davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Average Warmth
Sets Record for
February Here

The February just past was
the warmest of any since the
Weather Bureau started keeping
records in 1871.
Meteorologist said the average
District temperature was 43.8 de-
gress, compared with a normal OF
35.3 and the previously high rec
ord of 43.4 degrees in 1890.
The lowest temperature was 2S
degrees, registered on February 2
and 8. On February Is, the mer-
curry scared to II degrees.
For the first time in seven
months, precipitation was below
normal instead of above. Only
2.68 inches of moisture was re-
corded, as against normal 3.27.
Coming behind January's 45.4
average temperature, the February
record helps round out one OF the
Districts warmest winters.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Reporters Kept
In Dark on Way
To B-5O Lundinq

A group of newspapermen flown
from Washington to Fort Worth,
Tex, for the arrival of the nom
stop, globe -encircling flight of the
B-50 were kept completely in the
dark on why the Air Force in
vited them to make the trip.
Arrangements were made under
circumstances similar to war
time secrecy. Air Force public
relations officers alerted reporters
Monday night that there would
be "a good story within 48 hours
involving a trip out of town.
They refused to give any indi-
cation of what the story would be.
Early last evening the reporters
were called.
Even after they had arrived in
Fort Worth, the Air Force would
not disclose, for time, what the
story was except to say it would
be released within an hour or so.
At that time the B-50 was near
ing Fort Worth.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Gen. Vaughan Takes Swing
OF His Own at Critics
BY the kssoeiated Press

BROOKLINE, Mass, Mar. O.
Maj. Gen. Harry H. Vaughan, re-
Gently defended by President Tru-
man against a columnist's criti-
cism, took a swing at some col
umnists and editorial writer's him
self last night.
He said his "unpopularity with
some columnists and editorial
writer's is a decided recommended
ton"
The President defended his mil
itary aide last week after Drew
Pearson, the columnist, criticized
the general for accepting medal
from President Peron of Argen-
tina.
The President said mo S. o. B."
was going to prevail on him to
discharge any one "by some smart
aleck statement over the air." He
did not mention Mr.. Pearson by
name.
Speaking at veterans dinner
of the Brotherhood of Temple
Ohabei Shalom, Gen. Vaughan
said:
The thing which sets me apart
from the other aides is that I am
more unpopular with some col
umnists and editorial writer's,
which is, in some instances, de-
cided recommendation, and in
view of the results of last Novem-
ber 2, does not distress me too
much"
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Marshall Is Restored
To Army's Active LIST
By the Associofed Press

Gen. George c. Marshall, former
Secretary of State, has been re-
stored to the active list, the Army
announced yesterday.
President Truman approved the
restoration, the Army said, which
does not give Gen. Marshall any
active duty assignment or make
any changes in his pay and allow
ances.
Gen. Marshall was voluntarily
placed on the retired list to &C
cept appointment as Secretary OF
State.
The law which created the spe-
cial five-star rank exempted gen.
erals and admirals from manda-
tory retirement because of age.
They receive their full pay and
allowances for life whether carried
on the active or on the retired
list.
Army officials said Gen. Mar
shall had been put back on the
active list at his own request. They
referred queries as to the purpose
of the move to Gen. Marshall
himself but the former Army
Chief of Staff, who was in New
Orleans yesterday for the Mardi
Gras, had no comment.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Three Youths Get Yeur
For Petty Larceny

Three Virginia youths received
the maximum punishment for
petty larceny in Arlington County
Court yesterday when Judge Hugh
Reid sentenced each to year in
the State road camp.
Those sentenced were William
Alexander Dodd, 20. of the 2100
block of North Military road.
Arlington; Harold SWeitzer. 20, OF
r. F. D. /. Fairfax, and Walter
James Curtis, 19, of Kirby road,
Falls Church.
Arlington detectives reported
the youths took more than 1000
worth of tools and automobile
accessories over a period OF sew
eral months.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Cominform Reported
Called for March IS;
Military Pact Seen
BY the Associated Press

PRAGUE, Czechoslovakia, Mar
2-The Cominform may be get
ting ready to hatch a military
alliance to match the North At
lantic pact.
Reports from Poland said a
Cominform military conference
has been called for about March
IS in Hungary, possibly at Debre-
cen. Reliable sources in Warsaw
were quoted as saying the defense
chiefs of the Eastern European
countries were expected to review
their military preparations.
The announced purpose of the
Cominform Communist Informa-
ton Bureau) is limited to propa-
ganda. 1t is an organization of
the Communist parties of Russia,
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania,
Bulgaria, Hungary. France and
Italy, and was organized October
S. 1947, to fight the Marshal Plan
and United States Imperialism"
Military Alliance Predicted.
A little over a month ago, how
ever, parallel economic organ
ization, the Economic Council for
Mutual Aid, was formed by Rus
sia. Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland.
Romania and Czechoslovakia-all
of the Cominform countries ex-
cept France and Italy. where non
Communist governments are in
power, and Yugoslavia, which has
been expelled.
At that time it was predicted
by some observers that a parallel
military organization also would
be formed.
The purpose of ECMA. Moscow
announced, was to foster eco-
nomic cooperation. 1t had be-
come evident that stronger meas
ures than propaganda were nee
essary to match the Marshall
Plan.
Sign of Hardening Attitude.
A closer military alliance, it is
presumed, would be proclaimed a
defensive measure in keeping
with Moscow's avoWals of peace
full intentions. In effect it would
be new evidence of hardening OF
attitude in this part of the world.
The armies of the Eastern Euro
pean nations are now modelled
politically and militarily on the
Soviet pattern. Their leaders
have announced they would stand
beside the Soviet Army in any
fight. Both Soviet and Czecho-
slovak leaders on Red Army Day
recently urged greater prepared
ness because of the alleged ag-
gressive designs of the United
States.
In addition there have been a
series of Communist pronounce
ments in Western Europe threat
ening a popular welcome or as
Sistance to an invading Soviet
Army should it ever have to pur-'
sue an "aggressor."
Evening star., 1949-03-02
One Dead, ; Hurt in Fire
AT Rock Island Hotel
By the Associoted Press

ROCK ISLAND, ILL.,, Mar. O.
One man was killed and three
others injured in fire which
broke out in the top floor Of the
fve-story Harms Hotel today.
More than 100 persons-includ-
ing a one-legged man-f1ed from
the hotel.
Edwin P. Scherer of Des Moines,
Iowa, left his artificial leg in his
room, hobbled 100 feet down a
hallway and descended a ladder
erected by firemen. He suffered
minor injuries and was one of
three men hospitalized. Firemen
recovered his artificial leg in his
room.
Russell Darnell, 46, Of Daven-
port, Iowa, lost his life in the
blaze.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Nine Missing Aboard Big
In Luzon Mountain Area
By the Associated Press

MANILA, Mar. 2.-An American
Air Force B-29 with nine men
aboard was believed down in the
lofty, unexplored Carabello noun
tain range of Northern Luzon
today.
The bomber, overdue at Clark
Field air base, was last heard
from 80 miles from the field.
All available planes from Clark
Field scanned the area northeast
of the base today. but a heavy
cloud formation hampered the
search.
Brig. Gen. Jared v. Crabb of
the United States 18th Fighter
Wing said the plane was on a
routine local flight when it dis
appeared. He said its home base
was in the United States.
Some peaks in the Carabello
range rise to 5000 feet.
Names of the men aboard the
plane were withheld.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
BY the Associated Press

MELROSE, Mimi, Mar. g.
News of the nonstop flight OF an
Air Force bomber around the
world was doubly exciting today
for a 72-year-old retired railway
engineer and his wife.
For Mr.. and Mrs. Cornelius Gal
lagher, it was the first word of one
of their sons in two months.
He is Capt. James G. Gallagher.
%, pilot of the be-girdling
bomber.
I'VE hadn't heard from him
since before Christmas; we were
getting pretty worried Mr.. Gal
lagher said.
I'VE were counting on seeing
him at Christmas. He was sup
posed to get a 30-day leave after
finishing some technical training
at Panama City, Fla. But all of a
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Senators Continuing
Foreign Aid Bill Study

The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee today continues its
closed-door consideration of the
$3.50, 100000 Marshall Plan ex-
tension bill with a possibility that
a final vote may be reached.
Chairman Connally said such a
vote might be possible today but
other Senators thought it would
take another day or so to finish
consideration.
The committee yesterday voted
to turn down a request by Eco
nomic Cooperation Administra-
tor Paul Hoffman to relax the
stringent loyalty test now re-
quired for ECA employees. Mr.
Hoffman had attacked the pro-
vision as unfair and unsound and
had said many Government Of
fcials, including members of
Congress, could not pass such a
test.
The provision under question
requires ECA to certify that each
employe lis not now and has
never been a member of any or
ganization" advocating disloyalty
to the Government. The pro-
vision, in effect, bars persons who
are or have been members of
organizations on the Attorney
Generals so-called subversive list.
Mr.. Hoffman said some persons
thus are barred despite excellent
war records and other evidence Of
loyalty to this country.
The provision asked by Mr..
Hoffman was left out of the
House version of the ECA bill
when it was introduced by Chair
man Bloom of the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
News of World Flight Relieves
Anxiety of Pilots Parents

sudden they Cancelled it and we
never knew why
The father said he had a letter
three weeks ago from his sons
wife, Mary, from Washington,
D. C. She was en- route to Tucson,
Ariz., but made no mention OF
what her husband was doing.
That's certainly some news, "
Mr.. Gallagher said. 1T was a
great relief to us"
The father said his son joined
the Air Force in 1912, several
years after finishing high school
in this Central Minnesota town of
1000.
He flew 35 missions lover the
Hump" in the China-Burma-
India theater during the war.
After the war he was stationed at
Tucson. The captain and his wife
have 7-months-old daughter,
Katherine.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Marines Pour Ashore on Island
In Caribbean Fleet Exercises

massed for today's dry runs
stretching out to the Caribbean
horizon and beyond. A dawn ali
attack with 1,000-pound bombs
from the End Marine Air Wing
opened the softening barrage ano
paved the way for the Missouris
16-inch salvoS.
From $500 yards off shore. OBJ
servers could see the damage in
f1icted on. the impact area-long
ago cleared of the few residents
The conclusion of the salvo tipped
the hats off at least two visiting
members of Congress - Senator
Gurney, Republican, of South Da-
kota, and Representative Short
Republican, of Missouri.
The Vieques assault is the only
land attack of the Fleet exercises
and with yesterdays bombardment
marked the first time since the wal
that the Navy has used live fire
on assault beaches.
Attack Is Two-Pronged Thrust.
The attack today is a two
pronged thrust at Red and Blue
Beaches climax of a plan which
began forming as far back as last
September. Reconnaissance troops
about 120 Marines-Were put
ashore at midnight of February
26 and taken off again on the
morning of the 28th. Official
spokesmen said the reconnaissance
force was undetected by defensive
troops, but an unofficial report
said one Marine tripped a flare
which spill lights and pamphlets
over the terrain. The pamphlets
said welcome"
Vieques. for the purpose of this
operation, is assumed to be a part
of the African -Eurasian land mass
an enemy-held area heavily for
titled on shore, but without sur
face support.
Submarines, both snorkel and
fleet type, have been proWling
night and day to the south be-
yond the destroyer screen. 1r
anti-submarine action the Navy
has "lost" the carrier Franklin D
Roosevelt, the cruiser Juneau anc
several other vessels. But spokes'
men aboard the Missouri say NJ
actual score" is kept because thu
submarines, six of which were
sunk" return to action, as dt
the damaged" ships.
The antisubmarine phase viii
continue after close of the Vieques
campaign.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Legion Protest Urged
Unless Doctors Back
VA Hospital Policy

An American Legion official Sug-
gested today that it reconsidered
it's opposition to compulsory health
insurance unless the American
Medical Association supports the
present Veterans Administration
policies of hospitalizing veterans
with nonservice connected all
mentS.
A committee of the ANA and
the American Hospital Association
proposed recently that the Gov
ernment buy voluntary prepay
ment insurance policies for vet
erans with nonservice-connected
ailments, so they could be treated
in their community hospitals.
Robert M. McCurdy, vice chair
man of the Legion's Rehabilita-
ton Committee, told a rehabilita-
ton conference at the Hotel
Statler today he wondered if the
ANA realized who it's friends are
Cites Support of ANA.
Pointing out that the Legion
has opposed compulsory national
health insurance proposals. also
opposed strongly by the ANA, he
added:
Il think if the ANA persists in
its currently planned program af-
fecting the veterans. we should
inspect our stand on the socialized
medicine legislation.
"If they are going to get rough,
we will have to get rough, too
Want to Continue Policy.
Mr.. McCurdy said the Legion is
asking only for a continuation of
the VA policy to treat nonservice-
connected ailments of veterans in
its hospitals when beds are avail
able. He added a large number of
cases classed as nonservice con-
nected really are due to illnesses
starting in the service, but that
the veterans are unable to meet
technical requirements"
Omer w. Clark, assistant to
Veterans Administrator Gray, told
the group that if the present VA
budget is passed, a reduction of
about 1000 VA workers will re-
suit during the next fiscal year.
Perry Brown, Legion National
commander, also addressed the
opening session of the three-day
conference. This afternoon, the
group will divide into groups for
panel discussions on medical and
hospital services and hospital con-
Struction.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Truman Nominates Squire
To Rail Retirement Board

President Truman sent to the
Senate today the nomination OF
Frank c. Squire, formerly Of
Chevy Chase, Md. to be a member
of the Railroad Retirement Board.
The appointment is for five
years, beginning last August 29,
when Mr.. Squire became a MEM
ber of the board under a recess
appointment.
Mr.. Squire formerly an eval-
uation engineer of the Association
of American Railroads here. He
then lived at 220 Elm street, Chevy
Chase. He now resides in Chi
cago, headquarters Of the Railroad
Retirement Board.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Negotiators Consider
Letting Italy, Others .
Join Atlantic Pact
By Gornett D. Horner

Secretary of State Acheson said
today that the possibility Of Italy
and other countries joining the
Atlantic security pact is under dis
cussion by the seven nations nego-
tiating the treaty.
He told a news conference that
negotiations are proceeding har-
moniously and making good head
way among the United States,
Canada. Great Britain. France,
Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
No decision has been reached
on whether any other nations be-
sides those seven will join in the
security alliance at the outset, Mr..
Acheson said. He added that he
hoped for rapid progress in these
discussions, however.
Refuses to Name Countries.
He refused to name the other
countries under consideration, but
a question brought out that Italy
is one of them. Asked If there
was any opposition to the admis-
sion of Italy, Mr.. Acheson said
that matter still is under dis
cuSSion.
Norway already has expressed
definite interest in joining the
treaty and there are indications
Denmark may follow suit. There
has been some speculation that
Portugal and Iceland might be
asked to join.
Mr.. Acheson is conducting the
negotiations here with the Am
bassadors of Canada and the five
European countries participating.
He met with them yesterday for
nearly two hours. He said today
another meeting is planned for to-
morrow and probably another ses-
sion will be held early next week.
BY then, he said, he hopes that
very good progress will have been
made on the text.
Knows of No Differences.
The secretary said he did not
know of any outstanding differ
ences on the text now. He said
he hoped that the text can be
made public soon before the pact
is technically signed so the coun-
tries involved could have a basis
for full discussion which might
possibly develop some idea that
had not been foreseen by the
treaty neogtiators.
Chairman Connally of the
Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee told reporters earlier that
he did not think the full text
should be disclosed until all the
nations involved have signed it.
The Senator held that premature
release might cause trouble if
any question arose before it was
signed by all the nations"
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Mrs. Brosseau Gets Hearinq
In Loyalty Case This Week
BY the Assoeioied Press

SAN DIEGO, Calf, Mar. @
The wife of a civilian employe
fired as "a poor security risk" will
be given a hearing on her own
case this week, Navy officials said
yesterday.
Mrs. Eva L. Brosseau, 80, a per-
manent civil service employe,
asked the Grievance Committee
hearing. She protested a change
of her employment status at the
Navy Electronics Laboratory.
Her husband, Louis Brosseau.
38. recently was fired from a tenn
porary civil service job as assist
ant librarian at the laboratory.
Capt. RaWson Bennett, labora-
tory director, said Mr.. Brosseau
was considered a poor security
risk for reasons of personality"
His loyalty and ability were not
questioned. A Grievance Com
mittee upheld the dismissal last
Friday.
4Al. ol OooCdu, VIII d1lIlOullCCO
he intends to appeal to the Su-
preme Court if necessary, de-
clared the dismissal was "a severe
economic penalty and stigma y
He said he considered his wife's
change of employment from con-
f1dential clerk stenographer to
pool stenographer was move to
force her out"
Capt. Bennett denied this. He
said Mrs. Brosseau's pay remained
the same and that she had full
civil service protection.
Mr.. Brosseau, native of
France, Is a naturalized citizen.
His wife is a native of Germany
She obtained derivative citizen
ship from her father, DR.. Carl
Goldenberg of Washington, D. c.
Evening star., 1949-03-02
Long Island Railroad Wins
Commuter Fare Increase
BY the Assoeioted Press

ALBANY, N. Y, Mar. 2.-The
Long Island Railroad has been
granted permission by the Public
Service Commission to increase
communication fares temporarily
by approximately $3,280,000 an
nually.
The approval. announced by
the commission yesterday, was an
emergency measure to save the
Long Island Railroad from pos
sible collapse or bankruptcy" the
commission said.
It permits increases ranging up
to 331a per cent more than those
now in effect.
The new rates will become eff
fective on short notice after the
railroad files revised fare tariffs,
the commission said, and will re-
main in effect until November l
pending determination Of final
fares.
The emergency increase fol-
lowed a decision of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, parent of the Long
Island, to stop paying current
bills of the Long Island.
The Pennsylvania advised COM
petitors that it would no longer
honor drafts for debts of the
Long Island Railroad, and that
all such claims had to be pre-
sented direct.
India announced "a vast radio
Evening star., 1949-03-02
IT,. B-5O Flies Around World
In 4-Doy Nonstop Flight

at 8 pm. Monday there was 2
hours and 80 minutes of fuel in
it's tanks.
Over Hickam Field at 7:15 pm.
Monday, the Lucky Lady had 3
hours and Is minutes fuel. When
it landed here this morning the
plane still had 7l2 hours of fuel
left.
Officials said the refueling was
accomplished in Is minutes and
"a seconds over the Azores. The
longest time was required over
Hickam-78 minutes. 54 seconds.
Skirted Russian Territory.
The nonstop plane averaged
approximately 239 miles an hour
The Lucky Lady skirted Russian
and satellite territory, flying across
North Africa and India, to avoid
crossing land behind the Iron
Curtain.
Before the plane landed. Sec
retary Symington described the
flight as IAN epochal step in the
development of air power.
What this actually means is
that medium bombers like the
B-29 and the B-50 can be con-
verted into intrecontinental bomb
ers by refueling in midair." he
declared.
The Lucky Lady II" carried its
normal IL machine guns but no
bombs or ammunition. Bomb bay
fuel tanks were installed to give
an additional margin of safety.
officials maintained the flight,
first ordered February II. had
been routine. They described it
as a training mission" and part
of a continuing program OF in
fight refueling practice.
1t was indicated other long
range flights will be made to many
other parts of the world.
fldHc IS 1Iup ONCu D-~Vs
Closely resembling the B-29 in
exterior appearance, the B-50 has
considerably more speed, rate OF
climb, range and bomb-carrying
ability.
Powered with four Pratt and
Whitney $500 horsepower engines,
the B-50 has a top speed OF about
400 miles an hour, a cruising speed
around 300 and can climb to 40
900 feet. It's bomb capacity is
stated at 10 tons. its maximum
range without in-fiight refuei-
ing) at 5000 miles. Its wing
span is 141 feet, it's fuselage length
SO feet. The weight of the plane
for normal takeoff is about 120,-
900 pounds.
Normal crew is made up OF II
men and officers.
Production of the B-50 was
started in 1914, but only within
the last year have deliveries in
creased to the point where opera
tional outfits began receiving the
bomber
Project Revealed Year Ago.
Secretary Symington disclosed
plans a year ago for equipping the
Strategic Air Command with
tanker" planes. He said then
some units would be outfitted by
early 1949
Later, it was reported the Air
Force contemplated equipping six
groups of B-29s or B50s for this
long range type of opera
ton. A group normally consists
of 80 planes of those types, now
classed by the Air Force as me-
dium bombers. The heavyweight
class now is for such giants as the
six-engine B-36.
Secretary Symington. in reveal
ing the in-flight refueling project
to the Senate Armed Services
Committee, said that by utilizing
the most modern development
of the old airborne refueling
method, bombers could strike at
any part of Russia from bases in
Labrador or Alaska. This would
be a two-way mission, not sui
eide flight, with the bombers re-
turning to bases in the United
States or in territory controlled
by the United States.