Evening Star Newspaper, December 14, 1929, Page 12

12 TRAPPED BY FIRE MAN DIES, WIFE IS CRITICALLY BURNED Raymond Sullivan, 28, Ce- ment Mixer, Victim of Fire in Room Laid to Cigarette. LADDER BREAKS DROP OF WOMAN FROM WINDOW 6-Year-01d Son on Visit to Virginia When Flames Attack Home in Southeast Section. Raymond Sullivan, 28 years old, a cement mixer, was burned to death, and his wife, Mrs. Anna Sullivan, 35, was burned perhaps fatally early today when fire believed to have originated from Sullivan’s cigarette made a tinder box of their connected two-story dwelling at 238 Ninth street southeast. ‘While Sullivan lay upon the floor of the blazing living room, his wife, trap- ped in an_upstairs bedroom, became frantic with pain and either fell or Jeaped from a second-story window just as firemen threw a ladder against the building. The woman's clothing had been burn- ed from her and she was seared about the face and body, although doctors believe she escaped injury from the 20- foot drop into her front yard. Her con- dition was described as serious at Casualty Hospital this morning. Tiremen believed that Sullivan fell asicep in the downstairs living room while smoking. Mrs. Sullivan had gone upstairs and likely was in bed when roused by the fire. Unable to get down- stairs, her screams attracted PFrederick Sullivan, an uncle of her husband, who lives next door. Frederick Sullivan rushed outside and, repulsed by the flames pouring through the door of his nephew’s home, summoned__ firemen. Before Engine Company No. 8 could make the run of & few blocks, the whole lower floor of . the home was a mass of flames and the fire was eating through to the second story. E“zcmcn made their way into the living room under protection of a stream of water and found Sullivan's charred body slumped on the floor be- side a large chair. Meanwhile, other firemen had put up a ladder, calling to Mrs. Sullivan not to jump. F. G. Weissmiller of No. 8 Engine Company had mounted the ladder and was trying to reach Mrs. Sullivan when she plunged. The force of her fall was_broken by Sergt. J. C. Lacy, also of No. 8 Engine Company, Who was near the foot of the ladder and rushed forward to catch her. The Sullivans were alone in their home when the fire broke out, about 1:50 am., having sent their 6-year-old son to visit relatives in Virginia some days previously. Another residence ad- Jjoining their connected dwelling on the South was vacant. The flames and noise attracted a large throng to the scene and police reserves were called to keep the street clear. ‘While Frederick Sullivan was tarning in an alarm, his wife hastily gathered their four young children and rushed them to the street. By that time flames had gutted the first home and were eat- ing through the dividing partition. 238 Ninth street southeast early today. Room where Raymond Sullivan met death when flames swept his home at ATURDAY, —Star Staff Photo. Eleven Specifications (Continued From First Page) genuine, There is no hot air about that.” Mr. Quinn expressed disappointment that the charges against his client had been softened in one particular. The charges as recommended by the board of inquiry accused Shelby of attempt- ing to mislead the grand jury as to material facts and making untrue state- ments to the grand jurors under oath. In the charges as served on the men | yesterday this was softened into an ac- cusation that Shelby, while a witness before the grand jury, had “carelessly | and negligently testified.” Mr. Quinn | said that his client had been anxious to meet all charges preferred by the grand jury and did not appreciate this mitiga- tion. Full Text of Charges. ‘The full text of the charges follow: “I hereby charge William S. Shelby, an assistant superintendent in the Met-, ropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, as follows: “Charge 1—Inefficiency as evidenced by neglect of duty in violation of para- graph ‘H, section 22, chapter 17, of the manual governing said force.” Specifications 1 to 11, both inclusive. “Charge 2—Conduct unbecoming an officer, consisting of acts detrimental to good discipline and intended to bring discredit upon the force.” Specifications 1 to 11, both inclusive. “Charge 3—Conduct prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the Metropolitan Police Department, in vio- lation of paragraph ‘S’ section 22, chapter 17, of the manual governing faid force. “Specifications 1 to 11, both inclusive_ “Specification 1—That subsequent to Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt said no inquest would be necessary. EDUCATOR FATALLY STRICKEN AT DINNE Edward Louis Montgomery, Owner of Fairmount College, Dies at Home. ‘Edward Louis Montgomery, 55 years old, owner and principal of Fairmont Junior College, a school for girls at 1711 Massachusetts avenue, died there of a cerebral hemorrhage last night after being stricken while at dinner. Mr. Montgomery made his home at the Massachusetts avenue address. The school was established in 1899 and Mr. Montgomery became its prin- cipal and owner in 1923. Born in South Manchester, Conn., Mr. Montgomery was graduated from the East Greenwich, R. I, Academy and received a bachelor of science degree from Wesleyan University, Connecticut, in 1898. Subsequently he studied at Yale. He had taught and been principal of a number of leading schols in the East. In 1915, Mr. Montgomery founded the Fggemoggin Camp for Girls, East Harps- well, Me., and has since been a director. Mr. Montgomery was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served with the 1st Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was a member of the Federation School Masters’ As- socfation and the Alpha Delta Phi Fra- ternity. He is survived by his widow, Mrs, Ma- bel V. Montgomery, and daughter, Miss Marjorie Montgomery, of this city; his mother, Mrs. Lina Pease Montgomery, of South Manchester, Conn., and a brother, Thomas Montgomery, of New York City. Funeral arrangements are being com- pleted. Interment will be at Meriden, Conn. CITY NEWS IN BRIEF. TODAY. Sigma Chi Chapter of the Alpha Sig- ma Lambda Fraternity will give a ban- quet and dance at the Lee House to- night, celebrating_the first annual Founders' day. William Henderson, chairman of committee in charge of arrangements. Biological Society of Washington meets tonight at 8 o'clock in the new assembly hall of the Cosmos Club. Visitors welcome. O. J. Murie of the ‘Biological Survey will talk on “Elk Studies in the Jackson Hole Region” and Maurice C. Hall will speak on “Parasites of Elk and Other Rumi- nants.” Mount Pleasant Citizens’ Association meets tonight, 8 o'clock, at the Mount Pleasant Branch Public Library. Owings Beach Citizens’ Association will hold a card party tonight, 8 o'clock, at Northeast Temple, Eighth and F streets northeast, 8:30 o'clock. All clubwomen and book lovers are invited to meet this afternoon at the ‘Mount Pleasant Library, 2 o'clock, with Mrs. Ellis Logan, chairman of the de- ariment of education, District of Co- umbia Federation of Women’s Clubs. FUTURE. District of Columbia Association Op- posed to Blue Laws will hold a mass meeting tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock in the garden o fthe Mayflower Hotel. ‘Wanderlusters’ hike tomorrow will the death of Virginia McPherson and the report that the body had been found in apartment 219 of the Park Lane apartment, 2025 I street north- west, on the 14th day of September, 1929, the said Asst. Supt. William S. Shelby, as_commanding officer of the Detective Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department, did fail to cause that efficient and business-like investi- gation into conditions surrounding said death which the circumstances war- ranted. Tdentification of Articles. “Specification 2—That the said Asst. Supt. William 8. Shelby did fail to re- quire his subordinate to examine all ar- ticles and things in the McPherson apartment for finger prints and failed to have proper photographs taken of the deceased. “Specification 3—That the sald Asst. Supt. William S. Shelby did fail w0 re- quire his subordinate immediately to provide means of identifying every movable article in the McPherson apart- ment as to name, location and its re- lation to other objects therin. “Specification 4—That the said Asst. Supt. Willlam S. Shelby, command- ing officer of the Detective Burcau, did permit a subordinate to sum- marize or attempt to summarize the evidence in the said McPkerson case and present such summary to the cor- oner’s jury, instead of vermitting the jury to examine available witnesses and evidence and draw its cwn conclusions. “Specification 5—That the said Asst. Supt. William 8. Sheiby, commandirng officer of the Detective Bureau, did fail to require written statements of all wit- nesses and failed to seck out and in- terview all avallable witnesses for presentation to the covoner's jury and | grand jury. sistant Superintendent Willlam S. Shel- by did release or permit to be released from custody one Robert A. McPherson, jr., prior to establishing and checking the truth of his alibi. McPherson Arrest. “Specification 7—That the said As- sistant Superintendent William S. Shel- by did fail to rearrest or cause to be rearrested Robert A. McPherson, jr., after his release and previous to the establishing and checking of the truth of his alibi. “Specification 8—That the said As- sistant Superintendent William S. Shel- by, commanding officer of the Detective Bureau, did, while a witness before the first grand jury investigating the Mc- Pherson case, carelessly and negligently testify as to certain facts in connection therewith, “Specification 9—That the said As- sistant Superintendent William S. Shel- by, commanding officer of the Detective Bureau, while on the witness stand be- fore the first grand jury investigating the death of one Virginia McPherson, ! did raise his fist and state in apparent anger, in substance, as follows: ‘This grand jury should indict that man and that damnable woman for perjury.’ “Specification 10 — That_ the said Assistant Superintendent William _S. Shelby, commanding officer of the De- tective Bureau, did indicate to wit- nesses who were to appear before the first grand jury what they should tes- tify to and what they should forget. “Specification 11 — That_the said Shelby did fail to secure a complet signed statement from Robert A. Mc- Pherson, jr., concerning all facts and things relevant to the inquiry into the death of his wife, one Virginia Mc- Pherson, prior to the opportunity of the said Robert A. McPherson, jr., to com- municate with other parties. “This in the District of Columbia to the disgrace and discredit of the metropolitan police force. “On the complaint of Henry G. Pratt, SHELBY, KELLY PREPARE DEFENSE TO CHARGES OF INEFFICIENCY Inspector, With Thirteen Listed for Lieu- tenant in Accusations of “Bungling.” i 00 LY. on 6—That the said As. | O"¢ Fobert A. McPherson, fr., prior to | indicate to witnesses who were to ap- Assistant Superintendent William 8. | Are Made Against graph H, section 22, chapter 17 of the manual governing said force.” Specifications 1 to 13, both inclusive. “Charge 2—Conduct unbecoming an officer, consisting of acts detrimental to good discipline and intended to bring discredit upon the force.” Specifications 1 to 13, inclusive. “Charge 3—Conduct prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the Metro- pelitan Police Department, in_ violation of paragraph S, section 22, chapter 17 of the manual governing said force.” . Specifications 1 to 13, both inclusive. “Specification 1—That subsequent to the death of Virginia McPherson and the report that the body had been found in apartment 219 of the Park Lane Apartment, 2025 I street north- west on the fourteenth day of Septem- ber, 1929, the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly of the Detective Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department, as- signed as chief of the homicide squad, did fail to cause that efficient and bus- iness-like investigation into the condl- tions surrounding said death which the circumstances warranted.” Cites Finger-Print Work. “Specification 2—That the said Lieut, Edward J. Kelly aforesaid, did fail to examine, or cause to be examined, all articles and things in the McPherson apartment for finger prints and did fail to take or have taken proper photo- graphs of the deceased. “Specification 3—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did fail to exclude, or cause to be excluded, all unauthorized persons from the McPher- son _apartment. “Specification 4—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did fail to note, or cause to be noted, the condi~ tion of windows, lights, beds, and failed to provide, or cause to be provided, the means of identifying every movable article in the McPherson apartment as to name, location and its relation to other objects therein. “Specification 5—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, failed to have written statements taken from all witnesses regardless of their apparent value and failed to seek out and in- terview all available witnesses for pres- entation to the coroner’s jury and grand jury. “Specification 6—That the said Lieut. Edward J_Kelly, aforesaid, failed to summon all available witnesses to the coroner’s inquest that inquired into the death of the sald Virginia McPherson, and failed to insist that those sum- moned be given an opportunity to testify. “Specification 7—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did permit the removal of articles of various kinds from the McPherson apartment prior to a complete investigation; permitted the contents of a toilet bowl to be flushed away without obtaining a sample there- from for analysis and failed to immedi- ately secure and have analyzed blood found in said apartment. Charge Failure to Check Alibi. “Specification 8—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, failed to keep adequate notes made at the time of the investigation, and failed to as- semble, identify and classify all articles and things found in the McPherson apartment. “Specification 9—That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did release, or permit to be released, from custody establishing and checking the truth of his alibi. “Specification 10 — That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did fail to rearrest Robert A. McPherson, jr., after his release and previous to the establishing and checking of the truth{ of his alibi. “Specification 11— That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did while a witness before the first grand jury investigating the McPherson case, carelessly and negligently testify as to certain facts in connection therewith. “Specification 12 —That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did pear before the first grand jury what they should testify to and what they should fotget. . “Specification = 13— That the said Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, aforesaid, did fail to secure a complete signed state- ment from Robert A. McPherson, jr., concerning all facts and things relevant to the inquiry into the death of his wife, one Virginia McPherson, prior to the opportunity of the said Robert A. McPherson, jr., to communicate with other parties. v “This, in the District of Columbia, to the disgrace and discredit of the Metro- politan Police Department, on the com- plaint of Henry G. Pratt, major and ozzléhe special board dated December 4, ), HENRY G. PRATT, “Major and Superintendent of Police.’ WILLIAM J. SI\—MTH AGAIN HEADS HOLY NAME GUILD Elected President for Seventh superintendent, “based upon the report |* Term—Society Elects Full Board of Officers. William J. Smith was elected to his seventh term as president of the Holy major and superintendent, based upon the report of the special board dated start from Chain Bridge at 2:30. Mr. Sligh will lead. & South Dakota Society will be at home to South Dakotans tomorrow from 3 to 6 o'clock at the Thomas Circle Club, 1326 Massachusetts avenue. After the morning services at the Third Baptist Church, Fifth and Q ireets, tomorrow a dinner will be served free to all of the aged 14 December 4, 1929. “HENRY PRATT, “Major and Superintendent of Police.” Specifications Against Kelly. The charges against Kelly follow: “I hereby charge Edward J. Kelly, a lieutenant in the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Colum- bia, as follows: “Charge 1—Inefficiency as evidenced by neglect of duty in violation of para- Name Guild at a meeting Tuesday. Other officers elected for the ensuing year were: B. F. Butler, vice president; H. M. Smith, recording secretary: Charles A. Butler, financial secretary; James M. Brown, treasurer; Charles J. Farrell, sergeant-at-arms; Stephen I. Bowman, house chairman. The follow- ing were elected to the board: James T. Hood, William Gwynn, Luggers Helton, R. N. Carter, De J, Fri and Rev. J. F. King, ‘ Reef Melton and Dr. i will ‘Thomas W. Turner. The advisory board | United comprises Rev. Alonso J. Olds, Rev. R. Edward: oelich Julus, PARK GROLP TOCET REPLES ON RVER INDUSTRAL TES Col. Grant Sends Question-| naires on Development on Banks of Potomac. TWO ARLINGTON COUNTY GROUPS AGAINST PLAN 0il Company Applies for Permit for Wharf Just North of Key Bridge. With two Arlington County groups definitely opposing any water front in- dustrial development and sentiment in other quarters favoring some sort of development on the Potomac, replies to a_questionnaire sent out by Lieut. Col. U. 8. Grant, 3d, executive officer of the National Capital Park and Plan- ning Commission, will be laid before the commission at its meeting Friday and Saturday next, Col. Grant said today. Col. Grant sent out the question- naires to sound out sentiment in the county, and while some replies favor development, the organized woman/ voters and the Arlington County Citi- zens' Association entered objection. The Zoning Commission of Arlington County has indicated that it feels that the matter should be studied thoroughly and has in preparaion a map embody- ing its ideas, which will be forwarded to Col. Grant shortly. Col. Grant has suggested that replies to his question- naire be in his hands by tomorrow, so that they can be studied and tabulated for presentation in ready form to the planning commission for further action. Col. Grant's action was taken as the result of a conference held recently with Maj. Brehon Somervell, District engi- neer for the War Department for the ‘Washington area, who has before him an application from the Sun Oil Co. of Philadelphia for a permit to construct a wharf just north of the Key Bridge at Rosslyn, Va., to bring in petroleum products by water. A portion of the Potomac River water front near the Potomac yards was suggested some years ago for in- dustrial development, but the Virginia Legislature recently allotted this stretch to the city of Alexandria, depriving the south side of Arlington County of this potential industrial area. Authorities acquainted with the situation say that while there has been an appreciable business development in Rosslyn for a great number of years, this is the first time that a call has been made for water facilities with the Sun Oil Co.'s application for 2 whart building permit. SHELL DAZED VET' LIVES WAR AGAIN Washington Man - Driven Back to Battles of France by Accident. John Joseph Brazerol, & dairy em-| ploye of Bismarck, N. Dak. turned back the years, a month ago, when his skull was fractured in a traffic accident and became again the young soldier who left his home in Washington in 1917 and fought in the Argonne and at_St. Mihiel. Brazerol has been fighting bat- tles in his delirium, has lived over the end of the war, and has started the trek home, check- ing off the miles of his daily progress. Now, again, he is back in Bismarck, the destination of his delirium—and conscious. ‘The soldier is no more, but the plain civilian suffers weariness and is coming here to the home of his mother to rest. She is Mrs. Mary C. Brazerol, 1214 V street_southeast. In his delirium Brazerol relived the feverish days when he marched away to the cheering of crowds; the training camp in this country and the transport to France again became realities to him. With him was a group of five close friends. Four were killed. His almost incoherent ravings took him through his first battle and to that October day in the Argonne when he was struck by shrapnel and gassed as he lay helpless in a shell hole. Here came a_gap in his mut- terings. This is filled in by the story of how he actually remained uncon- scious for three days in a base hospital, near death. He pulled through, but it was several months after his regiment sailed for home before he could stand the trip. On his return it was de- mobilized. He went to his aunt in Bismarck, as he seemed to find himself 10 years ago, 50 he became himself again when he reached that point in his delirium. After that he began to mend, suffer- ing only slight relapses, when his facul- ties would slip. One of them occurred while he was writing a letter to his mother. A sentence in which he begins to tell of a trivial incident at the hos- pital ends with “we are about to go up to the front.” SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC FAVORED BY CIVIC BGDY Other Improvements Also Sought by South Washington As- sociation. The South Washington Civic Asso- ciation, at a meeting held at the Ran- dall Junior High School Wednesday night, went on record as favoring the proposition for a dental clinic in the new Bell School. Reports regarding lighting conditions and a promise from the Engineer Commissioner of his-sup- port in bettering facilities along this line were read at the meeting. Henry H. Banks, president of the association, was in the chair. WILL GIVE FIRST CONCERT' Missionary College Band Joins Others in Maryland Tonight. ‘The Washington Missionary College will present its initial band concert of the season tonight at 8 o'clock in the Columbia Hall _auditorium, Takoma Park, Md. The College and Review and Herald Bands will combine in ‘giving the program. ‘The bands are under the leadership of Victor Johnson, director of musical organizations in the college. Assisting John J. Brazerol be D. H. Clapp, formerly with the ates Army Band; Prof. , violinist, and Miss Marzella NERGHANTS PRASE SCHAFERDEFENSE OF CAPTAL Y Fort’s Proposed Curb of Legislators Commended by Governors’ Board. CRIME CONDITIONS HERE CONSIDERED AVERAGE Directors Ask Reopening of Lower| Fourteenth Street During Afternoon Rush Hour, The declaration made on the floor of the House by Representative John Schafer of Wisconsin that “Washing- ton is much freer from crime than many other cities” drew approval and commendation from the board of gov- ernors of the Merchants and Manu- facturers’ Association at their meeting yesterday afternoon. ‘The board also adopted a resolution commending the recent action of Rep- resentative Franklin Fort of New Jer- sey in introducing in Congress a reso- lution under which members of Con- gress would be barred from making serious charges against persons or cor- porations without facts to support such accusations. These actions were taken by the mer- chants’ board at the instance of Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan, president, who expressed the conviction that a survey of general conditions in Washington and a comparison of crime staistics here and in other cities does not show that Washington is deserving the ques- tionable reputation given the National Capital by some detractors. Names of Critics Withheld. Names of critics of conditions in the National Capital were not mentioned in the resolutions, which authorized let- ters of commendation to be sent to both Representatives Schafer and Fort. Members of the merchants’ group took the position that while conditions here might be improved, the city certainly is not rampant with crime. It was declared that no doubt wide and sen- sational publicity given to some con- ditions herg had created in the minds of some that Washington was a dan- garous place, The board had before it the state- ment of Mr. Schafer, who declared: | “President Hoover was absolutely right when he stated in his message to Con- gress that law enforcement conditions in Washington are much better than in many other cities.” In commending the action of Rep- resntative Fort the merchants’ board expressed the feeling that private in- dividuals should have some safeguard against serious or defamatory charges, not based on facts, which may be made with immunity by a member of Con- gress. Mr. Fort in urging his resolution said: “Freedom of speech is, of course, highly satisfactory, but assassination of reputations behind the cowardly cloak of consitutional immunity cannot be tolerated in any body which hopes for the confidence and respect of the people.” Ask Street Be Reopened. ‘The directors of the trade body also adopted a resolution urging the re- opening of lower Fourteenth strect to traffic during the afternoon rush hour, now closed as a safeguard to employes of the Bureau of ® Engraving and Printing, The board declared that some other method of protecting these employes could be found, without clos- ing the main artery between Washing- ton and Virginia. It was suggested that a spur of the street car tracks might be run into the grounds about the Bureau for loading of passengers, thus leaving the street open to through traffic. A detour now is required in the afternoon rush period over to Twelfth street. Relief of traffic congestion on F street in the down town section by the elimi- nation of some of the long street car loading platforms, thus reducing the number of stops between Seventh and Fourteenth streets and by forbidding taxicabs from cruising through this street in search of fares was recom- mended. Indorsement was given to the Capper | bill providing for increases in the pay of District firemen and policemen, which measure, it was_believed, would bring men of high caliber into these departments; and approval was given to the proposal of Senator Couzens of Michigan for additional tax reduction in the form of & permanent cut from 121, to 10 per cent in the capital gains and loss tax. The Jones bill providing for compen- sation payments to persons injured in automobile accidents here, and for de- pendents of persons killed in accidents, through creation of an insurance fund, was indorsed in principle. SCHOOL INSPECTION IS ATTENDED BY 300 New Building of National Cathe- dral Institution for Boys Is Thrown Open. The handsome new Gothic building occupied by the Lower School of St. Al- bans, the National Cathedral School for Boys, was thrown open to inspection yesterday afternoon. Nearly 300 parents, friends and members of the clergy of the Diocese of Washington visited it. In the receiving line were: Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of Washing- ton, and Mrs. Freeman; Very Rev. and Mrs. G, C. F, Bratenahl and Rev. and Mrs. Albert Lucas, Rev. Mr. Lucas is headmaster at St. Albans. Among those who poured at the tea, which followed the inspection of the school facilities were Mrs. Cary T. Grayson, Mrs. Rich- ard H. Wilmer, Mrs. Charles C. Glover, jr.; Mrs. James Henderson, Mrs. james Parmelee, Mrs. William J. Flather, j.; Mrs. T. A. Scott Thropp and Mrs. Ger- ald Walden O'Connor. ‘The new building is situated facing Massachusetts avenue just east of the main building of St. Albans, The two structures are connected by a graceful cloister and their architecture and ma- terial are similar. The site for the Lower School was selected in accordance with a comprehensive program of land- scaping being developed for the 67l acres of wooded highlands contained in the Cathedral Close. St. Albans is just completing the first quarter century, having been established in 1907 through a bequest of Mrs. Har- riet Lane Johnston, a niece of President Buchanan, who gave the first building in memory of her two sons. From an initial enrollment of approximately 50 students, St. Albans has grown to a present student body of more than 170. The training of boys at different paces in accordance with their individ- ual ability is a distinct phase of St. Albans' program. The headmaster, Rev. Mr. Lucas, came to Washington this Fall from the Episcopal Academy at Overbrook, Pa. . ‘When Benjamine Hatton was fined $50 at Southwell, England, for being drunk in charge of an automoblle, it R.|was testified that his wife was thrown out and taken to a hospital but he did not miss her for sev \ DECEMBER 1 HISTORIC FLAG THAT SAW ACTION — ELECTIVE BOARD PLAN' INDORSED Proponents of Capper-Zihl- man School Bill Hail Measure as Panacea. The Capper-zihlman bill providing for election of the school board by pop- ular vote was proclaimed s panacea for all the alleged evils of the District public school system by the bill's lead- ing proponents, who met at the Bur- lipgton Hotel last night under the ban- ner of the Joint Committee for the Elec- tion of the Board of Education of the District of Columbia. Nearly a score of brief talks were de- livered following the get-acquainted dinner at the beginning of the meeting for representatives of civic organiza- tions which had indorsed the bill. The consensus was that the present ap- pointive Board of Education, named as it is by judges who may and generally come to the Capital from elsewhere, cannot have the interests of the school children at heart as would a board chosen by parents of those children through popular election. Elective Board Plan Hailed. In the several addresses an elective school board was seen as an adminis- trative group under which portable schools would not exist, buildings would not lack painting, parent-teacher asso- ciations would not have to purchase minor equipment and certain schools would not be without assembly halls. One speaker asserted that 90 per cent of the school system faults would be eliminated during the first year of its operation. The meeting was opened by Mrs. Wil- liam T. Bannerman, president of the joint committee, who declared that the present school board system is a denial of her assertion that “biologically, in- tellectually, spiritually, the relationship between each parent and his own child is a scientifically recognized and estab- lished fact.” “No law so based and so functioning can produce upright character or stable government,” Mrs, Bannerman said. “In ' Europe it produced the World War. Does America wish to repeat that Armaged- don or shall we place our public schools on a scientific, Tegal foundation in har- mony with the principles underlying the Constitution of the United States?” Mrs, Bannerman then introduced Mrs. Fred T. Dubois, general chairman of the dinner-meeting committee, who in turn presented Dr. George C. Havenner, president of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations, who was toastmaster. Charles I. Stengle, member of the citizens’ advisory council, the first of the advocates of the Capper-Zihlman bill to speak, urged that “we get away from the idea we are a bunch of dumb- bells just because we can’t vote” in as- serting that the District should and could get along without “an imported school board” and should elect a board of its own choice. “Even if we can't vote for Congress or the President we ought to have a voice in the selection of the school board which guides the destinies of our own children,” he said. Fries Cites “Evils” Maj. Gen. Amos A. Fries, U. S. A. (retired), followed Mr. Stengle to as- sert that while taxation without repre- sentation is tyranny, the District is in an even worse situation than that sort of tyranny, since it hasn’t control over its own children. Citing the “evils” of the present appointive system of naming the school beard, Gen. Fries de- clared that the Capital has school build- ings which find architectural betters in the smallest of rural communities. “If we could elect our school board,’ Gen. Fries declared, “we could correct about 90 per cent of the evils in the system in one vear.” Maj. Julius I. Peyser, himself a for- mer member of the school board, and now president of the District of Co- lumbia Bar Association, was the next speaker, and cited alleged faults in the school system which he attributed to the appointive school board. Maj. Pey- ser declared that the Abbot School, waich he attended as a boy, had not re- ceived a coat of paint in the last 25 years. “We have a right to refuse to pay taxes unless they let us elect our school board,” Maj. Peyser declared, but added that that is not the way to obtain the desired relief. He advocated fervent ;g}orls in the interest of the pending Mrs. Ellis Logan, chairman of the department of education and past presi: dent of the District of Columbia Fed- eration of Women's Clubs, who spoke after Maj. Peyser, urged the women to lend all their support to the bill, James G. Yaden, chairman of the schools committee of the Federation of declared he was not basing his opposi tion to the appointive school board on personalities or upon the records of any present members of the board, but sole- Iy upon the principles involved. He added, however, that he doubted if any present board member would run for a place on the board in a popular electior:. Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, president of the District of Columbia Congress of Parent-Teacher Associations, declared the popular belief that the public would not elect “proper” persons to the board is not true and that “anybody who op- Doses our bill opposes the children of ‘Washington." Sees Distrust of People. Other speakers included Harry M. Stull, Arthur C. Moses, William A. Rob- erts, ' George A, Warren and William McK. Clayton. Mr. Clayton declared the principle of disfranchising the Dis- trict is “a distrust of the people,” and asserted that if the District is right in its form of government, the rest of the country is all wrong. Herbert S. Woods, president of the District of Columbia Public School Association, and Oscar H. Brinkman, clerk of the Senate Dls- trict committee for five years, were the Iast speakers. . Mr. Brinkman, sched- uled to advise'the joint committee on ways of getting its bill through Con- gress, declared this is a very bad session for such measures because of the many national problems of grave importance He suggested the members do their own fighting for the bill and not rely upon members of the Senate. Frank C. Merritt, recording secretary of the joint committee, read the roll call of the 54 civic Jroupu which had indorsed the bill and the delegates of 34 responded with their pastici slogans. Upper: The only American flag known to have been under fire in the World War. Lower: Lieut. Col. Thomas J. Dickson, retired, owner of the flag. RETIRED CHAPLAIN HAS FAMOUS FLAG Banner Was Displayed at Front During World War in Violation of Orders. A bullet-torn American flag, carried by an American army chaplain on the battlefields of Cantigny, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Argonne, is the proud pessession of its original owner, Lieut. Col. Thomas J. Dickson, U. S. A., Chap- lain Corps, retired. Col. Dickson, past departmental chaplain of the District of Columbia Department of the American Legion, declares that his battle-scarred banner was the only combat flag displayed at the front in the World War. He admits violating Army regulations in order to unfurl it at strategic times to bolster the morale of war-worn doughboys. Flag Ordered Withdrawn. ‘While War Department officials point out that combat flags were taboo in the front line trenches during the war, due to fear that the colors would attract attention of the enemy, Col. Dickson says he has several letters from high- ranking officers corroborating his claim that his flag not only was under fire, but was ordered withdrawn from view for military reasons. Eleven years ago today, he recalled, the flag crossed the Rhine, flapping in a cold, drizzling rain as the Sixth Field Artillery marched into Germany. Col. Dickson says he first unfurled the flag near the front at Sanzey, France, where he had gone to aid in establishing a post office. He used it often at burial services conducted near the front lines, Col. Dickson says of the flag: “It was at Cantigny when Gen. Bul- lard answered the question: ‘Will the Americans fight?' Then at Vonvilliers during the forced German drive. It was on the field at Soissons at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and in the very front line when the tide of battle turned in the World War. It was with the Sixth Field Artillery over the battlefield of St. Mihiel. It was under enemy fire for 47 days and nights in the Meuse- Argonne offensive. It was near Sedan and in the wood of Beaumont at the time of the signing of the Armistice. “This flag was then returned with the Sixth Field Artillery to Verdun, where it was saluted by that historic garrison, where the Tricolor of France dipped to the American Flag. When this flag crossed the German frontier, it found women and children trem- bling, fearing that they would be killed by the Americans. The interpretation that the American Flag protected women and children changed their no- tions and this news flashed all over Germany. The acclaim of this Amer- ican combat flag as it marched down the Moselle River across the Rhine will ever be in saga and in song a tradi- tion of the German people.” Flag Used on Border. Recounting earlier histors flag, Col. Dickson declares: e “This American combat flag left the border in Arizona, traveled across the States, the ocean and about 2,000 miles in Europe, 1,000 miles of which was atter it had been under enemy fire. The flag has been used by Col. Dick- son on special occasions at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the laying of the corner stone of the First Division monument, in an elaborate ceremony at Valley Forge in honor of Pennsyl- vania troops who participated in the ‘World War, and at the State House in zflonmhm t: t':‘eremony in honor of assachusetts troops participatin the World War. ¥ s BUSINESS MEN OPPOSE NEW CENTER MARKET Columbia Heights Association Against Government in “Private” Business. A reported project to replace Market with a centrally lgcar:df:mf ernment-owned market of similar na- ture will be fought by the Columbia Heights Business Men's Association. The executive committee of the or- ganization yesterday adopted resolutions condemning the groynd that “it is unnecessary and in- expedient for the Government virtually to engage in private business.” A spe- cial committee was named to seek the aid of other clvic bodies in the drive to prevent the success of the project. ‘The members of the committee are J. ular | E. Burgett, Miss Lilllan Cropper and M;B\flw&& o MOTION PICTURES LIVING TISSUE CELLS Carnegie Trustees Witness Showing of Film Taken by Dr. W. H. Lewis. GREAT FORWARD STEP IN EMBRYOLOGY STUDY Much That Before Was Matter of Conjecture Has Been Seen to- Happen. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. ‘Trustees of the Carnegie Institution yesterday witnessed the first showing of a strange moving picture in which the actors were living tissue cells and the stage a sealed glass container. ‘This film, taken by Dr. W. H. Lewis of the Carnegie laboratory of embryol- ogy, at Baltimore, represents a great forward step, it was explained, in the study of these miscroscopic funda- mental units of all living things as they go about their daily routine of ex- istence—being born, eating each other, combining for mutual protection and dying. ‘The camera has revealed the tragedy and comedy of their lives. Every liv- ing body only an enormous “state” of these ¢~''s with its soldiers, laborers, executives, messengers, scavengers and lawless criminals. Hitherto their actual behavior has been largely a matter of deduction from the effects produced. The cells are visible under the micro- scope, but their activities, from the human point of view, have taken plyce so slowly that it has been impossijle for the eye to observe them. Picture Reveals Actions. Now pictures are taken over a peripd of several hours and then the film is run off so that the entire action is shown in a few minutes. Much tHat before was & matter of conjecture hfls been seen actually to happen. The cells which played the star roles in tllis film are approximately six-thousandths of an inch in diameter and some of their movements must bs speeded up 100 times in order to be visible. Others move rapidly enough so that their movements can be seen with the eye under the microscope, especially cer- tain types of blood cells. Others are apparently motionless and only the tireless eye of the camera can detect any motion. The cells shown in the picture are scavenger cells clustering like a swarm of hungry dogs about a giant cancer cell, scrambling for bits of dead tissue and waste material thrown off by the malignant giant, but apparently hold- ing it in contempt, for they make no attempt to injure it and crawl over it with impunity. Shown Eating Each Other, They are also shown in the curlous process of eating each other—that is, a large cell compictely ingests a smaller cell and makes it a part of itself. The process of birth is shown, a cell which has attained its maximum size simply splitting into _two _complete or- ganisms, each of which goes its own way. The life of many of these cells is comparatively short, especially some of the blood cells, which have a tend- ency to move toward the surface when the end approaches and are contin- ually crawling out of the mouth and other openings of the body. Others are eaten by the scavenger cells, thus preventing a great accumulation of poisonous_waste matter in the body. The cells move by changing shape and a series of contractions and expan- sions now visible for the first time. There is a great variety in these move- ments, the film shows. One of the most curious phenomena shown by the camera is the formation of mutual de- fense groups by smaller cells, many of which will combine into ‘which seems a single enormous cell. If is composed of individuals living their own lives, however, and is believed to be a device to avoid being eaten by larger cells hunting for prey. Cell Division Revealed. The film makes it possible to witness the phenomenon of cell division, upon which the growth of all animals and plants depends. This proceeds at first very slowly. A single cell, a rabbit ege, was watched for an entire day by the camera, while it split once into two cells. The exact movement by which this was accomplished was noted. The next division into four cells took place more rapidly, and at last the birth process was taking place very rapidly. Scientists at the embryology laboratory now have obtained some mouse eges, whose behavior they are studying with the camera. The process is the discovery of Dr W. L. Lewis and is the result of research for nearly 20 years in growing tissuc cells in glass and keeping them alive for long periods. He is assisted by Mrs. Lewis, who is a graduate of Gouc! er and Bryn Mawr Colleges. This di: covery of a means to observe the bo- havior of microscopic life is far more than a “stunt,” says Dr. rge L. Streeter, director of the laboratory, since it has placed a new inetrument in the hands of science and must be con- sidered a fundamental advance. Behavior Mechanical. By the speeding up process thé cells are seen to behave very much like tiny animals, but they must not be con- sidered, says Dr. Streeter, as creatures with individuality and consciousness or looked at from the “human” point of view. Their behavior is probably purely mechanical and it is only when enor- mous numbers of different kinds of them combine that there is anything - approaching individuality. The method, Dr. Streeter said, neces- sitated the perfection of a new sort of culture in which the cells could be kept alive and the perfection of the photographic apparatus so that, under strong magnification, it would preserve the slightest details of movement. Un- less every move was sharply defined the pictures would show nothing. Once taken, they can be enlarged &s much as_desired. Before the scientific exhibit the Car- negie trustees held their annual busi ness meeting, at which Gen. John J. Pershing, Dr. W. W. Campbell of Cali- fornia, Julius Rosenwald of Chicago and Dr. Willlam S. Thayer of Balti- more were elected to membemiuy. They fill the places vacated through the deaths of Myron T. Herrick and Judge ‘Willlam W. Morrow and the resign: tions of Martin A. Ryerson and Robert S. Brookings. Cass Gilbert and Col. Willlam Church Osborn were elected members of the executive committee. A total of $1,716,469 was made tie able for the work of the institution dur- ing the coming year. C. E. PLANS PROGRAM. Rev R. W. Brooks to Preach on “The Impossibility of Failure.” proposal on the | R. clety will meet at 4 pm. The senior society “will present a musical and literary program at 6:45 p.m. Sunday Kot present = Chitistzoas nt a ristmas g’n:m and candlelight service. public is invited. i