Evening Star Newspaper, June 8, 1930, Page 17

- WASHINGTON, 108 0 oo ] The Sunday Shoe (oo v SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1930. PAGE B-1 ALLEY LEGISLATION 1§ HELD DOUBTFUL >*~= IN THIS SESSION Moves to Remedy Situation Next Session Going Forward. L4 i | PROPONENTS EXPECT BUDGET BUREAU ADVICE Members of Congress Appreciate Evils of “Hidden Communities” as Crime Breeders. While the nearing end of the session and the remaining controversial meas- ures confronting Congress, together with the adverse report by the Budget Bureau and the Commissioners upon the Bowman alley-closing bill, have dimmed the hopes of proponents of alley-closing legislation for action at this session, renewed interest in one of S. S. “Charley Mack’ Has ' Break Down, ding Sixty Rocker Arm Fails as Boat Heads Toward Mount Sixty passengers, most of them women and children, were stranded on the Potomac River for 13 hours yesterday when the steamer Charles Macalester broke down 500 yards off shore from Mount Vernon. Approximately 30 other passengers who had purchased tickets to Mount Vernon were taken ashore in lifeboats. The “Charley Mac,” as the veteran river boat is popularly known, left the Seventh Street Wharf at 10 o'clock yesterday morning on its regular ex- cursion trip to Marshall Hal A rocker arm on the boat broke just as it was being headed in toward Mount Vernon. The passengers bound for that destination were put ashore in small boats, while a repair crew was sent back to Washington in a motor boat for parts. The parts were secured, but workmen were unable to remove the rusted bolts and the broken machinery could not be replaced. At 6 o'clock Capt. E. 8. Turner put in a call for assistance, and the District fire boat was sent down the river to tow the steamer in. It arrived back at the wharf at 10:45 last night. A crowd of about 50 persons had ‘Washington’s oldest problems indicates that some definite steps will be taken *toward its solution next year. This is the view of those who have been backing the Bowman alley-closing bill, as well as members of Congress. ‘The Commissioners’ adverse report on the bill, according to John Ihider, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s advisor on housing prob- lems, indicates that the Commissioners and those who drafted the measure are not far apart. Both are agreed as to the principle, and the changes that ‘would bring them into full agreement with the details, it is believed, will not be hard to make. As for the Budget Bureau, proponents of the measure hope to obtain that agency’s advice this Summer as to methods by which the necessary financial arrangements could be made to conform with the 4 dent’s economy program. Chairman Capper of the Senate Dis- trict committee is in accord with the desire of the National Capital Park ¥ and Planning Commission to correct alley conditions. He said he thought Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, executive officer of the commission, has the problem well in hand. Senators Favor Solution. Senator Jones, Republican, of Wash- ington, and Senator Copeland, Dem- ocrat, of New York, both members of the District committee, declared them- selves strongly in favor of reaching a final and definite solution of the in- habited alley problem, which has heen considered by Congress from time to time for many years. “Nothing better could be done for the city of Washington than to get ¢ Tid of these inhabited alleys,” declared Senator Jones, who has been a leading member of the District committee for many years. “I am heartily in favor of the movement and am glad to see public attention directed to it again.’ Senator Jones recalled the attention ‘which Congress gave the question in legislation enacted just prior to the ‘World War, but he observed that ap- parently that was not sufficient to correct the problem entirely. He said he had not had an opportunity to study the bill recently prepared by the Park and Planning Commission, but he présumed it would be necessary to provide for the gradual elimination of these hidden communities in the in- %rd&p:'iua is in favor of the bill tnnsmlflednm ‘commission. < gubfect, of improving “To my mind it is the most import- + ant question that has come before the District committee in my period of serv- ice, and if we could find a solution of this problem we would be doing some- thing worth while.” Copeland Not With Parties. Senator Copeland said he regarded the alley situation as “not only a local disgrace but a national disgrace.” The New York Senator was prevented by other senatorial business from joining | the legislators who went on a tour of inspection of some of the most con- icuous examples of hidden alley com- munities yesterday, but he has person- ally observed the alleys on previous occasions. Without discussing the provisions of the pending bill, Senator Blaine, Repub- . lican, of Wisconsin, another member of the District committee, expressed the be- Hef that “from the standpoint of health and sanitation, some method ought to tbleo devised to improve the alley situa- ‘The menace to children being reared in the atmosphere of the alleys is the principal evil of the problem, accord- ing to the mee”bers of the House Dis- trict committee who made a tour of some of these alleys last Thursday. ‘They have expressed their apprecia- tion of the fact that the worst fea- tures of the alleys—the crime and vice that jurk there under cover of dark- ness—cannot be seen in a heralded sdaylight visit. They have been im- essed by unsanitary conditions and Sbelieve they should be corrected. .§ Mrs. Mary T. Norton of New Jersey, ho for more than 20 years has taken leading part in welfare work in her ome State, was especially interested the children’s problem of these al- ys and brought forcefully to the at- ntion of her colleague—"“What are e going to do about 1t? MecLeod Against Them. Acting chairman McLeod of the ouse District Committee says = that “such conditions have no place in ashington,” and expresses his con- lusions regarding the alleys and his etermination to help wipe them out follow: “The so-called concealed communities re undoubtedly undesirable and may festering_places for crime. They hould be eliminated for -the best in- rests of the surrounding communities. he reason that there may be similar nditions existent in other large cities of the country is no reason or excuse swhy they should be allowed to continue Washington, the Capital City of the country, which prides *elf upon hav- “ing ideal conditens, or at least is-so ‘yegarded by the balance of the country. S “'Steps should be taken at once {eliminate the unsanitary conditions in “these alley streets where babies and ichildren are being reared amid such ‘unwholesome, corrupting surroundings witnessed on a recent together with the fact that’ sevefal of the alley communities are absolutely shut off by lack of access to abutting streets or thoroughfares, make the areas unapproachable places of con- cealment, which in no way benefits the citizenry of any city. Such a rendez- «vous for crime as this has no place in yllhlnlwn." Representative Albert R. Hall, Repub- lican, of Indiana, is another House Dis- trict committee member who feels it his duty to correct the alley evil, es- pecially on account of the children being brought up there under most ‘objectiol e environment. “The alley conditions in the Na- tional Capital certainly are bad,” he gathered at the wharf to meet the steamer and its arrival was greeted with loud cheers. Included in the crowd, however, were several anxious parents whose children were on the boat. A majority of the passengers on the boat seemed to have enjoyed the mishap. Capt. Turner ordered food from the boat’s galley and lemonade served to those among the passengers who had cxpecn ted to get their meal at the re- sort. A class of children from the Berwyn Hh:: School were among those on the 12 BOYS ESCAPE TRANNG DO Two Are Recaptured, Third Returns Voluntarily and Nine Still Are Free. Making a break for freedom early yesterday morn! 12 inmates of - the National - Training School for Boys escaped from the institution. Two were captured later in the day, when they stopped at a farm house at Lorton and asked for a “bite to eat,” and another returned voluntarily to the school. The break was made after a night supervisor had made his rounds of the dormitories, it was learned. The boys escaped through a window. It |is believed they separated. Authorities at the institution would not_discuss the escape. Charles Burgess, 16 vears of age, Te- turned to the institution shortly after the break. Others who escaped were: Charles Wilbur, 17, of Ohio; Floyd Robinson, 16; Charles R. Spencer, 15; ‘Thomas Leroy Williams, 15, all of this ity; Everett Ashl,sl.!. of South Carolin: 3 : Richard J. , 18, New York; Joe Martin, 17, and Paul J. Ravison, both of West Virginia; Howard Riggs, North Carolina, and Jed'S. Smithead, Michigan. CAPITOL EMPLOYES MAY GET PENSION Introduced by Senator Dale. A bill to set up a retirement system for employes of the Senate and House, including the Capitol police and em- ployes under the Architect of the Capi- tol, has been Introduced by Senator Date of Vermont, chairman of the civil service committee, and referred to that committee for report. The measure would cover virtually all employes in the legislative branch of the Government, except those on a per diem or plece- ‘work basis. ‘The annuity would be 2 per cent of the average salary, not in excess of $2,500, received during the last five years of service, multiplied by the num- ber of years of service, not in excess of 30 years. Employes would contribute 31, per cent of their salaries to the re- tirement fund, except that no deduction would be made from that portion of a salary in excess of $2,500. Employes leaving the service before retirement would have their contribu- tions refunded with interest. HORSE DIES IN FIRE Lumber Yard and Garage Threat- ened in Stable Blaze. Pire which for a while threatened & lumber yard and a large garage last night, destroyed a stable in the rear of 2366 Eighth street and killed a horse quartered there. The stable was owned by Angelo Urcolo. A crowd of about 2,000 persons witnessed the work of the firemen who kept the flames to the flimsy wooden structure. be expected to have any ideals of mor- ality or good citizenship. Any child did become a substantial citizen would “It seems to me that the sanitary conditions. There is no excuse for al- iny said. “They are breeders of crime. No child raised under such conditions could raised under such an environment who be a decidedly rare exception. department of the city is at fault,” he continued, “to allow such insanitary lowing dead cats to lle for days in a narrow alley where children are play- Should Be Opened. After stating that the real evils of the alleys as places of crime and criminals and as e for much that is outside the law, im- morality and social depravity, hidden away from the public gaze and from the police cannot be observed and cal- culated by a congressional sight-seeing party, Mr. Hall said in conclusion: “Of course, these hidden communi- tles could and should be opened up té view, By giving free access to them, making them less of lairs for the furtive tand lurking violators of law, a long step would be taken toward preven- tion of crime.” Representative Bowman of West Virginia, who sponsored the measure in the House, has previously expressed his determination that some action be taken to eliminate the confitions com- plained of. Retirement System Otulined in Bill| DISTRICT AIRPORT BILL IS INDORSED BY COMMISSIONERS Belief Expressed Gravelly Point Better Site, However, Than One Near Bridge. OPPOSITION AVOIDED WITH COMMITTEE Report on Bingham Measure Made to Chairman Elliott of House. ‘The District Commissioners yester- day indorsed the Bingham bill to estab- lish a municipal airport on the Virginia side of Highway Bridge, but at the same time expressed the belief that Gravelly Point would provide a superior and more adequate site. The views of the Commissioners were made known in a comprehensive report on the Bingham bill, submitted to Rep- resentative Elliott, chairman of the House committee on public buildings and grounds.. The report covered four closely typewritten pages and discussed in detail the advantages of both the Highway Bridge and Gravelly Point sites. ‘The Bingham bill provides for a quisition by the National Capital Park and Planning Commission of the lands embracing the ~Washington Airport, Hoover Field anll other adjacent proj erties, including a portion of the Al lington experimental farm of the De- partment of Agriculture and a portion of Columbia Island for the development of a commercial airport to be under the jurisdiction and control of the Commis- sioners. It authorizes the District to borrow $2,500,000 from the Federal Treasury for establishment of the air. port, with a requirement that it be r paid without interest in 10 equal an- nual installments. Opposition Avoided. In recommending favorable action on the bill, the Commissioners indicated that they did so primarily to avoid op- position to the proposals of the con. gressional joint committee. The Commissioners said if it can be assumed with assurance that the High- way Bridge site, if developed as col templated by the Bingham bill, will meet the airport needs of the District for a long time to come, the advantages of the Highway Bridge site may be suf- ficient to_justify its selection in lieu of Gravelly Point. However, the Commis- sioners declared, if the selection of the Highway Bridge site means simply the construction, at a cost of $2,500,000 to the District, of a field for immediate use, with the prospect of ultimately be- ing required to develop the Gravelly Point site, then “a serious doubt is “The private lands to be acquired under the bill comprise about 137 acres,” the report declared. t is un- derstood that these lands have been offered to sale to the United States at cost to the present owners, plus cost of improvements, plus carrying charges, plus 10 per cent. On this basis, it is estimated that the privately owned property can be purchased for approxi- mately $1,500,000. 143 Acres to Be Given. “The property to be donated by the United States comprises approximately 143 acres, a part of which is now under water, a part is in use by the Depart- ment of Agriculture as a portion of the experimental farm, a part is occupied by the right of way of Military road, and a part is included in Columbia Island which it is proposed to develop as a park in connection with the ap- proachrs to the Arlington Bridge. “Assuming that this land, without improvements, has approximately the same value per acre as the privately owned property, the contribution by the United States in land is roughly estimated at somewhere in the neigh- borhood of $750,000 to $1,000,000. In addition, the bill provides for a loan by the United States fo the District of Columbia of the moneys necessary for the purchase of the privately owned land and the development of the air- port, to be frepaid in 10 annual in- stallments. This provision amounts to a further contribution by the United State of from $350,000 to $500,000, de- pendent upon the rate of expenditure and the rate of interest assumed. To this contribution should be added the cost to the United States of relocating Military road and the cost of abandon- ing the experimental farm activities at present in operation on this land and re-establishing them elsewhere. On this basis the contribution to the project by the United States is estimated at be- tween 30 and 3715 per cent of the total cost of the entire project Site Admirably Located. The Highway Bridge site, the Com- misisoners pointed out, is admirably lo- cated, being close to Washington, and will fit well with the plans for the future development of the city and its environs, but it will not permit of any future expansion. The fleld, however, they said, will no doubt be of sufficient size to meet present needs, but should air traffic develop as predicted, it may be overtaxed unless some new type of aircraft requiring lesser length of run- ‘way than the present type is developed. ‘The most suitable site for such en- larged facilities, the Commissioners said, appears to be at Gravelly Point, recommended by the former board of Commissioners, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission and in- dorsed by numerous civic organizations. “The advantages presented by the Highway Bridge site over the Gravelly Point. site,” the Commissioners de- clared, “are its shorter distance from the city and the fact that on part of the area two small fields, with some im- provements thereon, are actually in use, which makes it possible to start the operation of a municipal field in a small way immediately upon the purchace of the existing flelds and to expand its operation as the fleld is further de- veloped. Advantages Considered. “These advantages are real, but their 1® & importance should not be overestimated. ‘The greater distance to Gravelly Point is a small matter, not seriously affecting the use of the fleld, and the advantages of a field in bf.ln‘l are equally avaflable to air traffic with the field in private ownership, or if municipal operation and control are deemed essential, might be secured by leasing the field for a term of three to five years pending the construction of a permanent fleld at Gravelly Point. “To offset these advantages there are the disadvantages of- inability to ex- pand the Highway Bridge site, inte) ference with existing public develop- ments, lack of facilities for seaplanes and the existence of certain hazards surrounding the fleld in the form of bridges, railway embankments and in. dustrial entes ‘The latter dis. advantage is ly to become o Gasoline Fire Hero HARRY MARKOWITZ, Who drove a blasing gasoline fank truck from a service station at Tenth and H streets northeast when the dis- charge hose caught fire and threatened to ignite the huge tank at the station. The fire died out when the hose was consumed. —Star Staff Photo. D.C. AND PAY BILL FAILURE I SEEN Simmons Walks Out on Sen- ate Conference, Refusing to Consider Modification. With House leaders unwilling to at- tempt to get the police and firemen's pay increase bill to conference except by unanimous consent, which Repre- sentative Simmons of Nebraska, chair- man of the subcommittee on District appropriations, refuses to grant, all signs last night still indicated that both the pay bill and District appropriation bill would fail this session. Walks Out of Conference. Mr. Simmons walked out on a con- ference with the Senate on the appro- priation measure, refusing to even con- sider any modification of the $9,000,- 000 lump sum contribution by the Fed- eral Government, while the Senate con- they would not in- sist upon the full amount of the $12. 000,000 contribution approved by the Senate. On the police and firemen’s pay in- crease bill the House accepted the so- called Donovan-Simmons amendments, even after the District committee had voted against them. When the bill went to the Senate, that body disagreed to the House changes and asked for a conference. Mr. Simmons refused- to allow the bill to be sent to conference under unanimous conserff{. Some hope has been entertained that the House rules committee might grant a special rule to send the bill to conference, but House leaders last night intimated that this chance is exceedingly slight. Tired of Surrendering. ‘The Senate leaders are tired of the passive role of surrendering every year to the exactions of the House conferees on the District appropriation bill and are ready for a showdown, it is in- dicated. A report was spread at the Capitol late yesterday that the provi- sions of a continuing resolution to' take care of routing appropriations for the District without any new projects were under consideration. Similarly, the members of the House District . committee are clamoring to their representatives in negotia- tions to stand firm against any further surrender of the rights of the legisl tive committee and are ready to let police and firemen's pay bill fail “and let the blame rest where it belongs.” . TWO LABORERS BURIED IN LANDSLIDE AT WORK One Is Believed to Be in Critical Condition at © Hospital. Buried beneath a landslide of soft earth which had been piled high be- side a sewer excavation in which they were working Fiftieth place and Meade street northeast yesterday aft- ernoon, two colored laborers were taken to Casualty Hospital. ‘The men are William Nelson of 319 D street southwest and Robert Love of Sandy Spring, Md. The latter is said to be in a critical condition at the hospital. Nelson was discharged last night after treatment. Members of the Fire Department rescue squad worked more than half an hour to extricate the pair. PLAQUE MAY BE PLACED AT CHERRY TREE IN PARK Consent of Mrs. W. H. Taft to Action in Honor of Planting by Her Is Received. A proposal is before Lieut. Col. U. §. Grant, 3d, Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks, to place a bronze plaque at the first two cherry trees planted in Potomac Park in March, 1912. _The first tree was planted by Mrs. Willlam Howard Taft, then the First Lady of the Land, in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador. Then, by invitation of Mrs. Taft, the Vis- countess Chinda, the Ambassador's wife, planted the second tree. ‘The consent of Mrs. Taft to the plac- ing of a plaque in her honor has al- ready been®obtained, and it is consid- ered likely that the two trees will be suitably marked at an early date. . Beaten by Colored Man. Beaten by an unidentified colored man about a block from the second precinct last night, Richard D. Armi- ger, 313 Bryant street northeast, gave police the license number of a taxicab id the man was driving. alty _— ingly evident in the future, since the establishment of other enterprises along the highway may be anticipated; while the Gravelly Point site, because of its situati will always be free of such objectionable neighbors.” In view of this situation, the Com- missioners said, while still of the opinion that the Gravelly Point site | affords_possibilities superior to those of the Highway Bridge site, and that if the development of the Ggavelly Point site uhnul(fbe authorized &t this time an airport could be provided within three years that would be superior to hing that can be developed on the mfl“nu, they “are not mflred to pl themselves in op- ition to the of the joint congressional ZONING CHANGES REFUSED OWNERS OF 19 PROPERTIES Proposals of M. E. Temper- ance Board and David A. Baer Are Defeated 12 CASES APPROVED AND ONE POSTPONED Code Amended to Permit 8-Story Apartments in Areas Limited to Five. A deaf ear was turned by the Zoning Commission to pleas of owners of 19 different properties for changes in zon- ing classifications, including the pro- posals of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals and David A. Baer, prominent builder of apartments, over whose plans determined opposition was raised by nearby home owners. ‘The commission, meeting yesterday in executive session, approved the pe- titions in 12 other cases, postponed de- cision on 1 and took no action in 2 others, according to a report made late yesterday by Maj. Donald A. Davi- S(‘):. executive officer of the commis- sion. Two important amendments to the zoning code also were adopted. The first, urged by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Operative Builders’ Association, will permit the erection of eight-story apartments in areas where five-story buildings formerly were the limit, pro- vided the taller buildings . be no greater in volume than the lower structures. Use of Vacant Lots. The other will permit .the use of vacant lots in first commercial dis- tricts for the temporary parking of automobiles, provided no repair work is done there and no gasoline, oil or grease is sold, and provides that 75 per cent of the owners of property within 200 feet of such area consent. ‘The commission took no action on the petition of the Union Terminal Market Co. for the rezoning for second com- mercial use the 15-acre area north of Florida avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets northeast, in the Patter- son tract, so as to permit expansion of the n,ooo,wln mlrk"!.: pro)lect l,h!r%. This proposal was strenuously oppose by Dr. Percival Hall, president of the Colurhbia Institution for the Deaf, be- cause of the proximity of some of the buildings of Gallaudet College and the nearness of Patterson tract park. The Methodist board sought to have the height limit on the site to the east of the Methodist Building at First street and Maryland avenue northeast raised from 60 to 90 feet to permit the con- struction of a $400,000 addition to the church office” and apartment structure there. Plans called for the erection of an addition of the same height as the existing building, which is something in excess of 60 feet. This made it neces- sary to ask for the next highest height zone, 90 feet. ‘The petition was strongly protested by nearby home-owners, who pointed out that while present plans were for a building but a few feet higher than 60 feet, if the zoning were changed, three additional stories later could be erected legally under the zoning code. Thus the cornice line of the Capitol and the projected Supreme Court maflln‘ might be overshadowed, they Sixty Feet Limitation. Under the existing zoning a building may be erected up to 60 feet, provided plans were approved by the Fine Arts Commission, under provisions of the recently enacted Shipstead law. Mr. Baer, builder of the Alban Towers apartments, made an unsuccess- ful plea to have land at the southeast corner of Thirty-eighth street and Cathedral avenue zoned to permit the erection there of a large apartment house. Numerous owners of homes in adjacent residential zones made a de- termined protest, claiming it would injure the value of their holdings. Plans of Waverly Taylor, Inc, to erect English group houses on the southeast and southwest corners of Forty-fourth and P streets, on the border of the Foxall subdivision, also were upset when the commission re- fused the concern’s petition to change the classification of the southeast corner from residential A-restricted to B-restricted area, and granted the peti- tion of the owners of homes in the square bounded by Forty-fourth and P streets and Foxall road, from B-restrict- ed to A-restricted are: Action on the petition for a change from residential to first commercial area for the property to the rear of the St. Paul's English Lutheran Church, on New Hampshire avenue near U street, was_postponed. ‘The Commission took no action on a troublesome old case which, in part, has twice before been before the Commis- sion and twice before rejected. This was a petition for placing in first com- mercial classification the residential area on either side of Connecticut ave- nue at Calvert street, just beyond the Million-Dollar Bridge, and the east side of Connecticut avenue between Calvert street and Woodley road. The former residence of Senator Smoot of Utah is located in the area. Petitions Granted. The following petitions were granted: ‘The south side of N street be- tween Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth streets, changed from residential to second commercial use; the northwest corner of Twenty-first and E streets, changed from residential to first com- mercial, 90-foot height (provided there be no entrance to a first commercial establishment on Twenty-first street); the property of the First Colored Bap- tist Church, on the west side of Sixth street near G southwest, changed from residential 60-foot B area to residential 60-foot C area; square bounded by First and Seconds streets southeast, O street and an unnamed street to the north, changed from second commercial 90- foot to industrial, 90-foot D are: That portion of the square bounded by Sixth, Seventh and C streets and Pennsylvania avenue southeast con- sisting only of lots 812, 813, 74, 15, 76 and 77, changed from residential to first comimercial 60-foot .C area; the rear of 1119 ‘H street northeast, changed from residential to first commercial 60-foot C area, and part of property on the south side of Concord avenue between ‘Third and Fourth streets, changad from first commercial to residential 40-foot B area. The new amendment affecting the height of apartments in 60-foot areas will mean that where eight-story build- ings are erected in such districts they may go as high as 90 feet, but may oc- cupy but 51 per cent of the lot, instead of 75 per cent, permitted for buildings of 60-foot height. A nts in favor of this change in the code were that while the two :gu of build] are of the same bulk, taller ‘would assure more' SISTERS WED WITHIN TWO DAYS The iwo daughters of Judge Thomas S. Williams of the Court of Claims who were married Friday and bride of Paul W. Hansen v her sister, Alice photo was made when Ruth was acting Miss Ruth Williams Weds P. 'W. Hansen In Sister’'s Gown Fiance’s Assignment to Kansas City Causes Sud- den Change in Plans. ‘When her fiance received an assign- ment taking him to Kansas City, Mo., in work for the Department of Justice, Miss Ruth Willlams, daughter of Judge ‘Thomas S. Willlams of the Court of Claims, hastily changed her wedding plans and was married yesterday aft- ernoon, wearing the gown and veil in which her sister, Alice, had been mar- ried only the day previous. Her hus- band is Paul William Hansen. In contrast to the wedding of Miss Alice Willlams to Ensign Oscar M. Browne, jr., ‘at the Naval Academy Chapel at Annapolis, which was marked with military pomp, the marriage of Miss Ruth Willlams was a simple event ltn"hte family residence, at 1729 Irving street. Due to the change in their plans, there was no time for the preparation of a second bridal trousseau, so, donning the gown and veil worn Friday by her sister, and carrying her mother's Bible and wearing her mother's wedding ring, Miss Ruth Willlams became the bride of Mr. Hansen, with Rev. Dr. U. G. Plerce officiating. ‘The second bride in the family of Judge and Mrs. Willilams had RQeen maid of honor for her sister at the wedding at Annapolis. At the subsequent marriage ceremony yesterday at 4 o'clock the bride was attended by Miss Vivian Vestal, daugh- ter of Representative and Mrs. Albert H. Vestal, of Indiana, who reside at the Roosevelt. Miss Vestal wore a gown of lavender organdy made in the pre- vailing style, with & long and full skirt, and her hat, shoes and other acces- sories were in lavender. Mr. Hansen was attended by Mr. Clarence Lavender. Later, when Mr. and Mrs, Hansen left for their journey to the West, she wore a charming en- semble of dark blue, with all features of the tollet corresponding except the blouse, which was in lighter shade. ‘The wedding of Miss Willlams and Mr, Hansen was to take place in sev- eral weeks, but when he received an appointment taking him West, plans for the wedding of yesterday were hurriedly made, and later Mr. and Mrs. Hansen left for Kansas City. Miss Willlams was graduated from George Washington University and took her master degree at the University of Illinots. Mr. Hansen is a graduate of the Na- tional University Law School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hansen of Driggs, Idaho. AT FRIENDS FEAR SUICIDE William T. Meushaw, Despondent, Disappeared Yesterday. Friends of William T. Meushaw, 48 years old, of North Decatur Heights, Md., reported to police last night that he had left them in the 1400 block of G street southeast during the afternoon and had not been seen since. They were apprehensive as to his safety, be- cause he had threatened to end his life, they said. Meushaw had been in ill health for some time, police were told, and has been despondent. He was described by relatives as being 5 feet 10 inches tail and weighing 135 pounds. When last seen he was dressed in light gray trousers, blue coat and gray hat. AUTOS COLLIDE Police patrol box No. 34 was knocked out of commission last night when automobiles driven by Thomas M. Kahle, 24 years old, of “r Maple street, and Charles H, Garrico, collided l:" B:old Branch road and Rittenhouse street. Carrico was slightly hurt on his left leg in the accident, but refused hospital treatment. . Both cars were slightly damaged. light and air for tenants of such apart. ments as well as neighboring buildings that eight-story buildings, by require- ments the building code, must be more fireproof than the lower build- ings; that the taller buildings are cheaper to construct and therefore more profitable investments, and thar they are more ular with apartment tenants because are more attrac- tive architectul , a8 a rule, and be- cause they afford more light and air in the building. yesterday. y, wearing the same gown and veil in which (left), was married Friday to Ensign Oscar M. Brown, jr. This On the right is Ruth, who became the as bridesmaid at Alice’s wedding Friday. Harris-Ewing Photo. JUDGESHP BLLS MAY B TAKEN P Chance for Considerajtion by Sénate This Week Seen for D. C. Measures. Backed by strong recommendations from the judlcmr committee, the bills to place two litional judges in the District Supreme Court and two more on the bench of the Court of Appeals, may have a chance for consideration in the Senate some time ‘this week. They ay be reached the next time the Sen- ate considers miscellaneous bills on the calendar. In a report filed by Senator Stephens. Democrat, of Mississippi, the committee described the congested condition of the dockets in the District Supreme Court, and called the situation in that court “alarming.” The need for two more in the Court of Appeals was Stressed with equal force in a separate report by Senator Waterman, Repub- lican, of Colorado. The bills were care- fully considered recently by a subcom: mittee headed by Senator Steiwer, Re- publican, of Oregon. Among the facts cifed by Senator Stephens’ report as to congestiorr in | the Supreme Court were the following: | That since 1922 the number of law suits | flled has increased 80 per cent; that in the same period the number of equity cases has gone up 29 per cent; that a month dered ago there were 1,192 cases or- for trial on the law calendar, to be divided between two judges; nearly 300 cases brought by disabled war vet- erans, awaiting trial. The report also stated that criminal cases are now being tried where the de- fendants have been in jail for more than a year awaiting trial. The adding of a judge last year to handle condem- nation cases has not helped the general situation, the report points out. Referring to the work of the judges in the District Supreme Court, the re- port stated: “The committee has taken cognizance of the report published in the news- papers to the effect that some of the members of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia have not been at- tentive to their duties. The best in- formation which the committee could obtain leads to the conclusion that although some members of the court are less diligent than others and, of course, some are less capable ti oth- ers, speaking generally, the members of this court are doing all that should be asked of them, and some members of the court have shown a spirit of very great devotion and perform an enor- mous amount of difficult work.” ‘The other report pointed out that the number of judges on the District Court of Appeals has not been increased since the court was established 37 years ago, although the population of the city has more than doubled in that time. The report says Congress has from time to time extended the jurisdiction of this court, such as the handling of appeals from the Radio Commission and from the Board of Tax Appeals. The re- port points out that both bills have the approval of Attorney General Mitchell. Similar bills have been reported fa. ;lorlbl)' and are awaiting action in the ouse. CHEVY CHASE HUNTS MISSING SCHOOLGIRL Margaret Geraldine Custer, Age 11, Disappeared Friday, After Leaving Schoolmate. was instituted yesterday for Margaret Geraldine Custer, 11 years old, the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cecll E. Custer of 3267 Van Hazen street, Chevy Chase, who reported that she had been missing since Friday aft- ernoon. The child was last seen, so far as police have been able to learn, when at Belt road and Harrison street, afte: walking there together at the close of school Friday. ‘The girl attends the Jahey School in Tenleytown, where she is taken morn- ings by Mr. Custer in his automobile, returning home in the afternoons by bus. The foster parents fear that some harm may have come to the child. 8he was wearing & green and white dress, tan stocki and white tennis POLLARD ORDERS HALT IN ARRESTING 0. TRUCK DRIVERS Tag War Conference Is Ar- ranged by Commonwealth’s Attorney Gloth. BREAK IN RELATIONS WITH VIRGINIA FEARED Arlinnon_ Official Sees Discontin- uance of Deliveries by Wash- ington Merchants. By a Btaft Correspondent of The Star. ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, Va., June 7.—Through the ef forts of Commonwealth's Attorney Wil= llam C. Gloth, who opposes the move, the wholesale arrests by State officers of trucks carrying District of Columbia tags has been called to a halt to await & scheguled conference between State, county and District of Columbia offi- clals, it was made known today. Acting under instructions from his superiors, E. J. McDermott, inspector for the office of the commissioner of motor vehicles of Virginia, who is in charge of this dfstrict, started this week arresting certain types of truckers who e operating in nearby Virginia on District tags. Up to the calling of the halt today some 20 arrests had been made but none of the cases brought into court. Declared “Outrageous.” Declaring that the practice was “out= rageous” and that the trucks were or- erating in Virginia under a reciprocity agreement between the two jurisdice tions, Gloth yesterday called upon Go John Garland Pollard and placed ti situation before him. As a result, ti chief executive ordered that no fu ther arrests be made until a conference has been held between T. McCall Frazier, motor vehicle commissioner; Gloth and M. E. Eldridge, assistant traffic director of the District of Columbia. This con= ference is now being arranged. The arrests came as a complete sure prise, county officials not being notified until owners of the trucks made known their predicament to Gloth, the entire affair being in the hands of the State fMcials. ‘While admitting that the action s contrary to an agreement made between Virginia officials and the District of ?thlfilbil.‘sgu officials (;llgn Chlmi egality of the agreemen ques in‘hl; an& should be tested in the courts, said. - Reasons Explaimed. The reason for the sudden campaign is explained in the following manner: There are a number of Washington concerns who are claimed by State officials to have all of their supplies shipped to Virginia railroad sidings and then to use Virginia roads regularly to transport them, making use of trucks with District of Columbia tags; that there are Virginia concerns engaged in the manufacture of bricks and other articles who sell their products f. o. b. and then form subsidiary trucking con- port Then oot T Grucks carrying tags port. carry} that cost only $1 each; that in one case it was found that a resident of Virginia was using a District of Columbia L:u& belonging to his brother, to haul from ,his home to Washington. In expressing his opposition to the campaign, Gloth declares that “if it continues it will destroy the pleasant relationship existing between officials of the District of Columbia and Virginia, and Washington merchants, rather than pay the prices of tags in Virginia, will refuse to make deliveries in the State.” In Virginia, prices of truck tags are $15 a ton until the four-ton class is reached, when the rates are higher per ton, tags for a five-ton truck bein $200, as against the $1 charge for all classes by the District of Columbia. INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE. Col. Baughman Explains Attitude Tow ward D. C. Tags in Maryland. By & Staft Correspondent of The Star. SILVER SPRING, Md., June 7.—An immediate investigation of the freight- hauling operations of trucks with D. C. tags in nearby Maryland will be made by Col. E. Austin Baughman, Mary- land commissioner of motor vehicles, it was learned yesterday. In a letter to Arthur C. Keefer, local attorney, and former member of the Maryland Legislature, Col. Baughman declares that “as soon as an operator from a foreign State or the District of Columbia comes into Maryland and picks up goods and carries them to another point in this State or out of the State entirely, it is necessary for him to have Maryland registration.” ‘The commissioner’s letter was in reply to one from Keefer objecting to & re- cent order requiring the Tri-State Trucking Co. and other local concerns which operate trucks to Baltimore and other large Maryland cities, to obtain permits from the Public Service Com- mission. Companies of this type, which oper- ate trucks over fixed routes, under regu- lar schedule or between fixed termini, have their trucks classed as common ca¥- riers, and must obtain Maryland licenses, the State authorities say. However, in- terstate truckers, who act as general hdulers, only going into the State oc- casionally as their business demands. are not included in the new order ‘it was sald at the motor vehicle col sioner’s office earlier this week. Keefer contends the State cannot legally make this distinction, and in- formed Col. Baughman that mapy trucks were in daily operation near the District of Columbia line, hauling freight into and out of Maryland. e commissioner said this matter would taken up with Capt. Butler, chief of the State police force, for immediate investigation, GEORGETOWIi EDUCATORS ARE DECORATED BY SPAIN Drs. Walsh and Healy Receive Rank of Knight in Ancient Order at Embassy Here. Rev. Dr. Edmund A. Walsh, regent of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and Dr. Thomas H. Healy, assistant to the dean and asso- clate professor of International law, were presented yesterday afternoon with the decoration of the Royal Span- ish Order of Isabella the Catholic. The presentation was made at in- formal ceremonies at the Spanish em- bassy by Ambassador Padilla. Both were given the Tank of knight in the order, which is one of the oldest in Spain, the honor being in recogni- tion of their services in promoting in- tellectual co-operation between this shoes when she léft home for school | country and Spain and also in omn:;; Friday morning. She is four feet, two | tion gith inches tall pounds, am& K and weighs 115 o their studies establ of