davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1956-03-23

street, in Georgetown in 1904.
The old fashioned store with
brief cases and billfolds in the
showcases and veteran employees
behind the counter once had the
carriage trade in a very literal
sense of the term. It sold har-
mess to persons of quality.
Displays Lincoln Ledger"
Yesterday Campbell Plugge
the secretary treasurer of the
firm, got out some Of the ole
ledger books.
I'VE call this one the Lincolr
ledger" he said. because Lin.
coins account is in it. Mos
of the Presidents up to Herbert
Hoover had accounts here.
"See, here's Robert E, Lee;
account over several years. Il
ends in 1851 when he left tt
command the Confederate Army
owing us a balance of 81 cents
And here is a funny one
ran into the other day. It's the
account of the Russian Minister
M. de Bodesco. He had ar
active account for severaI
years. Look what the book
keeper wrote in here"
He pointed to an entry where
the debit balance was $38. The
entry read. by check on Cor
coran & Riggs, $35. The Ole
raskell would not pay me any
more
The SO debit balance was con.
tinued and eventually paid.
Array of Noted Names.
The names entered in the
beautiful script common among
10Th century bookkeepers were
exciting. Zachary Taylor. Mil
lard Fillmore, Jefferson Davis
Stephen A. Douglas. James Bu-
chanan, Franklin Pierce, Amos
Kendall, w. w. Corcoran. Sal
mon P. Chase, William H
Seward, Francis Preston Blair
"A. A. Willard, George w. Riggs
Gen. Lewis Cass, J. C. Rives
John Slidell and His Excellency
Lord Lyons" the British Min
lister.
And there were Virginia and
Maryland names of social pres
tige. Pendletons, Carriers, DAN
gerf1elds. Tayloes, Maurys and
Calverts. Lutz g. Co. truly had
the carriage trade.
And there was a large ac-
count for the Quartermaster
Corps and a still larger one for
a Col. Ramsay which totaled
1000 before payment.
HE was probably buying har-
ness for the wagon trains of the
Army of the Potomac Mr..
Plugge said.
Shows Harness Machinery
He took me upstairs to the
shop, calljngs attention to a
check signed by Theodore Roose-
welt in a frame on the wall. The
machinery for making and re-
pairing harness was still there
-four benches where four har-
ness makers worked until they
aged and died. There were six
huge coachmen's coats of heavy
Evening star., 1956-03-23

black wool broadcloth with brass
buttons.
Nothing is ever thrown away
here" he said. These should
have been given to the Salvation
Army years ago. We still have
a coat made for the Negro
coachman of John r, Mclean,
owner of the Cincinnati En-
quirer and the Washington Post,
1t has a size 19 collar"
Lutz & Co., Mr.. Plugge re-
counted, moved from George
town to Pennsylvania avenue
next to the old National Hotel
at Sixth street some time before
the Civil War. 1t moved to the
G street store in 1908. In 1912
Herman o. Plugge, his uncle, and
a partner bought out the interest
of the Lutz family.
Turn to Saddlery
When the partner, Alfred
Gross, died in 1922 the Plugge
family bought his interest. Her
man Plugge's son. John AIDE
Plugge. is president of the COM
pany.
II came here in 1911" Mr..
Plugge said, harness was de-
clining but still a big business.
We sold Concord Harness made
in Concord, N. H., and Kendalps
SPAWN Cure and other horse
remedies. AS harness decreased
in the World War period we
turned to saddlery. We repre-
sented an English firm and we
had the trade from the Virginia
horse country. The Langhorne
sisters and Charlotte holland of
Foxcroft School were among
those who used to stop in.
During World War II we
couldn't get saddles from Eng
land but we did a big business
in brief cases. Decentralization
is one of the things that is
putting us out of business. The
department stores, which sell a
full line of leather goods. can
locate branches in Maryland and
Virginia, but we can't. We arene
big enough"
Evening star., 1956-03-23

to offer amendments to reduce
if not eliminate. all the proposed
increases in sales taxes on liquor
wine and beer. He said he would
do this because, although he is
personally a complete dry" he
regards all sales taxes as OBJ
jectionable.
Two Changes Made
The committee made two
amendments in the House bill:
l. To raise the authorized Fed
raj payment by an extra 81
million.
2. To exempt from the 2 per
cent sales tax the services of the
rented linen and rented diaper
service.
Senator Morse said he re-
CARDS the diaper service as lone
of the great social institutions
and that he wanted to give all
possible help to the mothers OF
this town.
Senator Morse announced also
that he plans to offer an amend
ment to earmark some of the
new revenue funds to push ahead
the construction of new Potomac
River bridges which are still
awaiting final congressional ap-
proval.
Senator Allett, Republican of
Colorado, and some other MEM
bers Of the Senate District Com
mittee questioned the wisdom of
applying a $25-a-year occupa-
tional license fee against doctors,
lawyers and other professional
workers not taxed under the Dis
trict's unincorporated business
privilege tax. This remained in
the measure, however.
Evening star., 1956-03-23

GCl Ody w PlOflQC 1Ol GIL AlSI Cdok
million in the size of the FEEDER
al payment. This would raise
the authorized Federal share to
$24 million.
No great issue is expected to
develop in the Senate over this,
however, since the Senate tradi-
tionally has been more generous
than the House as to what Uncle
Sam should pay.
This may generate a dispute
with the House, but note was
taken yesterday by Senate COM
mittee members that the House
recently approved, without a
single objection. passage of the
1857 District appropriation bill
calling for the full $40 million
Federal payment, the highest
possible under present law. The
House also approved without OBJ
lection the new District revenue
law calling for an increase in
the authorized Federal payment
from $40 million to $22 million
Other Issues Likely
Other issues are in store, how
ever, when the bill is called up
in the Senate. Senator Morse
announced yesterday he will Of
fer several amendments.
One would be to strike from
the House-passed bill provision
for a 100000 increase in the
sales tax ON restaurant meals.
This tax increase would be done
by lowering the exemption on
meals from so cents to 13 cents.
Senator Morse argued that, If
adopted. this would place a tax
even on meals served in a
washington f1ophouse."
He said he was prepared also
Evening star., 1956-03-23

increase our hope for the near
settlement of all troubles on earth.
To actually live to see this
great program carried out and put
into operation gives great Joy to
those who are watching for His
second coming. Jesus admonishes
Christians to lift up your heads,
for your rede m tion draweth
nigh"
To have small part in declar-
ing this good news gives me great
joy, for Gods Word says this same
generation will actually live to see
it. That Kingdom will never pass
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Representative Tuck
To Run in 5th District

DANVILLE. Mar. % (P.-Rep-
resentative William M. Tuck,
Democrat of Virginia, yesterday
filed his declaration of candidacy
for denomination from the 5th
district.
A primary will be held in the
district on July IL.
Evening star., 1956-03-23
S1,500 Fire Dumuqe

A fire which started under a
bed at a Silver Spring apartment
at 9041 Manchester road yester-
day caused an estimated $500
damage. The occupant of the
apartment. A. C. Morris, was not
at home, firemen reported.
Evening star., 1956-03-23
A Uhn11l)l1t fur Tnnay
Lenten Reflections on Fovorite Stories
From the Bible by People You Know
BY GENERAL STONEWALL JACKSC
Driver for Diamond Cab Co.

My favorite Bible story is found in Matthew where
Jesus instructng his Apostles the Mount of Olives
and answering pointed questions they asking
the nations.
He went to point out SO signs that would be fulfilled
together the time which signs now here These
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Rambling

A boy on a Virginia bus
leaving the downtown area
spotted a sign in an appliance
store. What's 'GE mean?" he
asked his mother. "GE?" she
said. That means soldier
dear"
A Georgetown shoe store
displays this sign in its out
side show window: mo sale
complete until you are satis-
fed" And inside the store is
this sign: "All sales final. :"
Evening star., 1956-03-23

away but will extend its benefits to rejoicing mankind
forever.
With such prospect this in view, how help
but be joyful and show love of God and neghbor by
declaring the good news" to others?
Tomorrow: Walter L. Fowler
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Contests on DC. Tax Bill
Are Expected in Senate
By DON S. WARREN

Contests various provisions of the Districts $l2 million
expected develop the Senate when it
takes up defcit-savng masure possibly next week
District Committee under the of Senator
Democrat OF Oregon revised the bill yes
eday provide for increase of million instead of only So
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Lutz s Co. Leather Shop
Closing After ISL Years
BY GEORGE KENNEDY

Luz Co. the leather goods store at 1925 street NV is
going out of business after 152 years
closingout sale will begin April continue for five weeks
and then the doors will close oldest business estab
shment in Washington The Oldest is Gait Co., Inc the jew
ely firm which started in 1902.
Lutz who from Frederick started the leather
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Six File for Party Posts
On Democratic Ballot

politics the District reached the mmering
today six residents filed for Office in the party organiza
tion, subject to voting May l.
The all members of the Americans for Democratic Action
pettoned Elections enter cand
Evening star., 1956-03-23
The
Rambler
Suntu Will Turn
Green With Envy
By JACK JONAS

st. Nicholas had better look
to his laurels.
There's a 5-year-old boy out
Falls Church way who's been
taking his shamrock, clay pipe
and Erin Go Bragh" pin to
bed with him every night since
st. Patrick's Day.
And what's more, Joseph
James Murtha, who lives at
1918 Patrick Henry drive, says
he's going to address future
Christmas requests to st.
Patrick.
j. j., as his friends call him,
had been planning for weeks
to spend st. Patrick's Day in
New York with Irish relatives.
He wanted to see the parade.
Then, two days before, he woke
up i'll. The doctors verdict:
Several days rest; reduced
activity; no New York trip.
AS the boy left the Army
Dispensary at Fort Myer, an
officer looking every bit as
Irish as ]. j. noticed the Erin
Go Bragh" pin and the un-
happy face.
When the officer learned of
the lads disrupted plans, he
suggested plane ride might
be a good substitute for pa
rade. The officer arranged for
j. ]. to go along on the next
demonstration ride in a hell
copter.
]. J. got the grand tour. The
pilot took him over the Lin
coin Memorial, pointed out the
White House and the WASH
ington Monument, flew over
the Jefferson Memorial and
Lee Mansion.
When j. ]. got back to earth
physically at least-he told
his parents, 1t. Col, and Mrs.
Joseph w. Murtha, he thought
st. Patrick was better to kids
than Santa Claus.
Coincidence
A fellow in Alexandria
was starting his car one day
recently to come to work in
downtown Washington. He
rammed the rear of a car
parked ahead of his, smash
ing a tail light and crum-
pling a fender.
Acting the gentleman he
is, he put a note under a
windshield wiper of the
damaged car, giving his
name, address and telephone
number, telling the owner
to have repairs made and
send along a bill.
After that, several tele-
phone calls were exchanged
between SIN a her and
smashee. But only after the
settlement was made did
either of them discover they
knew one another we'll
worked just a few desks
apart in the same downtown
office,
Evening star., 1956-03-23
Ambition

TWO boys, one no more than
10 and the other no more
than s, walked into a Bethesda
car dealers establishment and
asked to see the manager.
eve want a job" the older
one said, when the manager
came out.
What are your qualifica-
tions2" the manager asked,
seriously, noting their adult
manner.
1--WE don't have any in par
ticular," the spokesman said.
I'VE thought maybe we could
sweep out, run errands, get
coffee for the statesmen in the
mornings, things like that
until we learn something else"
do you really need a job?
Do you need money!" the
manager asked.
I'VE sure do! We're saving
our money so we can buy a
car from you in a couple of
years"
The manager took their
names and addresses, told
them he'd get in touch with
them if anything in their line
came up.
Cool
Comfort was the mother
Of one of Alexander Graham
Bells inventions, the Ma
tional Geographic Society
points out in a timely pre-
hot weather note.
While the rest of Wash
ingtOn sweltered in sum-
mer's heat, DIR. Bell worked
in a cool 65 degrees in the
laboratory and office of his
Connecticut avenue home.
He put a refrigerator in
the attic, filled it with salt
covered blocks of ice. The
cold air came down through
q duct covered with ashes
tOS, and into a room kept
tightly sealed at the bottom,
with the windows open at
the top.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
Poydoy Blues

Two proposals affecting the manner
ington area have been made on Capitol
Hill. One Is that area banks should
charge fee, perhaps 10 cents, for CASH
ing Government checks presented by nom
depositors. The other is that Govern
ment salaries should be credited directly
to individual banks accountS-in effect an
allotment procedure by which the Gov
eminent would notify the banks of pay
earned The principal argument ad-
vanced for the first proposal is one Of
economy to the Government; for the
second, one of convenience to. the Federal
employees.
In the first case, the possible economy
is estimated at about $237 900 yearly. The
Treasury Department now places So
called inactive funds on deposit with the
local banks over payday periods. The
banks invest these funds in depositary
bonds, restricted Federal issue paying
per cent-accounting for the estimated
yearly cost of $237,000 to the Govern
ment. This does not, of course, repre-
sent real profit to the banks, since the
CIlcCh-CdSllliiS oClFACC P1o0o1ly COoVo
them even more over years period.
But if the banks were to charge some
Federal employees (nondepositorS) for
cashing Government checks and not
charge others depository there would be
a new set of problems. The nondepos-
itors would not like the discrimination.
Many OF them might stop going to the
banks. And the suggested l0-cent fee,
very probably, is not enough to cover the
cost of the banks service. The possible
saving to the Government seems small
in comparison with the potential head
aches for the banks and bad tempers for
the Government employees.
The possible effect Of the direct credit
is likewise uncertain. Economy has been
mentioned in this case, also, through the
savings involved in eliminating the writ
ing and mailing of millions of Govern
ment checks. In place of this require
ment, however, would be that Of prepar-
ing and mailing millions of credit or allot-
ment forms. And for employees who have
no bank accounts, other pay procedures
would be required. Presumably those
who accepted the credit plan would be
spared the inconvenience of queuing up
to cash checks. But the bookkeeping
problems might become a pretty costly
inconvenience for both the Federal Gov
ernment and the banks.
1t might, as a possible solution, be
just as well to leave things as they are.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
Detention Teamwork

A bill now before the Virginia Gen
eral Assembly would enable counties and
cities to join In establishing regional de-
tention homes for juveniles. Although
this measure would apply generally
throughout the State, 1t was drafted by
the Arlington delegation for the special
benefit of Northern Virginia. For it Is in
this populous section of the State that an
urgent need has arisen for more adequate
detention facilities.
None of the governmental jurisdic-
tons in nearby Virginia has the resources
to build its own detention home. Besides,
the number of prospective inmates varies
to such an extent that an investment in
separate facilities for each jurisdiction
would not be economically sound. The
present plan, therefore, is to pool re-
sources and build a single detention
establishment for all the authorities in
volved. Since there was legal question
as to the powers of the respective coun-
ties and cities to enter into such an
arrangement, the Assembly has been
asked to approve the plan. The teamwork
idea proposed In the legislation Is so
attractive that other communities in
Virginia ought to follow Northern Vir-
ginia's example-assuming, of course,
that the Assembly passes the pending bill.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
Time to Get Started

There is no reason why the difficulties
which led the House Appropriations Com
mittee to disapprove funds for the Jones
Point bridge cannot be overcome in time
to enable construction to start later this
year. The committee was UNDERSTANDABLE
disturbed by the slow progress in develop
ing Arm" plans for approaches, bridge
design and Federal jurisdiction. But
there are good prospects that these prob
lens will be worked out in the near flu
ture-some of them with congressional
cooperation. We hope that efforts to
settle the issues will be redoubled as
result of the committees action, so that
Congress at this session can appropriate
the money to begin the important project.
The committee killed the $13.8-mil-
lion bridge request in the Interior bill
because ~ legislation affecting height Of
the bridge and jurisdictional control Of
1t is pending before the House District
Committee and (2) Virginia and Mary
land have not yet made firm commit
nlentS" regarding their parts in the ap-
proach program. The legislation referred
to would transfer jurisdiction from the
Interior Department to the Commerce
Department and, also, would authorize
lowering the bridge height from 10 to 40
feet "a change that would save about
$500,000). These amendments to the
original authorization could be passed
expeditiously, If Congress desired. The
approach problems, including a contro-
versy IN Alexandria over connections to
the historic "Old Town" section near the
Potomac River, also could be solved with
out undue delay.
If responsibility for construction Of
the bridge is shifted from the National
Park Service to the Bureau of Public
Roads, as provided in the pending bill,
the appropriation request could be in
cluded later in the Commerce appropria-
ton bill. Certainly the bridge appropria-
ton should be voted at this session If
at all practicable. Otherwise there will
be years delay in starting one of the
Washington areas principal traf1c-relief
undertakings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
An Old HobgobIin

1t Is not surprising that the AFL-CIO
convention has Endorsed an economic
report" expressing fears about labor dis
placement through automation and other
forms of improved technology. Increased
productivity per man-hour, when
achieved through improved mechanical
ton, additionally has been frightening
hobgoblin to labor union leadership.
Actually, statistics over the years
offer little support for this particular
DOGGY. For example, data compiled by
the Joint Committee on the Economic
Report shows that the average amount
of labor required per unit of production
In private enterprise today is only half
what 1t was in 1885 and only about two
fifths what 1t was in 1910. In the same
period, the overall need for workers has
increased in comparable ratio as
generally expanding economy demanded
more and more production.
Attenuation Is only In its infancy and
may indeed mark the beginning of an
Industrial revolution. But recent con-
gressional study produced no conclu-
sions, or even tangible evidence, that 1t
poses a genuine threat to the national
labor force. It has, In fact, already
resulted in whole new industries to supply
and service automation equipment. And
its use to turn out better and less costly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
Rodor as Evidence

Radar is becoming firmly established
as an aid to police In arresting drivers
thanks to a series of court decisions In
many Jurisdictions Latest and most i'm
portant Of these judicial opinions has
come from a Federal tribunal, United
States District Court in Maryland BY
rejecting a challenge of the validity of
radar evidence in a speeding conviction,
the Federal court has brought to an end
the "state of suspension" which has af-
fected Federal use OF the electronic eyes
for more than year
The test case in Federal courts arose
last January when Marylander was
arrested on the Westinghouse Baltimore
Parkway for driving So miles an hour in
a 45-mile zone. He was convicted by a
United States commissioner on the basis
of radar evidence. The conviction was
appealed on the ground that such evil
dence was not admissible. However, Chief
Judge Roszel G.. Thomson of the Federal
court said he could find no errors Of law
In the commissioner proceeding. The
United States Park Police promptly an
nounced that radar stations will be re-
established on all Federal highways in
the Washington Metropolitan Area-and
that court summonSeS, not just polite
warnings, would be issued The warnings
had been resorted to, pending the out
come of the court case. Experience has
shown, however, that much more than a
warning is required to take the reckless
drivers OF the highways.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-19
], 5OO-MiIe Missile

There is a critical relationship be-
tween the views of Admiral Rickover, set
forth on the opposite page, and the an
nouncement that Chrysler Corporation is
the prime contractor for producing our
l,500-mile missile
Admiral Rickover, who pushed our
first nuclear- powered submarine to COM
pletion, stresses the urgent importance
Of lead time"-the time between the con-
ception Of a new weapon and the day 1t
begins to roll from the production lines.
This is important because 1t is in this
area of lead time that the Russians, &C
cording to some critics of our defense
program, are pulling away from u.s.
Only few days ago Senator Syming-
ton stated as fact, without qualification,
that the Russians have already tested a
1,500-mile missile. II this is correct,
there is no need to elaborate on the vital
Importance of the time factor in the
Chrysler project-the time that is going
to be required to get our own l,500-mile
missile into production.
It has been but few months since
the report that an Army research group
had achieved an important chronological
"breakthrough"-a breakthrough which
presumably points the way for the ad-
vance from our Redstone missile, with
range of some $50 miles, to the 1900
mile weapon. The timing Of this report
suggests that great deal remains to be
done before the 1,500-mile missile will be
in production. Thus, especially II the
Russians have already tested such
weapon. the need for the greatest possible
effort on our part is self-evident. Ger
tainly, the Defense Department should
not tolerate any dragging of feet on this
project.