davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Revisions Planned
In Measure 10 Tighten
District Crime Laws

| Some revisions in q proposed
bill to tighten District crime laws
will be worked out in the next few
days by House District subcom-
mittee. it was learned today.
Subcommittee Chairman Davis,
Democrat. Of Georgia said the unit
had received valuable suggestions
from two separate conferences
this week with judges and prose-
cutors. He did not disclose de-
tails of the new proposals.
A two-hour session late yester-
day with prosecutors, Mr.. Davis
said, was devoted to very
thorough discussion of the entire
bill, but particularly regarding law
enforcement by prosecutors.
At the conference were United
States Attorney George Morris
Fay. his assistant, John w. Fihelly
and Assistant Corporation Coun-
sells Chester Gray and Clark F
King.
The discussion. Mr.. Davis said,
"was very productive"
Earlier this week the crime
subcommittee had held a night
session with a group of judges
from District and Municipal
Courts.
Now we want to do some work
on the suggestions we have re-
ceived." Representative Davis said
Early next week he plans to hold
another conference with other law
enforcemnt officials. but details
of this will be arranged later.
The comprehensive tentative
bill making many changes in Dis
trict laws is still in the form of
a committee print" and will not
be introduced as a bill until the
new 82d Congress in January.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Mrs. Leonard Harfer Dies;
Plant PathoIoqist's S Wife

Mrs. Leonard L. Harter, 73,
wife Of retired Government
plant pathologist. died Wednes-
day at Doctors Hospital after a
brief illness. She lived at 1880
Monroe street NV.
Mrs. Harter was born in Hunt
ington, w. Va, and was a gradu-
ate of the University of Nebraska.
She had lived in Washington since
1907 when she was married. DR.
Harter retired from the Agricul-
ture Department in 1945.
Long active in women's organ
izations here. Mrs. Harter was a
member of the Twentieth Century
Club, Political Study Club, Dis
trict Federation of Women's S
Clubs, University Women's Club
and Patriotic Women of America.
Besides DR.. Harter, she leaves
two daughters, Mrs. Harold o.
Thompson of Scarsdale. N. Y,
and Mrs. Chapman Porterfield,
Roanoke, Va; a son, Stuart D.
Harter, a manager of the Chesa-
peake g. Potomac Telephone Co.,
and two grandchildren. A sister,
Miss We're Davis, lives in Long
Beach, Calf.
Funeral services will be held at
l pm. tomorrow in the Hines fu-
neral home, 2901 Fourteenth
street NV. Burial will be in Ma
tional Memorial Park Cemetery
Falls Church.
Evening star., 1950-12-08

porters the decision did not mean
a reconciliation.
Earlier, Mrs. Crawford denied
Indignantly that she had thrown
most of a Christmas dinner at
her husbands head during a quar-
rel in 1948.
Did you not throw a roast
chicken at your husband and it
skidded under the sofa?" asked
John Alexander, attorney for the
husband.
Mrs. Crawford denied this and
insisted under examination
that she did not hurl two steaks
at her husband and slam the door
on his hand, breaking a finger.
Attorney Jean Boardman told
the judge this morning that Mrs.
Crawford wished to withdraw her
suit. but Mr.. Alexander pointed
out the wife already had had her
day in court" and it would be
unfair to drop the matter without
prejudice.
The couple was separated about
18 months ago and Mrs. Crawford
sought the divorce on grounds Of
cruelty.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Jury DEGREES WeakIey
Death After 80 Votes
Bring Murder Verdict

| Luther r. Weakley. 49, former
salesman. was convicted of first
degree murder yesterday after the
jury deliberated for 13 hours.
A f1rst-degree murder convic-
ton carries a mandatory death
penalty. Judge Edward M. Cur
ran did not set a date for SEN
fencing.
The jury foreman, Charles C.
Elderkin. 1920 Fendall street Sc,
revealed the eight men and four
women jurors had taken more
than 80 ballots before finally
reaching unanimous decision.
They had started celebrating on
Wednesday,
Weakley fatally shot Thomas G.
Carnes. 43, on May 20 in the
latter's Office at 316 F street NE.
Mr.. Carnes was Washington
branch manager of Blue Plate
Foods, Inc. 1t was testified at
the trial that Mr.. Carnes had
fired Weakley the night before
the shooting.
Weakley testified during the
trial that he had gone to Carnes'
office at the latter's request to talk
things over" Weakley contended
he reached for his gun in self
defense when Mr.. Carnes threat
ened to "cut his tongue out" The
gun was fired. he testified, while
he and Mr.. Carnes were scuffling
over it.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney Edward L. Carey contended
Weakley had been fired for in
efficiency and killed Mr.. Carnes
because the latter would not re-
hire him.
Weakley was defended by At
torney James j. Laughlin.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
D. T.. Rent Bill Action
Expected Next Week

Chairman Neely of the Senate
District Committee expects to call
up for Senate action early next
week the bill to extend District
rent control through February %.
There had been some hope that
the Senate might act late yester-
day on the local measure after
passing the National rent bill to
extend Federal controls elsewhere
for two months from December 81.
But the Senate took up instead a
bill amending the Railway Labor
Act and will follow that with
another measure for aid to Yugo-
slavia.
Senator Neely. Democrat, Of
West Virginia. said he understood
the Senate program will make
way for consideration of the Dis
trict rent extension measure, prob
ably Monday.
In the meantime. Chairman Nc
MILAN of the House District Com
mittee said he would make sur
vey today of members of his COM
mittee to determine what step to
take on rent controls.
Unless there Is virtually unani-
nous opinion among his commit
tee members for immediate intro
duction of House bill, Mr.. Nc
MILAN said it might be more ad-
visable to wait until the Senate
passes the Nicely District rent bill
and sends it over to the House for
consideration.
MI. Mcmillan said he voted for
extension of Federal rent controls
yesterday when the House passed
"a measure to extend National
curbs to March 81.
Evening star., 1950-12-08

space made retention of the G
street building a necessity. Al
though Selective Service Director
Lewis B. Hershey has been fighting
hard to maintain downtown Offices,
the GSA said the overall space
need" was the reason for the re-
tention request.
Meanwhile, extensive renova-
tion of 100000 square feet in three
former dormitories of Langston
Stadium-on Benning road NE,
near the circus grounds-already
is under way in expectation of
the draft Office move. This work
will be continued without any
major changes to be ready TO"
whatever other agency moves
there, officials said.
AAA officials said there has been
no decision about what that or
ganization's next move will be.
Officials are conferring on the
problem today. .
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Deaths of Clark Couple
Called Murder, Suicide

DR.. Frank j. Broschart, Mont
gomery County medical examiner
has issued certificates of murder
and suicide in the deaths of Mr..
and Mrs. Wilson D. Clark of the
Alban Towers, 3700 Massachu-
setts avenue NV.
Their bodies were found Tues
day night In their car on the
outskirts of Jamestown. 10 miles
north of Rockville. Each had
been shot in the head. A note
fastened to the outside of the
car gave instructions for dis
position Of the bodies.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Sam Lano Wins Fight
To Reverse Decision
On Extortion Charge
Special Dispoteh 10 The Sfor

ANNAPOLIS, Dec. Sam Lano,
slot machine distributor. today
won his fight in the Court of Ap-
peals for a reversal of his con-
viction last January in Prince
Georges County Circuit Court on
a charge of threatening a county
tavern owner.
The appellate court. in granting
the appeal, reversed its decision of
last May upholding the lower
courts one-year prison sentence.
Lano had been found guilty in
Circuit Count of threatening to
prosecute John c. Duffy on a bad
check charge when the latter
stopped using Lano's machines in
Duffy's Tavern, Brentwood.
In sentencing Lano. Judge John
B. Gray, jr., said the defendants s
act constituted a mild form of
blackmail.
After the Court of Appeals af-
firmed the lower courts decision
on May II, Lano filed a. petition
for rehearing and the case was
argued November Is by Lano's at
torney, Nicholas j. Chase of
Washington.
Court of Appeals attaches said
todays decision ordered the case
remanded to the lower court for
a new trial. The appellate court
held that the indictment did not
clearly charge that he falsely"
threatened Mr.. Duffy, and there
fore was faulty.
Last week, Lano was fined $1Oo
in Arlington County Court on a
charge Of permitting operation OF
Illegal "free-play" pinball ma
chimes. A few days later, he
again was fined $100 for operat-
ing the machines. Lano has noted
appeals in both cases.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Beirwagen Elected
AS Head of Transit
Union in Upset

The Districts street car and bus
operators union today announced
the election of w. j. Beirwagen,
a bus driver, to succeed w. E.
Simms as president of the 4,300-
member organization.
Mr.. Beirwagen polled 1862 votes
to 344 for Mr.. Simms during all
day voting conducted at ID garages
and car barns Wednesday. Mr..
Simms had served two six-year
terms. interrupted by one four
year interim.
The failure Of the union to win
"a wage increase from Capital
Transit Co. last summer was cited
as the main issue in the presi-
Dental overturn. At that time the
membership voted overwhelmingly
to renew the existing contract I'M
til next summer, but rising cost
of living later swung support to
those critical of the contract re-
newal, observers said.
Another upset was the defeat OF
J. H. Cookman, financial secretary
for "a years, by G. E. Odom. The
count was 1,786 to 984.
E. A. Stats, recording secretary
was reelected over j. G.. BigeloW
by count of 1853 to 1879.
|. Seven Executive Board members
were reelected and an eighth, C
L. Greenwell. named for the first
time. Reelected were I. M. Col
Inns. ]. B. Gardiner, N. A. Jenkins
w. B. Powell, w. A. Purdy. r. Ut
terback and B. B. Blankenbaker.
The unions title is the Amalga-
mated Association of Street Elec.
trio Railway g. Motor Coach EN-.
ployes of America, Division 689.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
New Unit 10 Advance
.BeIasco Theater Use
For Services Canfeen

A special subcommittee to work
With all the veterans organizations
and Federal agencies and to in
tegrate plans for the conversion
Of the Belasco Theater into a
serviceman canten will be set up
in the near future by the Armed
Services Hospitality Committee.
Unanimous adoption of the plan
came yesterday by members of the
committee meeting in the home of
Mrs. Martin Vogel, 2601 Thirtieth
street NV.
The theater is now used as a
stockroom for the Treasury De-
partment, which has indicated
that the only thing holding up
the conversion is faildre of all
veterans organizations to get
together on the plans, as suggested
by Government officials.
The American Legion recently
began a campaign to reopen the
theater as a center for servicemen.
lLC ~ l1lCu oCl S1SCo I1OopltdllCS
Committee, in it's resolution, intro
duced by Harry Wender. chairman
of the District Recreation Board,
called for the special subcom-
mittee to hasten conversion of the
theater, "either as suggested by
the American Legion or in agree
ment with all the veterans
organizations"
Were here to see that the job
is DONE" Mr.. Wender said. Lets
not sit back and watch others do
it. The canten is a necessity. We
must see all the veterans organ
izations do the job or support the
American Legion to get it done
The funds are available, we have
the workers and the conversion
for servicemen is vital"
In other business. members
voted to send a letter to the
District Commissioners asking that
canteen hostesses be given cards
carrying their pictures and finger
prints.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Catholics Observe
Feast Of Conception

About 175,000 Catholics of the
Washington archdiocese are OBJ
serving the Feast of the Immacu-
late Conception today.
Downtown Washington churches
were filled with worshipers taking
part in the special masses on the
holy day of obligation. The masses
started in some churches at $50
am. and were to continue through
1915 pm.
The feast, according to Catholic
doctrine, commentaries the pres
ervation of the Blessed Virgin, the
Mother of Christ, from the stain
OF original sin from the moment of
her conception. The doctrine was
made an article of faith by Pope
Plus TX on December 8, 1854.
At Catholic University today, a
procession of students formed at
the entrance of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Con-
ception and marched to the shrine
to take part in the 1890 am.
pontifical high mass celebrated
by the Most Rev. Patrick A.
O'Boyle. Archbishop of Washing
ton and chancellor of the univer-
sity.
Msgr. Patrick J. O'Connor, ma
tional director of the shrine
preached the sermon. He asked
the congregation to join the Pope
in praying for peace.
Glasses at the university were
dismissed for the day. All area
parochial schools also were closed.
At 8 o'clock tonight at the
Catholic University gymnasium,
the apostolic delegate, the Most
Rev. Amleto Giovanni Cicognani,
will present the Benemerenti
Medal to 90 members of the fac
ulty. The medal is a papal honor
bestowed by the holy father in
recognition of some outstanding
deed or service.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Arlington Realty
.Reassessmenf
.|s9096 Upward
Increase in Figure
Disclosed by Boord
At Party Meeting

The assessed valuation of Arl-
ington property has been increased
at least 80 per cent by the current
reassessment program.
This was disclosed by Assess
ment Board members at a meeting
last night of the Arling ton Demo-
cratic Club
Earlier estimates set the in
crease at approximately 70 per
cent over present values.
Addition of new construction
being assessed for the first time
may double the county's current
assessment of approximately STA
million on privately-oWned real
estate.
Earlier Figure Low.
Members of the ReaSsessment
Board have refused to predict
what the percentage Of increase
will be when the reassessment
program is completed early next
year. but statements by board
members last night left no doubt
they consider the 10 per cent
figure which had been used as
very conservative.
That figure was used by the
County Board as tentative estl-
mate of the assessment increase
when it gave assurance last Sat-
urday that the tax rate next year
would be reduced.
The same amount is mentioned
several times in report of the
reassessment board sent to all
property owners.
Whole Board Present.
All four members of the board
attended last nights meeting.
They are Fred A. Gosnell. ST.,
chairman; j. w. England. c. l..
HanoWell and William j. Hassan.
The club approved a resolution
asking the County Board lin fix
ing the tax rate for 1851 to re-
duce the tax rate as nearly as pos
sible to equalize the increased tax
values so as not to increase taxes
beyond the essential for we'll
rounded local government" The
resolution was presented by Har-
old SchilZ.
The club. at the suggestion Of
State Senator Charles R. FenWick
of Arlington and other members,
also commended the board for
IAN excellent job"
Senator Fenwick said all resi-
dents should understand that the
action of the reassessrnent board
does not increase tax bills.
Responsibility Is Boards.
"It's up to us TO place RESPONSE
bility for your taxes where it be-
longs-on the County Board I
think it is fair to assume there
will be some increase in taxes be-
cause of higher cost of govern
ment but there should be a ma
terial reduction in these rates." he
| declared.
The current tax rate is $3.50
per 500 of assessed valuation.
Basis of the reassessment, which
will affect next years tax bills. Is
40 per cent of the fair market
value" of the property.
Reassessment board members
hear complaints from property
owners daily in Room 207 of the
Investment Building, 2049 North
Fifteenth street.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
ponfoon Bridge Company
Authorized for D E.. Guard

A pontoon bridge company has
been authorized for the District
National Guard.
Capt. Paul R. Lawrence, 1900
Sixteenth street NE, an assistant
professor of education at Howard
University, has been selected to
command the outfit. 1t will be
equipped with a 60O-foot 5O-ton
floating bridge, together with
enough vehicles to transport it
and personnel as we'll as equip
ment to set it up.
The personnel of the organiza-
ton will consist of four officers,
one warrant officer, 80 sergeants
Of various grades, Al corporals. As
privates, first class. and Is pri-
Yates. 1t has been designated
the Hath Engineer Pontoon
Bridge Company.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
U. N. Lawyers League
To Hear Irish Envoy

John j. Hearne. Irish Ambas-
sador to the United States, will
address the annual international
conference Of the United Nations
League of Lawyers at 8 o'clock to-
night at the Willard Hotel.
DR.. Wallace Mcclure of the
State Department was to address
the afternoon session today. The
American delegation to the con-
ference is headed by William N
Morell, president of the United
States division of the league.
Evening star., 1950-12-08

testimony a n d
a admitted she
had sexual re-
lations with her
husband after
they had sep
arated.
Mrs. Audrey
L. Crawford, 20.
answered in the
a f firm a t i V e
when asked in
District c ou 7 t
if she was will
ing to withdraw
her suit with
the understand
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Serqt. Gosh Gets Medal
For Koreu Air Missions
speeiol D;.no.eb N The s,,,

SYdF
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, Dec.
8.-Staf Sergt. Edward B. Cash,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Wallace B.
Cash, has been awarded the Air
Medal for flights over Korea.
Sergt. Cash, B-29 gunner. has
completed 25 missions over Korea
He entered the service June Is,
1945.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Draft Officials
Will Continue
Releasing Lists
Hershey Will Seek
Qualification of
Publicity Order

District and State draft chiefs
will continue to release for pub
lication the names of inductees
and other draft statistics of local
interests, officials made clear to-
day.
But Selective Service Director
Lewis B. Hershey said he plans
to ask the Budget Bureau for a
formal opinion on the extent to
which he can talk publicly about
national manpower statistics.
Confusion about release of draft
figures arose this week after Gen.
Hershey told field chiefs in a
memorandum that any statistical
data concerning the national Sc
curity would have to be cleared by
his headquarters. Some field Of
ficials interpreted the letter as
placing a virtual blackout on all
draft statistics.
The memorandum resulted from
a Budget Bureau order. requiring
all agencies to clear with the bu-
reau any statistical data which
agency heads feel might affect
the national security.
Appealed for Ruling.
Frank D. Norton, District deputy
draft chief, appealed yesterday for
a formal ruling on whether he
could release the Districts induc-
tlon list for next week. The list,
to be published Sunday, arrived
at newspapers Offices this morning
In Maryland. where ban had
been placed on induction lists and
all figures, Draft Director Henry
C. Stanwood promptly announced
the State will have a draft quota
of 704 men in February.
Likewise, in New York, the 1st
Army recruiting service ended its
blackout on information and
termed the whole matter 'mis-
take"
Gen. Hershey stressed to a re-
porter that he has never had ally
objection to publication of the
draft induction lists, but indicated
that his Interpretation of the
broadly -worded Budget Bureau
directive was too stringent.
May Revise Memorandum.
Gen. Hershey said he plans to
ask the bureau about possible re-
strictions on specific statistics in
volving the total manpower supply
of selective service. After that, he
indicated, he may revise his
memorandum in order to pass on
more specific information to the
field.
District Navy recruiting officers
announced that applications now |
will be accepted for reserve COM
missions in line and supply serv-
fees from college graduates be-
tween 10 and Is years of age.
must be classified la
by draft boards or be eligible for
such classification.
Duty for Reservists.
Meanwhile, the Navy today au-
thorized two years of voluntary
active duty for seaman recruit
and seaman apprentice male
Naval reservists.
The program is open only to
men who were reservists prior to
September /. It is being opened,
the Navy said, because recruit
training facilities are available
currently to accommodate a
number of reservists who had been
excluded from active duty because
of the lack of such facilities.
The Navy will hold competitive
examinations tomorrow for some
$4,000 candidates for Naval Re
serve Officer training corps ap-
pointments. Of the number about
1000 will receive four-year, gov
ernment-sponsored education at
one or another of the So colleges
or universities which have ROTC
units.
Evening star., 1950-12-08

ing that she was barred from re-
newing it on the same grounds.
After the suit was dismissed by
Judge Richmond B. Keech. the
husband, Pvt. James D. Crawford,
SO, of No. IA precinct, told re-
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Girls Christmas Porty

Arlington Camp Fire Girls and
Bluebirds will hold their annual
Christmas party at pm. Sunday
In the Central Methodist Church,
Fairfax drive and North Stafford
street, Arlington.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Kensinqton PTA Carnival

A holiday carnival, sponsored
by the PTA of the Kensington
Junior High School will be held in
the school beginning at II am.
tomorrow and lasting throughout
the day
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Suit Dismissed With Prejudice
AFTER Wife Alters Testimony

The divorce suit OF a metropoli-
tan policeman's wife was dis
missed with prejudice today after
the pretty brunette changed her
Evening star., 1950-12-08
Scout First Aid Meet

Arlington Boy Scouts will hold
their fourth annual f1rst-aid con-
test in the Fort Myer gymnasium
from 8 to $3.50 pm. tomorrow.
Evening star., 1950-12-08
High School PIuy Tonight

The Bethesda Chevy Chase High
School Dramatic Club will present
ION the Night of January Is" at
$3.50 tonight in the school.
Evening star., 1950-03-17
Man Gets Life, Friend
Faces Trial in Neqro
F ami|y Massacre
BY the Assoeioted Pres,

KOSCIUSKO, Miss, Mar. IT.
One white man Is under sentence
of life Imprisonment and another
faces trial Monday in the mas
sacre of a colored family here.
Windol Whit. 25 year old
bricklayer, was given life impris-
onment yesterday. A jury con-
victed him of the murder of A.
year-old Ruby Nell Harris shortly
before midnight last January 8.
Whit is seeking a new trial.
Slated for trial Monday on a
similar charge is a 38-year- old
ex-convict. Leon Turner.
Windol Whit and his 27-year-
old brother, Malcolm, testified
that Turner was the trigger-man
in the pistol Staying of the Harris
girl and of Mary Burnside, s,
and frankie Thurman, IL.
Malcolm Whit also is await
ing trial, set for March 81.
Thomas Harris, 81, colored ten
ant farmer, told the all-white
jury that it was Turner who fired
the shot that paralyzed him. Mr.
Harris was the father of the
Harris child and the stepfather
of the two other slain children.
Another stepdaughter, Verline
Thurman, IA, who is recovering
from bullet wounds, told the court
Turner shot her.
Both Thomas Harris and Ver-
line Thurman testified that Win
Evening star., 1950-03-17
Mrs. Thomas BIigh Dies;
World War | Yeomanetfe

Mrs. Thomas A. Bligh, 70, World
War I veteran and a resident of
Washington for more than half
a century, died yesterday at her
home. 4130 Fifth street NV. She
had been i'll for two months.
Mrs. Bligh came here from her
native County Meath, Ireland,
So years ago. During World War
I she served as yeomanette in
the Navy. She was a member of
the Sodality of st. Gabriel's Cath
olic Church and the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians.
She was the former Miss Mar
garet E. Mulligan. Her husband,
Railway Express Agency super
visor, died in 1888.
She is survived by three sons,
James D., 1922 Forty sixth street
NV; Thomas A., jr., GOT K street
NE. and Andrew j. of the Fifth
street address, and two grandsons,
James D. Bligh, jr., 1912 Alton
place NV, and Thomas A. Bligh
III of 339 Thirty sixth street
NE, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at
$50 am. Monday in St. Gabriel's
Church. Burial will be in the
family plot in Cedar Hill Gene
terry.