Evening Star Newspaper, December 10, 1923, Page 18

Griffis’ Letter From Jail Cell Held Examplg of Patriotisni Cut American Seal From Old Magaszine , and Sang Patriotic Songs on Armistice Day. - ‘The splrit that carrles along Lieut. Hooven Griffis, sentenced to elghteen months' {mprisonment yesterday on the charge of attempted abduction of Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, millionatre Fhiladelphla draft dodger, is shown in @ letter written to lis mother on Ar- mistice day. Lieut. Griffis' home is in Hamiiton, Ohio, in the district represented by Representative Roy G. Fitzgerald, him- 8elf an overseas service man, who in- tends to have this letter printed-in the Congressional Record as an example to American vouth of ardent love of coun- try. The letter follows: Cell In Heated. “Dearest Mother:— “The . church bells ‘are ringing agaln this morning and I am wonder- ing if they are reflecting in their | tumult of sound the gladsome way I am feeling. I dare say their mes- fago todayv is quite different from the one that is dominating me, but they sound cheerful and glad enough to quitc At in. Moreover, the sun 8 chining and a shaft of golden Yight has made a mockery of the iron bars and has penetrated into my cell, ' makes a great difference. | . not to ba outdone on the o casion, the prison has finally de- cided (hat it is cold enough for heat —and the steam plpes ure warm, with « promise of a decided change for the better in the inside tempera- ure. . altogether it is a great day, te fitting time for thanksgiving, and rejoicing in every way for me—and oné in particular. I have already decorated my cell S0 that it is no doubt different from r cell in Germany. From - the advertisements In the Sat- ening Post I have been hard with my solssors, and beve d pasted together the va- rious colors until I have achieved the desired At one end of the cell window is a gorgeous ot the United States. T Soat-of- It took me a week to make it and it | 18 fnlald in paper like a mosaic. The Background is orange. good and bright, and the bald-leaded: eagle with the shield and all the rest are fn the correct colors. It looks fine. Then over my table I have hung my American flag and on the other wall is an American shield. Altogether, T §ould mot desire more’ and, really, it elps. Sings Patriotic Somgs. “I started off the day Star Spangled Banner, as o v flag at saluts, regardless of the! prison rule against singing. Then I followed with *“The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ and the ‘Glory, glory hallelujah had a strange way over here. But it rang true and stirred my heat quite as much as had 1 heard a chorus of a thousand volces | einging it. After that 1 whistied “The Stars and Stripes Forever,' but then T thought I had better write this let- ter. T shall go through my entire | program, and will sing and pray all day—even though I am’ quite alone. “Naturally my mind reverts. back to the events of five vears ago today. when in the midst of cur turmoil and hating and sorrowing. we achieved peace. 1 can remember my own feel- ings in Le Mans that day easily, for it is not so far from Wurzburg as it is from Hamilton, Ohio. Then, later, T cannot but think of the days of an- niversary that followed each year at Rome, and I like to bring back the Memorics of some of our celebrations. Necalls Year Ago. “How time does change things. It was just a vear ago at this very day and Tiour that Chaplain Cowley, Car- roll myself went out to the ceme- tery. whero we held our littla service for our dead. Amid the quiet groves of Greenwood that day [ had little thought, indeed, that another such day | would find me in a German prison. | But even had I known, please God, would not falter from a trust, & her- itage, of bravs fellow countrvmen. “For at least it has been given meé to fecl for my country as mever b fore did I feel. Truly has it been; said that ‘they know not their own country who know no other.' Thus it |} has been with me, for the more I see | of the world and the people, the more I love and reverence America. And I am sure that comparison is a great! enlightening factor. For that reason! 1 wish more Americans would travel —and come home convinced Faith in Amerien. “I only wish I had the power to liver myself of the tremendous cei tainty T feel in the destiny of Amer- {0a, and enlist every American in evangelization until it is achleved. I am firmer than ever of the opinien that America will be God's instru- ment, and our destiny is to work His will on_earth, for His purposes, not ours. And, oh, how this part-of the world over here needs us! They need cur standards and our idesls. our generosity and our fellow-love. They need our ‘square deal’ and our principles of ‘Americanism.’ They neod our loving God, and can forget their gods of revenge and hatred. “Thus it is that America must be strong with the individual strength of 110,000,000 people who will all work together to a common - goal, actuated by the love of God and coun- try. What a power that would be— &nd yet, the old world needs it. “It may be a dream of m! But e FARMHAND CONFESSES HE SLEW HIS EMPLOYER Bhoots Aged Man: in Lonesome Home to Get Sum of Money, He Admits. By the Assoclated Press. NORTH BARRINGTON, N. H., De- cember 10.—Sumner Cl employed ag a farmhand on the lonesome farm of Samuel Houston here, last night confessed that he had slain his aged employer, who was found shot to death in’ the doorway of his home Eaturday morning. Clow, after & six- teen-hour grilling' by state and coun- ty authorities, admitted that he com- mitted the crime to galn posseasion of a sum of meney, between $200 and $400,; which Houston ‘had on his per- son. After making: his confession, the farmhand asked-state and county of- ficers to advise him as to how he could collect two weeks' wages which he said were due him from the man he gaid he killed. CHARACTER TEST FACED BY FAIR ITALIAN VOTERS "Bducatton and Property Holding Other Qualifications Required in * Proposed Suffrage Bill. By the Assoclated Press. < ROME, December 10.—~Premier Mus- solini has reached an agreement with Signor de Nicola, president “of “the chamber of dsputies, with regard to the work which is to be submitted |- to “the chamber when it reopens Doxt Tuesday. The goyernment will immediately present ifs bill aski for an extension to it of full ppwers o government. It {s belleved the re- quést will be made that thess. 2l be continued until the end ot 1924. The nieasure for grant| the -Q- ministrative yote to womeh is expect- ed’to be passed during the week by the chamber. It will be the first step toward giving.women ‘the franchise, ‘which has been discussed in Italy for sixty years. The first qualification for women voters will be edycational; the’ second, proof of character and proof of national service during and sincs the war, or of suffering due to theavar, and third, property boldings: I am sure {t will occur some day. T would not love America If I did not think so. “I am very happy today and very proud to bé here. Believe me, for it is the truth, e B “Certainly, my trial will take place shortly, although I have heard noth- For that event we. will hope for the best, and, whatever the outcome, know it {s’for.the best. “Lots of love. PETITION FOR RELEASE: National Move Started to Plead for Pardon. By the Associated Press. i CHICAGO, December 10.—A national committee to devote its efforts to ob- taining a pardon for Lieut, Corliss Hooven Griffis, sentenced to nineteen monthg in a German prison for the attempted _kidnaping of Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, wealthy draft evader. hus beexn formed, with Chicago as its headquarters, Dr. James Whit- ney Hall, president of ‘the Iriquois Club and chairman of the committee, announced. The committee, he said, is composed of representative men frem every state in the Union. Dr. Hall said a c cETA Was sent to Lieut. Griffis by committee to- day, Informing him of the efforts in his ‘behalf. One of the activities of the committee, he said, will be to obtain millions of signatures to a petition addressed “To the German Government from the American People” and asserting that the Amert- can people would consider his release & “most gracious act.”™ The first signature, Dr. Hall sald, was that of Morrls Sussman, a for- mer soldier in the German army, who lost an arm fn the Argonne. The petition, he sald, will be circulated through schools, churches and patri- otic organizations augmented by ma meetings. i VANLOADS OF CORVICTS __'STARTED INTO_EXILE .Llrgfit Nifmber Since Czar's Day -.Seut From Prisons in “Moscow. BS b6 Amoctated Press. MOSCOW, - December - 10.—Rolling slowly across’ the plains is & train of prison vana- carrying the largest group exiled-from Moscow since the days of the late csar. Taganka prison throbbed witii’ the farewells of rela- tives as the prisoners were taken to the station Friday night. g The exact numbeF of thode" sent away is not revealed, but one prison official estimates it at about 200, 8ome will be sent into:the north White Sea reglons and the:athers to Siberia. Most of the exiles were accused of living by gambling and profiteering. " With- Musterole Influenza, Grippe ‘and _Pheumonla usually start with a celd. The moment you get those wa h with “good old Mu; g ey Musterole s a counter.irritant that ralieves congestion (which ls what a cold really is) and stimulates circulation, It has all the good qualities of the old-fashioned mustard.’plaster without the blister, _ 3 Just rub it on with your finger-tips. Firat you will feel a warm tingl he healing cintment panetrates the pores, thén a_soothing,. covling sensation and quick relief. - Have Musterole handy for.emergency use: -1t may prévent serious lliness. .+ To . Mothers — Musterole is also made in milder form for babies and small children. Ask for Children’s Musterole. 35¢ and 65c, in‘iars and tubes Join the Christmas Savings Club of the “Federal-A merican”’ Deposit any amount from 50c a week up (for weeks), we add 3% interest. a Week Will Give You a'Week Will Give You a Week Will Give You a Week Will Give You a Week Will Give You $25.37 $50.75 $101.50 $253.75 $507.50 Féderal-American National Bank 1315 F Street Your GIFT Problems Are| Easily Solved at PLITT’S Butterfly Shields, $3:25 up. Pottery Vases,” $3.00 pair | up. 5 Crown Ducal Decorated Ware, 22-piece set, $35.00. Ducal ‘Ware Decorated Tea * Sets, $16.50, . 3 Japanese Coffee Sets, $10. Datenport Tables, $25.00 . up. Ferneries, all steel, $15.00 up. Jardinieres, $9.50. Dinner Chimes, $5.75 up. Telephone ~ Stands and Stools, $10.00 up. Smoking Stands, $9.78 up. Inlaid Muffin Stands, $16.00 | up. Photograph Frames, $230 up. Fern Dishes, $4.75. Ash Trays; $3.50 up. Magazine Book Racks, $21.00.up. . E Writing Desks, $30.00 up. Spinet Desks, $38.00 up. Sewing Tables, $24.25 up.: Console Tables, $31.50 up. Desk Sets, $12.50 up. Wall Desks, $46.00 up. Living Room: Suites—arm- chair, wing chair, daven- . port, covered, $300.00 up. Mahogany QGate-Leg Table $35.00 and up Mahogany Bridge Lamp Complete with shade Mahogany End Table With Book - Library Tables, $30.0 up. [ Drawer— ,31 sl GEORGE ‘PLITT CO., Inc. Painting, Paperhanging and Upholstering 1325 14th St. N.W.- Main'4224 _MOTHER :~ Fletcher's Castoria is a pleasant, harmless. Substitute for- Castor Oil, Paregoric,. Teeth- { espesially. - prepared- for ~ Infants in arms and Children alt ages. To avoid imitations, always look for the signature of W __Proven directions on each package: ING _STAR, ‘WASHINGION, .. ‘Guard Against “Flu” | Sweaters $3.95 Comblnation wool_and fiber golf sweaters. With neat stripe effects in wt- tractive colors. S V= In beautiful combini- tions, with full fringe; neat colors. ‘Tuxedo froots. Silk Blouses $5.95 5ilk Overblouses, In heavy crepés and novelty allks. Long sleeves. Glove Silk Vests, $1.95 Full cut, with ribben or hemstttched Good colors. Blae: Crepe Radium Silk. Cotton Dimity Bléuses, Peter Pan collars, Roll or de Chine and With In many pleasing colors. Stockings $1 Pair Silk and Fiber Hose, in new shades. Sizes 8% to 10. Spiendia grade. square, round and Jennie mnecks. In blue, orchid, apricot and fiesh. December Dress Sale Of pink Satin, I trimmed. Well llflom and make fine gifts. Poiret Twill Satins Tm Bloom $ 1 O Canton Crepe Fine dresses that have in them cverything that is right and wanted in holiday dresses. The materials—Poiret twill, twill bloom, satin-face satin, canton crepe and satins. The trimmings—em- - broidery, frills, tucks, pleats and shirrings. Women’s Sizes 36 to 50 Misses’ Sizes 16 to 20 DOWN STAIRS STORE $1.95 or crer de- Chine. Flesh, orchid or peach. $1.25 In attractive patterne for little tots. Warm garments for cold morn- ings. Sizes 2 Yo 6 years. $3.95 and Trice- 1n raey sham; in wanted g:lor-. Scarfs, 32, 34 and 36 lengths. - Fancy Lace - trimmed Large size, with bo f fine quality Size 18x50 tn. ders of pink, blue, laven- derorgeld. Neatdesigns. Fabric Gloves 75¢ Pair Gauntlet Button - stvie Gloves, in wanted colars. Slaes 5% to $%. Philippine ‘Gowns, $2.45 ¥ine hand-embroidery and punch werk designs. Boudoir Caps 95¢ A fine assortment of Caps, of wash Satin and novelty Silks. Silk Hose 75¢ Thread Silk Hose, in black and brown Lus- trous, well wearing hoss. D Neckties 75¢ Sillc and Wool Ties, in new destgms. They wear exceptionally well, T omorrow—Remarkable Christmas Sale 6,000 Decorated ‘“Beaute’” Boxes 10 15¢ 20c 25¢ 30 35 40 These Boxes May Be Used for —handkerchiefs, gloves, jewels, sewing articles, candy, frait cakes, lunch, toilet articles, vanities, containers for cigars end cigarettes, and many other articles. O‘n' the lids of some.you will find your favorite movin Just received, in time for gift seekers who like to give effective boxes, whose colors add a charming - decorative touch to their usefulness. There are many delightful suggestions for gifts in these inter- esting groups.” If you.prefer your boxes plain in- stead of -decorated, they are here in an unusually attractive array. Theéy may be used as gifts or-as gift containers. The major part of the lids of the boxes may be used as placques. : Blue . G " Black_ - Rose ra Scarlet cture star. Among “them arc_Jackie Coogan, Rudolph alentino, Betty Compson, Pola Negri, Bebe Daniels; Gloria Swanson and 2 done in very attractive colorings. Violet ‘allace Reid. On otheérs are winter scenes Prices Vary According to Size and Kind DOWN STAIRS STORE