Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1929, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair, slightly colder tonight; mini- mum temperature about 36 degrees; to- morrow increasing ‘Warmer. ‘Temperatures—Highest 56 at noon today: lowest 39 at 11:15 p.m. yes- terday. Full report on page 9. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 10 and 11 cloudiness: and b ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star. ociated service. The only evening paper K: Washington with the Press news Yesterday’s Circulation, 110,050 31,290. post office, Entered as second class matter Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON, b. LG, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1929—TWENTY-TWO PAGES. *% () Means Associated TWO CENTS. Press. BROOKHART WANTS MELLON T0 RESIGN ~ ASDRY FORCE HEAD Second Demand That Secre- tary Quit Also Asks Removal of Others. LOWMAN WILL SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENTS Holds Killing of Newport Rum Runners Was “Unfortunate But Unavoidable.” By the Associated Press The second demand for the resigna- tion of Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury, during the current prohibition controversy, came today from Senator Brookhart of Iowa, a Re- publican dry, who said that he wanted not only Mellon removed but others in the Treasury Department identified with enforcement. Senator Norris of Nebraska, Repub- lican independent, had previously said that Mellon should quit his place as the chief prohibition enforcement officer. Brookhart's assertion that Mellon should lose his official head was the second time within recent months that he has attacked the Secretary of the Treasury. In a speech on the Senate floor made on the famous “Wall Street booze party,” he sald that Mellon should be removed. The Iowa Senator indicated today that he would carry the prohibition controversy to the Senate floor next week. Howman to Support Agents. Renewed indication that Federal of- ficers who use stern measures in en- forcing the dry laws will be given the support of their superiors was given to- day by Seymour Lowman, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, who said that the killing of three rum-runners off Newport, R. I, Sunday by Coast Guardsmen was “unfortunate, but un- avoidable.” Lowman’s blunt statement followed one equally as blunt by Rear Admiral Billard, commandant of the Coast Guard, which said the Guard meant business, and added that the law could not be enforced by “soft words” and “amiable gestures.” Neither Lowman nor Coast Guard headquarters, however, had any com- ment to make on the report from New London, Conn., that seven members of the Coast Guard had been arrested in connection wtih the theft of liquor con- fiscated from a captured rumrunner. t was said that no report on the inci- dent had been received here and that the commandant at New London was handling the matter. “Only Themselves to Blame.” = - Loman’s statement, which also said that the smugglers who were killed had no one but themselves to blame, tem- porarily directed attention from ramifi- cations of the present bitter row over prohibition in = other official circles, notably the Senate. Th: White House today maintained th: silence it has kept since the deluge of statements began shortly before the Senate recessed for the holiday period. There was interest, however, in the probable result that a letter Senator Borah of Idaho has written the Presi- cent may have. Senator Borah has been severe in his criticism of law enforce- ent and enforcement personnel, as- rting that a change was needed from op to bottom,” and it was known that the communication he sent the Chief cutive was about prohibition. Hoover to Take No Action. Mr. Hoover indicated that he will take no action until Congress has named a joint congressional committee to con- sider prohibition enforcement. The Senate has passed the resolution for the committee, but the House has yet to act. Senators in the Capital have not commented on the killing of the three rum runners, but two who are at home for the holidays, Walsh of Massachusetts and Metcalf of Rhode Island, have de- manded through investigations. Senator Metcalf said he would ask for a senatorial inquiry if it appeared that “investigators are not reaching the root of the matter.” Borah’s Letter Kept Secret. The contents of a letter on prohibi- tion sent to President Hoover by Sena- tor Borah today were a closely guarded secret, while official Washington turned to speculation on the nature of the Senator’s latest contribution to the present bitter controversy. The communication was regarded as climaxing Borah’s participation in the current discussion, in the course of which he had issued two denunciatory statements, scathingly arraigning the Federal personnel to which prohibitio enforcement is intrusted, and had dis cussed the situation personally with the Chief Executive. The White House announced that the letter had been received late yesterday, with the added statement that it would not be made public an dthat thus far no reply had been drafted. Borah, too, declined to reveal what was contained in it. In his previous statements the Ida- hoan, who was one of Mr. Hoovers most’ prominent campaigners, asserted that the faults of prohibition enforce- ment lay with those charged with making the law effective. and that | Volstead act, in the opinion of Sena- Senator Jones Asks Purchaser Be Tried Under Volstead Act Holds Department of Jus- tice Should Act Under Section 6 of Title 2. BY G. GOULD LINCOL! The Department of Justice should test the culpability of purchasers of liquor under section 6 of title 2 of the tor Jones of Washington, one of the dry leaders of the Senate. Section 6 says: “No one shall manufacture, sell, pur- chase, transport or prescribe any liquor without first obtalning a permit from the commissioner to do so, except that a person may, without a permit, pur- chase and use liquor for medicinal pur- poses when prescribed by a physician as herein provided.” “This provision already exists in the law,” said Senator Jones today. “We have been asked to pass further legis- lation, by Senator Sheppard of Texas, to make purchasers of liquor equally guilty of law violation with the sellers and manufacturers. Why not try out the law that is already on the statute books?" For 10 years almost the Volstead act has been in effect. The prosecutions, however, have been made with reference to section 3 of title 2, which says: “No (Continued on Page 3, Column 5.) GAMBLING IN JAL DISCLOSED N PROBE OF RUM SMUGGLING Report Says Guard Brought! in Liquor to Treat Prisoners. Denies Ring Rumors. Gambling has been permitted in the District Jail, it was revealed today by Paul L. Kirby, assistant director of public welfare, in making public the results. of an exhaustive investigation of conditions at the institution. Kirby also revealed that smuggling of liquor had resulted in the discharge of one guard, and drinking on duty has placed another ‘fil:l'd a precarious position. No acf has been taken in the case of the second guard, but Kirby indicated he would be dismissed. The guard already discharged is Walter I. Malone. Kirby declined to reveal the name of the other man involved. losed that Kirby's repor g of narcotics firmed. rumors of the into the jail could not be coni He added it could be “confidently be- lieved that there has been no trafficking in drugs.” Kirby's statement that gambling had been permitted among prisoners was the first intimation that the investiga- tion in progress at the jail for several days had resulted in the discovery of such activities. Kirby declared that one of the guards was relieved from duty because he was detected taking whisky 1to the jail. ‘While the report did .ot name Ma- lone, it was obvious that it had refer- to him. The report continued that this guard “also permitted crap games and card playing on the fourth floor of the north wing, which was his post of duty. It appears that he allowed prisoners outside their cells for brief periods and in small groups to play these games for money in the passage- way in front of the cell dcors. Because of the elevation of the floor and the length of the passageway, this quiet gambling could not observed from any other part of the building.” No Evidence of Narcotics. “There appeared no evidence what- ever of the presence of narcotics in re- cent years except in three isolated ln-l stances, but only the utmost vigilance on the part of the jail authorities can foil the persistence and ingenuity of prisoners and their friends on the out- side in their efforts to smuggle these in. It can be confidently believed that there has been no traffiicking in drugs. (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) BALDWIN WARNS LEAGUE OF ANOTHER ELECTION By the Associated Press. LONDON, December 31.—Suggestion of a new British general election at a not distant date was made today by Stanley Baldwin, former Conservative prime minister, in a New Year message to the Primrose League of his party. He appealed for a year of hard work, “for we do not know how soon we may be again in the turmoil of a general election.” He said the Labor govern- ment was encountering increasing dif- ficulties as a result of rash election promises. The ultimate solution of the unem- ployment problem, he said, would de- pend on expansion of trade and devel- opment of new markets, the field from that expansion lying in the rapidly de- veloping empire markets. He declared unemployment was increasing under the present government. Review of the Year 1929 The Evening Star Tomorrow A comprehensive view of all the important events in the United States and the District of Columbia will be given for the convenience of The Star’s readers. World affairs will be treated graphically. The year 1929 was an importangt one in the world of finance and a complete survey of financial conditions during the past year. A look into the future will be given by trained writers on financial subjects. Special statistical summar; feature of the financial pages of tomorrow’s edition. Be sure and get your copy of The Evening Star tomorrow if you would have a complete record of the year just passed. s of the markets will be a 60 10 80 PERISH IN PANIC AT FIRE IN MOVIE THEATER Fighting, Screaming Children Caught in Jam as They Seek to Reach Exits. MORE THAN 159 INJURED YOUNGSTERS RESCUED Horror-Stricken, Helpless Parents Stand Outside as Scottish Fire- men Fight Way In. By the Associated Press. PAISLEY, Scotland, December 31.— Between 60 and 80 persons, most of them children, were officially estimated to have perished in a fire which swept through a motion picture theater here crowded with youngsters on a holiday matinee. The panic of the children as they jammed the exits in a wild effort to flee the raging flames within brought the death roll up until officials said that the number of victims would go over 60 and would probably be nearer. 80. Moré than 150 children were taken to a nearby infirmary suffering from burns and injuries which they had re- ceived in the mad rush from the building. Victims Brought Out. A constant stream of tram cars and wagons pressed into service arrived at the infirmary bearing the little vic- tims, many dead and other, in a coma~- tose condition. All emergency measures were taken to care for the injured. So great was the crush of struggling boys and girls, who only a few mo- ments before had been watching a pro- gram which featured “The Crowd,” to gain safety from the holocaust that firemen had the greatest difficulty in dragging them through the doorways. Outside stood many parents, horror- stricken and helpless, as firemen, con- stables and civilians repeatedly braved l:lxe fiames to bring the young victims to safety. The dense clouds of smoke which came from the structure made it nec- essary to use gas masks, some of them irhprovised. The first started in the operator’s box and sped with terrifying rapidity through the crowded auditorium. Many Die at Hospital. Many of the deaths occurred at the hospital, where the victims of the crush and panic were taken. Most of those who succumbed at the infirmar: died from injuries, chiefly internal rather than from burns. The theater was filled to capacity, and the film had unwound about ha of the story of “The Crowd,” when a sheet of flames shot out of the projec- tion box. The sudden ending of the show turned all eyes to the operators quarters, and there was an immediate cry of “fire” from all sections of the house. A wild rush started for the exits, the aisles were filled with struggling boys and girls who fought blin to reach the doors. The doorways were also quickly jammed. As those in front went down under the crushing pressure from the crowd in the rear, the victims piled themselves into struggle heaps. Fire Does Not Spread. It was this condition which confront- ed the firemen and constables when they reached the place. The rescuers fought grimly to disentangle the chil- dren and clear the way for those who were still held in the theater. The task was made the more difficult by the crowding forward of parents, who rushed to the scene as the alarm spread rapidly through the murky mill town. Fortunately, the fire itself did not spread to the theater, and after the place had been cleared it showed little trace of damage. Had the flames taken hold of the structure the death list would have mounted into the hundreds, because none of those imprisoned be- hind the jammed doorways could have escaped asphyxiation. The theater seats 750 persons. As to- day’s performance was billed as a spe- cial holiday matinee for children the house was fully occupied by youngsters of from 5 to 14 years of age. Noted for Shawls. Paisley is a town of 84,000 inhabitants on the White Cart River 3 miles above its junction with the Clyde. It is only 7 miles from Glasgow. ‘The place became internationally fa- mous for Paisley shawls, an industry which flourished from 1800 until the early 80s of the last century. These shawls were woven on hand looms with a pattern in imitation of Cashmere products, Paisley is largely a mill and manufac- turing town. It turns out soaps, starch, machinery and textiles, the latter in- cluding fine muslins and tartans. A large amount of thread is also manu- factured. Historically, the city is marked chiefly by an old abbey church colonized orig- inally by the Benedictines in 1163. In its present form this structure dates from the fourtcenth and fifteenth cen- turies. Tt contains the tomb of Mar- gery, daughter of Robert Bruce, and Rl:loben III of Scotland is also burled there. —_— GETS SMALLPOX l?l JAIL. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., December 31 () —Some real tough guys appear in Municipal Court here, but it remained for Everett Sellers to cause even the judge and bailiff to look for the exits. Sellers was held in jail overnight on a charge of stealing $2. When he ap- peared at the door of the court room a large crowd of spectators backed away en masse. He had develped in his cell a virulent case of smallpox. Case continued in favor of fumiga- id the court. There Will Be No 5:30 Edition of The Star Tomorrow New Year Day , 4 W, Ul ) 7, THE NEW YVYEAR'S EVE! WILD GUN BATTLE FOLSBANK BANDITS Routed From Town, Five Stage Desperate Fight in Woods With Citizens. By the Assoclated Press. DAYTON, Ohio, December 31.—Five bank robbers engaged in a wild gun battle with citizens and officers at Phil- lipsburg, Ohio, near here today after they had kidnaped Ralph Davenport, cashier, in a fruitless effort to loot the Phillipsburg State Bank. Davenport escaped from the robbers in the confusion. A posse of deputy sheriffs and 20 armed citizens at once pursued two 8T the bandits into a woods near the town. Davenport was slugged at his home last night. While several members of the gang stood as Jookouts, two of them bound and held him prisoner. Mrs. Davenport fainted when they brought the cashier inside. They prepared cof- fee for her and remained until 6 am. Davenport had told them, when he re- covered, that the bank’s time lock would not open until then. Discovered by Son. At 5:50 am. Floyd Davenport, the cashier’s 14-year-old son, returned home after spending the night with friends. He turned a flashlight on a rear door and saw one of the robbers pointing a machine gun at him. The boy fled be- fore the gunman could shoot or capture him. Floyd gave the alarm at a filling sta- tion, but meanwhile two of the robbers had entered the bank with Davenport. The filling station employes set the town’s fire siren screaming, and at (‘Jnce bullets commenced to fly thick and ast, Shoots at Siren. Scores of armed citizens quickly col- lected in the streets exchanging fusil- lades with the bandits’ car as the driver endeavored to collect his part- ners and escape. Once he turned machine gun on the siren, but was unable to silence it. Three bandits finally got in the car and escaped, though pursued hotly for many miles by citizens and officers in another car. The other two mem- bers of the gang fled into woods and fields on the environs of the town where the search for them was started. ANTARCTIC EXPLORER CORRECTS LAND SITE Capt. Riiser Larsen Locates Terri- tory Between Kemp Land and Enderby Land. The following has been received by radio from Capt. Riiser Larsen, famous Norweptan_aviator. who with his com- panion, Capt. Lutzow Holm, discovered new land on the Antarctic Continent. BY CAPT. RIISER LARSEN. OSLO, December 31.—Checking with Oslo I find that my original dispatch announcing the discovery of new land in the Antarctic was garbled in trans. mission. The new land was reported to lie between Coates Land and the shore of King Haskon Sea. The message should have located the new land be- tween Kemp Land and Enderby Land. This part of the continental coast appears to be very mountainous, the ice raising to notable heights in a southernly direction. All aboard the Norvegia are well. Capt. Rilser Larsen’s original dispatch announced the discovery of new land in Antarctic near the Weddell Sea, across the continent from the scene of Rear Admiral Byrd’s operations. With his companion, Lutzow Holm, the Nor- weglan aviator, who distinguished him- self in the rescue of Gen. Nobile last | year, flew in a seaplane from the whal- ing and scientific ship Norvegia to an open channel in an ice field near the shore, two aviators took possession of the new land in the name of Norway. Capt. Riiser Larsen’s correction places the new land to the east of the Weddell Sea, near the Enderby quadrant or that part of the Antarctic continent which faces the gap between Africa and Australia, about 40 degrees west of Cape Town. (Copyright, 1929, by North American News- Paper Association.) Seize 400 Cases of Liquor. MIAMIL Fla, December 31 (#).—A boat loaded with 400 sacks of liquor valued by authorities at $12,000 was seized by customs officers today in the Miami River near here, Proceeding inland by ski, the | Single Family Ends 137 Years’ Service As Mint Employes J. B. Eckfeldt’s Grand- father and Father Preced- ed Him in U. S. Work. Bx the Associated Press. PHILADELPHIA, December 31.— With the end of the year the name Eckfeldt goes off Uncle Sam's Phila- delphia mint pay roll after being there for 137 years in a family service that continued under the administrations of 31 Presidents. The resignation of Jacob Bausch Eckfeldt, 83, as chief assayer of the Philadelphia mint becomes effective to- day. He has served 64 years in the institution, 48 years of which were in the position of chief assayer. His father served 43 years and his grandfather 46 years before him in of- ficlal capacities in the same mint. ‘The last of the Eckfeldts in the Phil- adelphia mint will be succeeded by Chester W. Zeigler, who has been Jacob Eckfeldt's assistant for 28 years. Eck- feldt has three sons, who are engaged in scientific pursuits. BOY SAYS MOTHER KILLED POLICEMAN Donnie Schroeder, 4, Names Parent and Two Men in Fatal Shooting. By the Associated Press. BELLAIRE, Ohio, December 31.— Chief of Police Francis Moran today announced that Donnie Schroeder, 4, had told him that his mother, Mrs. Irene Schroeder, had fired the shot which killed Corpl. Brady Paul of the Pennsylvania State highway patrol near New Castle, Pa. last Friday. Pennsylvania State police and Pitts- burgh detectives took Donnie to Pitts- burgh for further questioning. Chief Moran said the lad gave a very concise description of the shooting and named two men known as Glenn Duggy and Tom Crawford, a brother of his mother. as their companions. Ernest Moore, State highway patrol- man, who was wounded in the ex- change of shots, told Chiet Moran that Donnie was the child seen in the au- tomobile. Chief Moran found the lad last night at an uncle’s home and took him to po- lice headquarters for questioning. The uncle,! Ray Schroeder, of Bellaire, and the child’s maternal grandfather, Jo- seph Crawford, also were taken for questioning. Paul, Pennsylvania officers said, was shot down by a woman who was accom- panied by a small boy and two men. ‘The boy is said to have told authorities there were two men in the car. Mrs. Schroeder was not found in Bellaire. The child was located through a picture (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) 24 ARE SENTENCED IN “RUM REBELLION” lSherifl‘ Gets $5,000 Fine and Two Years in Prison for Part in Liquor Plot. By the Associated Press. 31.—Federal Judge Stanley Webster to- day sentenced the 24 persons convicted of conspiracy in “the Mullan, Idaho, |rum rebellion case.” Sheriff R. E. Weniger of Shoshone County was sentenced to serve two | Years in prison and pay a fine of 1 $5,000. Deputy Sheriff Albert Bloom was sen- tenced to 15 months, with no fine. The Mullan case involved the mayor and city councilmen of Mullan, the sheriff of Shoshone County and his deputy and a number of men and wom- en_who admitted selling liquor. The Government charged that Mullan was “in open rebellion” against the pro- hibition laws. Mayor Arthur Harwood was sentenced to 18 months and fined $1,000. Chief of Police F. O. Welch received a sentence of 15 months; Hartford Morphy, police- man, 1 year and a day; George Houston, city trustee, 15 months; Henry Foss, trustee, 10 months; Charles Rictau, trustee, 10 months, and Joe Wheatley, trustee, 15 months. COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Decemberl SHELBY D RELY DEFERSE IS ENED Business and Professional Men Rally to Support Accused Policemen. Washington’s outstanding business and professional men rallied to the sup- port today of Inspector Willlam S. Shelby and Lieut. Edward J. Kelly in their fight before an extraordinary po- lice trial board for acquittal on charges of bungling the McPherson case in- vestigation, as the defense opened its case. Bankers, jurists, secret service op- eratives, District officials and prominent police officers were included in the im- posing array of character witnesses who were called. All of them extolled in glowing terms the virtues of Inspector Shelby and Lieut. Kelly, describing them as competent, efficient, courteous and honest men in whom they imposed the utmost confidence. ‘The prosecution rested its case abruptly when the trial board convened shortly after 10 o'clock and the defense proceeded immediately with its case by calling a succession of character wit- nesses. The procession continued with- out interruption until luncheon recess. Agree on Precedure. The prosecution was enabled to close its case as a result of a decision late yesterday not to make further efforts to compel three recalcitrant members of the July grand jury to testify. This course was suggested by the defense in order to expedite the trial and was agreed to by Prosecutors Robert E. Lynch and Walter L. Fowler after a conference with Corporation Counsel William W. Bride. In view of the decision, all proceed- ings against Merritt O. Chance, fore- man of the July grand jury, and Bax- ter M. Davidson and Joseph Batt, two members of that jury, were dropped. Chance had been ordered by Police Court Judge Gus A. Schuldt to appear before the board Friday and compiete his testimony. Contempt proceedings had been contemplated against Batt and Division, who refused to testify yes- terday when they appeared before the trial board in response to a Police Court subpoena. Chance had completed his direct ex- amination when he became incensed at a statement of Assistant United States Attorney Shea and refused to return to the witness stand for cross-examination. His direct testimony, however, will re- main in the record under an agree- ment between defense and prosecution counsel, both sides having waived the right to cross-examine in his case. Sixty Witnesses Called. More than 60 character witnesses have been summoned by the defense, and at the rate they are testifying it is likely that all of them will face the trial board by Thursday afternoon. The board will not be in session to- morrow. The decision of the prosecution to abandon efforts to force the three July grand jurors to testify leaves unde- termined the mooted legal question whether the police trial board had au- thority to compel witnesses to testify either directly or indirectly through Police Court action. The proceedings instituted against Chance were de- signed primarily to test the board's power, but it was feared that prospec- tive litigation would interfere unneces- (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) 'WOMAN ROBBER SHOT FLEEING FROM STORE Mother of Six Children Was Ac- companied by Husband on Theft Tour. By the Associated Press. ROCHESTER, N. Y., December 31.— Masquerading as a man and accom- panied by her husband and two of her six children on an early morning bur- glary, Mrs. Winifred Shields, 35, was fatally shot today as she fled from a store they had entered. Ernest Stott, storekeeper, was aroused by the ringing of his cash register bell. He saw two “men” and two boys fleeing from the front entrance. He ran to the street and fired five shots. One of the quartet fell, and when he reached the spot, Stott recognized Mrs. Shields. She had been shot in the head. Her husband, James, sr., 45, and two of her sons, James, jr., 17, and John, 16, returned when the woman fell and were arrested by deputy sheriffs. Mrs. Shields, who had four other chil- dren, the youngest 5 months old, was dres<ed in men's clothes and wore soft- soled shoes. [ARSENIC IN TURKEY TRACED AS SOURCE IN POISONING OF 16 Police Making Investigation After Analysis of Food Discloses Drug. HOLIDAY CAKES FOUND ACCIDENTALLY DEADLY Discovery Is Made in Time to Pre- vent Tragedies in Virginia and Canada. Following closely on disclosure by Federal food and drug authorities of their success in averting a possible serles of lecal Christmas tragedies by their seizure of nine fruit cakes acci- dentally poisoned with arsenic, munici- pal health officials announced today that quantities of the same poison had been found in turkey dressing which made 16 persons ill Christmss aay at the home of Mrs. Edith Caylor, 723 Fifth street northeast. While a governmental inquiry in the fruit cake case has indicated the arse- nic was dumped into a flour sack in a Falls Church home by children at play, source of the arsenic found in the tur- key and dressing at the Caylor resi- dence was the subject of investiga- tion today by local police. The accidentally poisoned flour was prevented trom dealing death to the family of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bernard Parker of Falls Church and to recip- lents of fruit cakes baked by Mrs. Par- ker for the holiday trade, and the poi- soned turkey dressing aimost brought tragedy to eight children and eight adults who feasted at the Caylor ho‘l’gne. Analysis Shows Poison, A chemical analysis of the turkey and dressing eaten at the Caylor home, made by Dr. John B. Reed, revealed the presence of the deadly substance. It was not clear which was the source of the arsenic, but apparently it was the dressing, since there was more in the dressing than in the turkey meat, according to Dr. Reed's report. Health Officer William C. Fowler turned the report over to Inspector E. W. Brown, acting chief of police, and Inspector Brown sent it to the Detective Bureau, where it was assigned to De- tective Charles Mansfield for investiga- tion. Mansfield sald today that thus far he has failed to find any tangible clue as to the source of the arsenic. He said that he learned that the meal was prepared in exactly the same man- ner as a Thanksgiving dinner which was attended by no evil effects. He ex- pects to file a final report tomorrow with Capt. Walter Emerson, acting chief of the Detective Bureau. Eighteen persons, nine of them chil- dren, sat at the table and partook of the poisoned meal. Fifteen of them became ill, the other victim being the colored maid employed by Mrs. Caylor. Apparently the amount of poison was not enough for very serious harm as its principal result was faintness and nausea. Those at the dinner besides Mrs. Caylor were Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Spence, who live at the Caylor home; Mr. and Mrs. H. Reid of Delray, Va., and their three children—Harold, 9; John, 8, and Geraldine, 7; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Spaulding of Delray, Va., and their children — Edith, 14: Jean, 8, and Cecil, 3; Dr. and Mrs. C. C. Caylor of 3733 Warren street and their children— Catherine, 13; Claude, 7; Joan, 5, and Mary, 3. Maggie Charity, the Caylor's colored maid, was one of those made ill. All Have Recovered. The three who did not suffer were Mrs. Spaulding, Mrs. Caylor and Catherine Caylor. Mr. Reid and his children were treated at Providence Hospital. The others were treated at home by Dr. Terrell Moody. In no case was the illness very serious, and all the victims have since recovered. After the wholesale illnesses devel- oped, the Health Department was noti- fied, and samples of the food were taken for chemical and bacteriological exami- nation. All of the food except the tur- key and the dressing was reported pure by Dr. Red and Dr. John Noble, bacteri~ ologist of the Health Department. Only the quick work of Federal food and drug inspectors is believed to have prevented a widespread series of Yule- tide death feasts from the fruit cakes, but Uncle Sam was not brought into the extraordinary case early enough to prevent the poisoning of three near- by Virginia families. Mrs. Parker, mother of four young children and baker of the fruit cakes, is confined to her bed in the Parker home, on the Lewinsville road, just out- side of Falls Church, but is rapidly re- (Continued on Page 3, Column 3.) DOCTOR FOUND DEAD. Atlanta Surgeon Believed Victim of Accidental Gunshot., ATLANTA, Ga., December 31 ().— The body of Dr. Joseph A. Kinard, 52, prominent Atlanta surgeon, was found at his camp near Chamblee, Ga., last night, where, it is believed, he was killed by the accidental discharge of his shotgun. 1t is thought the surgeon stumbled as he went up the steps to his hunting lodge and discharged the gun. 0., HEADS DEFEND WORK 1N SCHOOL BULDING PROGRAV :Commissioners Write to Sen- ate Committee, Reviewing Their Activities. INSIST CARUSI ANSWER IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL Declare Educational Expenditures Made as Rapidly as Money Became Available. D:fending the amounts that have been recommended in recent years for carrying out the five-year school build- ing program, the District Commission- ers in a letter today told Chairman Capper of the Senate District commit- tes that the public schools “have been fairly and equitably dealt with,” con- sidering the available revenues and the other needs of the municipality. The fetter covers nine typewritten pages and reviews the history of school estimates since the building program began. It marks another chapter in the discussion that has been in progress since Senator Capper two months ago 1equested both the city heads and the School Board to report on the status of the building program. In their letter the Commissioners re- Ply to several portions of a letter pre- | pared by Dr. Charles Carusi, president of the Board of Education, on October 22, but they emphasized that their com- munication of today is not to be con- sidered “as controversial or critical.” They tell Senator Capper that they ap- preciate the outstanding importance of providing adequate funds for the pub- lic schools system and its development, but point out at the same time that they are confronted with the fact that their ability is limited by the amount of revenues available and the need for making reasonable provisions for other municipal activities. In referring to the question of prog- ress on the building program, the Com- missioners conclude their letter as follows: “It is believed that in general the program of school construction work has becn satisfactory and that schools have been ready for occupancy in as short a time after the appropriations became available as could be reason- ably expected, although it is admitted that in individual cases there have been delays, some that weres unavoid- able, and others that might have been avoided.” Surplus Reserve Necessary, The Commissioners say in their letter that it would have been possible during the last year or two to have allotted & large amount for the schools by drawing on the accumulated surplus of District revenue in the Treasury, but they declare that it was seund Judg- ment to save the surplus for large im- provements which are about to be car- ried out, calling for large expenditures, The municipal center development is cited as an example. “The Commissioners of the District of Columbia beg to submit the follow~ ing additional response to your letter of September 28 concerning the five-year school building program act,” the re- port began. “This response is also n- tended to be informative with respect to certain matters stated by the presi- dent of the Board of Education in his letter addressed to you under date of October 22, a copy of which you kindly forwarded to the Commissioners with your letter of October 24. Appreciates School Needs, “The Commissioners hardly need say to you that they are fully appreciative of the outstanding importance of pro- viding adequate funds for the public schools of the District of Columbia, both for maintenance and operating ex- penses and for the speedy development of the physical plan of the school sys- tem. Each year in their preparation of the budget they are actuated by the desire to extend the maximum consid- eration to school needs. At the same time, confronted as they are with the fact ihat their ability is limited by the amount of the current general revenues of the District of Columbia, and the need for making reasonable provision for other municipal activities and for certain Federal activitis which receive | appropriations from the Dis- trict of Columbia, it has not been possi- ble to approve for the public schools as large amounts as have been recommend- ed by the Board of Education. Yet the Commissioners believe that, consider- ing the general revenues annually avail- able for appropriation purposes, the public schools have been fairly and equitably dealt with. Of course, if the District were in the position of many other large citles and were permitted to borrow funds and issue bonds, It would have been practicable to pro- (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) Egyptian Ministry Out. CAIRO, Egypt, December 31 (&) The Egyptian ministry resigned today. King Fuad will summon Mustapha Na- has Pasha, leader of the majority party, to form a Wafdist_cabinet. Adly Pasha, who resigned today, formed only a temporary cabinet for the interim_ between resignation of the Mahmoud Pashe cabinet and the gen- eral elections a few days ago. These resulted in a victory for the Wafd. DEATHBED MARRIAGE CEREMONY REVEALS SECRET OF FIVE YEARS Mr. and Mrs. McGlue, Wed by Methodist Minister, Married by Catholic Rite. Mrs. Ottilie Kolipinski McGlue, 24 years old, died Sunday of pneumonia at her home, 3815 Ingomar street, where she had been married with catholic services by Rev. Clement J. Jordan of St. Mary's Church at the bedside the day before, following a secret marriage by a methodist minister at Fairfax, Va., to George M. McGlue five years ago. Knowledge of the first marriage cere- meny was not obtained by Mrs. Mc- Glue's mother, Mrs. Louis F. Ocker- shausen, until shortly before the cere- mony Saturday, which was performed at the request of Mrs. McGlue though brothers and sisters of Mrs. McGlue had known of the ceremony shortly after it was performed. ‘The bride had made her home at the residence of her mother. Mean- pr— while the husband attended George- town Law School. The couple had known each other for many years, the first marriage ceremony following an engagement of a number of years, it was sald. Mrs. McGlue had been {ll about 10 days prior to her death. Funeral services will be conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church Thurs- day morning at 10 o'clock. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Besides her mother, Mrs. McGlue is survived by two brothers, Louis and Andrew Kolipinski, and three sisters, Mrs. Breckenbrough Evans, Mrs. Charles Bucey and Miss Eleanor Kolipinski. Radio LProgra;ms—Page 22