davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-11-27
"a Inmates Die
As Fire Sweeps
Mental Hospital
Women and Children
Are Helpless Victims
In West Virginia BIoze
By the Associated Press

HUNTINGTON, w. Va, Nov.
27.-The blackened shell of a
building officials knew was unsafe
was all that remained today after
fire swept Huntington State Hos
pital building. killing IA women
and children inmates of the old
mental institution.
State officials began probing
around in the ruins and questioned
the more rational patients in the
effort to learn just what started
the disastrous blaze.
Ten others-seven patients and
three firemen-Were hospitalized.
Flame sprang from the base
ment of the 56-year-old building
shortly after pm. and spread
rapidly through the first and Sec
ond floors. Firemen had to burn
through thick wire mesh over the
windows with acetylene torches to
fight the blaze and rescue the
near-helpless victims.
Oldest Victim Was 80.
The dead ranged from 89-year-
old Ada Carger of Huntington,
who was burned to death, to little
Lena Wentz. II, of Cabell County,
one of the five girls under 16 who
Smothered on the third floor. All
those who died were from West
Virginia.
The only hint to a cause for
the blaze came from a staff doc
tor. who refused to be identified.
He said some patients. against
strict orders. sometimes slipped
down to the basement and
smoked
State officials indicated they
blamed the State itself for the
conditions that prevailed at the
obviously antiquated structure
and the 13 others that nestled
around it on the 35-acre tract
atop a hill overlooking Hunting
ton from the southeast.
President Joe E. Burdett of the
State Board of Control, which
Supervises the States institutions,
was brutally frank.
Il can't say I was surprised" ;"
he said. IF something isn't done
1t won't be the last"
And State Fire Marshal C. A.
Raper said the burned building
was found to be inadequate as
to fireproofing when inspected a.
year ago. He said another in
spection was due next Monday.
Shelved Funds Request.
Mr.. Burdett said request for
one million dollars to fireproof the
hospital was shelved during the
last legislative session. He said
request for funds to fireproof
Huntington and two other State
hospitals had been approved by
the Budget Director for the legis-
lature meeting next January.
Associated Press reporters on
the scene said the nearly 300
patients in the three story build
ing didn't seem to know what was
happening.
Elderly women were on the
ground floor, many unable to get
around. Psychotic women were
on the second floor The young
ones were on the top floor.
There were three exits. But the
regular front entrance became
raging inferno that defied ap-
proach. A back exit was wrought
iron circular stairway that was
so tight stretchers couldn't be
used.
The third was the fire escape
a sliding pole similar to those in
fire stations. But apparently few
OF the inmates knew how to use it.
After flremen managed to get
to the third floor where the chill
dren were trapped, they wrapped
them IN blankets and packed them
down the circular stairway on
their backs.
All the patients were taken to
a hastily devised receiving station
(See FIRE, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1952-11-27
Blasts Lash
Midwest Again as
Cold Spreads ID East
High Winds, Snow Halt
Most Holiday Traffic
As Temperatures Dive

The Nations midlands, ham,
mered by destructive snow and
wind lashing, got belted with a
second wintry punch of icy blasts
today.
Temperatures plummeted dur
ing the night as skies cleared over
much of the snow-covered mid
continent which counted 16
deaths in the late November
storm. Hundreds of others were
injured and property damage was
extensive.
The snow and cold prompted
thousands to put planned Thanks
giving Day travel plans into the
deep freeze along with the cold
turkey. 1t looked like a chilly
holiday for the eastern two-thirds
of the Nation, with the most
severe cold in the Plains and
Rocky Mountain regions.
Winds diminished from the
near-gale-like force which swept
the region Tuesday and Wednes-
day. The wind-swept snow dealt
a knockout blow to traffic from
Colorado eastward to Minnesota.
Hundreds of travellers were
marooned and power and COM
munication lines were ripped
down in many parts Of the storm
belt. Hardest hit areas were
from the mountain regions of
Wyoming and Colorado through
Kansas. Nebraska. Iowa and Min
nesota.
Winds Lash Midwest.
But strong winds whipped across
other parts of the midcontinent-
Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan. Ok
Ilahoma. Texas, Missouri and the
Dakotas.
The cold air from the Rocky
! Mountains spread eastward across
the prairie lands and dipped into
the South. 1t was sub-zero early
today in sections of five States
i Wyoming, Colorado, Montana,
Kansas and Nebraska.
/ Temperatures were sub-freezing
in other midcontinent areas. The
cold blasts hit Northern Texas.
A low of Is was reported early
today in Amarillo. the same read
ling as in Rapid City, s. Oak. The
chilly air touched into the South
,Iland as far as Northern Florida
United States Weather Bureau
Iforecasters said temperatures will
drop gradually during the day and
tonight over most of the Eastern
States. Sub-freezing readings
(See WEATHER, Page A-3J
Evening star., 1952-11-27
HospitoIize the Dope Addicts
By Miriom Gutenberg

Every dope addict in Washing
ton is likely to induce at least
five more persons to turn to
narcotics.
That is the estimate of police
and narcotics experts, who have
watched the chain reaction work.
The dope addict becomes a
"pusher" to make certain of his
Accused slayer Of Montgomery Policemen
Admits Dope Thefts. Poee A. l3
own dope supply. The "pusher"
is a sort of middleman between
the dope peddler and the addict'S
own friends.
The more friends he can per-
suade to take their first shot, the
more he is assured of his own pay
off in heroin or the money he
needs to buy his shots.
That's why Police Chief Robert
V. Murray wants a new law to
provide compulsory hospital treat
ment for dope addicts. He wants
to get them off the street and
attempt a cure of what has be-
come in Washington a contagious
disease.
Detective Sergt. Joseph A.
Gabrys. veteran on the Police
Departments now high-powered
Narcotics Squad. said today he
has watched the rapid increase in
the number of dope addicts during
his five years in narcotics investi-
cation.
THE addict will always try to
make more addicts," he said. Il
know a boy who even tried to
make his father a drug addict just
to be sure he had another GUS
TONER"
At present, there is no law to
cope with the addicts, no way
to compel them to accept the hos
Evening star., 1952-11-27
Thanksgiving Brings
Traditional Feasts and
Prayers for Peace
Korean War Overshudows
Celebrations; Thousands
Leuve Here for Homes

Prayers for peace were inter-
mingled throughout the Nation
today with thanks for multitude
of blessings.
The Korean war, as it has on
Thanksgiving Day for the last
Evening star., 1952-11-27
Markets Closed Todoy

NEW YORK, Nov. q (P.-I
Financial and commodity markets
throughout the United States are
closed today for the Thanksgiving
Day holiday.
Evening star., 1952-11-27

Thanksgiving Pictures on Poee A-2o
Evening star., 1952-11-27

(See oDWYER, Page A-13)
Evening star., 1952-11-27

(See WEATHER, Page A-3A
Evening star., 1952-11-27

(See CZECHS. Page A-4)
Evening star., 1952-11-27

In observance of Thanksgiving no Night
Final editions of The Star will be issued
today. Night Final subscribers will receive
the home edition.
, 1952-09-10
N Office

During the month Of Sep
TENDER Registration for voters
in the Town District Of Chris
tiansted will be held in the
Court House at Christiansted
every Monday from 4 o'clock
pm. to s o'clock pm.
During the month of Sep
TENDER, 1852 Registration for
voters in the Christiansted
Country District will be con-
Quoted as follows:
Kingshill Police Station
Wednesday, September 3 from
4:3O pm. to $50 pm.
Est. Peters Rest School
Room, Wednesday September
10 from 4:30 pm. to $50 pm.
La Grande Princesse School
Room, Wednesday September
II, from 4:30 pm. to $50 pm.
Est. La Val1ee School Room
Wednesday ~September24 from
4:30 pm. to $50 pm.
The final meeting for regis
tration will be held in the
Court House at Christiansted,
on Wednesday, October 1852,
from 8 pm. to 10 pm. All this
meeting residents from the
town District or Country Dis
trict may register.
The Registration Board,
St. Croix, VI, U.S.A. 18th
August, AID. 1852.
William F Moorhead
Chairman Registration Board
, 1952-09-10
N NOTICE

Harold Norman. Piano Tun-
er is staying at Hannchen Hus
No. 10 Queen Street. Prices.
are same as in St. Thomas.
Leave you name and address
to hove your piano over
hauled and tuned.
, 1952-09-10
cement
To the residents of the
Christiansted Country District

On November 4 in accord
ance with our national custom
and in keeping with the provi-
sions Of the organic act Of the
Virgin Islands, you would be
given the opportunity by the
use Of the ballot of selecting
two citizens to represent you
in the Municipal Council. AS
one who has served you in
that capacity upto the present
with fidelity and INTEGRITY, /
again offer you my services
and take this opportunity Of
announcing my candidacy.
S. Christian Chase
, 1952-09-10
N Q TICE

Savings Bank Book No.
G 1892 having been reported
lost or stolen, the holder there
Of is hereby requested to pre-
sent it to the Bank within
twelve ~ weeks from this
date, as otherwise the Book
will be cancelled and a new
one issued in its place at the
expiration Of this period.
Virgin Islands National Bank
Christiansted Branch
August %, 1852
, 1952-09-10
N Q T G E

The Christidnsted Utilities Company
wishes to ddvise thdt offer September
18th. ice will be sold ut the pldnt between
the hours of7A.M. SPIN.
Ice delivery will be discontinued Of
ter September 18th, 1852.
We hope thdt our customers will
continue to pdtronize US as in the post.
Christionsted Utilities ComponY
, 1952-09-10

The SIS G PLANT
Err is scheduled to sail from
Baltimore September 1st; New
York September 9Th, and is
due at Frederiksted Septem-
Der 10Th, via Puerto Rico, ac-
cepting freight for Guade-
loupe, Barbados, Caripito and
Paramaribo.
c STEAMSHIP co. Inc
Robt L. Merwin & Co. Inc.
, 1952-09-10
Notice of
Sheriff's Sole

The following impounded
animals will be offered for
sale at a public auction to be
held in the Christiansted Fort
Yard on Fridays September II,
1852, at zoo Pm.
VIZ:
/ Mare Horse
| Mule
4 Mare Donkeys
3 Jack Donkeys
| Gelding Donkey
Morrell E. Davis
Sheriff
, 1952-09-10

The SIS "sAPHO' is
scheduled to sail from New
Orleans September 18th; Mo
bile September 18th, and IS
due at Frederiksted Septem-
Der 18th, 1952 2, accepting
freight for Barbados, George
town and Paramaribo.
, 1952-09-10
Shipping News

"A Steamer is scheduled to
sail from New Orleans Septem
Der 18th; Mobile September
18th and is due at Frederik-
sted Septemben 26, 1852, ac-
cepting freight for Barbados,
Georgetown and Paramaribo.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
Veterans Group Formed
To Support Maqruder

Formation of a veterans COM
mittee in support of the candidacy
of ]. Maynard Magruder for Con-
gress has been announced.
Mr.. Magruder IS seeking the
Democratic nomination for Con-
gress from Virginia's 10th District
The IIagruder for Congress
Campaign Committee announced
that organizers of the veterans
committee were Frank Ball, jr.
of the American Legion; Chester
Wells of the Marine Detachment;
Stuart Thompson of Arlington
Post 139, American Legion; Vim
cent Tremonte of the Catholic
War Veterans. and George Delby
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
The campaign committee said
! the veterans group will meet next
week in Alexandria.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
U. 5. Reds Have No Direct
Link 10 Soviet, Hearing Told
BY the Assoeiutsd rrS,s

NEW YORK, June 26.-Eliz-
abeth Gurley Flynn, accused as a
Red conspirator. testified yester-
day that there is no direct link
between the American Communist
Party and the Soviet Union.
She said the Communist Party
in the United States has never
received directives or financial aid
from the Soviet Union or any in
ternational Communist group
since she became a member of
the American party's National
Board in 1898.
Miss Flynn, 81, testified before
q two-member panel Of the Sub
0ersive Activities Control Board.
The hearing, which continues
today, is being held on a govern
ment petition to force the United
States Communist Party to reg
lister as an agent of the Soviet
Union under the McCarran Act
The hearings. which have beer
going on for IA months, shifted
here yesterday.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
New Tax Saving Expected
For Virginians This Year
By the Associoied Press

RICHMOND, Va. June Co.
|Virginias financial authorities
won't say so officially yet, but
they're pretty certain the Old Do
Iminion's taxpayers are in for an
other tax saving this year.
That was the word from fiscal
authorities yesterday after general
fund revenues were reported for
the first IL months of fiscal 1852
at $5 million higher than the cor
responding period of 1851.
State Controller Henry G. GIL
mer reported $93, 3,366,174.80 hac
been received in the general FUND
Through May 81. This appeared
Ito assure revenues of more thar
1.-The $105 million figure needed fol
tax savings under the Byrd Auto
matte Income Tax Reduction Act
Virginians receive a S per cen
tax cut when revenues pass $40!
million and a / per cent credit TO-
each $610,230 after that.
Last years saving amounted Il
10 per cent. But fiscal authoritie
pointed out the kickback probabi!
won't be that much in 1852, tina
general fund revenues would have
Ito reach lis million dollars fol
that to happen.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
Allied Chiefs 10 Discuss
|Indo-China War Situation
By the Asseeioied Press

SAIGON, Indo-China, June 26.
American. British and
Australian military leaders today
opened a three-day examination
of the situation in Northern Indo-
China, where French and Wet
namese troops are at war with
Communicated Vietminh rebels.
French authorities would give
no hint of the subject of the talks.
but informed circles affirmed that
the conference would study what
steps to take in case of a large
scale Intervention by Chinese
Communists on the side of the
Vietminh.
Officers attached to the French
General Staff have expressed con-
viction that only massive sup
port by American air forces could
save the French in Tonkin from
being overrun in such a case.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
President Urged TO Use
Special Fund for Paint Job

The House Appropriations Com
mittee today approved redecora-
ltion of the just-redecorated White
House, but said if it is done the
costs should be taken from the
Presidents special emergency
fund.
President Truman recently sent
the chief White House usher, H. G.
Grim, before the committee to ask
for an additional $4,000 so the
next President could repaint or
lredecorate to suit his own taste.
This is in keeping with precedence
of many years.
But, because about $6 million
was spent to rebuild and redeco-
rate the executive mansion, the
committee recommended that the
cost be taken out of the Presi-
dents emergency fund.
Evening star., 1952-06-26
Pilot Reprimanded
For Missing Midway
On Ridgway Flight
The Air Force today announced
it had reprimanded and reassigned

The Air Force today announced
it had reprimanded and reassigned
the pilot Of Gen. Matthew B.
Ridgway's plane for failing to stop
at Midway Island on a flight from
Tokyo.
The Department announced
that 1t. Col. George L. Hannah,
jr.. was reprimanded for made
quate supervision" of the flight
that carried Gen. Ridgway from
Japan to Hawaii on May IL.
The aircraft was commanded
by Col. Hannah. 1t passed PSI
miles to the south of Midway
Island and did not stop there for
Irefueling.
"It landed in Hawaii with less
than the required reserve of fuel
in it's tanks" an announcement
stated.
Col. Hannah els being reassigned
by the Air Force from his posi-
ltion as commander of the aircraft
which transported Gen. Ridgway
to duty with the United States
Air Forces in Europe" the Ali
Force said.
The announcement also statec
that the navigator, 1t. John j
Albers. was being placed in the
category of the second assistant
navigator until he has demon.
|Strated increased proficiency"
Gen. Ridgway was en- route from
Tokyo where he had been Su
ipreme Commander. to succeed
Gen. Eisenhower in Paris. HI
stopped in Washington and New
York en- route.
Col. Hannah is a veteran o
World War II. He twice received
1.-the Distinguished Flying Cross TO
participating in more than Isl
operational flights in unarmed
heavily loaded transports in area
where enemy attacks were prob
, able and expected, while with tn
10th Air Force in the China-Bur
ma India theater.
Evening star., 1952-06-26

MISSIONS letter to the agencies de-
clared:
False, misleading or deliber-
Iately ambiguous statements on ap-
Iplication forms are dishonest and
show a cynical and irresponsible
attitude toward Government that
is wholly out of place in a democ-
racy. Such statements are prop
Ierly the basis for dismissal from
the Federal service in many in
stances, and may even lead to
criminal prosecution.
'The signature of an applicant
on our application form is legally
as binding as an oath certifying
to the correctness of the informa-
ton"
Although the commission didn' t
say so explicitly in its letter. it
has felt for some time that some
agency personnel officials are
Evening star., 1952-06-26
Independent Disti|Ier
Says Big Competitors
Cut Off Sales Outlets
By George Beveridee

An independent Westminster
(MdD. distiller told House inves-
tigators today his business was
hanging on by the skin of ou,
teeth" because he has been un.
able to sell whisky to distrib-
|utors who handle big competitor.
liquors.
Louis Mann, president Of the
Sherwood Distilling Co., testified
before a House Judiciary sub
committee investigating the JUS
tice Department
The current inquiry is or
whether the department wa:
justified three years ago in de-
Gliding against an all-out in.
vestigation of possible antitrust
violations in the rich whisky in
dustry. Mr.. Mann was one of 6
group called in an attempt to show
the Justice Department coulC
have found considerable COM
plants among small independent:
in 1948 and 1949.
"Big Four" Of Industry.
Their complaints center aroune
activities of the industry's "bie
Ifour"-Seagrams, Schenley, Ma
Itional and Hiram Walker.
Mr.. Mann said a Brooklyn firm
which distributes Seagram prod,
ucts suddenly Cancelled q largt
lorder from his distillery in 1949
He testified he was told by hi
New York representative that ;
new Seagram ruling" prohibited
the distributor from handling an.
liquor unless approved by Sea
gram"
He said he had a similar ex
perience in November, 1949, il
dealing with the Mccarthy -Hick
Co. in Baltimore. He said thi
firm was interested in Pacing al
order for 5000 cases Of straigh
rye whisky a month.
Mr.. Mann said he asked official
of the Baltimore firm to check tn,
deal with Seagrams. since he knew
the firm handled Seagram prod
ucts.
About week later, McCarth!
said they no longer were inter
ested," the witness declared.
Gets No Explanation.
He said he asked why. but 60
no explanation. After a Simila
experience with a second Balti
more distributor. he said h
practically gave up" attempts t
place orders with Baltimore dis
Itributors.
Mr.. Mann said Seagram sti
buys Sherwood bulk whisky. store
whisky in his warehouses and doe
"other things in line with prac
Itices Of the industries"
| Asked what the effect Of turn
, downs have had on the business
Mr.. Mann asserted:
Were just having a heck of
) time hanging on since we lost ths
. business. We're hanging on b
the skin of our teeth"
Evening star., 1952-06-26
Harrison Says Reds
Take Double Stand
!!0n Russia at Talks
BY the Assoeiaied Press

MUNSAN, Korea, June 60
Maj. Gen. William K. Harrison,
L jr.. today accused the Commu-
nists of simultaneously agreeing
and disagreeing with Russia at
the deadlocked Korean armistice
talks.
The senior United Nations nego-
tiator made the statement after
hearing the Communist reply to
his charge that Red insistence on
forced return of war prisoners is
inconsistent with the policy of
Russia in World War II.
Has Blocked Armistice.
United Nations refusal to re-
turn prisoners who do not want
to go home has blocked a Korean
armistice for months.
1T is not apparent how you
can at one and the same time
both agree and disagree with the
acts and declarations of the
U. S. S. r." Gen. Harrison told
the Communists at 35-minute
session at Panmunjom. Another
meeting was set for 10 pm. EDT
tonight.
| Brig. Gen. William Nuckols,
United Nations spokesman, called
1.-THE Communists defense of their
forced repatriation demand
somewhat emotional and "con-
fused"
1t was in reply to Gen. Harri-
sons statement Saturday that
Russian commanders in World
War II promised surrounded Axis
troops at Stalingrad and Buda-
pest return to the country of their
choice at the end of the war.
North Koreans Reply.
North Korean Gen. Nam II re-
piled that Gen. Harrison "misin-
. terpreted and distorted" the "ulti-
. matum issued by the victorious
Soviet Army to the encircled Ger
man, Hungarian and Italian
troops" The chief Communist
negotiator declared:
: After the conclusion of the
: Second World War, the Soviet
! Union in strict adherence to the
Geneva Convention, repatriatec
all of the war prisoners held by
: her-German, Hungarian, Italian
Japanese-and of other countrie!
with the only exception of wal
, criminals"
He insisted that the guaran.
tees made at Budapest and Stal.
; ingrad did not involve prisoners
y but were actions "of a victoriou.
army demanding the surrender o.
a losing army during hostilities.
Harrison Answers.
5 "It is interesting to note tina
you find it necessary to defene
the Soviet Union" Gen. Harrison
replied. 1--WE merely were show
ling that your position regarding
the questions of prisoners of wa
contradicts the government from
= which you have taken your ideol
!. ogy."
He suggested the Communist
t were advocating IAN adjustable
scale of decency." under which ,
nation may be humane or bar
: barous for the sake or expediency
"By some obscure logic" Gen
r Harrison told Gen. Nam,
: You have arrived at the conclu
= sion that because the historical
' situations are dissimilar. tn
moral principles involved are dis
e similar"
Evening star., 1952-06-26
|25Oth Church Anniversary

NEW YORK (P.-The Grace
Episcopal Church in the borough
of Queens has celebrated it's 250th
anniversary. It was founded by a
missionary of the London Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel
lin Foreign Parts in 1902. Next to
Trinity Church in Manhattan, it is
the Oldest Episcopal church In
New York State.