baby in Fairfax.
m Page AS.


Mystery surrounding the dis
appearance of Leon A. Ransom,
chairman of the Committee for
Racial Democracy, deepened last
night while police investigated
reports that he was threatened
Wednesday night. He was last
seen by friends Thursday.
Police also sought a colored
man who earlier yesterday tried
to cash a $72.85 check with the
forged signature of Mr.. Ransom
and made out to a James Smith"
who died four years ago.
Mr.. Ransom, 40, a prominent
Negro attorney who was acting
dean of the Howard University
Law School at one time and head
of the legal division of the Ma
tional Association for the Ad-
vancement of Colored People, has
been missing since Thursday
noon. He has not been seen by
friends since shortly after he left
Municipal Court on his way to
his Office at 1920 Eleventh street
NV.
Threatened After Meeting.
Mrs. Villa Ransom, his wife,
and Leon A. Ransom, jr., his 49,
year-old son, a student at Catho-
lie University, said Mr.. Ransom
declared Wednesday night he re-
ceived threats following an execu-
tive board meeting of Local IA OF
the Hod Carriers and Building
Laborers Union. AFL, that night
He related. they said, that 9
man had tried to grab his brie1
case in the hall of the building al
523 New Jersey avenue NV
where the meeting was held.
MIR. Ransom attended the meet
ing as representative OF Johr
Parker of 1906 Ninth street NV.
who had been ousted as building
janitor and was seeking back pay
he claimed was owed him.
Refused to Show Papers.
Mr.. Parker told reporters last
night that, before the union boarc
meeting, he saw Mr.. Ransom talk
ing with two men and that he in
terpreted some of the remarks as
threatening. A man. not mem
ber of the board. demanded that
Mr.. Ransom show papers in his
briefcase, but Mr.. Ransom refused
Mr.. Parker said.
Harry S. Brown, 1881 Montellc
avenue NE, former secretary Of
Local "a, was present as a wit
ness for Mr.. Parker. Mr.. Ransom
left in Mr.. Browns car.
| Mrs. Brown, who was in the
car, said yesterday that Mr.. Ran
So, .~'-' t'>o'>1 s--'o o--o - ~
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Fight
Ready 10 Break;
Outlook Dim
Lucas Would Extend
July 81 Adjournment
To Complete All Bills
By J. A. OLeory

l. ne OUTLOOK IOf passage OF a
new rule to curb Senate filibuster-
ing was dim last night as leaders
prepared for a showdown on the
issue this week.
With more than a dozen i'm
portant phases of the Truman
program still awaiting committee
action. however, Senate Majority
Leader Lucas said he would be
willing to see Congress stay in
session beyond the statutory July
81 adjournment date. if necessary,
to get the major part Of it's work
done.
Making it clear he has not dis
cused this question with the Pres
ident, Senator Lucas said:
"As far as am personally con-
cerned, l hope thes major part of
the program can be put through
by July 81 Cthe date fixed by the
Congressional Reorganization Law
as a goal for annual adjourn
ment). However. if we get begged
down. and a lot of time is lost even
in legitimate debate, I would have
no hesitancy in staying around a
while longer
Lucas to Move for Rule Study.
He added that he still has every
reason to believe we can get
through" by the end of July.
When the Senate meets at noon
tomorrow, Senator Lucas will move
to take up the new rule under
which tWo-thirdS of the Senate
could limit debate at any time. AS
existing rules have been inter-
preted, tWo-thirds may curb de-
bate only after the Senate form
ally has taken up bill. This
leaves opponents of any nlll free
to talk indefinitely against the
motion to take it up.
Southern Democrats. Who have
relied on the filibuSter in then
fight against civil rights legisla-
ton for many years. are prepared
to talk all week against taking up
the new antifilibuster rule.
If Democratic leaders carry out
their present program, they will
try to get a test vote by the end OF
this week to see if they have the
votes to win the rules fight at
this time.
Cloture Petition to Be Filed.
The plan is to file by Thursday
a cloture petition under the exist
ing rule in an effort to close de-
bate on the motion to take up the
new rule. In the past. presiding
officers have held the existing clo-
ture rule cannot be invoked to
stop debate on a motion be-
cause it refers only to a pending
measure"
When Senator Vandenberg. Re
publican, of Michigan, Senate
president pro tenn in the 80th Con-
greSs, made such a ruling last
August. however, Vice President
Barkley-then Democratic floor
leader-made it clear he thought
the present rule could be invoked
by the Senate to limit debate "on
any matter before it,
1t is not known how Mr.. Bark
ley will rule, but if he holds the
cloture petition in order this week,
some opponent is expected to ap-
peal from his decision, which will
clear the way for a test vote.
Majority May Be Difficult.
Although only a majority vote
would be needed to sustain the
chair, an informal check-up yes
terday indicated administration
forces may have difficulty muster
ing a majority to change the in
depreciation of the old rule, with
out waiting to adopt the new one.
Some informed quarters believe
the Southerners may get the sup
port of several Democrats from
Continued on Page AS. Col. So
Evening star., 1949-02-27
Ford 10 Step up Output
But Won n'tFo!IowG.M..
In Reducing Prices
Will Make Fewer LincoIns
Because of Lower Demand;
ChrysIer Plans No Cuts
Ry the Associoted Press

DETROIT, Feb. 26.-The Ford
Motor Co. announced today it
would boost production "substan-
TALLY" in the next four months,
but would not follow General Mo-
tors lead in lowering prices.
Executive Vice President Ern-
est R. Breech also disclosed that
output of Lincoln cars would be
cut sharply because demand in
the high-priced field has dimin-
ished materially
He added, however, that the in
creased production of Ford cars.
trucks and Mercurys would more
than offset" the cut in the Lincoln
line.
High Level Of Costs Cited.
Ford's decision not to cut prices
despite General Motors price slash
Friday was announced by j. r.
Davis, vice president in charge of
sales and advertising.
1--WE are not reducing the prices
Of our cars" Mr.. Davis said. be
cause Of the current high level of
wage and material COSTS"
This was in contrast to General
Motors earlier statement that it
was cutting prices because Of
cost living wage drop and "the
lower cost of certain material
items"
Ford's reaction had been await
ed throughout the higkly-com-
petitive auto industry since GIN
announced Friday it would slash
passenger car prices $40 10 $40
Chrysler Plans No Cuts.
Earlier the other member of
the Big Three, the ChrySle, Corp.
said it Welcomed" the GIN price
trimming. But A. van DerZee
vice president in charge of sales,
indicated that Chrysler did not
intend to follow suit.
Referring to Chryslers present
prices as very fair" van DerZee
said General Motors had appar-
emily decided it is to their ad-
vantage to get more in line COM
petitively.'
Ford's planned boost in produc-
ton would bring the average
monthly output of Ford cars and
trucks for March, April and May
to about 92,8O0 cars and trucks,
the company said. In June this
is scheduled to rise to a total of
100000 units.
! The highest postwar mark
reached thus far was in December,
1948, when 88,141 Ford cars and
trucks were produced.
CoIcuttu Gangs Kill Three
CALCUTTA, India, Feb. 26 (49.
Armed gangs today killed at
least three persons and injured
six others in raids on the city'S
main airport and a British work.
! shop.
The raids occurred when a
majority of the police were at
tending a police sports show.