Evening Star Newspaper, March 1, 1930, Page 21

CITIZENS' MEETING | ATTENDANCE URGED Federation Delegate Qutlines Work Which Should Be Done in Radio Talk. A plea for better attendance at citi- zens' association meetings in order that | the interests of the District as a whole may be forwarded was made late yes- terday by Allan Fisher, a delegate to the Federation of Citizens' Assnciations, in an address over radio Station WMAL. ‘Some time ago during a conversation relating to neighborhood citizens’ asso- ciations,” Pisher declared, “a friend of mine remarked. ‘You ask about the as- sociation to which I belong, do you? Well, it exists; but that is ail that I can say for it ‘You mean,’ I ventured, ‘that it is not active?’ “ ‘Yes, certainly. You see, our neigh- borhood has every improvement that it desires, and_since there is no longer anything to fight about I. at least, don't waste my time in attending association meetings.” “A short time after this incident I heard another person—one in public of- fice—express the same sentiment re- garding another association, adding, in that instance, however, that efforts were being made to restore with cultural pro- grams a former large attendance. Makes Personal Investigation. 1] “By this time my interest in this matter was thoroughly aroused, and I began to make certain inquiries. As a| result of that personal investigation 1| soon ed that attendance at citi- zens’ association meetings decreases ma- terially if the particular section requires | no immediate improvement or if there { s no urgent need of defending some property interest. I accordingly reached the conclusion that many of these as- soclations are being used almost ex- clusively as sounding boards for radi- ating neighborhood grievances and that problems aflecting the District of Co- lumbia at large tend to be neglected. “Without guestion, first place should be given to the consideration of neigh- borhood needs when they exist, but after they have all been satisfied. or When for certain reasons these matters are unavoidably held in abeyance, then an association has ample opportunity to direct its attention to public affairs of wider scope. What I desire to make clear is that at present this thing is not | generally being done, despite the fact that the constitutions of many local citizens’ associations doubtless contain & provision to the effect that the objects of the association shall be to promote the interests of that part of the District ©of Columbia lying within certain defined territory as well as the interests of the District of Columbia. This latter pur- pose, however, appears to be overlooked or ignored. In either event the effect Lpon the particular association is harm- | ul. “In short, meetings have degenerated | into a formality. In the meantime, con- | templated projects affecting the entire | District, like sore thumbs, await atten- | tion—matters, let us say, relating to | ‘Washingtor Fire or Police Depart- | ment, traffic regulations, public schools | (their personnel and equipment), spe- cial assessment laws: perhaps, also, con- | templated public utility mergers, and so | on. No expression of opinion regarding these important local affairs, however, comes from the bulk of the association’s membership for the reason that a large proportion of the members by their ab- Sence have made a composite judgment nf that character impracticabie. Ufficials Not Misled. “In time, the association falls under: the control of a very small active group, 0ot necessarily with designing motives in View, but with the intention of seeing 1 to it that the organization at least 08~ tensibly functions. On irregular occa- sions this minority group, using the :lar;‘e oi‘l.he association, ‘goes on record’ s favoring or opposing a program af- fecting the whole District, gnd the as- sociation, as such, does, indeed, obtain Tecognition to that effect in the public press; but obviously the opinion of the association has not in the proper sense 'n_expressed. However, persons, like our own District officials, whose task it | is to keep in touch with the real trend of public opinion, are not misled. They watch for the decisions of the strong, active civic units “‘Observe, furthermore, the effeét upon meighborhood needs when requested by an assocfation that has succumbed to minority control. Its Tep. esentative will duly visit the proper District authority and make known the association’s de- | sire, say, for a mlygruund. better light- | certain streets or the closing of a public alley. During the confer- ence Mr. Public Official may ask, ‘Mr. Blank, how many persons compose the membership of your association?’ < “ ‘Pive undred,’ Mr. Biank may dly reply. Indeed; and how many members were present at the meeting that de- cided the matter you have come to see me Rlil;;tllt?'u‘ \ * it ere Mr. Blank begins to hedge. ‘Well—ah,’ he responds, ‘there ere not so many present at that meet- ng—about 40, I should say—but let me &ssure you, sir, that my association is & strong organization, efc., ete.’ “‘Mr. Public Official smiles indulgently, Promises consideration, and the inter- View is over, He has probably already made up his mind that the request does Dot represent the desire of the bulk of the association members, with the re- sult that the requested improvement is not supplied nor is the objectionable condition removed. There is nothing startling about that sort of reaction under these circumstances. Government administrators cannot properly recom- mend the allocation of public funds every time a few persons in a particu- lar section of the city are struck with 2 happy thought or are the victims of & disturbed frame of mind. They must know—definitely know—that the resi- dents of that locality, in its organized capacity as a neighborhood citizens’ as- sociation, demand the requid need and stand ready, if necessary, to cause considerable annoyance if that request &hould not be satisfied.” Have Two Major Objectives. “How best may improved conditions be brought about? In the first place, there must be widespread recognition of the fact that neighborhood citizens’ as- sociations have two major objectives: namely, to look after the problems of their own immediate section and to give adequate consideration to those of a city-wide character. Neither objective is fostered by a policy of remaining at home and merely contemplating it from the serenity of a comfortable armchair. On the contrary, these objectives call for vigorous, affirmative action in public | assembly. “In the second place, there must be Tecognition on the part of each citizen that he is a vital factor in creating and molding public opinfon. He should Tealize the need of transmitting his opinion through some organized body willing to lend him its support. “Furthermore, the presidents of neigh- borhood citizens' associations could do much in the way of stimulating activity with respect to city-wide problems, They could glean from the newspapers, the Congressional Record and other sources many District matters which could be brought to the association meeting for discussion. They could re- quire the delegates to the Pederation of Citizens' Associations to report regular- Iy 2t each monthly association meeting | the nature of the important business transacted by the federation during the month.” Fewer Drowning Accidents. The number of drowning accidents along the Atlantic seaboard was ma- | to find them THE EVENING. STAR, WASHINGTON, D. €, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1930. Mark Copyright, 1830, by North American SYNOPSIS. Col. Engleden, formerly the governor of Southmoor prison, is murdered. A laborer reports having seen three men on the night of the murder close to the spot where the body was found. Sefton Enoleden, the colonel's mevhew, investi- oates with the aid of his law clerk, Johnson. The colomel's diary tells of the escape of two comvicts from South- moor vears ago. It is also learned that the colonel, just before his death, had sent a messape to the prison asking whether any of the warders who were on Ris staff are still there. Johnson believes that the colonel may have emcountered the escaped convicts and that they killed him. Mallison, superintendent of Dolice, does not know of this develop- ment. He tells Engleden that bank- motes that were known to have been on the colonel's verson have been traced, and that it has heen established that they were chanoed by @ soldier from a nearby barracks. Johnson and Enoleden send for Millwaters. one of the warders m charge of the convicts who escap-d. Since ledving the prison he has been enoaged in private detective work. A few hours later he is murdered. Capt. Shoreham, an oficial at Southmoor, ar- rives with descriptions of the escaped convicts. Ome of them—Snelling—had a peculiar birthmark on his right wrist. Engleden recalls that Sandersom, on whose property his wuncic’s body was found, wears a heavy stecl bracelet on his rioht wrist. They wonder whether Sanderson is Smellino. Meanwhile, the soldier who changed the five-pound note has deen arrested, with one of his com- rades. When they are arraioned, they admit robbing the body, but deny that they committed the murder. Their story is that they came upon two men bending over the body and frightened them of. At this point Maj. Anstic enters the case. TWELFTH INSTALLMENT. aside. come down here unless it was on very to “This S Mallison turned to meet the stranger Shoreham _touched Engleden’s arm and drew him “This is Maj. Anstie of the Prison Commission,” - he whispered. “You may be sure that he wouldn't important business. He—" But Mallison was beckoning Engleden Engleden’s nephew, sir,” he said. Sefton Engleden. = He has been her from the up to today’s proceedings, and—" “Well, today's proceedings—just over?” interrupted Anstic as he ex- changed a bow with Engleden. “These men who have just been remanded, eh? I got in here only in time for the end. I gathered that they admit being in Ppossession of certain effects taken from deny the murder. ; What do you make of that, now, superintendent?” “Nothing, sir!” exclaimed Mallison. “Nothing at all! The statements were made in my presence during the inter- val today. I thought them then, and I think them now, all bluff. sheer lies! No jury would believe them for a mo- ment, sir! Who would?” Engleden glanced round. The court had cleared; there was nobody left but Anstie and Mallison, Shoreham, John- son and himself. He turned to Malli- son. “I'm sorry, superintendent,” he said quietly, “but I don't agree with you. I believe every word of Luttrell's stat ment! I'm quite sure it's the truth Those two men did not kill my uncls The murderers are the men they saw bending over his body. you've got to find them!” Mallison stared at him with absolute amazement: it.was plain to see that his astonishment was genuine, so genuine, indeed, that for the moment it de- prived him of speech. But Anstie spoke, turning to Engleden. “You think they are facts which prove that the real secret has not, yet been unearthed?” he asked. ‘“Some- thing—deep down?” “Very deep down!” said Engleden. He indicated Shoreham and Johnson, “The fact is,” he went on, “these two gentlemen, Capt. Shoreham, deputy- Rain or Sun—d Shades will n cause you a m ment’s anxiety for Samples and Estimates The Wrist Newscaper Service. ‘gentleman is the late Col.| “Mr. beginning, and is fully ac- | quainted with all that's gene on right | Col. Engleden’s dead body, but utterly | And we've got | bright—Winter or Summer Dupont’s Tontine Window District 3324-332§ By J. S. Fletcher Newspaper Alliance and Metropolitan son, my clerk, and myself are in pos- ssion of certain facts about this case | which we have kept to ourselves until we were assured of them, but I now ! think that the time has come for a plein statement of them to the police. ‘When Mr. Mallison is in possession of them——" | “Oh, of course, if you've been keep- | ing_things back!” interrupted Mallison, | with a_gesture of displeasure—"if you | know things——" | “I think I'd better tell you why I have come here,” broke in Anstie. “I am on the Prison Commission. I was also very well acquainted with the late Col. Engleden. At the time of his mur- der I was away from the office—a | touch of influenza—and I did not re- | | | Bovernor of Southmoor, and Mr. John- | turn to it until yesterday. I found a | good deal of correspondence awaiting me—amongst it a letter, marked ‘Slrictly Private and Confidential, from | Col. Engleden. Now I was well aware, | from reading the newspapers during my ' illness of what had happened—that Col. Engleden had been mysteriously mur- | dered, here at Barowsburgh. On open- | ing his letter I found that it had been | written at Barowsburgh, at the Castle | Hotel, on the afternoon of the day on | which he met his death. And the con- | tents of the letter were such that after | a hurried consultation with my official | colleagues and superiors I hastened | here with all the speed I could. And I | am bound to tell you, superintendent, | that, in view of what Col. Engleden wrote to mc in that letter Mr. Sefton Engleden is probably right when he says he believes the soldiers’ tale to be a truthful one! The solution of the mys- tery lies—elsewhere! | | } Mallison_shook his head. His atti- | tude was that of a man who has built up a structure which he believed to be sound and who sees it in danger from an unexpected sinking of the founda- tion. “Of course, I don't know what's in | this letter!” he muttered. “What I | know is that on the evidence I brought forward against them——" “Yes, yes—valuable circumstantial | evidence, no doubt,” said Anstie, “but | circumstantial evidence, you know, eh? Well, I propose to read Col. Engleden’s letter to you, and then, if anybody can suggest anything, we must consult. Let us be private somewhere—your office, eh, superintendent?"” Mallison, still chafing under the up- setting of his plans, led the way to his private room; Anstie produced a letter. He showed the envelope to his com- panions. “There you are!” he said. “You see the post-mark, date and so on. If I had not been away from my office and had had this letter when it was deliv- ered there, I daresay you would all have | been' saved a great deal of trouble, Yet—I don’t know! For I may as well tell you, gentlemen, before I read the letter to you, that it is a most puz- | zling and ambiguous letter—and pos- sibly a little confusing. Still—this throws a sinister light on his murder, and we must try to puzzle it out. I will read the letter: “My Dear Anstie: I believe I men- tioned to you when we last met that I was about to take a holiday in the north of England, mainly for the pur- | pose of visiting certain towns of his- | torical and archeological interest. Here |1 am, at the outset of my holiday, at | Barowsburgh—and I am also, at the | very beginning of what I had hoped | would be an essentially pleasant time, |faced with a very disagreeable busi- ness springing out of a past of which I wish to retain no.more than unavoid- able memory. The fact is I am sorely |upset and puzzled by a chance dis- covery which I have made in this town, |and I hasten to write to you about it, |as T want to know what I should do. | “I shall have to ask you to go back in your mind to an event of 12 years |ago. You will remember, I think, that while—at that time—I 'was governor of Southmoor an event occurred which was very disconcerting to me in my official capacity and occasioned a great deal of inquiry- refer to the escape of two convicts, Snelling and Hardle. I will just recall the circumstances, as Yyou may not remember them as clearly as I do. Snelling, a man of educa- tion and of some position, by profes- sion a solicitor, had been convicted of ark days or ever 0= Tontine Shades may be easily washed with soap and water. W. STOKES SAMMONS We now offer S 3922 Livingston Street 3349 18th Street (Mt. 2624 Garfield Street ( 1207 Hamilton Street ) (€ b G you will be Investment terially cut during the season of 1929, The Red Cross educational lfe-saving service is held largely re- spensible for the improved condifon. 1004 Vermont Ave. When it becomes necessary for us to take in a property by foreclosure we immediately recondition it throughout and offer it for sale at a price far below that at which it formerly might have been purchased. 3733 Northampton Street (Chevy Chase) 101 Willard Street (Friendship) 706 Montgomery Avenue (Silver Spring) 1411 Whittier Street (16th St. Heights) 1347 Shepherd Street (14th St. Heights) Open for Your Inspection During the Present Week (Possibly we have other property in which National Mortgage AND the following: (Chevy Chase) Pleasant) near Wardman Park) (Saul’'s Addition) interested) Corporation National 5833 forgery and of fraud and had received a heavy sentence; Hardle was an ac- complice of his, perhaps a sort of cats- paw; he was working out a lighter sentence. *On a certain morning these two men were out with a working party which was in charge of two of | my most trusted warders, Millwaters and Settle. The party was at work on the edge of the moor, near a high- road. A car came along, stopped near the party, Snelling and Hardle sud- denly made for it, and, though they and it were fired on by the warders, car and men got clean away. Although the most exhaustive search was made, nothing was ever heard again of either men or car! Nor did a most searching inquiry at Southmoor yield any re- sults as to the question—had any of the officials or warders been seduced | into assisting in the escape? From that | day to this the whole affair has re-| mained an absolute and a most re-| markable mystery. Personally, my dear | Anstie, I have always felt that there | must have been treachery somewhere; | that somebody at Southmoor must have | been inveigled into assistance, for the rescuing party was undoubtedly aware of the exact time and place at which an escape could be attempted. “However, as I say, the thing has remained an unsolved mystery all these years, and I have only remembered it as a disagreeable episode in my offi- cial career. But today, since arriving in this town, it has been brought back to me by a mere chance discovery. I am now certain that the escape was effected by bribing certain officials and warders and that the amounts s0 ex- pended were large. Great scandal will doubtless be raised by a reopening of the matter, but I do not see how it can be avoided—justice must be done and discipline preserved and the wrong- doers brought to punishment. The cir- cumstances—I refer to what I have since discovered—are so curious that it is impossible to describe them in de- tail; it is sufficient for me to tell you that all the persons concerned are at large and can be_ laid hands on instantly. What I wish you to do is to consult with your col- leagues and with the home secre- tary and to send some responsible man down here at once with authority to act. The resultant scandal—I refer to the fact there was bribery—will not | be edifying, but this is a public duty nm: I must not shrink from my part of it. “While awaiting a reply from vou, I am taking a certain step. I have wired this afternoon to the present governor of Southmoor, inquiring if there are any warders there now who were also there during my term of office. If there are, they would be of use here for | certain purposes—one of which is posi- | tive identification. I myself am, of course, quite competent in that way: still, two or three witnesses are better than one. “I am, my dear Anstle, “Yours, sincerely, “MARTIN ENGLEDEN.” (To be continued.) — i Frequent attempts have been made in | the Netherlands the last year to estab- | lish restrictive schemes for colonial products in which local enterprises are | strongly interested. FAMOUS NAPOLEON NECKLAGE SOUGHT New York District Attorney Aids Quest of Archduchess Marie Theresa. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 1.—The famous necklace which Napoleon gave to his Empress, Marie Louisa, at the birth of their son, L'Aiglon, Duke of Reich- stadt, in 1811, was being sought here today. In connection with the search which was begun by the district attorney's office, a quest is being made for & man described as a colonel of the British Colonial Secret Service, who, authori- ties were told, was commissioned by the Archduchess Marie Theresa of Vienna to sell the necklace, which is valued at $400,000. Mrs Anna Eisenmenger, who de- scribed herself as an intimate friend of the Archduchess Marie Theresa, told Assistant District Attorney Harold W. Hastings yesterday that she had been sent to this country with power of at- torney from the archduchess to seek the agent and recover the necklace which consists of 47 matched diamonds set_in silver and gold. She said Archduchess Marie Theresa, 74, decided a year ago to sell the neck- lace. She met a man in Vienna who represented himself to be a colonel in the British Colonial Secret Service. Mrs. Eisenmenger told Mr. Hastings that the archduchess then gave the necklace to the colonel, and he at- tempted to sell it to the Khedive of Egypt. About three months ago, Mr. Hastings was told, the archduchess re- ceived a letter from the British colonel saying he believed he could find a buyer in the United States, and it was sent to him by mail. Mrs. Eisenmenger said she had heard that the necklace had been sold for $60.000 to a jeweler here. She also said she had been told that some of the larger diamonds in it had been removed and sold separately. A sub- poena was issued for Archduke Leopold of Austria, who, the assistant district attorney was told, is living at 151 East Fifty-sixth street, calling upon him to appear at the district attorney’s office Monday to tell what he knows of the affair, . Botticelli Inspires Wave. Tondon's great exhibition of old masters sent from Italy and women's impatience over the slow growth of their hair have resulted in the “Botti- celli wave” In front the hair is combed straight back or parted in the middle, with curly waves hanging down at the side of the head, while the back ‘3 hidden by a turban of gauze. When the hair has grown a little at the back it may be curled up a la duck’s tail CHEVY CH IMPOSING NEW 3229 Morris inent corner in excellent sect age on two streets. 10-ft. sun parlor. large open po aths.” also maid' Really complete, . four a's T and bath Drive right on Charming location, situated modern’ feature. including open firepi kitchen equipment, hardwood floors, fi Taylor 8t. and our sign. 1621 K St. N.W. Every facility—large living room, op electric refrigeration; Mcrrison_from Conn. Ave. to CHEVY CHASE, MD. . 814,750 3 TAYLOR STREET English-tvpe brick and stucco home, fn wonderfully landscaped lot ot wide e b OPEN ALL DAY J. E. Douglass Co. ASE, D. C. CORNER BRICK on St. N.W. tion of this exclusive community With en fireplace. clo tiled o.car garage. 33rd. bed rooms. four cedar closets, ti a_most excellent frontage. Every s, EATage, model out Conn.’ Ave. to lace, two loored attic. Drl Metropolitan 5678 Just Off brm. Ave. in Chevy Chase, D. C. Brick—5 Bedrooms—2 Baths —$13, 3704 Jenifer Street (%2 Square East This brick Colonial condition and has the home of a considerably this low figure, diate sale. . - . Features include fireplace, brocade paneled room, two tile baths, floors, h.-w.h heater, 1418 Eye St. N.W. $12,500 Terms An outstanding new cor- ner of 8 rooms on a wide avenue, one block from bus and street cars and stores. Elaborately deco- rated with newest design wall paper, paneled, No- kol oil burner, electrical fixtures of individual type, Frigidaire; in fact, there are so many other attrace tive features that you must see them in order to real ize what a real buy this home is at the price. Itis also so arranged that a Doctor or Dentist can have an office separate from his living quagters. : | LJ Open Unt authorized to insure imme- sun room, pantry, oak screens, awnings, instantaneous Built-in garage, Open—Sunday, 10 to 7 Exclusive Agents Two Wonderful Buys 5000 Illinois Ave. N.W.9 950— of Conn. Ave.) home is in beautiful appearance of a new higher price class than five bed rooms, open walls in living National 9503 411 Emerson St. 6 Rooms—3 Porches Lot 142Y; ft—Garage Mere words will not do justice to this beautiful 20-ft. home. You must see ° this one to really appreci- ate it. Massive concrete front porch, reception hall with coat closet and mir- ror door, master bedroom, Taege Kitthon: Builisies: sabs inets, one-piece sink, Frige idaire, laundry trays, in- stantaneous hot = water heater, paved street and alley. Only $9,750. Terms. il 9 P.M. CAFRITZ 14th and K Bid the Basement Good Bye ac Many families accept the responsibilities of caring for their own heating equipment because of the FANCIED privacy of dwelling in an individual home or because of a preference for sub- urban atmosphere, where the comfort of modern apartments is usually not bl . ..To them a cordial invitation is extended to visit the NEW Woodley Park Towers, where efficient insulation between walls and ceilings excludes sound from neighboring apartments and where unique design makes every room an outside room. Here the suburhan atmosphere of Rock Creek Park meets with downtown convenience—and there is never a need to visit the basement. Carefree and automatic heating comfort is to be expected of any modern apartment, but to this ad- vantage Woodley Park Towers offers many con- veniences and services that are exclusive. Among most pronounced advantages are the provisions of furnished extra rooms, for the convenience of occa- slonal guests, and garage facilities, on the premises for each tenant. Attendants take charge of your car at the curb and bring it again to the door when desired. Representative in attendance. Open for Inspection Daily Until 10 P.M. 2737 Devonshire Place N.W. Connecticut Ave., at Klingle Road Bridge No. 3 East Underwood St. New Dutch Colonial, priced at $17,500 . . . two doors from Conn. Ave. . . . of the center-hall type containing 7 spacious rooms, 2 tiled baths, breakfast room and celotexed attic. Screened and weather- nripped throughout. You cannot help but be most favorably impressed with the sturdi- ness of the construction and the excellence of the finish of this home. It may be purchased upon a very moderate down payment and the most reasonable terms of any property we have ever offered for sale. OPEN SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND ALL DAY SUNDAY Edw. H. Jones & Co., Inc. 5520 Conn. Ave. Cleveland 2300 Exclusive Agents Ol Euglish All Stone Home In Beautifnl Forest Hills Designed by John J. Whelan, well known architect, and built by M. S. McConihe for present owner. The house combines the distinctive charm of Old England with the lasting construction of modern materials and the skill of modern craftsmen. i We want to emphasize the unusual spaciousness of this ing, wide open fireplace, ornate bookcases set in the deep wooden pegs. The active center entrance and roomy di perfectly. Another small room and complete bath, home—the living room is very large, with hi e walls, and an oak floor of wide boards, lai ing room and kitchen all carry out the English mode adaptable to many uses, give additional first floor convenience, Upstairs the huge master bedroom, nearly as large as the living room and having another real open fire- place—with private bath a: ing—offer the ideal in sleeping quarters. Two other splendid bedrooms with com« municating bath, and an open sun porch leading from the rear bedroom complete the hous A beautiful lot with stone walled garden, pond, and many shade trees, provides the rus ting the house demands. Special features—SLATE ROOF, VERY LOW PRICE OF— ic and peaceful set. two-car stone garage, A-B.C oil burner, electrical refrigerator and THE $23,500.00 OPEN THIS AFTERNOON AND ALL DAY SUNDAY FOR INSPECTION To Reach—Drive out Conn. Ave. to Albermarle St., thence right two squares to Linnean Ave, thence left one square to Brandywine and turn right to the house, 1435 K St. NW.