davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Soft Coal Operators
Offer 10 Renew Talks
With Mine Union
Truman Not Expected
To Act on Emergency
Until Next Week
BY james Y. Newton

Soft coal operators today Of
fered to resume new contract ne
gotiations with John L. Lewis
United Mine Workers, while high
Ily placed Federal officials indi-
Gated President Truman would
mot act in the coal shortage
emergency until next week at the
earliest.
The offer to renew contract
talks, broken off since October,
was made by Northern and West
ern operators in a letter to MIR.
Lewis. However, the unofficial
word from UNIV headquarters
was that the offer is unacceptable
because the operators attached
limitations to their bargaining
proposal.
Northern and Western opera
tors, headed by George H. Love
of Pittsburgh, produce more than
half of the country's soft coal. In
the letter to Mr.. Lewis, they said
the offer to resume contract talks
was being made because "em-
ployes are being deprived of bad
ly needed earnings and IAN acute
shortage of COAL exists.
Contract Expired June 30.
The operators said if Mr.. Lewis
agrees to talk with them they
will seek a contract based on the
same demands the operators made
before they broke off negotiations
with the UNIV at White Sulphur
Springs, w. Va, last October.
That ended sporadic bargaining
sessions which the mine owners
had held with Mr.. Lewis since
before the old coal contract ex-
pired last June 80. The opera
tors demands include:
That a new contract should run
until 1852, that no wage increases
be sought. insertion in the agree.
ment of no-strike pledge. elimi-
nation of the old contract clause
which states the miners will work
when able and willing and pro-
hibition of memorial period"
work stoppages.
Two months ago. the Southern
Coal Producers Association Of
fered to renew bargh hning with
tsee COAL, Pas A-3o
Evening star., 1950-01-26

Raymond F. Clapp, who was act
ing director and now is the sec
ond man in the Welfare Depart
ment.
A native of Fall River, Wis.
Mr.. T'ramburg came to Washing
ton in 1899 as a probation officer
of Juvenile Court. He became; as
sistant superintendent-of ithe In
dustrial Home School three years
later but within a few months
joined the Navy as an ensign.
He returned in 1916 from his
Navy duty, which included serv-
ice on a destroyer. and was made
superintendent of the Industrial
Home School,
Evening star., 1950-01-26

NotionoIists Report Army Crossed Into
indo-China. Page B-I2
Truman announced threu weeks
ago that this country will give no
military help to the Chinese Ma
tionalists defending the big island
They want to know: Did Mr.
Truman consult with his military
chiefs on Formosa's strategic i'm
portance before making his de-
cision?
The committee looked to MIR
johnson and Gen. Bradley to sup
ply the answer to this question
which Republicans are whipping
into a major issue in foreign pol
icy.
Committee Chairman Connally
has told reporters he expects Mr.
Johnson and Gen. Bradley tc
stand behind the Presidents an.
nounced decision.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

FdSG tN-S
73 degrees at noon-two degrees
higher than the previous high for
this date which was set in 1914.
The Weather Bureau added
that chances were good. for a new
record for heat in January. The
all-time high was set in 1882
when the temperature went to II.
At l pm. today the mercury stood
at rs. ~,
Seventh Record.
When today's new high for the
date was set. it marked the sew
enth time this month that a rec
ord for high temperatures on a
given date had been established.
But-as we say in August-'re-
lief is in sight"
The Weather Bureau said a
shower is expected tonight and
the mercury will drop nsck to the
low SOS before morning Tomor-
row will be much cooler" the
bureau said. The bureau added,
however, that even the cooler
weather probably will not bring
the temperature down to normal.
Yesterday the Thermometer hit
rs degrees at 800 pm. a record
for that date and the sixth record
for the month.
Effects Noticeable.
The parks were full of strolling
couples and family groups. The
famous "P Street Beach," that
section of Rock Creek Park near
the P street bridge, was patron
lied by a few sun bathers. Golf
and tennis courts were buster than
at any time since the winter be-
gan. Picnics were popular again.
If the warm weather continues
just little longer. at least one
other record will be set as this
month has good chance to go
down in history as the hottest
January. The average normal
temperature for January is 1914
degrees. just above freezing.
Through yesterday, the average
was Is degrees above normal, or
484 degrees.
The hottest January on record
was in 1882. when the average
temperature was 46.8 degrees.
(See WEATHER. PAGE A-3.l
Evening star., 1950-01-26

reached by union and bus COM
pany negotiators. He emphasized
that it was not a company pro-
posal."
IF the 400 union employees vote
favorably, the strike will be
ended, the union spokesman said.
Polls will be open from 8 am. to
S pm. he said. and votes will be
counted immediately" after they
close.
The spokesman declined to dis
close details of the settlement
plan. Employees voted to strike
July 81. The State of Virginia
seized the line under its anti
strike law and there has bean no
lapse in service.
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Committee 10 Recall
Matthews Next Week
On DenfeId Custer
Tydines Agrees to Move
As Knowlond Presses
For Formal Summons

By John A. Giles

Chairman TydingS OF the Sen
ate Armed Services Committee to-
day agreed to call Navy Secretary
Matthews before the committee
next week for further testimony
on the custer of Admiral Louis
Denfeld.
The Maryland Democrat an
nounced his willingness to call
the Secretary probably Monday
or Tuesday as Senator Knowland,
Republican, of California, was
pressing formal demand for Mr..
Matthews appearance.
Senator Knowland and other
Republicans have assailed Mr..
Matthews explanation of the
custer of Admiral Denfeld as chief
of naval operations, which came
as an aftermath to the House in
quiry into the bitter unification
row last year. They contend that
Congress right to unbiased infor-
nation from military officials hao
been put in jeopardy by the Den
field custer.
Tydings Talks With Matthews.
Senator Tydings had indicated
earlier that he was opposed te
recalling the Secretary on the
ground that it is a closed matter
now.
Il talked with the Secretary last
night and he is quite willing tc
come before the committee with
the proviso that some of the testi.
mony be given in executive ses-
sion so as not to hurt anybody >
Senator Tydings said.
The Secretary previously hae
told the committee that he wa.
willing to give it the whole story
of his differences with Admira
Denfeld. but he said that HI
wanted it in closed session.
Senator Knowland readily agreed
to the closed session provision
today.
Republican members, at ths
time the committee was consider.
ing the nomination of Admira
Forrest P. Sherman as Admira
Denfeld's successor, attacked MIR
Matthews explanation about thu
delivery of a commission to Ad.
miral Denfeld for second two.
year term as naval operation!
chief.
The Secretary had told the COM
mittee that no commission hac
been issued to Admiral Denfeld
but it later developed that Presi-
Gent Truman's naval aide actually
had turned the document over to
the admiral.
Admiral Sherman since has been
confirmed.
Evening star., 1950-01-26
City yHeads Study
Ending Tax on
Personal Goods
Step Urged by Dent;
Increase in Cigarette
Levy Is Discussed

ering sbolishing the city personal
property tax, it was learned to-
day. The levy brings in about
100000 a year.
To compensate for the loss of
revenue, the Commissioners dis
Republicans Attempt Quick Cut in Federal
Excise Taxes. Poge AS.
cussed an increase in the cigarette
tax, now l cent on a package of 20.
The recommendation for killing
the property tax was made by
Assessor Edward A. Dent. Legis-
lation would be require by Con-
gress to put it into effect. Mr..
Dent did not propose the cigarette
levy increase.
Administration of the personal
property tax, now 81 per $100 Of
assessed valuation. has always
been a headache to tax officials.
The tax, in effect since 1902. is
levied against household goods
and such tangible property as
jeWelry.
Wouldn't Apply to Business.
Total assessments for the fiscal
year 1949 amounted to S6,065 900.
OF this amount s796957 repre-
sents a tax on household effects
in private homes. The abolition
of the tax would not apply to
business houses.
In recommending abolition, Mr..
Dent told the Commissioners that
this particular tax is susceptible to
gross inequities. Returns are
filed by the occupants of residen-
tial properties and the valuation is
reported according to the Judg-
ment of the individual taxpayer,
he said. Some report on the basis
of reproduction cost new, retail
secondhand value, forced or auc-
ton sale value, or insured value.
he added.
Many surveys made by his of
fee, Mr., Dent said, indicate such
wide variations in reported values
that some taxpayers are paying
three or four times the amount Of
tax that others pay on compare.
BILE property.
Compares Similar Homes.
AS an example, Mr.. Dent cited
two similar homes valued at about
$125,000. The owners reported
the value of their household effects
at $4,000 and $4,000. The big
Fdifference was due not to any real
variation in the true value of the
effects. but to the way the owners
evaluated their property.
AS another example he men,
toned IS homes in the northwest
area. Although these sold at
approximately $4,000 each. only
I five taxpayers reported values over
the $1,000 exemption. Forty re-
ported no taxable property. OF
the five reporting taxable property.
the greatest excess over the 81 900
exemption was 5000. representing
(see D. C. TAXES, Page A-4o
Evening star., 1950-01-26

claiming 100000 members, as.
sailed the increases as "unwar.
ranted and indefensible. He
added that they were lin an
amount far in excess of any
demonstrable cost increases.
Mr.. Brubaker presented the
union views in a 65-page state
ment to the Senate-H House Eco
nomic Committee studying the
possible effects of the price in
crease on the Nations economy
Industry's Attitude Assailed.
He scored the industry's con-
tention that the increases in a
large measure were caused by
pension and insurance benefits
recently won by. the union.
I'VE are tired" he said, "of
being a public whipping boy for
this industry-especially when we
are charged with responsibility
for things which we have not
DONE"
Industry ofhcials had previously
testified before the committee.
The United States Steel Corp.
the country's largest producer,
blamed the price increases-av-
eraging about 81 ton-on the
new and company financed ben
eflts won by the union after a
strike. -Four other firms-Jones
& Laughlin, Inland, National and
Allegheny Ludlum - also cited
these additional costs and de-
clared in statements to the COM
mittee that prices for their prod
ucts are not high enough to as
sure the future stability Of the
industry.
Mr.. Brubaker saida the price
lSee STEET, parA Az
Evening star., 1950-01-26

sian, assigned by his government
to the United Nations headquar-
tiers here, ridiculed Government
charges that his client is a spy.
He was torn in the horrible
.neurotic conflict" Mr.. Pomerantz
said, "of a man who desperately
wants to be with a girl but is
scared that his association with
the girl might result in her losing
her job"
Russian Listens Impassively.
Gubitchev, his eyes fixed
straight ahead, listened impas-
sively to his attorneys eloquent
opening address to the jury of six
housewives and six businessmen
who are trying him and Miss
Coplon on charges of conspiracy
to violate espionage laws.
Miss CopIon, brunette honor
graduate from Barnard College
had her back turned to Gubitchey
as his attorney talked of the Rus
slams fierce desire for her. There
was not a flicker of emotion on
her face while Mr.. Pomerants
talked. The couple have moi
spoken to each other since the
trial began.
Raymond P. Whearty, first as.
sistant to the chief of the Justice
Departments criminal division
delivered the opening address fol
the prosecution. In an easy con.
versational tone he told the Jurors
that the Government would prove
beyond all doubt that Gubitchey
and Miss Coplon had engaged ir
a conspiracy to betray this coun-
try'S national defense secrets tc
| Russia.
Tells of FBI Chase.
Late in December, I948, Mr.
Whearty said, the Federal Bureau
OF Investigation received wore
that Miss Coplon, a trusted an
alyst of confidential documents
was engaged in espionage. Shs
was placed under surveillance.
Last January, Mr.. Whearty said
FBI agents trailed her to New
York where she met a man whom
they later identified as Gubitchev
The prosecutor told how agent.
trailed her to two other meeting.
in New York with Gubitcllev Hi
described the circuitous routes the
couple took to arrive at their rem.
devious in uptown Manhattan. Hi
said they used taxicabs, buses anc
Subways in obvious attempts te
elude any one who might be fol-
lowing them.
When the pair was arrested ir
Greenwich Village on Marcn 4
FBI agents found Miss Coplon's
purse crammed with extracts
from confidential papers of the
Justice Department, MFR. Whearts
said.
No Dispute Over Facts.
Mr.. Pomerantz told the jury
that there would be no dispute
between him and Mr.. Whearty
during the trial as to the facts In
the case. He said he would freely
admit that Gubitchev's conduct
was not that of normal nan
Evening star., 1950-01-26
johnson and Bradley
To Testify on Formosa
BY the Assoeioted Press

The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee called in Secretary of
Defense johnson and Gen. Brad
ley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff today to testify on the
strategic Importance of Formosa.
Republican Senators have been
protesting ever since President
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Lewis Jury Tampering Reported;
Fay Asks Grand Jury to Probe
Threats and Offer Of $500 Bribe
Bond for Two Men
Lifted to $25, 900;
Verdict Possible

District Court Judge Alexander
HoltZoff today ordered an investi-
CATION into reported tampering
with the jury in the William
(Snags) Lewis numbers racket
case.
He startled a packed courtroom
while the jury of seven men and
five women still deliberated the
case they received at 1901 pm.
yesterday, involving Lewis and
two other men.
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay Immediately took the
matter before the grand jury. now
in session. He said he would re-
quest Attorney General McGrath
for FBI assistance. It would be a
reasonable assumption" that the
Lewis jury will appear as wit
nesses before the grand jury, he
commented.
Marshal Reports Threats.
Judge Holtzoff disclosed that a
United States marshal, assigned
to guard the jury at the Conti-
mental Hotel last night, was told
by juror that three other jurors
complained of having received
threatening telephone calls at
their homes Tuesday night and
Wednesday morning.
One of the three jurors. ac-
cording to word relayed by juror
to the marshal and thence to
the judge at midnight, was of
fered $500 for a not guilty YER
dict, Judge Holtzoff said.
The juror who spoke to the
marshal was a woman and the
three others also were women.
The jury was still considering
the case and it reported to Judge
Holtzof shortly before noon that
sit seems possible a verdict will
be reached" The judge sent it
back for further deliberation. It
had been said previously that the
jury could not agree.
Judge Holtzoff said that he had,
been informed the threatening
telephone calls to the juror came
on Tuesday night and Wednesday
morning.
MistriaI Plea Denied.
Last night the jury was locked
up at 1890 pm. at the hotel. after
having deliberated more than nine
hours with time out for meals and
several return appearances in the
courtroom for further instruc-
tions.
Defense attorneys promptly
moved for a mistrial. Judge
Holtzoff denied the motions. He
said he would not have the court
frustrated. ..a
1T does not behoove the de-
fense to move for mistrial when
their clients are under suspicion
for tampering with the jury -
Judge HoltZof snapped.
William H. Collins and Bernard
Margolius, attorneys for Lewis,
said Lewis "categorically denies
that he in anywise, directly or in
directly, had anything to do with
the reported calls to jurors.
Announcement Called Shock"
The two attorneys declared
Judge Holtzoff's announcement
was a source of extreme shock
and concern to us as attorneys
He then ordered that the
$500 bail of Lewis and Frank
Billeci, a second defendant, be in
creased to $4,000. Professional
bondsmen offered to make the
bigger bail without delay.
The third defendant is Attilio
Acalotti, Fourteenth street news
dealer. He is serving a sentence
of from eight months to two years
for threatening Government
witness, Bernice Franklin.
Lewis, described by the United
States attorneys Office as king
pin in a $14.000,000 gambling
(see GAMBLING, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Bulletin
Vondenbero Quits A-Posf

Senator Vandenberg, Repub-
lican, of Michigan resigned
today as a member of the Joint
Congressional Atomic Energy
Committee for reasons of health.
Senator Bricker, Republican, Of
Ohio is I'm line to succeed him.
Evening star., 1950-01-26
A, B. & W. Strikers TO Vote
On Basis for Settlement

Employees of the Alexandria,
Bancroft 81 Washington Transit
Co., will vote tomorrow on a
basis for settlement" of their six
months'-old strike.
A union spokesman said the
''basis for settlement" had been
Evening star., 1950-01-26

MsryIsnd and visinia in Bief News
Dispatches. poge AZ.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

The January ''heat wave" set
another new record for the date
here today as the thermometer
registered one degree short of
the all-time January high OF II
degrees.
Today's new mark was reached
when the temperature mounted to
Evening star., 1950-01-26
West Sends Russians
Vigorous Protest on
Berlin Truck Curbs
MeCIoy Reported Believing
Russians Are Beginning
Creeping Blockade
BY the Assoeioted Press

BERLIN, Jan. 26.-The Amer
lean, British and French COM
manders in Berlin joined tonight
in a new, vigorous protest to the
Russians over the hindrance of
truck traffic between the city and
Western Germany.
In New York. John j. Nc
Cloy, American High Commits
Around the World in Brief Dispatches.
poae AS.
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Steel Workers Deny
Amy Responsibility
For Price Increase
Joint Committee Hears
Union OfficiuI Attuck
Unwurronted Boost
By Cecil HoIIond

The CIO United Steel Workers
today disclaimed any RESPONSE
bility for the recent steel price
increases and charged they were
the result of a 'public-be- hanged
attitude on the part of an in
dustry seeking to Increase profits
already exorbitantly high
Otis Brubaker of Pittsburgh
research director for the union
Evening star., 1950-01-26

For West Hos Bitter Gold and Snow
Page A-3
Evening star., 1950-01-26

Aeheson's Attitude Toword Hiss StHs
COP Wfoth. Pcee Al.
Evening star., 1950-01-26
76-Degree Heat Sets
Seventh Mark, Nears
An-Time January High
Record Of TT for Month
In ~ Threatened After
Top for Dote Is Exceeded
BULLETIN

The temperature set a new
all time high for January here
today when it scared to rs de-
greeS at 1:55 pm.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

JAW Prepares for Long chysIer Strike.
SO Poge A-4.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

(See BERLIN, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1950-01-26
Spy Trial Told
'Gubitchey Was
.NadIy in Love
Wonted Miss CopIon,
Not U. S. Secrets,
His Lawyer Says r,
By Jones ]. cuIIinone
Star Sieff Correspondent

NEW YORK, Jan. 26.-Valentir
A. Gubitchev, Russian engineer
was pictured as a man "crazed'
with desire for attractive Judith
Coplon at their spy trial in Fed
eral Court today.
Abraham L. Pomerantz, attor-
ney for the blond 5-foot-1 Rus
Evening star., 1950-01-26

Notionolists Report Army Crossed Into
fndo-Chino. Poqe BIZ
Evening star., 1950-01-26

(See D. C. TAXES, Page 1
Evening star., 1950-01-26

(See SPY TRIAL, Page A:
Evening star., 1950-01-26

Republicans Attempt Quick Cut in Federal
Excise Taxes. Poge As.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

(See GAMBLING, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1950-01-26

(see UN-AMERICAN, Page A-4.
Evening star., 1950-01-26

Sunny. record high of II or more today.
Cloudy tonight with low in low Sos Rain
likely late tonight and tomorrow. Full
repor. on Page A-2O
The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-02-14

an Identification key.
 The girls basketball left Queen the Southeast having besides Douglas Douglas trophy taking the regular Lunde Fraser suJosephne Klbun 
 annual Fhermens Service in the Lutheran Church for the following Sunday by the Rev Allen.
 Although the fishing that day. habut fleet remain idle until the of the month vessel covering the entire The of cold would weaken make early fishing unprotiable Hospital Ed Johnson who January 3o due to a foot injury, able to go home
 congratuatng Harold February gone parents She the and before who had life here with the Standard Oil Company
 of Sanitary Meat Market Seattle Portland and Salem.
 Weather: High, 22 low, 20;
The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-02-14
NINE ARRIVE ON BARAN0F, Y LEAVE

The southbound Baranof arriv- ed in Juneau from Valdez at 9:3O o'clock last night and sailed at 11:3O pm. Nine persons disembark- ed here from Valdez and Seward, {, and 29 boarded the vessel for the south.
 From Seward: Virgil B. Cave, P. |G. Greer, Mrs. Hilda Hughes, Alice Johnson, G. E. Krause, and Glenn Leach; and from Valdez: Harry R. Bates, George A. Madden, and Ernest G. Nelson.
 To Wrangell: Mrs. Olaf Person, Jimmy Bradley, Mrs. A. Erickson, and Evi Erickson; to Ketchikan: MT. and Mrs. Hans Berg, MT. and Mrs. John A. Hewes, and MT. and Mrs. Harry Frank. To Seattle: MT. and Mrs. c. A. Knight, MT. and Mrs. Ike Taylor, Mrs. J.. w. Man ming, MT. and Mrs. c. F. Mc- Mutt, Mrs. Fred Lawren, Mrs. S1- none Ann Stafford, Martha Dreb- elbis, David Drehelbis, Helen B. Drebelbis, Othilie Drebelbis, Donna Drebelbis, Albert Schwandt, and Robert Temple.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-02-14

"You boys have been pretty rough on me-" said the Illinois Senator. I'm really not an enemy of small business, as you should know. Why, my best friends are the corner druggist and the neigh borhood grocer in my home town, Havana Qllinois)."
 McCuan, who stirred up agita- ton in American Legion posts in Illinois, replied that small-business men want their own committee in the Senate, not a subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee.
 You mention the Banking Con- mittee," said McCuan, "and they think of Wall Street or LaSalle Street where the bankers hang out"
 "Yes, I can understand that" Lucas said thoughtfully.
 Burger and McCuan, who had expected a knockdown, drag-out battle, blinked You mean you are going to help us get an inde- pendent small business committed" ,"
 Sure" Lucas said cheerfully. You have shown me the need"
The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-02-14
RIDDEN FEATURED SPEAKER AT JWC
 MEETING WEDS,

Territorial Treasurer Henry Ro- den will be the featured speaker at the social-program meeting of the Juneau Woman's Club tomorrow afternoon at the home of Mrs. Ray Day in the Day Apartments on Seventh Street. The February pro- grams of the JWC have been plan ned by the legislative department of the club and MT. Roden will speak on "The Financial Structure of the Territory" dealing with the tax laws, financial status, including frozen funds and the financial ob- legations of the Territory. A ques- tion period will follow.
 A review of Legislative programs sponsored by the Alaska Federation of Womens Clubs, with emphasis on the part the JWC has played in this work, will be given by Mrs Mildred R. Hermann, Legislative Chairman, in closing.
 The dessert luncheon which will precede the speaking will be served at 1:30 in order to give ample time for mothers in the club to get home before school closes. In charge of re- treatments are Mesdames A. l. Ransome, Herb Rowland, J. R. Nc Leod, Jack Popejoy and M O. John son.