Evening Star Newspaper, May 24, 1927, Page 2

L awis 'RHODE ISLAND AVE. MOTORCHAOSENDS Becomes Arterial Highway * Excepting for 7th Street, * Which Takes Precedance. r BY WILLIAM ULLMAN. Acting decisively within a week after taking office, Director of Tra William H. Harland has elimi; one of the most serious traflic haz in the National Capital by bringing order out of chaos on Rhode Island avenue, which barely more than a week ago was cha as a f-and half” arte highway and the most dangerous thoroughfare In the city. As a result Rhode Island has avenue to definite, understandable rule for the fi nated as an arterial highway. ns spell a warning at every intersection instead of merely at those which are not bisected by stret car track Under the new scheme of traffic reg- ulation Seventh street takes prece- dence over Rhode nd avenue whe the two thoroughfares intersect, while all forms of transportation, includ street cars, recogr Rhode avenue as an arterial highway come to a halt at all other crossings. Street Railways Agree. The high point of the new arrange- ment is that the street railway com- panies have agreed to halt their cars before crossing Rhode Island at Fourth, Ninth and Eleventh streets, and at Florida and New Jersey 3 nues. The arrangement is temporary. pending the installation of signal lights along Rhode Island avenue. The condilions which Mr. Harland moved so summarily to end were pointed out in The Evening Star the day after the new traffic director took office. The revelations followed an investigation by The Star after it had received complaints from scores of motorists. The investigation disclosed that be- cause cross traffic at six intersections was not compelled to stop at Rhode Island avenue, even with the arterial highway ushers assumed to have the right-of-way, the resultant traffic tangle at all hours of the day con- stituted a grave and growing menace. Inquiry at that time revealed that the stop signs were not erected at such points because the street cars did not obey them and the traffic authori- ties believed, under the circumstances, it would b2 unfair to impose such'a restriction upon motorists using the same streets. Investigates Situation Himself. One of the first of Mr. Harland's mctions was to investigate the situa- tlon for himself. He found the con- dition of confusion and danger to be as amazing as described and one which he recognized as calling for summary action. At Seventh street and Rhode Island avenue conditions were particularly serious due to the heavy volume of travel on both thor- oughfares. No stop sign stood at the corner to apprise motorists that the intersecting highway was “arteri- al.” The same situation existed at Fleventh and_Ninth streets, New Jersey and Florida avenues and Fourth street, all of which are tra- versed by car lines. Inquiry disclosed that the motor wehicle regulations exempted street ears from obedience to the arterial highway regulation, despite the fact that Congress especially ordered obedi- a ence. = To clarify the situation, Mr. Har- Jand went first to officials of the €apital Traction Co. and the Wash- ington Railway & Electric Co. Ap- pealing to them on the ground that safety demanded their compliance with the arterial stop regulation, he won their partial consent, in that they have agreed to stop their cars at five of the intersections, while at the sixth—Seventh street—traffic on Rhode Island 'avenue is stopped and right-of-way given to vehicles on the other thoroughfare. Absolute Precedence Needed. In the first revelation of the danger at this p.rticular intersection, it was District - Heads Urge Celebration Of Flag’s Adoption A proclamation calling upon the people of the District to observe Flag day, which occurs on June 14, was issued today by the Commis- sioners. It reads: “The Commissioners of the Dis- trict of Columbia call the attention of the citizens of the District of Co- lumbia to the fact that June 14, 1927, is the sesquicentennial of the adoption of the flag of the United States. It is the duty and privilege of all citizens to display the flag from their homes and places of bu: ness on that day. Several civic and patriotic organizations intend to conduct special exerc and these should be largely attended by all citizens, so as to do honor to the occasion, “The Commissioners urge the public_school authorities, the pas- tors of the various churches of the city, and all civic and patriotic so- cieties to make this day a memo- rable one in the history of the Dis- trict of Columbia.™ WEIGHTS MEETING TOLD OF PROGRESS District Declared to Have Have One of Best Laws in Nation. Steps being taken by the various States to protect the public against fraudulent or deceptive short-weight practices by unscrupulous dealers in food or other commodities were out- lined by State inspectors of weights and measures at the opening session today at the Bureau of Standards of the National Conference on Weights and Measures. Optimistic reports on the wide- spread attention being given the move- ment for legislation covering correct weighing and measuring devices were read to the some 200 delegates by the various State authorities, who come trom as far as California to partici- pate in the twentleth annual national convention. Congress is thoroughly aroused to the importance of weight supervision and enforcement in the District of Co- lumbia and of late has given generous financial support in the way of appro- priations, the conference was advised by George M. Roberts, superintendent of weights, measures and markets of the District. “Washington has one of the best weights and measures laws in the United States, " Mr. Roberts declared. “Last year we instituted a total of 88 prosecutions under provisions of the local act and all but one or two of these resulted in conviction.” Gas Inspection Work. The State reports indicated a gen- eral concentration of inspection activ- ities on gasoline-dispensing devices, many of which have been found to be inaccurate. The four-day program of the whole conference, in fact, will stress this phase of the standardiza- tion work. George Warner of the Bureau of Standards, who is the first vice presi- dent of the national conference, pre- sided at today's sessions, which will continue this afternoon. ‘Woman guests of the conference-went to_the White House at noon to meet Mrs. Coolidge. Luncheon was served the delegates at the bureau. YOUNG MAN KILLS SELF WITH BULLET IN HEART Body Is Not Identified When Found in Zoo Park by ¢ Policeman. With a pistol lying by his side and a bullet hole through his heart, the body of a neatly dressed, unidentified man, apparently about 25 years old, was found shortly before noon to- day, lying in a secluded spot on the horder of a water fowl pool inside the Harvard street entrance to the Zoo. Richard Sebastian of the National suggested that this corner, of all those involved, needed marking, and that if Seventh street traffic justified such an advantage it should be given the right of way. It was patent in even a cursory study of the situation that absolute precedence should be accorded to one line of travel or the other. Compromise proposals that all four corners be marked with “slow” signs were re- Jected on the ground that they would serve only to adl to the confusion. As a result of Mr. Harland's work, thousands of users of Rhode Island avenue have been freed from the un- certainty of travel on an arterial highway upon which no right-of-way rule actually ewisted. In final analysis, motorists have yielded the right of way at one inter- section, where it existed in theory only, and have been given absolute precedence at five others where. 10 s ago traffic was swirling in a dangerous maze marked by a number of accidents. Commissioners Are Gratifled. Both Commissioners Dougherty and ‘Taliaferro have indicated their grati- fication with Mr. Harland's activities during his first week in office. Both were acquainted with the danger existing along Rhode Island avenue and the condition presented by the refusal of the street railway com- panies to yield, despite the fact’ that the traffic code passed by Congress puts street cars under control of the traffic director. In establishing concord between the traction companies and the traffic office on the vital arterial highway regulation, and in remedying what was regarded as one of the worst traffic situations in Washington, the Commissioners feel that Mr. Har- land’s first week in office was at- tended by the happy solution of two long-standing and difficult problems. $3.20 COST TO WORK FOR MAILING REPORT Only 40 Copies Sent Out Under Frank in Secretary’s Absence, Inquiry Shows. It cost Secretary of the Interior Work just $3.20 to conform with the Post Office Department request that he pay for mailing conies of the re- committee port of an investigating on St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to the members of the Senate and House District committees. This became known today as officials of the Interior Department laughing- Jy discussed the incident which arose because Representitive Blanton of Tex- as took up with the Post Office De- partment the mailing of the reports under an Interfor Department frank. The incident occurred when Secre- tary Work was in Hawaii and the expense was borne by another Inter- jor Department officer, who has since been reimbursed by the Secretary. Forty copies mailed out at eight cents apiece. That is all there is to the inci- dent, according to Interior Department records. The entire matter had noth- ing to do with the printing of the yeport by the Government Pratir fice, to which objection was Nast Winter by Mr. Blan Zoological Park police heard a pistol Teport as he was passing about 100 vards away. Hurrying through some bushes, he reached the spot as the young man was breathing his last. Dr. Noverell Belt of the Emergency Hospital staff responded to an emer- gency call and pronounced the man dead. William J. Carroll, 2101 Thirty- sixth street, painting at the entrance to the Zoo, noticed the young man hastening into the grounds a few minutes before the fatal shot. The man was dressed in a gray suit, light brown felt hat with a colored band, silk shirt, tan shoes and socks, and wore a belt with a mono: gram “A." Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt was noti- fled. . WASHINGTONIAN HURT AS'AUTO TURNS OVE e - Williard €. McGraw, Bank Em- ploye, in Serious Condition at Charlottesville. . Spectal Dispatch to Ths Star. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 24. —Williard G. McGraw, employed in the trust division of the Union Trust Co., Washington, was very seriously injured in an automobile accident near here early Monday morning. He was rushed to a hospital in this ¢ity, where he is reported today as having an even chance of recovery. With four other young men, M Graw left Washington late Saturday afternoon with the intention of re- maining in Charlottesville until late Sunday and returning in time for work Monday morning. They were running at high speed when they sud- denly approached a road intersection and saw by the signboard that they should make a sharp right-hand turn. ‘The speed of the car caused the ma- chine to turn over three times before coming to a stop. MeGraw received severe scalp wounds and a rupture of the 1i The other three escaped serious injuries. After viewing the body, Dr. Nevitt issued a certificate of suicide and stated that no inquest will be necessary. The initials “I. R. A.” were found on the collar corresponding with the monogram “A" on the belt and an initial “A” on a silver cigarette case found in the coat pocket. Band Concert. At the Sylvan Theater, Monument gragnds, at 7:30 o'clock tonight, by the United States Navy Band, Charles Benter, leader; Charles Wise assistant leader: March, “Territorial”.....Blankenburg Overture, “La Forza del Destino™ (The Force of Destiny). ‘erdi Piccolo solo, “Chant du Rogsign (Song of the Nightingale)..Filipovsky Musician Holly Stanley. Andante from “The Fifth m- Beethoven phony” ... cens Grand scene from the opera *Die ‘Walkure” (The Valkyries) Wagner Valse, “Valse des Fleurs” Tschaikowsky Serenade, “The Warblers”......Perry Excerpts from “The Mikado, Sullivan March, “The Black Horse Troqu So The Star Spangled Banner,” __ THE EVENING STAR. WASHINGTON, D. §730,000 LUTHERAN CHURCH IS PLANNED Synod Would Combine St. Paul’s and Epiphany Congre- gations in New Building. Plans are under way to combine St Paul's and the Epiphany Lutheran congregations and to build a church for them at Connecticut avenue and Ellicott street at an estimated cost of $750,000, including furnishings, it was made known at the formal open- ing of the 108th annual convention of the Lutheran Synod of Maryland in the Church of the Reformation, Sec- ond and B streets southeast, tod: The church will be of Gothic design. the plans for it having been drawn by Forhmap, Robh & Little, architects for the National Cathedral. Plans for construction are rapidly going for- ward, it is stated, and ground prob- will be broken during the coming The new church will have a seating capacity for about 800 persons and *will inciude modern Sunday school rooms. Tentative plans for the church building were announced in_ the an- nual report of Rev. J. E. Byers of Baltimore, the synod's president, Ad- ditional_plans were made known by Harry T. Domer, a_member of the building committee for the new edi- fice. 1t also was made known that a ) movement is on foot to place a statue of Gen. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, Revolutionary patriot, preacher and soldier, in front of the new building. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is located at FEleventh and H streets, while Epiphany is near Sixteenth and U streets, Plan Woman's College. Plans also were outlined at today’s meeting for the building of a *stand- ard woman's college,” at a cost of $3,000,000, on a 189-acre tract near Kensington, Md. According to tenta- tive plans the college would consist of three units to cost about $1,000,000 each. It & hoped, it was stated, that the first unit will be ready for occu- pancy by the Fall of 1920. Dr. Byers, president, was re-elected at this morning's session, while Rev. Willlam A. Wade of Baltimore was re-clected secretary. A treasurer and statistical secretary are to he chosen during this afternoon’s session, Rev.gJohn Aberly, president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Pa., and Rev. George Drach, secretary of the hoard of for- eign missions, urged support of the work of the groups they represent and told of general plans for raising funds. The convention is to continue through Thursday morning. Speaks on Perplexit, ‘The synod president, Dr. Byers, de- livered a sermon at holy communion services in the church last night, held preliminary to the formal opening of the convention today. Choosing as his subject, “Perplexed, but Not in Despair,” Dr. Byers told of the various influences contrary to re- ligion, which he declared have caused much perplexity among church people, having made it seem at times that the ghurch would hardly be able to sur- vive, but added that “the church is not dead and will not die.” He also developed the thought that it is not the function of the church to teach its doctrines in a certain manner merely to please men, but that the work of the church is clearly defined in the teachings of Christ. A banquet in the church early last night marked the closing of the sev- enth annual convention of the Luther- an Brotherhood of the Maryland Syn- od, which opened in the church yes- terday. Rev. Walter H. Traub, pastor of Christ Church, York, Pa., was the speaker, his subject being ‘“The Fel- lowship of Service.” He developed the idea that both professional and business men can, in their daily life, render great service to mankind. He pointed out that it is the Christian ideal to render service, in quantity. according to the need, the capacity of the giver and his opportunity to give. Also, according to the Christian ideal, he indicated, the service is rendered without expecting anything in return. Addresses, adoption of resolutions and discussions on several topics fea- tured the closing business session of the brotherhood in the church yester- day afternoon. The resolutions brought before the delegates by A. G. Snyder, jr., chair- man of the committee on resolutions, included one to co-operate with the various synod brotherhoods through- out the country in raising the sum of $4,000,000 for ministerial relief work among the retired clergymen of the church. Another resolution expressed approval of the principle of 100 per cent apportionment among the various brotherhoods in ralsing funds. Reso- lutions also were adopted extending thanks to members of the local broth- erhood, members and officials of the Church of the Reformation for their hospitality during the conyention. The afternoon program was opened with devotional services, led by Virgil Daub of Middletown, Md. An address by Rev. O. F. Blackwelder of Balti- more on “How to Get Men to Come to Church’ followed. Outstanding among the alleged requisites named was that preachers cease charging for baptisms and funerals. Such services, he de- clared, are a part of the regular work of the minister, and fees should be un- necessary. In the case of performing a marriage ceremony, however, he in- dicated, charging should be permissi- ble, pointing out that the latter might be considered a legal function instead of purely a religious rite. Cites Church Features. Other things to be considered in get- ting men to go to church were enu- merated by the speaker as follows: For preachers to deliver the kind of sermons that will answer the ques- tions in the minds of men; to have a big church council; by men expressing their appreclation of sermons; by hav- ing a seven-day-week church, getting the idea out of the minds of men that church is for Sunday only, and punc- tuality in the opening of services. An address on “The Every Member Canvass” was delivered by Arthur P, Black, secretary of the Laymen's Movement, in which he spoke of plans for canvassing every church member at regular intervals for funds for church work. Discussions on the sub- ject were led by Henry Vogt of St. Mark’s, Baltimore, and by E. H. Gelz. Other addresses were delivered as fol- lows: By W. M. Mearig of New Hol land, Pa., on “Personal Evangelism,” and an address on “The Brotherhood of the Church,” by Rev.,J. W. Kapp of Cincinnati, secretary of the Na- tional Brotherhood. Memorial services were held at the afternoon session for the late W. W. Doub, who was secretary of the Broth- erhood. Memorial for Apple Tree. Because it is the parent tree of a variet nd, although 63 years old, is still producing fruit, an apple tree at Peru, Iowa, has been honored by a monument. ~ Last year the tree yielded more than 5 bushels of sound apples, says the Popular Mechanics Magazine, “Tree surgeons are credited with keep- ing it alive. Periodically, the decayed wood of its trunk is removed and concrete filling applied, while most of the lower part has been rebuilt with steel usa yariety in his garden in 1864, members. The branches are . kept pruned so that the roots will not become exhausted in _ supplying nourishment to useless and leaves. A pioneer orcha is said to have set out a tree okgfeliflower C., TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1927, Members of Fire and Police Rescue Squads and Naval Air Station detachment dragging the automobile of J. F. Woods out of the Potomac at Hains Point today, after Woods is believed to have driven it deliberately into the river. He lost his life. TG-10-243 WRECKED, BUT CREW ESCAPES Dragging Cable Causes Dis- aster at Take-Off at San Antonio Field. By the Associated Press. SAN ANTONIO, Tex., May 24.— With the destruction of the non- rigid Army dirigible TC-10-243 as she attempted to make off from Brooks Field here yesterday, the huge hangar built for the ill-fated Italian airship Roma today had a record of disaster for virtually e lighter-than-air craft it ever housed, fleld records show. The TC-10-243 tore herself nearly in two and crashed to the ground, a mass of wreckage, when a dragging cable caught in a stcel runway used to anchor dirigibles. She was taking oft for the return flight to her home hangar at Scott Field, Belleville, IiL, after partigipating in joint Air Corps- Infantry maneuvers here. None of the crew of seven was injured. Tail Jerked Downward. As the ship passed from the hang- ar over a long dock, the cable caught in a submerged trackway. The tail of the dirigible was jerked down- ward with great force and before the two engines could be turned off a large section of the silk envelope was torn away. The rudders also were stripped off and although she was only about 50 feet off the ground, she nosed to earth with sufficient force to break the gondola. The crew managed to escape through clouds of silkc that fell on thom as the envelope deflated. About 200,000 cubic ¢ t of valuable helium gas was lost. Bu' the engines and instruments were azed with but little damage. The unants of the envelope also were packed for shipment to Scott Field. The ship was 200 feet long and 55 feet high, and had a capacity of 230,000 cubic feet of helium. Maj. Harold A. Strauss, in com- mand of the TC-10-243, but not at the helm when the ship crashed, (!oclure(l a jinx apparently was dogging his footsteps, Another blimp, which he commanded, the C-2, exploded five years ago in almost the same pl:‘u‘e that yesterday's mishap occurred. The C-2, however, was inflated with hydro- gen, while the helium now used for such ships is noninflammable. Cost About $25,000. The TC-10-243 was damaged recently when the crew was forced to deflate it in a storm at Leavenworth, Kan. This ship, was en route to the ma- neuvers here and the TV-10-243 was sent to replace it. The Brooks Field hangar was con- structed at a cost of nearly $1,000,000 when the United States purchased the Roma from Italy. The Roma was de- molished in the East before it could be brought here. The C-2 was the first blimp to be housed in the huge structure. It exploded when it struck a door as the crew attempted to re- move it. W While the TC-10-243 cost about §25,- 000, recovery of the engines and in- struments will reduce the loss mate- rially. Destruction of the ship was the first mishap incident to the ma- neuvers, for which more than 200 air- planes were mobilized and used in all forms of day and night flights, Those aboard the blimp were: Maj. Strauss, Capt. Kepner, First Lieuts. K. S. Axtater and O. A. Anderson. ARCHITECTS CONFER ON TRIANGLE PLANS Two Alternatives Studied, One for Single Facade, Other for Dis- tinct Buildings. The new board of architectual con- sultants went into its second session at the Treasury Department today to connsider the major phases of what design would be best adapted to the big triangle of public buildings. No definite conclusions were reached at the meeting yesterday, as the pre- liminary groundwork was covered in a general way. It was expected that further progress would be made today in the study of several alternate propo- sals, but any definite recommendations to the Treasury Department will prob- ably not be ready until some time to come. The two major alternatives for treat. ment of the triangle are: Grouping of the buildings in the Louvre plan, with single facade, and, on the other hand, separate buildings. Boats Loaded by Air Blast. Blowing a ship’s cargo into its com- partments by means of compressed air and removing it in the same way sounds fanciful, but that is the proce- dure on the Daniel McCool, a lake boat carrying bulk cement between Manito woe, Milwaukee and Chicago, on Lake Michigan, says the Popular Mechanics Magazine. The air method saves handling bags with the attendant bother and loss from breakage. The cement is blown through pipes to the boat directly from_ the works, although there is a bag-filling apparatus on the craft for the delivery of small orders. Diesel engines and electrical-driven propel- lers, as well as many other modern features, are found on the boat, which s said to be the only one of its kind. AUTOIST DROWNS IN RIVER PLUNGE AT HAINS POINT (Continued from First Page.) machine Woods appeared to have been in better spirits. This morning Woods drove his wife, Mrs. Mabel Woods, to the Palais Royz department store, where she is em- ployed. He did not return home. The two children—George, 12 years old, and James, 16 years old—were in school at the time. The Woods family had lived at the C street address for seven or eight years, according to Mr. Showaiter. rs. Woods did not learn of the accident that befell her husband until she returned to her post from a lunch period shortly before 1 o'clock this afternoon, LAUDS AIRBRAKE AS SAFETY DEVICE Styled Safeguard to Travel- ers by Speaker at Associa- tion Today. Praise of the air brake in safe- guarding travelers of the railroads and recognition of the work of the mem- bers of the Air Brake Association was made in an address today by Frank McManamy, interstate commerce com- missioner, before the thirty-fourth an- nual convention of the association at the Mayflower Hotel. Nearly 2,000 members and their families were in attendance at the opening of the four-day session, with practically every State, Canada and Mexico represented. M. S. Belk, presi- dent of the association, presided. Va- rious mechanical devices of air-brake control and kindred patents were ex- hibited in an adjoining room. Similar sentiments to those of Mr. McManamay were expressed by R. H. Aishton, president of the American Railway Association, who declared that the railroads are operating with the greatest efficiency ever realized, and as a corollary are furnishing the public with unequaled transportation serv The session was opened this morn- ing by an invocation delivered by Rev. Herbert Scott Smith. A short address was made by President Belk, welcoming the membe: followed by the reading of the reports of the sec- retary, treasurer and special commit- tees, Technical papers then were placed before the association. A tea and card party will be held this afternoon for the attending fam- ilies, and an informal dance at the Mayflower at 9:30 o'clock tonight. Tomorrow’s session will commence at 9 o'clock. SPEAKER DEPICTS MUSEUM OF FUTURE Foresees Echinoderms and Pachy- derms Traveling From Town to Town. The day of traveling museums, when echinoderms and pachyderms may journey from town to town and set up housekeeping in local Institu- tions, was foreseen by Laurence Vail Coleman, executive secretary of the American Association of Museums, who addressed the association’s an- nual meeting at the Red Cross Build- ing today. The country is on the verge of a new era of scientific knowledge with thousands of little museums scattered throughout small cities and towns, Mr. Coleman said. In these museums most of the exhibits will have to be temporary. He recommended the cre- ation of a distributing agency which can send carloads of exhibits from place to place, to be shown in local museums and then sent on to the next town. ‘While large cities can have museums of art, of science and of history, Mr. Coleman said, small cities and towns must either specialize in one type or combine all into one institution. He predicted that branches would be set up in the large centers and exhibits spread throughout the cities instead of being housed in one great building. Mr. Coleman, who recently traveled 15,000 miles in a tour of inspection of museums and potential museums, said the association's problem is to make this practicable by showing how small museums can be maintained. Delegates to the meeting were to inspect the architecture of Annapolis this afternoon accompanied by Henry P. Hopkins, architect of Baltimore Art, history ®ind science museum prob. lems will be considered at round table discussions tonight at the Willard Hotel. Tomorrow’s meeting will be held at the Corcoran Art Gallery. The tale deposits In Hastings County, Canada, hgve supplied the manufacturers of um_powder in Canada and. the Unl States for a number of years, ealincionite expects it POWER PROIECT ASSAILED BY BELL Would Jeopardize Potomac Valley Development, Com- . missioner Says. Fearful that the proposed private development of a hydro-electric power project on the Potomac River and its tributaries in the District and various countles of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland will jeopardize the pos- sible development of the valley for parks and scenic driveways, as weli as the District’s water rights, Engi- neer Commissioner J. Franklin Bell to- day urged the National Capital Park and Planning Commission to give the matter serfous attention. Commissioner Bell also discussed the possible results of the private de- velopment of a hydro-electric plant, at the semi-weekly meeting of the Board of Commissioners, and assigned Maj. W. E. R. Covell, senior Assistant Engi- neer Commissioner, to make a thor- ough study of the situation. Writes to Col. Grant. In a letter to Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, executive officer of the commis- sion, Col. Bell said: “I suppose you have received notice that the Potomac River Corporation, Wilmington, Del., has filed application for a preliminary permit for a hydro- electric power project on the Potomac River and its tributaries in the Dis- trict of Columbia and various coun- ties of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. believe that this is a matter that should receive the serious attention of the planning commission. I am not interested whether the power re- sources of the Potomac and its tribu- taries be developed by the Govern- ment or by private capital, but we are vitally Interested in jreserving the possibilities of parks, parkways and boulevards all the way f:om the District of Columbia to the mcuntains. Sees Development Jeopardized. “I am afraid that the acquisition of certain rights in that valley by a private power company would jeop- ardize the possibility of developing the valley in the proper way for our purposes. We also need to protect the water rights for the people of the fu- ture. Nothing should be done at this time that would jeopardize the national interests, and the proposition to acquire the rights of the Chesapeaks & Ohio Canal and make a comprehensive en- gineering and l:gal examination of the whole valley should be pressed at the next session of Congress. “I am asking Maj. .‘ovell to give this matter personal sttention, but it is up to the Park and Planning Com- mission to assume the responsibility in this regard.” Col. Bell said he believed the Com- missioners should give this matter very thorough attention, as he will soon leave Washington. NINE-MONTH OUTLAY TOTALS $13,033,000 Shipping Board Reports Operating Expenses $1,800,000 Less Than Same Period Year Ago. By the Associated Press. Operating expenses of the Shipping Board for the first nine months of the fiscal year, Chairman O'Connor an- nounced yesterday, totaled $13,033,000, or $1.800,000 less than for the same period the previous year and more than $10,600,000 below the figures for the fiscal year 1925. This record was made, the chairman sald, despite increased expenditures for special ships to move American grain and cotton and to supply the deficiency occasioned by withdrawal of foreign tonnage during the British coal strike. A total of 327 ships were oper- ating at the end of March, compared with 289 in March last year and 325 in March, 1925, Cost of the board's operation for the year ending June 30 next wasestimated at about $16,000,000, compared with $19,600,000 last year, and $30,063,000 the year previous. The operating cost for last March was said to have been less than any month since the begin- ning of 1921. A profit of approximately $137,000, as against a loss of approximately $1,250,000 for the same period last year, was listed for the United States Lines for the last 10 months. Ancient Wheat Like Today's. ‘Wheat from the farms of today is not much different from that grown in ancient Egypt when slaves were building the pyramids, specimens harvested at least 5,500 years ago and recently found in Mesopotamia indi- cate, says the Popular Mechanics Magazine. The grains were discovered by Prof. Stephen Langdon and were in_an excellent state of ervation. The find supports the e¢laims of those who believe that whe: raising had its srigin in that section of the world. He who hopes for the best seldom WILL NOT APPOINT SACCO COMMISSION Governor Tells Defense Or- ganization He Will Use Own Inquiry Methods. By the Associated Press BOSTON, May 24.—Gov. Alvan T. Fuller, in a letter to the Sacco-Va zetti defense committee, made public today, made his first definite state- ment ' that he would not grant the repeated requests for appointment of a special _commission to review the cases of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, radicals, whose conviction of murder and sentence to death ha raised protests throughout the world. The governor indicated that since he could not delegate his authority, which now is the sole thing standing between the two men and death in the electric chair in July, he consid- ered himself_entirely free to choose his own method of investigation. Urges Commission. ‘The defense .committee had writ- ten, urging that he appoint a com- mission to investigate the whole his- tory of the case since the murder of a paymaster and his guard in South Braintree seven years ago. Gov. Fuller’s note in reply read: “I assume that you know that the gov- ernor cannot delegate his authority in this matter and that the law pro- vides that the decision must be made by him. It therefore seems reason- able that he should choose the method of investigation. “I will provide an opportunity for an interview for you at a later date.” Interviews Witnesses. It has been commonly known that the governor, assisted by the lieuten- ant governor and his personal attor- ney, has been devoting long days to interviewing witnesses, attorneys and others swho have been connected with investigations of trials of the case. DROUGHT HITS CROPS IN NORTH CAROLINA Wilmington and Cape Fear Section Is 52 Days Without Rain. Others Affected. By the Assoclated Press. Its crops parched after 52 days with- out rain, Wilmington and the Cape Fear section of North Carolina Sun- daxy and Monday were praying for rain. Sunday night no rain had fallen. A few scattered clouds on the horizon betokened hope to the layman, but the Weather Bureau announced that no rain was in sight, From Fayetteville it was reported that a 30-minute rain had fallen last Friday night at Fort Bragg over sec- tions of Harnett County. There had Leen no rain up to Sunday night, however, in other sections of tha: dis. trict, and the crops to the east of Fayetteville were reported burning up. Asheville reported Sunday night that a half inch of rain—the first in six weeks—had fallen during the aft- ernoon, relieving the anxiety of the farmers. Greensboro has had good rains, and it was raining there again Sunday night. 1In central North Carolina Ra- leigh reported no rain in eight days and the truck crops spffering, PRESIDENT LAUDS WORK OF STIMSON Chief Executive Pays High Tribute to Pacifying Efforts in Nica- ragua Struggle. President Coolidge today took oc- casion to praise in high terms the accomplishment of . Col. Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of War, in bringing about cessation of warfare in Nicaragua. The President, while discussing the part Mr. Stimson took in restoring peace to that republic, said that the latter reported to him yesterday that he felt very certain that peace has been entirely re-established and that all bands engaged in warfare have delivered their arms to the United States forces. In praising Mr. Stimson the Presi- dent said that the latter had perform- ed excellent service and that because of his accomplishment he is entitled to much credit. He added that he per- sonally is very grateful for all that Mr. Stimson did in that war-torn country and he felt very sure that the people of N agua, as well as those of this countr; e grateful for Mr, Stimson’s public service. 2,000 PRINTERS TO VOTE IN ELECTION TOMORROW Columbia Typographical Union will hold its annual election tomorrow. Polls will be open at the various chapels of the organization and at Typograpbical Temple, 425 G street, from noon until 6 o'clock. About 2,000 printers are represented in the union. Joseph P. O'Lone is opposing Dale C. Sheriff, the incumbent, for presi- dent of the union. Frank D. Seiffert, who has been vice president for s eral years, is_unopposed for re-elec- tion. Fred S. Walker, secretary-trea urer, is being opposed by George G. Seibold. For delegate to the International Typographical Union convention in Indianapolis in August, George H. Ellis and John H. Breen are oppo: ing each other as newspaper candl dates. For delegates from non-news- paper chapels, Norman Sandridge Is opposed by Stanley R. Gilbert. DEDICATION PROGRAM. Formal Exercises Tomorrow on Grounds of New School. Rev. Reuben Shrum, chaplain of the presidential yacht Mayflower, will officiate at the dedication of the new school grounds of the Marjorie Web- ster _School of Expression and Physi- cal Education tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. .The new school, which is located at Sixteenth street and Kalmia road, will have accommodations for 200 boarding students and will have both outdoor and indoor pools, tennis courts, hockey fields, gymnasium and theater. — FIREMEN PROMOTED. Lieut. Jeremiah Sullivan Is Named to Captaincy. Lieut. Jeremiah Sullivan of the Dis- trict Fire Department was promoted to the rank of captain today by the Commissioners, to’ succeed the late Capt. James Mowatt. The Commissioners at the same time promoted Sergt. G. C. Kletcher to be a lieutengnt, and Pvt. N. S, Brad- ford to be ar geant. All of thelthanges will becorie ef- fective immediately. . CITIZENS INDORSE PLAN T0 BUY LINE Purchase of Railway by Arlington County People Favored in Clarendon. Special Dispatch to The Star. CLARENDON, Va., May 24.—The proposed community plan of owner- ship of the Falls Church-Fairfax divi- sion of the Washington & Virgin Railway was unanimously indorged by the Clarendon Citizens' Association at its semi-monthly meeting last night. Efforts of M. E. Church and Thomas R. Keith, who have an option on the road until June 1, and other leading citizens to form a company exclusiv 1y of residents of Arlington and Fair- fax Counties, to purchase and operate the service, were outlined by C. R. Taylor, Harris Levy and A. J. Porter. Announcement was made that proximately $75,000 of the propose first mortgage bonds of $100,000, the sale of which are necessary to acquisi- tion of the road; $50,000 being required to meet the first payment on the pur- chase price of $150,000, and the re- mainder for operating expenses, have been subscribed. Success Is Foreseen. The ease with which this amount of subscriptions were obtained, it was pointed out, assures success of the un- dertaking. It was also stated that the promoters are anxious to have the bonds as widely distributed as poss b and are making a special effort to in terest the small investor, assuming that any one financially interested in the service will be a booster and the more boosters the more patronage. It was suggested that the full amount of $200,000 be raised at this time that cash could be paid for the road. _This, it was said, would also pro- vide a fund for operating expenses and eliminate the need of second mortgage bonds. All speakers were of the opinion that many economies could be effected in the operating of the road and that the citizens are offered a “golden op- portunity” for investment. They also were of the opinion that scrapping of the road, as has been intimated will happen unless the citizens pur- chase it, would be one of the greatest calamities the county has ever faced, offering the prospect of realty values g;opr}t‘ng 50 per cent and the credit e county suffe £ Trestly: ering just as Outlines School Situation. Fletcher Kemp, county superintend- ent of schools, in an address out- lining the school situation, stated that, now that the school-building program is about completed, he ex- pects to devote most of his time to the intellectual side of the system with a view to putting Arlington County in the first rank with the best school systems of the country. With its 22 modern school buildings, valued at $1,500,000, he said, the Ar- :‘l;ltmdun\va;n'!y :‘;hom system is now ated No. n Virginia by th Board of Educatio: ks Discussing financial matters, Mr., Kemp stated that. while the money required to operate the systera has jumped by leaps and bounds, this is easily accounted for by the rapid and tremendous growth in the school pop- ulation in recent years. Opposes Salary Cuts. He said that cutting of salaries and elimination of teachers had been con- sidered, but discarded, because it was felt that any move along that line would be a detriment to the system. He said he did not believe the people would stand for economies that would have a tendency to impair the train- ing of the children. Asked for an opinion as to how long the present school facilities will fulfull the requirements, Mr. Kemp stated that if the railway is scrapped the present facilities will be more than ample to care for all future needs, but that if the service is con- tinued the system would have to be augmented until the county becomes stabilized in the matter of population. The county now has two high schools which are used for junior and senior classes. Mr. Kemp expressed the view that the time is not far distant when the present high schools will have to be used exclusively for seniors and that two junfor high schools will have to be established if the schools’ needs are to be adequately met. FLYER GOES ALONE ON AUSTRALIA HOP Dennis Rook Leaves England in Moth Airplane, With Spare Propeller Attached. By the Associated Press. CROYDON, England, May 24 —With a spare propeller strapped beneath the fuselage of his two-seater moth airplane, Dennis Rook, a comparative- 1y unknown aviator, hopped off today on a lone flight to Australia. His plane developed about 30 horsepower. Rook intends to make the flight to Australia by easy stages, following the course taken by Sir Alan Cobham on his memorable trip. Before start- ing, Rook said: “My plane is named Marjorie, after my flancee. She is in Australia no 80 I must succeed in reaching her.” During the war Rook served in the air force. Afterward he went to Australia, abandoning flying, but three months ago returned to Eng- land and purchased a machine. TWO PARIS-NEW YORK FLIGHTS ARE PROJECTED Drouhin Lieut. Tarason Consider Attempts Soon Specially Built Planes. By the Associated Press. PARIS, May 24.—As Capt. Lind bergh has flown from New York to Paris in perfect style, there is all the more reason, it was said in French air circles today, for a Paris- New York flight by a F ane Two transatlantic projects now are being_considered—one by M. Droul in a Goliath plane, the other by Licu Tarascon, in a Bernard machine. B planes are specially built for such a flight and could be made ready in a short time. They are heavy multiple- engined planes of the type which all experts, not the least of whom is Lindbergh himself, consider best for long overseas flights under ordinary conditions. In the opinion of experts who have examined the Lindbergh plane, the flight is a triumph for a medium-pow- ered machine. They describe the en- gine as a marvel and are particularly struck by its extreme simplicity and the fine workmanship put into it. e e STUDY ENGLISH LANGUAGE Paris Newspaper Men Find It Es- sential Since Flight. PARIS, May 24 (#).—English sud- denly has become an essential part of a French newspaper man's equipment, since Lindberg blew in on the west wind. The Petit Parisien, the most widely ~ circulated French paper, started classes for its men yesterday, each getting an hour’s instruction. and in