Evening Star Newspaper, March 1, 1933, Page 17

Washington News CITY HEADS MOVE 0 PLACE LIMIT ON AMBULANCE SPEED Corporation Counsel Asked to Draft Proposed New Regulation. POLICE AND FIRE CARS LIKELY TO BE INCLUDED Action Is Taken After Accident in Which Boy Died and Several Were Injured. The District Commissioners today asked Corporation Counsel W. W. Bride to draft a proposed new regulation de- signed to prohibit District vehicles from traveling at excessive speed, even though operating on emergency calls. The proposed new regulation was asked aiter the accident at Fourteenth and B streets Monday night, involving an Emergency Hospital ambulance and a private car, in which 3-year-old Oren Lentz, jr., was killed and a number of persons injured. The action of the commissioners, how- ever, does not imply any decision on their part regarding responsibility for that accident, but it and other inci- dents moved them to call for further study of the regulations as applying to District apparatus on emergency calls. May Apply to Police Cars. Dr. Reichelderfer said the suggested ions would likely apply to Fire Department Vehicles Gen. Police as well as to District ambulances. Herbert B. Crosby, police commission pointed out at the conference tnat some time ago George S. Watson, fire chief, had issued an order to drivers of fire apparatus egainst use of unnecessary speed. Under existing regulations, authorized District vehicles, such as fire and police cars and ambulancss, are exempt from the regulation setting speed limits. The regulation, however, adds: “This provi- sion shall not relieve the driver of an authorized em: ncy vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street, nor shall it protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others Dr. Reichelderfer plans to consider a new regulation strengthening this pro- vision. Mr. and Mrs. Oren Lentz, parents of the child killed in Monday night's acci- dent, were reported improved today at Emergency Hospital. Their infant son, Jerrell; Lentz’s sister, Miss Helen Lentz; Thomas Edwards and Clarence Montgomery, colored driver of the ambulance, also were recovering. HEARING OF “THE FOX”| SCHEDULED MARCH 31 Richmond Seeks Whittaker on Check Charge—District Wants Precedence. Norman Whittaker, alias J. A. Stearns, alias Stone, alias “the Fox,” who was indicted here on a conspiracy charge In connection with the alleged larceny ©of $104,000 from Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean in a scheme to recover the kid- naped Lindbergh baby, was placed un- der 3500 bond in Police Court today for appearance at a hearing March 31 on a fugitive warrant. The warrant seeks to return Whittaker to Richmond, where he is accused of issuing a worthless check for $150. Local authorities desired that the conspiracy charge here be given prece- dence over any action against Whit- taker in other States, and the 30-day continuance was asked today by As- sistant United States Attorney Michael F. Keogh to await the decision of the District Court of Appeals on the case of Gaston B. Means, former Depart- ent of Justice agent, wWho was con- {:cted of the McLean larceny and sen- tenced to 15 years. Whittaker is alleged to have been an accomplice of Means in the negotiations which resulted in diasappearance of $104,000. COLLEAGUES PRAISE CAPPER’S SERVICE! Congratulations Showered on Chair- man at Last Meeting of Sen- ate D. C. Group. As Chairman Capper of the Senate District Committee brought to a con- clusion the last meeting of his commit- tee in the Seventy-second Congress yes- terday, he was showered with congratu- lations from committee members, both Republican and Democratic. Senator Copeland, Democrat, of New York, paid tribute to the Kansas Sen- ator, who will be succeeded by a Demo- cratic chairman in the next Congress. “While I rejoice in the victory of my party at the polls in November,” Sen- ator Copeland said, “I cannot but ex- press a feeling of regret that the vic- tory means the displacement of Senator Capper, who has so ably served this committee as chairman. The people of the District owe him a debt of grati- tude for his fair and unbiased treat- ment of local legislation and for his sincere and abiding interest in the wel- fare of the people of Washington.” The retiring chairman was congratu- lated also by Senators Grammer of ‘Washington and Austin of Vermont, Republicans, who also attended the meeting. THREE PERSONS INJURED IN AUTOMOBJLE CRASH Woman in Georgetown Hospital as Result of Collision at Street Intersection. Three persons were injured, one seri- ously, in an automobile collision today at Fessenden street and Belt road. Mrs, Minerva A. Scroggins, 55, of |SENATE TO SPEED OFF BROAD Cause of Which It's “Anchors Aweigh” for the Navy's service bands, in so far as regular radio listeners are concerned, and the re- action may yet echo “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores cf Tripoli.” At any rate, the disappointment will reach from coast to coast if the early response to yesterday's cancellation of programs by the Navy and Marine Bands is any indication. The orders were issued, at direction of Becretary Adams, by Rear Admiral Prank B. Upham, chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, and Maj. Gen. Ben H. Fuller, commandant of the Marine Corps. Both the Columbia and Natlonal broadcasting systems, which have put cn regular programs oy the service out- fits over coast-to-coast networks, were notified by telephone of the cancellation late yesterday. Woman Is Angered. This morning a woman who described herself as an “angry taxpayer” tele- phoned Columbia headquarters to say she was “getting up a petition” to have the programs reinstated. Shortly afterward a head nurse at a veterans’ hospital called to complain that the concerts are great favorites with the patients, and that the hos- pital’s entertainment program will be seriously impaired. In future, under the Adams order, the Navy and Marine Bands will ap- pear on the air only on special occa- sions when they will not be in com- petition with civilian groups. There has been no indication as yet that the pro- grams of the Army Band will be can- celed also. Nothing in the official orders indi- | cated whether the service bands were he Fo WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1933, NAVY ORDERS SERVICE BANDS CAST SCHEDULE Telephone Notice Given of Cancclla:tion. Is Unexplained. Army Group Not Affected. withdrawn because of protests by or- ganized musicians. The programs of the service bands have been widely popularized in recent years. The three service bands have gone on the air over the two Nation- wide systems from two to four times weekly, The Navy Band’s theme song, “An- chors Aweigh,” is as well known as that of the Marine outfit, “The Halls of Montezuma,” or the Army’s “Hail to the King of the Highway.” All three bands close their programs with “The Star Spangled Banner.” Talks on Correct Programs. Talks on patriotic subjects by men in public life here have been introduced into some of the concerts, along with discussions of points of interest in and about Washington. John E. Birdsell, secretary of Mu- sicians’ Protective Union Local 161, American Federation of Musicians, told The Star today that his organization knows nothing of Secretary Adams’ ac- tion, beyond what is advised by the press, although repeatedly his group and others have protested the use of service bands on the air, as a regular feature. Further, he said, the use of such competition by service bands was severely scored by the congressional committee that has been investigating the competition of Government with private business. When a Government band is placed on the air, Mr. Birdsell asserted, it means that a civilian band is deprived of the benefit of the ap- pearance. Musicians recalled that when Station WJSV joined the Columbia chain, protests were made against the appear- ance of service bands and a local or- chestra was substituted. SUPPLY MEASURES Night Sessions Probable on Bills, One of Which Includes $300,000 D. C. Item. The Senate is expected to speed up its work today, with a strong probability of night sessicns, in an effort to com- plete consideration of appropriation bill's before adjournment Saturday. Any of these supply measures that fail to | get through by that time will have to be taken up at the proposed special session in April, The District appropriation bill and the last deficiency measure are awaiting passage by the Senate today, while con- ference committees representing both Houses are still working on the Treas- | ury-Post Office, Independent offices, the | Navy bill and portions of the Army | supply bill. The last deficiency bill was reported from the Senate Appropriations Com- mittee late yesterday carrying $31,824,- 193, including an amendment allowing the District government an additional $300,000 for emergency relief, through the Board of Public Welfare, for the remainder of this fiscal year. Fund Shown Necessary. The additional appropriation for the Public Welfare Board was shown to be necessary to continue unemployment re- lief until the end of the present fiscal year, June 30. Present funds, made available by Congress in January, would not last through the year at the present rate of expenditure, it was shown, so the Senate Committee promptly allowed the extra sum, which also will permit the board to raise from $25,000 to $40,000 its weekly ex- penditures. The increase will not raise the per-family weekly expenditure, which is less than $4, but will permit the administration of relief to a lim- ited number of single men, according to Director George S. Wilson. The Senate yesterday passed without debate the $308,699,000 Navy supply bill and returned it to the House for action on some minor amendments. Tt adopted the conference report on the $104,000,000 Agriculture Depart- ment measure, after the House gave in on an unimportant change and sent| it to the White House. Partial Agreement Adopted. It adopted a partial conference agreement on the Army bill, carrying $370,000,000, but the House today must act on several items still in disagree- ment. These include the Senate amend- ments provxdm%uszz,ooo,ooo for plac- ing jobless youths in Citizens' Military Training Camps for one year and $82.- 500 for purchasing remounts for - of- o ted the conference report on e n::c bii‘lexfm-dollxr independent offices biil, insisting on the higher Senate fund for the Trade Commission to permit conclusion of its power utilities, eco- nomic and anti-trust inquiries. The bill now goes back to conference which had compromised at $800,000, as against $1,101,000 provided by the Sen- ate and $510,000 by the House. ‘Al eleven supply bills have passed the House, but only five have gone to the ‘White House. President Hoover signed the third of these yesterday—the $16,000,000 ap- propriation for the legislative establish- ment. He already had affixed his sig- nature to the first deficiency and in- terior - bills. SUGGESTS DEMOCRATIC TARIFF BODY CHAIRMAN By the Assoclated Press. Robert L. O'Brien. chairman of the Tariff Commission, said yesterday he would invite Franklin D. Roosevelt to designate a member of his party as chairman after Mar 2 4. A Republican, appointed by President Hoover, he has no intention of resign- ing, but said he believed designation of a Democratic chairman with the change of administration was “logical, and intends to make the suggestion in a note Saturday as “courtesy” to the intoming President. - There is one vacancy in the commis- slon’s membership for Mr. Roosevelt to fill. The vice chairman of the commis- Berwyn, Md., the most seriously hurt, was treated at Georgetown Hospital for severe bruises about the body and an injury to the pelvis. Her husband, Rob- ert H. Scroggins, 57, driver of the car, was treated at the hospital for cuts on the forehead and bruises to the chest and leg. Mrs. Bessie N. King, 36, of Berwyn, a nger in the Scroggins’ car, escaped with minor injuries. The collision was between the auto- mobile operated by Mr. Scroggins and another machine operated by Mrs. Martha A, Duehring, 35, of Bethesda, M4, accoxding to pelice sion, Thomas Walker Page, of Virginia, is a Democrat. and was formerly chair- man. . Benefit Held 7lt Bladensburg. BLADENSBURG, Md., March 1 (Spe- cial)—A cernival of games was held at the high school here last night for the benefit of 'i:e’amooldlrb::'ry. fil pular games, including games, m-u'l puu.le:‘, table tennis and others, were TWO MEN TRAPPED ON LIQUOR CHARGE Self-Appointed Enforcer Tells of Inaugural Ruse for Big Delivery. Two men charged with illegal sale | and possession of intoxicants in con- nection with the delivery of four cases of alleged whisky to Capt. Edward Page Gaston, self-appointed prohibition en- forcer, at a downtown hotel Monday afternoon, were placed under $1,500 bond each and held for the grand jury today following arraignment in Police Court before Judge John P. McMahon. Capt. Gaston, who was the only wit- ness, said he trapped James Arthur Bliss, 60, of the 1700 block of G street, and Albert H. Robinson, 25, of Hyatts- ville, Md., by telling them he wanted to buy 25 or 30 cases of liquor for enter- tainment during the inaugural. Registered From New York. He represented himself as Capt. B. A. Gage of the New York National Guard, under which title he was registered at the hotel, the witness admitted. His negotiations were conducted with the older of the two defendants, he said, and during their first conversation they chatted of various notables they had known. “He told me,” Capt. Gaston said, “that he had once been offered $50,000 by a popular magazine to write his rem- iniscences of famous thirsts he had as- .st&aged, but that he had refused the offer.” Delivery Is Arranged. The witness said he arranged to have the four cases of alleged liquor delivered to his room the day after he met Bliss. He then conferred with prohibition au- thorities, and three officers, G. C. Deyoe, William McEwen and Joseph E. Beckett, came to the room before the time for the delivery. They took down the num- bers of $260 in marked bills which later were paid to Bliss, Gaston said, and then they hid in a closet. ‘When Bliss and Robinson brought. the packages in and had received the marked money, Gaston stated, he opened the closet door, and the officers stepped forth. In addition to the al- leged liquor, the agents also confiscated a car in which they said the two men brought the p: to the hotel. NEVILS HEADS JUDGES FOR ESSAY CONTEST “Monroe Doctrine” Is Subject of Competition Sponsored by Knights of Columbus. Dr. Coleman Nevils, S. J., president of Georgetown University, will be the chairman of judges in the essay con- test which has been conducted by Ar- thur B. J. Williamson, as master of the fourth degree, Knights of Columbus, gn zhe District of Columbia .and Mary- and. “The Monroe Doctrine” was the sub- Ject for the contest this year, conducted in 36 States under the sponsorship of the fourth degree of the soclety. It opened on Columbus day, October 12, and closed on Washington’s birthday. The superintendents of schools in the District and Maryland co-operated with a result that several thousands of essays were submitted by students of the junior and senior high schools. ‘The local prizes in the contest are $75 for the best, $50 for second and $25 for the third best. The winning essay in each jurisdiction is entered in the national contest which carries prizes of $500, $300° and $200. In addition to Dr. Nevils, the judges for the local contest were announced as follows: Dr. Charles C. Tansill, professcr of history, American Univer- sity; John J. O'Connor, professor of history, Georgetown University, and Dr. Herbert, Wright, professor of in- ternational law and head of the depart- ment of politics, Catholic University. WEATHER TO BE FAIR Outlook District Indicates Little Temperature Change. for Fair weather tonight and tomorrow| Corps, without much in temperature was the outlook for the District at noon today, despite a threat of smow which developed locally. Scattered flakes were falling at 1 o'clock, but the skies were expected to itfall. The feature A numl of were given to winners, Wi rem should ments were served afterward, | | WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION BEGINNING OF LENT PERIOD OBSERVED BY CHURCH RITES Ceremonies Marking Ash Wednesday Held at Catholic Houses of Worship. BISHOP FREEMAN GIVES SERMON AT CATHEDRAL Federation’s Daily Services Start. Noon Meetings at Epiphany Will Open Tomorrow. Christianity entered its traditional penitential period today to prepare for the coming of Easter. Symbolic of the mortality of man, ashes are being marked on the foreheads of Catholics in observance of this Ash Wednesday. Other churches are witnessing varied special religious services to inaugurate the six weeks of Lent. The use of ashes, however, remains the ceremonial customary on the first day of Lent. From early hours this morning, the faithful have been enter- ing churches all over the city to kneel at altar rails and receive the mark of humility. As the priest dips his thumb into the blessed ashes of palm and marks each forehead with them, he says, in Latin: “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust. thou shalt return.” Ceremony Explained. Explaining this age-old ceremony of the church, Right Rev. John Francis Noll has written in “Catholic Facts”: “At the beginning of Lent, the church would humble our pride and remind us of our mortality by this significant ceremony. In the old law, ashes were symbolic of penance, and people cov- ered their heads with ashes when they did penance and when they were in grief or mourning.” Besides the morning masses and the masses at the noon hour, ashes still are to be given in most Catholic Churches late this afternoon and tonight. St. Patrick’s Church will distribute them at 5 c'clock this afternoon. St. Gabriel's Church will give them after the 4:30 p.m. devotions and again at the con- clusion of the 7:30 p.m. services to- night. At the Franciscan Monastery on Mount Saint Sepulchre, in Brook- land, priests are prepared throughout today to administer ashes to the faith- ful who call. Likewise at the Church of the Immaculate Conception ashes are to be given at 5:15 o'clock this afternoon. Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington, delivered the sermon at the opening Lenten services in Washington Cathedral at 10:30 am. Rev. G. C. F. Bratenahl, assisted by the Cathedral clergy, conducted the services. ‘The Cathedral’s observation of the advent of Lent will be continued at 4 o'clock this afternoon when Canon G. Freeland Peter will speak at the evening prayer. Sins of Moderns Indicted. Speaking from Washington Cathe- dral over an international hook-up, Bishop Freeman indicted the sins of modern society and called the people back to Christian faith and practice. “Sin,” he declared, “is an unpopular subject. We are irritated by any refer- ence to our derelictions. We do not wish to be reminded that whatsoever & man sows he also shall reap. Our literature and drama are permeated with viciousness, and respectability is used as a cloak for every wickedness. Our youth is being reared in an atmos- phere which is contaminated. In their supine indifference multitudes imagine that all that is necessary to solve our problems is some cleverly devised eco- nomic scheme. “But we cannot be unconscious of our impaired morale. We must realize that what we do in the days which lie immediately ahead may affect the des- lt;xeny of n:g:{wthmd fnces We must aware e only path to ce is that of Christ, e “We must cast off self-confidence, assurance and pride. The world has indulged, like the prodigal son of the parable, in ‘far country living’ It must turn back to the Father's house. Like the prodigal, we must repent, we must go back to our Father.” Daily Services at Epiphany, The Washington Federation of a large force of trained circus men. court of honor. ening Sfaf ¥ Chairs for the covered stands in choice locations along the inaugural parade route yesterday were put in place by The stand above is at the north end of the Treasury, before the entrance to the —Star Staff Photo. YOUTH HAS SWAY AT ARTS EXHBIT 241 Paintings and Other ! Works Vie in Popularity Among Corcoran Vistiors. Youth is holding sway in the age- old arts in the current inaugural exhi- bition of the National Soclety of Inde- | pendent Artists at 825-827 Seventeenth street. In this show, which opened February 27, and’ will continue until March 11, | thus adding another feature for the en- tertainment of Washington's inaugural guests, includes 241 paintings by ap- proximately 75 artists, & dozen etchings and perhaps a like number of water | colors and drawings. Differing from most exhibitions of art works, the exhibited canvasses, sketches and drawings were hung without bene- fit of a jury or judge's decision. The artists, most of them young in the pro- fession, were permitted to submit five works, These were hung as submitted and none was rejected. Consequently, the show presents a variety of subject matter and quality. Visitors Decide Winners. Visitors to the exhibition are decid- ing the show winners. A bronze medal will be awarded to the work adjudged the “most popular” and a similar medal will be given to the work ad- judged “most unpopular.” The deci- sion will be made by ballot. Another feature of the show is a daily portrait sketch made of some one visi- tor by a prominent Washington artist. Many Distinguished Patrons. Patrons and patronesses for this show, which is the first of semi-annual shows to be given by the society, include Michael MacWhite, Minister of the Irish FPFrec State; Senator Millard Tydings, Democrat, of Maryland; L. L. Micheli, Eugene Meyer, Maj. Gen. dnd Mrs. John L. DeWitt, Maj. Gen. Her- bert D. Crosby, Brig. Gen. Pelham D. Glassford, Proctor Dougherty, Dean | and Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, Dr. Hans Kindler, Mr. and Mrs. C. Powell J. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Street, O. E. Schwarz, Col. Edmund Sayer and Charles Walker, ‘The éxecutive council of the National Society of Independent Artisis is com- posed of John L. De Witt, jr., chair- man; Charles Ballinger, Mrs. E. O. Hal- Churches began its daily services at 1:30 o'clcck this afternoon at the Church of the Epiphany. Eight promi- nent clergymen are participating in the services which were to continue until 5:30 o'clock. These are Bishop Freeman, Dr. A. J. McCartney, Dr. H. W. Burgan, Dr, S. B. Daughtery, Rev. H. P. Schearer, Dr. E. C. Hawthorne, Rev. E. O. Clark and Rev. C. H. Hope. Rev. Ze Barney Phillips, rector of Epiphany, is officiating. This service fluth continued each Wednesday of nt. The regular noon Lenten services which ere conducted daily at the Church of Epiphany will begin tomor- row when Rev. W. B. Donegan of Balti- more will speak. The church itself launched its own Lenten devotions at 10:30 o'clock this morning when the holy communion service was held. The Cathedral’s program of Lenten services will embrace daily—excepting Saturday, Sunday and Monday—ad- dresses in the great choir, including Canon Albert H. Lucas, Thursday after- noons; Canon Raymond L. Woven, Friday afternoons, and Right Rev. Philip M. Rhinelander, Tuesday afternoons. Representative clergymen from ‘Washington diocese will be heard Wed- nesday afternoons. The Universalist National Memorial Church will begin its Lenten services at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Organ recitals will be given each Wednesday through- out Lent. e Masses will be said daily d Lent at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at noon. Likewise, a special Lenten mass will be said at the Church of the te Conception at 12:15 p.m. each day. Following this mass, Rev. D. J. Con- nors, Oblate missionary, will preach a 5-minute sermon. PALLBEARERS NAMED FOR STEWART FUNERAL |secretary and Dr. Kelly Miller to Rear Admiral in Navy Supply Corps Died Yesterday in New Jersey. Honorary pallbearers at the u l burt, Rowland Lyon, Walter Rosett, Russell C. Parr, secretary, and Dr. E. G. Lunn, T. SOUTHEAST OPPOSES PARKING CHANGES Streets Wide Enough to Permit All-Night Rule Without Danger, Association’s View. The Southeast Washington Citizens’ Association went on record last night in opposition to any interference with present regulations permitting all-night automobile parking on city streets. It was the opinion of the association that Washingtan streets are wide enough to permit all-night parking without en- dangering the safety of motorists and that inasmuch as the present system has worked satisfactorily, there should be no change. The question of furnishing hot lunches for school was discussed in detail, but no action was taken by the association. Representatives of the Parent-Teacher Association _expressed the nutritive value of crackers and milk is as great as hot soup and that such a diet is less trouble to prepare. Other speakers favored the furnishing of soups and stews. WILBUR TO BE SPEAKER AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY Take Part in Annual Charter Day Exercises. Secretary of the Interior Wilbur and ‘Miller of H 'd University et speakers. at. an: ton funeral, at 8 p.m. Friday, for Rear 1ual Admiral Ed lwin Stewart, Supply Corps, U. 8. N,, retired, who died yesterday in South Orange, N. J., were announced today by the Navy Department. They Include Admirals W. L. Ctsg. Supply retired; ; %' Cowle, Supply Hicks, Supply | SWANSON RESIGNS Virginian Clears Way for Ex-Gov. Byrd to Take Seat March 4. Senator Swanscn of Virginia today forwarded his resignation to Gov. Pol- lard, to become effective March 4. ‘The resignation will permit former Gov. Harry F. Byrd, who is to succeed Swanson, to take office alcng with other incoming Senators on March 4. Swanson previously had said he would not resign until adjournment of the Senate session, but it was said at his office today that he had changed his mind because he desired to permit his successcr to rank in senjority along with other new Senators. REVIEWING STANDS FORM COURT SSUE Lessees of Property Seek to Enjoin Wrecking Concern’s Use of Seats. ‘The United Motor Terminals, Inc., which leased the property formerly oc- cupied by the Metropolitan Hotel on Pennsylvania avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, today asked the Dis- trict Supreme Court for an injunction against the Hechinger Engineering Co., and its president, Sidney L. Hechinger, to prevent the construction of a review- ing stand on the second floor of the building and to require the surrender of the property to the lessee so that it may operate the stands. ‘Through Attorney William A. Galla- gher, the plaintiff says it turned the property over to the Hechinger Co., for wrecking January 12, which was to be completed in 30 days. The wrecking .of the building was halted by the de- fendant, it is said, and reviewing stands zrfcted February 24 and advertised for sale. ‘The plaintiff told the court it noti- fied Hechinger as early as February 3 that it was apxious to get p of the site in time to erect reviewing stands for the inauguraticn. The company said about 4,000 seats could have been pro- vided in a stand on the site, but Hech- inger has arranged for only 1,500. The court was asked to compel the surrender of the property, and to pre- vent Hechinger from interfering with the plaintift’s agents in the operation of the reviewing stands. Justice Cox issued a rule on the Hech- ingers, returnable tomorrow. —_ BAPTIST GROUP FORMED Will Take Care of Ministers Here for Inaugural. Baptist ministers visiting Washington for the inauguration will be cared for by a special committee of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Washington. ‘The committee was formed Monday and includes Dr. S. Geriah Lamkins, chairman; Dr. William A. Taylor, Dr. H. T. Gaskins, Dr. K. W, Roy, Dr. Rob- ert Anderson, Dr. D. Z. Brown and Dr. Edgar Newton. MEDICAL EXAMINER PROPOSAL FAVORED "Reichelderfer for Change Af- ‘ fecting Professional Duties of Coroner. Proposals for creation of the position | of “medical examiner” to take over professional duties now performed by the coroner of the District, are regarded favorably by Dr. Luther H. Reichelder- fer, president of the Board of District Commissicners, he said today. The _sug; change in the work of this phase of the District Government also proposes that the “judicial” aspects of the work of the coroner be trans- ferred to another branch of the District Government, probably the office of the corporation counsel. Official Action Lacking. would require new legislation by Con- , however, has not been either by Dr. Reichelderfer or other District officials. to a comprehensive study for the Com- missioners by W. W. Bride, the cor- poration counsel, who is compiling data as to what is being done in other large cities of the country. He expects, prior to the conclusion of the special session of Congress, to be convened in April, to report his findings and recommenda- tions to the District Commissioners. Indications today were that the Commissioners may forward recom- mended legislation to the new Congress. Vacancy Recently Created. A vacancy was created recently in the office of District coroner by the death of Dr. Joseph Rogers. The work of the office now is conducted by Act- ing Coroner A. Magruder MacDonald. Advocates of the medical examiner system point out that the work of the coroner, as now performed here, calls on a physician to conduct inquests and otherwise act in a “judicial” or legal capacity. They propose that the coro- ner or “medical examiner” under the proposed new system confine his work to professional medical work, but that some legal agency of the government take over the inquests or the decision to hold persons for the grand jury in cases of responsibilty for deaths. FIRE FOUGHT FIVE HOURS Plant of Capitol Bedding Co. Dam- aged Extensively. \ Fire yesterday caused extensive dam- age to the plant of the Capitol Bedding Co., at 2122 Twenty-fourth place north- east. Although officials of the concern said equipment and material were dam- aged to the extent of thousands of dol- lars, no definite figure was given. Firemen battled the blaze for five hours, after an alarm was turned in about 3:30£)m. The fire was said by company officials to have started by an overheated cotton sorting machine. Early today firemen returned to the plant to extinguish smouldering bedding outside ‘the building. s SAVANT AND REPORTER COMPILE BOOK ON “LOST” MOUNTAINEERS Dr. Mandel Sherman and Thomas R. Henry Write of “Hollow Folk” in the Blue Ridge. ‘The story of a people who have lived and died along unchanged lines in the Blue Ridge Mountains for more than 100 years while an unheeded civiliza- tion sped by, has been put between the covers of a book, “Hollow Folk,” by Dr. Mandel ‘Sherman and Thomas R. Henry, which has just come from the press of Thomas Y. Crowell Co. The authors of the book were quali- to write with fled sympathy and dis- crimination the history of these whose elemental mode made more significant by vlrtllenuol le, of Ii is t the fact that the Nation's Capital than 4 £ BE. 2 i % in their collaboration on the book. Shortly after the first series of articles had been published, President Hoover, whose Summer camp on the Rapidan was near the abode of the hollow folk, became actively interested in the wel- fare of the backward mountain people scattered throughout that section. The new book is based on material ‘hologists and their t, a psychiatrist, and a field worker, latter having lived for two years unon{ the mountain people gathering social and economic data. Dealing with five distinct groups of these isolated people, the book is es- Official action on the proposal, which | taken | The entire matter is being subjected ILIMIT ON EVICTION O TENANTS ASKED BY GAPPER GROUP Report Says Rent Levels Do Not Equal Decline in Commodity Costs. ADVOCATES MORATORIUM ON HOME MORTGAGES Senators Request Inquiry Into Re- port Competition in Realty Field Here Is Stifled. Legislation designed to limit eviction of tenants, provide a moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages and deeds of trust on homes and a complete investi- gation by the Attorney General of charges that competition in real estate transactions in the District has been stifled, were among measures recom- mended by the Senate rent investigat- ing subcommittee today. The report of the group, of which Senator Capper of Kansas is chairman, was made public with the approval of the Senate District Committee, A 73- page document, it represents the find- ings of the subcommittee growing out of the lengthy investigation of the real estate situation in Washington, which began last year. Declaring & state of emergency in housing exists in the District and that rent levels do not reflect the decline in the cost of other commodities, the committee urged that the District Com- missicners be vested with authority to take such action as may be required for the protection of tenants in cases of extreme emergency. Annual Reports Ordered. The report also calls upon the Sen- ate to adopt a resolution calling on the District Commissioners to enforce ex- isting laws and regulations affecting public health, comfort and safety in connection with rented property, and directing the Commissioners to submit to the Senate annual reports, affecting rentals and values of apartment houses. A bill to require the furnishing of heat in living quarters jn the District and a resolution calling on the Com- missioners to make a study of fire and title insurance rates and practices in the District, with particular reference to the fixing of such rates and the elim ination of competition, also are recom= mended. In bringing in the report of the sub- committee, Senator Capper stated: “The subcommittee is aware that cer- tain of the proposals herein suggested are of an extraordinary nature, and are Jjustified only by the existence of ex- traordinary conditions of housing in the District of Columbia. The subcommit- ‘me has given serious consideration to the suggestion that regulation of rents |by & commission should be reinstituted in the District. The question will be given further study by the individual members of the subcommittee and suita- ble recommendations for requisite legis- lation will be made when and if it is deemed necessary to accelerate their reductions in rentals.” 10 Per Cent Destitute. The conclusions of the suubcommit- tee with reference to “the emergency in housing,” said almost 10 per ceni of the families in the District are desti- tute and entirely dependent on public or private relief. “There is in the District a dire lack of low-cost, sanitary housing,” the re- | port stated. “This condition is accentu- | ated by the inability of municipal re- lief authorities to find adequate hous- ing for families made homeless by evic- tion. Unable to match their reduced incomes against present rent levels, Tesidents of the District are resorting of ‘doubling up’ in living accommoda- tions, thereby endangering health and morals.” Asserting rent levels do not show the same decline as do rents in other cities, the report states that rents of i apartments here underwent an average | reduction of less than 7 per cent during | the past year, while rent reductions in houses “were so insignificant that it may be stated that such rents show practically no change from those of & The subcommittee voiced its opinion that the “public policies of the Wash- ington Real Estate Board have been de- ficient in many respects” and that “rep- resentatives of the board have offered no constructive suggestions for improve- ment of the rental situation.” The subcommittee felt that some of the outstanding defects in the housing situation can be reached by legislation which has already been passed by the Senate but has not yet been enacted into law. The subcommittee based its report on the evidence and data accumulated by Oscar H. Brinkman, its counsel, and on testimony given at lengthy hearings during the past several months. MARINE CORPS PAY CLERK RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS Dennis Keating's Associates Pre- sent Bag at Brief Farewell Services. ‘Thirty years in the Marine Corps were rounded out today when Chief Pay Clerk Dennis Keating, who has been on duty at headquarters in the Navy Department, was placed on the retired list. Keating's associates presented him with a traveling bag as he reached the age limit of 64 years. Brig. Gen, George Richards, chief of the Paymasters’ De- partment, United States Marine Corps, and Col. H. C. Reisinger, assistant to the paymaster, presided at the brief farewell ceremony. Born in Ireland in 1869, Mr. Keating spent 25 of his 30 years’ service in the Marine Corps in the Paymaster's De- t. Officers and enlisted per- sonnel, as well as civilians, participated in the farewell ceremony. HOOVER TO LEAVE CITY AS CEREMONIES END ‘Will Embark for Sea Journey to California, Including Six-Day Stop at Canal. Despite any reports to the contrary, President Hoover will leave Washington for New York immediately after the address of his successor. Prom there he will embark for a sea Jjourney to his California home with a stopover af about six days at the Pana- ma Canal. ‘The White House stated there was Bresident. was- heiny mportined ot S0 nt was uned ne ‘ashington immediately after leave Wi r his ts for ‘the President'izies