davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Health Department
Finally Wins Fight
ToGet Siren forCor

Public Health Director Daniel
Seckinger yesterday won an up
hill fight with the District Com
missioners to get a siren in.
stalled on the passenger vehicle
assigned to the health depart
ment.
DR.. Seckinger pointed out in
a letter to his superiors that on
the day of the Union Station
train wreck and Northeast tire
shop explosion last month he
had difficulty getting the official
health car through heavy traffic
to the scene Of the disasters. -
Disaster can strike again"
the health director warned. AT
such time, when every minute
counts, a few minutes lost could
well mean the difference between
life or death to an injured pa
tient."
Commissioner F. Joseph Dom
ohue said he thought there are
enough cars screaming through
the city with sirens" without the
health directors vehicle adding
to the din. Mr.. Donohue won
dered further whether this car
is customarily equipped with
medical aids.
Yes" Commissioner Renah r.
Camalier volunteered, "he carries
a little black bag In the car"
It sounded silly" Mr.. Cana.
her said Of the request, but he
didn't see any real objection. His
colleagues agreed and ordered
the siren installed.
Evening star., 1953-02-27

one of IS recently given to the
school system.
Little Playground Equipment.
There is a play area outside,
but it is far under standard size
and equipment is next to moth
ing. For 709 children, parents
ruefully told the Board of Edu-
cation, there are six swings, one
seesaw, one monkey pole, one
slide and one set of horizontal
bars. The entire area is paved
with concrete.
Parents said the school is a
fire trap. This Mr.. Riecks denies.
But wood burns readily.
Parents also complained about
the annex heating system.
There is no relief for Van Ness
crowding in nearby schools. Both
Giddings and Lennox are crowd
ed. Some children from the Van
Ness area already go to Giddings,
anyway. One complaint from
parents was that some young
sters living near Van Ness go to
schools even more distant.
The parents emphasized they
aren't asking for a white school.
There aren't any that would
help.
The only solution, say the
parents, Is to build. The School
Board agrees. The question is:
VIII Congress?
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Schools Voted
sos Million
By Senate Unit
Federal Aid Bill
Was Approved by
House Earlier

The Senate Appropriations
Committee today approved sos
million for aid to schools in
areas affected by the impact Of
Federal employment.
This figure, previously ap-
proved by the House, was acted
upon by the committee as it
proceeded to mark up" the sup
Elemental appropriation bill.
The $2O.5 million is UNDER
stood to include about $429. 900
for aid to schools in nearby
Maryland and Virginia.
Officials of the Federal Secur-
ity Agency had appealed to the
Senate Appropriations Commits
tee for the full $24 million orig
inally requested in the budget
for school aid. But the Senate
group approved the House.
passed item of $20.5 million.
This virtually assures congress
sional approval OF the school,
aid money when the measure is
sent to the President for his sig
nature.
The supply bill as it passed
the House carried a total of 1926
million. Several requests were
made to the Senate Appropria-
tions Committee for increases in
various items. The big omnibus
bill carries funds to be used by
many agencies of the Govern
ment for the rest of this fiscal
year ending June 80.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Prentiss Urges Study
Of Public Works Plan

Brig. Gen. Louis w. Prentiss,
Engineer Commissioner, yester-
day declared that the city gov
ernment must take another
reading" of all projects in the
1887 million public works i'm
provement program to make GER
tain each can be convincingly
justified before Congress.
The program now is being
prepared by government and
civic leaders for presentation to
the legislators, who will be called
upon to authorize $218 million
in Federal funds, either as
grants or loans, to help support
the program.
Speaking before the University
OF Michigan Club, meeting in the
Touchdown Club yesterday, Gen.
Prentiss. said special attention
must be given to justification of
the improvement projects in
view of the fact that the new
Congress and national admins
tration are apparently intent on
cutting down construction costs
Of all kinds this year.
The Engineer Commissioner
described the capital outlay pro-
posal as absolutely essential to
brin gthe District up to reason
able standards today and for the
next eight years."
Evening star., 1953-02-27
HoItzOff Orders Secrecy
On Grand Jury Indictment

A grand jury indictment was
ordered sealed today by Judge
Alexander Holtzoff of the U. S.
District Court for the District
of Columbia at the request of the
Government.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Rob-
ert Ackerly, who requested the
secrecy, would not comment on
the nature of the indictment.
Mr.. Ackerly has worked prin-
cipally in cases involving organ
lied rackets and recently was
one of the prosecutors in a large
narcotics conspiracy case.
Mr.. Ackerly explained in court
that only one defendant named
in the indictment was in custody
and that several others live out
of the city. He requested the
sealing until all are arrested.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
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Evening star., 1953-02-27
D. c. Girl and Boy Indorsed
For American Service Medal
City Heads Honor
Candidates for
Justice Awards

A high school girl, active in
recreation work, and a boy
commissioner" of the Junior
Police and Citizens Corps, today
received the hearty Endorsement
of the District Commissioners as
the city's candidates for the ma
tional Young American Medal
for Service in 1852.
Honored in District Building
ceremonies were Miss Shirley L.
Degen, 16, of 1880 Massachusetts
avenue Sc. and Ronald B. Glib
son, II, colored. of 1905 Simms
drive Sc.
Corning Recommends.
Both were recommended by
the District Young American
Medals Committee headed by
School Superintendent Hobart
M. Corning. The national awards
are presented by the Justice De-
partment under two-year-old
act OF Congress. The Commits
Sioners are preparing certificates
Of merit on behalf of the Dis
trict for the two nominees.
The medals committee had
no candidate for the bravery
category. But committee mem
bers and the city heads empha-
sized that the community's
youth can well be singled out
for honorable service short of
heroic deeds.
The Commissioners shared the
feeling of Deputy Police Chief
George Wallrodt that "all too
frequently you hear young people
criticized for wrongdoing, but all
too seldom do you give them
pat on the back for good Deeds"
Recreation Aide.
The District Recreation De-
partment pointed out Miss De-
gems five years of hard work
aiding supervision of activities
at the Hine Recreation Center.
She also has served with Friend
ship House in Southeast Wash
ington and has won praise for
good scholastic record.
Motherless since an early
age, Miss Degen also keeps
house for her father, John w.
Degen, at the Massachusetts
avenue address.
Ronald GibSon's chief sup
porter was Police Pvt. Oliver A.
Cowan, director of the Citizens
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Southern Oxygen Dispute
May Be Decided March Is

A legal battle between the
Southern Oxygen Co. of Bladens-
burg and a group of former en-
ployes is set for a decision on
March 13 in Prince Georges
County Circuit Court.
The company, a few days ago,
obtained temporary injunction,
restraining missed truck
drivers and union agents from
hampering the firms activities.
In a counter action, the en-
ployes and the union contended
the court is without power to so
act in cases arising from labor
disputes. -...
Company attorneys yesterday
filed an answer. saying that the
injunction is aimed at acts of
violence and has nothing to. do
with employer-labor relations.
Counsel for the firm also al
legged that some former employees
have committed overt acts since
the injunction was signed and,
therefore, are in contempt of
court.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Towns Seek 10 Block
Road Raising Plan
By Plea 10 MckeIdin

Maryland mayors and town
Oouncilmen in the Peace Cross
area are asking for a meeting
next week with Gov. McKeldin in
an attempt to have the State
executive rescind his directive
to the State Roads Commission
to raise roadways around Peace
Cross.
The action was taken last
night at a meeting of town rep
resentatives and residents in the
Cottage City firehouse. TIL e
meeting was called by several
residents in the vicinity who con-
tend the road-raising project
will help only traffice but will
do nothing toward eliminating
flood conditions on their prop
erty after rains. Many say the
project will make conditions even
worse.
The primary purpose of the
meeting was to ask towns to ap-
point delegates to an overall"
committee on food control.
However, upon the motion of
Melvin Howes, commissioner of
Cottage City, the group unani-
mously agreed to send an official
delegation to Annapolis next
week.
Most residents felt that the
earlier the Governor was shown
the problem, the moNe chance
there would be for the road-rais-
ing project to be rescinded. For
nation of the overall committee
will continue. This groups ac-
ticns will depend on next weeks
meeting with the Governor.
Mr. Howes. who will lead the
delegation to Annapolis, said an
appointment with Gov McKeldin
will be requested next Thursday
through Prince Georges County
State Senator John Raymond
Fletcher and Delegate John
Frank Lillard. jr.. both Repub-
licanS.
The General Assembly yester-
day completed passage of reso-
luton introduced by Senator
Fletcher, calling on the Federal
Government to appropriate funds
for flood control work at the
Peace Cross.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Over 70 10 Testify
Al Hearings Tonight
On D. {. Delegate Bill

More than a score of witnesses
plan to testify at a congressional
public hearing tonight on legis-
lation calling for an elected, nom
voting District delegate in the
House.
The hearing, at 7:30 pm. in
the Caucus Room of the Senate
Office Building. will be held by
the Senate District Judiciary
subcommittee. Its chairman,
Senator Barrett. Republican, of
Wyoming will preside.
Invited to appear are leaders
Of the District government and
SpokeSmen for principal civic
organizations Of the city.
Among those who may testify
are the District Commissioners.
the corporation counsel and
spokesmen for the Federation of
Citizens Associations. Fedora
ton of Civic Associations and
the Board of Trade.
The measure, sponsored by
Chairman Case of the Senate
District Committee, would set
up machinery including a board
Of elections for the election of
the delegate.
Senator Case has presented
the bill as first step toward
home rule for Washington. The
delegate would become a mem
ber of the House District Com
mittee. could introduce bills, take
part in his committee hearings,
and speak on the House floor,
but he would have no vote any
where.
Among those who indicated
they would testify are Carl
Shipley, president of Young Re-
publicans: William Fadler, ex-
ecutive vice president of the
District Democratic Club; STAN
ley Karson, president of the
Young Democratic Club; Her.
bert Leeman, president of the
Central Suffrage Conference:
Frank j. O'Connor, of the WASH
ington Central Labor Union
(AFD; Glenn Watts, president
OF the District Industrial Un-
ion Council (CIO); DR.. Benjamin
Striner of the Federation of
BusineSsmen's Association.
Also Rufus Lusk, president of
the Washington Taxpayers AS
ISOLATION; Mrs. Joseph L. Miller,
OF the Connecticut Avenue Citi-
zenS' Association; Austin L. Flick
ling. of the suffrage committee,
Federation of Civic Associations:
Mrs. Christopher T. Bever, of
the Unitarian Fellowship for So
cial Justice; Edward Sitter, ex-
ecutive director, and Sturgis
Warner, of the Home Rule Com
mittee.
Also AL Wheeler, chairman of
the Democratic Central Com
mittee; Mrs. George Mallory of
the home rule subcommittee Of
the League of Women Voters of
the District: Mrs. Jack Gottse-
gen, legislative chairman of the
Washington Section, National
Council of Jewish Women.
Also Mis- Cornelia Hill. chair.
man of the National Represen-
tation Committee, Federation of
Women's Clubs; Mrs. Ernest
Howard, North Washington
Council Of Citizens Associations;
the Rev L. Maynard Catch
ings, Washington Federation of
Churches, and spokesmen for
the American Association of
University Women and Ameri-
cans for Democratic Action.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Old and Drob Van Ness School
Argues for Replacement Funds

basin isn't in a washroom at all,
but in the hallway. There the
girls line up.
One somewhat oversize, con-
crete -t1oored basement room once
was used for recreation, but a
pile Of condemned furniture now
monopolizes it. The pile has
been there for months.
Some of these things can be
corrected, as they are being cor
rected gradually at other old Dis
trict schools. Modernized plumb
ing is to be installed within the
next year or 18 months. The
pile of furniture will be moved,
because visiting Board of Educa-
ton members found it there yes
terday. Painters also have done
what they can to brighten ap-
pearances.
Associate Supt. John M. Riecks,
in charge of buildings, says this
one isn't ready for abandonment
yet. Even if a new school is
built, it is expected to have more
years of usefulness.
The annex is another story.
One day two years ago, Miss
Ruth E. Moses. Van Ness princi-
pal. suddenly found classroom
floor behaving strangely. It was
at one end of the long, low,
weatherbeaten structure in which
she has her Office.
Floor Gazing In.
II found the floor gave way
under my feet" she recalled. IT
reported the danger, and we
found the floor of the building
was about to cave in. Workmen
worked all through a week end
to reinforce the floor through
the entire building"
Annex classrooms all lead of
a single. long corridor. A boys
washroom about midway has
caused complaints. School of
f1cials are preparing to check
the plumbing and ventilation.
Miss Moses considers the holes
in the wallboard inevitable.
They occur frequently, and
patching can't keep up. There
were four large holes along the
corridor yesterday. as well as
some in several classrooms.
'They happen when we aren't
looking" Miss Moses said.
When dancing or indoor
physical education activity is
scheduled. children must move
classroom furniture into the
corridor. The classrooms other
wise are too crowded, and q So
called practical arts room. sup
posedly available for assemblies.
houses a regular class.
eve use the teachers room
for televiSion, medical exams and
conferences with parents" said
the principal. The TV set is
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Atomic Energy officiol
Named in New York

The Atomic Energy Commits
sion today appointed Henry B.
Fry manager of its New York
operations Office to succeed w. E.
Kelley s
Mr.. Fry. deputy manager of
the New York Office since July,
1850. joined the Acc in May,
1947, as assistant to the New
York manager. In his new post
he will supervise the processing
Of uranium and other ores, and
the administration of more
than 800 prime contracts.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Measure 10 Eliminate
.UnWanted Tayerns
Heads Into Fight
By chorIes [. Hoffmon
Stor Stuff Correspondent

otoF QUIT S0fISSPonoent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 27.-A bill
to prevent liquor stores and beer
taverns from invading neighbor-
hoods where the majority of resi-
dents oppose them is slated for
hearing some time next week
before the House Committee on
Alcoholic Beverages.
Delegate A. Gordon Boone,
Democrat, of Baltimore County,
sponsor Of the bill. is primed to
put up a strong fight. The meas
ure is opposed by large num-
ber of liquor dealers in the State
and especially in Prince Georges
County.
Mr.. Boone said he has not
been prodded by any special
groups to introduce the bill, but
he added that it has strong back
ing throughout the State.
Protective Trade Feature.
why should neighborhoods be
subjected to any more taverns if
they don't want them or feel
they have enough to meet their
needs alreaGy?" he asked,
Mr.. Boone added that the bill
not only would put the skids on
the rapid increase of taverns and
night spots, but it would protect
existing establishments from
unnecessary competition"
? It's provisions would not apply
to existing licensed taverns or
license renewals.
Mr.. Boone's county delegation
has another bill in the House to
prevent the establishment of any
liquor store or tavern within 300
feet of a public school or church
in his county.
II feel certain the delegation
would welcome any amendment
to include other counties under
the protection of this BILL" he
said.
Varying Distance.
A proposed revision of the
Prince Georges County. liquor
law is expected to include such a
provision, but would extend it
to 1000 feet.
The Boone bill would provide
that if a majority of the prop
erty owners within 800 feet of a
proposed tavern objected to the
license, it could not be granted.
In agricultural or mixed agri-
cultural, commercial and resi-
dental areas, the majority OF
residents within a half f-mile
radius could block the license.
In all other areas, the radius
would be 400 feet.
Prince Georges liquor dealers
and tavern owners are opposing
the measure. although most of
the county's delegation have in
dicated they will support the bill.
The Prince Georges revised
liquor law is expected to be
drawn UP next week.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
By jones 6. Deone

A one-story, wood-and.plaster-
board building with holes in its
corridor walls is school for 395
children in Southeast Washing
ton.
The building is a World War
II temporary. But it is now in
its 10th year. It is also called
an annex. But more youngsters
pack its nine drab classrooms
than those in the permanent red
brick building next door.
And in neither building are
educational conditions anything
to bolster Washington's pride.
The school is Van Ness Ele-
mentary. It came into the news
recently when parents pleaded
to the Board of Education for a
replacement. And the board re-
sponded yesterday by voting a
similar. unanimous plea to the
Commissioners.
School authorities asked for a
new Van Ness school in the next
fiscal years budget estimates.
They already know where they
want to built it-at Seventh and
L streets Sc, four blocks from
the present location at Fourth
and M It can be finished in
ABOUT two years. if it is begun
before next fall.
But the Commissioners dropped
the necessary $1.4 million from
the city's budget request. And
they say they can't restore it,
although they apparently plan
to lend moral support when
citizens make a direct appeal to
Congress.
229 Over Capacity.
The Van Ness annex was built
to meet wartime crowding. Bxt
postwar crowding has turned out
to be worse. There are now TOO
children on the schools roster
229 over the theoretical two
building capacity.
Many District schools are
crowded; but for Van Ness pupils
and teachers, the physical sur
roundingS make overpopulation
especially discouraging.
The square, two-story main
building is not unlike a good
many others of it's turn-of the
century vintage. It has eight
classrooms, but little more.
The f1rst-floor hallway serves
as an assembly area. It is so
small that a piano almost blocks
the doors to two claSsroomS. The
only drinking fountains are in
the basement. Outrnoded plumb
ing is in the boys washroom.
where there is q single wash
basin. The girls only wash
Evening star., 1953-02-27
OPS Disnliissinq
500 MoreHere
And Over U. ).
1,5O0 Employees Due
To Be Fired in March
As Controls Expire

The Office of Price Stabiliza-
ton today announced that an
additional 500 employees are be-
ing given 3O-day dismissal
notices.
This is to keep pace with the
reduction in work resulting from
the progressive wiping out of
price controls.
During March, OPS expects to
issue dismissal notices to about
1.500 more workers.
Dismissal notices were given
1000 employees February 18. This
came Immediately on the heels
OF the second major step in the
Eisenhower administrations de-
control program.
Notices Going Out Steadily.
OPS said today that reduc-
tion-in-force notices are being
handed out steadily by the
Washington and the field Of
fees. The 500 figure in today's
announcement will be reached
by the close of business Mon
day. A breakdown of the 500
between the Office here and
those in the field was not avail
able.
Notices have gone out to all
save a few enforcement person.
mel in the IS district and branch
Offices" OPS said. "The pro-
gram calls for closing these Of
fees between March 16 and 18.
"The IA regional Offices will be
closed by April 80, and only a
liquidation staff will remain in
the national Office after that
time"
Is Reduction From $500.
In mid-February the agency
had 4,500 employes-1,5OO in
Washington and 5000 elsewhere.
The first 1000 dismissal notices
went to 800 in the Washington
Office and 1.700 in the field. The
remaining $500 will be reduced
to 1000 in March.
The expected notices to about
$500 employees in March would
cut the staff to about 500 by
April 80. when authorization for
price controls expires. The num-
ber of the liquidating staff and
the length of employment was
said to depend on the amount of
work involved in winding up the
agency'S affairs. 81
At it's peak, OPS had 10000
employees, of whom $500 were
in the Washington Office.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Purim Night Benefit

The Langley Hebrew Congre-
cation of Langley Park, Md, will
Gve ., benefit Purim Night dance
Sunday in the ballroom of the
Beth Shoiom Congregation,
and Shepherd streets NV. Pro-
ceeds will be used toward the
general building fund for a syna-
gogue and community center for
residents Of the Langley Park
area.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Silver Star Medal
Awarded 1t. Dulles

Marine I'd 1t. Allen M. Dulles
received the Silver Star metal
Wednesday in ceremonies at the
National Naval Medical Center
where he is recovering from
wounds received in action in
Korea.
1t. Dulles is the son Of Allen
Dulles, head of the Central In
telligence Agency, and a nephew
of Secretary of State Dulles.
Evening star., 1953-02-27
Prince Georges Committee
Asks End 10 Plans Group

The directors of the Citizens
Committee for Good Government
in Prince Georges County have
urged that functions now per-
formed by the Maryland Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission be transferred to
agencies in Prince Georges and
Montgomery County.
A copy Of the resolution viii
be sent to county delegates at
the General Assembly in Annap-
oils.
The board has requested that
p complete audit be made of the
eommiSSion'S financial record,
Evening star., 1953-02-27

Corps. The youth was cited for
his "outstanding contribution
for combating juvenile delin-
quency and for encouraging
adults to help in such work. +"
He has organized a group of
more than 800 corps members
in his nighborhood, and in so
doing has helped cut down van
dalism. Many Southeast mer-
chants sent letters commencing
Ronald.
The youth quit high school
to take job as a porter in a
shoe store. He lives with his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Gibson, his four brothers and
two sisters.