Evening Star Newspaper, March 18, 1930, Page 17

UTILITIES GROUP WILL NOT OPPOSE CHILDREN'S RATE Gen. Patrick Explains Stand Regarding Reduced Fares for School Pupils. HEAD OF COMMISSION OPPOSES FREE RIDES Hanna Voices Opposition to Two- Year Clause in Merger Measure, ' Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, chair- man of the Public Utilities Commission, told the subcommittee on public utilities of the House District committee today that the commission would not oppose a clause of the rerger bill for the street railway companies directing the com- mission to reduce fares for school chil- dren. Hitherto the commission has ob- jected to this clause, preferring one which would simply authorize but not direct the reduced fare. Gen. Patrick further stated that he as an individual would vote for half fares for school children if given the power, but that he would not favor allowing school chil- dren to ride free because under such a provision the cars would be “swamped with children.” Hanna Voices Objections. Renewed opposition to a clause in the bill providing that #he present street car fares shall remain in effect for two ars following the merger was voiced y President John H. Hanna of the Capital Traction Co. Mr. Hanna also strongly opposed Sec 12 of the pro- posed merger legislation which pro- vides that in requests for increasss in | rates, of fact made by the com- muiom be binding upon the courts and that if evidence is offered in court attacking the facts found by the com- mission the court shall certify to the commission a transcript of the ne evidence and ‘“;:'; the :;mnfl!sslon days for a re] fore acting. = Iy:!‘. Hlnnrl’illd positively that his company would not merge if the bill ‘were with either of the objec- clauses in it. He read into the record a resolution adopted by his board of directors to the effect that it would not consent to & merger should the two- year fare clause remain in the bill He said that he would recommend to the board of directors that if sec- tion 12, limiting the scope of appeals the commission, were left in, they should not merge with the Washipgton Railway & Electric Co. He said that this clause attacked a fundamental con- stitutional right of the company, and that it had no part in the merger legis- lation; that if his company agreed to & merger with this clause in, it would Be pronibited from asserting its Tights in the courts. Patrick States Stand. Gen. Patrick said that the commis- sion had no objection to taking section 12 out of the merger bill so long as it was as 8 separate measure. On the question of reduced fares for school children, Mr. Hanna testified W her fare for adults to make up for loss on the children, it would be pelled to ask for an additional 6-10 1 cent per adult fare. Mr. Hanna further estimated roughly that if the companies merge and in ad- are granted mp;eo-—:’en.;c i:]m locr are Now aj court, plus the savings possible ing and shortly meet again at 8 o'clock tonight in the office of the House District committee. Among the witnesses still to testify are John J. Noonan, President Willlam F. Ham of the Was] Railway & Electric Co., People’s Counsel Richmond B. Keech and Henry W. Lynn of the public utilities committee of the South- east Citizens’ Association. COL. BUTNER PROMOTED TO GEN. SHAW’S GRADE North Carolinian Won Silver Star Citation for Gallantry During World War. Col. Henry T. Butner, Field Artillery, commanding the 13th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, N. C., has been promoted to the grade of brigadier general, U. 8. Army, to fill the vacancy caused by the recent retirement for age of Brig. Gen. George C. Shaw, a Medal of Honor officer, formerly at- tached to the National Guard of the District of Columbia. Col. Butner is from North Carolina eand was ated from the Military Academy 1898, and from the Army ‘War College in 1920. Nearly all his service has been in the Field Artillery. He was a brigadier general in the Na- tional Army during the World War and was awarded a Silver Star citation for gallantry during the operations along the Meuse at Mouzen and in the subse- quent advance on Sedan, and the Dis- tinguished Service Medal for conspicu- ous services while commanding the 1st Field Artillery during the Summer and Fall of 1918. TENANTS FLEE FIRE Apartment Dwellers Are Driven to Street by Small Blaze. Occupants of the nine apartments in the four-story structure at 906-908-910 Fourteenth street were driven to the street shortly after 1 o'clock this morn- ing by smoke from a small blaze in a wvacant store on the first floor. The damage was negligible. ‘The fire was discovered by Norman ‘Taylor, a tenant, when he smelled #moke while reading in his apartment. GAS VICTIM SERIOUS Still suffering from the effects of in- haling illuminating gas, Millard W. ‘Wheeler, 56 years old, of 1337 North Capitol street was reported in a serious condition today at Casualty Hospital. Members of fire rescue squad No. 1 revived Wheeler at his home after ‘working over him for more than one hour, Wheeler formerly was a mail carrier in this city. He a wife and two children, all of whom were shopping hen he was overcome. 15 M ‘Washington News The Foening Star WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1930. * Charles F. Dickson, colored, 23-year- old former elevator operator of Cathe- dral Mansions Apartments, who recently ran amuck through a fashionable sec- tion of Northwest Washington and finally was shot down by Grover C. Shumaker of the park police, was sent back to Gallinger Hospital from Police Court today for mental observation. Although alienists upon examining Dickson at Gallinger immediately after the shooting reported him to be sane, Judge Ispac R. Hitt and Assistant Dis- trict Attorney John R. Fitzpatrick de- cided that his outbrust, which was March 1, as well as on several other occasions, required that he be observed. It was said at court that Dickson was ' de COLORED MAN WHO RAN AMUCK IS RETURNED TO GALLINGER Ex-Elevator Operator. Held Sane by Alienists, Should Be Kept Under Observation, Court Rules. committeed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in 1923, and on at least five occasions since his release the following year he has made “breaks” similar to the last. | "Only one charge of simple assault | was Tecorded against the colored man | today. This one stated the nature of the attack on Policeman Shumaker in Dickson's home, at 2727 Eleventh street, directly before the officer fired two shots from };lls‘revnlver, It was continued to April 4. It is understood at the district at- torney’s office that several other per- sons who were attacked by Dickson during his flight from Connecticut ave- nue to Eleventh street, will come to court and press charges if man is eclared to be mentally sound. COMMERGE DEPT. WORK MOVES FAST and Middle May Be Ready Christmas. PRSI o The great Department of Commerce Building is now eight months ahead of its building schedule, it was learned to- day, with prospects that the middle section, which constitutes about one- third of .the building, will be finished about Christmas time. The construction work on this build- ing_has been so divided into thirds that each of the three units is progressing from the ground up in succession, and will be completed and ready for occu- pancy at different times. It is now it likely that the first people may move about the first of next year into the middle section. South Section Second. The south section is coming along second in line, while the north third is the last and will be the latest com- pleted. The Patent Office will occupy this north end. The contract for completion of the whole building fixes the date as May 28, 1932, but the whole project being at the present time eight months ahead, forward the possible date of completion into next year, instead of the following year. At the present rate of progress, it also is thought by Gov- ernment ;a)em in close touch with job that still more time may be gained. The Government officials are especially pleased with the procedure of putting “pttl‘:lesh ':lmapeed all lol:;‘e line as promot a and keeps the various tradesmen out of each er’s way and in succession as the work 1s carried forward. 1,100 Men on Job Daily. ‘The number of workmen engaged on be'te Bealk o ensploviment, about 1100 be the of yment, al R men daily. This peak is thought to be at the present time because of the fact that the middle section is now entering into the finishing stages and men are setting marble for wainscot and floors, while work also is at® blast on the other two-thirds of the building. Later on the number will diminish, e JAMES M’CORMICK DIES AT RESIDENCE Retired Engineer of Geological Survey Will Be Buried at Cheshire, Mass. James McCormick, 71 years old, & cartographical engineer at the National Geological Survey for 40 years, died yes- terday at his residence in the Albemarle Apartments, one month after his retire- ment from Government service. A mative of Cheshire, Mass., Mr. Mc- Cormick had resided in Washington since his appointment to the survey in | 1889. Until his retirement in February Mr. McCormick, one of the oldest mem- bers of the Survey staff, had received an extension of two years beyond the retirement age. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Suzanne T. McCormick. Interment will be in Cheshire, Mass. MRS. BERNH.EIMEE DEAD —_— Long-Time Resident of Washing- ton to Be Buried Tomorow. Mrs. Sarah Bernheimer, 80 years old, long a resident of Washington, died yesterday at the residence of her son- in-law, William Blum, 3220 Cleveland avenue, A native of Mount Carmel, Pa., Mrs. Bernheimer came to Washington at the age of 16. She was the wife of the late Construction'8 Months Ahead PROBERS INFORMED 2 LEFT DEATH CAR Maryland Officers Learn Ac- tion Was Taken Because of Excessive Speed. Maryland State police investigating circumstances surrounding the automo- bile accident Sunday night near Savage, Md, in which three Washingtonians were killed and three others seriously injured, have been informed that two other passengers in the car left the group because it was being driven too fast before the crash occurred. The names of the two were not revealed. As the investigation continued in- quests into the deaths were being held in abeyance by coroners of two juris- dictions pending the outcome of in- juries to the three victims now in Baltimore hospitals. ‘The police investigation centers around reports that the car, in which six persons were riding, was going at an excessive speed when it hit a cul- vert, catapulting its occupants with terrific force into a ravine. ‘The condition of Miss Ethel Randolph, 18 years old, 3000 block of O street, and of Miss Gertrude Cephillie, 23, of Harrison, N. J., was reported improved this morning, while Howard O. Burnell, 3100 block of M street, said to have been the driver of the car, was declared to be “about the same.” Burnell has a fractured skull and his condition is considered serious. His wife was one of those killed, the others being Samuel first block of Todd place and George Posey of Potomac, Md. Justice of Peace Howard Gosnell of Savage, and Dr. Germanus France, automobile coroner of Baltimore, are awaiting the further improvement of the patients before holding inquests. Gosnell has announced that his inquest will Be over the body of Mrs. Burnell which was taken to a Laurel under- taking establishment, following its dis- covery half an hour after the other victims had been removed from the wreckage. Posey and Matthews were taken to Baltimore by passing motorists and pronounced dead at St. Agnes’ ‘Hospif CRISSINGER FILES ANSWER TO SUIT Vice President of F. H. Smith Co. Denies He Was Party to Any Fraud. the District Supreme Court his answer to the third amended bill brought against the Smith Co, and others by Lucy I. Jones, Lillle M. Jones and Chapman Maupin, who seek to have the defendants hold them harmless because of an exchange of bonds of the New Amsterdam Co. for securities on proper- ties alleged to have been inflated in value, After alleging that the Smith Co. has not been engaged in business in the District since last December and ex- pressing lack of information of some of the allegations of the bill, the former controller denies that he was a party to any fraudulent practices and asserts that he never directly or indirectly par- ticipated in the issuance of any bonds based upon any excessive valuation of the property involved. In the New Amsterdam Co. case, he declares he is simply a trustee to protect the interests of the bondholders. He points out that there has been no actual default on the part of the New Henry Bernheimer. She is survived by five children: Mrs. William Blum, Mrs. Charles Baum, Mrs. Julian Brylawski, Jonas Bernhelmer and Louls Bern- heimer of this city. A sister, Mrs. Eliza- beth Myers, is also of Wasl n. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morning at the resi- dence. Interment will be in the Wash- ington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery. Amsterdam Co., or any successor in title to the property, in the payment of prin- cipal or interest on its bond issue of $740,000. He asserts that the bonds were sold to purchasers for value and in good faith. a Attorneys Wilton J. Lambert, Rudolph jH, Yentmn;x .glj‘ua ?eorge D. Horning, r., appear for inger, who asks that the blflebe dismissed as to him. . KRAMER AND COLLINS DISPUTE CONGRESSIONAL CLUB AND GOLF Mississippian Stymies School Head’s Shots at House Subcommittee Hearing. Even the ancient and honorable game of golf did not escape the atténtion of the House subcommittee on appropria- tions when it had the District appro- ?_muon bill for 1931 under considera- ion, The report on the hearings, made public yesterday, reveals a uy be- tween Stephen E. Kramer, first assistant superintendent of schools, and Repre- sentative Collins of Mississippi on the ‘subject of golf and its relation to the schools, which ultimately led to an argu- ntnem about the Congressional Club. Here Mr. Collins—Do you teach golf? Mr. Kramer—No. It is an activity the boys take up themselves. Mr. Collins—Have you 8 golf course? Mr. Kramer—There is & golf course, not a school f.olt course. Mr. Collins—If there is I have not found it out. Mr. Kramer—Yes: there is a nice con- gressional golf cour: Mr. Simmons—You do not mean con- gressional in the sense that the Con- gress has anything to do with it. Mr. Kramer—I am referring to the Congressional Club. Mr. Collins—I am not going to let you get away with that statement either, because_that is not sa. The Congres- sional Golf Course or Golf Club is a vately owned golf course, and every- dy who is a member of it has to pay a certain fee and monthly dues. Mr, Kramer—And very considerable dues, too. Mr. Collins—It is not supported di- rectly or indirectly by Congress. Mr. Kramer—In addition also green fees, after you pay your own dues, you pay green fees. Mr. Collins—You know very well Con- gress does not appropriate any money for that. Mr. Kramer—Not directly. Mr, Collins—Qs indirectly. Daniel R. Crissinger, former control- | ler of the currency and a vice president; Columbia, to the credit of the District of the F. H. Smith Co., today filed in | of Columbia, and the same shall be a FAL T0 GET FUNDS FORCROSSING SBAN House Bill Provides for Mon- roe Street, but Omits Mich- igan Avenue Project. CHANCE STILL REMAINS TO OFFER AMENDMENT Plan for Pedestrian Underpass Also Eliminated for Budget Measure. Proponents of the plan to eliminate the grade crossing at Michigan avenue, where it crosses the tracks of the Metro- politan branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, have thus far failed to in- duce Congress to make proper provision | for the elimination of this hazard by construction of an adequate overpass. ‘The District appropriation bill, reported to the House yesterday, fails to mention the Michigan avenue grade crossing, save by authorizing the sum of $135,000 for the Monroe street overpass, a short distance away. ‘The bill has been altered in commit- tee from the paragraph suggested by the District government and indorsed by the Bureau of the Budget and in its revised condition, the fiscal item for the year commencing next July 1 omits a proposed $10,000 for a pedestrian under- | pass at Michigan avenue, which was to have been barricaded at the grade crossing, thus diverting traffic around over the Monroe street crossing of the railroad tracks. Interested citizens waged a vigorous fight against proposed closing of Michigan avenue at the railroad tracks, believing that if this was done, it would mean that that sec- tion of Michigan avenue would disap- pear from the highway map of the city. Chance for Amendment. The fight to retain that portion of Michigan avenue on the map and keep Michigan avenue as a boulevard thor- | oughfare has thus far been won, but the battle that is yet to be won is that of constructing a satisfactory overpass at that point—either in the present line of Michigan avenue or in_ the straightened highway, as suggested in a study of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. ‘While the District Government, the Bureau of the Budget and the House appropriations committee have thus far failed to make proper provision for elimination of the Michigan avenue grade-crossing menace, it is still possible to have an amendment with this in view offered from the floor of the House and written into the present bill, if a sufficient number of votes can be mus- tered to bring this about. It may even be possible to have an amendment for the construction of an adequate overpass at Michigan avenue yver the tracks of the metropolitan branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad writ- ten into the measure in the Senate, if the House fails to appreciate properly the great hazard faced by motorists and pedestrians, proponents of its immediate elimination said today. Provisions of Act. On page 34 of the “full committee | print” of the District appropriation bill is found this item, relating to the Mon- | roe street overpass: “For the reconstruction of a viaduct or bridge and approaches thereto to| replace the existing viaduct in the line of Monroe street northeast, over the tracks and right of way of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad Co., in accord- ance with plans and profile of said work, to be approved by the Commis- sioners of the District of Columbia, including purchase or condemnation, under chapter 15 of the Code of Law for the District of Columbia, as amend- ed (45 Stat, p. 1437), of necessary land, construction of and changes in sewers and water mains, personal serv- ices, and engineering and incidental expenses, $135,000: Provided, That one- half of the total cost of constructing the said viaduct or bridge and ap- proaches and of the underpass shall be borne and paid by the said railroad company, its successors and assigns, to the collector of taxes of the District of valid and subsisting lien against the franchises and property of the said railroad company and shall constitute a legal indebtedness of said company in favor of the District of Columbia, and the said llen may be enforced in the name of the District of Columbia by a bill in equity brought by the said Commissioners in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, or by any other lawful proceedings against the said railroad company: Provided further, That no street railway company shall use the viaduct or bridge or any ap- proaches thereto herein authorized for its tracks until the sald company shall have paid to the collector of taxes of the District of Columbia a sum equal to one-fourth of the cost of said via- duct or bridge and approaches, which sum shall be paid to the collector of taxes of the District of Columbia for deposit to the credit of the District of Columbal.” - GAS LIGHT MERGER BILL IS DRAFTED Utilities Body Expected to Call Hearing After Intro- duction. A copy of the bill for the merging of the Washington and Georgetown Gas Light Companies, proposed to be intro- duced in the present session of Con- gress, was shown to the Public Utilities Commission yesterday Wilton J. Lambert, local attorney, representing Harris, Forbes & Co. of New York, pur- chasers of the gas properties. The commission will probably order a public hearing on the bill after it has been introduced. ‘The measure, which is brief, provided for the acquisition by the Washington company of all the properties, rights and franchises of the Georgetown com- pany, and the assuming of all of the Georgetown company's debts and lia- bilities. The merger is to be accom- plished under the jurisdiction of and following the orders of the Public Utili- ties Commission, which shall have power to authorize, for that purpose and also indefinitely in the future, any change the company may desire to make in its capital structure. The merged company, sccording to the bili, is to call in all stock and ex- change it for no-par-value stock in an amount to be directed by the commis- slon. The bill provides that the company's franchise shall extend to the sale of gas OVERPASS BACKERS UTILITIES BODY 10 STUDY TRAFFI ATTZTHANDAVE Request for Bus Terminal by R. L. May Decides Commis- sion to Make Survey. OTHER LINES LIKELY TO ASK SAME RIGHT Agitation for Central Location for Busses May Be Renewed as Result. The Public Utilities Commission, it was learned today, has undertaken a survey of traffic conditions in the vicinity of Twelfth street and Penn- sylvania avenue to determine the effect on congestion at this point by ‘the establishment of a motor bus terminal. ‘The study was precipitated by a re- quest of R. L. May, operator of a bus line operating between Washington and Alexandria, for permission to terminate his line at the Washington-Virginia Railway station at Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue. May’s busses now run to the Union bus depot at Little Ninth and C streets. Railway Taken Over. May recently acquired control of the Washington-Alexandria Railway line and_ advised the commission that he would, operate it in conjunction with his bus line. For this reason he asked that the busses be permitted to termi- nate with the cars at the railway station. ‘The commission, it was said, prob- ably will give May temporary authority to end his bus line at Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue pending com- pletion of the survey. It is feared at the commission that removing the terminus of May’s bus line might re- sult in requests from other bus opera- tors whose lines run from the Union bus depot for authority to follow him to Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue, which might create serious traffic congestion if permitted. ‘The commission expects the survey to show whether Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue is a desirable lo- cation for a bus terminal and wha effect the additional busses would have on traffic at this point. Belief has been expressed at the commission that there are already too many busses op- erating over Twelfth street in the vicin- ity of Pennsylvenia avenue. A recent check, it was pointed out, disclosed that 450 busses of the Washington Rapid Transit Twelfth street at Pennsylvania avenue every 24 hours. Added to these, it was said, are busses of several interstate llines, as well as Leon Arnold's line, which operates into Arlington and Fairfax Counties, Va. Central Terminal Proposition. Agitation for establishment of a cen- tral bus terminal, where the busses ot all the various lines would terminate, may be renewed, it was indicated, as a result of the commission’s survey of conditions in the vicinity of Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue. The movement for such a terminal was started about a year ago under the leadership of John W. Childress, former chairman of the commission. The new commission, however, has been too busy with the street car merger legislation and the car fare case to devote much consideration to the question. DR. RAYMOND A. FISHER EXPIRES AT AGE OF 47 Physician Was Native of Washing- ton and Received Education in Local Institutions. Dr. Raymond A. Fisher, 47 years old, died yesterday at his residence, 505 B street northeast, following an illness of three weeks. A native of Washington, Dr. Fisher was educated at Eastern High School and the George Washington University Medical School. He had practiced con- tinuously since his graduation from medical school in 1905. He was the son of the late Willlam and Mattie Fisher. His fraternal and professional affilia- tions included membership in the B. B. French Masonic Lodge, the Shriners and the American Medical Association. He was also an elder of the Metro- politan Presbyterian Church. Besides his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Bullough Pisher, he is survived by two sons, Raymond A. Fisher and Watson Van Ness Fisher. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the residence. Interment will be in Con- gressional Cemetery. . Blease Quits Fight On Pay Raise for Police and Firemen Former Foe Yields Sen- ate Floor to Permit Favorable Report. Senator Blease, Democrat, of South Carolina, announced in the Senate to- day that he would make no objection to | the passage of the police and firemen's pay-increase bill, which was reported favorably to the Senate last night by Senator Robsion, Republican, of Ken- tucky, chairman of the subcommittee which considered it. ‘When the favorable report of the com- mittee was submitted last night Senator Phipps, Republican, of Colorado, asked for time to familiarize himself with the terms of the bill before the Senate takes it up. w‘;zh indications that the long- pending tariff bill will be disposed of in the Senate before the end of this week, it is possible that the police and fire~ men’s pay measure will be held in abey- ance until the tariff is completed. If discussion of the tariff bill seems likely to continue longer than this week the pay bill might be taken up, if there is a chance of passing it without debate. ‘When the District committee an considering the salary bill several weeks ago Senator Blease, who is a member of the committee, indicated he would op- it. He disclosed in the Senate to- day, however, that he had gone to Sena- tor Robsion ‘early last night and told him to present the bill to the Senate, and that he would make no objection. "The South Carolina Senator pointed for relfl‘erltln(, fuel and power, as oy Dy produch ot gas that my“m;?a'en -product of gas - veloped in the future. hat he had the floor last night when E‘;;:mr Robsion brought in the rt, repo; nd that he had yielded to the Senator Kentucky in order to enable the x','[fi'"m be presented to the Senate. turn north on | Society and General DISTRICT SEARCHES IN VAIN FOR AA FOOT FOR GIFT SHOES 1000 Pairs Left Over From War Go Unused for Lack of Cinderellas. The Federal Government turned over to the District government without cos: in the last fiscal year a miscellaneous assortment of surplus supplies, among which were 16,026 pairs of russet shoes, 1,000 pairs of which were of such a nar- row last that they would pinch the feet UY;hChg‘m ‘woman. e shoes were originally made for the doughboys in France, but when the war ended the Army had no use for them. They were offered to the District and were accepted. And they came in broken lots and sizes. Many of them found their way to the feet of the in- mates of the various District institu- tions, but not the 1,000 pairs in AA last, the smallest made. District officials tried in vain to find 8 foot small enough to wear these shoes. Prisoners at Occoquan and Lorton tried them on. So did those in the jall. A canvass of the inmates of the hospitals. and training schools even failed to pro- duce the Cinderellas with the small feet. And so the 1,000 pairs of AA last are languishing to deterioration in the store- rooms of the various institutions. ‘The 16,026 pairs of shoes had a value, according to the Federal Government’s record, of $58,790.92. But the District got them for the cost of the freight, which was insignficant, since most of them came from the Army’s warehouses at Perryville, Md. And some day the District may have use for all of them except the 1,000 pairs of double A lasts. ‘The shoes are one example of the sur- plus supplies for which the District found some use. For instance, the Fed- eral Government sent along in the col- lection a number of sheepskin-lined coats, so long they scraped the ground. ‘The prisoners at the penal institutions who worked out of doors fell heir to these. But the prisoners protested. The coast, aside from restricting their muscu- lar activities, made them look like Rus- sian cossacks dressed for a Siberian blizzard. So the coats were bobbed and served some useful purpose. ‘The list of the surplus supplies re- ceived by the District is published in detail in the report on the recent hear- ings on the 1931 District appropriation bill. The shoes and sheepskin coats are only two of the items. Hospital supplies, hack saws, lathes, blankets, microscopes, hair clippers, horses, pigs, sows and books are included in the collection. There were 268 of the microscopes, on which the Government placed a value of $20,087. These . were distributed among the science classes in the public schools. The pigs and the sows even- tually found a home at the Home for the Aged and Infirm at Blue Plains. Nearly all of the other materials also were distributed among the institutions under the supervision of the Board of Public Welfare. Of all the materials, however, only a small portion, according to District officials, found immediate use. A great deal has been put in stock and will last for two or three years. Some, like the small-sized shoes, may never be used. ‘The surplus supplies, it was said, un- doubtedly have saved the District a sizeable sum, as some of the maferials would have to be purchased in the course of time, although there was no current need for them when the Gov- ernment turned them over. ‘The District would have had to have bought shoes for the inmates of its institutions, it was explained, although it would not have purchased them in such vast quantities and would have been more careful in the selection of the sizes. The $279,093.28 worth of surplus sup- plies was cited by Representative Sim- mons of Nebraska, chairman of the House subcommittee on appropriations, during the hearings on the appropria- tion bill as one of the examples of the Federal Government’s generosity toward the District, not to mention it annual $9,000,000 lump-sum contribution. ALLEYS IN CAPIAL CALLED DISGRACE Before Monday Eve- ning Club. The alley situation in Washington | was brought forcibly before the Monday Evening Club last night, with reports that the situation had improved since 1923, but with a charge by Mrs. Archi- bald Hopkins that the alleys still con- stituted a “national disgrace” and should be eliminated entirely. haven of bootleggers, and offered places for these violators of the law more easily to operate. Mrs. Hopkins referred to the great public construction and | beautification program now under way in the National Capital, and declared it was high time that sufficient pressure be placed on Congress to obtain further action, Repairs Cost $82,000. A. J. Driscoll of the club, an active civic worker, announced today, follow=- ing the meeting last night, he intended to take the matter up vigorously at the next meeting of the Mid-City Citizens’ Association. Progress has been made in improv- ing the alley situation, it was reported Albert S. J. Atkinson of the board for the condemnation of insanitary buildings. Since 1923, he declared, re- pairs on 3,000 of the houses had cost $82,000, and a large number had been entirely eliminated, under the special condemnation law. John Ihider, discussing ~Proposed Al- ley Legislation,” declared at two phases of the question were involved, the improvement of housing for present occupants of the dwelling, and also the use to which the property vacated and razed should be put, for the benefit of the property owner. Nominating Committee. It has been pro) , Mr. Thlder pointed out, that a bill be submitted to - | Congress to turn the alleys into streets. ‘The committee selected to nominate officers for the next year was named as follows: Evan H. Tucker, A. J. Driscoll, Paul Kirby, Miss Rose Brown and Mrs. Mildred Percy. It will meet at the Dis- trict Building a week from Thursday to_take action. New members were elected as follows: Miss Florence G. Abbott, Mrs. Serba B. Croxton, Miss Irene Donovan, Mrs. Ruth W. Hoover, Miss Marie Johnson, Mrs. Margaret Reed Merritt, Miss Mary O'Brien, Miss Alice Pollock, Miss Helen E. Samuel, Miss Rebecca Sweeney, Miss Amy N. Stannard, Miss Etta Louise Taggart, Miss Esther Rae Wockslert, T. Bernard Wyckoff, Miss es Hanna, A. H. MacCormick and Gardiner 8. Rogers. AWARD SEWEh CONTRACTS The District Commisisoners yesterday awarded to the Warren F. Brenizer Co. contracts for construction of two sewers on Tilden street near Rock Creek. One is a sanitary sewer between Rockwood Parkway and Fo road; the other a stormwater sewer between Rock Creek Park and Twenty-ninth street. The contract price is $28,460.25. COMBINED REFUSE - BURNING FAVORED Situation Here Scored in Talk ‘Nearby Communities May | Use D. C. Incinerators if Bill Passes. In a report to the House District | sioners approved the project to permit |and Maryland to bring their combusti- ble refuse into the District to be burned in the two new incinerators recently thorized. aul A A bill is now pending in the House which carries out the proposed plan to help these municipalities dispose of such refuse. > The Commissioners informed Chair- man Frederick N. zihlman that it would be impossible to lend any as- sistance to the several communities in the metropolitan area prior to the con- struction of the incinerators. to bring in their refuse at their own expense over routes fixed by the Com- missioners. Small fees would be charged for the final disposal as share of the general overhead cost. A group of citizens representing Ta- koma Park, Silver Spring and the Citi- zens’ Association of Montgomery Coun- ty, Md., have been urging upon the District their need for help in dis- posing of combustible refuse. The bill authorizes the Commissioners to sus- pend or revoke such agreements if found necessary. CAPPER BILL PROVIDES ADDITIONAL JUSTICES Measure to Increase Staff of Dis- trict Court of Appeals Is Re- ferred to Committee. ‘Two additional ‘justices would be pro- | vided for the District Court of Appeals by a bill introduced late yesterday by Senator Capper, chairman of the Sen- ate District committee. The measure was referred to the judiclary commit- tee, which already has under consid- eration a similar bill to add two more Jjudges to the bench of the District Su- preme Court. The Court of Appeals bill was sug- gested to Senator g:pper by the law and legislation committee of the Dis- trict Bar Association, made a survey of the needs of that court. GIRL’S FINGER INJURED End Severed When Caught in Bread Cutter at School. Elizabeth Mullineaux, 15 years old, of 420 Gallatin street lost the end of the middle finger of her left hand yesterday afternoon when she caught it in a bread-cutting machine at Jefferson School, Sixth and D streets southwest, where she is a student in the domestic sclence class. She was taken to Emergency Hospital and treated by Dr. J. C. McLain, after which she was taken to her home. BAD CHECK FOR $90 BLOCKS GIFT OF OUTFIT FOR BASE BALL TEAM Stranger’s Offer to Christ Child Society Nets Him |®5 $18—and Arrest for Fraud. On the home diamond, where the youthful base ball team of the Christ Child Society is in Spring training, a group of small boys are anxiously awaiting delivery of new bats, gloves and balls promised them by a benevo- lent stranger who has lately watched them train. ‘The stranger, now D. Stewart of Atlanta, to Ofll:ehll;m‘lh‘ with the nfl; “tulpm:n: an acing a_charge of worthless check in connection with the guflmhue of the promised parapher- ia. For days, according to police, Stewart has wng:ed the boys of the Christ Child Society practice base ball on a diamond at Fo -Half street and identified as H. Ga., has failed J. gollu say, Stewart q . Yesterday, 7 L “that e would like to informed Boyle tha make a donation of new Spring equip- ment for the boys and u&ed the in- structor to recommend an athletic store. Stewart is said to have presented Matthew Twoomey, clerk in the Fair- way Sport Goods Store, at 1346 G street, with a letter of ' introduction from Boyle. ~After carefully surveying the line of athletic equipment, Stewart picked out 10 base ball gloves and sev- eral base ball bats. cost was $72 but Stewart gave a check for $90, re- celved $18 in change and was assured that prompt delivery would be made. The check was made out to the First National Bank of Richmond, Va. De- tectives say there is no such institu. tion. Stewart was arrested at a down- town hotel and is tective Sergts. Ir: ‘Thompson. Detectives say they chehmeh Stewart with uttering worthless ecks. ., committee today the District Commis- | | neighboring municipalities in Virginia It is planned to require the counties | which recendly | po: PAGE B-1 IBUCK LOSES PLEAS IN ABATEMENT BY DIRECTED VERDICT Justice Gordon’s Action Clears Way for Important Criminal Trials. BUCKETSHOP CASE HAD BEEN IN SESSION 3 DAYS Accused Man and Woman, Arraign- ed After Decision, Plead Not Guilty. Justice Peyton Gordon in Criminal Division 1 today cleared the way for the trial of a number of important criminal cases by directing a jury to return a verdict in favor of the Government in 16 out of 23 pleas in abatement filed by Benjamin R. Buck and others charged with conspiracy to violate the bucket shop law, who had attacked the validity of the October grand jury, which in- dicted them. The court had previously sustained demurers by Assistant United States Attorney Neil Burkinshaw to the remaining seven pleas. Testimony in support of the conten- tions of the accused had been presented for three days before the jury by At- torney H. Winship Wheatley and Harry S. Barger and at its conclusion Burkin- shaw asked for a direct verdict in favor of the Government, which was granted. Some of the points settled by the action of the court are the presence of a bailif in the grand jury room dur- ing the giving of testimony; the estab- lishment of the jury commission’s room at the court house as a public place for the drawing of juries; the substitution of petit jurors for prospective grand jurors found to be disqualified; the validity of the appointment of Mrs. Lillian Pritchard, widow of a former justice of the court, as a member of the jury commission, and the of summons of prospective jurors when initials are erroneous. Following the verdict of the jury, Benjamin R. Buck and Edith C. Freas, said to have been his treasurer, were arraigned on the indictment and en- tered pleas of not guilty. An early date will be sought by Burkinshaw for the trial. Among the criminal cases which have awaited the action of the Dexter Dayton, charged with murder in the first degree; G. Bryan Pitts and other officials of the P. H. Smith Co.; George Cassidy, the “man in the green hat,” !and others. i | | | ' AMERICAN OIL CO. BUYS PENN CHAIN 1$3,750,000 Is Paid for 65 Service Stations agd Other Facili- ties Here. Purchase of local business and prop- | 2rty of the Penn Ol Co. of Washington by the American Oil Co., was announced today from the general offices of the latter concern in Baltimore. The pur- chase includes 65 service stations in 2| and near Washington as well as storage and terminal facilities. The considera- tion in the transaction was placed by American Oil Co. officials at approxi~ mately $3,750,000. The Penn Oil Co. formerly was owned by Paul Himmelfarb, a ploneer in the ofl distribution business here, who built up nummlnormuummh:a,a Actual work in taking possession operation of the stations starts and the entire chain probably operated by the new owner by the of April, it is stated. The Penn service stations hereafter g Stations. he. s sebeidiary ot the g ns, Inc., & American Oil Co. mw o “:‘l this chain to 83 in the and ms&rau‘?&ep‘;mu The new owners sa -x R e Ams-tchlnmopq- 'I'hechunnumgmthnmm also recently was mndl.nfl-'hh': the Shell tern Petroleum Co. began the purchase of a series of stations throughout the city. ‘The American Oil Co. fleld of its activities here East nder Gich Sropii , under which are acquired i 11 filfieprr: States. . The American Oil Co. is affiliated with Qh:tPcl‘,n-AmflSem Petroleum & Trans- be last ‘;nm-.um xpansion in the The Penn Oil Co. was represent the transaction by Attorneys. Alvln‘?(leu: myer and Joseph Tepper, while the American Ofl Co. was represented by the office of Karl F. Steinmann, Asks Permit to Adopt Child. Harry Walsky today asked Dis= flc tium'e’m;‘- Conn"w m&he_ his. option of Frances Rai -year-old daughter of his wife, An“ll‘;;u alsky tember 5, 1926. He is represented Attorney Joseph Stein. Marriage Licenses. James L. Linkins, 51. and Evelyne C. Rey~ nolds. 51: Rev. H. M. Hennig. Johannes J. Waisdorf. 28, and Margaretha Becker, 42; Rev. C. J. Jordan. 3 nd Delflah Woodtolk, ocl Rev. George llock. William C. Creekmore,, 22, and Marion M. Harden. 21, both of Richmond, Va.; Rev. Allan F. Poore. Jack Block. 31, and Margaret Armer, 23; Rev. J. T. Loel and Hattle Jones, Fimer Willisine, 36 this city, and Cath imer Williams. 26, this city., 3 grine Bonds, 31, Huntsville, 4d; Hev. A Yier. ‘Willlam _W. Shelton, 29, 20, botn of ‘Prederichobure, Ve D. Antonio, 22. and . _Poore. (omon Loves, 27, and Virginia E. Ward: Kichard Panaterie, 21, and Audrey Gaf 197 both of Richmond, Va.: Rev. Allan re. Littieton C. English. 21, Pittsburgh, Pa. and Virginia L. Wright, 19, Richmond, Va.; RG'Vd Henry J. ith, win'F Ganngh. 1. this city, and M. Burneti, 19, Brooklyn, N. Y.i Rev. J H. chinn, 30, and Lilltan . . %.’"L‘?}n'.x falial, Ve M Ran SuRlag: arroll. hn A. Bridgers, ir.. and Agnes 1) i st e hmond Ve ReT . 5. m ‘Avenell H. German, 20, Alexandris, Va. and Rebecca Edmonds, 22, The Piains, Ve Rev. D. L. Snyder. : Ross, 22, and Alverta Holmes, 313 Bi Ve 3%, and Josephing . 'Donohue, 20. both ; st Jn bot 3 miehinodd. Y. rick. S Sl Srt e Major Rev. Willias omas Jeit Didler, 26, and Bdna Dickenson, #1i Rev. K. Gurtis. i