Evening Star Newspaper, October 11, 1929, Page 17

Washington News @he Zoening Star WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1929. Society and General EXPERT SUGGESTS SPEEDING UP OF - CAPITAL TRAFFIG Consulting Engineer Urges@ Closer Co-ordination of Agencies After Survey. COMPLETE INFORMATION ON PARKING NECESSARY Favors Graded Parking Downtown. Varying Time in Different Places. Closer co-ordination of all agencies of the Government that have anything to do with traffic control in Washing- ton, and the arranging of traffic signal lights in a way that would speed up the movement of vehicles were the out- standing suggestions made to a Senate _sub-committee roday by J. Rowland Bibbins, & consulting engineer, who has been studying local conditions. With the regard to the parking prob- lem, which is the one being given main consideration by the Senate group, Mr. Bibbins testified that in his opinion it would be necessary to gather complete information as to who are the owners of the parked cars. where they originate, how long they d snd how much storage space is available to take care of long-time parkers if they are excluded from the main thoroughfare. He said all of this data is essential to a reasonable solution to the parking question. Maust Clear Downtown Area. Mr. Bibbins declared that in the downtown section the time has come ‘when parkers must be cleared from cer- tain streets because there is no longer American Legion Official De- scribes Conditions in Italy. “Home” to Recuperate. Now Must Stay. BY GRETCHEN SMITH. Reports of hardships and want suf- fered by allen-born Warld War vet- erans of the American Army, who for reasons of health or business matters returned temporarily to their homes in Europe after tie war and found them- selves barred from returning by the im- migration laws, have been brought to ‘Washington by Comdr. Julla Wheelock, commanding the American Legion De- partment of Italy, with headquarters in Rome. Comdr. Wheelock, who is the only woman who has served on the executive committee of the American Legion, tells a heart-rending story of deplorable con- itions existing among men who vol- unteered their services in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps as soon as the United States entered into the .world conflict and before tonscription was effective. At that time hundreds of for- eign-born men residing in this country enlisted, with the belief that by offering their services to the United States d&'- ing the war and subsequently gainfhg honorable discharges from the services they would be permitted to become nat- uralized citizens without the necessity of going through the usual formalities required of aliens. Unaware of Law's Letter. A law was enacted whereby an in- diyidual possessing an honorable dis- charge from the Army, Navy or Marine Corps might, upon its presentation and a petition to the proper authorities, he granted citizenship, dispensing with the usual requirements placed upon indi- viduals desiring naturalization. of these men, however, either through lack of understanding or neglect of be- Many enough free space on_those streets for trafic. The witness also said, however. that the number of cars that park for 30 minutes or less is surprising. Over a period of 8 or 10 hours, however, there -re"e.n:‘eugh of such cars to take up the ava spaces. Although he said the time had come to clear certain streets of parking, he favored graded parking downtown, :’r&mn v;m'l’lldlmm varying time limit in eren ces. “We must encourage day storage of cars,” Mr. Bibbins said, “It is expen- sive now and discourages the man of average means. Wherever possible I have advocated rear alley garages. He explained the rear end of lots to'wbxl.\dlldb:l cheaper grounds on which ora, B Mr. B!hbfin!‘ew.l:i the committee that the system already in use by Traffic Director Harland of prohibiting park- ing during the morning and evening rush hours on whichever side of a street the heavy flow of is moving is a good plan. “Colossal Blunder.” ‘The proj to close Thirteenth street south of Pennsylvania avenue in connection with the layout of new Federal buildings in the triangle was characterized by Mr. Bibbins as “co- lossal blunder.” "He said th street is one of the heaviest traffic arteries and that traffic will have to make right and left hand turns upon reaching Pennsylvania avenue if the triangle plan is carried out in its pres- ent form. After today’s meeting Senator Hast- ings, Republican, of Delaware, chairman of the subcommittee, announced the close of the hearing for the time being. |- He said the testimony would be turned over to Traffic Director Harland for study and such recommendation as he may deem advisable. Explains Changes in District. Mr. Bibbins explained in detail the recommendations he has already made to the District trafic council for changes in the existing system of auto- al lights for the purpose cf g progressive movement of ‘vehicles. Mr. Bibbins declared that the only ‘way to get rapid transit here until such time as m:ul;lw- are l:mm ll"h to h-;e express bus lines operating on thorough- fares where the signal lights have been arranged to permit a freer movement of traffic. Another recommendation made was that the Trafic Bureau be provided with sufficlent staff and facilities to make proper engineering surveys of changing traffic conditions constantly, with a complete traffic census every two years, He said that local organi- zations have co-ordinated their efforts by forming the Traffic Council, but that there was need for closer co-ordination among the governmental agencies. He said the committees of Congress, the District Commissioners, the Highway Department, Police Department, Traffic Bureau, Public Utilities Commission, Zoning Commission, Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, Park and Plan- ning Commission, Fine Arts Commis- slon and Budget Bureau all bear some relation to the handling of traffic and should work in co-ordination. Chairman Hastings agreed with this suggestion, declaring it to be the foun- dation of any efforts made to improve traffic conditions here. The Senator said that next to co-ordinated efforts the second need is enough money to carry out whatever plans are made. Bus Plan Discussed. Senator Kean asked how much im- provement could be brought about if motor busses were substituted for street cars on certain streets. Mr. Bibbins replied he has not yet been convinced that any agency will handle the rush hour load as well as street cars. He said busses have an im- portant place in the present layout of public transportation, but that on busy streets, such as Fourteenth street, busses could not move the rush hour crowd as well as the street cars. He added that 25,000 people will be concentrated in the Federal building triangle and that their transportation needs will have to be_considered. Mr. Bibbins sald that when he refers to speeding up traffic he has in mind increasing the average speed, explain- ing that it has been found that dur- ing rush hours on busy streets the average speed is only 9 to 12 miles an hour and that in the downtown sec- tion it is only 5 to 8 miles an hour in places. He expressed the hope that these delays in the movement of traffic could be eliminated by the changes rec- ommended the operation of the traffic lights, ‘The committee was p: ted with a petition on behalf of 4,300 émployes of the naval gun factory protesting against the suggested elimination of night parking. The petition, offered by Edward R. Willlams and Willlam W. Keeler on be- half of the navy yard workers, ined that night parking was not rough choice,” but as a measure of economy; ing properly instructed, were unaware of the clause which required them to file a petition for naturalization. To them the mere fact that they had offered their services to Uncle Sam au- tomatically entitled them to full rights of citizenship. Many were wounded and others maimed for life. After returning told the subcommittee that in general Je | % this country, where they were treat- in veteran hospitals, many of them were advised by medical men to return to the lands of their birth for recuper- ation, where the environment of rela- tives and friends and familiar scenes and climates might hasten their resto- ration of health. Belleving that by virtue of their honorable discharges they had gained for themselves the rights and privileges of native-born Americans, these for- eign-born veterans returned to their birthplaces never doubting that they possessed the right to return to the country for which they had fought and sacrificed their health, their limbs and in many cases their sight. Gates Now Are Closed. But such was not the case. Many, through ignorance of the law, had failed to comply with the clause that they present their honorable discharges be- fore the expiration of a certain time and make formal petition for naturali- zation. Others, upon presenting their pass) to local consuls for visas, were told their naturalization papers were canceled because of their over- staying an allotted time abroad. In all cases th outstanding fact remained —the gates of the United States were closed to t men who never be- lieved they would be refused entry to gln! ut‘:’ount.ry for which they had sac- Many of them delayed returning be- cause of protracted ill health, business matters which had to be settled or ill relatives. Upon requesting permission to return to the United States, they were told they were aliens and must comply with ‘the regular immigration laws of the United States. “Not only are these men not per- mitted to return to thes United States,” Comdr. Wheelock stated with indigna- tion,” “but in countries of their birth they also are considered as aliens, hav- ing served in the American Army dur- ing the war and having become citi- zens of this country by reason of that service. ~Consequently they are very much discriminated against in obtain- ing employment of any kind, as in the European countries, Italy in partic- ular. where employment is a serious question, it is natural that natives of the land should be given employment before aliens.” Skilled Workers Go to Field. “Some of these men, members of the American Legion, obliged to take any work they can find to save themselves - from starvation—in many cases the only work they can secure is merely day labor work in the fields and many of them are skilled workers; ;l‘lrble cutters, mechanics and machin- . ‘The Veterans' Bureau has no office outside of this country and frequently, Comdr. Wheelocr. says, before assist- ance can be obtained for a veteran re- siding in Italy, much time elapses. Comdr. Wheelock, after a three-year residence abroad, is familiar with con- ditions among the World War veterans and American Legion members living in foreign countries, She has arrived in Washington to present facts to Col. John Thomas Taylor, chairman of law and legisla- tion for the American Legion, who for many years has been ceaseless in his efforts to help suffering American war veterans and who was untiring in his work for the passage of the Tilson bill 1926. This bill, first introduced by Repre- gentative Tilson of Connecticut, was drawn up expressly for the purpose of protecting alien American war veterans and members ot the American Legion and preventing the injustices which they are now suffering. The bill is worded as “an act to admit to the United States and to extend naturaliza- tion privileges to alien veterans of the World War.” Bill Had Time Clause. Unfortunately, the bill had a time clause attached and those who were to enjoy its benefits must do so before the expiration of one year after the Injured Soldiers Went Back IMMIGRATION LAW BARS RETURN OF ALIEN-BORN VETERANSTO U. S. COMDR. JULIA WHEELOCK. —Harris-Ewing Photo. enactment of the act. Many alien vet- erans failed to comply with this clause, due in many cases to ignorance or physical inability. ‘The end for which the Tilson bill was passed has been defeated through the introduction of this time clause, which has disqualified a large group of war veterans and American Legion members from enjoying the privileges which were extended to foreign born who fought for this country during the World War. Comdr. Wheelock hopes to co-operate with Col. Taylor in urging further legislation on this matter Wy either making permanent or extending the time clause of the Tillson bill. Never is there an American Legion parade in a city of Italy but these men turn out with pride, and hobble or feel their way to the meeting place. Comdr, Wheelock contends that many of them possess means, and trades at which they are experts. In no way will they be incumbrances on the Govern- ment, but having sacrificed the rights of citizenship through an unavoidable overstay abroad, or through ignorance, they now are in a ‘“non-preference status” and are denied entrance. Feels Persopal Obligation. “I feel a personal obligation to get justice for these men,” said Comdr. Wheelock, - “because, as a chief petty officer in the United States Navy dur- ing the war, I was detailed to recruiting duty. At that time, I was assisted in my work by Stephen Porter, now a member of Congress from Pennsylvania, who, by his eloquent oratorical powers, persuaded many aliens living in this country to enlist in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. Many of these men were holding high-paying positions in steel mills, Tubber factories and other such places and they gave up every- thing to serve the United States, being assured at the time that, b};lto doing, they would be granted tl rights, privileges and protections of American citizens. It is because I urged so many of these men to fight for Uncle Sam and told them that by so doing, they would become his own, true sons, that I feel I must do all that is possible to get for them justice and the rights of American citizenship.” PARK ENTRANCE FUTURE OF GAPITAL AND NEARBY AREAS 1§ SEEN BY MOORE Fine Arts Group Chairman Expects Electrification of Railways. PREDICTS REVISION OF YARDS SYSTEM Water Park in Marshes of Big Hunting Creek and Potomac Tunnel or Bridge Included. Electrification of the railroads oper- ating in the National Capital; a re- vision of the raflroad yards and system to keep unnecessary freight from com- ing into Washington, with the building of a tunnel under the Potomac River or a new bridge; a water park in the marshes of Big Hunting Creek and a survey of the whole situation affecting Alexandria, Va., and the Mount Ver- non Highway are visualized by Charles M?Oli‘e. chairman of the Fine Arts Com- 1+ission. ‘W. DuB. Brookings of Menokin Semi- nary Hall, Alexandria, Va. recently wrote to Mr. Moore, suggesting that a survey to preserve the scenic and his- torical beauties of that community be made. Mr. Moore’s answer was made public tod: “Alexandria is to be a pearl in the chain of the Mount Vernon Highway,” Mr. Moore explained, adding that Alex- andria’s house should be put in order, not commercially, but historically. Foresees Shift in Methods. Toreseeing a shift in the method of handling freight by the railroads, Mr. Moore asserted that the carriers them- selves would find the proper place, but he sald his opinion was that it would be beyond Alexandria, to the south. “It seems to me wasteful to drag all the freight for the South across the Anacostia through the City of Wash- ington and back to Alexandria,” Mr. Moore asserted in his letter to Mr. Brookings. Relating to the electrification of the railroads coming into Washington, Mr. Moore said that he has been informed that the Pennsylvania Rallroad is spending immense sums of money on this program and that “as sure as fate electrification of the carriers’ lines in Washington is_coming. Chairman Moore's letter to Mr. Brookings follows: “Dear Mr. Brookings: “I have your cheering letter of Sep- tember 27 and am intensely interested in it. I have read the proposed outline for a study of the subject and think it admirably constructed. “Favors Alexandria Route. “From the beginning of the project for a Mount Vernon Highway I have favored the route through Alexandria because of the keen interest in that wvsn taken by George Washington, who laid it out, who had much to do with Christ Church and w! intimate Scotch friends were interested in the REMOVAL ASKED 16th and” Kennedy Streets Traffic Congested Is Plea to Grant. Removal to the northward of the en- trance to Rock Creek Park at Sixteenth and Kennedy streets to avoid traffic congestion was advocated by a delega- tion from the Sixteenth Street Highland Citizens' Association, which interviewed Lieut. Col. U. 8. Grant, 3d, director of public buildings and public parks, today. A special committee, appointed to take up the problem, consisted of Dr. W. Howard, chairman; Dr, Millard F. ‘Thompson and Harry A. Wood. At present, Dr. Thompson explained, traffic flowing west from Kennedy street is confused when it reaches Sixteenth street, on its way to Rock Creek Park, due to the resultant left and right hand turn necessitated when negotiating Six- teenth street. A survey conducted over the week end showed that there was great congestion at that point, Dr. Thompson declared. By moving that entrance to Rock Creek Park to a point directly opposite Kennedy street, he said, traffic could then continue its straight westward course, obviating the present snakelike movement. Members of the delegation said that the grass had not been cut recently at the reservoir at Sixteenth and Ken- nedy streets and a special committee was suggested, that the reservoir might be turned into a sunken garden, with a band stand on top. This has been taken under consideration by Col. Grant. ‘The association is scheduled to hold its next meeting November 4. Col. Grant will address it on the traffic problem. He advised the delegation that the cost of straightening out the turn, one of the results of lack of defi- nite city planning in the early days, would be high, due to the grade that leads down into Rock Creek Park. At present there are no funds available for this particular purpose. WOMAN IS GASSED. Miss Marle Zeiter, 51 years old, living jn an apartment at 5425 Connecticut avenue, was found unconscious in the kitchen of the apartment shortly before 12 o'clock last night as a result of il- luminating gas poisoning. Miss Zeiter was seated in front of the gas range with several of the burn- ers open, police reported, but she was in such a serious condition that she was unable to offer any explanation. ‘The six District Building elevators are slowly but surely getting around to the point where they meet the speci- fications called for in the buildi reg- ulations. The latest step in this di- rection is the work of putting inner safety doors on all the cars, now in rogress. Up to now all of the elevators gnve violated section 9, part 2 B 3 f of the code, which reads: that many could not afford to rent garages, even though they were avail- able, and that “it is impossible and ridiculous” to think that garage accom- e oseicaon muceosted s irathe. sur suggested & - ey should be made here. % “A car door or gate shall be pro- vided at each entrance to power _passenger cars and each door or gale shall be provided with car-gate elec- tric_contacts or equivalent device.” The step previous, some weeks ago, to equip the olmt{t with inter- District Building's‘ Elevators Given Safety Doors to Comply With Law lock devices, which made it impos- sible for the cars to ascend or descend when any. of the gates were open. Still previous to that, last year a mesh wire protection was placed on the gates. The elevators still lack the mesh-wire protection inside the cars, which, cording to the regulations, should e: tend 6 feet upward from the floor. Nothing has been done, however, to increase the speed of the notoriously slow elevators, or the power, which fre- quently fails to hoist the cars to the top fifth floor, In fact, the speed of operation has been further decreased in those cars which have complied with &l;: regulation by the installation of .car oY Presbyterian Church. In conversation with the people of Alexandria I im- pressed upon them the idea that the route of the highway having been fixed to pass through Alexandria the town should respond both by the preservation of its historic buildings and also by creating sentiment in favor of a return to the colonial traditions when new structures are to be erected. It seemed to me particularly unfortunate that the Public Service Building was designed without reference to the town traditions, and I hope this will be a warning. I have urged upon Mayor Smoot the de- sirability of securing new control of the marshes of Big Hunting Creek for a water park. The possibilities of the de- velopment of such a park and its use- fulness to the growing town are appar- ent to one who gives even casual con- sideration to the Alexandria problem. Sees Railway Revision. “I believe that before long there will be a considerable revision of the rail- way yards. It seems to me wasteful to drag all the freight for the South across the Anacostia, through the city of Washington and back to Alexandria. ‘There should be a crossing of the Po- tomac either over or under the Potomac near Alexandria, and only freight des- tined for use in Washington should come into South Washington. These are some of the larger aspects of the problem requiring study in any gen- eral survey. “It will give me real satisfaction to be of any assistance in my power along these lines. The survey should be suf- ficiently wide to include the Theological Seminary and the entire region once embraced in the District of Columbia and afterward retroceded to Virginia. “Yours very truly, (Signed) ~“CHARLES MOORE, “Chairman.” CHANGE PURPOSE OF CHILD FARM Society to Turn Institution Into Convalescent Home for Children. Conversion of the Christ Child Farm and Convalescent Home. located in Rockville, Md.,, on the Norbeck Pike, to a home for convalescent children was announced yesterday by officlals of the Christ Child Society. Consent for the change was given by the munity Chest. Dr. John Foote, dean of the George- town University Medical School, is medical adviser to the home and a ‘Lirm?ed nurse will act as superinten- ent. Operated as a non-sectarlan insti- tution, the home will be open to girls from 6 to 13 years of age and boys from 6 to 8 years, to be selected at the clinics of the Children’s Hospital, Providence and Georgetown University Hospitals. When the recommendations exceed the capacity of the home, it was announced, the most needy and undernourished children will be given preference. Pediatric cases as well as convales- cents will be taken, it was said. The farmhouse has been equipped with a modern heating plant and remodeled so as to provide several sun rooms. There will be a room fitted for violet ray treatment and other modern meth- ods of treating children. By establ fu"‘h home, officials of the Christ Child Soclety say, they e: t to make a large number of ad- Com- ditional beds available in Washington's crowded hospitals. SEUIEINIS Among 26 houses robbed by a “sec- ond-story thief In Glasgow, Scotland, recently was that of A. col ble.of Glaggow. - . Smith, chief DESIGN OF ALMAS TEMPLE CLUBHOUSE BEING DEDICATED TODAY ' | 4 N o6 L D £ - Sos FN ‘nécm= PN X X X X XXX o X3 % = IS L X X > e Fraat i ‘p' N\ 3 ‘%L 4 SN & SRS 5 eyl Aalelsalis i ST 'sw,e«n,' =1 PRIZE BUILDING. 10 BE SELECTED Arts Commission to Name Outstanding Contribution to Beautification of City. ‘The Fine Arts Commission Thursday afternoon will visit the eight buildings and developments selected last April by the Washington Board of Trade as the year's outstanding contribution to the beautification of Washington and will pick from among them the most meri- torious. i ‘The eight awarded certificates by the board were chosen by a committee of three architects of national reputation out of 372 entered in the competition. The following were the winners in the April competition: Carlton Hotel, owned by the Ward- man Construction Co. and designed by M. Mesrobian. ‘The Young Women’s Christian Asso- ciation Building, designed by A. B. Heaton. The Mullen Memorial Library, at Catholic_University, designed by Mur- phy & Olmstead. Chapel, cloister and garden on Bla- densburg road, owned by the Fort Lin- coln_Cemetery and designed by Horace W. Peaslee. Development of Wesley _Heights, homes owned by W. C. & A. N. Miller and designed by Gordon McNeil. Reno water tower and District of Columbia buildings at Tenleytown, owned by the District government and designed by Albert L. Harris. The residence at 2425 Kalorama road, owned by C. D. Drayton and de- signed by T. J. D. Fuller, ‘The residence at Twenty-fourth street and Wyoming avenue, owned by Edwin B. Parker and designed by Wyeth & Sullivan. As the foremost body of its kind in the National Capital, the Fine Arts Commission agreed, upon request by the board’s tommittee on municipal art, to make the final selection. Be- sides the winner there will also be an honorable mention. ‘The competition, sponsored by the Board of Trade, was inaugurated six years ago here and has since been taken u? in many other cities. Appleton P. Clark is chairman of the committee in charge. Members of the Fine Arts Commis- sion who are to make the inspection include Charles Moore, chairman; H. P. Caemmerer, secretary; Abram Garfield, Benjamin W. Morrison, Ferruccio Vi- tale, Exra Winter, John W. Cross and Adolph A. Weinman. PRESIDENT AWARDS REGATTA TROPHY Cup Presented by Hoover to Win- ner of Potomac Speed- boat Classic. Richard F. Hoyt had the honor today of receiving from the hands of Presi- dent Hoove the silver trophy known as the President’s Cup, which he won in the recent motor boat regatta on the Potomac. ‘The presentation ceremonies, which were held in the rear grounds of the White House, were witnessed by Assist- ant Secretary of the Navy Jahncke and members of the regatta committee, Members of the regatta committee on hand to see the owner of the Imp, which won the President’s Cup race, receive the trophy were Rear Admiral Billard, Comdr. Jones and Commodore Smith of the United States Coast Guard and Vice Commodores W. C. Shelton and W. A. Roper and L. G. Leech, eodore P. Noyes, J. F. Downs, Galliher, O. R. Lewis and J. G. Above — Detail of, the facade of the Masonic _structure ‘being erected at | 1313-15 K street, the corner stone of which was laid this afternoon. Below — Leo V. Youngworth of Los Angeles, imperial potentate of the Shrine, who will attend the ceremonies. TENARE VTS OF TRAFFCHERE Robert Duffel in Serious Con- dition—Police Seek Hit- and-Run Driver. ‘Ten persons were injured, one seri- police last night and this morning. Robert Duffel, 24 years old, of 144§ N street, is in a serious condition at Cas- ualty Hospital as the result of injuries suffered last night when run down at Fifth street and Massachusetts avenue by a hit-and-run_driver. Duffel was treated by Dr. J. Rogers Young of the hospital staff, who said he sustained internal injuries, contusions and lacera- tions to the face and body. Police are searching for a machine which they sald bore Ohio license plates and the number of which they have obtained. Five persons, including a 4-year-old child, narrowly escaped serious injury late yesterday when the automobile in which they were riding was in collision at the Fourteenth street exit from Hains Point, Potomac Park, with a Washing- ton, Alexandria and Braddock bus operated by Earl F. Dove of Alexan- dria, Va. All Given Treatment. Frank Wilmot, 38 years old, driver of the machine; Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot, 75 and 65 vears old, respectively; Mrs. Carlton Bell, 52 years old, and 4-year- old Howard Wilmot, all of 7500 Rock- ville Pike, Md. Passengers were all treated at Emergency Hospital for minor body bruises and shock. The injured went home after treatment. Dove was arrested by police of the fourth pre- cinct on a charge of reckless driving. John H. Jones, 48 years old, of 2801 Channing street northeast, was treated at_Sibley Hospital for minor injuries suffered when the machine he was driv- ing was in collision at North Capitol and N streets with an automobile op- erated by Clarence Lee of Philadelphia, Pa. Jones was treated, for abrasions to the face and neck and later taken home. - Charles F. Hunter, 36 years old, col- ored, of 22 Wonders court southwest, was injured about the left hip and el- bow when run down at First and G streets northeast by an automobile op- erated by John A. Lucas, whose ad- dress police did not learn. The man was treated at Providence Hospital and later taken home. Six-year-old John Buchanan, colored, of 616 Harvard street, was treated at Freedmen's Hospital for minor injuries to the face and 'chin, suffered when run down at Georgia gvenue and Har- vard street by an automobile operated by Willie H. Mayer of Luray, Va. child was taken home after treatment. Gardner, 9-year-old colored | ir. otuly, i “teASE secidenita reperted ta | s e | SHRINE CLUBHOUSE CORNER STONE LAID Imperial Potentate of Order Is Present for Almas Temple Exercises. In the presence of Imperial Poten- tate Leo V. Youngworth of Los An- geles, head of the Order of the Mystic Shrine of North America, the corner stone of the new clubhouse building being erected by Almas Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S, at 1313-15 K street, was laid this afternoon by Wisdom~ D. Brown, grand master of Masons in the District of Columbia, with the assist- ance of officers of the Grand Lodge. Ancient custom of the Masonic craft, which has come down through the ages, was followed in the ceremony. Uses Washington Gavel. The exercise was featured by the use by Grand Master Brown of the gavel wielded by George Washington at the laying of the corner stone of the United States Capitol. This historic gavel is the property of ,Potomac Lodge, No. 5, F. A. A. M, of the District. It is never permitted to be taken from its place a safe deposit box without authorization granted ' by Potomac Lodge. It was conveyed to the site of the Almas clubhouse by a special com- mittee of the lodge, which is held re- sponsible for its safe return to the vault. The committee in charge of the gavel today consisted of Andrew K. Reynolds, Thomas G. King and Harold McCartney. ‘The ceremony included prayer by the grand chaplain, and music by the Ma- Grand Master Brown a courtesy handed the trowel to Im- perial Potentate Youngworth, Potentate Edwin C. Dutton of Almas Temple, and PAGE 17 TEN-YEAR WATER PROGRAM TAKES ON DEFINITE FORM Plan Calls for Complete Metering and Replacement of Defective Units. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO CARE FOR FUTURE Rearrangement of Gravity Flow Area Is Being Considered Under Plan, Metering of all water consumed in the District and the replacement of all disabled and defective meters now in service within 10 years, is contemplated in the proposed water improvement and extension program now taking definite shape at the District Building, it was disclosed today by Capt. Hugh Oram, assistant engineer commissioner. The program is designed to cover a period of 10 years, and is being worked out by District officials in co-ordination with the United States engineer’s office for the District, which has supervision over the water supply system. It also will provide for complete modernization of the distribution system and a num- ber of improvements and additions to the supply system to meet prospective needs of the future as the population contin- ues to increase. Rearrange Gravity Area. Another improvement under consid- eration which may be included in the program is a rearrangement of the area now served by gravity flow, which would place the downtown business section on the first high pumping service, provid- ing increased pressure for the new Gov- ernment buildings, as well as for the numerous private buildings in this area. Recent disclosures brought to light that not more than 85 per cent of the water used in the District is metered and that more than 14,000 of the meters in service are either mechanically de- fective, disabled or not functioning properly. Capt. Oram explained that utmost attention has been given the meter situation in the preparation of the pro- gram and if the recommendations to be contained in it are carried out the District will have 100 per cent meter service at the end of 10 years, with all of the meters in first-class operating condition and measuring ac tely the amount of water consumed. To Extend Meter Service. ‘The program will provide for gradual elimination of the defective met extension of the meter service to con= sumers whose water is not now metered. A large majority of the disabled meters, it is believed, can be restored to proper operating condition by minor repairs or cleaning, but some of them undoubtedly will have to be scrapped. Immediate replacement of the un- satisfactory meters and extension of mcters, 1 was pointed eut 15 not only mef was out, is not on! physically impossible at this time, but would throw too much of a financial burden on the Water Department, which is self-supporting, revenues from the sale of water being its only source of income. An increase in water rates, therefore, would 1: the only means of improving the meter situation within the period of a few years and this Dis- trict officials are endeavoring to avofd, if possible. Additional distributing reservoirs and increased pumping facilities may be provided for the supply system in the rogram, it was indicated, but the major improvements contemplated are in the distribution system, which is still using mains placed in the ground 50 and 60 years ago. Many of these mains will be replaced, especially in the busi- ness section if this area is put on the first high pumps. Some of the old pipes in this section, it is believed, are not in condition to withstand increased pressure. “Bottleneck” to Be Removed. The most urgent improvements, how= ever, will be taken care of in the first installment of the program. Outstand- ing among these, in the opinion of District officials, is the elimination of a so-called “bottleneck” in one of the trunk mains running from the new Dalecarlia Reservoir through Mount. Pleasant and Columbia Heights, The “bottleneck” consists of a 24-inch main connected at both ends to a 36-inch main which results in a decided de- crease in pressure in Mount Pleasant ::.r{ the points beyond on the trunk in. The economy of transferring the busie s | ness section from the gravity flow to the first high pumping area is princi) factor which will influence Dtst‘:‘lcl o:i clals in deciding whether this change others, to spread part of the cement. Grand Treasurer Charles E. Baldwin deposited in the corner stone at the call of Grand Secretary J. Claude Keiper various Masonic documents, memor and records and copies of The Star and other Washington newspapers. Personnel of Committees. The building committee of Almas Temple, serving in connection with the erection of the new clubhouse, consists of Leonard P. Stuart, chairman; Edwin C. Graham, William C. Miller, James A. ‘Wetmore, Allan H. Potts, and F. Law~ rence Walker. ‘The officers are Edwin C. Dutton, potentate; James C. Hoyle, chief rab- ban; Robert S. Regar, assistant rabban; J. T. Prendergast, high priest and prophet; E. D. Anderson, oriental guide; Frank E. Ghiselli, treasurer; F. Law- rence Walker, recorder; Willlam C. Mil ler, first ceremonial master; George F.| Hoover, second ceremonial master; Frank A. Birgfeld, marshal. and R. Lyman Sexton, captain of the guard. ‘The rd of trustees includes Thomas E. Jarrell, chairman; L. Whit- g Estes, vice chairman; William Mont- gomery and Paul E. Le: Reports Loss of $240. Paul S. Smith, 254 Carroll street, | Takoma Park, last night told police a visit he paid at the home of acquaint~ ances in the 200 block of D street northeast cost him $240, such & sum having been taken from his pocket, he stated. Police questioned an occupant of the apartment, but did not hold him in custody. should be'recommended in the 10 years® program. A survey already has been made to determine the cost to owners of private buildings in the business sec= tion of pumping water to the upper stories. If the result shows that it will bring- about a decided saving and the expense of strengthening the distribu- tion system in this area to carry the increased pressure is mot too costly, then the change likely will be recom= mended. ¥ The area bounded roughly by Twenty= first on the west, Judiciary Square on the east, K street on the north and the Mall on the south is that under consideration for increased pressure through a shift from gravity flow to the first high pumps. Thus the new Gov- ernment buildings in the Pennsylvania avenue-Mall triangle would get the ben- efit of higher pressure than now avail~ able under the gravity flow. Definite steps to put the proposed 10-year program in final shape for con= sideration of the Commissioners will be taken early next week by Capt. Oram, who was directed by Engineer Commis~ sioner William B. Ladue weeks ago to make a study of the water situation. Capt. Oram is now awaiting the rec- ommendations of the Water Depart= ment hefore proceeding with his report. ‘The proposed 10-year program is the outgrowth of a tentative five-year pro- gram_developed several months ago by the Water Department, which was predicated on a 20 per cent increase in water rates. The phenomenal growth of Washington and the likelihood of a continued increase in population con- vinced both District officals and those connected with the United States en- gienzer'l office that the program should extended further into the future. girl, living at 1214 Pifth street, was treated at Sibley Hospital for minor in- Juries suffered when run down at First and L streets by an automobile which police reported was driven by George w. . 31 years old, jailer at the Fairfax County Jail. " The child was taken home after treatment. Senor Don Pablo Santos Munoz, sec- ond secretary of the Argentine embassy, narrowly escaped injury yesterday when his machine was in collision at Con- necticut avenue and Woodley road with an automobile operated by Percy B. Mc- The | Coy of 3509 Morrison ;;mt‘ who also th cars were escaped _uninjured, slightly damaged. The program will be flexible to per- mit revisions that may be found nec- essary from year to year. It will be car- ried out as a unit by both the District and United States engineer’s office. Deputy Indicted in Boy’s Death. ASHLAND, Ala, October 11— Deputy Sheriff Cecil Guthrie was dicted yesterday by a Clay Count grand jury on first degree murder charges in connection with the slaying of Clarence Bailey, 18-year-old high school boy. ‘The youth was slain while attempting to escape arrest on a liquor