Evening Star Newspaper, November 20, 1929, Page 17

DISTRICT PAVING PROGRAM COVERS 1 STREET MILES Present Season Sees Record Established in District Improvement. SURVEY OF EXISTING SYSTEM TO BE MADE All Work Expected to Be Com- pleted by Thanksgiving Day. Inspection to Ztart. Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, chief engi- meer and co-ordinator of the District, that since Spring e have been laid on Washington’s network of streets and suburban roads, constituting the largest highway improvement pro- gram ever completed in one working season. The work cost approximately $2,500,000. In addition, Capt. Whitehurst said, 60,000 square yards of alleys and a like area of sidewalk space were concreted in the same perlod, thus reflecting still greater credit on the highway depart- ment. Complete by Thanksgiving. Capt. Whitehurst expects the cur- rent working season on street improve- ments to be completed by Thanksgiving day, at which time the entire highway department will devote its attention to a comprehensive survey of highway conditions started more than a month ago. Only three resurfacing projects remain to be finished to close this sea- son’s program and the progress on them thus far indicates that the work will be completed within a week. ‘The three projects are the resurfac- ing of Military road from Forty-fiirst street to Rock Creek Bridge, Minnesota avenue from Benning road to Galt street and South Dakota avenue from burg road to Rhode Island ave- Each of these important traffic is being given a new asphaltic .surface and concrete curbs and gutters. ‘The travel space on Military road also s being widened. Competition Cuts Prices. ‘The street work this year, Capt. Whitehurst explained, has been supe- rior to that of former years and the cost has not been increased because of lower prices brought about through keener competition between paving con- tractors. The minimum thickness of the sheet asphalt base on all new downtown streets and other heavily- traveled thoroughfares was raised from six to eight inches and the thickness of base on all other streets was increased from six to seven inches. ‘The greater thickness, according to Capt. Whitehurst, will prevent the base of streets from breaking under the strain of traffic, thereby assuring greater economy when resurfacing is necessary, as only the topping of these streets will have to be replaced. The topping, he pointed out, has no value as a carry- ing capacity, since it is a wearing sur- face only. New Cement Employed. Another improvement in the highway work this year, Capt. Whitehurst said, ‘was the use of a new cement, known to road builders as “early strength con- crete,” which facilitated the opening of streets closed for repairs. This cement nue. a was used in a number of the streets in | the business section and at all inter- sections, permitting the topping to be laid seven or eight hours after the con- crete base was poured. Ordinary cement, he explained, has to be cured for seven or eight days before it is ready for a topping. The highway survey which was initi- ated at the direction of Capt. White- hurst, is now about 80 per cent com- lete in the field, and with the addi- assistance to be had after the close of the street improvement pro- gram assurance was given that it would be finished by the new year. The fundamental idea of the survey is the development of a definite pro- gram for maintenance and replacement. ry street and suburban road will be inspected and classified, and the im- provements needed will be listed ac- to the urgency. Capt. White- hurst believes the survey will be in- valuable to the highway department in mzping out its future programs for highway work. UNIDENTIFIED CUSTOMER HOLDS UP DELICATESSEN $15 Taken From Cash Drawer and $5 From Proprietor by Armed Youth. Walking into a delicatessen at 1727 North Capitol street last night, an unidentified youth ordered a big meal. All the other patrons had left when the young man finished his meal. He then pointed a pistol at the proprietor, Paul Harb, and demanded his money. As Harb offered no resistance, the man took $15 from a cash register. He then searched Harb, took $5 from his person and walked nonchalantly away. o R MAN SERIOUSLY HURT IN FALL DOWN SHAFT Lester Johnson, 34, Wrists in New Apartment House Here. Lester Johnson, 34 years old, of 4831 Thirty-sixth street was seriously in- jured shortly after 11 o'clock last night when he fell into the elevator shaft while walking through a new apari- ment house at Columbia' road and Mintwood pldce. He was taken to Emergency Hospital and treated for fractures of his wrists and s laceration over the right eye. Police were unable to explain John- son’s presence in the building. CITY TO SELL UTILITIES. @Gas and Electric Plants Owned by Danville to Be Sold. Special Dispatch to The Star. DANVILLE, Va., November 20.—Steps Jooking to the sale of the city-owned electric and gas utilities which have been operated by the munic%ality for 40 years will be taken by the city coun- cil tonight. It is to vote on the terms of franchises on which bids would be recelved. The city has been asked by half a dozen power concerns, most of them in New York, for an’ opportunity to make bids. The People’s Light & Power Co. already has offered the city $3,750,000 for the electric plant, and Detweiler & Co. of New York has offered the city $4,100,000 for both utilities, Fractures CAPT. H. C. WHITEHURST. CHARACTER WORK INSCHOOL UPELD District Board of Education Follows Example of Other Sections of Country. In authorizing the superintendent of schools here to appoint a committee to formulate a plan of further promoting character education in Washington's public schools, the Board of Education is following the example alyeady set in other sections of the country. School officials made this clear today when they took exception to what was termed an unwarranted, but nevertheless prevail- ing belief, that nothing has been done heretofore in the schools in the way of character training. ‘When the school board, sitting as a committee of the whole, last Friday vetoed the Pl’uposll to withhold diplomas from pupils guilty of offenses against good conduct, it was decided that Dr. Frank W. Ballou, superintendent, should appoint a committee of school officials to study the general ptogram of char- acter guidance. This action was taken after board members had made it plain that the only reason the doploma-with- holdingproposal was made was to provide school officials with a toothed means of enforcing discipline in the interest of character training. It is this action, taken in a committee meeting, on which the board acts finally this afternoon. ‘Would Intensify Work. School officials explained today that any program mapped out by the com- mittee, which is to report its findings not later than April, would be to in- tensify the character education already being carried out in Washington schools, and not in any sense to introduce it. In some schools the principals, act- ing on advice of officials at the Franklin administration building, have initiated rather comprehensive programs of ac- tivity leading to character training. These programs, however, Stephen E. Kramer, first assistant superintendent, explained today, do not entail the ring- ing of a bell and the trite announce- ment “now we'll study character.” Mr. Kramer pointed out that the character guidance which now is being carried on is rather a part of the educational guidance programs, in which moral training is a live but not neces- sarily stressed feature. Pupils are schooled, for instance, in ! the virtues of personal cleanliness and health habits, while the relation of such habits to good citizenship and good manhood is pointed out by the teachers. Frequently open class dis- cussions are held on points of ethics in which problems acute to pupil life are discussed by the boys and girls them- selves with little or no active partici- pation by the teachers. One of the most popular topics in these discussions is the difference between “tale bear- ing” and “witness bearing.” If the board decides today to afirm its action of Friday, Dr. Ballou will appoint his committee at once. That body will study the progress made in character education elsewhere. The committee probably will call upon the Character Education Institute, of which Milton Fairchild, with offices here, is chairman. States Approve Study. The Character Education Institute Includes among its members State su- perintendents of education and educa- tional commissioners throughout the country. Dr. Ballou is a member of its board of directors. The institute has fostered character training in schools throughout the country and is able to supply much material to the local committee in its study. Commenting on character education in the more advanced forms, Mr. Fair- child said this morning that Boston introduced character training as an in- tensive subject five years ago and spends annually $10,000 in its promotion. Ne- braska now is operating under a State law providing for character training which was passed two years ago. Idaho adopted similar legislation last year. Studies already have been launched in New York City and in Chicago, where character training is rapidly becoming recognized as of equal importance with academic edu- cation. The character training pro- grams in most of these cities includes a series of appropriate lectures to pu- pils, a schedule of visits to institutions where kindness may be best taught, and a s¥lnem of recognition for chores done at home, POTOMAC ANGLERS MEET AT HOTEL HERE TONIGHT Chapter of Izaak Walton League to Show Motion Pictures and Have Buffet Supper. A monthly meeting of the Potomac Anglers' Association, Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of American will be held tonight, at 8 o’clock, in the oak room of the Raleigh Hotel. A general invitation has been extended by Dr. M. D'Arcy Magee, president of the chapter, to all interested in the “great out-of- doors” to be in attendance, @he Foening Starf WASHINGTON, D. POLICE SALARIES SAVING IS SHOWN INROOP'S REPORT Budget Director Informs President of Economies Effected in Government. SERVICE RADIO HELPS REDUCE TOLL EXPENSE $1,500,000 Cut Made Possible by Disbursing Officers Taking Ad- vantage of Discounts. Accumulation of $25,000 in salary ap- propriations for the Police Department in the last fiscal year was due to lapses where vacancies were not immediately filled, according to the annual report of the director of the Bureau of the Budget, Col. J. C. Roop. This sum is listed as a saving, from funds appropriated but not expended. An equivalent amount is usualiy de- ducted by the Bureau of the Budget from the next year’s estimates. Whether the deduction” has been made for the next year was not disclosed. Savings also were reported as having been made at Gallinger Municipal Hospital through connecting all exist- ing bulldings with one central heating plant, at a cost of approximately $2,500. This enabled the municipality to pense with one complete low-pressure plant, and to discontinue securing en- ergy from a neighboring plant, thus re- sulting in an economy of apprcximately $3,500 annually. A central -upply de- partment and storerooms of the hospital also was estimated to have made a sav- ing of approximately $9,000. Sewer Savings Are Reported. The sewer department reported new pumps installed at the Rock Creek pumping station at a cost of $15,177.34 to result in & total annual saving of $3,036.80. Other savings were made at the Woodridge station. ‘The municipal architect's office re- ported savings in paint jobs for the city. The Free Public Library also reported several savings, where the statement said actual money value could not te estimated. But it was believed they have resulted in “substantlal savings, and the policy is,” it was explained, “to restudy each process of the work at frequent intervals in order to effect the most economical administration con- sistent with good results.” Among savings at the Library were listed the following: Substitution of library aids, at $1,020, in place of underlibrary assistants at $1,260 for peak-hour service at circula- tion desks. Multigraphing many and blanks instead of printing. Mimeographing reading lists instead of printing. Temporary employment of a cars penter for much repair work to build< ings and equipment at great saving of forms |cost for such work performed by out- side labor. Utilizatiors of labor-saving _devices recommended by Bureau of Efficiency, mechanical I;ock c:‘ml’l\nl machines, sealer, dictaphone, etc. Substitution of homemade shelving for expensive shelving and utilization of the shelving thereby released for public departments. ‘Adaptaticn of old truck for use as book wagon (such wagons are on the market for home and community dis- tribution of books and ordinarily cost at least $1,000). Toll Savings Is Large. The sputtering of the Army and Navy radio plus the War Department’s leased wires saved the Government $1,885,566 in telegraph tolls during the fiscal year, the report shows. Of the amount the War Department cable and telegraph system in Alaska showed a return of $468,774. ‘The number of words transmitted by the Navy was placed at 6,589,870. The number of words handled by the Army was not given. ‘The Government saved $1,500,000 be- cause disbursing officers took advantage of discounts, according to the report. Col. Roop reviewed the extensive operations of the Bureau of the Budget for the year, including the making of the budget apportionments of appro- priations, reserves, discounts, standard forms, budget officers, Federal business associations, co-ordination departmental economies and many other questions. In the 196-page report, which is made to the President, the budget director praises officials who have been prac- ticing_economy. Col. Roop, succeeded Gen. H. M. Lord last May 31. FEDERAL EXAMINATIONS FOR JOBS ARE LISTED Civil An- nounces Branches in Which Service Commission Places Are Open. ‘The Civil Service Commission an- nounces that Government positions are open in the following branches through competitive examinations: Dietitian, “hospitals of the United States Public Health Service and Vet- erans’ Bureau throughout the United States. Assistant warehouse examiner (cot- ton and bulk and sack grain), $2,600 to $3,100 a year, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agriculture, for duty in Washington, D. C, or in the field. Topographic draftsmen of various grades at $1,440 to $2,300 a year, depart- mental service, Washington, D. C. Junior chemist, $2,000 a year, de- partmental service and in the field. The optional subjects are advanced inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. Full ' information and application blanks may be obtained from the Civil Service Commission, 1724 F street northwest. PROTEST HOUR CHANGE. The meeting will be devoted to a short business session, with an address by & prominent speaker, followed by motion pictures and a buffet supper. OFFERS COMEDY PLAY. Order of De Molay to Stage “Lift- ing Jimmy’s Jinx.” “Lifting Jimmie’s Jinx,” a comedy play, will feature the third annual vaudeville and dance of the Robert Le- Bruce Chapter, Order of DeMolay, to be held at the National Press Club, Friday evening, November 29, at 8: o'clock. Stunts by the DeMolay tum- bling team and dancing will conclude the program. 15,000 Letters Object to Early Pro- gram of Amos 'n’ Andy. Determined to do something to stop the storm of criticism which followed the recent change in the hour of the Amos 'n’ Andy blackface comedian pro- gram, officials of the National Broad- casting Co. today puzzled over the problem. The comedians formerly went on the alr at 11 o'clock each night, Eastern standard time. The program has started at 7 o'clock since last Monday. As a result, some 15,000 letters of protest have been received. Most of the com- plaints have come from the Rocky 0 | Mountain section, where the broadcast now begins at 5 p. On the other han tests were made by Washingtonians. d, only a few pro-' ARPORTCANPAIN 10 BEPUTBEFORE 1S BY 3CR0UPS iBoard of Trade, Aeronautical | C. of C. and Association Sponsor Meeting. ! | { | OUTSTANDING AVIATION FIGURES WILL SPEAK| Session, to Be Held at Willard on | January 13, to Indicate Feeling to People of Nation. A meeting conducted by the Washing- | | ton Board of Trade, sponsored jointly by the National Aeronautic Association and the Aeronautical Chamber of Com- | merce of the United States, the two| lergest organizations of their kind in the country, is to be held at the Wil-| lard Hotel, January 13, to indicate to the people of the Nation the feeling | that there should be an airport in the | National Capital. | A conference was held last week be- | tween Robert J. Cottrell, executive secre- | tary of the board; Lawrence E. Wil- liams, chairman of its aviation com- mittee; Frederick R. Neely, general manager of the National Aeronautical Association, and Paul Brattain, repre- senting the aeronautical chamber. At that time, the January meeting was agreed upon, the Board of Trade an- nounced today. The outstanding aeronautical figures of the country will be present and the leading vepresentatives of the industry are to speak. The meeting will be the first time the two most powerful forces in Nation- wide aviation have come together to sponser any project. The aeronautical association 1s representative of the most prominent of the air-minded figures of the country, while the chamber has as members the great majority of the com- mercial and manufacturing aviation firms. ‘The Board of Trade long has urged the establishment ~of an airport for Washington and from time to time has exerted its influence to make the dream a reality, but without success. Outcome of its negotiations with the two national organizations marks the enlistment of their aid in its endeavors. WOULDPLAGED. . ONARMAL ROUTE Chamber of Commerce Com- mittee Urges Construction of Model Airport. Establishment of a transcontinental air mail service, passing through the National Capital, and the construction of a model municipal airport within the District of Columbia were advocated by the aviation committee of the Wash- ington Chamber of Commerce at a meeting yesterday afternoon in the Homer Building. The committee will send a delegation to the Post Office Department Monday morning to urge that Washington be included on the transcontinental route proposed by Willlam Gibbs McAdoo, former Secretary of the Treasury, for the board of Sov''.ern Skylines, newly organized air tra.usport corporation. In Hands of Post Office. James C. Edgerton, vice president and operations manager of the air transport group, told the committee that the question whether the National Capital is to be included on the air mail line proposed is in the hands of the Post Office Department. The company has proposed alternative routes, both of which would include this city. ‘The committee authorized Lieut. Wal- ter Hinton, chairman, to appoint & sub- committee to attend an informal caucus of chamber of commerce delegates from Southern cities on_the proposed route at 10 o'clock Sunday morning in the Mayflower Hotel. This subcommittee also will appear at Monday's hearing in the Post Office Department. ‘The subcommittee will present to postal officials figures showing the amount of air mail poundage and other mail poundage sent and received by the National Capital, data on weather con- ditions and other information bearing upon the necessity of including the Na- tional Capital on the proposed Southern transcontinental route. Urges Action by Congress. Lieut. Hinton vigorously urged the committee to bring pressure to bear upon Congress for the enactment of air- port legislation for the District of Co- lumbia. He advocated the Gravelly Point site, and declared that it is essential, because of the increasing use of flying boats and seaplanes, that not only land airport but water facilities must be provided. The committee voted the chairman blanket authority to appoint whatever subcommittees may be necessary to col- lect data and formulate an airport cam- paign. Mr. Edgerton, who has just completed an airplane trip over the Southern transcontinental route covered by the Southern Skylines proposal, said that lack of an adequate airport here is holding the District back aeronautically more than any other single factor. He described airport facilities in towns of 8,000 to 25,000 population in the South- west which are far better than those available in the National Capital. ‘The committee also went on .record as favoring the creation of glider clubs | in the National Capital, and will make a study of methods of stimulating inter- | est in gliding and model aircraft building. BLAZE IN APARTMENT CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE ‘Woman, Driven Out by Smoke and Gas, Spends Night in Emer- gency Hospital. Dorothy Gross, 34, was forced to re- main in Emergency Hospital overnight after being driven from her apartment at 1308 Twenty-first street, when smoke and gas from a fire of an unknown origin broke out, causing heavy damage. The furnishings in the apartment were practically ruined and the exact amount of damgge could not be es- timated. The wi n was not seriously affected from the smoke and gas fumes. DAY, NOVEMBER Clark C. Griffith, owner of the Washington Base Ball Club, this morning was given a party at his office by members of his family and the staff of the ball club’s office. In the picture are shown (left to right): the assistant club secretary, “Billy” Smith; Miss Mildred Robinson, niece of Mrs. Griffith and the oldest adopted child of the base ball magnate; Mr. Griffith; Miss Elizabeth King, Mr. Griffith’s private secretary, and E. B. Eynon, club secretary. Mrs. Griffith and other members of Mr. Griffith’s domestic and office “families” attended the party. gifts from ardent sports followers and friends of the ball club head arrived at the office in time for the party. 20, 1929. Many bunches of flowers and other CNIGBETTERNENT EETIES TONGHT Three Citizens’ Organiza- tions to Have Discus- sions. ‘The attitude of Congress toward the District, the need of new school build- ings in certain sections and other ques- tions of civic betterment will be con- sidered at meetings of three citizens associations tonight. Representative Robert G. Simmons of Nebraska, chairman of the District subcommittee of the House committee on appropriations, is on the program to speak before the South Washington Citizens’ Association, which will meet at 8 o'clock in the Fairbrother Schoot, Tenth and E streets southwest. Di. Joseph A. Murphy, chief medical in- spector of the public schools, will ad- dress the ssociation on “The Need or a Dental Clinic in Southwest Wash- ington.” School matters, including the neea of & new school building on Broad Branch road, are expected to come be- fore the Chevy Chase Citizens’ Assocla- tion at a meeting at the E. V. Brown School, Connecticut avenue and Me- Kinley street. The Dahlgren Terrace Citizens’ As- sociation will meet for the considera- tion of questions of special interest tw that locality in the Social Oyster Club house, on Twelfth street near Rhode Island avenue northeast. 20 BEAUTIES HONOR GUESTS AT BANQUET Group of Contestants for Title of “Miss Federal Employe” Enter- tained by Federation. ‘Twenty young women employes of the | ¢im, Government, contestants for the title of “Miss Federal Employe,” were guests last night at a banquet in the Hamilton Hotel, given by the District Federation of Federal Employes’ Unions. John W. Ginder, president of the lo- cal organization, presided, while Luther C. Steward, president of the National Federation of Federal Employes, and Gertrude M. McNally, secretary of the same group, attended and .made brief talks. The guests were also addressed by William Sanger, secretary of the lo- cal organization; Mrs. Sophie Bergner, general committee chairman, and A. J. Oliver, chairman of the entertainment committee. The contest for the title of “Miss Federal Employe” will continue until the night of December 7, when the win- ner of the popularity contest will be decided in the Masonic Temple, Thir- teenth street and New York avenue. The winner of the contest will receive a sedan. Miss Ruby L. Martin is re- ported to be in the lead at present. SOCIETY HOLDS ELECTION Frank W. Rose, Jr.,, Heads Uni- versity Chemical Engineers. Frank W. Rose, jr., of this city, was elected president of the Chemical Engi- neering Soclety of the University of Virginia. at a meeting held yesterday by members of the organization. Other officers elected were G. V. M of Buchanan, Va., vice presiden ard W. Quarles of Richmond, Va., secre- tary, and H. S. Dunham, of Saltville, Va., corresponding secretary. “Y” MEN TO BANQUET. Dormitory men of the Young Men's Christian Association will attend a pre- Thanksgiving banquet tonight at 7 o’clock, in the assembly hall, at 1736 G street, Central Y. M. C. A. Building. Willlam John Cooper, United States commissioner of education, will be the guest of honor and principal speaker. John W. Hardell, chairman of the hl(éuu committee of the “Y,” will pre- side. Park Police Check Speedometers of Motor Cycle Squad Speeders in the parks of Wash- ington had better watch their step more than ever now. Offi- clals of the United States Park Police today had completed a test of the speedometers on the 23 motor cycles of the force. Accord- ingly, the officers will be able to pace speeders with accuracy and support their cases in the courts. The tests on the speedometers were checked by A. O. Stearns, official lometer tester at the District Building, who ascertained that all of the speedometers were functioning accurately, the park police declared today. SCRVENERPROBE WL BEEIN SO Rover Says He Will Speed Grand Jury Action in Death Quiz. United States Attorney Leo A. Rover today made definite announcement that the inquiry into the death of Arthur Scrivener, local detective, whose body was found in an alley in Georgetown in September, 1926, will be started before '&l;! grand jury at the earliest possible te. ‘The return of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Maragon to Chicago is not to be taken as an indication that the matter is to be postponed indefinitely, the prosecutor sald. Mrs. Maragon was the slain de- tective’s flancee. Unless the Department of Justice is ready to take up the investigation into the financial affairs of the F. H. Smith Co. early next week, it is more than likely that Rover will begin the pres- entation of the Scrivener case at that e. All the witnesses who testified before the coroner’s inquest fallowing the death of the detective will be taken before the grand jury. Any other per- sons who have any information which they will impart to the prosecutor will also be called. FIREMAN FINED $100 ON DESERTION CHARGE Penalty of Dismissal Reduced in of Good Record. ‘The District Commissioners_yesterday fined Pvt. W. J. Schmitz of No. 9 En- gine Company, $100 on a charge of desertion. The penalty recommended by the Fire Department Trial Board was dismissal, but the Commissioners reduced it to a fine on account of Schmitaz's good record. He has been once cited for bravery and once award- ed a medal for heroism. Schmitz’s offense was failing to re- turn at the expiration of a furlough. He did not appear at his trial. MAKES SOLO FLIGHT. Joseph Kousen Eleventh Air Le- gion Student to Fly Alone. One of the greatest thrills in the career of the average airplane pilot came today to Joseph Kousen, 229 Pennsylvania_avenue southeast, & sti-' dent of the D. C. Air Legion, when he | made his first solo flight at the Mount Vernon Alrport. Miss Frances L. Jack- son, an employe of the aeronauiic branch of the Department of Commerce, the first woman student of the Legion to fly alone, soloed yesterday for the first time. Kousen is the eleventh student soloed by Lieut. W. C. Buell, chief flying in- structor of the Legion, since he took over that post, October. Kousen was a View little “wabbiy” on the take-off, but re- covered nicely and then flew like a veteran. Historic Benches Will Be Restored ! To Place in Capitol Building Rotunda | Several historic benches used in the House of Representatives when that body heid its sessions in Statuary Hall, 70 years ago, soon will be restored to a place in the rotunda of the Capitol Building. Atter their use had been discontinued in the House the benches were used for some time in the United States Su- reme Court, and later were transferred the Court of Claims. Recently new furnishings were installed in the Court of Claims, and David Lynn, architect of the Capitol, decided to bring the ! No. 15, American Legion, at the elec- FARE PLEA AGTION EXPECTED TODAY CAPPER PROMISES RAPID ACTION ON TEXT BOOK BILL Enactment Seen for Measure to Give Free Books to i1°gh School Children. PROPOSAL WINS HEARTY APPROVAL OF COLLEAGUES Upper-Grade Students Would Be Given Same Advantages as Juniors, Speedy passage of the bill to provide for free text books and supplies in the public high schools of the District, at the regular session beginning next month, was predicted today by Senator Capper, chairman of the District com- mittee. Commenting on the favorable report given to this measure a few days ago by the Commissioners, Senator Capper said there is a growing belief that the bill would “lift an unwarranted burden from District parents and, at the same time, would effect no substantial drains upon the tnnmt:l.u resources of the Govern- ment.” Free in Grade Schools. Congress has been providing free text books in the first eight les, which include elementary schools and the first two years in the junior high schools. ‘The purpose of this measure is to give the same facilities to pu in _the h!ghzr classes of junior and senior high schools, “The favorable report by the District Commissioners constitutes an important step toward the enactment of this pro- gressive legislation at the impending regular session,” Senator Ca port will be of material assistance in presenting the matter to the District committee, and no doubt will be of ad- Washington Railway & Elec- tric Directors Meet to Decide on Course. ‘Whether the Washington Railway & Electric Co. will carry its fight for a higher fare to the courts or adopt some other course of procedure was expected to be determined at a meeting this afternoon of the board of directors. Although a week has passed since the Public Utilities Commission denied the car companies a fare raise, there has been no intimation from the Washing- ton Railway & Electric Co. whether it Capital Traction Co., and lnml to the courts, or abandon the t. The meeting of the directors, therefore, is vieweC with considerable importance in public utilities circles. The directors, however, will be with- out,_the advice and counsel of Harley P. Wilson, author of the original street railway merger plan, who has been one >f the dominant figures on the directorate of the Washington Railway & Electric Co. Mr. Wilson has just returned from Europe, where he has been for several months, because of his health, but his condition, while greatly improved, it was said, would not permit him to attend the meeting G. Thomas Dunlop, member of the board of directors of the Capital Trac- tion Co., and chief of its legal staff, is at work on the appeal to be taken in the District Supreme Court from the decision of the utilities commission de- nying a higher fare. Indications are that the appeal will be filed next week. for a temporary order to put the higher fare into force pending final court ac- on. \ OFFICIALS APPROVE SANTA CLAUS LANE Columbia Heights Business Men to Decorate 14th Street From Fair- mont to Monroe Street. Plans of the Columbia Heights Busi- ness Men's Association to turn Four- teenth street from Fairmont to Monroe streets into a Santa Claus lane next month were approved yesterday by the District Commissioners. The assoclation will string colored lights from tree to tree along the curb, suspend festoons of light from every tree and set out rows of evergreen :’r‘:es in ‘;:adrr;ls of sand. The area will paraded by gentlemen ised as Santa Claus. i s The program will be launched Decem~ ber 1 and continued throughout the month. The details were arranged at a conference yesterday between District officlals and B. A. Levitan and H. F. Dismer of the association. COSTELLO LEGION POST HONORS R. A. O’BRIEN Elects Him Commander and Chooses Full Board of Officers at An- nual Meeting. Richard A. O'Brien was last night named commander of the Costello Post, tion of officers of that organization, in the boardroom of the District Building. Other officers elected follow: Jacol N. Halper, senior vice commander; Gregory Cipriani, second senior vice commander; James Pistorio, junior vice commander; Father Francis F. Hurney, chaplain; L. Dull, sergeant-at-arms; E. R. Reynolds, master-at-arms; Dr. Frank H. Edmons, surgeon; Sam Olshefski, quartermaster, and Willlam F. Fre histor PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS HONOR SECRETARY GOOD Guevara and Osias Attend Cere- monies in Tribute to Head of Island Government. Representing the Philippine govern- ment, of which s:eteurypgood "v:s the benches back to their original home in the Capitol. At present there are no seats in the spacious rotunda, which is visited by thousands of sightseers every day. Mr. Lynn plans to place these benches around the walls of the rotunda to pro- :euo “cr‘xux;m :m ;‘mm'g ma r:!:zl mpora; W] roug! e Clp?tool mmdlngt“ sl direct head, the Philippine resident commissioners, Pedro Guevara and Camilo Osias, this morning attended will follow the lead of its rival, the |Ji vantage in informing the Senate of the merits of the bill. Enthusiastic Backing. “It will be recalled that at the last session of Congress this legislation was :hmhuhstiuuy l,lnvd;n'sed. not Iv:“‘n:y by e rers of ‘ashington, but also bymm-un(mesud:et,mm of Education and the Commissioners. is every reason to believe thart, at this time, the bill is more strongly supported- than ever before. had this iekisiation ong e n ago. At mem. nokv:s‘:thm 15 States furnish text books to all high school dents, whereas the p 'fis:m' law, llngeexznd this benefit only ‘pupils of elementary grades, to and exclusive of the ninth tnde‘:)‘; junior high school. OIL TANK PROPOSAL MEETS OPPOSITION Member of Committee of One Hun- dred Asks That Capital Beauty Spots Be Preserved. A letter expressing disapproval of the applieation of the Sun Ol Co. of Phila~ delphia for a permit to construct & wharf to handle petroleum products at the company’s proposed plant just north of the Key Bridge, at Rosslyn, Va., has been sent to Maj. Brehon B. of Columbia, by Miss Blanche C. How- lett, member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City of the rican O Fnere is. vask fed land in “There is vast unoccup D every State in the Union,” she wrote. “Unattractive commercial devel its ety Tt portion of land that som yery tiny com| the National Ca and its en should be made for the United Stat All beauty lovers United States ge: Grant and the Pin preventing the natural beauty in and around the N-uanum Capital from “The scenery around Key beautiful. It has already been %ud in lhuly!dl king steps an town. ~Possibly these desecrations can rems 3 “The National League of American Pen contemplating on the site of Mrs. Southworth’s ol home. Ho look out want to see both sides of Key Bridge preserved for posterity, not destroyed.” FORMER TAX AIDE PLEADS TO THEFT Case Against H. Clay Powell Is Referred to Probation Officer. H. Clay Powell, former assistant chief fleld deputy collector of the Bu- Tesled i’ August, 1837, on ' charge of res! , on & embezzlement of $2,500 belonging to the United States, which had come into his hands as collecter, today a be- fore Justice Willlam Hitz Criminal Division 2 and pleaded guilty to the indictment. ‘The court referred to case to Proba- tion Officer Amos A. Steele for investi~ gation and_report, at the request of Attorneys Jamieson & Ward, counsel for the accused. Powell was allowed to remain at liberty on bail of $2.50° the report of the probation According to the indictment Powell received plgnent for delinquent taxes some times in cash and again in checks, which he is alleged to have converted into cash and appropriated his own use. It is all that between Janu- ary 25, 1926, and August 7, 1927, Powell appropriated a total of $2,500. Maryland Driver Under Bond. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. LAUREL, Md., November 20.—Booker T, Clarke, jr. 29 years old, of Ellicott the funeral rites for the late Secretary of War. ‘Through its two representatives, the Philippine government sent a large wreath bearing the colors of the Philip- pine flag, and to Mrs. Good was trans. mitted a note of condolence. gt City, was under $7,500 bond today iny into the death last it of Gordon Sullivan, 19, who was killed by an automobile on the National Tral r City last night. ‘Witnesses told Maryland State poll the of the car which siru-t > " i o e R e