Today is Saturday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2004. There are 307 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Saturday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2004. There are 307 days left in the year. On this date in 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discover the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes.
In 1827, the first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co., is incorporated. In 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton explodes, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others. In 1849, the ship California arrives at San Francisco, carrying the first of the gold-seekers. In 1861, the Territory of Colorado is organized. In 1951, the Senate committee headed by Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., issues a preliminary report saying at least two major crime syndicates are operating in the United States.
February 28, 1979: Youngstown Mayor J. Phillip Richley suggests that the only way enough money could be raised to repair or replace disintegrating bridges would be to establish a bridge tax.
New products, better quality and competitive manufacturing costs are the goals of Commercial Shearing Inc., now and in the future, shareholders are told. Thomas J. Travers, board chairman, reports first quarter sales were up 31 percent to $56 million, against $42 a year earlier. Net income was $4.6 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same quarter a year earlier.
The battle lines are being drawn in Columbus over whether Ohio should join 28 other states in calling for Congress to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of changing the Constitution to require a federal balanced budget. Thirty-four states are needed to petition for such a convention.
February 28, 1964: General Fireproofing Co. had a good year in 1963 with net earnings of $942,905, equivalent to $1.31 a share on sales of $45.7 millions, President John A. Saunders reports to shareholders.
A 62-year-old Hubbard woman is severely beaten in her bait shop by one robber while another ransacked her house. Mrs. Florence Corroto of Roseview Drive is in fair condition in North Side Hospital.
One hundred and three shotguns and 50 revolvers assigned to the Youngstown-Mahoning County Civil Defense Officer are returned to CD headquarters in Columbus for storage at Fort Hayes. Bud Fares, the new CD director, said the federal government had become alarmed about the free use of government guns. Fares said "there were enough to start a revolution" lying around and they were not needed.
February 28, 1954: Youngstown Fire Chief John R. Lynch, a veteran of 25 years in the department, is honored by his fellow firemen at a testimonial dinner at the Hotel Pick-Ohio attended by more than 400 persons.
William Saxbe, speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and World War II bomber pilot, is challenging Rep. George H. Bender for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and brings his campaign to the Mahoning Valley, meeting with influential Republicans.
Daily hospital expenses increased during 1953 while the average length of a stay decreased slightly, John B. Morgan Jr. tells Associated Hospital Service directors at the Youngstown Club. The average cost per day increased from $16.57 in 1952 to $17.64. In 1953. The average stay decreased from 6.83 days to 6.63 days, but the average cost per case increased from $113.46 to $116.93.
February 28, 1929: The swollen Mahoning River is slowly receding at Warren after it reached the highest mark in two years, driving 100 persons from their homes.
Representative George Roberts submits a bill in the Ohio legislature to create an additional judgeship in Youngstown.
A Youngstown reporter finds that women fill an important place in rum-running to Youngstown, some driving loads of Canadian liquors themselves and others being used as "protection," to divert suspicion from men runners.