Evening Star Newspaper, November 12, 1931, Page 17

WORLD-WIDE HUNT FOR ELEMENT 87 MAY BE NFAR END Bureau of Standards Takes Spectrum Photographs of Rare Matter. RADIO-ACTIVE METAL IS BELIEVED VALUABLE Bcientists Expect Discovery Will Lead Also to Finding ‘85, Only Other Unknown Substance. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. ‘The long, world-wide search for “ele- ment 87" may be nearing its end. At the Bureau of Stands yester- day spectrum photographs were taken of an allegedly radio-active alka- line substance submitted by Prof. Gus- tave A. Aartovaara of Helsingfors, Fin- land, following shortly after an an- nouncement from the physics depart- ment of Cornell University that a sub- stance with most of the theoretical properties of “87" had been isolated. Long, close study of the spectrum lines shown by the photograph will be necessary, according to Dr. Willlam F. Meggers, in charge of the spectro- scopic work at the bureau, before it ANTI-FIREARMS [ Although passage of adequate weapon laws for the District of Columbia is confidently anticipated in the next ses- sion of Congress, internal dissension exists in anti-firearms ranks identical to that which last year stymied proposed legislative action and left the District in its present unrestricted status for another year, investigation of the pres- ent situation has revealed. Proponents of the so-called “uniform law,” backed by the National Rifle As- sociation, and of the bill formulated by the District corporation counsel's office are adamant in their sup- port of their respective measures, it was learned, although the same con- flict brought the public demand for legislation to a dead end last year. Reckord Cites Alerations. Brig. Gen. M. A. Reckord, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association. recently told the Board of Trade wz mflom pistol 1::‘: which his ol jon proposes, so marred by the alterations effected to put it in the shape which the cor- poration counsel now advocates, “that we were forced to withdraw our ap- proval and oppose it in the Senate” after the bill had passed the House of Representatives. Subsequently the measure quietly expired in a Senate Committee. Branding as “foolish and ridiculous” the amendments made to the uniform law, Gen. Reckord urges the public to stand wholeheartedly behind the orig- inal bill when it is reintroduced in Congress this year. Meanwhile, Thomas can be determined whether the mate- rial obtained by the Finnish professor represents something hitherto undiscov- ered in nature. this is confirmed and if the Cornell claims are validated, there would be one of the most re- markable cases of dual discovery in the history of science. Expected to Be Valuable. ‘The missing “87" is one of the last two unknowns among the 92 primary substances of which creation is com- ed. But the long search for it has n far more than the hunt for a curiosity. It stands next to radium in the atomic table. There is every reason to believe that it may have some of the properties of radium, as well as unknown properties in its own right. First comes element 86, radon. This is the gas which is emanated from radium and which is the material now in all medical work with radio- active substances. It is not generally jown that radium itself never is used in hospitals. Instead the radium is Jkept in a lead container and the gas W] thich comes from day. ‘This is inclosed fh small tubes or needles and inserted into the patho- logical tissue. Then comes the missing “87.” ‘Then, in order, come actinium, thorium, proto-actinium and uranium, from which radium itself is derived, as the heavy, unstable elements throw off portions of their substances. Very far-reaching results might bome from the discovery of “87,” radium’s unknown sister. Thus far, Dr. Meg- gers says, it has defied the utmost ef- forts of the world over, al- mpreunt search for it is .a good &l:ed concerning it. It will belong to alkaline gmlp of elements. It should radio-active—so heavy that it is unstable and cannot hold it- to phy: ‘lonization potential” of elements. This means that one of its electrons which is not bound in an electron shell and has a very elongated orbit could be torn loose with less ef- fort than would be required to tear away an electron from any other ele- ment. As the number indicates, it con- sists of 87 electrons revolving around a central mass of electrons and protons, somewhat after the fashion that planets revolve around the sun. This low lonization potential, Dr. Meg; says, may be the reason why it has eory, never been found. It is so un- stable that it may not remain itself long enough to be discovered. Theoreti- cally it should be metal, but probably exists only as a compound. Tt is close to the top of the atomic table, which would make it one of the heaviest of the element. All the other radioactive elements have been discovered years "o'rhz strange properties theoretically attributed to this one make its isola- tion of especial importance, so the search for it has gone on steadily wherever alkalis are found. A favorite hunting place has been the Dead Bes, within whose waters there is a great variety of these substances. Most of them have turned out to be combina- tions of elements long known to chem- Material Is Returned. A year ago Dr. Meggers received some of the material from the Finnish pro- fessor, who wrote that he had found it | | sald, has taken taxicab riding out oi | the class of lusuries, and 20 months of | to be radioactive and believed that it contained the missing element. When the spectrum lines, which would b2 the final criterion, were obtained it was found that the material was a very complicated mixture of alkalines and rare earths, so that it was a hopeless job to try to sort out the hundreds of lines. ‘The material was returned to Finland with the request that the chemist re- move the rare earths and return only the alkalis. The spectra of all these are well known, so that any new lines which appeared could be detected. The ma- terial photographed yesterday was the result of this. If “87" is found there will still be one element missing. This will have 85 outer electrcns and belongs to the halogen group of elements, which in- cludes iodine, chlorine and bromine. It must be about the rarest substance in creation. But. Dr. Meggers says, there is considerable liklihood that when “87" is found “85" will be found also. The alkalis and the halogens are running mates in nature. It is difficult for elements of either series to exist alone, while they fit together well be- cause of the nature of their electron shells. Now, says Dr. Meggers, the properties of these two elements as theoretically deduced are such that they weculd be natural companions. A famillar example of the partnership of the two families of elements is lum chloride, or common table salt. So- dium is an alkali. Chlorine is a halogen. But they commonly are found wcefiner ‘Theoretically, Dr. Meggers says, there is every reason to believe that “87" is radio-active. The substance isolated at Cornell, as described in a bulletin from that mstitution, was not radio-active, leading to the prospect of a still further search. Discovery of “87" and “85” would close the table of the elements as it has been theoretically constructed, from the simple hydrogen at the bottom with one elegtron revolving around one nroton to urafiium at the top with 92 outer elec- trons moving in a complicated maze of orbits about an extremely complex nu- of - possible be completely closed. The only new place to look for them would be beyond nd there is no reason to believe that anything heavier than this heaviest of all elements exists, at least wiihip She solax Ayalem. it pumped off every | first all_the | 2 F. Cameron, assistant corporation counsel, who drafted that office’s bill and made the amendments opposed, insists that the altered bill is the only one which possibly can give the District relief from its present dilemma in re- gard to crimes of violence, possession of dangerous wea) and the other recognized evils which weapon legisla- tion intends to adjust. Crosby Favors Measure. Police Commissioner Herbert Crosby indorsed the uniform law at the Board of Trade session earlier this week, urg- ing the public to support it as a meas- ure which is both practical and avail- able. If additions or amendments are needed, he pointed out, it Wwill be pos- sible to obtain them later. There are three major and & number of minor ones, which divide the firearms forces. ‘The uniform bill chiefly restricts the transportation and use of pistols. The corporation counsel's proposal regulates the sale, transportation and use of all weapons. Backers of the ‘measure black) shots, billies, long knives, etc. not be permitted for any one under any circumstances. Neither should machine guns. Cameron asserts, however, these articles should come under the same Tule applied to pistols. Police Regulations Asked. ‘The uniform bill would regulate prin- cipally the transportation of pistols, wgfie the corporation counsel’s office proposes to restrict both the sale and of dangerous weapons. N::?fi..l Rifle Association heads assert his g:ouhlnl Congress. gun owner an application to the police, who may then check up on him, make certain ound and ascertain that inal record, before grant- for the sale. differences, | The Foening Star W LEGISLATION ENDANGERED BY DISSENSIONS Dispute Over Amendments Which Pre- vented Passage Last Year Is Revived. factions are striving to prevent -3%%:"“ ®ffom falling into the hands of undesirable persons. The Rifle As- sociation maintains the dealer can de- cide who should or should not buy a gun, while the other group insists the police are best qualified to determine tha! t. The remaining sources of dissension are corcerned principally with the de- talls of license application. Some of them, however, are regarded as im- t. License Rules Similar. les for obtaining a license to u?rl;e arms are substantially similar under both acts, except that the cor- poration counsel’s bill provides that any one obtaining a license shall be re- quired to post a $500 peace bond. As for sale, the uniform bill requires, as does its competitor, that no purchase may be delivered within less than 48 hours. Cameron adds, however, that 4n the application blank, filled out by the would-be buyer, the fingerprints of the purchaser musi be ‘included in order that the police may check upon the assertion that the spplicant never has been convicted of a crime of violence here or elsewhere. He also provides that the superintendent of police may, plicant permission to complete the chase. N !w’;’ht National Rifle Association au- thorities maintain the fingerprint pro- vision will be distasteful to the public, as it is associated with the examina- tion of criminals. Mr. Cameron of the corporation counsel’s office points out many Army enlistments and appli- cants for Federal positions are finger- rinted: spprud practice to fingerprint children at birth; that the necessity for such records is recognized through the world. He also says no honest citizen no reflection upon him, but is designed | to protect him from the dishonest. i Minimum Age Differs. ‘The uniform bill orders that pistols shall not be sold to persons under 18 | years of age, except in the presence of a parent or guardian. The corpora- tion counsel raises this limit to 21 years. There are, nevertheless, many points on which the two forces agree. Both demand that the illegal carrying of a weapon be made an offense in itself. Both order additional penalties for all crimes committed while armed. It is mutually agreed that being armed dur- ing the performance of a crime shall be prima facie evidence of the intent to use the weapon. A progressive scale of increasingly heavy penalties for each armed crime is accepted in both camps. Furthermore, there is no disagree- ment on provisions allowing persons to possess a weapon within the home or gllce of business or to transport it from ome to business or to a repair shop, if_securely wrapped and unloaded. ‘The factions are frankly at odds, how- ever, on the other items cited, and it is red & compromise will be neces- sary in order to assure the success of the anti-firearms movement in the ap- In line with this lief, Odell S. Smith, chairman of the Public Order Committee of the Wash- ington Board of Trade, has announced there will be a meeting of a subcom- mittee of his organization to consider the viewpoint of both interests, and, if possible, to reconcile the views of the two. Mr. Smith said Gen. Reckord and Mr. Cameron may be asked to appear for a conciliatory discussion. | TAXI FIRM TURNS 10 RADIO IN ROW ittorney Attacks Utilities Or- der, Holding Public Wants Zone Rates. ‘The City Cab Co. turned to radio last night as the first move in its fight against the recent order of the Public Utilities Commission abolishing taxicab zone rates and substituting a meter charge beginning January 10. Albert W. Jacobson, attorney for the company, in a speech broadcast by WMAL, charged. the commission's ac- tion was inspired by the two street | ratlway companies to deprive the pub- lic of the present low-rate taxicab trausportation. The zone system, he | operation under tais plan conclusively demonstrated its public appeal. Holds Meters Disliked. The taxi-riding public does not like the meter, Jacobson pointed out. The ticking of a meter, he said, quickens the beating of tne passenger's heart. The appeal of the zone rate is in the rider's knowledge of the amount of his fare when he gets into a cab. “The flat rate cab,” Jacobson de- jclared, “has been a medium of bring- ing low rates to the public and has put aside rates which were excessively high. The zone system has met with public approval by its response. The complaints before the Public Utilities Commission are not the public, but those who were compelled to reduce their rates by the advent of the low- rate cabs and who were affected by a service which is more commensurate with the charge therefor than is the service which they are rendering.” Sees Loss of Drivers' Jobs. Jacobson also sald that abolition of the zone system will so decrease the use of taxicabs that a large number of drivers would be forced out of work at a critical time. \ “If such & number of patrons as estimated would cease to use taxicabs because of abolition of zone rates,” he declared, “it follows that thousands of operators would be put out of work. This would result in a great loss in reve- nues to business generally in the Dis- trict of Columbia and is subject matter of very serious consideration by fair- minded public citizens.” Jacobson also paid tribute to Rich- mond B. Keech, le’s counsel. be- fore the Public ies Commission, for his fight against the meter rate. o Juvenile Judge to Speak. SILVER SPRING, Md., November 12 Courts the | dertak and of the Montgomery County ‘Women Voters to be held Novem! at 2:30 p.m. at Grace Hall in Woodside. The Judge Thomas J. S. Juzeale 20 Parish will be of the STAGGERED WORK PLAN ABANDONED District Commissioners Drop Schedule Opposed by ~ Welfare Groups. The District Commissioners, it was learned today, have abandonéd their plans to divide the working week of 800 low-paid per diem employes so as to save the jobs of 400 of them during the coming Winter and take on 400 extra workers on half time. It was learned no formal action will be taken on the plan, announced last week, but it will be allowed to die a natural death. Since the plan never found its way into any official docu- ment, one official expressed the opinion place, Opposed by Charity Groups. The plan was greeted with unani- mous disapproval by all charitable and welfare organizaticns in the District who expressed their views, and the Com- missioners have accepted their judg- ment. At a meeting of representatives of these welfare organizations with the Commissioners last week the plan was variously ~described as “economically unsound” and “socially unjust.” It was pointed out its execution would “spread the area of humiliatjon” and, as to those put on half-time work, the per capita cost of charitable administration would be doubled. Favor Public Appeal. The relief organizations suggested an | appeal to Congress and wealthy citizens | of "the District for aid in caring for | the unemployed. Whether the Com- missioners will make any appeal for aid except in th: way of supporting thc | Community Chest, however, is not | known. | " The District's appropriations for thc coming Winter are already fixed, al- though they could be supplemented by & deficiency appropriation at the next session should Congress see fit. WOMEN VOTERS HEAR D. C. GOVERNMENT TALK Daniel E. Garges, Secretary of Commissioners, Addresses Graup Makiug Study. A group of members of the Depart- ment of Efficlencies and Government of the Voteless Distsict of Columbia League of Women Voters listened in the board room of the District Build- ing today to a lecture by Daniel E. Garges, secretary of the Board of Com- missioners on the scope and functions of the District Government. The group is making a study of local government, similar to that being un- by the National League of Voters. en K Am ong those present were Mrs. J. Alexander Mcxelwg;, Mrs. H. L. Park- inson, Mrs. Howard J. Howerton, Miss Mary E. Bakewell, Mrs. Frank H. Snell. Jackson, Miss Bum Baker, Miss Olive Geiger and Kawilas redapie, —_ ASHINGTON, D. with sufficient reason, refuse the ap- that it is becoming a wide- | will object to a formality which casts | it really never came to life in the first ' 1 LIQUOR-LADEN AUTO ABANDONED AFTER IHITTING: POLICEMAN Driver Leaps From Car and Outdistances Another Motor Cycle Officer. ( SMOKE SE&EN MACHINE DISCOVERED IN VEHICLE Pvt. George W. Cook's Foot and Ankle Are Fractured in Collision. A city-wide search was being made by police today for a colored motorist who leaped from his whisky-laden au- tomobile and fled after & crash in which & motor cycle officer was injured shortly after 1 am. The driver escaped after another motor cycle policeman had pursued him for several blocks. The crash occurred at Fiftcenth and G streets northeast. Pvt. George W. Cook, attached to the Traffic Bureau, was going south on G street when the car, which had been traveling north on the same thoroughfare, made a left turn into Fifteenth street. The oper- ator, according to the police report, “deliberately turned in front of Cook,” striking the motor cycle and injuring the policeman. Foot and Angle Broken. Milton Brown, 1337 H street north- east, took Cook to Casualty Hospital, where ne was treated by Dr. William Bowman and Dr. C. W. LeMaster, who said he had a fractured right foot and ankle. After the crash, the colored motorist jumped from his machine and ran. He was chas>d by another Traffic Bureau motor cycle policeman, J. J. Agnew, who followed him to a lot near Thir- teenth and F streets northeast. The bumpy ground caused the officer’s motor cycle to overturn, however, and by the time he had righted it, the fugitive had disappeared. Carries “Dead” Licenses. The abandoned automobile was equipped with a smoke screen appara- tus and contained 336 quarts of liquor. Its Maryland license plates, issued to a Takoma Park, Md., man, were found to be_‘“dead.” In the car, however, police found a set of District tags and a registration carc. A search was begun immediately for the man named on the card. Cook’s motor cycle was damaged to the extent of about $100, it was said, but the abandoned machine was only slight- Iy damagad The automobile and the whisky were taken to the eleventh precinct police station, where a lookout for the fugi- tive driver was broadcast. Descrip- tions of him were given by Cook, Agnew and several other witnesses. SITE WILL BE ASKED FOR EDISON MEMORIAL Fess Will Introduce Bill in Con- gress on Hains Point Location. To provide a site at Hains Point for the Edison National Mem-rial as agreed upon with the Fine Arts Commission and the District Edison National Me- morial Committee, Senator Fess of Ohio agreed today to introduce a bill in the Senate when C-ngress convenes. Senator Fess approves the idea of making the light of the proposed bea- con_at Hains Point the real memorial to Edison, subordinating the architec- tural feature of the base to that thought. “The idea of a light, which was Mr. Edison’s great gift to the world, as his memorial is a beautiful thought and I am heartily in favor of it,” the Senator said. “I am sure that the architectural trellmc};", will be artistic and satis- fac . After it was explained to Senator Fess by the secretary of the committee, Fair- fax Naulty, that the top of the archi- tectural base of the Edison beacon would be below the dome of the War College, directly opposite the site, he felt it would not present a hazard to aviation. It was arranged that members cf the Edison Memorial Committes would call on the District Commissioners later to- dey to present the matter for their con- sideration. Mr. Nealty again would be solicited and that neither the Federal nor District governments would ‘be put to any expense for its erection of maintenance. Colored Teacher Is Buried. CULPEPER, Va., November 12 (Spe- cial) —The funeral of Mrs. Lelie Light- foot Garfield, a colored teacher, whose service in the schools of this county ex- tended over a period of 38 years, was helé_from Mount Olivet Baptist Church, colored, and attended by many peo- ple, among whom were Mayor S. R. Browning, *superintendent of schools: Thomas W. Hendrick, and many others. THURSDAY, emphesized no | public subscriptions for the memorial | JUNDAY MORNING EDITION NOVE BIDS FOR FLEXIBLE TRAFFIC SYSTEM 10 BE ASKED SOON New Apparatus to Be Install- ed in Two Northwest Areas This Winter. |$25,000 APPROPRIATION IS AVAILABLE FGR WORK | e — | Advisory Council -Approves Plan for Smoother Flow of Vehicles. ‘With the Traffic Advisory Council ap- proving of plans for extending the flexible traffic control system to.the trafic lights in the downtown busi- ness section, traffic officials today pre- pared to advertise for bids for the nec- | essary apparatus to make the change. ‘The new control system will be in- | stalled in zones 1 and 2. Zone 1 is | bounded by Massachusetts avenue on | the north, Constitution avenue on the | | south, Sixth street on the east, and| Fifteenth street on the west. The boundaries of Zone 2 are Fifteenth street on theeast, Eighteenth street on the west, Florida avenue on the north and Pennsylvania avenue on the south. $25,000 Fund Available. An appropriation of $25,000 is avail- able for purchase of new timing de- vices needed to transform the present progressive system into the newer flex- ible control system. Two master timers and several secondary timers are to be ordered, and as soon as they arrive the work of installation will be started. Traffic officials hope to have the new system in operation by February 22, when a large number of visitors is ex- pected in Washington for the George Washington Bicentennial celebration. The lights in each zone will be con- trolled by a master timer. The master timer for zone 1 will be placed in No. 14 Engine House on Eighth street be- tween D and E streets. The zone 2 master timer will be at Pifteenth and P streets. There are to be temporary locations, as plans of traffic authori- ties contempiate the location of mas- ter timers for all traffic lights in the District in the new municipal center area. Permits Varied Timing. ‘The secondary timers will be placed | at each intersection having a traffic |light. These will permit traffic of- | cials to vary the timing at different | intersections _in accordance with the flow of traffic and still maintain co- ordination with the master timers, thus enabling through traffic to travel at a definite speed without interference. Under the present system it is im- possible to vary the timing at the inter- sections as an entire network of lights must be kept in step with the master timer. ‘The first flexible traffic control sys- tem was installed on Rhode Island avenue and has been in successful op- eration for about three months. Traffic officials have found it expedites the movement of traffic and causes less delay to vehicles stopped by a red light. Specifications for the new timers and other equipment have been drawn and bids will be advertised before the close of the week. “FIRST HOLD:UP" YOUTHS ~ ROB FILLING STATION ‘Out of Work and Need the Money,’ Says Pair at 5200 Wisconsin Ave., Police Told. Held up by two armed youths, who said they were out of work and making their first “stick up.”sStanley Gordon, manager of a gas station at 5200 Wis- cr(m:ér; avenue, was robbed early today of . ‘The men drove into the station about 4:30 o'clock this morning and asked for gasoline. As Gordon was about to serve them, one of the men jammed‘a gun against him while the other relieved him of his change carrier, con about $8, the manager told police. ‘The two then marched Gordon to the cash register, looted it of $24 and took Gordon to the rear of the station, where they warned him to remain quiet and keep his back toward them. “We are sorry we had to hold you up,” one of the pair sald, “but we are | out of work and need money. | “This is our first hold-up. BIDS ON NEW HIGHWAY SECTION TO BE ASKED By a Staft Correspondent of The Star. SILVER SPRING, Md., November 12, —The State Road Commission will ad- vertise for bids tomorrow for the build- ing of a section of concrete State highway from the end of Flower avenue at Sligo avenue in Takoma Park to Franklin avenue, a distance of 0.88 mile. ‘This highway, when completed, will form a direct connecting link between the Colesville pike and Flower avenue. The bids will be received at the office of the commission in Baltimore November 24. IDOOM OF CIVILIZATION PAINTED BY NOTED PSYCHOLOGIST HERE Schmalhausen .Says Communism and Religion Only Choices to Avoid Psychology of Death. The Gloomy Dean Inge of England was out-gloomed in an address by Dr. Samuel Schmalhausen before the open- ing session of the Jewish Community Center national forum last night. Future civilization and the individual i are doomed to the clutches of the morbidity twins, wrack and ruin, in the word picture sketched by the eminent New York psychiatrist who recently devoted a volume to explana- tion of “Why We Misbehave.” Although most of us are unaware of it, we are or will be, “trapped by a death psychos and condemned to seek an outlet amusement, drinks, money, power, fun’ and other unhappy commodities. If the future is black, the present is at least dark gray, the speaker in- timated, what with the post-war gen- eration disillusioned and our masses dwelling in “the profoundest of all neurotic ages.” Jazz has risen from a bayou folk song to the status of a normal outlet, with but two alternatives 1) Wi GAKIaD, Kok waand and communism, which is, when you think about it, merely “a brave at- tempt to overcome the psychology of death.” And “rethinking everything,” the doctor suggested, is one of our greatest needs. For instance there is the family, which Dr. Schmalhausen encompasses with the novel definition, “a sort of interesting lunatic asylum™ confronted with disintegrating forces certain to overcome it. “The sissies of history” have given the world much that is beautiful in art, while America’s Edisons, Fords, Rockefellers and Presidents have all “lacked culture and a humane interest in_life In fact, the doctor asserted, “civiliza- tion is in its worst plight in history.” Dr. Schmalhausen was preceded on the rostrum by Mrs. George Hyman, president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freédom, and Chairman David Wiener, who in- iEngused Rl . MBER 12, | 1931. Solves His Housing Problem MAN FINDS IT CHEAPER TO MOVE THAN PAY RENT. —Star Staff Photo. SOLUTION for the housing problem has been found by Henry Peter Brown, colored firewood peddler. Brown has built the cozy one-room house on wheels, shown above. His “home” was discovered today by a worker from the Housing Com mittee of the Council of Social Agencies. It is parked for the time be- ing in Logan’s court, between Pierce and L streets. Ejected from a rooming house recently because he fell behind in his rent payments, due to illness, Brown conceived the idea of making a dwelling over which he might be lord and master. He began collecting lumber, discarded tin, cardboard, strips of carpet, pieces of glass for windows and other odds and ends. Then he set to work and improvised the “building” he now lives in. Built along the same general lines as a piano packing case, it is about 10 feet long, 4 feet wide and 6 feet high. The roof is of tin and the floor of lumber. The exterior is made of strips of wood about %-inch thick, reinforced on the inside with slabs of corrugated paper. Brown declared his dwelling is water tight and comfortable. He said he would roll it to another location should neighbors complain. He explained no ob- Jections were anticipated, however, because the house is parked at the rear of a vacant building. The interior is furnished with a cot. a chair or two, and an oil heater. Shaving soap and a razor rest on a box beneath a mirror. A calendar and & couple of lithograph prints hang on the wall. The floor is covered with non- descript carpet slabs. Another box is at the entrance as a doorstep. Social workers explained Brown's “home” is typical of conditions to be found in Washington's alley settlements. These workers make a systematic sur- vey of such districts, examining homes and encouraging the residents to make LmProvemean in the interest of health, sanitation and appearance. Occasionally it is necessary to report some of the dwellings to the District Health Department or other agencies of the municipal gove ‘The Council of Social bencies benefit from the forthcoming drive for rnment. funds of the Community Chest. U. 3. WILL INCLOSE POSTAL DEPT. SITE Erection of Fence Started| Despite Blocking of Ter- minal Removal. Three more old buildings on the site of the new Post Office Department will be torn down, beginning next week, but the terminal of the Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Washington Raflway, Twelfth street and Pennsylvania ave- nue, will be left standing temporarily with a high board fence around it. This procedure was ordered today as the Treasury Department proceeded as rapidly as possible in the face of the difficulties placed in its way by the court fight of the railway to remain on the ground. Fence Being Erected. The board fence now is being erected around the whole area of the Post Office Department and will soon inclose entirely the terminal building, gates will have to be left in the fence, how- ever, in order to enable streets cars to pass through the, Post Office site and to enable passengers to get to and from the terminal. The old buildings which are to disap- pear shortly include two structures on the corner of Twelfth and D streets, containing & restaurant, a bus station, 8 soft drink and confestionery store and the brick structures which formerly was the Star Service Station at the corner of Twelfth and C streets. Occupants of these structures will move out early next week. Court Blocks Action. Court proceedings now prevent the Treasury from tearing up the railway tracks for at least 60 days, within which time a decision must be had from the Court of Appeals in the injunction pe- tition of the railway to prevent the Government from taking the rails with- out_ compénsation. 3 Justice Adkins denied the injunc- | tion, but pending appeal to the Cou't of Appeals, the Government is under the restriction of what amounts to a temporary injunction against removal of the tracks. It is understood the case will be pressed for early action before the Court of Appeals. 1f the railway does not get out after a decision by the Court of Appeals, it is known that the Treasury plans to 20 to Congress, to help by direct legis- lative action to force the rallway out of the building are: RADIO ANTI-TRUST SUIT SETTLEMENT DOUBTFUL Conferences Between Mitchell and | Companies Continue With | Preparation for Trial. By the Associated Press. Attorney General Mitchell said today he had iittle hope of reaching an out- of-court settlement of the Government's trust suit against the Radio Cor- poration of America and other com- panies, Conferences between Justice Depart- ment officlals and representatives of the companies are going forward, however, and the Attorney General said some settlement might be reached. Prepara- tions for the trial pending the result of the negotiations are being speeded by the Justice Department. The date has not been set. 7 Other defendants include the Amer- ican Telephone & Telegraph Co., Gen- eral Electric Co. and the Westinghouse Electric Co. The Government contends present patent contracts of the radio concerns involved are illegal in that :.Jh;y are designed to prevent competi- n. e Bethesda P.-T. A. Gives Program. BETHESDA, Md., November 12 (Special.)—A meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association of the Bethesda elementary school was held wmlhuhofl Yl‘mmhfll!flf‘l Nlchd s host : es - ols, whistler and radio entertainer, gave selections. Musical numbers were given CATHOLIC BISHOPS END PARLEY HER Hierarchy Plans Statement Today Dealing With Unem- ployment Situation. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church in America concluded its two-day an- nual conference at Catholic University this afterncon. It was understood the subjects dis- cussed involved ecclesiastical matters. A statement was to be issued later today by the bishops, which it is under- stood will deal with the hierarchy’s af axde toward the unemployment situa jon, Most of the bishops departed imme- diately for their respective dioceses, but a few remained over for the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the founding of Catholic University, which will be marked tomorrow, 1932 Committee Named. A committee was appointed at yester- | day’s session of the conference to pre- | pare a program for Catholic participa- tion in the George Washington Bicen- tennial celebration in 1932. Archbishop John T. McNicholas of Cin¢innati was will the committee and distributed throughout the various dioceses and to the parochial schools. * ‘The bishops considered also the pro- am of ‘weekly Catholic -hour, cast over a Nation-wide hook-up each Sunday night, and voted to reduce the broadcast to one-half hour’s dura- tion in line with a policy advocated by the National Broadcasting for edu- cational programs. An Administrative Committee of the National Catholic Welfare Conference was elected at the session yesterday. This group includes Archbishop Edward J. Hanna of San Prancisco, Archbishop McNicholas, Archbishop-elect John G. Murray of St. Paul, Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland, Bishop Hugh C. Boyle fo Pittsburgh, Bishop Thomas F. Lillis of Kansas City, and 3ishop John F. Noll of Fort Wayne, Ind. I charge of plans for the apostolic dele- gation house here was authorized to proceed with plans for the project and map out a program. The matter of a cam] to raise funds for the work mzl left at the discretion of the com- ARLINGTON COUNTY ROLL CALL STARTS | Red Cross Workers Appeal to Resi- | dents to Aid Drive for Funds. Speclal Dispatch to The Star. ENDON, Va, November 13.— The American Red Cross roll call is under way in Arlington County with ;:D;.k;?mtewu" ;mmben in 'y, according to Roll Call Chairman G. A. Collier. In urging the loca! residents to enroll in the county the workers are cailing attention to the s fact that 50 per cent of each member- ship here into the treasury of Arlington -C] for use in the county. Solicitors in Government departments have been instructed to accept mem- bership receipts from Arlington County 100 per cent membership drive, according to Mr. Colller. Refusals to accept the by any u;:uawn tention. ngton Chapter has a membership goal of 1,500, which is an increase 50 per cent over last year's que Shouse to Address Masons. by Mrs. J. 8. Marriott and Miss Wakins The Committee of the Hierarchy in (™ PAGE B—1 FIVE LOCAL UNIONS OF U. 3. EMPLOYES FAVORA.F.L. SPLIT Vote for Withdrawal Unani- mous Except in One In- stance, Steward Says. FEDERATION COMPLAINT ANSWERED BY OFFICIAL Charges Regarding Skilled Work- ers Said to Apply to Neg- ligible Number, Five local unions of the Nationas Federation of Federal Employes have voted in favor of withdrawing from the American Federation of Labor, Luther Steward, head of the Federal employes said today. They are: Los Angeles, Charleston W. Va.; Alexandria, La.; Phoebus, Va. and Hingham, Mass. The vote was unanimous except in oni local, where two members were absent President Steward said. Returns Expected Soon. There are 412 branches in the na- tional federation and Steward said the returns from all were expected before the end of the month. ‘The trouble arose over the vote by the American Federation of Labor against proposed new reclassification legislation backed by the Federal em- ployes. The adverse stand was due to the fact the legislation would bring the skilled trades under the authority of the Personnel Classification Board, a move which the skilled workers oppose. President Green of the American Federation of Labor has sought, without success, to harmonize the differences. Answers A. F. of L. Complaint. Answering today the complaint of the Metal Trades Department of tite American Federation of Labor that me- chanics properly belonging in the ranks of the international w of their craft had been receivedinto the Federal Employes, Steward said this applied to “less than one-tenth of 1 per cent of Agencies is one of the organizations which will | OUr, membership.” He added t workers ganization, had been sugg they join their own unions. The Metal Trades Department. in & statement yesterday, said “friendly ef- forts” had failed to correct this situa. tion. It is due to come before the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor in January. {C. A. STEWART IS ELECTED CIVIC GROUP PRESIDENT Other Officers of Bast Falls Church Association Also Are Named at Meeting. Special Dispatch to The Star. FALLS CHURCH, Va., November 12. —Charles A. Stewart was elected presi- dent of the East Falls Church Citizens' of Mrs. R. C. . Philip bott was elected first vice president, Mrs. Henry Knowles, second vice presi- dent; Mrs. Harry E. Moran, secretary. and Mrs. Harry A. Fellows, treasurer. ‘The president will appoint the delegate a) the Arlington County Civic Federa- jon. Members discussed the probable effec- of the Town Council’s proposed license taxes for firms and individuals operat- ing within the corporation. Some felt that the taxes may cause some foreigr companies to stop their deliveries in the town. ‘The Committee on Consolidation o the town's three post offices reporte} that the petition had been presented ts the ':n'n Council and action is ex< pected. J. R. Harrison stated that the Water Committee is planning to take over the Arlington County mains in East Falls Church as soon as the transfer can be arranged and stated that the rate for water will be the same to the town as to the county, $2 per month. = . FOX HOUND MEET SLATED Upperville Section to Be Scene of Hunts. UPPERVILLE, Va. November 12.— The Piedmont Fox Hounds, Upperville, will hold their fourth meet of the sea- son tomorrow morning, at Atoka, be- ginning at 10 ¢'clock. The following meet will be held No- vember 17, at Llangollen, home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hays Whitney. This meet will be at 9 o'clock and will pre- cede the Piedmont Fox Hound races, to be held at 1:30 o'clock that after- ncon on the Whitney estate. D. Langhorne is president of the R. S. Peach, secretary treasurer. and A. C. Randolph, master of hounds. Veterans’ .Suicide Attempt Laid to Memories of War Staff Sergeant Saturates Clothing With Ether After Armistice Fete Depressing war memories revived by gne Armistice day celebration were clde aitempt b the part of Sat Sertt mp! part of p Walter Bishop, 43, who was found un- conscious from ether fumes yester- day when officers broke into his apartment at 950 Twenty-second street. Bishop, attached to the office of the chief of Cavalry, llly on his floor with his head on ciothing satu- rated with ether. He was taken to Emergency Hospital, revived and later transferred to Walter Reed Hospital, where said he was recovering Bishop was lying {uniform and shoes, which had of ‘ Democratic announced ;, who carefully laid out. A note, evident) referring to the uniform, said, “x‘m’. please lay me away in these.” A sec- o0 1008y we ol dind for ‘Neltner lor L™ messagé was addressed. m Police Bishop had been livin e E T ] him yesterda. ¥, unal