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Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, May 26, 1948, Image 21

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GENERAL NEWS ttlstS f£i<, rtVY^Y WASHINGTON AND VICINITY g
WASHINGTON, D. C. ^(jv ^CUvllITl-Q WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1948 **
13 Montgomery,
Prince Georges
Bills Introduced
Sanitary District Bond
Limit Change, Permits
For Plumbers Asked
By a Staff Correspondent of The Stof
ANNAPOLIS. May 26. —Thirteen
bills dealing with Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties today were
before members of the second spe
cial session of the General Assem
bly called since Gov. Lane took
office last year.
They were among approximately
85 measures submitted at the open
ing of the session last night.
Also presented were nine bills af
fecting St. Marys, Calvert, Anne
Arundel and Frederick Counties, in
cluding one which would legalize
slot machines, in Calvert County
and providing for a referendum on
the proposal June 28. ,
Two of the 13 Montgomery-Prince
Georges bills were prepared at the
request of the Washington Subur
ban Sanitary Commission, which
serves both counties.
One would empower any master
plumber registered in the Wash
ington Suburban Sanitary District
to make water and sewer connec
tions to new homes provided a per
mit is obtained from the Sanitary
Commission.
Would Require Deposit.
The proposed legislation also
would require the plumber to de
posit with the commission sufficient
money to enable the latter to restore
the street to its original condition.
In addition, the plumber would have
to post a $25,000 bond with the com
mission.
The second bill would exclude the
commissions sinking fund and
water bonds from its bonded indebt
edness limitation of 14 per cent of
the assessable basis of the sanitary
district.
The remaining bills would;
Authorize the Montgomery County
public utility agent to enforce taxi
cab regulations and other ordi
nances at the direction of the
county commissioners.
Increase the salaries of the two
registrars of the Montgomery Board
of Election Supervisors from $2,400
to $3,000 a year each; the assistant
chief clerk of the board from $600
to $900 a year; the stenographer
from $2,000 to $2,200; two clerks
from $1,800 to $2,040, and two clerks
from $1,600 to $1,800.
Remove the statutory salary lim-<
itation of $5,000 for the Montgomery
County controller and allow the
county commissioners to fix his
pay.
Asks Licensed Dumps.
Authorize the Montgomery County
commissioners to license and regu
late dumps outside the Washing
ton Suburban Sanitary District and
prohibit operation of a dump within
3 miles of any municipality, except
Washington Grove and Gaithers
burg.
Remove the $2,100 salary limita
tion for two assistant clerks to the
Montgomery County commissioners
and $2,000 for one assistant clerk
and permit the board to set their
pay.
Permit public works projects in
Montgomery on Sundays, provided
authorization is obtained from the
county commissioners. The meas
ure is designed to permit continu
ous work on the Silver Spring
underpass.
Authorize the Montgomery com
missioners to increase the salaries
of the supervisor of assessments and
county assessors.
Would Lower Petition Requirement.
Empower the Rockville Mayor and
Council to make street improve
ments and to lay water and sewer
lines on a petition signed by the
owners of 20 per cent of the prop
erty abutting the proposed improve
ments. The present law requires
two-thirds of the property owners
affected to sign such a petition.
Increase the salaries of judges of
the Circuit Court for Montgomery
and Frederick Counties by $750 a
vear each.
Authorize the Prince Georges
County Commissioners to regulate
and license trailer camps.
Make all construction in Prince
Georges County which is "substan
tially complete." between January 1
and March 31 of any year subject to
three-fourths of the county and
State real estate tax. Construction
"substantially completed" between
April 1 and June 30 would be sub
ject to one-half the annual tax.
Would Set Slot Machine eees.
The slot machine bill, introduced
by Senator Louis L. Goldstein, Dem
ocrat. of Calvert County, fixes an
annual license fee of $150 on each
device up to four. Those having
more than four would pay a $1,000
distributor's license fee plus $150
for each additional machine.
Senator Goldstein said the meas
ure would raise approximately $50.
000 a year. He expressed confidence
that the Governor would sign it.
since a similar bill for St. Marys
County was approved by the chief
executive last November.
The bill provides that the first
$250,000 obtained from the license
fees would be used to pay off notes
to be issued by the Calvert County
Hospital for a new building. Sena
tor Goldstein said it is hoped to get
an additional $100,000 from the Fed
eral Government for a new hospital.
Another bill sponsored by Sen
ator Goldstein authorizes the Cal
vert County Board of Education to
provide transportation for parochial
school students.
A Frederick County bill authorizes
the State Department of Forests
and Parks to purchase and develop
101 acres on South Mountain at
Gapland. to be known as the Gap
land State Park.
The land originally was bought
by George A. Townsend, a Civil War
correspondent, who built a W’ar
correspondents’ memorial arch and
elaborate estate there. It is now
owned by the Frederick Chamber
of Commerce and the Historical So
ciety of Frederick County.
Two bills by Senator Dulln, Dem
ocrat, of Anne Arundel County
would permit dog racing with pari
mutuel betting in the county and
would permit raffles by fraternal,
civic, charitable and volunteer fire
organizations.
Tom Thumb Wedding
A Tom Thumb wedding will be
•taged by pupils of the University
Park iMd.i School at 7 o'clock to
feight on the school grounds.
ff I
I '/,
§
SILVER SPRING KIWANIS CLUB CHARTERED—Jesse F. Nich
olson (left), president of the recently organized Kiwanis Club,
receives the charter from W. Albie Barksdale (right) of Char
lottesville, Va., district governor, and Edgar Parrish (center) of
Manassas, Va., district lieutenant governor, in ceremonies last
night at the Hotel Statler._ —Star Stag Photo.
Blandford Voices Fear
Of 'Serious Threat'
In Hope Farm Plan
By J. L. Michael
Acting as a private citizen and
predicting that "I may lose mv
position because of this action,” j
Joseph H. Blandford, chairman of
the Maryland Production and Mar-!
keting Administration, today la-,
beied administrative provisions of
of the Hope farm plan ‘‘a seri
ous threat to the basic principles
of our present sound agricultural
program.”
In a letter to county and com
munity committeemen of his organ
ization, Mr. Blandford charged that;
farmers will "lose the control they
now have over the administration
of farm programs if the Hope bill
in its present form becomes law,”
The bill, prepared by Chairman
Hope of the House Agriculture Com
mittee. would co-ordinate the Gov
ernment's soil conservation and
farm programs and would meTge the
several agencies dealing with these
problems into one unit.
Called “First Land Policy.”
Supporters of the measure have;
termed it “the first national land
jpjlicy in our history” and have
launched a Nation-wide drive to
secure its enactment by the present
Congress.
“If the Hope bill is passed.” Mr.
iBlandford declared, "farmers’ ad
ministration as we have it today will
end. In its place will come admin
istration by professional and tech
nical people without farming experi
ence or background. The Farmer
Committees would be retained, but
their sole function would be to make
conservation payments.”
The State PMA chairman de
clared that in a recent referendum
conducted by the Maryland Agri
cultural Council 6,000 farmers voted
overwhelmingly in favor of con
tinuing the present plan of handling
farm programs.
“This,” he asserted, "was no re
flection on the value of professional
men. None will deny that research
is essential to successful farming,
or that the services of technicians
is needed ' * *’*
Says Many Misinformed.
“Many Senators and Representa
t tives," he continued, “are misin
formed in regard to the functions
and the records of State and county
farm committees, partly because
State committeemen in a position
to know the facts cannot contact
the legislators with information
they need and want because of re
strictions imposed by the Hatch
Act, which prohibits Government
; employes at State or higher levels
from engaging in political activity.
Mr. Blandford suggested that Con
gress “in the national interest"
should provide a program which
will be administered by those who
know farming by reason of practical
experience and training, wuth the
aid of technical assistance and re
search.
Representative Hope. Republican,
of Kansas, Mr. Blandford said, "is
known to be a staunch friend of
agriculture. He is honest and effi
cient. He is interested in the enact
ment of legislation beneficial to his
constituents. We as farmers are
responsible for making our wants
known to him. If we neglect our
obligations on this respect, we de
serve to suffer the consequences.”
Adding that "under the terms of
the Hatch Act I may lose my posi
tion as a member of th^ Maryland
PMA Committee.” Mr. Blandford i
said, "I would be unworthy to hold;
this position if I permitted this
fact to prevent me from telling you
about the provisions of the Hope j
bill.”
87 Midshipmen to Take
Submarine'Training
ANNAPOLIS. May 26 UP).—Eighty
seven midshipmen will take volun
teer submarine training this summer
at the end of the midshipmens’
practice cruise, the Naval Academy
announced yesterday.
They have been authorized to
train at the New London, Conn.,
submarine base.
Alexandria Council
Moves to Repeal Tax
On Manufacturers
The Alexandria City Council last
night began steps to repeal the city's
tax on manufacturers.
On motion of Councilman John
Tulloch, City Attorney Joseph M.
Pancoast was instructed to draft an.
ordinance to repeal the manufac-1
turer's tax which was adopted this j
year for the first time. Final action
is scheduled for June 8.
City Manager Nicholas A. Cola
santo estimated repeal of the tax
■would cost the city approximately
$15,000. The manufacturers’ levy
was part of a new fiscal program
■adopted after completion of a survey
by the University of Virginia Bu
reau of Public Administration.
Double Taxation Claimed.
Manufacturers protested that they
were doubly taxed because they were
assessed on all their wholesale and ■
retail business, in addition to the
: manufacturing tax.
Mr. Colasanto reported he had
appointed F. N. Baker as sealer of:
j weights and measures. Mr. Baker
1 also is hack inspector.
Thomas M. Jones, jr., of the Retail
Merchants’ Association told the
council some gasoline pumps and
scales in the city had not been in-,
spected for more than 20 years.
School Addition Authorized. !
The Council granted permission
to the Congressional School to con
struct additional classroom space.
Proposed additions at the school
were protested by nearby residents,
who said the school originally was
granted permission to operate a
nursery and kindergarten for about
40 students and now was teaching
approximately 100 children through
most of the grades. Neighbors de
clared the property was not well
kept and the buses used to trans
port students were a nuisance.
Permission also was granted the
Immanuel iutheran School on Fed
eral Hill to add more classroom
space. No one protested the addi
. tion.
The Council recessed until next
Tuesday, when it is scheduled to act
on a fire code.
Permits Granted for 5
Prince Georges Carnivals
Five permits for carnivals were j
granted yesterday by the Prince i
Georges County commissioners.
Permitted to hold carnivals are j
the Boulevard Heights Volunteer!
Fire Department, at Suitland and
Silver Hill road, Suitland, June 14
19: the Hillside Volunteer Fire De
partment, Fifty-third street and
Marlboro pike, July 26-31: Seat
Pleasant Volunteer Fire Depart
ment, Eastern and Roosevelt ave
nues, August 23-28: Forestville Vol
unteer Fire Department, Marlboro
pike between Fourth and Fifth ave
nues, August 20-28, and Laurel Vol
unteer Fire Department, high school
playground. July 19-31.
The commissioners also granted
! permission to Frances E. Jenkins to
operate a dav nursery at 5621 Belt
avenue, Bradbury Park.
Nathan R. Gilbert Heads
Montgomery PTA Again
Nathan R. Gilbert of Chevy Chase
i has been re-elected president of the
Montgomery County Council of
Parent-Teacher Associations, it was
announced today.
Other officers are Earl L. Williams,
Gaithersburg; Herbert S. Hyatt,
' Damascus; Mrs. Albert S. Gatley, jr.,
Glen Echo; Mrs. Thomas D. Lewis.
Edgemore; Harold P. Boss, Silver
'Spring, and Guy Jewell. Rockville,
all vice presidents: Clarence W.
Phillips, Bethesda. treasurer; Mrs.
Sherman C. Cline, secretary, and
M. L. Du Mars, assistant secretary,
both of Silver Spring.
Church Plans Fund Drive
The congregation of St. George's
Episcopal Church will meet at 6:30
p.m. tomorrow in the parish hall,
Ninth and North Nelson streets,
Arlington, to discuss plans for a new
structure and to open a drive for
funds.
Southern Maryland Counties
Seek Patuxent Bridge Link
By o Stoff Correspondent of The Star
ANNAPOLIS. May 26—Claiming
their areas are isolated by lack of
transportation facilities, four South
ern Maryland Senators have intro
duced a resolution directing the
State Roads Commission to con
i sider construction of a bridge across
the Patuxent River between Charles
and Calvert Counties.
The resolution was presented last
night at the special session of the
General Assembly and referred to
the Finance Committee.
It calls on the State Roads Com
mission to make the same type of
istudy it is now drawing up in con
nection with a proposed bridge over
{Chesapeake Bay.
The commission is asked to re
port at the 1949 session.
, According to the resolution, there
are no transportation facilities from
the mouth of the Patuxent to Upper
Marlboro, a distance of about 60
miles, except a barge capable of
carrying two vehicles. The proposed
bridge would cross the Patuxent
from or near Benedict in Charles
County and would extend approxi
mately three-quarters of a mile.
"The citizens of Southern Mary
land" the resolution stated, "feel
they have not received their fair
share of road funds since construc
tion of the Crain Highway, more
than 30 years ago."
The resolution was sponsored by
Senators Paul Bailey. St. Marys
County; James B. Monroe, Charles
County, Republicans; L. Harold
Sothoron, Prince Georges County,
and Louis L. Goldstein, Calvert
County, Democrats. X
G.O.P. Fight Duej
In Assembly for
Welfare Boost
Kimble Terms Request
By Lane Inadequate;
To Demand Hearing
By J. B. Zatman
Star Staff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, May 26. — The
special session of the General As
sembly went into its second day
today amid threats by Republican
leaders of a determined fight to ob
tain more funds for public welfare.
In his speech last night, Gov.
Lane said $500,000 is all he intends
to ask for public welfare work at
this session. At the same time, he
proposed creation of a commission
to inquire into all phases of welfare
operations in Marylnaa.
No legislative battle is expected
over the governor’s request for
$2,101,654 for 10 per cent salary in
creases to slow down the turnover
among State employes—his princi
pal reason for calling the special
session.
Because oi me increases ana omer
proposed projects, he said, the State
orobably wil have little left by 1951'
of its current $15,000,000 surplus.
“I am convinced,” he declared,
“that the State cannot undertake
to participate <in the welfare pro
gram), as it is requested to do.
without now deciding that additional
taxes must be imposed upon the
people of the State, and that I am
unwilling to do.”
Need Put at $2,650,757.
The special session last November \
voted an additional $500,000 for wel
fare and that is all the present
session should do, he insisted. The
Department of Public Welfare has
told the Legislative Council it needs
$2,650,757.
In emphasizing the need for
salary increases for State employes,,
Gov. Lane said:
• “Thus far, for the 10 months of
this current (fiscal) year from July
1, 1947, there has been a turnover
of more than 3,800 in the 7,000
classified positions in the State gov
ernment and, based on these figures,
the employment commissioner has
estimated that, unless some steps
are taken, it will reach more than
4.600, or over 66 per cent, by the
year’s end on June 30.”
To implement the Governor’s
program, bills providing for the pay
increases and for $500,000 for pub
lic welfare were introduced in the
House and Senate.
Kimble to Demand Hearing.
Senator Minority Leader ftobert
B. Kimble served notice he will
demand a “full public hearing” on
the welfare bill.
“I have been informed,” he de
clared, "that the Department of
Public Welfare needs at least $1,
500.000 to prevent the cutting of
welfare grants. In view of this in
formation, I believe the $500,000
proposed by Gov. Lane is totally in
adequate.”
Meanwhile, Delegate Bernard
Carrick, Democrat, of Baltimore,
introduced a bill which would sus
pend collection of funds under the
sales tax when receipts total $36,
800.000.
When the levy was passed at the
1947 regular session, it was esti
mated the tax would raise approxi
mately $18,400,000 annually or $36,
800.000 for the two-year period end
ing June 30, 1949.
Tax Held Inequitable.
Describing the tax as “inequit
able,” Mr. Carrick said in his bill
that suspension of the levy “would
provide about eight months before
the 1949 session during which a
substitute tax program could be dis
cussed.”
An expected flood of bills to legal
ize bingo games and other forms of
gambling turned out to be a mere
trickle when the Assembly con
vened.
Only five measures came in deal
ing with gambling. They included
one to allow various charitable or
ganizations to hold benefit bingo
games and raffles in Baltimore and
another to do the same thing in
Howard county.
The latter had a referendum pro
vision.
Eighty-three bills and four resolu
tions were printed. and brought
down to the State House, but one to
raise the pay of State policemen
was yanked before it reached the
hopper.
Senator Carter. Democrat, of
Baltimore introduced a resolution
calling for stricter laws against
"subversive activities,” specifically
calling attention to a "world Com
munist movement.” 0
The Legislature quickly organized
amid a general understanding that
it would bypass one of its potential
hot potatoes—a “ripper" bill to
abolish the Tidewater Fisheries
Commission which has been expe
riencing internal dissention for
months. •
Instead, the general opinion was
that an investigation would be or
dered into whatever has caused the
dissension.
Other Bills Listed.
Other measures would authorize
the State to issue certificates of
indebtedness for $560,000 for ar
mories at Prince Frederick, Leon
ardtown, Oakland and Ellicott City.
Allow the Board of Regents of the
University of Maryland to lease or
otherwise contract for the us of
the- w ind tunnel at College Park to
the Federal Government, Glenn L.
Martin Co. or any other corporation.
Allow State income taxpayers to
use the short form for returns if
their income is $10,000 or less, in
stead of $5,000 as at present; to set
up a schedule of payments up to
$10,000 income based on a 2.5 per
cent tax rate which will be effective
for payments made in 1949.
Appropriate $25,000 for special
session expenses.
| Virginia High Court Grants
Appeal in Alexandria Case
- By »h« Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va„ May 26.—The
Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
granted an appeal yesterday to the
firm of Washington & Cane from a
judgment of the Alexandria Corpora
tion Court.
The lower court sustained a de
murrer preventing W. S. Washington
and Eppa D. Cane from collecting a
$1,000 commission on a real estate
sale from John F. Garrett and John
Hill Carter.
*
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MILL WHEEL TURNS AGAIN—Millwright Charles H. Midkiff (left)
explains the mechanism to Junior Thompson, 14; Junior Turner, 16, and Leonard Smith, 14, of
the Future Farmers of America, who visited the restored shrine yesterday. —Star Staff Photo.
Maryland Court Rules
Capital Transit Must
Cut Students' Fares
The Capital Transit Co. today was
studying a Maryland court decision
handed down yesterday which holds
that the firm must comply with a
Maryland Public Service Commis
sion order for reduced fares for
school children in Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties.
Transit firm officials said they
would have no comment until the
study is completed.
The decision was by Chief Judge
W. Conwell Smith of the Baltimore
Supreme Bench, in a case contesting
an order of the PSC.
The company had contended the
PSC exceeded its powers in order
ing the reduced fares for students.
The commission made them a con
dition for the increasing of regular
fares on the company’s bus and
trolley lines.
The company seeks to establish
a series of zones radiating from the
District Line and charge 5 cents
for each zone.
The commission said it would ap
prove this if the company would
issue five zone tickets to school
children for 15 cents.
The company refused to abide by
this decision and served notice it
would invoke the higher adult fares
without the special coupons for
students.
The commission then, entered an
other order . prohibiting the j»m
•pany froth doing this and # Was
on a test of this order that the
c**eweni‘into the State court*.
Sick-Leave Plan OK'd
For Arlington Schools
A plan of sick leave with pay for
Arlington's public school teachers
was approved last night by the
County School Board.
The board agreed to adopt a State
plan under which teachers accum
ulate 10 days’ sick leave the first
year and five days each succeeding
year until they have a total of 30
days to their credit. By adopting
this plan, the school board will re
ceive (3 per day toward the pay of
substitutes for sick teachers from
State funds.
In addition, the board voted to
give teachers 10 days’ sick leave per
year at one-third pay, cumulative to
90 days. This is over and above the
State plan and is retroactive.
The board also voted to restrict
the hiring of nondegree teachers to
those who have had at least two
years of experience. In so doing,
the board eliminated the first step
in the salary scale for nondegree
j teachers, making the beginning sal
I ary' *2,400 a year.
---;-” f
Mailed Contributions Urged
For Boys' Clubs Drive
Prince Georges County residents
were urged by Louis W. Kutsch,
campaign chairman, to mail con
tributions for the Prince Georges
County Boys’ Clubs drive to club
headquarters in the County Service
Building. Hyattsville.
Asserting the drive is “progress
ing very nicely,’’ Mr. Kutsch an
nounced he would "appreciate it if
the citizens would not wait to be
canvassed at homte.”
The campaign started May 15
and will end June 15. The goal is
*30,000. The money will be used
for operation of boys’ club units
throughout the county. Membership
in the club now is nearing the 3,000
mark, Mr. Kutsch reported.
----
Bladensburg Budget Voted,
Raising Tax 20 Cents
A $25,800 budget for the 1948-9
fiscal year calling for a tax rate of
50 Gents per $100 valuation on real
estate, a 20-cent increase, was
adopted by the Bladensburg Town
Council last night.
The new tax rate is the maximum
permitted under the town charter.
The budget for the current fiscal
year is $17,278.
Major increases were granted for
street repair and improvement and
additional police facilities.
President Gives $10
To Boys' Camp Drive
President Truman yesterday be
came a member of the Alexandria
Police Boys’ Camp by contributing
$10 to the camp’s fund drive.
Alexandria Police Lt. James W.
Baber, chairman of the drive, said
Mr. Truman’s contribution fcas for
warded by the President’s military
aide, Maj. Gen. Harry Vaughan, who
lives in Alexandria.
The drive chairman reported that
approximately $5,000 has been raised
to date. Police had hoped to col
lect $25,000 to $30,000 by the sched
uled conclusion of the drive Sunday.
Big Water Wheel Turns Again
At George Washington's Mill
The caretaker at George Wash
ington's Grist Mill near Mount
Vernon wishes the tourists would
return who offered him as much as
$5 to see the water wheel and gears
turn as they did when grinding meal
for our first President.
The water wheel is running for
the first time since restoration of
the mill by the Virginia Conserva
tion Commission in 1932. Charles
H. Midkiff. who belongs to the
diminishing group of millwrights,
has spent the last month repairing
the wheel and gears and after sev
eral trial runs this week, the wheels
will turn for public inspection begin
ning Sunday.
“Yes,” George Washington Scott,
70, the caretaker, recalled, “people
have been asking me to make the
mill run for years. I only wish I
could have made it run—but if they
come back now we'll show them.”
Mr. Scott has been caretaker at
the mill since its restoration. He
lives on an adjacent farm.
The custodian feels even more
tourists will be attracted to the
old mill now that the wheel is
turning. Water flows into the 18
foot mill wheel through the same
mill race used in George Washing
ton’s day.
A. W. Tenney, executive secre
tary of the Future Farmers of
America wTho have leased the mill
from the VCC, said it was found
impractical to use water from the
same source as was done in George
Washington’s day. Therefore water
from Dogue’s Run which passes by
the mill is pumped electrically into
the mill race.
The wheel causes huge gears con
structed entirely of wood to turn,
operating the crude machinery. Mr.
Tenney said the FFA hoped to grind
corn in the mill some day.
The mill is located about 3 miles
south of Mount Vernon on the road
that Joins the Mount Vernon boule
ivard with Route 1.
Laurel Plea to Replace
Force With County
Policemen Rejected
The Laurel municipal police force
remained on its own today after
refusal of the Prince Georges Coun
ty commissioners to replace the
officers there with six county po
licemen. '
Decision to reject such a proposal
was reached by the commissioners
yesterday during their weekly board
meeting in Upper Marlboro. Their
action eliminates, for the present
at least, any proposed consolidation
of county and local town police
lorces of the county under one cen
tral head.
Under the Laurel plan, the town
had requested appointment of six
additional policemen to the present
37-man county force and their as
signment primarily to the Laurel
area. Their salaries would have
been paid by the town.
The commissioners, after obtain
ing the legal opinion of their coun
sel, Waldo Burnside, announced leg
islative action by the Maryland Gen
eral Assembly would be necessary
to permit such a step.
Mayor Harrison said last night the
Laurel Town Council would have to
decide what new action it would take
at a special meeting “probably some
time next week." Meanwhile, the
police duties will continue to be
handled by three full-time police
men and three part-time officers,
Mr. Harrison said. Chief Edward S.
Brown will remain head of the Laurel
foixe, the Mayor said.
I_
Taxicab Driver Accused
Of Blocking Fire Engines
Edward M. Eliott. 30. Beltsville
taxicab driver, has been ordered to
appear in Hyattsville night Police
Court June 7 on three charges
involving failure to give right-of
wav to fire engines.
Warrants sworn out by members
of two county volunteer fire depart
ments who were responding to a
blaze near Muirkirk last Saturday
were served against Eliott yesterday.
Harry G. Mercer, county taxicab
inspector, also ordered Eliott's cab
permit suspended, pending the trial.
Eliott was released under a personal
summons.
Eliott’s arrest caused Police Supt.
Ralph W. Brown to remind motorists
to obey regulations governing fire
trucks, including one prohibiting
(cars from following them within
i300 feet. A county-wide traffic
safety drive gets under way today,
j Chief Brown warned.
Alexandria PTA to Meet
The Parent-Teacher Association
Council of Alexandria will meet at
8 o’clock tonight in the George
Washington High School to discuss
formation of a high school PTA.
Congressional Club
Bingo Party Approved
By Montgomery Heads
The Congressional Country Club,
which was directed recently by
Montgomery County police tpv dis
continue bingo and other games of
chance, yesterday obtained the
county commissioners’ approval of
a bingo party for amputee veterans
of the Army and Navy.
A club delegation of which H.
Mason Welch was spokesman, said
the party would be non-profit and
was proposed solely for entertain
ment of 15 men each from Walter
Reed and the Bethesda Naval Hos
pitals. It will be held Monday.
The delegation also included
Wash B. Wiliams, club president,
and Alfred C. Paul. They said they
regretted the club’s recent "diffl
culties.” They explained the vet
erans would pay nothing to play
and would receive prizes donated
by the club. The commissioners,
on advice of P. Barnard Welsh,
counsel, said no permit was neces
sary' and informally approved the
Memorial Day party.
Board President Brooke Johns,
meanwhile, delivered a scathing de
nunciation of the manner in which
police directed the club to discon
tinue bingo games last week. He
spoke informally to a group of re
porters during a recess of the com
missioners' meeting.
He charged police handling of the
matter showed ‘‘no finesse” and that
detectives who visited the club last
week were "impolite" because “they
didn’t even take off their hats” when
they entered the place.
Declaring the wnoie allair nad
been mismanaged, he said he could
see no reason for cracking down on
Congressional when police knew
churches and other clubs had spon
sored bingo games for years. He
could not understand, he said, why
police failed to give Congressional
more than 48 hours’ notice when
they knew bingo had been played
there for three years.
Mr. Johns disclosed he had at
tempted last week to call a special
meeting of the commissioners to in
tercede in the matter after Police
Chief Charles M. Orme announced
the crackdown, but his motion
failed for lack of a second.
Oxon liill Schedules
Fall School Enrollment
Enrolment and health examina
tion for children who will enter the
Oxon Hill Consolidated High School
in the fall are scheduled for Friday.
Enrollment has been set between
11 a m. and 1 p.m. at the school and
a physician will be available at 1
p.m. to immunise against diphtheria
and vaccinate against smallpox for
those who do not have private phy
sicians, the Parent-Teacher Asso
ciation announced.
Daughter of Ex-Judge Accused
Of 'Filthy' Alexandria Home
Miss Mary Nicol. 46. daughter of
i a former Alexandria Circuit Court
judge, was under arrest today,
charged with maintaining an un
'sanitary residence in the run-down
Nicol mansion at 316 North Wash
ington street, Alexandria.
She was arrested last night after
i Alexandria police went to the house
to serve a warrant on her sister,
jMrs. Prances Nicol McKone, who,
I they said, is wanted on a bad-check
; charge in Arlington. Miss Nicol
| was held in Alexandria Jail in lieu
< of 3200 bond.
Sergt. Robert Brenner and Pvt.
Robert Evans said they could not
locate Mrs. McKone. but found the
house in such a condition that they
called Health Inspector Keith Wade.
Mr. Wade said the house was
■•filthy,” and that numerous dogs
were being kept there. He had the
warrant issued for Miss Nicol’s ar
rest for violation of the city’s
nuisance ordinance.
The Nicol sisters have run afoul
of the law on previous occasions,
once far keeping dogs at the house.
They were ordered by the Alexan
dria Civil and Police Court to get
rid of moat of their dogs.
Mr. Wade said there is no heat,
water or electricity in the old house,
which is under the trusteeship of
Luther Gillum, an Alexandria real
estate man. Mr. Gillum said he
was not at liberty to disclose the
owners of the property, and said he
did not know if the Nicol sisters
were living in the 1
Naval Academy
Airfield fo Be
Approved Today
House Group Unable
To Detach Item From
Top Priority1 Bill
The $12,000,000 airfield proposal
for the Naval Academy at Annapolis
will get reluctant House Rules
Committee approval today, only be
cause the project cannot readily be
detached from a $208,000,000 “top
priority” Navy measure, members
said.
Storm center of a controversy in
the Annapolis-Baltimore-Washing
ton area for more than a year, it
caused a bitter debate in the Rules
Committee yesterday afternoon.
Its principal advocate. Repre
sentative Bates, Republican, of
Massachusetts, asserted most oppo
sition came from nearby "summer
residents, who apparently put their
own convenience and happiness
above the security requirements of
the country.”
Necessity Questioned.
Several Rules Committee members
questioned the immediate necessity
of such flight indoctrination facil
ities for midshipmen and acquisition
■of 2,400 acres of land at this time.
They tried unsuccessfully to per
suade Mr. Bates to Introduce the
Annapolis project as a separate bill.
The committee later decided in ex
ecutive session to vote on the over
all bill this afternoon. Chairman
Allen predicted the committee will
send it to the House.
He added that the Naval Academy
airfield project, a proposed $205,000
chapel for the Naval Medical Center
at Bethesda and a provision for
$3,000,000 for family quarters for
Navy officers would encounter op
position on the floor. House debate
may start Friday.
The bill to authorize buildings and
facilities at many Navy installations
throughout the United States and
in Alaska, Guam and other overseas
areas does not specifically designate
a site for the Naval Academy air
field. The Navy’s reported plan is
to acquire land along Chesapeake
Bay near Sandy Point and the Ma
gothy River, a short distance north
east of the academy.
Groups File Protests.
Protests were received by the
Armed Services Committee and the
Rules Committee from groups in
Baltimore and other parts of Mary
land. Mr. Bates declared Annap
olis city officials and civic organiza
tions approved the project, which
was first authorized in 1943 but post
poned during the war.
Mr. Bates disclosed that the Navy,
after sifting area requests for $2.
500,000,000 in installation projects,
asked for a $800,000,000 program
for the fiscal year. This was re
duced to $250,000,000 by the Budget
Bureau and trimmed to about $207,
000,000 by the Armed Services Com
mittee.
The comipittee had approved a
$209,689,500 total, of which $116,
756,600 would go for overseas work.
It cut the total to about $208,483,500
this week by revising proposed al
lowances for officers' housing.
The Naval Academy airfield pro
posal, Mr. Bates told the Rules
Committee, is ’’No. 5 on a list of
some 500 top-priority Navy building
projects.”
Representatives Harness, Repub
lican, of Indiana opened the sharp
questioning by asking if the $12,
000.000 “isn’t just a beginning,” and
whether the plans call for "lux
urious swimming pools and officers'
quarters.
Admits Drawings “Grandiose.”
| Conceding that original archi
tect’s drawings were "rather gran
diose,” Mr. Bates explained the
$12,000,000 not only is essential now,
Jbut would cover all needs for the
! future.
Mr. Harness wanted to know why
[the academy could not give basic
; air training at Andrews Field or
the Patuxent Naval Air Station, Mr.
Bates replied those places are too
far from the academy and in other
respects not suitable for the type
of training necessary.
Representative Sasscer, Democrat,
of Maryland, whose congressional
I district includes the area in ques
tion, declared "there would not
have been any opposition in Con
gress to this proposal if it hadn’t
been for a well-financed lobby that
has been publishing lots of propa
ganda.”
He said the opposition centered
among "highly influential” residents
of Gibson Island, located across the
river from the Sandy Point section.
“This propaganda has been pri
marily against the site and not
against the project," he added.
Van Zandt Urges Approval.
Representative Van Zandt, Re
publican, of Pennsylvania urged
approval of the airfield proposal. He
said it had been approved not only
by six Navy Investigating Boards in
recent years but also by four Con
gressional Boards of Visitors to the
Naval Academy.
Anotner neaiea excnange occurred
when Mr. Harness said he doubts
the advisability of spending $205,000
for a chapel at the Bethesda Med
ical Center, especially if existing
auditorium facilities can be used.
"When Christianity is under fire
throughout the world,” Mr. Bates
exclaimed. “I certainly don't want
to take the responsibility of limiting
religious services. The present facil
ities for religious worship at
Bethesda are not only inadequate.
They are a disgrace.”
Hearing Branches Out.
The hearing branched out into
other aspects of the proposed build
ing program and to the general
international situation.
Asked by Representative Rizley,
Republican, of Oklahoma about the
danger of war, Mr. Bates said he
i believes "conditions today are more
threatening than in 1939.”
The discussion ended on a more
agreeable note when Mr. Harness
cited a proposed allotment for "an
ice cream plant” at the Adak Naval
Operating Base in the Aleutians.
Mr. Bates said he "wouldn’t be
grudge a little ice cream to the men
in that God-forsaken place.”
Andrews Base Plans Dance
The Special Services of Andrew*
Air Force Base will give a "uniflca
ticn dance” at the base at 8:45 p.m.
tomorrow. Music will be furnished
by the Air Force Bandsman Behoof*
orchestra of Bolling Field, under
the direction of Pvt. Edward E,
A

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