Evening Star Newspaper, February 24, 1927, Page 4

BUCKNER HIT HARD | INDAUGHERTY GASE, Miller’s Counsel Charges As-| sistant Tried Cases Before Admission to Bar. By the Associated P FEDERAL COURT. NEW YORK. February Allegations that United States Attorney Emory R. Buckner permitted an assis t that time not admitted 1o the har, to try cases for the Government in Fed were de the trial today. Aaron W, Miller todian, made sumn herty-Miller sy alien property cus allegations during ition. At the time Sapiro to the jury that a su- r Government offi could not be vesponsible for the uncorrupt ligence of an inferior Government oftic mer the his Awful Row Raised. all Government official at tim Sapiro said. about a United States who had one of h S sases in these courts be nt was admitted to the bar. yme of the cases were won and me were lost. Finally, that assist- asked to be admitted fo the ‘Why,' it was said, ‘you've al- tried cases and now vou ask dmitted.” The istant told the he had never t dmitted. There was an awful row sed. They told that assistant he could be sent 1o prisor And, gentleme United States here,” Sapiro Buckner. “He “Why neglizent tell you ready b 1 1o ury, that attorney Sits | right shouted, pointing to had misconstrued the law which reads that a United States aitorney must employ those learned in the law. That was the Sylvester of the e. Well, isn't that negligence? If it isn't negligence, what is it? Buckner had all the law books before him. He could have learned what the law really Reiterated Merton Charge. Sapiro reiterated charges that Ken- neth F. Simpson. one of Buckner's istants, had signaled to Richard rman metal magnate, while as on the stand for the He charged thit Merton had been “skillfully coached™ by Buck- ner and that much of Merton's testi mony was not recollection, but recon- 1etion based upon adroit examina tion before trial. — . Marriage Licenses. Paul L. Winemiller and Glenna M. Lohr, both of Crestiine. Ohio Roger C. Hammond of this city and Eva Younz. Forest. Glen. Md. Thurston A. Powell and Lillian B. Boston. Rufus Daniel and Ophelia Booker George Steward and Lueills Jones Wiliam L. Wh d Dorothy M. Ford, € L. W. Owens and Ada. G. Dorr. neq Banks and Suge Bowsman ies Denby. ir.. of Philaedelphia and mond Reed ‘of Pittsburgh s Showalter and Esther M. entz and Ja valiere and Florenc Kenney' and Agnes M. Jée I Richard Heaney and Liiaa 1. Heaney. . Everett Peed of this city and Ida C. Perd of Naylors. Va. nacmosthenes Chipoyras and Costoula Gia- aris Edwin N, Schroeder and Edna L. Magill, both of Haitimore. George W. Rowland apd Mary V. Savoy. Raymond * L, Van Horn and’ Frances e George P. Tidmarsh and Mary C. Taylor. rvin . Myers of Alexandria. Va. and L. Jenking of this eity Deaths Reported. Elizabeth E. Bowman. 79, 1110 E st. n.e. Zachariah T. Saunders, 7%, Gallinger Hos- Robiyson. E. S. Roy. William' E. Mary Sprince. 65 Freedman's Hospital. Jessie T_ Gray. 60, 3218 19th st. garuEene Bonneiu. 47, Walter Reed Hospi- Shockler, 44, en route Casualty Auna " M. Warsnoff, 40. St. Elizabeth's Hosnital, Flossié Thompson. 32. Georgetown Hos- pita Olive Bell Price, 20. 1027 12th st Ecéwinna Likens,” 20 months, Children's Hogoital. ames’ Frances McDonough, Tilden st. ALMSHOUSE IS PLANNED. Special Dispatch to The Star. . LYNCHBURG, Va., February 28.— Plans looking to the establishment of a joint almshouse for the counties of Ambherst, Halifax, Appomattox, Bed- ford, Pittsylvania and Campbell and the city of Lynchburg, have been started by the supervisors of Campbell Country, who have asked for a con- ference here March 26. SHIPPING NEWS 5 months, o’clock, Library. Events section will have L. bert, District, p.m., at the clubhouse, piace. = All club members invited. free, CITY NEWS IN BRIEF. TODAY. The Washington Academy of iences and the Anthropological So- ciety will hold a joint meeting, 8:15 o’clock, in assembly hall of the Cosmos Club. Dr, Alfred V. Kidder, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., will deliver an address on “The Cliff Dwellers of Arizona and thefr Predecessors. Public invited. Brown Alumni Club of Washington will give its annual dinner, 7 o'clock, at Wardman Park Hotel. The Quota Club will have a dinner | at the Women's street. Maj. I speak. Mrs. Ethel ard in charge. Telford Ericsson will give an illustrated lecture on “Albania. the Key to the Balkans,” 8 o'clock, at the Church of the Covenant. The Towa Society will meet, 8:30 ‘clock. at the Willard Hotel. Dr. "homas reen of the American Red Cross will speak. Music, cards and dancing. Conduit Road Citizens' will meet, 8§ o'clock, Da hall, Conduit and Chain Bridge roads. r stop 13. Western Union Employes’ Associa- tion will give a dance at I Aiglon Salons. A turkey dinner will be served in the parish hall of All Souls’ Memoris Episcopal Church by Unit No. 6 of the Rector's Aid Society from 5:30 to 7 o'clock. Proceeds for church carpet fund. “Body and Astral Body" will be the subject of study at United Lodge of Theosophists, Hill Building, Seven teenth and 1 streets, at 8:15 o'cloc The Robin Hood Players will p he Mayor and the Manicur, o'clock, in St. Mary’s Hall. Dane to follow. 00 Club will give lock, in Keane Counc a_bridge and 500 party K. of C. Hall, 918 Tenth stree Bishop E. D. W. Jones will speak, 8 oclock, at this evening’s sessi ' the allday meeting of the A Missionar: Zion Church. Maine State Soclety of Washington will meet tomorrow, 8 p.m., at the Hamilton Hotel. A reception will be given in honor of Senator and Mrs. Arthur R. Gould. A card party and dance for the benefit of St. Rita's parish, at Mount Ida, Va., will be given tomorrow eve- ning at the Raleigh Hotel. Ruth Chapter, No. 1, dormitory board, will give a 500 and bridge part tomorrow, 8 p.m., at the home of Mrs. Eckhardt, 1107 Buchanan street. Lodge 530, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, all employes of the local freight office, will give Its annual dance to. morrow evening at Knights of Colum- bus Hall. Dance committee in charge of H. A. Herfurth, chairman. Golden Rule Council, No. 10, Daugh- ters of America, will hold its annual yisitation tomorrow, 8:45 p.m., in Northeast Masonic Temple, Eighth and F streets northeast. Mrs. Margaret Taylor, chairman, will be in charge of arrangements. The Stearns Bible class will meet tomorrow, 1 p.m., at Mount Vernon Place M. E. Church. Dr. K. B. Moomaw will be in charge. Dr. Frederick W. Perkins, the new pastor of the First Universalist Church, will be the guest speaker at a meeting of the Women’s Alliance of All Souls’ Church tomorrow in Pierce Hall, Fifteenth and Harvard streets. The alliance will meet at 11 a.m., and following the business session Dr. Perkins will talk of “The New Responsibilities of Liberal Christians.” The Writerscraft Club will meet, 8 in Mount Pleasant Public The District Federation of Federal Emploves’ Unions will give a bridge and 500 party, 8 o'clock, at the Wash- ington Club. The Washington Kennel Club will THE EVEN WOLLERSUPENDED N SGNAL SCANDA Assistant Traffic Director Ad- mits Juggling of Light Orders. (Continued from ¥ Page.) i with which he had been connected ‘rom 1919 to 1921. | *“What do you do.” asked Mr. Gib- | son. *\What authority have you?” i he director of traffic is in the habit of carrying out my recommenda { tionx uniess ‘ne could see that I was | wrong. I planned regulation of traff | made specifications for traflic sisr nd wrote them. I recommended in- llation of the traffic signal devices nd the director of traffic approved the recommendation.” | He then recited that it was the plan finance the traffic signal system here by renewals of permits and was under the impression that Director of Traffic Eldridge concurred in the recommendation. | He said that the first studies for | the installation of a traffic signal system here had been completed by the latter part of May, 1925, and that he had desired to'use the. small appropriation available the full extent. Questioned On Specifications, The first pecifications for t » prepared by hims Moller testified. He sald he had resentatives of the which received the of the contract, and of the 11 Electric Co., and with the 1 engineer of the District in * the installation of the to C | consulted with rep: Crouse Hinds Co., tioned closely by Mr. Gibson rding the interest which the > Hinds Co. took in the drawing up of the specifications for the lights, he said, in reply to questions, that he had asked co-operation of that company and that they had sent a man down “so that I could ask him some questions.” He was shown a telegram dated May 26, 1925, which read as follows: “To M. 0. Eldridge, “Director of Traffic. “District Building, “Washington, D. “Plans and specifications for Wash- ington traffic signals being mailed noon today, first-class mail, special de- livery. “Crouse Hinds Co.” “The specifications they sent down were not used,” Col. Moller stated. Says He Sent Telegram. He was shown another telegram, dated the same date, reading: “Crouse Hinds Co.. “Syracuse, N. Y. ast telegram. have to change specifications ch Mack- M. stop if o where can I re all by phone Wednesday. “I, C. MOLLER.” “Assistant Director of Traffic. ‘Official business. “Charge Govegnment rates.” Col. Moller admitted ing 'sent telegram. Why,” asked Chairman Gibson, “did you deem it necessary to consult with Mackall?” Mackall, it was explained, was K. W. Mackall, one of the engineers of the company. Says He Sought Expert Aid. Col. Moller replied that he desired the best expert advice on the signals he could get, and that he knew the Crouse Hinds Co. had a good engineer- ing force thoroughly competent to aid with such advice. Representative Hammer of North Carolina, who attended the session with Representative Houston of Dela- ware, here interjected a warning to Col. Moller regarding his constitu- tional rights and his privilege to re- fuse to answer questions which he felt might incriminate him. Witness then admitted several thi meet, 8 p.m., at Edward S. Schmid's, 712 Twelfth street. The Texas State Society will meet, 8:30 o'clock, at the Hotel Roosevelt. Election of officers, entertainment and dancing. FUTURE. A lecture on “Marriage and Divorce” will be given by Father Lyons, tomor- row, 8 p.m., at St. Paul's Church, Fif- teenth and V streets. Women's City Club—The ('ur}r,rnt C. Pro- superintendent of Washington Associated Press, speak of “Current Happenings,” tomorrow, 4:45 22 Jackson “Zion Park and Bryce's Canyon,” a fllustrated lecture by Randall Jones of Utah, will be given tomorrow in the auditorium of the Interior De- Arrivals at and_Sai New York. ARRIVED YESTERDAY. aris—Havre . otitia—Glasgow Albert Ballin—Ha Manchuria—San Estonia—Dantzie holm—Gothenbe . DUE TODAY. Fort St. George— Bermuda . Araguaya—Bermuda o Mexico—Tampico EXPECTED ARRIVAL: Amy r—London ntonia—-Southampton 2B ) n_Juan Crixtobal mburg 2 b e enos Aipes Antwerp, i Stave P 5 . PRy haven LING TODAY. diterranean cruise . . ‘mouth, Che xandria *“and 10:00P.M. Noon 5:00 P.) yra’ and o> » —<an Juan La’ Gu : : No Cristobal “and 5 Noon | 3:00 PN ana 00PN, 11:00 A M. 1:00PM. 188 R ort au Prince and Cris enbich—Cristobal = > g a:00pPM. Hamburg10:00 A M -~ Noon Whitby School for Girls, | Sorority, | tomorrow, partment, 8 p.m. A second travelogue of the world’s great out-of-doors, will be presented April torium of Frank Branch Riley of Oregon. Central High in the audi- School by Arthur Stanley Riggs, F. R. G. 8, will lecture on “The Maritime Repub. lis of Italy: Pisa, Genoa, Venice,” at a meeting of the Art and Archaeclogy League, Saturday night at 8 o'clock, at Hall, ~National Cathedral Woodley road and Thirty-sixth street. A program of entertainment will be presented at a luncheon of the Caravan Club of Almas Temple in the Ebbitt Hotel tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 o'clock. Secretary of the Navy Wilbur will deliver an address at a luncheon of the Washington Round Table in the University Club tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Alpha Delta Phi weekly luncheon tomorrow, 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Square Hotel. A card party will be held tomorrow afternoon at the residence of Mrs. Esther V. Cross, 1106 E street south- east, Mrs. Lyles assisting. The Phi Chapter, Sigma Omega Pi will hold a charity bridge and Mah Jong party March 1 the ‘Willard Hotel. The dormitory committee of Joppa Lodge Chapter, No. 27, 0. E. 8., will give a card party tomorrow, at 2 and IS p.m., to raise money for the chil- of Masonic and dren’s dormitory Bridge and 500 stern Star Home. will be played. The George Washington University Glee Club, under direction of Robert Harmon, will sing before the Depart- ment of State Club tomorrow night at Rauscher’s. St. Louis Estes, a Chicago Physician who is president of the American Raw Food and Health Association, will talk of “Rapidly Vanishing Humanity,” 12:30 p.m., at the open | torum meeting of the City Club. Musi- cal program. s RN S Births Reported. The following births have been reported to the Health Department in the past 24 hours Frank R. and Julia E. doward, . Charles R. and Madge Sydmor,’ girl Thomas J. and Angela Glakas, ‘boy Colom! Cristobal. . Noon sbal. West i paraiso L. 11:00 AM. urk and South- Essequibe Dotts und Aquitania—Cherbo ampton M unango— Bogota—Py Cartagena . Miduight 4:00 P'M and Colombia e Noon ] & Bernard and Maisie Ashford, gl Willlam M. and Grace Radcliffe. Donnie and Lelia Moore. girl. “layouts” or general plans for the number of lights were compiled by the Crouse Hinds Co. and that Mr. Mack- all_suggested several layouts. The committee then went into d tail concerning the technical composi- tion of material in the mechanism and the housing for the lights. ““Was there any time limit fixed in the first specifications?”’ asked Mr. Gibson. “I don't think so,” Col. Moller re- plied. He continued that the proposal was given out on June 2 and the bids were opened June 1925, during which 13 days elapsed. He said blue prints were required from the bidders, who were to bid on a certain number of signals and a certain number of control units. Denies Plans Excluded Any. “Could any concern make drawings without a survey of the situation in that time?” Chairman Gibson‘asked. “Oh, yes,” Col. Moller stated. “They were only stock drawings—merely a matter of a wiring diagram to show the points at which the lights were to be_placed. He denied that such a short time or the fact that a mechanism consisting of mercury in a gas tube to make con- tacts and flash on the lights would have excluded any company from the bidding The opening of the bids for the first set of lights then came in for detalled attention. Col. Moller said that he followed the regular order of routine, although in this instance he did not recommend acceptance of the low bid. “Who did you first advise of the acceptance of the bid?” he was asked. “I don’t remember.” “You don’t remember’ notifying the Crouse Hinds Co. first?” Shown Two Memorandums. He was then shown a memorandum from the purchasing office of the Dis- trict in which it was stated that an item had been noted as missing in the specifications and that Col. Moller changed this item from one unit to two units. This was after the bids had been opened and while a requisi- tion for the shipping of thy signal lights was being prepared. _Another memorandum was read as from the purchasing office stating that the first “this office knew’ of the acceptance of the bid was when we read in news- papers that the Crouse Hinds contrax had been approved.” On this point Col. Moller said he was unable to see why that was so, since he felt everything had proceeded according to accepted routine. He admitted having made changes in the requisition for the lights by in. creasing the control units for regula. tion of the lights from the street in an emergency from one unit, as called for in the original specifications, to two units. He said no question had been raised regarding this procedure. 99 Lights Bought. He said that the Essco Light Co. bid was the lowest for the amount specified in the original specifications specified,” but that on the num- ber purchased finally, that bid was higher than the Crouse Hinds Co. Ninety-nine signal lights were pur. chased in this lot, it was testified. Then Chairman Gibson developed that if the number had stopped at 94 the Essco bid would have been lower than that of the Crouse Hinds Co., ¥rank H. and Mae Norman, boy, Raymond and Rosie Lucas, boy. Charles and Lillian Tibbs, boy. Robert and Isabella Brooks, boy. Richard M. and Dorothy Johnson, boy. Robvert and Wall sirly although when it passed that figure the Crouse Hinds Co. bid appeared lowes The exact number of lights needed yas not specified jin m’{ original Upper, left to right: Col. I. C. Moller, assistant director of traffic, who admit- ted before the Gibson subcommittee last night that certain phases of the award of contracts for signal lights were frregular and was indefinitely suspended by the Commissioners to- day; M. 0. Eldridge, director of traffic, who, Col. Moller said, was generall; familiar with the methods he pursued, but who denies this, and Representa- tive Ernest Gibson of Vermont, chair- man of the investigating committee. Lower, left to right: Dan_Donovan, District auditor, and M. C. Hargrove, District purchasing agent, who are to be asked of what they know concern- ing the transactions complained of. specifications, it was further pointed out by questions of Chairman Gibson. Although 99 lights were contracted for, only 78 lights were actually used in this lot, it was developed by Chalr- man Gibson. Col. Moller said the reason was that the installation cost the Potomae Electric Power Co. so far exceeded original anticipations that the 121 lights had to be foregone in order to have enough in the appro- priation to take care of the 78 lights that were installed. Questioned on Delay. Questioned as to the shipment of the material from the Crouse Hinds Co., Col. Moller said that the ship- ments were prompt. “They shipped a number of lights right off,” he said. Chairman_Gibson then produced s letter signed by Moller to A. F. Hill vice president and general manager of the Crouse Hinds Co., in which he, Moller, gave authority to withhold shipment of the lights subject to seven working days’ notice. Col. Moller then said: “I was in error when I said they shipped them right off quick.” “Did_you order more lights than you_actually needed?” “Not more than we expected to use.” Admits “Rush” Telegram. He was then shown a telegram ask- ing the Crouse Hinds Co. to rush shipment of us many bracket clamps as possible, urging them not to wait for special delivery letter, and saying that the Potomac Elects Power Co. was then ready to install the lights. This was dated December 1, 1925. Col. Moller admitted sending this telegram. He explained that the delay was en- tirely due to failure of the installing company to obtain the conductor cable for the lights. “Why didn't you put out the bids for 99 lights, when you knew you were going to need 997" Chairman Gibson asked the witness. In_ his answer Col. Moller admitted he knew he could have gotten a cheaper price by asking for such a number than for an indefinite number. Tells of Changes. Under examination, Col. Moller ad- mitted that in this first shipment of lights he had made a contract for cer- tain material, then changed it for other material, and later had written the company to disregard the contract and told them to ship items not in- cluded in the contract, but to bill them just as the contract specified. “Then you certified receipt of the articles as called for?" es sir,” Col. Moller replied. “This was not correct at the time. When the installation contract was given to the Potomac Electric Pow- er Co. I found that there would be insufficient funds to cover all the things purchased, and there was an isolated need for certain other lights at certain points. So I asked Maj. Donovan in Mr. Hargrove's presence if it would be all right to tell Crouse Hinds to ship 78 instead of 99 and make up the balance in isolated traf- fic signals. Maj. Donovan said it was irregular, but that it was done, and as long as I certified it no ques- tion would be raised. Letter Is Read. “Therefore, in my ignorance, I noti- fied Crouse Hinds so to do. Then when 1 found I had done an act which was wrong, T had Crouse Hinds ship in other items. I had the materials shipped in so that all items are there under both contracts. The District of Columbia has all the items I certified as having received.' Another letter was read to the wit- ness, dated May 18, 1926, addressed to General Manager Hills of the Crouse Hinds organization, in which Moller announced that the second bid had been accepted and that the order for the purchase was being pre- pared. One sentence in that letter was: “You understand that many of these items. we have no use for and may never need.” He was asked concerning that state- ment. “Yes sir,” he replied, “I wrote that, to be covered on all these items in case we needed them.” Differs With Auditor. He repeated that he had taken the step of reducing the number of lights asked for in the original contract at the instance of advice from the auditor. “He certainly did tell me,” Moller added, ut now he denies it.” On this point he added: “I know now that it was a perfectly wrong thing to do. But I did it in good faith. ““As soon as the auditor later told me it was absolutely illegal and said he hadn’t authorized me to do it, I tried to rectify it.”” By rectifying it, the committee de- veloped from the witness he meant balancing pieces on the second order by supplying items missing on the first order, so that when the two ship- ments finally reached Washington, both contracts would appear to have been filled by the shippers. “You have certified on the first and second requisitions that the goods were recelved according to contract, Mr. Gibson asked. “I certified to the first; not to the second.” Says Everything Delivered. “How can you straighten this out by having them ship in more goods?” “Every article I certified to has gotten here,” Col. Moller replied. He testified that he ‘“‘got alarmed’ after being told his act of changing specifications was illegal and sent for Mr. Hills, vice president of the Crouse Hinds Co., who told the witness he would attempt to straighten the trou- ble out. He said the shipment of the items needed to complete the first contract had been received about three weeks ago. Although the Crouse Hinds t adherence to regularity in trans- acting business, it co-operates with municipal engineers on traffic matters in furnishing free engineering advice, and has standard specifications for signal lights which it furnishes on re- quest, it was stated today In a long distance telephone interview between The Star and F. J. Fancher, assistant sales’ manager of the company at Syracuse, General Manager A. ¥. Hills is in Com-| the hospital never departs from a policy of | Traffic Signal Firm Says Its Policy Is to Advise Municipal Engineers Mr. Fancher said, and no sent at the company's lquarters today sufficient] quainted with the details of the V - ington contracts to discuss any of the phases entered into by the Congres- sional committee last night The company, however, since traffic engineering was a new element in municipal life was en deavoring to co-operate in every man- ner with municipal engineers in fur- ishing advice needed and standard specifications are available for all com- munities desiring them he said, dated last December 6, was introduced into the record, regarding Moller's notification of Mr. Hills that he want- ed the latter to come here. Text of Letter. The letter follows: F. Hills, “Crouse Hinds Co. “My Dear Hills: The auditing de- partment has raised some questions with regard to the requisition pre- pared for additional Crouse Hinds sig- nals in Washington. If you can find it econvenient, I would like very much to have you ‘come down here yourself at the earllest possible date and go into this matter with me thoroughly. “As it is undoubtedly going to be necessary for us to readvertise, it might be a_good plan for you to have either Mr. Bissell or Mr, Mackall ready to come down here within the next few days after you return to Syracuse. “Very truly yours. “(Dictated by M Thought He Was Doing Right. Summarizing the testimony, Mr. Houston asked Moller if he had not departed from the contract in the first instance and then had certified deliv- ery of the goods according to the con- tract. Moller admitted it. Then he further stated that in the second con- tract he undertook to correct irregu- larities of the first contract. ““You wrote that letter telling them to ship certain articles really not need- ed?"” Mr. Houston asked. “I was going to substitute them for the articles needed in the first con- tract,” he replledi“ “I thought I was doi. the right thing.' A“lfoflh@f' communication to Mr. Hills was read into the record, in which Moller is alleged to have stated: “You will, of course, understand that owing to the Government’s methods of doing business, the articles must be billed as according to contract.” “Did you do this for the purpose of deceiving somebody?” Representative Hammer asked. “No,” Mbller replied and later he blurted out: "It was a damn fool stunt to do.” “Wasn't it dishonest, actually?” Mr. Houston asked. Denies Dishonest Intent. “No. There was no intent of dis- honesty,” Moller replied.™ He was asked what would have happened if the Crouse Hinds Co. had not received the second contract. “It would have left me in a terrible hole,”” Moller said. “But that never occurred to me until the auditor told ‘me it was illegal. 1 thought I had better get to work and fix things.” He said he did all of this perfectly openly and- perfectly frankly,and the fact that he had written the letters proved he had acted in g_ocd faith. A bit later, on cross-questioning, he sai “Well, it's either one of two things, (laughing); I'm elther a damn crook or a damn fool. Take your choice. ‘Wanted Crouse Hinds Material. Later it developed that Mr. Hills was allowed the use of a stenographer in Moller’s office to dictate specifica- tions for the second contract. Moller, however, contended that he went over the specifications carefully to elimi- nate anything that would exclude other bidders. He said that the Crouse Hinds Co. knew that the District would want about from 600 to 900 lights even- tually, although other bidding com- panies did not know this. “I frankly wanted the Crouse Hinds Co. to get that contract (the second one) because I thought it was to the best interests of the District.” “You gave advance information to a prospective bidder?” Mr. Houston asked. “They knew about how many lights were wanted. I thought what I was doing was for the best interests of the Government.” He admitted that lay-outs were charted in his office and that specifica- tions were drawn up with the assist- ance of representatives of the Crouse Hinds Co. ““You admit you wished to favor the Crouse Hinds Co?” Moller was asked. Conferences Discussed. “I certainly did. I did favor them to the extent of giving them this information. I felt they would turn out the best work for the Govern- ment and the Government would get the most out of it.” The committee then delved into two conferences at the Hotel Washington in which Moller took part with repre- sentatives of the Crouse Hinds Co. He said that affer writing the letter last December Mr. Hills came to | A letter to My, Hills from Molleg, | Washington udu*lyfl»fln-. e | ! head of the National Electrie Supply Co. here, was present at the interview the night before Moller had a meeting with representatives of other com- panies. He said Mr. Hills sent for Mr. Graham to come over and asked Mr. Graham to have a talk with Ma Donovan concerning the irregular zed in the procedure. ‘Were you summoning one of the political powers that be to help you Mr. Gibson ked. Mollér replied. Mr. Hills sent for him." Has Letters Home. “You know Mr. Graham is charged “I didn't. with being one of the few men who | are on the inside here in ton?” Mr. Gibson asked. Col. Moller denied knowing such thing. He said that Mr. Graham had later informed Mr. Hills that Maj. Donovan explained to him the irregular methods pursued. V] didn’t you have Mr. Hills your office?” “I preferred to talk with him with- out having any interruptions.” “All of the original letters from Crouse Hinds Co. are missing from your files. Where are they?" g “I have them,” Moller replied. “They are out at my house. I took them there so they would not be tarmpered with. I will be glad to turn them over to the committee.” Denies Intent to Destroy. He was asked how long ago he took them to his home. He set the date at the early part of December. I didn’t want anybody to tamper with the correspondence he added. “Don’t you know we have a statute forbidding the removal of official files under severe penalty?"” The witness professed ignorance of such a law. “When did vou remove them?" “‘After that conversation with Dono- van. I wanted to take them there where they would not get into the hands of the wrong people. I felt they were safer in my keeping.” “You wanted to remove any evi- dence against you?"” No. If I had desired to destroy evidence I would have destroyed those papers.” Promises to Produce Files. He promised to turn the files over today to investigators of the Bureau of Efficlency, which conducted the survey resulting in last night's dra- matic hearing. He was questioned as to whether he did not.go down to the District Building one.Sunday, with his wife and baby, and remove the files, and Moller replied he might have taken them on Sunday, but thought it was on a Saturday night when he took them. ‘‘Are there those rs?" “No. Moller added, Washing- any any vouchers among however, that he thought there w among th a copy otlghe first contract. bl e said the papers are in a drawer of his sideboard. He was questioned closely as to whether the papers were not actually in a linen closet under a batch of linens. He denied it. Says Eldridge Knew. Moller said he had the papers over at the hotel with him during his con- ference with Mr. Hills, had what I needed to show re- garding the articles we needed to have uhl];‘l‘l:(L"fl After briefly inquiring into removal of traffic flashing signals on Connecti- cut avenue and inserting a memoran- dum asking the Potomac Electric Power Co. to bill the same to the in- stallation of traffic signals on Six- teenth street, Chairman Gibson asked if Director Eldridge had knowledge of the methods whereby the Crouse- Hinds contracts were handled. “I am under the impression that Mr. Eldridge knew of the orders for differ- ent things,” Moller said. “You did this with his approval?” “Yes, sir.” The committee then adjourned sub- Ject to call of the chairman. Landslide Destroys Homes. WHEELING, W. Va., February 24 (®).—A mass of earth and muck, esti- mated at 2,000 tons, swept down a hill- side between here and Warwood .yes- terday, demolishing two houses and probab! ally_injuring T. D. Boyle, 76, whoreturned to his home to save articles Bt value after the slide had started. IMASSEY PIGTURES KINAS AMITY LINK Says Canadians Bind English and Americans in Inter- national Concord. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, February 24 nadians were pictured last night as the connecting link hinding Americans and Englishmen together in Interna- tional amity by Vincent M Canadian Minister to the United He spoke hefore the Pilgrim’s Society in his first address since his appoint- nt 2s Canada’s first Minister to hington. Fhis role of interpreter, said, one which the individual Canadian loves to play. c new | w W Tdea of Merger. “In almost any smoking ro will find a Canadian telling lishman what fine fellows the cans are when you get to know the or telling an American that the Eng. | lishman is a first rate chap even if you never quite get to know him.” Recalling speculation in years gone by of possible merging of Canada and the United States into one nation, t the idea now | » sphere of the humorist.” in m, ’ | antiquarian the Gives Humorous Thrust. “Canada,” he said. with smile, “has magnanimously abandoned ar ambition she may have had to tak forcible possession of southers neighbe i Of ¢ the dip] of her ada’s economic mat said that “a rising tide | prosperity in mv country has en- | gulfed the few pessimists that mained.” The entry the Dominions into| diplomacy he believed would iner the unity of the empire. $135,000 NEW LIGHTS URGED BY ELDRIDGE, levelopment, Traffic Director Before Council as| Mcller Testifies at Congress dir o | night befo iibson subcommittee, Traffic Director Eldridge w cussing items for the exten traffic lights, amounting to $1 with members of the traffic at_the Mills Building. Mr. Eldridge was evidently in testimony, for he stated that he was under the impression that Col. Moller had been called to testify upon the proposed establishment of the Traffic Violations Bureau, When Col. Moller finally failed to appear at_the Mills Building acting on Mr. Eldridge’s propo the establishment of new one-way streets and the restriction of parking. the council adjourned. Mr. Eldridge’s recommendations for traffic lights and proposed right-of-way regulations were held over for further considera- tion. The following changes in parking right of way regulations proposed b: Director Eldridge were indorsed b the Traffic Council: Making F stree from Seventeenth street to Twenty sixth street a one-way street going east; G street from Seventeenth street to Twenty-sixth = street a one-way street going west: Highland Terrace in front of the German Embassy. a one-way street, westbound and pro- hibiting parking on the north side at all times: banning parking on the east side of Mount Pleasant strect from Park road to Newton street: making Center street one-way south, from Ogden to Newton streets; Eight eenth street between F and Q streets no parking on west side from 8 to 9:15 a.m.: no parking on east side from 4 to 6 p.m.; eliminate parking north side Corcoran street, between Fourteenth and Sixteenth streets, and maintain two-way street; remove stop signs on U street and erect caution signs on both Vermont avenue and U stree parking on M street, between Twenty ninth and Thirty-sixth streets, changed from unlimited parking to two-hour parking between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mr. Eldridge also submitted a list of street intersections at which it is pro. posed traflic lights be placed. Col. Henry J. Hester of New Or-| leans, who for 50 years has been known as the world’s greatest cotton expert, has never owned a bale of the ignorance of the nature of Col. Moller’s | T staple in his life. of the Any Fall Suit Was $40, szgfi $45 & $50, nou Was $55, $60 & 865, now Just the right weig] ;;_ll)iIIIil!||II!I|I|IllllllllllllIlll!!lIHI)I!IIIIIIIIIIlIfIIIIIIIIIII; O lady remains long in the air when the dessert problem suddenly arises. Takes off at once to her nearest dealer, or telephones, for the de luxe sealed pint package of The Velvet Kind ice cream maybe two packages. Mixed. Southern Dairies RY CLEA NIN b iy Gloves Any L 7 E2h NV 14th N.W, A Bank That Leads in Many Ways— Statements Every Thirty Days FEDERAL-AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK B . Very Desirable Store 1312 G Street N.W. 18x80 With Cellar Heat Furnished i Apply to | The Manager of | The City Club 1320 G Street S 1325 F STREET $ H A 1 = gflflllllmlllmlllllmlllmfllllllllHIlllllfllllllmHlnllllllllHlIIIIIIIIlIIIIlII!IIIIIIIIIIIlIIIll|IIIIIlIlllllllllllllllillllll 3915 House Kuppenheimer or Gr: 0’Coat Formerly $40 10 860 Now 298 hts and patterns for | | spring—YOU'LL BE SORRY if you miss seeing what these special groups offer in the way Gresner: rge trees were uprooted by of unusual savings. .