Evening Star Newspaper, January 29, 1931, Page 17

BILL T0 PRONIBIT | “PULL” IN FEDERAL JOBS 1S OFFERED Representative Stone Would Bar Officials From Aiding Their Relatives. HOLDS MEASURE MOVE TO AID UNEMPLOYED Would Affect Congress Members as Well as Other Employes and Executive of Government. Representative Stone, Republican of Oklahoma, today introduced a bill ‘which, broadly would prevent any Gov- ernment official, including members of Congress, from assisting any relative to secure employment from the Govern- ment. The Stone bill would make it unlawful “for any executive, legislative, minis- terial or judicial officer to appoint or vote for the appointment of any per- son related to him by affinity or con- sanguinity within the third degree to any clerkship, office, position, employ- ment or duty in any department of the United States Government of which | such officer is a member when the sal- ary, wage, pay or compensation is to be paid out of the public funds or fees of such office.” Hits “Pay Roll Racketeering.” The bill makes further very definite prohibition against what Representative Stone characterizes as “pay roll racket- eering.” In 8 statement tcday in ex- planation, Representative Stone said that “after an examination of the of- ficlal report of the Sccretary of the Benate in the annual report of the clerk of the House,” he finds, “that wives and relatives of members are being- carried on the pay roll at high salaries, when it is a well known fact that they perform practically no labor to ean this salary.” “The present serious condition,” Mr. Stone pointed out, “where there are over 5,000,000 walking the streets seex- ing employment and unable to support their families, many of whom are ex- service men, fully able and competent to hold the positions now held by rela- tives of members of Congress, has caused me to prepare this bill, pat- terned after the law now in effect in the State of Oklahoma and known as the ‘nepotion law.’ If this was enacted into law, it would stop this cheap form of pay roll racketeering now practiced by many members of both Houses of Congress and by the heads of the Gov- ernment Departments in the District of Columbia. Cites Own District. “I have especially noted that those members of both houses of Congress who have assailed President Hoover for his stand on various appropriaticns for relief of suffering and those who have ‘fdenounced the administration in the severest terms are guilty of this prac- tice. “I have similar conditions in my dis- trict with reference to the unemployed and 1 have used every effort to relieve the situation and have employed de- serving people and placed them cn the pay roll. If the bill which I have pre- pared is adopted by Congress, several hundred deserving ex-service men and their wives would be able to secure em- ployment.” FUNERAL ARRANGED Three of the cast of the George Washington Troubadours who will appear at the Bal Boheme at the Willard Hof Christine Spignul, Margaret Maxwell and Dorothy Schenken.—Star Staff Photo. @he Foening Star WASHINGTON, D. C, 1 tel next Monday night. Left to right: SHITHBOND TUDY BECUN BY AUDITOR Securities Holders Crowd Room as Hearing on Status of Investments Opens. A. Leftwitch Sinclair, auditor of the District Supreme Court, today began a hearing on the status of the investments in bonds issued on the security of the F. H. Smith Building, at 815-17 Fif- teenth street. The rooms of the audi- tor were crowded as the hearing opened. Last May the District Supreme Court appointed Herbert L. Davis and Charles H. Baker as collectors of the rentals of the Smith Building following a suit by Grace Cauldwell, a bondholder, through Attorney W. Gwynn Gardiner. Refer- ence was made fo the auditor to state the account of the collectors and h: sent nctices to a number of the bond- holders and advertised for all such as desired to attend the hearing. The bondholders were sumriioned that they might hear the testimony given, make statements, if desired, and be- come informed of the exact situation pertaining to their investments. Sinclair will report to the court his findings and recommendations in con- nection with the compensation of the collectors and other matters contained in the order of reference. SENATORS DISCUSS GAS LIGHT MERGER | Howell Wants Amendment to Bar Going Concern Value in All Future Valuations. FOR CHARLES M. SHINN| ..., coveence are eing e Masonic Rites to Mark Burial of | Veteran Washington News- paper Man. Masonic Fites will mark the burial tomorrow of the late Charles M. Shinn, member of the editorial staff of The Evening Star for the last 33 years, who died Tuesday night from a sudden heart attack after a few days’ illness. Mr. Shinn was in his eighty-fourth year and was one of the oldest active news- paper merf in thé country. Funeral services will be held at his residence, 1302 Floral street, at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. Godfrey Chobot, pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, which Mr. Shinn attended for many years, will officiate. At the grave in_ Congressional Cemetery, Masonic services will be conducted under the, auspices of Hope Lodge No. 20, F. A. A. | M. of this city. Mr. Shinn was an| honorary member of this lodge and at the time of his death was the oldest past master, and he also was a member | of Crusade Commandery No. 6, Knights | Templar, of Fairmant, W. Va. Repre- ! sentatives of the Knights Templar will | attend the services tomorrow. Despite his advanced years, Mr. Shinn continued work, as he had always hoped | - to be able to do, up to his recent illness. | HELLMUTH RITES SET Funeral Services for Navy Yard Worker to Be Held Saturday. Funeral services for John S. Hell- muth, an employe in the disbursing office at_the Navy Yard for 15 years, will be held Saturday morning, at 9 oclock, at the home of his brother, William Hellmuth, 3416 Twenty-second street ncrtheast. Requiem mass will be held at St. Mary's Church at 9:30, fol- lowed by interment in St. Mary’s Cem- etery. Mr. Hellmuth, who lived at 1818 Kal- orama road, was born in Washington. He was 50 years old. a veteran of the Spanish-American War, during which he served in the Navy. He was a mem. ber of the Knights of Columbus. Be- sides his brother, he is survived by a daughter. Mrs. Mary Polzman, and a son, Louis Hellmuth. Births Reported. The following births have been reported between Senators for and against the bill to authorize merger of the Wash- ington and Georgetown Gas Light nothing definite has developed thus far. Senator Howell of Nebraska, who is | opposing the bill, wants a provision that no allowance be made for going concern value in future valuations. He contends that for & long period of years the earnings were such that the development was provided by consumers rather than stockholders. Senators Copeland of New York and Goff of West Virginia, who are seeking action on the bill, point out that its passage would open the way for em- ployment of a large number of men by the gas company in laying new mains Senator Howell originally had in his proposed amendment a new reduced schedule of gas rates, but since he drafted the amendment early this year the rates have been reduced by terday he wes no longer insisting on that part of his amendment. ONE-ACT PLAY IS GIVEN Author Appears in Cast of Drama Presented at Church. An original one-act musical play, by Justin Winkle, was presented las Maris Club of St. Gabriel's Church be- fore an enthusiastic audience. It may be repeated later. The playwright ppeared in & leading character vole, Frances Carrick and Kenneth Collins took the parts of an anhappily wedded couple; Matthew Fen- ton was the father, and others in the cast included Miss Margaret Fallon, Kathleen Bcker, Harold Hamiil, Paul Murphy, Ralph Collins, Gene Duckett, George Winkle, Alice and Mary How- ard, Gertrude Whiting, Philomena Pe- trone, Kathleen Tumulty, Catherine Les- ter and Francis J. Collins. the | ccmpany, and Senator Howell said yes- | NATIONAL DEFENSE | SUPPORTERS MEET ‘Women’s Patriot Conference | Draws 600 Delegates to Meetings. ‘Washington, which was the scene of anti-armament activities last week, will {now hear “the other side of the ques- tion™” as voiced by national defense sup- porters, who will speak before the dele- gates of the Sixth Women's Patriotic Conterence on National Defense, which will open at 8 o'clock tonight in Consti- tution Hall Approximately 600 delegates, repre- senting 40 women's national patriotic | organizations, have already arrived in | the city. Senator David I. Walsh of Massa- chusetts will speak this evening on “What National Defense Means,” while a former Assistant Secretary of War, Charles Burton Robbins, chairman of the American Legion National Defense Committee, will speak on “The Present | Conditign of National Defense.” Mrs. Robert Lincoln Hoyal, national precident of the American Legion Auxiliary, who will arrive in Washing- ton today, will be chariman of the con- | vention, and will address the meeting tonight. Mrs. Lowell Fletcher Hobart, presi- dent general of the Soclety of the | | Daughters of the American Revolution, will extend a welcome to the dele- gates. Mrs. Virgil McClure, national presi- dent of the American War Mothers, will a'so address the delegates. Lieut. Col. Thomas J. Dickson, U. S. A, retired, will deliver the invoca- tion, and music will be played\by the United States Marine Band. President Hoover will greet the dele- gates tomorrow at noon. The conference dinner will be held at the Willard Hotel tmorrow evening to which women members ot Congress have been invited to_attend. The conference will be concluded Sat- | urday. JOBS OPEN TO WOMEN IN POLICE DEPARTMENT Applications ‘for Posts of Guards Will Be Received Until February 14. Applications for the post of woman guards in the local Police Department will be accepted by the Civil Service Commission until February 14, it was announced today. The examination will be held in Washington only. En- trance salary is $1,200 a year. Applicants must have had at least six months’ experience guarding pris- | oners during transportation, as a_resi- dent_worker or performing housekeep- ing duties in a correctional institution, hospital or other similar institution, or one year’s experience in charge of | Women or girls, as teacher or nurse, or in_some equivalent position. Full information may be obtained at the office of the Civil Service Commis- sion, 1724 F street. 1 MRS. YOUNG RITES SET | Wife of Army Colonel Will Be Buried in Arlington Cemetery. Funeral scrvices for Mrs. Katharine V. Young, wife of Col. Glendie B. Young of 1358 Harvard street northwest, will be held at the residence Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be at Ar- lington National Cemetery. Mrs. Young is the daughter of the late Comdr. George W. Sensner, U. 8. N. HEARTS OF EX-SOLDIERS ARE GOOD, BUT FEET GIVE OUT ON BONUS HIKE Former Sergeant Determined to March All the Way Home, Ignoring “Lifts.” ‘Their hearts were good, but their {2, (be Heakin” Deparimant in b last 24 ours. Waiter nd Bessie Smith. boy. Mever J. and Eij Wiiliam Walter Willam R. nd Blan . boy. and_Louise Stark, boy. and Rogemia Myers, boy. nd Virgiina Rittenhouse, boy. Dorothy Robinson, boy. d boy. Rowen: . bo; red Burr, Caroline Heilman, Leona Kane. girl, d Francis Dufly. sirl d_Gertrude Edwards, girl. and_Annella Wilson, girl. A. Whitehouse, girl Do feet— So with a shirug, spoke Norman Let- win_one-time sergeant, with Company “Once they could have made it on a can of corned Willie, with full packs— but that was 13 years ago.” Let¥in himself was not as young as he had been. At 42 fatigue showed on him: the fatigue of a 135-mile march from Philadelphia, with unemployed veterans bent on a cash bonus. But Letwin was not satisfied with that march, Too many lifts, he sald, too many desertions. He had set out from Philadelohia Saturday to come all the long way under his own steam, he said. For a while all went well with the marchers. Then blisters developed, limbs swelled from the unaccustomed zeturn to- the old routine, Thumbs were waved, Letwin lamented, at passing motorists. The march, he said, became an ig- nominious and haphazard hitch-hike. Letwin _explained he had either to climb into the cars or be left behind. “That's no way for soldiers to march," the’ little veteran said. “They didn't travel that way in France. “I think I'm the only one of my-crowd left in Washington now. Tomorrow I'm going to march home, every step. “I'm going to get a banner, ‘Please Don’t Give This Veteran a Lift’; I'm going to put it on my shoulder and march back again. “I'm going to cover that 135 miles like the old 120th would have covered it—13 years ago.” Letwin straightened his shoulders, which had begun to droop, and marched out in search of a sign painter to fix his anti-hitch-hike banner, HUNDREDS REGEIVE DIPLOMAS AT HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES Midyear Commencements Are in Full Swing at D. C. Institutions. PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW Two-Year-Class Graduates at Busi- ness Hear Keech—Gilligan Speaks at Langley. Midyear commencement exercises for the city high schools were in full swing today, with hundreds of graduates re- ceiving their diplomas. Following the first program last night at Langley Junior High School the next to follow were those at Business High School, two-year class this morn- ing at 10 o'clock; Business High School four-year class tonight at 8 o'clock; Hine Junior High School and Columbia Junior High both this afternoon at 2 o'clock; Macfarland Junior High School this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Commencement _exercises tomorrow include Central High School at 8 o'clock; Eastern High School, four-year class, 8 o'clock; McKinley High School, 8 o'clock; Western High School, 1:45 o'clock; Jefferson Junior High School, 8 o'clock; Paul Junior High School, 2 o'clock; Powell Junior High, 2 o'clock, and Stuart Junior High, 2 o'clock. Graduates Hear Keech. The address to the two-year class graduates at Business High School this | morning was delivered by Richmond | B. Keech, people’s counsel, Public Util- ities Commission. Harry O. Hine, secre: tary of the Board of Education, presided. The invocation was by Rev. Irving W. Ketchum, and certificates were awarded by Hobert B. Riley, jr., president of the Business High School Alumni Associa- tlon. Music was by the school orches- tra, under direction of Miss Emma Louise Thompson. At _the commencement exercises of the four-year class of Business High tonight, Dr. Cloyd Heck Marvin, presi dent of George Washington University will be the principal speaker, and Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, member of the Board of Education, will preside. At Langley Junior High last night the address to the graduates was by Henry Gilligan, member of the Board of Edu- cation. = Robert L. Haycock, assistant superintendent of schools, ~presented diplomas. There was an extensive musical program, including several songs by the class of 1931 and music by the high school orchestra. Therel were also a piano duet by Katherine A. Deale and Robert M. Winfree; solo by Loraine O. Gerardi, and cello solo by Ralph B. Lanning. Claude E. Willis, jr, deliv- ered the address of welcome as presi- dent of the class: the valedictory was by Vernon L. Brooks; Grace L. Mc- Devitt read the class records, and Flor- ence C. Connolly read the class honors. Henry F. Al presented the class gift, which was received by Chester W. Holmes, principal of the school. Th invocation and benediction were by Rev. R. Y. Nicholson of the Rhode Island Avenue Methodist Protestant Church. Exercises at Abbott. Graduation exercises also were held at Abbott Vocational School last night, with address to the graduates by Capt. L. H. Dimmick, who also presented the | diplomas. Honors announced by W. F. Smith, principal, went to the followinfi: Shop work—Joseph Brown, first honors; Clif- ford Klein, second honors. Academic work—First honors, Carl Gabsch; sec- ond honors, Joseph Brown; present every day for two years, Joseph Brown; never tardy, Joseph Brown and Noble Rice. Several songs were presented by the school, and papers were read on “The Seasoning of Lumber,” by Brown, and on “The Develop! the Automobile,” by Paul Triplet. W. Lyles sang, and the Stuart Junior High School Orchestra played, The graduates included: Auto shop — Paul James Triplett, John Benjamin Kerns, Valentine Ghel- mini, George Francis Miller and Gilso August Gnotto. Electrical ~shop — Neil = Saunderson, Prancis William Beale and Roger Rich- ard Hensler. GSHISSED GAMING CASESAREREVVED BY U. . ATTORNEY Fitzpatrick Told to File New Charges Against Six Freed by Court. ROVER HOLDS ASSISTANT ABSOLVED FROM BLAME Schuldt Dismisses Larceny Allega- tion After Officer Fails to Appear at Hearing. United States Attorney Leo A. Rover today instructed Assistant United States Attorney John R. Fitzpatrick to file new informations in Police Court today against six persons involved in gambling cases dismissed by Judge Ralph Given in that court yesterday, when the police officers in the cases failed to appear. Mr. Rover announced that he con- sidered his assistant as absolved from any blame in connection with the dis- missals yesterday. He said in his opinion the cases were dismissed under a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Judge Gus A. Schuldt in the United States branch of the oourt today dismissed & case of larceny against a colored man because of the failure of an officer to appear for the prosecution. The defendant in the case was Paul Hill, colored, 19 Q street, charged with larceny of two overcoats from Richard Gray of the Tuberculosis Hospital. When the case came up, neither the complaining witness nor the police officer, D. G. Fletcher, answered to the call. Carried to Court Room. Fitzpatrick, the United States Attorney in this case, also told the court an officer had come to his office with the warrant on which he had arrested Hill. The officer told Fitzpatrick he wished to get rid of the warrant, but knew nothing of the case. Fitzpatrick said | further that when he refused to take the warrant, the officer carried the | document to the court room and gave it to Assistant District Attorney Wil- bert McInerney, who was prosecuting in that court. When Pitzpatrick learned of this he went to the court room and gave Judge Schuldt all the information he had pertaining to the case following which the justice dismissed the case jand ordered the prisoner released. Rover received a report from Fitz- patrick today on the six dismissals yes- any recommendation for dismissals to the court, but stated only the facts as to previous continuances and to the failure of some of the officers to notify nim that they were in attendance on the Supreme Court of the District. He said that Officer F. A. Truscott had left a slip at his office at 10:30 o'clock yesterday morning explaining that she { would be in Justice Gordon's court and Officer F. O. Brass had informed As- sistant United States Attorney Adams | on Tuesday that he and the other mem- bers of Inspector Bean's squad would | have to be in Justice Gordon's court Wednesday. These facts, reported, were made known to the court by him, but he made no recommenda- tion for dismissal. Misunderstanding Blamed. Inspector Thaddeus R. Bean, who was directed by Maj. Henry G. Pratt, super- intendent of police, to investigate the charges that the police vice squad failed to appear in court, reported this afternoon that United States Attorney | Rover had advised him that the dis- | missal of the six cases was due to a ‘misunderstanding.” No action will be taken against the officers involved, and Maj. Pratt in- dicated he was satisfied with the ouf- come of the stigation In view of the decision of Mr. Rover to have new | informations filed in Police Court | against the persons charged with gam- - | bling. Bean to Confer With Rover. Maj. Pratt pointed out that appar- ently no consideration was given the fact that the vice squad members in- volved had been in court on previous occasions when the cases were post- poned. Moreover, when the cases were called yesterday, he sald, the officers were engaged in the District Supreme Metal shop—Clifford Anthony Klein | Cous and Charles Edgar Olark. Plumbing—Arnold Louis Yuter. Print shop—Charles Anthony Dabbs, Julius De Franceschi, Karl Willlam Gabsh, Ralph Ernest Gladmon, Nobile ‘Woodrow Rice and Lewis Stanley Wolfe. Wood shop — Joseph Grant Brown and Edward Clinton Nefl. POLICE ANSWER ALARM BY RADIO IN 4 MINUTES Galvanized into action by their first radio alarm, five patrol cars last night sped to Haif and N streets southwest with two detectives, a_lieutenant and six privates, and arrived just four min- utes after a colored “fare” snatched $2 from a taxi driver and fled. The initial broadcast over police Sta- tion WPDU reached Pvts. P. C. Red- ding and R. J. Pouquette on Seventh street southwest. The alarm was tele- phoned in by Ira Neeley, the taxi driver. The Detective Bureau's radio cruiser picked up the message in Takoma Park, and soon was on the scene, followed in auick succession by emergency cars from headquarters, the fourth precinct, and a fifth police machine in charge of Lieut. S. J. Marks, The robber, police learned, escaped before Neeley could reach a telephone. The money was snatched as the driver was making change for a bill which the colored man extended to him. SECOND WEISDING 1S VOID Mrs. Mary Edith Bird Ramsey, 129 C street southeast, has been awarded by Justice Willlam' Hitz an interlocutory decree of annulment of her marriage to Harold P. Ramsey of New York, which took place at Knoxville, Tenn,, June 16, 1928. The wife said she learned recently that Ramsey had not been divorced from a former wife when he went through the marriage ceremony with her. She was represented by Attorney Jacob Halper. ‘William H. Powderly, Pittsburgh ac- countant, fainted in an elevator in the Internal Revenue Bullding, at Twelfth and C streets northwest, shortly before After receiving first aid in buildit he ourt. ‘With the Police Department inten- sively working to_stamp out gambling in Washington, Maj. Pratt indicated | that he expected close co-operation of the courts and the prosecuting officers. And for that reason, Inspector Bean was directed not only to determine whether the members of the vice squad were negligent, but to confer with Rover to ascertain whether the Police Department is getting the co-opera- tion to which it is entitled. Shortly after the cases were dis- missed Inspector Bean appeared in Police Court to ascertain on what grounds they had been dropped. He told Fitzpatrick the officérs were in Dis- trict Supreme Court when the cases were called. Fitzpatrick, however, pointed out his notices stipulated that the officers should be available in Police Court at 9:30 o'clock, while the District Supreme Court does not convene until a half hour later. He declared the offi- cers did not appear in his office at the appointed time. A similar situation came up last week, and when policemen failed to ap- pear to prosecute cases on the assign- ment list, Judge John P, McMahon con- tinued them. MKENNY FUNERAL HELD Member of Sacred Heart Church Is Buried in Mount Olivet. Funeral rites for Mary A. McKenny, {who died Tuesday at her home, 1705 Kenyon street, were held in the Shrine of the Sacred Heart this morning at 10 o'clock. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Miss McKenny, 64 years old, was a sister of the late Rev. P. J. McKenny, former president of St. Charles’ Col- lege, Baltimore. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and of the Sacred Heart Church. Two sis- ters, Agnes McKenny and Mrs. P. A. Sullivan, both of Washington, survive. WALKER RITES ARRANGED Funeral services for Philip George Walker, 2236 Q street, who died Wednesday morning, will be held at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at St. Thomas Church, Rev. George Atkin- son officiating. Burial will be in Ar- lington Cemetery. Mr. Walker served as third assistant attorney general under Woodrow Wil- son. He had been a student under President Wilson and later was & pro= fessor at Princeton Uniy I terday in which he denied that he made | Fitzpatrick | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1931. ¥R PAGE B—1 M'CARL FIRST TO BREAK OWN NEW TAX REFUNDS RULE Employes in Auditor‘s Office Cl’iuckle When Couector Refuses Controller General's Plea on $218. Employes of the District auditor's office are chuckling over the fact that Controller General J. Raymond Mec- Carl himself was the first one to break a new rule which he laid down for the auditor's office to follow on January 3. McCarl, by virtue of his position, has the power, quite frequently used, of disallowing expenditures previously al- lowed by the auditor’s office. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and a claim put in by McCarl will probably be dis- allowed. Rule Governs Refunds. ‘The rule has to do with refunds of money paid as gasoline tax, which are made in certain cases where the gaso- line is not used to pyopel motor vehicles over the streets, or where it is so used by officials of the United States on official business. The gasoline tax act specifies that all requests for refunds must be made within 30 days after pay- 99 Gas Levy. ment of the tax for which the refund is claimed. On January 3 McCarl wrote to the District Conmmissioners, pointing out that this rule had been honored more in the breach than in the observance, and concluding: “Accordingly, on and after January 1, 1931, the refund vouchers and supporting documents should show that the refund was claim- ed within 30 days of the date of d lively of the gasoline to the purchaser. Fails to Show Date. On January 21, McCarl sent in & claim for a refund of $218.99, for gaso- line used on official business in various Government_departments. In no case did the supporting documents show that the purchases had been made within' 30 days. The office of the collector of taxes refused to make the refund, and sent | the papers up to the auditor’s office | for adjudication. No final action has yet been taken by the latter office. SCIENTIST IN QUEST OF HIEH, DRY SPOT Smithsonian Representative Leaves for Cape Verde Islands and Africa. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. Wanted—the highest, dryest spot in the Eastern Hemisphere. ‘This is the quest upon which A. F. Moore of the astrophysical cbservatory of the Smithsonian Institution left Washington yesterday for the Cape Verde Islands and continental Africa. He departed with a single new instru- ment devised at the observatory, which combines the properties of two of the most delicate measuring devices known to man. It will measure the amount of water in the atmosphere, the intensity of the sun’s rays and the “sky light,” or radiation scattered in the atmos- phere by dust ér water particles. Important Conclusions. For years the astrophysical observa- tory, under the direction of Dr. Charles G. Abbot, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has been measuring daily the amount of solar radiation in dif- ferent parts of the world. This patient werk is beginning to lead to important conclusions, and eventually may make it possible to predict weather weeks and | months in advance. But the observa- tions must be made with the most ex- treme accuracy under the most favor- able circumstances to have any value. What_is measured is the amount of heat from the sun which falls at any given time on a hypothetical black ob- ject with the dimensions of & cubic centimeter placed at the edge of th> earth's atmosphere. The difficulty is that nobody can get to the limits of the atmosphere to place and observe such a cube. It must be an imaginary cube, with the amount of heat it ab- sorbs measured somewhere on the earth’s surface. The radiation which actually comes through to the surface is far different in amount than that which would be measured by the hy- pothetical black body, because of the very great complications brought about by the content of the atmosphere itseif. First, the air is full of water. Wa- ter absorbs radiation, especially at the lower edge of the spectrum from the limits of the visible red far into the invisible infra-red. It is essential to find a mountain in a comparative des- ert where the water vapor will be at a minimum. Minimum of Dust. Second, the minute dust particles in the atmosphere raise havoc with the radiation, scattering it over the sky. So it is essential to have a high moun- tain where there is & minimum of dust. ‘The combination is hard to find in the Old World. Secretary Abbot himself set out on the quest several years ago. He found an almost ideal spot in Cen- tral Asia, but political conditions in the surrounding country were so dis- turbed that it was outo f the question to put an_observatory there. Finally he hit on the lonely, desolate Mt. Bruk- karos in South Africa, and the Smith- sonian has maintained an observatory there ever since. Mount Brukkaros is dry enough, but it is so low that the observations are, disturbed by the minute amounts of dust rising from the African desert. Now the Astrophysical Observatory has learned of a mountain over 7,000 feet high in the Cape Verde Island which Mr, Moore will investigate. It is high enough and reports are that it is very dry. If this location does not prove satisfactory he will proceed to the African continent. Then the search will practically be restricted to South Africa where political conditions are stable and there are desert mountains. ‘The high peaks of Central Africa, in a rain belt and snow covered all the year, probably are out of the question because of the moisture. Hunting such a mointain ordinarily would be a difficult job because of the bulk of the equipment necessary to make the necessary preliminary obser- vations. In Mr. Moore's case this has been reduced to such an extent that he can carry it all on his back, if necessary. Instruments Used. Some of the most important observa- tions must be made with a spectroscope and the new instrument includes one of these delicate devices inclosed in a small, short tube. By splitting up the sun’s radiation into its component wave lengths this instrument records what has been absorbed by the water vapor in the atmosphere and this varies di- rectly with the amount of water par- ticles. The actual result is read from the deflections of a galvanometer nee- dle so that no complicated computations are required. Thus Mr. Moore will be able to determine quickly the depth of the water over a square centimeter if all the moisture in a column a centi- meter square extending from the earth's surface to the outer limits of the at- mosphere were concentrated at the sur- face, ‘The second element of the new in- strument is a specially constructed pyrheilometer which will measure not only the total radiation received from the sun upon a mountain top, but the amount of sky lght. This is the amount of the sun’s radiation which has been scattered and absorbed by dust particles in the atmosphere—gen- erally speaking, the brightness of the sky. It is n fine units as ured in such extremely [ ! hs of & calori FLEXIBLE TRAFFIC SYSTEM URGED |Harland Recommends Plan for Portion of Rhode Island Avenue. A flexible progressive system of traffic lights, to replace the present progres- sive system, s recommended by Willlam H. Harland, director of traffic, for that portion of Rhode Island avenue between Twelfth and North Capitol streets. “ The recommendation for the new sys- tem came after a study of the intersec- tion condition, and, Mr. Harland said, will, if accepted and found successful, be extended to include all traffic lights in the city. Each Light Independent. ‘The flexible progresslve system dif- fers from the present progressive sys- tem, in use all over the city, in that it makes each intersection light practically independent of all cthers on the same circuit. Each light, therefore, would be regulated to suit the conditions at its intersection, and will if necessary, op- erate on a different cycle. “For instance,” Mr. Harland ex- plained, “if the north-and-south traffic at one intersection is found to be twice as heavy as the east-and-west traffic, the lights there could be regulated by a secondary timing device, to give the east-and-west traffic half as much time as that allowed for traffic in the opposite direction. If, a block away, at an in- tersection on the same circuit, the op- posite conditions prevail, the signals could be adjusted to give the opposite lane of traffic more time.” Traffic Moves in “Platoons.” It will make the traffic move in “platcons,” the director pointed out, and drivers coming out of one inter- | section will always find a green light at_the next. 2 None of the old equipment will be torn out should the flexible progressive method be adopted, Mr. Harland said. The new equipment, consisting mainly of secondary timers, could be super- imposed on the old signal lights. In an effort to alleviate double park- ing problems in the downtown con- gested area a plan has been devised by Mr. Harland and has been submitted by him to Police Inspector Ernest W. Brown before its submission to the Dis- trict Commissioners. “Community” Loading Spaces. ‘The plan is the result of a study started early in December and proposes to set aside in every block in the con- gested area a space of from 50 to 100 feet long on either side of the street to be used as an unloading space for pas- sengers or merchandise going to stores or offices in that block. spaces would be abolished, Mr. Harland said, leaving but one “community” loading and unloading space on either side of the street in each block. Automobiles waiting for passengers who are in nearby department stores will be compelled to move out of this space if another vehicle wishing to dis- charge passengers or merchandise at the space enters. Mr., Harland has already listed 200 such zones. WIFE OF U. S. TRADE COMMISSIONER DIES Mrs. Hattie Hassell McCulloch Ex- pires at Home Here—Funeral in Arkansas. Mrs. Hattie Hassell McCulloch, wife of Edgar A. McCulloch, Federal trade commissioner, died yesterday at her home in the Alban Towers Apartments, 3700 Massachusetts avenue. She was 69 years old. Mrs. McCulloch was & native of Trenton, Tenn. Before coming to Washington she resided in Little Rock, Ark., where Mr. McCulloch was chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court for nearly 20 years. She was a member of the Church of the Covenant, the Daughters of the Confederacy and the ‘Woman’s Democratic Club. Besides Mr. McCulloch she is sur- vived by four sons, Richard McCulloch, an attorney, of Marianna, Ark.; Dr. Hugh McCulloch and Edgar H. Mc- Culloch, both of St. Louis, Mo., and ge?_}nmh’l McCulloch of San Francisco, alif. Funeral services will be held at Mar- u;nnn. Ark, according to tentative plans. HOLD-UP PROBER FINDS VICTIM WAS HIS COUSIN Cash and Tokens Taken From Street Car Operator by Two Colored Bandits. Investigating a hold-up at Third and Elm streets early today, Detective J. J. Tolson found the victim of two_col- ored bandits was his own cousin, Elmo C. Tolson of Cottage City, Md., oper- ator of a one-man street car for the Washington ] ‘The co old his robl boarded M GRT, gun @nd relieved him 0 and $19.50 in tokens. lson said the pistol toy, but he took no chance the pair overlooked a 29 fription Ogked like a mn‘hg:s-h.d & good his assallants, IDEAD GIRLS FRIEND S RELEASEDAFTER GRLLING BY POLIE Detectives Say Fred Bau- mann Can Throw No Light on Limerick Case. GRAND JURY RESUMES INVESTIGATION OF DEATH Man Held Overnight Had Been Carrying Food to Suspects in Prison. Another acquaintance of Beulah Lim- erick, locked up for investigation last night, was released by police today as the grand jury resumed its probe into the mysterious shooting of the 19-year- old usherette December 31. After additional questioning this morning, headquarters detectives an- nounced themselves satisfied that no new _light could be thrown on the case by Fred Baumann, 30 years old, de- scribed as an intimate friend of the Limerick family. Grilled Two Hours. Sergt. John Flaherty, chief of the homicide squad, arrested Baumann at bis home, on Canal street, in George- town. Baumann works at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which em- ploys a sister of the slain girl, Mrs. Ethel Anadale. Detectives grilled Bauman for two hours at No. 3 precinct station last night and renewed the quiz this morning. Bau- mann told them he could establish his presence at the home of a brother-in- law at the time of the girl's death. It was hoped that Baumann might have information of the girl's asso- ciates and actions previous to her death which might be useful in the investi- gation. At the jury's session today the first witness was expected to be Mrs. Martha Bargfrede, Beulah’s chum, who was testifying when adjournment was taken yesterday. Others to Be Called. Others to be called are David and ‘Willlam Limerick, brothers of the slain rl; Robert Lee Merchant and Sieg- ried Michaells, her friends, and the undertaker who precipitated a murder investigation when he found a bullet in Miss Limerick’s brain. Baumann told police he knew other members of the Limerick family better than he did Beulah. Since the in- carceration of Vernon Limerick, Wil- liam Paddy and Richard Reed, Bau- mann has been carrying food to the prisoners, police said. ‘The fourth man being held is Patrol- man Robert F. Langdon, now under suspension pending ths outcome of the inquiry. HITZ CONFIRMED TO APPEALS COURT Senate Also Approves Reappoint- ment of Judge Aukam to Municipal Bench. The Senate late yesterday confirmed Justice William Hitz for a place on the District Court of Appeals and Judge George C. Aukam for reappointment for another term in Municipal Court. At the same time the nomination of Nu- gent Dodds to be Assistant Attorney General was confirmed. All three were approved by unanimous consent and without debate. Earlier in the day Senator Borah, Re- publican, of Idaho, announced that a favorable report on the nomination of Judge D. Lawrence Groner for the other place on the District Court of Appeals will be made by the subcommittee which considered that appointment. Asso- Under the plan the present loading | ¢ 4.18 in cash | of iated with Senator Borah on the sub- committee were Senators Blaine, Repub~ lican, of Wisconsin and Bratton, Demo- crat, of New M . The approval of the subcommittee will be reported to the Senate Judiciary Committee at its weekly meeting Monday. ‘The subcommittee held hearings last :noe:.' at ‘which two 'lflu!sflilm u roner, complaining of man- ner in which the judge handled a case tried before him in Federal Court in ‘West Virginia seven years ago. Indorsement of Judge Grone: the subcommittee is expected to be followed by favorable action by the Judiciary Committee and confirmation the Senate, probably next week. Justice Hitz, who moves up to the Court of Appeals, has been on the bench of the District Supreme Court for a number of years. Judge Groner is Federal judge for the eastern dis- trict of Virginia, HORACE WOODWARD DIES AT AGE OF 71 Served as Permit Clerk in District Engineering Department Many Years. Horace McP. Woodward, 71 years old, permit clerk in the Engineering Depart- ment of the District government for many years, died in Walter Reed Hos- pital early today. Mr. oodward had been in failing health for some time and Sunday was stricken with apoplexy at his home in Rockville, Md. He had been employed in the Dis- trict government for nearly 40 yeas the greater part of the time in the En- gineering Department. He is survived by his widow, a son, Capt. Horace McP. Woodward, jr., sta= tioned at the Edgewood Arsenal, Mary- land, and also leaves several daughters. Mr. Woodward was widely known in this city, particularly among the offi- cials and employes of the District gov- ernment. He was a descendant o!oln old Georgetown family. D. D. PAINTER DEAD Civil Engineer Succumbs to Long Illness in Hospital Here. A lm,:fln. illness resulted in the death of Drewry D. Painter, 32 years old, a civil engineer of the Southern Railway, in Walter Reed Hospital early He was a graduate of the University ‘Tennessee. . He is survived by hl: widow and his ts, Mr. Mrs., James K. Painter of Knoxville, Tenn. their | He was a Templar and a Royal home was at 2755 Macomb street. ‘The bady will be removed to Knozville