davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1959-10-21
REPORTER IN The CLASSROOM
Pupils Learn Lonqhond and French Transitional Third Grade

might be an exercise in recog-
nizing long vowels, another in
capitalization, and a third on
"opposites" ("below; a-o-e")
in one day.
Social Studies
In time, the class will also
be doing more with social
studies-the emphasis is the
city: Its food, shelter and
clothing. They will have to
make a map, for instance, of
their neighborhood. Any work
they do in science will be pri-
marily on a voluntary basis.
When possible, the children
correct their own class work
before the end of the day. Typ
ically, Mrs. Friedenberg will
select various students to write
the answers on the blackboard.
The ones selected for this
not only are expected to get the
right answers; they also must
use the right techniques.
In the capitalization exer-
else, one girl corrected mrs.
john j. good" on the board.
But, alas, she wrote the capital
Us from the bottom, instead Of
the top. Mrs. Friedenberg was
looking at someone else when
the child did this. But Miss
HiscoX, who spends much of
her time in the classroomS,
was not.
The little girl had already re-
turned to her seat. but she had
to go back and write the Us all
over again.
Most of the third graders are
very proficient with their
printing. Nadia, in fact, is
good enough to take the days
spelling lesson.
Standing on a chair at the
blackboard she writes the first
word in big letters and says,
simultaneously, "One. Beat.
Beat"
The first STUDENT in the first
row of the class puts the word
down twice in his book, re-
peating the spelling each time
so that the others may copy
along with him.
Nadia moves on to the next
word. Her classmates, in turn
around the room, spell back
each one.
1.-TWO. Became. B-e-c-a-m-e."
"B-e-c-a-m-e. B-e-c-a-m-e."
Three. ecome. = Be-
Come"
"B-e-c-o-n1-e
Tomorrow, The fourth grade.
Evening star., 1959-10-21
D. c. RESIDENTS
URGED TO VOTE
FLOWER

The District Commission
ers today gave Washington
residents a vote in q ma
tional election.
By proclamation, the
Commissioners urged resi-
dents to ballot on q con-
troversial issue-the choice
Of an of1cial national
I flower.
The balloting n being
conducted this month on q
non-partisan, II not nom
commercial, basis by the
florists Telegraph Deliv-
cry Association. Polling
places are being set UP in
member shops and the re-
suits will be passed on to
Congress for its selection Of
q flower emblem.
The Commissioners urged
every citizen to cast a bal
lot in what Commissioner
Robert E. Mclaughlin said
was a step in the right di-
rection.
Evening star., 1959-10-21
County Building
Hits $50 Million
Summer Jobs
Raise Tax Base
In Montgomery

The value Of new construc-
ton completed last summer
in Montgomery County reached
a record high Of approximately
$50 million, the county's chief
assessor revealed yesterday.
Supervisor of Assessments
Wilton T. Allen told county
council members that assess
ments covering new construc-
ton between May 1 and Oc-
tober l has added $31.8 million
to the county's tax base. The
combined assessment on land
and improvements customarily
is figured to represent so to 55
per cent of market value.
Apartments Boom
Figures cited by the assess
ment chief indicated that an
apartment building boom dur
ing the summer accounted for
STA million of the new assess
ments. During the same period
in 1858, the assessed valuation
of new apartment construction
amounted to only 1918 900, Mr..
Allen said.
He added that during a sew
en-year period beginning in
1851, the assessed valuation of
new apartments totaled only
$12 million.
The previous new construc-
ton high for the five summer
months was recorded in 1855,
when the tax base was in.
crease by $22.1 million by new
construction.
The increase for new con-
struction is almost twice that
of last year when it totaled
$16.7 million.
$50 Million Increase
Mr.. Allen said the total tax
base for the county, including
personal property, now is about
81, ,130, 100000, about $50 mill
lion higher than budget esti-
mates last winter. He said
this could mean a surplus of
a half million dollars by the
end Of the present fiscal year.
The construction totals rep
resent residential, commercial
and industrial expansion in the,
county. 1t is based on the
issuance of 1927 building per-,
mitS, compared to 1855 for
the same period last year.
Evening star., 1959-10-21
Chest x-Ruy Unit
To Be at Purkinuton

A mobile chest X-ray unit
will be at the Hecht Co. Park
ington Store in Arlington to-
morrow from 2 to 9 pm.
The free service is available
to anyone over 18, except
pregnant women. A report will
be mailed to those taking the
X-ray within three weeks Of
examination.
Evening star., 1959-10-21

court had erred in applying
criminal procedure rules in the
paternity case. He said the
case was apparently the first of
its kind in this jurisdiction.
Judge Quinn said the court
was primarily concerned with
the welfare of the child in
volved and therefore felt that
while the case was Of a quasi
criminal" nature, the more
lenient rules Of civil procedure
should apply.
Criminal Rules
Under criminal rules, an al
legation must be proved beyond
all reasonable doubt and, gen.
orally. corroboration is neces-
sary. In a civil case a point
may be proved merely by a.
preponderance Of the evidence.
During the original trial in
Juvenile Court, the unwed
mother was unable to produce
q corroborating witness, who
had been subpoenaed. 1t was
testified that the witness was
in a hospital. But Judge
Quinn, in today's ruling. said
that the absence of the wit
ness was "fully and satisfac-
torily explained"
He added: "It is well set
tied that where no requirement
Is laid down by the governing
statute the defendant may be
found to be the father on the
uncorroborated testimony Of
the mother where such tes-
timony Is credible, Sutt1clently
clear, and convincing"
Call for New Trial
Chief Judge Leo A. Rover
and Judge Andrew Hood, who
concurred with Judge Quinn,
ordered the case reversed, with
instructions to grant . new
trial.
The District got into the case
after the mother went to the
Welfare Department to obtain
funds to support the infant.
The Welfare Department
brought the case to Juvenile
Court in order to get a legal
ruling establishing paternity.
This was necessary in order to
hold the father legally respon-
sible for the child's support.
Evening star., 1959-10-21
Proofof Paternity Rule
Eosed by D. c. Court
Appeal Judges Cite Civil Procedure,
Hold Confederation Isn't Needed

The District government today battle to the
requirements needed to prove paternity.
The Municipal of Appeals overrled lower court In
Of father who had successfully pleaded that the u
wed mother failed corroborae her allegation that sexual
intercourse had occurred.
Judge Thomas Dewey Quinn held today that the lower
Evening star., 1959-10-21

learning the basic skills. But,
to prepare the children for
fourth grade work, reading for
content and working on indi-
vidual projects become increas-
ingly important.
Already one little girl has
turned in a pamphlet about
health to her teacher, Mrs.
Ruth w. Friedenberg. The
questions were given her, she
had to supply the answers,
along with colorful illustrations.
One of the questions was:
"Why do we need Vitamin CT"
Her answer: Because (it)
prevents beri-beri."
This child apparently hasn't
learned her ABCS yet; a doctor
informs me that the disease is
actually caused by a Vitamin B
deficiency.
In any case, Mrs. Friedenberg
was more than a little skeptical
about the reply, and has asked
the child to find out exactly
what is beri-beri.
Original Essay
One Of the girls classmates
has turned in another original
lpiece of work. It's an essay:
"a truck farmer grows all
kinds of vegetables, these are
some Of them: Lima beans, let
tuce Fla. tomatoes, peas, Irish
potatoes, sweet potatoes anc
many more"
Mrs. Friedenberg is a firm
believer in such individual
work. She stresses, however
that it is not given as home
work-although homework i;
allowed, for the first time, ir
third grade.
"All I say is that they will
get a gold star with their name
in my book if they do it," SHE
lsays.
The teacher b very hkel!
Evening star., 1959-10-21
ANOTHER RESIDENT re-

ANOTHER RESIDENT re-
members an old well was
near the rock and had a
pump handle everybody
pumped-possibly this was
the rushing water the natu-
ralist referred to.
The meaning of Saddle
Rock?
The foundation has not the
slightest idea. But the rock
has been there for a long
time and the children like
1t and 50 does the foundation,
Evening star., 1959-10-21
BY ANDREW w. BINGHAM
Star star Writer

The third grade is q transit
ton year for students at Janney
Elementary School.
AS in the lower classes, the
major emphasis is still on
Evening star., 1959-10-21
The
Rambler
{. Releases
A Rock Study
BY JOHN McKELWAY

The Rambler Historical
Foundation, a nonprotit, nom
existent, but dedicated Or
ganization, herewith submits
its first complete study on
"Old District of Columbia
Rocks" As the foundation
grows in purpose, we hope to
print additional rock studies,
but on glossier paper.
The Meaning of Saddle
Rock:
Lying at q point equidis-
tant from the northern and
southern borders of Garfield
Park in Southeast Washing
ton, near the eastern end
and just of the brick side
walk, one comes on Saddle
Rock" one of the most in
teresting and fascinating
rocks in the District.
The rock lies-as rocks will
parallel to Third street. A
motorist driving west on q
street can also see the rock
but should turn either right
or left on Third street to
avoid running into the rock
or across Garfield Park.
Evening star., 1959-10-21

to drop out daily hints for in
dividual projects. Just before
the solar eclipse, for instance,
she talked to the class briefly
about umbra and penumbra.
Those of you who have
world books, go and look them
up-and write a little story"
she suggested.
To help them with their re-
search, Mrs. Friedenberg in
structs the children in alpha
betizing words-an essential
concept for anyone using a
library catalogue, dictionary or
encyclopedia. The children also
are urged to use the public
library; they learn about some
of the reference materials
available in Janney's own
library, which is supported by
the PTA.
Special Newspaper
One of the students first ex-
periences with reading nearly
exclusively for content is a spe-
cial newspaper entitled, MY
Weekly Reader"
It has one major story:
MANY new buildings are going
up all over America. New Office
buildings, churches and schools
are being built. New homes
are being built. :"
Inside, there are some news
shorts" such as:
"A new satellite is whirling
around the earth. It is our
first 'paddle-wheel satellite. .. +.
polio shots are very i'm
portant. More children have
polio this year. Most of the
sick children did not have polio
shots. -.
"a houseboat is q home for
city families. The houseboat
takes the family on trips,
too. ;"
By the end Of the year Mrs.
Friedenberg not only hopes the
children will be smooth read
ers. but also that they will
enjoy reading and consider
books both friendly and USE
full. She will, moreover, be
requiring her class to turn in
regular book reports-possibly
one a week.
Reading Pursued
Evening star., 1959-10-21

but should turn either right
or left on Third street to
avoid running into the rock
or across Garfield Park.
THE ROCK ITSELF is
about 6 feet in length and
approximately 4 feet high.
1t is rounded like a torpedo
and, furthermore, will appear
at times to be purple in color
depending on the time Of day
and the slant Of the rays Of
the sun. Most Of the time
1t is gray. Someone has
carved the initials "EM" on
its side.
OF course the striking thing
about the rock is its shape.
From a point in the middle
of Garfield Park the rock
appears to be a canoe, or
kayak. While some people
have called the rock "Canoe'
Rock" there is no record
of anyone ever having called
1t ''Kayak Rock" In recent
years, it has resembled more
and more a foreign sports
car and may eventually be
called, Foreign Sports Car
Rock"
Actually, Saddle Rock
the accepted designation Of
the formation-bearS not the
slightest resemblance to a
saddle.
The rock appears to have
been scooped out. A full
grown individual can sit COM
fortably on the rock for hours
Sin the saddle" so to speak.
Gradually worn down year
by year, the saddle" is at
once smooth and even shiny.
Actually, older persons
rarely sit on the rock. But
the children of Southeast
washington have been sitting
on the rock for at least 100
years.
Research conducted by the
foundation fell into one pre-
dominant pattern. Residents
and former residents of the
area, contacted in the study,
usually reported in this
fashion:
Saddle Rock? Why sure,
I remember Saddle Rock. I
used to sit on it when I was
a kid. It's been there for
years"
No one-as of this printing
seems to know who placed
the rock, or why it was so
placed. Searches for some
record of the rock have been
made by National Capital
Parks, the District Public
Library, the Evening Star
Library, the District High
way Department and, for
some obscure reason, the As
sociation of American Rail-
roads.
According to a naturalist
in National Capital Parks,
Saddle Rock" is not in its
natural habitat. The "sad-
dle," furthermore, was prob
ably formed by rushing"
water.
Apparently, the rock was
placed in its present position
sometime before 1870. At
least the elderly of today
can remember their parents
speaking of the rock and
relating how they used to
sit on 1t when they were
young.
One theory Of little sub
stance suggests the rock was
used to stop trains from run
ming off tracks. A freight
yard was once in Garfield
Park but there is evidence
the tracks never ended on
the site of Saddle Rock"
A former resident has a
recollection his grandfather,
who used to sit on the rock,
seemed to think Saddle Rock
had some connection with
Mason and Dixon'S line
though the line was north
of Baltimore. (This report
continues to confuse the
foundation
Evening star., 1959-10-21

To find out whot kind Of education
the younger generation Of todoy is
getting, The Stor sent Stoff Writer
Andrew W. Binshom back to eIe-
mentory school. Today in the fourth
Of seven articles M. Bingham, q
Harvard sroduote, diseIoses whot he
learned as q third -srode student.
Evening star., 1959-10-21

the teacher limits the lesson
to asking questions, explaining
new words and going over the
workbook exercises.
The others may still read
aloud, but it is no longer enough
for them simply to come out
with the right words. Read
smoothly, not one word at a
time" Mrs. Friedenberg tells
them. 81 want to enjoy the
story"
Here's a typical story from
one of the books. 1t is entitled.
Finding a Friend" and begins:
"'I'm not sure I like living in
the country thought Judy
Long while she was feeding her
eight baby ducks. -"
Different Meanings
1t goes on to relate how Judy,
who is bashful, uses her ducks
to meet and make friends with
a neighboring girl. The story
permits Mrs. riedenberg to dis
Evening star., 1959-10-21
Reading Pursued

Her reading groups in class
do use regular readers, ac-
companied by workbook
Typically, however, the more
advanced students for the first
time will read to themselves;
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22

working with a baton until she
was Z, but says her mother has
many adept pupils of 4 and S.
She is a sixth grader at Mary
mount School in Arlington, and
has won contests in Iowa, Flor
ida, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois
and New York. They travel
mostly in the summer.
Yesterdays contest was spon-
sored by the Arlington County
department Of recreation and
parks. in cooperation with the
Zonta Club Of Arlington.
It was sanctioned by the
National Baton Twirling ASso-
citation, which has its head
quarters in GAINESVILLE, Wis, and
the director was Lou Langlotz,
who has a dance studio in Ar
lington.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22
D. G. Trash
PeriIed by
Budgets Slash

Garbage collections in the
District will be cut to one a
week and a trash incinerator
viii be shut II the House
Appropriations Committees
reduction Of requested SAM
tary Engineering Department
spending Is not restored.
Engineer Commissioner A. c.
yelling said yesterday that the
committees supplemental APP
preparation bill slash Of $685.
ESQ Of the requested $l.213.00O
for the department would ne
ceSsitate these moves.
Half of the 1000 street.
cleaning force would have to
be laid of. Gen. yelling said,
because Of the personnel pay
reduction. This in turn would
mean that the twice-a-week
garbage collections would be
cut back to once a week. Gen.
yelling said.
In addition, he said, one Of
the Districts three incinerators
would have to be closed and
the trash which it handles
would have to be burned in an
open dump.
THE resulting conditions
could create q health menace"
Gen. yelling said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22
$44 Million Approved
For Area School Aid

The House Appropriations
Committee has approved some
$44 million in school aid funds
specifically aimed at areas i'm
pacted" with Government in
stallations.
Breathing easier last night
we're officials Of at least six
Washington area school sys-
TENS. Failure by the committee
to continue the aid through
June 80 would have meant loss
.es of $1.2 million in operating
funds and Sc million in con-
struction money. The District
school system was not involved
Approved was $24 million in
school construction funds and
a deficiency Of $40 million UNI
der Public Law 874. The Law
provides Federal assistance to
education agencies in areas af-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22
Rocketeer Hurt
In Silver Spring

A Silver Spring youth SUI.
fered severe burns Friday night
when a homemade rocket or
which he was working ex-
ploded.
Richard D. Rutter, jr., 16. Of
1921 Capitol View avenue, sus-
tanned phosphorus burns on the
face and hand when the explo-
sion occurred in his garage
about 10 pm.
He was admitted to WASH
ington Sanitarium where his
condition today was described
as fair.
Police said Richard was at
tempting to make a rocket by
filling an iron pipe with match
heads. It blew up, they said
when he struck the match
heads with a steel rod.
Richard is a junior at Mont
gomery-Blair High School.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22
JUST GOOD KIDS
Schools Closing Cuts
Norfolk Delinquency

NORFOLK, Va, Mar. 81
(AP.-You'd think a large
contingent Of school kids freed
from all classroom chores for
a long period would swell the
ranks Of mischief-makers in
the community.
In Norfolk. experience proved
otherwise. While the city's six
secondary schools were closed
during the indignation crisis
from September through last
January, the number of juve-
nile delinquents handled by the
police actually declined.
1t. r. P. Racine, command
ing officer of the police depart
ment's youth bureau, reports
$40 cases were handled in those
five months. compared to $50
in the corresponding period of
the previous year-when the
schools were going full blast.
1t. Racine said the decrease
of l3l cases was the more
notable because nearly 1900 of
the 10000 youngsters locked
out of the six schools on orders
of State authorities fighting in
tegration received no schooling
whatever during those five
months. AS a consequence, they
had more idle time on their
hands.
Actually, the number of jul
veniles arrested during the pc
Rod was 400 compared to 1888
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22

in the same period of 1878,
but only 447 juveniles received
police warnings compared to
SAT in the earlier period.
Authorities interpret these
figures as rejecting an overall
decline in youthful mischief,
based on the number of cases
handled.
II believe" 1t. Racine says,
that the closing of the schools
caused the children to realize
the Importance of education
and sharpened their desire for
it. This has had its effect on
the conduct Of our juvenile
population.
Since the declining of our
school closing in September the
behavior Of our juveniles has
proved to us that they are, in
total, just good kids"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22

faulty fuses in the sound equip
ment and what-not.
In addition to the visitors
from farther afield, hundreds
were there from the Washing
ton area. Most Of them arrived
in the early morning and
stayed long past dark. thus
testing the capacity Of Fort
Myers snack bar next to the
gym. which closed down its
beer department for the day
and devoted its energies to
dispensing soft drinks and hot
dogs.
Attracting much attention
were II pint-sized twirlers from
Falls Church. Va. known as
walkers Rebels" and clad in
small gray and yellow uniforms
bearing the insignia of the
Confederacy. The girls were 6
and under, and could spin their
batons like old hands.
Despite the large number Of
high school girls with years
Of training to their credit.
among the best was q 10-year-
old. Jane Walters. Of 412 South
West street, Falls Church. who
won an individual trophy to
add to the 80 she already has
earned with her baton-twirling
skill.
Brown-eyed Jane comes by
her talent honestly; her mother
was a majorette champion
when she was a girl in West
Virginia and Ohio, where the
art first became popular on
football fields.
Jane, who likes solo twirling
best, has about 10 costumes.
which Mrs. Walters designs
herself and then turns over to
a dreSsmaker.
James father, Capt. James
Walters. is a pilot with Capital
Airlines, and her mother has a
dance studio where majorettes
take lessons.
Jane herself did not begin
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22
Brush Fires
SweepMony
RuruI Areas

Brush fires swept rural areas
in Maryland and Virginia yes
terday. keeping firemen on the
run.
In Prince Georges County
more than 10 firemen from five
departments fought for an
hour before bringing a stub
born blaze in the $500 block
OF KEEPER road, Camp Springs
under Control.
Albert Fentress, captain OF
the Silver Hill Fire Depart
ment. said f1remen sprayed wa
ter on seven homes to protect
them from flames which ap-
preached within 40 feet of the
buildings.
Montgomery County Fire
Marshal Charles H. Howe, jr.,
reported that many Of the %
brush fires throughout the
county yesterday were caused
by residents burning trash Oh
leaves in violation of county
law.
One two-alarm blaze near
Seneca covered an area OF
nearly Is acres, fire officials
said.
The fire marshal said q
county law prohibits the burn
ing of trash and leaves before
4 pm, unless a wire incin.
orator is used.
In the wake of a rash OF
brush fires in the past two
weeks, County Manager M. L
Reese recently ordered county
police to crack down or
violators.
Smouldering logs famed by
rising winds restarted a LOU
doun County timber fire near
Leesburg last night. The blaze
earlier had burned over a S.
mile area on the Catoctin
ranges Bald Hill Mountains.
Fifty f1remen from Leesburg
and Hamilton. who though they
had mastered the road-jump-
ing flames earlier in the day
returned to the area west OF
Route is near the Point OF
Rocks Bridge about 1880 pm
when sparks and ashes ignited
remaining trees.