Evening Star Newspaper, August 15, 1930, Page 17

CVLAN PARTES SCOUR ROCK CREEK PARK FOR THONAS Missing Real Estate Man Has Sought Seclusion There Frequently. ABANDONED AUTO PROVES SLIM CLUE TO MYSTERY Police Discount Report Woman Saw Body Floating in the Potomac. Bloodhounds Held }‘utile. ‘Two civilian parties today were scour- ing the less accessible reglons of Rock Creek Park and the Potomac River Val- Jey near Chain Bridge in search of J. Benson Thomas, real estate oper- ater, who, disappeared Tuesday after- noon, and whose abandoned automo- bile, located late Wednesday at the bridge end, has proved the sole clue to his whereabouts. ‘The automobile near Chain Bridge seemed to indicate that Thomas had fallen from the bridge into the Potomac or had wandered into the rocky and almost impassible valley below, almost half a mile wide at that point. Sought Seclusion 'Often. On the other hand, friends of Thomas say he was in the habit of seeking the seclusion of Rock Creek Park coverts on occasion to plan or consider ways and means of repairing the financial losses which he,suffered recently. One party, composed of six of ‘Thomas’ relatives and business as- sociates, was beating through the river valley, under leadership of Paul Primm, a brother-in-law of the missing man. ‘Two policemen from No. 7 precinct were assisting ‘The se‘cond party, led by Donn Thomas, & brother, took up the search early to- day in the lower part of the park, and ted to work upward during the Police of No. 14 precinct were ered by their commander to keep a CHECK FORGERY SUSPECT PLACED UNDER ARREST Police Court Probation Slip Is Found in Prisoner’s Pocket by Detectives. ‘Wanted to answer a charge of hav- ing forged the name of Dr. William F. Fernis, 204 F street, to a check for 320 and passing it at a local business house, Robert Arthur Dunn, 36 years old, was arrested at his home, 70 Rhode Island avenue, early this morning by Detec- tives B. W. Thompson, Eugene Davis and Benjamin Johnson of the check squad. Dunn had previously been arrested on a bad check charge and in his pocket was found a Police Court probation slip, which, he stated, resulted from his arrest and frial for alleged intoxi- cation Dunn is said by the detectives to have admitted forging the name of the physician to the check involved in the present complaint and also that he passed three other bad checks. e FATHER ARRESTED THROUGH MISHAP Non-Support Charge Made Against Carl Bullis—Others Hurt in Traffic. Minor injuries received in a traffic accident late yesterday led to the arrest of Carl Bullis, 30 years old, of the 200 block Seventh street southwest, on a charge of non-support of his minor children after police had been unsuc- cessfully searching for him since July 22. Policeman Charles F. Cummins of No. 9 station, Who Was carrying a warrant for Bullls' arrest, chanced to investigate the mishap and recognized the man and took him in custody when he ericoun- tered Bullis at Casualty Hospital, where the latters had been taken for treat- ment for slight cuts over the left eye. Bullis sustained the lacerations when a machine In which he was riding with | Roscoe Mullican, 29, of the 600 block teenth and G streets northeast with a car operated by Lollita M. Smith, 42, of the first block of Nicholson street. Driver Is Arrested. ‘Mullican’s machine was thrown against an automobile driven by Leroy Fulner, colored, 34, of the 1400 block D street northeast by the force of the impact. lookout for the missing man while through the park, and the ited States park police also were co- operating. Altho h two launches from the har- ct cruised the river below yesterday, searching either shore for several miles, they could find no trace of Thomas. ‘Woman Reports Floating Body. ‘A woman previously had reported seeing a body in the river near Chain Bridge, but police believe she must have been fooled by a log or some other ob- Ject floating on the water. ‘Thomas, who is 42 years old and re- sides at 3710 ,Military road, was last seen about 3 o'clock Tuesday after- noon, his ly learned last night. At that time, &pparently in the best of health and spirits, he called at the Dis- trict Title Co. to examine some papers. Thomas, business associates said, was well dressed and seemed to be cheerful and ‘normal. When he left he pre- sumably was returning to his offices, at No. 1 Thomas circle. ‘Word also came to the family last night that another friend had seen Thomas in his automobile Tuesday aft- ernoon at Sixteenth and Harvard streets, making a turn as if he intended 1o enter Rock Creek Park. Attack by Thugs Held Possible. The party, headed by Donn Thomas, will make a search from this point on the theory that the missing man, as was Seriated spot. T Js possinie they polat spot. possible, they point- ed out, that he may have been attacked by thugs while in some remote region of the park, and his automobile might have been stolen and later abandoned. ‘The keys had been removed and the ignition locked when the car was dis- covered by Donn Thomas, who had driven from end to end of the District all day looking for the machihe. No gas was in the car at the time, but whether it had run out while the car ‘was in operation or had been siphoned from the tank later by thieves could not be determined. A night watchman, stationed at the bridgehead, a stone’s throw from where the car had been parked on the side of the road, was questioned by investi- gators, but could not recall having seen the car there at any time. He said he was mobile was left at some time later than daybreak Wed- nesday. 8o far as his family has been able to learn, Thomas had only pocket change on him Tuesday, and made no preparation for going away. Bloodhounds Believed Futile. ‘Mrs. Thomas suggested last night to Police Inspector Willlam H. Harrison that bloodhounds be used in an effort to pick up Thomas' trail from where the automobile was found. ‘While bloodhounds have been known to pick up a trail several days old, after scenting clothes of the man to be trailed, police said there was little hope that anything could be gained from their use. Too many people have in the vicinity, they pointed out. and showers have fallen since the car was located. Priends and associates of Thomas say that while he has suffered business reverses recently, he appeared to taks them with optimism and was cheerfully assured that they could be repaired. Another launch was dispatched from the harbor precinct today to search the Potomac. TS R e HERBERT L. ROYCE DIES Former Employe of Union Trust Co., 81, Ill Two Years. Herbert L. Royce, long connected with the Union: Trust Co., here, died yesterday at his residence, 4612 Hunt avenue, Chevy Chase, Md., after an liness of two years. He was 81 years old. Coming to Washington when a young man, Mr. Royce, a native of Wilming- ton, Del., entered.the employ of the Union Trust Co. On his retirement several months ago he held the posi- tion of custodian of the safe deposit de) ent. m survived by a son, Hugh G. Royce, and four daughters, Miss Rose L. Royce, Miss Mabel V. Royce, Mrs. Mary Royce King and Mrs. Helen Royce Kakoyannis. ral services will be held at 1 tomorrow afternoon at the late Burial will be in Glenwood POLICE VACANCIES EXIST are seeking applicants for posi- | the man failed to reap) Fulner was arrested for operating on &n umreii';emut and released on $10 col- lateral. A sprained back and shock were suf- fered by Mrs. Iva S. Phillips, 32 years of the Cleveland telephone ex- B street southwest, collided at Four-, WASHINGTON, Pal 9 D. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1930. i PARKING FACILITIES | INU.S. BUILDINGS ARE RECOMMENDED Committee Suggests Small Charge to Government Employes for Space. METHOD SEEN SOLUTION OF TRIANGLE CONGESTION Principle Already. Established in New Structure for Internal Revenue Bureau. This s the sizth of a series of ar- ticles on the parking and parage prob- iem in Washington, with the results of the studies and the recommendations made, on _behal/ of the Automobile Parking Compittee, "comprising varied Tnterests ‘of bhe city. . The. commitice was proposed dy Lieut Col. U. S. Grant, drd, director of public buildings and pud- lic "parks, who acted as its chairman. While the report was summariced in news articles at the time it was made, interest in the subject has prompted this series, the seventh of which will ap- pear tomorrow. BY DONALD A. CRAIG. Construction of the new Government buildings with self-contained space for automobiles of the employes of each building, to be furnished for all-day parking at a small charge to cover op- erating expenses and a part of the con- struction cost—the whole not to exceed | what is termed a ‘“reasonable” rate—is the solution of the parking problem for automobiles of Government employes recommended 'by the Automobile Park- ing Committee of Washington after its v‘.';)reful study of all phases of the ques- n. ‘The committee started out with the realization that the great number of Government employes who use motor cars to come and go to the departments in which they work, especially in the so-called Government triangle, where buildings now are being erected, is one of the most important problems it must solve, This proposal, according to the com- mittee, is directly in line with many notable examples of Federal buildings throughout the country, where in con- struction they have taken a definite leadership in the provision of off-street loading facilities. This is particularly noteworthy in connection with Federal Reserve Bank buildings and has long been generally practiced in post office construction. Principle Established. old, of 1483 Newton street, chief op- erator esterday afternoon when an aul e drlvenyby her husband, Law- rence F. Phillips, 36, collided with an- other machine at Sixteenth and Newton treets. ” Mrs. Phillips was taken to Emer- gency Hospital for treatment, while the driver of the second car, James W. Brooks, 48, of 1712 Be\-gnuemh street, was arrested by tenth ‘precinct police and charged with reckless driving. He was released on $25 collateral. ‘Samuel Keemle, 68 years old, of the Chastleton Apartments, Sixteenth R streets, was taken to Hospital yesterday afternoon erations of the head and a fracture of the leg after he was run down at Sixteenth and P streets by an automobile operated by Leslie C. Gar- nett, 21 East Melrose street, Chevy Chase, Md. His condition is said to be undetermined, Brothers Are Injured. A ) ene Fletcher, 20 years old, an hlfu:roth!r ‘Wward, 23, both of Ken- sington, Md., were brought to Emer- gency Hospital here yesterday with in- sustained in an automobile ac- cident near Bethesda, Md. Eugene was suffering from lacerations of the face, while his brother was treated for & ible fracture of the shoulder and bruises of the m::: tBi:vlh were dis- | issed after treatment. mmmn Mueller, 51, of 2615 L street was arrested on a reckless driving charge last night by third precinct police after his automobile crashed into a street car rated by Motorman Harvey Moses, ¢ Connecticut avenue, at Twenty-sixth and P streets. Taylor Hartford, 43 years old, who lives with Mueller, sustained abrasions of the forehead in the accident. He declined treatment. MOVING DAY FOR POLICE 1S SET FOR WEDNESDAY Transfer of Headquarters to Walker Building, Scheduled Tomorrow, Unavoidably Postponed. The Police Department’s moving day has been postponed again. The date set now is next Wednesday.- Previously the date had been tomorrow, but it proved impossible to make all the ar- rangements on time, and hence the delay. Tgc move will be made to the Walker Bullding, which housed the entire Dis- trict government 30 years ago, located at 462 Louisiana avenue, opposite the Police Court Bu&nlnz. ‘The Traffic Bu- reau and office the director of traffic have already been installed in this building. The Police Department, de- tective headquarters and city refuse de- partment are the ones to move next Wednesday. The move is designed to give other departments housed at the though the exact plans as to which de- partments will get the vacated space have not yet been completed. The municipal architect’s office and the Highway Department are the ones ex- pected to benefit most. GAS STATION EMPLOYE HELD ON TWO CHARGES Reports Robbery, but Is Said Later to Have Confessed Loaning Money to Pay Yor Liquor. Charles T. Seymour, 45 years old, of 49 Bates street, was charged with cm- bezzlement of $103 and making a false police report, by Detective Sergt. John Dahiglish and Leo Murray, today, upon completion of an investigation into an alleged robbery at a Lord Baltimore filling station at Florida and Rhode Island avenues, yesterday. Seymour, manager of station, honed police yesterday afternoon and said that a colored man ran into his office, snatched $103 and fled. When questioned by detectives this morning, Seymour is said to have con- fessed to loaning the money to a col- ored man to pay for a load of liquor, in return for which he was to receive the logn r, he decided R 3 tt, superintendent | $130 within 15 minutes after gfi‘:flr‘ g,thr‘:flch.ll of the de- | was made. He told detectives that when totaling 60. are Maj. in Teoancies ber 1. fes this | to Y mm.mt,nvumnc report; & expected before Beptem- mbbery.g:muy. our, Who is being held at the first is to be arraigned in Police Court mopning. Disirict Building more elbow room, al- | ;. “With respect to physical exterlors, the proposal is in no manner inconsis- tent with the beauty or utility of the design as advanced,” says the commit- tee. “Provisions have been made in connection with several of the triangle group buildings to provide vehicular connections ‘between adjacent roadways and interigr courts, and, indeed, vehicu- lar ramps have been provided leading from court to basement level. The handling of commercial movements, as well as provision for parking facilities, would seem to urge an expansion of these tentative provisions. The prin- ciple of providing parking space in con- nection with the structures has been definitely established in a limited man- ner through ‘gmflslon for space for 70 vehicles e new Internal Revenue Buil & Studies thus far indicate that the total employe demand for more than 5,000 parking spaces can be within the group as now designed with but a slight limitation upon available office space. It is recommended that garage facili- ties be incos ted providing for stor- age space of approximately 1,000 cars in each of five buildings composing the group. “The garaging space should occupy such part of the basement area as can be reserved from movements requiring the handling of materials,” adds the re- port. “In addition the structure should extend upward in the center of the building to a height equal to approxi- mately the fourth or fifth floor level, oc- cupying the entire court and such s| in the building proper as would otl wise be devoted to the interior tier of offices. _Above the garage level the normal floor plan of office space should be resumed. Has Many Advantages. “It will be moted that this recom- mendation has numerous advantages. The major part of the area is composed of court space not avallable for office occupancy. The office space eliminated by the extension of the ga- rage structure into the building proper eliminates the office space which is the least desirable from the standpoint of heat, light and ventilation. The tht of the garage structure is such that large volume, high-speed ramps, suit- able for self. king, can be used. At no point would the garage structure be exposed to the exterior of the building, the only possible evidence of its exist- ence so far as dsign is concerned would be the entries, which in principle are already incorporated in the building de- sign. There is no question but that reasonable provision in design and con- struction would eliminate any possible disadvantages which the garage might have because of its proximity to work- ing space.” This plan makes smple provision, it is held, for the efficient handling of all materials without any possible disturb- ance of street traffic or the occupants. Government-owned cars used in connec- tion with official business{conducted in the building and those jacent would ve permanent and convenient hous- ing. Executive officers would have available space for personal cars used in connection with official business or personal transportation. The 5,000 cars daily used by employes in the Tri- angle group would have adequate hous- . in convenient location to their owners' work. “There would be permanent protec- tion against parking pressure resulting in a distorted use or development of the Government areas within or adja- cent to the triangle,” says the com- mittee. “It is apparent that the Government is under no legal obligation to its em-~ ployes to facilitate any means of transs portation ,which they may desire to use. It is equally apparent, however, that the concentration of Government employes the triangle group, in view of the large percentage of motor cars used, creates a critical transporta- tion problem which it is probable can- not be handled in a satisfactory man- ner other than by constructive Gov- In the study of Gov- trans) ition habits ot 23,815 indicated that they were owners of automoblles and that 13,394, or 23.6 cent of the total reporting, reported Mey used thlelr lu'nmn&l: as ': means o portation Some Willing to Pay. “The question was asked of the own- ers of automobiles as to how much they ‘would be willing to pay for the use of a conveniently ted garage, if street were mnot available. the total 22,815 owners of auto- = PUNPS TRANSFER MAY. INGREASE MARVLAND WATER Suburban Commission Con- siders Putting Burnt Mills Equipment in D. C. REGARDED FAVORABLY Connection With Main at Georgia Avenue and Fern Stfeet Proposed. o U Removal of a pump from the recently closed Burnt Mills station to a second pumping station within the District of Columbia was contemplated by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Com- mission today as the latest step in its effort to supply nearby Maryland with sufficient water for all purposes. Although arrangements are still ten- tative, the commission will make appli- cation to the District water department today for permission to install a tempo- rary’ pumping station at Georgia ave- nue and Fern street, using the pump from Burnt Mills. The application is sald to be regarded favorably by the District authorities. Would Increase Pressure. If permission is given, the pump, which has a capacity of 2,500,000 gal- lons a day, will be connected on the 20- inch main on the District third high level system. This would greatly in- crease the pressure and supply in the Takoma Park-Silver Spring area, with corresponding benefit in the gravity mains serving Prince Georges County. Another possible effect of the new pumping station would be the cutting Off of the emergency connection at Mount Rainier. Water now received through this connection causes cross cureents and stirs up the water in the Maryland mains. Water can be taken from the District system better through the Georgia avenue connection, T. How- ard Duckett, commission chairman, sald, and the people now served by the Mount Rainier connection will receive clearer water if their supply comes through the commission’s pipes from Silver Spring. Belt Road Station. One pumping station within the Dis- trict was installed earlier in the week at Fessenden street and Belt road, and raised the pressure sufficient to_allow sprinkling of shrubbery and flowers ughout the sanitary district. Mr. Duckett also stated today that & force of men is now at work cleaning up the refuse that has been accumulat- ing along the northwest branch because of the lack of sufficlent water to carry it away. WHALEN ANSWERS SUIT FOR $23,350 Attorney Declares He Returned Money With Interest to Plaintiff. Robert E. J. Whalen, local Jawyer, has filed answer to the suit for $23,350 re- cently brought against him by Miss Annie J. Hurley of Hyattsville in the District Supreme Court. Whalen ad- mits the receipt of the various sums mentioned in the declargtion filed through A#torneys H. Winsh# Wheatley and H. Winship Wheatley, jr., but as- serts that, with the exception of $350, which he recelved as a retainer when employed by Miss Hurley, all the money was returned to her June 6, 1930, at her home in Hyattsville and he declares he holds her receipt. ‘Through Attorney Joseph A. Cantrel, the lawyer says he was retained by Miss Hurley December 11, 1927, for the purchase of property adjoining her home in Hyattsville and received $3,000 to be used for that purchase. He de- clared Miss Hurley directed that the money be not so used, and knew that it was not being so used, from that date until June 6, 1930, when the money was returned with interest. She then gave him a written acknowledgement of the receipt, he says. ‘Whalen admits receilving other sums, totaling $20,000, at various times as charged by Miss Hurley, but asserts they were not used as directed with the full knowledge of his client and were repald to her June 6, 1930, when the first $3,000 was paid. ‘Whalen recently pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging embezzle- ment returned against him by the Dis- trict grand jury in connection with the receipt of $23,000 from Miss Hurley. He is at liberty on bail. JANITORS TO FACE TRIAL IN POTOMAC BANK CASE Man Arrested in Connection With Alleged Binding of Employe Given Release. Leroy Cooper, colored, 25 years old, of the 2600 block of P street, who was disarmed and arrested early yesterday morning after he was aileged to have bound Cosma Boyd, colored, janitor in the Potomac Savings Ba where he formerly had been employed, is sched- uled for a hearing in Police Court to- morrow morning. ‘Walter Samuel Carter, colored, of the 2700 block of N street, who was ar- rested in connection with the investiga- tion of the affair, was released, police definitely determining he had no con- nection with Cooper. DR. JUST GOES ABROAD Address at Padua Gathering. Dr. Ernest E. Just, head of the de- partment of zoology of Howard Univer- sity and vice president of the American Association_of Zoologists, sailed yester- day from New York for Padua, Italy, Where he will be one of six speahers at i the general session of the eleventh In- ternational Congres of Zoologists Sep- tember 4-11. Dr. Just plans to return late in September. e s The remainder reporting, 5,712, indi- | Supreme Court, cated that they would be willing to pay from Sc to 50c. The classification by amounts is as follows: 643, 5c; 2,701, 10c; . 1,080, 15¢c; 372, 20c; 902, 25¢; 14 30c; 25, 35¢; 3, 40c; 1, 45¢; 21, 50c. “While it would be improper to predi- cate results on answers to the ques- tionnaire, it seems fair to assume that g:re 18 I‘VM'! part of use automobiles pay 8 reasonable amount for their storage if the facilities are avallable. v BY LOCAL OFFICIALS} — Building today. The display is under t) he direction of Miss E. A. F. Holzer. | PAGE B-1 - UNIT RULE LOSES | INLEGION SESSION Samples of the work done in the relay classes of the Summer school, put on exhibition at Franklin Administration —Star Staff Photo RAIN TO CONTINUE; TOTALS .19 OF INCH Light Showers for Capital| Tonight Promise Further Drought Relief. ‘With encouragement offered through | the best rainfall in the District of Co- | lumbia since July 31, further relief from | the drought was promised by the | ‘Weather Bureau today in the form of | light showers this afternoon or early to- | night. The temperature is expected to remain approximately the same for the next 36 hours. ‘The rainfall yesterday up to 8 o'clock last night amounted to .11 of an inch and an additional .08 had fallen be- tween that time and 10 o'clock todsy, making a total of .19 since yesterday morning. This is in comparison with .23 of an inch which fell on July 31, Rain General Along Coast. The showers here are a part of a general rain along the East coast, origi- nating at the Gulf of Mexico. From the Gulf the rain passed on through Ala- bama, touched Northern Georgia and then reached the Carolinas and touched the whole coast up through Maine. “Mostly fair” is promised by the ‘Weather Bureau for the District tomor- Tow. The lowest temperature here was 64, degrees, reached at 3 o'clock this morn- ing. It had gone up to 65 degrees at 8 o'clock and at 10 stood at 69 degrees. In addition to the rains along the coast last night, heavy rains are re- ported in Tennessee and light rains in Michigan. Showers also have fallen during the past 24 hours in the Rocky Mountain rlflon, the Southern plain States, the Ohio Valley, Tennessee and in Northern Arkansas. Disturbance Reported. ‘The Weather Bureau reports that showers are expected in the Middle Atlantic States and North Carolina tonight, while showers also are expected in the New England States and in the South Atlantic States from South Caro- lina Southward to Elorida tonight and Saturday. A disturbance of slight intensity is reported moving slowly over the St. Lawrence Valley, With a pressure of 29.86 inches being registered at Mon- treal and pressure is relatively low over Oklahoma, with 29.80 inches, the bureau points out. An area of high pressure is moving east-northeastward south of Newfoundland and at Cape Race a pressure of 30.24 inches is registered. TRAFFIC BLOCKING BAN IS TIGHTENED Crosby Instructs Police to Tag Drivers Who Park in For- bidden Lanes. Police have been instructed by Com- missioner Herbert B. Crosby to pay special attention to automobiles parked Howard U. Zoologist to Deliver| in such a way as to obstruct the flow of traffic. This, Crosby said today, must not be regarded as a special “drive,” or . paign,” but simply as a necessary activity if traffic is to move smoothly. The particular type of parking regu- lations he has in mind, he said, are such as prohibit parking on the flow sides of streets in the morning and afternoon rush hours. The parking of a single car on a street at such a time will take a lane out of the space’ on the street available for traffic. Crosby said that ticketing cars for staying five minutes over the hour in the restricted zone or failing to have a rear lamp lighted on a well lighted street at night did not appeal to him as lerkmx offenses anywhere nearly as serious as parking in such a ‘way as to obstruct the easy flow of traffic, and that the police had been instruc only to tag the latter class of cars, but also to follow up their tickets ener- getically. CAPON TAXPAYERS WIN Speclal Dispatch to The Star. ROMNEY, W. Va., August 15.—Capon district taxpayers’ temporary injunction against the district board of education, restraining them from laying a levy for the maintenance of Capon-Bl Hl{h School, held in a before Judge G. K. Kump and junction was made for the board . Visitor Robbed of $35. ‘Willlam Fry Bun!f of Berkeley, W. Va., st at 417 street north- Male Child Is Born With Two Heads And Three Arms «Special Dispatch to The Star. DANVILLE, Va., August 15.—1It had not been determined today whether a curious biological freak born here would be turned over to some mu- seum or medical institution or be buried. The freak is in the form of the body of & male infant with two perfectly formed heads on a single body containing two sets of vital organs from the diaphragm up and three arms, the third member protruding from the back midway between the shoulders at a point be- tween the two necks correspond- g to the position of the outside rms. All of the extra members and vital organs were normal in all re- spects. with the exception of the hand of the third arm, this hav- ing the same appearance on both sides. There were two hearts and two sets of lungs, one on each side of the single trunk. Dr. M. E. Mease, the physician in the case, reports the mother as doing nicely. The infant lived 10 minutes after birth. BOOTH APPOINTED T0 FACULTY POST Chief Justice of Claims Court Professor in National U. Law School. Chief Justice Fenton W. Booth éf the United States Court of Claims has been appointed professor of the elements of Anglo-American jurisprudence at Na- tional University Law School, accord- ing to an announcement made today for Dr. Charles F. Carusi, chancellor of the university and president of the Dis- trict of Columbia Board of Education. Justice Booth, whose enlistment at National brings the total number ot Federal judges actively engaged on that faculty to six, will begin his professorial duties with the opening of the :xu term September 27. Justice Booth, who was born at Marshall, Ill, May 12, 1869, was graduated from the high school of that city. He sul juently was educated at Depaw University and at the Univer- city of Michigan, from which he took the bachelor of laws degree. He was admitted to the bar in 1892 and was a member of the fortieth General As- sembly of Illinois. He was appointed Jjudge in the Court of Claims March 17, 1905, and was made chief justice of that tribunal in 1928. Judge Booth's jurist associates on the National University faculty are: Justices Prederick L. Siddons, .Jennings Bailey and Peyton Gordon of the Dis- trict Supreme Court; Justice C. H. Robb of the District Court of Appeals and Judge Charles 8. Hatfleld of the Court of Customs Appeals. . MISS CORA CURRY ENDS 48 YEARS’ U. S. SERVICE Chief of Department of Commerce Accounts Division Receives Floral Tributes. Retiring after 48 years of continuous service with the Government, Miss Cora C. Curry, chief of the Accounts Division of the. Department of Com- merce, yesterday was the reciplent of congratulations and floral tributes. AY{hnulh 78 years of age, Miss Cur- Ty's ability in the office over which she had supervised for the past 20-odd years had caused her superiors to seek an extension of time in the service for her, but she was forced to retire under the terms of the recently enacted civil service retirement law. Miss Curry is the daughter of W. W. Curry of Indianapolis, Ind., who occu- pled a prominent post in the Pension Office many years ago. She was born in Oxford, Ohio. She joined the Fed- not | eral service in 1882 and in 1884 became cnn‘ecud with the Bureau of Naviga- tion. She later went to the Accounts Division, where she had been for the past 25 years. Girard street. e WOMAN ORDERED AWAY er Theft Buspect on Condition. i i E‘ H 5! 53 i ¥ gox 5i ) Wi on Missouri avenue near ‘Third street about 12:30 o'clock this met a _colored Gave‘r::l,mznt mnlw:wg ton. _g.eh £ : | 3 a Miss Curry makes her home at 1420 RADIO*MENTALIST” IS UNDER INQUIRY Maj. Pratt Orders Probe Into Activities of Gayle Norman. Gayle Norman, radio “psychologist |and mentalist,” to whom scores of Washington men and fomen have con- fided their innermost secrets and domes- AFTER HARD FIGHT Delegates to Vote According to Post Instructions—Many Nominations Are Made. COGSWELL AND MACNEIL COMMANDER CHOICES Election Tonight Climax of D. C. Department Annual Con- vention. At a session marked by debate for several hours over the so-called “unit rule,” the District of Columbia Depart- ment of the American Legion nomi- nated officers and adopted part of s list of many resolutions last night in ‘Western High Sthool. The meeting was the second one of the twelfth annual convention of the department, which will be concluded with the election of officers and adoption of other resclu- tions in the school tonight. ‘Theodore Cogswell, register of wills for the District and a member of the Augustus P. Gardner Post, and Dr. B. C. MacNeil of the Quentin Roosevelt Post were nominated to oppose each other for the office of department com- mander. A lively contest is anticipated for tonight by their supporters. Mr. Cogswell's name was placed in nomi- nation by Past Depgrtment Comdr. J. Miller Kenyon, while Eugene A. Cos- tello placed Dr. MacNeil's name in nomination. Richard A. O'Brien of Costello Post and F. G. Fraser, commander of Sergt. Jasper Post, were nominated for the office of first vice commander. How- ard F. Bresee, commander of the Ken- neth H. Nash Post, was the sole nom- inee for the office of second vice com- mahder. . Nomination of Others. Others nominated at last night's meeting were: Miss Jane M. Breen, commander of tic troubles and paid $1 for the mental relief that he broadcasts oyer Station | WOL, is under investigation today by the fraud squad of the Detective Bureay. The inquiry was ordered by Maj. Henry G. Pratt, superintendent of po- lice, when a transcript was submitted to answer periods conducted over WOL. Maj. Pratt sald before ordering the investigation he conferred with Acting Corporation Counsel Vernon West, who told him that legal action against the radio “psychologist and mentalist” is possible if some of those who paid him $1 for answers to their questions would ;?pnr as complaining witnesses im. Prophesying the future for out a permif is a violation of the Dis- trict code, according to Maj. Pratt. Norman, in all of his broadcasts, how- ever, has insisted that he did not pos- sess occult powers and that his answers to questions were based on psychologi- cal reactions. The several weeks that Norman has been broadeasting have been profitable ones for him, it ;ns said at WOL. His contract, howevef, expires tomorrow. LeRoy Mark, owner and operator of WOL, issued the following statement: “Prof. Norman approached the sta- tion for the purchase of time to bread- cast his feature, producing letters from many reputable stations throughout the country recommending in the high- est terms. These letters he left with the broadcasting company and they ‘with- United States supervisor of radio, on August 7, who read them all very care- fully and stated that he could see no objection to such a feature. “The day Prof. Norman went on the air Mr. Mark called a prominent offi- cial in the District government with ample authority over the telephone, told him the facts of the broadcast and asked if it was necessary for Prof. Nor- man to obtain a license, that he was only going to be here temporarily, probably two or three weeks, and if it was necessary for him to be licensed he would be glad to send him down there to comply with the law; that he was selling a booklet for $1 and answering questions, This official informed Mr. Mark he did not think it would be nec- essary, owing to his short stay and its being radio broadsasting. The hroad- casting company then to put on his talks. “Mr. Mark said the broadcasting sta- tlon is primarily interested in the sale of its time. “Prof. Norman arrived here from Bal- timore, presented these credentials and asked the broadcasting company the price of their time on the air, signed a_contract for it, and with the tele- phone approval of the official of the District government he was put on the alr. And with the station taking the extra precaution of bringing the matter to the attention of the radio inspectors, we are inclined to believe that WOL has not broken faith with the public or put anything over their microphone that is not entirely in keeping with the dignity of the station, which en- Joybsuihe confidence of the Washington public.” BANDITS ARE THWARTED IN ATTEMPTED HOLD-UPS Call for Police Scares Man Who Attacked Storekeeper—Woman Foils Footpad. A grocery store robbery and a hold- up were frustrated late vesterday aft- ernoon and last night when cries of the intended victims frightened away the bandits. A colored man took to his heels after striking Willlam Weigmann, old grocer, of 400 New York avenue when the latter screamed for police when the would-be robber hit him over him of one of Norman's question and | Lewis were shown to Mr. Arthur Batcheller, [ W: the U. 8. 8. Jacob Jones Post, and Miss Marjorie_Woodzell, commander of the Jane A. Delano Post, nominated for the office of third vice commander; Rev. Howard E. Snyder of George Washing- ton Post, nominated for re-election to the office of department chaplain; John Smith, past department com- mander and mémber of George Wash- ington Post, and Paul J. McGahan, nominated for the office of national executive committeeman, and ,William ‘Wolff Smith, nominated for re-election as national executive committeeman alternate. Mr. McGahan is the present national executive committeeman. Dele- against | gates and alternates to the national convention of the Legion are to be nominated at tonight’s session and el 4 2 A lengthy debate over the “unit rule” as to whether a delegation should cast its votes as a unit or split them, resulted in the adoption of a resolution to the delegates from any post to vote in accordance with instructions from their post—casting their entire vote for a candidate or splitting it. The convention adopted a resolution urging ‘“the Congress of the United States and all others in authority” toward building up the United States Navy to the maximum strength allowed under the London Naval Treaty. Memorial Building Urged. The building of & memorial in the National Capital to all those who served in the military service during the World ar was in a resolution. The resolution urged Representative Robert Luce, sponsor of Emgosed legislation for such a memq to seek to have the memorial “take the form of a building to include an auditorium and rooms in which war memorials and trophies may be_stored. ‘Watson B. Miller, past department commander and chairman of the Na- tional Rehabilitation Committee of the Legion, was commended in a resolution for the work he has done in the cause of disabled American veterans. An- other resolution expressed regret over the recent death of Maj. Gen. Charles ‘T. Menoher, retired, former Chief of the Army Air Corps. A copy of the latter resolution was ordered sent to the family. Another resolution was adopted ask- ing that salaries of fleld employes of the United States Veterans’ Bureau that have been reduced due to the “ex- tension of the classification act into the field” be restored to their original amount. Legislation was urged for this purpose. Information Drive Urged. erans of their right to renew their in- surance at the Veterans' Bureau, un- der rights given them through legisla- tion enacted in 1928. M. E. Zumwinkle, past commander of the Department of Minnesota, in a brief address before the convention, urged that the American Legion make world peace one of its main objectives. ‘The resolutions adopted last night had been reported on favorably by the resolutions committee, Clyde ~Stovall, chairman. Among resolutions which the dele- gates expect to be brought before the conveption tonight is one advocating the repeal of the eighteenth amend- ment. ar resolution has been considered in committee many times before; delegates say, but has been killed in committee before it could reach the convention proper. RAINFALL CHECKS BIG FOREST FIRES Drought Conditions, However, Are Little Relieved in Nearby States. the head with a blunt instrument in Judge Suspends Sentence on:Sweat- & By the Associated Press. BALTIMORE, August 15.—Maryland and Virginia got rain yesterday, the first of any col ence in 49 days, but to relieve the drought my