davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Soldier Killed, 7 Hurt
In Penn Daw Crash

One Fort Belvoir soldier was
killed and two others were in
jured in a three-car crash on No.
l highway at the Penn Daw
Hotel just south Of Alexandria
last night.
Sergt. Douglas Charles Miller,
81, was crushed beneath his car
as it toppled over after the crash.
Injured were Pvt. Oliver P.
Warner, 81. and Pvt. F. c. Weiss
man. 80, also of Fort Belvoir.
The victims were carried to the
Fort Belvoir Station Hospital by
the Penn Daw Rescue Squad.
Pvts. Weissman and Warner suf-
fered severe face cuts.
Virginia State Police said
Sergt. Miller, alone in his car,
was driving north on No. high
way. AS Sergt. Miller's car ap-
preached the Penn Daw Hotel
it crossed into the southbound
lane and smashed into two
southbound cars. police said, and
overturned in the hotel park
ing lot.
Pvts. Warner and Weissman
were in one of the southbound
cars struck by Sergt. Miller. no
one was hurt in the other south
bound car. driven by Lee Reid.
47. a civilian employe at Fort
Belvoir.
Sergt. Miller, married and the
father of three children, lived
at the Pine Air Trailer Court,
Lorton, Va.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
State Will Operate
Buses Another Week

The Arnold bus line apparently
Is going to continue under State
operation for another week while
the company renews its efforts
to gain a fare increase.
The State seized the line after
its employees struck December 10.
The strike was settled Wednes-
day night as the union and man.
agement agreed to a 15-cent
hourly wage boost for all en-
ployes. spread over a three-year
period. About 800 drivers are
scheduled to return to work
N"nday.
Manuel Davis, counsel for the
bus line. said last night the
preparation of a new rate in
crease petition was one of three
matters the company wanted to
dispose of before resuming oper-
alton of its buses. He said the
firm. which operates buses be-
tween Arlington, Fairfax and
Washington, probably would not
ask to take back operation for
another week.
The two other matters are
putting ex-strikers back on the
payroll. and ironing out some
minor contract phraseology.
A company petition for a rate
increase was rejected recently
by the State Corporation Com
m esion and the Interstate Com
E1erce Commission.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Oyster Boat
Ruled Guilty
Of Dredging
Judge Says Craft
Can Be CuIpobIe Even
If Craft Is GuiItIess
By J. |. Michoel
Sfor Stoff Correspondent

: LEoNARDTOWN. Md, Jan.
ia st. Marys County trial
magistrate has ruled that oyster
boats operating on the Potomac
River can be conf1Scated for con-
servation law violations whether
or not the crews are guilty.
Judge Wilson H. Knight so
held in a case in which he &C
quilted Walter H. Allen, Al, Of
Colespoint. Va. Of illegal dredg-
ing but ordered his $4,000 craft
forfeited to the State.
The court also directed that
another Virginia-owned boat
charged as a dredge vessel be
impounded pending a ruling
from the State Attorney General
In the latter case the warrant
was issued against the vessel
itself and no individual was
charged.
Plane Used in Case.
Both cases stemmed from an
air and water ruse executed by
officers of Maryland's tidewater
navy.
The action began December q
when the commission airplane
piloted by Inspector Robert E.
Whipp and carrying Capt. Ches-
ter A. Cullison, commander of
the patrol boar Tiny Lou, few
at low altitude over a dredge
f1otilla off Ragged Point In the
lower Potomac.
Both officers testified they saw
eight boats dredging, six with
landscapes and two with full
power equipment. None of the
boats carried hand tongs and
most of them had oysters in
their holds. the inspector said.
Unable to surface because of
strong northwest winds, the
officers made four runs over the
fleet and listed the vessels
names or NUMBERS.
Identification Impossible.
Mr.. Allen and another boat
captain, whose name was with
held, were arrested Wednesday
when they came near the Mary
land shore off Piney Point and
began working with legal hand
tongs. Their boats were seized
and toWed to an undisclosed
location.
Fisheries inspectors testified
that they could not identify any
of the men on the boats because
they wore heavy clothing and
caps as protection against the
cold. Judge Knight dismissed
Allen because of this admission.
But the judge held that both
boats can legally be conhscated.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
THIS SUNDAYS BEST READING
9f)e Sunday $taf

FOUNDATION LAD-The II week obout
the enMob position of hoWns
virtually ready He the finishing
this week. The and its accomplishments
discussed the EdtorioI Sections Review Of The Week.
STRANGE CASE OF SENATOR LNGR-The e senoe.
Judiciary hos had ond eoou he storted
wonder in North Dokoo 50 Of his
advocating his from the Senate The
body tried him from taking his scot before back
ls4 so Writer Mary MeGop troees his omozins
Editorial Section feature.
MAN WITH AN pEAorod Minor ehones to boost good will
Ameico key So he through tonsIe OF red
with opeoon Moeic CoTperthe okt thot
took 3763 ronded pilgrims Meeco lost Reed obou The
Yeo" by Ned Russell This Week Mosozne
SnARPEYED scHooGR-Boek 1922 3yeor-od Helen TerwiseE
spotted the ooh Chief Justice Toft administered to Presi-
Herbert Hoover She him about and he acknowledged his
msteke Helen Mrs. Joseph Mooe Washington eeos her
exchonoe ohee by WIom Moyer
n The Stor Pictorial Moeozine.
INAUGURAL BBE-St Johns Lodge No Of the Mosone Order
Bible which George Washington took the Doth first Presi
The lodge bringing the historic book here for Tuesdays
mony full color photo Of the Bible the Of The
Mosezne story and other pictures obout inside.
BEST READING OF THE WEEK ORDER THE EVE
MINING AND SUNDAY STAR. HOME DELIVERY, $l.75 MONTH.
NlGHT FINAL EDITION. 10 CENTS ADDITIONALLY PHONE sTER
LING 3-5ooo
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Lemon Acquitted in Fight
With brofher-in-laW

An Arlington man yesterday
was acquitted of a felonious as
sault charge brought against
him by his brother-in-law after
a street gun battle last Oc-
tober 4.
He is James L. Lemon, 26, of
the $500 block of South Nash
street. On Thursday. George v.
Pfleger. 30. of the 2600 block of
South Pierce street, Arlington.
Lemons brother-in-law, was
convicted in the same court of
felonious assault He was fined
$3.50 and sentenced to a 90-day
Jail term.
Lemon was defended by John
A. Croghan of Alexandria.
Cross complaints were sworn
out after the fracas in the
street in front of Lemons home.
Neither man was injured
seriously. Police confiscated a
shotgun and a pistol after the
fight.
Pfleger's attorneys said they
would note an appeal.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Virginia Couple
off for California
By Motor Scooter
By the Asseeiotsd Press

BURKEVILLE, Va, Jan. IT,
A young Burkeville couple took
off for California today-in two
motor scooters.
Larry and Betty Mertsching
hope to make the 4,300-mlle
trip from this Nottoway County
community in 80 days. Larry, rs.
was discharged from the Army
yesterday at nearby Camp
Pickett.
The scooters will have side
G S. which. among other things,
will carry a gasoline stove, a
portable iceboX, lanterns, Sleep
ing bags. portable radio and a
camera.
here also will be a place tor
the third member of the family
Baby" the pet cat
The Mertschings hope to get
civil service jobs and settle at
Oakland. Calf.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Jefferson Volunteers Discard
V-Murked Fire-Fighting Coats

But county officials insist the
"V' is only means of helping
station chiefs and property
clerks keep track Of county
property.
Only a small number of fire.
fighting coats in all companies
in the county have been deco
rated with the ~" Mr.. LIE Roy
said. But the main opposition
to the move came from the JET
ferson company.
Mr.. lie Roy said the Arlington
County Volunteer Firemen's As
sociation will be asked to sup
port the Jefferson stand at a
meeting at 8 p.m., Tuesday. The
meeting will be held at Jeffer-
son, he said.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Jury Will Probe Death
Of Alexandra Boy Jan. II

An Alexandria Corporation
Court grand jury will convene
January 27 to consider the mur-
der charge against Mrs. Gladys
Payne, who is accused of killing
her 7-year-old son with a lethal
dose of barbiturateS.
Alexandria Commonwealth At
torney Howard w. Smith, jr.,
announced the grand jury date.
He said the grand jury also will
consider other cases.
Mrs. Payne is being held in
the Alexandria Jail without
bond. awaiting action by the
grand jury. The murder charge
was placed against her last Sat-
urday.
Her son, Wallace, died No
vember 10. Mrs. Payne said his
death apparently was caused by
injuries he received in a fall
down a fight of stairs last Au-
gust. An autopsy was ordered
after his death and the State
medical examiners Office in
Richmond advised Alexandria
police that Wallace's death was
caused by an overdose Of bar
biturateS.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Title Bar Removed
For Police Station
Al Seat Pleasant

The way is clear today for
Prince Georges County to draw
up plans for its new $125, 900
county police headquarters on
Addison road in Seat Pleasant.
County Chief F. Allen Rich
ards reported to the Board Of
Commissioners yesterday that
the title has been cleared on the
land. The title examination has
held up construction several
months.
The county commissioners
last spring allocated $125,000 in
available funds for construction
of the building
Near District Line.
The new headquarters will be
located just off the eastern cor
ner of the District. which pro-
trudes into Prince Georges
County.
Chief Richards long has
sought construction of a head
quarters in the suburban area
where much of the county's
crime occurs The site is near
the center of the urban area
and has good road access in all
directions.
The present police stations at
Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro
will continue to function.
Grant Inaugural Holiday.
The county commissioners yes
terday also reversed its previous
ruling and granted holiday to
all county employees on inaugu-
ration day. All county Offices
will be closed.
The board originally had said
a skeleton staff would be kept on
hand.
The commissioners also heard
representatives of the County
Electrical Contractors AsSocia-
ton oppose proposed legislation
to provide for licensing of "spe-
cialiSts" who install oil burners.
gas furnaces, neon signs and the
like. The association urged that
installers be master electricians
and that stricter policing of
electrical installation be carried
out.
A delegation from the con-
tractors group will meet with
Commission Chairman Thomas
E. Latimer and other county
officials at 10 am. Monday to
discuss the proposed legislation.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Three Likely Causes
OF Tire Plant Blast
Are Under Study

At least three possible causes
were advanced today by officials
investigating the Standard Tire
& Battery CO. explosion which
injured more than so persons
Thursday.
Acting Fire Marshal Roy War
field said a final report may be
ready by Monday, after his Of
flee. police and agents of the
National Board of Fire Under
writer's have completed their
study.
At this time it appears the
explosion at Tenth and H streets
NE may have resulted from
CD natural gas leakage. 90
rubber cement or 90 a back
draft.
Firemen regard ventilation Of
a fire as the most important
safeguard against explosions. In
this basement fire. ventilation
was particularly difficult, and
firemen had called for a pneu-
matte drill to pierce the concrete
floor.
Drilling When Blast Came.
They were putting a third hole
through the floor when the blast
occurred. injuring A. firemen, and
several policemen and civilians.
Ventilation releases gases and
fumes which might explode If
they were shut up.
When there is an outside Gu
off, firemen often stop the flow
of gas into a burning building
But in many other cases. where
turning off the gas might in
convenience apartment house
dwellers or others. the gas is
not turned off. The gas COMPANY
must be called to restore gas to
the building.
Although there was an outside
cutoff at Thursdays fire. the
gas remained on.
Mr.. Warfield said the gas was
turned off after the explosion
In going over the Mre area, in
vestigators learned that a pinch
main ran through it for vulcan
izing purposes. However. the
machinery had not been used in
some months, he said.
Hottest at Bottom of Room.
Probing through the ruins, the
officials found that the lower OF
two gas meters had melted in
the heat, but the upper was in
tact, showing that the fire was
hottest at the bottom of the
room.
About SO jars of a rubber tire
cement, some of them broken OF
burned. were found in the debris
Samples of the cement are being
tested at a District laboratory to
determine whether its chemical
content might explode.
Both Mr.. Warfield and Acting
Fire Chief Fred Literal said
they would favor a District regu-
latlon against storage of such
material if it we're found re-
sponSible for the explosion.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Police Study Clues in Staying
Of Cumberland Mother, IS
Boys Find Body in
Rubbish; Woman
Missing for Month
BY the Assoeioied Press

CUMBERLAND, Md. Jan. II.
Police today sought the slayer
of Mrs. Odessa Frances Meis-
ter, 35-year-old housewife and
mother
Her body, nearly covered by
rubbish, was found yesterday by
two 16-year-old boys. The dis
covery was made in a wooded
area on McNamee's Hill, about
a mile from the Meisters' apart
ment.
DR.. H. v. Deming. Allegany
County medical examiner, said
there was a cash on the head
and her skull had been crushed.
State police and Boy Scouts
had searched in vain since Mrs.
Meister's purse was discovered
December %, eight days after
she was last seen on her way to
work at the Celanese Corp. plant
southwest of the city.
At the time of her disappear
ance friends and neighbors
voiced fears of foul play. She
had seemed in good spirits and
hao been busy preparing for
Christmas with her husband and
11-year-old daughter. they said.
Police had these clues:
The red pocketbook. found in
a gutter along a road in Bow
mans addition. north of Cum
berland, about two miles from
the apartment and about a mile
and a half by the closest route
from where the body was found.
A child's sock found under
the body
A pair of glasses and a hand
kerchief found on the path lead
ing to the spot where the body
was found.
The position of the woman's
body. lying face down with her
left hand by her side and her
right hand above her head.
Her stocking. snagged in the
back but not in the front.
The body was fully clothed.
Evening star., 1953-01-17

Arlington volunteer f1remen
who have protested the paint
ing of a large 'V" on the backs
of their flre-f1ghting coats are
still answering fire calls. But
they're not wearing the con-
troversial coats.
Harold B. LIE Roy. volunteer
chief at Jefferson Fire Company,
said the coats and other per-
sonal equipment issued to volun-
teers, including helmets and
boots, were turned in to county
fire officials, IN compliance with
a recent order.
Mr. LIE Roy said the volunteers
at his company feel they are
being Disseminated against in
relation to paid firemen at JET
ferson.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
MARYLAND Assembly Routine

HB43-By James-To eliminate laws
relating to recordation tax on prop
erty and chattel mortgages Judiciary.
HB45-Bv Myers-To lower the IN
terest rate on loans up to $500 from
three to two and half per cent Judi
ciaryD.
HB46-By Soypher-to increase the
membership of the State Industrial Ac-
cident Commission from four to five and
to require one be member Of the
minority power Judiciary.
HB47-By Jackson. Barnes, Lankford,
Hassell-To include the personal auto
mobiles of the chief. assistant chief or
captain Of volunteer fire companies in
the definition of authorized emergency
vehicles Judiciary.
HB4S-By Lawlor-To provide for the
election of q Lieutenant Governor who
shall be president Of the Senate Judi
HB49-By Montgomery delegation-
To add 55hz acres to the corporate lin
IS of Rockville (delegation).
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Arlington Pupils to Get
Holiday Jan. 29 and 80

Arlington schools will be
closed January 90 and 80, giving
students a four-day holiday. it
was announced today.
Elementary and junior high
school teachers will take in
service training and senior high
school teachers will set up STU
dent schedules for the coming
semester on those days.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Maryland 'Blf' ]
Asks Lieutenant
Governor Setup
Mrs. LuwIor's Plan
Would Prevent Fight
Over Senute Leader
By Gene Goodwin
Stor Stoff Cerrespondent

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 17.-Mrs.
Kathryn j. Lawlor, freshman
Republican delegate from Mont
gomery County. has proposed to
the Maryland General Assembly
that an Office of lieutenant gov
ernor be created for Maryland.
What's more, her bill intro
duced yesterday in the house,
would prevent occurrences of the
impasse seen at the opening of
the current session when the AS
sembly was hamstrung for eight
days by a Democratic battle over
who was to be Senate president.
Under her measure, the lieu
tenant governor would be Senate
president. He would vote only
in case Of ties. Under the pres
ent system, the Senate president
can vote at anytime.
Mrs. Lawlor'S measure provides
that the Lieutenant Governor
be elected at the same time as
the Governor, every four years.
He would have to possess the
same qualifications as the Gov
ernor, but would receive a salary
OF $4,000 year; $500 less than
the Governor.
Amendment Proposed.
Since the legislation proposes
to amend the Constitution it will
require a three fifth majority of
both houses to pass. Then it
would be submitted to State
wide referendum in November,
1854.
Under the Constitution as it
now reads, the Senate president
becomes the Governor in the
event of the latter's death, resig-
nation or removal from office,
until the General Assembly can
meet and choose an acting Gov
ernor. The Speaker of the
House Is now third in line to
fill the Governors chair and
that succession would be re-
tanned in Mrs. Lawlor's proposal.
Her bill was referred to the
House Judiciary Committee.
Mrs. Lawlor was appointed by
Gov. McKeldin to fill out the
uneXpired term Of Mrs. Leona
Rush, who resigned last month.
Interest Ceiling.
Another bill Of interest in
Montgomery county was intro
duced yesterday on the House
side by Delegate August c.
Myers. Democrat, Of Baltimore.
It would put a 2.5 per cent a
month interest ceiling on loans
up to $500.
Chief Judge Charles w. Wood
ward of Montgomery Circuit
Court in his charge to the grand
jury last spring castigated small
loan companies as "bloodsuck-
ers."
The law now allows them to
charge three per cent a month
on loans up to $500.
Before both houses adjourned
yesterday until noon Wednesday.
Senate President George w.
Della announced appointment of
two committee chairmen. He
reappointed Senator Louis L.
Goldstein. Democrat. of Calvert
County. to head the finance
committee, which automatically
makes him floor leader, and
Senator Omar D. Crothers. jr.,
Democrat, of Cecil County. to
be Judiciary Committee chair
man.
Mr.. Della said he would name
other committee chairmen next
week. Speaker of the House
John c. Luber. of Baltimore.
said he probably would annuonce
his committee appointments
Wednesday.
There are now IS bills in the
Senate and 40 in the House.
Senator Crothers loaded the
hopper with "a bills. They all
related to his county and most
of them were to weed out obso-
lete laws.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Accokeek Man Killed
By Auto Near Home

Daniel Penn, 80. of Accokeek,
Md, was fatally injured yes
terday when he was hit by a car
as he walked along Route 224
near his home.
Maryland State Trooper John
Gates said the driver of the auto
was Miss Geraldine Audrey Mar
vey, Is, colored, Of Marlboro.
She was not charged.
The accident occurred about 3
am. Mr.. Penn was pronounced
dead by DR.. James I. Boyd, coun-
ty medical examiner.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
MAGAZINE Statesmen Accused
OfFukinqW War Wounds Seized

today in default of $500 bond
each.
They are Lawrence G. Mitch
ell. "a, of Port Huron, Mich, and
Donald 1. Halvorseen, 81, of
Littleton, N. H.
Released on $500 bond each
were Orson Chaff1n, jr.. 81. of
Wilmington. Del; William E.
Phillips, %. of Fort Lauderdale,
Fla, and Abraham A. Fishman,
alias Allen Mann, "a, of Brook
lyn.
The officers said none of the
men is a disabled Korean vet
eran.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Senate D. {. Group
Organizes, Names
Newsman as Clerk

The Senate District Commit
tee today was organized and
ready for work.
At it's first meeting late yes
terday, the committee named
Jesse Drake Coon, 81, Sioux
Falls, S. Dak., attorney. as it's
counsel and Robert c. Albrook,
former managing editor of a
Watertown (South Dakota)
newspaper, as its clerk.
Mr.. Albrook has been ad-
ministrative assistant for the
past two years to Senator Case,
South Dakota Republican, the
new committee chairman.
The new counsel will be as
sisted by William P. Gulledge
of South Carolina, who is a hold
over from the past Congress.
Two Veterans Picked.
Assistant clerks will be two
staff veterans: Mrs. Arlene Will
liams of South Dakota and Mrs.
Ruth w. Bryant, a District resi-
dent.
The committee named three of
it's members to serve ex-offcio
as members of the Senate Ap-
preparations Committee when it
is handling District budgets.
They are Chairman Case, Sena-
tor Beall. Republican, of Mary
land and Senator Gore, Demo-
crat. of Tennessee.
These three. with Senator
Case as chairman. constitute the
Fiscal Affairs subcommittee.
Other Senate Posts.
Senator Beall heads the Sub
committee on Public Health, Ed
ucation, Welfare and Safety.
Other members are Senator
Payne, Republican. of Maine and
Senator Mansfield, Democrat, of
Montana.
A judiciary subcommittee IS
headed by Senator Barrett, Re-
publican, of Wyoming. Senator
Nicely, Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia is a second member. This
group probably will handle
home-rule questions.
Senator Payne will head a
subcommittee on business and
commerce. Other members are
Senators Barrett and Nicely.
Mr.. Coon is described as a
"motlvator. That. 1t would seem
from newspaper clippings from
Sioux City, is one who spends a
lot of time stimulating others
to do good.
Won Home Town Award.
The Cosmopolitan Club of his
home town made Mr.. Coon last
year the recipient OF ltS 24tn
award for distinguished service
The official citation was "for ur1-
selfish and untiring efforts in
encouraging his fellow men to
action"
MIR. Coon was described as a
lecturer, humorist, politician
lawyer. student Of Abraham
Lincoln and friend of the peo-
Pile"
His program for the next four
years, he told the club. would
be to "get smart, get humble,
stay conscious, pray hard"
A native of st. Cloud, Mimi,
he started practicing law in
South Dakota in 1918. He
served as States Attorney in
1925 and was chairman of the
Republican State Committee
from 1888 to 1910. He was
chairman Of the Willkie State
Committee there in 1910.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Q, the Assoeiotsd Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Jan. IT,
Yesterdays legislative routine in
cluded:
SENATE
BILLS INTRODUCED.
SB4S-By Kimble-To permit persons
over As years of age to register as law
students without requiring two years
OF college credit Judiciary.
membership in the General Assembly
equal to one years college academic
work and 20 years membership equal to
two under the requirements for begin
ming the study Of law Judiciary.
HOUSE.
BILL INTRODUCED.
HB42-Frederick delegation-To re-
uuire Q referendum on issuance OF bonds
for water and sewer facilities Oelega.
toni.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
Zoners Delay Hearing

The Fairfax County Board of
Zoning Appeals has postponed a
hearing scheduled for next Tues
Gay until 10 am. January o.
H. F. Schumann. jr., director of
planning, said lack of quorum
necessitated the change.
Evening star., 1953-01-17
CherryduIe Group to Meet

Talmadge Wilcher, Arlington
businessman, will address the
Cherrydale Citizens Association
at 8 pm. Monday in the Cherry
dale firehouse.