Evening star., 1953-03-31
3 Youths Questioned
AT IreIan's S Office on
Disorder|y Party

raided by police.
The brothers, accompanied by
their mother, spent more thar
an hour with United States At.
torney Charles M. Irelan. police
officials and C.. Melvin Sharpe
president Of the Board of Edu,
cation.
The third boy was questioned
less extensively.
Details of their story were not
disclosed. One of the youths
wore a silver-colored sateer
jacket bearing the purple crest
of the Phi Sigma high school,
fraternity.
Police said the Phi Sigma
group sold tickets to the party
at the Don Pallini dance studio
2625 Connecticut avenue NV,
where 81 policemen staged a raid
which interrupted the party be-
fore the obscene film could be
shown. Nearly 200 teen-agers
were taken into custody.
Fifty-six of those arrested are
over II years old and all but
one elected to forfeit $40 COL
lateral on disorderly conduct
charges.
Forfeiture Set Aside,
Today, however, the mother OF
two brothers, Edward Knott. 18,
and Leonard Knott, 18. of the
5000 block of Oglethorpe street
NV, was successful in having
the forfeiture set aside. In her
petition, Mrs. Bertha Knott said
the boys were not disorderly and
are minors not capable of elect
ing to forfeit collateral.
Municipal Court Judge Ar
mond w. Scott ordered the for
feiture set aside and set tomor-
row morning to hear the two
cases.
Another boy, Daniel Chernoff,
18, of the 1900 block of Upshur
street NV, refused to forfeit
collateral at the time of his ar
rest. His mother, Mrs. Goldie
Chernoff, is an attorney. His
case will be heard Friday.
A representative of an insur-
ance company which handles the
insurance on the dance studios
property also was at the United
States Attorneys office today.
He said he wanted to flnd out
who was responsible for the es-
timated $1,000 damage to fur
niShings during a near-riot
which accompanied the raid.
Mr.. Irelan planned further
questioning this afternoon of
several adults arrested during
the raid.
Murray Asks Report.
Police Chief Robert v. Murray
today asked the morals squad
for a full report on circumstances
surrounding the party and the
raid.
The police chief ordered the
morals squad to prepare the
complete report with o view to-
ward action to prevent future
large gatherings for such pur-
poses before they get under way.
Of1cial Board Of Education
action win await the outcome
Of Mr.. Irelan'S inquiry. Mr..
Sharpe said that If the facts de-
veloped by Mr.. Irelan warrant
q full investigation, 1t will be
made.
Asks Review Of Rules.
At any rate. Mr.. Sharpe added,
it is time for the board to re-
study its rules regarding secret
societies.
Official action was put off yes
terday following a two-hour
meeting of Mr.. Irelan with police
officials and a representative Of
the school board.
To be questioned by Mr.. Ire
Ian today were:
Nick v. Antonelli, As, of the
1900 block of Fourth street NV.
Mr.. Antonelli, a contractor, was
elected "pater of Sigma PHI
three months ago. This Is the
fraternity which sponsored the
party, police said.
Nathan Skolnick Of the 1900
block of Nineteenth street NV.
Mr.. Skolnick, who uses the stage
name of Nick Martin, Is man
ager of the dance studio.
Philip L. Stone, of the 1900
block Of Rowalt drive, College
Park, Md. Police said Mr.. Stone
is owner of the movie protector
machine found at the party, but
has denied ownership Of the OBJ
scene film.
Instructor Questioned.
Yesterday Mr.. Irelan ques-
toned Cornelius w. O'Leary, jr.,
a, of the 1900 block of Park
road, who police said unlocked
the dance hall to let the pupils
in.
The cautious movement by the
United States Attorneys Office
indicated ofiicials were seeking
a more firm footing on which to
base charges. The raid took place
before the lewd movie was shown.
Police said they moved In rapidly
because 1t appeared those attend
ing the party we're preparing to
fee.
Parents Blamed.
School officials laid the prin-
cipal blame on the parents of
the youths involved. DR.. Hobart
M. Corning. superintendent Of
schools, declared:
THE responsibility Of parents
cannot be overlooked. Parents
are responsible for knowing
where their children are at night
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