Evening Star Newspaper, January 3, 1930, Page 22

SPAIN'S DICTATO 15 NOT RESIGNING Rumors Regarding Gen. Primo de Rivera Badly Mis- construe Cabinet Talk. By Radio fo The Star and Chicago News. Copyrishts 1630 o Daily MADRID, Spain, January 3.—A curi- ous and regrettable situation has arisen here owing to the light-heartedness with which rumors about s{:ln circu- lated, often with malicious intent, are credited abroad. At a meeting of the council of min- isters Gen. Primo de Rivera outlined a plan for the gradual transmission of authority from dictatorship to some sort of constitutional legality. All members of the government approved it. In submitting the plan to the King Gen. de Rivera requested his majesty to Teflect several days before accepting or rejecting the proposal, which includes & provision for municipal and county elections. The dictator’s resignation has neither been suggested nor discussed. It may be confidently expected that the dicta- tor will continue in office until a tran- sition has been fully effected and that his authority will be sufficient to deal with any insubordination which may arise in the army in the same way as the last rebellion of artillery officers was dealt with. Moreover, the dictator has pledged himself to inform the country of all his resolutions, so that any crisis which may occur is certain to be known to the public. This pledge, it is considered, should be sufficient to nullify unfound- ed rumors which so frequently find easy eredence outside of Spain. ‘The government organ, La Nacion, says that the present circulation of un- founded rumors results from the recent abolition of censorship and suggests that it is a poor return on the part of certain foreign correspondents for the liberties so lately accorded them. “UNLOADED” GIFT RIFLE KILLS HOUSEKEEPER Boy Playfully Points Gun at Wom- an and Fires, Forgetting Shell in Weapon. By the Associated Press. SEEKONK, Mass., January 3.—Mil- THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. 0., FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1930. CLOTHES-WASHING FOUND CURE FOR WITCHCRAFT BY COLONEL Officer, Stationed Here, Pre- sided in Last Known Witch Trial. Relates How Jail Sentence Ended Vera Cruz Black- mail Scheme. BY GRETCHEN SMITH. ‘The last officially known trial for witcheraft held in the world was pre- sided over by an American Army offi- cer, Col. Hjalmar Erickson, who is at present in charge of the library of the Army War College, at Washington Bar- racks. As a soldier and explorer, who has lived and fought in the four cor- ners of the world, the colonel pos- sesses a fund of stories rivaling in in- terest and quantity the contents of the ‘War College library, which, with its 300,000 books and pamphlets, is the uco!:d largest military library in the world. It was while Col. Erickson was a cap- tain of the 19th Infantry that he was stationed with his regiment in Mexico during the occupation of Vera Cruz, in 1914. Appointed provost judge of the military court before which civilian of- fenders were brought for trial, Capt. Erickson tried more than 2,500 cases during his “term of office.” In his opinion, the most interesting case brought before him was a Mexican woman who had been arrested by the native police for practicing witcheraft. Gained Reputation of Witch. “Before the Americans entered Vera Cruz,” Col. Erickson said, “this woman had been making a very good living by blackmail. She had gained the repu- tation among the natives of being a witch, and would rather incur her dis- favor and have evil spells placed upon them those who lived in her guarter of the town would pay her a regular weekly tribute. After the arrival of the Amer- icans the natives felt a little braver and placed less confidence in the fectiveness of the witch's spells. They consequently ceased paying tribute, and it was then that trouble began. “The woman lived in a quadrangular settlement, to which there was but one entrance. ~ After most of the residents| were Within the inclosure the ‘witch | woman’' placed numerous amulets, COL, HIALMAR ERICKSON. —Harris-Ewing_Photo. stones, sticks and other supposedly bad luck pieces upon the entrance to the quadrangle and impressed those within | with the belief that they would be be- witched if they should cross the thresh- old. No one dared go in or out, and consequently a great commotion arose, and a native policeman, who had no, fears of witchery, entered the district and placed the witch under arrest. Admits Charges True. “She was brought before me, charged with being a witch. Questioned as to whether it were true and conscious that many of her neighbors were pres- ent at the trial, she admitted with alacrity that it was true. Yes, she was witch and she had placed evil spells over her neighbors. Her 9-year-old daughter, who accompanied her, also rmed the fact that her mother was a witch.’ Undaunted by the fact that she was a powerful “witch woman,” Col. Erick- son admits he fearlessly passed sentence uj her., “What was the sentence?” the colonel 1 was asked. “Did she receive the h ru’nee. as was prescribed in colonial gy ‘The colonel smiled. “I gave her a week in jail, with the added punishment of washing all the prisoners’ clothes for that week. Her power was broken. When her neigh- bors learned that, with all her witch- craft, she was unable to avert the sen- tence of doing a week's washing, the)" no longer feared her power. “My court stenographer at that time was an Irish corporal, named Maguire.” Col. Erickson added. “I glanced at his notes on the case just before passing sentence, and next to his entry of sen- tence passed he had inscribed, ‘To be bolled in ofl'! I think he was greatly disappointed when he found it neces- sary to make a correction on the record.” PAID h-ll>l-LITARY HONORS. \ Military honors marked the burial in the Arlington National Cemetery yes- terday of the body of Col. Samuel Burkhardt, jr., U. 8. Army, retired, who died at Chicago last Sunday. Born at Palos, Ill, September 10, 1865, Col. Burkhardt was graduated from the Military Academy in June, 1889, and served in the Infantry until September 14,1920, when he was retired, at hisown | request, in the grade of colonel. He was awarded a silver star citation for gallantry in action at Santiago de Cuba July 1, 1898, and also s World War. He is sur Mrs. Em Young of PERPETUAL BUILDING ASSOCTATION PAYS 5% Compounded Semi-Annually Assets Over $20,000,000 Surplus $1,000,000 Cor. 11th & E Sts. N.W. JAMES BERRY, President EDWARD C. BALTZ, Act’g Sec’y ton J. Budlong, jr, son of Milton J. Budlong of Newport, R. I, accidentally shot and killed Miss Margaret A. Ahearn, 40, a housekeeper, with a .92- caliber repeating rifle he had been given for Christmas. The boy, who had been practicing ‘with the rifle in the yard of the home of Claude R. Branch, went into thel| house and playfully pointed the sup- posedly empty rifle at Miss Ahearn. He forgot that when he had removed the || clip one cartridge had been left in the chamber. He pulled the trigger. The shot entered Miss Ahearn's neck and she died within a few minutes. Medical Examiner Jesse W. Batters- |} hall of North Attleboro viewed the body and give a verdict of accidental shoot- ing, after he and State Detective Fran- cis W. Clemley of Taunton had inves- tigated. RITES AT ARLINGTON. Funeral Services Held for Lieut.|| Langhorne W. Motley. Funeral services were held at the Arlington National Gemetery_yesterday afternoon for First Lieut. Langhorne ‘W. Motley, Army Air Corps, who died || at Denver, Colo., last Monday. A na- tive of Vermont, Lieut. Motley served during the World War in the aviation section of the Signal Corps of the Na- tional Army and was transferred to the Air Corps of the Regular Army in July, 1920. He was graduated from the Alr || Service Technical School with the rat- ing of air pilot in 1926. Va. His widow, Mrs. Amy Motley, is in this city. CITY NEWS IN BRIEF. ‘TODAY. Fifth annual banquet of the Harri- son Bible Class of Congress Street Methodist Protestant Church will be held this evening in the lecture room of the church at 6:30 o'clock. Among the speakers on the program will be Representatives Jeff Busby of Missis- sippi, Albert Hall of Indiana, John C. Schafer of Wisconsin, J. W. Collier of || Mississippl and Morgan Sanders of ‘Texas. Pred East and Billy Raymond will sing. Wilfred Knott and the Balser Bisters also on the program. ‘The regular weekly meeting of the ashington Glider Club will be held at 8 o'clock tonight in the Thomson Com- munity Center, Twefth and L streets. Public i invited. James A. Edgerton, poet and phil- osopher, will lecture on “The Message of the New Year” at the League for the T Life, 1628 K street, tomorrow Large: | night at 8:15. Public invited. Admis- sion free, A lecture on “Church and State in Modern Mexico” will be given by Wil. liam F. evening at 8:15 o'clock in the McMahon Hall Auditorium, Catholic University. January meeting of the West School Parent-Teacher Association will be held Monday at 8 pm. in the school audi- torium, Dr. J. Orin Powers of George Wash- || ington University will be the speaker. There will be other interesting features. A five hundred card party will be || given tomorrow night at Northeast Ma- sonic Temple by the District of Colum- bia Department, United Spanish War ‘Veterans. ‘The regular monthly meeting of the |! ‘Washington Chapter of the Brown Uni- | | versity Club will be held at the Cosmos | | Club Tuesday, January 7, at 1 o'clock. Luncheon will be foliowed by a pro- || gram. Prof. Arthur P. Newell, ’12, now professor of history at Roberts College, When taken || 1l he was stationed at Langley Field, Patricia | | Montavon of the National || Catholic Welfare Conference, Monday | }! Cu $1.50 Full-Fashioned Silk Hose In Chiffon and Service Weights 1,200 pairs Women's Pure Thread Silk Hose, in all All-silk chiffon hose and service weight colors. with lisle top. Subject to slight irregularities. Street Floor, Satisfaction Since 1859 NGSPALACE " 810-818 Seventh St. N.W. $29.75, $35.00 & $39.75 Every Coat Brand New! Beautiful Broadcloth Coats With Shawl and Mushroom Collars and ffs of Fine Furs, including: Manchurian Wolf (dog), in black, grey and red. Pointed Manchurian Wolf and Pointed French Beaver Hare. 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They are hand tailored, satin and rayon serge lined, all seams are piped, they have !-inch double stitched edges and seams, and our special price, while quantity lasts, is $21.75, Big Double-Breasted Models Not bulky, bundlesome, heavy fellows, but fabrics that possess the virtue of “warmth without weight,” that fit as snugly as a topcoat. | These Four Famous Fabrics: 1. Imported Harris Tweeds 2. Imported Diagonals 3. Imported Shetland Fleeces 4. Famous Heidknits Browns, grays and heathers in overplaid effects and diagonal weaves in popular blue. Sizes 35 to 44 in the lot Men's Clothing—Sirest Floor A Wonderful Assortment of New Designs Men’s Fancy Shirts Every One Exceptionally Well Tailored in Collar-Attached or With Collar-to-Match ) Wolf 4 A wonderful New Year opportunity / to buy a new coat of luxurious quality at an average saving of half the price. Styles include princess silhouettes, rip- ples, flares, side-drapes, straightlines and fancy backs. Beautifully lined. In black, brown, green, tan and wine. Sizes 14 to 20, 36 to 42, 44 to 50, Constantinople, will speak on “Edu tional Conditions in the Near East. *1.95 A timely offering in pace with your New Year “dress-up” resolution. A purchase from one of our best sources, and an exact- ing check of the details of workmanship will be convincing proof of their superiority. Rayon striped broadcloth, woven madras and woven jacquard figured broadcloth in striped and figured effects now in demand. Sizes 14 to 17. Extra Special! New $100 and $125 PONY COATS 99 Now to duplicate last January's sensational selling of superb ponyskin coats—with this purchase of stunning new models on sale at $59. Choice of red, blonde, buff, taupe and ermine pony with collars of fox, red fox, French beaver and taupe, mellow and tea rose in Armour coon. Second Floor Excursions $3.50 Philadelphia $3.25 Chester $3.00 Wilmington AND' RETURN Sundays, January 12, 26 SPECIAL TRAIN Leaves Washington. RETURNING, 1 (Broad Strees Philadelphia 8:10 P.M., Wi Men’s Striped Pajamas, $1.95 Tailored to perfection of fine broadcloth in the well liked vividly striped patterns. Collar attached and round neck models. _ Also rayon striped broadcloth at this. price. Sizes A, B, C and D. Men’s Fancy Hose, Pair, 50c WOol mixtures, Rayon mixtures in neat designs, attractive stripes and the popular clocked effect. A hose which we sell regu- larly and one that gives constant service. Sizes 91 to 12, Men's Wear Shop—Sireet Floor All Sizes 14 to 40 limington 8:32 P.M. Similar_exeursions February 9, 23; Mareh 9. 23; April 6, 20 ALL STEEL EQUIPMENT Pennsylvania Railroad