davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27
John F. Kennedy
Presidents Casket
Brought Here Briefly

The national tragedy swirled into Montgomery
County briefly Friday night touching the county di-
rectly when the Presidents body transported to
Bethesda Naval Medical Center from Andrews Air
Force Base.
The attention Of motorists passing the hospital
attracted by signs of activity at the heliport,
located only few feet away from heavly-traveled
Wisconsin Avenue.
Motorists stopped, sensing something afoot.
Hundreds apparently had heard an announcement that
the body to be taken to the hospital for prepara
ton by moricians and they converged the grounds
Most of those present apparently thought the
casket would be arriving by helcopter. The throng
surged toward the heport first one, then another
helicopter arrived.
At first, police tried to prevent the crowd from
entering the grounds But many were soon jumping
the fence huryng the golf course to join the
somber throng by the heliport. Soon people were
coming from all directions.
One helcopter landed and when it was quickly
surrounded took off again without opening its DOORS
second approached and dsgorged military personnel
Unseen by the thousands ambulance which
drove slowly behind them bearing the casket from
Andrews approached the front door of the hospital
and paused briefly with the dead President his grev-
ing widow and his brother, Robert, inside before the
crowd learned Of its arrival
(See Presidents Casket Brought Here on A4)
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27
Floyd Denies
Discussing Case
With Sam Fig

County Council President
John A. Floyd yesterday firmly
denied that he had ever dis
cussed with county entrepreneur
Sam Fig coming Of property ad-
joining Figs Motel Washing.
tonian near Gaithersburg.
The attorney for owners of
the adjoining property has
charged in a suit that Fig at
tempted to influence Floyd and
other Council members to re-
verse themselves in their deci-
sion to approve residential and
apartment coming for the land.
Floyd said yesterday his only
conversation with Zig on the
day he is alleged to have dis.
cussed the zoning with him cen
tered on some facetious re-
mark" about buildings Zig plans
to put up on his nearby acre.
age.
In other business, the Coun.
Gil voted to seek an early meet
ing with Gov. J. Willard Tawes
to protest the State Roads Com
missions deletion Of three ma
jor County highway requests
from its proposed five-year
building program. SRC pro-
poses to program only u mil
lion Of some 1875 million in
roads asked by the County, the
Council learned yesterday.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27

Tor consolation.
Sunday services were better
attended than almost any previ-
Gus occasion, ministers reported.
On Monday, a beautiful, clear
day, stores did not open, schools
and offices remained closed, and
thousands Of Montgomery Coun-
tians went into the District to
observe the funeral procession,
or watch it on TV.
An estimated throng of ESQ.,.
600 that viewed the flag-draped
casket as it lay in the Capitol
rotunda included many county
residents.
On Friday when the news
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27

brpke, a radio newsman with a
tape recorder getting reaction
from shoppers in the Hecht Co.
was having trouble getting 1t.
Most had not heard the news
and Wouldn't believe the radio
newsnan.
In Aupermarkets and grocery
stores on Friday, word of Pres
ident Kennedy's shooting cleo
trified khoppers. Store managers
said some stood stunned.
Some managers piped news
broadcaats into their public
tSee County Joins ON A4)
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27
County Joins US.
In Mourning Loss
All Work Stops, Churches
Overflow After Tragedy


in mourning the assassination Of President Kennedy
last Friday.
County activity government, business and
social ground to halt when the almost unbelievable
word spread here early Friday afternoon
woman in Rockville office almost tainted
reaching for nearby desk to steady herself when she
heard the news.
teacher at Walter Johnson High School
repeatedly sat stunned for so minutes an entire class
period, on Friday afternoon after the was
announced over the public address system.
Her students sat quietly with her unmoving
for the entire period
Traffic slowed noticeaby and then thnned,
leaving the streets almost deserted Friday afternoon
and night as the enoity of what had happened began
to sink in.
Motorists were observed winding down their
windows to tell other motorists waiting at red lights
after hearing the stunning announcement on their
radios.
People began drifting away from their jobs,
unable to perform their duties Groups of employees
clustered to discuss the development in shocked sub
dued tones. Then they went home, dazed.
Some eyes were moist A few persons wept openly,
unashamedy.
Hundreds of scheduled events were postponed or
cancelled with those making the decision not botherng
to notify anyone They knew no one would attend,
anyway
On Friday night the body of the President was
brought briefly to the National Naval Medical Cen
ter Bethesda, for PREPARATION by morticians
Thousands of county residents flocked to the
grounds of the skyscrer structure to pay homage
the body arrived fromA Andrews Air Force Base where
it was flown from Dallas
Accompanying the basket in the Navy ambulance,
the greving widow her clothes still bloodstained
from the Presidents fatal bullet wound and the
Presidents brother, Attorney General Robert
Kennedy.
Mrs Kennedy stayed at the hospital until the
morticians completed thef work. then accompanied
her husbands body to the White House in the early
hours of Saturday morning where it to lie in state.
Churches on Friday night opened for pray
for the dead President and his family and all
well attended. All weekend long and Monday
church doors open with many turning to prayer
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-11-27
School Ne,Us !!

High school students, and
many parents, will want to read
a new feature in this weeks
Sentinel High School Higl
lights" Keep up weekly wit
high school news through TIL
Sentinel.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-24

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Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
Kennedy School!

Much is being written in the
press and elsewhere about ere.
ating lasting memorials to our
late President, ]. F. Kennedy.
1t would be fitting to consider
what Montgomery County
could do to so honor this much
beloved man.
l have a suggestion which I
hope the Board of Education
will consider. A new high
school is being built on Ran
dolph Rd. in Silver Spring. 1t
bears the very undistinguish-
ed name of East Wheaton H.
S. We already have a Wheat
on H. S. in the county. 1t also
is located on Randolph Rd.
Aside from the practical as
pect of eliminating potential
confusion, how nice it would
be to lead the nation in our
recognition of the man who
touched so many of us so per-
sonally in his service to the
country. May l suggest the re-
naming of the school to the
John F. Kennedy H. S.?
william Cohen
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
From This Angle
The Issue That Divides us

The pain, shock sorrow, and fury that
swept America on the assassination of Presi-
dent Kennedy brought similar reactions from
two men gravely affected by this terrible
event. President Johnson and Governor Con-
naly, with great pain and sorrow on their
faces ask their fellow Americans to eliminate
the hate, bigotry, and intolerance that is
present. How can Americans best fight these
evils?
Simply stated, the issue that divides us is
United States as interpreted by the Supreme
Court The three controversial issues that
make up this one simple issue are civil rights,
separation of church and state, and represent
alive government.
No informed American can doubt that
men are Disseminated against because of the
color of their skins. In some areas such men
are denied the VOTE a decent education for
their children and equal opportunities and
rights. 1t will do no good to temporize and
talk about patience, education and such
matters For 100 years civil rights have not
existed for all of our citizens.
Although civil rights may be the most
stirring issue In some parts of the nation, the
church-state issue has stirred the whole ma
ton. The Supreme Court has been savagely
attacked from many quarters on this issue.
Men who should know better have dragged in
Communism, atheism, and loyalty to country.
Emotions have been famed to white heat by
some religious leaders
One of the most disturbing aspects of the
fight over church.state has been the intellec.
tual dishonesty involved. After President Ken.
nedy stated that he believed state aid to reli-
gious schools to be unconstitutional one
churchman stated that President Kennedy.
after all, was not a constitutional lawyer and
might therefore be mistaken. This spokesman
knew, as did other informed citizens, that the
President had the advice of some of the best
constitutional lawyers before he spoke. With.
in week of President Kennedy's assassna.
ton pickets were paradng before the White
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
Letter From Steers
COP Views

Dear Gerda:
On October 80, 1863, spoke on "Con-
flicts of Interest-and Planning" over WCBM-
Baltimore. Following are some of my thoughts
on this matter which is of such vital interest
to Montgomery County at this particular time:
Many years ago, it seemed to me that the
mere conflict of interest would not be serious
If, in a given case the public official tri-
umphed over his selfish interest and followed
the dictates of the public trust For then pub
lie interest, which should be paramount would
emerge paramount, and this is as it should be.
But when become little more expert
enced about human nature and the nature
of public office, 1 realized higher standard
must be demanded of public officials In order
to assure proper performance of public duties,
our public officials must be those who are
not even tempted to answer selfish interests.
Probably the most important reason for this
is the very human tendency to rationalize.
When this psychological dodge in reasoning is
resorted to, the public no longer has public
offcial-it has dishonest servant who has
deceived himself and the public
Safety Hes in the election or appointment
OF public officials who have no conflicting
private interests, or who have rid themselves
of these interests before taking office. Then
temptation is gone.
This leads us directly to planning and
politics. 1t is said that planning and politics
do not mix l suggest that politics is the
proper way for people to exercise their in
herent right to self-government, and that plan
ming is an important phase of government.
Planning and politics must mix-indeed, they
are by their nature mixed. What we must
keep out of planning is not politics but dirty
politics. And most powerful and prevalent
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05

(Colunlnist Welsh remembered this 10eek
that toithin one hour after the Inauguration
OF President Kennedy he sat dot0n and 10rote
the following (which ran in The Sentinel on
Jan. 26, 1861 under headline: "KennedyS
Speech Equal to Lincoln's." Editors Note)
The Inauguration of President Kennedy
got off to hot start. During the invocation
by the Cardinal the lectern caught fire. Judg-
ing from the smoke it appeared that his
words had been heard but that the wrong
spirits had answered. 1t looked like scene
from Faust just prior to the entrance of
Mephistopheles. 1t put fear into the hearts
of the Republicans and Protestants who mis-
took the smoke for incense.
But the magic of the day came from
President Kennedy, not from the dark forces
beneath the lectern. This magic came from
his address. 1t is impossible to appraise it
now, but, as Kennedy would say, "Tll do
it anyway"
1t is my opinion that the Inaugural
Speech of President John F. Kennedy, deliv-
cred in Washington, D. c. on January Goth,
1861, is the equal in all respects to Lincoln's
Second Inaugural Address and to Churchill's
blood and sweat, tears and toll" speech.
further believe that this speech stands alone
in American history for timeliness: for having
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
School Advances Cited

Two reports made public this week should 90 a long
way toward reassung county parents that their school
system not so bad as has been painted by of its
more bitter critics.
report by the state superintendent DR. Thomas S.
Pulen Jr shows clearly that during 195262 Montgomery
County led every county of the state and Baltimore City
IN enrolment increase number of teachers and prin-
cpaS hired raising the number of students that graduate
from high school, and in the actual percentage of students
who continue their education in institutions
after graduation.
The other the annual report of the county school
superintendent Dr. {. Taylor Whittier cites the extent
which Montgomery County students test out higher than
the national average in reading English spelling, and
arithmetic
The Pullen report is especially significant in that it
shows graphically how despite phenomenal percentage
Increase in total enrolment of 145 per cent the county
able to keep its head above water enthusiastically en-
c0uragng almost three times many students during that
period to complete their high school educaons and then
encouraging making possible for637 per cent also
extremely hgh of graduates to continue degree granting
Institutions
DR.. Pulen cites remarkable percentage increase of
246l per cent in high school enrolment here during 1852
62 yet scholastic achievement has continued in
dairy schools despite this bursting at the seams
Dr. Whittier tells in his annual report how third grad
ers were shown by tests on reading vocabulary to be IL
grade above the national average third graders tested
reading comprehension grade above the national
average fifth graders tested reading vocabulary were
found to be IL grades above the national average fifth
graders were IA grades above the national average on
1eduls coHpreAenSlon SlXtn graders were l6 grades
above the national average reading vocabulary and
sixth graders Is grades above the national average
on reading comprehension In mechanics of English the
tests showed county third graders grade above
the national average and fifth graders Is grades
above the naon average in this category Sixth graders
showed they IL grades above the national average
IN mechanics of English and the story the same accord
ing to the Whittier report, in spelling where third fifth
and sixth graders tested out at from to grades
above the national average and in arithmetic where third
nth and sixth graders found by the tests to be from
onehaf grade to 13 grades above the national average
Our school system, being institution run by humans
IS OF course, imperfect Generally however, it good
one and that has consistently been rated as the best in
the state and one OF the better ones in the nation
can improve itand we almost certainly canets, by all
means, do So In the meantime however those responsible
for bringing the system to its present advanced state
serve pat on the back.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05

the principles of christianity
or not, seems to have little
enough to do with the end
result so far as human be-
havior is concerned.
On the otherhand, what we
have witnessed by eye and ear,
these past two days through
the miracle of TV-and the
organizations behind the pre-
sensations = offers some rays
of hope however faint they
may be. Senator Mansfield's
eulogy, that by Cardinal
Cushing, the moving men,
orial service at Los Angeles
and the understanding and
sympathy of peoples through
out the world which was so
knowingly evidenced by the
British BIC memorial produc-
ton. Surely President Ken
nedy's supreme sacrifice can
not have been in vain. Surely
we all can, and must, do bet
ter in the future.
I've been watching TV al.
most continuously ever since
yesterday noon - afraid to
leave for fear of missing what
might come next = such ex-
amples of devotion, of cour-
age, of understanding and
thoughtfulness, of compassion
and-of incredible horror-the
gambit!
I'm about drained emotion.
ally and mentally-it's now 1
am. Monday! VIII try to write
again soon.
Fred
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
Deep Sorrow

The deep personal sorrow
and shame we feel at the loss
of our beloved President is be-
yond ordinary description.
There is nothing I can add to
the eloquent statements al
ready uttered.
We must, however, still face
ourselves. 1t is the political
PHILOSOPHERS of extr emists
who surely are responsible for
this deed. On the right, hatred
Of all peoples whom they have
decided are different" On the
left, hatred of the privileged
classes.
If we can learn to accept
each others differences of
race, color, creei or political
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
by Les KimbIe

House asking that prayers be reestablished in
public schools.
The Supreme Court decision on the reap.
portiOnment case from Tennessee stirred I'D
rebel yelIs. Representation in the state Iegis.
lature OF this state was grossly unequal in
some counties For so years the government
of Tennessee ignored the state constitutional
requirements of reapportiOnment every 10
years. The voters went to the courts, their
only recourse.
The Supreme Court clearly indicated its
concern over involvment in this issue Never.
theless, the Court CALAMITY and with great
courage ruled that state courts should hear
the case. The only alternative would seem to
be dictatorship in any state that choose to
ignore reapportionment long enough Does a
state have right to establish dictatorship?
Does the Supreme Court have the right to
allow state to establish dictatorship? Not
II our Constitution has any meaning
In December 1862 the General Assembly
OF the States met and proposed three amend.
ments to our Constitution: I. Power for state
legislatures to amend us. Constitutions II.
Full and final Jurisdiction by state courts on
apportionment in states; Ill Power for 50
SN'SS JNSSiNCo W ONClIulc CGIldlu O6ClSlOHS Ol
the US. Supreme Court Seventeen state legis-
latures voted for one or more of these amend.
ments, which would have changed our form Of
government. Only two prominent Americans
t1rst raised cry of alarm. They were Chief
Justice Warren and Charles Black, Jr pro.
lessor of law at Yale
1t is time for all Americans, whatever
their particular cause at the moment, to join
tne night for the us. Constitution and the
Supreme Court, for believe these two in
stitutions are under attack. Differences we
may have, but when the Court has passed an
opinion, that opinion should be the respected
law OF the land Americans should also re-
member the statement by the late Judge
Learned Hand: Liberty lies in the hearts Of
men ana women When it dies there, no con-
stitution, no law, no court can save it,"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
by Gerda Crow

source OF dirty politics is conflict of interest
Our county planners cannot be effective
II they remain aloof from the people whose
servants they are. They can obviously serve
people want Their decisions must be made
the people better if they listen to what the
wltnout that sneaky, nagging feeling-"Now.
let's see, what's in it for me-"
Perhaps the only thing which is worse
tnan conflict of interest is different form
OF the same thing-a direct bride We all
aohor the public official who sells out the
pubic trust for direct payment monetary or
Otherwise A conflict of interest represents a
potential bride The opportunity for private
gain hangs, sort of permanent ever.tenpting
orloeto-be like Ewes apple Remove the apple
OF temptation from our public officials. Elect
OF appoint officials who have no apples
dangling about so temptinelv.
Real estate operators should not be on
our Planning Commission County Council
members personal businesses should be in
Aieios winch will be unaffected by county
eouhcii decisions. Suburban Sanitary Commits
sion OFFICIALS obviously should not be in the
business Oh supplying pipe or excavating serv-
ICES 10 the county or city Less obvious, but
equally obnoxious, is to have lawyer on
pubic board practicing before that board. or
partnered with one practicing before that
board
we live in big interdependent Maryland
economy and our county and city officials,
IKE our state officials, are making decisions
wnich involve millions of dollars and affect
millions OF lives~It seems that we can. should
ana must insist on public officials with a
single cal on their loyalties- call of sery.
ice to the public
Newton 1. Steers, yr.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
Words That Hold Up
by Barney Welsh


been uttered when it was imperative that
it be uttered. 1t had a great cleansing power.
like the waters that surged through tho
Herculean stables.
His speech bore the stamp of an artist
and an intellect. 1t carried the mark of
fighter and diplomat 1t was the product
of that modern American rarity: a man
educated in the liberal arts. 1t was not the
product of faceless ghost writer's, and it did
not, thank God, bear the restricting limita.
ton of scientific or military mind.
And so period of our American history
has ended. 1t has been period when we
have foundered in the sand traps of medi.
ocrity, have nearly lost our national stature
in the bunkers of Indifferent leadership, and
have forgotten the keen pleasure which can
be obtained from the use of the mind
And another period of American history
has started. 1t gives promise of being an
American Renaissance: period in which
the prizes will be given to the hucksters of
the world, but period of great internal
awakening and rejection of the common
place, and seeking and striving for an
understanding of the humanities of the world.
So, hail to the new American royal fam.
ily the Kennedys, and the excellence for
which they stand.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-12-05
Story Criticized

Your report of the Manor
Club Community Association
meeting on the proposed SEN
Tor village, Leisure World, is
surprising and disappointing.
1t reads more like the largely
rejected recommendation of
the community associations
coming committee than like an
accurate news story which it
purports to be.
Planned communities with
housing, edu cationaI-recrea-
tional facilities, shopping cen.
tiers, churches, and health
facilities are successfully meet.
ing the requirements of older
people in several parts of the
country. The coming commit
tee presented arguments both
for and against the commun-
ity projected for the Norbeck
area. The committee reported
that real estate taxes would
greatly exceed service costs be-
cause there would be no school
and few police costs; that the
project would represent an
orderly development of the
area with a relatively known
population; that it would be
useful to the area to have a
community for retired people;
and that the demands on the
roads would be minimal. Argu-
ments advanced against appro-
val of the project included
See More Letters, AS