davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
VA News Vendor
Quits After rs Years

Abraham T. ABE" Schrot.
news vender at the Veterans
Administration on Vermont ave-
nue. NV. will retire today after
doing business at the same stand
for 25 years.
Except for a year in the Army,
Mr.. Schrot has sold newspapers
and magazines in Government
buildings since 1917. In 1922, he
had IA stands in Government
buildings, at which time he
turned all but the Veterans Ad-
mlniStration stand over to the
forerunner of Government Serv-
ices.
Mr.. Schrot. a native of the
Washington area. lives at 4014
Longfellow street. Hyattsville,
Md.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31

"I can say it is a victory for
veterans" Mr. Murphy added.
however. THE Justice Depart
ment has every right to do what
it wants, but it must follow the
order of the Civil Service Com
mission"
AS to the suspension clause.
Mr.. Murphy said he was going
to check the regulations on this
matter today.
After Mr.. Witsil's original dis
missal, the Civil Service Commits
sion held that the charges on
which the action was based were
not sufficiently specific and failed
to give Mr.. Witsil the full 30-day
notice required for veterans.
The department said the orig
inal notice given Mr.. Witsil
charged him in substance with
incompetence" but that it is
now prepared to support his pro-
posed separation with a more
specific statement.
It is estimated that the
Veterans Preference Act covers
at least so per cent of Federal
employees.
Never Held Status.
Mr.. Witsil, who is 30, worked
for the Justice Department for
two years as an attorney. He did
not have status since all attorney
jobs in the Government have
been excepted from civil service
and placed under schedule A
since 1947.
Mr.. Witsil was asked to re-
sign by the Justice Department
last June 2. Proceedings were
started to remove him when he
refused to do so.
Then the Civil Service Com
mission found that the 30-day
notice of dismissal and the is
suance of specific charges had
not been furnished by the de-
partment. Mr.. Witsil was or
dered reinstated. But the Justice
Department refused to obey the
commissions order The depart
ment commended that the Veter-
ans Preference Act. as enacted
by Congress. was not intended
to apply to veterans in excepted
jobs.
The commission, disputing
this. said it interprets the law
to mean that veterans prefer
ence job safeguards apply to
veterans in both civil service
and non-civil service jobs, ex-
cept positions to which persons
are appointed by the President.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Justice Department to Avoid
Test of Veterans Job Rights

The joD protection rights of
veterans in Government posts
will not be contested by the adj
ministration, Justice Department
officials said today.
Justice officials said the de-
partment would seek no test
court case to determine whether
veterans in Federal excepted
(non-civil service jobs) could be
fired summarily.
Any removal actions against
veterans will be conducted as
the Veterans Preference Act
provides - filing of specific
charges and an adequate notice
Of the pending action, Justice
officials declared.
WitsiI to Be Restored.
The Justice Departments de-
cision against testing the Vet
Grams Preference Act in the
courts was revealed following it's
announcement last night that
it would restore John P. WitSil
to his $5,090-a-year attorneys
job, from which he was fired
last June. The Civil Service
Commission previously had Or
dered his reinstatement, but the
department had failed to obey.
Mr. Witsil also is entitled to
$4,000 back pay, civil service
officials said.
The department said that i'm
mediately after his re-instate-
ment, Mr.. WitSil, a veteran. will
at once be placed in a suspended
status, pending a study by the
Civil Service Commission to file
as its reasons for taking him
off the payroll.
Mr.. Witsil said today he would
welcome the filing of specific
charges against him, because he
was sure he could disprove
them before the Civil Service
Commission.
Mr.. Witsil filed suit in U. s.
District Court for the District of
Columbia here to regain his job
in what was considered a test
case to determine whether vet
Grams in excepted jobs could be
fired summarily.
Justice officials said previously
that they welcomed the suit.
The department had taken the
position that the job protection
features of the Veterans Prefer
ence Act did not apply to vet
Grams in excepted Federal jobs.
"VictOry for Veterans"
However. the department now
has reversed itself and its
spokesman say that no such legal
test of the Veterans Preference
Act is planned.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Witsil's at
torney in the case described the
departments action as victory
/ for veterans"
Mr.. Witsil last night said there
was a possibility now that he
would have no basis for the court
action. and then he referred fur
Their comment to his attorney
Robert r. Murphy.
Mr.. Murphy also admitted that
the Justice Department an
nouncement of reinstatement
took him by surprise. and added
that neither he or Mr.. Witsil had
received official word from the
department.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
District 10 Sign Pact
With Visiting Nurses

The Visiting Nurses Associa-
ton is expected to sign a long
delayed contract with the Health
Department, ironed out finally
by a special committee appointed
by the Commissioners.
Under the contract terms. ap-
proved by the Commissioners to-
day, the association will immedi-
ately receive $12,500 from the
Health Department for nursing
visits made so far in fiscal 1854.
The special committee also
recommended that the associa-
ton be paid $6,250 each yearly
quarter out of an appropriation
of $4,000. Also recommended
was a price per visit increase of
from 1925 to $3.50.
The special committee re-
ported to the Commissioners that
it still was undecided over the
$4,000 the association claims
was never paid by the Health De-
partment during fiscal 1858. In
fiscal 1868, $4,000 was ear
marked out of the Health De-
partment's budget for private
nursing use. The association re-
ceived only $4,000 of this
amount during fiscal 1858.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31

partment reports showed that
on a per capita basis District
residents pay at the rate Of about
$134 a year for all taxes whereas
the comparable figure for Mont
gomery County was about $123.
Mr.. Broyhill came out with a
brief I'm for it" comment. He
stressed that the Federal pay
ment was not a handout but
rather was a compromise pay
ment for services rendered Uncle
Sam by the District.
He made the argument. also.
that if United States Steel, in.
stead of the United States Gov.
eminent, held nearly half the
taxable land Of the District it
would pay more than $50 million
a year in taxes" All the District
is asking. he said. was $40 mil.
lion. A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Area All Set
For Long and
Gay Holiday
Thrones to Greet
New Year at Many
Parties Here Tonight

Washington area residents
headed today for New Years
eve> revels and long holiday
week end-one of the gayest,
according to predictions. since
World War II.
Government Offices shut down
at midday. and rail, air and bus
lines expected last-minute
travel deluge. Ten extra trains
were scheduled to pull in and
out of Union Station before the
days close.
Most plane flights were booked
solid at National Airport up to
this evening. Extra trips also
were scheduled by buslines.
Many Celebrations Due.
Washington hotels and night
clubs are expecting throngs of
celebrants to see 1853 out and
the New Year in at midnight.
Churches are planning watch
night services for more serious
gatherings.
President Eisenhower, staying
at the Augusta (Ga.) National
Golf Club. is expecting to take
part in a small celebration there.
The President is slated to return
to work bright and early tomor-
row on his forthcoming state
of-the-Unio message to Con-
gress, however.
Office Stats Thinner.
Washington preparations for
celebration were evident this
morning. Work-bound crowds
were unusually sparse, and Office
stats were depleted.
Fewer buses appeared to be in
operation. On at least one line
Sixteenth street-Capital Tram
sit appeared to have miscalcu-
lated the number of stay-at-
homes, however. Rush-hour bus
es were damned and prospective
riders queued up at some stops.
The transit company put
more buses in service later in
the day.
Downtown began to be more
populous as the day wore on.
One big department store re-
ported shoppers as numerous as
on other days this week.
The Police Department re-
ported traffic slightly heavier
: than usual all this week. An
, extra detail of some 40 police
. men stationed at intersections
) downtown for Christmas crowds
was kept on through today.
; Due to Sales and Exchanges.
Best theory for the activity
was that people were exchang-
ing Christmas gifts and taking
advantage of post-Christmas
sales.
A number of the big depart
ment stores downtown said the
crowds were about usual for
the week between Christmas and
New Years Day. They did not
see any great surprise in the
volume of buying.
Most parking lot operators re-
ported plenty of business. One
operator of a downtown parking
garage said the first part of the
week was as busy for him as
the week before Christmas.
Police officials expect the
crowds to be back to normal
after tomorrow, which is a holi-
day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
National Geographic
To Honor Everest Climbers

Two members of the British
expedition that conquered Mount
Everest last May 20 will receive
the National Geographic Soci-
ety's Hubbard Medal here Feb
ruary IL.
The medal, conferred but Is
times in the last half century,
| has been awarded the entire ex-
petition by the Society'S board
Of trustees.
Accepting the award will be
Sir John Hunt, leader of the
expedition, and Sir Edmund Hill
larry. Sir Edmund, the following
day. will address the National
Geographic Society in Constitu-
ton Hall and show films of the
expedition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Kensington Girl, ;,
ScuIded by Vuporizer

A 3-vear-old K nsin t o n
(Md.) girl was scalded about the
body today when she tipped
over a vaporizer and spilled
boiling water on herself.
At the Bethesda Naval Hos
pital where she was taken for
treatment the child was identi-
fed as Nancy Knapstein, daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. David
Knapstein of 1904 Edgewood
road.
Doctors were not Immediately
able to determine the serious
ness of her injury.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Afraid Signal
Placed on Senate
Office Building Roof

An air raid warning horn has
been installed on the Senate
Office Building roof as the most
noticeable part of a new civil
defense program on Capitol Hill.
The system to protect person.
mel of Congress in case of enemy
attack includes a network of
signals throughout the Senate
facilities tied in with the Dis
trict's city-wide warning opera
ton.
The program is being worked
out by cooperation of Congress
sional officials. the Federal and
District civil defense organiza-
tions at request of the Senate
Rules Committee.
Congressional aides from both
Senate and House have received
one day of training and inStruc-
ton at the Federal Defense Gen.
ter at Olney, Md.
The signal system connecting
the horn and the Senate's quo
rum call bell network is to OPP
crate directly from the Districts
warning devices. But no such
electrical setup has been re-
quested for the House side of
Congress. The control center
for the Senate has been in
stalled in a basement room of
the Senate Office building.
Already some shelter signs are
being installed in the Senate
Office building as a result of a
survey made in both the Office
building and the Senate wing
of the Capitol.
Harold L. Goodwin, director of
atomic test operations for the
Federal Civil Defense organiza-
ton, estimated today that the
Senate system is now about two
thirds finished. The Capitol
physician, DR.. George w. Calver,
plans to. train first aid teams
from Congressional personnel:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Banks Here Ask ABA
10 Assay Dangers Of
Bond Counterfeitinq

Washington bankers have
turned over to the American
Bankers. Association the ques-
ton as to whether the offset
printing of savings bonds, sched-
uled to start January 18, will in
crease the danger of counter
feiting
The ABA, representing some
$4,000 banks in the country is
studying the matter, but is not
expected to take early action.
Most bankers here are inclined
to take a wait and see" attitude
on the question. although a few
have expressed deep concern
over the countrefeiting danger.
Real Danger Seen.
Those opposing the Offset
process report that experts have
informed them there is real dam
ger from counterfeiting and
point out that banks may have
to tighten rules for cashing saw
ings bonds drastically and that,
as a result. sales will be retarded.
The engraving and printing
unions affected by the coming
change from the traditional en-
craving method have bombarded
the bankers particularly with
telephone calls and letters urg-
ing opposition to the change.
Full-page newspaper advertise
ments also are planned to out
line the position of unions. whose
members will lose work as a
result.
Most Washington bankers, who
appear unexcited about the
change. point out that it was
passed by the Secret Service and
the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing before being finally Or
dered. THE Secret Service is
pretty smart about things like
that" one said.
Identification Cited.
Decision of the District bank
ers to turn the matter over to
the ABA was reached at a Fri
day luncheon meeting on Deem
Der 18 after the reading of a
memorandum from the union.
The Secret Service has re-
ported that since Savings Bonds
are not transferable and owners
must be identified before CASH
ing, there is no serious counter
feiting problem involved.
The Treasury estimates that
around 60 union members will
lose their jobs here by next June
80 as a result of the change
These include &C engravers. Re-
suit at the Treasury will be
saving of several hundred thou
sand dollars.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Motorist, Attacked by Thugs,
Crashes Three Parked Cars

A motorist crashed into three
parked cars early today as he
sped along Eleventh street NV.
in an effort to attract atten-
ton of police to two thugs who
had leaped into his auto and
were trying to yoke him.
The thugs fed, but police later
captured colored man and list
ed him on the accident report
as a passenger in the car.
Charles j. O'Connor, IS. of
1924 South Buchanan street,
Arlington, Va, a Pentagon clerk,
told police two colored men
leaped into his auto as he
pulled away from in front of a
restaurant at Eleventh and q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Open House Event
Planned at YMCA

A 13-evenJ Fun for Every
One" program including a model
electric train race, a Mr.. YMCA
weight-lifting contest and a con-
cert by tenor Justin Lawrie will
feature the annual YMCA open
house program New Years Day
at the Central YMCA branch,
1875 G street NV.
The model electric train race
will be held in the boys gym at
l pm. and the concert will be
held at 8 pm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31

streets NV. They grabbed him
and attempted to rob him.
Mr.. O'Connor sped north on
Eleventh street. A short dis
lance north of P street the auto
crashed into parked truck and
taxicab. knocking the cab into
another parked automobile
Mr.. O'Connor was treated and
released at Emergency Hospital
for leg bruises. Later, a "a
year-old man appeared at Freed
mems Hospital for treatment of
a deep head cut. After question
ing him. police entered his name
on the accident report as a
passenger in Mr.. O'Connor's car
at the time of the accident
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31
Works Plan Pushed
On Capitol Hill by
Two District Leaders

Top District officials went call
ing on Capitol Hill again today
in stepped-up campaign to win
approval of the city's $306 million
10-year public works program.
Commissioner Samuel Spencer
and Engineer Commissioner
Louis Prentiss discussed the
city's problems with Represent
alive league, Democrat, of Texas
this morning.
Afterward, Mr.. league said,
IT am going to support the pro-
gram every way 1 can. 1t has a
good chance in the District Com
mittee and in the House itself,
I believe"
But, the real troubles" he
warned, probably will come in
the Appropriations Committee"
The Commissioners, he added.
were taking the right approach
to their problem by seeing mem
bers of the House District Com
mittee.
Meet Three Committeeman.
Yesterdays trip to Capitol Hill
saw the two Commissioners clos
eted with three other members
of the House District Committee.
First action on the authorize
tions and revenue bills would
come from this committee.
They planned to outline the
needs and finances to as many
other committee members as
possible in the next few days.
All this is in preparation for
joint hearings being planned by
the fiscal subcommittee Of the
House and Senate District Com
mittees to start sometime in jan
uary. District officials hope these
can be underway by January 10.
Leaders of the two committees
already have been given full
outline of the critical situation
now faced by the District. The
commissions and top assistants
now are outlining the details Of
the issues before other individual
members of the House committee
COmplemented by Table.
Mr.. Spencer and Gen. Prentiss
yesterday carried their message
to one veteran and two freshmen
members of the committee, all
Republicans. They were Repre-
sentativeS Tale of Iowa, who has
fought his way through earlier
District financial problems. and
Hyde of Maryland and Broyhill
of Virginia.
After listening to the outline,
Mr.. Tale complimented the
Commissioners for presenting a
well-thought-out program and
said he was holding an open
mind on the answers He added
that he thought his first lesson
in the new problems was "a good
one"
The two others, who have
many constituents working in
Washington, were more expan-
Sive.
Hyde Agrees to Need.
Mr.. Hyde said, II don't think
there is any doubt but that the
public works program is needed.
I think there is no doubt that
the Federal Government has not
been paying it's fair share of
District costs"
The new District revenue bill,
he noted, would not only raise
city taxes and provide long-term
Treasury loans but also raise the
Federal payment from $12 mil
lion to $40 million a year. This.
he said. would bring the Federal
share up to somewhere near
what a private industry would
pay in taxes" on the same
amount of land now held here
tax-exempt by the Federal Gov
eminent.
Taxes Compared.
Mr.. Hyde did have questions
about the relative weight of Dis
trict taxes on real property as
compared with those in Mont
gomery County. Engineer Com
missioner Prentiss. however. as
sured him that Commerce. De-
as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31

Trash and ashes will be coll
lected tomorrow-New Years
day, but garbage will not, william
A. Xanten, superintendent Of
Sanitation Division, announced
today.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-31

Taxes Compared.
Mr.. Hyde did have questions
about the relative weight of Dis
trict taxes on real property as
compared with those in Mont
gomery County. Engineer Com
missioner Prentiss. however. as
sured him that Commerce. De-
Evening star., 1953-06-23

UNIV. PARK-Center-hall plan, all
brick Colonial; liv. rm. is 24x14
kitchen is large. modern and EQUIP; S
5 large bedrms. on 2nd f.: bsmt.
is fun with Law. and built-in ga
rage; slate roof: large lot. Truly
way below ~ market at any S1S'5o0 SSS
Terms. peter ]. hagan, Realtor. UN
1855, WA. 7-1257; UN. 4-19Sb.
Evening star., 1953-06-23
HOUSES FOR SALE-MD.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY

- Within walking dis
z tance Of transportation, schools
and shopping. Three-bedroom, one
bath, brick Colonial, with full base
ment and screened porch. Priced at
$1S.950. financing can be arranged.
Eyes, call OIL. 2-9346. SAMUEL e.
BETHEsbA-spacious rambler with 8
bedrms., 2 baths. In q honey section
near N.I.H.; elec. kit, disposal and
clothes washer. Transferred owner
ass on priced ed, for or..l'ne1 grick sale Under
Inspect call Oh. 4-5260 tn 9 pm.
J. WESLEY BUCHANAN. INC. 1885
BETHEsDA Eiii sSe BARGArN-close to bus.
schools and shopping. new home on
old Georgetown rd.; bedrms... 2
baths q bedrms. and bath on lst
porch. full bsmt:; excel. financing,
Pm Dess Wesley sIR o sucHAs2N. cRzs2 pnfs1 fNc,
ETH ana suees 151s:s ssS9m: sssn
liv. rm:. Tv rm;. din. rm.. dinette.
bsrnt.. lge. lot; $25,45O with first
trust $4,000. Phone OIL. 4-5419.
BETHESDA, MARYLAND - s26,95o.
NSSe.AAes a. SOAA-tOOasCA pA0pCAt1b AtOt
far from bus. shopping center and
schools, close to the community club
grounds; painted brick Colonial
residence: large living room. good
dining room, today's kitchen,
cross-ventilated bedrooms. 2 tiled
baths, stairway to storage attic,
screened living porch, attached
garage. To inspect cali WO. 6-2300,
until 8. EDW. H. JONES CO., INC,
Chevy Chase, D. c. -25
RAMBLER - S19,95O.
Sparkling new brick construction; 8
good bedrooms, tiled bath, de luxe
kitchen; full. bright basement
space approximately 2Ox25. Storage
attic, large level lot. Possession at
once. To inspect, call WO. 6-230O,
until 8. EDW. H. JONES & CO.,
INC. Chevy Chase, D. C. --25
BETHESDA RAMBLER - Well-built
white frame; 3 twin-size bedrms..
large liv.-din. comb. with fireplace.
Full bsmt.. h.-v.h... gar. walk to
NH. bus and school. Excelleni
terms; S1S,250. EARL T. WRIGHT,
OIL, 2-6900; OIL. 9.S542.
BETHESDA $17.950. 7-rm. and
full hsmt. on b-acre fenced yard;
oeorgetoWn I'd. 8 mi. OF. 2-1021.
Evening star., 1953-06-23

GREENWICH FOREsT-Beat this
En fSr value aSS oI9S 3 REpRMs 81, 2 Iss BATHS rdS'
Fuil basement, owner leaving city.
Call us now It'll 8. OIL. 2-2123.
GEO. W. ROBERTSON, REALToR