Evening Star Newspaper, February 6, 1931, Page 17

The Foening Star WASHINGTON, D. 0., FRE DAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1931. XY PAGE B—-1 . HOUSE AIRS MISUSE OF CONGRESS TAGS “BY BOOTLEGGERS” Simmons Says Special Auto Plates Useless Except to Rum Runners. CLERKS, SCHOOLBOYS USE THEM, IS CHARGE Can Be Bought in Ten-Cent Store. | Have No Legal Status. Abuse of the special privilege given | with congressional automobile tags in Washingten was aired in the House to- | day when it was generally admitted | that these special privilege tags are | used by clergs, by boys going to school | and by others to claim immunity against traffic violations. Chairman Simmons, in charge of the District appropriation bill, said that these special tags art really worthless because policemen do not have author- ity to grant special privileges, and said that they should be abolished. Used by Bootleggers. Here are some of the most striking sentences in Representative Simmons’ statement regarding the “congressional” automobile tags: “I have been told privately that one or two bootleggers in Washington oper- ate under congressional tags and claim immunity. “I am told you can buy them in the 10-cent stores. “Nobody has any authority to issue them or to take them up. “The whole thing is fundamentally wrong the way it is being handled. “In my judgment they should not be tssued at all.” Swing Agrees. In this opinion he was joined by Rep- resentative Swing, Republican, of Cali- fornia, and other members. Representative Blanton brought up the subject by complaining that these special Congressional tags are not bsing respected, that they are necessary for ‘members on official business to get park- ing space near Government depart-| ments, but that they have aroused a feeling of animosity among policemen. Calls Tags Menace. Representative Simmons replied that 1t Congress wants to grant special rights to members of Congress it ought to pass special legislation to do it. The policeman, he said, has no right to give traffic immunity, and he believes the special Congressional tags consti- tute a menace. Representative Blanton said that if these tags are worth nothing to mem- | bers, the District Commissioners ought | t0 stop the expense of issuing them. Representative Simmons replied that they have no.legal effect whatever, and that if Congress passes a special law authorizing such tags, their use ought to be restricted to members themselves while on official business. Non Members Mostly. | Representative Swing declared that | now these tags are on more cars driven | by people who are not members than on cars driven by members, and that these folks claim immunity which a member of Congress would not claim. He urged that the congressional tags be_abolished. Representative Blanton called atten- tion to “a shame and outrage” inflicted on Delegate Sutherland of Alaska and Representative Busby of Mississippi by | policemen for alleged traffic violations. Held Not Needed. In his arguments that these tags, if issued at all, should be used exclusively | by members, and only when on official business, he declared that the people of the District properly resent a special privilege under which clerks, sons, daughters or wives of members are driving all over town. He said he him- self had used a Congressional tag for two years. Representative Dyer of Missouri asked regarding the gpecial diplomatic tags, and Simmons said that they were issued through the State Department as an international courtesy. At the same time he declared that special Army and Navy tags used by officers should not be issued. He protested that no member | of Congress will have any trouble rr-j garding violation of traffic rules in park- ing around any Government establish- ment if he shows that he is on official | business. | D.C. AMERICANIZATION/ TRAINING PRAISED| Cable Challenges House Leaders to| Pass More Immigration Law. Restrictive Representative Cable, Republican, of Ohio commended highly the American- ization work in the District schools to- day and then branched off into a chal- lenge to House leaders to pass further restrictive immigration legislation. Replying to questions by Representa- | tive Stafford, Republican, of Wisconsin, | regarding the school building program Representative Simmons explained that with the appropriations in the present bill the District would be about| caught up with the slack that has | existed in the school building pro- gram, and that hereafter school building appropriations should be Jess, providing, first, for buildings to meet normal growth: second, for gym- nasiums and assembly halls which have been left out temporarily to be added as new units on various schools, and, third, replacements as old buildings be- come obsolete. Representative Simmons said that the present bill carries $2.720,000 for school buildings, and that in addition to this an unexpended balance of $80,000 1s made available. it SN WOMAN HURT IN CRASH Mrs. Josephine A. Doyle Receives Slight Injuries. = Mrs. Josephine A. Doyle, 229 Chan- ning street northeast, was injured slightly this morning when the car in which she was riding with her hus- band, Raymond J. Doyle, was overturn- ed in @ collision with an automobile operated by Joseph H. Hanlein, presi- Dr. J. Rozier Biggs (right) prese most outstanding civic service for Wasl Shoreham Hotel. nting to Theodore W. Noyes, editor of The Evening Star, the Cosmopolitan Club’s distinguished service medal for the hington during 1930. The presentation took place at the Midwinter celebration of the club last night in the New —Star Staff Photo. LITIGATION PENDS INBANKRUPT GASE 13 More Persons File Suits Against Swartzell, Rheem & Hensey. today in the investigation of the bank- rupt Swartzell, Rheem & Hensey mort- gage firm, atforneys interested in the civil aspects of the case were preparing to take the first concerted action against the defunct hous>. More than 20 lawyers, Tepresenting clients_interested in the concern, met yesterday in the Fendall Building and decided to decvote themselves to simpli- fying the mass of civil litigation pre- cipitated when the institution failed. Thirteen More Persons Sue. ‘ A committee of three, consisting of Arthur C. Keefer, C. C. James and C. T. Clayton, was appointed to devise means of guarding against the filing to dupli- cate suits and to act in concert wherever possible. _ All attorneys representing clients affected by the bankruptcy are mvited to join. Thirteen more persons filed suits yes- terday for the return of notes left with the mortgage firm for safekeeping. They were ordeted to present their cases February 10. The receivers, Julius I. Peyser and Henry P. Blair, said the schedule of assets and liabilities probably would be completed in a week. They also an- nounced that mortgages had not been released on the properties at 1457 Park road and 3620 Sixteenth street. Filings Are Postponed. A group of attorneys representing clients of the mortgage house met to- day with Michael M. Doyle, attorney for the receivers, and agreed to with- hold the filing of any more applications for rules until next Thursday, when Justice Jesse C. Adkins will pass-on all of them. A suit asking that the receivers be required to furnish a list of the note- holders on an apartment project at Connecticut avenue and Brandywine street was filed today by David L. Stern, builder, through Attorney Alvin L. Neumyer. ‘The aggregate of the notes outstanding is $450,000, he says. The court is told that on August 16, last, the buflder gave a mortgage for the entire amount, but has received only a part. BALCHEN PILOTS PLANE FOR AIR CORPORATION Hero of Byrd Flights Assists Com- mercial Firm During Illness of Flyers. Bernt Balchen, hero of the flight across the South Pole and the Byrd flight across the Atlantic, made his debut as a pilot on the New York, Philadelphia & Washington Airway Corporation line last night, taking off from Washington-Hoover Alrport with a load of passengers just before dark as the second section of the regular 5 o'clock run. Balchen is making a study of traffic agreed to act as a relief pllot to help out during the iliness of regular pilots on the run. He is expected to fly the tri-motored passenger planes regularly during the coming week. Balchen’s name has been associated with some of the most unusual aerial accomplishments of the past few years. MRS. ALICE V. STANLEY DIES AT HOME OF KIN Was Widow of Captain in District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry. Mrs. Alice V. Stanley, lifelong resident of this city and widow of Henry C. Stan- ley, Union Army veteran, died at the residence of her nephew, Willlam L. Edmonston, 3114 Mount Pleasant street. yesterday after a short illn would have been 84 years March 12 Mrs. Stanley was the daughter of James G. and Elizabeth Ann Naylor. Her husband, the late Mr. Stanley, was & member of Degge's Company, 5th Bat- talion, District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry. She is survived by her sister, M Nznnie L. Chamberlain of this city; a brother, Charles E. Naylor of Pomona, Calif.,, and several nieces and nephews. s. Sh old on HELD FOR BAY STATE Said to have been wanted in Massa. chusetts for larceny, Mrs. Marle Ci penter, 45 years old, who gave her ad- dress as 1214 S street southeast, was ordered held for authorities ef that dent of Congressional Tours, at New Jersey avenue and R street. Mrs. Doyle treated at Sibley Hospital and later went to her home, State when arraigned in United States branch of Police Court today. The Massachusetts warrant charges automo- bile theft, - Although there were no developments | Byrd | and operations on the local line, and | MOV EXPEDITES DENSONS TRAL Way Is Cleared to Apply for Bill of Particulars in Liquor Case. Representative Edward E. Denison of | Illinois, through Attorney E. Hilton | Jackson, today asked the District Court | of Appeals to send down immediately to the lower court its mandate by which it | reversed last Monday the action of Dis- | trict Supreme Court Justice Peyton | Gordon in sustaining a demurrer to an indictment charging Denison with pos- his office in the House Offic: Building in_January, 1929. The court granted the request, the purpose of which was to expedite the | trial of the case in the lower court by permitting counsel for Denison to make | application for a bill of particulars for the purpose of clarifying the charge in the indictment. United States Attorney | Rover was present in court when the ‘request was made. | Immediately following Attorneys Jackson, Everett Sanders and W. E. Leahy, for the accused, filed in the District_Supreme Court an application | for & bill of particulars and sct it down | for hearing next Friday before Justice Gordon. The prosecution is asked to make known the particular place within the | District of Columbia where the alleged | whisky is charged to have been in pos- session of the defendant; how and in what manner the defendant has pos- session of said alleged whisky; the quantity of said alleged whisky, and the character of the containers in | which said alleged whisky was alleged to have been possessed’ by the de- fendant. (CAPT. FAWELL MADE NAVAL CLASS SENIOR Heads 15 to Initiate One-Year | Course in Lighter-Than-Air In- | struction at Lakehurst. Capt. Reed M. Fawell, 25 West Irving | street, Chevy Chase, Md., was selected today by the Navy Department as senior officer in the class of 15 that | will initiate a one-year course in lighter-than-air _instruction at the | Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N. J., | July 1. Capt. Fawell, who is now com- | manding the U. S. S. Brazos, may be chosen later as the skipper of the | Navy's glant dirigibie, ZRS-4, now being contructed at Akron, Ohfo. Other posts that he might occupy are the command of the Lakehurst station, or as commanding officer of the prBjected base at Sunnyvale, Calif. Other _officers, who will be lighter-than-air class, are: Comdr. Bernard F. Jenkins, Ports- mouth, N. H., commanding Eagle Boat, No. 35; Lieut. Comdr. Jesse L. Ken- worthy of Coatesville, Pa., serving_on the U. S. 8. Idaho; Lieut. Comdr. Vol- ney O. Clark, 2006 Columbia road, Washington, D. C., serving on the U. 8. S. Oglala: Lieut. Comdr. Frank L. Worden of Missoula, Mont., attached to the submarine base at Coco Solo, in the Panama Canal Zone; Lieut. Comdr. Harold E. MacLellan of Westerly, R. I, commanding the submarine, U. 8. S | S-6; Lieut. Vaughn Bailey of Annapoli {Md., serving on the U. S. S. Mary- |land; Lieut. Donald McA. Mackey of Charleston, 8. C. on duty on the U. 8. S. Arkansas; Lieut. William K. Phillips | of "Atlanta, ‘Ga., serving at the Naval Academy at Annapolis; Lieut. Howard N. Coulter of Lakewood, N. J., now at | the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst; | Lieat. Richard F. Cross of Elizabeth, |N."J, ‘serving on the U. S.'S. V-1 Lieut. (junior grade) Howard T. Or- ville of Annapolis, also serving at Lake- hurst; Lieut. (junior grade) Emmett J. Sullivan of Denver, Colo., serving on the U. 8. S. Tennessee; Ensign Charles Kendall of 2421 North Calvert street, Baltimore, Md., serving on the U. 8.'S. Mississippi, and Ensign Hurley | M. Zook of Louisiana, Mo., serving on the U. 8. 8. Mississippl. in the URGES CARE ON TREATY London Correspondent Speaks on Arms Pact. | Sir Wilmott Lewis, correspondent for | the London Times, told the Twentieth | Century Club yesterday that in his opin- {fon the American people should give careful consideration to the draft of the treaty which is to be presented to the General Disarmament Conference in Geneva this month. ‘The speaker said that, unsatisfactory as the treaty might seem, he thought it “better to accept the possible imper- fect than to hold out for the impossible perfeck™ Times session of & trunk_containing liquor at | Lieut. | | | | |lans and for his editorial and personal | THEODORE W.NOYES HONORED BY CLUB FOR CMIC SERVICE Editor of Star Receives Cos-| mopolitan’s Distinguished Service Medal for 1930. CEREMONIES BROADCAST BY RADIO STATION WMAL Award Made on Basis of Work for| Equitable Fiscal Relations and District Representation. Theodore W. Noyes, editor of The Evening Star and chairman of the | Citizens’ Joint Committee on National Representation for the District of Co- lumbia, was presented with the Cos- mopolitan Club's distinguished service medal for “performing the most out- standing civic service for Washington during 1930” at the Midwinter celebra- tion of the club last night in the New Shoreham Hotel. The medal, of gold, with ribbon and pin attached, was handed to Mr. Noyes by Dr. J. Rozier Biggs, former presi- dent of the club, who originated the plan by which the club_decorates a leading_citizen year. M. A. Leese received the decora- | tion ‘last year. | E of the Capital each Ceremony Is Broadcast. The presentation ceremony, per- formed in the presence of a large ! company of club members and guests gathered for a “ladies’ night” festivity, was broadcast over Station WMAL. Assisting in the ceremony were Gordon Bonnette, president of the Cosmopoli- tan Club, and Judge M. M. Doyle, international second vice president of Cosmopolitan, who, as_toastmaster, in- troduced Dr. Biggs. Judge Doyle out- lined the history of the decoration. Dr. Biggs is permanent chairman of the Medal Committee, the member- ship of which also includes Mr. Bon- nette, Judge Doyle, Willam L. King and Fred J. Rice. Dr. Biggs, in presenting the award to Mr. Noyes, stated that the latter, by his civic work, has paraphrased Stephen Decatur’s famous words, “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong,” into “Our city! In her negotiations with the National Legislature may she always be right, but our city, right or wrong.” Reiterates Representation Demand. Dr. Biggs said the award was made in recognition of Mr. Noyes' service to the in behalf of equitable fiscal rela- tions between the local and National Governments, in the interest of national representation for voteless Washington- activities along other constructive lines Mr. Noyes, deeply moved by the tri ute, was tendered an ovation by the au- dience. In accepting the medal he took occasion to reiterate the civic cry for national representation, and he ex- horted his fellow citizens to “press for- ward to victory under banners scribed: “Fair Play for Washington! Financial Equity! Political Equity!” Cites Fight for Representation. Turning directly to Mr. Noyes, Dr. Biggs said: “Mr. Noyes: In grateful appreciation of the outstanding service to the cit- izens of the National Capital, not only for the year 1930, but for the past 43 years in your capacity as an exemplary private citizen, as a distinguished editor and for your splendid activity on every phase of community life; “For your conspicuous work in the defense of the half-and-half principle in fiscal relations, which did so much to build up the Nation's Federal City; “For the vigorous fight against the abolition of this for the 60-40 principle, and your vigorous fight against the lump-sum principle; “For the organizing of the entire city into the Citizens’ Joint Committee on Fiscal Relations, which has stood so valiantly for the proportionate fiscal { relations between the Federal and local government; “For your advocacy of national rep- resentation for the voiceless and un- Americanized Washingtonian, for whom you have so tirelessly labored; “For _the organization of the Citizens' Joint Committee on National Represen- tation, thus presenting a united front of all local organizations- in this most important cause; “For your continuous and generous editorial and personal activity in de- fense of Washington and its people, “The Cosmopolitan Club presents to you its 1930 distinguished service medal with citation to remind you of the af- fection of the members of the club | and of all of the citizens of Washing- ton for a great and noble gentleman whose achievements and generous man- hood are the pride of our city.” Mr. Noyes Responds. Responding, Mr. Noyes said: “It was a fine thought of the Cosmo- politan Club to stimulate and strengthen civic loyalty and community service by honoring every year the public service of one citizen among the many who labor faithfully to build up the Greater Washington. “I would not be human if I were not deeply gratified by the overpraise in medal presentation of my friend Chair- man Biggs. And I am proud that among the scores of good Washington- ians who are working enthusiastically and effectively to promote tne Capital community’s welfare I have been se- lected as their 1930 representative, and in token thereof have been honcred the club's highly-prized medal. ut an occasion like this is not re- stricted to the single narrow function of honoring an individual. When good citizens commend the citizenship of a fellow Washingtonian they commend also themselves and they promote and exalt good citizenship in general. “Their action stimulates all Who labor heartily and unselfishly in the community interest by the suggestion that the community is not ungrateful and unappreciative. It inspires the younger generation to self-sacrificing community service. It invigorates local public spirit and wholesome community pride. It helps to bind us all closer gether in civic patriotism and inspir us, as_Washingtonians, to- battle as never before in harmonious co-opera- tion to adorn, to develop, to purify and to exalt the city which we love. District Lacks Political Equity. “The District of Columbia, unique in its creation and in every stage of its growth, has vigorously developed civic consciousness as a fine, strong Amer- ican community, organized and homo- geneous, populous, patriotic and public spirited, conspicuous for its high per- centage of native-born Americans, for surpassing _excellence in comparative literacy and for characteristic and dom- ln:tln Americanism, from its ancient temporary camp of transients, unstable, kaleidoscopically ing, _without civic consclousness or local public spirit or_civic pride. “The District atill lacks political PARLEY T0 SETTLE 0., POWERRATE STIL HANGS FIRE Compromise May Prevent Court Action Following Bride Invitation. COMPLETE HARMONY IS THOUGHT RESTORED People’s Counsel Approval of Con- ference Leaves Matter to Electric Company. S. R. Bowen, vice president and coun- sel of the Potomac Electric Power Co., said today that his company had reached no decision on the invitation from Corporation Counsel Bride to un- dertake to secure a compromise on the electric rate dispute rather than take the matter to court. An invitation to discuss the matter in a conference was extended by Corpo- ration Courisel William W. Bride in be- half of the commission yesterday. Mr. Bowen said today that before the deci- sion is reached it would be necessary to consult certain officers of the com- rany and that there had been no op- portunity to accomplish that yet. He sald he expected to have a definite answer ready by the first of the week. Petition Is Approved. “Upon the recommendation of fts general counsel, the Public Utilities Commission today authorized the dis- patch by him of letters to the people's counsel and the Potomac Electric Power Co., inviting their attendance at a general conference with respect to rates. The petition to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, pray- ing for modifications of the consent de- cree, prepared by the general counsel, has been approved by the commission. However, in view of the approval also of the above-mentioned recommenda- tion, the filing of this petition has heen held in abeyance, ending an effort to accomplish the desired results without the necessity of protracted and expen- sive litigation.” Shortly after the invitation had reached People’s Counsel Richmond B. Keech, he accepted, and the holding of the conference now hinges upon the attitude taken by the power company. Situation Is Changed. Announcement by the commission yesterday that on the advice of coun- sel it had decided to hold a conference if the power company and the people’s counsel would accept their invitations completely changed the situation re- garding the prospective efforts to se- cure lower electric rates. Previous to that the commission had announced its intention of going to court to seek a modification of the consent decree which now regulates the rates against the advice of its counsel, who recom- mended that it ignore the decree and proceed to establish rates on its motion, 50 as to totally obligate it. Announce- ments following yesterday’s conferences between the commission and its coun- sel indicate that complete harmony has been restored. In a written statement to the press the commission said: AIRPLANE COLLISION PREVENTER PERFECTED The danger of collision between air- craft in flight along busy airways or in {the vicinity of large airports can be eliminated by use of a radio collision prevention system now being perfected by the Research Division of the Aero- nautics Branch, Department of Com- merce, preliminary tests show. ‘The apparatus includes small low- powered radio sending and receiving apparatus in each aircraft. The sets are permanently tuned so as to require no attention. In each plane the send- ing outfit is adjusted to send out sig- nals at regular intervals, like the blast of a marine fog horn. Upon recelving this warning signal through his own special receiving set another pilot would maneuver his plane to reduce the intensity of the signals, thereby deviating from the direction of danger. equity, its citizens are politically still in the category of the convict and the lunatic, and in access to the Federal courts are still less than aliens. The Dis- trict people still obey laws in the mak- ing of which they do not participate. They still send their sons to wars to which they have not assented. They are still taxed without representation, paying millions in national taxes, with- out voice in the body which collects and spends these taxes. “But the conditions have passed which served as pretexts to justify these humiliating discriminations. The Dis- trict has gained a population which by the 1930 census exceeds those of 8 States. It sent more soldlers and sailors to the World War than 7 States. In percentage of patriotic voluntary en- listments it exceeded 43 States. In pay- ment of National taxes in 1930 it sur- passed 25 States and equaled approxi- mately 10 States combined. it exceeded 9 States in persons of vot- ing age. In 1930 it contained 300,000 voteless potential voters claiming vot- ing residence nowhere else. “The Capital community has organ- ized itself thoroughly and effectively to protect. financial equity ‘and to secure political equity. The great civic army of organized Washington (in which the Cosmopolitan Club is an enthusi- astic and efficient company) fights to win and to safeguard the American rights, privileges, powers and interests of the Washingtonian. “In this battle we fight for the de- velopment of the Capital, the Nation’s City, in attractiveness, in health, and in every phase of material prosperity. We fight for the betterment of the local community, the people of Washington, physically, intellectually, morally. We fight to protect the Washingtonian as a taxpayer against excessive and un- just burdens and to relieve him as an American citizen from the un- American, hurtful and humiliating dis- criminations to which he is unneces- sarily subjected. “All of Washington is In determined spirit arming itself with the weapons of truth, of logic and equity for the struggle over issues which vitally affect its welfare. “The Cosmopolitan Club is an in- tegral part of this army of peace. We are all enlisted in it. Our cause is just. Our forces are well organized. “Marching under banners on which are inscribed our slogans, ‘Fair Play for Washington!” ‘Pinancial Equity!" ‘Political Equity!’ let us press forward to victory.” 5 Fred East, baritone, William Ray- mond, tenor, and Robert Thomas, ac- companist, entertained during the din- ner hour, and there was a group of speclalty dances arranged by the en- tertalnment committee, of which Fred J. Rice was chairman. General danc- ing filled out the evening, | Heretofore, In 1920 | Dr. Learned to Serve as Acting Head of Educa- tion Board. Has Exceptional Academic Background and Many Distinctions. Confronted with the task of choosing & successor to Dr. Charles F. Carusi, its president, who died early yesterday, the Board of Education probably will not undertake to elect a new head until the District Surpeme Court justices ap- point & new board member. Meanwhile, Dr. H. Barrett Learned, vice president of the board and hi self an educator, becomes acting presi- dent until the election is held in July. Dr. Carusi’s death constitutes the first time in the memory of any of the school system personnel that a school board president has died in office. presidents have resigned from the school board. A native of Exeter, N. H, Dr. Learned, who has been a member of the school board since July, 1917, with the exception of a four-year period when he resigned from the board, takes to the school board chair a profound academic background. He holds a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree from Harvard University, a master of arts from the University of Chicago and one of doctor of philoso- phy from Yale University. He also studied at the University of Leipzig. He is married and has three living children, His teaching activities included a term as head master of a private school at Plymouth, Mass.; teacher of history at the University School, Chicago; di SELECTION OF CARUSI SUCCESSOR AWAITS ACTION BY JUSTICES DR. H. BARRETT LEARNED. —Harris-Ewing Photo. rector of the department of history, Armour Institute of Technology, Chi- cago, and assistant in history at Har- vard, Dr. Learned was literary editor of the Hartford, Conn. Courant in 1900. He subsequently taught at Shef- field Scientific School at Yale, Wes- leyan University and Stanford Univer- sity. He is a member of the American History Association, the American Po- litical Sclence Assoclation and the Cen- tury and Cosmos Clubs. As an author he has written several works of historic and diplomatic in- terest. He makes his home at 2123 Bancroft place here, and maintains a Summer Tesidence at Keene Valley, Essex County, N. Y. Dr. Learned's present term expires June’ 31. BIDS ON RED GROSS BUILDING OPENED Contract Is Sought by 35 Firms—$698,000 Indicat- ed as Low Offer. ‘Thirty-five constructing firms, from all parts of the country, sought the contract for erecting the new Red Cross Office Building, to be located on Eighteenth street between D and E | streets, when bids were opened today |in the Office of Public Buildings and | Public Parks. |, Two firms submitted the indicated low bid of $698,000—McCloskey & Co. of Philadelphia_and Thomas G. Sperling Co. of New York. The indicated high bidder was the firm of Castor & Castor of Brooklyn, N. Y, which submitted a figure of $875,200. President Hoover, as head of the American Red Cross, will step into his professional role of engineer, when con- sidering the awarding of this contract. Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, director of public buildings and public parks, and his associates, in the next few days will undertake an intensive study of the bids submitted for the new five-story marble building, to be located on the west side of the Red Cross quadrangle, before submitting recommendations to the officials of the American Red Cross. As the Red Cross is a semi-govern- mental organization, the new office | building will be erected under the supervision of Col. Grant. $74,455 TAX REBATE WON BY PHONE COMPANY Agrees to Withdraw Third Suit ‘When Adjustments With Dis- trict Are Effected. Tax adjustments between the District of Columbia and the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. as the result of three suits brought by the company against the municipality for the re- covery of taxes, were effected today when District Supreme Court Justice Siddons ordered the filing of a stipula- tion reached in the matter. ‘The District Government agreed to repay $74455.50 and the company agreed to withdraw a third suit which sought the exclusion from gross earn- ings of revenues from interstate tolls, leased lines, radio and the income from the investment of certain sums. One of the tax sults was for $50,032.78 and the other for $24,422.72 and were for taxes improperly assessed on poles, wires and conduits of the company. WITHHOLDING OF SECRET REPORTS IS APPROVED Justice Bailey Backs J. E. Hoover's Stand on Subpoenas in Di- vorce Hearing. District Supreme Court Justice Jen- nings Bailey today upheld the position taken by J. Edgar Hoover, chief of the Investigation Bureau of the Department of Justice, that he could not be required to show the court secret reports of agents of his bureau which had been subpoenaed by Attorney Crandal Mack- ey for use in a divorce hearing. Mr. Hoover presented to the court a ruling by O. R. Luhring, former As- sistant Attorney General and now a Jjustice of the court, holding the papers not subject to use in any court pro- ceeding. Mr. Hoover was accompanied to the court by Assistant U. S. Attorney Nell Burkinshaw. GIANONNI GIVEN IBMONTHS INTHEFT Former Austrian Naval Offi-| cer Charged With Taking Radio From Boat. Capt. Frank Gianonni, former Aus- trian naval officer, whose difficulties with the United States customs officers attracted wide attention here, was sen- tenced today by Supreme Court Justice Jesse C. Adkins to serve 18 months in the penitentiary for stealing a radio from a boat moored near his own craft in Washington Harbor. He recently was convicted of steal- ing a radio and some electrical equip- ment from another boat. He was con- victed of both offenses and sentenced to 18 months on the first and 6 months on the latter, but Justice Adkins per- mitted the sentences to run concur- rently. Capt. Gianonnl, whose converted sub- chaser is still anchored in the harbor, has been living on his boat. His visit to the Capital was made for the purpose of filing a complaint with Government officials against Coast Guard officers who, he said, held him at Moorehead City, N. C, on a charge of failing to register at the customs house in that port. Gianonni declared his clearance papers were held up for 18 months, during which period his life savings of $15,000 were exhausted. The Coast Guard detained Gianonni because he was suspected of smuggling whisky, records show. He has pending against the Govern- ment a suit for $30,000 damages. ELEVATOR BOY KNIFES EMPLOYE OF PHONE CO. Colored Youth Held on Assault Charge as Victim Lies in Hospital. Attacked with a pocketknife during a heated struggle with a colored elevator boy in an apartment house on Georgia avenue, Charles Corder, 21 years old, of 1837 Otis street northeast, an em- ploye of the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co., escaped with a slight wound of the groin yesterday afternoon. His alleged assailant, Samuel -J. Pat- terson, colored, 21, of 120 Florida ave- nue, was arrested by police of the thirteenth precinct station and was being held today on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. Corder is under the care of physiclans at Garfield Hospital. Police were told that Corder went to the Dahlia Apartments, at 7019 Georgia avenue, to Tepair a number of telephone lines yesterday and became engaged in an argument with the elevator operator. The dispute flared anew when Corder called the car to the fourth floor upon finishing his work at 5 o'clock and a fight ensued. STORE HELD BANKRUPT Creditors of the Fair, Inc., Charge Insolvency. Creditors of the Fair, Inc., a clothing concern at 820 Seventh street, today asked the District Supreme Court to adjudge the corporation a bankrupt. ‘They charged insolvency and assert that the ‘company owes $40,000, while its assets are estimated at only $38,000. ‘The complaining creditors are H. A. Satin & Co. of Chicago, and the Junior Coat Co. and Fashion Brassiere Co. of New York, who are represented by At- torneys Albert E. Steinem and Milton D. Korman. OFFICER DRAGGED FOUR BLOCKS, DRIVER GETS 285 DAYS IN JAIL \ Man Convicted of Assault, Carrying Gun and Theft of Revolver on Tenacious Policeman’s Testimony. Alleged to have dragged a police of- ficer four blocks on Fourteenth street early today after refusing to stop his machine at the policeman’s command, Charles E. James, colored, 35 years old. of 3004 Eleventh street, was sentenced today to serve a total of 285 days in jail on charges of assault, carrying a |ging deadly weapon and larceny of a revol- ver. Policeman John R. Leach of No. 10 precinct testified in United States Branch of Police Court, before Judge John P. McMahon, that when he at- tempted to stop James' car at Four- teenth and Irving streets, around 4 o'clock this morning, to investigate a struggle which seemed to be g on in the car, drove car toward and attempted ‘' to run him down. Leach said that the car ran over his foot, and that in order to save himself from being crushed beneath the wheels he i‘ruped the side of the ma- chine and hung on. Leach said James sped down Four- teenth street with the officer clinging to the side of the machine, his feet drag- in the roadway. policeman said that after he succeeded in lhom back of James’ from his employer. Leach z n in the car at COMMISSION BARS CONNEGTICUT AVE. TRAGTS REZONING Columbia Medical Building Height Increase Plea De- layed One Day. EXECUTIVE SESSION GRANTS 12 PETITIONS 100-Acre Dwellings Property One of Largest Subject to Re- cent Hearings Petitions for the rezoning of two tracts of land lying west of Connecticut avenue, constituting approximately 100 acres of property, to permit the con- struction of apartment houses, has been denied by the Zoning Commission, fol- lowing its all-day hearing Wednesday, it was announced today. This is one of the cases on which the commission acted in executive session, during which 12 proposed zon- ing classifications of property were granted, 13 others denied and decision on three cases over which there was issue at the hearing was deferred to another executive meeting tomorrow afternoon. Seven of the 35 petitions were withdrawn from consideration by petitioners. Rezoning of the large tracts just to the west of Connecticut avenue was sought by the Chevy Chase Land Co. and the Thomas J. Fisher Co, The area covered in these proj ls is one of the largest subject to ring in recent years. Virtually all of the property nolw is zoned for detached dwellings only. Tract at Albemarle Street. The area in one of the two tracts is bounded by Albemarle, Van Ness and Thirty-sixth = streets and Connecticut avenue. The other is bounded by Chesapeake and Albemarle streets, Connecticut avenue and Reno road. ‘The commission deferred until tomor- row decision in the cases of the pro- posed rezoning of the corner property at Twenty-second street and Pennsyl- vania avenue, to permit the construction of a 12-story apartment with stores, planned by Baer & Scholz; the proposed increased height limit of the property of the Columbia Medical Building, Nine- teenth and I streets, to permit the con- struction of two additional stories, and the proposed change from A-restricted to B-restricted classification the prop- erty on the west side of Massachusetts avenue in the 2500 block. ‘The commission approved two amend- ments to the District zoning code, one to permit the manufacture of ice cream in first commercial areas and the other to permit sausage manufacture in sec- ond commercial areas. Changes Approved. ‘The commission approved the follow- ing changes: Change from residential to second commercial use, property at rear of 2513 M street; change from residential to second commercial, alley property bounded by M, N, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets; change from sec- ond commercial to industrial, property bounded by First, Second and Francis strects southeast and unnamed street to the south. Change from residential to first com- mercial, C area, property at 802-810 B street northeast; change from residen- tial to first commercial, 60-C area, rear property at 3508-3510 Georgia avenue; change from first commercial to resi- dential A-restricted, rear lot at south- east corner of Rittenhouse street and Georgia avenue; change from residen- tial A-restricted to first cf ercial 60-C area, rear property at southwest corner of Yuma street and Connecticut avenue. Change from residential B area to residential A area, northeast corner of New Hampshire avenue and Buchanan street; change from residential 40-B area to residential 60-B area, rear part of square bounded by Second, Third and Adams streets and Rhode Island avenue northeast. Change from residential to first com- mercial 40-C area, property on north side of Central avenue east of Forty- ninth street northeast; change from first commercial C area to residential 40-A area, property on both sides of Pennsylvania avenue between Alabama and Texas avenues southeast, and change from residential 60-B area to first commercial 90-C area, northwest :?mer of Fourteenth street and Otis place. HEBREWS OBSERVE DUAL ANNIVERSARY “Fellowship Evening” Program to Be Held Tonight for Celebration. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Hebrew Congregation in Washington and the twenty-seventh an- niversary of the rabbinate of Dr. Abram Simon at the congregation will be si- multaneously celebrated at a “fellowship evening” program tonight. The anni- versary celebration will begin at 7:45 o'clock at the congregation’s headquar- ters on Eighth street. ‘The list of gugsts invited to partic- ipate in the dual anniversary services include Bishop William F. McDowell of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Dr. Ulysses G. B. Pierce, minister of All Souls’ Unitarian Church, and Bishop James E. Freeman of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The brotherhood and sisterhood of the congregation also will be present. Dr. Simon was installed as rabbl of the Washington Hebrew - Congregation February 5, 1904. His anniversary ser- mon will be delivered a week trom to- night at the temple, the rabbi selecting as his subject, “Our Congregation, Its Past and Present.” —_— ASSAULT SUSPECT FREED Frederick C. Sampson Proves Alibi in Taxi Hammer Attack. 3 - pson, 24 years old, of Silver , Md., was released from e after an investigation of his alibi afternoon. Sampson was freed their superiors.