Evening Star Newspaper, March 7, 1930, Page 22

- STARJELLY HELD - EARTH SUBSTANCE Smithsonian Institution Pub- lishes Research Findings of Late Dr. Merrill. What is “star jelly"? ‘This question 'is raised in an ex- ELMER BAILEY HONORED. Elected to Head Unit of Federal Employes’ Union. Elmer H. Bailey of the office publie buildings and public parks elected president of the War De) ment Federal Employes’ Union, Nation- al Federation of Federal Employes, at 8 meeting of the union Wednesday. Mr. Bailey succeeds O. W. Hammond, who was forced to resign when transferred to another city. G. Carroll Dimond of the adjutant general's office was chosen third vice president, to fill the office vacated by | Mr. Bailey. H. G. Gravett, who has just been made clerk at Shoreham, England, haustive study of the chemical composi- | county officials at $2,500 & year, was tion of meteors just published by the Smithsonian Institution. The study was made by Dr. George P. Merrill, one of the foremost of American geologists and probably the world’s foremost au- thority on meteors, who died last Summer. Star jelly is a strange, apparently or- ganic material whieh is persistently re- ported to have been found on the sur- face of the earth after showers of shooting stars and which some have tried to identify with the biblical “manna” which descended upon the | famished Israclites in the desert. The first instance reported in Amer- fea followed the fall of a meteor at Amherst, Mass, in 1819. The next morning upon the spot where the shoot- ing star was observed to strike the earth an Amherst professor found a mass of unknown material, about eight inches in diameter and an inch thick. It was of a bright buff color, had about the consistency of soft soap and ex- uded a suffocating and very offensive odor. Shortly afterward it changed to the color of blood and began to liquefy. In a few days the liquid evaporated, Jeaving a small amount of ash-colored powder without taste or smell. Insists Material Is Fungous. ‘Without questioning the observations, Dr. Merrill insists that the material, from its chemical behavior, must have been some queer fungous growth and holds that it is practically impossible 1o conceive of such a delicate substance being conveyed at enormous speed from outer space. A similar jellylike substance was re- ported in the same year in Germany, Where it was examined by eminent chemists. It was maintained that no organic structure could be found and that the queer jelly could not be either plant or animal, although it might be &n organic product. Dr. Merril! refers also to the observa- tions of a Spanish soldier who, while on sentinel duty at night, would watch the ting stars and try to note ‘where they fell. The next morning he would go to the spot and find white, letinous masses soon dissolved. There also recorded the observation of John ‘Treat, a soldier in the Revolutionary army, who found a similar mass in a wet meadow where he thought he had seen a shooting star strike the earth. First Noticed in Spain, Th:s earliest insun;e.xl)r. Merrill re- eounts, was reporte rom Spain in 1438 and the material was d!u?\abed as very light, like sea froth. In Spain also, after the reputed fall of a meteor in 1795, was found on the ground a mass having the consistency, color and odor of brown varnish. Near Hessle in Germany in 1869, fcllowing a shower of meteoric stones, there was found a strange coffee-colored material, both in Ppowder form and in masses, as large as a man's hand. This was analyzed and found to be about half carbon, the Test being made up of hydrogen, oxy- gen, silica, iron oxide, magnesia, lime, soda and lithia. In 1860 a.French chemist reported that during a thundershower he saw dssuing from a black cloud a luminous , almost white, which remained visible for a short time and then re- entered the cloud. But as it disap- peared there separated from it a small mass which fell vertically downward, leaving a luminous train, the edges of Which were manifestly luminous, spark- ling globules. The observer was unable to recover any of them after they struck the ground. Although some of these observations #eem weil authenticated, Dr. Merrill concludes: “There would seem to be no question but that these were in all cases of an organic nature and of terrestial origin. A large share of these Teported occurrences are doubtless due %o the observers being mistaken in their ddentification. Within a few months I was interviewed by a person who brought a of meteoric material seen to fall, which proved to be a flat, wide- spreading fungous growth. No amount ©f argument could convince the finder that he was in error.” Tektites Prove Mystery. Regarding the origin of small, gem- like stones in outer space, Dr. Merrill Wwas more in doubt. These, known as tektites, have been found in Australia, | Austria_and the Malayan Peninsula. | While their composition bears little re- semblance to that of known meteorite material, if they did not originate in outer space, nobody knows where they did come from. Those found in Australia are bits of :r.enn'; bnhck {m" 'rrl:e Austrian ones een, “‘of extremely irregular f¢ :m gnashed h:’bld pressed in aner suggest t] they may have been, in plastic form,.subject to mastication like a mass of chewing gum.” The 5(‘:1‘.5;111 e?’nnX are of dense, opaque, -colored glass and are the mwrlous of all. i ere can be little doubt, Dr. Merrill #ays, that diamonds, or material very close to diamonds, exist in meteorites. Carbon with the form and hardness of diamonds was found in a Russian me- teorite in 1888, and in 1891 a Philadelphia chemist found bits of black material, | harder than sapphire, and which he be- lleved to be diamond. The same ma- terial afterward showed minute, color- less diamond crystals, of the identifica- tion of which there could be no ques- on. While many of the chemical materials and compounds composing meteorites | are found in rocks on earth, he points, out, there are about 12 substances which | are practically unknown outside the sky stones, although they are combinations ©f elements which are known in other ! focks. This indicates that the meteor- ites must have been formed under far different conditions of heat and pres- sure than rocks on earth. OVERCOME AT FIRE. William A. Pate Suffers Attack on Rockville Pike. Bpecial Dispatch to The Star. ROCKVILLE, Md, March 7.—While Rockyille volunteer firemen were fight- ing the fire which was burning over & fleld on the Rockville pike, near Mont~ Yose, yesterday afternoon, William A. ite, & member of the fire department, suffered an attack, thought due to overexertion, and was carried from the field on an improvised stretcher and taken to Rockville where he received attention from a physician. His con- dition was found not to be serious. Several dwellings in the vicinity of the fire were menaced by flames, but the firemen fought them off and no serious damage was don SHELBOURNE Bladensburg Rd. and M St. N.E. The Evening Star MODEL HOME now being built in this desirable community reared with his six brothers and sisters in Shoreham workhouse. THE MEDICINE MAN SOUGHT IN MURDER OF INDIAN Taunts Hurled at Snake Clansman Who Joined White Church Believed Responsible. By the Associated Press. WEWOKA, Okla., March 7.—A Creek | Indian medicine man of the Snake clan, | who renounced his tribal rights by join- ing the white man’s church, last night was hunted by officers as the slayer of a young brave who chided him about wearing boots. Seriously ill, Nocus Harjo, 64, joined the church. He was snubbed here and | there by his tribesmen and brooded | several ‘weeks over his plight. Last | Sunday morning John Factor poked fun at Harjo’ ts, which were similar to those worn P’y his “new friends, the church people.” Factor's body, containing two bullet wounds, was found Monday. ks e e ar i Uruguay to Celebrate. Uruguay is making elaborate prepa- rations to celebrate its “centenario,” or centennial, this vear. Olymplc games and general athletic contests, as well as other festivities, are being planned. Na- | tionally recognized champions in the | various sports of the country will par- ticipaf '~SPRING FABRICS | B eries and Slip Covers are mow | reny, D"Bhe ot he 1argest stocks In the | ity to choose Trom. McDEVITT:#:85E WoODWARD & LoTHROP (T88C _Gorprn =N_ANN| AR VERSARY Y&~ 1930 DOWN STAIRS STORE New Light-Weight Coats, 25 New Georgette Dresses, *16-%° For Misses and Women Misses’, Women’s and Spring Coats of covert, basket-weave, tricolaine, snowflake and Well tailored in newest styles. In the new pirate blue as well as oxford, deer, green, tanger- fur-trimmed. ine and red. Sizes 14 to THE DOWN STAIRS STORE Imported’ Fabric Gloves i | With Bolton thumbs and Paris point backs. In tan, mode, beaver and natural. Sizes 5¥4 to 7%. Bradford Cloth Umbrellas $2 These 10-rib umbrellas with Prince of Wales handles core in red, green, brown, navy and black. THE DOWN STAIRS STORE Spring Sports Skirts $2.95 Circular style or with pleats; both tuck-in and bodice styles, Of crepe de chine, wool crepe, covert, tweed and flannel. In red, middy, green, navy, deer and black. broadcloth. Some 20, 36 to 48. One—Two—Bend Exercise Suits $ l .95 Your most becoming shade— plain in linene suits and polka dotted in pique suits. These will even go outdoors for Spring and Summer sports. THE DOWN STAIRS STORE New Straw Hats Seciat $3-95 Off-the-Face, Brims and Turbans A special purchase of all-straw hats in styles for pres- ent wear and for the season to come, In green, royal blue, tan, brown and black. THE DOWN G. A. WILSON CO. Office on Subdivision Telephone Atlantie 1274 STAIRS STORE Special Sizes Navy—Spring’s favored color—domi- nates this group of georgette dresses. Other shades are green, dahlia, beige, capucine and black. and many smart sleeves and necklines. THE DOWN STAIRS STORE Circular skirts “Moon-Mist” “Undies” Of Soft Rayon Featuring new low prices on these well-made, well-fitting underthings of a good qual- ity rayon. Peach and flesh. At 85¢ Chemise Bloomers Band Panties Pantie Combinations Bloomer Combinations Vests, 65¢ THE DOWN STAIRS STORE For New Frocks Girdles $3 —feature the above-the- waistline style in side hook, semi-step-in and full step-in models. Silk elastic insets, four hose supporters. THE DOWN STAIRS STORE $4.85 For Junior Girls Well made Blucher Oxfords in two-tone smoked elk. De- signed to appeal to youth. With gristle soles; sizes 2¥% to 7, AA to C widths. THE DOWN STAIRS STORE | EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1930. - WoODWARD & LLOTHROP 5K 1030 1880 GOIDEN ANNIVERSARY AR IO e SONIR ORI 12535 Now—W oodward & Lothrop’s : Hosiery Specialization Results in Silk Chiffon Hose . ..%1" A New, Low Regular Price This is the first time we offer these new numbers—a very fine and sheer chiffon silk hose, with lisle-lined hem—and a medium-weight silk hose with lisle hem and sole. We know their worth and feel sure you will be dehght.ed with this exceptional quality at this low price. In these shades—Havana beige, wrought iron, muscade, nude, grain and nocturn, Hosiny, Arstx 19, Finst FLoor, Hat Fashion 10 These details are of major importance in the new mode—the stitched taffeta—the raised brim—Ilace straw—celophane caps—baku and hair—felt with linen. All are here in this unusual group of two hundred new $10 hats— each a fashion of importance. Black, Navy and Spring Colors MILLINERY, THIRD FLOOR. The Suit Is the “Thing” This Spring 25 Suits are the leading fashion for this Spring. This collection offers a smart selection of tailored tweed suits with a youthful dash that is quite irresistible— short coats are single or double-breasted or O’Rossen in style—skirts flare orlare pleated on yokes. Misses’ Suirs, THIRD FLOOR. 15 Styles of Blouses ... %575 Short sleeves, bows, lacing, frills, jabots, shirring, draped necklines, nipped-in waistlines —and many others—of crepe, satin, prints and embroidered linen in this fashion-important and value-important group. Brouses, THIRD F'LOOR. An Exceptional Collection at ] Misses’ Chiffon and Crepe Frocks, ¥25 An Ensemblage of Spring’s Favorite Styles Here you will find copies of many im- ortant successes—the short sleeve in its smartest versions—black and white at its best—capelets—boleros—ankle- length dance frocks—daytime and afternoon frocks. Plain and printed ch‘ifi'un and flat crepe. Misses’ Frocks, THmD FLOOR. Tomorrow is the Last Day You May See Candlewick “Spreads Made You will enjoy seeing the artistry with which Candlewick Spreads have been made ever since the time when American boudoirs first concerned themselves with personality. Two mountaineer women are here, embroidering them in the same primitive manner that they were embroidered years ago. Fine Candlewick Spreads—Specially Priced Pastel Embroidered Spreads All-White Spreads ize 72x108 e ize 72x108 Size 90x108 Sia9s Sise™ Seeig $16.50 BEDWEAR, SECOND FLOOR. Would you wear Sports Oxfords with an Evening Gown “—nor should you use an informal perfume with formel clothes. Cir. Perfumes —are created for informal and formal use, and express your every mood. Informal Scents Doux Jasmin (Love). Bouquet Antique (Friend- ship). Maskee (Youth). Gardenia Savage (Fash- ion). Formal Scents Ambre de Jadis (Mystery). ghygre du Nil (mcim- on). Chevalier de la Nuit (Ro- mance). ‘TorLETaIEs, A1sLE 16, Frnst FLooR, Jeweled Clips, %1 Fastened Themselves to Fashion They add a sparkling note to berets, necklines and cuffs of long sleeves. Sometimes two are used ~—one on each side of the meck of one’s froek. Others, $2 to $5.50 CosTUME JEwELRY Asue 10, Foundatios. Garments Four Different One-Piece Models Of light batiste and poplin—plsin or figured—boneless—with uplift bust—molded hip and smooth waist—slim and graceful lines. The perfect silhouette is achieved with one of these garments. Conszrs, THmD FLoOR, ‘Week-End Candy Special 2 pounds, 95¢ Two pounds of our delicious homemade candies, chocolates, and caramels — fresh Patsykins D»lls, 32 Come to Town for Easter Patsykins is just eleven-and-a- half inches of sweetness. Her little organdy frock has been made especially for the Easter Parade . . . little mothers will love to take her with them. (Patsyhins tilts her head and meoves her legs as if she were walking.) Tovs, Fountn FLOOR.