davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Story of Freedom Fair
How 1t All Started, How 1t Grew,
And Why the Bubble Hos Busted

year ago today congressional Joint resolution
authorizing the National Capital Sesquicentenna Com
mission with its for celebrating the 50th ami
versary establishment of the of Government in Wash
ington.
the will Instead of the fecous
atmosphere of birthday party the meeting will
OF the grim characteristics of coronerS inquest.
The commissions Executive Committee will recommend that
Freedom Fawch year had hypnotized everybody with
the Government nckebe deceny inferred and forgotten
Evidence Is Presented to Executive Committee
Evidence by distinguished counsel has been presented to the
Executive Committee to show:
Cd That the commission itself cannot the laws of the
United States, build and conduct Freedom Fair
(2 That the commission cannot under the laws of the United
States delegate nonpro corporation of it's creation the
building and administration of Freedom Fair
1t possible that third plan may advanced based
of the Alice Wonderland financial wzardry that
has distinguished Freedom Fair discussions from outset
The udmen of this plan consist of speculation that Amer
can industry will lease building sites at So foot lane
which has been promised free to the commission.
Treasury Receive Unexpended Reserve.
With the from the leases substantial arrived
at by the simple of multiplying million square feet by
So and thus producing SO on) the commission would
available for expenditures $4500O0 for administration
on $45 million for construction buildings exhibits
those who will not build their buildings and for the provision
United States Government $45o0o selling the
industry Industry would be expected build exhibition
buildings per square building
commission.
There would be tidy unexpended of $27 million
which would be turned back the United States Treasury
But this pan The Star suspects, will fall flat its face il
anybody the cold dawn of realities which has followed reve
Evening star., 1950-05-31
DC. One Of 5 Big Cities Avertine
Downtown Business Decline

showed an increase in stores of
36.5 per cent, from 2.243 to 3.061.
The business census figures
also showed a rapid increase in
business volume both for the cen
trail and fringe areas. District
business was up from $402. .768,-
900 to $1,107.73 900, or ITS per
cent. In the rest OF the area
the sales increase was from $79.-
735, 900 to $373,103.o00. or 36S
per cent.
In 1948 the District had 69.8
per cent Of the stores and 74.8
of the sales, leaving the outly-
ing area 30.2 per cent of the
stores, with 25.2 per cent of the
sales.
On the national level, retail
sales in the 80 metropolitan
areas in 1948 exceeded $50 bill
lion-more than two-flfths of the
national total of $3.50 billion of
domestic consumer expenditure
for goods. Compared with sales
in 1899, the metropolitan areas
recorded sales increase of 1872
per cent ip 1948. slightly below
the national retail sales increase
Of more than 200 per cent.
Evening star., 1950-05-31
u. ). CourtFinds
.Ar|ingtonS School
Discrimination
Circuit Court Reverses
Decision in Suit by
Negro Students
BY the Asse<ie,sd Press

RICHMOND. Va. May Sl.-
Negro pupils of the Hoffman Bos-
ton High School for Negroes in
Arlington today won their appeal
before the United States Fourth
Circuit Court of Appeals in a
school equalization case.
In a decision written by Circuit
Judge Morris A, Soper. the ap-
pellate court reversed the Alex
andria District Court and ruled
that racial discrimination is prac-
ticed against the Hoffman Boston
students. II remanded the case
for further proceedings.
The plaintiffs lost their dis
elimination suit against the Ar
lington County School Board and
the division superintendent Of
schools when the case was heard
in District Court. Judge Albert
V. Bryan ruled then that:
The advantages and disadvan-
tages of the separate courses and
facilities available to Negroes at
Hoffman-B Boston and to white
pupils at Washington-Lee High
School balanced against each
other to constitute substantial
equality Of treatment.
Position Held Untenable.
However, Judge Soper's opinion
held:
In our view, this position is un-
tenable since the evidence indi-
Gates that in plant facilities and
courses of education the white
students of Washington-Lee enjoy
advantages which are not afforded
to the students at the colored high
school"
The appellate courts opinion
made 1t plain it felt the discrimi-
nation was based primarily on the
race OF the students concerned.
Small Colored Population.
At the outset the appellate court
noted the two schools are located
IN a county where the Negroes Of
school age constitute only a small
percentage Of the school popula-
ton, so that the expense involved
in affording to the small minority
in a separate school every course
OF study and every kind of equip
ment and recreational facility that
are given the majority is propor-
tionatefy very great"
But it pointed out that the cost
involved in equalizing the two
systems is not factor in deter
mining whether discrimination
exists. and held:
"A sufficient showing has been
made by Peggy Council and Ju-
Illus Brevard 1.-TWO of the plain
tiffs) to justify further proceed
ings on their behalf in the district
court"
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Send q Kid to Comp
Undefed Children Add Weiqht
On Two Weeks of Camp Food

To some children. the best thing
about two weeks at camp is all
the food they get to eat.
These are the children whose
pale cheeks and skinny bodies tell
the story of many days without
meat. orange Juice and fresh vege-
tables.
OF all the undernourished chill
dren who went to Camp Good Will
last year. the one everybody re-
members is a boy well call Bobby.
He was 9 years old and weighed
40 pounds.
The reason the counsellors re-
member Bobby so well was his
appetite. When he got to camp,
instead of eating the one picnic
lunch provided for the first meal,
he ate three.
That night at supper. Bobby ate
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Wadsworth Won't Seek
Reelection 10 House
By the Assoeiated Press

GENESEO. N. Y, May 81
Rep. James w. Wadsworth, author
Of the World War draft law and
co-author of the second World
War Selective Service Act, said
today he would not seek another
term in Congress.
The 72-year-old New York Re-
publican said he had decided to
retire at the end of his current
term next January 3.
He served IL years in the Sen
ate from 1915 to 1927. In World
War I he was chairman of the
Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee. He is completing his 18th
year in the House. Before going
to Washington he served six years
in the New York Assembly.
Mr.. Wadsworth was elected te
the Senate In 1914 and reelected
in 1920.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

so much his counsellor requested
food for 10 boys at his table in.
stead of eight. Said the counsellor
I'm used to hungry kids at my
table but I have fellow this time
that I just can't seem to fill UP. "
After two weeks of eating Sec
ond and third helpings and drink
ing the quart of milk a day that
each camper gets, Bobby went
home 6 pounds heavier and q lot
healthier.
Another child selected for camp
by a hospital was II years old
and weighed so pounds. At the
end Of his two weeks he weighed
in at SIS pounds, which was more
than the doctors expected the
sickly child to gain.
The largest individual gain by
tSee CAMP FUND. Page A-3J
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Thundershowers Forecast
This Afternoon and Toniqhi

Thundershowers should strike
the Washington area late this
afternoon and early tonight. the
Weather Bureau predicted today.
The temperature is expected to
reach 80 degrees by this after
noon. Tonight the thermometer
will drop to about 62 degrees and
tomorrow the skies will begin to
clear and the humidity will lessen.
AS the month of May drew to a
close the Weather Bureau said
it could find nothing unusual
about it. The month did get one
mark when the temperature rose
to SO degrees May 6, breaking an
existing record by 2 degrees.
Total rainfall so far has been
40 inches, just about is inches
above normal. The temperature
averaged about degree above
normal for the month.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

Washington is listed as one OF
only five major cities in the
United States in which there has
not been an actual decrease in
the number of downtown bust
ness retail stores between 1888
and 1948, the Census Bureau re-
vealed today.
Census Director Roy v. Peel
released figures on 80 major met
ropolitan areas, illustrating a de-
clsive trend of retail business te
outlying areas.
The figures for the District also
reflect this trend. However, un-
like 27 of the big cities, which
show an average loss of 10 pei
cent in downtown establishments
over the period. retail stores in
the District rose from 6.893 to
7,074. or 2.6 per cent.
Other cities showing similar
small increases were Birmingham,
Dallas, Houston and Memphis.
At the same time figures for
the balance of the Washing
ton metropolitan area-includine
Prince George. Montgomery, Fair
fax and Arlington Counties
Evening star., 1950-05-31
False Nose Bandit Gets
$1,000 in I'd HoIdup
OF Tick Tock Tavern
Owners Wife Struck;
Prince Georges Place
Robbed II Days Ago

A man wearing a false nose
today held up and robbed the
owner of the Tick Took Tavern
of about $1,000. 1t was the sec
ond time within IL days that the
place. 2 miles west of College
Park, had been held up in the
early morning hours. In the first
holdup, five men took $2,169.
Two men already have been ar
rested as false nose" bandits and
are being held under $45, 900 bond
each for three robberies in the
District and one in Maryland.
Walter Jimmy" Longcope, As
owner of the Prince Georges
County night spot at University
lane and Riggs road. is convinced
that the robber who broke into his
place at am. today was one ol
the men who robbed him earlier
OWACA WAS fASAccp.
Mr.. Longcope and his wife,
Betty. were asleep in one of two
bedrooms in the rear of the tavern
building. The tavern owner was
awakened by a sharp rap on his
shoulder.
Turn over and mind your own
business" said a voice. Il know
where everything is
Mr.. Longcope' described it as a
deep, commanding voice with a
Southern drawl."
Rolling over. the tavern owner
was confronted by a flashlight
shining into his eyes. The man
held what looked like a blackjack
in one hand.
Il knew exactly what to dol
knew exactly what was coming, {"
Mr.. Longcope later told reporters.
The previous robbery was on
May 10.
Bandit Strikes Woman.
Mrs. Longcope, awoke. sat up
and said: What goes on around
here?"
At that, the robber moved
around to her side of the bed and
struck her on the shoulder with
what she believes was blackjack.
The robber asked for her purse
and then picked up her under
wear from a dresser and threat
ened to bind her.
MY wife was doing all the
yapping," Mr.. Longcope said.
Mrs Longcope, who is "A, told
the robber, That won't be neces-
sary.'
Wore Dark Clothing.
About that time the Longcopes
could see that the robber had a
white handkerchief tied around
his head with one corner draped
over his left eye. He wore a false
nose. but without glasses. He
was dressed in dark clothing. a
"salt-and-pepper" jacket, and
(See TICK TOCK Page A-4)
Evening star., 1950-05-31
James (. Schwob Reoppointed
ToRecredtion Board for 4Yeurs
D. G. Heads Action
Answers Question
Raised on Race Issue

James E. Schwab, whose con-
servative views on racial matters
have been under attack, today was
reappointed by the Commissioners
to another four-year term on the
District Recreation Board.
The appointment was the an
swer to question which has been
discussed here for weeks. It was
reported-and confirmed by relia-
BILE sources-that the Interior De-
partment was bringing pressure to
bear on the Commissioners not
to reappoint Mr.. Schwab when his
term expired. The term was COM
pleted two days ago.
Interior Secretary Chapman de-
MED he had made any move to
get Mr.. Schwab off the board
but admitted he hoped he was
not reappointed. Other Interior
Department officials refused COM
rnent.
The Commissioners would
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Mrs. Latta Lawrence
Agrees 10 Drop Her
Maintenance Suit
Cash Settlement of Case
Disclosed, Divorce
Action Planned Later

Mrs. Eilene Diana Latta Law
renee has settled and agreed to
drop her maintenance suit against
her husband. Harold A. Latta
Lawrence. 48. a Naval Reserve
captain.
A cash settlement was disclosed
today by David Cobb and I. S.
Weissbrodt, Mrs. Lawrence's law
yers.
While the attorneys refused to
go into details other than to say
the settlement amount was sat
isfactory to both parties" the AZ
year-old wife of the former aide
to the Chief of Naval Operations,
told reporters:
Il would have much preferred
a happy marriage to a cash set
tlement."
To Seek Divorce Later.
She is staying at the Wardman
Park Hotel and will leave for her
Hollywood home in a few days,
Mrs. Latta Lawrence said. There,
she added, she plans to sue for
divorce in the near future.
Mrs. Latta Lawrence refused to
say whether the contemplated di-
vorce action was part of the out
of-court settlement or whether she
and her husband were present at
discussions with opposing counsel
yesterday.
Trial of her suit. in which she
sought $500 monthly maintenance,
had been scheduled to begin to-
day in District Court. 1t was held
over until Friday on the request
OF attorneys. BY that day formal
notice Of settlement and dismissal
is expected to be filed.
Mrs. Rogers Cited.
Representative Edith Nourse
Rogers. Republican, of Massachu-
setts. was blamed by Mrs. Latta
Lawrence in the original sui lo..
much of the marital difficulties
between her and her Navy hus-
band.
Judge Matthew Mcclure, how
ever, later ordered that all men
tion of Mrs. Rogers name be
stricken from the court papers.
The judge also refused to grant
$50 monthly temporary mainte-
nance.
After serving on the staff of
former Naval Operations Chief
Denfeld. Capt. Latta Lawrence
was placed on inactive reserve
status last November. Capt.
Latta Lawrence, whose Washing
ton address is the Shorenam Ho-
tel, was unavailable for comment
today as were his attorneys Joseph
McGroary and George Quinn.
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Western Reich Police
Mass at zona| Border
Fearful Of New Riots
1000 Red Youths Stoge
Sitdown in Protesting
Medical Examinations
BY the Associofed Press

HELMSTEDT. Germany, May
31.-Swarms of West German po-
lice reinforcements hurried to
zonal border crossing points to-
day. fearful of new rioting in the
homeward trek of 10000 Com
munist youth from the East Ber-
lin Whitsun demonstrations.
Hostility toward the returning
Communists was heightened by
last nights rioting at Helmstedt
where civilians attacked some
1000 of the Communist youth
ripped off their blue shirts and
burned the shirts in bonf1res.
Heavy police reinforcements
were sent into Lubbock, on the
British zonal frontier. where TO-.
900 more Communists youth were
expected late today. These will
swell the ranks of 1000 sitdowr
demonstrators at Lubbock who
have squatted on the border since
last night, refusing a state govern.
ment order to undergo medical ex.
aminations. German police were
stoned by some of the 1000 last
night.
Reds Threaten Police.
At Helmstedt, the main zona
border crossing point in the Brit
ish zone, 600 Communists thi
morning cracked through the Dor
der crossing point after threaten
ing police who tried to inspec
their luggage. But they submit
ted to luggage inspection at thu
railway station, where most tool
trains to their West German
homes. West Germans along tn,
way booed and jeered at the Com.
muniStS.
ToWnSpeople in Helmstedt
grabbed one youth and ripped of
his Communist medals, but club.
swinging police rescued him. Many
in the crowd of West German:
(See GERMAN, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1950-05-31

One count alleged conspiracy and
the other 50 counts charge book
making.
The information charging book
making covers investigation of a
20-year period from 1880 to 1850,
Mr.. Hogan said.
One Other Named.
Mr.. Hogan said the informa-
ton. which was voted last Friday
and filed today mentioned only
one other person. Harry Richards,
who is named as a co-conspirator
in the information but not as a
defendant.
Richards is being held as a ma
terial witness in 100000 bail.
Criminal informations, rather
than indictments. are returned in
misdemeanor cases. Bookmaking
is misdemeanof in New York.
The grand jury investigation
followed raid on Erickson's Park
Avenue Office during which volu-
minous documents relating to his
enterprises were seized. The raid
followed Erickson's testimony be-
fore the Senate investigating sub
committee.
Erickson has fought for return
of the papers without success.
Adonis Figures Sought.
Meanwhile, the New York jury
has subpoenaed New Jersey bank
records of Joe Adonis, underworld
figure, his wife and his son. Adonis
is known as an associate of Erick-
son. The banks were ordered to
give up the records by June S
or show cause in court why they
should not do so.
The subpoenas also called for
records of Newark IN. j. ac-
counting firm relating to the
Colonial Inn, north of Miami, near
Hollywood, Fla.
Records seized during the raid
on his Office indicated Erickson
|prof1ted heavily from gambling
operations at the inn. The papers
also linked a number of under
world characters with the inns
operations.
Heavy Penalty Possible.
Ordinarily, conviction on one
count of a misdemeanor such as
conspiracy or bookmaking carries
a maximum penalty of UP to three
years in prison.
Conviction on a multi-count in
formation could draw punishment
of $500 fine and year in prison
on each count.
The SO bookmaking counts, Mr..
Hogan said, embraced a total of
$86,788 allegedly wagered with
Erickson over the period from
June. 1948, to April. 1850.
These bets, Mr.. Hogan declared.
constituted "only a minute frac-
ton" of money wagered with
Erickson. The district attorney
added that the information could
! have contained 10000 counts"
Evening star., 1950-05-31
John A. McCone Named
Air Force Undersecreiary

President Truman today nomi-
mated John A. MoCone. Los An
geles businessman. to be Under
secretary Of the Air Force, sue
ceeding Arthur S. Barrows. who
has resigned.
Mr.. McCone was a member Of
the Presidents Air Policy Com
mittee which the present Air
Force Secretary, Thomas A. Fine
letter, headed three years ago.
Mr.. McCone is 48 years old and
since 1887 has been identified
with the Bechtel-McCone-P Parsons
Corp. which specializes in the
design and construction of indus
trial plants.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

President Truman's recent advice
to Washington businessmen to
wake up and get going, if they
want Freedom Fair. There is
reason to suspect, however, that
none of this pressure comes from
disillusioned members of the
commission.
Many May Have Been Doing.
Washington businessmen, with
many other respected members of
this community. the Congress and
newspapers-including The Star
may have been doing this past
year.
This somnolent state has been
induced. in part, by the prospect
of listening to the sweet music
of tinkling coins, dropped by the
millions into turnstile slots as the
American people gather in Wash.
ington to see the wonders oi
American industry displayed al
Freedom Fair. to watch coloree
lights play on fountains of gush.
ing water, to enjoy great pageants
of pure patriotism, accompanied
by symphony orchestras ane
bands.
Busting of Bubble Begins.
If there were doubts about how
all this was to come about, they
were stilled by belief that, oi
course. somebody was looking
after the details and that it coule
all be done within the law. Tht
President of the United States wa.
the head of the business. Con
gress had approved it. Distin'
guished citizens and Government
officials were on the Board o.
Directors and everything was jake
The busting of this bubble begar
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Liberty's Torch Burns Out

NEW YORK. May 81 (P.-For
the first time in 10 years no light
burned last night in the torch of
the Statue Of Liberty in New York
harbor. N. II. Foster, monument
superintendent, said power fall
ure in an electric cable was the
cause.
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Thief SteoIs Hearts List

LONG BEACH. Calf. May 81
R.-Here's a man who figures
to be pretty busy. An introduc-
tion service told police yesterday
a burglar had taken its entire file
Of 100 lonely women's names.
plus addresses. telephone num-
bers, physical specifications and
income.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

revolutionary" principle for Or
ganizing common defense on a
partnership" basis agreed upon
at the recent London meeting of
the North Atlantic Council.
Mr. Acheson reported on his
London conferences with the for
eign ministers of the North At
lantic treaty nations and separate
big Three" discussions in an un-
usual address to the Senate and
House in the Library of Congress
auditorium. His talk was broad
cast by three radio networks
Questions from Congress were in
vited after his prepared speech
but this portion of the session
was not broadcast.
Warning solemnly that Russia:
growing military might has ere.
ated a dangerous situation" Mr.
Acheson reported that none of the
London conferees said anything
which indicated there is any i'm.
mediate" threat of war.
Kremlin Threat is Problem.
"The problem" he asserted
however, "is to meet a threat
which. in view of the known pro-
gram of the Kremlin. will exist
unless we act now to prepare oul
defenses against aggression"
Realizing that "only combined
effort will be adequate" to meet
the Soviet threat, Mr.. Acheson
said the most important action of
the Atlantic Council was its recon-
mendation to member govern
ments of the balanced collective
forces" principle.
Under this principle, the At
1antic community of Com
munist nations would 'look to
each country to contribute what
it is best able to contribute to the
common defense in accordance
with a common plan," avoiding
duplication by each partner of
what the others are doing. OFF,
cials say this would mean that the
United States would spend rela-
lively more on Air Force and Navy
strength than on Army develop
ment.
Truman Agrees with Plan.
Mr.. Acheson said President
Truman had authorized him to
say that he agrees with him and
Secretary of Defense johnson that
I'VE must make this principle
work"
I'VE can see," he added, enc
other way to accomplish the jot
of defense and at the same time
to get ahead with the constructive
task of building a successfully
functioning economy in the free
world"
Describing the balanced col
iective forces" principle as the
only one which could reconcile
the resources available with the
demands upon them," Mr.. Ache.
son asserted:
1T is the only way in which
forces can be developed to NEE
successfully any initial attack anc
to carry through to a successful
conclusion any war that is forced
upon u.s."
U. S. Must Play Leading Role.
He said the United States mus
play a leading role" in makins
the principle work.
THE job cannot be DONE" h,
warned, unless we do our full
(See ACHESON, Page A-3)
Evening star., 1950-05-31
Erickson Faces
so 0Charges in
Gambling Probe
New York Grand jury
Alleges Conspiracy
And Bookmokinq
By the Associated Press

NEW YORK, May 31.-A New
York County grand jury today re-
turned a 60-count information
against Frank Erickson, gambler,
who recently testified before a
Senate investigation that he net
ted 100000 a year from gambling
enterprises. He was charged with
conspiracy and bookmaking.
The action was announced by
District Attorney Frank S. Hogan.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

over freedom Fair during the
past year, has the nerve to pre-
sent it with a straight face. It's
promoter is the commissions
new $25, ,000-a-year general man
ager, Paul M. Massman.
Some pressure remains for Free
dom Fair-stimulated in part by
Evening star., 1950-05-31

neither comment nor deny the
reports of pressure.
Mr.. Schwab has been a men,
ber of the Recreation Board since
(See SCHWAB, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1950-05-31

Bookmokers Don't Get Racing Dotu From
AP. Probers Soy Page 3D.
Evening star., 1950-05-31

Freedom Fair illegal Under Sesqui
Enabling Act, Bostion Says. Page 81