davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-11-30
7-Man Group 10 Draft Bill
On Constitution Convention
BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE. Nov. 3O.-A bill
to set up a constitutional con-
vention will be drafted by a
seven-member committee of the
Legislative Council.
The committee, headed by Sen
ator Joseph Byrnes, Democrat, of
Baltimore, was appointed yester-
day by the council, interim body
of the General Assembly. Other
members are Senators L. Harold
Sothoron, Democrat, of Prince
Georges County; Robert Kimble,
Republican, of Allegany County,
and Stanford Hoff, Republican,
of Carroll County, and Delegates
c. Ferdinand Sybert, Democrat,
of Howard County; Jacob Rams
burg, Republican, of Frederick
County, and Larry Pumphrey,
Democrat, of Prince Georges
County.
Marylanders at a referendum
November Z overwhelmingly ap-
proved the calling of a conven-
ton to rewrite the States much
amended, 83-year-old charter.
But the 1851 General Assembly
will have the final say as to
whether the convention will be
called.
At its meeting yesterday the
council also agreed to back bill
which would relieve from acci-
dent responsibility any motorist
whose car is Communicated by a
law enforcement officer.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Capital Transit
Again Attacks
Pepco Figures
Power Firm Entitled
To No Increase at
All, Harvey Says

The Potomac Electric Power Co.
is entitled to no rate increase at
all, under the latest calculation
presented by the Capital Transit
Co.
Figures offered by Robert E.
Harvey, special assistant to the
controller of Capital Transit, to
this effect were expected to under
go further examination today at
the Public Utilities Commission
hearing.
1t was Mr.. Harvey's third esti-
mate of Pepco's revenue needs to
give it 512 per cent return on its
rate base. Previously he had ex-
pressed the view the power COM
pany should have revenue
increase of $684,500, then later
shaved that down to $147, ,604.
Explains New Figures.
In testimony yesterday, he esti-
mated that, under present rates,
Pepco would earn $152,231 above
a 512 per cent return next year.
He based his latest revision, he
said. on an adjustment in the
companys sales figures for 1949
to show sales made by the Brad
dock Power & Light Co. in Vir-
ginla, then wholly-owned sub
sidiary. but merged with Pepco
the first of this year.
The company's sales figures for
1850. therefore, included Brad
dock, while the 1949 figures did
not. he explained. These figures
are used in estimating futuer re-
venue.
91a% Rate Rise Sought.
|. Pepco is seeking $3.50, 900 in
additional annual revenue through
an overall 91a per cent increase
in electric rates.
Under the proposal, CAPITAL
Transit faces So per cent in
crease. The transit company is
fighting the boost and contends
it should get a substantial reduc-
ton.
V. A. McElfresh, PUG account
ant, has testified he believes an
additional $2.5 million a year
would be enough to keep the power
company in sound financial condi-
ton.
The hearing has been in session
at the District Building at vari-
Gus times since August 81.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Driveway Is Planned
AT Site Of ChiId's Death

Plans for a driveway around st.
Johns Parochial School, Silver
Spring, where a 6-year-old child
was crushed to death by a back
ing bus. were being pushed today.
The Rev. Joseph T.. Kennedy,
church pastor, said he had re-
quested a contractor to speed COM
pletion of the driveway. Father
Kennedy said he expected the
work to start today and possibly
be completed by Monday, weather
permitting.
The driveway will end the neces-
sity for school buses backing into
the playground to turn around.
Nancy Jeanne Allen, daughter of
DR.. Samuel Allen, Kensington
physician, was killed Tuesday
when she ran behind a backing
bus and was hit.
Funeral services were to be held
today at the Holy Redeemer Ro-
man Catholic Church, Kensington
Burial was to be in st. Johns
Cemetery, Forest Glen.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Nicely Bill 10 Seek
'5-Month Extension oI
D. {. Rent Control

Chairman Neely of the Senate
District Committee plans to intro
duce today bill for a five-month
extension of the Districts sep
arate rent control.
Under present law, local con-
trolls would end January 81, a
month later than the present
Federal system.
While the Senate Banking Com
mittee late yesterday approved an
extension of Federal controls for
only so days, Senator Neely said
he could see no point in having to
reenact the District law every few
months.
He took the position that, with
the war crisis developing, the Dis
trict controls should be extended
to June 80. Others have suggested
it would be well to keep the Dis
trict law in line with the national
program, but no one knows now
what the new Congress will do.
Discussion of the problem also
is under way among members of
the House District Committee and
may be brought up at a meeting
of that group.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Indiserininote Shooting Brings
Crockdown in Montgomery

Not only have automobiles been
the targets of air rifles. but some
of the reports involve children be-
ing shot and houses being fired
upon.
One such report involved a 10
year-old girl who was shot near
the eye with a BIB gun fired by
12-year- -old boy last Friday on the
Ayrlawn Farms Recreation Center
near Bethesda. The case is pend
ing in Juvenile Court.
Fired Through Windows.
Also pending before Judge Al
fred D. Noyes is the case of two
boys, II and 13. who fired BIB guns
through windows in Bethesda
homes on Halloween, according to
police.
Immediate prosecution of any
one caught firing a gun in viola
tion of the county's new firearms
ordinance was promised by Sergt.
Brown.
Nov that we have a law un-
der which we can work." he said,
1--WE intend to do something
about it."
"The ordinance, which became
effective November /, prohibits
any one from firing any gun in
the suburban area except in a
target range approved by a five
member committee set up under
the measure. Wv
Tt also is unlawful to fire any
gun within 100 yards of a paved
road. Violators are subject to a
maximum fine of $25 or imprison-
ment for not more than 10 days.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Set
For Virginia Voters

Any person who was qualified
to vote in the November Z elec-
ton in Virginia is eligible to vote
in any special election which may
be called prior to the second Tues
day in June.
The Arlington League of Wom-
en- Voters said a ruling to this
effect has been obtained from
State Attorney General j. Lindsay
Almond, jr. It was given to Bank
head Davies, secretary of the Ar
lington County Electoral Board,
at the request of the league.
Currently, there is being con-
sidered in the county a referen-
dunn on a proposed school bond
issue.
The league said that the attor-
ney general also had ruled in
the cases Of newcomers who were
eligible to vote in the last elec-
tion. Such persons have until
December IL to pay all due poll
taxes and may register at any
time to within six days of a spe-
cial election. If poll taxes have
not been paid by December S,
however, a penalty charge is
added.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Highway Experts Say
Traffic Lights Often
Cause Accident Rise
BY the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 30
State highway department traffic
engineers said today that traffic
signals often increase, rather than
decrease, the number of accidents.
A recent study of 20 traffic
light protected intersections in
various sections of the State has
shown that since the lights were
installed, traffic at these points
he's increased an average of Is per
cent-but accidents have jumped
46 per cent.
Cities Experience Cited.
Further evidence was found in
study Of accident experience
over the last Is years in Phila-
delphia and Wilmington, Del, the
traffic engineers said. In these
cities, the accident hazard at sig
nalized intersections was eight
times as great as at intersections
where there were no lights.
Does this mean that the STOP
and-go light should be abandoned
as traffic control measure? Def
nitely not, say the engineers.
Where certain conditions exist,
they point out, traffic lights greatly
increase the vehicular capacity of
a street or intersection. But If
traffic volume does not average
around $50 vehicles per hour, a
stop-and-go light Is likely to de-
lay rather than speed the flow of
traffic.
Reasons Given.
The traffic engineers said there
are a number of reasons-most of
them based on the human factor
why a stop-and-go light tends to
increase the number of accidents.
Too many motorists apparently
place too much faith in the pro-
lection offered by a green light.
Also, many drivers are inclined to
step on the gas in an effort to
"beat the light"
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Mckinley Concert
Invitations Are Ready

lnvitotions to the fourth in this seq
sons Neishborhood Concerts by the
National Symphony Orchestra, to be
held in Mckinley High School Monday
night, now are reody for distribution.
The invitations, which ore issued
without ehorse by The Evening stor,
sponsor Of the Neishborhood Concerts,
moy be had OF Mckinley and Anaeostio
High Schools, at jefferson, Kroner,
Langley end Toft Junior High Schools;
at wheotIey, Emery, Edmonds. Moury,
Thomson. seoton. Modison. BIoir, Lud-
low ond Peobody Elementary Schools;
the Recreation Department at Sixteenth
ond Lamont streets NV, ond the busi-
ness counter in the lobby Of The Stor
Building.
The concert, under the direction Of
Howord Mitchell, will start at 9 pm.
1t will be broadcast by Stotion WMAL,
The Evening Stor stotion.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Boys Mud Sold as Fertilizer
Urged to Plow Under Sales Tax

Mr.. Andrews said he already
has passed along the idea to Gov :
elect Theodore r. McKeldin. Mr..
Andrews was an unsuccessful
candidate for Anne Arundel
county commissioner on the Nc
Keldin-led Republican ticket this
month.
The Shady Side hotel owner
said his fertilizer is a nicely bal
anced combination of Chesapeake
tributary mud and common bank
sand. He's keeping the process
a secret.
Mr.. Andrews, 66, is a former
Sunday School teacher who, two
years ago, engaged in no-deci-
sion radio debate with clergymen
over existence of q devil.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
By John M. Kouffmonn

Plans for 1853 scenic miles of
Potomac River parkway have been
published in a Government Print
ing Office booklet.
The long-dormant Gao Canal
parkway project from Great Falls
to Cumberland, Md. was revived
last summer, when Congress voted
to allow the National Park Service
to accept land to augment the
4,768 acres in the canal right-of-
way.
Some 1900 additional acres
are needed, and plans for the
project hinge on Maryland &C
quiring the extra land. Federal
funds will be asked for the actual
parkway construction, estimated
at $17,107,0
The survey booklet. House
document, recommends canal
side roadway designed to accom-
modate several thousand cars a
day, with nine major recreation
centers along the 1853 miles from
Great Falls to Cumberland.
The 100-year -old canal will be
filled with water in four stretches
for boating and plans to improve
pollution conditions in the river
may result in many miles of easy
to-reach fishing and bathing
areas.
Starts at Great Falls.
The study, made jointly by the
National Park Service and the
Bureau of Public Roads, takes the
parkway from Great Falls, where
1t would tie in with the George
Washington Memorial Parkway
down the canal to Georgetown.
Great Falls would become a major
recreation center.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Free Meal Flies
In the Window, but
Glass Costs $3.54

Dinner flew in the window yes
terday for the L. w. Holland
family at Annandale. Va.-but
the check for the meal came to
1884
Mrs. Holland and son, Charles,
81, were having breakfast when
they heard a crash in the living
room. They found that quail
had crashed through a regular
window pane and a storm window.
The bird lay dead on the floor.
Mrs. Holland cooked the bird and
served it to her husband and an
other son, Albert.
Then the Hollands bought 1884
worth of replacement window
paneS.
Evening star., 1950-11-30

A breakdown on indiscriminate
firing of small firearms and BIB
guns was promised today by
Montgomery County police in the
wake of reports that at least two
moving automobiles were fired on
in the suburban area.
. "It's time we put a stop to all
this shooting said Sergt. Eugene
Brown, attached to the Juvenile
Court.
Leo Mccarthy, a seventh-grade
teacher at Richard Montgomery
High School, Rockville, told police
some one shot at his car on Jones
Bridge road near Wisconsin ave-
nue., Bethesda. last week. The
pellet struck his windshield but
did not penetrate it.
A similar incident had been re-
ported by the wife of Chevy
Chase resident in the same area
about the same time.
Other Cases Reported.
Sergt. Brown said at least a
dozen such cases have been re-
ported in the Bethesda area dur
ing the last nine months. Police
have more such reports from the
BetheSda-Chevy Chase area than
from any other suburban COM
munity, he added.
Il think these things have oc-
CURED because the children are
spoiled and don't. have enough
parental supervision" he declared.
Their parents apparently are too
busy with outside activities to pay
enough attention to what they
are doing"
Evening star., 1950-11-30
70% Rise Seen
In Fairfax Realty
Public Hearings
On New Valuations
To Begin Monday

A 70 per cent increase in Fair
fax County real-estate assess
ments was indicated today as off,
cials prepared to hold public hear
ings on the new valuations.
The general reassessment which
began last January is nearly COM
plete in all magisterial districts
except Falls Church. Assessor
Graham M. James said figures
from the other five districts are
conclusive enough to assure the
county total assessment of sos
million for 1851. using the present
basis of assessing one-third Of
values. This is about 10 per cent
above the present total assessment
of $50 million.
Mr.. James added, however, that
a 40 percent valuation is being
used for the current assessment,
which will shove the total valua-
ton for tax purposes up to ap-
proximately STA million.
Rate to Be Set in April.
Whether the higher assessment
will result in tax bill increases de-
pends on the tax rate to be set in
April, Mr.. James said. The pres
ent tax rate is $3.19 per $10O Of
assessed valuation. Mr.. James
estimated the new assessment
would require tax rate of about
$1.60 to bring in the same amount
OF revenue that is obtained from
the present tax rate on the lower
assessment.
The first public hearings on new
assessments are scheduled to be-
gin at $50 am. Monday. Mr..
James said it is planned to hear
125 taxpayers each day. He esti-
mated there are 10000 tracts in
volved in the reassessment. Tax
payers are being mailed notices of
the times they are scheduled to
appear.
Since the general reassessment
is not due to be complete before
March. Mr. James said it will be
some time before many taxpayers
receive word of their new assess
ments or are assigned time for a
hearing.
Advisors at. Hearings.
| The hearings will be conducted
by Mr.. James. Associate Assessor
E. P. Bicksler, and two citizen
advisors. Joseph Matteuer and
Mrs. Nellie Louck. The final de-
cision on the value of any prop
erty is up to the assessor, and tax
payers may appeal his ruling to
the courts, Mr.. James said.
Assisting Mr.. James and Mr..
Bicksler with the reassessment
have been seven men loaned by
, the State Department of Ap-
, praisals. The county pays the
State men while they are working
in Fairfax. :
Mr.. James said the same
formula of appraisal is being ap-
piled to each property. He said
it takes into consideration the
construction cost of a building.
depreciation and lot or acreage
values.
Evening star., 1950-11-30

From there. the parkway would
follow the banks of the canal to
Rushville, also known as Violet's
Lock, near Seneca, where there
would be another recreation area.
The canal already has been re-
stored as far as that lock, and
would remain water-flled.
The road then would skirt the
dry canal bed past Seneca. Ed
wards Ferry and Whites Ferry
to the Monocacy River on the
Frederick County line, where a
third recreation center is planned.
Here. the parkway might tie in
with a proposed Gettysburg park
way.
Old Aqueduct Used.
Passing over the picturesque old
aqueduct that took the canal
across the Monocacy, the road
would proceed past Point of Rocks
and Brunswick to another CEN
ter just north of Harper's Ferry
and near a proposed Harper's
Ferry historical site. A junction
would be made with a Blue Ridge
Parkway extension here.
Another recreation center would
be located across the Potomac
from Shepherdstown, close to An
tietam Battlefield.
Slack water caused by several
dams would provide extensive
boating and fishing facilities at
the next two proposed centers at
Falling Waters, below Williams
port. and at Four Locks. The lat
ter locality. where high land pro-
vides scenic panoramas. is near
Fort Frederick, restored French
and Indian War stronghold.
The last two centers before the
parkway ends in an elaborate
terminus at Cumberland would be
at Little Orleans, near the Green
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Virginia Girl Is Winner
Al National 4-H CONGRESS

Miss Nancy Revercomb of Rock
ingham County, Va, was one of
eight winners in national competi-
ton today at the National 4-H
Congress in Chicago.
She won her all-expense tour to
the congress, which closes tonight,
in the recreation and rural arts
contest.
Now student at Madison Col
lege, Harrisonburg, Miss Rever-
comb has been a All member for
six years and has completed Is
projects, including food prepara-
ton and preservation, home i'm
provement, housekeeping, laundry,
and farm and home electric meth
ods. Her profits have totaled more
than $835.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Maryland U. Announces
1866 Enrolment

The total enrolment at the
University of Maryland for the
current semester is 1896 stu
dents, Miss Alma H. Preinkert,
University Registrar, announced
today.
OF this number 11,O09 matric-
ulated in the 10 colleges at Col
lege Park; 1851 In the Baltimore
professional schools and 4,096 in
European branches.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
$4,000 Fire Destroys
Dwelling at Seneca

A two-story, six-room frame
house on Berryville road at SEN
eca, Md, was destroyed by fire
yesterday. with an estimated
5000 damage.
The house was owned by Charles
Barton, sr. Mr.. and Mrs. Barton
have not been living in the house
for the last two or three months,
flremen said, because Mr.. Barton
has been in a hospital. The house
was completely furnished, how
ever.
Mr.. Barton's son, Charles, jr.,
who lives nearby, theorized that
faulty electric wires caused the
blaze. Volunteer fire departments
from Gaithersburg Washington
Grove and Rockville responded.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Sam Lano Fined S1OO
For Allowing PinbaI|
Machines 10 Operate

Sam Lano, pinball machine
distributor, was found guilty yes
terday of permitting operation of
Illegal 'free-play" machines and
was fined total of $100 and
costs in Arlington County Court.
In addition, Judge Hugh Reid
ordered confiscation of five ma
chimes seized in raid October
l8 and forfeiture of $16.65 they
contained A new pinball ma
chine costs $275.
Defense Attorneys Alfred w.
Trueax and william c. Nemeth
noted an appeal.
More Testimony Tomorrow.
Judge Reid said he will hear
testimony tomorrow regarding
three more Lano machines seized
by police November 20 in raids
on two business establishments.
In announcing his verdict, Judge
Reid said the Virginia statute on
slot machines makes a machine
illegal if it provides any element
of chance. He said it was not a
question of whether skill is more
important than chance in deter
mining the score of pinball game.
II don't think that this is a
gambling case.' the judge said,
"It is more like gaming"
Mr.. Nemeth asked the court to
watch a game played to observe
the Importance of skill in achiev-
ing a high score.
Game Not Played.
The judge refused, adding how
ever, that he would permit the
game to be played if the defense
attorney would set a score which
the player, by reason of his skill,
could reach consistently. The
game was not played.
Mr.. Trueax told the court, I'VE
want to know why it is that Mr..
Lano is the only one whose ma
chimes are seized in the county"
And after the judge announced
the verdict, Mr.. Trueax said, "Mr.
Lano is demanding the prosecu-
ton of every other pinball opera
tor in Arlington County,"
Judge Reid retorted:
Mr.. Lano isn't demanding any
hing in court today. If he has
complaints they should be ad-
dressed to the proper authorities.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
On-the-Furm Truinees
TO Hold Banquet Tonight

Prince Georges County's On
the-Farm Institute of veteran
trainees will hold their fourth an
nual banquet at 7 o'clock tonight
at the Frederick Sasscer High
School, Upper Marlboro.
Main speakers will be Calvin
johnson, former representative
from Illinois, and DR.. James Gwin
of the University of Maryland
Extension Service.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Clarendon Church Group
Will Discuss Alcohol

Five representatives of business,
educational and professional life
will lead discussions on the effects
of alcohol at 7::30 pm. at the
Clarendon Methodist Church of
Arlington.
Subjects will range from "How
Alcohol Affects the Health, Home
and Morals of a Community" to
What the Individual Can Do to
Cope with Alcohol"
Speakers will include William
A. Early, superintendent of Arl-
ington Public Schools; w. P.
Ames, Arlington builder; DR.. j.
D. Zylman; John G. Howell,
superintendent of the Arlington
County Welfare Department, and
Judge Paul Brown Of the Arling-
ton Juvenile Court.
Evening star., 1950-11-30

suitable for so mile an hour speed
can be built.
The survey calls only for a "a
foot two-lane roadway for most
of the length of the canal but
points out that a second roadway
might be necessary within a short
time. A dual highway is proposed
for most of the way between
Great Falls and Point of Rocks to
care for heavy Washington traffic
and three miles below Cumber-
land for local traffic.
Costs Relatively Low.
AS far as additional land is con-
cerned, the Park Service wants
Maryland to acquire about SO mil
lion worth: 5000 acres on the land
side and 5000 acres on the river
side of the canal property. This
additional land would take the
parkland to the Potomac banks
and to the crest of the river bluff
so that no unsightly signs could
be erected within view of the
parkway
The survey estimates the cost
of the road construction for the
parkway at $16,162,000. 1t points
out that all of the original aque-
ducts. culverts and other canal
structures can be used with some
lengthening and repair.
Cost of the canal restoration is
placed at $4,000. Repair of old
dockhouses and. other canal
buildings is estimated at $1O4, 900
while new buildings needed fol
recreation centers would cosi
| $552,0O0.
Park Service officials say thu
canal parkway cost per mile woult
be only one-tenth of that of tn,
Baltimore Washington parkwa,
now under construction.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
BY the Associated Press

SHADY SIDE. Md, Nov. 30
Alexander w. Andrews, who once
defled all comers to prove there's
really devil, now has an idea
for selling fertilizer.
Native Maryland fertilizer
would enable the State to plow
under it's sales tax in five years,
Mr.. Andrews said yesterday.
"The potential possibilities
would stagger the imagination, :"
he added.
Maryland could sell the mixture
of Chesapeake mud and ordinary
sand he has developed, Mr.. An
drews suggested. Result: Enough
income to abolish the sales tax
and employ thousands Of people.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Church Women to Hold
Sale in Silver Spring

The Women of the Episcopal
Church of the Ascension will hold
two-day rummage sale tomorrow
and Saturday at the Hancock
House, Fenton street and Pershing
drive, Silver Spring.
The sale will be from 10 am. to
10 pm. during the first day and
from 10 am. to 6 pm. Saturday
Mrs. Frank Cisar is chairman of
the affair.
Evening star., 1950-11-30
Bethesda Church Buzuur

The Women's Fellowship of
Bethesda Christian Church will
hold a bazaar tomorrow and Sat-
urday at the church, Hunt and
Wisconsin avenues, Bethesda. The
affair will be open from 10 am.
until 8 pm. tomorrow, and from
10 am. to 6 pm. Saturday.