Evening Star Newspaper, June 30, 1931, Page 17

HATLESS' BANDITS INDIGTED ON THREE ROBBERY CHARGES Two Drug and One Grocery Stores Held Up by Trio, Jury Holds. ACCUSE TWO OF GANG WITH STEALING AUTO, Murder and Manslaughter Indict- | ments Returned in Stabbing and Traffic Killing. Peter Sala, Nicholas Vasilion and| John M. Ross, known as the “hatless | trio,” were indicted today by the grand | Jury on three charges of robbery at the | point of a pistol. Two of the robberies | are sald to have occurred at drug stores | and the third at a grocery. [ Sala and Vasilion were named in a | fourth indictment which charged them ! with taking an automobile without the . permission of the owner. The car be- ! longed to Charles S. Miller and was | taken June 16. It was recovered by De- | tective Sergt. C. H. Irammell about 2| miles below Alexandria, badly damaged. The first of the robbery indictments against the trio relates to a visit to th2 | Mount Pleasant Pharmacy, 3146 lV.luun!“ Pleasant strect, June 2, at 11:25 o'clock | in the evening. Jares M. Clark, one of | the proprietors, reportéd to police that| the trio entered the store and, covering him and a clerk with p'stols, took $3; from the clerk, & pocketbook, $300 In | cash and some k2ys from him and $120 from the cash register. They drove away in an automobile. Drug Robbery Charged. Another indictment charges the mb-l bery of the Whittlesey Drug Store, Inc.. | 1564 Wisconsin avenue, June 8, at 10:50 | o'clock in the evening. Edwin O.} Cockey, the manager, reported ;that Vasilion and Ross entered and ordered | soft drinks. A few minutes later Sala: appeared and , drawing pistols, the men | lined the manager and his clerks against the rear wall and went through | their pockets, taking their money. One| of them rified the cash register, he said, | and took $80. All escaped in an auto- | mobile. The third robbery charge grows ocut of a visit to the grocery store of Lecn Bauman, 1452 D street northeast, May 30 at 9:30 o'clock in the evening. Vasi- lion ® sald to have covered the pro- prietor with a gun while Ross xnd Sala tock $33 from the cash 1egister Assault_with intent to rob is alleged ) in an indictment against William Har- ris, colored, who is said to have at- tempted to hold up the Thompson | Junch room at 1345 E street june 12 at 11.20 o'clock in the-evening. . Simon Lang, the cashier, threw a stamp- moistening stand into the face of the alleged bandit and he ran from the place. He was captured by pedestrians and turned over to the police. Indicted for Murder. Oscar Johnson, colored, was indicted for murder in toe first degree. said to have stabded to death with a penknife Isaac Simmons, also colored, | following a quarrel in a dining room on the second floor of 2437 M street June 23. Charles E. Derby, alleged “hit-and- run driver,” was held responsible under » manslaughter indictment by the grand jury for the death of William Robert Settle, 7 yea 1d, who was run down on Naylor road, near Thirtieth street southeast, while returning from school June 16 at 2:20 o'clock in the after- noon. The boy's body remained in a lley where it was thrown for several ours before being discovered by a posse of neighbors searching fcr the child. Willilam von Garrel was walking with his schcol companion along the road When he said the automobile approach- ed at a rapid rate and when it had passed he did not see his_companion. After searching for him he reported the occurrence to neighbors. Derby in the meantime had been arrested by Po- liceman Thomas Hayes for speeding and at first is said to have denled striking the child but later confessed, the police report. Fail to Indict 14. The grand jurors declined to indict | 14 persons including Earl C. W. Hig-| don, Donald Bridges, James E. Bolger, Fllwood Kissenberger, Russell T. Her- berson and John Lippcld, joy-riding; George W. McGaha and Harry J. Biggs, grand larceny; John A. Fentress, con- spiracy; Daniel J. and Raymond I. Cur- tain, assault with dangerous weapon; Joe R. Butler, bribery; James W. Hart, abortion, and Gustave Haas, forgery and embazzlement. Others indicted and the charges against them include Patrick H. Mc- Kivett, Simon P. Thompson, James A. Hackett, Jesse R. McDonald, James Ashley, Milton Jones, Lawrence R.| Beamer and George J. O'San, joyriding; Ernest Davis, Raymond R. Johnson, Harry E. Riley, Cornelius B. Pugh, Jeanette Montgomery and Dorothy W. Bilodeau and J. C. Nugent, grand lar- ceny; Clarence Blackwell and Langston ‘Washington, assault with dangerous weapon; George M. Davis, James Ash- ley, John Byrd and Willlam Park, hotsebreaking and larceny; Thomas | Moore, rToberry, and Worthington M. | Remson and James W. Rowzie, forgery. | ISSUING OF DOG TAGS DELAYED TO JULY 15i New System This Year to Make| Applicants First Get Bills aefore Paying Taxes. Owners of dogs who are thinking of applying for their dog tags in the next few days were advised today to postpone their visit to the District Building until about July 15, as th2 government ma- chinery for grinding out dog tags during the 1932 fiscal year is not ready to function. One of the reforms to be ushered in by the new fiscal year, which begins to- morrow, is & change in the dog tag sys- tem, wihereby the applicant first must go to the District assessor for a bill, take his bill to the coliector of taxes and pay it and then get his tag. Ac- cording to the old system, the dog owner was required only to report to the collector of taxes, pay his money and get his tag. The new system is said to be more efficient. It cannot be put into effect immediately, however, be- cause a form, to b- filled out before the is transferred, has not yet been per-efficient system will be in- stalled later, whereby the doz owner can ¢o the whole business by mail. ! | { Police Officials Honored U RETIRING INSPECTOR, ADVANCING CAPTAIN PRESENTED GIFTS. -| is Pessible that they could be retired, it PPER: Inspector Willilam H. Harrison, Metropolitan Police Department, was presented a gold watch by members of the department today on his retirement from the force after many years of service. G. Pratt _(left) is seen making the presentation to the retiring inspector Maj. Henry in the office of the superintendent of police. Lower: Capt. O. T. Davis of the second precinct, who becomes an inspector with the redrganization of the Metropolitan Pclice Department tomorrow was front of the station house. POLICE ASSOCIATES HONOR HARRISON Retiring Inspector Receives Gold Watch and Chain and Praise of Superiors. Inspector Willlam H. Harrison, vet- eran of the Police Department, who goes on the retired list tomorrow after 39 years of active service, was honored by his associates today at ceremonies in the office of Maj. Henry G. Pratt, Superintendent of Police. Inspector William S. Shelby, on be- half of the ranking officer and admini- strative staff, presented to Inspector Harrison a watch and chain as a token ‘The gift carried with of their esteem. would “tick off it the wish that it many happy hours.” Inspector Shelby lauded Inspector Harrison's police career and declared it was worthy of emulation by all of his associates in the department—su- periors as well as subordinates. Inspector Harrison said he is no'tv leaving the departmeit “with a grudge. “I never felt better in my life,” he de- clared. “But I have reached an age which the powers that be think should end my.active service, and I am hlpgy to know that I am ving with the appreciation, good wishes and friend- ship of the department.” Unlike some of his other associates who also are retiring, Inspector Har- rison does mot propose to spend his time in recreation. Already he has found another job as a real estate nluTan and plans to go to work | shortly. Asidye from Maj. Pratt and Inspector Shelby, the testimonial exercises weré attended by Inspectors E. W. Brown, Louis J. Stoll and Albert J. Headley, Capts. Edward J. Kelly, L. 1. A Ed- wards, F. S. W. Burke and William G. Stott, Lieut. Joseph Morgan, Detective Sergt. Ira Keck, ial aide.to Com- missioner Herberf B. Crosby; Elizabeth Gregory and Pauline Morris, clerks at police administration headquarters. “QUTSTANDING SERVICE” BRINGS PAY INCREASE Pvt. Thomas Hayes Chases Auto Alleged to Have Struck Child " and Driver Later Confesses. The, District Commissioners todey is- sued an order increasing the pay of Pvt. Thomas Hayes of the eleventh precinct $5 per month becauss of “out- standing services.” Hayes chased the automobile of Charles E. Darby, which was allegedly the one which had struck and killed an 8-year-old boy on Naylor road northeast June 16. Then he and Pvt: Willlam Wright questioned ‘Darby. Although they had not seen the auto- mobile strike the boy, a small dent in the fender told the story, and Darby afterward confessed that it was his car which struck tl"l,:lchfld“u’l‘(’l ::l:nhe had eded away, being afra stop. 'p%vruht would probably hdve got the extra $5 per month also, except for one thing. He is getting the extra compensation for ious torious services. | presented with a gold watch and a desk set by members of the second precinct | command. Pvt. John E. Scott is shown presenting the gifts to the advanced He is | captain as members of the command which Capt. Davis is leaving lo"k on in —Star Staff Photos. HOTEL MEN AGREE ON SIGN ABOLITION Maryland .and New Hamp-| shire Associations Vote Billboard Suppression. ‘The Maryland and New Hamp- shire State Hotel Associations, within the month, have taken drastic action against the use of billboard advertising on the highways. According to the statement of Wil- liam J. Quinn," jr, president of the aryland Hotel Men's Association, “those members who now use that par- ticular kind of publicity have agreed to discontinue the use of billboards at the expiration of their present contracts.” Supports National Movement. ‘The New Hampshire body voted -to “support the great national movement to abolish objectionable signs and ‘m- prove the roadsides,” declaring that “the entire recreational industry of Ne wHampshire is suffering from this abuse.” The hotel men proposed to develop a sign policy in co-operation with the State Highway Department to provide adequate directional information at road intersections, but to “discourage the erection of other sign: d to urge the removal of existing ones.” The as- saciation also “condemns the practice of erecting signs along the countryside advertising manufactured products.” 25 Billboards Removed. One of the largest hotels in Ports- | mouth, it was reported, already has re- moved 25 of its billboards from the highways. Both the Maine and Massachusetts hotel associations voted against the use of rural billboards at their last annual meetings. As in the National Capital, | where a number of the leading hotels have ordered cancellation of billboard advertising when present contracts expire, hotel men in many resort sec-| tions, are realizing that outdoor adver- tising is becoming injurious to tourist he Fu WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ‘"WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1931 | | RECOMMENDED FOR SENIOR HIGH POSTS Final Action on Retention of Two Science Teachers Up to Board. ASSURANCE IS GIVEN OF ACTIVE STATUS Will Be Carried Into New Depart- ment in Group B, Kramer Declares, Dr. Willlam A. Hedrick-of the depart- ment of physics and Willlam P. Hay of the department of chemistry and bilol- ogy will be made senior high achool teachers at salaries of $3,200, if recom- mendations of school officials are ap- proved tomorrow by the Board of Ed- ucation. This will bs the first officlal action taken by the school board with respect to Dr. Hedrick and Mr. Hay, whose po- { sitions were abolished by the School Board last Wednesday, when it merged these dcpartments into a “department of sclence,” effective August 31. XKramer Made Recommendation. ‘Tomorrow's action was forecast today by Stephen E. Kramer, first assistant superintendsnt, upon whose initial rec- ommendation 'the departments were merged, and their incumbents deposed, in response to The Star's request for an explanation of the status of the two veteran school officers. Doubt had bzen expressed in school circles that the two men would be demoted to teaching positions, and fears were expressed by friends of the veterans that either both or one of them would be forced to retire. “There is no question about the aétive positions of these men,” Mr. Kramer re- plied today. “We are going to recom- mend that they be made group B teach- ers, and they will be carried into teach- ing positions automatically with the elimination of their present director- ships at the end of August. While it is not our desire to pznalize them this way. Therefore, with the board’s ap- proval, they will be made ieachers of their subjects.” Get Maximum Salary. Group B teachers In normal ani senfor high schools draw the highest salaries in the system, ranging from a minimum of $2,900 per annum to $3,200 as a maximum. In the demotion of Dr. Hedrick and Mr. Hay both automati- cally will begin at the maximum sal- ary. The $3,200 teaching position sal- aries which they will draw will be paid | them, as a matter of fact, for 10 months’ work, while the $3,700 which their pres: ent positions drew is for 12 months’ em- ployment. By keeping both men in the system as directors until th= first day | of the next school year the schou} offi clals actually are favoring them finan- clally, it was explained at the Franklin Administration Building today, as each | actually will draw more money for the | next year's work than they have at any time in their long careers in the oublic school system. Asked if the appointment of a di- rector of science, the position created by the action of the School Board last ‘Wednesday, would be made at tomor- row's meeting, Mr. Kramer explained that the appointment could not be made | ;'kbe!cwxe we've got to find our ma:x Since the Board of Education merged the depariment of physics with the de- partment of chemistry and biology three vigorous objections by District or- ganizations active in school affairs have been voiced against that action and the implied demotion of Dr. Hed- rick, who has been in the school sys- tem 44 years, and Mr. Hay, who has been active for 33 years. TUnlon Protests Action, The Teachers’ Union and the Teach- | ers’ Counctl, together .with the District Congress of Parents and Teachers, have addressed communications to the School Board and to the board's officers, in- cluding Dr. Frank W. Ballou, superin- tendent, decrying the action as estab- lishing a principle which “threatened the tenure” of veteran teachers and “‘wrecks the morale” of the personnel generally. Whether these protests will be considered by the School Board in open session tomorrow remained proble- matical today. Board members who could be reached pointed out that the Personnel Com- mittee and school officials had had the proposed demotion of the two uoi™cers and the merger of their positions under consideration for two years, while Dr. Hedrick and Mr. Hay themselves had { been aware of the threatened action for as long as five years. FALSE ALARM LEADS | wards' left temple, abdomen and left | \for the Department of Justice, Sleepers in Parks When to Turn Out -at 8 o'clock by the park police, in order to clear the scene before the Government workers and court attaches begin to arrive. Capt. R. C. Montgomery, U. 8. A., superintendent of the United States Park Police, stal that from 3 distinguish between the vagrants, the drunks and those merely seek- a spqt, the captain explained. All of them, however, are subject to the 8 o'clock alarm. “HPPY LEE" SLAN IN MONEY DISPUTE Police Seek Colored Man Known as “Buster” in Early- Morning Shooting. | Joseph Edwards, colored, known to the police as “Hippy Lee,” was shot to | death this morning by another colored | man, known only as “Buster,” accord- ing to police. - | Edwards was 32 years old. Police say he is the original “Hippy,” though | several colored men have been known | to use the alias. | Police| were informed of the shooting | about 2 o'clock this morning and went to Edwards' home, 2247 Twelfth place. | His assaflant had fled when they ar- | rived. Mrs. Edwards told police she heard “Buster” say to her husband, “I want my money, and I want it right now.” Three shots followed, she said. She sald she knew nothing of any financial transaction between the two. Edwards was pronounced dead by Dr. Cleveland Jackson of Freedmen's Hos- pital staff. The body was ordered re- moved to the morgue for an autopsy and inquest. The bullets entered Ed-| thigh. | Police investigation is in charge of | Detective Thomas Sweeney of the homi- | cide squad, assisted by Detective How- | ard Smith and eighth precinct police. | A description of the slayer has been broadcast. SHOPS DO BUSINESS AS WRECKERS WORK| Slaughter House Calves Bawl and| Tradesman Sells Fish Amid U. S. Razing. In the midst of wrecking operations two,| business establishments, a slaughter house and s seafood place, were still doing business today at 926 and 930 C street. | ‘These two were the last survivors of the great market area which the Gov-| emment is demolishing to make way for the public bullding progr: and have been given this short extra lease of life by the contractor, who received custody of the property from the court | through condemnation. Calves were bawling today in the slaughter house of Walter Brown & | Sons, Inc., while truck loads of debris and material from wrecked buildings all around were going by the front door, and a steam shovel was clearing up refuse not far distant to the south. - This business will move soon to its ne'! Pplace, 1110 Maryland avenue south- west. Next door, on C street, 8. W. Rus- sell was doing business his last day at the old stand, it was said, as he plans to move tomorrow: to 1108 Maryland avenue southwest. JURY GETS THEFT CASE Harvey Lee Held in $1,000 Bond on Housebreaking Charge. Harvey Amon Lee, 24, charged with housebreaking, was held for action of | the grand jury, with bond set at $1,000, foliowing his appearance before United States Commissioner Needham C. Tur- nage today. Lee was brought back from Chicago this morning by Detective H. TO GAMBLING DEN Police Called to Investigate Shoot- ing Find Room Fitted for Bookmaking. For the third time in less than two months a false alarm of a shooting led to the discovery of a gambling den yes- terday, police finding a room fitted as a bookmaking establishment at 601 Third street southwest, upon responding on a e:ll that & man had besn shot at that a 1 No arrests were made, the place be- ing empty when Detective Sergt. How- ard Ogle and a squad of uniformed men battered in the heavily barricaded trade. MAN HITS DETECTIVE UPON BEING ARRESTED Held on Warrant Alleging Threat, Louis 0. Thomas Also Faces Two Assault Charges. An attack upon two headquarters de- tectives who sought to arrest him on a warrant charging threats resulted in the ng of two asssult charges n{nhut Louis O. Thomas; 23 years old, of 1418 Ir street, in addition to the count contained in the warrant last night. ‘Thomas, accor to, Detective Sergt. Wi m the face when Du al Sergt. Arthur T. Fihelly went to the man's house and informed him' that he was under arrest. Several blows werd exchanged in the scuffie that ensued ‘before Thomas was o ters. The complainant against Thomas in the warrant is'John G, May, 1600 Iblock Lamont street. doors, which they found tightly locked when they arrived. However, approximately $2,000 ‘worth of gaming equipment, Including tele- hones, a radio, desks, tables and rein- forced doors, were seized. It is belleved that a “lookout” tipped off those inside the place upon the approach of police and the men fled over adjoining to safety. . ‘Two similar calls resulted in the find- ing of as many gambling dives recently, one of which was loeated on Thirteenth strect just below F, while the other, patronized by colored people, was found uptown. . Cefee T FREE TWO TAKEN IN RAID Two of the three-score men arrested Saturday in a one-man warrantless raid in the 500 block of Tenth street were released under bond of $500 each in July 18. o The defendants were - Jake Ehrlich and i’!:eph K. Sullivan, :&"w with ng gaming. The er persons en in the raid were held under $100 bond each ent witnesses. The arrests were headquarters de K. Wilson, after his,arrest there Sun- 4y night. % An automobile theft charge will also be presented against Lee before the; grand jury tomorrow. ‘The defendant is said to have stolen 480 from the automobile accessory es- tablishment of Frank G. Stewart, 1800 Fourteenth street on June 13. l EXCURSIONS SCHEDULED | Census Bureau Group and Langdon Club Will Take Potomac Trip. ‘The Crops Club of the Census Bureau will go on an excursion tonight on the City of Washington of the Wilson Line, leaving the Seventh street wharf at 8:45 o'clock. About 2,000 members and guests are expected to make the trip. A. C. Stickley is chairman, assisted by N. A. Metro and F. V. Plunkett. ‘The Priendship Club of Langdon also is going down the Potomac on the City of Washington tonight. Miss Hilda Harpole is chairman of the outing. PLANES TO MANEUVER 17th Squadron in Demonstration for West Point Cadets in Virginia. ‘The famous 17th Pursult Squadron, commanded by Capt. panied by s tri-motored carrying squadron mechanics, from Selfs | executive assistant to the administrator, | ening StaP WILL BE COMBINED INUNIT TOMORROW New Administration Includes Pensions Organization and. National Homes. WORKERS AFFECTED WILL TOTAL 35,769 Temporary Employes Due to Lose Jobs Under Conmsolidation Still Undetermined. More than 35,000 employes will line up under the reorganized veterans’ ad- ministration tomorrow morning, while a ! few “temporary” employes of an unde- termined number will find their tours of duty ended. | Under direction of Gen. Frank T., Hines, cdministrator of veterans af-| fairs, three organizations, the Veterans’ Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions and the Bureau of National Homes, will become more closely consolidated and co-ordi- nated and will disappear as separate entities. High ranking officers will find themselves with new titles and a rear- | rangement of functions, but for the| most part at the same desks and in the same offices. Col. George E. Ijams, who will take a new and responsibie post. today sent out | to employes of the expiring Veterans’ | Bureau a letter of appreciation for their service. 35,769 Workers Affected. { ‘The number of “temporary” employes who will complete their work for the Government today was sald to be rela- tively small, but had not been totaled. | These employes understood their tem- | porary tour of duty was to close at the | end of the fiscal year today, officials explained. The exact number was not disclosed. The personnel making up the veter- | ans’ administration includes 29,177 from the Veterans' Bureau, 6,043 from | the Bureau of National Homes, and 549 | from the Bureau of Pensions. These | figures include all temporary employes | and 2,590 so-called “‘member-employes” of the national homes, veterans who are | employed part-time. ‘The new officers and their responsi- | maintenance engincers of the State! bilities beginning tomorrow morning will | be: Assistant administrator in charge of medical and domiciliary care, construc- tion and supplies, Col. Ijams; assistant dministrator in charge of pensions and compensation, Maj. O. Clark; as- sistant administrator in charge of | finance and insurance. H. W. Breining; | A. D. Hiller; solicitor of the veterans'|( administration, J. O'C. Roberts; medi- | cal director, Dr. C. M. Griffith; special | counsel on insurance claims, Maj. Wil- liam Wolff Smith: director of national homes service,.Col. C. W. Wadsworth; | director of construction service, Col. L. | H. Tripp; director of the service of sub- sistence and medical supplies, Maj. J. D. Cutter; director of the pension service, E. W. Morgan; director of the compen- sation service, George E. Brown: direc- tor of the finance service, Maurice Col- | 1 director of the insurance service, H. L. McCoy. Claims Show Big Increase. | In a review of the Veterans' Bureau | work, Col. Tjams said, in part: - “In addition to the bureau’s normal activities which have developed ‘over a period of years, its gigantic responsibil- ities have been increased by two entirely new and unusually extensive obliga- tions—the rendering of service to vet- erans entitled to the disability allowance benefits provided by the amendment of | July 3, 1930, t9 the World War Vet- erans’ act and to additional loans on adjusted service certificates, authorized in the amendment of February 27, 1931, to the adjusted compensation act. “In the short space of 11 months the bureau has received and is currently handling approximately 50 per cent as many claims for disability allowance as have been received for disability com- pensation in almost 14 years. Within six months of the adoption of the dis- bility allowance amendment applica- tions for the benefit had been filed in numbers far exceeding all estimates. The half-million mark was passed be- fore June 1.” 2,000,000 Loan Benefits. ~The record established in dispensing the adjusted service certificate loan benefits authorized under legislation passed on February 27, 1931, according to the Veterans' Burepu director, was equally impressive. “During the four months since these increased loans were authorized,” Col. Ijams said, “applications have been re- ceived from 2,070,162 veterans and checks totaling $793,421,603.25 already have been sent to 2,064,500 of them. “The past year's experiences,” he sald, “reveal two very significant facts. ‘The Government’s relief activities for veterans are growing very rapidly, and in addition to the new burdens result- ing from legislation passed during the year practically all of the bureau's operations since July 3, 1930, have ex- ceeded those for the same period of the previous year, and in' some instances have been exceeded those for the entire preceding year.” 35,000 Veis in Hospitals. “At" this time the bureau is caring for. %mxlmlmy 35,000 veterans in hospitals. In fact, that is about our constant hospital load. To provide this care, 310 hospitals were bel utilized, 65 of which are under bureau super- vision; 43 are under the supervision of other Government agencies, 202 be- ing civilian and State institutions.” “The year ending June 30, 1931,” Col. Ijams concluded, “has been un- questionably the most notable period of then?.umu'l elhhmmw' &nfl‘ in tl:e successful accompl great- est undertakings are not unmind- ful of the mumerouf®actors that have ewlétl;llfllted 80 helpfully to this re- sult.” ALLEGED SUI'CIDE TRY ENDS IN OBSERVATION Man Taken to Gallinger Hospital After Mother Finds Him Gassed in Bath Room. in an alleged attempt at sui- A e BIG TARANTULAS IN FRUIT. Miss Eva Weeks is holding a jar in which two tarantulas, found in bananas, are imprisoned. The poisonous spiders were found in a fruit shipment t> a local market. —Star Stafl Photo. MARYLAND READY T0 REMOVE SIGNS Maintenance Engineers Told to Tear Down Unsightly Advertisements. The first State-wide effort to clean ;up the highways of Maryland through ! | removal of illegal signs will be taken | during the next two days when the Roads Corftmission, acting under au- thority given in the new billboard law, will remove all “snipe” or small signs. Hundreds of small, unsightly adver- tisements tacked on trecs, fences and other roadside structures are classified 2s “snipe” signs and will be torn down as maintenance engineers go over every mile of State highway tomorrow and Thursday. Traffic Perils Watched. Later the billboards that are danger- ous to trafic and thosé that have failed to secure a license will be removed. During the next two days, however, the engineers will concentrate on the myriad small advertisements which, when taken altog:ther, are largely re- sponsible for tle roadside ugliness that became so notorious in recent years legislative action was necessary at the last session of the General Assembly. Detailed instructions covering = the work of removing the “snipe” signs have been’ given the engincers during the past few days by Frank P. Scriv- ;l;e{}“ mldi-;'fnr‘l;!nci enginesr in charge e al ration and enf of the billboard law. ou":mnt In accordance with these instructions, engineers, accompanied by large trucks, will travel over sections of State high- way$ making two lists of signs, one of the signs removed and the other of the signs left in position. Signs to Be Classified. The Iatter classification will specify | whether or not the sign or billboard is licensed, its location, size and other data, and whether or not it is danger- ous to traffic, in the opinion of the en- gineers. The signs torn down will be placed in the tfuck and hauled to a State roads garage. Paper signs will be de- stroyed, but an effort. wil|, be made to save the wooden and metal signs until owners are officially notified that they have been removed. Maintenance engineers of the Hyatts- ville office, who have charge of the Bal- timore pike, the Defense Highway, the Colesville pike and other important thoroughfares leading into Washington, showed a zest for their new assignment when the task was explained to them yesterday by Mr. Schrivener. The task “will ‘be carried out along conservative lines, for the State Roads Commission wants to give every one ln‘n‘\vple opportunity to ccmply with the Engineers have been directed not to remove any “doubtful” sign—that is, one they are not certain is illegal. Such signs will be labeled “doubtful” in the list of signs left standing and be given careful attention by Roads Commission officials later. Armed with the lists of signs and billboards compiled during the next two days, the Roads Commission will send official notices to both the owner and advertiser of all unlicensed signs that they must comply with the law or the sign will be removed “within a reasonable period.” To date only 3,600 signs have been licensed in the State. More than twice |, that number will be licensed before the end of July, it is estimated. In connection with the licensing of signs, the question recently arose as to how much. a shaving cream company which specializes in advertisements on a series of'signs should pay. The com- pany contended that under the New Jersey sign law, which is similar to Maryland's, it was only required to pay $1 for each series. However, the Mary- land authorities ruled it would have to pay for each individual sign, or $&vor each series. Licenses Up fo $200. Under the terms of the new law which became effective June 1 all bill- board comramu operating in Maryland must obtain a license ranging in cost from $50 to $200 a year, and in addi- tion pay an annual tax of one-half cent per square foot. Metaliigs areé issued with the licenses and must be attached to the sign so that the officials of the State Roads Commission will know it is authorizetl. signs which the commission deems dangerous to traffic are subject to . The terms of the new law apply only to signs within 500 feet of a ;}hfix and do not affect incorpo- rated towns. NEW AUTO TAG OFFICE tomorrow automobile tags - | will be oa:m at 462 Louisiana ave- nschein had been separated his wife about four months and also was out of work. mmuoummam treat- They will not be Selling tags is one of the tasks taken over by the ent of Vehicles and Traffic, which comes into existence tomorrow. under. the directorship of Wil- liam A. Van Duzer. PAGE B—1 HEDRICK ANDHAY | [=rsswcmrcie ™ \GARE OF VETERANS | [ Tomported ere ) IDAVIS WILL HEAD NEW TRIAL BOARD OF GAPITAL POLICE Beckett and Collins Named to Fill Other Places Effective Tomorrow. INCOMING 'CHAIRMAN _SERVED ON OLD BOARD Inspector Stoll Relieved Because of Heavy Duties as First Precinct Inspector. The District Commissioners teday ordered a change in the personnel of the Police Trial Board to become ef- fective tomorrow along with the general rtorzll nization of the Police Depart- ment. Capt. O*T. Davis of the second pre- cinct, who tomorrcw is to be elevated to the rank of inspector and placed in command of the newly created second inspectiqn district, is to be chairman of the revamped board. The other mem- bers are to be Capt. James F. Beckett of the third precinct and Capt. Maurice Ccllins of the seventh precinct. Capts. Walter Emerson and Jeremiah A. Sul- livan will serve as alternates. \ The present board is composed of In- spector Lot J. Stoll, chairman, and Capts, O. T. Davis and Charles G. Stott. Capts. P. S. W. Burke and Wil- liam E. Holmes were the alternates. | Inspector Stoll Relieved. Inspector Stoll was relicved of service on the board because of the large amount of work confronting him as the inspector in command of the new first police inspection district. This dietrict {includes most of the buslest police pre- | cinets. | Inspector Stoll, however, will have the power of a summary trial officer en- abling him to try offenses which do not involve dismissal from the force. This is a part of the power lodged in all in- spectors in charge of districts under the new rules to become effective tomorrow. ‘With the reorganization of the Trial Board, the Commissioners completed the new set-up of the Police Department, which is expected to increase its effi- iciency and effectiveness. The details {of the reorganization plan were worked out several weeks ago by Maj. Henry | G. Pratt, superintendent, and his spe- | cial aide, Inspector William S. Shelby. i Inspection Districts Set. ‘Three inspection districts have been created, composed of four police pre- |cincts each. An inspector will be in | command of each precinct. | Coincident with the changes in the I precincts, there will be numerous shifts among the personnel Capt. Burke, who becomes an inspector, is to take com- mand of the Headquarters Detective Bureau, succeeding Inspector Shelby. | Inspector Shelby will reiieve Maj. Pratt {of many of his administrative duties and will have a private office adjoining the office of the superintendent. The old first precinct on. Twelfth | street, between C and D streets, is | abolished under the reorganization. | The present No. 6 precinct, on New Jer- | sey avenue, between D and E streets, is | to become No. 1, and Capt. Holmes of | No. 11 will move there to command it. ! Located in the Government triangle, | No. 1 station house is to be razed. Spe- cial exercises are being held there this | afternocn to mark its passing. Con- missioner Herpert B. Crosby and Maj. Piatt are taking a prominent part. TR 'U. S. TO SCRUTINIZE ALL SOVIET GOODS | Smoot Belieyes Treasury Will Give Strict Interpretation of Law. Russian imports to the United States, produced by forced or indentured labor, will be subject to strict Treasury regu !1ations, it was predicted yesterday by Chairman Smoot of the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Smoot helped frame the new tariff act, which carries a provision for an embargo against such goods, and which goes into effect January 1. Smoot believes that, under & strict interpretation of the law, “and I have no doubt what- | ever the Treasury will carry out the in- tent of Congress.” The Treasury already has placed upon importers the burden of proof when the status of imports is ques- tioned. Some shipments from Russia are now under consideration, including cargoes of lumber and pulpwood. Senator Smoot believed both lumber and pulpwood would come under the forced labor ban after January 1. He did not say all Russian products would be barred and there is no indication that a complete ban against Soviet ar- | ticles is contemplated. ICOAST GUARD OFFICER TO NAVIGATE ZEPPELIN Lieut. Comdr. Smith Invited to Guide Graf on Flight to Pole. Will, Study Ice Conditions. By the Associated Press. Coast Guard headquarters announced today that Lieut, Comdr. Edward H. Smith, invited to make the flight to the North Pole 6n the Graf Zeppelin as the American representative, has been asked to navigate the huge airship in its polar flight. Smith intends to study ice conditions during the flight. For years he has been the chief ice expert in the inter- national ice patrol conducted by the Coast Guard in steamer lanes in the North Atlantic Ocean. Coast Guard headquarters today for- warded to the officer all the maps of the polar region available and all of the instruments needed by a navigator directing a perilous flight over the Arctic waters. THIEF GETS $200 Loots Cash Register in Attendant’s Absence. ‘Walking into the Cities Service Pilling | station at Fourteenth and Water streets southwest yesterday, a bold sneak thief . calmly rang up “no sale” and stole $200 from the cash register while the manager was waiting on a customer in_the driveway outside. The manager, Al Hopsley, who lives at 526 Ingraham street, furnished police of the fourth precinct station m the name of s suspect in the