Evening Star Newspaper, December 24, 1929, Page 1

WEAT HER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair and continu minimum temperature 2: morrow warmer. increasing Temperatu ed cold tonight— 4 degrees—to- cloudiness _and res—Highest 32 at 1 p.m. yesterday: lowest 23 at 7:30 a.m. today. Full report on Page 9. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 10 and 11 No. 31,283. post office. ‘Washington. Entered as second class matter he WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION Foening Star. WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1929 -TWENTY-TWO PAGES. PLOT T0 KILL HEAD . OF ARGENTINA FAIL AS SHOTS GO WILD Chauffeur and Police Com- missioner of Buenos Aires Are Wounded. ASSASSIN IS EXECUTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACT Three Bullets Fired at Yrigoyen, but He Escapes Without Injury. By the Associated Press. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Decem- ber 24—An attempt to. assassinate | Prezident Hipolito Yrigoyen today was | Srustrated by the quickness of his| 'guards, and the attacker was promptly | #hot down, seven bullets being found in | his body. 5 The assailant, who was described by Poiice as an Italian anarchist named Gualberto Marinelli, 44, fired at least fthree shots at the presidential automo- bile as the President was en route to the palace from his home. Two Are Injured. . President Yrigoyen was unhurt, but an employe of the investigations office ‘was wounded in the stomach and was taken to a hospital critically injured. Another attendant also was injured. It was reliably reported that the President’s chauffeur was killed and the police commissioner injured, but be- cause of the great excitement at the scene and the reticence of the police it was impossible to obtain = official eonfirmation. The attack took place on the Inter- hational road, Marinelli concealing him- self beside it and then springing out to fire as the President’s automobile ! Escort Returns Fire. ‘The assailant’s shots had barely rung obut when the President’s escort re- turned the fire, pouring a stream of bullets at the man and felling him ‘where he stood. President Yrigoyen has long been one of the most powerful figures in Argentina. He was first elected to the chief_executive's post in 1916 and was "l: ;;’fl;ge until 1922. He was re-elected POPE DECRIES “ABUSE OF CATHOLIC PRESS” Pontiff Denies Political Activities of Organization of Laymen and Clerics. By the Associated Press. VATICAN CITY, December 24— Pope Pius, responding to the Christmas greetings of the College of Cardinals to- day, declared that “Catholic Action;” an organization of clerics and laymen in Italy, was not being treated as it should be under the terms of the Lat- gran accords. ‘The pontiff vigorously denied that #Catholic Action” was engaging in poli- tics. The Pontiff continued that if any isolated member of Catholic Action had been found dabbling in politics he would be the first to denounce him and act in e Pontiff then declared that he was iobliged to realize with sadness that the Catholic press was badly and unjustly treated. “It is a situation that has been prolonged for a long time.” it i GHOST-WALKING TACTICS USED BY RUM RUNNERS Customs Officers Made Discovery in Seizing Liquor-Laden Sled on Detroit River. DETROIT, December 24 —Ghosts jBre walking once more on the Detroit River. Customs officers reported today that #own river rum runners are resorting to “ghost walking” tactics. This dis-| was made yestercay on Beaubien | g.v;:ry off anrse.ywhzn a sled ioaded with 10 cases of liquor was seized. “Ghost walking” consists of covering one’s self and one’s sledload of liquor with a sheet and then setting out for the American shore. Against the ice and snow the white-rcbed cargo is prac- tically invisible. Yesterday custems of- ficers heard some one walking on the ice off Ecorse. They investigated and found the sled. Footprints and other markings in the snow told officers that the rum runner had fled, trailing his sheets behind him. | MUTINEERS Red Cross and Naval Air Sta- tion Arrange Festival for Children. |W. F. Scott, Veteran Jumper, to take Role of Old Kris ¥ Kringle. Santa Claus will come sailing down out of the sky in a parachute at Naval i Air Station tomorrow, bringing a big| bagful of presents for a group of orphan ! children, in the Capital's most spectacu- | lar Christmas festival of the day. | ‘With a bag of presents slung over his | shoulder old Kris Kringle will be en- parachute jumper, “Scotty.” The modern Santa will sail through the air on the wings of the wind, dropping from a big Ford transport plane. He will sail down to the Naval Air Station, where a wondering group | of little orphans will be gathered to- gether at the post through the kindly | offices of the American Red Cross. “Scotty” Santa Claus will be well loaded down with presents for the little folks and believes he can drop down through 2,000 feet of thin air easier than old Santa could climb down a sooty chimney—and as safely, perhaps safer. Parachute jumping, even in a red suit better known as| acted by W. F. Scott, famous Navy & ORPHANS TO SEE SANTA CLAUS DROP TO EARTH WITH CHUTE W. F. SCOTT. and white whiskers, carrying a big bag of presents, has no terrors for this new Santa of the modern day. It will be his 276th jump. Modern Santa probably knows more about the wings of the wind than old Santa of the reindeers, so he will know just where to leap from his argosy of the air. It is all expected to be a great party, arranged by the personnel of the Naval Air Station, assisted by the Red Cross, which finds the orphans. The plane probably will be piloted by either Lieut. M. B. Gardner, operations officer, or Lieut. A. P. Storrs, assistant operations officer. The hour will be somewhere about 11 o'clock. BELGIAN ROYALTY ESCAPE ASSASSIN Italian Suspect Admits Part| in Plans to Frustrate Hum- bert’s Wedding. By the Associated Press. BRUSSELS, December 24.—The news- paper Independance Belge today re- vealed details of an alleged plot to assassinate members of the Belgian royal family, thus to prevent the mar- riage of Princess Marie Jose to Hum- bert, Crown Prince of Italy. The mar- riage is scheduled for January 8. A young Communist named Bierni, recently from Italy, was arrested re- cently, the paper said, and revealed plans to hurl bombs at the train carry- ing the Belgian royal family from another train which would pass it on a siding at Milan. Confesses Own Mission Bierni himself confessed he came to i Bedgium to murder the Italian minister of justice, Prof. Rocco. Police be- lieve him to be connected in some way with Fernando di Rosa, the young Italian anti-Fascist, who made an at- tempt against Prince Humbert's life on the occasion of his visit here to an- nounce his bethrothal recently. The newspaper said Italian and Bel- gian ministers were to have been killed in the event plans for the marriage were carried out. Premier Henri Jaspar, Minister of Justice Janson and Defense Minister Brogueville all received letters threatening death uniless they prevented the royal wedding. The Independance Belge is the organ of the Liberal party and gives special attention to diplomatic and forel news. The Liberal party is one of government coalition. Much Opposition Shown, ‘There have been several manifesta- tions in Belgium of opposition to the wedding. Principal among these was the attempt of the Italian Fernando di Rosa against the life of Prince Humbert as he was laying a wreath on the un- known soldier's tomb. A member of the royal party staff knocked the assassin’s arm down and the bullet went wild. Prior to this attack, anti-Fascists held a demonstration in front of the Italian embassy here and broke windows and shoved in doors. CAPITULATE. Rebel Portuguese Troops Wither Before Artillery in Half Hour. MACAO, Portuguese China, December 24 (/P).—Loyal Portuguese troops bom- barded the fort here with artillery and machine guns at dawn today and within a half hour forced capitulation of mutineers who held the work: Previous announcement yesterday that the mutineers, who numbered about 70 and were headed by a sergeant stationed at Port Monte, had all surrendered proved premature, since only a part of the group gave themsclves up. The remainder were told that if they did not capitulate by 7 am. today they would be attacked. The bombardment fol- Japanese Ban Gifts. TOKIO, December 24 (/).—As an ex- | ample in a thrift campaign Empemri Hirohito has asked the princes of lhe‘ jmperial family not to exchange New | Year gifts. lowed. The city is quiet and business is normal. There was no damage in the bombardment. Macao is an island, & Portuguese possession, at the mouth’ of the Canton River near Hongkong. THOUSANDS SHIVER AND SHOP IN LAST-MINUTE PURCHASING Cheerful Crowds Brave Freezing Weather to Complete Christmas Buying. Braving freezing weather, countless thosuands of shivering last-minute shoppers crowded downtown stores to- day, buying gifts galore. The eleventh-hour gift seekers began storming the shops at 9 o'clock in the | morning, and still were going strong this afterncon. Many stores were ex- pected to remain open until midnight in order to accommodate the tardy pur- | chasers. Like all holiday crowds, the throngs which packed P street and other shoy- ping centers today were cheerful to the nth degree. One was reminded of Mardi Grzs day in New Orleans and Derby dey in Loutsville. Everybody was in a =d humor. Likewise, everybody seemed to be in |a hurry. Perhaps the weather was re- sponsible. Or it might have been be- cause many people had delayed buying presents untii the day before Christmas. | Stores of every description did a land office business, There was an espe- cially big demand for toys. Street cars were rerouted because many cars which customarily run di- rect to. various Government depart- ments were made available as the Fed- eral employes enjoyed a day of leisure. | More than 30 extra policemen were de- | tailed to direct traffic in the shopping | district. Post Office employes handled tremen- dous quantities of mail, though their task was made easier by the “Shop early, mail early” campaign. i ALABAMA UPHOLDS TABOO ON HEFLIN Attorney General Rules State Democratic Committee Acts Within Rights. By the Associated Press. MONTGOMERY, Ala., December 24.— An opinion by Attorney General Charlie C. McCall has upheld the legality of the decision of the State Democratic executive committee to bar as candi- dates from the 1930 party primary those who failed to support the Democratic presidential ticket, but to permit them to participate as voters. The qualifications determined upon by the committee excluded as candi- dates Senator J. Thomas Heflin, who seeks re-election, and Hugh A. Locke, entrant in the race for governor. Heflin and Locke, both of whom stumped the State for President Hoover in 1928, have announced independent campaigns, McCall, himself a candidate for gov: ernor, said in his opinion the Alabama primary law was not intended to take away from the governing body of any political party the right to fix mors liberal political qualifications for voters than for candidates. Referring to a section of the State law, which some had contended made mandatory the same qualifications for voth voters and candidates of one party, (CAPPER DESCRIBES CAPITAL PLANSIN VOTEPLEATOUS. Air Audience Is Told How City Will Be Made Most Beau- tiful in World. CITIZENS ARE URGED TO TAKE PRIDE IN WORK Reminds Them Seven States Smaller Than District Have 14 Senators and 23 Representatives. ‘While describing to the country in a speech from Station WMAL this morn- ing how the National Capital is being rebuilt and beautified, Senator Capper, Republican, of Kansas, also took oc- casion to deliver a forceful argument in support of national representation for the half-million residents of Wash- ington, Senator Capper, who is chairman of the District’s legislative committee, re- minded his radio audience that seven States of the Union with smaller popu- lations than Washington have a total of 14 Senators and 23 Representatives in the House, while the people of the District have no representation in Con- gress. The Kansas Senator gave to his Jis- teners in the States a vivid word pic- ture of how the National Capital will look when projects under way or plan- ned are complete. said Senator “There was Capper in ‘when cultured Visitors secretly laughed at the lack of culture in this new Nation. But they are not laughing now. In Washington we have made, and are still making, a city which will be as famous for its beauty in centuries to come as Athens and Rome were in the golden age. Support of Plans Asked. “Therefore, I say, keep alive your in- terest and_your pride in your National Capital. Tt is my fervent hope and wish that every American will at some time in his life visit this wonderful city. Let its problems be yours, and let its glory be yours. Never forget that it is your city. Support this great work of rebuilding the city that was nearest to_the hearts of our country’s fathers. Let it express the soul of America.” Pointing out that the Government| has_outgrown its present establishment in Washington, the Senator began by describing how Uncle Sam is spreading his plans for a newer and greater city over large areas of land. “Bimilarly,” he said, “the people of ‘Washington are fast outgrowing the area of the District of Columbia and are overflowing into Maryland and Vir- ginla. Washington's population is well over the half-million mark today and is increasing at some 10,000 persons a year. Washington houses nearly one- third as many persons today as live in all the 80,000 square miles of my home State of Kansas. Its population ex- ceeds that of seven States—Nevada, ‘Wyoming, Delaware, Arizona, Vermont, New Mexico, Idaho. Entirely aside from my subject today—‘Rebuilding the Na- tion's Capital” that these seven States have 14 United States Senators and 23 United States Representatives in the popular legis- lative branch of our Government; the McCall declared: “In my judgment the purpose and intent of the first sentence of section 612 of the code is to prevent any gov- erning body of a political party from prescribing greater political qualifica- tions for the electors than it prescribes for the candidates for party nomination. The Legislature did not say that the governing body of a political party could not make the political qualifications of the masses of electors desiring to par- ticipate in the party primary lesser than those of the candidate.” He said it was his belief that if spe- cific qualifications had not been pre- scribed for the voters, those demanded of the candidates would be applicable, but that in this case, as he understood it, the qualifications for each had been defined. The opinion was asked of the State officials by his father, C. E. McCall, chief State examiner of accounts, sev- el;nlhgnyx ago and was made public last nigl BLOCK COASTING STREETS Police Instructed to Set Aside Area for Children. A general order was broadcast to all g;ecmm this morning from police adquarters cautioning the members of the department to take measures,to set aside certain streets throughout the city for coasting, beginning at 11 o'clock this morning. The order, signed by Lieut. L. I. H. Edwards, [)ersonnel officer, refers cap- tains of all precincts to general orders on the subject and directs that these orders be strictly enforced. They pro- | vide for the blocking of a number of designated streets to traffic, so that the children can enjoy the icy streets with- cut danger. RACKETEERS SUSPECTED. NEW YORK, December 24 (#).—An almost completed four-story brick apartment house in the Bronx was virtually destroyed this morning by a fire which police belisved the work of building racketeers. Eleven uncompleted houses in the Bronx were fired within the last year A grand jury investigation is under way into charges that racketcers set the places afire to force tribute from build- ers for “protection.” building was being erected at a cost of $70,000 by Louis Torrigoni. He said there had been no labor trouble in its erection. LINDY MONUMENT URGED. St. Louis Mayor Would Honor Flyer Who Piloted Spirit to Paris T. LOUIS, December 24 (#).—Ma; Victor J. Miller, proposes erection of statue here to Col. Charles A. Lind- The 21-family | half million citizens in the District have no representation in either branch of Congress. Undertaken Carefully. “This enlargement is being under- taken carefully, with ample funds and with the best brains in the country at work upon the plans. Artistic success is assured. Efficiency has not been forgot- ten. Many old landmarks in the city are doomed to destruction in order that in their place may rise great monumental structures symbolizing the greatness and strength of the Nation. “As an American, you must, I am sure, take pride in the city which is your National Capital. As an American you are no doubt eager to know its his- tory, its progress, its romantic begin- nings, its vastly more romantic present and its glorious future. “When a_visitor from abroad boasts of Paris, Vienna, Berlin and other world capitals he has seen, tell him that your Capital, Washington, has beauties, natural and architectural, which lose nothing by comparison with the crum- bling glories of the Old World. Tell him that you have, in Washington, your city, & magnificent expression of a young (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) -— BALTIMORE DRY OFFICIAL IS DEMOTED TO AGENT Quinn, Suspended for Unpublished Reason, Is to Be Transferred by Doran. John J. Quinn, former deputy prohi- bition administrator at Baltimore, who was suspended on charges after com- plaints against him had been flled with the White House, has been demoted to the rank of prohibition agent. Prohibition Commissioner Doran, who announced Quinn’s demotion _today, said the former administrator would be transferred to another district, but de- clined to say where. The charges | against Quinn have never been made {public and Doran would not discuss them. NEW YORK EDITOR DIES. | {T. J. Preston of Sun Was Once Director of Paris Herald. | NEW YORK, December 24 ()— i Thomas J. Preston, 75, member of the cditorial staff of the New York Sun, died yesterday. At one time he was editor of the Paris Herald and worked | on the old New York Herald. | Christmas Day There Will Be bergh. It is the mayor's idea that as many a fund for ment and therefore would restrict individual donations to $5. He also pro- poses that school children of the city share in the fund by contributing their Inickels and dimes, citizens as possible should contribute to | rchase of a suitable monu- | ! No 5:30 Edition il The Evening Star | might be mentioned | ™ R " (P Means Associated END OF-A PERFECT SHOPPING DAY. RECORD CHRISTMAS MAIL HERE IS HANDLED BETTER THAN EVER GAROLS SUNG HER | BROADGASTTOU.S. s Heea President and Government Join in City’s Christmas Gladness. The glad spirit which comes each year on the eve of Christmas will be heralded throughout the country by means of a coast-to-coast network of radio stations this evening as thousands of carol singers in the National Capital assemble around the 1929 national com- munity Christmas tree south of the Treasury Building, in Sherman Square, for Washington's official observance. As President Hoover touches the but- ton at 6:08 o'clock, a flare will illu- minate the sky and Boy Scout buglers stationed in various parts of the city will sound blasts to announce to the people that the living Christmas tree is lighted. ‘With prospects that Washington, in- deed, will enjoy & white and icy Christ- mas, the populace went about its usual holiday way today, many communities and organizations arranging for special carol services during the afternoon and evening. The vast machinery of the Government was at rest and Washing- ton, officially and unofficlally, entered heartily into the observance of Christ- as. ‘With a son, Allan, home for the holi- days, President Hoover canceled prac- tically all engagements, including the regular cabinet meeting and press con- ference, in order that he mgiht be free to spend as much of the day as possible with Mrs. Hoover and their son. Government Departments Closed. At his order the Federal and Dis- trict government departments were closed today to give the thousands of employes unrestricted freedom to com- plete their shopping and otherwise make ready for Christmas day. Mer- chants were prepared for the season's largest throngs of shoppers this after- noon and the Police Department, re- membering a traffic jam that tied up the downtown section for more than an hour last Christmas eve, assumed the almost impossible task of keeping hundreds of automobiles moving in the congested shopping district. Mrs. Hoover at 2 o'clock this after- noon performed another act of gm- clousness and kindliness in attending the ceremonies at the Salvation Army’s Temple Corps, 608 E street, where she ed out the first of several hundred kets of food to r families of the city. Tonight the Salvation Army will have its own lighted Christmas tree for upward of 1,000 underprivileged chil- dren of the city. The White House is aglow with the Christmas spirit, for Mrs. Hoover has superintended the placing of wreaths at the windows and holly greens in all the rooms. There were two big Christ- mas trees, one in the edst room and another in the President’s apartment ufl-uus. Little trees were provided for all the guest rooms. Tomorrow after- noon the Hoovers will -ntertain for the children of several of their very s Advice to “Mail Early™ and Stretches Postmen’s Task Over Longer When the postman closes up shop at midnight tonight to go home and fill to overflowing the stockings of his own wee ones, he will do so with peace in his mind and joy in his heart, for he will know that he has brought to the people of the Capital the grandest Christmas in the whole history of the city. He has brought more presents and more greeting cards to more people in the Capital this year than ever before, and—best of all—every last present that will have arrived at the postoffice here in time for the regular deliver: will have been carried to its destina- tion safe and sound. ‘The closing of the Rfllwfl!ce for the t will find that LEATNG BLAVE Says Congress Has Appro- priated $150,000 Over School Estimate. Declaring that Congress in the last five years has appropriated $150,000 in excess of budget estimates for lighting of portable schools, Chairman Simmons of the House subcommittee on District appropriations today directed a letter to Superinendent of Schools Ballou denying the charge that the work had been held up by failure of Congress to appropriate sufficient funds. Mr. Simmons in his letter says that during the past five years, while the Health Department has been protesting that the portables should be better lighted, funds have been allowed to lapse which would have been sufficient to elec- trify 26 of the buildings. He also de- clared that Dr. Ballou three years ago testified at a hearing of his committee that the work of electrifying all school buildings would be completed under the appropriations then allowed. Excerpts from the letter to Dr. Ballou follow: “Under date of December 7 I wrote yecu concerning the lighting of the port- able school buildings and asked why they were not furnished with electric light. You acknowledged that letter December 14 and under date of Decem- ber 20 you sent me a reply consisting largely of a copy of your recommenda- tion to the Board of Education on De- cember 8, which they approved. You recommend that “the Board of Educa- close friends who will e their guests during the day. Ceremonies Start at 5:30. ‘The ceremonies around the national community Christmas tree, symbolizing all the living Christmas trees of th Nation, will commence at 5:30 o'clock with a concert by the United States Marine Band, under the direction of Capt. Taylor Branson, including a Christmas cantata by the cornetist, Arthur S. Witcomb. At 5:55 o'clock | President and Mrs. Hoover, accompan- | ied by White House aides, will arrive to take part in the ceremonies. Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur is master of ceremonies and national chairman for the 1929 tree and will introduce the President. Other members of the cabinet who will attend the ceremonies are Secretary of State Stimson, Secretary of War Hurley, Secretary of the Navy Adams and _Secretary of Agriculture Hyde. Members of the board of District Com- (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) AIDS STORM VICTIMS. LONDON, December 24 (#).—The colonial office last night announced that expenditure of about $25,000 of government, f been authorized to relieve the immediate distress in the ; i Islands, where 16 killed by a hurricane on ember 12. A number of buildings were leveled on the Island of Macuata and cocoanut and cane crops were severely damaged. Three schooners and four cutters were wrecked and island rivers were flooded. Relief committees have been appointed to take charge of areas where food is | | scarce. Radio Programs—Page 17 1 for the 13,00 ns were | be tion authorize the expenditure of funds for the electrifying of portable as rap- idly as funds will permit.” “The press statements which followed this action indicated that the Board of Education desired, and had desired all along, to install these lights, but that no funds had provided for that purpose; that the school officials pro- posed to ‘borrow’ money for this pur- pose_from the repair funds, and that (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) CASH MADE AVAILABLE FOR CHICAGO TEACHERS Christmas Cheer Through Financial Fogs. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, December 2¢.—Dimmed for several days by financial fogs, sunny Christmas cheer broke through today 0 or so teachers in Chicago public schools. Once yesterday hope was nearly abandoned that' the checks alrea made out could be paid. Later, how- ever, the needed $3,100,000 was ar- ranged for in ‘a hasty conference of school board members. By the arrange- ment money due the building fund will transferred to the depleted educa- tional fund. Assurance was given that the checks :ould reach the teachers by noon to- ay. SR Ex-Senator Percy Dies. tal ippl, died in a hospital here shortly before 9 a.m. today. He had been a patlent there several weeks. Period. ever been on Christmas, despite the {lct that dtha) W';‘l’thfl‘ r.l;ln“ been vlkplent& ly oppose postman’s work, an on tg\e last two days of Christmas de- liveries, has slowed down the work at least one-third. Never has the post office been so clear and this despite the fact that never has it had so much to do. Dally Burden Lightened. ‘The public this year, more than ever before, has taken "to heart the advice of the Post Office Department to mail its gifts early, and, although it has matiled more gifts, it has mailed them so much earlier that it has spread the postman’s gigantic task over more days n::‘amlyuhuned his daily turden consid- e Twenty per cent more gifts are going to Capital people thmu.h‘llk‘le mllla'%h!: (Continued on Page 32, Column 4.) MRS. HOOVER GIVES BASKETS 10 POOR Aids Salvation Army and At- tends Veterans’ Sale at Walter Reed. BY BESS FURMAN. Assoclated Press Staff Writer. If “Christmas cheer to all mankind” be criterion for Christmas spirit, Mrs. Herbert Hoover will be joyous indeed tonight—her first Christmas eve in the White House. Little children, aged women and crip- pled veterans have felt the special spon- taniety of her smile. To the traditional good-will round of a President’s wife, revolving always about enterprises of community cheer, she has brought a manner all her own. Two such festivi- ties today, the Salvation Army Christ- mas basket party and the community Christmas tree, finished the list of her “public appearances,” leaving her free for the warmth of her own friends and fireside. The last event, the presidential light- ing of the community Christmas tree in Sherman Square, close to the White House grounds, was scheduled to usher in Christmas eve, itself, in the place the President's wife loves best, the out- of-doors. For her there has been gath- ered a basket of woodsy Christmas dec- orations from the four corners of the United States—Florida, Maine, Wash- ington State, and her own California— to be presented by one of her Girl Scout friends, Alice Leake. A Boy Scout, Joseph Wheeler, was drafted to gli:'e her the greetings of Washington city. The Salvation Army Temple, with worn old columns wreathed in red and green, with Christmas bells bobbing The only evening paper in Washington with the Assoc Yesterday’s Circulation, 107,478 TWO CENTS. CHANGE WILL DEFY ORDER 10 TESTIFY INPOLIGE HEARING Foreman of Jury Criticizing Shelby and Kelly Denies Disrespect for Court. Press. SAYS STAND TO BE AIRED BEFORE JUDGE SCHULDT Action Is Taken Because Witness Is Called “Mental Misfit” by Attorney. Merritt O. Chance, foreman of the grand jury which accused Inspector Shelby and Lieut. Kelly of official care- lessness in investigating the death of Virginia McPherson, will defy the order of Police Judge Schuldt that he con- tinue his testimony before the board trying the police officers on charges of inefficiency. “Without intending in any way to show disrespect for the court,” Chance sald today, “I shall'most certainly re- fuse to testify any further before the trial board. I have already refused to 80 on, and I am refusing today, tomor- Tow and every other day, including January 3.” Chance was directed yesterday to ap- pear before the trial board January 3 at the sixth precinct police station and continue his testimony, interrupted last Saturday by his refusal to answer further questions in protest to the board’s action in permitting Assistant United States Attorney Walter Shea to criticize him on the stand. Called “Mental Misfit.” Shea, appearing out of turn as a defense witness, described Chance in his role of foreman as “a mental misfit, drunk with authority.” “I have no criticism to make of Judge Schuldt and I deny any intention of disrespect,” Chance said. “In refusing to testify I feel that I will only be co-operating with the court in its efforts to get a legal basis for judicial determination of the laws in the case. “As 1 understand the situation, the court has not attempted yet to judge the merits of the legalities involved, but has laid the groundwork for such 8 determination. If I refuse to testi- ly on January 3—and that's exactly whag'z lolng‘la do—the court then to of counsel and reach a decision in th H(htot&bu.mmanummhwfi Attorneys Offer Service. Chance said he had not had an r- tunity as yet to communicate with his attorney, Carter B. Keene, who is vaca- tioning at Atlantic Cit; days. He said that if Keene is unable time for the test before advise him in the matter. “If it is another refusal by me to testify that the court wants, Il see that it gets it,” the ex-foreman ex- plained. “There seems to be some question as to whether I really meant it when I told the board I was through Saturday. I am willing to make it clear by a legal refusal, if that will help. “I'll appear before the board, as di- rected by the court, but I won't answer any questions.” Ruling Confusing. ‘There ammd to be some confusion in les today as to whether Judge Schuldt, in instructing Chance to testify, was making a final determina- tion of the technicalities involved, or, as Chance contends, was merely paving the way for a legal weighing of the issues after hearing arguments col;nze‘lé Schuldt himself dispelled u ul any doubt by informing newspapermen that his order was not to be construed as a Jjudgment of the issues involved under the act of Congress of 1896 creating the police trial board. He is deferring judgment as to the wog.ot that act and the powers of the rd to com- rel witnesses to testify until the prob- lem legally comes before him through some such action as a further refus- al of Chance to go on with his testi- mony. The court indicated yesterday it was not fully familiar with the provisions of the trial board act and that it de- sired time in which to become acquaint- ed with them. The action of the cor- ration counsel’s office in . citing ce?mée to the court was without pre- lent. BAND TO PLAY FOR HOOVER 20-Minute Serenade Planned for Tomorrow at White House. The Army Band will serenade Presi- dent and Mrs. Hoover for 20 minutes Christmas morning, appearing at the White House at 9:45 o'clock. The pro- gram will include Christmas carols and several snappy marches. The band will (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) appear in full-dress uniform. WASHINGTON WILL NOT HAVE WHITE CHRISTMAS AFTER ALL Transfer of $3,100,000 Brings| Weather Bureau Says No More Snow Will Fall Here ‘Washington got all the “white Christ- mas” yesterday that it's going to get, so far as the Weather Bureau prophets were able to see late this morning. No more snow will fall here tonight or tomorrow, because the Maryland and dy | Virginia mountains west of the Capital will exhaust all of the snow clouds which may head this way in the next 30_hours or so. ‘The official forecast given out by bureau today is for a “fair and cold Christmas,” with a minimum temperd- ture of 24 degrees tomorrow morning, rising to a probable high point of 40 d during the midafternoon. inslated in the terms of most ‘Washington folks, that means that the ice and snow which has much of the city crusted in glittering, slippery splendor today, will prevail tomorrow, and that means that Bobby and Billy and Betty can bring out those new sleds of theirs for a day and evening of speedy trial coasting. The Christmas Within Next 30 Hours. day minimum temperature will be one degree above the 23 which was recorded this morning, and the 40 maximum which the forecasters see for tomor- row will prevail for a very short time in the afternoon. It is possible, the bureau experts said today, that clouds will obscure the sun during the late afternoon, but these, they are con- vinced, will no falling weather. So far as y is concerned, thr highest temperature to be recorded wi! be slightly above the 32-degree freezin( point, but this will not prevail lon use any sort of genero i