Evening Star Newspaper, October 11, 1926, Page 4

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO! 1926 _— MILLER MYSTER 15 STILL UNSOLVED, - Sightseeing Bus Lecturer Recalls Observing Two Men Near Death Spot. Mystery surrounding the death of Pvt. Edgar Harry Miller, Fort Myer cavalryman, presumably one week ago tonight in Arlington National Cemetery, today appeared mot much nearer solution than at any time since the Department of Justice officials and Fort Myer authorities began their investigation. Two new leads opened for considera- tion of the investigators today, but by 12 o'clock one of them apparently had been shattered, if not totally wiped out. These new developments since Baturday night were the arrest of Earle V. Betty, 36 years , who described himself as an eWangelist and who resides at the Gospel Mission. ‘The other was the report to the in- vestigators by Albert Pralle, a lec- turer of the Gray Line Sightseeing 0., to the effect that on Tuesday morning he saw two men near the spot near where Miller's body sub- fequently was found. One man, Pralle sald, was in the cemetery and the other was outside the wail. As the bus approached, Pralle now recalls, the man in the cemetery jumped over the wall and,joining his companion, both turned their backs and appeared to be examining the ground. Saw Motor Cycle There. A motor cycle was parked on the roadway. Pralle thought nothing of thelr actions at the time, but since the Democrats Invite Alexander on Tour Party Speaker ng it for granted that no- body could bear the name of Gro- ver Cleveland and not be a Demo- crat, the speakers’ bureau of the Democratic national congressional committee today extended to Gro- ver Cleveland Alexander, hero of the St. Louis Cardinals, world se- ries victory, an invitation to ap- pear on the platform for the party. Representative McClintic of the bureau, an Oklahoman, wired “Alex” -to accept an assignment to accompany ‘‘some of our prom- inent speakers,” with all expenses paid. He also extended the committee’s congratulations on the pitcher’s work in the series. i DISABILITY FUND BOARD RENAMED ‘Actuaries on Civil Service Retirement Reappointed by Commissioner of Pensions. The three men who constituted the board of actuaries on the civil serv- ice and disability fund have been re- appointed, it was learned today, even though six weeks ago the prediction was made that there would be no board of actuaries this year. Mem- PROGRAM PLANNED |F-YING ABOARD LS ANGELES FORCOLUMBUSDAY v Exercises Tomorrow at Statue and Entertainment and Dance Scheduled. Columbus day will be celebrated by the Knights of Columbus tomorrow with commemorative exercises at 10:30 o'clock in the morning and an enter- tainment and dance at 8 o'clock in the evening at the Willard Hotel. The morning celebration will be held at the foot of the Christopher Colum- bus Monument on Union Station plaza and presided over by Charles W. Darr, State deputy of the order in the Dis- trict. ~Rev. George C. Murdock, haplain, U. S. N. statloned at Quantjco, Va., will deliver the prin- cipal ~address. Rev. Francls X. Cavanaugh, assistant rector of St. Martin’s Church and State chaplain of the Knights, will deliver the in- vocation. Music will be furnished by the Georgetown College Band and the Knights will place a wreath at the foot of the Columbus statue. Entertalnment at Night. In the evening an entertainment nd dance, beginning at 8 o'clock, will be held under the auspices of the Fourth Degree Knights at the Willard for members and their guests. Rev. Ignatius Smith of the Dominican House of Studies, Brookland, will make the chief address. Guests will include Commissioner Cuno Rudolph, Right Rev. Thomas J. Shahan, rector of the Catholic University; Mr. Darr, body of Miller was found there, he|p@RiC O BC EraS &S Ve been re.| William S. Aumen, master of the now recalls the incident. The arrest of Betty was made by Robert R. Dye, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, vesterday afternoon and the man was turned over to Sheriff Fields of Arlington County for confinsment until he could be questioned. The investigators today closeted themselves with Betty in Sheriff Field’s office for more than two hours, and when the interview ended, Betty was taken back to his cell in Arling- ton Jail to be held for further ques- tioning. The investigators, while not willing to order his release, plainly indicated that the detained man was not of very much assistance to them. Mr. Dye arrested Betty after the latter had declared to him yesterday that he was the husband of Marion Gray, who was with Ernest Johnson one week ago tonight’ near the ceme- tery wall, according to her statements. At’that time Johnson reported he was fired on from ambush and wounded in the leg. Manner of Death Unknown. Betty, because of his knowledge of Johnson and Miss Gray, impressed Mr. Dye as one who could throw some light on the shooting of Johnson, as well as the death of Miller. Inas- much as Miller's death is believed to have occurred at or about the same time Johnson was fired upon by persons unknown to him, the fact has not been positively established whether the shootings/ bear a relation to one another or taht Miller's death was coincidental with Johnson’s wounding Because the investigators, so far as could be learned today, have not been able to clear up a positive angle on the two shootings, the suicide theory vriginally advanced in Miller's death is ater strength in the minds gaining of Fort officers connected with the case. The statement was made today that if all sources of investiga- tion become exhausted in a short while there is nothing else to do but accept the theory that the trooper killed himself. However, S50 many sus- picions enter into the two shootings that every one connected with the > is not willing to subscribe to the le theory. Betty came in contact with the Investigators last week and is re- ported to h: said he was a close friend of Miss Gray he declared emphatical ever, he was her husband and tha were married in Rockville several ve Questioned for proof of ihis statement, Betty is reported to have answered that the minister who performed the ceremony and the wit- { nesses are dead. Betfy also is said have told officials that he knew M : and Johnson were plan- ning together last Monday night and later saw them depart The man, however, a very coherent story of his connection with Johnson and Mi r, accord- ing to the investizators. He will be questioned probably tomorrow after the interrogators today have followed up some of the information given them by him. MATTOCKS TO HEAD STAFF OF VETERANS Coulter Also Given Post in Spanish War Body by Comdr. Means. William L. Mattocks of the Depart- Jf the District of Columbia was Q chief of staff of the United Veterans, and Harry B. of the District, was chosen assistant quartermaster gen- eral in a of appointments an- nounced today by Senator Rice W. | N Colorado, comminder-in- | » the num- f the nder hrings to thre 11 membe: Wing official Means, James J. Murphy having previously been appointed quartermaster general, In the same communication to State officers from Comdr. Means a recruiting camp was announced through which veterans expect their membership to 100,000 appointments announced to or Means a weneral, or general, Geor judge advocate ward S. Matthias, Sterling roming: na- cker, Ohlo; storian, W inspector gen artment of o Masbek, Department of Means; Commander-in-chief ¢ Senior o Noel Markham, Virginta; Junior Vice mmander-in-Chief 1 A. Ander. ka; Herman A. Finke, Mis- Lane, Florida. eo—F Com- armi A, Thompson of Ohio. « >ast Commander- in Chief ( Istrom of 1lli- nois, and Commander-in-Chief Edward J. Gihon of Massachusetts. committee—Past Com- mander-in-Chief Chauncey W. Herrick, hairma Additional “members of this nittee, will be announced in the next general order. In a previous order the announce- ment was made of the election of Surgeon eneral H. A. Arnold of ‘ennsylvania and Chaplain-in-Chief Lzra C. Clemens of Minnesota. Legislative | day appointed are George B. Buck of New York, Herbert D. Brown, chief of the Bureau of Efficlency, and Joseph S. McCoy of the Treasury Department. The aprointments were made by Commissioner of Pensions Scott, with the approval of Secretary of the In- terior Work. Recommendations Questioned. Secretary Work took sharp issue on several matters with the recom- mendations of the same board in its last report, issued March 29. Al though the board strongly recommend- ed appropriations by the Government to the retirement fund in advance of its actual needs, Mr. Work said the Interior Department was unwilling to subscribe to this theory. “In determining the status of the present fund the actuaries proposed that the Government shall hence- forth make annual appropriations in advance of the actual needs of the fund to place it upon a permanently self-supporting basis,” Mr. Work said. “I may say that the department is unwilling to subscribe to the theory that the Government should make an appropriation to the retirement fund in advance of actual needs. In Position of Guarantor. “The Government is in the position of guarantor of the fund and, being the foundation of our economic struc- ture, does hot need to give bond to insure specific performance of its obli- gations.” Mr. Work added that esti- mates of the time when Government appropriation to the fund will be necessary place it anywhere from 10 to 25 years. Since the report of the board was filed liberalized retirement legislation raising the maximum annuity to $1,000 and increasing the annual de- duction frem employes’ salaries from 215 to 3% per cent has been passed and is now in effect. ASKS DEFINITE RULE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Association of Owners to Present Plea for Proper Regulation at I C. C. Hearing. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Owners’ Association has empowered A committee to evolve a definite pol- v on motor truck and passenger bus regulation for presentation at a hearing before the Interstate Com- merce Commission ‘October 25. This committee, named by Vice President B. F. Anderson, and which is intended to represent every el ement of the motor transportation field, will have its preliminary meet- ing at the City Club at 8 o'clock to- morrow night. Plans will be formed whereby each member will make an intensive study of how the proposed regulations would effect his own busines: Reports from these studies will be zed and made the basis of a defi- nite policy. Because of exceptionally heavy motor traffic in Washington and its suburbs the assoclation believes that this city should be well represented at the hearings. The committee, which will meet tomorrow night, consists of W. P. Ames, Rosslyn, Va.: B. F. Anderson, S. R. Bowen, S. Spencer Brenizer, Morris Cafritz, James Colliflower, Jerome Fanciulli, association secre- tary; C. E. Fries. John Hardell, A. G. Hermann, W. E. Humphreys, Arthur G. Jackson, Aldie, Va.; F. J. L ViR ‘West and John L. est, Z. Walker. OIL CONSERVATION BOARD | PREPARING REPORT DATA Federal Body Compiling Informa- tion on Shale and Substitutes for Publication to Be Issued Soon. New and important data relating to the general problems of the ofl indus. try and to conditions attending the development of oil shale and possible stitutes are being studied by the Oil Conservation Board in preparation for the publication of the second report of the board, to be fs- sued shortly. Since completion of the first board Michael { apore, dealing with general conditions nois; Chief | i "6 industry, many suggestions and new data have been submitted by rep- resentative oil men, contributing to the study being made by the board. In submitting to the President the second report, board officials said to- it is likely the board will deal with collateral issues bearing on the general problems of the Industry. These problems are constantly coming up and have an important bearing on the national petroleum policy as it af- fects Government and publicwoil lands. . Abe M arti;_S—ays: Gertie Ederle’'s feat hain’t half as wonderful as how some folks git across in th' social swim. We hain't seen mnothin® yit; jest wait till Mussolini, with his well- known ideas of economy, regulates women's styles. i “We've ordered 'em, but they hain't In the new revue at the Moulin ilouge of Paris is a feature entitled “Champagne Baths Throughout the Ages.” come yit,” said Druggist Artie Small when a customer asked for a debt erasure this mornin’. Copyright. John Dille Co.) District of Columbia and Maryland Fourth Degres Knights, and Dr. Charles I. Griffith, faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree of the District. Entertainment features will include a concert by the Boys' Band of Wash- ington and novelties by Miss Irene Duffy, singer; Miss Lucille Dufty, vio- linist, and Miss Helen Duffy, planist. Mrs. Edna Hillyard also will sig, and Miss Margaret Falon and Miss Doro- thy Graham will dance the Charles- ton. Following the program, a dance will be helf until midnight. Committees in Charge. The committee in charge of the morning service 1s composed of J. FEugene Gallery, grand knight of ‘Washington Council, chairman; James A. Sullivan, past State deputy of the District; J. Leo Kolb, State secretary; Thomas J. Fitzgerald, State advocate; John B. McGinley, State treasurer; Willlam J. Mulligan, State warden; ‘William J. Fealy and James T. Ryan, district deputies; John E Burns, grand knight of Keane Council; Albert MecCarthy, grand knight of Carroll Council; Michael D. Schaefer, grand knight of Potomac Council; Fred 8. McCarthy, grand knight of Spalding Council; Dr. Griffith, Robert J. Cot- trell, Kugene B. Sulllvan, Fred J. Diegelmann, Arthur B. Willlamson, John 1. Sprosser and Patrick J. Haltigan. The committee in charge of the entertainment follows: Michael Casey, chairman; Mr. Diegelmann, J. N. Kline, John P. Hollihan, Philip A. Simpson, F. S. Obold, J. F. Hillyard, Albert J Sardo, J. T. Mec- Carthy, Edwin P. Goodwin, George H. Goldin, Arthur B. Williamson and Mr. Kolb. FLOOD THREATENS, ARKANSAS WARNED Weather Bureau Sees Heavy Losses as River Reaches New Heights Tomorrow. By the Associated Press. FORT SMITH, Ark. October 11.— The severest flood since 1915, with probable heavy property and crop damage, was forecast yesterday by T. G. Shiman, flood forecaster and weath- er bureau meteorologist. Shipman said that heavy rains of Saturday night on_the upper reaches of the Arkansas River and in this vieinity, would bring a new flood crest of 32 feet, 4 feet higher than the high mark of last week. He warned all residents of low lands to take out all movable property before tomorrow, when it is expected that the new crest will be reached. Yesterday's river gauge reading was 27.5 feet at noon and slowly rising. “ew effects of the new flood were to be seen yesterday. Water was still standing on low lands flooded last week, but fears were expressed that levees would give way, and that rail- road tracks might be damaged by the further overflowing of the Arkansas and its tributaries. Highway bridges were reported out on several roads. ‘The heaviest rainfall in 43 years at Texarkana, Ark., was recorded Satur- day night and early yesterday, when 9.29 inches fell, according to H. S. Brashear, weather observer, Brashear said that the levees pro- tecting Texarkana and surrounding territory would break, if the rainfall caused the Red River to rise above the ‘fiwh(l crest of Friday. | Heavy Losses in Texas. DALLAS, Tex., October 11 (#).— Scores were made homeless and much damage caused by heavy rainfall which drenched northeast Texas ves- terday. Rising rivers inundated homes in the bottom lands and sent many persons fleeing to higher ground. One boy was drowned in a flooded tor- rent. BB e — W. J. MATSON DIES. Death Follows Collapse After Ex- oneration of Embezzling $500,000. SAN FRANCISCO, October 11 (#).— ‘Walter J. Matson, former secretary of the Honolulu Plantation Co. and the Mason By-Products Co. and son of the late Capt. Willlam Matson, died of heart trouble vesterday in the Mills Memorial Hospltal, at San Mateo. Matson was acquitted last May of a charge of embezzling $500,000 from | the two companies of which he was | secretary. - On the day he was ex- onerated he collapsed and was unable from that time until his death to take an active part in affairs. TWO LOSE PLEA. Pair Accused of Murder of Indian Denied Rehearing. John Ramsey and Willlam K. Hale, charged with the murder of Henry Roan, an Osage Indian, in Oklahoma, were denied relief today by the Su- preme Court. At its last term the court held that the Federal Government has jurisdic- tion over the territory where Roan was killed, and that the Federal courts were competent to try the case. petition by Ramsey and Hale rehearing was denied. fud @ JUST AS STABLE AS IT LOOKS n, No Rolling as Ship Climbs to Altitude of 2,500 Feet, Associated Press Correspondent Finds. By _the Associated Press. LAKEHURST, N. J., October 11.— The United States Navy dirigible Los Angeles is as stable to the civilian rid- ing on it as it appears to be to the man gazing up from the ground. Such was the outstanding impres- sion gained by an Associated Press representative who, during a recent flight of the big ship similar to this week’s three-day test cruise to De- troit, was asked by Lieut. Comdr. C. E. Rosendahl, flight commander of the ship, to be the *“eyes for everybody in the country ” who would like to know what a trip in the dirigible is like. Permission to make the trip was obtained from the Navy Department. Although the trip was of ordinary routine nature, conditions and cir- cumstances being the same as those under which all persons would nor- mally fly, the observer felt a cer- tain detachment from. connection with the earth, as if the big ship were another planet. 1 Activity Starts Early. Throughout the early hours of the morning the officers and crew, un- believably dwarfed by the giant structure of the ship itself, scurried about the engine rooms and compart ments making ready. At 6 o'clock two bugle notes sounded through the hangar, and with a whir of invisible motors the great doors forming the entire east end of the building slid slowly back. The inrush of early sunshine changed the ship from duil gray to the silver tint familiar to those who have watched it in fight. At another signal by the bugle the western doors of the hangar were thrown open, and through them marched squads of sallors, marines and civiian mechanics. An order was given and they spread, each man grasping ropes and handrails along the bow, passenger, control and en- gine cabins. There they clung like files while water ballast spouted from the hull and the great ship stirred. “Walk out,” an officer shouted through a megaphone and the 700- foot airship was lifted bodily by straining hands, while more men drew forward on the ‘“spiders,” as ropes dropped from ports in the bow are called. Gracefully, with more than 300 men tugging alongside, it then floated out of the hangar and across the fleld, where officers and crew were awaiting to climb aboard. Engines Hum With Life. The command ‘‘up ship” was then megaphoned to the ground crew, and the engines, hung from the hull in five cars just big enough to hold them and a mechanic or two, hummed with life. Without effort and with but little noticeable motion, the ship then rose, nose pointed upward, the whirring propellers driving it from the ground. There was no sensation of rising, as in an airplane or express elevator. The earth simply dropped away until trees were dwarfed to the height of the grass, and human figures com- pletely disappeared. Houses became the miniatures of a child’s toy village. ‘There was no vibration, no rolling, as ah altitude of 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 feet were reached. The roar of the en- gines was curiously stilled, and as one looked down from the window of the luxurious cabin when flying alti- tude was reached, he saw only a hazy landscape, the features of which had become geometrically precise. DEFENSE T0 REBUT OIL POOL CHARGE Industry’s Experts to Take Stand to Offset Government’s Anti-Trust Plea. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, October 11.—The Gov- ernment’s attack on the Standard Oil Co. of Indiana and 46 other promi- nent oil companies throughout the United States for alleged violation of the anti-trust laws is to be resumed today before Special Master Charles Martindale. Alexander B. Royce, spe- clal assistant to United States At- torney Emory R. Buckner, has been appointed a spcial assistant to the Attorney General to conduct the Gov- ernment's case. Mr. Royce replaces Abram F. Meyers, recently appointed to the Federal Trade Commission. John W. Davis, former Democratic candidate for the presidency, repre- sents the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, and former Gov. Nathan L. Miller. is counsel for Joseph H. Adams, alleged inventor of the oil process under attack. Charges Patent Pool. The Government's case was begun in the northern district of Illinois on June 25, 1924. The Government charges that the oil companies have formed and operated a tremendous patent pool, “comprising a number of competing patents which, by an elaborate cross-licensing arrangement, are made available to those ofl com- panies fortunate enough to be in the pool.” The price exacted of smaller com- panies for admission to the pool. ac- cording to the Government's charg includes the limitation of territory, payment of large rovalties to the Standard Oil Co. of Indi and the Texas Co. and other I oil-producing companies, and the mission for all time of the validity of patents involved. The most spectacular of the Gov- ernment'’s charges is that Joseph H. Adams, alleged inventor of the basic idea of subjecting the oil to pressure as well as heat, obtained his patents from the Government's Patent Office through the flling of fraudulent affi- davits. Testimony of Government witnesses examined in New York last Spring and cross-examined by former Gov. Miller was said by Government representatives to show that Adams was not the inventor of the idea. Defense Starts Presentation. If this is so, the Government con- tends, the Standard Oil companies have no right to exact heavy penal- ties from smaller oil companies who have sought from them the right to use the process. It is expected that experts in the ofl industry offered gs witne v the defendants, who are to begin their defense today, will occupy several weeks in their testimony. ‘The principal defendants who are called upon to meet the Government's attack are the Standard Oil Co. of Indiana, Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, the Texas Co. and the Gaso- line Products Co. TANK CORPS L SCHOOL { WINS PISTOL SHOOT The pistol team of the Tank Corps School defeated the District of Co- lumbla National Guard in a dual match held yesterday at Camp Meade, Md. Although the local men outshot their opponents in the timed fire stage, they were outclassed in rapid fire and lost the match with a total percentage of 532.95 against the Tank's 545.4. Capt. Severn S. McLaughlin, Tank Corps, who was last year's national individual pistol champion, was high individual of the match, with an av- erage percentage of 96.3. ‘The members of the two teams and the individual scores were as follows Tank Corps School—Capt. 8. Me- Laughlin, 96.3; Sergt, Brown, h Lieut. Macklin, 91.6; Sergt. Bowdoin, E, 121st Engineers, 92.0; Private Wa ter R. Stokes, Medical Detachment, 121st Engineers, 90.16; Capt. Clarence S. Shields, Company E, 121st En- gineers, 89.77; Capt. Just C. Jensen, Ordnance Department, 86.33, and Lieut. Edward A. McMahon, Com- pany A, 121st Engineers, 81.53. = Headlights Cause Death. Special Dispatch to The Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., October 11.— Howard Lepley, 18 years old, son of J. John Lepley of Corrigansville, was fatally injured last night while walk- ing on the Mount Savage road when struck by a car driven by Frank J. Hiner of this city. Investigation by the State police showed Hiner had 90.1; Capt. Triplett, 87.3; Lieut. Kut-| giate infiltration into the body of sc!&gér‘fl:t.l. & e Vm(‘““}) Bessie of the toxic materials which Guard—Sergt. Joseph W. Crockett, it T Dl (LT T g:rt:;:ryréi\\?:f(;h,\(‘ci\:\!;«;:;:lh‘; m"v‘;;M gether by a narrow band at the hips, STUDY 5 CHANGES INHIGHWAY PLANS District Commissioners Hold Open Hearing on Street Improvements. Five proposed changes in the high- way plan of the District, most of them designed to preserve the topography and the natural contours of the land in outlying sections, were considered by the Commissioners at a public hear- ing in the boardroom of the District Building. Only a_small group of property owners affected by the pro- posals attended. Discussions centered on a_propo- sition to widen Piney Branch road between Butternut and Cedar streets. One proposal was to widen this thoroughfare to 90 feet. An alterna- tive was to make it a 120-foot boule- vard. 90-Foot Plan Fought. The 90-foot width was favored by B. . Wilkinson, 7120 Piney Branch road, but was opposed by a small group who contended that such a width would cut off front lawns and ruin property. Among these were L. B. Burdett, 6902 Piney Branch road; J. P. Thomas, 7200 Piney Branch road, and Judge W. W. Warwick of the personnel classification board. Other proposed changes considered were: A plan to make a boulevard out of Madison street connecting Fort Slocunr and Fort Stevens; changing the location of Tilden street to pre- serve old trees now standing; eliminat- ing Randolph street from the high- way plan by rearranging the streets in the area bounded by Sixteenth street, Randolph street, Blagden road and Rock Creek Park road, so as to make the streets follow natural con- tours and thus preserve wooded slopes; rearranging the streets in the area bounded by St. Elizabeth's Hos- pital, Blue Plains and Giesboro road so as to obtain a roadway along the top of the hill overlooking the Poto- mac and the Virginia hills. Contingent on Purchase. The latter plan is contingent, how- ever, upon the ‘decision of the Na- tional Capital Park and Planning Commission to buy the strip of land lying between the hilicrest and the river for a public park. The recommendations of the Com- missioners on these proposed changes will be submitted to the National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion for final approval. DEAD TWINS SHARED ONLY ONE ORGAN Other Vital Parts Complete in Each—Spread of Poison Killed Second. By the Associated Press. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn, October 11.—Only one organ was owned in common by Lucy and Bessie Medich, “Siamese twins,” who died within a few minutes of each other at a local hospital Saturday night. This was the bladder. A postmortem was held vesterday. They were the children | 9t Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Medich, South Bend, Ind. Lucy died of pneumonia and free pus in the chest cavity, according to the physician who made the exam- ination. Bessie, joined to her from birth, ahout five months ago, died of shock and blood poisoning. ‘With the exception of the bladder, which served both bodles, every vital organ of the bodies was complete in each individual. The possession of two almost com- plete sets of internal organs per- | mitted Bessie to enjoy perfect health | throughout the long illness of Lucy from pneumonia, physicians said. | The existence of only one bladder, however, caused an almost imme- | the heads being at opposite ends of | the double body, which was only about 22 inches long. The legy ex- tended outward sidewise from the bodies on either side. | pritceyiccsite i A O Carpenter Loses $5,000 Suit. William F. Decatur, a carpenter, | who was injured December 20, 1923, during the building of the Sanitary | warehouse at Fourth and T streets northeast, today lost his suit for $5,000 damages against the Charles H. Tomp- kins Co., “which had the contract. Justice Siddons, in Circuit Division 2, directed the jury to return a verdict exonerating the’ defendant. Attorney WOMEN T0 FIGHT Statues Get Baths Along With Office OR PROHIBITIQN B tine of Senate Organizations Representing 10,000,000 Combine Against Attempt to Weaken Law. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. Organizations representing approxi- mately 10,000,000 women are prepar- ing to fight vigorously any attempt to ‘weaken the Volstead act or repeal the elghteenth amendment. The forces defending prohibition are unusually active. They are well aware that the ‘“‘wets” are making some headway—at least that the “wets” are so convinced. Realizing that public opinion is fickle, and that if the “wets"” do get the upper hand there may be a swing-back of the pendulum, the leaders of the various women’s organizations are beginning an elaborate program of defense. “Wets” Clalm Victory. The drive which was made in the closing days of the last Congress was in a sense a victory for the “‘wets” because they managed to arouse in- terest in what was considered a slum- bering issue in Congress. The fact that a lively interest was taken in the controversy encouraged the “wets” to make plans for the forth- coming session of Congress. Un- doubtedly some candidates now run- ning on a_ ‘“wet” platform will be elected to Congress and will begin to do thelr utmost to keep the agitation for change before their colleagues on Capitol Hill. The exact course of the women's campalgn has not been arranged in detail. Conferences between the lead- ers have indicated that while every effort will be made to combat errone- ous interpretations that may have been given to statistics, the main job is to prevent the cry for temperance from velling the drive to repeal the elghteenth amendment altogether. ‘Wadsworth Suggests Substitute. Senator Wadsworth of New York, for example, has suggested that a sub- stitute for the eighteenth amendment shall be enacted which gives Con- gress the power to legislate in ac- cordance with the will of the people as conditions change from era to era. The defenders of this proposal in- sist that there is no intention to go back to the saloon or pre-prohibition conditions. The battle, therefore, is against any change whatsoever. The Anti- Saloon League, for instance, has taken an uncompromising position on the ground that if light wines and beer, are sold, the stores or agencies dispensing these beverages will be- come the instrumentalities for the distribution of all intoxicants and that enforcement will be many times more difficult than it is today. Women Control Own Forces. The move to organize the women forces has come from the women themselves. It is in line with their policy for several years on prohibition. And although church leaders here and there have weakened on the question of the effectiveness of the Volstead act, the tendency of the woman leaders is to concentrate their whole energy on the idea of no change. Most_of the women's organizations last Winter worked for the ratifica- tion of the proposal to have America enter the World Court. Their chief concern this Winter will be to de- fend prohibition and oppose any change In the present law which would tend to nullify the eighteenth amendment to the Federal Consti- tution. —_— STUDY OF DISTRICT NEEDS TO BE BROAD; 102 LEADERS CALLED ___(Continued from First Page.) of the municipal adminstraton. He expressed the opinion that under the commission form of government the District has had excellent government, and this sentiment was echoed by practically every other speaker. He emphasized that the most glaring de- fect at present is the failure of the National Government to pay a fair share of the upkeep of the National Capital. Mr. Reid asked Mr. Leese if he would have a statement prépared pre- senting the recommendations of the Chamber of Commerce to the entire subcommittee when it meets on No- vember 8. Mrs. Rafter urged the subcommit- tee to have special hearings on school matters. She said that the District schools have opened up this Fall in i tory condition and in the new James G. Oyster School there were no heat, desks or equipment and that classes of children had to sit on the floor. She advocated an elective school board. Mr. Reid said that insanitary condition in the schools was shameful and that pres- sure ought to be brought on the per- sons responsible. Mrs. Rafter said that fourth grades are on part time, which is against the law in the or- ganic act. . Urges Larger U. S. Share. Dr. Havenner expressed the opinion that national and local suffrage is one of the greatest needs here and urged that the District committee support such legislation. He also emphasized that there should be an equalization of the proportion paid by the Federal and local governments to support the National Capital. He said he had complained through Rep- resentative Cramton of Michigan, author of the lump-sum plan, that the $9,000,000 appropriation from the Federal treasury was based on a $20,000,000 District budget, whereas we are now approaching a $40.000,- 000 budget, on which the Federal Government should pay $18,000,000. Dr. Havenner thought that a board of Commissioners on which the dif- ferent sections of the city would be represented would be more satis- factory and eomplained that for more than 30 years his home section of Anacostia had been slighted in appro- priations. He voiced opposiiton to the proposed bond issue and said that the District should have logical pro- grams of development on a 5 or 10 year basis. Dr. Havenner contended that the park areas in the District, except those strictly Federal properties, like the Capitol grounds, should be trans- ferred to the jurisdiction of the Com- missioners, and he cited particularly the National Zoological Park, which, he said, should be supported by the Federal Government instead of the District government if the Federal Government is going to run it. He also advocated the magistrate system of courts scattered over the entire District. More Medical Inspectors Asked. Mrs. Grant stressed the great need for a sanitarium for tubercular chil- dren, or at least changing the pres- William E. Leahy appeared for the plaintiff, while the company was rep- resented by Attorneys Frank J. Hogan, been blinded by the lights of another car and failed to see Lepley. John W. Guider, Edmund Jones and Arthur J. Phelan. ent school into a sanitarium which, she said, could be done at a relatively small cost. She recommended also that a larger number of medieal in- spectors be provided so that a physi- “be authorized to amortize the cost first tri Mother Washington is on a clean- ing rampage, scrubbing the faces and digging out the ears of her 50 VS, The brood has been playing around in the dirt for quite a while now and are beginning to look a bit ;lllarepuublo for a respectable fam- Y. ‘Workmen under the direction of the Office of Public Bulldings and Public Parks started today at the task of cleaning all the marble statues in the parks. Dupont Circle was the scene of tie first attack on mould and discoloration. The ablutions will continue until next Summer. All the bronze statues were given their baths last year. The Senate Office Building also was given part of its annual bath today. A hose line, with a motor fire engine, was turned by firemen on the white marble surface. LAD SEVERELY HURT WHEN HIT BY AUTO Treated in Hospital for Skull Fracture—Others Injured in Traffic Crashes. A 7-yearold boy was seriously in- jured and a large number of other persons suffered more or less severs injuries in automobile accidents in and around Washington over the week end. Herbert H. Wright, jr., whose par- ents are employed in the residence of Larz Anderson, 2118 Massachusetts avenue, suffered a fracture of the skull when he was hit by an auto- mobile at Fifteenth and G streets late yesterday. The boy and his father had just left a scoreboard at the end of the world serles ball game when the lad stepped in front of an auto- mobile owned by Willlam H. Seaquist, 1900 H street. He was taken to Emergency Hospital, where his condi- tion was pronounced serious. Three Women Hurt in Collision. Three women, Mrs. Anna Azimow, 800 Sixth street southwest, and Mrs. Cora Belga and Miss Dorothy Katz, both of New York, were injured late vesterday when an automobile in which they were riding, driven by Saul Azimow, collided with a street car at Four-and-a-Half and H streets southwest. The women were treated at Emergency Hospital. Five-year-old Mary F. Rooney, 541 Fourth street southeast, was injured shortly before 11 o'clock yesterday morning when struck by a motor delivery vehicle driven by Ray Shatzer, 2220 Thirty-fifth street, while crossing the street near her home. She suffered a compound fracture of her right thigh and injuries to her body and was severely shocked. The child was taken to Providence Hos- pital. Others in Injured List. Other victims of week end traffic accidents were Miss Norma Bigelow, 22 years, 423 Twelfth street southeast; iola Groff, colored, 8 years, 655 N street southeast; Carl Cockrell, 22 vears, Vienna, Va.; Robert Mann. col- ored, 57 years, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Jacob Hammer, 54 years, 4317 New Hamp- shire avenue, and Miss Q. Kitson, 1440 Columbia road, and Christian Hansen, 60 years old, of 412 Sixth street. cal examination could be given to all children entering the public schoals Mr. Bush-Brown, representing the Arts Club, complained that adequate finances are not being provided for the schools. He advocated that the system by which the schools are con- trolled should be reorganized and that a director be appointed by the Presi- dent, who would manage the school system, accountable only to the Presi- dent and unhampered by the budget, the District Commissioners or the Board of Education. He said the schools should be emancivated from the thralldom of red tape and that they are in a differ- ent category from other District ac- tivities which are principally material and financial while the school system | has a spiritual mission. He urged that | the National Capital ought to lead in the higher elements of education. Favors Bond Issue. Gen. Helmick sald the commission form of government has operated fairly well and he would not care to see any change. He said the Public Utilities Commission ought to be given competent legal talent to represent the interest of the people against the high paid legal talent employed by corporations. Mr. Powell favored a bond issue letting future genarations help pay for the benefits they will receive. Mr. Phillips sald that the Columbia Helghts Assoclation has taken definite action recommending as a basis of Federal contribution to the support of the National Capital an amount equal to what the tax rate would be on a falr appraisal of Federal property. ‘Upholds Commission Form. M. Gelbman expressed the convic- tion that the commission form of gov- ernment is as good as can be had here. He advocated that the commis- sion form should be extended, provid- ing for two additional Commissioners, one of whom would have charge di- rectly of public utilities and the other of schools and hospitals Mr. Gelbman said that each and every Commissioner should be held strictly accountable to Congress, and should be impeachable. He urged abolition of the Traffic Bureau, with a few simple traffic rules put into force, saying that there are now too many obsolete laws. He would have the traffic direction by the central police bureau. He favors the magistrate system. | “Mrs. Snell said that her organization is not ready to make recommenda- | tions, but that from now on they will make a special study of municipal at- fairs. Opposes Tax System. Mr. Driggers complained that under the present system of collecting taxes | property owners may lose their prop- erty through delinquency withou! their knowledge. He alko complained , Ithat the Kenilworth School needs | painting and a teachers’ restroom. Mr. Faulkner also advocated a change in the tax law with regard to sale for delinquent taxes and also re- peal of the Borland umendment, pro- testing particularly that an unreason- able interest charge was now being lald against persons acquiring prop- erty in newly developed sections. He also asked the committee to inquire into the cost of public works under contract as against charges by day labor. Mr. Faulkner also protested agninst PRESIDENT GALLS ON ALL TO VOTE American System Doomed Peope Stay From Polls, He Contends. BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG. President Coolidge deplores whal he describes as a growing tenden on the part of those citizens who are legally entitled to vote to refraln from exercising that privilege. Ha considers voting the sacred and pa« triotic duty of every man and woman In the United States, and he heartily favors organized movements here and elsewhere to arouse public sentiment ta the perils that arise when the average citizen falls to vote. The President wants to see every eligible voter respond to the obligne tion of citizenship. He wants to ses a wider interest in elections, deplors ing the fact that only 60 per cent of Americans entitled to vote cast theie ballot in the last two elections. This, in the estimation of Mr. Cools 1dge, is not a partisan, but a patriotid question and, according to his fixed bellef, the whole system of American government rests on the ballot box, He contends that unless citizens per form their duties In this respect, such a system of government is doomed ta faflure. Wants Voters Aroused. In the opinion of the President, 1§ the United States is to keep Its repre« sentative form of government and to maintain the principle that the ma. jority shall rule, it behooves the me:n and women of this country to arousa themselves to a greater Interest in thelr right of franchise. The President {8 known to be keen- Iy interested in work being done in this city to get out the so-called ali« sentee vote. Samuel J. Prescott, chairman of the Republican State Committes for the District of Columbla, who fis directing the Republican absentes campaign here, advised the President several days ago of all that was being done at headquarters at 523 Fifteentl street. ‘With the period of registration for voting having expired in more than 75 per cent of the States, the campalgn committee of the League of Republi- can Organizations, which has been ac- tively engaged: getting out the ab- sentee vote, is turning its attention mainly to the execution of the ballot. Prospective voters are being remind- ed that they should acquaint them- selves with the requirements of their States regarding application for the ballot. The laws of the several States vary on this subject. The dates for making application for the ballot are not the same in all States, and it is feared by the campaign committee that some votes will be lost hecause of failure on the part of the prospec tive absent voters to famillarize them selves with this important detall. Prescott Prepares List. Mr. Prescott is today making pub lic a complete list of the ballot ap plication dates of the States. Already 2 number of men and women who will vote in the election November 2 have called at the campaign headquarters, 23 Fifteenth street, to be advised of the laws governing application for the ballot and its execution and mail ing. However, there are still some go ing to hendquarters for information about registration. This part of the campaign work is under the direction of A. E. Chaffee of Nebraska, reading clerk of the House. The following is a correct and com- plete digest of the time within which application can be made in the States for the absent voters’ ballot: Alabama--Not more than 31 days or less than 5 before election. Arizona—Any time within 30 days before election. Delaware—Nof more than 20 or less than 3 before election. Georgia—Not less than 30 or more than 60 days before election. Idaho—Not more than 15 or than one day before election. Illinois ot more than 30 or less s before election. Not more than 30 or less before election. ot more than 15 or less before election. P to October 15. M achusetts — Any reasonable time before electfon. Michigan—Any time during the 30 days preceding election. Minneso Not more than 30 or less than 7 days before election. sippl—Any time within 30 less Nebraska les: a—Not more than 80 han 2 days before election. Not more than 20 or less or —Not more than 30 or less than 17 days before election. North Carolina—Any time within 30 days before election. North Dakota—Any time within 30 days before election. Ohlo—Not less than 30 nor more than 3 days before election. Oregon—Any time within 30 days of election. South Dakota—Any time within 30 days before election. Tennessce—Not more than 30 or less than 10 days prior to election. Texas—Not_more than 20 or less than 10 days before election. Utah—Any time within 30 days be- fore election. Vermont—Any time not later than 20 days before election. Virginia—Not less than 15 or more than 60 days before election. Washington—Not more than days prior to electlon. West Virginia—Not more than 30 or less than 10 days prior to election Wisconsin—Not more than 20 or less than 3 days prior to election. 20 Lord Douglas Weds. STAINES, Middlesex, England, Oc- tober 11 (#).—Lord Sholto George Douglas, third son of the late Marquis of Queensherry, today was married at_the registry office to Mrs. Mendel- sohn Pickles, mother of the noted Australian ator, Sydney Pickle: through future vears and especially with reference to a school building program. He was in accord with pre vious speakers that the primary task for the subcommittee is to investigate an equitable distribution of the costs of the National Capital. Wants More Medical Inspection. Mr. Hatch declared that there should be increased medical inspection for children entering the public schools, as such examination is the most im. portant part of the health work. At present, he said. only one-tenth of those entering the schools receive a physical examination. H. M. Phillips argued that Congress should allow the District to acquire property for school sites and other calling the Zoological Park national if it is to be supported entirley from District funds. He asked the com- mittee to investigate why the District government is not building more classrooms for children in the lower grades Instead of spending the money on stadiums and auditoriums. He thought that the bond issue should [N purposes without the present 25 per cent” limitation over assessed valua- tion. He sald that automobile traffic is greatly overregulated and that there should be a bond issue. S Miss Rose Budine of Kansas City, Mo., recently made a 2,000-foot para- chute leap from a plane. Tt was her in the air. >