Evening Star Newspaper, February 9, 1932, Page 17

LABOR DELEGATES | 10 VOTE ON PLEA FOR DIRECT RELIEF Representatives of 5,000,000 Union Members Meet With Executive Council. = APPEAL TO CONGRESS IS PREDICTED BY GREEN Local Agencies Breaking Dowam, Federal Action Needed, Presi- dent Says. Labor union delegates from all sec- tions, representing 5,000,000 working men and women were preparing today o vote on a proposal of the executive council of the American Federation of Labor to demand from Congress direct Federal relief for the unemployed. The delegates came here upon invita- tion of Federation President William Green and 10 other members of the executive council, which has been in session at the Federation Building for more than a week. There were more than 100 present when the council con- vened today's session. which was open to_the public. President Green. in outlining the purpose of the meeting, said, “It is a foregone conclusion that the confer- ence will appeal to Congress to appro- priate an adequate sum of money o provide the minimum amount of relief required by millions of working men and women and their dependents who are hungry.” Sees Local Failure. “This appeal” he added, “will be based upon the fact that local relief agencies are breaking down, that the funds provided by local communities and States are becoming exhausted. For that reason, the Federal Government must respond promptly and expeditious- ly if increased intense suffering both in the larger cities and the smaller com- munities are to be relieved. Mr. Green said he and his fellow members of the executive council re- garded today's session “as one of the most important conferences ever held under the auspices of the American Federation, of Labor.” The conference got under way a short time after a bill was intrdouced in the House by Representative Lovette, Re- an, Tennessee, to set up a $375, 0 relief fund. Like other meas- which have been introduced as substitutes for the La Follette-Costi- gon relief Dbill, the Lovette proposal with prompt rejection by the fed- 10a's council, on the ground it was subterfuge.” The La Follette- 2n bill has the full support of the 1, Mr. Green said Aligcation Proposed. measure would have the pu 000.00 ures Treasury, Agriculture and Labor. fund would be allocated to States | portion to population, but only ! 2 the Governor or Legislature shall ate a special agency for its ad- ration and formally apply for the Commenting on this bill, spokesmen for the labor delegation declared it was not a question now. in Midwinter, of loans to States which have no authority to borrow or to try to develop a public | works program. “The real question is supplving aid immediately, at the earlies. possible moment, in order to save the lives of those who are the vVictims of unemployment and economic distress, it was asserted. Matthew Woll, Frank Morrison and other members of the executive council believed that Congress should help quickly. “It should respond as fully and promptly to the needs of hungry men, women and children, as it responded to the call for help from financial or- ganizations when it passed the $2,000. 000,000 financial reconstruction bill, Mr. Woll and others declared. The conference is expected to adjourn late today. HARKER GETS 90 DAYS FOR OBSCENE PICTURE €omplaining Witness in Police Brutality Cases Is Accused by Two Women. e James Henry Harker, complaining witness in recent police brutelity trials, was sentenced to 90 days in jail by Judge Ralph Given in Police Court to- day on a charge of possession of an obscene picture. Harker was arrested about two months ago by Policeman R. E. Wii- liams, second precinct. on charges of intoxication and disorderly —conduct. At the second precinct station, an ob- scene picture was found in one of the young man’s pockets. Two young women testified today that Harker accosted them on the street shortly before his arrest and showed them the picture. . In sentencing Harker, Judge Given} said that except for his having exhibited the picture to the young women he would have imposed a fine rather than a jail sentence. The judge ordered sentences totaling 35 days in Jail on the Grunk and disorderly charges. The sentences are to run concurrently with the other jail term. ATTORNEY CONVICTED OF FALSE PRETENSES Richardson to Seek New Trial. Mercy Is Recommended by Jury. Avpearing as his own counsel in de- fense of an indictment charging him with false pretenses, Peter P. Richard- son, coiored. member of the District bar, was convicted this morning by a jury which had deliberated until 11 o'clock last night and had been crdered Jocked up for the night. The verdict was reported to Justice F. D. Letts in Criminal Division 1 with a recom- mendation for mercy. Richardson .gave notice of intention to file a motion for a new trial and was permitted to remain at liberty on a bail bond which was raised from $2.500 to $3,500. The indictment charged that Decem- ber 23, 1930, he procured the signing of a deed by Mrs. Alberta Terrell to property located in the 2400 block of M street when she thought she was executing a deed of trust to secure $1.100 to be furnished by Richardson. Assistant United States Attorney Trvin Goldstein conducted the prosecu- tion. Richardson cross-examined the Government witnesses, took the stand in his own defense and made an argu- ment to the jury, which déliberated six Bbours before reaching a verdich "Law May Curb Gamblers Police Difficulty in Coping With “Numbers” Racket, Bookmaking and Other Forms of Evil to be Overcome by Congress, Official Hope. Note—This is the of three articles on gambling racket in Washington. Proposed legislation pending in Con- gress would enable the law enforcement apthorities of Washington to wage an e e warlon the widespread rami- ifications of the gambling racket in the National Capital. At present the professional gamblers insolently conduct their operations ius beyond reach of the law. The “long arm” of the law is not quite enough to touch the followers of this racket and the operators of “numbers,” race book- making and other betting establish- ments know it. There are several reasons for the im- potency of the police and prosecutors in dealing with gambling. ; In an interview with Police Commis- sioner Crosby and Police Superia- tendent Glassford in the latter's office, the handicaps under which the police operate were recounted. “I have created a special gambling sauad,” Gen. Glassford said, “but they are working against great odds. We cannot raid a gambling establishment without a warrant, and we cannot get a warrant without evidence, and we can- not get evidence of the sort now re- quired by law unless we get into the place, and gettmg into one of these Joints surreptitiously is very, very dif- ficult. It's a vicious circle that frus- trates proper law enforcement. Legislation Drawn Up. “District Attorney Rover has drawn up some proposed legislation that should help us a great deal. It is now pending before the Senate District Committee. If we get that legislation. broadening our powers, I am confident we can go a long way toward breaking the gambling ring here.” E\l":n after the police have succeeded in raiding an establishment they may find themselves powerless to convict operators of the place. The courts have held that mere evidence of the presence in the place of recognized gambling paraphernalia is not sufficient to warrant conviction. The police must produce evidence that the apparatus actually was being used for gambling. Knowing this, the proprietors have rigged up barred doors, peepholes and signaling _devices to circumvent the raiders. By the time the police have smashed through several armored doors, occupants have had time to escape through secret exits, or to hide all evidence of gaming they need only to sit around. looking last of a series the “numbers” innocent, if they have no objection to | what they are certain will be, at the most, only temporary arrest The “numbers” operators enjoy even greater freedom than the proprietors of “pig-time” gaming houses. To conduct a “numbers” book one needs no elaborate establishment with barred doors and batteries of telephones. and expensive gaming equipment. All that is needed, it was pointed out in an earlier article, is a supply of scratch pads and pencils, a corps of agents working on commis- sion and a desk in some corner store. Despite the open methods of the ! “numbers” racketeers, the police have found it extremely difficult to “make cases” against them in court. This is because the operatars of this game ex- ercise the keemest scrutiny of all players, making it virtually impossible for potice investigators to disguise themselves successfully as players. Witnesses Are Necessary. Yet, to obtain a conviction, the police must produce witnesses to the actual writing of numbers and_accepting of bets. Cases in which police sought to obtain conviction on evidence of mere possession by the defendant of “num- bers” pads and slips were thrown out in court In fact, | According to Inspector Beckett and Capt. Bo Bo, assigned by Gen. Glass- ford to supervise the new gambling squad, the “numbers” racketeers have a regular system of espionage by which | they eliminate the “undesirables” from | their expanding list of patrons. Only | persens known to be “O.K.” may place la bet Suspicious persons “are carefully in- vestigated by the spies, the police de- ciare. These spies have been known to follow police informers for many blocks in an effort to confirm suspi- cions that the undesirable one is In league with the authorities. District Attorney Rover explained the need for new gambling legislation in an interview. “The United States attorney's office cannot conduct successful prosecutions in these gambling cases unless the evi dence is adequate, under present law he said. “The police say they cannot obtain proper evidence in many cases because their hands are tied by the statutes and court decisions. That is why I have urged the Senate commit tee to enact the legislation introduc at the last session by Senator Robsion| of Kentucky. “One bill would increase certain pen- alties for gambling iaw violations and | | would have the important provision that | habitual ~ frequenters of gambling | houses may be arrested on a misde- meanor charge. Moreover, the bill | would make mere possession of gam- bling paraphernalia, which would in- | clude ‘numbers’ slips, & misdemeanor | punishable by law. |” “A second bill would make it pos-j | sible for my office to padlock gambling establishments just as we now are able to padlock liquor establishments. Would Harass Frequenters. | In a letter to Senator Capper. Mr. | Rover pointed out that the first bill | would “make it possible for the police | to at least harrass frequenters of gam- | bling houses by charging them with a | misdemeanor.” These houses, the letter said, “cannot exist without patrons, and | the type of person who frequents these | places will not relish being arrested.” “At the present time, Senator Cap- | per was infcrmed. “the only weapon the police can use against persons| found in gambling houses is to require them to post collateral as Government | witnesses. As a matter of fact, this act of the police is of doubtful legal validity “The purpose of making it a misde- meanor for one to have gambling para- phernalia in his possessicn with intent to use same in violation of our gambling statutes is to take care of the situation wherein the police arc able to secure admittance to a gambling house but | find no one actually ‘operating’ the | gambling paraphernalia, because they | have probably escaped through the rear door while the police were foreig | their entrance through the front dcor. | “The commercial gambling situatioa | in Washington is in bad shape. It 15} most difficult for the Police Depart- ment to secure a lawful entry into such a building. and while the heads | of the department and myself are; formulating certain plans, which, of | course. cannot be given any publicity, | the passage of these two bills will be ! of immeasurable benefit to the author- ities, who are now coping with this | crying evil.” | Commissioner Crosby and Gen. Glass- {ford confirmed Mr. Rover's statement | | regarding “plans” for an offensive | against gamblers in Washington, but | agreed that the effectiveness of these plans depends on secrecy. | "“I am determined to clean up this | gambling mess,” Gen. Glassford de-| |clared. “I think the situation needs | the attention of a special squad. Just | at present we are handicapped in our fight, but I believe we can overcome many of the obstacles if Congress will aid us with the new legislation.” GOMPANY RESISTS PITTS ASSESSMENT Moves to Intervene in Case Concerning Alleged Non- Payment of Taxes. The F. H. Smith Co., in a novel pro- ceeding, moved today to intervene be- fore the Board of Tax Appeals in liti- gation concerning the alleged non- payment of income taxes by G. Bryan Pitts, former head of the Smith com- pany. Pitts and his wife, Mrs. Gladys T. Pitts, have asked the board to reduce the approximately $2,000,000 tax assess- | ment levied upon them by the Bureau of Internal Revenue after an investiga- tion of his earnings for several years | prior to his conviction in December, 1930. on charges of conspiring to em- bezzle money from tne Smith company. Company Claims Money. The intervening petition alleges that during the period of time in gquestion Pitts embezzled more than $2,000,000 in cash and more than $1,000,000 in se- curities from the company. The large | income tax assessments by the bureau, it is alleged, were based almost entirely b on _the mistaken classification of these embezzlements as legitimate earnings | by Pitts. The company contends that these securities and the money prop- | erly belong to the company and cannot | be taxed as income earned by Pitts. | The petition points out that Pitts has | already stated he probably will not | testify in the income tax hearing be- | cause of criminal matters now pending | against him. | “Obviously,” the petition continues, | “if Pitts were to_testify, he would not state the facts relating to his embezzle- | ment of funds from the company and to his unlawful conversion of property belonging to the company. Since those facts constitute the real defense to the bureau’s tax claims, the board will not be informed as to the true facts in the case, and will not be able to make an accurate determination of the tax lia- | bility of Pitts and his wife unless the Smith company is permittéd to inter- vene.” Arrangement Alleged. The petition alleges that agents of the Internal Revenue Bureau have ar- ranged with Pitts a settlement of his tax liability by means of an agreed stipulation of facts. This settlement, it is understood, reduces the amount of taxes claimed to about $250,000. As a matter of fact, the petition says,| Pitts’ tax liability was not more than $2,000 during each of the four taxable years in question. The petition, filed through Attorneys Conrad H. Syme, W. W. Ross and Richard S. Doyle, says that by reason of the alleged embezzlements virtually all of the assets seized by the Govern- ment in satisfaction of the tax claims are in law a trust fund, of which the Smith company is the beneficiary. A In Scandinavia a popular teries of translations of detective stories, chiefly English, is meeting with-large sales. Re-Elected ADVERTISING MAN HEADS 1 EVEN G STAR CLUB. | I FRANCIS T. HURLEY. Francis T. Hurley of the Star Ad Bureau. was re-elected president of The Evening Star Club for the sixth consecutive term last night. . The other officers and board of di- rectors of the organization also were unanimously _re-elected as follows: Charles T. Holbrook, vice president Neville D. Miller, treasurer and Emory Ellett, secretary. The board of directors re-elected last night is composed of: Raymond G. Rob- erts, business office; Henry G. Hanford, past president; C. A. Linthicum, news department; Bernard J. Lynch, compos- ing room, day; Percy I. Lowd, composing room, night; John J. Baum, press room, and Roy K. Whitford, circulation de- partment. ‘The election was held at the Hamil- ton Hotel, following a dinner, at which music was furnished by Myer Goldman's Orchestra. Entertainment was provided in the blue room of the hotel. AMMUNITION MAKERS CITED BY TRADE BODY Federal Commission Charges Un- fair Methods of Competition in Interstate Commerce. By the Associated Press. The Federal Trade Commission has cited five members of the Armmunition Manufacturers’ Association for using unfair methods of competition in inter- state commerce. These companies, controlling = about 90 per cent of the total output of shot- gun shells and small arm ammunition in the country, are the Remington Arms Co., Inc, New York City; Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn.; United States Cartridge Co., New York City; Peters Cartridge Co., Cincinnati, Ohlo, and the Western Cartridge. Co., East Alton, Il The complaint charged, among other things, that they were seeking to fix prices and lessen competition. The WASHINGTON, D. C, CONMITEE WATS FORANENDMENT T0 BANKING LAWS Senate Group to Renew Hearings Ater Proposed Changes Are Made. SPECIFIC ACT REQUESTED ON CONTROLLER’S POWER Brokerage Houses Also Ask That They Be Allowed to Conduct Present Business. Bills to amplify the banking laws of the District and to regulate the pro- cedure for releasing deeds of trust will be taken under advisement by the sub- committee on banks and insurance of | the Senate District Committee, after amendments which were suggested dur- ing a public hearing yesterday after- | noon have been submitted in definite form. District of Columbia Bankers' Associa- tion, indorsed the banking bill in prin- ciple. but urged a rewriting in more specific form of the section empower- ing the controller of the currency to make national bank laws applicable to other banks and trust companies in the District. Senator Blaine. Republican, { of Wisconsin, who conducted the hear- ing, previously had said he also thought this section should outline specifically i suthics (s et ieniine controller’s office. Authority Held Desirable. F. G. Awalt, deputy controller, said that if given this power his office had no thought of extending all the nation- al bank laws to the savings banks and trust companies, but deemed it desir- able to vest the authority in the con- troiler. Proposed amendments to the section will be drafted and submitted later. The bill contains a number of other new provisions designed to improve ex- isting laws relating to savings banks, trust companies, and building associa- tions. C. Clinton James represented the building associations at the hear- ing. John A. Petty of the Washington Real Estate Board and Mr. Addison suggested a number of amendments to the two bills pending before the sub- ccmmittee to regulate releasing of deeds of trust. Both speakers favored protective legislation. but urged that the form of regulation be worked out s0 as to avoid undue hardship on_prop- erty owners generally. Senator Blaine suggested specific amendments on this subject also be submitted later. Roger J. Whiteford, representing W. B. Hibbs & Co., called attention to a provision of the banking bill which would have brokerage offices. The section vided that in future no banking busi- ness could be carried on except by corporations. Mr. Whiteford explained that brokerage firms are not corpora- tions, but partnerships. Mr. Awalt suggested an amendment exempling partnerships which conduct banking business as.an incident to brokerage business. A bill to make several changes in the charter of the Acacia Mutual Life Asso- | ciation, including a change of its name to Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, was explained to the subcom- 'mittee by William Montgomery, its president. DOUBLE PARKING LAID TO GEORGE WASHINGTON Artist Violates Ordinance to De- liver Picture of First President. Judge Orders Release. George Washington was blamed in /Traffic Court by a motorist who had received a ticket for improper parking, and the excuse worked so well that the defendant was released without a fine. Having painted a portrait of the Father of the Country for the District Bicentennial Commission, James D. ‘Waring, local artist, said he drove down to the Press Building yesterday after- noon to deliver it. He circled the block several times in search of a parking place without success, and finally gave up, parking double, with his wife in the front seat. When he returned he found a policeman waiting by the car. “Judge,” said Waring, “George Wash- ington got me into this and you cer- tainly should get me out of it.” Waring said he had been driving in the city 30 years and had never been in_trouble before. The judge took his personal bond, stating that he did not see how he could fine the artist in view of his de- fense. However, he warned him that the excuse wouldn't work so well next time. POUGHKEEPSIE ENTRY DUE Firemen Again to Join in Labor Day Parade. Pleased with their visit here last year and their participation in the annual firemen's parade, the Exempt Firemen's Association of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., will enter more than 200 men and several pieces of apparatus in the parade here next Labor day. it is announced. Included among those to make the trip will be the mayor of Poughkeepsie, ithe fire chief and his deputies and a 30-piece band. TUESDAY, F. G. Addison, jr. representing the | interfered seriously with | pro- | FEBRUARY 0.C.PLEA REIECTED N PAVING APPEAL Assessment Is Canceled. Two Condemnations Up- held by Court. Three cases in which the District | cided today by the District Court of | Appeals through Justice Josiah A. Van | Orsdel. The action of the Commission- ers was upheld in two condemnation cases and reversed in one, affecting an | assessment for street improvement un- | der the Borland act | Joseph J. Moebs was successful in ob- taining the cancellation of an assess- | ment for paving the roadway of Con- | 9, | Commissioners were involved were de- | Foening Stap WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION 1932. necticut avenue, which had been levied | against the triangular piece of ground on which he has since erected the Du- pont_Circle Apartments. Counsel for | the Commissioners attempted to distin- guish the case from the several opinions of the court invalidating assessments | under the Borland act by pointing out that Connecticut avenue was ordered improved by a special act of Congress. Cancellation Confirmed. Answering this contention. Justice Van Orsdel poin‘s out that in the Johnson case, specially cited, and in | the present case the street improve- | ments were made under authority and by direction of Congress. In the John- son case. as in others similarly treated by the court, full power had been vested by Congress in the Commissioners to | proceed under the terms of the act, | hence the authority arises from the | same source. namely, the legislative power, the court declares. The action of the District Supreme Court can- celing the assessment was affirmed. The National Savings & Trust Co. as substitute trustee, sought to set aside a condemnation verdict for the estab- | lishment of a building line on Mintwood place on the contention that James J. Walsh, one of the owners, was not | served with notice of the proceeding. | although then resident in the District. The court held that the failure was | cured by the general order of publica- tion and that personal service in these cases is not jurisdictional. The mar- shal is directed by the court’s order to serve such owners as “may be found in the District” and in his return re- ported Walsh as “not found.” Objection Ruled Out. Objections of Archbishop Michael .J. Curley and of the Shannon & Luchs | Construction Co. to the verdict of a jury assessing damages and benefits from the extension of a group of streets | in the Northeast gection were held by | the court to have been filed too late to be considered. The code- provides that objections be filed within 20 days after the return of the verdict, and these | objections were not filed until 70 days | after the verdict was reported. | TWO SUFFER INJURIES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS | A man and a youth were injured in automobile accidents yesterday, the for- mer when knocked down and the latter when an automobile truck turned over. he man injured is Sadge Freeman, 34. Connnecticut avenue, knocked down at Sixteenth and V streets by an automobile operated by William Thomas, colored, of the 100 block of S street. Freeman was treated at Emergency Hospital for severe bruises, and it was thought he may have received internal injuries. The youth injured was Curtis Young, 18, of the 200 block of Tenth street southwest, who received lacerations when a truck on which he was riding overturned at Tenth street and Vir- ginia_ avenue ‘southwest, when _the wheels are said to have locked. Four others on the truck were uninjured, according to police. Young was treated at Emergency Hospital. DEAF MUTE SUES Robert Wortman, 30, an employe of the Department of Commerce, today filed suit in the District Supreme Court to recover $100,000 damages from his mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Mary Higgins, 1235 C street northeast, for the alleged alienation of the affections of his wife, Thelma. ‘Wortman tells the court through At- torneys Saul G. Lichtenberg and Joseph B. Silverman that both he and his wife are deaf mutes, although each can speak a little and by reason of their affliction are cut off from social con- tacts and have relied largely on each other’s companionship. He says he was married September 3, 1927, and lived happily with his wife until January 1, 1931, when, he asserts, Mrs. Higgins by speaking disparaging of him to his wife persuaded her to leave him and retwrn FOR $100,000 IN ALIENATION CASE Commerce Department Employe Charges Her Actions Have Disrupted His Home. MOTHER-IN-LAW to her. A reconciliation occurred last August, the husband declares, and they rented an apartment from the mother- in-law. About November 1, he states, his mother-in-law again induced the wife to desert him and she has not since returned to him, much to his discomfit and humiliation. Mrs. Higgins ordered him from the apartment, he says, and when he demanx notification, he says the defendant cut off the electricity and induced her daughter to call a stor- age company to remove the furniture. The alleged actions of the mother- in-law, ‘he avers, have broken up his home, ruined the affection of his wife for him and have deprived him of the comfort of his wife’s presence, kindly treatment and fellowship. [ Upper left: Leland Williams as a Fiji Islander, winner of the first prize for the most amusing costume. Center: Mrs. Eliphalet Andrews as a black pearl, awarded first prize for the most beautiful costume Upper right: Mrs. Ethel ‘Wheelwright as a sponge, winner of the first prize for the most original costume. Lower: Charles Bittinger and his daughter, Miss Isabel Bittinger as a pair of penquins. receiving honorable mention. —Harris-Ewing Photo. POETRY OF THE DEEP ENVISIONED AT "BALL OF THE SEVEN SEAS"| Arts Club’s Annual Bal Boheme Opens a Vision of Loveliness That Land Does Not Boast. That there are stranger things un- der the sea than have ever seen the light of day was proven at the “Ball of | at the Willard last | the Seven Seas” night when the Arts Club of Wash- ington held its annual Bal Boheme. | The mystery, romance and poetry of the deep opened up & vision of loveli- ness that the land could not boast and with big. gorgeous fish that outdid the rainbow in color swinging overhead and under the mystic lights along the wall back of the boxes, transparet acgua- riums with fish of every description swimming in lucid pools. The perfectly arranged mystic lights lent another illusion to the eye, and nymphs, mermaids, curious sea horses, dolphins and shell fish of the sea, and even Neptune himself, after the pageant was over, mingled in the strange atmos- phere. The Swimmers. But standing out as the most timely feature of the ball was the huge aquarium which almost filled one end of the baliroom and in which swam former Ambassador Dawes, as an octo- pus smoking a pipe; former Secretary Mellon, swimming off from an empty Treasury; Vice President Curtis, the trained seal; Al Smith, a disgusted swordfish; Gov. Ritchie, a Chesapeake crab; Speaker Garner, and many others, swimming about the White House in the background. A_“black pearl,” portrayed by Mrs. Eliphalet Andrews, took first honors for the most beautiful costume. Mrs. An- drews wore a headdress of black pearls, and the sweeping train of her black chiffon robe was adorned with black balloons giving the effect of pearls. In her hands she carried a similar “pearl.” ‘The second prize for the most beauti- ful costume was awarded to Mrs. Mary Vernon Mish of Falling Water, W. Va., who was costumed as a mermaid. Leland Williams, as a Fiji Islander, received spontaneous applause as he gave a “hula” demonstration in passing the judges’ stand. He was given the award for the most amusing costume, which was designed by Miss Anne Ab- bott and Hugo Inden. The prize for the most original char- acterization went to Miss Ethel Wheel- wright as a sponge, and an award for the most attractive couple was given to John Paul Jones and Virginia Lyle, costumed in the style of 1860. Among those who received honorable mention were Mrs. Charles Stratton as & bell buoy, Charles Bittinger and his daughter, Miss Isabell Bittinger, as pair of penguins; A. Richard Hill as a deep-sea diver and Felix Mahoney, who impersonated the lorg-lost McGinty, who “went to the bottom of the sea dressed in his best suit of clothes,” in a popular song of 25 years ago. Miss Edith Muth as a Gloucester fisherman, Miss Lisa Gardiner as a Spanish dancer also received honorable men- ‘The floor committeemen in Viking costumes lent color to the ball. Neptune’s Review opened the bal with a pageant in two parts, James Otis Porter taking the part of Neptune and Theodore Tiller, 2d, and Carl Carlson, the prancing sea horses which drew the chariot. The dance of the dolphins was graceful and skillfully done and the three pearls of the sea were Mrs. Rochon Hoover, Miss Hester W. Beall and Miss Helen Griffith. There was shown also that mythical monster, the sea serpent Iysses Evading the Sirens” was also a feature cf the poetry group. as was of Aphrodite.” which was followed by the “Ballet of the Sea.” given by Lisa Gardiner and her pupils The second part of the program was the “Fantasy of Sea” and started with “A North Sea Romance.” “The Flight of the Sea Gulls.” di- rected by Marian Chace of the Wash- ington branch of the Denishawn School closed the romance. It was followed by the grand march The Fisher's Hornpipe,” as done by Edward Muth. Maurice E. Jarvis and Allen Evans, was a big hit. Another hit was “The Backward Maiden,” por-| trayed by Miss Jane Roller in a huge| Dutch figure which moved backward. Mrs. Gilbert Grosvenor wore a royal costume of purple velvet and a great | Gainsboro _hat covered with plumes. | Miss Ada Rainey was a Geisha girl and Mrs. Rice was a crystal bride. Miss Marjetta Salvant was a Dutch fisher- woman. Harlan Castle a Russian Cos- sack and Frank Jones was a matador. The Minister of Czechoslovakia and Mme. Veverka, the Minister of the Irish Free State and Mrs. Michael Mac- White, the Minister of Bolivia and Senora de Medina and Brig. Gen. Wil- liam E. Horton were the guests in whose honor Mrs. Jacob Leander Loose entertained at dinner last evening, taking her party to the ball. Billards Are Guests. Rear Admiral and Mrs. Frederick C. | Billard were the ranking guests of Miss Lou A. Wands in her box. She had also in her party Mrs. Nathan W. Mc- Chesney of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morris, Mrs. Maud Whitman and Miss Estelle Wands. Mrs. Whit- man_entertained at dinner preceding the ball. The counselor of the German em- bassy and Frau Leitner, the second sec- retary and Frau Lohmann and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Le Fevre were guests of Mrs. Carl Droop in her box. Representative and Mrs. Albert John- son of Washington, Representative and Mrs. Carl Chindblom, former Ambas- sador to Peru Miles Poindexter and Judge and Mrs. Oscar E. Bland were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jay Staley in their box. ‘With Mrs. Randolph Keith Forrest in her box were Mrs. Marin, Mrs. Charles Bittinger, Mrs. Maud Howell Smith, Mrs. Cuthbert Aspinwall, Mrs. Eliphalet Andrews, Mr. Carlton van Valkenburg, chairman of the ball, and Mr. Percy J. Burrell, co-director with Mrs. Forrest of the pageant for the ball, “Neptune’s Review.” Karl Langenbeck had in his box Mr. and Mrs. Leighton Peebles and Miss Marie Roelker. ‘The president of the Arts Club and Mrs. Fulton Lewis entertained Miss Nellie Pevear of Lynn, Mass, and Percy Mackaye. ‘With Mr. and Mrs. Clifford K. Berry- man were Mrs. Franklin Rqgers and “Birth | PAGE B—1 UNNVERSAL FREE TRANSFERS URGED IN MERGER PLAN Clayton Says Provision Should Be Made, Though It Might Raise Fares. MONOPOLY IN TRACTION IS FEARED BY WITNESS Commissioners Favor Bill, Demand Protection for but Taxpayers. A provision for universal free trans- fers should be written into the street car merger bill, even though it might result in higher fares, Wiliam McK. Clayton, chairman of the Public Utili- ties Committee of the Federation of Citizens' Associations, declared today at a hearing before the Public Utilities Subcommittee of the House District Committee. Mr. Clayton pointed out the bill in its present form provides for free transfers only between the connecting portions of the street railway lines of the merged company. The transfer arrangement, | he said, should be extended to “free im- mediate transfers between street cars and busses and between bus lines.” Asks Other Changes. Four other amendments to the were urged by Mr. Clayton as a “further safeguard in the interests of the public.” These would provide that a congressional charter be granted the new company rather than its incorpora- tion under the District code: that the Washington Rapid Transit Co. be merged with and become a part of the new company, and a change in the phraseology of a provision relating to the payment of the expenses of the merger by the new company, subject to approval of the Public Utilities Com- mission William A. Roberts. assistant general counsel of the Public Utilities Commis- sion, replied to Mr. Clayton's recom- mendations, declaring the commission did not believe it would be practical to insert in the bill the provisions for free universal transfe and chartering of the new company instead of incorpo- rating it under the District code. The merger would give the consoli- company a monopolistic power erior to Congress, George E. Sul- livan of the Takoma Cilizens' Associa- ct testified f a merger,” Mr. Sul- ut not one at such a psoed in the pending bill cost as is pi merger bill Mr. Sullivan said one way to bring about a me in lieu of the plans al- ready suggested, would be for Congress to rescind the charters of the street railway companies, and allow a new company to get possession of the ex- isting transportation properties through | condemnation. | At the outset of his testimony Keech | said he was heartily in favor of a mer- ger and agreed with certain amend- ments proposed by Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, chairman of the Public Utilities Commissicn, which would limit the merger the street railway in vari- ous bus companies. He said, however. otfier changes should be made in various sections of the bill in the interest of consistency. One of these sections. as now phrased, he decjgred. would give the consoli- dated ddmpany the right to operate taxicabs, and “anything under the sun.” Wants “Fair Value.” One of Keech's posed ments would require that at instead of a mmjority of the of the board of directors of company_should be bona fide residents of the District. Another is designed to permit the merged company to ac- quire all outstanding stock of the Washington Rapid Transit Co. at “fair { value™ vided in the | merger 1s as may be | ac " by tt k owners. A third am fiered by Keech would substitute 1 giving the ier one th I i ¢ con 1y authority to take over ! 33 ts of the Washin ton Railwa; Co. for the sale | of power to other ay companies. | “The Washington Railway & Electric Co. has not at the present time," Keech declared, “tf t to engage in the business of selling power, and I do not believe Congress should vest the new company with the right to do what the { Washington Railway & Electric Co. has been permitted to do without authority of law in the past. Assails Sale of Power. “The method by which the Washing- ton Railiwvay & Electric Co. has in the past cbtained power for its own use, and sold the amount in excess of its own requirement to other companies, is wrong in principle. It has been detri- mental to the pubiic in that the profit which the Washington company has received through the sale of excess power to other companies has not been utilized to bring about a reduction in rates, as authorized under the so-called sliding_ scale of rates.’ As the merger bill authorizes the is- suance of free transfers between street railway lines only, Keech proposed an- other amendment providing for the is- suance of transfers between busses and cars and vice sa In summari his objections to the merger bill in its present form, Keech said he believes that because of the failure of the drafting parties to limic the legislation to a mere merger of the companies and attaching thereto mat- ters totally extraneous to the purpese sought, it has been the medium of de: feating the merger heretofore. “I am personally in favor of a mer- ger, and likewise believe the city o Washington entertains a similar vie Keech caid, “but I do not believe that, in order to effect this result, we should permit the passage of extraneous legis- lation which will ultimately serve (o harm us.” Another hearing will be held by the subcommittee Thursday. February 18. At that time representatives of the street railway companies will be given an opportunity to offer their objections to the numerous amendments proposed by civic and other organizations. Belief that merger legislation had failed to pass in former years because extraneous matter had been written into the resolution was expressed by Keech in a letter to Chairman Capper of the Senate District Committee today. Mr. Keech outlined in detail the sev- eral features of the merger resolution to which he objected at the Senate hearing a week ago and added: “While it may appear from what has gone before that the resolution in ques- tion is being rather severely criticized, a close examination will reveal that most of that which has been attached is in no wise essential to a mere merger of street railw and is in my opinion large surplusage. Mr Keech said he favored a merger and thinks the people of the District do 2lso, but believes it can be donc amend- least 10 members the new Miss Florence Berryman. Mrs. Carlton van Valkenburg, wife of (Continued o Page B-6.) without including the provisions which he thinks may prove harmful in the future.