Evening Star Newspaper, January 20, 1932, Page 17

Washington News The Fne WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ning St WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1932. PAGE B—1 WITTSTATT SAYS HE WAS IN ERROR IN'SIGNED REPORT Testifies at Brutality Trial That He Had Seen Boy in Station House. DENIES SEEING TRIO STANDING ON TOES Lieutenant Tells Attorney He Heard No Shouts While Youths Were Being Held. Lieut. John T. Wittstatt, who, on September 12, signed a statement deny- ing he had any knowledge of the ques- tioning of William McKeever Williams, 17-year-old colored prisoner, admitted today at the trial of third degree charges against Charles R. Bremmer- mann and Hollis H. Clark, supended members of the second precinct, that he had seen the boy In the precinct station while he was being interrogated by the two policemen. The admission was drawn from Lieut. Wittstatt by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Gallagher, when he exhibited the officer’s signed state- ment, and called attention to his faulty memory. Lieut. Wittstatt’s statement was read at the insistence of Defense | Attorney James A. O'Shea, although Gallagher said he previously had no intention of introducing it as evidence. Was on Duty at Station. Lieut. Wittstatt was called as a de- fense witness, and at the outset testified that he was on duty in the station house the morning of June 25, when Bremmermann and Clark brought in three colored boys, whom he was un- able to identify. Two of the boys, he said, were taken into the locker room by the policemen and questioned. At no time did he see the boys stand- ing on their toes with their hands in the air, Lieut. Wittstatt testified. He went into the locker room, he said, and saw Bremmerman sitting in a chair and Clark leaning against a desk. They were questioning the boys, he said, and | instead of standing on their toes, the boys were standing squarely on their feet. He heard no shouting, he added, | and only heard a boy say “I'm telling | you the truth, Mr. Bremmermann Lieut. Wittstatt appeared quite posi- tive in his statements. He aeclared he knew of no violence being used on any prisoners. Assistant United States Attorney Gal- lagher told Wittstatt that his recollec- tion was somewhat different on another occasion. Gallagher having a paper asked the witness if he remembered signing a statement September 12. The Government attorney said he did not intend to put the paper into evidence, but simply desired to ask some questions_about it. Lieut, Wittstatt's expression changed when Defense Attorney O'Shea de- manded that the paper be submitted in evidence any way, the Government attorney read from it to show that on September 12, the police lieutenant had no recollection of the boy being brought into the station house. “At no time while I was in the sta- ‘tion house do I. remember Officers Bremmermann and Clark bringing in any boys and questioning them,” Lieut. ‘Wittstatt had sworn to in the pres- ence of Department of Justice agents. Signed Under “Misapprehension.” The witness said he had signed it as s “truthful statement,” but insisted that “I signed it under a misapprehen- sion.” He meant to say that he “did” see the boys brought in, he testified. He admitted he had not read the statement over carefully, although ne knew its importance as a document which would be used later. Policeman Percy A. De Neall, who was the desk sergeant and was verify- ing from record books the different hours that officers were in and out of the precinct station and when prison- ers were brought in during the time the offenses alleged in the indictment occurred, was another witness. Before the complaining witness, Wil~ llams, was arrested three boys, who later are alleged to have been beaten, were brought to the station house. Their names were Truxton, Bandham and Gordon. De Neall testified he had booked them at 4:22 am. Upon ex- amining the book, he said the record | had been changed, erased to show 3:10 am. De Neall was positive under close questioning by the Government at this time that he was correct in his own recollection of the time and expressed the belief that “Officer Wilson” had made the change. The Tecord book was passed around for the jury to see. It had not left the second precinct sta- tion at any time, Neall's knowledge Lieut. Wittstatt and Officer .E. L. Shelton could not remember the identities of the boys. Like his superior officer, Shelton was aware of no violence being ‘used on prisoners, while he was in the station, although he admitted he did not know how many times he went back and forth. He was positive he did not see any of the boys “standing on their toes” when he went into the Jocker room. Night sticks or any other sticks were not in evidence, he testified The stick the two officers are alleged to have used on all the boys, including Williams, was one kept in the room to hold up a window with a broken sash cord. All the boys testified minutely on this point, but Sheltop said he knew nothing about the window being broken The testimony of the police officers regarding what went on in the locker room up to this time had not been connected in any way with Williams, the case on which the officers are on trial. Character Witnesses Called. The defense opened its case yester- day afternoon by calling & group of character witnesses to. testify as to their general knowledge of the repu- tation of the two defendants for “peace, good order, truth and veracity.” Each of them said he knew nothing of the facts in the present trial, but all gave the defendants a good name. The witnesses included H. A. Dris- coll, president of the Midcity Citizens'| Assoclation; Ralph Davis, Thomas S. Surgeon, M. Frank Ruppert, Capt. Jeremiah E. Sullivan, Capt. L. Raedy and Lieut. Kenneth M. Roper of the Metropolitan Police; 8. Miller, Rev. Dr. Simpson D. Dough- erty of the Memorial United Brethren Church, Albert A. Stern, a former as- sistant United Btates attorney; H. Lee Smith, Capt. D. H. Grove and Lieut Harry G. Callahan of the Metropolitan Police and Dr. William T. Kerfoot. jr., secretary of the Board of Pharmacy. James E. O'Neil, desk sergeant at the old Second Precinct Station where Wwilliams and the other boys are al- Jeged to have been beaten and abused to make them confess to thefts and housebreaking charges, was the next according to De Michael Henry Nestor Will Play Lead in First Production of Civic Opera Co. Is Graduate of Nebraska U. and Won Law Degree at George Washington. The singing Romeo of the police force, Henry Nestor, a crossing officer of the Traffic Bureau, who says “Yea" and “Nay” to anxious motorists at Four- teenth and F streets, is undertaking a new role. When he shakes the dust from his weary feet in the late after- noon after doing his bit of regulating of the traffic problem he hastens to the Belasco Theater, and there he rehearses. Traffic Officer Nestor has been selected to play the leading role in the first production of the newly formed Wash- ington Civic Opera Co. He doesn't sing on duty. " _he says, “I don't dare sing on duty. But he hums. He hums snatches of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta “The Gon- doliers,” in which he is playing the role of the reckless and amorous suitor, Giusseppe. Seeks Operatic Career. | Some day Crossing Officer Nestor would like to sing in grand opera. This, lit seems, is only the beginning. = Al- | though he's fond of his police work and halts and advances the cause of traffic with the best of them, he yearns secretly to be a golden-voiced nightingale. The fact that he is on his way to such suc- cess is apparent, since he won his present assignment from a host of anxious singing notables in this city. “Giusseppe” may be seen almost any afternoon between 3:30 and 7:30 on the Avenue near Fourteenth street or at F street. Although passersby have sworn that they have never heard him burst into song, if they approached near enough they may hear that “hum” which he carries with him at all times. The music of Gilbert & Sullivan operas is easy to remember and hard to forget. It requires the voice of some one long trained in the annals of music. Star of “Troubadours.” Mr. Nestor is no novice. Long before he. donned the blue uniform and the badge of his present station he had attained fame as a singer of distinction. | A year ago in the ball room of the May- | flower Hotel few who listened there to his clear, resilient baritone mnotes as soloist with the George Washington University Glee Club would have dreamed that in a few months he| would be the singing pride of the police 'SINGING ROMEO OF POLICE FORCE ASPIRES TO OPERATIC CARE ER POLICEMAN HENRY NESTOR. force, or would the audience have sus- pected that the tall, blue-frocked officer of the law, standing so uprightly on Fourteenth street, had a few months before been a prominent singing Thes- pian in the annual George Washington “ badors” productions. Nestor is modest about his vocal achievements. The Washington Civic Opera has yet to be launched—the launching takes place some time in February at the Belasco Theater—and he has yet to be launched. His main career at the moment lies in his hands and feet more than in his throat. He hasn't been on the force long—only since last April. Graduate of Nebraska. Traffic Officer Nestor has sung over the radio, in high school productions, in college productions. Before he came to Washington he was graduated from the University of Nebraska. And be- sides being able to sing all the way from | a low “F” to a high “G,” he is a lawyer. | He received his A. B. in law last year | from George Washington University. And, other than that—and there is Plenty of “other” (he is a strict be- {iever in variety)—while he was getting his lawyer's degree he was also work- ing at the Bureau of Home Economics with the Department of Agriculture. If that isn't enough, he can still remem- ber the days, not so long ago, when he | was & member of the Missouri Valley championship track team. He still wears his winged foot on his watch chain. And he was married last June. Thus a singing-lawyer-athlete-traffic- officer. The question at the moment is which s he looking forward to most— the increase in traffic over the Bicen- tennial celebration or his debut as a light opera star behind the Belasco veteran footlights? CITIZENS PROTEST SOALIST NOTICE Library Bulletin Is Assailed in Petition—Bowerman Sends for Copy. A group of citizens living near the| Mount Pleasant branch of the Public | Library have protested to the District Commissioners against the posting on the bulletin board at the library branch VETERANS HONOR LEE AND JACKSON Former Confederates Hear Senator Morrison Praise Generals. Six Six Confederate veterans last night listened eargerly as their beloved leaders —Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson—were eulogized by Senator Cameron Morrison of North Carolina of meeting announcements for the “So- | cialist Club of Washington.” | Those signing the petition included Mrs. David D. Caldwell, vice president general of the D. A. R.; James Duncan, | G. T. Holt, Grace H. Hoolzbery, Mrs.| Theodore Tiller, Mrs. Margaret Pettit and Eugene A. Costello. Bowerman Sends for Copy. While Dr. George Bowerman, head | of the Public Library, has not received official notification of the protest, he sent for & copy of the bulletin on learn- papers. Dr. Bowerman said the no- Pice seemed to him in keeping With the “broad spirit” of the library, which offers books on either side of contro- Versial subjects without sponsoring the opinions set forth. The notice of the meetings, which take place at headquarters of the Socialist Club in the 600 block of Columbia road, was assailed because children, the petition said, “might |fearn disloyalty to our Government’ | through them. Notices Listed Speakers. | “We cannot go through these notices with a fine tooth comb,” Dr. Bower- man said. “The library certainly lends books on socialism, and this study club, T understand, only discusses the same subject which the books discuss, “Neither the trustess nor myself | sponsor the opinions set forth in_ the library books, and I cannot get excited over the word ‘socialist.’ Their poster contained a list of speakers at a series of meetings, some of whom, it said, were connected with the Brookings Institution and others with American and Johns Hopkins Universities.” Marriage Licenses. George McLaughiin, 62, Los Ahgeles, and | ExZabeth B, f\?menmxmu, %2, Ludington, M Br. "arle Wilfey. Sarey'C. Forrest, 24, and Hilda L. Blanks, 27 bon " ot Richmond; Rev. Thomas E B %% %N Dienl, 23, and Edns Loefer, 19 eV, John E. Brigés. Arthur W. Kidder, 85, and Ida H. Corley, 0F Rev: J . Holllster '21. and Cecile M. Gray- | 4 ineberier. 86, and Louise From- S 3 M EhTifine A Rombe, Tith, 36, and Marie Dowell, 20; | Jiackwell, 25, and Ethel Hawkins, y Dorothy M. suit Rev, H. D. Hayes i and Rev_Eli Stra Bernard Lloyd." 39, nnapolis: 26, both of A Sam Josey, 29, and Mollie L. Williams, 20; Rev. W. E. Lee. | Births Reported. ! George F. and Mary Goul Jemes J. and Lorraine Gi Joseph J. and Gertrude Wahler, boy. Milton R. and Ethel Russell. m R. and Dorothy McEwen, boy. Leo G, and Argith Edward and Janie Gardner. girl i and Elsie Siegiried, girl Jobn G._and Marie Auth. girl. Arthur E. and Eliz Kimberly, girl. Rose Trotta, girl Frederick W. 5 William E. and Katherine Shipman, boy. Hahold and Margaret Patschke, boy. Edward and Cecelia Bucci, boy. and Flora Pitts. boy . boy. Floyd A. and Ina Adams. g David ‘and Tillie Rosenberg Irving and Esther Sirota, girl Stanley L. and Nellie De Vaughn, girl. Logan D.'and Lucy Hawling. eirl r irl ., girl. d Beatrice Kin by _the defense, His wxny was nezded to fix the dates snd hours when the various prisoners were Jocked up. rl. and Edna Brown, boy. and Vi noy. nd Rodi ing of the affair through the news-|Rose. at a dinner in celebration of their birthdays, held at Confederate Me- morial Hall, 1322 Vermont avenue. The half dozen, representing the 15 surviving members of Camp 171, United Confederate Veterans, celebrated the | generals’ birthdays with the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy Gen. Lee's birthday was yesterday and Jackson’s will be tomorrow. Gen. W. L. Wilkerson presided at the service; his five comrades were Maj. E. O. Scaggs, Robert Wilson, Col. Jacob W. Locker, M. T. Waller and Fontaine Dr. John C. Copenhaver, pastor of Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church, a son of & veteran, opened the services with an invocation and the congrega- tion sang “How Firm a Foundation,” Gen. Lee’s favorite hymn. Gen. Odeh H. Lake, & Spanish War veteran and a son of & Confederate veteran, read the famous “Order No. 9,” Lee's farewell address to the Army of Northern Vir- ginia. Rev. John E. Briggs of the Fifth Baptist Church pronounced the bene- diction. | Impressive exercises were held at the “smtue of Gen. Lee in Statuary Hall ‘yeswdny afternoon at 4 o'clock. The exercises were sponsored by the two chapters of the Children of the Confed- | eracy under the direction of Mrs. Anne Howell. An address wa delivered by Repre- sentative Virgil man of Kentucky, | in which he elaborated on Lee both as | the ‘soldier and educator. | _ Maj. Robert S. Hudgins of Richmond, Va., vice commander in chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, made & short address in which he lauded the virtues of Gen. Lee. A wreath of lau- rel and carnation was placed on the statue by the presidents of the two chapters ‘of the Children of the Con- federacy, Miss Nancy Vann and Ray | Clarke. | CIVITANS TO EN'I:ER_TAIN DELEGATES NEXT JUNE ?he v;']asrL\lngmn Civitan Club will act as host next June to delegates attending the International - Cieitan Convention at Baltimore. Plans for entertaining the group the day after the International meeting on June 19-21 were discussed last night pmerelisonu lght at a meeting H. 8. Fitz, representing the Com- munity Chest, described the history. of the work of the Chest. The club approved the charity work of “The Old Woman in the Shos shop and a commitiee was appointed to col- lect shoes to be redistriby et inog uted through A resolution of condolence was passed on the recent death of Dy s Knowles Cooper. e HOGAN HEADS LAWYERS Succeeds G. P. Hoover as Presi- dent of District Bar. Prank J. Hogan was e e dent of the District of clobfut:;%xam Bar Association last night at a meeting in the Mayflower Hotel He succeeds George P. Hoover. Other officers elect- ed were Lucien H. Van Doren, first vice president; George McNeil, second vice president; George C. Gertman. secretary, and W, W. Millan, treasurer. ving uq:cr las. g his eleventh term e following three elected for tw:gen umfiufi:c;::: Hawken, Richard A. Wellford and Fred- erick Stohlmen, NEARLY ALL LAND FOR PARKWAY 1S ACQUIRED BY U. 3. $116,000 Sought to Pur- chase Half Acre at 28th and M Streets. CONTRACT IS AWARDED FOR BRIDGE AT L STREET Lovers’ Lane and Canal Property Are Only Areas Still to Be Bought.for Project. Nearly all the land necessary for the completion of the Rock Creek and Po- tomac Parkway has now_been secured, but i:> Federal Government will be asked to advance $116,000 for half an acre of ground, on which the Peck Me- morial Chapel and a filling station stand at Twenty-eighth and M streets, so that two, condemnation awards may be satisfied. Then only a part of the Bliss properties along Lover's lane near Montrose Park and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal property will remain to be secured to complete the entire parkway land purchase program. Officials had expected that the $116,- 000 would go into the first deficiency bill, but it now appears that this money will be secured as a claim against the Government, through congressional ac- tion or the Court of Claims. $1,900,000 Already Spent. The Rock Creek and Potomac Park- way Commission has now been at work nearly 20 years, purchasing land in Rock Creek Valley, south of the Na- tional Zoological Park, and officials said today that $1,900,000 has been expended and that the total paid for land was only 10 per cent over the assessed value, including all organization ex- penses. The commission, which is com- posed of Secretary Mellon, Secretary Hurley and Secretary Hyde, s now without funds. Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, director of Public Buildings and Public Parks, is its executive officer, and George E. Clark is its engineer and land expert. The total area of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, which stretches southward from the ‘gate of the Na- tional Zoological Park to a point north | of Constitution avenue, near where | Rock Creek empties into the Potomac | River, is 160 acres. A bridge is to be constructed at L street, to cross Rock Creek, and Col. Grant today made the award to the W. C. Briddell Co. of Baltimore, Md., the successful bidder, who offered to do the work for $41,200. Under the terms | of the contract, he is permitted 150 days | to finish the bridge construction. This | will carry the highway from the present terminus at K street, across Rock Creek, so that feeder roads from Pennsylvania avenue may be built, Funds Are Lacking. ‘The Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks is without funds for the improvement of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between Pennsylvania avenue and the P Street Bridge. Construction of the highway between Massachusetts avenue and the P Street Bridge is nearing completion, and Col. Grant expects to open this thoroughfare to one-way traffic shortly. The “water- side overpass,” which is a traffic bridge, near Massachusetts avenue, is being fin- ished and gives a novel treatment to the problem of handling automobiles, aiding in avoiding a grade-crossing and left-hand turns. Through the medium of the traffic bridge automobiles will be brought in from Massachusetts ave- nue. A rest room and a lodge for the United States park police are being constructed in the abutments of the structure. When the road building and lighting arrangements are completed the sec- tion of the parkway between Vassa- chusetts avenue and P street will be thrown open to the public. Col. Grant said today that the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Commis- sion will not be dissolved, when the half acre outstanding has been ac- quired, for there is still pending liti- gation with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Co. for the land at the mouth of Rock Creek. ‘The United States is claiming title to that property, but the canal company says it has secured the land under its charter and activity. Dut to an agree- ment_between the canal company and the Federal Government, the construc- tion of the L street bridge will go for- ward, with the understanding that the Yresent status will be maintained over and rights in that area. VOTE ON ALIEN BILL SET The bill for deportation of alien sea- men will be taken up by the Senate on January 26 and considered until a vote is reached, under an agreement reached yesterday. The measure, introduced by Senator King, Democrat, Utah, is designed to prevent aliens from entering the United States as seamen. It has been pending since 1924. The Senate adopted an amendment to exclude Great Lakes shipping from its provisions. SUS,TT7 15 ADDED 10 SPECIAL GIFTS IN CHEST GAMPAIG {Unit Has Two Days to Raise $217,000 Balance of Quota, Newbold Noyes Warns. SOLICITORS TO GET INSTRUCTIONS FRIDAY Elwood Street Optimistic of Re- sults of General Drive for Community Funds. Additional Community Chest con- tributions totaling $145,777.37 were re- ported today at a luncheon of the special gifts unit in the Willard Hotel. In announcing that today’s pledges increased the unit’s grand total so far to $707,157.37, Newbold Noyes, vice chairman, warned the workers the group has only two more days in which to obtain some $217,000 of its quota still outstanding. He demanded action. “We have had ample time in which to do our job,” Mr. Noyes said. “Still we're behind in doing i§. I know there are discouraging factors in going out on the streets of Washington at this time in search of money, but we must get to work and complete our quota on time.” Ball Club Gives $1,500. Mr. Noyes urged the solicitors to seek immediate donations from persons who have contributed heretofore, but have delayed making their subscription this year. He approved suggestions that teams who have seen all their prospects already lend their aid to those with potential donors yet to interview. Mr. Noyes announced his uncle, Fleming Newbold, had received a do- nation of $1,500 from the Washington Base Ball Club, which never had been asked to contribute in the past. Workers of the group solicitation unit will be given final instruction Priday night at 6:15 o'clock in the Raleigh Hotel at one of the most im- porlant Community Chest meetings prior to the opening of the campaign proper Sunday. Speakers Listed. Among the speakers will be Edward F. Colladay, Campalgn Committee chair- man; Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Episcopal Bishop of Washington; Rev. Dr. Fulton J. Sheen of Catholic Uni- versity, Dr. Abram Simon, John H. Hanna, W. W. Everett and Elwood Street, Chest director. Lloyd B. Wil- son, unit chairman, will be the toast- master. The division chiefs, team captains and key men will be told the best methods of approaching pr ive donors. The unit will solicit contribu- tions from some 63,000 employes of more than 600 business concerns. In- cluded will be virtually every com- mercial establishment with a pay roll of more than 20 persons. Co-operation Asked. Representatives of the speakers unit will make talks in each of these con- cerns. The dates will be arranged by division chiefs. An unusually compre- hensive program of speeches will be perfected, as donations were greater Jast year at companies where talks were given Earnest appeals for co-operation by every worker were made last night in separate talks before regions 2, 3_and 5 of the metpopolitan unit by H. L. Rust, jr, unit chairman. Cliting the unemployment emergency, Mr. Rust declared final responsibility for success of the drive rests upon the shoulders of the metropolitan and group solici- tation units. Street Is Optimistic. Separate talks also were made be- fore each of the three regions by Mr. Street and Joseph D. Kaufman, chair- man of the speakers’ unit. Mr. Street expressed an optimistic opinion of the campaign prospects, but warned inten- sive work will be necessary if the goal is to be reached. He urged the work- ers to study Chest literature concern- ing methods of canvassing. Mr. Kaufman said the workers should employ all of their personality and humor in seeking pledges. He said increased subscriptions must be ob- tained “to meet the needs of all races, colors and creeds.” Regions 2 and 3 held separate meet- ings at the United States Chamber of Commerce with Chairmen Mark Lans- burgh and James E. Colliflower of the respective groups presiding. Region 5, headed by Dr. Kelly Miller of Howard University, met at the Whitelaw Hotel. MURRAY “D(.)NE INOIL” Governor Sits for Portrait by Ru- dolph Kiss of Capital. Gov. Murray of Oklahoma sat for an oil portrait here yesterday. ‘The work was done by Rodolphe Kiss, local artist. “You make me look like Bismarck,” was the only comment of “Alfalfa Bill"” when the sitting was over. OF STATE DEPAR Remodeling Ap Although the Senate failed yesterday to put in the deficlency appropriation bill & provision to prevent the use of any money to remodel the State De- partment Building, the effort will be Tenewed in & separate bill which Sen- ator McKellar, Democrat, of Tennessee, will ask the Appropriations Committee act on. w'rhe architecture of the bullding, which flanks the White House on the west, led to a spirited but good-natured debate in the Senate late yesterday, with Senator Smoot of Utah describ- ing it as & “monstrosity,” while Sen- ator Norris of Nebraska called it one of the finest public bulldings in Wash- ington. Elaborating on his description of the building, Senator Smoot sald “I never saw so many jimcracks and ktums put upon other eveix“w‘"k d spizzerink “When the jimcracks an - tums were put on that building they were in style,” Norris replied. “No, they were never in style on a public building and they never will be,” spizzerin any building I turned. Sn;?‘t‘sr McKellar said he was in the State Department Building yesterday. He said that while he is not an author- ity on architecture, he saw some and Ionic ool WORDS FLY ON “SPIZZERINKTUMS” TMENT BUILDING ¢Jimcrack” Architecture Scored and Defended in Senate. proval Delayed. “Did the Senator see the spizzerink- tums?” Norris inquired, and McKellar replied that he did not. “Perhaps the Senator did not cast his eye toward the top of the build- ing, nor do I think he went clear around the building,” Smoot responded. Senator McKellar previously had said it would cost about $4,000,000 to re- model the building, and while it might be all right to make the changes when the condition of the country improves, he did not belleve it should be done at_this time. Senator Smoot explained that he was not contending the work ought to be done in view of the conditions which now exist, but added he hoped to see the day when the State Department Building would be remodeled to con- form to the appearance of the Treasury Building. Senator Jones of Washington, chair- man of the Appropriations Committee, agreed with Norris and McKellar, say- ing that ever since he came to Wash- ington he has admired the State De- partment Building. “I have not been able to determine just what kind of architecture it is,” said Senator Jones. “I know now. I have great admiration for spizzerink- tum architecture, and so I am to stand for that building as [ can,” now just as long.as I | Elgen Is Sworn In I | ILY E. ELGEN was sworn in tod: chairman of the commission. NEW MEMBER OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION INDUCTED. ay as a member of the Public Utilities Commission, succeeding Harley H. Hartman, resigned. He took the oath of office at the District Building, the oath being administered by Frank E. Cunninghem, clerk of District Supreme Court, in the office of the RECESSISTAKEN N RLEY INUR Woman Worker Leaves Stand in Tears—Changes Urged in Juvenile Law. Adjourned yesterday after a woman worker in the Board of Public Welfare ended her testimony in tears, the special subcommittee cf the House Dis- trict Committee investigating the Wel- fare Board’s handling of the Riley case marked time today, awaiting the call of its chairman, Representative Vincent L. Palmisano of Maryland. Although George S. Wilson, welfare director, admitted under questioning that the board “can make a mistake— several of them over a period of years,” his superintendent of child welfare, Miss Patricia Morss, refused to concede the board erred in failing to take the case to court, despite the fact it had evidence as far back as 1925 that Edith Riley was mistreated. She left the wit- ness stand in tears. Under questioning by Representative Frank L. Bowman of West Virginia, whose resolution authorized the inquiry, Miss Morss steadfastly maintained “the Board of Public Welfare had great in- terest in the matter and did not show any indifference in its handling.” Sufficient Evidence Denied. “Do you mean to state that the board did not find anything wrong in the Riley home, even though that little child was incarcerated in a closet for four years?” Bowman asked. “The board's investigators could not obtain sufficient evidence to take the case in court,” the witness replied. “The board certainly had knowledge of the condition of this poor little girl, isn’t that s0?” “I don't think so. We have no evi- dence the child was incarcerated for four years.” “But the board, nevertheless, took no action despite having received reports the child was mistreated,” Bowman re- torted. “Do you mean to sit there and defend the board’s action? “Isn't it true that for years the board has been recelving report after report on conditions that would not be tol- erated in any civilized community and nothing was done about it?” Bowman shouted the question angrily. Welcomes Investigation. Miss Morss replied that fleld workers assigned to the case had been unable to build up a case that would stand up in the courts and enable the board to obtain custody of the three Riley chil- dren, Prancis, Louise and Edith, whose stepmother and father are serving two- year penitentiary terms for locking Edith in a closet. “Yes,” sald Bowman, “it remained for some one outside of the board to disclose that the child had been in- carcerated for four years.” Edith was taken from her father and stepmother as a result of a complaint made to a newspaper reporter. Wilson, in his opening statement to the subcommittee, declared the board “welcomes an investigation,” adding, however, that a postponement of from 60 to 90 days would better suit the board due to the fact “the service is not adequate at the present time to handle the burdens thrust upon us, and an investigation now will seriously hamper our work.” Changes in Law Urged. The subcommittee did not consider his suggestion and the inquiry pro- ceeded. Wilson recommended a moderniza- tion of the Juvenile Court law for the District of Columbia, declaring the present law regards children taken into Juvenile Court as criminals, whereas the present-day tendency is to regard them as “wards of the State” instead. He sald Thomas G. Walsh, assistant corporation counsel, assigned to the Juvenile Court, was in_a position to outline specific changes believed neces- sary in the law. ‘Bowman, who led in the questioning, engaged Wilson in a verbal tilt when the latter quoted the law in answer to questions by the West Virginia Repre- sentative. “I know what the law is” shouted "Bowman angrily. “If you don't know what your board does in handling cases, kindly say 50.” Bowman had asked whether a child without & home, but not incorrigible, would be committed to a reformatory, and Wilson had said an agent of the board would be assigned to investigate the case and to make recommendations. Other Witnesses Called. Three other witnesses were called by the committee—Sergt. Rhoda Milliken of the Women's Bureau, Miss Mary Bayles of the Department of Inquiry, Juvenile Court, and Miss Jeanette Ezekials, chief probation officer of the court. Sergt. Milliken told of the Women’s Bureau's connection with the case; how & policewoman was sent to the ONLYTWOBLLS P NEXTDISTRET DAY Fete Commission Measure and D. C. Signature Plan on House Calendar. Next Monday is the regular District day in the House, but as the House Dis- trict Committee has only two measures ready for action, little time will be used for District business. The committee has already on the calendar the bill to incorporate the District of Columbia George Washing- ton Bicentennial Commission in order that it may grant concessions for gran ds and other matters in con- nection with the Bicentennial celebra- tion, which officially opens here next month. Senate Bill Substituted. On recommendation of Corporation Counsel William W. Bride and with the approval of the members of the judiciary subcommittee, of which Representative Palmisano, Democrat, of Maryland, is chairman, the committee this morning substituted the bill which already has passed the Senate in re- gard to certain ministerial duties of the District Commissioners being per- formed by the secretary of the board, and ordered it fayorabiy reported. ‘This measure also will come up for action on Monday. The corporation counsel explained that under this new legislation, where action had been taken by the Board of Commissioners, that ac- tion could be certified in legal papers by the secretary of the board and the Commissioners would be saved the for- mality of signing their names several hundred times a day. Bride Urges Wider Powers. Corporation Counsel Bride also urged the House District Committee to con- sider as soon as possible the bill to ex- tend the powers of the District Com- missioners, as this is the one piece of pending legislation on which the Dis- trict officials are most desirous of se- curing passage by Congress. The House District Committee au- thorized to be printed the hearing held during the last Congress on the police training school bill, which is now before a subcommittes. This was done in order to avold the holding of other ?ee.flng at this time on the same sub- ect. LEWIS BAIL INCREASED T0 $5,000 IN SHOOTING N Newell in Critical Condition as Alleged Assailant Pleads Not Guilty. Gilbert Ward Lewis, 1607 Kearney street northeast, accused of shooting and seriously wounding Temple Newell, 27, telephone repairman, pleaded not guilty in Police Court today to a charge of assault with intent to kill. The case was continued until February 3. Lewis, who had been at liberty on $2,000 bond, was held under $5,000 bail upon recommendation of = Assistant United States Attorney Milford Schwartz, who told Judge Gus A. Schuldt Newell isllkll a critical condition in Sibley Hos- pital. Police said the shooting followed an argument during which Lewis is said to have struck Newell over the head with a cane. It began, they said, when Lewis called Newell a vile name. Newell and a young woman Wwere pre- paring to enter Newell's automobile in front of the girl's home when Lewis came up and the argument ensued. CIERVA SEES HOOVER Commerce Officials Also Receive Autogiro Inventor. Juan de la Cierva, Spanish inventor ‘of the autogiro, paid his first visit to the National Capital today and was re- ceived by President Hoover at the White House, Department of Com- merce officlals at the new department building and was honored ot a lunch- eon by the Spanish embassy at the Mayflower Hotel. He came here, he said, to pay his respects to the Government which hon- ored him by presenting the Collier trophy last year in recognition of de- velopment of the autogiro. Clerva flew to Washington late yes- terday in an autogiro from Phila- delphia. - was left to tie Well oard, she said, with the understanding Edith was to r?glive treatment at Providence Hos- pital. Mrs. Bayles and Miss Ezekials were the subcommittee to draft Riley home, 1110 Rhode Island avenue, in ber, 1926, with two Welfare Board case workers. The case 58,000 ENGINEERING POST IN DISTRICT REPORTED PLANNED Would Be Placed Over Archi- tect, Building Inspector and Electrical Unit. ARMY MAN REPORTED SLATED FOR NEW OFFICE Davison and Crosby Decline to Discuss Details of Pro- posal. The District Commissioners have a plan under way to create an $8,000-a- year post in the engineer department for an officer who would be responsi- {ble for supervising the planning and construction of municipal buildings and also would supervise the work of the Building Inspector’s Office and the Electrical Deparment. The new official would be placed over the present Municipal Architect. Building Inspector and Electrical En- gineer and would report to the En- gineer Commissioner through one of the Assistant Engineer Commissioners. An unconfirmed rumor said a retired Army officer is slated for the job. Officials at the District Building are maintaining strict secrecy on the plan, but some of the details have leaked out. Acting Engineer Commissioner Donald A. Davison today declined to comment on the report in any manner beyond admitting there are plans to reorganize some of his departments, He said the plans were awaiting action by the Personnel Classification Board on some of the features and that he did not intend to make anything public concerning them until the whole scheme was in effect. Crosby Also Silent. Commissioner Herbert B. Croshy, credited in some quarters with being partly res&?rnsib]e for inception of the plan, referred questioners to Maj. Davison. It is said the official reason for creat- ing the new job is to relieve the Engi- neer Commissioner from much cof the detail work now falling on him. He is ex-officio member of the Public Utilities, National Capital Park and Planning and Zoning Commissions, be- sides being in charge of the technical work in the District’s various engi- neer departments. The scheme is said to be opposed by many of those in the ranks of the Engineer Departments, who feel these units are now top-heavy with those re- ceiving high salaries. Now Has Three Assistants. The Engineer Commissioner is given three Assistant Engineer Commission- ers to relieve him of details as it is, and there is a feellng that the new scheme will result in adding a fourth, who will not have the rank of the Assistant Engineer Commissioners, but who in many respects will have more power. Part of the plan, it is understood, is a redistribution of some of the dutles now allotted to the three departments mentioned. Engineer Commissioner John C. Gotwals recently ordered that all plans for municipal structures must be inspected by the building inspector's office before contracts are let for the buildings. This part of the plan is ex- pected to remain, and the building in- spector probably will get some control over electrical wiring for houses, which he does not now have. FUR THIEVES BREAK WINDOW OF STORE Escape With Loot Valued at $575. Tailor Shop Robbed of Suits and Dresses. Smashing a plate glass window in the store of Joseph Sperling, 709 Thirteenth street, burglars early today escaped with furs valued at $575, according to re- ports made to police. ‘The crash of broken glass was not heard by occupants of nearby build- ings, but the sounding of a burglar alarm brought Detectives Hugh Robey and Thomas Nally to the store. They gfilleve the robbers fled in an automo- e. Two colored men were seen running from the tailoring establishment of James H. Jeffries, 1839 Twelfth street, shortly after midnight. They broke a window and stole suits and dresses val- ued at $113. Clothing value at $200 was stolen from the home of Charles Burns, 1705 De Sales street, after entrance had been effected by forcing a window. Edward J. Burns, Georgetown Uni- versity, reported the loss of a billfold containing $128 which he had left in a pocket of clothing hanging in his room at the university. During his temporary absence from home, clothing valuea at $100 was taken from the residence of John J. Sheehan, 117 Twelfth street northeast, according to report made to police. Mrs. Bert Wilson, New Orleans, told of the theft of her wrist watch from her room in a local hotel. It was set with diamonds and is valued at $100. PARKING SPACE USURPED Jahncke Wants Rights of Naval Officers Protected. Somebody has taken the parking places in the rear of the Navy Depart- ment Bullding at Seventeenth street and Constitution avenue, set apart for the high-ranking naval officials, and the Assistant Secretary, Ernest Lee Jahncke, wants something done about it. In a circular letter today, addressed to all bureaus and offices of the Navy Department and the headquarters of the Marine Corps, Mr. Jahncke as- serts that “unauthorized persons are using the reserved automobile parking spaces in the rear of the Navy Build~ Mr. Jahncke directed that this mat- ter be called to the attention of all personnel concerned, “with the ad- monition they must not use such re- served spaces.” SEEKS 2,000 TRUCKS Post Office to Open Bigs January 29 on Vehicles. ‘The Post Office Department will open bids January 29, for 2,000 trucks. ‘The new vehicles are to be purchased for distribution in various postal cen- ters and will be replacements for trucks turned over to the department in 1019 and 1920 by the War Department.