Evening Star Newspaper, November 22, 1928, Page 4

T e% LEAK ON VESTRIS | IGNORED % HOURS Stream of Water Began to Pour Through Hopper Sun- day, Fireman Says. « boat on the port side which was then being filled with passengers, men and women. The boat would not go all the way to the water, he said, because the falls were not working. So he and another member of the crew cut it loose with their knives. ‘They were about to Jower one of the boats, he said, when the ship turned over. Children Thrown Out. “The lifeboat rested on the ship's side,” he said. “I jumped as the ship turned over. The women and children who were in that lifeboat were thrown out into the water as the ship went over.” Boxill sald that after swimming about in the wreckage for a few minutes he found = lifeboat that had tipped over. Its occupants were in the water, he said, and some of the men were trying to right it. “I held on to the side” he said, “until I saw some dead children and women there. That made me kind of dizzy, so I took off most of my clothes, 80 I could swim Better, and swam away. “Finally, I saw one of the engineer’s mess on a large plece of wreckage—a piece about six feet square. I swam over and stayed with him unil it was dark. There was another man on the piece of wreckage, t0o, & passenger. Caught Deserted Raft. “We saw a raft floating near, and Isaid to the engineer's messman, ‘Slim, come on—let’s go over there.’ “Slim couldn’t swim, so I went after the raft and towed it over and got Slim on it. The other man got on, t0o. “Then Slim yelled that he'd got a cramp. He couldn't hold on any more, so he slipped off. I don’t know if it was midnight then or not—but it was mighty dark. The other fellow said something in Spanish, end he sliped , 100. ofi“flm raft had lost its ballast then, so it turned over, and I had to swim around until it turned back again. Then 1 saw a flare—a red flare—but it looked & million miles away. “I went to sleep than mever knew anything more until I woke ”up'on the ‘Wyoming Tuesday morning. Heard No Order Changed. G t. Jessup then asked if any officer n(c:r?e Vest.rl: after it was found that lifeboat No. 4 could not be low- ered all the way to the water, gave any orders to get the women and children out of the boat. “No order &t all,” Boxill said. Tuttle then remarked that he thought 1t right at this time to say that all evi- dence so far adduced tended to show that the negro members of the crew showed pnlset\:’oxthym o'bed.\mce and at brave rroughout. gT?‘I thmkeriyt only fair to make this statement,” he said, “in view of certain reports which have been circulated that there was insubordination and cowardice among the negroes on the Vestris. Interpreter Takes Stand. Henry Tilford, an interpreter, then took the stand. He had interpreted for a German passenger who testified early the hearing. mHe said that on the night of the day the Vestris sank he went to the Lam- port & Holt Line to ask about a friend on the Vestris. He was told, he said, that the office force was exhausted be- cause it had been working on the case for 2‘:" hours. SRR A He quoted an ass saying two aguaplanes had been sent to the rescue of the Vestris passengers. Mrs. Tilford then testified to being at the Lamport & Holt office at 8 o'clock Monday night and f::)elnx told all the passengers were safe. She also quated officials as saying the farced had :o;en working all Sunday night and Monday. ‘g’revmus testimony had indicated that the line knew nothing of the Vestris distress \cxlnm after the S O S was sent out Monday morning. Charles Gery, it passenger traffic manager of the Lamport & Holt line, next sa.:: l'l":um some recollection of speaking L “I really don't recall the nature of the conversation at all” he said. “I don't remember saying anything of working Sunday night and I know I said nothing of any aquaplanes being sent out.” He said he was not at the office from Saturday noon until 9 a.m. Monday and heard nothing dbout the Vestris until about 10:15 a.m. Monday. “Were you the first in your office to learn of the S O §?” Tuttle asked. “Apparently I was. I heard from some newspaper that called up.” Clerk Recalls Couple. A Lamport & Holt clerk was then called and remembered seeing the Til- fords, but said he told them none of the things they said they were told. Capt. William Banbra, who preceded Capt. Willlam Carey as master of the Vestris, was the next witness. He commanded the Vestris from Sep- tember 21 to November 8 of this year. The ship sailed on its last voyage on November 10. “She was a seaworthy ship,” he said. “Had you been in severe storms with her?” Tuttle asked. “On one trip.” “Were any reports made to you of leaks?” “Never.” “Did you ever inspect the lifeboats personally?” “We had a drill on each trip, swing- ing the boats out empty, but not lower- ing them into the sea.” Capt. Banbra saild he was still in command of the Vestris when it un- derwent it's inspection before sailing on its last voyage. Praises Captain Who Died. He sald the ship was undamaged Inspected Vestris CAPT. EDWARD KEANE, Assistant United States inspector of hulls, who pronounced the steamship Vestris safe shortly before the start of the fatal voyage. He is shown as he appeared at the investigation in New York. vinced, into the leaks through the rows of portholes on the starboard side. We had testimony that water fountained in through them. We had evidence also that the need for the repair of these ports had been reported in writing. We bave not learned that the repairs ever ‘were made by the line.” Many Have Testified. In six days the chief engineer, the chief officer, ranking llving officer of the Vestris, and the chief fireman and members of the crew and passengers have testified. As the inquiry before United States Commissioner O'Neill, Capt. Jessup and Capt. McConkey, the nautical adviser appointed by the British government, proceeded through its sixth day, the in- vestigators of the United States steam- boat inspection also questioned pas- sengers, inspectors and members of the crew. John J. Short, surveyor for Lloyds of London, the maritime insurance agency that handled the Vestris ac- count, testified before the steamboat inspectors’ inquiry that he believed “something must have given away. The listing of the ship should not have caused her to founder.” In his inspection of the ship last August he said he found her “in per- fect condition.” He declared the ports through which it has been testified water leaked were properly fitted with gaskets which should have made them water-tight and her pumps were capable of pumping out more water in an hour than the amount it is estimated caused her to take the dangerous list from which she finally turned over and sank. Says Firm Was Careful. He said the line was the most careful of any with which he had to deal. Capt. Bambra of the Lamport & Holt Line, who was in command of the Vestris on the last voyage before her fatal journey, told the inspectors she was one of the finest ships he ever sailed. vi Carlos Quiros, chancellor of the Argentine consulate, who was a passen- ger on the ship, testified he had been warned by friends that she was unsea- worthy before he booked passage. produced two letters which were read the court. Two other passengers, M. Walcott of British Guinea and G. B. alle, & Brazilian, testified that the dangerous condition of the vessel was apparent to them long before the SOS was sent out. They both criticized officers and crew for the manner in which the life- boats were lowered. They said the boats were not properly manned by members of the crew after launching. In contrast to the testimony of sev- eral of the passengers that the lifeboats were leaky and in poor repair the four officers of the American Shipper, the boat which rescued over 100 of the an ers and crew, testified that the ts which they took survivors appeared to be in excellent condition. Capt..Schuyler Cummings of the Amer- ican Shipper said they appeared to have withstood 24 hours’ battering by the sea in fine shape. They were not taken aboard, he said, because he did not want to overwork his tired crew. in Furniture a phenomenal success. The purpose of the sale is to niture. 1 Room Suite .. He | Pt to Two-piece Living Room Suite . Solid Mahogany Occasional Chair... ' THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTOX;, It € RULES GIRL CLERKS UNDER 8-HOUR LAW Corporation Counsel’s Opin- ion Establishes Equality With Saleswomen. Corporation Counsel William W. Bride in an opinion today before the District Commissioners, held that all female ‘bookkeepers, stenographers and other clerical workers in mercantile establish- ments come under the operation of the La Follette eight-hour law of 1914. The opinion was made in response to a re- quest of the Merchants and Manufac- turers’ Association that the clerical workers be exempted, and that the law be restricted in scope to the workers in other branches. The request was made for the Merchants and Manufacturers’ Asso- clation by Maurice D. Rosenberg, its counsel, under date of November 5. The question, Mr. Rosenberg said, was one “of mammoth importance to the mer- cantile interests of this district, espe- cially during the holiday season, when the great volume of work in their audit and clerical departments entails a vast amount of labor and wherein they are very much embarrassed in the matter of bookkeeping entries, maliling out statements and in other necessary branches of their office departments. More Than Loss of Money. “This embarrassment,” Mr. Rosen- berg continued, “means not alone a loss of money, but a loss of necessary help, as the character of work requires preliminary training, for persons who fill th itions in such departments of their business.” Mr. Rosenberg stated that it had been called to attention that the attorney general of New York had ren- dered an opinion to the effect that the female labor law of New York State was not intended to limit the hours of labor of woman office workers employed by manufacturars and mercantile dealers, Mr. Bride, in his opinion, goes into the history of the passage of the Dis- trict legislation in 1914, and after ex- tensive flouuou from the record of the hearing on the bill before the com- mittees sald: “Throughout the hearings the proponents of the act and the op- ponents as well granted that the act would cover the sales forces of mere cantile establishments with respect to female office employes. One employer pointed out that he would be required to supplant the services of female office employes with males if the act became law, contending that there were times when the nature of his business de- manded the working of additional time to that prescribed as constituting a full day's work.” Debates Considered. “After a careful examination of the hearings and the debates in Congress,” Mr. Bride continued, “there can be no question but that body, when it enacted this law, did not intend to apply the provisions of this act to those females enxl_:ged in the buying and selling of merchandise llr;du to excl:d‘e t{:;lr fel- low workin; engaged in the con- duct of t.heglgn.ln of the establisnment in the offices. “Of the fact that those actually en- gaged in the buying and selling of com- modities are engaged in mercantile ursuits, there can be no question; but following the definitions to their logical conclusions a fair interpretation of the term would include those employes who are engaged, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of the mercantile establish- ments. The ends to be accomplished would logically seem to govern rather than the means.” . BURGLAR ALARM SET OFF. Startled Treasury Officialg Discover Clerk Is Accidental Cause. ‘The burglar alarm in the Treasury Department went off unexpectedly to- day, setting into immediate action the wg}flex electric and guard machinery, closing and bolting every great steel door around the huge treasure chest. Investigation by startled officials dis- closed that a clerk had accidentally touched off the alarm, and the gates again were swung open for business. ——Dr MoLL'S Individuality in Furniture at De Moll’s Friday Remnant Day and Pianos Remnant Day in our Furniture Department has proven We offer most unusual values. close out all odd lots of Fur- Practically all Furniture in stock over three months is included in this sale. This will keep our stock fresh and right up to the minute. You have choice of the latest and best in worth-while Furniture—the kind that will gracd with credit the finest homes in Washington. Come ‘here tomorrow prepared to buy furniture for quality at extraordinarily reduced prices. Tomorrow’s Furniture Remnants Ten-piece Walnut and Gum Dining Formerly Reduced to $475.00 $225.00 $300.00 $225.00 $40.00 [ Aaiem woure] GENERAL DEPLORES LOUIS OTTENBERG, Who will address a dinner meeting of the Voteless League of Women Voters at the American Association of Uni- versity Women tonight on the history of Washington, and some reasons why the District should have national repre- sentation. 1 ELD I BA AITO S SEIZED Finding of Liquor Reported by Vice Squad—Three Women Taken. Sergt. O. J. Letterman and his vice squad raided an apartment house in the 2500 block of Fourteenth street last night about 10:30 o'clock, breaking up a party, making 13 arrests and seizing five pints of whisky and an automobile. A second car would have been seized, but the driver left the front of the apartment house in a hurry when tip- ped off on the raid. Helen Louise Sowers, 28 years old, and Mary Helen Vass, 26, tWwo women arrested, are said by the police to be occupants of the apartment raided. The former was charged with keeping a disorderly house and required to post $50 collateral. other woman and Joseph Greg- ory, who gave his age as 44 years and a Fifteenth street address, were held on a statutory charge. James Frank Mangum, 31 years old, 900 block of M street, and Frank Joseph Palumbo, 26, 900 block of Eleventh street, were arrested on charges of illegal possession and transporting. Mangum'’s car was seized. They reputedly were brought to the apartment by a ruse. After the raiders telephoned for re- freshments, Palumbo is -alleged to have responded with three pints of liquor, while Mangum is alleged to have pro- duced two pints. ‘When the men appeared and saw the gathering, it is stated, they suspected a trap and offered to contribute the liquor, Eight men in the party were held on charges of disorderly conduct. Ten others called while the raid was still in progress. They quickly changed their minds about participating in the party, however, and were permitted to leave. ASSOCIATION TO MEET. ‘The first meeting of the Alice Deal Memorial = Association, organized re- cently in honor of Alice Deal, educator and one of the founders of the Junior and Summer High Schools here, will be held at 8 tonight in the Columbia Helghts Community Center, Wilson Normal School Building, Eleventh and Harvard streets. Officers of the association are: Frank J. Sobotka, president; Mrs. Jerry South, vice president; Miss Jessie Smith, sec- retary, and Mrs. N. E. McIndoo, treas- urer. Plans are on foot to have one of the newer school buildings named after Alice Deal, preferably the Reno. LACK OF ARMORY Hammond Tells Veterans of Foreign Wars Government Breaks Own Rules. Fallure of the Federal Government to provide an armory for the District of Columbia National Guard was criticized by Maj. Gen. C. C. Hammond, chief of the Militia Bureau, at a banquet of the Veterans of Forelgn Wars in the Hamilton Hotel last night in honor of their new commander-in-chief, Lieut. Eugene P. Carver, jr., of Boston. Declaring that “it is a shame” that the District has no armory, Gen. Ham- mond said the Federal Government will not recognize a State national guard until the State has erected an armory- for housing the guardsmen, adding that the National Government does not iol~ low its own regulations—the District coming under the jurisdiction of the National Government. Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan, com- = THURSDAY; NOVEMBER 22; 1928 “Big Ten” Chairman COL. DON SAWYER, administration and advocated a pension for all World War veterans who are iisabled, without requiring them to show mander of the District of Columbia National Guard, had previously told of his cfforts to secure an armory here, adding that his efforts last year were | inj blocked by a Senator and a Representa- tive. He expressed the hope, however, that he will have better luck, Col. E. J. Ijams, assistant director of the United States Veterans' Bureau, stressed the need of an adequate na- tional defense. Lieut. Carver outiined plans for his Future financial independence? Visit our Savings Department. chi Financial advice? Consult our officers. Safe funds for traveling? Buy our Travelers checks. that their disability was a result of service. Greetings were delivered at the meet- by Paul J. McGehan, District of Columbia department commander of the Military Order ofthe World War, and by Paul C. Wolman, junior vice com- mander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Capt. Franz Lockhead, District of Columbia dcpartment com- mander of the Veterans of Foreign ‘Wars, presided at the meeting. Protection for valuables? See our Safe Deposit Depart ment. A mortgage on your property? Consult our Loan Defpartment. Funds for the education of your Idren? Ask our Savings Department. Financial protection for your family? Consult our Trust Department. —_ A confidential interview on ments would be welcomed. Lincoln National Bank 7th & D Sts. Special your banking require- 17th & H Sts. R ECE a timely v | dent, “BIG TEN” ALUMNI HERE TO HOLD ANNUAL DANCE Affair Saturday Night Will Mark End of Foot Ball Season in Western Conference. ‘The annual “round-up” and dance of the alumni and former students of the Western Conference universities will be held at the Washington Hotel Saturday night to celebrate the conclusion of the conference’s foot ball season and to acclaim the victor, it was announced today by Col. Don Sawyer, chairman of the arrangements committee. More than 300 former members of the student bodies of the “Big Ten” | universities will be present and the entertainment program includes, be- sides the dancing, card parties and the grand march which is to be led by the representatives of the institution which will have won the conference foot ball pennant. Refreshments will be served. ‘The alumni members will include Everett Sanders, secretary to the Presi- and Dr. George E. McLean, former president of the University of Towa. . “Your druggist is more than a mer- chant,” says an advertising slogan. “True, true,” comments the El Dorado Times. ‘“Ours is everything but a SCHOOL BOARD BACKS 24-HOUR SANITARIUM Wants “Any Workable Plan” to Care for Tuberculosis Children. The board yesterday went on record as favoring “any workable plan” by which tubercular childsen of the Dis- trict could receive 24-hour sanitarium treatment. At its meeting two weeks ago the board withheld action on a report of Dr. Ballou expressing op- gosnlon to the changing of the present ealth schools into virtual sanitariums by establishing a 24-hour schedule in place of the present school-day hours, The Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis was active in urging the 24-hour plan, but because of technical difficuities of administration Dr. Balloy opposed the scheme as it then existed. Following the action of the board esterday, Dr. Ballou announced that e is “entirely in sympathy with the action the board has just taken: there is a real need for such a sanitarium." ‘The board received notice from the District Commissioners yesterday that a contract for the construction of the new 16-room Langdon School, with combination auditorium-gymnasium, at blacksmith, and he informs us he will | a cost of $261,300, had been let to the order horseshoes on demand.” Loehler Construction Co. Week. End Sale Blooming Plants I Begonias & Primroses, $1.25 I CARNATIONS $1.50 Doz. ROSES $1.50 Doz. C & C Flower Stores Funeral Flowers Delivered Free—Nominal Charge on Other Orders 807 14th Street Franklin 5423 804 17th Street Franklin 10391 Something For Your Home Pre-Thanksgivin—g—Sale Occasional Chairs Your Choice, $1 6 WE have made a special purchase of these chairs from one of the leading furniture factories of today. Beautifully turned woodwork and a vast variety of attrac- tive coverings characterize these charming pieces. They are an unusual value at this exceptionally low figure. Baum's 1108 Connecticut Avenue Oriental TRADE MARK Rugs at Public Auction REGISTERED. Importer’s Sale of a Ma'g'nificentf Collection Oriental Floor Coverings Embracing all the fine weaves of the Orient from extra large carpets to scatter sizes and mats. by a slight contact with a freighter in the harbor. “How long had you known Capt. Carey?” Tuttle asked. “‘Oh, 20 years.” “What was his reputation as a cap- tain?” “An excellent seaman.” “If reports about needed repairs were made by members of the crew of a ship you commanded, who would they g0 to?” “To the head of his department,and | if they were important, to me or to the | superintendent ashore.” “Were any reports given to the super- intendent after your last trip?" “I believe so—by the chief officer, who is now in England.” “When did he sail for England?’ * “November 10, the same day the s sailed.” hat was his reputation?” “Good.” Probers Still in Dark. At the opening of the seventh day of the inquiry today officials sald that they still were in the dark as to what caused the Joss of the liner. “How a thousand tons or more of sea water got into the ship beyond | what was pumped out is a mystery still to us despite all this testimony,” said Capt. J. A. Jessup, American nautical adviser, at the inquiry. “The complete saturation of the coal bunk- ers is the explanation of the loss of the ship, but the court has been unable to learn how such a great quantity of water got in there. The various leaks described by the chief engineer and others do not give us the key.” United States Attorney Charles H. Tuttle concurred in this view, saying: “It still remains unexplainable, We shall have to go further, I am con- To Be Sold at Public Auction Within Our Galleries 715 13th Street Today and Friday, November 22d and 23d, 1928 at 2 P. M. Each Day Also Special Evening Session Thursday, Nov. 22d, at 8 P. M. On Exhibition up to hour of Sale Each Day Note—The above sale offers the Washington publi lc a won- derful opportunity to obtain high grade Eflmmprnn at prace tically their own prices as this sale is for the account of one :t the largest importers in New York, who is overstocked and lesires to liquidate part of his stock immediately. An Oriental Rug makes an ideal holiday gift, Solid Mahogany Chippendale Chair.. $148.00 Walnut Occasional Chair........... $22.50 Davenport Table Desk.............. $98.00 Mahogany and Gum Spinet Desk. . $53.00 Mahogany and Gum Spinet Desk.... $50.00 Mahogany Cabinet Desk. . $57.00 Decorated Nest of Tables . $59.50 Three-piece Fibre Set, with separate spring cushions ...... Walnut Console Table... Decorated Drop-leaf Tables. Decorated End Table..... Decorated End Table..... Mahogany End Table...... Mahogany-finish End Table. Solid Mahogany Sewing Cabinet 1 Solid Mahogany Sewing Cabinet. $25.00 Decorated Sewing Cabinets. ..... . $12.00 Cane Seat Chairs and Rockers. ... Up to $20.00 De MO].I Fli'i:i‘:loll‘e Co. TWELFTH & G STS. Pianos—Victrolas—Radios—Furniture 1 i i 1 1 % 1 1 1 1 $96.00 $50.00 $27.50 $39.00 $17.50 $15.00 $7.50 $39.50 £ Christmas Gifts We will be pleased to pack them in Holiday Boxes—for Christmas Giving. CIROSNEIRS 1325.F. STREET Sizes 133 to 17 Terms: Cash C. G. Sloan & Co.. Inc., Auctioneers.