Evening Star Newspaper, June 15, 1927, Page 2

T . | i i i i H i i | : i avwa e ISR IR LT S b ‘DEATH OF WOMAN ~ STARTS 2 PROBES ' Mrs. Edith Kneessi Victim of Skull Fracture in Arling- {. ton County. Death of Mrs. Edith Kneeeel, 31 Kneessi, former Washingtonian, now a resident of New York, at Emergency Hospital' early this morning from a fracture of the skull, supposedly as the result of a fall or leap early Sat- urday morning from the automobile of ‘Walter Scott Lephfew of apartment 104, 55 M street, started police and Department of Justice agents on a dual investigation of the circumstances surrounding the cause of @eath. Leph- few is being held ut the Arlington County jail for the Federal authorities on the ground that the supposed leap or fall occurred on Military road near Arlington Beach. which is Federal property and outside the jurisdiction of Virginia. Detective Eqward J. Kelly of police headquarters, this morning was as- signed the case by Inspector Pratt, who was requested by the Depart- ment of Justice to ascertain whether there was a possibility of a fatal blow having been dealt the woman in Washington, after which she was taken to Virginia. Taken to Hospital. Mrs. Kneessi was taken to Emer- gency Hospital at 1:45 a.m. by Leph- few, according to officials at the hos- pital. At that time, it was said at the hospital, it was reported the| woman was suffering from an injury | sustained when she leaped from his automobile She did- ot -gain & lucid interval before “she died, shortly -before 3 oclock this morning. Friends who | visited her said she failed to recognize them and stated: ‘“Noththg is the matter. Only I'd like some aspirin for this terrible headache.” Lephfew was taken into custody later Saturday by Policeman Tierney | of the third precinct and turned over to the Virginia authorities, who start- | d an investigation at that time, in the bellef that the occurrence was. within their jurisdiction. Their investigation, it was said at the courthouse today, developed that the clothing of the woman was not badly soiled, as it ‘would supposedly have been from a fall on the road, and that the only tharks on the clothing were on the collar of the coat, which was stained wyears old, estranged wife of George | | | | MRS. EDITH KNEESSL ST. JAMES YIELDS 0 MARCH OF TIME Historic Hotel Closes Doors and Fittings Will Go Un- der Hammer. Following the way of many other |old ‘Washington landmarks which have betn wiped out wWith thé on- slaught of time, the St. James Hotel, Pennsylvania avenue at Sixth street, has closed its doors to patrons and Monday the entire equipment of the hostelry will be offered for sale at auc- tion. While the St. James, which was founded during Civil War days, has held its own remarkably well in the face of .ever-increasing competition from newer and more costly hotels, Levi Woodbury Wheeler, proprietor of the place, announced today the prop- erty was to be sold to close the estate of his father, Hyvlas T. Wheeler, who operated the hotel until the time of death, October 29, 1924, The famous old hotel is a scene of activity as workmen dismantle the place in preparation for the ‘auc- tioneers, Who next week will “knock down" tapestries, quaint old paintinge, fencing Swords and other heirlooms of bygone generations. The auction sale Will proceed until the entire equip- ment has been disposed -of, according tol the legal notice announcing the sale. hi Future in Doubt. What use will be tade of the build- ‘with blood. Federal Agents Investigate. Local Department of Justice agents, however, learning that the occusrence was within Federal jurisdiction, took up the case and commenced an investi- gation, which is still 'under :way. While no official statement has been made by the agents, it is known that they have checked the movements of the couple for some time prior to the death. Both Lephfew and Mrs. Kneessi lived at 55 M- street, authorities were told. Relatives of Mrs. Kneessi stated that Lephfew was buying the ment, and that they had visited Mrs. Kneessi there, but did not believe that Lephfew lived there, although he was @ frequent caller. At the Arlington County Jjail this morning Lephfew told friends his side of the story. He said that he and Mrs. Kneessi had been quarreling Saturday evening and that he was driving her around to mollify her before taking her home to the M street apartment. While driving at the rate of between 10 and 15 miles an hour, he is reported to have said, she suddenly opéned the door of the car ahd jumped out be- fore he had time to stop her. He im- mediately picked her up and took her to Emergency Hospital. Statement Is Refused. Detective Kelly interviewed Leph- few at the jail this morning. He re- fused to make a statement, he said, on advice of attorney. Lephfew and Mrs. Kneessi have known each other about four years, it was said by Mrs. Adélouph Eckloff, stepmother of the deceased, living at 823 Minnesota avenue northeast. Mrs. Eckloff stated that Mr. and Mrs. Kneessi had been separated about eight vears, and that he was pre- sumed to be in New York at the pres- ent time. Mrs. Kneess! had two children, a boy of 12 and a girl of 8 years, both living awith her father and stepmother on ‘fi ota avenue. She was em- ploved at a local department store. Laphteww is a son’ of Policeman Lepiitew of the eleventh precinct. He 1s a tinning and roofing' subcontractor. The funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, but the funeral will be held from the Eckioff home, it was announced. LINDBERGH TO FLY ™ #: HERE FRIDAY AND s THEN TOST. LOUIS " _(Continued grom First Page) explained, was due to last-minute re. sponses of persons who had received invitations. Confusion~ amd ¢tush, ensuing in a mad scramble to ex- change invitations for seats, reulted in a delay of one hour in the start of the program. More than 10,000 persons jammed the Broadway theatrical distriet when Lindbergh was _taken under police escort from the Commodore to the Winter Gardén, where he attended a special performance of “The Circus Princess,” as guest of the “Quiet Birdmen,” an aviators'. organization to which he was admitted td member- hip at a small dinner at Garden-City, Long Island, before his hop-off to France. Startled By Photographers. The colonel's face went white when « photographers unexpectedly boomed their flachlights as he entered the lobhy. Those close to him said .he moved his hands to his head and swayed as two of the party grasped his arms and escorted him into the treater. During the performance Lindbergh was presented a gold pats admitting him to any of the Shubert theaters in America and Europe. A spotlight was thrown on the colonel as he arose from his place in a box to speak. “I will not take much of your time,” he said. “You would rather see the show than hear me talk.” Cries of “no, no” and “tell us how you did 1! wera heard. f Lindbergh 83id his reception in New York exceeded all parently enjoyed the show. After the performance the colonel returned to the Park avenue apart. ment of Harry H. Frazee, theatrical magnate, which Lindbergh and his wmother are occupying during their stay in New York. While Lindbergh was at the muni- cipal dinner, his mother spent the evening at George White's “Scandals,” in company with Mrs. Walker, wife of the mayor, and Maj. Willam J. Deegan, representing the city recep- tion committee. She later joined the coloned &t the Winter Garden. . Gir] workers in a clay pottery in } his expectations and then he settied himself and ap- ing is not known. The building and the ground during the near 70 years of-the operation of the St. James were leased th the hotel. The property now is-owned by heirs of Clarence Beall, 7. Fora Thompson-and by Dr. C. A. Christiani, - - The St.” James Hotel was founded by Levi Woodbury, who came to ‘Washington during the Civil War. The hotel in its early days was one of the most popular hostelries in the Capital and enjoyed a steady and large patronage, Standing directly across the street from the old Pennsylvania Railroad ‘Station, which was located at Sixth and B streets, the St. James attracted a large share of the tran. sient business. It became, in fact, virtually the ‘Washington residence of many trav- elers who regularly and frequently stopped over here en_route to points North and South. In more recent timég, however, this patronage has dwindled. Kept High Reputation. From the start the proprietors of the hotel placed special emphasis updn maintaining & high repuuugs. for the place. At the outset Mr. Woodbury told the elder Wheeler, it is recalled “I don’t care if we have no more than tour patrons, we will have them right; that i8 to be the policy of this hotel.” Mr. Woodbury, following the estab- lishment .of the St. James, founded and became the head of the Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Co., which stil is in operation. There has been an unusual element of permanency in the management of the hotel, though its proprietorship has passed through three generations. The hotel employes, for the most part, are vetérans and a number served with the first owner, Mr. Woodbury. For them the abandonment of the hotel was like theé breaking up of a home. Mrs. Grace I. Holt, hostess of the hotel, has served in that capacity for 20 years. Then there is_Peter Wil kins, waiter in the St. James Cafe, who admits to a service of at least 45 years. Answered Bells 30 Years. The head bellman, Willlam Berry, has answered calls at the hotel for 30 yeart, and Miss Lucy Mattingly, parlor maid, only during .the past January celebrated her thirtieth anni- }ersary of employment at the St. ames. : In 4ts earlier years, it was recalled today by Mr. Wheeler, who came here from New York to settle the estate, she hotel -was: a favorite stopping Rlace. of bridal couples, and at oné time’ there “Were 30 newly wedded Gouplee in the hotel at the same time. Frequently these same couplés have returned in later years and made thémeelves known to Mrs. Holt. Dur- ing"the cohvention of the American Medival Askociation here a delegate called ‘at the St."James and said he had stopped there with his bride 61 years before. The . St. James Hotel contains but four stories, but is as high as many modern six-story bufldings. It has a frontage of nearly 150°feet on Penn- sylvania avenue and a similar one on Sixth street, MASS EXECUTIONS BY SOVIET CHARGED (Continued from First Page) armies and says that more than 100 persons have been shot in reprisal for | the assassination of M. Voikoff, “This new terror,” the correspond- ent adds, “has more than doubled the number of suicides in Moscow, wheére there now are from 10 to 15 daily. Moscow and Leningrad d6 not possess additional thousand persons arrested taking victims to Siberia.” federal executive committee of Soviets, that attacks on commissars. SOVIET DENIES CHARGES. “Sensational Rot.” reign of terror in Russia, were charac: as sensationalism and rot.”” - the press; otherwise things are nor mal. Chelsea, England, are now compelicd by law to wear masks to protect them w .from fumes gencrated during the glaz- process. s Germany has one motor vehic! 1196 persons as eommo% n"llth one NG 5e St t IN “REIGN OF TERROR” | “™: enough prison accommodations for the the past few days, and guarded freight trains are leaving both cities nightly, The correspondent quotes what he says is an announcement of the Mos- cow newspaper Izvestia, organ of the the 25 prominent persons held as hostages in Moscow will be put to death in the event of further Reports of Terror Characterized as MOSCOW, Russia, June 15 (A).— Dispatches from Warsaw and other centers published abroad reporting a terized by official Soviet circles today There is €ome tension here due to the continual war talk indulged in by 5 i doubt as to the safety of the Chain THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ¢. WEDNESDAY, JOUNE 1t CAUTION ORDERE ON CHAIN BRIDGE Commissioners Authorize Closing Only During High Water. Drastic steps were taken by the Dis- trict Commiesioners today to protect the lives of persons crossing the Chain Bridge, following a report on its condition from David E. MeComb engineer of bridges, and his assistant, H. R. Howser, who recommended that it be closed immediately because of serbus deterjoratichy of the abutment on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Although the Commissioners did not order the closing of the bridge in conformity with the advice of Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, Assistant Ent'mr*fllrl | | | Commissioner, who made a thorol | examination of the bridge Monday |and reported that in his opinion it nd for would be safe for pedestrians certain types of traffic to use the structure for a limited period with certain restrictions, they did take the following action: 1. Ordered Mr. McComb to close the bridge at any periods of high water, the elevation of the high water to be determined by him 2, Requested Representative Moore of Virginia to urge the authorities of that State to erect stop Signs at leagt 50 yards from the Virginia abutmer and to employ three watchmen to work in eight-hour shifts to observe | conditions at the abutment at all times. 3. Ordered rigid enforcing of the | gpeed limitation of eight miles an hour across the bridge. 4. Divected Capt. Whitehurst to consider the advisability of limiting the load on the bridge to four tons, a decreage of two tons under the present limitation. Concerned by Masonry. Mr. Howser pointed out in his report that he has had the bridge under con- stant observation for several yeary and that the disintegration of ma» sonty during that time has been a cauge of great concern. “All indications,” he said, “point to the fact that when the failure occurs it will come without warning. “The phoénix columns on the trusses have been showing rust stains at pin connectiol for several years. Investigation of June 1 to June 4 shows one pin casting split vertically at two points. This defect is about the center panel on the river span and clearly indicates that corrosion has passed the limit of safety. Diag- onal tension members show consider- able loss of metal due to abrasive ac- tion from vibration. Blames Congress. “The continued failure on the part of Congress to provide for a new structure and the recent rapid deterio- ration "brings up the question: Must this departmént (the ~engineer of bridges’ office stand by until fatal con- sequences are a reality and then ac- cept the responsibility? A number of photographs showing large fissures in the south abutment to the bridge were attached to Mr. Howser's report. Capt. Whitehurst, who made an in- spection of the bridge following the re- ceipt of the report from the engineer of bridges and his assistant, advised the Commissioners that from his own obgervation he believed that the south abutment is “in very bad condition.” “The established fact that at least some of the space behind the face wall is hollow,” he added, ‘‘may lead at some future time to the giving Way of the roadway immediately above. Both the engineer of hridges and his assistant have covered very carefully, as far as inspection would permit, in etail the metal work of this bridge, Closing Recommended. “Both have recommended the closing of this bridge to traffic. I am at this time rather reluctant to concur and recommend the? closing of such an important traffic artery, believing conditions do not Warrant this extreme action. “I am not convinced m my own mind that the conditions necessi- tate the absolute closing of the bridge at the present time, but, on the other hand, I think every precaution and care in the handling of traffic should be observed at this point.” The Chain Bridge is 53 years old and ever since 1922 the Commiseion- ers have made afforts to obtain ap- propriations from Congress for its réplacement. The budget estimates for the 1928-29 fiscal year, however, do not contain an item for replace- ment, but indications are that in view of the recent developments, the item for the reconstruction of the Klingle Road Bridge in Connecticut avenue will be eliminated and replaced by an ftem of $350,000, which District offi- cials believe will be sufficient to re: new Chain Bridge. Would Share Expense. The Commissioners, it was said, feel that the State of Virginia should share in the expense of replacing the bridge, as a large part of the traffic across it is made up of vehicles from that State. The DMcClelland and Junkersfield survey of 1925 showed that Virginla motorists use the bridge as extensively as those from other jurisdictions. On a typical June day of that year, the report recorded that the inbound motorists numbered 317 from the Dis- triet of Columbia, 287 from Virginia and 26 from other jufisdictions, and the outbound traffic was distributed as follows: District of Columbia, 378; Vir. ginia, 371, and other jurisdictions, 24. Cites Long-Existing Necessity. The necessity for reconstructing Chain Bridge has been recognized for some time, it was pointed out this morning by Representative Moore of Virginia, into whose district the bridge 5. The rebuilding has been recommend- ed by the Commissioners, and in the 1 two Congresses bills to this end| have been introduced, Mr. Moore re- | called, the measures having the in- dorsement of the Commissioners, Board of Trade and Chamber of Com- merce. No oppotition was indicted in Congress, the Representative added, but the proposal encountered the op- position of the Bureau of the Budget. Mr. Moore expressed the hope that in view of the present serious situa- tion, and because the interest of the District of Columbia is so largely in- volved, some action may be had in the next Congress. Roadbuilding Emphasized. In passing, he drew attention to the fact that roads are being constructed | rapidly in Virginia over a very wide territory which serves travel to the bridge, and that a great many activi- ties are going on on the south side of the river, which increases traffic over the bridge, and also increases the business of the District of Tolumbia with Virginia territory. The entire bridge, it was amplified, lies within the District of Columbia, due to the fact that the District-Vir- ginia boundary is the mean high- water mark on the south shore. Trade Board Committee Action. At a recent meeting of the commit- tee on bridges of the IWashington Board of Trade, a resolution was adopted as follow ‘‘Because of the serious question of Bridge, due to its age, type of con- Rich Tenderloin “Buffalo Steak” Awaits President By the Aseociated Press. PIERRE, 8. D, June 15.—A choice tenderloin steak from a South Dakota buffalo may be the chief dish of one ot President Cool- idge's first meals in the Black s A buffalo tenderloin weighing 10 pounds will be presented to the President, when he stops in the capital city by G. H. Jaynes, Plerre butcher. During the administration of Theodors Roosevelt Mr. Jaynes fent a buffalo tenderloin for the White House table. WOMAN HAS FLING IN CAPITAL AFTER 70 YEARS ON FARM (Continued from First Page.) jump out of here.” She €aid she was sorry her eyes were not better so she 10 see further. “Still, I guess ccen ‘most everybody,” she said When she got her feet safely planted on the earth once more Mrs. Warfield insisted on looking the monu- ment over from all angles. She ad- mitted it was pretty high, but she vowed she wasn't s red. Now, an airplane—well, an airplane was differ- ent, and she wasn't crazy to go up in one, but if she had a good, safe pilot she might try it. The main thing would be to get a pilot with a steady_head. “If his brain was all right T guess the airplane would be all_rij she said. But she didn't waste any time look- ing for a plane. She thought it would be nice to see a few sights. By this time the automobile had ceased to be a novelty. She hopped in and out, scorning assigtance, and lolled back in the seat like a blase youth. “It's lots ;:_'dtor than a horse and buggy,” she id. Wanted to See President. At the White House Mrs. Warfleld said she was orry the President had gone away: she wanted to shake his hand. Just the same, the White House was a fine looking place and there was lots of room in the grounds for a nice garden. She couldn't quite appreciate why nobody had any farms {in Washington; there were plenty of big pieces of land and it seemed a shgme to waste them. he spent some minutes starin the Capitol and wanted t6 know agofit how many people worked in it. She also got a huge “kick” out of Union Station and the fountain in front of lnt. h"lh\_\‘ouldn'( let my grand-children 0 bathing in there,” she R v might drown.” o b As for the statues—'‘well, they don't have to wear any clothes if they don't want to,” says Mrs. Warfield. Of course all the statues she saw weren't undraped. The first one she got a glimpse of was Alexander Hamilton, and she observed that standing up on a box was a mighty poor way for a man to spend his time. It was not until she got close to it that she real- ized the statue wasn't a real man, At the “five-and-ten” Mrs. Warfleld filled a bag full of candy and cakes for her grandchildren. She also ate an ice cream cone and thought it was fine. While she was looking over «the cosmetics somebody sug- gested the purchase of a lipstick and Mrs. Warfleld bristled. “Not for me,” ehe declared. ! street gave her another thrill. It looked like people were ge‘t‘tl]r}lg run_over all the time—especially the traffic officer. “He ought not to stand out there in front of all those automobiles,” she said. 2 Breath Taken by Films. But it was the movies that took her breath away. She watched the screen in silence for fully five min- utes and then settled back with a sight. “Well, I do declar: said she. The plcture, incidentally, was “Get- ting Gertie's Garter,” and Mrs, War- fleld wanted to know whether every- body nowadays acted that way or whether there were people paid to do it for the movies. She also saw the pictures of Lindbergh’s reception in .Washington and the young pilot Won another admirer. At The Star Building Mrs. War- fleld posed for several photographs and questioned the photographer minutely about the details of the work. She also examined the opera- tion of a typewriter and declared that it was wonderful. At dinner Mrs. Warfield settled back {and discoursed with the wisdom of a sage. She remembered a good deal about the Civil War, and all the things ‘she had geen hadn't changed hér philosophy of life to any great extent. She believes in the golden rule and the Aristotellan doctrine of moderation in all things. For dinner, in¢identally, she ate a big plate of corn beef hash, bread and butter, a slice of pie and two cups of coffee. She looked serenely at several girls in knee dresses with cigarettes in their mouths. “If they want to wear them that short’ it's all right with me,” ehé said. Just the same, she ien't going to shorten hers, which al- moet touch the ground. As for ciga- rettes, they are mighty bad, but Mrs. Warfield herself often smokes white “'ef,d in a pipe when she isn't feeling well. Although she isn't greatly con- cerned about it she does helieve that the morals of young people aren't what they used to be. “There's too much to do,” she explained. “In my day we never had anything but Sun- day school picnics, and they didn't happen often enough to hurt any- ody.” Mrs. Warfleld went back to Da- mascus with a new idea of things ma- terial and with a thirst for more ad. ventures. Of all she gaw and did only one thing rufled her. That was a re- volving door. She flatly refused to go into one alone. e BAND CONCERT. By the United States Marine Band, at the Capitol, at 7:30 o'clock tonight: March, “Our Glorious Banner,” Santelmann Overture, “William Tell”......Rossini ‘‘Serenade” . .Meszkoweki Trombone solo, “Wonderland”..Smith Musician Hervey J. Clarl Grand scenes from ‘‘Mefistofele” . Beite Scottish patrol, “The Gathering o’ the Clans”. Williams Three humoresques, Opus 28.0'Donnell Grand march, “Entrance the Guests in the Wartbur, from “Tannhauser” Wagner “The Star Spangled Banner.” Southeast Parade Tonight. The community parade which was t5 have been staged last night by the Southeast Business Men's Association, but which postponed because of inclement weather, will he held this evening in accordance with the orig- iral plans, Charles A. Everett, secre. tary of the assoclation, announced today. It will start at 8 o'clock. to bear, the committee on bridges ot the Washington Board of Trade re- spectfully requests that a thorough examination of this structure be made immediately by the bridge department of the local government in order to definitely determine the safety or non- safety of the bridge. That if the bridge be found unsafe, it be immedi- ately closed.” A number of points were raised by the committee in reference to the age and hollow-tube construction of the bridge, and it was the general opinion that something should be done by the District officials in order that they uction and the fact that it is now carrying traffic loads far in excess of the Jeads it was originall might not be faced with the respon- sibility of a tragedy should it be found that the bfldn_‘ is not efficient, % % Lot CITIZENS QUESTION PARK EXPENDITURE ICOunciI Indicates Opposition to Buying Nearby Land With D. C. Taxes. Indications that the pesple 6f the District of Columbla would not sit idly by and permit the eéxpenditure of their tax money for the purchase of park lands in Maryland and Vir- ginia, in carrying out the regional de. velopment plans, were given to Lieut. Col. U. §. Grant, 34, director of the office of public bulldings and public parks of the National Capital, yes- terday by the special committ of the Citizens' Advisory Council, the members of which conferred on the question of estimates of this office, which come out of Distriet funds. The cpecial committee 18 composed of |James G. Yaden and Dr. George C. Havenner, R. O. Jennings, who pre pared the estimates, also participated in the conference. Mr. Yaden told Col. Grant that the citizens of the District of Columbia had no objection to the Zihlman bill for a 50-50 apportionment of funds between the Federal Government and an adjoining State in which land is to be purchased for parks, provided the Federal Government paid the 50 | per cent. Col. Grant pointed out that the law authorizes the expenditure of the park land acquisition fund, now composed of District money, for the purchase of lands in Maryland and Virginia, but he added that the com- mission had established the policy of not expending any of this money across the District borders because it is the money of the local péople. He gaid the question as to what pocket the money for the purchase of lands in Maryland and Virginia should come from was a matter for Congress to decide. ' Asks About Estimates. Mr. Yaden asked if provision had been made in the estimates for the improvement of the park lands which had been purchased, and Col. Grant said that was the justification for the large salary increase to be asked for. He pointed out that practically all of the expense of improving the parks and making them accéssible to the people was labor cost, and added that many of the areas which now needed improvement were the small triangles and centér parking plots, which had been turned over to the office of public buildings and parks by the District Commissioners, after new streets were opened. He said further that his office was of the opinion that these should be given first consideration because of the fact that they were usually in newly de- veloped residential districts and un- less taken care of promptly soon be- came eyesores. As to the larger parks, he pointed out: that they could wait. Referring to the estimate of $1,050,- 000 for the acquisition of additional park lands in 1929, Dr. Havenner said that it was the opinion of many peo- ple of the District of Columbia that the city now was very well provided for in the matter of large parks and they believed that the greatest need of the city now is for community playgrounds. Col. Grant Explains. Col. Grant said that this matter was being given etudy by the National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion, and a special investigation had been made in Chicago on this matter. He admitted that so far as the larger parks are concerned, the District was reasonably well provided, but said the reason that other large areas were heing acquired was that they could be obtained now at a reasonable cost, but that in 10 years it would not be possible to get them. This brought up the question as to the so-called 125 per cent restriction on the purchase price of park land; that is, that the commission cannot pay more than 25 per cent above the assessed value of property. Mr. Ya- den asked if efforts might be made to get the restriction removed, and Col. Grant said tbat legislation now was being drawn up and that as soon as the measure was in a tentative shape the citizens would be called in for their suggestions. Brush and forest fires in the parks also_were the subject of discussion, Dr. Havenner pointing out that there were three or four large fires in the Anacostia area each year. Col. Grant said that the only way these would be prevented from doing serious dam- age was to effect a patrol system, so that the fires might be discovered soon after they started, but said that he did not have enough police even to attempt to patrol the park lands across the Anacostia River. Discusses Anacostia Reserve. Dr. Havenner also said that the Anacostia recreation reserve was not used to capacity at this time because of the poor walking facilities, due to loose gravel, but Col. Grant said that plans weré being made to improve the walks by providing a firm base of macadam, with & thin coating of gravel which would be rolled firmly. He eaid he favored the gravel walks in the parks, because they were more in keeping with the surroundings than the cement walks. Inquiry was made by the citizens, committee as to whether new legisla- tion would be needed for the proposed additional bathing pools, as the pres- ent law provides for only two. Col. Grant said this was a legal question which was still to be decided. Dr. Havenner said that the money for installing a lighting _system around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool should come from Federal fund that was a Federal project strictly, and also that the construction of the new roads in the Mall should also come from Federal funds. Dr. Hav. enner also suggested that the laying out of new roads in the Mall should be deferred until after the construction of the buildings in the Government tri- angle south of the Avenue, but Col. Grant said he did not agree with this. However, as to their cost, he said that they had been put in the Federal esti- mates last year, and the Bureau of the Budget transferred them so that payment would be made out of Dis- trict funds. Estimating for Walk. Col. Grant gaid that an estimate of $13,000 was being put in this year for continuing the walk around East Potomac Park. Efforts were made to get this last year, but failed. He said this was very important thousands of people, including many children, use this area during the Summer, and the only walkway is the top of the seawall. This is very dangerous, he said, and as it i8 rough it is comparably easy for people to stumble, with possible fatalities. The construction of a walk would include the provision of a guard rail. This estimate would take care of one-third of the walk around the parkway. Col. Grant told the committee that his office was asking for an increase of $340,000 for 1920 over the appropri- ation of 1928. He said he was asking $170,000 for ordinary maintenance of the parks, principally for supplies; $151,460 for per diem salaries, $5,000 for the tourist camp, $35,000 for sports, $35,000 for Anacostia Park, $190,000 for Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, including provision for com- pleting "the seawall on the Potomac River, $100,000 for Meridian Hill Park $15,000 for minor auxiliary structures, $7,500 for repairs to the Tidal Basin seawall, $25,000 for initial Improve- h 88 aewly, e0q D’ANNUNZIO WOULD CLOSE DAYS | WASHING MONASTE Famous Italian Poet Wants to Finish Life Humbly Sorubbing Stones. Starts Press Which Will Turn Out Complete Edition of Works. Correspondence of the Associated Press. VERONA, Italy.--Gabriele D'An. nunzio, post and patrist, and ons of | the world's great 16vers, would like to finish his éarthly days humbly ;rruhlvln‘ the floors of &t. iero Abbey ere In a volce vibrant with emotion he declared, as he walked through the historic sanctuary: “If gome one can he found to bé ‘commandant’ at Vittoriale, I should like to énd my days here AM sacristan, humbly clean Mg the sacred stones évery day with sponges.” D’Annunzio, who has made one of his increasingly rars sortiés from his retreat on Lake Garda to participate in the cerémony of printing the first | page of the “definits edition” of his complate works, dashad into this city by automobilé, stopping first at the abbey. It was an eréct man of the world dreeged in the uniform of an aeronau- tical general, a jovial smile lighting up his fae who walked briskly through the door of the abbey. In- side thé thréshold, however, he pulled up abruptly, then wandered slowly in the grip of a mixture of religious and esthétic emotions into every cor- | ner of the edifice, touching statues and ténderly fondling stoneés, often cloeing his eyes ecstatically. Similar scenes were enacted at sev- ALLEY-CLOSING LAW 10GOTO CONGRESS D. C. Heads Ask Redrafting to Make It Effective or Entire Abrogation. The District Commissioners decided yesterday afternoon not to attempt to obtain from the United States Su- preme Court a review of the opinion of the Court of Appeals voiding the District’s alley-closing law, but instead to put up to Congress the question of making the law éffectivé by amend- meént or abandoning it entirely. The decision was made on recom: mendation of Corporation Counsél Francis H. Stephens, who reported to the Commissioners that application for a writ of cértiorari was the only way to gét the case béfore the Su- preme Court, and that it was doubtful it the court would entértain the matter. & The other courss, Mr. Stéphens pointed out, 18 té abandon the ‘prose- cution in the coutts and léave the mat- ter in the hands of Congréss for such legislation as may be déemed expedi- ent, if any. s “This Taw has been criticized severe- 1y Both as to form and substance,” he said. “The form is uhdoubtedly de- fective, and if such a law is to remain on the statuté books,'in its shape un- énforcable by the courts, it is badly in need of amendment. 1 récommend, thérefore, that the Commissioners adopt the second course and méke a report to thé congressional committees with a suggestion that the law, if one be deemed advisable at the present time, be redrafted.” ASKS TREE-SAVING AND WIDE STREETS, IN CITY PLANNING (Continued from First Page.) mors than 30 years been & leader in a systematie development of the Capital City in accordance with the Washing- ton and L'Enfant plan. The American people, he says, are so used to shaded streets that they do not appreciate fully this element in the beauty of Washington. F “To_foreign visitors, however, the trees form a great attraction in them- selves, and also they serve to hide an architéctute héterogeneous, pretén. tious and essentially cheap. ‘Yot to Ameticans the destruction of the trees seems wanton sacrilege,” this official protest of the Commission of Fine Arts tormgs/ records. The Commission of Find Afts ad- vises the City Planning Commission that it “believes that Washington is the unique city of this country.” “Here all considérations,” it con- tinues, “are subordinate to the treat- ment of the city as the National Cap- ital. Whatever business exists does 80 by reason of the fact that this is a Capital City. Every means, there- fore, should be taken to preserve the homelike character of the city for the benefit of the thousands of people ‘who are employed by the Government and whose presence here makes the business of the city. The homelike character of Washington should al- ‘ways be emphasized.” Scheme Though Feasible. . Tt seems to the Commission of Fine Arts entirely feasible for the National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion to work out a scheme for increas. ing the traffic facilities of the streets and at the same timé presérve a boulevard character along the main thoroughtares. For éxample, Massa- chusetts avenue from the Union Sta. tion to Fourteenth street is in the Sre—————— $3,500 for purchase of two new pas- senger automobiles, $8,500 for the pur- chase of trucks, $10,000 for the re- placement of trees, shrubs, ete. He pointed out to the committee that the $100,000 for Méridian Hill| Park was needed to carry on the work economically. Col. Grant said that provision of small appropriations was very coetly, as each time the con- tractor ‘came to earry out a small piece of work, the full cost of moving his plant was charged, whereas this expense could be avoided by provid- ing for a larger project. U. S, Opens Treasury $489,000.000 in War Debts and Taxes Treasury vaults'were opened today to receive funds running into the hundreds of millions ot dollars, com- ing largely from income tax and war debt payment dncome tax payments due today are expected to approximate $400,000,000, while the war funding operations will account for $89,000,000 more. The largest single debt payment in- volved Great Britain, whose agree: ment called for the turning over of | $67,575,000. T other nations, including ce, made up the list pay $10,000,000, the undin rs. to that | | | i RY FLOORS START TOMORROY Post Office Departmerit to Auction 29 as It Begins to Relinquish Control. The GABRIELE D’ |eral other shrines which the poe! visited. At one place bystanders rec- ognized the conqueror of Fiume and broke into lusty cheers, but he was 'in the toils of mystic detachment from muundane realities and seemed unconscious of the ovation. Only on entering the printing shop | 21a he come back to earth, remarking NNUNZIO. whereby the first page was printed: “In pushing this lever it seems to me that I am hammering a plank in my own coffin.” Definite editions of complete works, | he explained, are traditionally posthu- | mous, 8 a token of gratitude the post opies of the wrist amulet which, he | said, is owned by Mussolini, who has such faith in its luck-bringing powers that he touches it whenever he is in danger. transition stage. What were once well- kept front yards have degenerated until this portion of Massachusetts avenue has in part become a ‘“‘blight- ed district.” The Fine Arts Commis- sion guggests that the National Capi- tal Park and Planning Commission make a study of Massachusetts ave- nue from the Union Station to Four- teénth street with a view to accom- modating an increase of traffic and at the same time making attractive the main thorouhgfare of Washington— the only avenue that will extend un- broken throughotit thé ehtire District. Such a study, when completed, would eerve as a standard for the treatment of New Jersey avenue, both north and south of the Capitol, and of the streets and avenues in Southwest and Southeast.-Washington, where almost slum districts prevail, and yet where the trees are magnifi- cently developed. Southeast Washing- ton. within a mile of the Capitol. is in a deplorablé condition, simply for want of systematic treatment. “There should be no slums in the National Capital,” the Commission of Fine Arts insists. This commission also puts on ree- ord. that it has noticed “with grave concern the glaringly inadequate ap- propriations made, for the planting and care of trees.” The superintendent of trees and parking estimates that $400,000 is neéded for the propagation and plant- ing of trées in Washinigton, whereas the - appropriations aré less than $100,000. As a result of these inade- quate -appropriations empty tree spaces prevail even around the most significant parks. Thus around La- fayette Square there are on the north side two empty tree spaces, on the east, five, and on the west side three. Among the most magnificent elms in the ¢ity are those in andsaround La- fayette Square, and yet Mo provision s being made to repldes the trees that have disappeared through storm and stress. Trees do not last forever and they do not grow overnight. “Immediate steps should be taken to6 replace the elms that have been lost: to Lafavette Square,” the Com- mission of Fine Arts demands. Take Time to Grow. “In the newly developed district of the Northeast it will be fifteen years befors the trees attain any appreciable elze and as a result that Whole area when seen from the hills about Wash- ington looks like a tented field. Pro- vision should be made for an adequate aboretum to supply trees 10 to 15 old for planting in the streets €hington. Moreover, the soil in the tree spaces should be carefully prepared o as to compensate as much as possible for the lack of moisture due to paving of the streets. Paris and Boston provide iron gratings to admit moisture and prevent the gloven- ly appearance of uncared for tree spaces euch as prevail in Washington. "It i8 common practice nowadays to plant trees from 8 to 12 inches in di- ameter. Such trees muset be grown specially for the City of Washington, Dbécause no nursery in the country could supply the trees necessary for the replanting of trees of proper size on Cénnecticut avenue alone, where signply saplings have been planted. When etreets are to be widened, the appropriation should be sufficient to cover the replanting of fair-sized trees. This is quite as important as provision for resetting curbs.” None Is More Deserving. The Commission of Fine Arts - clally notified the City Planning C:r:‘- mission that it believes “there is no project in the planning of the District of Columbia which deserves more thor- ough, adequate and comprehensive study than the planting and care of trees.” When arrangements were be- ing made for the new Federal build- ings in the triangle south of Pennsyl- vania avenue to the Mall, under the $50,000,000 program already started, the Commission of Fine Arts called attention to the need for well planted and well developed courts. It is with a view to supplementing those sugges- tions that the commission now urges upon the National Capital Park and Planning Commission the immediate study of the tree problem in connec- tion with street widening. i, FLAG RITES TONIGHT. The sesquicentennial Flag day dem. onstration, halted by rain last night, will be held at 7:30 o'clock tonight on the east front of the Capitol. The ceremonies will be opened by a concert by the United States Marine Band, following which a pageant, en- titled “Our Flag,” will be given. The patriotic services are being held under the auspices of the Department of the Potomae, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Woman's Relief Corps. | lé\e{lj. Gen. John L. Clem will pre. | Vaults to Receive | fled. Embassy circles said the pay ment would not be made the occasion by the French government for at- tempting immediately to reopan the debt question and press for more favorable term: * The new French Ambassador, Paul Claudel, discussed the subject with both Secretaries Mellon and Kel- logg and' it {s understood that he wa: informed the United States was not r?vorlbla to beginning new discus- sions. banteringly before touching the lever | members of the publishing house | Post Office Department, ng to a close its production r mail drama about August g down the curtain on an tivity which had a successful run than three years in Washingt vears ago. The personnel of th. ifimernmfln' ® air mail service s | being taken care of and its material | will find its way intd the hands of | new masters, The department will begin in earnest to relinquish eontrol over the air mail service in favor of private contractc tomorrow, with the auction ef 20 Douglas planes. The “ships’ ) the highest bl remen in of | bringi t | W. Iy « |street and Pennsy | noon As these machines are suitable only for carrying mail, the postal author | ties anticipate that c c ested In continuing t | bid. Eight of the planes will at not less than $7.000 each; 13 at [not less than $6.000 each, and 8 at | not less than $5,000 each. Airway to Be Taken Over. As a further step in the retireme t Office Depar field, the Depart will_take over thi rom New York to Salt Lak and the radio service July 1. he repair_depot and warehouse at Maywood, Ill, near Chicago, will be moved to the east end of the trans- continental system on that date. The Washington personnel of the service will be absorbed by the co tract air mail service, which will a sume the same relation to the priva air mail contractors as does the rai way mail service to the rail 1 with whom they make contra carrying the mails. Practi the pilots now in the Gov gervice will be taken over by t operators of the routes, so tnat airmen wijll have their old jobs w new bosses. President Coolidge, in keeping with a law recently passed, is expected t issue an executive order directing t hangars and other equipme: needed by the Government at this time be turned over to communities along the mail alrways that hava al- lowed the Government the use of their fields and sted municipal fiying the service. Equipment that might prove serviceable for other Govern- ment departments will be placed with the * chief co-ordinator for suitable distribution. Post Offices to Handle Mall. The post offices at the points in- térested will handle the mail tra: mitted by airplanes. By August the Government expects (o be entir out of the mail-carrying business air, retaining only that supervisfon that it does over other contrfict agencies. Thus will close a service that stagged in Washington May 15, 1918—the air mail route to be established in country. With the aid of the Department, which gave men and chines, the service was conductedjbe- tween here and New York. The sister department co-opel until August 12, 1918. Then the Office Department took over com operation and the servige cant! until May 31, 1921. ks The first leg of the transcontin New York-San Francisco route ws augurated between Cleveland Chicago, May_15, 1919, and nigh! ing between New York and Chipago startéd July 1, 1925, PLANS FOR AIRPORT RUSHED TO SAVE Al MAIL STOP FOR QJTY. (Continued from First Page. Philadelphia, which will conduet the New York-Atlanta line, was the only bidder {n February for the service. It has agreed to carry mail for §3 & pound, including equipment. It will furnish six planes at once and two are to be held in reserve, and plans to have 11 machines additional as an emergency reserve. The distance between the two termini is approxi- mately 778 miles. The Government will be paid 10 cents per half ounce for the right to carry the mails over this route. Harold F. Pitcairn, president of the company,yis a University of Penn- sylvania man, born June 20, 1897, and received his ground school trailning in the service, completing his course in 1919. In addition to looking for- ward to launching his New York- Atlanta air mail service soon, Mr. Pitcairn is interested in plate glass manufacture, photo products and aerial mapping. Tells of Cost Division, G. 8. Childs, general manager of Pitcairn Aviation, Inc., in a letter to The Star today said: “From.the va- rious interviews we have had we jus assume that the National Capital will not fail to provide a landing field, or some temporary substitute until the municipal field is provided. We hava been told that Baitimore has made & large appropriation for the davelop- ment of a_commercial fleld. and, of course, it Washington does not provide any facilities, we will be compelled to petition the Post Office Department to designate Baltimore as a stop in place of Washington.” Mr. Childs gaid under the working arrangements his company has with the department “we are not espected to supply landing fields. The division of reeponsibility is as follows: The Government lights airways and provides the emergency landing flelds: the municipalities are expected to sup- ply the local landing field and light it and we are called .upon to operate the route with all of the expense incl- dent thereto.” The principle upon which this divi- slon is based is clear, Mr. Childs added, “when you realize that theair- way is not for the sole use of the air mail operator. In other words, any plane can také advantage of the bea- cons and emergency landing flelds. So far as the local municipal fleld is concerned, this serves the interests of local air enthusiasts just as much as it serves the air malil operator.” GETS -P-OST IN NICARAGUA. Col. Beadle of U. 8. Marines Chief of Guardia Nacional Col. E. R. Beadle of the Marine Corps, now on duty at Parris Island, S. C., has been appointed chief of the Guardia Nacional of Nicaragua, the new constabulary being formed in that country in accordance with terms of the Stimson peace agreement. Col. Beadle, a native of Virginia, was directed to report to Marine Corpt headquarters here today, and upon completion of temporary duty will proceed to Corinto to take over his new assignment. Capt. J. H. Parker of Ohio also has been detached from duty at Parris Island Marine Barracks for assign- Premier Poincare's recent announce- ment that France would attempt to ::b:l’nfl ;:lc;t‘u”tf'r;n: u_.nnrdu here nee’ policy and not to te an ment with the new constabulary. ——— The mouth of the Amazon River larger thap contains an_island Btate