Evening star. [volume], June 30, 1946, Page A-11, Image 11

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General News PuwAaij §staf Washington News
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b_ »_. _ WASHINGTON, D. C., JUNE 30, 1946. * A—11
District Planning
Gala Events to
Mark July 4
Federal Workers'
Holiday on 5th
Appears Unlikely
Washington will lead the Nation
Thursday in celebrating 170 years
Of independence.
Patriotic, civic and religious
groups are vying with one another
to make it the most impressive
Fourth of July in the Capital’s
history.
Prospects of Federal workers get
ting a vacation over the 5th ap
peared slim, barring unlooked-for
House passage of the Senate-ap
proved bill to make that day a
holiday. The bill is on the House
unanimous consent calendar for to
morrow.
District Plan Discarded.
To get the 5th off, Government
end District employes alike prob
ably will have to ask for annual
leave and obtain permission of their
supervisors. The Commissioners had
considered a plan to give District
workers Friday off in return for
work to be done Saturday, July
13, but discarded it.
Events scheduled for the day
marking the birth of the Nation
will emphasize for the most part
the elation of victory and of free
dom reborn out of war. But there
will be those, too, which sound a
note of humility over the new
power and responsibility thrust
upon the United States by the world
conflict.
Highlight of the day here will be
the ‘‘America’s Cavalcade of Free
dom” show on the Washington
Monument grounds, at which an at
tendance of 400,000 or more is ex
pected.
The 3 4 -hour program of enter
tainment to begin at 7:30 p.m. will
be climaxed by a display of fire
works, Including 110 set pieces and
200 aerial units. Sponsors of the
affair are the District Recreation
Board. Greater National Capital
Committee, of the Washington
Board of Trade, Motion Picture
Theater Owners of the District and
the Office of National Capital Parks.
15.000 Seats Arranged.
Joseph C. McGarraghy, executive
committee chairman for the spec
tacle. has arranged for 15,000 seats
to be placed close to the big stage
being erected for the occasion.
Tickets may be obtained from any
local hotel, the American Automo
bile Association, Keystone Auto
mobile Club and Peoples Drug
Stores.
Thf largest choral group ever to
appear here will sing a special ar
rangement of “Ballad for Ameri
cans” to end the entertainment
portion of the program. Ge&e Ford,
who is staging the ball&d, has an
nounced that its author, John La
Touche, will arrive tomorrow to
assist Dana Beaschler, director of
music for the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, at a dress
rehearsal of the choral group.
Music for the cavalcade program
will be furnished by more than 175
musicians from the Navy, Army Air
Forces and Marine Corps bands.
Thirty-six loudspeakers will carry
the program over an area a mile
square.
Oldest Inhabitants To Meet.
In the morning at 11, the Associa
tion of Oldest'Inhabitants will cele
brate the Nation's birthday at the
Old Union^Sngine House, Nineteenth
and H streets N.W. John Clagett
Proctor, acting president, will pre
side.
Kll present will renew the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag and sing
“America.” Charles H. Bates will
recite the Declaration of Independ
ence, Mrs. Edward H. Cox Will sing,
and William E. Leahy will deliver
the principal address. The Rev.
Edgar C. Bery, pastor of Emory
Methodist Church, will deliver the
Invocation.
Up to 1,500 members of the Police
Boys' Club have been invited to take
a cruise down the Potomac aboard
the merchant ship “American Mar
iner,” The vessel will leave the
dock at Seventh street and Maine
avenue S.W. at noon, returning at
7 p.m.
Special Service Planned.
Catholic University will mark the
day wjth a special service of prayer
at 5 tm. at the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception on the
campus. Sponsored by the Commis
sion on American Citizenship of the
University, the service will be dedi
cated to the spiritual welfare of the
Nation and its rededication to the
Christian principles of its founda
tion.
Msgr. P. J. McCormick, rector of
the University, will celebrate the
solemn benediction of the blessed
sacrament, and the Rev. John P.
Monoghan, pastor of the Church of
St. Margaret Mary, New York, and
educational director of the Associa
tion of Catholic Trade Unionists, will
deliver the sermon on “Education
for Christian Living.”
Observations in nearby areas will
include exercises in Takoma Park,
Md., in conjunction with the pre
sentation to the town of the Com
munity Honor Roll at Carroll and
Willow avenues by Takoma Park
Post No. 350, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, at 5:15 pjn. Dr. Reuben G.
Steinmeyer, professor of interna
tional relations at the University
of Maryland, will be the principal
speaker.
Athletic Events Arranged.
Willard D. Normandy, chairman
of the Fourth of July Celebration
Committee sjjonsoring the affair,
has announced that athletic events
for young people also will take place
at 2 p.m. at the Takoma Park
Recreation Center and that there
will be dancing at the tennis courts
at Third and Van Buren streets
from 8:30 to 11 pjn.
The Washington Missionary Col
lege Band will give a 15-minute
concert prior to the patriotic exer
cises and will play during the
ceremonies. The band is to be led
by George Wargo. Edward Kulda,
aoloist, of the Takoma Baptist
Church, will sing and also lead com
munity songs. Cub Pack No. 243, of
which Ellery Denison is leader, will
be formally presented with an
American Flag by Mr. Normandy,
who is commander of the Takoma
legion post.
►
•j.
Beekeepers Get Stung for Fun
At Berwyn Heights Contest
Ethan Allen Andrews trying to grow a beard of bees.
_-—Star Staff Photo.
The Maryland Beekeepers As
sociation held Its first prewar get
together at Berwyn Heights yester
day, and the members competed in
their traditional contest of bee
catching with bare hands.
The air was a-busz with bees as
the contestants gathered about a
hive in the yard of George J.
Abrams, apiarist at the University
of Maryland.
The reporter was frightened at
bees zooming past his ear and
crawling over his lapels but the
nonchalance of the score or more
of beekeepers witnessing the con
test caused a congregational cour
age to prevail.
"Why don’t they sting?” the re
porter asked.
"These bees are so disorganized
and confused they don’t know what
to do,” said Harold L. Kelly of Sil
ver Spring, president of the asso
ciation. “They have been wet down
and smoked out and now the men
are able with bare hands and no
masks to break up the combs of an
aid hive and transfer the colony
0 a new hive.”
Ethan Allen Andrews of Balti
more offered to wear a beard of bees.
He took the tray holding the trans
ferred colony from the hive and
held it against his chin.
Mr. Andrews is a spare, bald man.
Soon both his ears were covered
with bees and he had a fine burn
side on one cheek but the colony
would not cluster on his chin. Mr.
Andrews scooped up handfuls of the
bees and dropped them on his shin
ing pate. He rubbed them along
his chin. But they would not take
hold there.
“It’s too hot," said one of the bee
keepers. ’’I’ve seen him with a
beard of bees right down to his
waist.”
Once the reporter saw Mr.
Andrews wince. He said later that
a bee stung his check.
“I try to keep my mouth closed
and breath easy when I am doing
that,’ ’he said. “I’ve' had them go
up my no6e and sting me. I’ve
swallowed a lot of bees. I don’t
mind that. What I don’t like is
their stinging my tongue and ton
sils.”
In the bee-catching contest the
time was limited to 3 minutes. The
contenstants picked up the bees
with their right hand and deposited
them in an open mouthed bottle
held in the left hand. The bottle
must be capped with the bare left
hand but it’s unusual for the bees
to sting that hand. It’s the right
hand that is vulnerable.
John Lindner of Cumberland and
Lloyd B. Shearman of Glenarm ad
mitted stings and were disqualified.
Mr. Shearman was very honest
about it. He said, “Ouch!**
Mrs. Alice Crew Baker of College
Park and Mr. Andrews handled the
bees without getting stung. But
there was no doubt as to who had
won. The judges didn’t even count
the beev In his three minutes,
Oiion J. Virts of Brunswick ac
quired almost a bottle full and he
was awarded the prize, a new bee
smoker.
Curran Says Gambling,
Charge in February
Is Still Being Probed
The gambling charges placed
against the Variety Club's barten
der, Teodorico Galera, when police
raided the club’s rooms February 9,
have never been presented to the
grand jury. District Attorney Ed
ward M. Curran disclosed last night,
because the books of the exclusive
theatermen’s club are still being in
vestigated ,by the district attorney’s
office.
This disclosure came in the wake
of reports that Police Capt. Beverly
Beach, former commanding officer
in No. 1 precinct, was transferred
to suburban No. 6 precinct because
he too zealously harried clubs and
establishments in the downtown
area where gambling is permitted.
Mr. Curran said the charges
against Galera still are pending.
Galera was arrested by members of
Inspector Oscar J. Letterman’s anti
gambling squad in a surprise raid
on the Variety Club's rooms in the
Willard Hotel and charged with set
ting up a gaming table and permit
ting gambling. Police confiscated
six slot machines and set Galera
free in $1,500 bond. The club, how
ever, was not closed.
Probe “Takes Time.”
The work of investigating the
club's books “takes some time,” Mr.
Curran said last night, and added
that he "didn't rush it or anything.”
Both Police Superintendent Maj.
Harvey G. Callahan and his imme
diate superior, Commissioner John
Russell Ypung, insist that the trans
fer of Cdpt. Beach was “routine.”
He changed places with the com
mander of the Sixth Precinct, Capt.
Robert Pearce.
The transfer of Capt. Beach, im
placable foe of gamblers and gaming,
has given birth to a number of
conflicting theories about what
might hqve caused the transfer,
however.
Popular Clubs Warned.
First there is the much-publicized
theory that Capt. Beach was shifted
to Number Six because he stepped
on the toes of influential persons in
carrying out his orders to put a stop
to rampant gambling in the down
town section.
Both Capt. Beach and Inspector
Letterman have repeatedly warned
a number of clubs frequented by
prominent businessmen and officials
that they must cease operating slot
machines or face arrest.
Second is the possibility that the
-transfer may have resulted from the
efforts of Capt. Pearce to return to
the First Precinct where he served
for 15 years before going to the
Brightwood precinct.
Capt. Pearce admitted yesterday
his reassignment to the downtown
section was “happy new/.” Until
he took over Number 6 last August,
i Capt Pearce had left the precinct,
only once, when he served for t,
D. C. Accidents Rise
For Lack of Inspection
In Maryland, Virginia
Statistics revealing that more
Maryland and Virginia automobiles
have figured in District accidents
since those States abolished safety
inspections were released last night
by traffic experts.
During the first five months of
this year, 5 per cent more cars from
the nearby States were reported in
District accidents than during the
same period of 1940—the year before
safety inspections were dropped.
Traffic Director George E.
Keneipp said the percentage of in
crease might not be attributed en
tirely to preventive measures, but
admitted there doubtless was some
connection.
"Both Maryland and Virginia
authorities are anxious to resume
safety inspections and I have prom
ised both every co-operation,” Mr.
Keneipp said.
"Por Instance, W. Lee Elgin,
Maryland commissioner of motor
vehicles, is planning an ambitious
program. He wishes to install two
inspection stations in Baltimore and
one each in the 23 Maryland coun
ties.”
Mr. Elgin will try to put his
measure through the State Legisla
ture next ^January.
The Virginia State Police, in
charge of safety inspection, also are
anxious to reduce hazards with
periodic inspection.
“I have been told that Virginia
is waiting for the time when more
parts are available,” Mr. Keneipp
said.
Inspector Arthur E. Miller of the
police traffic division said a recent
survey made here showed 25 per
cent of all Maryland cars and 7.5
per cent of Virginia cars operating
in the District to be defective.
Of 20,000 cars checked during the
safety drive, 5,000 were found in
faulty condition, Inspector Miller
said. The records show that Mary
land cars make up 22.2 per cent and
Virginia cars 16.1 per cent of Dis
trict traffic.
year before the waf at the United
States Capitol.
In the meantime, a high-ranking
police official said he understood
Capt. Beach had made no effort to
retain his post in Number 1, the
city’s “hot spot” among precincts.
MaJ. Callahan yesterday told a re
porter he thought Capt. Beach
would “be at home in the 6th pre
cinct stationhouse because it is one
of the most attractive in the city
with its spacious lawn and clean
building.”
He mentioned, In this connection,
that Capt. Beach was a “very un
usual officer as far as his attire was
concerned because he is always im
maculately dressed and looks as
though he has on a newly pressed
uniform whenever he appease on
ith# street." |
Health Bureau
Plans to Tighten
Agency Controls
/
Private Institutions
Law Revision
Studied by Group
By Harold B. Rogers
District Health Department offi
cials are drafting new and stronger
regulations under the local hospital
licensing law of 1908, it was learned
last night, in order to extend the
city's authority over such agencies
as private nursing homes, rest
homes and convalescent centers.
Such licensing and inspection was
strongly recommended in the recent
Metropolitan health and hospital
survey. Study of the problem had
been under way at the Health De
partment, however, for a long time,
prior to the survey, a department
spokesman said.
Dr. George C. Ruhland, District
health officer, who now is on vaca
tion, was represented by an as
sociate as feeling that the old law,
which has penalty teeth in it, could
be better implemented by revised
regulations to meet modem condi
tions.
Dr. Oppenheimer Participating.
Among officials understood to be
making the study are: Dr. Ella
Oppenheimer, director of the Bu
reau of Maternal and Child Wel
fare, and Col. William H. Carey, Jr.,
director of the Bureau of Sanitation.
Tentative drafts of new regula
tions already have been drawn, it
was explained, and when approved
by the health officer, will be submit
ted to the District Commissioners
for consideration and promulgation.
Details of the pending new regula
tions were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the newly-organized
Hospital Council of the National
Capital Area has tackled the sev
eral problems presented by the re
cent hospital survey and is develop
ing a program of action to be laid
before the entire council at its next
meeting July 17 at Emergency Hos
pital. One of the purposes of the
council, as outlined in its by-laws,
is to “improve standards” of hos
pitals.
One of the problems still under
considerable discussion and con
troversy as an outgrowth of the hos
pital survey, is what to do with
Health Security Administration, a
private agency operating an admis
sions bureau for hospitals. This or
ganization was reported last night
to be still gaining defenders in dis
cussions throughout the city by
those who may determine its fate.
In the hospital survey HSA was one
»f the most severely criticized of any
agency in this area.
Tighter Regulations Sought
The hospital survey reoently rec
ommend “broadening the law,” here
on licensing. But in the meantime,
with Congress Jammed with a nigh
of legislation, It is believed by Health
Department officials, and by others
conversant with the law of 1908,
that much can be accomplished by
simply tightening the regulations
under the legislation already in ef
fect. »■
Hospitals here now are required to
be licensed. Dr. Claude W. Munger
of New York pointed out in his hos
pital survey. The District Commis
sioners are empowered to make de
tailed rules and regulations, and the
health department is expected to in
spect the hospitals and enforce reg
ulations.
But, Dr. Munger added: “There is
a distinct impression that, the health
department goes little further than
to concern itself with sanitation and
the. department of public buildings
with fire hazards. '
"Governmental concern with hos
pital standards in the medical and
physical care of the patients is not
in evidence.”
Many Institutions Excluded.
The present District licensing law,
Dr. Munger asserted, "does not in
clude private nursing homes, private
homes for the aged or independent
clinics.” He recommended that the
Metropolitan Health Council, which
sponsored the recent survey with
funds from the Community War
Fund, "study this problem to the
end of broadening the law, securing
the formulation of careful sets of
standards and work for the estab
lishment of an inspection service
which will enforce the whole plan.”
The present District hospital law
was said by health department offi
cials to be strong enough to author
ize additional action by officials here.
This legislation, it was pointed
out by experts familiar with it, has
much the same objectives as the new
model hospital licensing law now be
ing developed by the American Hos
pital Association.
Four Fundamentals Cited.
This District “private hospital and
asylum act” embodies four funda
mentals: t
1. It forbids the establishment or
maintenance of any private hospital
or asylum unless licensed by the Dis
trict Commissioners.
2. It authorizes the Commission
ers to promulgate such regulations
as in their judgment public inter
ests require to govern the establish
ment and maintenance of private
hospitals or asylums, and to regu
late the issue, suspension, and revo
cation of licenses for them.
3. *It requires the health officer to
enforce the provisions of the act.
4. It authorizes a fine or impris
onment, or both a fine and impris
onment, for violating or aiding in
violating any of the provisions of
the act, or of the regulations pro
mulgated by its authority.
Some lawyers who recently have
made a careful analysis of the hos
pital law of 1908 believe there is
ample authority for the District
Commissioners to extend their li
censing and inspection powers over
private nursing homes and private
homes for the aged.
As a precedent they point to a
decision by the Court of Appeals
here? which defined specifically the
meaning of the terms "hospital”
and "asylum” as they are used in
the 1908 Act. ^
Federal Employes' Union
Sets Convention Date
The American Federation of Gov
ernment Employes (AFL) will hold
its first convention since 1941 in St.
Paul, Minn., starting September 16,
it was announced today by Jamas
B. Buna, president f
UPROOTED TREE TRAPS TWO FAMILIES—Firemen from No. 2 Engine Co. attempt to remove
a huge oak tree which fell against a duplex home at 1638 and 1640 Thirty-second street N.W.,
after being uprooted by yesterday’s storm, trapping the occupants for several hours. One of two
automobiles under the tree was crushed while the other escaped damage.
Flood waters In the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad underpass in Silver Spring almost covered :
this car, one of two stalled in the underpass during the heavy rain. The occupants climbed to :
the roofs of their cars and were rescued by Silver Spring volunteer firemen, who carried them I
to safety._ __—Star Staff Photos.
Belated Drives Listed
Caught in Log Jam
Belated drives for enactment of
a number of major District meas
ures, caught in the preadjournment
log jam, are to be resumed this week.
These include bills authorizing
construction of twin spans over the
Potomac to replace outworn High
way Bridge, granting a pay boost
to Washington school teachers,
charting a 10-year *20,000,000 slum
redevelopment program and au
thorizing Federal aid in provision
of a 1,500-bed hospital center here.
The bridge bill, reported favorably
by the House Interstate Commerce
Committee, as recommended by its
Chapman Subcommittee, is on the
House calendar and efforts to bring
it up for passage are to be made
tomorrow or Tuesday. Prompt con
sideration has been promised by
Acting Chairman Hoey of the Sen
ate District Committee as soon as
the House acts.
Teacners’ pay Talks Due.
The teacher pay question is be
fore the McCarran Subcommittee
of the Senate District Committee.
Other business yesterday prevented
a conference with other committee
men, but Senator McCarran, Demo
crat of Nevada, author of one of
the pending bills, said he would try
again early this week.
On this measure, the House is
waiting for the Senate to act first.
Action on the slum and hospital
bills, both passed months ago by
the Senate, has been deferred by
the House District Committee to
await the return to Washington of
Representative McGehee, Democrat
of Mississippi. The Mississippi pri
maries will be staged Tuesday and
Mr. McGehee is expected back here
in time for the postponed District
Committee meeting to be held Sat
urday.
Action Promised on July 6.
When action was deferred nearly
a month ago. the committee pro
mised action would be taken on the
July 6 meeting.
A session of the full Senate Dis
trict Committee is scheduled for
some day this week by Senator Hoey.
At that time action may be taken on
the teacher pay bill if it is ready,
and some other measures.
The controversial child day care
center bill is going to conference
between the House and Senate. It
has been passed by both houses, but
the Senate specified that the centers
be operated by the Board of Public
Welfare, while extending the pro
gram for but one year, whereas the
House version of the bill makes them
an integral part of the public schools
system, on a permanent basis.
Head Fight for Bill.
At the request of Chairman Mc
Millan of the House District Com
mittee. the House managers on the
bill will be himself. Representative
Healy, Democrat, of California, au
thor of the measure, and Repre
sentative Beall, Republican, of
Maryland.
Other business permitting, Chair
man McMillan will ask House ap
proval tomorrow or Tuesday of bills
authorizing appointment of three
additional deputies to the District
Register of Wills and authorizing
District banks and building and
loan associations to close all day on
Saturdays. The latter bill was
passed yesterday by the Senate.
The measure was brought up by
Senator McCurran and improved
without a dissent. Ha said embank*
Auto Salesmen Reverse Patter
To Avoid Selling New Cars «.,r.
By Chris MaHriseri
Not selling automobiles is a big
business. It is a business requiring
tact and persuasive power in large
measures. In fact, it calls for almost
as much talent as selling automo
biles.
This negative form of salesman
ship is being practiced daily in the
showrooms of Washington dealers,
although more than 250 brand new
vehicles now are being delivered
weekly. These deliveries include
trucks, buses and taxicabs as well as
private passenger cars.
,, Mitt rn vJOJT
fcjts^EE hep
r '
Not selling is easier without sam
ples. Therefore, those dealers who
have not received display models
have had fewer headaches. Tech
niques vary.
Techniques in Vogue.
Among those in vogue, a reporter,
interested in buying a new car,
found, are these:
1. The cards-on-the-table defense
—“Now, there isn’t any sense in
my putting you on the list. I don’t
know when 111 be able to give you
any encouragement. However, get
in touch with me in a couple of
months.”
2. The deadpan, or you-know
what-you’re-doing, treatment—
“We’ll put your name on the list.
We'll need a deposit. Can't say
when you'll hear from us.”
3. The get-along-without school—
"Now's the time to sell your old
car. The new ones are on the way,
and prices are dropping on used
cars. We’ll give you a handsome
price and put you on the list for a
new one.”
Reminiscent of Old Days.
The last is the only routine de
livered with the old-fashioned sun
burst smile and backslap. It stirs
memories of the good old days in
which hyper-thyroid types gravi
tated to the auto-salesman calling.
The practitioner concentrates on the
desirability of going careless in fa
vor of cash at this time ahd merely
murmurs that “it wont be so long”
until the shiny postwar model is
ready for the prospect. He avoids
extended conversation about de
livery dates.
Prospects without old cars to trade
usually get line No. 1.
The reporter did not encounter
the truculent, "Whaddya want?"
salesman of the cartoons.
| Dispositions Frayed.
Not selling is a frustrating work,
and salesmen are trying desperately'
to preserve their dispositions for the!
day on which they again can seek
business in the prewar no-holds
barred fashion. Those in the busi
ness for many years now are
plagued by the "Remember me.
Jack?” pleas of the "contacts” they
took pains to preserve when cars
were plentiful — when a salesman
swore a new beauty was good for 10
years but was back to badger the'
customer a year later.
The reporter received No. 3, and
no special promises, from the friend-1
ly fellow who sold him his present
transportation in 1941.
Meanwhile, automobiles are being!
built and some are reaching Wash
ingtonians.
3,300 Titles Issued.
A check with the District De
partment of Vehicles and Traffic
revealed that more than 3,300 titles
for new motor vehicles Were issued
in the period from April 1, be
--—- m i
ginning of Ure department’s year,
through last week. Last week’s is
suances averaged about 55 a day.
These figures cover all types of
motor vehicles.
The additions to the total of
vehicles on the streets here are
being trimmed slightly by loss of
cars sent to the junk yard, but
these are very few under present
conditions.
Soon the old wail of fretting
drivers will be appropriate once
more :
“This Washington traffic is get
ting worse every day!”
and building and loan associations
had indorsed the legislation and
that business interests generally
had not opposed It.
Bankers sought the legislation
largely because it would give their
employes the benefit of the five
day week most Government em
ployes now enjoy. The banks are
unable to close without legal au
thorization, it was explained, and
the present practice is a handicap
in recruiting employes.
Junior Police Making
Progress in Drive
Policeman Oliver Cowan! founder
director of the Junior Police and
Citizens’ Corps, said yesterday sat
isfactory progress was being made
in the building fund campaign of
the antidelinquency organization.
He emphasized that contributions
by mall are being welcomed and
should be addressed to, the fund at
790 Barry place N.wi
\» ■
Navy Band to Give Concert
At Coast Guard Pier Todayj
The United States Navy Band,'
under the direction of Warrant Offl- j
cer Richard Townsend, will present
a concert at 2:30 p.m. today aboard!
the Maritime Service training ves-j
sel American Mariner at the Coast
Guard pier, Seventh street and
Maine avenue S.W.
Following the concert, which is
open to the public, Comdr. Telfair
Knight, commandant of the Mari
time Service, will present a Mariner’s
Medal- to Lt. John A. Maclnnes,
2817 Fifth street NB., in token of
injuries he received aboard the
Thomas Scott when the ship was
torpedoed. A posthumous Meritor
ious Service Medal will be presented
to the widow of Capt. Cameron D.
Simmons of Baltimore, Md. The
American Mariner will be open for
public inspection today, tomorrow
and Wednesday from 24to S pan.
Storm Smashes
Tree Into Home,
Trapping Six
Autos Marooned,
Basements Flooded
During Heavy Rain
A thunderstorm, accompanied by
32-mile-per-hour winds, yesterday
blew down a 60-foot tree, trapping
six persons in a Georgetown duplex
house as it smashed the front door
and completely blocked the front
of the house.
Two automobiles, parked in front
of the home were also damaged by
the falling tree. Over the District
and in nearby areas damage was re
ported as basements were flooded,
trees and power lines blown down,
roadways washed out and houses
struck by lightning.
In Silver Spring, drivers of two
cars were marooned by high water
in the Baltimore & Ohio underpass
and climbed to the roofs of their
automobiles before being rescued
by Page Hopkins and Henry Dietle
of the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire
Department.
District Men Rescued.
The rescued men were Sam Elli
son, 5518 Blair road N.E., and Peter
Taulelle, 7129 Georgia avenue N.W.
At the height of the storm, which
began about 5 p.m., the tre crashed
into the front of the duplex home
at 1638 and 1640 Thirty-second
street N.W.
.Mrs. John A. O’Donoghue and her
son, Roger O’Donoghue, were sit
ting in the living room of their
home at 1638 when a branch of the
2 Women Get Burns
On Hand as Lightning
Plays Through House
Lightning "crackled all over
the house” of Mrs. W. P. Bar
rows, 3511 Legation street N.W:,
during yesterday’s storm and
"played" around the ring on her
finger, causing a slight burn,
Mrs. Barrows said last night.
Also suffering a slight bum
on her hand was Miss Ann
Claire Donovan, who lives at
the Barrows home.
Mrs. Barrows said the light
ning struck the chimney, dam
aging it badly, then came
through the roof into the home.
tree smashed in the front door. Mrs.
O’Donoghue said one of the living
room chairs was thrown to the top
of a table. A window on the sec
ond floor also was smashed, sha
said.
In the other section of the duplex.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Leahigh and
their two children, Ann, 6, and
Jimmy. 21 months, were seated in
their living room also. Only dam
age done to their home was a broken
front window in the livfhg room and
a damaged chimney.
Aato Top Crushed.
An automobile belonging to Mrs.
O’Donoghue, who is Mrs. Lealiigh'a
mother, was hit by the falling tree,
and the whole rear end and too
were crushed. Mr. Leahigh's car.
also covered by the tree, suffered
some scratches.
The two families said they could
not get out of their homes as there
was no back entrance to their yard.
After several hours. Mr. Leahigh
said he tore down a section of the
eight-foot back fence and went
through a neighbor's house to get
to the street.
Mr. O’Donoghue said he did not
consider they were trapped because
"it was raining and I didn't want
to go out anyway.”
Firemen began working to clear
the damage immediately as the tree
had fallen from the opposite side
walk, completely blocking the street.
Some Districts Escape.
The thundershower, the Weather
Bureau said, was spotted over the
District and nearby areas, with soma
sections reporting little or no rain.
At the Airport station of the Weath
er Bureau only .07 in. of rain
was recorded, while in Brookmont,
Md., 1.7 inches fell, a large amount
for the time involved, Weather Bu
reau officials said.
The temperature fell from 86 de
grees at 4:30 pm. to 71 degrees at
6 p.m.
Today will be warm and humid
with partly cloudy skies, the
Weather Bureau forecast. The tem
perature is expected to rise to 90
in the afternoon, with brief showers
possible. Tomorrow will be con
tinued warm, humid and partly
cloudy, Weather Bureau officials
said.
The District Fire Department re
ported 25 calls to pump out flooded
basements from yesterday's storm.
The Potomac Electric Power Co.
said they had more than 200 com
plaints of a minor nature.
Police said a streetcar ran off the
tracks at Fiftieth and Deane avenue
N.E. due to water and gravel wash
ing over the tracks, but no one wag
injured.
Police Radio Disabled.
The police radio systems in Up
per Marlboro, Prince Georges
County, and Rockville, Montgomery
County, went out of commission
shortly after the rainstorm started.
Montgomery County police were
forced to route all calls through the
Silver Spring Volunteer Fire De
partment's radio hookup.
Lightning struck the home of C.
F. Needleship, 1212 Woodside park
way, Silver Spring, causing a fire in
the attic. Damage was estimated at
$25. No one was injured.
Several motorists were reported
stranded in the Bethesda area when
the heavy rain shorted the electric
systems of their cars. Many base
ments were flooded and a Bethesda
Fire Department engine, responding
to one call, was forced to stop for
about five minutes when it hit a
pool of water on Bradley boulevard
near Leland street.
Electricity was shut off for short
periods in Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties when wires were
blown down. Scores of trees in the
two nearby areas were uprooted.
In Prince Georges County, wash
outs were reported on Defense high
way, Landover road, Qu-cnsbury
road, University lane, Central ave
nue and Edmonston road when
water undermined sections of the
roads and caused them to collapse.
The area around the j Peace Cross
In Bladensburg was fli*jded.