davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Dickerson Files
Plea Of Insanity
As Trial Opens
Woman Componion
In HoIdup Denies
Any Completely

Thomas E. Dickerson, one of
the FBI'S "top ten" targets until
captured last month. pleaded in
sanity today in Rockville as his
armed robbery trial opened.
His co-defendant, Mrs. Hilda
Gray Humphrey, 80, although
admitting driving the getaway
car, pleaded not guilty. Her
lawyer told the four women and
eight men jurors she did not
know Dickerson was committing
a holdup.
When, on their way back to
the Arlington house they rented,
Dickerson told her what he did,
he threatened to kill her unless
she went along with him, Mrs.
Humphreys lawyer said.
Dickerson, 80. and the woman
are charged on five counts in
the $640 armed robbery last July
OF a Chevy Chase loan company.
Prosecutor Describes Crime.
Assistant States Attorney
Thomas M. Anderson presented
Montgomery County's case.
He told how Dickerson rode
with Mrs. Humphrey to the Re-
gional Finance Co. Office on Wis
conSin avenue. about a block
north of the District line.
DickerSon entered the Office,
produced a pistol. Scooped $640
into q briefcaSe, and returned
to his companion waiting in the
car. Mr.. Anderson said.
The Office manager. Milton E.
Thompson, 26, of 5000 Wheaton
road. Kensington, jotted down
the car ttag number. The cars
title holder is Mrs. Humphreys
husband. TiSergt. Robert A.
Humphrey. then stationed in
Japan.
Soldier Returns to u. S.
The soldier was in court today.
He returned to the United
States on an emergency leave
when his wife was arrested.
DickerSon's lawyer, Barnard
T. Welsh. told the jury Dicker-
son committed the holdup just
about the way the prosecution
said.
But the man was insane and
could not realize his actions Sc
riouSnesS or consequences. Mr..
Welsh said.
The lawyer emphasized that
Dickerson never completed med
ical treatment after he was
committed to the Spring Grove
State Hospital last fan.
Dickerson was put away in
that mental institution after he
tried to cut his wrists and hang
himself in Rockville jail.
Seized in West Virginia.
He escaped from Spring Grove.
Recaptured in Kentucky, he
broke out of Jail there. When
the FBI put him On it's list of
most wanted criminals, agents
seized him in Verdunville, W. Va,
December 81.
Mrs. Humphreys lawyer told
the jury she refused to accept
the loan Office booty Dickerson
offered her.
The attorney, James H. Pugh,
said she was so frightened by
Dickerson'S threats she was in a
daze. Mr.. Pugh aid Dickerson
never told her he intended hold
ing up the loan Office but merely
ordered her to drive him there.
"She sat there in the car read
ing book" Mr.. Pugh said. "She
didn't leave the motor running
and she didn't speed away"
Evening star., 1954-01-18
FoIIs Church Chamber
ToHeur Bourd President

Harry L. Merrick, president of
the Washington Board of Trade,
will speak at a noon luncheon
meeting of the Greater Falls
Church Chamber of Commerce
in the Dardanelles Restaurant in
Falls Church on Wednesday.
Carl Hink, a former president
OF the Chamber will present a
check to DR.. Irvir Schmitt,
superintendent of Falls Church
schools. for athletic equipment
at George Mason High School.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
New Juvenile Court Waiver Setup Urged

number of serious crimes being
committed by persons under Is.
especially by hardened sophisti-
Gates of the chronological age
of 16 or II but already of ex-
perienced adult criminal men
taEty.
These youths are not the chill
dren Of whom the specialized
children's court was designed.
They will not respond to the
resources of the Juvenile Court:
in the case of many of these
youths. the Juvenile Court has
been trying for years without
success to rehabilitate them.
"The arbitrary 18-year divid-
ing line between adults and ju-
veniles does not correspond to
reality in the case of these pre-
maturely developed criminals
These are the persons and theirs
are the offenses for which the
waiver provision of the Juvenile
Court Act was intended. Yet 1t
appears that these persons are
not now being tried in adult
courts.
Independent Review Asked.
I'm view of the large number
Of serious crimes committed by
persons of Is and II and in
view of the small number OF
cases in which the jurisdiction
of the court has been waived
during the past few years. the
committee recommends that
some provision be made in the
statute for an independent re-
view Of serious felonies commit
ted by persons 16 or II years
of age"
The committee reported that
at present there is no regular re-
view of the cases to determine
which should be removed to adult
courts. The Juvenile Squad sug-
gests a waiver in the most vicious
cases and "on rare occasions" q
Juvenile Court official suggests
a waiver. Where waiver is Sug-
gested. the Juveniles social his
tory is studied Immediately. The
social worker responsible for the
study confers with the director
of social work and other officials,
after which the director Of social
work presents a memorandum
to the judge. Occasionally, the
judge consults with the Assist
ant Corporation Counsel at the
court or with the United States
Attorney or the Chief Judge OF
District Court "but she does not
receive recommendation as a
matter of course from any Of
fetal except her director of social
| work"
Evening star., 1954-01-18
No Case Should be Waived
Solely Because Of Age
The report adds.

Inc report ADDS:
"The committee believes that
the United States Attorney
should make an independent re-
view of all or most Of the cases
eligible for waiver. There are
some offenses which are tech
nically felonies. but which may
not be serious enough to warrant
waiver. and it is therefore sug-
gested that representatives of
the Juvenile Squad and of the
United States Attorney confer
and establish criteria for the re-
ferral of serious felonies to the
United States Attorney for re-
view.
"The committee believes, how
ever. that no case should be re-
moved from the jurisdiction of
the Juvenile Court solely because
Of the nature of the offense and
the age of the offender. 1t is
important that a competent So
cial study on the child be con-
sidered by the United States
Attorney before any formal ac-
ton is taken to effect a transfer
Of the case to the District Court.
with respect to any case in
which it appears to the United
States Attorney that removal
might be desirable. he should be
authorized to notify the Juvenile
Court to this effect and the Ju-
venile Court should Immediately
and with full priority cause the
usual social study to be made
Copies Of the final report to-
gether with the recommenda-
ton Of the Department of So
cial Work should be furnished to
the judge of the Juvenile Court
and to the United States Attor-
ney as soon as possible. The
United States Attorney should
take formal action with respect
to removal only after this report
has been received"
Difference Of Opinion.
The committee noted that
under this procedure. the United
States Attorney would have pri-
mary responsibility to initiate
the removal but police still coulo
ask for waivers and the judge
could waive Jurisdiction on hel
own initiative.
The committee reported the
difference of opinion among its
members on what should be done
after the United States Attor-
ney gets the report from the
Director of Social Work. The
majority prefer leaving juris-
diction UP to judge but. provid-
ing for a review by the chief
Judge of the Municipal Court OF
! Appeals while the minority be-
lieves the power should rest with
the United States Attorney. But
the committee emphasized thai
it is unanimous on the objectives
to be attained by amending the
waiver provision.
Tomorrow: Juvenile court and
the police.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Virginia Issues
New Budget in
Book
Volume, Details
Rising Costs Of
State Departments
BY the Associoted Press

RICHMOND, Va, Jan. ia
bright, yellow-backed book came
out for review today and immedi-
ately found a host of avid readers.
The book was the bigger than
ever State budget, which will
never be a best-seller, but still
provide 140 legislators with
ample bedtime reading for sew
eral weeks.
The budgets 491 pages tell how
the State proposes to spend
money for education. mental
hospitals, highways, ETC.. over the
next two years. 1t also discloses
how money will be spent for va
rious activities.
Did you know. for instance.
that it will cost nearly $4,000
over the next two years to regu-
late the practice of funeral di-
recting and embalming in
Virginia?
Or $4,000 a year for the State
Dry Cleaners Board to make sure
its regulations are enforced and
you aren't-excuse, please-taken
to the cleaners.
100000 for Vehicle Setup.
You probably never think about
the cost of getting drivers per-
, nn1 fn hi
about ito the tune of some
100000 a year. That's what it
cost to give tests to prospective
drivers.
Gov. Battle and his budget ad-
visers figure it's going to cost
more to enforce the law in the
next two years. So there's rec
ommendation for an So million
allotment for law enforcement,
an $864.00O increase over the
old budget.
The swing to Sd and cine
mascope to lure more people to
the movies has also caught up
with the State and the Motion
Picture Censorship Bureau will
be given $4,000 to cover the
cost of installing cinemascope.
Then. too. the budget contains
such items as $4,000 for the ed
ucation of war orphans and ST.
600 for the support of lunatics
in jail.
So Million to Collect Taxes.
But have you ever thought
about how much it costs to COL
lect taxes? Roughly So million
a year-that's how much is set
aside for collection work.
Another million dollar busi-
ness is retirement allowances
and pensions for State employees
, these come to about So million
per year.
| Fortunately. for common
wealth. not everything comes so
high. The girls at Radford Col
lege are able to operate their
tea room for $4,000. The girls
at Longwood do even better
they get by on $4,000.
Don't get the idea that all ap-
preparations increase. Strange
as it may seem, there are a few
that decrease. In the case Of
Confederate pensions. for in
stance, the State figures it'll be
needing Sill 400 less in 1886.
OF course, Thomas Stanley
may have few changes to sug-
gest in the budget when he takes
office Wednesday.
incidentally, he'll find that
keeping up the governors man
sion is a costly matter. But he
needn't worry. The budget pro-
videS $4,000 for mansion main
tenance over the next two years.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Younger AdoIescents .
To be Discussion Topic

Service to Groups in Family
and Community Life Education
will sponsor group of three
successive discussions on the
younger adolescent at the Wood
side Elementary School Georgia
avenue, Silver Spring. Md.
Miss Gladys Gardner Jenkins
will lead the discussion. The
first session will be held at 8:15
pm. Wednesday.
Dates will be announced later
Of discussion groups for parents
Of older adoleScentS.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
LewisduIe PTA to Meet

The Lewisdale (Md.) Elemen-
tary School Parent Teachers
Association will meet at pm.
tomorrow in the school. Miss
Emma Bowman, area supervisor
of elementary schools, will show
an educational film.
Evening star., 1954-01-18

ings on the District, both United
States Attorney Leo A. Rover
and Police Chief Robert v.
Murray expressed firm convic-
tions that the power to decide
whether these juveniles should
be tried in Juvenile Court or In
adult court should be vested in
the United States Attorney
rather than in the Juvenile
Court Judge.
Juvenile Court Judge Edith H
Cockrill testified that the prose-
cutor lacks the staff to make
the social study on which she
bases her decisions. Since then
she has come out against Mr.
Rover's recommendation. And
her director Of social work,
Henry j. Palmieri, has said pub
licly that he did not believe any
juvenile should be tried as an
adult-even in murder case.
Against this background. the
Council on Law Endorsements
Committee on Juvenile Crime sci
out to determine whether the
waiver provisions of the Juvenile
Court Act should be amended.
Amendment Is Favored.
The committee members split
3 to 2 on how this should be
done but they agreed the law
should be amended Ito assure re-
moval where the serious and ag-
gressive nature of the offense
and the circumstances CT the
crime indicate that the interest
of the community in law. order
and the protection of life and
property would be better served
by such removal"
In other words, they called fol
a procedure that would still pro-
tect the child but at the same
time give the United States At
torney the primary role in seek
ing the removal of hardened
young offenders. They met the
judges objection by proposing
that the Juvenile Court staff
make the social study.
Under the plan favored by the
majority. the Juvenile Cour,
Judge would still make the de-
ciSion but she would have the
recommendation of the United
States Attorney before her and
If the prosecutor were dis
satisfied with her action. ne
could take his request to the
presiding judge of the Municipal
Court of Appeals. The minority
plan would simply lodge the
power of removal in the United
States Attorney. Either method
the committee noted. would re-
Quire a change in the law.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Children Won't Respond
To Resources of Court

The committee noted that
during 1852, there were 797
felonies charged to juveniles be-
tween 16 and 18 and during
1858, there were $50. It added !:
Under the statute. jurisdic-
ton could have been waived in
any of these cases; yet the best
estimates are that in each Of
these years. waiver was requested
in only about Is cases (no rec
ords were kept of waiver re-
quests until July, 1859 and that
waiver was probably granted in
no more than five cases a year,
"The committee is alarmed,
and clearly the community Is
also alarmed, by the increasing
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Not Misguided Children,
But Hardened Criminals

Why did the committee agree
that a change was needed? These
excerpts from the committees
report tell the story:
Nearly one-third of all seri.
Gus crimes committed in the
District OF Columbia are COM
mitted by persons less than 10
years old.
I'm the accounting year 1858,
according to law enforcement
records. two murders, 26 rapes,
135 iobberies, As assaults with a
deadly weapon and 353 house.
breakings were charged against
persons who fell within the jur-
isdiction of the Juvenile Court
Act.
These are alarming figures.
They tell a story not of children
who need guidance but predom-
inately of hardened, sophisti-
Gated criminals who must be
stopped.
They show that steps must be
taken to protect life and prop
erty in the District Of Columbia
and to bring about respect for
and compliance with the law"
The committee commented
later that there are obviously a
number Of cases which "the
Juvenile Court is simply not
equipped to handle" and added
that "in such cases, trial in an
adult court is called for"
The committee pointed out
that the Juvenile Court Act
"contemplates this necessity
and provides that the court may
waive jurisdiction in the cases
of 16 and IT year olds charged
with offenses which would con-
stitute felonies If committed by
adults. (The court may also
waive Jurisdiction over children
of any age in cases where the
offense if committed by an
adult would be punishable by
death or life Imprisonment. }
The report went on:
I'm enacting this provision,
Congress recognized that the
line between juveniles and
adults is an arbitrary one, that
some persons less than 18 years
old may need the strong arm
of the adult courts in order to
protect the community and to
do justice to all concerned, in
cluding the offender himself
Congress anticipated that with
respect to this group of youthful
criminals. the Jurisdiction of the
Juvenile Court would be waived
This committee doubts, how
ever, that the waiver provision
Of the Juvenile Court Act is
presently operating as effectively
as it was intended to operate.
Evening star., 1954-01-18
By Miriom Gutenberg

For months, officials closest
to the city's crime picture have
been saying that hardened Of
tenders who are juvenile only
in age don't belong in Juvenile
Court.
During the Senate Juvenile
Delinquency subcommittee hear
Evening star., 1954-01-18
Art Lecture Postponed

An art lecture scheduled for
$50 o'clock tonight at Potomac
School in Mclean, Va. has been
postponed until February Is, it
was announced today.
Evening star., 1954-01-18

waiver provision in the Juvenile
Court Act, the youths whose
cases should be tried in an
adult court are those who are
of adult criminal mentality,
whatever may be their age. The
United States Attorney should
participate in determining which
juveniles fall within this cate
CORY"
Evening star., 1954-01-18

Second in o Series.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30
Honored On Fortieth
Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Martin, of
near Oakland, were honored by
their children on December 19, who
held open house in celebration of
their 40th wedding anniversary.
They were married at Oakland in
the Lutheran parsonage, by the
late Rev. Otto A. Bremen, on De
cember %, 1914 Mr.. Martin is the
son of the late Christian c. and
Eliza Roth Martin, Of Red House,
and Mrs Martin was formerly Le-
ola Schlossnagle, daughter of the
late John Schlossnagle and Aman-
da Schlossnagle Huff, of Gortncr.
Mrs. Huff, who is now past IS
years of age, was not able to at
tend the celebration Of her son-in-
law and daughter
Mr.. and Mrs. Martin had seven
sons and three daughters, and is
grandchildren. Two sons are de-
ceased. Their children are Mrs.
Odell Warwick. Cumberland; Mrs.
Harland Kelley, Oakland; Mrs.
Walter Campbell, Darrell 0. and
Charles Junior, Mt. Lake Park;
Kenneth r. and Billy r., Oakland;
and Harry Lee, at home.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30

afternoon visitors were Mr.. and
Mrs. Wade Sl.iles, New Salem, Pa.
S/Sgt. and Mrs. Winston Toqts
and sons and Miss Janet Fikc, Of
Dayton, Ohio, spent the holidays
here with their parents, NJ and
Mrs. Ralph Fike. Other Christmas
dinner guests were Mr.. and Mrs.
Juniper Teats, of Claymont, Del;
Mrs. Long, Whitmer, W. Va; Mr..
Warren Turney, Accident, and Mr..
and Mrs. Harold Fike.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pat Patterson, Of
Cleveland, Ohio, were Monday
overnight guests Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Dale FraZee.
Christmas dinner guests Of Mr..
and Mrs John Spear were Mr.. and
Mrs. Robert Spear, Mr.. and Mrs.
Vernon Spear and daughter,
Carolc, Addison, Pa; Mr.. and Mrs.
Donald Augustine and daughter,
Sherry, Cumberland; Mr. and Mrs.
Kenneth Turney and sons. Sunday
visitors were Mr.. and Mrs. Oscar
Savage and sons, McHenry. Pvt.
James X. Spear, TT. Hood, Texas,
is spending a l5-day furlough with
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John
Spear.
Mr.. Orland Durham left on We'd
nesday morning for Florida.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Lowder-
milk and family. Of Baltimore, are
spending the holidays with rela-
tives here. Mr. Lowdermilk re-
turned to his home while his fam
lily will visit for the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Emmerson Thomas,
Mr.. and Mrs. Dale Frazee and
daughter visited on Sunday with
Mr.. and Mrs. John klima, at Re-
public, Pa.
Sunday dinner guests of Miss
Nellie Friend were Mr.. and Mrs.
W. II. Burnside and children, Har-
ry and Betty, Hopwood, Pa; Mr..
and Mrs. Allen Friend and daugh-
tiers, Loretta and Diana, of Denbo,
Pa; Mr.. Clarence Friend, Allison,
Pa; and Mr.. and Mrs. DALEY
Groves, Elder Hill.
Second Lieutenant and Mrs. Jack
D. Mccullough returned to her
home at McAllister, Okla, after
spending two weeks with Mrs. B..
Pearl Mccullough. He VIII then ac-
company his wife to Sheppard A.
f. b., Wichita Falls, Texas, where
she is now stationed awaiting a
reassignment to Germany.
Miss Gloria Mccullough enter
tanned the Primary class of the
Christian Church School with a
Christmas party. Gloria is now
spending a week with her brother
in-law and sister, Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles F. Dicks, LaVale.
Mrs. b. Pearl Mccullough and
family spent Christmas day with
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis w. Thomas,
Uniontown. Pa.
Little Lonnie Mccullough, Jr,
returned to his home in Uniontown,
Pa, after spending a week with
his grandmother, Mrs, b. Pearl Nc
Cullough.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Holman spent
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30
CARD OF THANKS

We take this means Of express
ing our sincere thanks to friends,
neighbors and relatives for many
kindnesses shown US during our re-
cent bereavement in the death of
our husband and father, the late
Rev. Walter S. Spiker.
We also want to thank all who
gave flowers and contributed the
use Of their automobiles for the
funeral service.
Wife and Children
ADV. 1t.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30

v u bhlllNo A'liNbl anu A'A ls9N AFNl W."
thy Shoemaker were Sunday Wis
itors of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
Brougher, Keyser Ridge.
Mr. and Mrs. Quincy Murphy and
son Ralph left last Wednesday for
Florida to spend the holidays with
the latters wife and daughter.
Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene SkidmOre
and daughter Alana JOY, Of Cleve-
land; Mr.. and Mrs. James Skid
more and daughter Jeanne Lynn,
Waldorf, are spending the holidays
with their mother, Mrs. Julia Skid
more, and grandmother, Mrs. Dicie
Friend.
Mr.. and Mrs. Raymond Spiker
and son were Christmas dinner
guests Of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Spiller
and family, Cumberland.
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnny McCul-
Tough and son, of Laurel, spent the
weekend here.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Metcalfe
and children, Of Harrisburg, Pa,
spent the weekend with Mr.. and
Mrs. James Schroyer and family.
Mrs. Ferne Metheny and chill
dren, Uniontown, Pa, were Sun
day guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. Chas,
Methcny. Saturday guests were
Mr.. and Mrs. }. B. Frazee, Glade
Farms, w. Va.
M. and Mrs. Emmerson Thomas,
Cleveland. spent the holidays here
with relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Friend
and family spent Saturday after
noon with Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Ryan, Bruceton, w. Va.
Pvt. and Mrs. Richard Maust,
Fl. Belvoir, Va, are on a visit here
with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. NJ.
NJ. Shultz and other relatives.
Other Christmas dinner guests of
Mr. and Mrs. Shultz were Mr.. and
Mrs. Emory Baum and family, of
Dunbar, Pa; Mr.. and Mrs. Foster
King and son, Mr.. and Mrs w. T.
Wade, Mrs. II. L. Shoemaker, Mr..
and Mrs. Elmer Shultz and daugh-
ters.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Friend
and children, Of Chicago, H.: Mr..
and Mrs. Oliver Fike and children
and Mr.. and Mrs Wayne Friend
and son, of Markleysburg, Pa,
were Christmas guests Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Rolla Friend.
Mr.. and Mrs X. II. Schlossnagle
and daughters were visiting on Sat
urday afternoon with his father
and family, Mr.. Howard Schloss-
magic, Accident.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charley Miller and
family were Christmas dinner
,r,,oe+, ,f Lo,. ,,,otI,o,. md il,y
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30

the Christmas weekend with their
son and family i'm Wayncsboro, Va.
Homer O'Dell, Miss Edith Mat
son, Warren, o.; Miss Mary Ann
Knox, Accident; Mr. and Mrs. Earl
Bowscr and sons, Ivan and Carl,
Warren, and Miss Hazel Schloss-
nagle were Christmas dinner guests
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Wilkens at
Selbysport.
Miss Barbara Harshbarger, Of
Bethesda, spent the holiday week
end with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Reuben Harshbarger.
Frank Thomas, near Friends
Vile, had as Christmas guests: Mr..
and Mrs. Warren Thomas and chill
dren, Mr.. and Mrs. George Thomas
and children, Mr.. and Mrs. Reuben
Harshbarger and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. Jack Meyers and sons,
of Albright, w. Va; Mr.. and Mrs.
John Fike and children, Farming
ton, Pa.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30

Resent for the occasion were all
''eH children and families, along
c @l'n xty-eight other relatives and
i"e nuple was presented with
. iour-l-red wedding cake and
many Sh Refreshments Of cake,
Pu''N'' aho coffee were served.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1954-12-30

Ten children in two families and
one mother persisted in Christ
mas eve fire in Arkansas.