Evening Star Newspaper, February 17, 1931, Page 2

JURY EXONERATES LIMERICK SUSPECTS Special Report Recommends Reform in Investigation Methods of Coroner’s Office. (Continued From Pirst Page.) from a gun held in the hand or hands of a party or parties unknown to the coroner’s jury, but believed that Vernon ‘Thomas _Limerick, Willlam Edward Paddy, Richard Sheridan Reed and Robert F. La had guilty knowl- edge of the , therefore, recom- mended that they be held for action of the grand jury. Lack Evidence of Guilt. “A thorough and exhaustive investiga- $ion was conducted by this grand jury, oring Skl Jire 43, Sitnessss, wers Jus wl e witnesses were examined sively reviewed. and their tesumony exten- “This evidence does not sufficiently indicate the guilt of any person or per- sons, and we are therefore returning an us. 3 “As a result of the grand jury in- vestigation, we believe it to be our duty to make certain observations with respect to some circumstances sur- rounding this case. “It is the unanimous opinion of this jury that Capt. Edward J. Kelly, Sergt. John Flaherty and the other members of the homicide squad have made a courageous, diligent and consclentious effort to solve this crime, and we want to emphasize the confidence we have in these men. “Several hours elapsed between the time when the girl was pronounced dead until the cause of her death was de- termined by the coroner, the body hav- ing been removed to an undertaking establishment several hours before the autopsy was performed. The authority to remove the body was granted by one of the deputy coroners over the tele- phone. The police were, therefore, ma- terially handicapped at the outset of their investigation, and it is in the hope that a recurrence of such condi- tions may be avoided that this grand jury makes the following recommenda- tions: Recommend Report to Police. “1. That all doctors or lnul;'n:s l‘:fi sponding to an emergency call, in cases bi required to-impart to the Police Department any suspicious cir- cumstances, if any, which may come to their attention upon examination of the body and that they be required to notify the police immediately and re- main at the scene until the coroner or the police arrive. “3, That the coroner's office upon notification of a death, where a licensed practitioner of medicine has not been in attendance, shall within a reasonable time visit and inspect the scene of the death and under no conditions shall the body be permitted to be moved, until this has been accomplished, and in ‘all cases proper records shall be made as to the time of such visit, the time per- mission was given to remove the body and to whom such permission was given Poor Facilitles 4T Morgue. “3, From the testimony heard by this grand jury from one of the deputy coroners, it appears that because of the inadequate facilities and generally poor eonditions existing at the District of Co- lumbia Morgue, the coroners office ‘would rather psrform their autpsies at private undertaking establishments. We suggest that the authorities make a proper investigation to determine whether or not these conditions actually exist as represented to us and, if so, we recomm that, if possible, these con- ditions be corrected. “In this connection we are of the opinion that the coroner and two deputy coroners is an inadequate force to prop- erly perform such duties in a community the size of this city. “We respectfully submit the foregoing to this honorable court with the com- ment that the suggestions herein em- bodied are offered purely in a construc- tive spirit, for this body does rot wish the report construed to be critical of any individual connected with this case.” Limerick Case Unsolved. A little white card bearing the in- scription “Limerick Case, Unsolved,” found its way into a file case at police | headquarters today to end concentrated investigation of the girl's death. The Capital’s second unsolved mur- der of a womarn within two years first came to light when an assistant under- taker discovered a .25-caliber bullet in Beulah Limerick’s head, December 31, Police immediately arrested seven men, released four of them and held Vernon Limerick, brother of the slain 1; Willlam Paddy and Richard Reed, friends. ‘The next several days of the investi- gation were consumed in vigorous ques- tioning of the three held. Meanwhile the Sky-High Whoopee Club secretary's leather-bound diary was the subject of study and a day later police called in all those whose names appeared in the book. The investigation took a startling turn at this point when police arrested Rob- ert F. Langdon, fifth precinct patrol- man, after finding a .25-caliber gun on his person and a second of ths same type in an icebox at his home. Concentrate on Langdon. Police concentrated their attack on Langdon until Lieut. Frank Fowler, po- lice firearms expert, announced that neither of Langdon’s guns could pos. sibly have fired the fatal shot. At this point, however, further suspicion was woven about Langdon, when Mrs. Dora Limerick, the slain girl's mother, told investigators that her daughter had complained before her death that “Langdon had been annoying her.” Later Langdon admitted that he was near the murder house, 19 Eighteenth street, at 4 o'clock on the morning of the slaying. When repeated cross-examination of the four suspects failed to uncover tangible evidence, police investigators announced that they would present what case they had to a coroner’s jury. "It was not until the second day of the inquest that new developments cc- curred. At that time Mrs. Martha Bargfrede took the witness stand and testified that Mrs. Dora Limerick had told her “to keep quiet about finding & gun in a stove. Mrs. Limerick denled this statement, and police were unable o verify the story told by the Barg- frede girl. Conflicting Testimony Given. Conflicting testimony was given at the inquest as to just whether or not blood stains were found on the bed clothing on the cot where the Limerick girl was found dead. Lyman Greene, Casualty Hospital in- terne, testified that no blood was pres- ent and that the linen was “spotlessly white.” Members of the rescue squad testified that they arrived a short while after Greene's departure and found a blood-stained pillow on the bed coroner’s jury spent the better part of a week hearing the case and then orderéd the four suspects held for the grand jury. While the grand jury investigation was in progress police arrested Mrs. Dora Limerick and Mrs. Julia Bywaters, the dead girl's sister, but released them after questioning. A dismantled still was found in the ‘bagement of Policeman Langdon's home during the investigation which resulted in his appearance before the Police Trial Board. The four suspects were released shortly after the geand jury filed its ‘was met by his wife, report, . Langdon 'nu_y talked jubilantly for a few min- | utes. Holland, by way of Bangkok, Siam., " | ~ THE EVENING TO WASHINGTON TAR, WASHINGTO 0ld Photo Shows Record Flight HARRY ATWOOD FLEW FROM BOSTON IN 191L LD-TIME photos on display at Harris & Ewing cn its twenty-sixth anniversary include the picture of Harry Atwood flying over the White House. Atwood flew from Boston to Washington on July 14, 1911, the longest fiight ever made in America up to that time, landed and took off on the White House grounds. Copyright by Harris-Ewing. BATCHELOR FAGES CHARGE OF BIGAMY Suspended Policeman Also Indicted in Assault Case in Arlington County. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, Va., February 17.—A hereto- fore guarded secret with respect to the marital difficulties of Le Roy E. Batch- elor, suspended Washington policeman, became known yesterday when the grand jury here returned two indict- ments against him, one charging y. Batchelor's difficulties here started on the night of January 15, when he is claimed to have presented himself at the home of his father-in-law, Lieut. Edward T. Harney of the Harbor pre- ‘winct, Washington, and when refused permission to see his estranged wife, Mrs. Margaret E. Batchelor, alleged to have fired several shots into the house, one striking Lieut. Harney's 10- year-old daughter, Buth rney. As a result of this affair he was indicted for assault with intent to kill by the grand jury yesterday. Wed Georgia Girl. | According to the information fur- nished Commonwealth’s Attorney Wil- liam C. Gloth by Lieut. Harney and later turned over to the grand jury, Batchelor was married on May 28, 1919, to Miss George Stewart Walton of Columbus, Ga. marriage took place in Norfolk, Va., and a éertified copy of the certificate was furnished by the clerk of the court of that city. Accompanying the marriage certifi- cate was a letter from William B. Mills, superintendent of police of Phil- | adelph! sayi he had_interviewed Mrs. “Georgla” Stewart Batchelor at her apartment at 1910 West Venango street, that city, and that she had produced a marriage certificate cor- | responding with the certified copy re- ceived frcm Norfolk. She said that she had never bzen divorced from Batchelor, the letter stated. | Batchelor is now awaiting sentence in | the District of Columbia on traffic charges resulting from an accident that occurred there on the same n.ght that he is claimed to have fired the shots | into the home of his father-in-law. Dismissal Recommended. An extradition hearing was to have { been conducted in the District of Co- lumbia Supreme Court today, but had to be postponed because Batchelor will | not be sentenced on the traffic charges | until Saturday. | Meantime, the District Commission- | ers have before them the recommenda- tion of the Police Trial Board to dismies ! Batchelor from the department. The | recommendation followed the police- | man’s arraignment before the board on | a charge of conduct unbecoming an offi- | | cer growing out of the trouble vccurring | | on January 15. | INCOME TAX FACTS. H Nn. 16. Salaries paid employes consti- tute one of the largest items of business expenses. To be allowed as a deduction such claims must conform closely to the wording of | | the statute, which provid:s for ! the deduction of “a reasonable | | allowance for personal services | actually rendered.” The test of 1 deductibility is whether the amounts paid ar: reasonable and | whether they . in fact, purely for personal services. ~Money pald an officar of a corporation for which no services, or services inadequate to the compensation, are rendered is not deductible as “salery.” Reasonable compensa- tion is held to be an amount that ordinariiy is paid by like enter- prises in like circumstances for | like services. ) Bonuses to employes may be deducted by employers when such payments are made in good faith as additional compensation for services, actually rendered, pro- Gets Speed Aid WILLIAMS SECURES BACKING FOR SCHNEIDER CUP PLANE. ALFORD J. WILLIAMS. NEW YORK, February 17 (#)—The Daily News today said a group of young sportsmen had agreed to finance the construction of an American entry im by Alford J. Williams, speed fiyer. Williams said his backers had banded together to restore the United States to leadership in the world speed fiying. The editors of Liberty have offered $5,000 as a nucleus for the fund. An organization known as Alford J. Wwilliams, Inc., has been founded ® carry out plans. REDS' DEPORTATION 1S SOUGHT IN HOUSE West Virginian Says Spread of Doctrine May Prove Men- ace to Government. By the Associated Press. Deportation of Communists as one means of “shutting their treasonable mouths” was advocated in the House today by Representative Bachmann. A member of the Speclal House Committee that investigated Com- munism, the West Virginia Republican said uniess something stops the sprea | of doctrines seeking “the proletariat, | DINNER POSTPONED | Testimonial to Doak Delayed by | | Death of Mother. | | _Indefinite postponement of a testi- monial dinner to have been tendered Secretary Doak Thursday night at the | Mayflower Hotel because of the death | of his mother in Bristol, Va., was an- nounced tcday. The hosts were to have been Bill | Doak Lodge, No. 584; Columbia Lodge, No. 484; District Lodge, No. 286, and the Ladies’ Auxillary of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 398, Brotherhcod of Rafl- way Trainmen. Prominent railroad men had been invited to speak. | activities in that direction “may even- tually become a serious menace to our present form of Government.' Preventive Plans Asked. As preventive measures the speaker suggesied legislation to enlarge powers of the Justice Department so ‘“there will be at least one branch of the Federal Government in constant touch with what is taking place”; a strength- ening of immigration laws to éxclude Communists and deportation of those who do get in, and laws to stop all newspapers and publications of every kind advocating overthrow of this Government by force or violence. “I am not an alarmist and do not anticipate there is any danger of an immediate revolutionary uprising from the Communists, but I believe that the FPederal Government should tuke pre- cautionary measures to guard against this alien revolutionary conspiracy, aimed at the heart of our Government and at the life, liberty and happiness of our people.” He mentioned a spread of Communist propaganda among school chfidren, warning that “‘America can have no more vicious or dangerous enemy than he who seeks to implant in the minds of impressicnable youths the seeds of class hatred, anti-Americanism and revolu- tion.” Danger to Youth Cited. “If we stand by,” he said, “and per- mit the youth of our country to grow up uncer Communist teachings and anti-religious instructions, we are sow- ing seeds for chaos and ruin, and un- consclously aiding the enemy of civili- zation.” 0 “Why there should be any hesitation in driving this horde of enemies out of the country, or shutting their treason- able mcuths and stopping their revolu- +| tionary noise is beyond my understand- ing.” he said. “Let us get rid of them and let them return to Russia, where they can Com- vided that, when added to the stipulated salaries, the total does not excied “a reasonable com- | | pensation for services rendered.” { | When the amount of a salary of i an officer or employe is paid for | a limited time to a widow or heirs in recognition of services rendered by the deceased, such I payment may be deducted. | Amounts paid to retired em- 1 ployes, their familles or others dependent upon them, as pen- \ sions, or on account of injuries reccived by employes, are deduc- tible by the employer. Such de- ducticns are lmited to the amount not compensated for by insurance in favor of the em- ployer, or otherwise. Salaries paid by cmployers to employes who are absent in military, naval, or other service of the Government, but who in-" tend to return at the conclusion of such service, are allowable deductions by the employer. | munize to their hearts’ content.” BLOW WITH HORSESHOE FRACTURES BOY’S SKULL Thirteen-year-old Edward Neam, Jef- | terson Junior High School student, liv- | ing at 239 Linworth place southwest, is in Emergency Hospital suffering from a fracture of the skull from a blow on the head with a horseshoe yesterday while rlrflclplunl in a game of tossing the rons. A The striking was purely accidental, lice reported after an investigation. er Muir, 16 years old, 313 Eleventh street southwest, is the playmate who tossed the shoe. One of the school instructors took the injured boy to the hospital and the boy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Neam were notified. improvement in the pa- tient's condition was at the hospital this morning. s \ the Schneider Cup races, to be flown | STEWARD PRAISES PAY RAISE REPORT | Proposed Bill Slated to Be Introduced and to Pend Until New Session. { | The revised classification bill sub- mitted to Congress yesterday by the personnel classificatiocn board today proved to be the subject of general | commendation, with but few sugges- | tions for improvement. | While the National Federation of | Federal Employes found it generally satisfactory, Luther C. Steward, presi- dent, stated that his organization still | would continue efforts to get an “ade- | quate minimum entrance salary.” Bill to Be Introduced. { E It was expected that the bill would be | introduced both in the Senate and the | House by the chairmen of the Civil | Service Committees of the two bodies, | but would go over to the next session of Ccogress. Hearings probably would not open | until much later Steward Lauds Report. Luther C. Steward, president of the National Federation of Federal Em- | ployes. in discussing classification, said | that it “presents the most comprehen- sive study of Federal employment throughout the country ever attempted.” “We are gratified,” he said, “to find in this report & number of recommen- dations which exactly coincide with the program of the National Federation of Federal Employes. “We wish particularly to commend the recommendations for periodical increases in salary, within grades; for abolition of the so-called average provision: for wage fixing machinery; for mechanical and labor groups, whose compensation has a direct relation to | the prevailing rate in the community; for the virtual abandonment of the present complicated and elaborate efficiency rating system. “We regret to note that the en- trance salary as proposed is unchanged from the present minimum. The pro- posal to lessen the number of rates in & grade and to increase the amount of rate increases combined with the periodical increases will, 1t is true, enable employes (o progress much more rapidly than at present, but the Na- | tional Federation of Federal Employes shall continue its efforts to secure in the legislation an adequate minimum entrance salary.” |BANKER HELD IN LOSS OF SEATTLE SAVINGS :Arreqed lnvNerw VYOI"k, He Faces | Charge of Taking $248,085 ! for Radio Ventures. | By the Associated Press. SEATTLE. February 17.—Charged with embezzling $248,085 from the Puget Sound Savings & Loan Association, Adolph Linden, former president, was under arrest today in New York. Linden was sald to be ready to return here whenever requested to do so. The Puget Sound institution’s busi- ness was suspended Pebruary 7 by the State director of efficiency, Harry C. Johnson, who said a recelver would be appointed unless the business was put on a sound basls in 20 days. Depositor-shareholders, numbering 27,000, have been asked to sign over 25" per cent of their deposits in an effort to restore the impaired capital of the associatict, which has capitaliza- tion of $14,000,000. Officlals listed the impairment at $1,138,000. Prosecutor Robert M. Burgunder sald most of the quarter million dollars was_“illegally- diverted from the as- sociation funds to finance Linden's ventures in the American Broadcasting Co."and the Northwest Radio Service Co., both now defunct, of which Linden als) was president.” The embezzle- ments, Burgunder charged, took place in 1928 and 1929. WAGNER PROPOSES DRY LAW REPEAL WITHOUT SALOON (Continued From First Page.) barring that form of liquor sale or by | other similar methods, he outlined. This, | he held, would clear the way for out- right repeal. COMMISSION 1S SILENT. Wickersham Declines 10 Answer Ques- I tions Regarding Testimony. The Law Enforcement Commission returned today to the almost complete silence that characterized the days pre- ceding its prohibition report. Chairman Wickersham declinea w0 answer all questions as to when, how, or if the commission would comply with the Senate resolution adopted yesterday, requesting all the non-secret. testimony and data upon which the now historic prohibition report was based. The nmmcn was expressed at com- mission headquarters, however, that it would be difficult to submit the data until the commission had had an oppor- tunity to re-arrange them. ‘The commission does not meet again until March 4. Congress hopes to end its session on that date. . TUESDAY, 'FEBRUAR CONFEREE SHAPE B BOARDREPORT Wait for More Information on Details, but May Finish Up Today. Senate and House conferees on the bill to regulate outdoor signs in Wash- ington may complete their work within the next day or two. The conferees held a meeting yesterday afternoon at 'which they went over the details of the ‘measure, but decided to wait for soi additional information on certain poin! before making a report. It is possible they may finish the report some time a: ‘The bill would give the Commis- sloners authority to make regulations governing signs and other outdoor advertising. It has passed both branches ,of Congress. The conferees are engaged in per- fecting the language of some of the amendments, and their report will go to the House and Senate for final ratification. The conferees are Senators Capper of Kansas, Jones of Washington and King of Utah: Representatives Zihl- man of Maryland, Hall of Indlana and Mary T. Norton of New Jersey. PRESS SCORES SIGNS. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ANNAPOLIS, Md., February 17.-- Aligning themselves with' those who are seeking to preserve the beauty of Mary- land’s highways through the regulation of billboards, the Maryland Press Asso- ciation yesterday indorsed legislation to this end now pending before the General Assembly and appointed a committee to present its views when the subject is given committee hearing in the As- sembly. James P. Curley, editor of the Laurcl Leader, and newly elected president of the assoctation, was named to the com- mittee, which also comprises Leo P. Moore of Havre de Grace and David S. Jenkins of Annapolis. Specific disapproval of billboards at road intersections and at other points where they constitute a menace to safe driving was contained in the resolution adopted by the association, whose mem- bership consists chiefly of editors of weekly newspapers from the various counties of the State. The Assembly now has two anti-bill- board measures before it, one proposing to license outdoor advertising companies and tax individual signs, and the other to make possible the enforcement of ex- isting laws against signs illegally posted. Both were introduced by Delegate Oliver Metzeratt of Prince Georges County, Republican foor leader. Another bill, spo sored by several Democratic Delegates, and similar 1o one of the Metzerott measures, is scheduled for presentation this week. GROCER CHALLENGES AUTHORITY OF SENATE | George W. Norris Files Demurrer Similar to One by Vie- tor Seymour. By the Associated Press. LINCOLN, Neb., February 17— George W. Norris, the grocer who was indicted for perjury in copnnection with his testimony before the Senate Cam- paign Fund Committee after he at- tempted to oppose Senator George W. Norris in his race for re-election, today filed & demurrer challenging the author- ity of the Senate to investigate primary election campaigns, Willlam E. S8human of North Platte, attorney for the grocer, flled the de- murrer in Federal Court. It was simi- lar to the one recently filed by Victor Seymour, Repulican leader, who al was indicted for perjury in connection with his testimony before the commit- tee headed by Senator Gerald P. Nye. ‘The similarity of the demurrers will make argument on the two perjury indictments possible at the same time. Federal Judge. T. C. Munger indi- cated the arguments probably would be heard next month, but no date has been set. Seymour also challenged the right of the Nye Committee to investi- gate primary campaigns. Grocer Norris was indicted on two counts by the Federal grand jury here January 23. The filing of the grocer. as & primary campaign opponent of the Senator of the same name led to the investigation in Nebraska by the Scnate committee. The grocer's filing letter was ruled il. legal by the State Supreme Court be- cause it arrived late. His name did not app:ar on the ballot. I lso{ tion, Washington's Official Circles Answer Asser- tions on Failure to Main- tain Treaty. By the Associated Press. ROME, February 17.—Official circles, while taking yesterday's criticlsm by Pope Plus calmly, today contradicted some of the points in which the Pontiff said the government was failing to malntain the moral and religious at- mosphere in Rome stipulated under the terms of the Lateran treaty. The newspapers, which the Pope criticized as “immoral” are rej led by official Rome as among the cleanest in Europe; the movies which the Pope also criticized, are mostly American, with some German and French, all closely censoréd, and there is close supervision over the vaudeville stage. As for disregard of the Sabbath, it was observed that the head of the church naturally would expect a more rigid observance than is fenenlly to be_expected from the people. The Itallan government, it was said, observes the spirit and letter of the Lateran treaty, but while protecting the interests of the church of Rome it also must assure religious freedom of other sects. This was by way of answer to the Pope's assertion that too great free- dom was permitted Protestant sects in taly. EFFORT TO DELAY SUPPLY BILL FAILS |Senate Votes to Take Up Confer- ence Report on Independent Offices Measure. | By the Assoclated Press. An attempt to block consideration {of one of the appropriation bills which must be passed before the March 4 ad- y,mumment to avold an extra session was defeated by an overwhelming ma- jority today in the Senate. Democratic and Republican leaders joined 1n voting 54 to 18 to take up the conference report adjusting differ- ences between the Senate and House on the $1,050,000,000 independent cffices supply measure. Senator Black, Democrat, Alabama, who yesterday threatened a filibuster to force an extra session unless action is taken on Muscle Shoals legislation in the remaining two weeks, sought to block consideration. Nine Republican Independents, led by { S2nators Borah of Idaho and Norris of Nebraska, voted against taking up the appropriation report. Twenty Damo- ciats, including Senators Robirson of Arkansas and Walsh of Montana, the {party leaders, voted to take up the inst considering the {bill were: Republicans, Blaine, Borah, | Couzens, Cutting, Frazier, ‘Howell, La Folletie, Norris and Nye; Democrats, Black, Brock, Caraway, Dill, McGill, McKeilar, Sheppard, Trammell and Wil- liamson. 'BLOOM TO DELIVER TALK ON WASHINGTON MONDAY Representative Sol Bloom of New York, associate director of the Wash- ington Bicentennial Commission, will deliver the address at Washington's birthday exercises next Monday at noon before the Association of Oldest Inhabit- ants a.L Western Presbyterian Church, H street between Nineteenth and Twen- tieth streets. Following traditions of the associa- farewell address will be read, this year by Dr. George C. Havenner, president of the Federation of Citizens' Associations. Fred East and Bill Raymond will sing. John Clagett Proctor will read an original poem and a luncheon will follow the program. Washington Topham is chairinan of the Entertainmenf, Committee in charge, which includes also Henry L. Bryan, Frank W. Dowling, Fred A. Emery, Percy B. Israel, John Clagett Proctor and J. Eliot Wright. Gov. Emerson Nears Cris CHEYENNE, Wyo., February 17 (#.— The condition of Gov. Frank C. Emer- son of Wyoming, suffering from an attack of pneumonia, was unchanged today as he approached the crisis of his iliness. Attending physicians said he wss_holding his own. Pneumonia de- veloped from a mild attack of influenaa. Give Talent for Jobless V. F. W. ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. WINIFRED HUTT (LEFT) AND RUTH BOHANNAN, Eccentric dancers, have donated their talents to the Front Line Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, which is giving an entertainment tonight for the benefit of ‘Washington’s unemployed. The affair is to be held at the National Press Club and performers from five local theaters their services. The only paid talent musicians who have been out of work and three booking agencies have donated on the program is an orchestra of 15 since the theater strike some time ago. Part of the proceeds will be used for the maintenance of the veterans’ soup kitchen at Sixth street and Pennsylvania avenue, - Y 1 | ROME CONTRADICTS | [ sewete sought | CRITICISM OF POPE |~ . MRS. G. BRYAN PIWTS. —Star Staff Photo. SENATE ACTS FAST TO BRING UP BONUS BILL FOR PASSAGE _ (Continued Prom Pirst Page.) move to discharge a committee from further consideration of a measure. But if I_were insuiting every member of the Scnate Finance Committee by mak- ing this motion, I would do s0 now, rather than let the veterans of the World War die in hospitals or be neg- lected because we falled to act upon this bill.” Senator Smoot replied that he had calied a meeting of the S-nate Finance Committee to consider the bonus bill at 10 a.m. tomorrow. He also pointed out that the committee so far had bad no opportunity to consider the bonus bill. H: addd, however: “I have no idea but that the bill will be acted on by the committee to- morrow,” Senator Dill of Washington suggested that 1t would be better to vote to dis- charge the committee, even tomorrow, than to wait for a report, pointing out that if the committee reported the bill tomorrow, under the rules of the Sen- ate, unless unanimous consent could be obtained for its immediate considera- tion, the bill would have to lie over till Thursday. It was at this point that Senator Smoot declared emphatically that it was not his purpose to delay the bill or to play politics with it Urges “Horse Sense.” Scnator Reed of Pennsylvania. a member of the Finance Committee, caled upon the Senate to exercise a lit- tie “horse sense.” He said there were some amendments which should be adopted. He added that scant consider- ation had been given to the bonus bill either in the House Ways and Means Comnmittee or in the House itself. The Pennsylvania Senator insisted that the hearing tombrrow would not last long and that the committee could amend the bill and report it out | promptly. Senator Couzens of Michigan, one of those who is insisting on prcmpt action on the bonus bill, another member of th2 Finznce Committee, asked Senatar Reed if he were not insisting that the committe hold hearings. “The Senator from Michigan,’ re- plied Senator Reed. “thinks that T am hlibustering on action on this bonus pill. I am not. A suggestion that the Senate amend the bonus bill s0 as to reduce the rate of interest charged in the House bill, 4%, per cent, on lo2ns made to veterans on their adjusted compensation certifi- cates was made by Senator Copeland of New York. In this he was backed up by Senator Norris of Nebraska, who said that when the bill was brought into the Senate, whether the Finance Committee pro- posed amendment to reduce the rate of interest or not,‘such an amendment could be offered from the floor. The Nebraska Senator insisted that the Government should not charge the vet- erans a higher rate of interest than the Government was compelled to pay to obtain money itself. He called atten- tion also to the fact that under the House bill the interest charges against the veterans who borrow the money will be compounded, and that by 1945 the compound interest will have practi- cally wiped out the remainder of the veterans’ bonus. ‘Wants Cash, Not Loan. Senator Barkley of Kentucky said that the Government is now lending money to shipbuilding companies at interest one-half as high as it now proposes to charge the World War veterans. Sena- tor Caraway of Arkansas urged that Congress provide for & payment of part of the bonus to the soldiers instead of making them a loan. Senator Borah of Idaho called at- tention to the fact that when the Sen- ate passed the drought-rellef bill re- cently, authorizing loans to farmcrs in the drought-stricken area, there had been no limit set on the interest to be charged the farmers. He said he had been informed that the interest on some of these loans would run to 7 or 8 per cent The Idaho Senator suggested that as the House had been so generous to the veterans it should not put through a joint resolution specifying the interest to be paid on the loans by the drought- stricken farmers. Senator Dill of Washington warned the Senate against amending the House bonus bill. He sald that if Senate amendments were added it might rasuit in delaying action on the bonus bill un- til too late. The House, he said, passed the bill yesterday by an overwhelming vote and might refuse to accept any kind of an amendment. Senator Barkley vigorously eriticized Secretary Mellon, who has expressed his opposition to the bill. The Kentucky Senator said Mr. Mellon had been mak- ing estimates of Treasury surpluses and deficits for years and that he had never been right. He said that the Senate should not now be moved by the “de- ception and false pretenses” of Secre- tary Mellon. Waison Wanis Debate. Senator Couzens pointed out that the Senate Finance Committee has already held hearings on proposzd bonus legis lation, and had done so in order that it might acz promptly on a bonus bill when it came over from the House. He said he did not think that furiher hear- ings were necessary, and that he was in favor of discharging the committee, if necessary, from further consideration of the measure. Senator Watson of Indiana, Repub- lican leader, said he thought that the Senate should know something about the bonus bill before it acted on the measure. The House, he said, had not been familiar with the bill's provisions, and it had practically no debate on it. “I am trying to prevent,” said Sen- ator Watson, “the Senate's acting on a measure about which it knows nothing. Senator Couzens retorted that if members of the Senate would remain in their seats today they would know all about the proposed bonus bill. He then 1l|;1nched into a speech on bonus legis- Pk Sl LIRS ) Historie Book in Library RICHMOND, Va., February 17 (#).— A guard book kept by the adjutant! e general of iment of Maine Volunteegs until the ttle of Bull used thereafter th Run ai Vh'm\na Infantry was preses State Library yesterday by J. circuif clerk of Rockingham P SLAYING ADMITTED INPRINTERSBEATH Detective‘Tells Inq}mt Store Owner Confessed Killing During Dice Game. A coroner’s jury was informed this afternoon that Ernest Carroll, eolored, made a full confession to police this morning in which he repudiated a pre- vious statement and admitted he killed Albert A. Galbreath, 43-year-old print- er, following an argument over a dice game yesterday afternoon in the colored man’s delicatessen at 110 L street. The jury held Carroll for grand jury investigation. Detective Henry Rinke of the second precinct testified he and a fellow officer obtained this version from Carroll in the Jlock-up at that precinet this morning. Rinke said Carroll voluntarily ad- mitted he falsified his first s in an attempt to make it appear he had surprised Galdreath during an attempt- ed robbery. The colored man, police say, told them he took ten $1 bills from the cash register in the store, and folded the left hand of the dead man about them, scattering other bills on the_floor. Carroll at first insisted he came down stairs and surprised Galbreath looting his cash register. He sald the white man backed toward the door and he shot him once with & .38-caliber pistol which he had taken from an upstairs bureau drawer before descending the staircase. Carroll's later version, Rinke testi- fled, was to the effect that the dead man and several others were engaged in a dice game in the rear of his delicates- sen. Carroll said a dispute arose over a 50-cent bet between himself and Gal- breath and that Galbreath thrcatened him with a vinegar bottle, Carroll said he went to a back room and got his gun, accosting Galbreath as he was about to leave the delics. tessen. A heated dispute ensued, and Carroll, police say, declared the gun went off by accident when he raised it to enforce an order for Galbreath 1o leave the premises. Carroll then said he pulled the body back from the door, which he locked before telephoning for the police. Carroll was quoted as having said that the others in the game were Frank C. Brown, 336 Adams street northeast, a friend of Galbreath's, and a colored man named William Jones. Brown said he witnessed the shooting. He told police that Carroll shot Galbreath because the latter had expectorated on the floor of the store. He did not say anything about a dice game. Brown testified that he and the dead man went to Carroll's delicatessen to purchase liquor and that Carroll shot after he had taken Galbreath to task for lpltu:f on the floor of ‘the store. Brown denied that he or Galbreath had played dice with the colored man. Galbreath's widow, Mrs. Ethel 8mith Galbreath, said he had been out of work.for some time and she was under the impression her.husband had gone downtown yesterday to take. temporary employment. ? Galbreath §s also survived.by a son, James Galbreath; his father and moth- er, Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Galbreath, sr., of No. 20 K street: a brother, Wil- liam Galbreath, and & young . stepson. He had been married about three years. EX-TELLER ACQUITTED IN EMBEZZLEMENT CASE (From the 5:30 Bdition of Yesterday's Star.) Dora L. Davis of Laurel, Md., former savings teller of the Second National Bank, was acquitted late this by a District Supreme Court jui Justice Gordon. She had been indicted on charges of embezzling $400 of the funds of the bank in 1928 and with making false entries on the books of the bank to cover the alleged tion. On motion of ‘Attorneys R. H. Yeat- man and George-D. Horning, ¥, Justice Gordon took from the jury the consid- eration of the charges of making false entries and left to them only the em- bezzlement charge. ~The jury consid- ered the matter about five minutes and promptly acquitted the woman. HIGH GAS PRESSURE HELD BILL BOOSTER; CHANGE IS ORDERED led From Pirst Page) fort was being made to adjust all gas appliances so that there would be no wastage of gas and that this work was proceeding at the rate of about 5,00 appliances per month. £ Mr. said that he was fnore than anxious to meet the commission hzalf way in any-action it propdsed to take or any action recommended by the people’s counsel. After their conference with the Pub- lic Utilities Commission, the representatives called _upon Counsel Richmond B. Keech. The gas company officials told Mr. Keech that all complaints coming to the company either from consumers di- rect or through Mr. Keech were being investigated and adjustments made wherever necessary. Mr. Hyde showed Mr. Keech a number of testimonials from consumers.who were satisfied with their gas service. Mr. Keech said that nevertheless, there must be some grounds for such a large number of complaints and asked that the com- pany, fcr its own sake, as well as for that of the consumers, do something to settle the old question. BAND CONCERT. By the United States Soldiers’ Home Band this evening at Stanley Hall; John §. M. Zimmermann, bandmaster; Anton Pointner, assistant. March, “Le Gigot” (Leg of Mut- ton) . Romberg Overture, “Le Rol I'Dit” (The King Hath Said).......... . Del Entr’Acte—"Coquet “Conxonetta” . Gems from musical comedy, Million Frenchmen” Tango, “The Mald of Argen! Waltz song, “Carolin: Finale, “Some Smol ‘Word comes from the Asso- ciated Press of embarrassment and annoyance inflicted by im- postors and petty grafters, who in many cities of the country, by posing as Associated Press rep- resentatives, have victimized mer- chants and others. For the protection of our citi- zens we can say authoritatively that the Associated Press does not issue bgdges or printed cre- dentials to its representatives. Its employes do nqt ask for spe- cial privileges, advances of money, credit at hotels and other public places of entertainment. They do not ask banks to cash checks ‘without complete identification; they do not solicit the purchase of any article, or endeavor to sell anythidg. We wish our business men and citizens to know that when any person comes to them seekiug favors or making any solicitation mvolvln%mnney or credit on the ground that he represents the As- soclated Press, it is safe to set that person down 2s an impostor regardless of the nature of his purported credentials.