Evening Star Newspaper, May 1, 1926, Page 4

-4 > - FEE EXPLANATION -~ BYMCOY SOUGHT Chief Justice Takes Stand as First Witness in Fen- ning Inquiry Renewal. (Continued from First Page.) he 1 been vio- proper. <his prov sked again it sion of the law h: iuted, the chief justice sa‘d “I'do not think so. Our secretaries are appointed and act for us. They have mnothing to do with our court duties. and the controller has so ruled.” Continuing his _explanation, the chief justice said the secretaries are not employed in any office in the court but in the judge's own office and that no other judge has any con trol over a secretary. After read- ing the section of law which Mr. Gilbert had quoted, the chief justice said he was not famillar with that provision, but that there is another section on the same subject with which he is familiar and could quote. Representative Newton of Minne- sota_took the witness stand earlier in the day to tell of his experience in appearing in the District Supreme Court _as counsel and friend of Bis- sell Thom n attorney, who, Rep- resentative Newton testified, w: threatened with contempt proceedings for having sought to intervene as counsel in a case in which he felt his client should have been a party. Insurance Case Involved. According to Mr. Newton's testi- niony, the case grew out of the affairs of an insurance relief association. He testified that the proceedings have been brought against John Brosnan, ir., individually, after he had succeed- ed his father upon the latter’s death and that the plaintiffs in the case we other heirs. Mr, Newton testified that although the litigation was against Brosnan individually the court proceeded to adjudicate the rights of the corpora- tion. The corporation, he said, had never been made a party to the suit, and the plaintiffs, he further claimed, were not the owners of the stock, which had not been distributed. He said the court appointed a manager for the insurance corporation to run the business on the petition of other heirs. An injunction was issued, he testified, restraining Brosnan, jr., and others from taking charge of the cor- poration. It was following this de- velopment, Mr. Newton testified, that the corporation retained Mr. Thomas as its attorney. Mr. Newton said it was when Mr. Thomas applied to the court with a petition to intervene in the proceed- ings on behalf of the corporation be- fore Justice Hoehling the Intimation was made to Mr. Thomas that heé was subjecting himself to a contempt proceeding for attempting to inter- vene. Mr. Thomas then began a dam- age suit against the manager who had been appointed by the court, whereupon, Mr. Newton said, a rule was issued against Thomas to show cause why he should not be adjudged in_contempt. Representative Newton said he ap- peared for Mr. Thomas before Justice Siddons and that the proceedings were dismissed. Dr. Roy F. Gwynn, psychiatrist for the Washington regional office of the Veterans' Bureau, was called as first witness at the sessions last night by Mr. Blanton. He explained that he and another doctor are in charge of the examination of nerve cases. He is a_licensed physiclan in Washington, and has a few private patients after Government office hour: Mr. Blanton suggested that he confine | his practice to veterans, and not prac- tice on the outside. In reply to ques- tions, he testified that after he was out of college he served as an intern for five and a helf months at St. Eiizabeth’s. When questioned, he admitted that he had told a mutual friend that it “the rottenest place he ever He explained, however, that this was merely his own feeling about his particular job there as a young doctor, who was made to feel by the other more experienced doctors that he was not very important. He said he thought Sf zabeth's was an excellent institution, and that he had learned a great deal there. He said he wrote histories on patients, and sometimes presented cases to the con ference of all the physicians for parole diagnosis or transfer. Clinic Facilities Praised. Asked by Mr. Blanton if the Gov- ernment of the United States does not furnish one of the best equipped clinics in the country, Dr. Gwynn ad- mitted that it was very well equipped. . Mr. Blanton asked him whether h Knew about “department pink tea: and when Dr. Gwynn seemed not to understand what was meant Mr. Blan- ton described them as “where young ladies with bobbed hair and silk stockings meet the cake-eaters who have been out the night before and talk their experiencgs.” Dr. Gwynn said he had not attdnded any such department pink_te Chairman Gibson usked Dr. Gwynn further about his comment to a friend that the St. Elizabeth’s assign- ment was “rotten,” and he again ex- plained that he had been *‘personally not happy.” high regard for St. Elizabeth’s as an institution, admitted that it was clean and that the food was all right, except that he didn’t have any real butter. Mr. Gibson questioned him about the morale at St. Elizabeth's and he did not feel qualified to pass an opinion. Mr. Blanton asked him if he realized that since the Veterans' Bu- reau has 900 veterans in St. Eliza- beth's if he was to say today that he thought it was the ‘rottenest place” it would be a reflection on Di- rector Hines and the bureau for hav- ing the veterans there. Patients’ Menu Brought In. Referring to the comment that the physicians didn’t get any real butter, Mr. Blanton _wondered what the patients got. He referred to a report on St. Elizabeth's made by an investi- gator for the Veterans' Lureau, who had confirmed this statement, saying that the patients did not get butter, but oleomargarine, and not enough of that. Mr. Blanton called attention that they have a herd of 300 cows at St. Elizabeth’s and he failed to see why they couldn't have butter. He said he had been reliably informed that every time the milk is separated 10 gallons of cream are sent to Dr. White's residence. Chairman Gibson then called Mr. Rudolph, who testified that he has beeh Commissioner on his present term since March 15, 1921, and pre- vious to that had served from 1910 to 1913. The part of administration allotted to him is supervision of the auditor, assessor, collector of taxes thought | He said he had a very | Earl S. Haskell Widely Experienced in Special Work. Lived Here, Labored in Many Lands. Native of Iowa, I S. Haskell of 3 | azronomist of wide experience in the United States and other countries, has been appointed director zeneral of ag- ricuiture for Pe New York May 5 for Teheran. Mr. Haskell will fill a position c ated by a special Pe in . created als financial mission now operating in Teheran, of which Dr. A. C. Mills. paugh, formerly of the American State Department, is now head. In up this post, which is thus to be filled for the first time, Mr. Haskell will be responsible to Dr. Millspaugh, who holds the title of administrator general of the finances of Persia, and to the minister of public work Confidence in U. S. Experts. The American financial mission in Persin has proved so satisfactory to the ‘government there, according to wivices reaching Washington, that it { has been enlarged to the point where it now conststs of 17, and appointment of the Washingtonian to fill the new post of director general of agriculture is taken as further evidence of the confidence Persia is resting in Amer- fcan experts. Before accepting the Persian post Mr. Haskell was employed by the department of middie an_ r search of Tulane University of New Orleans, for which he recently made an agricultural survey of the State of Tabasco, Mexico. He has been en gaged here in Washington compiling report of this survey and in prepar- ing an extended report on rubber pro- duction In southern Mexic Mr. Haskell has had extensive exper- ience with the Department of Agricul- ture here, having traveled as an in- vestigator for the Office of Farm Man- agement through many States on sev- the American aking | AS AGRICULTURE street, | nd will sail from | n law, which, | THE EVENING FARM EXPERT GOING TO PERSIA SERVICE HEA management sur- t of production and the cost of eral general farm ) and various co studies of cotton, por feeding beef catile. He made special studies in the truck region of New Jersey, the truck and citrus sections of Florida, the truck reglons of the Guif States and in the Rio’Grande Valley of Texas. Formerly in Philippines. Experlence in other countries took Mr. Haskell to the Philippine Islands, where he was in the Burcau of Agri- culture from 1909 to 1913. He was ag- ronomist for La Asociacion de Agri- cultures del Ecuador, in South Amer- ica, in 1920, and in 1921 went to the | principal cotton-producing section of Mexico for the Bureau of Agricultural conomics of the United tes De. partment of Agriculture. a time in commercial work in Wash askell was born in Tows rduate of the School of Agricul ture of the University of Nebrask: and of the Towa State College. With his wife and two children, Ruth and Robert, Mr. Haskell will leave Wash- ington Sunday night and will sail from ont Harding. about one-third and that what hard- ware it supplies to the District is furnished under contract pa by a committee. krow who constitutes that commit- tee. He recelves his pro rata of dividends—about one-third. “Does the fact that you are such a large stockholder in that corpora- tion influence the volume of what that concerns. sells 1o the District under contract?” Mr. Gilbert asked. The Commissioner replied that it is all done by competitive bids. He then was asked if he is a large stock- holder in any other corporation do- ing business with the city. He said he was not. “Do vou feel that corporations competing with the Rudolph & West Co. have the same opportunity to get contracts when you are District Commissioner and _such a large stockholder in the Rudolph & West Co.?" he was asked by Mr. Gilbert. Commissioner Rudoiph replied that he thinks other large corporations in the hardware business get their full share of the District business. Asked of Graham Contracts. He was asked then by Mr. Gilbert about Edward C. Graham, president of the Washington school hoard, and to what extent Mr. Graham's corpo- ration gets contracts for school sup- plies. He said he did not know. Mr. Gilbert then asked: “As District Com- missloner, have you ever thought that you ought to look into it?" Mr. Gilbert next asked Mr. dolph about his acquaintance with amuel J. Prescott, a contractor and uilder, chairman of th> Republican State committee. Mr. Rudolph said that he thinks Mr. Prescott has no contract with the District. The witness was then asked con- cerning Edward F. Colladay, Repub- lican national committeeman’ for the District. He said he is a_director of the Second National Bank. Mr. Pres. cott is interested in_that bank. Re- plving to questions, Mr. Rudolph said that he may be on one of the com- mittees under the Republican central committee, but he does not hold any office in the Republicun organization. Mr. Gilbert then asked if he is fa- miliar with section 32 of the compiled statutes, which he read, as follows: “All contracts made by the Com- missioners (board of public works) in which any member of the bhoard shall be personally interested, shall be vold and no payment shall be made thereon by the District or any officer thereof. P. 202, chapter XIX, the compled statutes in force in the Dis- trict of Columbia.” Cites Counsel’s Decision. - Mr. Gilbert asked if, in his opinion, he was indirectly violating th: stat- ute when the corporation in which he has a one-third interest has such large contracts with the city. Mr. Rudolph replied that he had an opin- fon from the corporation counsel, Francis H. Stevens, to the effect that he was not violating this statute. : you had a doubt in your " questioned Mr. Gilbert. Com- missioner Rudolph replied that he wanted to be sure of- his ground. Mr. Gilbert questioned to what ex- tent the Rudolph & West Co. had contracts with the District while Mr. Rudolph has been Commissioner, but the latter was unable to give any defi- nite information. He festified that this concern has been paying a 20 per cent dividend for the last-four or five years. Mr. Gilbert then questioned Mr, Rudolph regarding the fact that Chief Justice McCoy. as one of the justices of the Supreme Court, appoints the school board and has appointed Mr. Graham, and that Justice McCoy and Mr. Fenning are “very intimate.” Says Complaint Is Made. “State whether or not it is dificult for any outsider to break into this ‘array of friends that seems to hold so much power,” sald Mr. Gilbert. Then, when Mr. Rudolph gave no re- ply that fitted in with this contention, Mr. Gilbert asked, “Don't' you: know that it is being a matter of com- plaint that with you and the other gentlemen whom I havé mentioned, all' inthnate friends, holding the key position, it is difficult for others to get contracts?” Mr. Rudolph replied that other concerns can get contracts “if the goods are all right and the price is all right.” - He admitted that the Commissioners appoint their subordinates and that these subordinates let the contracts, but that he doesn’t think such sub- ordinates are influenced. He express- ed the opinion that the hardware firm of Barber & Ross géts about as much business as th: Rudolph & Weést Co. He again reiterated that he holds no stock in other corporations that are contractors for city business. Mr. Rudolph, in answer to Mr. Blan. Ru- and the playground department. Asked what private business he was engaged In, he said none. He then was asked about his interest in the Rudolph & West Co. He said he was a large stockholder, one of the organizers, but resigned his connec- tion in 1910, when President Taft ap- pointed him Commissioner. Owns Onethird of Stock. Tn reply to further questions, he ton's questions, said he has an income of about $10,000 a year from the Ru- dolph & West Co. “You realize as Commissioner and as a business man that if a suilt was pending against the Rudolph & West corporatien you'd be disqualified from serving as a-jury- man?”_questioned Mr. Blanton. - Mr. Rudolph next was interrogated by Mr. Blanton regarding his hold- ings of stock in the Second National Bank. He said he has 300 shares and admitted that it is practically impos- sed on | He sald he does not | are worth about $75,000, he This draws 8 per cent ton asked if Edward T Colladay’s name does not top the list of the hoard of directors. Further questioning developed that Frank & Hight, manager of the Willard Hotel, 1s also a director in the Second Na tional Bank. Mr. Rudolph was then ked what other hotel are owne: by Second National Bank directors and he said that some of the director are stockholders in the Continental Hotel. “Did you know that @ Mr. Fowler. claiming to be attorney for To inde pendent taxicab companies, stated that there is a record in the Court of howing testified. ' Mr. E Appeals tel receives $80,000 a vear from taxi cab companies? Mr. Blanton asked He and Mr. Rudelph agreed that this seems “'too preposterous to be true.” Cites Contract Reports. Blanton declared he Mr, told that the Willard has a 1d been contract company privilege to use space in the streets adjacent to the hotel, which “belongs to the peo- | ple.” He said he had been told that the Continental Hotel, owned by Sec ond National Bank directors, en. tered into contract similarly to receive $3.500. “Do you think that is fair to the peo. ple of the District?” Mr. Blanton asked. Mr. Rudolpr said that he does not see where it i unfair. Mr. Blanton then drew’ Mr. Rudolph into a diseussion about the Willard Hotel reserving curbstone space all along the entire block ‘on Fourteenth street for taxicabs. When Mr. Rudolph said, “That is a trafiic matter,” Mr. Blantén answered want to teach you something about trafic matters. Why haven't T a right to park my car along that block, or why hasn't some Government clerk, who has worked here many vears, a right to park his little Ford in that s 2 “Not to sald the ? “The patrons of the hotel have no more right to that street than any one else,” replied Mr. Blanton Mr. Blanton asked Commissioner Rudolph if he knew about Judge Mo- Mahon's recent decision to this effect and questioned if this decision does not stand until it is set aside. When Mr. Rudolph admitted this the ex- aminer asked: “Have you done any- thing about enforcing it?” Asked of “Big Five.” Mr. Blanfon then asked Mr. Ru- dolph about the “big five” saving: “I've heard you are one of them.” Mr. Rudolph said it was news to hin; Mr. Blanton -then asked if “Sam Prescott is not ene of the “big five, and Mr. Rudolph laughingly stated: “I heard he admitted it”” Mr. Blanton then asked: “Isn't it a fact that Colla- day and Prescott made Fenning Dis- trict Commissioner?” Mr. Rudolph sald: “I do not know; I was not con- sulted by them or the President about Mr. Fenning's appointment.” He was then asked if he knows T, Lincoln Townsend and if he does not occupy practically the same position politically that Mr. Fenning had when appointed Commissioner. Mr. Blanton then said: “When Al- bert J. Headley was demoted and the people got over the shock there ap- peared in the papers a statement that when Daniel Garges, secretary to the Commissioners, read the order of de- motion you put up your hand to your ear and said: ‘What's that, Dan? Read it again’” Mr. Rudolph said that Mr. Garges had been droning along on routine business, but when he heard Inspec- tor Headley's name read it aroused him, and he listened more carefully. Mr. Blanton asked if Mr. Rudolph and Commissioner Bell had not tried to talk Mr. Fenning out of that ac- tion. He said they had not, bui they had asked him for a full account and that Mr. Fenning said he had looked into the matter carefully and that the order of thé acting superintend- ent of police had been approved by the superintendent, wno was {ll. Mr. Rudolph said the order did not come from him and_did not come from Commissioner Bell—"Certuinly not.” Mr. Blanton snapped back: ~ “Then we know where it came from.” Cites Own Position. Mr. Blanton next asked Mr. Ru- dolph if there is any law which per- mits Commissioner Fenning to have an $1,800 fireman assigned to drive his car. Mr. -Rudolph sald there is a fireman also drivinz his car who was on the job before he became Commissioner and that with the job he inherited both this fireman chauf - feur and 'a broken-dowi car, which is owned by the Fire Department.’ Mr. Blanton next questioned Mr. Rudolph if he had known anything about Mr. Fenning’s attempt to estab- lish an all-night parking ban. Mr. Rudolph said he did not, and then commented, “We don't always agree.” Mr. Blanton next ' discussed with Mr. Rudolph the allegation previously exploited in the hearings, that when Mr. Fenning was sworn in on June 5, a week later he had ordered Traf- fic Officer Gore be reprimanded by Inspector Headiey, and on the 19th, he had ordered Inspector Headley tel said the capital stock of this corpo- | sible to buy any stock in that bank !demoted, and then, aiter serving only ration s about $150,000, that he owns and that it is “held very clus e and is | t the Willard Tio- | taxicab | started on a trip to Maine. Mr. Blan- ton declared that in those two weeks Mr. Fenning had done so much as Comamissioner that “the people were ready to mob him.” Praises Sylvester's Work. Mr. Blanton asked who is head of ((he Police Department, and was told firmation that “Mr. Hesse was ap- ipointed by Mr. Fenning with the ap- proval of the Board of Commissioners, When Mr. Blanton brought out that Mr. Hesse was never a policeman, “only a clerk,” Mr. Rudolph rephed ! e was not a policeman in the sense that he had never been “press. ing bricks.” Mr. Rudolph sala that Hesse comes to the job In ex the same way that Richard Syl Ly and paid tribute to Mr. Sylvester as one of the hest chiefs of | police the District ever had. Mr. Blanton said that he had read in the papers about some forelgn government inviting the head of the l:uhn'n- Department to take a trip to Europe and said “I see that Mr. ning is thinking of going." Says Trip Is Proper. Mr. Rudolph commented that that would be perfectly proper. Mr. Blan- ton pointed out that the “last time Fenning,took a trip across the water he took' a shellshocked veteran to Denmark and received $1,577 in ex. penses and $500 as a fee.” He want- ed to know, “If he makes this trip now, who iy’ olng to pay? Mr. Rudolph replied, “He probably will draw it out of the bank. He will never ket it from the District Govern- ment. for we have no funds for such a purpose.” Mr. Blanton said that Mvas the sort of reply he had hoped to Mr. Gilbert then questioned Rudolph regarding the transportation situation and the fact that school | children are charged an 8-cent He said he knew of no othe the United States where an 8-cent fare is charged to children. He want- d to know what_study of that im. portant subject Mr. Rudolph had made since he had been District Com- missioner. Mr. Rudolph answered that the Commissioners as members | of the Public Utilities Commission hay reports on earnings of comy and fixed the r the companies were allowed to charge in | order that they might receive o fair return. ,In referring o the Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Rudolph said men bers of this commission are ame. unfortunately,” as the District Com. missioners. “Ile said that the present fair profit” received by the street railway companies is about 5 per cent for the Capital Traction Co. and lens ha ser cent for the to Railyay and Bleottic g, 2 inston IX. B. Hesse, He also received con- cth; Mr, Point Is Contradicted. This was disputed by members of the committee who contended that the Capltal Traction Co. is recefving a much higher return. Mr. Gilbert said “I had been hoping that you as a member of the Public Utilities Com- on and a_business man might help to solve this intricate problem.” {Mr. Rudolph said that the street car {problem was not intricate, but just a plain business proposition. Mr. Gil bert asked if the witness ever had made any recommendations for clean- i t up a_business propositio { Mr. Rudolph said this m iter was bo: |ing handled by Engineer Commis sioner Bell and his assistant, Maj. | W. E. R. Covell. Mr. Gilbert' asked | it the real situation is not that one | company making big profits, bu | that the fare cannot be :'WIH ed e | cause such action would drive the her company out of business. M. 1dolph said that 5 per cent is not a fair return, much less a profit. Mr. Blanton then urged the trans portation question with the witnes: ¥ing that it is conceded that the rters of the street railway com. anies provide that they shall not charge more than a -cent fare, which they did all during the war, and that the high courts hold that the street vs are enjoying very valuable rights which the people gave them un- der this contract. He then discussed how ton Railway and Electr: the (a need or want, but th, Commissioners, as Public Commissioners, raised the District, Utilities fare. Cites Stock Price Rise. He then quoted the advance in on W. R. & E. stock from 383 to 230, as supplied to him by Maj. Covell, call: ing it “the most unprecedented rise in the history of the market.” He asked Commissioner Rudolph: “Did it ever 0 you that it was not right that 66.000 poor little children are forced to pay an 8-cent fare?” Mr. Rudolph | answered that the question of capital- ization is not taken into considera- tion on any public utilities in fixing the rates. When Mr. Blanton suggested that | the companies be forced back to a b cent fare, Mr. Rudolph said that such a suggestion could not be entertained because it would drive them out of business. Mr. Blanton declared that there would be plenty of other com- panies anxious to get in here tomor- row. | Mr. Gilbert argved that the big | rise on stock quotations is because that street railway company is mak- ing “unconscionable profit Mr. Rudolph said he could not agree. Mr. Bowman questioned Mr. Ru- dolph regarding the effects of the proposed merger on the fares. Mi. Rudolph thought some economies might be effected, but he doubted if the fare could be reduced. In reply to a question, he said that if the companies reach a basis for a merger, it will be necessary for them to come before the Public Utilities Commis- sion, but that Congress will have to approve it. Denies Merger Proposal. When asked if he had received any proposals looking toward the merger he said, “No.” Questioned further, however, he stated that there was an informal conference some time ago, but that only one side of the street railway question was represented. He said he belleved companies should get together. Questioned as to what moves the Public Utilities Coramis- sion can make to induce a merger, he answered that it is on.record as in favor of a merger, that Cougress has passed permissive legislation, but that they are not in a position to demand a merger but only to use persuasion. Asked if, feeling a merger would be a good thing for the people, he had made any efforts to induce the Public Utllities Commission_to try to promote a merger, Mr. Rudolph said that the companies had been brought into an all-day conference some time ago, but that they then seemed hopelessly split. In reply to other questions Mr. Rudolph admitted that he thinks the North American Co. may bring about a merger. Thinks Order Would Help. “What do you think of Congress passing a law to compel @ merger?” Mr. Bowman asked. “If Congress orders it the com- panies would get together,” said Mr. Rudolph. “Is it your honest conviction that Congress can pass a law to compel a merger?” Mr. Bowman asked. The Commissioner answered that he be- lieved it would be feasible to hurry a merger in this way and that it would he of benefit to the people and might reduce fares. “Of course, it would have to be a fair bill,” Mr. Rudolph said. Mr. Blanton injected the statement that “wou won't get a voluntary mergerunless you permit the com- panies to water their stock $10,000,000 or $15,000,000 more. You spoke of Congress forcing a merger. If Con- gress repealed the public utilties act His w little more than two weeks, haz and forced the companies back on a STAR, WASHINGTON, l D. C, SATURDAY Scientist at Meeting Of Predicting Earthquakes by Moon! Possibility of basing earthquake predictions on the moon was dis- cussed in an address hefore the clos- ing meeting of the American Geo- physical Union yesterday by Prof. Henry Fielding Reid of Johns Hop- kins University, who said the “pull” of the moon on the earth not only caused tides, but measurable strain in its crust. When the direction of these strains coincide with those ex- isting because of breaks or faults in the earth’s crust, earthquakes are not unlkely, he added. Before reliable forecasts cond be made, Dr. Reid said, it woull be nec- essary to Kknow more about the fanlts and the strains near them. Reporting on an investigation of the engineering problemis connected with earthquake protection, Dr. Bailey Willis of California, president of the American Selsmological clety, sald: “An earthquake No- itsell , MAY 1, 1926. Here Talks never hurt anybody. Man is in peril from them only when he puts up a building.” Dr, C. C, Abbott, director of the Astrophysical Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution, who has ex- pressed his belief in a relation be- tween weather changes and varia- jons In the heat from the san, told of the selection of a site for another solar observatory Africa. He has just returned from a trip to Africa and India for the purpose of selection of an ohserva- tory site, and reported that while British meteorologists were as vet unconvinced of the practicability’ of weather forecasting based on solar radiation they favored the greatest possible investigation. Resolutions favoring establishment of more solar observatories and the publication of their results were adopted by the meeting. charter fare of 5 cents you would get quick action.” Mr. Blanton then reminded Mr. Ru- dolph that he had mentioned calling on Francis H. Stevens, the corpora- tion counsel, for law opinion. He reminded him that orge 2. Hamil- ton is president of the Capital Trac- tion Co. and dean of the Law School at Georgetown University. He said that in a revaluation case in court where the Capital Traction Co. had its valuation increased $11,000,000 Mr. Stevens appeared for the people and the judgment of the court recited that he had made no protest. ulty Changes Noted. Mr. Blanton called Mr. Rudolph’s attention to the allegation that since then Mr. Hamilton has arranged for Mr. Stevens to lecture at the law school and get a salary and that the judge who made that decision also has a job in the law school. Mr. Blanton told Commissioner Rudolph “That is something you didn't know, isn't it? You ought to look into it. Those are serious matters affecting the rights of the people.” Mr. Gilbert put into the record that hoth Judge Van Orsdel and Judge Hoehling are emplo; by George- town University Law School, of which Mr. Hamilton is d Mr. Gilbert then Fenning had been id that after Mr. in office 14 da: and Inspector Headley had given un- | usually good service to the Police De- partment for 30 years, the former had demoted the latter, and that this was a very serous action, affecting the morale of the entire department. He emphasized that Mr. Fenning was in- experienced. Then he dolph: “Did you think filling vour full duty when a Commissioner made such a recommen- datfon to concur in it at once without requiring any postponement? Do you not think the public is entitied to know and the police force is entitled to know why this action wa with no charge against Headley Suggests Eldridge Appear. Mr. Rudolph said the implied charge was that there was not co-operation in traflic matters, Mr. Gilbert asked, “Don’t you think action should have been postponed while you tried to iron out the misunderstanding and lack of co-operation?” Mr. Rudolph said that Mr. Fenning had studied the question carefully_and that if the committee would call Trafic Director Eldridge he would soon convince them, “2s he con vinced Col. Bell and myself,” that there was sufficient ground. At this stage of the hearing AMr. Gilbert, a Democrat. disavowed any intention to inject any political bias for effect on the political situa- tion. and explained that in mention ing Republican party affiliations he dld so to establish that the persons were intimately associated. nton asked Rudolph if 10 Commissioner Bell did not talk about creating a third inspectorship, in which Mr. Headley could be placed. Mr. Rudolph admitted this, but that the Commissioners have no au thority to create another inspector ship, that that is a mattei for Con- gress. were ful- wi Vote Issue Brought In. Mr. Blanton also called to the at- tention of Mr. Rudolph and the com- mittee that when Mr. Rudolph had been absent from some meeting, Mr. Fenniny raised the question as to his eligibility to vote, arguing that read- ing of the stenographic record did not give him the right to vote, but that the Fenning contentifon was not sustained. Clarkston . Grier, employed by the Veterans' Bureau in the Washington regional office since January, 1923, and at present an inspector, was next questioned by Mr. Blanton. He said that he was in Augusta, Ga., when Mr. Blanton was seeking him as a witness before the committee. Tn re. ply to questions, he said he had been assigned for a certain time to St. Elizabeth's. Cites Murdie Case. It is part of his duty to claim bodies when veterans die and are taken to the morgue. Mr. Blanton questioned him regarding the body of Benard Murdie, who was drowned in the Tidal Basin. He said he had asked for the body for the Veterans' Bureau when the coroner was through with it so that it could be turned over to the contract underiaker. The morsue master promised to notify him, and he waited for a call, and two days later, when he again qu morgue master, was told that the body had been turned over to the Ameri- can Legion. He was told that it had been given to “Bill" Franklin, whom he did not know, but who, he has since learned, works for the Water Department of the District under the District Com- missfoners, An undertaker named Tolliver got the body and the contract undertaker for the Veterans' Bureau did not get it. If the contract under- taker had received it the funeral would have cost $49—just as good a funeral as other people pay $150 for, he con- tinued. This witness was then asked by Mr. Blanton concerning what he had been told by another employe of the Veterans' Bureau regarding bodies of veterans from St. Elizabeth's Hospi- tal. Representatives Gibson and Bow- man protested that this was not com- petent testimony. Says 21 Were Taken South. Mr. Blanton then questioned Mr. Grier regarding the trip he had made to Augusta, Ga., in a special coach chartered by the Veterans' Bureau, with attendants from St. Elizabeth's taking 21 patients to a hospital in Georgia. In reply to a series of questions he admitted that this had never happened before, that he knew an investigation of St. Ilizabeth’'s was being made by the Gibson sub- committee, .checking up on boys at St. Elizabeth’s, and that most of the 31 boys taken to Georgia were from the South. -He was asked by Mr. Blanton about a certain ward at St. Elizabeth’s, and he answered that while he was on duty over there he had been told that when they wanted to discipline an attendant they put him in that ward. Mr. Blanton put into the record that this witness is a valuable employe of the Veterans' Bureau with an A No. 1 record as an investigator, on which he himself had checked up. He was instructed to prepare for the subcom- mittee a list giving the names of those 21 boys from St. Elizabeth's who were taken South. Discusses Bond Question. Mr. Gibson then discussed with Commissioner Rudolph regarding the large number of bonds issued both to District officials and various con- tractors on District work. It was put into the record that the bonds for District officials are not at the cost L. asked Mr. Ru- | new | of the District, which has no funds for this purpose, but that the bonds of the contractors are pald for as part of the cost of the contract and eventually comes out of the District. The District itself does not give any bonds in condemnation proceedings or appeals from decisions. Mr. Gibson questioned Mr. Rudolph. “Have you in fact made no progress on a merger of the street railwuy companies?” When the Commission- er said that the companies have held out ssme hope of reaching an agree. ment, Mr. Gibson commented that “public service corporations are pro- lific in promises, and T say tha having heen attorney for some. Mr. Gibson told the Commissioner that he had heard many complaints about the street lighting and said it is reported that this is the poorest lighted city of its size in the country. Mr. Rudolph expressed the opinion that the city is pretty well lichted and that considerable improvement is bheing made. Asked in more detail on this subject, Mr. Rudolph admitted that he has not been informed and that the committee must get further information from Engineer Commis- sioner Bell. Asks for Suggestions. In reply to another question from Mr. Gihson, Mr. Rudolph said he | knows nothing about guardianship fees or about other matters on which committees of Congress have been questioning Mr. Fenning. In reply to a question by Mr. Bow- man as to whether he had any sug- gestions or recommendations to mike to the committee looking toward im- | provement and betterment of the city. | Mr. Rudolph said there might be some, but he did not care to make them “offhand tonight.” He wus asked to fiie such suggestions and recommendations in writing to the committee the early part of the week. s taken | oned the | Mr. Gibson asked Commissioner Ru- dolph to identify a certified copy of | the action taken by the Commission- ers at the time of the demotion of in spector Headley. Mr. Gibson then discussed with the ‘ommissioner the action taken by District officials in setting aside a pro- | visiongin the social disease bill passed | by the last Congress and in not Iiving up to a requirement in the traffic act | for reissuance of drivers’ permits, em- phasizing that this latter disregard of | the law is cutting off $300,000 res nues from the District government | which is needed for public improve | ments. sistant Auditor Called. | Alva W. Collins, stant auditor of the Veterans' Bureau since it wi started in August, 1921, and before that with the Federal Vocational Roard, was next called and testified regarding bodies of two veterans who died at St. Elizabeth’s and which had been turned over in a mutilated con- | dition to the contract undertaker for Veterans' Bureau. He testified that | this undertaker gives as good a fu eral to the veterans for $56 and $66 other people pay $100 and $125 He testified that the bill from | slde undertakers who had the hody | of Bernard Murdie had put in a biil ; for $108.5 | &ress the limit of cost is $100. Bowman challenged this wit | ness rather vigorously regarding his | testimony as to mutiliation of bodies | ana asked what he had done about iU in reporting to the Veterans' Bu- At the close of his testimony “If we can fol | reau r. Bowman sald w this up and find | mutilated . without ~authority, we should get-the officials here to testify Nobody is going to stand for cut ting up the veterans without author- | ity for an autopsy upon them. " Mr. Blanton stated for the record that | he is informed that the doctors at zabeth's perform autopsies on t of the bodies of those who die | | at institution and that medical | students are brought out there re- | peatedly for clinics on these bodi | Mr. Gibs | erang’ Bureau claimed any right to | give authority for an autopsy on these bodies. The opinion was ex- pressed that the Veterans' | has no such authority. School Board Head Called. E. C Mr. Gilbert ned to interrogate him. He testified that he is president |of the Washington school board. | which has nine membe In pri business he is president ot the N tional Electrical Supply Co. He tes- board are appointed by the judges of the Supreme Court, but did not agere with his questioner that Chief Justice McCoy takes a more active part than the other judges. Mr. Graham also testified that he is vice president of the Washington Board of Trade, w a member of the Federal Reserve Board at Richmond and is a director of the City Club. Mr. Graham was questioned regard- ing how much stock he has in the National Electrical Supply Co. and when he said between and 50 per cent the subcommittee could not understand such a wide per cent of the common stock and about one-third of the preferred stock. This company, he said, has a capitali- zation of $100,000 each on common stock, which pays 6 per cent, and pre- ferred stock, which pays 5 per cent. He sald that if it is selling supplies to the District schools he does not know about it, because what is bought for the schools is bought by the pur- chasing agent for the District. He said that the School Board, or officials under them, have nothing to do with :these purchases, and that the only in- .fluence that they can have is in an indirect way on the volume of sup- plies. Denies Rudolph Acts. He was questioned if, as one-third stockholder and president of the com- pany, he would take oath that the purchasers from his corporation, He said he could not give the information and when pressed as to who could give it, he said the proper‘y clerk of the District. He does not beliave that hi company could tell whether the supplies. are deliverdd to the schools or not. He was asked by Mr. Gilbert whether, as president of the schcol board and president of the company, he did not think'he should be.able to || throw light on dealings between the school ' board and his company. He was then asked: ‘“Does your frieng Commissioner Rudolph have anything to do with it?” He answered that Mr. Rudolph does not. When asked what other firms here furnished electrical| products to the schools, he answered the Carroll Electric Co. and the Doubleday-Hill Co. Mr. Graham, jn reply to questions, n asked whether the Vet- | : { from motor cycle to foot dut; ate | tified that members of the school{ 25 per cent | margin. He explained that he has 25 | school system is not one of the biggest | for. | Te e cut- | mi: , while under an act ot Con- | the action in the Headley i Bureau | it | i Graham was next called and | ¥ f any other are used by the schools. Lincoln Townsend, and Mr. ard also is an intimate friend of Mr. hearing that during inaugura plies for the schools are sold on tract, a bond is furnished, Mr. ness, our the said that he is not a stockholder ln! company whose supplies | Says D. C. Eventually Pays Bonds. ile was questioned regarding T whom he safd is vice president of the National Elec- trical Supply Co. He said that he Colladay are close friends Prescott. He said he had heard the names of these men listed as “the big five” for the first time at the last night. Asked if any member of Mr. Fen ning'’s family worked for his concern or in Mr. Townsend's office, he said no permanent employe, but he thou, what the question was driving at committee work Mr. Fenning and his daughter worked in Mr. Townsend's office. When asked if, when electrical sup- | n- ham answered, “I did not know taat Mr. Fenning is in the bonding busi- and ae never supplizd a bond to ompany.” He said that a bond- ing fee becomes part of the cost of goods, and that, eventually, the District pays for the cost of the bond. Nevitt Takes Stand. Dr. J. Ramsay Nevitt, coroner for the District continuously since 1900, Blanton con vears ago was questioned by Mr cerning his testimony at the congressional investigation of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and the state- ment he made on page 123 of the printed hearin in which he said that he een straitjackets used at St. ibeth’s on two occa- sions. Mr. Blanton said that the printed hearings show that in many instances Frederick A. Fenning called Dr. Nevitt as a physician from the city in lunacy cases and paid him §10 a case. Coroner Nevitt answered that be never examined many cases for Mr. Fenning. In reply to questions as to whether he had recently had a conference with Mr. Fenning, Dr. Nevitt said he had called on the Commissioner about two weeks ago and asked him one ques tion. He said, “I haven't called on Mr. Fenning more than six or eight times since he has been Cemmissioner and then on purely official busin * Mr. Blanton tried to emphasiz the coroner and Commissioner ning have not recently got along well together, but the coroner denied th: there is any ill feeling. Representa- tive Gilbert asked the coroner what relation he is to Mr. Fenning and was told, “He married my wife's sister.” Mr. Blanton asked that Wilton J. Lambert, an attorney, and a Mrs. Rogers, who was housekeeper for one of Mr. Lambert's clients in the Ben- nett case, be called as witnesses e MISTAKE IN RECORD IS CITED BY GARGES Says Remark “Stopped and Dis- cussed” Was Transcribed “Stopped in Disgust.” j: Daniel E. Garges, secretary Board of District Commissioners wrote to Representative Gibson, chair- man of the subcommittee investigat ing the charges against Commissioner Fenning, vesterday and asked him to correct the stenographic record of his testimony before _the committee Wednesday night. The letter follou “In accordance with a statement made in my testimony hefore vour committee on the evening of April 28, I inclose herewith a certified copy of that portion of the minutes Board of Commissioners of the Dis trict of Columbia covering the demc tion of Inspector A. J. Headley from the rank of inspector to the rank of aptain. n_this connection, T beg to state that The Evening Star of April on page 6, quotes me as follows: “'In reply to a question from Representative Blanton, Demoerat Mr. Garges admitted that Col ioners Rudolph and Bell stopped n disgust the reading of the order.’ “The testimony I gave regarding Board of Commissioners hen the motion of Fenning to demote leadley was made the Commissioners ‘stopped and dis. cussed’ the motion. T did not use the ords ‘stopped in disgust.’ “T hope you will mz his correction in e a note of the stenographic these bodies | record of the proceedings.” NINE POLICE TRANéFERS. Maj. Hesse Announces Shifting of Privates. Maj. Edwin B. Hesse, superintendent of police, in an executive order today. transferred nine police privates, follow Fred E. Patnode, third precinct, Jere miah Mills, from foot duty seventh precinct to motor cycle duty the third precinct: W Hinson, first precinet, bieyc foot duty; Ross H. Kaylor, first pr cinct, patrol driver to bicycle duty: fomer O. Tutt, first precinect, foot duty to patrol driver; Frederick A. Schenck, foot patrolman, from the fourth to the eighth precinct; Preston S, Wheeler, foot patrolman, from twelfth to ninth precinct; Robert F. Williams, retired, and Foot Patrolms Daniel Pittman from third seventh precinct. Flyers Off for Maca:. HANOI, French Indo-China, The Sranish aviators, Caps za and Loriga, on a flight from Spain to Manila, left here at 9:55 o'clock this morning for Macao, the Portuguese dependency, 70 miles southeast of Canton, China. Hotel Inn 604-610 9th St. N.W. Daily, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 weekly: $10.50 rooms, $8: shower and lavatory. '$10 $7_rooms, § 13 with toilet. in_room, 50 % % nm:;l SAVINGS DEPOSITS MORRIS PLAN BANK Undr Supervision U. S. Treasury 1408 H ST. N. W. Albert J. Osgood ‘1720 H Street N.W. Brocaded Chinese $3.25 L $1.50 per yard .. $1.00 Chinese Colored Pongee, 33 in., per Japanese Pongee, 12-momme, 33 in., to the | of thel| . lin the year of case by the | in the | | n | May | more. Rooms like Mother's. | FIRST OF OSAGE SLAYNES N COURT § Nephew of “King” Goes on Trial on Charge of Kill- ing Anna Brown. By the Associated Pyess PAWHUSKA, Okla., ) Burkhart of Fairfax raigned in County day on a charge y Brown, Osage Indiurt, one of the fir of nearly a score of persons to mes death mysteriously Jn the Osare Indian country in northern Oklahon several years ago, Burkhart is a brot Burkhart and a nephew Hale, “king of the ¢ with John Ramsey on a charge of killing W. [ white man. The series linked by gator: spiracy out of estates of Ernest of W. K th bee of deaths hmve ieral 2 several fami could be of iity was entered b Anna Brown avine near F he had been 203 UNIONS VOTE A GENERAL STRIKE IN BRITAIN TUESDAY ,\ ot to deat (ontinued from rgre ) vehicles, with the for distribution them were called toda assigned to them drivers, read Suffering Not Expected The authorities : ving confidence plies are sufficier public shall not food or other ments. suffer immedi gove of wages which night resulted . in 20,000,000 pounds strike in Great the nation nea lm direct and indir Text of Proclamation. The proclamation giving the ernment eme: powers the strike follo By the Kin seorge, R. T “Whereas, by the eme act of 1920 it is ena pears to us t taken or by any persons or boc persons, such nature and on &o extensive u scale as to be calculated by ing with the supply and t of food, wz fuel or light, the means of locomotion, the community ¢ portion of {sentials of 1 tion declare th exists: and. whe mediate threat of cessa the coal m consti in the m “Now, {the said viee of our iclare that exists. *“Given at our court Palace this thirtiel te Iritain_in 0,000,000 pe t losses threatened e community of we may by D ita s emergenc .as the present s does, in ¢ e of emer f the in ency witl an theref: we d vy council, of pursuance of and with the ad hereby de emergenc A ckinghar I “God save the Castor oil, which a lamp oil in I Wght than oil of any NO\\' that warm winds are blowing again, wouldn't you like to have a boat—a row-boat, a motor boat, a speed boat, or if you are that ambitious, a yacht? Then why not get one? A small boat, at least, is not expensive. “But where,” you ask, “would T sail my boat.” Well, that’s something, to be sure. Why not “discover” a few hundred miles of navi- gable water, abounding in inlets, creeks and coves? Others have found the very thing already—the lovely, wooded country of the Ches- apeake tidewaters. Write today to our Baltimore Terminal, Howard and Lom- bard Streets, for our booklet, “An All-Summer Vacation,” describing this country and the homes being built there. ' WASHINGTON BALTIMORE & ANNAPOLIS ELECTRIC RAILROAD COMPANY