davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

sentative Kilday. Democrat Of
Texas. opens hearings on the
matter.
Mr.. Kilday led in criticizing
Mr.. EiSenhower's request that
military appropriations be made
on a functional basis direct to
the Secretary of Defense. who
would then apportion funds to
the three armed services.
The Congressman said that
such a proposal would mean
giving almost two-thirds of
the total national budget to one
Official" He added that this sis
probably greater economic
power than should be possessed
by one individual"
Bridges Has Doubts
Senator Bridges, chairman Of
the Senate Republican Policy
Committee, also expressed seri-
Gus doubts over the Presidents
request.
He told Secretary Of Defense
McElroy at a hearing yesterday
that such financial power would
permit you to practically abol-
ish the services"
1T would be pretty much Of
See PENTAGON, Page AS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Cyclone Toll Counted

BRISBANE, Australia. April
4 R.-Eyewitnesses today es-
timated cyclone damage In the
north Queensland city Of Bowen
at about a million pounds 49,
240, 000) The cyclone Wednes-
day night demolished n homes,
tore the roofs from 1913 houses
and partly unroofed 900 others.
Two persons were drowned.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

PRESIDENT IN the form OF new
powers for the chairman Of the
Joint Chiefs Of Staff. removal
Of operational command from
the services and the enlarge
ment Of an "integrated" Joint
STAFF to support the jos.
Chairman Russell Of the Sem
ate Armed Services Committee
expressed the feelings Of many
members Of Congress when he
commented. II shall not favor
any legislation that will destroy
the identity Of our armed
forces"
Merger Attempt Denied
Mr.. Eisenhower and his aides
yesterday denied that they seek
any merger Of the armed serv-
ices But they made it clear
they want one department-the
Department of Defense - and
favor making the Army. Navy
and Air Force departments adj
ministrative divisions or agen-
cies Of the centralized organ
ization.
The major legislative battle
that is expected over Pentagon
reorganization probably will be
joined on April is when a
House Armed Services Sub
committee headed by Repre-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
President
Acts to Spur
Building
BY GARRETT D. HORNER
Star stan Writer


President Eisenhower today
announced removal of down
payment requirements on CT
home mortgages as part of a
seven-point program designed
to increase employment in the
building industry.
The 2 per cent down pay
ment requirement on CT home
Text Of Presidents Settlement on Anti
Recession Moves. Pose AS
loans was removed by the Vet
Grams Administration effective
today. Veterans still will have
to pay in cash the expenses Of
closing a loan, however.
The President also announced
actions carrying out provisions
Of the $1.85 billion housing bill
he signed earlier this week.
New Program Launched
The White House said the
actions were taken as part Of
a general program Of combat
ing the recession.
These actions" the an
nouncement said, will be Of
material assistance in giving
the home building industry the
impetus necessary to increase
substantially the number Of
housing starts this year.
THE actions will provide EN-.
ployment for many more work.
ers in the residential conStruc.
ton field. In addition, they will
be helpful in increasing en-
Iployment opportunities in the
building materials. household
appliance and other related in
duStries."
Other Major Points
Besides eliminating the down
payment on CT home loans,
the actions announced by the
President Ito stimulate home
building" included:
/. Releasing an additional
1925 million to the Federal
National Mortgage Association
for special assistance programs
$3.50 million for purchase Of
FHA-inSured mortgages in the
urban renewal program, $50
million for purchase of insured
mortgages on homes for elderly
persons. and SIS million for
purchase of military housing
mortgages.
2. Putting into effect the
lower down payments author
lied under the new housing bill.
This means that the required
3 per cent down payment on
FdA-lnSured home loans will
apply from now on to the first
$13.500. rather than only to the
first $4,000 as has been the
case.
The White House estimated
that this action will reduce by
about $500 the down payment
required under FILA on homes
in the middle price ranges. Pre-
viously. the down payment was
figured at 3 per cent on the first
SIC, 900. with the percentage go
ing up sharply for higher mort
cages. Now the higher percent
age will apply only to mortgages
above $13.500.
3. Eliminating, by both FILA
mad VA, controls on fees charges
See HOUSING. Page AS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Easter Spirit
AugursSpring
Mercury Rises.
Visitors Pour In

Inc spirit OF EASIER nour-
ished in the Washington area
today. bringing promise of
spring and the long winters
end.
AS the weather tried hard to
cooperate. churchmen turned
Three Religions Marx Holidays in
Jerusalem. Pose Az
Many Sunrise Services Anonsed fos
EosteL Pose B-ll
their attention to the hottest
of days. Many churches were
observing the three hours
Christ suffered on the cross
with services from noon to 3
Ppm.
This was the prelude to the
joyous Easter morn when the
Resurrection will be celebrated
with sunrise services and glo-
rious music.
Washington teemed with visi-
tors pouring in by the hundreds
during the day, filling hotels.
The tourist influx is away
ahead Of last year." the Board
Of Trade said. Buses Of school
children are lined up in front
of the monuments and hotels.
The hotel and restaurant men
are happy. All this without the
cherry blossoms, too"
Temperature to Be Normal
AS the late spring began I'M
leaShing its new energy. the
weather at last caught up with
normal temperatures. 1t will
run about normal (62 high and
AZ low the next five days, the
Weather Bureau said.
AS to sunshine Easter day, il
is nip and tuck right now. A
high pressure ridge running
down the coast may hold back
threats from the inland area
II that happens, the day will be
about perfect for parading new
raiment.
The number Of visitors in the
city was anybody's guess. The
Board Of Trade said there must
be 100000 here who passed up
last weeks. Cherry Blossom
Festival because of the weather.
Special Trains Roll
Figures for March bore out
the expectancy of a banner
tourist season. There were 3S7,-
531 visitors that month. COM
pared with 314.136 for March,
1857. Last month 832 school
groups brought 30.946 children
to town, a whopping start
toward the half-million total
expected this year.
1T looks like Christmas,
said a Union Station official as
See EASTER, Page Al
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Shark Kills Diver

DURHAM. South Africa. April
4 R.- A shark killed a skin
diver at Port Edward yesterday.
The victim, Nicholas Francois
Badenhorst of Johannesburg,
was fishing under water when
the shark attacked.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Castro Orders
Total War on
batista Tonight
Cubun Rebel Chief
Ignores Amnesty
Offer by Havana

HAVANA. April 4 @.-Rebel
Leader Fidel Castro ignored .
government amnesty offer to-
day and declared total. i'm
placable war" against President
Fulgencio Batista's regime will
begin tonight.
From his mountain hideout
in Eastern Cuba Castro issued
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Probe Report
Hits Conduct
OF FEC Aides
Reforms in Four
Fields Are Asked
By House Unit
-. -~-.~.
BY LEE M. COIN
Star stan Writer

7 House investigators today
raped the Federal Commune
cations Commission for highly
improper" conduct and recon-
mended remedial legislation in
four fields.
The Legislative Oversight
Subcommittee issued its interim
report on an investigation Of
the FEC ahead Of schedule be-
cause q draft Of the report had
leaked to The Star and other
newspapers.
There were no major changes
between the draft, published in
earlier editions today, and the
report as issued.
FOur.POint Proposal
The report urges Congress to-:
/. Require the FEC to adopt
q CODE OF eGnlcS.
2. Remove from the law per-
mission for commissioners to
accept honorariums for present.
ing or delivering publications
or papers at industry functions;
and to clarity the law restrict
ing outside business and pro-
fessional activities by members
|of all Federal regulatory agen-
cies.
3. Broaden the ban on one
sided, off-the-record contacts
with the FEC on such "adjudi-
catory" cases as contests for
award Of TV channels.
4. Give the President clear
power to IRE commissioners for
neglect Of duty or malfeasance
in ONCE.
Other Proposals to Follow
The interim report concen-
trates on relatively noncontro-
versial recommendations, leav-
ing other proposals for later.
The subcommittee will resume
investigation of the FEC and
other regulatory agencies after
the Easter recess.
Our hearings to date i.
have revealed certain highly
improper activities in connec-
ton with the Federal Commu-
nications Commission. which
we believe should be brought
to your (the House'O atten-
ton for early remedial action"
the panel states in Its report.
Disclosures to date. the sub
committee continues. include
violations of law" which are
being referred to the Justice
Department "for appropriate
action"
Subcommittee Chairma n
Harris, Democrat Of Arkansas.
has charged that applicants
battling for T'V Channel 10 in
Miami broke the law by exert
ing improper pressure on the
FEC. Richard A. Mack resigned
from the commission in con-
nection with this case. A Fed
eral grand jury is investigating.
Charges Not PinpOinted
Mr.. Harris said the report
criticized practices" on the
FEC without pinpointin g
charges to individual commits
sionerS because that is a re-
sponsibility of the Justice De-
partment.
Asked by reporters to specify
where he thought violations Of
law occurred in the channel 10
case. Mr.. Harris mentioned
contacts with the FEC by in
terested parties. attempts to
influence the commission and
1.-THE question Of perjury"
He said legislation to imple-
ment the four recommended
tons probably will be intro
duced soon after Easter.
Future hearings. he indicated
will begin with additional ex-
amples Of pressure on the FEC
Continued on Page AS, Col. !
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Military Shokeup Foes
Attack Spending Power
Hints of Opposition Found on PIon
For More Concentration of Command
~ i. EDGAR PRINl
Star staff Writer

Congressional critics of President Esenhowers plan
overhaul the Pentagon organization directed their opening
shots today at the military spending powers requested
for the Secretary of Defense.
But there hints Of opposition another scorehe
further concentration of military command asked by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Picture on Pose A.

Q statement setting the hour
for action at one minute past
midnight. He had declared
previously that Gen. Batista
must resign by Saturday Ito
save Cuba from further blood
she'd"
Castro declared his patrols
are moving in all directions in
Oriente Province Of Eastern
Cuba. They were reported
spreading devastation around
Santiago de Cuba, the provin-
cial capital.
1.-THE fight against Batista
has entered its final stage. /"
Castro said.
Wrecking Transportation
Residents Of the sugar mill
city Of Sagua de Tanamo, so
miles northeast Of Santiago,
reported by telephone that l.
900 rebels we're operating near
the city. wrecking transport.
This column, led by Castro's
brother Raul, was expected to
turn southeastward after at
lacking or bypaSsing Sagua de
Tanamo and join another COL
umn led by Juan Almeida, q
Castro lieutenant.
The rebel detectives seemed
to be to smash all railways,
highways, telephone and tele-
graph communications and iso-
late Santiago. 1t seemed I'M
likely that the rebels would
directly attack the heavily
guarded city unless there is an
uprising there.
Government forces made no
efforts to attack the two rebel
columns. They apparently were
waiting for the rebels to adj
vance farther into open terri.
tory, away from the mountains
they have used for hideouts.
VIII Call Strike
The 31-year-old Castro re-
affirmed that he intends to call
a general strike. He claimed
sthat $4,000 young revolution
aries will pour into the streets
Of Cuban towns and cities to
battle troops and police.
Castro made no mention of
the government offer Of am
nesty to rebels who give up
their arms. Prime Minister
Gonzalo Guell made the offer
last night.
Mr.. Guell asserted to foreign
newsmen that the rebels were
q minority group going against
the desires of the Cuban
people, but he said the Batista
government would negotiate
with all elements to restore
peace. He again pledged full
guarantees for all opposition
parties in the presidential elec-
ton now set for November 3.
Supervision Acceptable
The Prime Minister added
that the government also
would agree to international
supervision Of the elections by
a group such as the Organiza-
ton Of American States. This
is one Of the demands Castro
has issued from his mountain
hideout in Oriente Province.
Although Castro's troops
probably number less than 10
per cent Of the governments
forces, he has been threaten
ing to call q general strike in
an effort to unseat Gen. Ba-
tista. Yesterday the President
revived a series Of strict meas
ures used to halt a 1885 gen.
eral strike. including authority
for workers to kill anyone urg-
ing them to leave their jobs.
Talks Of the general strike in
the tense capital Immediately
subsidized.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
Speed Sought
On Roads Bill
EorIy Signing Held
VituI to Recovery
BY ]. A. OLEARY
Star stan Writer

Senators who steered the
SIS billion emergency highway
bill through Congress expressed
hope today President Eisen-
hover will sign it without delay.
Designed mainly to relieve
unemployment. the measure
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

Mexico to Oregon but the main
Picture on Page AS
danger to crops appeared to be
in that lush Central Valley be-
tween Stockton and Bakersfield
All three Southern Pacific
Railroad routes in the valley
were cut as well as the coastal
route, and all SIP trains between
San Francisco and Los Angeles
we're halted.
Gov. Goodwin J. knight
asked President Eisenhower Il
declare the entire State q major
disaster area and make avail.
able Federal funds.
S12 Million Damage
The Governor estimated
damage to roads, bridges anc
levees at $l2 million.
That did not include the
unestimated millions of dol
lars in crop damage.
Alfalfa stands, vineyards and
orchards were hard hit and
farmers feared for several
thousand acres Of foothill
grain.
The Red Cross established
shelters throughout the State
the largest at Stockton
where l.l00 persons fed from
a residential area threatened
by high water in Mormon
Slough.
TN Washington. Red Cross
national headquarters re-
ported that at least 1900
families had been driven
from their homes. It said Is
shelters had been set UP in
the Central California area.
Approximately TOO persons
stayed in the shelters last
night.
(Shelter locations in addi-
ton to Stockton were Palo
Alto. Napa. Walnut Greek,
Concord and Pittsburgh.
The Southern Pacific had Il
detour its East-West trains be.
tween San Francisco and Chi
cago over the Western Pacific''
tracks in the Feather River
Canyon. SIPS rails in the
Sierra Nevade we're blocked BY
snow avalanches that partly
derailed a mail train.
U. S. Routes 40 and 50-tht
main East-West links-wert
closed by snow slides. although
one-way traffic was moving or
alternate 40 through the Feath'
err River Canyon.
An estimated 500 traveller,
and skiers remained at Sierrs
lodges and ski resorts. An at
tempt to fly milk to stranded
children at the Bonner Sum.
NIT Lodge failed when the
pilot was forced to turn back
The death toll attributed II
the storm reached nine-fivt
in Northern California anc
four in Southern California
The ninth victim was Edna
Breen, 81. Of Santa Cruz. south
of San Francisco Her body
washed ashore near there.
Trees Toppled
Torrential rains whipped BY
gale winds pelted Southern
California. forcing scores Of
families to flee. topping hum
dreds Of trees and downing
power lines.
The seldom seen MojavC
River reached bank to-bank
proportions threatening some
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04


Moplond and Virginia. Pose B-3
also contains the first steps
ever taken by Congress to con-
troll roadside billboards.
This is by all odds the most
important anti-recession pro-
gram enacted thus far" said
Senator Gore. Democrat of
Tennessee. who played a lead
ing role in its enactment.
Urges Quick Action
1T can be put into effect
more expeditiously and with a
greater percentage of the ex-
penditure going into employ
ment. l not only think the
President should sign it, but
quickly to take advantage of
the construction months"
Senator Kuchel. Republican
of California. who Joined Sena-
tor Neuberger, Democrat Of
Oregon. in pushing the bill
board amendment. also urged
the President to sign the bill.
Senator Gore called the bill
board amendment the third i'm
portant landmark established
by Congress in recent years to
improve the highway system.
The other two. enacted in 1856,
provided for limited access to
the interstate. system and i'm
posed limits on the size and
weight Of trucks using the
system.
Veto Seen Unlikely
Although administration sup
porters in Congress did not like
some Of the spending features
in the bill. 1t is believed the
overwhelming majorities by
which 1t passed both houses
make a veto unlikely.
The House approved the
yesterday, 800 to %.
The Senate passed 1t originally.
"a to 4. and ratified the final
agreement with the House yes
terday without roll call.
The States will have to put
up about $500 million to sup
plement these emergency Fed
eral funds. so that the highway
bill would result in q total out
lay of $1.8 billion.
OF the total. Sill billion is
additional Federal money to
expedite work on the inter-
state system. toward which the
Federal Government puts UP
30 per cent Of the cost.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

Torrential rains whipped by
gale winds pelted Southern
California. forcing scores Of
families to flee. topping hun
dreds Of trees and downing
power lines.
The seldom seen Mojave
River reached bank-to-bank
threatening some
$50 persons near Barstow. Po-
lice alerted them to be ready
to move on a moments notice.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
New Rains Fall
On California
Gov. Knight Asks
u. S. Disaster Aid

SAN FRANCISCO. April a
@.-Rains splashed on soggy
California again today, threat
ening to spill more river waters
on to the crop-rich fiatlands
Of the San Joaquin Valley.
California was drenched from
Mexico to Oregon but the main
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

About SITS Million in Funds Go to D. C..
MoNlond and Virginia. Pose B-3
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04

Three Religions Mark Holidays in
Jerusalem. Pose AZ
Many Sunrise Services Arranged for
Eoster. Poee Bill
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-26

to Washington from New York
when the depression hit bot
tom in the early i930s. The
Travises discovered Lection In
1910 and Immediately fell In
love with 1t.
In Place ~ Years
The Noltings' place-they
moved into Scully IL years ago
was the first Of Richard
Bland Lees homes in the Chan
tilly area. Lee later moved to
Alexandria, where his house
burned to the ground. He was
so disturbed by that castrophy
that he ordered his next house
to have walls so thick that. II
there is q fire. they win be left
standing" AS q result Lee
ton has walls two feet thick.
Lection remained In the Lee
family for some years but after
the Civil War there was q sue
cession Of tenants. As a matter
Of fact. the place was owned
by an abolitionist during the
Civil War.
And. for that matter. Sully
appears also to have had some
what Of a strange history, too.
When the Union Army APP
preached that mansion. the
commander discovered that he
was acquainted with Its owner
and gave strict orders that It
not be disturbed.
Tired Of Crowding
The Travises Just got tired
Of being crowded in WASH
ington" and started looking for
a home in the country.
I'VE saw Lection from q dis
lance and asked the broker II
it could be bought. Mrs. Travis
recalled yesterday. He said
he thought 1t was for sale and
took US out TO see it."
We'll. we fell in love with It
on sight" continued Mr.. tracts.
Il could visualize my daughter
coming down the steps on her
wedding day.
But I guess that's out Of
the picture now" he added
sadly.
Sixteen year old Sydney
Travis is a junior at Herndon
High School now and going
steady" with a cadet at
Augusta Military Academy in
Stanton. Va.
Both Lection and Sully-buils
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-26

two historic homes they then
plan to get . historical associa-
ton interested along with the
Park Service.
They have in mind the So
ciety Of Lee Descendants
which is interested in preserv-
ing Lee dwellings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-26

ing. VINO owns nearby Sully, q
nine-room colonial mansion.
Both men work for the gov
eminent. Lewis s. Travis is an
attorney for the Interior De-
partment and expects to retire
this year after IS years service.
Mr.. Noting Is the State Depart
ment's second minister to the
North Atlantic Treaty Or.ani-
1ation headquarters In Paris.
He and his family are here on q
two-month leave.
Homes Built by Lee
Their houses were built by
Richard Bland Lee. an uncle of
Gen. Robert E. Lee and a
brother Of Light-Horse Harry
Lee. and q member Of the first
Congress.
Richard Lee also had quite q
hand in setting Washington
right down where it is today.
Records show that he and
Alexander Hamilton made a
deal where, for Lees vote for
Hamilton's bin for the assump-
ton Of State debts after the
Revolution. the latter would
swing votes in favor Of the
Potomac site for the Nations
capital.
Original plans for the air.
port called for a runway TO
point like an arrow to Lection.
built In 1912. And nearby Sully.
constructed 80 years earlier.
vas to be missed by q hair.
May BE Preserved
But by changing the air
routes ever so slightly. the
houses may be preserved and.
their owners hope. converted
into museums. They now fig
ure they have Just about got
the Civil Aeronautics Admins
tration convinced about chang
ing the routes. And tomorrow
Mr.. Travis is comforting with
the Park Service about the
possibility Of transfer Of the
properties to that agency once
the Federal Government has
taken over ownership.
Mr.. Travis is what you would
call q transplanted Southerner
Che once sang In the choir with
Tom Dewey in New York; who
married an Alexandrian and
became enamored with early
Virginia history.
The 55-year-old lawyer came
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-26

with slave labor and contain
ing huge rooms and outside
kitchens-have been modern
lied over the years and are q
far cry from the cold and BATH
less dwellings Of the time Of
the Lees. Lection contracted o.
Georgia brick. Sully is Colonial
frame. Both are three stories.
Heard RumOrs
Both the Travises and the
Noltings have intended all along
to spend the rest Of their lives
in their old homes.
Mrs. Noting said they had
received ''rumors' in Paris Of
tl.s possibility Of their 70-acre
property being taken over for
an airport.
At first they didn't take the
rumors too seriously. They
finally got the sad news by
writing retired Air Force
General Elwood r. Quesada.
President Eisenhower's special
assistant for aviation matters.
The National Trust for His
toric Preservation. which was
chartered by Congress TO pre-
serve historic sites and build
ings through the Nation. Is
much interested In the two
homes.
While President Richard
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-26

used per mile exports and
those housing Developments we
call subtopias."
Mrs. Helen Bullock. also Of
the trust organization. added
that the rate at which new
roads. missile sites and other
things are built. far exceeds