Evening star. [volume], June 15, 1948, Image 19

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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WASHINGTON AND VICINITY
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1948
Hearing ToUgHT
To Climax Fight
On School Funds
Montgomery Civic
Federation Favors
$2 Maximum Levy
Lines were drawn today for the
decisive engagement of Mont
gomery County’s battle of the
budget, with a concentration of
forces grouped for a showdown oh
1948-9 school appropriations.
A bitter controversy that has
stirred every county community in
tensified as the time approached
for a public budget hearing before
the county commissioners. The
meeting; scheduled for 8 p.m. in
the Rockville Courthouse, was ex
pected to attract hundreds of
citizens.
Although the commissioners will
receive expressions on any item in
the record $6,251,633 budget, the
principal fireworks are certain to
come during consideration of funds
for schools. The issues revolve
around a Board of Education re
quest for $3,429,969 in the next fis
cal year, and the counter-recom
mendation by County Supervisor
Irving G. McNayr that school funds
be limited to $2,885,468.
Under the McNayr proposal,
Montgomery's tax rate would total
$1.93 per $100 valuation, an increase
of 5 cents over the current levy.
It is estimated that a tax of $2.14
would be needed to provide all the
schools have asked.
Federation Urges Compromise.
A preview of what’s in store at the
Rockville hearing was offered last
night when the Montgomery County
Civic Federation discussed the budget
at a meeting in Bethesda. The fed
eration engaged in vigorous and
sometimes, bitter debate before rec
ommending a compromise between
the McNayr and school board
budgets. It urged the commis
sioners to increase the McNayr fig
ure for schools by $125,000—to a
total of $3,010,468—so as to raise
teachers’ salaries.
The civic federation indorsed a
maximum tax levy of $2.
The $125,000 compromise figure
coincided with one proposed yester
day by E. M. Douglas, assistant
school superintendent. Mr. Doug
last told newsmen such a sum—
over and above the McNayr recom
mendation—would permit continued
operation of the present school pro
gram, with some limitations.
The civic federation overwhelm
ingly rejected a proposal by Dr.
Russell I. Whyte, chairman of its
School Committee, to recommend
that the commissioners allow the
school system $439,296 more than
Supervisor McNayr recommended.
The principal attack on this pro
posal was made by Henry J. Snel
lings and Franklin T. Miles of Chevy
Chase. Mr. Snellings said he de
plored “pressure tactics in behalf o^
teachers”- '-and asserted' tnafr- the.
county, like a family, has limited
funds for its budget.
Argument on Teachers Salaries.
“Under the McNayr budget, the ]
schools are getting 56 per cent of j
the total county appropriation.;
They don t deserve more when all
the other departments have pressing
needs," he said.
Dr. Whyte supported Mr. Douglas']
view that the county must keep its i
promise to increase teacher salaries.]
In a response to a question he
denied a recent statement by Super- j
visor McNayr that Montgomery has
as high an average for teacher pay
as any county in the United States.
Mr. McNayr, who*attended as an
observer, jumped to his feet and de- \
manded proof of the statement. i
Dr. Whyte asked for a restatement
of the question and then said he was
sorry7, he misunderstood it. He
agreed that he could not name a
higher-paying county but contended
that county school systems are used
principally in Virginia, Louisiana
and other Southern States.
"Who wants to have systems like
them?” he asked.
Traffic Bureau Rejected.
The $125,000 school compromise
was one of five points proposed in a
resolution drafted by the federation
committee on Public Finance and
Budget.
The members rejected a proposal
urging the county to appropriate
$28,000 for a county traffic bureau in
the police department. All other
parts of the resolution were ap
proved. They are:
The commissioners were asked to I
increase Health Department appro
priations by $11,000 for its profes-]
sional staff. -v
They were urged to adopt the
budget officers’ proposal for meeting
all bond maturities with current rev- j
enues.
Gerkin is Permanent Head
Of School Emergency Groyp
Herbert J. Gerkin of Vienna, Va.,
last night was named permanent
chairman of the School Emergency
Committee for Northern Virginia
at a meeting in the home of Mrs.
Harold Hodges. 604 North Oak
street, Falls Church.
The organization, which was en
larged from five to 20 civic and
parent-teacher association leaders,
also named Omer L. Hirst. Annan
dale. and Mrs. C. H. Luce. Belle
Haven, vice chairmen, and Mrs.
Mildred L. Dalton, Annandale, sec
retary.
A public meeting will be held at
8:30 p.m. Friday in the Annandale
School to obtain signatures to a
petition to Gov. Tuck seeking im
mediate State aid in relieving school
crowding and to increase the rate
of building construction. State
Senators Charles R. Fenwick of Ar
lington and Andrew W. Clarke of
Alexandria have accepted invita
tions to speak, and members of the
House of Delegates from nearby
areas also have been invited, it
was announced.
Spaak's Daughter Weds
BRUSSELS, Belgium. June 15 {iF).
—Miss Marie Spaak, daughter of
Premier Paul-Henri Spaak, was
married today to a Briton, and
thus became a British subject. The
bridegroom is Arthur Michael Pal
llser, son of Vice Admiral Sir Arthur
Palllser.
Montgomery Booroto neior
School Budget Issues Tonight
Montgomery County citizens will have opportunity at 8 o’clock
tonight to express their views on a proposed $6,251,633 budget at a
hearing at the Rockville Courthouse. Of the total, 56 per cent is
earmarked for schools. This is approximately 16 per cent less than
requested. The budget provides for a 20 per cent increase for the
police, but 15 per cent less than asked. The health department
would get 3 per cent more than received this year, but 12 per cent
less than sought. Road outlays would be increased 1 per cent more
than requested. The principal discussion has centered on the school
budget, the issues of which are summarized below.
Supervisor's View
1. Supervisor Irving G. McNayr
proposed a school budget for the
next fiscal year of $2,885,468, or
$544,501 less than was sought by
the county board of education.
2. His proposal envisages increas
ing the average salary of 733 teach
ers now employed from $3,569.44 to
$3,896.75.
3. The average pay of Montgom
ery teachers is the highest for any
Maryland county. It is not exceed
ed by the average in any other
j county of the United States, ‘‘as far
as could be determined."
4. In making the school appro
priation last year county and school
authorities reached an “understand
ing" on the salary scale, with in
crements. After receiving the funds,
the board of education adopted a
different schedule, revising the
scale upward. (Under the law the
commissioners appropriate funds
for schools and the education board
determines how they are spent.)
, 5. This year 34 teachers are earn
ing $4,500 or more, of these 20 re
ceive at least $5,000. Using its re
vised scale, the school board wants
to pay 219 teachers at least $4,500,
of whom 83 would get $5,000 or
1 more. Eleven teachers would be paid
at least $6,000 and one would get
$7,100. Such salaries are out of
line with those of other county
employes. Administrative positions
like chief of police, road engineer
and supervisor of assessments carry
annual pay of $5,000 each. Their
responsibilities are heavier than in
dividual teachers.
6. The school schedule calls for
salaries higher than the average
paid most professional Federal
workers and many experts in pri
vate business.
7. This year a majority of the
teachers leceived $1,200 pay in
creases. Under the school budget
proposal some of these would be
given new increases of $1,500—a to
tal raise of $2,700 in two years.
8. The supervisor’s budget pro
vides for the employment of 50 new
teachers at an average pay of $2,800.
To offer $3,800. as proposed by the
school board, would be bad policy
in view of the large number of
teachers with long service records
who don’t earn that much.
9. Supervisor McNayn’s budget
provides adequately for continuance
of the present school program. The
difficulties are encountered in trying
to raise teacher pay too high. A
claim that certain instruction would
have to be eliminated if the lower
budget is adopted is “a lot of bunk.’’
10. The whole budget problem is
attributable to pressure tactics of
the teachers. Through a close or
ganization they made demands on
the board of education which the
board was “afraid’’ to buck.
School Board View
1. The Board of Education re
quested a total appropriation of $3,
429,969 from the county. It is esti
mated that another $1,231,036 will
be received from the State.
2. The school budget provides for
teacher salary increases which would
bring the county average up to
$4,015.42.
3. The Montgomery scale should
; not be compared with counties gen
jerally because of its large suburban
area and “proximity to the Nation’s
capital.” Average pay Is in line
with "comparable areas” of the East.
4. The school authorities know of
no “understanding” last year for any
salary scale other than the one
adopted. Not until recently has the
Board of Education heard discussion
about any other scale.
5. The school authorities do not
claim that Montgomery teachers are
underpaid. The salary schedule was
fashioned deliberately to attract
well-qualified teachers of experience
in order to improve instruction and
thereby give the county one of the
best school systems in the country.
In employing teachers last year,
commitments were made for regular
salary increases. The county must
now keep faith by fulfilling its
promises. It is not for the school
authorities to pass on the salary
scale for county employes in other
departments of the government.
6. The high quality of instruction
demanded by the people of Mont
gomery can be provided only if the
rate of teacher pay is sufficient to
attract the best.
7. The average increase in teacher
salaries next year would approximate
$500 under the School Board budget.
Only three teachers—with 35 years’
experience—would receive the maxi
mum increases of $1,500.
8. At $2,800 sufficient new teachers
cannot be procured. While it was
first believed 50 more teachers would
be sufficient, a recent survey shows
that approximately 83 more instruc
tors will be needed for the estimated
increase of 2,500 in enrollment.
9. Since the board feels honor
bound on pay raises, Mr. McNayr’s
budget would not leave enough
money to continue all phases of the
present school program. It will have
to eliminate kindergartens, music,
art and physical education classes
in elementary schools, driver train
ing, counselling and library services.
10. The Board of Education is not
"afraid” of the teachers; rather, it
recognizes that they are within their
rights in insisting on the increments
promised. In effect, the board feels
they have an “air-tight” case.
Oarlock Will Receive
Star Cup for Service
ToMontgomeryCounly
Royal H. Carlock of Cabin John,
chairman of the Internal County
Improvement Committee, was select
ed last night by the Montgomery
Mr. Carlock.
County Civic
Federation as
the winner of
The Star Cup.
The presenta
tion will be
made Thursday
night at the
federations an
nual banquet at
Georgetown Pre
paratory School.
The cup is
presented an
nually to the
member of the
federation who
has performed
“outstanding service to the county”
during the past year. In choosing
\ Mr. Carlock for the 23d annual
award, his loyalty to the federation
over the 15 years of his member
ship was cited.
Herbert N. Eaton of North Chevy
Chase was selected president of the
federation. Other officers chosen are
Walter H. McLenon of Takoma
Park, vice president; Ernest Wood
chek, Silver Spring, recording secre
tary; Mrs. W. W. Rubey, Westmore
land Hills, corresponding secretary,
and Mansfield Lonie, treasurer.
New members of the Executive
Committee are Henry Snelling, Roy
Schneiter, Stephen Duvall, jr., and
O. W. Anderson.
The federation upheld its former
stand against apartment house re
zoning. In a survey of member as
sociations conducted by the Internal
County Improvement Committee, 97
per cent said they were opposed to
apartments in their own areas un
less the apartments constitute buffer
strips. Sixty per cent favored gar
den-type apartments that do not en
croach on existing neighborhoods
of single family dwellings, and 97
per cent opposed multiple family
dwellings in single family residential
neighborhoods.
Second Unmarked Grave
Found in Montgomery
Discovery of a second unmarked
burial site in Montgomery County
was to be investigated today by Dr.
T. D. Stewart, curator of physical
anthropology at the Smithsonian
Institution.
Skulls and part of skeletons of
four persons were unearthed last
week by a bulldozer excavating for a
new highway and were brought to
Dr. Stewart by Bethesda detectives.
Dr. Stewart expressed the belief
the bones were those of Negro slaves.
The state of decomposition indicated
they might have been buried before
I the Civil War and the character of
one skull in fair condition showed
it was that of a Negro, Dr. Stewart
said.
A further indication that the per
sons might have been slaves was the
fact they had been buried in an
unrecorded place.
The contractor, whose crews are
moving earth for the new Cranbook
Court road, today telephoned Dr.
Stewart that another burial place
had been discovered near the first.
Mass Meeting Called
To Air All Grievances
On Fairlington Sale
Residents of the 3.400-unit Fair
lington (Va.) housing development
were called to a mass meeting June
24 for discussion of all “grievances,”
as a Fairlington Association com
mittee sought a conference today
with the management.
A Senate investigating subcom
mittee's preliminary inquiry into
operation of the properties at Fair
lington, Va., and McLean Gardens
here meanwhile went ahead. War
Assets Administration officials have
been summoned to explain sale of
the developments to the Fairmac
Corp.
Rids May Be Examined.
A spokesman said the subcom
mittee expects to examine all bids
received by the Defense Homes
Corp. for the properties last year.
WAA gave final approval for the
sale.
The current Senate subcommittee
stafT study is to determine whether
the group, headed by Senator Fer
guson, Republican, of Michigan will
make a full a full scale investiga
tion.
The Executive Committee of the
Fairlington Association met last
night and decided to request a con
ference with management t today
about the dispute over destruction
of flowers on the last week. A
committee representative said the
management will be asked to re
store some of the flowers.
Mass Meeting Agenda.
The mass meeting called for June
24 will be held at 8 p.m. in the
Fairlington elementary school.
Among matters scheduled for dis
cussion are the flower situation, the
elementary school site, and play
ground development. The Fair
lington development has about 12,
000 residents.
Executive committee spokesmen
said they have not heard from Sen
ate investigators but expect "to be
contacted.”
The Fairmac Corp., formed by a
Texas real estate man and an oil
man, acquired the Fairlington prop
erty last fall from the Defense
Homes Corporation. It reportedly
paid $2,000,000 down on the $40,000,
000 property, and another $2,000,
000 down on the previous year’s
rentals. The Defense Homes Corp.
reportedly holds the balance on a
mortgage.
Sliver Spring Churches
Organized Info Council
The Silver Spring Council of
Churches was organized at a meet
ing last night in the Woodside
Methodist Church and elected the
Rev. Robert E. Lee, pastor of St.
Luke Lutheran Church, president.
Purpose of the group is to unite
all evangelical Protestant churches
in programs to strengthen the moral
and spiritual life of the community.
A board of directors of the pastor
and not more than six members of
each participating church will gov
ern the organization.
Other officers named are O. O.
Thomen, lay leader of Woodside
Methodist Church, vice president;
Mrs. E. J. Schoen of Marvin Memo
rial Jdethodist Church, secretary,
and Bernard L. Roberts of the Sil
ver Spring Congregational Church,
treasurer.
' t
Gallinger Waits
Six Months to
Repair Elevators
Red Tape Cut After
Four Are Shut Down
As Dangerous
By Jerry O'Leary, Jr.
Six months after four Gallinger
Hospital elevators were condemned
for having faulty hoist cables, city
officials today kicked free of red
tape and got around to starting the
needed repairs.
The situation was brought to a
head late yesterday when the Com
missioners ordered the elevators
shut down as "too dangerous to life
and limb.”
The four elevators—Gallinger has
14—are located as follows: Two
passenger and one freight elevator
in the four-story medical building,
and one passenger car in the three
story tuberculosis building. They
were installed in 1939.
Commissioner Guy Mason ordered
Gallinger authorities to acquire the
necessary cable and other materials
for the repair work on the open
market—rather than through bids—
because an “emergency” exists. Di
rector of Construction Archie Hut
son said the entire project will cost
less than $500.
Handled as Routine.
Here is what happened to cause
the flurry of activity—six months
late: .
Last January, and again In Feb
ruary, the Department of Inspection
checked all Gallinger’s elevators and
recommended prompt repairs, in
cluding new hoist cables. The bids,
Engineer Commissioner Gordon R.
Young said, had to be drawn by Mr.
Hutson's office and the actual work
done by maintenance forces at
Gallinger.
Gen. Young said Gallinger failed
to notify Mr. Hutson about the mat
ter until April and gave no indica
tion the case was urgent. Mr. Hut
son’s office, therefore, handled the
preparation of specifications as a
routine and nonurgent matter and
completed them just last week.
In a memo to Commissioner Ma
son on Saturday, Gen. Young de
clared Gallinger "has apparently
done nothing on its share of the
work, except to place orders for cer
tain material.”
Shutdown Recommended.
Gen. Young further declared, in
his memorandum to Commissioner
Mason, that the Department of
Building Inspection made another
recent inspection, as a result of
which Building Inspector Robert H.
Davis reported the elevators “dan
gerous to life and limb.” Mr. Davis
recommended they be taken out of
service at once.
Upon receiving this information,
Commissioner Mason immediately
telephoned Dr. Daniel L. Seckinger,
assistant health officer and co
ordinator of hospitals, and apprised
him of the situation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Davis yesterday:
sent another memorandum to Gen.
Young in which he declared “this i
office cannot assume any further1
responsibility for extension of time”|
in regard to the recommended re
pairs. I
Commissioner Mason, thereupon,'
approved the recommendation for;
immediate repairs, ordered the:
faulty elevators shut down and in
structed both Gallinger authorities
and Mr. Hutson to get the work
done at once.
Delivery Expected Today.
Dr. Alvin R. Sweeney, Gallinger
superintendent, asked what had
caused the delay since January, de
clared some of the repairs already
have been made and added that
the cable has been ordered. The
necessity for drawing up specifica
tions and seeking bids on the cable
caused the delay, Dr. Sweeney said.
The Gallinger superintendent
said the cable was to be delivered
today and work would begin imme
diately. Mr. Hutson said, however,
it would take four days to get all
four elevators back into service.
Both Mr. Mason and Mr. Hutson
blamed the incident on the “red
tape" surrounding “official proce
dure,” rather than negligence on
the part of Gallinger officials.
Three Named Admirals
President Truman yesterday nom
inated three Navy captains to tem
porary rank as rear admirals. They
are Lucien M. Grant, Lloyd Harri
son and Roy T. Cowdrey.
Arlington G.O.P.
Won't Indorse
Clair Candidacy
County Committee
Refuses Support for
Seat on Board
A split in Republctn ranks for
a seat on the Arlington County
Board developed last night when
the County Republican Commit
tee refused to certify Francis J.
Clair as the party’s candidate for
a primary contest.
Mr. Clair sought to file as a
candidate for what he thought was
to be a Republican primary in Au
gust. The committee, however,
sustained the earlier ruling of Chair
man Edgar Pumphrey that no pri
mary for the board had been sched
uled.
Intends to Run in November.
Mr. Clair said the action would
not prevent him from running in
the general election as a Repub
lican and he announced his inten
tion of filing for the November con
test. Mr. Pumphrey would not dis
close the party committee’s plans
for nominating a candidate, but he
said he had been authorized to state j
that Mr. Clair was not the nom
inee of the county organization.
This leaves the question of Re
publican support wide open, Mr.
Pumphrey declared. He said the
committee can either indorse or
nominate a candidate or hold a
convention to select one, or refrain
from naming any one.
Leaders Accused of Deal.
When Mr. Clair first learned there
was some question whether he would
receive the Republican Committee’s
support, he accused Republican
leaders of making a deal with in
dependents to support a candidate.
Subsequently, County Democratic
Chairman Harrison Mann charged
the Republican Committee had
made a deal with the Better Gov
ernment League to support a can
didate. He predicted this candidate
would be Lee Potter. A week later
Mr. Potter announced his candidacy
as a “nonpartisan” candidate.
Three Democrats will vie for
the Democratic nomination to the
County Board in a primary August 3.
Falls Church Drafts
New Traffic Code
A Falls Church traffic code paral
leling county and State laws was
being prepared today as a means of
providing that community more
revenue from fines.
At a meeting of the Town Council
last night, Police Capt. H. M. Howe
explained that because of lack of
local regulations, many violations
must be prosecuted in a loss of
revenue* to the town.
Capt. Hpwe and Town Attorney
La Rue . J4teter were Jflstructfeit
to preparwithew list of local traffic
laws and to*; police head suggest**
that State. laWS.. already In effect »*„
incorporate!*! as a local ordinance
to permit-funds to be sent to the
local treasury.
Following a report by William G.
Copley, town census supervisor, the
council voted to petition Judge Paul
Brown of the Fairfax Circuit Court
to declare the town a city of the
second class.
The Council also appointed a
committee to draft a model charter
for a city of second class. The com
mittee is composed of Mr. Van
Meter, Josef Salterer of Georgetown
University, A. G. Beaubien, Fred
Riley, Mayor Fenner Hazelgrove and
Albert M. Orme, Mayor-elect.
Laurel Ousts Police Chief
After Three Officers Quit
The Laurel City Council last night
ousted Police Chief Edward S.
Brown in a reorganization resulting
from recent department dissension.
The council unanimously con
firmed Mayor Merrill L. Harrison’s
appointment of George S. Barkman,
36. to be Mr. Brown’s successor.
Mr. Barkman, who has been em
ployed by the Agriculture Depart
ment at the Beltsville research
center, will take office tomorrow.
Married and the father of three
children, he has lived in Laurel
6ince 1922.
Half of -the Laurel police force of
six members resigned several weeks
ago over differences with Chief
Brown.
Memorial Highway Park Site
Blocked by One House Member
The objection of a single House
member is blocking passage of a
bill to permit the Government to
acquire for park purposes land
fronting on the Mount Vernon Me
morial Highway in exchange for
dredging privileges on adjacent
Government-owned land.
Unless Representative McGregor,
Republican, of Ohio withdraws his
one-man opposition to the swap,
which has received the indorsement
of all Federal agencies concerned,
the 14 miles of land along the high
way may be lost forever. The bill
has wen hanging fire for seven
years.
The land in question, south of
Alexandria, is wanted by the Na
tional Capital Parks as an addition
to the strip of park along the Poto
mac River. It lies between the river
and the highway.
Would Block Apartments.
Acquisition of the land, now owned
by the Smoot Sand & Gravel Co.,
would prevent its use as an apart
ment house site or for other com
mercial purposes. Park officials
want to avoid commercial obstruc
tion of the view from the highway
to the Potomac.
Mr. McGregor is a member of the
Roads Subcommittee of the House
Public Works Committee. His ob
jection blocked unanimous consent
for House action on the measure.
The bill has been indorsed by
Interior Secretary Krug, Irving C.
Root, National Capital Parks super
intendent; Thomas MacDonald,
public roads commissioner, and the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. The Smoot land com
prises 280 acres. The adjacent Gov
ernment property—nearer Alex
andria—is 110 acres.
Under the proposed deal, which
«
was suggested to the Smoot concern
by the Interior Department, the
company would deed its land to the
Government. In return, it would re
ceive the right to dredge sand and
gravel from 85 acres of the Govern
ment tract for 20 years and would
retain for 30 years the right to
dredge on 150 acres of its tract.
Explaining his oposition, Mr. Mc
Gregor said he had been unable to
find out from witnesses at subcom
mittee hearings the value of the
dredging rights on the Government’s
85 acres or the value of the 110 acres
along the highway the Government
would receive from the Smoot com
pany. He suggested a committee be
named to arrive at “fair and ac
curate estimates of the values.”
Land Values Cited.
Mr. Root, testifying before the
subcommittee, cited land across the
highway from the Government’s
tract, which has been appraised at
$6,500 an acre. It is the site of an
apartment house development.
The Smoot tract is just as desir
able for apartment houses, he said,
pointing out that if one were built
it "would forever blanket the view
of the river from the parkway.”
; There were numerous references
to the amount of sand and gravel
on the Government's 85 acres and
its value. Mr. McGregor quoted
figures from an earlier hearing that
the tract would yield 4.000,000 tons
of sand and gravel. He put the
value of that—in place and un
dredged—at 10 cents a ton. Gov
ernment witnesses put the value at
5 cents.
Alter the dredging the Govern
ment would own both areas out
to the former shore line, and there
was testimony as to value of this.
REGISTER FOR RURAL WOMEN’S COURSE—Two English war
brides, Mrs. Hazel Duncan (standing, left) and Mrs. Joan Goss
(standing, right), are among the women Miss Margaret Loar,
head of registration, is registering at the University of Maryland
rural women’s short course. Seated, left to right, are Miss
Edythe M. Turner, Montgomery County home demonstration
j agent, and Miss Bessie M. Spafford, Caroline County agent.
—Star Staff Photo.
Lawson King Pays Tax,
Averts Prosecution
W Lawson King, Gaithersburg
dairy farmer, and several other
Montgomery County residents who
contested personal property taxes,
averted prosecution by making pay
ments yesterday to County Treas
urer John B. Diamond.
The treasurer said approximately
70 persons faced prosecution for de
linquency. Most of the cases were
scheduled for hearing today before
Trial Magistrate Alger Y. Barbee
in Rockville.
(72 V.P.I. Graduates Hear
Plea for Free Enterprise
By the Associated Press
BLACKSBURG, Va., June 15.—
Those who would give up the free!
enterprise system are “the frus
trated and foolish among us,” .the
graduating class of Virginia Poly
technic Institute was told yesterday
Louis V. Sutton of Raleigh, N. C.,
commencement speaker, warned the
class it is leaving college At a time
when the Nation faces “an attack
on our way of life.”
Mr. Sutton is president of the
Carolina Power & Light Co. He is
a 1910 V. P. I. graduate and a
native of Virginia.
Thirty-five of the 672 bachelor of
science degrees given at the in
stitute were conferred with honors.
The list of honor graduates by
fields of study included:
Chemistry—Edward P. Moore,
Palls Church: William L. Phalen,
fr.. Harrisonburg.
,. Agricultural Ecomomics—Stuaxt P.
jPWlbume, Staunton.
Aeronautical Engineering — Wil
liam B. Coffman, Luray; Anderson
B. Honts, jr„ Front Royal.
Mechanical Engineering—Horace
E. Brown, jr„ Palls Church.
Silver Spring Civic Group
Re-elects Victor J. Richter
Victor J. Richter of the Woodmoor
Citizens’ Association was re-elected
president of the Allied Civic Group
of Silver Spring at the annual ban
quet in Stone House Inn, Four cor
ners.
Representative of the approxi
mately 20 civic associations affiliated
with the group were told their or
ganizations can play" an important
part in obtaining adequate trans
portation facilities and good roads
need for their growing community.
Establishment of a bus terminal in
the central business district and in
stallation of additional traffic lights
are among major goals for the year,
Mr. Richter said.
Speakers included Ralph D. Boyd,
chairman of the Montgomery Coun
ty Civic Planning Committee; Blair
lee III, president of the Silver Spring
Board of Trade; Fred L. Lutes,
president of Suburban National
Bank, and Phillip J. Austensen,
newspaperman and first president
of the group which was organized
in 1936.
During the business session Robert
Sherwin of Forest Groves Citizens’
Association was elected vice presi
dent and John Lemp of Seven Oaks
Monor Citizens’ Association was
named secretary-treasurer.
Case of Empty Court Space
Goes to Alexandria Council
The Alexandria City Council to
night will attempt to settle a dis
pute over occupancy of vacant
rooms in the new Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court Budding.
Although there have been reports
of disagreement for months.it flared
into the open when Judge Marion
B. West yesterday refused to allow
furniture for a city and State of
fice to be moved into the court
building after trucks carrying the
office equipment baoked up to it.
City Manager Nicholas A. Cola
santo ordered office fixtures of the
city tax assessor and the State
driver permit office moved into un
occupied rooms at the court build
ing.
Judge West, however, contended
the building was ordered remod
eled and equipped by the City
Council to be used solely as a Juve
nile and Domestic Relations Court.
Judge West said unless the council
rescinds its former decision he
would not permit the two offices to
move in.
New Trial Is Ordered
For Bobo in Slaying
Of Virginia Deputy
By the Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va„ June 15.—The
State Supreme Court of Appeals has
ordered a new trial for Ernest
Bobo, sentenced to death for the
fatal shooting of a Caroline County
deputy sheriff.
In one of 21 opinions handed
down yesterday the court reversed
the death sentence on the ground
that the young, colored defendant
had been refused a private inter
view with a material witness.
The case originated March 12,
1947, when Bobo was lodged in the
Caroline County jail. He escaped
after a shooting in which a deputy
Parents Should Warn
Children of Dangers
At Play, Court Rules
By the Associated Press
RICHMOND. Va., June 15.—
The Virginia Supreme Court of
Appeals yesterday ruled that a
boy’s parents are responsible
for warning and protecting him
against "natural dangers” of
exploring or playing around
ponds and rivers.
This opinion was given fn
affirming a Fairfax County Cir
s chit Court decision which had
acquitted the Northern Virginia
boy.
George G. Washabaugh,
father of the child, had brought
suit alleging the company
should have put a fence or
barricade and warning signs
about the water-filled, aban
doned quarry in whidh the boy
drowned on June 12, 1946.
■ — !
sheriff was shot fatally. A posse
tracked Bobo and recaptured him in
Hanovex County. At his trial a
jury recommended the death pen
alty.
Opinon of High Court.
In its opinion the Supreme Court
said, "There seems to be no valid
reason for granting the attorney
for the commonwealth a higher
right than is granted to the attor
ney for the accused.”
Every defendant, the court said,
has the right to "call for evidence
in his favor,” and this constitu
tional right cannot be "hampered”
by a court order refusing a private
interview with a material witness.
In its first opinion interpreting the
State's 1946 water control law the
Supreme Court held that Virginia
industries should not be prosecuted
criminally for their stream pollu
tion problems if they are working
under a certificate of the State
Water Control Board toward a solu
tion of the problems.
Old Law Superseded.
In effect the court held the 1946
law superseded the old "fish law,”
making it a misdemeanor for any
persons knowingly to pollute a
stream.
The opinion laid down a pattern
for the co-operative enforcement of
j Virginia's two pollution laws, the
old "fish law” and the new water
control law.
The opinion came in the appeal
i taken by the American Cyanamid
! Co. from two $25 fines imposed upon
iit in the Nelson County Circuit
! Court. The company had been
■charged on two warrants obtained
by a game warden with violation of
I the “fish law” by casting dilute
■ sulphuric acid into the Piney River.
One warrant was obtained in Oc
tober, 1946, and the other in Au
gust, 194J£_
Bethesda Man Is Fined
$250 in Numbers Case
Prank Williams, 47, of the 4800
block of Willett parkway, Bethesda,
was fined $250 yesterday in Bethes
da Police Court after he pleaded
guilty to violating the gaming la^s.
Detectives said Williams, who is
colored, was carrying numbers slips
when he was arrested March 3 in
a raid on the janitors’ quarters at
an apartment development. Eight
other men in the case were con
victed previously._
All Soap Box Derby Entrants
Must Register by Midnight
Today is the deadline for regi
strations for Washington s seventh
Soap Box Derby to be held June 26.
The coaster car race, co-spon
sored by The Star and the District
Department of the American Legion,
is open to all boys 11 to 15, and
those reaching their 11th or 16th
birthday in the period from June
1 to August 15.
No entrants will be accepted after
midnight tonight. Those who plan
to enter but have not registered,
must make proper application today
with any Chevrolet dealer.
There is no charge for registra
tion or participation, but each youth
must be accompanied by a parent
or guardian when he enrolls.
All race drivers will be notified
this week when they must have their
cars ready for transportation to the
National Guard Armory where
they will be inspected.
i
More Policemen
Asked in County
After Shooting
Caldwell Case Spurs
Prince Georges Plea
For Larger Force
Maj. Ralph W. Brown, superin
tendent of Prince Georges County
police, today planned to ask the
county commissioners for more
policemen as a result of the slaying
of Pvt. Charles F. Caldwell.
Pvt. Caldwell, 36, of 3602 Forty
third avenue, Colmar Manor, was
fatally wounded Saturday night
when he and another policeman at
tempted to arrest two persons after
a neighborhood fight in the 5300
block of Nye street in Dean wood
' Park.
The second policeman, Pvt. Wal
lace L. Baker. 24, of 6308 Kilmer
road, Cheverly Manor, Is recovering
from gunshot wounds received In
the battle.
Maj. Brown, pointing out that
his 36-man force is divided between
Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro and
works on eight-hour, six-day week
shifts, asserted the staff, ‘‘is spread
too thin.”
Funeral Rite# Tomorrow.
Flags on county buildings will fly
at half-6taff In Pvt. Caldwell’s
honor until after the services in the
Fort Lincoln Chapel at 1 p.m. to
morrow.
Meanwhile. Prince Georges au
thorities continued investigation of
the slaying, convinced they have
the right suspects in Thomas Hall,
55, colored, and his daughter Jane,
20, who live in the 5300 block of
Nve street.
Hall, a 6-foot, 5-inch stone yard
; laborer, and his daughter have been
! charged with murder in Pvt. Cald
i well’s death and with assault with
| intent to murder Pvt. Baker. In
! addition the daughter also faces a
charge of assault with intent to
^murder Willie Preston, jr., 23, col
: ored, of the 5200 block of Maple road.
Preliminary arraignment of the
i two has been tentatively set for July
11 in Hyattsville Police Court.
Missing Gun Recovered.
Late yesterday police recovered
Pvt. Baker's gun missing from the
shooting scene. The revolver was
recovered police said, from a colored
man who said he had purchased
it for $10 from another man who
picked it up at the scene. After
questioning, neither were held.
Police say the two policemen wer#
attacked by Hall and his daughter
when they attemi*ed to arrest them
after reports of a fight which earlier
had resulted in fatal injuries to
Hall's wife. Police say witnesses
have told them that Hall grabbed
Pvt. Caldwell's revolver, fired three
shots into him and then turned the
gun on Pvt. Baker who returned the
fire, slightly wounding the suspect.
A spontaneous move to collect a
fund for Pvt. Caldwell’s widow and
two sons grew into an official project
.yesterday and collections now total
Mn than $700.
Money will be accepted at Hyatts
ville and Upper Marlboro police sta
tions and at county b'/nks. Checks
should be made out to the Treas
.urer, Prince Georges County Police
Association.
Fund-raising Events Planned.
A committee named to admin
ister the fund for the slain police,
man’s family will meet in the
Prince Georges bank at Hyattsville
at 10 a.m. Thursday to plan money
raising events.
One—a dance at the Prince
Georges Golf and Country Club—
has been scheduled for June 23.
The committee is composed of T.
Howard Duckett, president of the
Prince Georges Bank & Trust Co.,
chairman: William A. Carson, pres
ident of the Board of County Com
missioners: State Senator L. Harold
Sothoron, Maj. Brown, Irwin I.
Main, chairman of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ning Commission: Attorneys Louis
Lebowitz of Mount Rainier and
George T. Burroughs of Upper
Marlboro and Don O’Reilly, pub
licity director for the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Prince Georges Chamber
Elects New Officers
G. Hodges Carr, retired Hyatts
ville merchant, last night was elect
ed president of the Prince Georges
Chamber of Commerce. He sue- .
ceeds Ernest Maier, Bladensburg ’
business man.
Other officers elected at a meet
ing at the Varsity Grill, College
Park, are Nicholas Orem, Jr., first
vice president: Alfred M. Smith,
second vice president; Charles E.
Callow, secretary: William Bowie,
treasurer; Joseph C. Longridge, H.
Clay Whiteford, C. Paul Barnhart
and Harry A. Boswell. Jr., directors
Tor three years, and D. Bruce Kerr,
| director for two years.
Dr. H. C. Byrd, president of the
I University of Maryland, spoke on.
“The University of Maryland, Our
| County’s Largest Business.'’
The chamber voted to send a
committee to see Representative
Sasscer, Democrat, of Maryland ask
ing him to oppose provisions of the
Taft-Ellender-Wagner Act provid
ing for building 500,000 public hous
ing units. *
The chamber favored continued
support of the Federal Housing Ad
ministration phase of the act.
Named to the committee to visit
Mr. Sasscer were R. M. Watkins,
Mr. Boswell. Mr. Smith, Mr. Orem
and Mr. Longridge.
Missing Man Is Located
In Ohio, Reports Robbery
Albert E. Slaughter, 24. Fairfax
County produce dealer who has been
missing from his home since June 4,
has been located in Cleveland.
Fairfax County police said Mr.
Slaughter called his parents from
a Cleveland bus terminal to tell
them he had been robbed in Fairfax
the day he disappeared and forced
to accompany the robbers to Ohio.
Mr. Slaughter’s mother, Mrs. C.
L. Slaughter of Vienna, who reported
him missing, said he was carrying
between $300 and $500 when he dis
appeared. Fairfax Detective Lt.
Grafton L. Wells said h? would male#
an investigation when Mr. Slaugh
ter returns home.
*
•v.