davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Death Asked in Trial
OF ; French Generals
BY the Associofed Press

PARIS, Feb. 4.-The death penalty
was asked today for three of four
French generals who went on trial
before a Paris court-martial on trea-
son charges.
They were Gems. Alfred Fagalde
Rene Dubuisson and Jacques
d'Arras. The case of Gen. Henri
Vernillat was separated.
The generals were taken prisoner
by the Germans in 1910. Detained
in Koenigstein fortress, they were
accused of writing a letter in 1943 te
the Germans asking permission te
cooperate in helping German econ.
omy. The offer was rejected.
In a second letter, in May, 1914
according to the accusation, they
asked the Germans to put them in
the Waffen s. S. on the Russian
front with "a rank compatible with
their won rank" This was refused
too.
According to French military law
defendants before a court-martial
can only be tried by judges having
the same or higher rank. 1t took
four years to find military judges OF
suficient rank to try this case.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Unemployment Rises
100000 in Month 10
Total Of 2,650,00O
TotoI Of Jobholders Drop:
To 81, 500, 900, but Still
Is Above Yeor Ago

Unemployment rose 100000 IN
January-one of the biggest in
creases since the end of the war
the Census Bureau reported to-
day.
simultaneously, total employment
fell 100000 below the December
level, the bureau added.
Net effects of these developments
we're:
1. Total unemployment rose to q
level of 2,65O,O00 in the first month
of 1949, and stood 100000 higher
than in January, 1948.
g. Total employment fell to ST.
500, 900. but wound up 1000 higher
than a year ago.
Nourse Sees No Trend.
DR.. Edwin G. Nourse, chairman
of President Truman's Council Of
Economic Advisers, said after a
White House call today that he
saw nothing alarming in the slack
ening of employment or the current
downward swing of prices. He said
he doubted that the price drop rep
resented trend.
DR.. Nourse told reporters that
lower food costs reflect the peak
crops of last year, and that there
might be either an upturn or a
downSwing with the end of the
present crop year and the coming
of the new.
That would depend on the wealth.
er, he said.
Won't Act on Pay Raises.
He came to the White House
with the other two members of the
council, Leon H. Keyserling and
John D. Clark, for a general discus
sion of the economic situation with
the President and Presidential As
sistant John r. Steelman.
DR.. Nourse said these months
are very decisive, and any one who
has any responsibility is watching
them very closely"
He added, however, that January
and February are always periods of
adjustment. He told one questioner
that there is no thought of the
Government asking labor to hold of
on a fourth-round wage increase
because of the downward movement
Of prices.
Part of the rise in unemployment
was attributed by the Census Bu-
reau to normal seasonal factors
the usual midwinter reduction in
outdoor work and in trade &C
tivities.
But cutbacks in factory output
were important too. the bureau said.
Most of the additional unem-
ployed we're men, including many
veterans of World War H." it re-
ported.
The sharp drop in employment put
the number of persons at work in
January 100000 below the peak
reached last summer, when many
students and other seasonal work.
ers swelled the normal working
force.
The bureau observed that mot all
of those separated from their jobs
Gee TTNIEN6DI 0vN1J7NIT no0a ~
Evening star., 1949-02-04
7singtoo Hotel Lease Renewal
Indicates Navy Plan to Stay
Admiral Badger to Shift Headquarters to
Shanghai, but Not Permanently, He Says

comment on the reported gradual
withdrawal of Navy forces from
China. Admiral Ramsey, who yes.
terday in Manila said his trip wa,
spurred by the rapidly changing
China situation, insisted today that
the trip was routine.
Meanwhile. the Chinese civil war
remained quiet.
At Nanking Acting President Ii
Tsung- -jen's efforts toward peace
seemed to sink lower. Shao Lite,
a member of Lis official peace dele
cation. expressed a willingness to
accompany Shanghai regional
peace delegation to Peiping, but
servants at his home said he was
making no active preparations to
do so.
Marking conferences between
various peace-minded groups were
held but the hope of national set
tlement which was bright at the
time of Chang Kai-shek's retire
ment virtually had disappeared.
The transitory government was
scheduled to resume its functions
fCoa TIJTNA 49,
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Two AT Sergeants Charged
With Murder Of Woman
BY the Axsociafad Prsss

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. A.
Two Air Force master sergeants
were charged with first degree mur-
der last night in the Staying of
Bertha Sickles, 20, whose battered,
nearly nude body was discovered in
a culvert by dogs near the outskirts
of town Wednesday.
The accused soldiers are M/Sergt.
Lester L. Armagost, %, and M /Sergt.
Thomas M. Bashline, 27.
Anchorage Police 1t. Virgil Bark
doll and 1t. John Goddard of the
Army's Of1ice of Special Investiga-
ton issued a statement that Arma-
gost signed a confession admitting
beating the woman, but absolving
Bashline of completely. They said
Bashline had denied having any
thing to do with the death.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Tuvern Owner Killed
In Shooting Game
BY the Assoeioted Press

BEDFORD, Pa, Feb. 4.-State
police said today a tavern owner
was shot to death in what appeared
to be a game in which two men were
trying to shoot whisky glasses of
each others head.
The victim was Thomas B. Leary
48, found dead early today in the
tavern he operated on Beans Cove
at nearby Flintstone, near the Mary
land border.
State police at the Bedford bar
racks said another man was taken
in custody for questioning. No
charges have been filed.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Truman-Taft Dispute
Over Strike Authority
Sparks Fight on Bill
First Witness to Defend
Toft-HortIey Act
Heard by Senators

The Senate Labor Committee
today continued hearings on the
administrations labor bill in a
controversial atmosphere pointed
up by a sharp new dispute be-
tween President Truman and
Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio.
Mr.. Truman set off the new dis
pute with Senator Taft. co-author
of the Taft-Hartley Labor Act, by
saying he has ample authority as
President and commander in chief
to halt strikes endangering the ma
tional welfare without any addi-
tional power being written into the
labor bill.
| He made the statement at a news
conference yesterday in backing up
the stand taken by Attorney Cen
eral Clark that the President, with
cut specific legislation, has "inher-
ent powers" to deal with critical
work stoppages. The administration
bill would wipe out the Taft Hart
ley provision for 80-day injunctions
to block national emergency
strikes and would rely instead on a
30-day cooling-off period while
emergency boards sought to work
out settlement.
Taft Sees No Authority.
Senator Taft quickly took issue
with the President and at a COM
mittee session last night declared:
I'm time Of peace there is
no power without a statute to get
an injunction. The very suggestion
that such power exists is threat
to the people of the United States.
There is no authority anywhere to
create a prima facie case of such
powers on the part of the Presi-
dent"
Against this background, the Sem
ate Committee went on with its
hearings on the administration S
labor bill and for the first time, it
had a witness who Endorsed the
Taft Hartley Act which the admin
istration is pledged to repeal.
He was Almon E. Roth, president
Of the San Francisco Employers
Council.
Mr.. Roth said he disagreed most
emphatically" with Secretary of
Labor Tobin that the Taft-Hmtley
law had brought confusion" to the
labor relations field.
Il am sure he said, that the
record will show that the Labor
Management Relations Act (Taft-
Hartley law has reduced industrial
strife and has promoted the public
welfare without infringement of any
essential and legitimate rights of
labor"
Modification Suggested.
Mr.. Roth, former industry men,
ber Of the National War Labor
Board, called for retention of the
Taft-Hartley provisions relating to
national emergency strikes, but with
some modification. The adminlstra-
ton bill, Mr.. Roth asserted, pro-
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Veteran Is Unshaken
BY Laueh|in in Charge
Aqainst Miss GiI|ars
Honsford Insists She
Posed as Red Cross Aide
In Prisoner Interviews
By james ]. CuIIinone

Gilbert Lee Hansford, q,
crippled veteran of the 29th Di-
vision, insisted under cross
examination in District Court
today that Miss Mildred Axis
Sally Gillars, 48, posed as a
representative of the Interna-
tional Red Cross when she in
terviewed him in a prisoner of
war hospital in France.
James ]. Laughlin, attorney for
Miss Gillars, who is being tried on
a charge of treason as a result
of her alleged Nazi propaganda
broadcasts, tried strenuously to
shake Mr.. Hansford's story.
Mr.. Laughlin completed his cross
examination at 1890 pm. and the
court recessed until Monday at 10
am.
Recordings Played Back.
Prior to the cross examination,
two recordings of prisoner Of war
interviews which were broadcast
over the German radio in Septem-
Der. 1914, were played back for the
judge, jury and other court officers.
After listening through earphones
to the recordings, Mr. Hansford said
he recognized Miss Gillars' voice
and his own in one of the recordings,
and in the second, recognized Miss
Gillars' voice and that of a buddy
from the 29th Division who was in
nearby bed.
In one of the recordings. the
woman's voice calmly mentions that
an air raid is in progress.
Sorry I can't help you out. kids, -
her voice said in the recording. Il
hope the bombs don't fall in here.
I bet you hope so, too"
Asked About Nervousness
At another point in the interview
the womans voice is heard asking a
wounded English veteran: "H'mmm
doesn't the sound of this ah :. .
flax make you nervous?"
"Oh, might be a little bit nerv-
ous," the veteran replied. "You
can't help that. You've just go to
put up with that"
Mr.. Hansford identified the voice
in the other recording as that of
John T. Lynskey. another disabled
veteran of the 29th Division.
I'm very pleased at this oppor-
tunity," Mr.. Lynskey was heard to
say. land the Red Cross is doing a
very wonderful job"
We'll, well, we'll" says the voice
attributed to Miss Gillars IT'S not
much fun to lie here in the hospital
and just wonder if bomb will get
you after ALL
"Uh huh!" Mr.. Lynskey replied.
Not in Red Cross Uniform.
Mr.. Laughlin asked Mr.. HansforG
if Miss Gillars was wearing a Red
Cross uniform when he saw her In
the hospital in Paris in 1914.
mo, sir, she was not" Mr. Hans
ford replied. She was wearing
civilian clothes"
Mr.. Laughlin asked Mr.. Hansford
If her appearance is any different
now than it was in 1914 and Ne said
her features are about the same.
Mr.. Hansford said that Miss
Gillars left the hospital ward for a
moment after saying, Hello, boys
I'm with the international! Red
Cross"
Il asked the English boy in the
bed next to me. What is the Inter-
national Red Cross He said it was
just another Red Cross for coun-
tries not in the war.
Then hol1ared to the other boy
from the 29th if he thought it would
be all right to make a record and
he said it would"
Mr.. Laughlin was unable to shake
Mr.. Hansford's recollection of events
in the hospital ward, although the
witness said his memory was hazy
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Funds for D. T.. Asked
AT Hearing Top Record
.$103,&1,000 Budget
Sales Tax AssuiIed as
'RepuIsive';; Realty Burden
Subject Of Dispute
Pictures on Page B-1.)

Demands for larger appropria-
tions for District government
services-even above the record
breaking $1O3,451 900 budget
were made today to the Bates
subcommittee of the House Ap-
preparations Committee at pub
lie hearings on the 1850 supply
bill.
Requests for more funds fol
schools. Health and Welfare and
Recreation Departments, and other
services, were coupled with argu.
ments over means of raising addi.
tional revenue to cover the costs.
In contrast to most group spokes'
men, Vernis N. Abasher and Cliff,
ford H. Newell, representing tn,
Federation of Citizens Associations
called the proposed budget "exces
sive."
The federation spokesmen voicet
particular criticism of outlays bud
geted for the health, corrections anc
the welfare departments.
The 2 per cent retail sales tai
proposed by the Commissioners a!
the key to the financial problem wa!
denounced at the outset by some
groups as 'regressive and repulsive'
and the size of the burden carried
by real estate owners was calico
both too heavy and too low. There
was general agreement among the
parade of citizen witnesses that the
United States should pay a larger
share Of District costs.
Hearings Winding Up.
A number of witnesses urged that
the Federal share be determined by
a fixed quota, instead of the present
arbitrary lump sum plan.
The testimony came as the sub
committee began winding up hear
ings on the big money bill. Until
today District officials had appeared
before the group in closed session to
justify their estimates. Some so
representative of various citizen Or
ganizations hoped to testify today.
Chairman Cannon of the full
House Appropriations Committee
sat in on part of the testimony.
The first witness, Charles j
Bauer, secretary of the Building
Owners and Managers Association of
Metropolitan Washington. protested
that some of the budgeted increases
may be sunwarranted.
Where is all this money coming
from?" he asked adding that real
estate is carrying crushing bur-
den" and should be relieved of some
of it. He urged adoption of the sales
tax and contended that the Federal
Government, holding more than AZ
per cent of all of the city acreage
tax free, was not paying its fair
share.
Formula Suggested
The United States, he continued,
should make a payment equivalent
to the loss the District sustains by
the withdrawal of land here for
Federal purposes.
Mr.. Bauer said his association
strongly favored the sales tax be-
cause in large part the expenses OF
the city government were occasioned
by the thousands Of visitors who
come here annually from all parts
of the country.
A different view was taken by Miss
Frances Adams speaking for the
Washington Chapter, Americans for
Democratic Action. She agreed that
increased revenues were needed but
called the sales tax both "regressive
(See D. c. BUDGET, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Senate Group Backs
B-Month Extension
OF Export Controls
New Provision Added
To Step Up Shipments
Of Edible Fots and Oils
By ChoImers M. Roberts

The Senate Banking Commit
tee today unanimously approved
a 28-month extension of export
controls after adding a provi-
sion designed to step up exports
of edible fats and oils.
The measure is the first point in
President Truman's eight-point eco
nomic program to move through
Congress. The bill was approved
yesterday by the House Banking
Committee and is expected to come
to the floor in both houses next
week.
The present law expires Febru-
ary %.
Fulbright Amendment Adopted.
Chairman Maybank said the COM
mittee adopted an amendment by
Senator Fulbright. Democrat, of
Arkansas, providing that export
controls over agricultural products
shall be removed whenever the Sec
retary OF Agriculture finds they are
in surplus at home and that such
move would not adversely affect
the Nations stockpiling program OF
its foreign policy.
As of today. the effect of such an
amendment would be to permit un-
limited export of lard and soybean
and cottonseed oils. Prices of all
three have sharply declined on the
wholesale market.
Before the House committee ap-
proved the export extension yes
terday by 17-to-6 vote, it received
assurances from President Truman
that Secretary of Agriculture Bran
nan would have the final say in de-
termining export controls over farm
products through executive order
without adding an amendment to
the bill.
Complaints Received.
Both committees have received
complaints, backed up by committee
members of both parties. about the
Commerce Departments handling
Of controls on food exports.
Secretary of Comerce Sawyer
had testified that he set export
quotas on farm goods only on agree
ment with the Agriculture Depart.
ment but that failed to satisfy
members from the farm areas.
Mr.. Sawyer already had met the
objections part way by taking of
the limits on exports of such inedible
fats and oils as soap but he still
had not satisfied the farm members
who pointed to declining cottonseeo
and soybean prices and mounting
stocks.
Senator Maybank said the Small
Business Subcommittee, which he
also heads, will look into the ques.
ton of why prices on bread, lare
and soap are still high while prices
of their ingredients have slumped
1--WE have been hearing so many
complaints from farmers, meal
packers and exporters about theil
prices dropping" he said, that W.
decided to find out what's keeping
up consumer prices"
Evening star., 1949-02-04
RoyoII Gets Briefine
On Jopun's Economy
By the Assocjoted Press

TOKYO, Feb. Army Secretary
Royal returned to Tokyo tonight
for hurrledly arranged full brief.
ing on Japan's economic situation
by Gen MacArthur's staff.
The Secretary will spend severa
hours hearing occupation officials
version of japanese economic trou-
bles and their plans to correct then
under a nine-point program laic
down by the Army in directive tt
Gen. Macarthur last December 18.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Hopsburg Princess to Wed

VIENNA, Feb. 4 R)-Princess
Agnes of Hapsburg, a great-grand-
daughter of the late Emperor
Francis Joseph I, will be married
to Prince Karl Alfred Of Liechten-
stein, 1t was announced today. The
ceremony will take place February
II at Castle Persenbeug, Upper
Austria. The bride Is q daughter
of Archduke Hubert.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Rebels Are Reported
In FIiqht in Burmo
by the Assoeiofed Press

RANGOON, Burma, Feb. 4.-The
main body Of Karen rebels was re-
ported in flight today towards
Hlawga, 80 miles north of Rangoon
A small force of rebel holdouts
dug in at battle-scarred Insein
Government troops who entered the
town last night found the jail, one
of the strong points during the
battle, ablaze and the 1900 prisoners
released.
The rebels also freed British Capt
D. Vivian, who was jailed last veal
for supplying arms illegally to ex.
Premier u Saw.
Evening star., 1949-02-04

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Feb. 4
Josef Cardinal Mindszenty re-
canted in court today a letter
he wrote before his arrest saying
that If ever he admitted his
guilt to the Communist govern
ment's charges against him il
would be because of weakness
of the flesh"
The cardinal, 56-year-old primate
OF Hungary, who has pleaded partly
guilty to treason, espionage and
black market charges, also told the
court he wishes to repay Hungary in
full for any damage caused through
the sale of thousands of dollars he
Is accused of receiving from the
United States and the Vatican.
Duke Paul Esterhazy, one of the
six others on trial with the cardinal,
pleaded guilty to charge of plot
ting to overthrow the government
and with black market dealings.
The court recessed late today un-
til tomorrow morning, after outlin-
ing treason and black market
charges against all seven defend
ants.
Letter Sent to Prelates.
The cardinal rose from his seat
In the dock and declared:
II wrote this letter sometime in
November, 1948, with instructions
that it be forwarded to the bishops
and archbishops of Hungary on the
day I was arrested.
THAT is what happened.
"Now I want to state that I see
things differently from then when
I drafted this letter. and I want
to repeat what said yesterday
that I regret my error.
II want it to be considered that
that letter is null and void"
Uniformed Vienna sources with
connections in Hungary, said De-
cember 81 that the Cardinal had
told Hungarian Bishops before
his arrest on December 27 that
If they heard he had confessed
or resigned they should consider
the act void because it would be
the result of human frailty."
The British Catholic weekly, the
Tableu said recently that Com
munist police planned to give the
cardinal drugs when he went on
trial.
Denies Defense Hindered
Cardinal Mindszenty acknowl-
edged, as his trial with six other
defendants entered it's second day,
that the court had not hindered
him in his defense, that he had
access to his lawyer at all times
He said the letter written before his
arrest had nothing to do with the
present court.
Judge Vilmos Olthys, presiding
over the five-judge Peoples Court
remarked that the letter had hurt
this court"
For the last two weeks the Voict
Of America has broadcast the con
tents of Cardinal Mindszentys let
ter. The broadcasts said the lettel
cleared the cardinal beforehand o
any statement he might make unde
supposed duress after his arrest.
Premier Istavan Dobi referred II
the trial in speech last night. say
ing: "a Hungarian citizen led al
organization to overthrow the state
The leaders of the state did tn
same that the government of th'
United States and Great Britain
would have done in the same stu
alton"
The brief letter was read shortl,
after the opening of todays tria
session. Among other things, it salt
there was no personal freedom il
Hungary and warned the othe
lSee CARnINAI paoa 40
Evening star., 1949-02-04
Late News
Bulletin
ERP Extension Asked

INT 6NgCTTSTVTT IHSNSV
The administration sent
Congress today q bill to con-
tinue the European Recovery
Program for another year, but
left blank the amount of aid
to be asked for the IL months
beginning July l. The figure
will be supplied later.
Evening star., 1949-02-04
C,ardina|Recants
Prior Disavowa|
Of Confessions
Says Letter Citing
Weakness of Flesh
Is Null and Void
BULLETIN

The State Department has
authorized selden Chaplin, the
American Minister in Budapest,
to protest the exclusion of
American observers from the
trial of Cardinal Mindszenty,
Earlier Story on Page A-4D
Evening star., 1949-02-04
By Endre Morton

tMr: Marion. a native HUNGARIAN, Is
Q resident Associated Press correspond
ent In Budapest. The Hungarian gov
eminent has refused to admit American
eorrespondents)
Evening star., 1949-02-04

(See PAY, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1949-02-04

See UNEMPLOYMENT, P
Evening star., 1949-02-04

(See LABOR, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1949-02-04

(See AXIS SALLY, Page
Evening star., 1949-02-04

(See CHINA, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1949-02-04

(See CARDINAL, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1949-06-01

governors have approved the
necessary electoral Law. provided
the ministers-president COVER
norsI of the IL West German
states agree TO several amend
ments proposed by the Allies.
Lower House to BE Elected.
This appeared likely. as some o.
the amendments would transfer
various electoral powers from the
Bonn parliamentary council 70
the ministers president
German voters will eject q
parliamentary lower house or
Bundestag. which viii be chief
.law-making body for the 5000 :
900 or more persons in the Amer
ican, British and French zones.
State governments will appoint
members Of the upper house. or
Bundesrat.
BY law Parliament r.ast con-
vene within 80 days after the
election.
At its first days session 1t will
be Joined by special state dele
gates for the election Of pres. =
dent.