davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-04-09
Retail Trade Shows
Tagging Tendency as
Other Lines Advance
By 6. A. Phillips
Associoted Press Business Writer

NEW YORK, April 8-Favor-
able trends predominated in all
lines of business except retail
trade this week. Steel produc-
ton and building activity ran a
strong race for top billing. The
stock market was strong and ac-
tive.
The final Easter buying splurge
was impressive but failed to bring
the last-minute rush which mer-
chants had hoped would empty
their shelves of big stocks of silks,
satins and other flnery.
Large advertising spreads, some
mark downs and variety of spe-
cial promotions were instrumental
in nudging total turnover in stores
little above last week, but dollar
volume for the Nation was esti-
mated to be about unchanged
from year ago.
While most retail establish
ments are still doing a whale of
a business judged by normal
standards, consumers still are not
buying enough merchandise of all
kinds to send volume appreciably
above both last week and last
year.
Population growth. the contin-
ued high rate Of national income,
an abundance of goods of excel
lent quality and relative stability
in prices. are the principal fac
tors that should produce a steady
rise in retail sales on a year-to-
year basis.
Income Already Tied Up.
In attempting to find out why
people failed to buy as much this
year as the charts say they should.
analysts suggested disposable in
come had been reduced in most
cases by purchases of such ex-
pensive items as television sets,
automobiles, new furniture to 90
IN new homes and electric appli-
ances. This resulted in smaller
outlays for other goods.
Most people also have just been
through the Federal tax Wringer.
Many had a double does that
included State income taxes. Both
have way of debating pocket
books and buying sentiment.
A new l2-month high in steel
production set the pace for in
duStry as whole this week.
Mills operated at 96.8 per cent of
capacity and produced 1,845.3OO
tons. This was the highest ton
mage since 1853 300 tons in the
week of March 2l, 1949.
Construction Expands.
Engineering constr uction
awards ran up to S1O4 100000 this
week from $258,9O1 900 last week
and compared with sl78,242. 900 a
year ago. This weeks big volume
was the second highest of the year
and was bolstered sharply by a
S125 million housing DEVELOPMENT
award at North Beach, Calf.
There seems to be no stopping
the fast run or building activity
both residential and commercial.
Congress this week passed a new
81 billion housing bill that will
put a solid prop under such ac-
tivity for many months.
Automobile output remained far
above what might be expected
with Crysler out of the picture.
This weeks assemblies totaled
l39,6OO. This compared with the
revised total of 139,821 in the
previous week and 1872 ,24O year
ago when all the big makers were
sailing along without any labor
trouble.
Evening star., 1950-04-09

Fletcher, from
Bandon. their
Colonial home
near Edenton,
N. c. Mrs.
F ! e t c h er is
checking re-
search angles
on a forthcom-
ing novel at the
L b airy of
Congress. Her
S iXth in a
series translat-
ed in to 10
lanO1lanoS flaic
Evening star., 1950-04-09
Investing Companies

NEW YORK. April lP. National As.
Soc'atlon Securities Dealers. Inc:
Evening star., 1950-04-09

Official visitations will occur
this week as follows: Tuesday,
Cooley Mccullough Unit, Legion
Club; Wednesday. Port Stevens
Unit, 1924 Georgia avenue NV:
Thursday, Department of Labor
Unit. Legion Club, and Friday
Evening star., 1950-04-09

George E. Killeen Unit. 1904 M
street NV.
Evening star., 1950-04-09
Cotton Markets Closed
For Easter Holiday
By the Associo;ed Press

NEW YORK, April 8.-The
New York and New Orleans cot
ton markets were closed today
continuing the Easter observance
started yesterday with the observ-
ance of Good Friday.
Security markets that observed
yesterday as a holiday were open
today as usual.
Normal operations will be re-
sumed in all markets on Monday
Evening star., 1950-04-09
Brokers' Looms Gain
SAB Million in Week
BY the Associated Press

The Federal Reserve Board re-
ported that loans to brokers and
dealers on securities held by men,
Der banks in New York City to-
tailed $l.444 million Wednesday
an increase of S43 million from
a week earlier. and an increase of
s462 million from a year earlier.
Evening star., 1950-04-09
by Jessie Font Evons

Inglis Fletcher, author of such
popular historical novels as
"Raleigh's Eden" and Roanoke
Hundred" is here with her hus-
horl Ja1r g
Evening star., 1950-04-09

Transue Williams Steel Forging
Corp. elected j. C. Redmond presi-
dent to succeed the late j. R.
German.
Evening star., 1950-04-09
Metal Quotations

NEW YORK, April S fP.-spot non
ferrous metal prices today; Copper. 81 !
10i 2 cents a pound, New York; zinc, I0I1
cents pound. East ST. Louis
Evening star., 1950-04-09
-the-Counter Market

The following bid and asked. quotations
on Washington securities traded over the
counter represent prices at which one OF
Association of Securities Dealers Inc
would trade with the general public at the
time the quotations were assembled for
Iha n
Evening star., 1950-12-26
County School Unit Upheld
By Almond in Dispute
BY the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Dec. 27.-A coun-
ty school boards decision is the
final authority when there is a
disagreement between interlocking
county and town boards, says
State Attorney General J. Lind
say Almond, jr.
The opinion was delivered at
the request of Dowell J. Howard,
State superintendent of public in
struction. concerning questions
which arose between the school
boards of Rockbridge County and
the town of Lexington.
The town board is represented
by member on the county board,
and the latter group exercises some
overall authority on policies which
affect both county and town
schools.
Mr.. Almond said it is clear from
the Virginia code that "the Legis-
lature does not favor special school
districts: in fact with certain ex-
ceptions. of which Lexington is
one, OF special town school dis
tricts are abolished by Section o.
MY opinion is predicated on
the fact -. that the town school
board is represented on the coun-
ty board"
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Taxi Driver Stops
Man in Hit-Run Case

A Washington cab driver today
followed motorist three miles
and stopped him for police after
he reported witnessing an acci-
dent in Prince Georges County.
The motorist, Francis j. Nc
Herman. "a, of Ism Laurel Hill
road, Greenbelt, was charged with
reckless driving, leaving the scene
of an accident, and failing to rem
der aid to an injured person.
He is accused of driving a car
which struck George Sartain, 81,
of 1902 Thirty-fifth street, Mount
Rainier, early today as Mr.. Sar-
tain walked along Edmonston
road near Jefferson street in East
Riverdale. Mr.. Sartain was ad-
mitted to Leland Memorial Hos
pital in serious condition.
Prince Georges County police
said they received a call from Les
ter Ingram. of 1925 E street NE.
a Veterans Cab Association
driver, who told them he had
stopped a motorist after an acci-
dent. Police said McTierman told
them he did not know he had
struck anyone.
Bond was set at 300 pending
a hearing January II in Hyatts-
vile Police Court.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Alexandra Veteran Wins
Art School Poster Contest

Miguel Vega, a 29-year-old Air
Force veteran from Alexandria,
today won the top Abbott Art
School award for a poster.
The art school offered four
awards for posters to advertise
the Bal Boheme at the Hotel
Statler February i. Mr.. Vegas
design will be used as the cover
of the Balls printed program.
Judges of the contest. Felix
DeWeldon, sculptor. Mrs. James
M. Minif1e, and Mrs. Luis Corea,
picked three other posters for
lesser awards. These were sub-
mitted by Miss Polly Billings of
Takoma Park, Ray Breedlove OF
Blue Ridge, Va, and Joe S. Hunter
of South McAlester, Okla.
Evening star., 1950-12-26

burg General Hospital with multi
pie cuts and abrasions. Their
condition today was reported to be
good.
BarkIey Grandson in Crash.
An automobile driven by Allen
B. Truitt, II, Vice President Bark
ley's grandson, collided with
another yesterday and two persons
were injured, police reported.
The accident occurred at Thirty
fourth and Macomb streets NV.
Young Truitt. driving a car be-
longing to his mother, Mrs. Max
O'Rell Truitt, 1925 Wyoming ave-
nue. NV, collided with a car op-
Grated by Miss Kathleen r. Nc
Carthy. %, of $500 Thirty fourth
street NV.
Miss Mccarthy was treated at
Emergency Hospital for head cuts
and released. Mary Kirkpatrick,
IL, of 3400 Porter street NV, a
passenger with Miss Mccarthy,
was treated for hip injury and
also released. Young Truitt was
reported uninjured.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Retired Sergeant Found
Hanging at Home Here

Frank Kruchinski, 46-year-old
retired Army sergeant, was found
hanging in the basement of his
home, 1923 Yuma street Sc, early
today, a clothesline around his
neck and looped over a rafter.
He was dead on arrival at Emer-
gency Hospital shortly after mid
night.
The body was found by his wife,
who had gone to the basement to
ask if she could fix him a turkey
sandwich. She told police her
husband a maintenance man at
Queenstown Village, Queen S
Chapel and Ager roads, had been
nervous" for the last few weeks.
Mr.. Kruchinski, who came here
about 10 years ago from Wilkes
Barre. Pa, served in the Army 20
years and saw service with the
Quartermaster Corps and the En-
.Sineers during the last war.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Unannounced Caller Gets
Woman's S $50 Gift Cash

Mrs. Eta L. Wells is going to
Fbe wary of unannounced Christ
mas callers from now on.
Returning to her apartment at
$500 Colorado avenue NV. yester-
day afternoon, Mrs. Wells, 81, en-
countered strange man in a top
coat standing inside. To her in
quiry, the man explained he was
there to check the electricity
Then he left
Later, Mrs. Wells complained to
police, she discovered he appar-
emily had been checking her bu-
reau drawers instead. A $50 bill
she received for Christmas was
missing, she reportedk
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Continuing Christmas Spirit
Holds Gift Exchange Rate Low

The Christmas shopping rush
in reverse-began trickling back
into downtown stores today, but
the exchange rate was too light
and too early to measure disap-
pointment. dissatisfaction or dis
gust.
Under that last category might
be the woman who had definitely
told her husband what size slip
she wore. Then he shows up with
one a size larger. She showed up
for an exchange today.
Most clerks agreed that De-
cember 26 hardly finds the gift re-
cipient In the proper mood to get
back downtown to exchange pres
ents. no matter how too-bright or
how too-conservative that tie
might have been.
'They won't get out of the
Christmas mood until late this
week." one said. Then they'll
start coming in"
One clerk indicated that women
generally, know very little about
their husbands shirt size. AS
a result. some of them were
back today with the proper sizes
jotted down dutifully.
The re-run on ties was at q
minimum. 4
Evening star., 1950-12-26

Thirteen Marines and three
soldiers really did get back for
Christmas from Korea's battle
grounds.
Back for some Of them meant
the Naval Medical Center or
Walter Reed Hospital.
But for some of the 16 wounded
who arrived in two flights at
Boiling Air Force Base yesterday,
it meant saying Merry Christ
mas" in person to the folks at
home.
Those who were able checked
out early with three-day pass.
One of those was Sergt. Charles
H. Vaughan. 20, tankman with
the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the
End Infantry Division. He was
the only man in the group who
lived in nearby Washington.
AS soon as he telephoned his
family, they picked him up and
took him to 119 Maple avenue,
Takoma Park, Md, the home of
his sister, Mrs. Newton Brooke.
Wounded in II Places.
His father. Maynard Vaughan
of Richmond: his mother. Mrs.
Bertha Vaughan, of Washington,
and his two nephews, Buddy, g.,
and Charles, 6, who just the night
before had said, THE best Christ
mas present we could get would
be to have Uncle Charlie home. +"
proceeded to lay the best before
Sergt. Vaughan.
Sergt. Vaughan has II shell
fire wounds in IL different places.
One in the knee is the worst and
will require an operation, his
mother said. But Sergt. Vaughan
wanted no interviews and no pic
lures in the paper. Il already 1eel
like deserter," he said. Write
up the famed Second Division, the
second to none, but not me-"
But some weren't so lucky. They
Evening star., 1950-12-26
70 Persons Routed
By HyattsviI|e Fire.;
Sailor Dies in Blaze

Twenty persons were left home
less and all their belongings were
lost in a fire that destroyed a
duplex house on Braxton place in
Hyattsville this morning.
One of the units was occupied
by Mr.. and Mrs. John Gilbert,
their eight children, the infant
daughter of friend and a room
er. The other unit was occupied
by Mr.. and Mrs. Masach Conway,
two daughters. three grandchil-
dren and Son-in-law. All of the
former occupants are colored.
Mrs. Gilbert said she was aWak-
iened about 4:30 am. and saw
flames coming through the wall.
Man, Ga, Is Rescued.
Shouts awakened everyone ex-
cept John Moses Brooks, "a. Pvt.
John Gilbert. jr., %, home on
Christmas leave from the Army,
reused Mr.. Brooks from bed and
showed him out a second story
window, then leaped to safety
from the same window.
Children in the two units
ranged in ages from 18 years to 6
months. Belongings of both fami-
lies were lost, including Christmas
presents.
The Hyattsville, Mount Rainier
and Brentwood Volunteer Fire
Departments responded, and re-
manned at the scene four hours
to keep the flames from spreading.
Patuxent Sailor Dies.
D. E. Lowder, 81, a sailor sta
toned at Patuxent Naval Air Cen
ter, died in a fire that swept
through his second-foor apart
ment in house at Hollywood,
Md, yesterday. His wife is at
the air station hospital, where
she gave birth to a daughter a
few days ago.
Another fire yesterday drove
family of eight, including four
children from their frame house
on the Middlebrook road, about 6
miles north of Gaithersburg, Md.
All were unhurt.
The house was owned by w. P.
Shifiett, 48, who was partially par
alyzed as a result of an accident
several weeks ago on a construc-
ton job.
He was carried to safety by his
son-in-law,. Claude James, who
lived there with his wife and their
four children. Allen, S; Roger, 8;
Linda. 2, and Carolyn. 2 months.
Also in the house was Mr.. Shift
flett's wife.
$500 in Presents Lost.
About $500 worth of Christmas
presents were destroyed. Firemen
estimated damage to the house at
$4,000.
A fire that started in lighted
Christmas tree yesterday badly
damaged the interior of an
Alexandria apartment and des-
troyed the tree and presents be-
meath 1t.
The fire in the apartment of
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul D. Thomas,
tbs South Washington street, was
confined to the Thomas apart
ment, Fire Chief Padgett said
there was smoke and water dam
age in other parts of the Mount
Vernon Apartment building. The
Thomases were away, firemen said.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Thieves Take Variety
OF Christmas Gifts

Thieves did some of their
Christmas collecting" late this
year.
In series of thefts Christmas
eve they took whisky, turkeys,
hams, overcoats and slacks, and
various mems gift items.
The Willard Shop, 1921 K street
NV, was robbed of about 1865
in cash, five overcoats, two stacks
of sport slacks and numerous
mems accessories. officials at the
store said the thieves apparently
entered through a smashed front
door, but bad left by the rear
door.
Abraham Sperling, owner of the
Bell Liquor Store, zoos M street
NV, reported that thieves broke
his display window and carted of
more than 80 fifths of assorted
whiskies.
Police reported that the Royal
Grill was robbed of turkeys, hams
and other meats and seven flfths
of whisky just before midnight
Christmas eve. The value of the
missing items was set at $49.70.
Evening star., 1950-12-26

mess" but he said the people are
partly to blame because they "are
trying to get what they can from
the Government, instead of giving
to it."
The Spiritual Mobilization Or
ganization. DR.. Fifield. said, agrees
with former President Hoover's
recent statement that the United
States should concern itself with
its own problems rather than try
ing to save the world.
125,00O Ministers Associated.
More than $4,000 Protestant
ministers are associated with the
Spiritual Mobilization crusade.
They receive the organization S
monthly journal and hear it's SIS
station weekly radio broadcast.
About 1900 ministers of this
group, DR.. Fifleld said, are actively
identified with the crusade.
The regional conference will be
held soon. DR.. Fifield said. AL
together there will be 40 meetings,
each one lasting three days and
attended by 10 key ministers.
No official policies will be de-
cided at the meetings, DR.. Fifield
said. Rather, the ideas developed
there will be spread throughout
the country by the individual min
listers through congregations.
with the help of God" he said,
I'VE can get out of the spiritual
mess we are in. Otherwise. this
country, instead of saving the
world, will find that it's civilization
has collapsed"
Evening star., 1950-12-26
were on the go for two and three
days without taking our shoes off,"
Leg Fractured by Bullet.

were on the go for two and three
days without taking our shoes off,"
Leg Fractured by Bullet.
Pfc. Edward Howington, 20. of
Tams, w. Va, had served with the
1st Marine Division. He suffered
a fractured left leg when a bullet
went through it.
They all agreed they wouldn't
want to go back to the fighting
but would do it if they had to.
They still believe what Maj.
Gen. Oliver P. Smith, the 1st
Marine Division commander, told
them when the Chinese Red
hordes invaded.
Gen. Smith stood up there and
said, 'Retreatipg. He'll! We're just
attacking in the opposite direc-
ton"
"They Act Crazy"
Sergt. Emanuel Airey, "a, OF
Baltimore, a Marine veteran OF
seven years, and Pfc. Ralph Fouts
18, of GAINESVILLE, Ohio. also a Ma
rine. who arrived last week at
the Navy hospital, told then
Christmas story.
"The North Koreans used tt
hang out in odd places and re.
main silent until they ambushee
u.s." Sergt. Airey said. ''The
Chinese Reds rush out into full
view. They don't care if they die
But if their leader falls they ru1
around shouting and shooting il
all directions. They act crazy"
Then Pvt. Fouts spoke: "W'
were dug in on an airstrip neal
Hagaru when I first saw them. i
was about 1920 at night when
first heard three long blasts Of
a whistle. Then they came at us
1t seemed a if every time we shot
one 80 stood up to replsce him.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Army Bandsman, IS,
Is Suicide Victim

A 35-year -old Army bandsman
was found shot to death in his
Arlington home yesterday.
T/Sergt. David Leonidas OBJ
linger. jr., of 1919 South Pollard
street, just before his death, had
prepared a Christmas tree and
presents for his 2-year-old daugh-
ter His second child was born
Saturday.
Sergt. Oblinger was found
slumped in living room chair, a
80 automatic pistol clutched in
his hand. He was shot through
the head. Arlington County Cor
oner w. C. Welburn said he
would issue a certificate of suicide
today.
The clarinetist was reported to
have been nervous and depressed
lately.
Shelton A. Smith. Sergt. Oblin-
gers brother-in-law, said he found
the body. Mr.. Smith came to the
Oblinger home bringing the SER
geant's daughter Sarah. The
bandsman had decorated the tree
and arranged presents for her. Mr..
Smith lives at 3179 Westover
drive Sc.
Sergt. Oblingers death followed
by only 48 hours the birth of his
second child, son, in Fort Belvoir
Hospital Saturday. Police said his
wife, Mrs. Daisy M. Oblinger, had
learned of her husbands death.
Sergt. Oblinger had been with
the Army Band for about Is years
and had toured Europe with it
during World War II. A native Of
Germantown, Ohio, he had lived
in Arlington since about 1910.
Evening star., 1950-12-26

tual revival is the key to this
Country's destiny.
AS national director of Spiritual
Mobilization, a 16-year-old cru
SADIE of Protestants of all denomi-
nations, DR.. Fifield is in Wash
ington to formulate plans for the
organizations 1851 series of
regional conferences. e..
Amazed at PeSsimism.
DR.. Fif1eld expressed amazement
at the amount Of pessimism in the
world today, and in Washington,
in particular. "Suspicions seem
to. divide our people," he said.
This is because they lack spiritual
faith"
He blamed the Government for
what he termed our spiritual
Evening star., 1950-12-26
.HouseSe|ects
.Conferees on
.CiiviIDefense
Five Members to Meet
With Senate Group
To Speed Action

In seven-minute meeting to-
day, the House appointed con-
ferees to iron differences in the
national civil defense bill with the
Senate, clearing the way for final
action before the end of the ses-
sion.
Named as conferees were Demo-
cratic Representatives Durham Of
North Carolina, Kilday of Texas
and Price Of Illinois. and Repub-
licans Cole of New York and
Elston of Ohio. All were members
of the House Armed Services sub
committee that developed the
measure.
The Senate previously selected
Senators Kefauver, Democrat, Of
Tennssee;; Chapman, Democrat, Of
Kentucky, and Saltonstall, Repub-
lican, Of Massachusetts, to meet
with the House.
Few Major Differences.
Both chambers passed similar
versions of the civil defense bill
last week. Spokesman indicated
there are a few major differences
to be resolved.
The bill would set up a powerful
independent agency to co-ordi-
nate local plans for meeting an
enemy attack of any nature. The
program outline in the proposed
law is expected to cost $3.1 bill
lion within the next three years,
half of which will be contributed
by the Feedral Government.
House Will Act First. .
After conferees reach an agree
ment on the final version of the
bill, the House will be the first to
act. 1t will meet New Years Day
to finish work on several import
ant bills before the new session
takes over January 3. The civil
defense report is expected to be
accepted quickly.
The Senate meets the following
day to consider reports on civil
defense, the supplemental appro-
priations bill and the war powers
bill. Debate on each measure will
be limited to one hour.
Evening star., 1950-12-26
Food Poisoning Sends
Marine Captain and
Family 10 Hospita!

A Marine Corps captain, his wife
and small son were taken to a
hospital today after they con-
tracted food poisoning from
Christmas dinner in their Falls
Church home.
The victims are William G.
Reid, 81; Mrs. Loween Reid, 80,
and Sam Reid, 3. Another child,
Peter Reid, 2 months, was not
affected. They were taken to
Bethesda Naval Hospital after
emergency treatment at Arlington
Hospital. The Navy hospital to-
day reported their condition is
satisfactory.
The Reids live at 827 Gordon
avenue Capt. Reid is stationed
at the Marine Base, Quantico.
A neighbor, Mrs. Robert H. Esta-
brook, said she got a call from
the Reids about 1870 o'clock last
night. Mrs. Estabrook and her
husband, an editorial writer for
the Washington Post. were visit
ing neighbors when Capt. Reid
weakly telephoned the Estabrook
home two doors away on Cor
don avenue. A relative of the
Estabrooks took the call and sum-
moned the Estabrooks.
Mrs. Estabrook said the Reids
apparently had become i'll earlier
in the evening, but thought they
would get better within short
while. When they realized they
were getting worse instead, they
were too i'll to help themselves.
The Estabrooks, Mr.. and Mrs.
Kenneth Spear and Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas Hopkins took the Reids
to Arlington Hospital.