davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-12-21
BY ROBERTA HORNIG
Star Staff Writer

Lights blazed in the usually
darkened corridors of Munich
pal Court last night as the
Small Claims Court sat in one
of its evening poor mans"
sessions.
Among the handful waiting
for their cases to be called
were a secretary, a real estate
agent, an automobile mechanic
and construction worker.
A man suing for $2O-the
cost Of replacing ap automobile
bumper dented by another driv-
ver-lost because Judge John
j. Malloy couldn't decide which
Of the two versions of the ac-
cident was correct.
Another man lost his $14O
suit when he failed to prove a
machine shop had improperly
repaired his automobile trans
mission.
A third won $42.5O by offer
ing proof his apartment house
real estate broker was reSpon-
sible for that amount of dam
age to his living room furniture.
These are typical of the cases
that come up in Small Claims,
the Districts only court sched-
uling night cases.
The evening sessions, held
about once a month, are for
people who would lose money
on their jobs for taking off for
their court visit.
This is strictly a poor mans
court" said William Childress,
it's administrative aide. IF peo-
pie could afford a lawyer, they
would not be here now"
The courts jurisdiction is
$3.50. 1t costs only 81 to file suit,
and another "a cents to let the
defendant know he is being
sued. If a defendant is found
guilty, he can pay his debt at
the rate of as little as so cents
a week. Parties are not required
to have lawyers. Court proce-
dure is relaxed.
Small Claims Court was set
up by Congress in 1898. The
theory behind it, Chief Munic-
ipal Court Judge John Lewis
Smith, jr., explained, is the be-
lief there is a need for a court
of limited Jurisdiction where a
poor man could come into court
and get speedy and inexpensive
justice.
There was also a need, he
added, for a forum where minor
disputes, sometimes neighbor-
hood quarrels, could be settled.
The court nearly died re-
Gently when its caseload. which
Evening star., 1961-12-21
POOR MANS SESSION.
Special Court Deals
Justice by Night

at one time averaged $1,000 a
year, dropped by about 1000 a
year to last years all time low
of $4,000 because of Initiation. 3"
Small Claims Jurisdiction
was limited to $50 and there's
not much worth suing about
that costs that little.
But with the Jurisdiction in
creased to $3.50 this past Sep
tember, the court is back in
full business. The poor mans
court expects about 10000 COM
plants this fiscal year.
Many of the cases, Judge
Smith said, involve questions
of principle and are brought
in just to prove a point.
Such a case was the cheap
est one in the courts history
a suit for three cents. Two
years ago a District housewife
sued a large food store for
overcharging her that much on
a pound of chicken. She won
her suit, and her point.
Evening star., 1961-12-21

meeting, a draft Of legislation
for the trade name require.
ment was submitted by the
corporation counsel's office
The proposal provides a maxi
mum penalty of $500 and 90
days in Jail for violations.
Extension Suggested
Commissioner Walter N. To-
briner questioned whether the
legislation would go far enough
in blocking shady practices
through name switching. Mr..
Tobriner. who was not a Com
missioner when the proposals
were submitted by the man
agement office, suggested that
the registration requirement
might be extended to the major
stockholders in corporations.
The Commissioners then di-
rected their aides to ask for
recommendations on this mat
ter from such. organizations as
the Metropolitan Washington
Board of Trade, the Merchant
and Manufacturers Association,
the Better Business Bureau and
the bar association.
Last years report from the
management office was a re-
suit of a study of "malpractices"
in the home improvement in
duStry.
In addition to the trade
name registration recommended
ton, the report called for a
second bill, this one a "decep-
tive trade practices act"
Evening star., 1961-12-21
The
Rambler
80. Feels
Little Guilty
BY GEORGE KENNEDY

ny UEOHGE hENNEDY
You can carry on this sort
OF thing too far.
The power of suggestion,
that is.
The Rambler wants to
make others happy.
So he was delighted when
Mary McGrory asked him to
play Santa Claus at her
Christmas party.
The party is for children
Of st. AIMS Infant Asylum
little children, 3 to S years
old.
That's the right age for
Santa Claus. They have faith
and they have confidence in
their Uncle Nick.
The Rambler has a beard,
a full white beard, and he
let 1t grow for the occasion.
And he was very pleased
VIII en- Larry Connolly, a
young Star stereotyper. Of
fered to loan him a new
Santa Claus costume. Larry,
who had worn out his last
outfit, takes off the week be-
fore Christmas to play Santa
Claus in his neighborhood.
The party was to be at 4
on the second floor of the
Hammel's Restaurant. We
met at the Press Club at 8
and walked leisurely along F
street, stopping at the Fed
eral Bake Shop to purchase
two dozen of their ginger
bread men.
Perhaps we took too much
time shopping. AS we turned
the corner of Tenth street at
IS minutes to 4-or maybe
10 minutes to A. station
wagons were unloading tiny
tots.
Evening star., 1961-12-21
Jury Denies
Damages for
Lindy Spin
BY DANA BULLEN
Star Staff Writer

An 86-year-old woman who
fell during a Lindy lesson at
the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
here has lost her 100000
damage suit against the school
in District Court.
Mrs. Alice E. c. Meyer
mother-in-law of former Unit
ed States Attorney Oliver
Gasch, maintained her instruc-
tor should have been ready to
catch her in case she fell.
A jury of seven men and five
women deliberated only 212
hours yesterday before return
ing a verdict that the dance
studio had not been negligent.
Mrs. Meyer. of 3130 Wiscon-
sin avenue NV, also is the
mother of National Symphony
Orchestra harpist Sylvia Meyer.
Injured Back
The white-haired woman
testified that she was doing a
Lindy spin" at the studio De-
cember 80, 1858, when she
crashed" to the floor and in
jured her back.
Mrs. Meyer, in her suit,
sought compensation for her
injury and recovery of about
$4,000 for unused dance les
sons. She had taken over 500
lessons when she fell.
The studio, represented by
lawyer Paul R. Connolly, main-
tanned that Mrs. Meyer had
loved her lessons, was an ex-
perienced dancer and had prac-
ticed the Lindy step before.
"She knew what she was do
ing" Mr.. Connolly said. He
argued that reasonable care die
not require the instructor tc
stand close enough to catch her
should she fall.
No More Dancing
The lawyer told the jury that
Mrs. Meyer had once com.
planned that her instructors
"were treating her like an ole
lady and she didn't want then
to treat her like an old lady,
Mrs. Meyer said that she ha!
been unable to dance since the
accident. Her lawyers said she
spent five weeks in bed aftel
the fall. The trial was limited
to the issue of whether the
studio had been negligent. Mrs
Meyers suit contained no allie.
CATION that she was a victim ot
any fraud.
Evening star., 1961-12-21

"four-for-one" formula. Per-
forming some quick arithma-
tic, he said the ration of space
to students in most cases would
be too small unless you put
the whole school underground"
In answer to a question after
the meeting, Mr.. Henry en-
phasized that the formula was
too general to be applied lit
orally to each school. Practical
details would have to be worked
out later to meet the various
individual problems, he said.
WindOwless Schools Discussed
DR.. Whittier also reported on
a study conducted last summer
to determine the effect on stu
dents of windowleSs classrooms
similar to the dual-purpose
shelter -classrooms to be built
underground at Rocking Horse
Elementary School.
The only complaints, he said,
were over the drahness of the
decor. He said no emotional
disturbances were reported,
and the reduced noise was con-
Sidered a bonus"
G. Roy Hartwig, county civil
defense director, told the board
that in a survey of potential
shelter space he had found
four schools - Wheaton and
Walter johnson High, and
\Vier's Mill and Brookmont Ele-
Mentary-which could accom-
modate all their students.
Noting that it needed more
specific information before
making a decision, the school
board followed the suggestion
by Mr.. Cahoon and referred
the matter to staff members
for further study.
Hearings on the 1962-63
school budget are scheduled to
open January II.
Evening star., 1961-12-21

ficials, the schools could pro-
vide space for protection of the
entire population of the county.
James H. Henry, a member
Of the county Civil Defense
Advisory Board, explained the
idea this way: The County's
SO, 900 school children make up
approximately one fourth of
the total population Of $50, 900.
Formula Applied
If four times the space need
ed for one student were built
into each shelter, there would
be space available for each resi-
dent.
On the basis of this formula,
the civil defense board recon-
mended that the schools set
aside $50 per student-that is,
four times the SIS one student
would require-for shelters in
new buildings and additions.
Mr.. Henry, a consultant with
Research Analysis Corp, said
the program in Montgomery
would dove-tail with recently
announced Federal policy en-
couraging community over pri-
vate shelters.
School shelters should be
community Shelters" he said.
otherwise, in the awesome
event Of a thermo-nuclear war.
we would be left with a nation
OF orphans :"
Whittier Has Doubt
The County Council already
has given general approval to
construction of shelters in
schools. Council President
David L. Cahoon pointed out
last night. however, that the
broader proposal for commu-
nifty shelters has not yet been
presented to the council.
Superintendent c.. TAYLOR
Whittier took issue with the
Evening star., 1961-12-21

so SHE DID something
simple and direct. She col
lected obsolete keys from
everyone in the office.
Then Mary Gloria" a"-that's
what the children called her
got all the children squat
ting behind her and started
singing, "Oh where oh where
has my little dog gone-Oh
where oh where can he be-
With ears so short and his
tail so long-Oh where oh
where can he be?"
Then all the children came
from behind her, with their
rag dogs yipping and barking.
Then sandwiches and ice
cream came. Santa Claus
had to eat more cake than
he has ever eaten after a
meal.
where are your REIN
deer?" a little boy asked
"See them," said Santa
pointing out a window to a
parking lot opposite, "they
are behind the automobiles"
wait a minute! Did you
see that? The man just took
them into the alley behind
that building. He's going to
give them some oats"
At first the seven little boys
peering out the window were
doubtful. But one little boy
said he had seen the rein
deer. Then all the boys
agreed that they had seen
them.
Came the time that Santa
had to leave. Boys and girls
peered out the window to see
him take off. One little boy
burst into tears, turned and
ran to Mary Gloria for COM
fort. He said:
II didn't see Santa Claus
and the reindeer 60 away"
Evening star., 1961-12-21
D. 6. to Ask Business
For Fraud Curb Ideas

The Commissioners today de-
cided to seek advice from the
business community on a pro-
posal for curbing fraudulent
business operations in the Dis
trict.
The idea is to set up a
central file for business trade
names. The names would have
to be registered by operators
of individual business organi-
zationS, partnerships and Of
ficers of corporations.
The proposal was among sew
eral recommendations for deal
ing with fraudulent and un-
ethical business practices sub
mitted to the Commissioners
about a year ago by the city's
management office.
Legislation Needed
These recommendations were
approved in principle by the
Commissioners. The trade name
registration recommendation
would require legislation.
The registration of trade
names would be designed to
cope with unscrupulouS busi-
nessmen who switch the name
of firms in order to cover past
operations. The proposed leg
islation would provide the COM
munity with the same service
as the Districts charitable So
licitations law, which assemblies
information available to the
public.
At, today's Commissioners
Evening star., 1961-12-21
Fine Arts Decision
Is Upheld in Court
Appeals Bench
Backs Bon on
Cafe Entrance

Does a restaurant in the
Warner Building on Thirteenth
street front on Pennsylvania
avenue?
1t does, according to a split
decision by the United States
Court of Appeals issued today.
In the opinion, the appellate
court upheld the District in it's
refusal to allow operators of
the Neptune Room to construct
a new entrance-with built-in
acquarium-that did not meet
approval of the Fine Arts Com
mission.
The entrance to the restau-
rant is at SOB Thirteenth street
NV, next to the Warner
Theater.
At issue in the case was
whether the 1880 Shipstead-
Luce Act, under which the Fine
Arts Commission can disap-
prove structures that would
front" on Pennsylvania ave-
nue., applied to remodeling of
the restaurant entrance.
Object to Window
In refusing a building permit,
the District objected to a pro-
jecting show window and type
OF marquee proposed by the
Neptune Room operators. This
was done upon advice of the
Fine Arts Commission.
But the restaurant owners
claimed that the location was
outside the area over which
the Fine Arts Commission has
jurisdiction.
Judge Ch harles Fahy, who
wrote today's decision and was
Joined by Judge John A. Dana
her, ruled that front" means
to face or look toward" a street
and a building may front" a
street without actually being
on that street.
80 Years on Map
Judge Fahy noted that the
location has been included for
80 years on maps outlining the
boundaries of the area under
the Fine Arts Commissions
jurisdiction. He said this
administrative Interpretation
that the land "fronted" on
Pennsylvania avenue should
not be disturbed.
He added. however, that the
ruling does not mean that the
commissions authority extends
to all buildings that can be
seen from Pennsylvania avenue
NV. But he said actual To-
cation on the avenue should
not be the sole test.
BaStian DiSSents
In a dissenting opinion.
Judge Walter M. Bastian said
Congress would have said it
to include structures
visible" from the avenue if
that had been the intent.
Judge Bastian noted that
another office building is di-
rectly across E street, between
the restaurant location and
Pennsylvania avenue. He said
a rather substantial corri-
dor" of property was between
the restaurant location and the
avenue.
The operators of the restau-
rant said they planned to spend
$4,000 to remodel the entrance.
Evening star., 1961-12-21

WHAT TO DO? Fortunate
ly the Rambler has friends
in the neighborhood. He de-
cided to don his costume in
the Cy ELLIS Restaurant
around the corner on E
street.
That worked out all right.
But it made him a little late.
When he again rounded the
corner clothed in red, Louis
Hammel was on the curb,
waiting for Santa Claus.
All the children were up
stairs. So Santa stamped
hard on each step shouting
"Her no no."
The children were very
well dressed. The little boys
in shorts and clean white
shirts; the girls in party
dresses.
Santa Claus realized that
they loved him. Twenty little
bows and girls with complete
faith.
Except one doubling
Thomas, who tugged his
beard. Tugged it real hard
until it hurt. Thomas was
satisfied.
The children sang silent
Night" and two talented cou-
Piles danced and sang Skip
to My Lou" Round and round
they went Sand at the line
"I've got another one prettier
than you," the boys dropped
their girls and took other
ones from the surrounding
circle.
The distribution of the
presents followed-rag dogs
for all; tiny bottles of per-
fume for the girls and keys
on rings for the boys. Some
time ago Mary discovered
that of all things, the boys
like key rings and keys best.
Evening star., 1961-12-21
Montgomery Orders
Citizen Shelter Study
Educators Hear Pleas for Funds
For Community Plan in Schools

The Montgomery County School Board last night was
asked to allocate funds in next budget
munity falou shelters in school buildings study
ordered
Ideally formula recommended by Civil Defense Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-15

new items, even if they do cost more by
that time? d. Draw money out of the bank
and buy now?
j. You are driving along lOO-mile stretch
of desert on dangerously hot day. After
going 40 miles, your engine begins to heat
up. There's not sign of shelter in sight.
Do you (a) Keep going but slow way down;
d. Turn around and head back; (c) Stop
completely and hope the motor will cool off.
4s You work for a company that has
good future, but is little short Of working
capital. At the end of the year, the boss
says you have $1,000 bonus coming, but
he'd prefer to give it to you in the form Of
company stock instead of cash. Do you:
(a) Agree to this; d. Stick to your rights
and ask for the cash?
>. You have SIC, 900 saved up toward your
retirement two years from now. A reliable
businessman in your community offers you
a chance to invest that amount in a new
venture that looks like a sure thing. You'd
probably have most of your capital back by
the time you retire, plus a much bigger
future income than you had expected. Do
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-15
Stop! Think! And Be Lucky!

you: (a) Make the investment; d. Reluc-
family pass up the opportunity?
D. You're driving along narrow road at
so miles an hour when another car rounds
a turn and comes toward you at about the
same speed. The driver has apparently
fallen asleep and is headed straight at you.
The only way you could avoid him is by
driving off the road - and you don't know
how far down it drops. Do you: (a) Drive
over the edge; (b) Hold your course and try
to slow down as much as possible before
the crash?
i. You're trying to earn extra money by
selling a Christmas speciality item. Most
part-time workers average Is to 20 sales
each week. The company offers you three
choices:
(a) A 81 commission ON each sale.
Oh A commission of 81 so on the first
ten sales each week, and $3.50 on every
thing beyond that.
(c) A commission of 81 so on each sale,
plus straight $40 per week to cover your
auto and telephone expenses.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-15

Here are the most logical answers. If
you had at least FIVE correct, you are better
than average at making tough choices. Four
or less means you would get better break
in life by thinking little more carefully
about your decisions:
I. Heads. A bet where you can only gain
and can't lose gives you much better odds
than the other, which is an even-money bet.
2. (a) Buying to head off imitation is often
a foolishly emotional process. By pulling
money from a savings account, you lose
three-and-a-haf per cent interest (maybe
more), while saving only two or three per
cent. Worse still, year from now you'll
have deprecated, year-old model Of each
appliance when you could be buying brand
new ones with later features.
3. (b) Since you haven't yet gone halfway,
you're better off going back than forward.
If you finally have to stop, you'll at least
be as close as possible to shelter. And you
may as well drive fairly fast, because very
slow speeds cause even more engine heating.
If you stop right where you are, that desert
sun may keep your motor hot for hours.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-15
What your choices show

4. (a) If the company is solid and you hope
to stay on the job, you'll be glad you own
a share Of the business instead of just a
cash bonus. And your boss won't fail to
notice the confidence you've shown in the
company.
5. o. Never gamble anything you can't
afford to lose if you can help it. This invest
ment might be fine for anybody who had
20 earning years left to make up for possible
loss. But when you're two years from
retirement, it would be like a double-or-
nothing gamble.
6. (a) A head-on collision means almost
certain death. Even if you slow down to
IS m.p.h. and the other fellow is doing so,
the impact would be like hitting a stone
wall at IS m.p.h. Any other choice, even
with its uncertainty, offers better chance
than suicide.
7. (c) The sure $40 means you can't posi-
bly, lose money, even in a bad week. And
if you maintain the average of Is to 20
sales, you'll make $36.25 week, more than
is likely with the other deals. -THE END
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-15

THIS WEEK Moso.in. / October IS. 1851
Smyrna times., 1961-10-12
Dist. Governor
Makes Official
Visit to Rotary

District Governor Leonard lr-
win, Of Haddon Heights, N. j.,
paid an official visit to the
Smyrna Rotary Club last Thurs
day night. After a conference
with the officers of the club,
and the hearing of various COM
mittee chairmen reports, he was
entertained at dinner by the
wives of club officers. His
speech emphasized the slogan
Keep Rotary Alive and Grow
ing" The response was made
by DR.. George V. Kirk, presi-
dent, who conducted the meet
ing. At present the plans of
Rotarians are concentrated on
the forthcoming Harvest Benefit
Ball to be held at the Allan Nc
Lane Armory on Saturday, Oc-
tober %, with music by Bob
Wagner and his orchestra. The
tickets are five dollars per
couple, and dress is optional,
The proceeds from the dance
will be used for the many COM
munity projects carried on by
Smyrna times., 1961-10-12
LADIES MONDAY NIGHT
BOWLING LEAGUE
Standing
teachers
Standing
CONTINUED from Page one)

CONTINUED from Page Onel
ed the Jaycees with their an
nual safe driving contest. Rod
ney Daniels gives service to the
community as director of the
Fire Company Band. Robert
Everett has been active in the
local Little League Organiza-
tions of the district. Many of
the teachers of the district take
an active part in church affairs.
Some of these are Bob Bergman
and George Galley, who serve
as Sunday School teachers;
Charles Williams and James
Todd, who have served as teach
ers of Christian Doctrines at
St. Joseph's Church; and Miss
Helen Scout, who has worked
with the Altar Guild in the Epis-
copal Church. Superintendent of
schools, George v. Kirk, serves
this year as president of the To-
cal Rotary Club and is district
lay leader for the Dover district
of the Methodist Church.
Smyrna times., 1961-10-12

Council
Contin~ed from Pass One,

tContinwed from PaTe Onef
town on Monday and Thursday;
and the south side on Tuesdays
and Fridays. Rubbish missed on
account of holidays and snow
emergencies will be collected on
the next regular collection day.
Ashes will be collected on We'd
nesdays through the winter.
This schedule will eliminate
overtime, and met with approx
al of council. Street light loca-
tions have been staked out in
Parkway Manor and three street
light poles have been erected.
Utility easements are being pre-
pared prior to installing the bal
ance of street lights. Bids were
submitted by Sinclair Refining
Company for gas and oil, and
were accepted, as follows: Fuel
oil at listed tank wagon price,
less 2.84 cents; regular gasoline
at tank wagon price, less 2.3l.
Smyrna times., 1961-10-12
EWELL'S-ST. PAUL
METHODIST CHURCH
ST. JOSEPRS CHURCH

Rev. Jeremiah Brady, Pastor
Sunday Masses Z, 8, 1920 am.
Holy Days ---- 6, z, 8 am.
and 7:30 pm.
Daily ---- $50 and 700 am.
Baptisms Sundays at 100 pm.
Religious Glasses
Saturdays ------ 1000 am.