Evening Star Newspaper, May 17, 1933, Page 17

MEANS WILL FACE TOTAL OF 17 YEARS INRANSOM HOAX He and Whitaker to Be Sen- _tenced Friday by Justice 0’Donoghue. ATTORNEYS UNDECIDED ON PLANS FOR APPEAL Former Agent Said to Have Re- sented Federal Search of His Wife. Gaston B. Means, whose incredible “revelations” on the Lindbergh kidnap- ing entertained, but failed to impress a Jury in District Supreme Court, and Norman T. Whitaker, cultured ex-con- vict and conspirator, were back in the District Jail today—convicted of per- petrating on Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean one of the strangest hoaxes in the an- nals of crime. The extraordinary pair were found guilty late yesterday of conspiring to defraud Mrs. McLean of $35,000 on the pretext that the kidnapers of the Lind- bergh baby—with whom they claimed to have contact—were demanding ex- change of “clean money” for the “hot or marked ransom money paid by Col. Charles A. Lindbergh. Convicted In Case Before. Means already had been convicted of swindling Mrs. McLean out of $104,000, which she gave the former Federal in- vestigator and German secret agent, on his promise to produce the kidnaped Lindbergh child. The Government brought out that, during all these nego- tiations with Mrs. McLean, the son of Col. and Mrs. Lindbergh lay dead in the brush of a New Jersey roadside. ‘With a 15-year sentence hanging over him as a result of his conviction on the $104.000 charge, Means faces & maximum additional sentence of two years and $10,000 fine for the con- spiracy fraud. Whitaker, likewise, may get two years in the penitentiary and $10.000 fine. Sentence will be pro- nounced Friday by Justice Daniel W. 8;D‘onachue, who presided in the lurid al. Attorneys for Means and Whitaker were said tobe undecided as to whether they would appeal. Means appealed in the previous case, but the District Court of Appeals upheld the convic- tion. He has not indicated whether | HE passing years are kind to one of Washington's foremost citi- zens, John Joy Edson, who to- day was quietly celebrating his 87th birthday anniversary. Mr. Edson today, as on_ev day, was at his desk at the Equitable Co-operative Building Association at 915 F street, attending to his duties as president—and working hard, the thing he likes best to do. ‘Today was a little different, however, for there were frequent interruptions to Mr. Edson’s work as many men, promi- nent in the city’s affairs, dropped in to offer him felicitations. His two big jobs, president of the building association and chairman of Foening Star WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1933. Still Hard at Work JOHN JOY EDSON, 87 TODAY, IN GOOD HEALTH. John Joy Edson, shown at his desk today. —Star Staff Photo. the board of the Washington Loan & Trust Co., keep him pretty well tied to his desk from 9 to 5 o'clock every day, but he also finds time to continue his interest in philanthropic and civic activities, and is keenly interested in the work of the Washington Board of Trade, of which he was one of the or- ganizers. He rarcly misses a large meet- ing of the organization and he is look- ing forward today, with keen anticipa- tion, to attending the Board of Trade shad bake at Bay Ridge, Md. on Sn!-] urday. Mr. Edson shows no traces of the automobile accident in which, on May 11, 1928, his skull was fractured. He ]wns back at his desk three months ater. FEARS BLINDNESS AND KILLS HISELF he will carry the fight to the Supreme Court. Several Ballots Taken. ‘The jury of seven women and five men returned its verdict of “guilty as indicted” at 4:25 p.m. yesterday. The Jurors had retired at 2 o'clock, first taking time out for lunch which await- ed them in the jury room. It is un- derstood several ballots were necessary to reach a unanimous decision, due to the feeling of one or two jurors that Whitaker should be shown some leniency. Justice O'Donoghue, however, had left no loophole for Whitaker, having instructed the jury that a joint verdict of guilty or acquittal must be rendered as applying to both defendants. The Jurors were said to be agreed from the outset as to the guilt of Means. Joseph A. Turco, attorney for Whitaker, had objected strenuously to the court’s rul- ing for a joint verdict, holding that even if Means were convicted, Whitaker should be acquitted because of his “mi- r role” of “the fox"—a role which rco declared was that of an “inno- eent decoy.” The drama which marked the course of the seven-day trial did not lag dur- ing the closing hours. As if there had not been enough sensational episodes, @ climatic chapter was inserted at the Jast moment when, acting under order of United States Attorney Leo A. Rover, policewomen took Mrs. Means from the courthouse to the Woman's Bureau and mearched here for the $100,000 which ber husband had embezzled from Mrs. fcLean. Rover Explains Search. “I had in my office a signed state- ment to the effect that Mrs. Means was sttending the trial with the $100,000, or & major part of it. strapped to her waist in & money belt,” Rover explained Jater. “The statement also indicated a flot was being hatched to hold up Mrs. eans—to bump her off, in fact—and rob her of the money. On the basis of this information, I ordered Mrs. Means to be taken and searched. All the money found on her, however, was ebout $100 in a purse, which was re- turned to her.” The search was conducted while the ury was weighing the verdict. When rs. Means returned to the court house. he was weeping. She went to the cell tier in the basement and apparently told ier husband about the search. Means 4s said to have been very indignant and ‘o have advised his wife to get in touch with s prominent attorney at once. Mrs. Means went to a phone booth and remained there for some time. When ghe emerged she was still crying, and refused to talk with newspapermen. Turco Attacks Rover. “The final arguments of counsel were fmarked by a bitter attack on Rover by Attorney Turco, who charged the prosecutor summoned Col. Lindbergh as s witness for the sole purgxe of *getting publicity” and aiding him in *keeping his job” under the new admin- tstration. Rover, although- obviously deeply resentful of the accusation, re- tained his temper as he explained that Lindbergh's presence was essential to rove the body found near Sourland ountain & year ago was that of his won, Rover was aided in the prosecution by Roger Robb, assistant United States attarney, and by John M. Keith, special agent in charge of the Washington field o of the United States Bureau of Investigation. Most of the damaging evidence introduced against Means and ) Whitaker had been collected by Keith, whom Means had referred to on the stand as an “insignificant investigator.” SHOEMAKER GRANTED DELAY IN ATTACK TRIAL Minnesota Representative Says Ill- ness Prevented His Preparing to Appear. tative Francis H. Shoemaker ©of Minnesota, whose trial on an assault charge was scheduled before Judge Ralph Given in Police Court today, obtained & continuance of two weeks on the ground he had been in {ll health and was not prepared to appear this| morning. | Shoemaker is accused of attacking Theodore H. Cohen, a neighbor at the Chastleton Hotel, cn the night of #oril 18. J. B. Carroll, D. C. Sanitary Inspector, Found Shot in Parked Car. Jesse Bernard Carroll, 59, & sanitary inspector for the District Health De- partment, shot himself to death early to- day after writing his fear of approach- ing blindness and his determination not to be a burden on family or friends. Carroll's body was found about day- light in his automobile parked on Ran- | dolph near Tenth street by Pvt. R. E. | Fenton of No. 10 precinct, the patrol- man on the beat. OCarroll had been shot through the mouth and his .32 caliber pistol lay beside him on a seat. Leaves Two Notes. Fenton summoned & physician from Casualty Hospital, Wwho pronounced Carroll dead. Dr. A. Magruder Mac- Donald, acting coroner, issued a certifi- | cate of suicide and the body was re- moved to the Morgue. Carroll left two notes, one to his son, Bernard, 956 Shepard street, and the other addressed to two friends in the Sanitary Department. In them he told of his “intense suf- | fering” for the last two weeks, his con- vietion that he was going blind and his | wish not to burden any one with his | existence. Carroll instructed his son to pay $365 in debts to various persons from his retirement accumulations. Wants Money Saved. He suggested that little money be | spent on his funeral and closed with a postscript, “The car needs greasing and | a change of ofl.” ! Carroll, who made his home at 207 Webster street, had been an employe of the District for the last 20 years. In addition to his son, he is survived by a | daughter, Mrs. Audrey Ficter, a teacher in the public schools. DR. CADMAN T0O SPEAK The second of three sermons in com- | memoration of the centenary of the Ox- ford Movement will be given at 7:45 o'clock this evening at St. Alban's Par- ish Church, Wisconsin and Massa- chusetts avenues. The preacher will be Rev. Dr. S. Parkes Cadman, pastor Central Con- gregational _Church, Brooklyn, and chairman of the American section of the Universal Council of Christian Life and Work. His subject will be, “The Ox- ford Movement and Protestantism.” The public is invited. BAND CONCERTS. By the United States Navy Band this | evening in the Sail Loft of the Navy yard at 8 o'clock; Charles Benter, leader; Alex. Morris, assistant leader. March, “The White House Corre- spondents” -Benter Overture, “The Flying Duf n,’ ‘Wagner Solo for clarinet, “Carnival of Venice,” Jean-Jean Charles Brendler, Soloist. “Rondo Capriccioso”. ......Mendelssohn Excerpts from the musical comed: “The Fire Fly” Waltz de concert, an’ Dedicated to Mrs. William Bachannelle from the opera “Samson and Delilah”....... .....Saint-Saens Grand scenes from the opera, “Cava- leria Rusticana” Mascagni Rhapsocy, “Second Hungarian..."Liszt “Anchor's Aweigh.” “Star Spangled Banner.” By the United States Marine Band | this evening at the auditorium, Marine | Barracks, 8 o'clock; Taylor Branson, | leader; ur 8. Whitcomb, second leader. “Children’s March” ......Crainger | Overture, “The Flying Dulchm;al’," “Ave Maria"” Selections from Overture, “I1 Seraglio” (“ the Harem”).. Duet for flute an the Gentle Lark”. Musicians Luis Guzm: Serenade, “Espagnole”. ‘Tango, “In Seville”.. Prelude to Act III and Apprentices” from singer” ..... Marines’ Hymn, “The Halls of Dance of the “Die Meister- ‘Wagner Monte. s |Feeder of Birds » A CONFERENCE SET ONDISTRICT FUNDS Senate and House Members to Discuss Amendments Tomorrow. With other pressfhg duties out of the way, Senate and House conferees on the District appropriation bill will hold | their first meeting at 10 -a.m. tomor- row to begin discussion of the various changes made in the measure by the Senate. Although the Senate did not materi- ally increase the total of new appropria- tions, it liberalized the bill by making available several unexpended balances and by increasing the amount that could be spent from the District’s own gasoline tax fund. ‘The Senate also brought the Federal | contribution up nearer to an equitable relationship with the total of the bill by changing the House lump sum of $5.- 700,000 to $6.250,000. This will be one of the chief issues in conference. Another important amendment to be settled in conference allows transfer of funds from one subhead to another within certain municipal departments in order to ease the effect of deep cuts | made in operating expenses under the | economy program. District appropria- tion matters are in charge of Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Oklahoma, in the Senate, and Representative Clarence Cannon, Democrat, of Missouri, in the House. IMPROVEMENT IS SEEN BY ADVISORY COUNCIL Hopes Increased by Interest of People in Roosevelt Program, They Tell Reserve Board. By the Assoclated Press. Conditions thought out the country | were reported as improving and “fairly favorable” by members of the Federal Advisory Council in their meeting at the Treasury with the Federal Reserve Board. ‘The members, one from each of the 12 Federal Reserve districts, told the board the people of the country were interested keenly in President Roose- velt's program of rehabilitation and that it was reassuring them and in- creasing their hopes. The report said that in all parts of the country the forecasts for the future were good. The council, which acts in a purely advisory capacity to the board, meets in Washington four times a year to advise the board on economic and financial conditions of the country. 'BoysClimb Church Steeple to Seize Roosting Pigeons Asks Police to Do Some- thing About It. There probably is pigeon pie aplenty in the southwest section these days and John Sirigos, 400 block of Massa- chusetts avenue, wants police to do something about it. The ples are the result of raids of small colored boys on the steeple of the Greek Orthodox Church at Sixth and C streets southwest, where Sirigos has been feeding and caring for hun- dreds of stray For several nights, meighbors told Sirigos, small colored boys have been climbing into the steeple with large burlap sacks and filling them with the pigeons which were roosting there. Sunday night they made the biggest t|raid and just about cleaned up the steeple’s supply of pigeons. In addi- tion, the culprits broke the skylight of the church, causing about $10 damage. Sirigos complained to police. He valued the pigeons at 10 cents apiece and, though strays, regarded them as h e ~use he fed them. his | them, sale: of the aroumd. HOUSE D. C. GROUP DECLINES 10 0. K GAS CONSOLIDATION Committee Agrees to Meet Again Friday to Seek Favorable Report. WEIDEMAN AND O’BRIEN PREVENT ACTION TODAY Mrs. Norton Presents Statement of Washington Gas Light Co. on Construction Needs. ‘The House District Committee, lack- ing a quorum, refused today to Teport favorably the bill recommended by Chairman Black of the Public Utilities Subcommittee for & merger of the | Washington and Georgetown Gas Light Companies. However, an agreement was | reached to meet again Priday morning ! in an effort to get a favorable report, after several new members have had | an_opportunity to study the bill. ‘While the committee was endeavor- ing to reconcile this disagreement, Chairman Norton announced she had Jjust received word from Speaker Rainey | that if the bill is promptly reported it | can be brought up for consideration in the House next Monday as a part of the emergency program. Favorable Action Prevented. Favorable’action today was prevented by Representatives Weideman of Mich- igan and O'Brien of Illinois. The for- | mer protested that he wanted to be sure | that the Washington consumers and stockholders are properly protected be- fore giving this measure his support. | O'Brien insisted that he cannot see this measure as emergency legislation, and | is doubtful if it will result in any con. | siderable relief of unemployment, has been promised. Chairman Norton presented to the committee a statement prepared by the Washington Gas Light Co. regarding its construction needs during the pres- ent year, with an estimated total “of | ing new construction advisable and neces- sary of $1,747,250.” Of this total the company figures ap- for labor in the metropolitan area and that this would represent employment for between 200 and 500 men. ‘The largest item in the proposed fm- provements is $783.700 for installation of approximately 270,000 feet of new gas main and service pipe for the purpose of replacing certain existing pipe not of ample size, for reinforcing and distribu- tion system, supplying meter facilities for new customers and improvements to existing mains. $775,000 for New Holder. ‘The next largest item is $775,000 for a new holder. Additions and improve- apparatus, tanks, for recovering and handling tar, additions and improve- ments to purifying equipment and fuel- handling apparatus are estimated to cost $121,500. Plant distribution, trans- portation and miscellaneous equipment are estimated to cost $57.050, and build- ing _construction, $10.000. . M. L. Sperry, president of the com- pany, was questioned by Representative ‘Weideman regarding the salaries paid officials and admitted that his own salary of $25.000 is the highest paid. Representative Weideman also ques- tioned Mr. Sperry, Gen. Mason M. Pat- rick, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, and William A. Roberts, assistant corporation counsel assigned to the Public Utilitles Commission, regarding whether the new stock pro- posed to be issued would be all voting stock as is the present stock. Both of the District officials empha- sized that the Public Utilitles Com- mission has absolute control over the issuance of stock, and that it recognizes only preferred and common stock, and none of the other grades or subdivisions for manipulation purposes. Ask Delay in Action. It was emphasized also that the Georgetown company is 100 per cent owned by the Washington company, but that the maintenance of separate organizations and accounting means a cost of about $50,000. Chairman Norton sald that the only objections to the proposed measure comes from the Chevy Chase Citizens’ Association and the Fed- eration of Citizens’ Associations, who ask that action be delayed until the revaluation now in progress is com- pleted. Representative Black pointed out that the people’s counsel desired to have made a part of the legislation an agree- ment by the company to waive the con- stitutional right of having valuation as & going concern included in the valua- tion by the Public Utilities Commission for ratemaking purposes in the future as & concession for granting the request of the company for authority to merge. SCHOOLBOY i’ATROLS WILL BE COMMENDED Takoma Park Town Clerk Ordered to Send Letters to Three Public Schools. Special Dispatch to The Star. TAKOMA PARK, Md., May 17— Town Clerk J. Wilson Dodd has been directed to send a letter to each of the three local public schools com- mending them for the brilliant record set by the schoolboy patrols of these schools during the present school year. cilman Royal G. Sherburne, acting chairman of the Police and Fire Committee of the Town Council, re- ports that the 31 boys comprising the traffic patrol functioned perfectly, with a grand total of 458,000 crossings dur- ing the year without a single accident. The schools will be ested to read the letters at assembly time before the student body. HELD UNDER $5,000 BOND IN SEVERAL CAR THEFTS Cairo, N. Y., and Washington Man Face Grand Jury After Ar- raignment Here. Arthur Graham Freece, 22, Cairo, N. Y., and this city, was held for action of the gfand der when arraigned y Court in connection with the theft of wi ge_Sparks, W. J. Walsh, 1437 Irving street; P. Wetherill, 2871 Woodland drive; y- lor Motor Co., Fourteenth and T streets, and the L. P. Steuart Motor Co, 1 Fourteenth street. He is alleged to have driven the cars from here to Cairo and disposed of netting N 8 oy $1,000. proximately $600,000 would be expended | ments in generating stations, such as | FORENBEZZLENENT N TOBAEED FIRM Manipulation of Company’s Papers Said to Have Netted $11,000. BIG LIST ALSO NAMED IN JOY-RIDING CASES Few Liquor Violations Feature This Session of District Grand Jury. Indictments charging six employes of the Washington Tobacco Co., with embezzlement, which are said to have netted them more than $11,000, were returned by the District grand Jjury today. The accused are Floyd J. Stoner | and Clarence R. Gillespie, billing clerks, Iler, Gt e M. Downs and Adolph R. Deitz, deliverymen. The Government contends the de- liverymen were given merchandise to deliver and that the billing clerks de- stroyed the bills. Since this destroyed all records of the merchandise, it is alleged, the deliverymen pocketed money received for the goods and di- vided it with the billing clerks. It is eharged that these operations began in January, 1932, and continued to February 24, 1933. $207 Conversions Charged. Five indictments against the tobacca company employes were returned. The indictments set forth conversions amounting only to $207. Other indictments returned by the Grand Jury were against Norman Chambers, Kemp Davis, James 1. Clay, | John Harris, Jefl Burke, Cleophus Owen King, Charles Richard Price, Milton | Winslow, Alex Truesdale, Arthur Cock- field, Will Truesdale, Nick J. Forte and Prank R. Durso, all for joy nding: James W. Tyler, two charges of joy rid- and two charges of grand lareen: Norine Viola Saxon, grand larceny; E win M. VanMeter and James E. O'Con- nor. housebreaking: Bruce Kline and | Prancis King, housebreaking and lar- ceny; Charles M. Kennedy, house- breaking and larce: Charles Roberts, housebreaking and larceny. James Alexander, two charges of house- breaking and larceny; Luther Hill, heusebreaking and larceny; Cleothus King and Charles Richard Price. two charges of robbery each; Fred Foster, robbery; John Reld, assault with & | dangerous weapon: Walter Lewis, as- | sault with a dangerous weapon: Edward C. Saunders and Lloyd C. Willlams, violation of the prohibition act: Ray- mond Hcward, larceny after trust and | embezzlement; Elsie Croson. two charges | of false pretenses; Leon Crown, viola- tion of section 29 of the United States | Penal Code, and Frank Jordan, violation of the Harriscn narcotic act and the narcotic drugs import and export act. Other Cases Ignored. The grand jury ignored the fallowing presentments: Michael Polvinale, joy riding; Alphonso Gipson snd John Bonner, joy riding; Robert Mitchel, as- sault with a dangerous weapon: James Francis Bassett, violation of the pro- hibition act; Janney M. Jenkins, carnal knowledge: Adele Butler, homicide; Francis Thomas. homicide; Aloysius Daniel O'Donnell. manslaughter, and Welter H. Allison and John C. Price, manslaughter. KAPPA PHI INITIATES 27 AT MARYLAND U. Students Are Admitted to National Scholastic Honorary Frater- nity at Banquet. Special Dispatch to The Star. COLLEGE PARK, Md, May 17— ‘Twenty-seven University of Maryland students were initiated in Phi Kappa Phi, national scholastic honorary fra- ternity, last night at a banquet held by the local chapter of the society in the university dining hall. Those to be initiated were: Catherine Bixler, Helen Farrington, Marie L. Brix, | Ruth L. Gilbert, Elena Hannigan, Es- ther F. Hughes, Marjorie R. Mowatt, Florence Peter, Salena R. Reynolds, Phoebe Steffey, Morris Bogdanow, John 0. Burton, George E. Connelly, Frank- lin D. Cooly, Richard F. Farley, W. A. Frazier, Guy W. Gienger, Fred V. Grau, Esdra S. Gruver, William E. Hauver, John P. Huebsch, Charles T. Mothers- head, Edward J. Mullen, Charles H. Rahe, Arnold W. Smoot, B. J. Statman and John A. Yourtree. Mrs. 8. L. Herrick, president of the ‘Women's Press Club of Washington, gave an interesting talk on newspaper experiences and Dr. Raymond Allen Pearson, president of the university, congratulated the initiates. Officers of the Maryland chapter, all members of the faculty, are: Dr. W. B. Kemp, president; Dr. Charles White, vice president; Dr. R. G. Rothgeb, sec- retary-treasurer, and Dr. A. Lee Schra- der, corresponding secreta: WOMEN TO END STRIKE \Seventy Will Return to Work at Alexandria Factory. B & Staff Correspondent of The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 17.—The approximately 70 women employes of the Century Manufacturing Co.’s factory tn. who have ‘been on strike since ‘Wednesday in protest against a 10 per cent wage cut, decided today to re- turn to work at 7:30 o'clock tomorrow morning, after Morris Weinman, owner of the factory, announced yesterday afternoon that he would agree to their compromise of a 5 per cent cut with a guarantee of full time work for the remainder of the year. As a result of the strike the plant here has been practically shut down for a week. Announcement to this effect was made today by Dan S. Hollenga, busi- ness manager of the Alexandria Cham- ber of Commerce, who has been acting as arbitrator between the owner and workers, after nr&rmmtely 40 of the ‘workers met Wi Mr. Hollenga this m to hear that the owner had accepted their compromise. COUNCIL WILL MEET Special Dispatch to The Star. epecial Taceing o1 the Tiayor s Gom meef mayor an mon Council will be heid tonight at 8 o'clock. ts will be made to get the county's assessment figures in preparation for their use in the levying_of town taxes for the year. Under a law passed at the recent seation of the Legislature, the town is required figures menta. rather than the town assess- and George E. De Chard, Malcolm Mil- | Left to right: James T. Ireland, and Ellwood Martak, brother of Clyde. ENT upon breaking a 50-year- old world record for distance running, Clyde D. Martak, 22, national marathon champion, left The Evening Star Building this morning at 9 o'clock, bound for the City Hall in Baltimore over a meas- ured course of 44 miles. | The record attacked by Martak, who | won his National A. A. U. title in The | Star’s marathon last August, was es- Society and General Baltimore A. A. U. official; Clyde D. Martak, National A. A. U. marathon champion (winner of Star race last August), —Star Stafl Photo. | Baltimore Boulevard by way of Hyatts- | ville, was conceived as a conditioner for the defense of his marathon crown, in the second annual race sponsored by The Star and slated for June 17. | “Timing the young harrier, a Balti- | morean, was James T. Ireland, a Bal- | timore A. A. U. official, who trailed him by auto. Clyde’s 18-year-old brother, Ellwood, went along as pace- | maker. He was to run and ride by {tablisned on February 22, 1882, by turn: W. C. Davies in an endurance con- | jtest in New York. It was 6 hours 8 minutes 25 seconds. Although hopeful of placing his name in the official record book. Martak's trek today, which carries him over the 5. A Washington-to-Baltimore run was made nearly 20 years ago by Spike | Webb, who later gained fame as box- ing coach at the Naval Academy. Webb, however, ran only 40 miles. His time was 6 hours 12 minutes. CITIZENS INVITED 10 PROTEST RENTS night to Include Attack on Milk Prices. District of Columbia residents to par- ticipate, the District Department of the American Pederation of Govern- ment Employes today completed plans for its second mass meeting to be staged tonight in Central High School |in protest sgainst what they term the | nigh rents here. The meeting will be called upon to {voice a protest against housing costs D. Schaefer, president of the depart- ment. Resolutions will be presented ing all walks of life in the city. Capper & Speaker. Principal speakers tonight will be Senator Capper, Republican, of Kansas, | who addressed ‘the first mass meeting of the group in McKinley High School March 31; Representative Randolph of West Virginia, a member of the House Rents Subcommittee, and Leo E. Gecrge, president of the National Fed- eration of Post Office Clerks, who will i present the labor viewpoint and present statistically the need for lowerivg housing costs. An appeal in behalf of milk con- sumers for lower prices will be voiced by James G. Yaden, president of the District Federation of Citizens' Asso- ciations. He will present data intended to show the price of this commodity | 1s_unreasonably high in relation to other food products, according to Mr. | Schaefer. Mortgage Bill Urged. As the Government employes’ organi- zation made plans protest high housing costs tonight, the Baptist Min- isters’ Conference, in session yesterday at the Florida Avenue Baptist Church, adopted a resolution requesting Presi- dent Roosevelt to “urge u Congress | the vital necessity of pus}zlthe home ! mortgage bill at once, as a matter of relief and protection to our people in . dire distress in the District of Co- lumbia.” | _ The group, representing 200 ordained Baptist ministers and 35,000 communi- cants, pointed out in adopting the | resolution that a great many people in Washington have lost their homes | through foreclosures du the last three years, and that the President's mortgage refinancing plan would bring needed rellef. STATES ASKED TO RUSH PLANS FOR FOREST WORK Director Fechner Wires 31 Gov- ernors to List Projects for Jobless by May 28. ! By the Associated Press. Director Robert Fechner of the emergency conservation work today called on 31 Governors to aid in speed- ing up the Government's employment program in the national forests. In telegrams to the chief executives {in Eastern, Midwestern and Southern States which have not yet approved sufficient work projects to accommodate their quotas he gave them until May 25 to do so. He hopes to have 275,000 i men at work by July 1. !" The Governors were informed that if they had not selected projects by that date the forestry workers, who " ordinarily would be assigned to their | respective districts, would be sent | elsewhere. Fechner estimated _that approxi- mately 5000 Army officers would be required to enroll men at the various stations. ‘This would include officers at the work camps themselves. Licensed to Marry. , Md., May 17 (Special) —Marriage licenses have been issued here to the following: Lee Hamilton, 21, Upper Marl- boro, Md., and Marguerite Lucile Brady, 20, Harwood, Md.; Webster W. Rich- ards, 23, therine hereafter to use the county - Second Mass Meeting To- Extending & blanket invitation to all | and milk prices, according to Michael | giving those present an opportunity to | record the views of & group represent- | 600 “TALL CEDARS” 10 GONVENE HERE Parade Saturday Will End Annual Supreme Forest Convention. Plans for entertainment and housing of 600 delegates to the 131st annual Supreme Forest Convention of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, beginning today and ending with a parade down Pennsyl- vania avenue Saturday, were being worked out today at the Raleigh Hotel, headquarters for the sessions. Several thousand marchers are sched- uled to take part in Saturday’s parade, which will start at Peace Monument and end on Constitution avenue near | the Ellipse. where a reviewing stand is | to be constructed. Officials announced that 43 bands and more than 50 march. ing units have already entered. Presi- dent Roosevelt has been invited to view the parade. Register Most of Today. Registration of delegates will occupy most of today. The convention will | start officially when Harry M. Littell, supreme tall cedar, delivers a radio ad- dress at 6:30 o'clock tonight, and the first session for delegates will be held at the hotel at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The nquet will take place at 6 p.m. y's program will include elec- tion and installation of officers of the supreme forest, & luncheon for the dele- gates, exhibition drill of visiting rangers and bands on the Ellipse and the grand | ball at the Raleigh and public carnival on Constitution avenue starting at 8 p.m. Priday. ‘Will Visit White House. ‘The delegates will visit the White House Saturday and will go later to the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arling- ton Cemetery, where they will place wreath. The parade is scheduled to start at 2 pm. Calvary from Fort Myer, including the mounted band and United States Army artillery units, will participate in the march. ’ Initiation ceremony for new members will be staged at the Belasco Theater Saturday night. HUNDREDS INSPECT SILVER STAR HOME Colonial Style Residence in North- gate Open to Public for a Month. | Hundreds of home-interested Wash- ingtonians have visited the Silver Star Model Home at 1343 Locust road. in Northgate, since the attractive dwelling was opened for a month of public ex- hibition under auspices of The Star last Sunday. ‘The house, of charming Colonial style and situated in an attractive sec- tion, is open daily from 9 am. to 10 pm., with attendants on hand at all times to conduet visitors through. ‘The most convenient route of ap- proach from the downtown section is north on Sixteenth street to Locust road, which is a few blocks above Alaska avenue, thence east on Locust road to the model house, which is on the north side of the street. Paul T. Stone, Inc., are the builders of this Silver Star Home, which was se- lected for a place on The Star’s model homes program by s committee of ex- perts in the fields of home building and designing, headed by James S. Taylor, chief of the division of housing, De- partment of Commerce. W. Newton Diehl, Virginia architect, is the dé- signer. Ce e — ADVOCATES PRAYER Speaker, However, Sees War Im- minent on Many Fronts. “Pray without ceasing—but keep your powder dry” was the terse advice given an audience at Eastern Pres! terian Church last night by Maj. Francis St. Austell, formerly of the British army, who discussed world affairs at a round-table conference. He sald war was imminent in Europe and Asia on many fronts. Maj. St. Austell was presented by Rev. Dr. Alfred E. Barrows, pastor of the church. The affair was given under suspices of the Ladies' Boclety of the Eastern PAGE B—-1 “OFF SALE” BEER RULING ACCEPTED BY COMMISSIONERS Proprietors of Stores in Resi- dential Districts to Be Granted Licenses. BOTTLING RESTRICTED IN ZONED TERRITORY Decision Not to Appeal Judge Adkins’ Decision and Rules Changes Follow Conference. ‘The District Commissioners decided today to accept as final, without an ap- peal to the District Court of Appeals, the ruling late yesterday by the District Supreme Court that “off-sale” beer licenses may not be denied to stores lo- cated in residential districts. ‘The ruling by Justice Jesse C. Ad- kins in a test case upset = ruling by the Commissioners in refusing numerous applications for the sale of bottled beer by proprietors of stores located in resi- dential districts. The Commissioners also decided to- day to strike from their beer regulations two paragraphs which prohibited the granting of retail “off-sale” permits to stores in residential areas and whole- salers’ permits for places having simi= lar zoning status. It was explained, however, that bottling of beer by hold- ers of wholesale permits still would not be permitted in residential districts, since this would be in violation of the zoning regulations themselves. Conference First Held. ‘These decisions were reached by the Commissioners after conferences with Corporation Counsel W. W. Bride and his assistant, Vernon E. West, who is chairman of the Beverage Board. The Beer Board is anticipating a2 new heavy rush of applicants for permits as a result of the elimination of the pro- hibition on sale of bottled beer in resi- dential districts. West estimated today that as many as 60 such applications had been denjed. He believed also many applications of that character were not flled because of the adoption of the prohibiting regulation. Another change was made in the beer ;fullflmu today. While holders of “on e” permits are not allowed to sell beer in closed containers, the Commis- sioners decided they would make excep~ tions in the cases of bona-fide hotels and clubs. The theory back of this move is that guests of clubs and hotels wishing to order a supply of beer for an evening would not want to have the entire order opened at one time. Oram Declares Stand. Capt. Hugh P. Oram, director of in- spection and executive officer of the Zoning Commission, announced today he would ask to be relieved of duty as a member of the beer board as soon as it had completed issuance of annual permits to holders of temporary beer licenses. His reason is that the elimi- nation of the residential zone prohibi- tion from the beer regulations virtually takes zoning out of supervision of the licensing. Justice Adkins upheld vesterday the Commissioners’ regulation barring on- sale permits to establishments within 200 feet of primary or high schools. His decision on the residential zone came in mandamus actions brought to compel Superintendent of Licenses Coombs to issue off-sale permits to Samuel Wertlieb, who operates a gro- cery, delicatessen and restaurant busi- ness at the northeast corner of Fou teenth and C streets northeast, and Raymond J. Lowry, proprietor of a drug store at the southeast corner of Elev- enth and C streets northeast. Second Regulation Upheld. The second regulation of the Com- missioners’ was upheld in Judge Adkins’ refusal to grant a petition for an in- junction to restrain the District Com- missioners from interfering in the is- suanfe of an on-sale permit to Peter Robert Haley, who conducts a resturant at Thirty-sixth and N streets, a short distance from a parochial school. Attorney Joseph B. Stein represented ‘Wertlieb, James J. Waters was attorney for Lowry and Joseph A. Contrell repre- sented Haley. PRINCE GEORGES GROUP AGAINST REPEAL FORMED ‘W. A. Duvall, Former County Com- missioner, Is Elected Chairman by 75 Delegates From 9 Districts. Special Dispatch to The Star. RIVERDALE, Md., May 17.—Seven- ty-five delegates representing nine dis- tricts of Prince Georges County formed an organization to be known as the National Prohibition Emergency Com- mittee for Prince Georges County at & meeting last evening at the home of Mrs. Herbert Robey here. Willlam A. Duvall, former county commissioner, was unanimously elected chairman, Mrs. E. C. Helm of Brent- wood treasurer and Frank M. Stephen of Hyattsville secretary. ‘The committee, through Rossel Ed- will work in conjunction with the Ni tional Committee in opposing the repeal of the eighteenth amendment. The delegation voted to carry the fight in Prince Georges to every voting precinct and steps will be taken immediately to perfect the organization. ‘Those speaking briefly were Edward B. Dunford, Col. E. E. Hatch, Raymond W. Bellamy, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Duvall and Mrs. O. N. Eaton, representing the county W. C. T. U. LIEUT. COMDR. WILEY SENT TO PHILADELPHIA Akron Survivor Kept on Roles of Craft Until April 30 for Pay. Lieut. Comdr. Herbert V. Wiley, sole officer survivor of the fatal crash of the Navy ble Akron, was ordered de- tached as of April 30 from that craft wmxowdueymxzmammm DN eval offcials although aval Ic! ex] that e Akron crashed April 4, it was nec- essary to carry the officer on the roles o!'t"‘" craft so he could get his flight Permits At preseni serving on the board which is exam..ing the new dirigible U. 8. 8. Macon and trial flights. Lieut. Comdr. Wiley will sul uently be on duty at Philadelphia “bhl N.J..lo.l“r’wbelvnfl- al for Akron l&.