Evening Star Newspaper, November 25, 1931, Page 17

Washington News WINBLEY INDCTED WITH CROWDER IN CANAL DROWNINGS First-Degree Murder Charged in Deaths of Former’s Wife and Stepdaughter. $13,000 INSURANCE . ALLEGED PLOT MOTIVE Bcene September 17 Described by Prisoners as Accident—Intended Burning of Home Told. Harry C. Wimbley, 32, and John M. Crowder, 24, were indicted today by the grand jury on first-degree murder charges in connection with the drown- ing last September wife and 3-year-old stepdaughter dur- ing & bir'-hd‘.ycoutmg on the Chesa- peake & Ohio Canal. The indictments charged that the two men, with “deliberate and premed- itated malice,” cast, threw and pushed Mrs. Elizabeth Traylor Wimbley, 26, an her daughter, Wilma Traylor, into the canal, Crowder, in a signed confession ob- tained by police a week after the wom- an and child died on the mother's birthday, charged that Wimbley had lotted the deaths of the pair to col- Pect some $13,000 in insurance money. He admitted, according to police, that he had upset a cance, throwing the mother and daughter into the canal, but insisted that he had done so “ac: cidentally” as he stepped out of the craft. Arson in Alleged Plot. Wimbley, & man of many marTiages and many aliases, whose real name is said by police to be Howard C. Dicker- son, intended to sand-bag his wife and stepchild as they slept, according to Crowder’s confession to police, and then burn their home at Dendron, Va., to hide the crime. Crowder said Wimbley revealed his plot to him as they were driving down to Dendron, supposedly to bring Mrs. Wimbley and the child back to Washington for a birthday party. On their way down, Crowder told po- lice, Wimbley stopped at a filling sta- tion and bought five gallons of gasoline, which the younger man said was to be e ommedan Wmmiy tore siips they stopped ey tore sf from a seat W"ér wlt.;l which he {“g: loned sandbags, Crowder conf The plot failed, however, ncnfi% to the confession, when Crowder “cold feet.” The two men then the woman and child to Washington and on the following day took-them up the canal. Signal to Upset Canoe. lu'uwtin-clnocww\:g Five persons were charged with first- degree murder "and one with second- degree homicide in the grand jury’s re- port of 22 indictments made today to Justice James M. Proctor in Criminal Division 1. The grand jurors declined to indict in 13 other cases. In addition to the Wimbley case the grand jury indicted Eldridge White, colored, accused of causing the death of Charles C. Robinson, also colored, by hitting him with an ax November 15 at 2425 Snows court; Andrew Ingram, col- ored, charged with shooting James Tay- Jor, also colored, November 15 at 1503 Eleventh street, and Robert Ford, col- ored, alleged to have shot to death James Turner, also colored, November 15 at 78 Q street. Murder in the second degree was charged against Andrew K. Bryant, col- ored, who is sald to have fatally stabbed Peter H. Watson November 13 at 1612 ‘Tenth street. The grand jury re-indicted Dave Evans, former general secretary-treas- urer of the International Union of Operating Engineers, who was accused of embezzling union funds, He had been indicted by the recent illegal grand jury and the case had to be re-pre- sented. ‘The alleged peculations are sald to have occurred between Septem- ber, 1929, and March, 1931. Charged With Robbery. Joseph Wines and Frederick Scully ‘were accused of robbery. They are said to have held up the store of Lorenzo E. Costa, 738 Fourteenth street, and to have taken $18 from Costa’s son, who was in charge of the store. The men were arrested at New Rochelle, N. Y., and a clipping of the report of the rob- bery was found on Wines, it was re- ported. Assault to rob was charged in an indictment against William H. Dunlop, colored, accused of entering the store of Abraham Rosenblatt, 300 P street, on September 26 and attempted to hold him up. The storekeeper re- sisted and fired his pistol at the in- truder, who was later found wounded a short distance from the store. Besides the refusal to indict Charles B. Broone, a master plumber, in con- nection with the asphyxiation of a child, the grand jurors ignored the following cases: John Henry Thomas, arson; James E. Savoy, bigamy; Carl Cummings, carnal knowledge; Alfonso E. Williams, embezzlement; David E. Miller, forgery; Mary Wilson, Susie Demitro and Bo- Jita Demitro, grand larceny; William A. Banta, Richard F. Rayborn, Carl Jones, )Joy-riding; Carl Jones, house- breaking and larceny, and Walter L. Hatton, larceny after trust. Others and Charges. Others indicted and the against them include: John Curley, assault with dangercus weapon; Daniel Lee and Melvin Ed- ‘monds, robbery; Clarence Seymore (alas Clarence Seymour), Jesse Jones, Mar- garet Curtis (alias Myrtle Scherker), Walter McKnight and Samuel Wilhof- sky, grand larceny; Nathan Cosman and Milton Brenner, violation national pro- hibition sct; Louis A. Anderson, liam Theodore W;{rd and Wmhén John- son, joy-riding; Hugo George Sprenger and N!fi’?: l‘.tei‘rl NnAdle:eM‘l'. B'"li‘ld larceny Joyriding; rt, Small- wood, housebreaking, larceny and joy- riding, and Charles Mills, housebreaking. 0. E. 8. Chapter to Meet. BETHESDA, Md., Novembzt 25 (Spe- clal).—Naomi Chapter, No. 23, Order of the Eastern Star, will meet tonight at 8 o'clock in the Bethesda Masonic Hall. Worthy Matron Mrs. Anna S. Condon ted the members to bring Etsa that the less fortunate in ‘may be remembered on ‘Thanksgiving. charges 17 of Wimbley's| The WASHINGTON, D. C, [WOMAN BORN IN ' RECALLS ITS BY GRETCHEN SMITH. | With the promise that “The Star Spéngled Banacr” eventually will wave over the modest iittle Georgefown build- ing, where Prancis Scott Key polished up the famous anthem—hastily com- | posed during his incarceration aboard | a British battleship—considerable in- | terest has centercd upon a delightful | and venerable Washington woman, who was born in the Key Mansion, at 3518 | M street., and spent approximately 40 | of her 79 years in the old house. i Mrs. Mary Nicholson Fisher, now re- siding at 607 Lamont strect northwe: was born in the M street house in 1852, | shortly after it had been purchased from the Key heirs by her father, Jo- seph Nicholson. Mrs. Fisher's child- | hood was passed in the home where the | national anthem was first heari by | members of the Key family and her keen, alert mind vividly recalls the ar- chitecture and design of the little build- ing as it remained for many years un- changed after its purchase from Francis Scott Key's children. “In those days,” Mrs. Fisher recalled, “the house had & sloping roof with two dormer windows overlooking M street and two in the rear, which overlooked the river. There were no shops around the house then—only the wheelwright shop and grist mill owned by my father. “At the rear of the building was a porch, at least 12 feet in width, where we could sit on Summer days and watch the barges bringing coal from Cumber- land to the Capital. “The Star Spangled Banner used to be sung a great deal in those days, and frequently, on moon- light nights, we would sit with members of the family and friends on the porch and all sing together, much to the de- light of the barge men on the river, who would applaud us with cheers and clapping.” Mrs. Fisher smiled as memory car- :ied her back to days of another cen- ury. “We had no heat, no water and no conviences,” she said. There were only three living rooms on the first floor, =22 BANKER T0 LEND - tPaintings of First Presidents including the smal ice where Prancis Scott Key worked on “The Star Spang- led Banner,” thiee bed rooms on the second floor and three rooms on the at- tic floor, but the house always was called the Key Mansion. Mrs. Fisher recalled her father made “He cut she said, “and made two from windows. It would be very simple, however, to restore it to its original “KEY MANSION™ EARLY HISTORY Mrs. Mary Nicholson Fisher Describes House in Which ““Star Spangled Banner™ Was Finished. In Mrs. Fisher's youth, the building, | now crowded between shops and dwell- | ings opening directly upon the street, was guarded in front by a row of stately shade trees. In the rear of the house was a spacious garden, particularly beautiful in the Fall with colorful chrys- anthemums. Like most old houses, the Key man- slon was reputed during Mrs. Fisher's childhood to have a ghost. “Of course,” she explained, “none of us ever saw or heard the ghost, but su- perstitious persons claimed blood stains could be seen upon the ceiling of one of the attic rooms and that during the night strange sounds could be heard coming frcm the room.” Mrs. Fisher vividly recalls many events of historical importance which occurred during her days in the George- town home. The Civil War period was indelibly impressed upon her memory by the fact Federal troops passed and repassed before her home on their way to the Virginia battleflelds. “I will never forget,” she declared, “after the Battle of Bull Run the way the returning soldiers dropped on_the streets wounded and exhausted. They had managed to get back across the river safely and then fell like leaves in the streets where they were picked up |and carried to hospitals and home: Through her paternal grandfather, Joseph Nicholson of Virginia, Mrs. Pisher can span the years back to the days of 1814, when the British occupied Washington and burned the Capitol. “I have a letter from an aunt, my father's sister,” she sald, “which tells how my grandfather guarded the national archives after their removal from Washington during the occupa- tion by the British. These archives had been placed in a barge during the night, after Dolly Madison and the President had left the White House, and the barge was ficated down the river as far as the Chain Bridge. My grandfather lived about a mile from the bridge and, with several others, he carried the archives to his home. In her letter, my aunt tells how it was necessary to strengthen the supports of the house in order to hold the great weight cf the archives.” Mrs. Fisher, whose excellent health has preserved her youth and strength to a degree far beyond that enjoyed by most _persons of her age, has volun- teered her services in the restoration work of the Key Mansion, now under consideration by the Government. It is expected her memory of the original house, the arrangement of the rooms and other detalls, which she minutely recalls, will be of great value to those who undertake restoration of the shrine. FIVE PORTRAITS Will Be Sent Here for Bicentennial. Loan of a group of portraits of the first five Presidents of the United States, painted by the artist Gilbert Stuart, for the exhibit of Washingtonia to be staged in the United States Na- tional Museum under the auspices of the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission next year, has been promised by Thomas Jefferson Coolidge of Boston, it was announced y. ‘The precious portraits, said by their owner to be priceless in value, will sent to Washington early next year and will constitute one of the principal dis- plays in the loan exhibit. The por- traits are likenesses of George Wash- ingtin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. They have been in the custody of the Jefferson and Coolidge families for years, according to the commission, and their loan for the exhibit in the Capital will be the first time they have been granted for such a purpose. Mr. Coolidge, who is vice president of the First National Bank of Boston, is @ direct descendant of the third Presi- dent of the United States. ‘The United States Commission also recently recelved word that the origi- nal portrait of George Washington by Adolf Wertmuller will be loaned next year by the estate of Samuel T. Wagner, Philadelphia. The commission is seeking to place in the display all original portraits made of the First President, and their replicas. PHONE OFFICIALS GUESTS Group Entertained by Crain of Sears, Roebuck & Co. Officials of the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephons Co. and their families were entertained lest night by Robert Crain, special representative of Sears, Roebuck & Co. at the company’s plant, 711 Blandensburg road northeast. More than 150 guests were present and were given demonstrations of household equipment. They included J. C. Koons, vice president of the tele- phone company; J. H. Remon, general manager; Col. E. G. Bliss, general com- | mercial manager; C. T. Claggett, assistant general manager; P. G. Burton, general plant manager; P. L. Coffin, vice president; F. G. Macarow, general traffic manager; P. V. B. Heiss, general sales manager; D. E. McCoy, super- visor; J. E. Sands, H. M. Fox and W. H. Collier, commercial superin- | tendents: F. G. Erickson and J. Owens, traffic supervisors; H. J. Smith and W. K. Hodges, assistant managers; W. K. Norwood, general commercial jengineer, and H. D. Sonneman, office manager. PHOTOGRAPHIC ACID BURNS TWO IN STUDIO Edmonston Employes Recovering From Slight Injuries—Fire Squad Causes Traffic Delay. Burned about the feet yesterday when a jar of developing acid spilled on the floor, routing scores of workers in the Adams Building, 1335 F street, two employes of the Edmonston Photo- graphic Studio were reported recover- ing_today. Neither of the employes, Miss Essie Brookbank of Aurora Hills, Va., and Daniel J. Flannigan, 1805 Rosedale street northeast, was burned seriously. Both resumed their work after recefv- ing first-aid treatment. ‘Traffic on P street was delayed spv- CONTRACTOR FREED INBABY'S DEATH B — e Grand Jury Refuses fo Indict Employer of Plumber Who Installed Heater Wrong. ‘The grand jury today refused to in- dict Charles Broome, plumbing con- tractor, held by the coroner’s jury lasf week on a charge of negligence in con- nection with the death of a baby girl who was killed by carbon monoxide fumes created by a gas water heater in- stalled under his suj . Broome, who lives at 614 P street northeast, was held for the grand jury following an inquest into the death of the infant, Frances Daniels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Daniels, 1016 be | Seventeenth place northeast. Parents Were Made T The baby was overcome while her mother, Mrs. Eva Daniels, was feeding her in the living room of their apart- ment. Mrs. Daniels and her husband also were made ill by the fumes, it wes mPt.rmed ltdl’he inquest. ‘ances died at Sibley Hospital, de- spite the efforts of ]};bysk:?xns and nurses to save her with a pulmotor. Broome, whose brother, Milton T. Broome, acted as his attorney, declared the heater was installed by Daniel Curtin, 26, a plumber employed by him. The same jury which ordered the con- tractor held later investigated the death of Curtin, who died of injuries recetved when he fell from an automobile. He llvee in the 400 block of F street south- west. In holding Broome, the coroner’s jury was influenced by 'the testimony of Samuel Tapp, District plumbing in- spector, who asserted the heater was not properly installed, the vent pipe 'l:mfix;‘gyu; % terra, c&::.n lining in the nd preventing the escape of the carbon monoxide. o Broome declared all his workmen, in- gl%‘:x;‘sgmcumn[h hm}i) been given strict see that hole: in'the terrs cotta. T T T punched INJURED GRID PLAYER IS REPORTED IMPROVED George Dyer of Potomac A. C. Team Sustained Dislocated Ver- tebra in Game With Navy Yard. George Dyer, 21, of 5104 Sherrier place, who was injured seriously in n foot ball game Sunday, was reported at Gallinger Hospital today to be slightly improved. He was kept in a respirator Monday night, but this treatment has not been necessary since. o Dyer, a halfback on the Potomac A. C. team, sustained a dislocated verteb: during & game with the Navy Yard C. on the Potomac Field. He was taken to Georgetown Hospital, where the upper portion of his body was found to be paralyzed. He was transferred to Gal- linger Monday evening, |HOOVERS FIRST T0 JOIN CHILD HEALTH CRUSADE Each Take Generous Batch of Christmas Seals From Two Little Girl Workers. President and Mrs. Hoover were the first _citizens to enroll today in the Child Health Crusade of the Red Cross. Two_ little Red Cross workers, & -5- year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, garbed in the crusade uniform, enrolled them at the Wihte House. The children were Jole Lou Berliner, granddaughter of Emil Berliner, the in- ventor, and David Witcover, son of B. Wallace Witcover, secretary general of the Scottish Rite Masons of the District. The President and Mrs, Hoover each took a umr&uel batch of the eral minutes while the rescue sqpad and mopped up the seals, two children de- gmmhuhm:w"?mnm-fl' ARE DESIATED Neighboring Organizations Selected to Administer Workers’ Funds. AUTOMATIC ALLOCATION PLAN IS REJECTED Find It Impractical for Donors’ Home Relief to Get Un- specified Money. ‘The Executive Committee directing the million-dollar relief campaign among Government workers in connec- tion with the Washington Community Chest has completed its list of out-of- town designees for funds contributed by residents of those communities. It was decided not to make contributory allo- | cations sutomatic as was urged by neighboring communities. Instead, the committee will follow the original plan of making the diversion from the Community Chest only when the donor so specifies. In order, however, that all who have already subscribed, may, if they desire, have their gifts go to their home com- munities, they will again be informed of this option, as will those who have still to give. Agencies Are Listed. ‘This course was decided upon by the Executive Committee yesterday after- noon at a meeting in the office of ‘Thomas E. Campbell, president of the Civil Service Commission, chairman of the committee. ‘Those groups named to receive the funds are: Arlington County—Board of Public Welfare and Boy Scouts. Fairfax County—Board of Public Welare. Alexandria—United Charities. Chapter, Manassas, Va. Montgomery County—Social Servicz League and Boy Scouts. Prince Georges County—Red Cross Chapter, Associated Charities, Hyatts- ville; Welfare Association, Mount Rai- nier; Unemployment Committee, River- dale, and social service worker of the Board of County Commissioners, Upper Marlboro. These agencles were selected, it was said, after the committee had gotten in touch with the officials at those points, following a meeting here last Friday at which representatives of these nearby communities argued for the funds: Plan Held Impractical. The committee, it was sald, was of the o] it would not be feasible o make the allocation automatic. With the exception of Fairfax, Alexandria and Prince Willlam, it was pointed out, more than one group will be bene- feries. m:l::r ex:nklnx the Boy Scouts partic- ular designees in Arlington, Montgom- ery and Prince Georges Countles the committee, it was_said, acted at the suggestion of the Boy Scout organiza- | tion in Washington, l'hl‘l‘:"l:‘ supervises. tivities in these L m‘!m.'fxtever funds are z?\?en for the Boy Scouts in these outlying points will be administered through the local Scouts, it was l‘:ll:i é)l;eytbelns members of the Community Chest. At the meeting yegggaa 'nqug:xfi Committee was a] the General commf.ee in its relations with the Community Chest and other organizations which will participate in the fund. It will be composed of Herbert D. Brown, chief of the Bureau of Effi- clency; Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d., di- rector of public buildings and public parks, and Daniel J. Donovan, auditor for the District. CAPPER HOPES AUTO SAFETY BILLWILL PASS Measure Reported Favorably by Senate District Committee last Year. Hope that the incoming Congress will enact the automobile safety re- sponsibility bill for the District, which failed to reach a vote in the Senate at the last session, was expressed by Chairman Capper of the Senate Dis- trict Committee, who returned to Wash- ington yesterday and immediately began studying a program of local legislation. “The new Congress should approve the safety responsibility bill, which the District Committee reported favorably to the Senate last year,” Senator Cap- per said. “The bill would require major traffic offenders to carry liability in- surance as a condition to retaining their rights as drivers. I think this bill is needed more than ever, and hope for its enactment.” ‘The bill would not affect careful drivers, but motorists convicted of serious traffic offenses would have to obtain liability insurance in order to continue driving. Senator Capper also voiced the be- lief that Washington needs more play- grounds, especially in the northeast, and said he hoped provision would be made for them at the coming session. HOOD ALUMNAE TO MEET .| Annual Luncheon of College Group Set for Tomorrow Noon. The Hood Cnllege Club of Washing- ton will hold its annual luncheon meet- ing at 1 o'clock tomorrow at headquar- ters of the American Association of University Women, 1634 I street. Honor guests will be Dr. Dorothy I. Merrill, academic dean of Hood College; Miss Grace Helfinstein, secretary of the col- lege Alumnae Association, and Miss Dorothy McIntyre, field secretary of the association. Miss Virginia K. Boon, president of the local group, is in charge of arrangemenis. ) DR. GUYNN HONORED Dr. Ray F. Guynn was elected com- mander -of Stewart Walcott Post, No. 10, American Legion, at the annual election last night. Vernon S. Auld, retiring commander, was elected a trustee of the post. Other cfficers elected were Charles L. Curtis, senior vice commander; Leo jwfi" )junlm‘ Jlee ;ommlnder: John ulius, vocate; Eugene J. Hur- dle, n; Ange Robertel Prince William County—Red Cross | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1931. AGENCIES T0 GET /ELMIS SACRIFIGED U. S. CHEST GIFTS | FORCAPITOLVISTA, | ARCHITECT SAYS Different Scheme of Planting to Be Carried Out Along East Capitol Street. WIDER THOROUGHFARE IS PLANNED BY LYNN Officials Explain Why Historic Trees Are Being Removed to Provide for Tunnel. While three more 50-year-old elms fell before ax and saw along the East Capitol street vista to the Capitol Building between First and Seccnd streets within the past 24 hours, David Lynn, architect of the Capitol, ex- plained that plans now call for de- velopment of East Capitol street into a wider thoroughfare, with different a-::‘ planting, to provide an even finer Two of the big elms were cut down today, following one yesterday and another the day before, thus stripping the vista along the south side of East Capltol street of all of the big trees, from the ccrner of Second street for some distance toward the Capitol. District of Columbia authorities or- dered the trees cut down because of the hazard to passersby. Roots cf the trees had been cut as workmen pro- ceeded with the construction of a steam tunnel on East Capitol street. Used to Help Jobless. ‘The trees were cut down by a crew from the Office of the District Super- intendent of Trees and Parking, Clif- ford Lanham, in charge of H. P. Mc- Cleary, foreman, and the remains were hauled to the District Woodyard where they were being cut up into firewood today for the rellef of unemployed. Mr. Lynn said his office accepted re- sponsibility for placing the steam tunnel n the sidewalk. The plans, he said, were prepared by the consulting en- gineer of his office. The contractors who did the work obtained District a permit to proceed with the work, but this was not necessary, Mr. Lynn said, as the Office of the Architect of the Capitol hgs full authority over the property of the Capitol and Library of ds in question, to including the sidewalk. District officials had no responsibility in the matter of the tunnel, Mr. Lynn declared, absolving them of any blame in connection with the trees. Street t0 Be Widened. East Capitol street would be widen- ed from its present width of 50 feet to 72 feet, under a proposal su the National Capital Park and Planning Commission las 3 plained. All plans for development of the area are being made, he said, with this in view, so that when the time comes for widening East Capitol street the bulldings, sidewalks, tunnels and other features will be in line. A letter was received last February 28 from the Park and Planning Com- mission, Mr. Lynn explained, saying the commission had approved “in principle” the widening of East Capitol street. This recommendation was made with a view to “making that thoroughfare into a more suitable cpproach to the Na- tional Capitol.” The letter came from Lieut. . U. 5. Grant, 3d, executive officer of the commission. This rec- ommendation v.as submitted to the architect of the Capitol and the Dis- trict Commissioners, Col. Grant ex- plained. Gilbert Approves Plan. Mr. Lynn said he had referred the street widening proposal to the architect of the new Supreme Court Building, Cass Gilbert, who approvea it in prin- ciple, but suggested a somewhat even more generous treatment, with wider sidewalks, and trees set back a few feet farther from the curb. In the Capitol Grounds themselves, Mr. Lynn explained, some old tulip poplar trees which were planted many years ago in the development of the Capitol Grounds are set back much farther from the curb than the ill-fated elms on East Capitol street. The pop- lar trees are about 100 feet apart, measuring across the street, and are set back far enough to provide a wide vista gltween them looking toward the Capi- ‘The plan of wider planting trees will be carried out, Mr. Lynn explained, in the grounds of the Supreme Court the north side of East Capitol street between First and Second streets. New trees, of a variety yet to be se- lected, will be planted there in line with the tulip poplars in the Capitol Grounds. Disposition of the elms along East Capitol street adjacent has not been decided upon, but Mr. Lynn gave no indication of their early destruction. It will be three or four years probably before the Supreme Court planting is done, after the bull is finished and the grounds placed in order. Tunnel Under Street. ‘The steam tunnel along the south side of East Capitol street, beneath the side- walk, would be under the street surface itself when East Capitol street is ‘widened. Asked why the tunnel was not placed in the lawn of the Library of Congress instead of under the sidewalk, where the roots of the old elms were fatally cut, Mr. Lynn said his office had not considered this necessary, in view of the proposed widening of East Capitol street. The tunnel is insulated, Mr. Lynn said, to keep the heat in. This proposal to widen the street, however, has not as yet reached the stage of legislation. It was not clear today as to which Government agencies would formally present the legislation to_Congress, when it is presented. District officials said they authority over the sidewalk and they act only in an advisory and ‘“con- tractural” capacity to the architect of the Capitol. They furnish maps .of underground utilities and when the sidewalk is to be replaced they do the job, receiving pay from funds in the hands of the architect. SOLDIERS’ HOME 0.K. Drum Finds Institution BEf- ficient and Economical. inspectol 'encfllm P ArE:'yL ho r , Who re- cently made a personal inspection of the United States Soldfers’ Home in this city, the institution is -conducted efficiently and economically. “The mem- bers appear to be contented and com- fortable,” said Gen. Drum, in his re- port to the War Department. “Their welfare has been given most careful attention and they appreciate the bene- fits the Government has made avail- Gen. from the | .. ested by | g Foening Star WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION % One of the East Capitol street elms being removed by workmen under the architect of the Capitol after their roots had been cut to make way for a steam tunnel under the sidewalk. —Star Staff Photo. JOIN MOVE TO SAVE CAPITOL HILL ELMS Logan-Thomas Circle Citi- zens Back Plea of Midcity Association. ‘The Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens' Assoclation last night joined with the CITY CLUB WOMEN VIIT ALLEY HOMES Make Tour of Dwellings Pre- paratory to Drive Against Them. Preparatory to launching anew their war on alley dwellings in Washington, Mid-City Association in approving the! members of the Women’s City Club move recently suggested by Mrs. Frank | B. Noyes of the Garden Club of Amer- to work for the retention of many elm trees on Capitol Hill which may be destroyed by the laying of a steam tun- nel there. Want Trees Saved. ‘This action was taken following an open discussion by several members, who pointed out that by co-ordination on the part of several Government agencies the trees now in danger of destruction might be saved. ‘The association also went on record in favor of greater care of all trees in the District. H. E. Young stated, in an informal iscussion that arose with regard to the taxicab fare situation, that, in his opin- fon, the order of the Public Utilitles Commission requiring taxicab compa- nies to equip their cabs with meters would work an injustice to all con- cerned. Members Give Views. He advocated retention of the present zone system of cl fares. Several other members took the floor in a pro and con discussion in connection with the taxi rates. PARK GROUP WANTS SETTLE RETAINED &< Civil Service Commission to Be Asked Favor in Special Case. ‘The National Capital Park and Plan- ning Commission will endeavor to per- suade the Civil Service Commission to construe a technicality of law in its favor, permitting the retention of ‘Thomas S. Settle as its permanent sec- retary. Serving Temporarily. Mr. Settle is now serving as secretary on a six-month basis, which expires shortly, and he is in danger of failing |, to receive the permanent appointment, it was learned today. Mr. Settle, wi name is not among the three at the top of the list on the register just created as a result of the recent competitive ex- amination, has attained marks aj mating those of two at the top, but lacks five credits given for military service under the preferential treat- ment accorded veterans. Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, executive officer and vice chairman of the com- mission, said today that the Civil Serv- ice Commission will be asked to permit Mr. Settle to uality for the post. The colonel mmeqn c{:lr that the t Plan- ning Commission does not desire to “lock horns” with the Civil Service Commission, but is seeking to ascertain it a technicality in the law might be construed to favor the commission’s ‘wishes. Experience Is Stressed. ‘The Civil Service Commission has credited Mr. Settle to Virginia, which is represented as being over quota, but because of his knowledge of conditions in the metropolitan area here and his previous recreational experience, Col. Grant_believes that this and the fact that he has assi in drawing up legislation, which an outsider would have difficulty in explaining to Con- gress, entitles him to special considera- tion. ART JURY NAMED Selection Group Appointed for ‘Water Color Club Exhibition. The jury of sélection for the Wash- ington Water Color Club exhibition, opening at Corcoran Gallery December 3, was announced here today. Mem- bers of the Critical Committee will be A. H. O. Rolle, Elizabeth Evans Graves, Benson B. Moore, Eleanor Parke Cus- ql!:r'y Ogm&de G. nro;m, Susan Bd Chase, , Lesley Jacksen and Eliza- beth Sawtelle. Good for 69 Years, Landlord Is Freed Of Shooting Man yesterday made a tour of inspection of several inhabited alleys under the guidance of Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, who for several years has been actively in campaigning for riddance of alley homes. ‘The members of the touring party, several of whom are active members of other influential women’s organizations in the Capital, will present a report of their findings on yesterday’s trip at a meeting of the entire club December 2, it was announced. Urged Support of Bill. Mrs. Hopkins at the outset of the tour urged more intensified effort to combat the inhabited alley situation in view of the forth celebration c')’a‘x‘:"x‘-x'fim denounced the inhab- g : ited alleys ss harl 1 , vice and crime, entailing low moral stand- ards and creating high death rates. She urged wg_pm of the Bowman- Capper bill, introduced in the last ses- R e X S A B mission, the District Commissioners and the ~Washington Counecil of Social fis;nclu and other interested authori- ere. ‘The Women’s Cm Club will vigor- sU] this during the next Mrs. Hopkins de- clared. b Alleys visited by group yesterday included Snows court, which is located K, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets; Logan court, be- tween First, North Capitol, Pierce and L streets; Fenton place, between First, North Capitol, K and L streets, and Dixons court southwest, between H, I, ‘Third and Four-and-a-half streets. Members of Party. The touring party also visited a block of dwellings erected by the Wi Sanitary Housing Co., near South Cap- itol lr;d N ;‘lreel‘a, wh!c‘g‘ ‘was described as a_ type t might be suitable substitute fi'r the llle‘y t'lwellE The group from the Women's City Club, besides Mrs. Hopkins, included Mrs. Willlam Lee Corbin, president of the club; Mrs. Merritt O. Chance; Dfln Hays Riley, who is active in the League of Republican Women also; Dr. A. Prances Foye; Mrs. Lyman B. Swormstadt, who also is an active mem- ber of the Twentleth Century Club; Mrs, William E. Chamberlin, also ac- tive in the American - Association of University Women: Mrs. Gladys B. Middlemiss, Mrs. Virgil C. Miller, Mrs. Ernest H. Daniel, president of the Cormesponding secteiary 6t the. Loats secr of the e of Republican Women; Mrs. A. J. Mc- Kelway, president of the District of Columbia League of Women Voters; Mrs. Willlam J. LaVarre, first vice pres- ident of the District of Columbia Fed- eration of Women’s Clubs; Mrs. Clara Wright Smith, president of the Wom- en’s Democratic Educational Council; Mrs. Hiram Snell, Ellis Mere- dith and Mrs. Sidney Ulfelder. MUSIC CLUBS TO GIVE BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM Plans for participation by the Na- tional Federation of Mu.l!cy Clubs of America in the Nation-wide observance of the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington next year were being worked out in the Capital this week by Mrs. Elmer James Ottoway of Port Huron, Mich.,, pfesident of the federation. Mrs. Ottoway announced the federa- tion will hold a conference in Wash- the week of May 9-16 next year, the period being set aside as Bicenten- nial Music here by Mrs. Gertrude Lyons, president of the District of Co- lumbia Federation of Music Clubs. A program at Constitution Hall May 10 and 11 is tentatively planned, with artists and choruses from all parts of portray L i e nited Shates Hrom the” Gme ot the first President. HONORS POET’S MEMORY 200th_anniversary ‘The of the birth dmflhmovm.hflhhm,m observed last t at a meeting of the District Library Association at the Dodge Hotel. It was decided to cele- brate the occasion last night because ’s_birthday, Novemior 26, faits on T H. H. B. Meyer, director of the PAGE B—1 IPROBE OF SHOOTING IN TEA HOUSE GETS NEW CLUE IN AUTO Bullet-Riddled Car Is Found Abandoned Near Bowie. Owner Is Sought. WITNESS AND VICTIM WANTED IN MURDERS Pennsylvania Officials Identify Pair as Fugitives—Third Man Held in Philadelphia. * A bullet-riddled automobile, discov- ered by a farmer on a road leading into Bowie, today gave police what they believe the best clue discovered to date dha‘ s e iy T o Coremia who the Old Cole House early l‘(.gndly m 3 fing one man and injuring six The abandoned car, a heavy bore Maryland tags issued to timore man. reported stole; a Bal. The_car had not New Man n Probe, Baltimore detectives also announced today they were searching tu:ntnwo men in that city who are said to be friends of Thomas Simone of Wi one persons wounded in the shoot- said ing. | man early today and in the Hyattsville jail wlm’otbet persons who witnessed the shooting. The new prisoner, George Osborne, 21, of the 100 block of Madison street northeast, is to be questioned today, al- h - the belief he though police expressed left ti before sarted® "7 Witnesses Wanted in Slayings. One of the men who been at Hyattsville since the b o of the |the rison: ers pictures of men known to b:n-o- ciated with the Hng ml:o:: were iden- tified as members -up party, however. % i z ‘The ‘detectives also took formal state- ments from the prisoners yesterday. Amick Buried in Virginia. Besides Bartlett, the others injured were Charles Levitt, alleged of the tea house; Mrs. Verne Edwards, Norman Garrey and Simone. Levif and Garrey were the most seriously in- Jjured, but all were reported as “ " at Casualty Hospital thic Funeral services for Grover J. Amick, who was killed as the Baptist Church, at services in the home of Amick’s father. Burial was in Mount Hebron Cemetery. Members of the Sarah Zane Company, which Amick joined when a boy, attended the rites. Amick was educated at the John Kerr High School at Winchester. He is survived by his father and three sisters, Mrs. W. J. Jones of Milford, Conn.; Mrs. Willlam Aitken of New Haven, Conn., and Miss Margaret Amick of Winchester, Va. ‘Taxi Drivers Released. ‘While employed at & gasoline station in Washington, young Amick made his home at the residence of the parents of Miss Anna Leckliter, 1100 bi of Monroe street. According to police he drove to the burg resort with Miss Leck- liter and Osborne, and the two men entered the house, leaving the gir! the car. She saw the bandits enter the distributors of the parked in the yard. his John D. McComas. TAGS NEARLY READY Issuance of 1932 Licenses to Start in District December 1.