davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Willie Lee Stewart
Sentenced 10 Die for
Staying D. {. Grocer

Willie Lee Stewart, convicted
of the robbery-murder of 65-
vear-old grocery store owner in
March, was sentenced this morn
ing to death in the electric chair.
Execution day was set for Octo-
ber is.
Stewart, 30, colored, of the
400 block of A street NE, was
denied a new trial by Judge
Henry A. Schweinhaut, of the
U. S. District Court for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Drank Pop, Then Shot Victim.
On March IL Stewart had
walked into a grocery store at
723 East Capitol street and. after
drinking a bottle of pop, pulled
a gun and fatally shot Harry
Honikman. 8l2 A street Sc. be-
fore the eyes of the grocer's 90
year-old daughter, Edith.
He then took $416 from the
cash register and escaped.
Stewards wife, Annie Lee, rs,
colored, was convicted of being
an accessory after the fact when
it was proved that she after
wards burned the clothes her
husband wore at the time of
the murder. She has not vet
been sentenced.
Squads of detectives worked
around the clock in one of the
most intensive manhunts the
District has ever witnessed before
Stewart was apprehended by
Homicide Squad 1t. Lawrence
Hartnett several days later.
Has Nothing to Say.
Stewart, who did not take the
stand nor speak during his trial.
uttered his first word in court
after Judge Schweinhaut ordered
his electrocution october Is.
do you have anything to say"
asked the, jurist.
NO" muttered Stewart.
The jury that convicted Stew
art made history last month
when it returned the fastest ver-
dict in the Districts history for
capital offense. The IL jurors
deliberated only 80 minutes.
Defense Attorney Foster Wood
said afterwards he would take
the case to the U. S. Court of Ap-
peals.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
THIS SUNDA Y'S BEST READING
Qbe Sunday $tar

REVIEW OF THE WEEK-The developments Of world ond
domestic dsested and interpreted in the feature official
Washington reod regularly the Review Of The Week the Edtoro
Section.
WHITE MANS BURDENA when Euopeon notions
eoIonizne evsh Fenehmon sold imperialism wasn't worth the
Thot who Frenchmen eorns odoy but there
ehonee hu Fronee will give her empire willingly The problems
Foeins Fonee and the West outlined by Crosby Noyes the
Editorial Section.
detotor the last brief Of life? The
lies gripping The Mon the Block cIOok
by Denis Pimmer, fiction This Week Mo9ozine.
UNDER THE STARSThe best Sleep Boy Scout will tell
tent pitched according the rules Of woodcroft full color
photo Of comps Time by Star stoff Photographer PouI Sehmiek
oroees the The Star Pictorial Mosozne
ANOTHER DUST B0WLDousht the Of formers hos bit ogon
this time thousands Of miles the Southwest The back
ground ond significance Of the explored
by Jock n Editorial Section.
FOR YOUR BEST READING EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK ORDER THE EVE
MING AND SUNDAY STAR HOME DELIVERY, $l75 A MONTH.
might FINAL EDITION. 10 CENTS ADDITIONALLY PHONE sTER-
LING 3-5ooo
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Area Planners
Call for All
Ri. 24O Details
Wont Roods Body
To Give Doto on
Structure in Park

The Maryland National Capt..
tai Park and Planning Commits.
sion wants complete detailed"
information from the State
Roads Commission on the con-
troversial Route 240 southeast
leg and the inter-county belt
freeway.
Commission Chairman Robert
M. Watkins directed the plan
ners' engineers to get the infor-
nation from the roads agency
Immediately.
And II you don't get It,"
Commissioner Sidney M. Oliver
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Man knitted in ScuffIe
With Pr0WIer in Yard

A 23-year-old man was knitted
early today in a scuffle with a
prowler in the rear of his home
at 1903 Maryland avenue NE.
The man, John Burdett, was
cut on the cheek. arm and leg.
Mr.. Burdett told police he
heard a noise in the back yard
and left his second-floor room to
investigate.
He said he was knitted by a
colored man in the scuff1e. He
fired blank shells from a .25-cali-
ber automatic as the man fed
down an alley.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Police Release Two
After Long Quizzing
In Taggart Staying
Pvt. Kenneth J. Brown.
Pvt. Edward Pokorny.

Two men. arrested for ques-
tioning in the Alyce o. Taggart
murder case were released today
after convincing police they had
never seen the woman.
One. a 24-year-old man be-
lieved to have dated the 45-year-
old Government secretary, hotly
denied even knowing her.
He was arrested shortly after
s am. in an apartment in the
1700 block of I street NV. Run
ming down every semblance of a
lead. police had sought the man
several days. In arresting him,
they carefully planted men at
both the front and rear en-
frances.
Police Admit Mistake.
Hoping to learn more about
Miss Taggart's personal life, po-
lice questioned him at head
quarters for three hours before
admitting they had made a mis-
take.
They also released to military
authorities a 21-year-old soldier
arrested early today at his home
in the 1900 block of I street NV.
He was picked up after army
travel orders bearing his name
were found in Rock Greek Park,
half a block from the SCOTS
Hotel for Women, 2131 o street
NV, where Miss Taggart was
found beaten to death last Mon
day.
Police still emphasize their
original theory that a prowler
smashed in the woman's face
and skull with a souvenir duck
pin kept in her second floor
room.
Whether the National Science
Foundation secretary was sex
ually attacked remains doubtful.
Laboratory tests failed to pro-
duce evidence of such an attack.
However. Deputy Coroner Rich
ard M. Rosenberg said such evil
dence might disappear in the "a
hours or more before the body
was discovered.
With one squad of police max
ing a door-by-door canvass of
the hotel area and every man on
the squad on the lookout for
suspects, police overlooked moth
ing in thorough, scientific
search.
Nail Scrapings Analysed.
Laboratory tests were ordered
on everything that might furnish
clue, or later support evidence.
Scrapings from the dead wom-
ans fingernails were sent to the
FBI laboratory for analysis.
There was hope that some
trace of clothing, hair or skin
might better define the kind of
man police are looking for.
Up to now their mental pic
ture of the killer has shaped up
as slender. 6-footer, perhaps
a light-skinned colored man.
This is the description of a
man said to have been seen on
the fourth floor of the SCOTS
Hotel about 4:30 am. last Sun
day morning-one of the few
slender clues afforded investi-
gators In their relentless search.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Gas Rate Rise Is Approved
For Nearby Maryland Areas

Washington on April 20, for the
company's customers within the
District of Columbia.
Some gas customers who do
not use it for heating will find
their monthly bills slightly in
creased because the new Fate
schedule provides a 81 monthly
minimum instead of rs cents.
Others who do not use gas for
heating may find their monthly
bills slightly reduced.
The company estimated the
customer who uses gas for heat
ing will pay on the average Of
$1.87 a month more.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Woman Drowned,
Man Missing in
Channel Mislap

A woman drowned in Washing
ton Channel last night and har-
Dor police are dragging the chan
mel for the body of her husband.
Another man was rescued.
Police identified the dead
woman as Mrs. Alyne Lawton,
27, colored, of 1 Rhode Island
avenue NE. Her husband, James
Lawton, "a, is presumed dead.
Rented Boat Upsets.
James Weir, 80. colored, of
305 Thirteenth street Sc, was
rescued.
Weir told police the following
story:
The three had rented a boat
and an outboard motor at Bax-
ter'S Boathouse near Key Bridge
at about 9 pm. They were
going up river when the craft
capsized opposite P street in the
Washington Channel. Mr.. Weir
said waves from passing boats
upset their boat.
Shouts Attract Attention.
Mr.. Weir, a strong swimmer,
was able to stay afoat and his
shouts attracted the attention of
passersby on the District seawaii.
They in turn shouted to a passing
skipper. Joseph Malloy. of 2001
Randolph street NE. who res
cued Weir. Mr.. Malloy said there
was no sign of the other two.
Harbor Precinct Sergt A. F.
Jackson and Pvt. F. A. Carr re-
covered Mrs. Lawton's body at
10 pm. It was entangled in the
overturned boat.
Police dragged for Mr.. Law
tons body until midnight and re-
sumed dragging again at 6 o'clock
this morning.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
$500 in Cash, Checks
Taken From Store Safe

Police today were investigating
a safe robbery at the Eastern
Furniture g. Appliance Co., 500
H street NE.
They said some one forced his
way through a roof trap door Of
the two-story building and
descended to the first floor Office,
where the safe was ripped open.
The burglary was discovered
this morning. The store man
agement said something less
than $500 in cash and checks
was taken.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
BuIIdozer Operator
Pinned Under Blade

A 57-year-old bulldozer oper-
ator suffered a possible fractured
shoulder and other injuries today
when he was pinned under the
blade of his machine.
Taken to Suburban Hospital
by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Rescue Squad was Hugh M. Lo-
gan, of 1408 Staples street NE.
He is the father of Russell Logan,
Daily News circulation super
visor, and Hugh NJ, jr., a circu-
lation agent for The Star.
The accident occurred on a
new street off Westfield road
near Wilson lane. Bethesda.
Mr.. Logan was transferred to
Sibley Hospital.
Evening star., 1953-07-10

and harsh" According to Mr.
Tucker there is mo sign" OF
such treatment at the school,
there is never a lookup, isola-
ton room or cellblock.
2. School administration is
confused and confusing, COM
pletely defensive and completely
rejecting of any idea not initi-
ated from its own source" Mr.
fuckers reply: 1T is quite un-
derstandable how Mrs. McCane
can speak of the administration
being confused when she herself
was not only confused but con-
tributive to confusion and mis-
representation"
3. The superintendent made
plain "he did not intend to plan
a. program for girls with me"
Mr.. fuckers reply: "At no time
and to no one did I make any
statement or remarks remotely
approximating this statement" "
4. There is no pretense Of
carrying out a classification sys-
tenn for either boys or girls at
the school," Mr.. Tucker: A case
conference committee of school
officials, including Mrs. McCane.
regularly meets once a week and
at such meetings Mrs. McCane
had the power to make recon-
mendations.
Always in Public View.
5. Children are being repressed
to the point where nothing will
get to the public" Mr.. Tucker:
The institution has always been
in public view, regularly inviting
individuals and agencies to visit
the school at any time.
6. In the job grade reduction
which was factor in her resig-
nation, Mrs. McCane complained
that she would be. working un-
der the supervision of w. E. Reid,
assistant superintendent, who,
she said, has had neither train
ing nor experience in social
work"
In answer, Mr.. Tucker con-
tended that before the old Ma
tional Training School for Girls
was dissolved, Mr.. Reid assisted
Mrs. McCane for nearly year
while she was head of that in
Stitution. After Mr.. Reid left,
Mr.. Tucker went on, Mrs. Nc
Cane frequently phoned him
at all hours of the night and
day for advice. She relied on
him implicitly for counsel on
the adjustment of girls, their
education and social programs
and the operation of the school,"
Mrs. McCane's job grade re-
duction from assistant superin-
tendent of girls to social
worker" was ordered, according
to the Welfare Department, by
the Civil Service Commission.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
BY the Assoeiofed Press

BALTIMORE, July 10.-Mary-
lands Public Service Commission
today approved new rates for
Washington Gas Light Co. which
will increase the cost of gas heat
ing in the Prince Georges and
Montgomery County suburbs of
Washington on the average of 10
per cent.
The new rates go into effect on
all meter readings taken after
August l. They are identical with
the new rates approved by the
Public Utilities Commission in
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Transit Fare Hearing
To Resume Thursday

Robert E. Harvey. Capital
Transit Co. controller. will return
as a witness in the District fare
increase hearing at 10 am.
Thursday, when the extended
session is resumed.
Since the Public Utilities Com
mission proceedings took up
again Wednesday, Mr.. Harvey
has been the only witness. For
the last two days, he has been
cross-examined by Commission
Counsel Lloyd B. Harrison. On
Thursday. the controller will
testify under redirect examina-
tion by Company Attorney r. G.
Await. -
Evening star., 1953-07-10
u. 5. Acts TO Deport Man
Stripped Of Citizenship
By The Assoeiated Press

The Justice Department an
nounced the Federal District
Court at Newark today stripped
American citizenship from Sam
uel Accardi of Bloomfield, N. j.,
described as a racketeer.
Attorney General Brownen
said proceedings will be started
Immediately to deport Accardi
from the United States.
The department said Accardi,
who is so, has a criminal record
dating back to 1926.
The proceedings to take away
his citizenship alleged he had
concealed his full arrest record
at the time of his naturalization.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
School Board
Seeks Ruling on
Closed Meetinq
Ban on Budget TuIks
Illegal, Sharpe Says;
Lawyers Agree
By james 6. Deone

Several District Board of Edu-
cation members decided today
to seek an official opinion on a
touchy question-whether the
board for years has been closing
some Of its meetings to the pub
lie Illegally.
Board President c. Melvin
Sharpe said flatly the board "is
not in agreement with the law"
IN holding closed budget sessions.
Members Robert r. Faulkner
and Walter N. Torbriner-both
lawyers-tentatively agreed, al
though they said the corpora
ton counsel should rule on the
matter.
The School Board for years
has barred both the public and
newspaper reporters from the
budget and personnel committee
meetings. The closed personnel
sessions are authorized in the
District code. but there is no
mention in the code of the
budget sessions.
Question Raised by Reporters.
The question was raised by
reporters. this morning in con-
nectiola with a proposed special
public meeting this summer on
the next school budget.
The board recently was told
by the Commissioners that there
Is no legal bar to making school
budget requests public before
they are sent to the city heads.
Mr.. Faulkner and Mr.. Tobriner
are both backing a plan to invite
public comment on the budget
proposals before the Schoolsboard
finally approves them.
In this connection, the board
members were asked why all
budget meetings aren't open, in
view OF the law.
1906 Act Cited.
The legal provision-contained
In the 1906 organic act-says of
board meetings:
THE organization meeting of
the board and all meetings uhat-
Soever thereafter shall be open to
the public except committee
meetings dealing with the ap-
pointment of teachers"
Mr.. Sharpe said the question
Of whether budget sessions have
been closed illegally has never
come up for formal board con-
Sideration.
The three board members diff
Tered on what to do if the cor
poration counsel should rule that
the long-standing custom of
keeping them closed is actu-
ally illegal.
Mr.. Sharpe said he thought the
law in that case should be
changed to make it legal. Mr..
Tobriner also voiced some doubt
as to whether open budget ses-
Sions would be wise.
Corning Backs Closed Sessions.
Mr.. Faulkner, however, said
he saw no reason for secrecy.
Il don't believe in hiding any,
thing from the public" he de-
clared.
DR.. Corning, asked for his
opinion, said he felt budget ses-
sions should continue to be
closed. He cited the danger of
initiating the cost of future school
sites if the locations become
known.
On the matter of making the
new budget requests public, Mr..
Faulkner - finance committee
chairman-said he will propose
calling a special session for this
purpose as soon as the budget
Is completed later in the summer.
He said he favored inviting pub
lie comment either at that meet
ing or a subsequent one.
Mr.. Tobriner said instead of
two meetings he will propose
making the budget public in
writing and holding one public
hearing on it.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
; More Policemen
Suspended for Total.
OF Six in "a Hours


Three District policemen were
suspended today after a series of
incidents starting in an all-night
eating place. bringing, the total
number of suspensions to six
since yesterday.
The suspended men, one of
whom goes to a hearing In the
United States Attorneys office
today, are:
Pvt. julius j. Debroski, 80, of
the Third Precinct, who has
been on the force since June,
1949.
Pvt. Edward Pokorny, 20, of
the Third Precinct. appointed to
the force in July, 1949.
Pvt. Kenneth j. Brown, 27, of
the Seventh Precinct, who has
been on the force since June /.
All three men were born in
New York. The three suspended
yesterday-in an unrelated case
also were New Workers. In
yesterdays case, involving a
beating. the FBI is now making
preliminary check to deter
mine if any violation within FBI
jurisdiction occurred. The FBI
investigates civil rights viola
tions.
Covell Explains Case.
Deputy Chief Howard v. Covell
gave this account of the case in
volving latest suspensions:
1t. Howard Mowry of the
Third Precinct walked into the
Toddle House at 1921 Nineteenth
street NV, about $40 am. to-
day and noticed three men in
noisy conversation. He recog-
nized one of the trio as a Third
Precinct policeman.
1t. Mowry suggested that the
three men leave the place. Two
of them needed his suggestion
and departed. The third, Pvt.
Debroski, remained.
1t. Mowry then took Pvt.
Debroski to the station house for
a conversation. While this was
in progress, Pvt. Pokorny walked
in. Pvt. Pokorny had been one
of the three in the eating place.
What happened in the precinct
station was not disclosed, but
1t. Mowry suspended Pvt. Deb
roSki and Pvt. Pokorny.
Men Were Off Duty.
Both men had worked the A.
midnight shift and were off duty.
Pvt. Brown, the third man at
the Toddle House, walked into
his precinct station house at 7:20
am. to report for duty on the
day shift. He was suspended by
Capt. Albert Embrey as being
unfit for duty.
Capt. Embrey said Pvt. Brown
left the Toddle House when 1t.
Mowry told him to, but came
back later and threatened to
punch the counterman. The cap
tain said Pvt. Brown admitted
returning to the Toddle House
but denied that he threatened
the counterman. He was to re-
port for a hearing in the United
States attorneys office to deter
mine if attempted assault
charges are to be lodged against
him.
In yesterdays case Assistant
United States Attorney Kenneth
Wood held a hearing on Union
Station colored employees COM
plant that he was hauled into
a car and beaten. Three of the
five men in the car were police
men. Mr.. Wood decided not to
press charges because, he said,
the complainant resisted arrest,
not knowing the men were police
men.
The three policemen in that
case-all remaining under sus-
pension until Police Chief Robert
V. Murray gets official reports on
the episode-are Pvt. Emil L.
Ferrand, 26: Pvt. Lester j. Nc
Carthy, "a, and Pvt. William H.
Weingarten, %. All are rockies
attached to the second precinct.
Evening star., 1953-07-10

scend on the roads men in q
body to demand it,"
Mr.. Watkins was sharply crit
lcal Of the roads commission for
failing to provide the informa-
ton he said the planners had
been promised. He scored poor
liaison between the two bodies,
and asked Planning Engineers
William c. Burrage and c. War
rem Giauque to seek closer con-
facts.
Interested in Structures.
The Maryland planners are
especially interested in all struc-
lures. fills and interchanges
planned in Rock Creek Park.
1--WE are entitled to know and
want to know everything
planned in detail" Mr.. Watkins
added.
The planners indicated they
had not been aware of the roads
commission plan to put two four
lane highways side by side for
six-tenths of q mile in the park
as first disclosed by The Star
yesterday.
Commissioner Donald E. Gin.
gerry said the roads commission
itself has not had detailed plans
on these projects. He added the
commission did not know until
April that it would get the full
100000 requested for rights-of-
way purchases for the belt free
way.
The result is, he added, the
roads commission has not had
complete engineering plans ready
TOR the construction.
RemOn Letter Released.
Mr.. Watkins yesterday also
made public a letter received
from John A. Remon, acting
chairman of the National Capt.
tai Planning Commission. The
national commission is opposing
the use of parkland fol- the
southeast leg.
MIR. Remon. referring to the
Maryland planners support of
the roads commission, said he
understood their desire to work
harmoniously with the roads
men.
1T occurs to me that YOU may
now be in strong position to me-
diate the current issue, if it
should develop that any basis
exists for a mutually acceptable
solution" he said.
Mr.. Remon added, however, he
anticipates no solution material
izing "in the present atmosphere
of power politics"
The national commission chair
man reiterated his warning that
his commission is ready to 60 to
court to block the road, if the
Maryland roads men proceed
with their plans.
Sees Damage for Future.
II believe that such litigation,
regardless of its outcome, would
have a damaging effect on the
future relations between the vari-'
Gus parties and especially on our
requests for future appropria-
tions under the Capper- -Cramton
Act" he added.
Mr.. Watkins said his group
will continue to study the plans
for the controversial route, but
he added. he does not forsee
a change in the Maryland com.
missions stand.
The planning commission yes
terday also approved spending
$1,000 for 10 acres to be added
to Sligo Park. The purchase will
leave less than 10 acres to be
purchased for the park between
Forest Glen road and Old Bla-
densburg road.
The commission intends to
complete Sligo parkway through
this area.
Another $4,000 was approved
for resurfacing IA miles Of
Beach drive from Jones Mill road
to Connecticut avenue.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Copt. Dobson RESIGNS

Capt. B. M. Dobson has retired
as secretary and treasurer of the
Navy Mutual Aid Association, a
post he has held for IL years. He
lives at 4706 Yuma street NV.
Evening star., 1953-07-10
Silver Spring Radio
Recommends Stars
Story on Route 24O

Radio station WGAY Of
Silver Spring. in a series Of
broadcasts yesterday and
today. recommended that its
listeners read the story;
picture analysis Of the Route
240 fight which The Star
printed yesterday.
Evening star., 1953-02-20
Deaths Reported

tFrom D. Bureau Of Vital statistics)
Mary I. Eliot. 90. 1926 varnum st. NV.
William L. Smith, SO, 1914 24th ct. NV.
Isabel Beury, 80. Washington.
2a'ls z FL n75e - aeth a e Constitution s
FEsdsitek K Meyers. Y, s1e srd st. Sc.
Mi31si.G Mi31s carleton 76. 652S 7th st. NV.
Amelia Amelia Kessel; 6s, Fails Church. Va.
Ralph F; Lord: "a. s717 Branch v: ave. He. s.e.
Annie E. Holmes, "a. 227O Cathedral
2ehn aHs: M! n.s; sell e2, 1909 ssth D,. Sc.
Richard B. Petit. so. Alexandria. va.
Ethel Ethel y Exkblom;, Silver Spring, Nd.
anna l. Bean' Al. 1875 Columbia rd.
a1;L Charles coTbin. 23. 57s 9th st. sc,
SIs9a oraa Eoft Hi sehssoG 1 r. Flufhins N
Nancy L. Parr. IL, Morningside. Nd.
Infants Natoli twins. zoos Franklin st.
Infant Maneksha. WASHINGTON
infant 6roney. 6e@ey IA 81 Atantic tfn st St. S. 81.
Laura Duvall. 81, 1741 r st. NV.
george 1 Dvs L. sem5iey 9 e. lnssns ss spansma aHs ss
ARSssS N'i.aS KpSst M,,.: e. g 1870 .ss st. NV
Jestinnion Anderson, GA. 50 v ST. NV.
Mamie Cornelius. 63. 730 New Jersey
John T: isaac, so, 70 Logan ct. NV.
Jesse H. billiard. 81, 1921 W st. NV.
Carrie Tyler. Sc. 1909 11th st. NV
| Ernest Dorsey, So, 7171a Delaware ave.
Grant Dent. So, 75 p st. NV.
/ Gladiola A. Anderson, So. 1904 St ne
Charles r.. Brown, 80, 115 T st NV.
Infant Potts. 222 seth st. ne.