Evening Star Newspaper, October 8, 1929, Page 2

2 a%y UNIFORM TRAFFIC l16TH STREET SALES RECORDS GIVE BASIS -FOR PROTESTS { [ IPOLICEMAN BEAT MARION OFFICERS LIGHTS ARE SOUGHT s .rvey Reveats Volume of Tesnsadeions| HER, WOMAN SAYS| FREED OF MURDER Numerically Low—Prices, Howeyer. Largely Support Assessor. Survey of Situation Ordered at Meeting of District Council of A. A. A. Something must be done in the near future toward linking together the va- rious at present unrelated trafic light systems in the Capital, it was generally agreed by all parties concerned, includ- ing Trafic Director W. H. Harland, at a meeting of the District Traffic Council last night in the boardroom of the American Automobile Association. To that end J. Rowland Bibbins, con- sulting engineer, whose report on a par- tial survey of the traffic situation in the Capital was presented the meeting last night, and Trafic Director Harland were instructed to get together, consider the points where co-ordination of traf- fic light systems is most needed at pres- ent and figure the approximate cost of installation of the necessary machinery, s0 that the matter can be presented to Congress by the council at the earliest possible date. Last night's meeting started out with a clash between Mr. Harland and Mr. Bibbins over points stressed by Mr. Bib- bins in his 75-page Teport on a master signal plan as adapted to Washington and the criticism contained in Mr. Bib- bins’ report that under the present light system in the Capital the capacity of the streets is not used to the fullest ex- This is the third of teenth street. The fourt) series of reicle wil articles discussing the zoning of lower Siz- appear tomorrow. BY DON S. WARREN. “We cannot rent and we cannot sell our houses at reasonable figures. Sixteenth street no longer is a desirable residential location because of high classification. at any price. The study made by The Star of the best avallable record of sales records during the past six years shows that there ic & basis for this “battle cry.” The study shows also, however, that these records give ald and comfort in larger measure to Tax Assessor Richards in supporting his assessed values placed on lower Six- teenth street properties—that is, if the best available reports of sale prices paid for properties in transactions during the past six years are to be judged on their face value. ‘The compilation of sales records, ob- tained from the tax assessor's office, shows rather clearly also that while 1eal estate transactions in this section have not been stagnant during the past six years, the volume of the sales of prop- erties, in numerical number of owner- ship changes, has been low in compari- son with other residential sections. tent and that thereby traffic is 1mpeded| Sales Subject to Analysis by the lights. Advocate of Speed. Under what he termed the gressive” system of traffic signals, Mr. Bibbins claimed that speed on the streets would be greatly raised without attendant cutting down of the safety factor. Mr. Harland took issue with Mr. Bibbins on several details of his plan and a lively clash between the two traf- fic experts ensued for about half an hour. The discussion waxed warm, but was brought to a clos> when question- ing by several members of the council disclosed the fact that Mr. Harland is in hearty sympathy with the general plan as outlined by the Bibbins repori and is planning to co-ordinate his traf- fic light system as soon as possibie. ‘While no definite action was taken on Bibbins' report, the document was held by the council to embody practically all the details of the principles of traffic light installation approved by the council two and a half years ago. At that time the council called for ex- tensive study and traffic counts to de- termine the actual needs of the city, then installation of a co-ordinated traffic light system designed to make the best use of the streets in the Cap- ital and to expedite traffic flows at the highest rate without jeopardizing the safety factors. Controversy Is Stopped. It was upon the motion of J. H. Hanna, president of the Capital Trac- tion Co., that Mr. Bibbins and Mr. Harland stopped their technical dis- cussion of the merits and demerits of their respective systems of traffic con- trol, and also upon Mr. Hanna’s motion that the twe experts were detailed to find out how much the change to the “pro- | It should be borne in mind, however, as it is by the assessors, that quoted sales considerations though accurate are subject to analysls and interpretation. While a consideration may be properly quoted, say, at $500,000, light is shed on the transaction when details are known. In such a sale, for instance, one prop- erty may be traded for another with very little cash jnvolved. Indeed, no cash may be involved. Then there may be a situation where a buyer's re- quirements call for one particular site, rather than some other available locn- tion, making it reasonable for this indi- vidual buyer to pay a higher price than would be the normal “market value” to the ordinary prospect. Such circumstances are known to have prevailed in several of the 14 sales transactions on lower Sixteenth street properties in the past six years. How- ever, no attempt is made in this study to analyze individual cases and the re- ported sales considerations as compiled by the tax assessor’s office are quoted herewith for what they may indicate on their face value. Here are the facts as revealed by the files of the tax assessor, without identi- fications of the individual parcels sold: 17 Changes of Ownership. During the past six years there have been a total of 17 changes of property ownership on lower Sixteenth street, ex- clusive of seven “transfers” of title which, according to the best informa- tion available, did not indicate bona fide sales transactions. Of these 17 property ownership changes, three were found to be fore- closures by “default.” The remaining 14 appear from the records to have been actual sales. This amounts to an aver- i co-ordinated system of light control ‘would cost. The council also asked the experts to find out how much a survey of traf- fic conditions by a qualified engineer would cost. While no definite action was taken, the council indicated a gen- eral approval of the suggestion mi by Mr. Bibbins that a thorough traf- fic survey should be made at least every two years. Mr. Harland estimated that such a survey would cost about $35,000 and would be cheap at this price. Representatives of the traction com- panies, the Board of Trade, the Ame: ican Automobile Association, the Cham- ber of Commerce, the Merchants’ and Manufacturers’ Association, the Fed- eration of Citizens’ Associations, the Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Associa- tion and the Automotive Trade Associa- tion make up the membership of the ‘Traffic Council, which acts in _an un- official, advisory clruclty in trafic mat- ters in the Capital. ‘The meeting was adjourned without definite action on the Bibbins report, subject to call by the chairman, George ‘W. Offutt, jr. - SR M’NAB LAYING PLANS FOR NEW DRY STATUTE Restoration of Federal Court Dig- nity Called “Staggering” Task. By the Assoclated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, October 8.—John L. McNab, San Francisco attorney, re- turned from Washington yesterday with the announcement that he was about to begin drafting legislation for better pro- hibition enforcement and relief of Fed- eral ccurt congestion. McNab was chosen by President Hoover to plan a statute to take admin- istrative machinery of prohibition en- forcement from the Treasury ment and place it under the jurisdic- tion of the Department of Justice. “The staggering part of the task that President Hoover has asked me to un- dertake is that of restoring the Federal courts to their former position of re- spect in the eyes of the people of the United States,” said McNab. “Prohibition has brought into the Federal courts a tremendous number of cheap misdemeanor cases that have re- duced the dignity of these high tribunals to the common level of ice courts. ‘To correct this evil we shall have to bring more judges into crowded dis- tricts. or increase the number and pow- ers of Federal commissioners, or create :: inferior Federal court, or do all ENVOY PRESENTS PUPILS’ ALBUMS TO RED CROSS Colombian Minister Praises Relief Agency in Gesture of Inter- national Fellowship. Accomplishments of the Red Cross were praised today by Dr. Enriq Olaya, Minister of Colombia, in pra senting to the American Red Cross five Junior Red Cross albums prepared by the students of a school in Bogota. Co- lombia. The exercises were held in the patio of the Pan-American Union Building. ‘The Minister declared the Bogota students sent the gift “to their com- rades in the various schools of the United States as a token of comrade- ship and friendship and as a symbo) of the solidarity in which they are united by the high ideals which the Red Cross * pursues, ideals to which the American Junior Red Cross makes a most im- portant contribution, nmenhndlu ing, l of brotherhood, of good of admiration and of courage in alleviation of human suffering wherever it is found.” Judge John Barton Payne, national tor of the American Red Oross, ting the books, asserted they eig- n “the evenness of the Red Cross throughout the world.” . .. {cultural o has et developed in. Erance duces its own fuel gas from charcosl. AN € | sideration A age of two and a third sales per year. In addition to these figures, inspaction of this section of Sixteenth streei shows that seven dwellings there have either “for sale” or “for rent” signs now dis- played on the different properties. The front lawn of one dwelling now has a considerable stand of ‘un-cut grass intermingled with weeds. Support for the assessments of Mr. Richards is found, however, even in the records of the three foreclosure sales during this period. Two of the three, on the face of reported figures, show that the sale price was in excess of the assessment. One property, assessed this year at $280,368, for land and building, was sold in January on default for a total “consideration” of $209,200. The price was $59,200 plus assumption of an outstanding trust of $240,000. Thisisa hotel property. A second of the foreclosure sales, ac- cording to Mr. Richards' information, involved an apartment property having an assessed total value as of 1927 amounting to $92,250. which was sold for default in August of that year for a total “consideration” of $105,000. The assessments, the noise and confusion of a busy traffic artery and the presence of all manner of business on nearby commercial areas.” This has been the shibboleth of property owners on lower Sixteenth street in petitioning for relief through & proposed change of the zoning of the Sixteenth | whether the charge of assault which |[that he had accepted a non-suit in street stretch from H street to Sccit Circle from residential to first commercial gle kt & iad Some even had declared that it was impossible to get & buyer or renter having a site of 3.360 square feet, which had an assessed value of $125200 in 1925, was sold in for a consideration of $140,000. A residence located in square 183, which was assessed in 1927 at a total of $31,410, was sold in December of that year for a consideration of $35,000. twelfth of the cases concerns a residential property in square 199, which was assessed in 1925 at a total of $40,400. The sales consideration was not obtained, but it was shown there was & trust of $20,000 on the property. The thirteenth case concerns a build- ing site which had an assessed valua- tion of $15 per square foot in March, 1925 when it was sold for a reported sale consideration ranging from $23 to $25 per square foot for the reported parcels concerned. After the site was improved the assessed valuation was raised to $22 per square foot. The fourteenth case concerned a site composad of two parcels, the average assessment rate on which was $36 per square foot as of 1928. No definite in- formation could be obtained as to the price paid. Four houses in the lower Sixteenth street section now bear “for sale” signs. There no doubt are others which owners would like to sell, but there are but four with signs. How do the first quoted sales prices compare with the assess- ments? ‘The study made by The Star shows that in two cases the price asked 1is below the assessment, in one case the price is slightly above the assessment for the current year. and the fourth shows the price asked to be well above the current assessment. Here are the figures: First residence, sale price asked, $45,000, assessment $48,970; second residence. sale $18,000 and assessment $24,63f residence, sale price asked $35,000 and assessment $33,500; fourth residence, sale price $150,000 and asscssment $119,900. JUSTICE AGENTS REPORT “PROGRESS” IN W’PHERSON CASE (Continued From First Page.) what bald. I should say he was about 30 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and that he weighed about 140 or 150 pounds.” Corroborates Gauthey. Mrs. Vass' description tallies closely with that given by Gauthey of the man who accompanied Mrs. McPherson to his place. Gauthey also said that the next to the last visit of Mrs. McPherson to his place was about the last of July or_the first of September. Mr. Vass was the witness who told of seeing the automobile in the rear of the apartment. His description of it tallied with Gauthey's except that it was some- what more_ elaborate. Mr. and Mrs. Vass testified before the grand jury and told of the tennis ball on the roof below the McPherson win- dow being moved. Justice agents visited the McPherson apartment last night and made a minute examination of all the rooms. The woman’s clothing was examined closely as well as the bed near which her body was found. They remained in the apartment several hours but would give no information relating to the purpose of the inspection. Kelly is Called. Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, who first ad- vanced the theory that Mrs. McPherson committed suicide, was called to the rice was $30,000 plus assumption of a Bru.!t of $75,000. There possibly may be explanations of these considerations, but in the ab- sence of further available information, the figures arc quoted as above. Third Less Than Assessment. The third property subject to default sale brought less than the assessed valuation. This is a dwelling that was assessed for $57,668 in 1926, for land and building, and was sold at fore- closure in M‘:)rclz of‘ ‘tshgo slme year for a consideration of $45,000. The properties in lowre Sixteenth street which have changed in owner- ship in the past six years, bringing greater considerations than the tax as- sessments standing at the time of the sale are listed below, without exact identification due to the possible objec- tion to property owners of revealing what might be business secrets. The tabulation, however, it is thought, will indicate some valuable general princi- ples. Again, also, it 18 pointed out that complete knowledge of the of these transactions might alter the com- parisons, but since this information is unavailable, the figures as obtained by the tax assessor are given as the best available indication of the sale trends. A residence in square 182, having a site of 2,000 square feet, asse: in 1926 at $80,772, was transaction in June of that year in which a valuation of $90,000 was placed on the property. There was a trust of $18,000. An apartment house in square 184 on 8,013 square feet a site amounting to having an_assessed total value of $416,260 in 1928, was sold in October of that year for a consideration of $575,000. There was a first trust of $400,000 with a second trust of $50,000. The equity was traded for other property. Institution Buys Property. A property, formerly an exclusive residence, located in square 196, which had a total assessed value of $127,000 in 19217, was bought by an institution for & consideration of $145,000 in October of that year. The site contains 3,600 square feet, A property located in square 182, which had a total assessed value of $58,610 in 1927, was bought by a na- tional institution in December of that Department of Justice yesterday. It is believed that the purpose of his visit was to tell the agents of the facts he discovered which led him to believe that the nurse's death was a suicide. Yesterday Gauthey, the landscape gardener, recited to justice agents his story of the visits paid his home by the woman he identifles as Mrs. Mc- Pherson. He was questioned more than three hours. ‘Thew oman was introduced to him as “Miss McPherson” by a mutual acquaintance, he said. The mutual acquaintance, he said, was a young girl he met at a party in Washington early in April. Met Girl at Party. “I met this girl at a party,” he told the agents, “and after some conversa- tion invited her to my home. She came witn a man friend of hers several times and about the middle of June brought Mrs. McPherson and the blonde man.” Gauthey told the agents the nick- name by which he knew the Erl who brought” Mrs. McPherson to his home, but said he could not recall her real name, if he had ever heard it. He said he ‘believed the nickname was “Pola.” He described her as a girl about five feet five inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds. He said she had dark hair and eyes and was unusually at- involved in a trade | ¢raetiy ctive. Came With “Pola.” “Mrs. McPherson first came to my home with ‘Pola’ on Flag day, June 14, he sald. “I was having a picnic that afternoon for my friends. The man who always came with Mrs. Mc- Pherson was with her that day and Pola introduced him, but I have forgot- ten his name. Although he frequently called Mrs. McPherson “Gin” on sub- sequent visits, she never addressed him by any name that I heard. “On this visit all three of them came in Pola’s car, but every other time Mrs. McPherson and her friend came alone in his roadster, Once or twice after that Pcla and Mrs. McPherson were at my home T, but they came separately. quit coming ?&m weeks before Mrs. McPherson Kept to Themselves. “After the first visit Mrs. McPherson year for a consideration of $106,406. The site contains 4,041 square feet. A large residence located in another section of lower Sixteenth street hav- ing a total assessed value in 1925 of $161,900 was sold in that year for a consideration of $182,500, according to information gathered by the tax sor. It still is occupied as a residence. A residenee located in square 182 which had a total assessed $17,932 in 1925 was sold in July of that year for a consideration of $44,000. for amounting to $46, in August olngut year for a con- of $63,000. residence having a site of 2,688 square feet which was assessed at a total of $70,320 in 1928 was sold in Oc- tober of that year for a consideration of $75,000. A residential property having a site O::uod zz's‘;?u.g in lg;:‘w:a% in 8 }umotmtymturneonslflmthuo: 000, An apartment house in square 197, ing sofa value of | infe d 938 in 1924, was | When they and her friend came after dark, gen- erally arriving about 9 or 10 o'clock. I don't believe either Mrs. McPherson or her friend knew of my guests ex- cept ‘Pola’ They always kept to themselves and appeared reluctant to converse with any one, including my- self. The man did tell me once that he had been in France during the war, but that was about the extent of the omlnfmnn he gave me concerning M“mfia%m night they were here rs. McPherson appeared yery nervo and restless, They talked together for some time in low tones and I could hear but little of their conversation. left they started back ward Washington and that was the last time J saw either of them or car.” Shown Photographs. said h'luu“ sure he would if he saw | January of that year b | Claims Officer’s Blov; Trying|State’s Attorney Accepts to Arrest Her Cost | Non-suit in Case Against Sight of Left Eye. Deputies. Maj. Henry G. Pratt, superintendent | BY the Associated Press. of police, has instructed Inspector Al- MARION, N. C., October 8.—Murder bert Headley to be present at Police "h‘m ":’":‘u"h“‘ ":em" deputles Court tomorrow morning to hear the |€roWing out of the killing of five strik- ers in a riot at the Marion Manufac- case of Ada Wheeler, colored, 39, of|turing Co.s plant today were dismissed 1828 Vermont avenue, to determine |after the State’s attorney announced woman threatened to prefer against | their cases. ficer A. E. Fredette of the second | Gov, Gardner's statement of last precinct contains evidence sufficient to |night that he had no authority to ap- summon the officer before the Trial |point a commission to study labor Board. * roubles at Marion and in other parts The woman charges, through her at- |of the State was regarded by labor torney, Harry Dyson, that the officer |leaders here as meaning that such dis- struck her in e left eye with his |putes would not be given official atten- aton during a scuffle at the Third and | tion unless they resulted in violence P street patrol box and that she sub- |that would bring them into the realm sequently lost the sight of the eye. She |of the courts. claims that she had done notl in| Judge Harding, who is sitting as a violation of the law. committing magistrate on orders from The police report given by Officer Gov. Gardner, recalled 8. C. L. Moody, Fredette at his precinct states that last |a strike sympathizer, to the stand for Sunday afternoon he noticed the wom- | cross-examination. an holding to a lamp-post at Third and| This examination brought out that P streets and that she was intoxicated. | Moody had been under indictment on He says that after placing her under|various charges “six or eight times.” arrest the woman made an effort to| The last time he was in court, Moody free herself and that he was forced to|said, was for “slapping down his daugh- give his patrol box key to a bystander |ter.” Four or five months ago, he tes- and request that he open the box. The | tified, he had been indicted for shoot- policeman claims in the report that the|ing a man. He said that he was a woman “kicked at the lower part of his|union member. but not a textile worker. body and started sticking him in the | Fred Noblitt, one of those wounded face. in the early morning fight, testified that He says he was compelled to use his| he had seen Sheriff C. F. Adkins, A. F. us | dris baton on the woman in order to sub- due her, causing, his report says, abra- sions to the side of ber face. ‘The police report continues that the woman was taken to Freedmman's Hos- pital and treated by Dr. M. C. Mc8hain of the staff and later was returned to the precinct and subsequently to the District Jail, where she now awaits trial on the charges of drunkenness and as- sault booked against her at the precinct. Dr. McShain said today that he de- tected no odor of liquor on the woman's { breath and that as far as he could de- ) termine she showed no signs of intoxi- cation. He said that he thought the woman should be hospitalized, but fol- lowing an examination by other phy- siclans at the hospital he allowed her to return to the precinct. He said the only blow he noticed on her face was the one to her right eye. He said he was unable to determine whether the sight was impaired. MRS, HODGES WINS * STARGOLF TROPHY Plays 36 Holes in 160, Six Strokes Ahead of Mrs. Haynes of Columbia. Mrs. J. M. Hodges of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps Country Club, this afternoon won The Evening Star golf trophy, completing the 36-hole medal play event at the Chevy Chase Club, with a net score of 160. Mrs. Hodges" gross scores were 82 and 86. Playing with a handicap of .4 strokes, Mrs, Hodges finished 6 strokes in front of Mrs. J. M. Haynes of Columl who played from scratch and had a 36-hole card of 166, composed of an 82, yester- day, and an 84 today. A high wind and fast putting greens combined today to make the scores higher than those of yesterday. Mrs. Haynes, who was playing with Mrs. Hodges, was out in 41 and had picked up several strokes on the service club representative, but at the eleventh hole she put her ball in the ditch in front of the green and took 10 for the hole. Notwithstanding this unfortunate break, she was back over the last nine in 43, for a total of 84, the best gross score of the day. Mrs. Harrison Brand, jr., of Chevy Chase, finished in third place with a score of 189—20—169. Other leading scores for the two-day competition fol- ow : Mrs. Stephen F. Colladay, Columbia, 180—8—172; Mrs. Hugh T. Nicolson, Washington, 88—85—0—173; Mrs. J. 0. Rhyne, Bannockburn, 205—32—173; Mrs. W. W. Nottingham, Columbia, 212—36—176; Miss Dorothy Hunter, Indian Springs, 181—4—177; Mrs. J. W. Harvey, jr. Indian Springs 206— 28—178; Mrs. Perry B. Hoover, Indian Springs, 188—8—180; Miss Florence Scott, Indlan Springs, 198—18—180; Miss Susan Hacker, Chevy Chase, 195—14—181. WORRIED OVER HEALTH, DECORATOR SHOOTS SELF Leaving a note in which he told of his {1l health and his despair of ever recovering, Joseph Warren Williamson, 60-year-old interfor decorator, put a pistol in his mouth and shot himself to death early this morning in the kitchen of his home, at 614 E street northeast, the police reported. Williamson had arisen earlier than other members of his family. His wife heard the shot and called to her son, Harry E. Willlamson, who went into the kitchen and discovered the body. The Casualty Hospital ambulance was summoned and Williamson was pro- nounced dead by Dr. Philip A. Stebbin of the hospital staff. Coroner J. Ram- say Nevitt was notified and later issued a certificate of suicide in the case. The death was investigated by both ninth precinct policemen and head- quarters detectives. It is also believed the agents showed him several photographs, but whether he identifie¢ them was not divulged. A taxicab driver who was a visitor at the Gauthey home on the night of September 12 told a Star reporter that he had been to the place on several occasions and was unable to remember whether a woman who resembled Mrs. McPherson was there that particular night. man was sure he had seen a man and woman at the Gauthey home one night. He believed, however, that this woman did not fit the descrip- tion of Mrs. McPherson. He insisted he never had seen Mrs. McPherson to his knowledge. On the night in question, the taxicab driver declared he was in the Gauthey home from 10 o'clock p.m. until 1 a.m. He sald he went there in company with two friends, one of them a man and the other 3 woman. He declared the man had left since that time to work in Cali- fornia. The woman still lives in Wash- ington and was questioned by the police two weeks &go: s ‘The woman could' not be located at taxicab the address supplied by the lver, » et “I'd ‘give $500 if I never had been ectg‘d with this case in any way,” the taxicab driver said. ques- tioned about tie people he saw at the Gauthey home the man wrench and brandished it manner. m"! innocent and I don't intend to ‘The girl Hunt, mill superintendent; Jim Owens, a deputy sheriff, and several other deng d! firing. Hevali - you hear the sheriff say any- thing?” he was asked. i “Well, the sheriff told the strikers to get back replied. “Did they?” “No, I can't say they did,” Noblitt replied. On cross-examination he sald that he had not worked at the mill since a previous strike in July. Wednesday's shooting occurred after an unexpected strike had been called by the night shift and the mill picketed by members of the night shift to pre- vent day workers from going to work. Strikers claimed that an agreement set- tling a previous strike had been broken by the mill owners, which statement the mill owners have denied. Noblitt said that he had been slightly wounded by a bullet fired at him by Charlie Tate, a deputy sheriff. He said he had seen no firearms among the strikers and only one stick. POLICE PROBERS INVITE WITNESSES T0 GIVE INFORMATION (Continued From First Page.) Building. on (blank space for date) at 1:30 p.m., at which time your state- ment will be recorded.” The first group of witnesses will be requested to appear Thursday after- 0 o'clock and the others grand jury who were invited to testify before the investigating board were scheduled to appear today, but up to the luncheon recess ¢nly one had shown up. Two more have been called this afternoon, completing the roster of the grand jury, only four of whom responded to the board's invitation to testity. The sole witness this morning was Eugene Beatty, who told newspaper men after leaving the witness stand that he testified that he believed the charges against Shelby and Kelly were without foundation and were drawn b prejudiced jury.” Beatty declared he was one of the 10 members of the grand jury who voted against the indictment for murder because he did not believe the evidence was strong enough to sub- stantiate the charge. Belleving as he did that the murder indictment was “unfair,” and the charges against Shelby and Kelly with- out basis, Beatty said his conscience compelled him to come voluntarily be- fore the municipal investigating board and express his views. ‘The other grand jurors who were called today are J. H. Batt, Kathleen A. Lyons, Rosemary A. Vaccaro, Baxter M. Davidson, jr., and Mrs. Rebecca Sachs, all of whom failed to show up. Moved to End Inquiry. Apparently disgusted with the futility of its investigation because of the re- fusal of most of the grand jurors to testify, the board of inquiry, composed of Corporation Counsel William W. Bride and Maj. Donald A. Davisol Assistant Engineer Commissioner, dre: u;o a comprehensive report yesterday afternoon containing recommendations to bring the probe to an abrupt end, and went into conference with Com- missioners Proctor L. Dougherty and Sidney F. Taliaferro. An hour later Bride and Davison left and presented to newspaper men a brief statement. which was clearly indicative of what had happened to their plans in the conference. The statement read: “Invitations are still out for six mem- bers ‘of the grand jury to appear be- fore the special board appointed to consider the charges by members of the grand jury. Until that time limit expires it would be improper and inap- propriate to make any repors or rec- ommendation to the Commissioners.” Commissioner Taliaferro declined to- day ot disclose what occurred at the conference with the investigating board, but he admitted that Bride and Davison came to the Commissioners with a re- port containing recommendations. Commissioners, he pointed out, did not receive this report. Probers Alter Plans. As a result of this conference,-how- ever, the investigating board altered its lans decidedly and immediately after t convened this morning began preparation of the invitation to be sent the 70 witnesses who testified before the | grand jury. The "procedure contemplated by the board yesterday, it is understood, was to close inquiry and shift the respon- sibility for sifting the charges m‘m t Shelby and Kelly to an extraordinary police trial . The charges to be preferred against the two officers, it was explained, were to have been on statements made to the board by several gl'llld jurors who had been interviewed, ut who had declined to testify. ‘These grand jurors, however, it was indicated, refused, on the advice of counsel, to sign any statement on which trial board action could be taken. Bride explained that since the grand Jury had led to support its charges it has become neounr& for the investi- gating board to seek information from the witnesses who testified before it in order to determine whether there is a basis for the condemnation of Shelby and Kelly for their investigation of the McPherson case. STILLMAN IS SAFE. New York Banker to Return From Trip Tomorrow. ANCHORAGE, Alaska, October 8 (#). Teporied mising on a banting srip, Wi PO} missing on a hun! 3 I-rrlve here 'oz:y by o boat, Pilot Joe Crosson sa his return from .hz ——— other new amusement tax is a feast. Articles resembling earrings A's oppoai Riso ‘were found. 5 Then his eo&ll'm in Jaj N THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1929. x “Imprisoned” Jury For Trial of Fall Stays Under Lock Government Guards 4 ‘Women and 8 Men Who Will Decide Oil Case. Denled contact with families and friends, the four women and eight men jurors in the trial of Albert B. Fall, former Secretary of the Interior, are spending _their leisure and slee) Thours under lock and key at the Metro- politan Hotel. Every morning about 9:45 o'clock and every afte: at 3 o'clock during the next three weeks or so the jurors will saunter to snd from the Court- house, a distance of about four blocks. ‘Those brief moments and the few hours in court each day constitute their only contact with the outside world during the duration of the trial. ‘Three of the jurors are married women, one & gray-haired housewife of 59, who seldom has left her family over- night. - The fourth is a pretty blonde stenographer, who volunteered to render her first public service as a juror. They are under the charge of Mrs. Maude B. Ferris, a deputy United States marshal. ‘The eight men, including one colored man, who is used to being constantly on the “go” in his capacity as a rail- road dining car waiter, are under th charge of two other deputies, James S. McCarthy and W. B. Denham. Uncle 8am, their official host during the next few weeks, will be as hos- pitable as ible to these “prisoners of hope,” but isn't going to take any chance of another mistrial as during the trial of the Teapot Dome oil case, when the jurors were given their freedom. Every possible precautionary measure is being taken now. ‘Telephones in the jurors’ rooms are plugged up; their mails and newspapers are censored; the doors to their quarters locked. One key, which dangles from the key ring of a deputy marshal in charge, fits all the locks. During leisure hours the jurors kill time by playing cards, smoking and ‘They went to the hotel yes- terday afternoon for the first time, well supplied by the deputies with chewing gum, cigarettes, magazines and cards. prepared to make the most of their temporary incarceration. N ROBERTS LAUNCHES FALL PROSECUTION; ,DEFENSE COUNTERS (Continued From First Page.) Hill oil reserves to the California ofl magnate, and described as a cold and sordid deal the $100,000 received by Fall, which the Government alleges in- fluenced him to make the lease. Status of “Loan” Is Hit. Mr. Roberts sald the Government, through the introduction of document- ary evidence and witnesses, would try to prove that the contracts with Do- heny’s company for the erection of the Pearl, Harbor naval oll storage tanks, conditional upon a lease of the Cali- fornia reserves, were shrouded in se- crecy, and that the $100,000 which the ofl magnate’s son carried in cash to the former Secretary in Washington, on November 30, 1921, was “not an inno- cent loan,” as the defense contends, but intended to influence the Govern- ment official’s action in the oil lease. Mr. Roberts completed his presentation in 40 minutes. An altogether different picture of the sordid’ negotiations charac by Government council was pictured skillfully to the jury by Mr. Hogan. Re- lieved by his opponent from outlining the various steps in the long and in- volved transactions leading up to the leases, the defense counsel plunged al- most immediately into a sympathetic ‘| picture of the long friendship between Fall and Doheny. The story of that $100,000 loan, he told the jury, goes back to New Mexico, 43 years ago in 1866. In dramatic fashion Hogan told of the young lawyer who later was to become a_United States Senator and cabinet officer, and the pioneer pros- pector, later to beeome one of the “outstanding rich men of the Nation.” Friends Through Life, During all of Fall's rapid rise in the | 2 Government's service, he said, his old friend Doheny had taken pride in his achievements and continued & life- long friendship. ‘The transaction in the Wardman Park Hotel, where both lived during the ! Winter of 1921, Mr. Hogan described as a loan, pure and simple, Fall giving a promissory note to repay on demand. “There was nothing said about Gov- ernment matters or leases or contracts respecting storage tanks,” the attorney told the jury. He stressed that Fall had applied for aid from Doheny only after failure to obtain the money from other sources. A check for $100,000 that he received from Edward B. Mc- Lean, publisher of the Washington Post, he refused, it was explained, when he learned it might work a hardship on the publisher, As further proof of Doheny’s friend- lhlg. Hogan told of mutilating the note and giving Fall's signature to his wife for safe-keeping as protection in event of either one of their deaths. Purchase of Ranch Explained. The purchase of the Harris ranch, for which the money was accepted, Hogan pointed out, was in fulfillment of Fall's life-long hope to provide water for his dgropeny. The defense counsel brought matters to date by telling of the foreclosure pmeedtnfa of last Autumn, which de- prived Fall of his home, and again pic- tured Doheny coming to his rescue by rc] ranch, mee attorney began to tell the jury how Doheny romised Fall that in event of his death he would see that the property was returned to Mrs. Fall, Justice Hitz interrupted. He called Mr. n to the bench and told him further on this line. Government counsel had fered no objection to this statement. JAPANESE FIND OLD GRAVE MOUNDS Tombs, 1,600 Years 01d Unearthed in Village—Face Is Carved on Stone. TOKIO (Special). — Large (‘rlve mounds which are said to be the oldest on the !Bll‘l:: of Kiushiu, Japan, are rerortedto ve been discovered in the village of Jido. found simul- taneously are said to 1,600 years old, the age having been proved by weapons, earthen tools and other im- plements interred with the coffins, ac- cording to the Jiji Shimpo. Study of the two graves found in Kyushu has been under the nl})ervmon of Dr. . feet long, 1 feet wide and 1.7 feet high, the 9.2 feet. The larger contained relics, but the smaller had only human re- mmld the larger le e a natural stone plate 1 foot and 7 inches long and 8 inches wide and 3 inches thick, with a human face carved on its surface, while in the interior was a molded image of the human face. These figures of human faces are rare dis- the ™ side of the tion were found two more knives and & crude :ptina:tn wheel, while lmwmewn; terior ve were plates, and h vuldlmmllln‘ u'p a set for mound there was PERFECT WEATHER FOR SERIES OPENER 50,000 Will Witness Athletics’ Return to Chicago After Nineteen Years. (Continued Prom First Pag ping | fouled down the leftfield line for an- other. A wide one followed, whereupon Jimmy cracked a single between Eng- lish and McMillan, second. With the hit and run attempt- ed, Boley fouled for strike one. A foul for the second strike followed a wide one. Boley then drilled into & double play, English getting his bounder and forc Dykes with a toss to Hornsby, who threw the ball to Grimm at first. No runs. CHICAGO—Cuyler missed with two swings. Three straight balls followed before Cugler v:as set down on strikes, also swinging at hte third. With a count of t] and two Stephenson was victimized when Ehmke clipped an out- side corner for the third strike. Grimm socked the first ball to center for a sin- balls, popping to Foxx on the last ball. No. runs. PERFECT WEATHER FOR GAME. Demand Exceeds Supply of Seats, With Park Crowded. CHICAGO, October 8.—Crisp, some- what cloudy Autumn weather, a brass band and those perennial base ball comedians, Nick Altrock and Schacht, greeted the crowd that poured into ‘Wrigley Pleld for the opening game. After semi-riotous conditions outside the park for several hours, the bleacher sections were opened up and nearly fill. ed to their limits of 15,000 inside hour. By 11:30 o'clock, two hours be- fore the game, all of the dollar space was filled. There seemed no doubt the p;;:‘w‘%um be occupled to its limits of al ,000. ‘The shrill cry of the pop and peanut vendors, the activity of cameramen and efforts of police to keep the bleacher crowds under control enlivened the early scenes. There were 371 ushers and 700 policemen to keep things in order. Presently Altrock ahd Schacht put on their famous act, “Rescued From Drowning at Sea,” with Al spouting like a whale as he “swam” across center field to the aid of the helpless Nick. The fans needed some diversion to help keep warm. The weather was cool enough for overcoats and furs, better suif for drop-kicks than base hits. ‘There was no shift in the Cub choice of Charlie Root to pitch the opening game, -but secrecy still veiled the start- ing moundsman of the Athletics. Miller, the A's veteran right fielder and one, of the heaviest stickers on the team, was still suffering from a heavy cold. His condition was not improved over night, apparently, but the early prospect was that he would hold down his regular post nevertheless. The late dope from the Philadelphia feed box was that Howard Ehmke, the lean right hander, might be a last-min- ute pitching choice, instead of either orge Earnshaw, Lefty Grove or Jack Quinn, the boxmen most frequently mentioned in the big guessing contest. “It all depends on how they lock warming up,” said one of the A's coaches. Reserved Seat Holders Early. | { about, several hundred holders of re- served or box seats in the grandstand were on hand by noon. All the stand- ing room in the stands, confined to the main aisles, was sold to the extent of about 3,000 customers an hour and a half before the game. ‘The Cubs, led by their silver-haired, portly coach, Jimmy Burke, came on the fleld at 11:45. The bleacherites roared a_ welcome to their favorites and the pgnkt’unphen massed for immediate action. ‘The National League champions were attired in bright, new uniforms, the monogram on the shirt changed to show a cub figure inside the “C.” just as it used to be mn the days of “Peerless” Frank Chance's team. ‘This uniform, however, was not enough to frighten the A.'s of 19 years , and there was no manifestation of alarm today among Connie 'Mack's Chrllr'u' who remained favorites for the series. ‘The Bruins were full of pepper and fidgety as they warmed up. Hack Wil- son and Rogers Hornsby, two of the big guns, showed that hitt'ng was the main thing on their minds by grabbing bats at once and indulging in bunting practice. ‘The first sign of the A's was when the bat boy brought out their war clubs to be lLned up in front of the dugout, by way of sending greeting cards to the Cubs. The crowd let out a yell wh:n Norman McMillan, lead off man, cracked one against the left-field wall on the first ball pitched to him by Mike Cvengros, little southpaw, in batting practice. The Cubs were taking no chances of not having their eyes sharpened in case the A's send Grove to the box. Bruins Hit Viciously. ‘The Bruins were hitting viciously in practice. Hack Wilson pasted one into the right-field stands and the bleacher- ites went wild. ‘The A's in natty gray traveling uni- forms, blue stockings and jackets came on the field at noon. ‘The Cubs spent a half hour altogether batting against Cvengros, and then switched to an attack on the right- handed Hank Grampp, king of the bull- pen boys. George H. Ruth, the well known “re- porter,” appeared in the Athletics dug- out, attired in natty brown suit, and im- mediately drew attention away from thé rival players. The Babe expressed regret at not being able to go into ac- tion after participating in six of the last eight series. He cast an American League ballot for the A's. Ed Rommel went out to pitch to bat- ting practice for the A's. He began toss- ing the ball up with a lazy movement. ‘The Athletics seemed anxious to hit, :nd ran up to the plate to take their urns. Mack Back After 19 Years. Connie Mack, a bit grayer, as lean as ever, younger, and even more taci- 1 today came back to Chicago after 19 years to take up a base quar- rel with the Cubs, where he left it in 1910. On his second world series visit the manager of the Philadelphia Ath- letics brought a new club with one exception, only Eddie Collins surviving { the challenge of the years. Today he found a lot of strange Cubs to oppose his invasion of the West. When Connie Mack last led his White Elephants into the stronghold of the Cubs, Joe McCarthy, the pleas- ant-visaged mai of the current edition of the Cl Nationals, was a young man of 22, playing utility roles in the minors. For that matter, the crafty Connie was then a mere ling of 48. e has taken its toll of ball play- ers between world series in Chicago. ank Chance, the “peerless leader,” the big bear of the Cubs of 1910, is dead, as are several of the stars of the Cubs and Athletics of that day. Even the ball g:rk is changed. The Athletics made their bid 19 years ago on the west side. Now their base hits must be made on the north. Eddie Collins, a star of the former series, is in this one, his seventh, but he will use his mental equipment more than the physical. The best the captain excava- ' of the A's can hope for in the way of | obtain 8 personal appearance is as a pinch hitter, ball feud, the 67-year-old leader of finds foemen worthy of hi he was able to subdue the Cubs n sending Foxx to, gle. Taylor was retired on three pitched | Although they had nothing to worry’ On his renewal of the lnclzntfh:hu[ e is steel. Connie ANES ONTOUR REACH NEW YORK Only One of 42 Participating Ships Absent at. Roose- velt Field. By the Associated Press ROOSEVELT FIELD, N. Y., October 8 —Forty-two planes, participating in the national air tour, began dropping down on this field from Springfield, Mass., shortly after 11 o'clock this | morning, being flagged in at one-minute intervals. | Within 41 minutes 41 planes had alighted, the last of these being the ‘Wright tri-motor. The only one still to come was the Spartan, which got be- hind yesterday and did not-leave with the others from Springfield this morn- ing. It was expected to catch up. how-. ever, before the scheduled 2 o'clock take-off for Philadelphia. . = TRADE BODY TO STUDY STATES’ UTILITY LAWS Traffic Committee Pushes for Act Making Taxi Owners Financially Responsible. An investigation of the laws of other States affecting public service companies with a view to the formulation of a bill making taxicab companies and indi- vidual owners of cabs financially re-- sponsible in case of accident, was &u- thorized yesterday by the traffic com- mittee of the Washington Board of ‘Trade. A subcommittee, consisting of Col. A. M. Barber, manager of the transpor- tatton division of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and Maj. L. C Crawford, was appointed to make the survey. The committee also will undertake a study of automobile title and theft laws, A bill drafted by Representative Zil man of Maryland and a measure adv cated by Director of Traffic Willlam H. Harland will be compared and analyzed. George Offutt. chairman, presided at the meeting, which was held in the offices of the board. 1 | Drive Quake Felt in Maine. LEWISTON, Me., October 8 (#).—Two distinct earth tremors were felt and heard here today. The first was at 7:20 am., and lasted two seconds, with the utes later. Both low rumble. No port their convictions with their money. that this series will be in full force after five games have been played. ‘The Cubs’ supporters believe their favorites will be able to overpower the Athletics by force of their bats, while Philadelphia partisans counter with supreme confidence in a long line of Athletic pitchers whom, they say, can ctill the National League guns, ieavy though they be. The opening of the series found far too many ‘anxious to participate as spectators. Only about 50,000 seats can be provided for their accommodation, this generous estimate including a few thousand _standing-room-only places to be sold on the first-come, first- served basis. All the reserved seats long since have been allotted to the accom- paniment of groans of anguish from those who can lend their support in spirit only. Although the Athletics entered the series slight favorites, there seems at the last minute little to choose between them. pions both, they were eager and ready and no suggestion arose as to the courage of the competing play- ers. Charley Grimm, disabled captain of the Cubs, returned to the battlefield and was pronounced fit. Bing Miller, swarthy right fielder of the A's, was & minor casualty, 'suffering from a cold, but he is ready to play. All the “big shots” and the dark horses, too, awaited only the oppor- | tunity to go out and justify the faith | of their wildly excited fan following. 1 A’s Shun Wrigley Field. The Cubs put a fine edge on their batting eyes with an extended drill yes- terday afternoon. The Athletics, reach- g the scene of the opening battles in he early afternoon, did not go near Wrigley Field. Manager Mack said there was not sufficient time and he did not think it necessary. Capt. Eddie Collins, perhaps with a deferential ges- ture toward precedent, recalled that 19 years ago there was no preliminary pre- series workout here. ‘There was unanimous agreement on the Cubs' pitching selection. Charlie Root was elected by acclamation. Root, a fast ball pitcher with a good curve, is something of a beliwether among the Cub flingers. He pitched the first game of the city series last year and started the ball rolling for the season that was to return the Cubs as champions His name was at the top of his league this year. More mystery shrouded the Philadel- vhia choice. Onlv one man knew and he would not tell. Connie Mack re- mained firm in a previous announce- ment that the nominee and the world would know about the same time— when he says just before game time to one of his stars. “You're it.” In the rife speculation three names figured, George Earnshaw, a big fellow with a world of speed and good curve, leading pitcher of the club in games won: Jack Quinn, a veteran of vet- erans, somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 years of age, an artist whose repertoire includes a spitter and slow ball, the oldest pitcher in base ball. and Bob Grove, a lefthander with almost unbelievable speed, the leading pitcher g! t‘:m club and league on a percentage asis. There was no doubt about the catch- ers. Gordon Cochrane, one of the game's greatest receivers, had no op- position. Zach Taylor, a wanderer on the face of the base ball earth, who settled in Chicago in time to Piay a DIR past in ine Cubs’ pennant drive, was ready to catch Root's offerings. Fans Wait for Seats. ‘Weary-eyed, weary-legged—some cer- tain of success, others merely hopeful, approximately 9,000 base ball fans to- day awoke and stretched, or merely stretched, as the ticket windows at Wrigley Field opened to sell 8,000 temo~ rary bleacher seats and 2,500 grand- stand standing room admissions for the first game between the Cubs and Athletics. The line, or lines, started to form yesterday, increasing through the day and night until pedestrians interested in other affairs than championship base ball games were forced to walk up the middle of the streets adjoining Wrigley Field to get to where they were going Some of the waiters arose from Army cots—rent for the night for the price of a room and bath in almost any first-class hotel. Others arose from packing boxes, kitchen chairs, and stilt others simply got up off the sidewalk. ‘The waiting line for the first game of Chicago's first world series since 1919 provided the usual opportunities for eme?rmng business minds. Boxes were sold for $1 each, while the rental fee for cots was as high as $5 for the night. Venders of food and coffee did business in a big way, and.hoped for fair weather and another harvest tonight. . Optimists who came to Chicago be- Heving that mouey could help them to tickets were out of luck, for | the scalpers had sold what few tickets .they could locate ‘The A's still were the money favorites, although little wagering was being done... Mack's American plons were quoted at 11 to 10,.