Evening Star Newspaper, December 18, 1934, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Increasing cloudiness, followed by snow or rain beginning late tonight or tomor- row; minimum temperature about 32 de- grees. Temperatures—Highest, 44, at noon yesterday; lowest, 27, at 6:15 am. today. Full report on pf#ge A-11. Closing N.Y.Markets, Pages 16,17 & 18 No. 33,103. ROOSEVELT PLANG SURVEY OF COSTS OF POWERTOU.S. Aim to Determine Whether Rates Here and Elsewhere Are Too High. POWER INTEREST PLEA FOR TEST IS REJECTED Answer of White House Is De- mand That Industry Carry Out “Housecleaning.” President Roosevelt today was con- sidering a survey of costs of electric power being bought by the Federal Government in the District of Colum- bia and elsewhere throughout the country to determine if the rates are too high. This action from the White House followed the administration’s turning thumbs down on a plea last night by the power interests that governmental policies toward the industry be put to a quick final test in the Supreme Court. The answer, a demand that the in- dustry “clean house” came only a few hours after Thomas N. McCarter, pres- ident of the Edison Electric Institute, and a leader in the attack on the Roosevelt plans touse such power ex- periments as the Tennessee Valley Au- thority as “yardsticks” to force down rates, called at the White House. He had brought with him a 5,000~ word ‘“memorial,” which spoke of “strangulation” of private enterprise by Government competition, and sug- gested that it was better for the Gov- ernment and power interests to co- operate to preserve the “soundness of existing investment.” T. V. A. Court Decision Urged. “I respectfully urge,” it said, “that parties interested and the Govern- ment unite in taking such proceedings as will bring about a decision of the highest court in the land upon the question (the constitutionality of T. V. A) at the earliest possible mo- ment.” That was late yesterday. Forthwith President Roosevelt turned the memo- rial over to Frank R. McNinch, chair- man of the Federal Power Commis- gion. The electricity consumption at the commission’s office leaped as Mc- Ninch and his aides worked into the night preparing the answer, recognized as the official one of the administra- on. ~ “In all the history of the American people,” it said, “no parallel for such a proposal can be found. * * * The call is not for the Government to Ahalt, but for the industry to catch step and move forward along progressive lines.” “The Edison Electric Institute has, of course,” it continued, “a legal right to promote litigation to test the act creating the Tennessee Valley Author- ity or any other statute, but it will make no substantial progress toward placing the industry on a sound and permanent basis until it cleans its own house, reduces excessive rates to con- sumers and eliminates the malprac- tices and abuses which are responsible for its present condition.” ‘Would Involve All Activities. ‘The survey the President has in mind would apply principally to navy yards and large plants such as the Bureau of Engraving and the Gov- ernment Printing Office in this city. Of course, the President’s idea is to extend this survey to all activities under Federal control. President Roosevelt's plan in this respect was learned at the White House today following the announce- ment in New York City yesterday that Morris P. Davidson, commissioner of water supply, gas and electricity of (Continued on Page 4, Column 7.) COMPOSER-CONDUCTOR, DESPONDENT, A SUICIDE By the Associated Press. HARTFORD, Conn, December 18.—The hand that held the baton for orchestras in Europe and Amer- dca has turned upon Christian Kriens. The b54-year-old composer-con- ductor-violinist shot himself at his home last night. Police attributed his suicide to despondency after the failure of a radio station to renew his contract as musical director and to his subsequent inability to make a satisfactory musical connection in New York. Kriens, a native of Dresden, Ger- many, came to America in 1901 and, among other engagements, conducted French opera at New Orleans and played with the first violin choirs of leading orchestras in Philadelphia and New York. He was a conductor 8t Amsterdam in 1926. B Admiral Coontz “Resting.” BREMERTON, Wash., December 18 (#).—Admiral Robert E. Coontz, re- tired, was reported “resting comfort- ably” early today at the Puget Sound Navy Yard Hospital, where he was taken after suffering a critical heart attack last Thursday. His condition remained serious, attendants said. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. City Heads Approve Modified | Parking Ban for Two Months 32 Arteries to Be Affected Between 2 and 8 AM. During January and | JEATHOFF STREETS February to Aid Snow Removal. Somewhat modified in scope, the night-time ban on parking of auto- mobiles on a long list of major thor- oughfares will be put into effect early in January under a decision reached this morning by the District Commis- sioners. The ban will apply to 32 traffic arteries over a stretch of something more than 50 miles, from 2 am. to 8 a.m. during January and February. The main objective of the plan is to have the streets free of automobiles during periods of heavy snowfall so that District forces will have the full- est opportunity to remove snow to prevent bad traffic tie-ups such eas have occurred in past Winters, ‘The ban will be put into effect over the protest of Commissioner George E. Allen, who has declared he believed it would work an undue hardship on hundreds of automobile owners for he Foening Star WASHINGTON," D. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1934—FORTY-SIX PAGES. ###% the amount of good accomplished. Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen, how- ever, believes the ban in the interest of the greatest number of residents. The action was decided upon at a brief conference between the three Commissioners at the Capitol this morning before they went into the hearing on the 1936 budget. Lieut. Col. Dan I. Sultan, Engineer Commis- sioner, sided with Commissioner Hazen. The plan originally was proposed by the Traffic Advisory Council, which proposed that the ban be applied to 58.3 miles along 33 traffic arteries. The original plan was to make the plan effective from December 15 to March 1 from 2 am. to 9:30 am. The Commissioners will issue their formal order in the next day or so. As agreed to this morning one of the (Continued on Page 5, Column 7. EUROPA IS RUSHING TOFREIGRTER'S AID Pounds Through Heavy Seas to Join Tanker at Side of Sisto. By the Assoclated Press. , NEW YORK, December 18.—The crack liner Europa pounded her way today to the aid of the small Nor- wegian freighter Sisto, with a crew of 30 aboard, which was wallowing helplessly in mountainous seas, her bridge, rudder and lifeboats washed away. The tanker Mobiloil already was &t the side of the stricken freighter, which came to grief approximately 660 niiles north of the Azores in the same vicinity where two other ships had encountered difficulty and sent out distress calls during the last few days. Pumps’ Oil Supply Low. The Mobiloil pumped oil on the sea all night in an attempt to calm the waters sufficiently to effect & rescue, but this morning her oil was running low and she broadcast a message asking how soon a ship with ofl could arrive. The liner President Harding, which picked up and relayed the appeal for oil, said a hurricane had blown all night, but was abating somewhat this morning. At that time the tanker had been unable to “do anything as yet.” The message from the Europa, signed by her master, Oskar Scharf, did not indicate when the giant liner would reach the Sisto. It was as- sumed here that Scharf had reduced the speed of his ship because of the weather. “Will not arrive New York before Saturday noon,” the Europa’s mes- sage said. “Weather very bad. Hur- ricane force. Storms from west. Going to assistance S. S. Sisto, 140 miles away. The message from the Mobiloil said the crew of the stricken ship wished to be taken off, and added, “Understand no immediate danger.” Other Vessels Rescued. In the same vicinity in the North Atlantic, the Japanese freighter Vic- toria Maru was lashed in a storm and her bridge was carried away. Her cap- tain and chief officer were killed and seven of her crew were injured. With the aid of other ships she managed to make port. A few days later the British freighter Usworth sent out an SOS and rescue ships found her decks awash and a gaping hole in her side. The Belgian liner, Jean Jadot, and the Cunard-White Star liner, Ascania, both sent boats to take off the Us- worth’s crew. One of the Jadot’s boats capsized, drowning two of her own men and 13 of the Usworth’s. Two more of the Usworth's crew were drowned in trying to reach a boat from the Ascania. The remaining 11 were taken aboard rescue ships, STORM ONE OF WORST Officers of Alaunia Describe Experi- ence at Sea. LONDON, December 18 (#).—One of the worst storms they ever had ex- perienced was described by officers and members of the crew of the liner Alaunia when the vessel arrived from New York today at Tilbury, 24 hours late. A great gale buffeted the liner for three days, they related. Passengers were kept below decks the entire time. The same fierce gale whipped the English Channel throughout last night. Several sailing barges reported themselves in distress and appealed for assistance from shore. There were no casualties, however. Rumanian Parliament Split By Controversy Over Lupescu (Cgpyright, 1034. by the Associated Press,) VIENNA, December 18.—Rumania’s red-headed apple of discord—King Carol's friend, Magda Lupescu—be- came the most burning topic of dis- cussion in that country’s Parliament today. Speeches involving her, however, were strictly suppressed in Bucharest, although some foreign legations have been receiving stenographic reports of | PesCU them from Rumanian informants. A speech which Juliu Maniu, leader of the Peasant party, planned to de- liver against Mme. Lupescu in the Chamber of Deputies was called off after a conference of the national Peasant party leaders. When Maniu sent newspapers a digest of what he had intended to say, its publication ‘was forbidden by the censor, Maniu's summary showed he in- tended a tirade, mainly in recapitula- tion of events surrounding Carol’s sudden return from Paris and seizure of the throne in 1930. Maniu’s action provoked a sharp counter-attack in the Senate on the part of former Premier Nikolai Jorga, who, without mentioning Mme. Lu- by name, excoriated Maniu for “dabbling in gossip unworthy of statesmen and characteristic of knaves and servants.” He said the Nation owed gratitude to the dynasty, and if sometimes the King sinned, it was because he was only human. “Those who do not sin,” he added, “usually do not because they are not able.” through heavy North Atlantic seas | FEDERAL LENDING DIVIDES INDUSTRY Leaders Receive With Mixed Opinion Plan for Net- work of Agencies. By the Associated Press. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va., December 18.—American indus- trial leaders, meeting to promote co- operation with the administration, re- ceived today with mixed opinions the plan for a Nation-wide network of Federal lending agencies. Some members privately expressed doubt of the practicability of the plan, recommended to Secretary Morgen- thau yesterday by special Treasury De- partment investigators. They declined to be quoted, however, explaining that the meeting itself may take up the subject. There was informal comment that individual banks should become more active immediately in lending money, with opinion divided as to whether there should be a cessation of Govern- ment lending. Determination was evinced by the 90 business executives, meeting as the “joint business conference for re- covery,” to end what is regarded as a period of exile from Government councils. One basic principle—that there should be a continuing committee to represent all business—underlay the study for a permanent liaison in the Capital among various business organ- ization, which could voice effectively the views of commerce before the ad- ministration and Congress. ‘The executives were careful to avoid the implication they are setting up a lobbying organization. They explained the theory behind the idea of the liaison is simply that business has failed to present its views adequately, and that its efforts in the administra- tion have been so diffused as to be ineffective. C. B. Ames, president of the Texas Co. and chairman of what he describes as the “epochal” conference, admitted past divergence of business opinion has weakened the cases of those who have opposed administration proposals and that only unanimity can give busi- ness legitimate authority. YULE GIFT 20 YEARS Domestic Sentenced for Hammer Slaying of Employer. NEW YORK, December 18 (#).—A 52-year-old domestic, Mrs. Katherine Phelan, was sentenced today to serve a 20-year-to-life prison term for the hammer slaying of her employer, Douglas Sheridan, 69, a broker. “Thank you for the Christmas pres- ent, your honor,” said Mrs. Phelan when General Sessions Judge Cor- nelius P. Collins told her the law compelled him to give her the sentence. A Shopping Guide A recent questionnaire sent by a Washington department store brought 2,682 replies from its charge account cus- tomers, indicating in which daily newspapers they read the advertisements as a shopping guide. Among the homes making these replies, 2,233 or 83% read the advertisements in The Evening Star as a shop- ping guide. The second after- noon paper was read as a shopping guide in 489 or 18% and the third afternoon paper in 349 or 13% of these homes. Yesterday’s Advertising (Local Display.) Lines. The Evening Star. 48,988 2nd Newspaper. ..., 20,129 3rd Newspaper. .. 19,508 4th Newspaper ..., 6,723 5th Newspaper..... 5,712 Total (névdings) 52,072 By using The Star as their outstanding advertising me- dium, Washington merchants present to readers of The Star the best and most varied items of attractive merchan- dise to be found in the local storess ! HAZEN SUMMONS OFFIGIALS TO KEEP Commissioner Alarmed at Mounting Toll of Traffic Fatalities. BROWN AND VAN DUZER CALLED FOR CONFERENCE Taxi Drivers Involved in Acci- dents May Have Permits Revoked. Police and traffic officials will confer with District Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen tomorrow morning on intensive efforts to devise means of keeping death off the highways of Wash- ington. Alarmed at the mounting toll of traffic fatalilies, the conference has been called by Commissioner Hazen. Traffic Director William A. Van Duzer, Supt. of Police Maj. Ernest W. Brown and Police Traffic Inspector Lamb have been invited to attend. Several suggestions which may lead to more rigid enforcement of traffic regulations already have been broached by those interested in the problem. These, among others, will be consid- ered tomorrow. Suggests “Vigilance Squad.” Foremost among them is the sug- gestion of Commissioner Hazen that a “vigilance squad” of motor cycle patrolmen be detailed to keep special watch on main traffic arteries. In groups of four or more, such a squad would spread & “net” over a single main street, the identity of which would not be announced in advance. During such a period a wholesale checking up on such offenses as speed- ing, reckless driving, failure to give right of way, weaving in and out of line, stopping or turning Without signal and running over crosswalks would be made. Offenders would be given either summonses or warnings, depending upon the degree of their offense. Taxicab drivers involved in accl- dents after the first of the year and who have unfavorable records will have their operator's permits imme- diately suspended, followed by recom- mendations to the District Commis- sioners that they be revoked alto- gether, it was announced today by M. O. Eldridge, assistant director of traffic and a member of the Hackers' Re- viewing Board. Records show that taxicabs have been involved in a great many of the accidents reported, although few of them have been in accidents resulting in fatalities, Eldridge said. Would Test Cars. . Another suggestion is advanced by Traffic Director Van Duzer, who pro- poses to get at one of the roots of the trouble by driving “non-usable” automobiles off the streets. This could be accomplished, he said, by compulsory examination of cars at least twice a year to determine whether brakes, lights and other safety equip- ment are in operating order. As one of the little used weapons of enforcement, the Corporation Coun- sel’s office informed the Commissioners todey that the District traffic act car- ries police authority to impound cars improperly parked. Improper park- ing has been declared the cause of many of the recent accidents and Dis- trict officials revealed that impound- ment procedure has been under con- sideration before. May Ask New Laws. In addition to more rigid“enforce- ment of present regulations, Commis- sioner Hazen declared today that addi- tional legislation may be asked of Congress in the form of financial re- sponsibility requirements for _car owners and taxi cab operators. Such a law failed of passage last year but conditions at present may improve its chances, it was said. Hazen also has instructed Van Duzer to prepare a report on a study of the causes of individual traffic accidents of serious nature. He believes that this will give a guide to immediate causes of accidents, but he is convinced the general public attitude toward obedi- ence to traffic rules is a main factor for consideration. Coincident with these proposals, two automobile clubs, the Keystone and the A. A. A, announced recom- mendations designed to bring greater traffic safety. Increased utilization of automobile traffic direction equip- ment was suggested by the first or- ganization, while the second pro- posed a vigorous Congressional drive ~(Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) P I S SR EE MOSLEY IS ACQUITTED OF RIOTOUS ASSEMBLY Judge Agrees ‘“No Case” Crown Established During Fascist Meeting. for By the Associated Press. LEWES, England, December 18.— Sir Oswald Mosley, ardent leader of British Fascism, and three followers were acquitted today of charges of riotous assembly. The judge agreed with the conten- tion that “no case” had been made and directed the jury to find all four not guilty in a suit based on a dis- order at a Fascist meeting October 9. One witness testified he saw Mosley. strike & man on the jaw and yell to the crowd, “You haven't the guts to stand up to us.” The witness admit- ted he attended the meeting to dis- tribute anti-Fascist propaganda. Guide for Readers Amusements Comics ... Features Finances ..... Lost and Found .. HE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS NO REORGANIZATioN AT THIS TIME, MISTER. BORAH ¢ Roosevelt Seeks \ R \ W\, \\ 3 e A Remodeling Library of Congress Exterior David Lynn Asked by President to Con- sider Removal of Dome to Effect Architectura BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT. President Roosevelt has suggested a comprehensive plan for remodeling of the exterior of the Library of Con- gress. No definite statement has been issued concerning the matter, but it is known that the Chief Executive has requested David Lynn, architect of the Capitol, to take the subject under consideration. The project is 4ntended to bring the Library structure into architec- tural harmony with its environment —the Capitol, the new Supreme Court Building, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Senate and House office buildings and the Library annex now under construction. It is indicated Mr. Roosevelt be- lieves the entire edifice should be re- 1l Harmony. faced and the dome removed. The latter, the President thinks, is “out of tune” with the Capitol dome and, therefore, should be eliminated. His attitude is supported by professional critics who for years have insisted that the modified Italian Renaissance style of the Library contradicts the Classic style of other monumental structures in Washington. The carved exterior decorations, have argued, are “ginger bread.” Approximately $1,000.000 would be required to meet the expenses of the work, but several members of Con- gress, it is said, are ready to introduce legislation to make the money avail- able. The library is 470 feet long by 340 (Continued on Page 3, Column 2.) LONG IS DEFEATED ON SCHOOL RULE Fiery Attack Forces Change in Bill for Teacher Patronage. By the Associated Press. BATON ROUGE, La., December | 18.—Senator Huey P. Long foday | abandoned legislative objectives that would have placed the hiring of 15,000 school teachers under his control, as fiery opposition denunciation of that and other “kingfish” bills was voiced by Representative G. W. Lester of West Feliciana. Lester denounced the Senator as & “modern Nero” and a “political mad- man” and the legislators “putty-faced stooges” for yielding to his dictates. Pink-shirted and grinning, on the House Speaker’s dais, Long heard the excorciation in silence. Verbal Duel Halted. A group of Long' administrationists tried to challenge Lester, but after the anti-Long law-maker engaged in a verbal duel with Representative I W. Sharp, Long's floor leader stopped other administrationists from speak- ing. 'Deepne Lester's Philippic, the bill passed as drawn 61 to 28, but with a promise from the administration forces to amend it in the Senate to meet Lester’s objections. ‘We, as legislators, are called upon to take from the people the last vestige of tehir local political rights as guaranteed by the Federal and State Constitutions,” Lester shouted to the House. “Those bulwarks of our Democratic Government, the courts, the law en- forcement offices, and now the schools are to be surrendered to a viciously autocratic and tyrannical administra- tion for the selfish gain and political preferment of the faithful.” Begin Passing Bill. ‘The House began passing the Sena- tor's 33 dictator bills today at 10:15 a.m. A bill, taking away occupational license tax collection from the New Orleans tax collector and placing it under the State supervisor of public accounts, was passed, 56 to 25, the oppositionists mustering a relatively sizeable contrary vote. There- were a few antagonistic queries from New Orleans anti-Long old regular legislators when Long's bill to give him authority to appoint two license tax collectors in New Or- leans tax collector’s office was under discussion. Long arrived on the floor at 10:30 am. to find too many Representatives asking questions about the measures to please him. He at once began circulating among his followers and the questions, which ::re principally for information, sub- led. One bill, passed Without opposition, removes the State liquor tax from Louisiana wines, Former Pastor Convicted. SAN ANTONIO, Tex., December 18 (#)—W. D. Welburn, jr. former pastor of the Government Hill Metho- dist Church here, was convicted of assessed his punishment at seven years in the State penitentiary. @ } MINISTER JOINS WAR ON NUMBERS Rev. Stockdale Says Game Is Insidious Form of Gambling. Rev. Allen A. Stockdale, pastor of the First Congregational Church, be- lieves that one of the most insidious forms of gambling is exemplified in the numbers game. Dr. Stockdale is heartily in sympathy with The Star, the Post, the Herald and the Times in their refusal to print the winning numbers, as totaled from race track results. “Witia the four radio stations and the newspapers banded together to suppress information of value only to the gamblers,” said Dr. Stockdale, “this game may be effectively curbed until such time as laws are amended or strengthened to help police and prosecutors wipe it out.” “The numbers game is an evil in- fluence,” Dr. Stockdale said, “because it puts temptation in the path of young boys, teaching them a bitter phumpl&. Public opinion should be aroused against the game. The Star is doing this admirably. There is a difference between arousing pub- lic opinion and wooing it. When once public opinion is properly awakened the numbers game will go out.” MISS GOW REPORTED ON WAY TO AMERICA May Be Traveling Under Name of “Taylor” in Coming Here for Hauptmann Trial. By the Assoclated Press. LONDON, December 18—Rumors that Betty Gow, former Lindbergh nurse, was headed for the United States as a witness in the murder trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, caused a widespread check today as to where Miss Gow might be. ‘The rumors said she was on the Anchor liner Caledonia and on the S. S. Aquitania, both of which are headed for New York. The rumor regarding the latter ship, however, was pretty well dissipated when its purser answered “not on board” to a radio query. ‘The mystery was all the deeper be- cause . the former nurse has, for months past, avolded the public gen- erally at her home in Glasgow. ‘The local offices of the Anchor Line confirmed a report that a woman who booked under the name “Viv- ien M. Taylor” sailed on the Caledonia from Glasgow December 12. The ship is due in New York December 20. Miss Gow’s mother’s name is Taylor. ‘There was another rumor at South= ampton that Miss Gow had boarded the Aquitania there sailing for New York this morning under the name of Taylor. This rumor was not confirmed, however. Mrs. Walter Camp Dies. NEW HAVEN, Conn., December 18 (P)—Mrs. Walter Camp, widow of Yale’s famous foot ball authority, died today after an illness of some length. Only 6 Shopping Days Until Christmas Yesterday’s Circulation, 125,792 AW | be presented to the British govern-| these objectors | | Admiral Mineo Osumi, Some Returns Not Yet Recelved. UP) Means Associated Press. JAPANESE T0 ASK NEWPARLEY DATE Aim Officially Said to Be Adequate Preparation for Further Talks. By the Assoclated Press. TOKIO, December 18.—Japan's de- sire for a definite date for resumption | of the present preliminary naval treaty conversations in London will ment tomorrow, in accordance with | instructions from the Japanese gov- ernment to its London envoy. Foreign Minister Hirota cabled Am- bassador Tsuneo Matsudaira tonight | lo order that the Japanese hope for resumption of the parleys be included | in the communique, in which the Lon- don Conference will announce its ad- Jjournment. It was officially explained that the Japanese desire to fix a date for re- sumption of the conference, probably in March, is to permit the Tokio | government to prepare adequately for further talks and possibly give Ad- miral Yamamoto a chance to return to Tokio, report and receive further instructions before he goes back to | London again. However, it is known that the Jap- anese government is anxious to have the United States and Great Britain committed to writing on such resump- | tion prior to the Japanese govern- ment’s abrogation of the Washington | naval treaty of 1922, believing that | such action would prevent the United | States from charging that the abro- gation destroyed the preliminary naval talks, as well as the prospects for a 1935 naval conference. Although Premier Keisuke Okada, minister of | the navy, and Hirota conferred | lengthily yesterday and today con- | cerning the so-called Chatfield-Yama- moto compromise suggestions made a London, a source close to the govern- ment said an agreement had not been reached, and further consultations were necessary before the delegates were instructed concerning future ac- tion. —_— HITLER PRESSING MORAL CLEAN-UP Fuehrer Directs New Purge at Storm Troops—600 Are Arrested. By the Associated Press. BERLIN, December 18.—The sud- den cancellation of leaves of a number of secret police indicated today that Adolf Hitler's moral clean-up would be extended throughout Ger- many. Many police who were here on vaca- tions hurried back to their home towns to receive orders, as yet undisclosed. Raids in Berlin and its suburbs upon bars and public baths have netted 600 arrests. Hitler's latest “purge” is di- rected chiefly at ranks of his Storm ‘Troops. Many of the raided haths, some in exclusive sections, police said, were centers of abnormality. Open rumors assert perverts have been attracted to Storm Troop ranks and this was offi- cially announced as a reason for Hit- ler’s bloody purge of last June, in which scores were summarily shot. There were indications that the “moral scourge” will have a far-reach- ing political effect. Some of the 600 persons thus far arrested have been given jail sen- tences. Three of the raided resorts TWO CENTS. BELL OMITS PLEA FORACQUITTALAS CASE NEARS JURY Defense Claims “Great Change” ir Accused—Asks Jury to Forgive. STATE ASKS CONVICTiON AFTER REVIEWING TRIAL Partial Insanity Not Sufficient to Release Prisoner, Judge ‘Warns Jurors. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Decem- ber 18—“The Edward C. Bell we knew is gone, although his living body sits befofe you. ‘This defense plea was advanced today by Defense Counsel W.W. Butz- ner to & jury ready to receive the Commonwealth’s case against Bell, 60-year-old civic leader, charged with six poison attempts on the life of his invalid wife, The case is expected to reach the jury by 3 pm. Bell showed signs of emotion for the first time when Butzner described him as a man whose new personality rendered him a stranger in a com- munity he once led in business, church and civic affairs. No mention of acquittal for Bell was made in Butzner's closing argu- ment. Speaking after Acting Common- wealth's Attorney Albeit V. Bryan had asked for conviction of the defendant, Butzner pointed out what he said were weaknesses in the chain of circum- stantial evidence against the accused, but he did not ask for acquittal. “Forgive Him.” Concluding his address, the first of three by defense counsel, Butzner said of Bell, “Forgive him, he knew not what he did.” ‘The jury earlier had been in- structed by Judge Frederick Coleman to acquit the defendant if it believed that at the time of the alleged act he was insane and not responsible. Another instruction said, however, that partial insanity would not be sufficient to release from responsibility if the defendant was able to realize the nature and consequences of his act or was able to restrain himself had he so willed. If the jury should agree on a verdict of acquital in the belief the defendant committed the crimes with which he is charged, but was not responsible because of a diseased mind, the ver- dict must specifically state that the accused is not guilty Because of in- sanity, the court instructed. The court in its instructions told the jury it could convict on one to six of the 12 counts in the indictment and could fix the punishment at from three to 18 years on each. Four and a half hours had been allotted for argument with Bryan opening for the Commonwealth. State Makes Plea. Bryan began by declaring the prose- cution would not attempt to convict unless there was guilt beyond & rea- sonable doubt “The commonwealth feels that each and every count in the indictment before you has been proved,” Bryan declared. “We started off with testimony of those~two stalwarts, Miss Ruth Hill and Mrs. Viola Jones, the nurses whose vigilance saved the life of their patient, Mrs. Bell. “We find Mrs. Bell suffering from slow poisoning and +we find the ac- cused fiendishly asking as to his vie- tim's health. Day by day he asked if his wife could get out of her bed. “Imagine this situation: “Two nurses in attendance upon an invalid who was being systematically poisoned by a person almost above suspicion. What could they do? The poison _attempts were cunning and (Continued on Page 3, Column 2.) ROBINSON, SOUGHT IN KIDNAPING, SEEN Minneapolis Police Cars Mobilized in Hunt After Report He Was Sighted. By the Associated Press. MINNEAPOLIS, December 18— Thomas H. Robinson, sought by the Department of Justice as the kidnaper of Mrs. Olive Stoll of Louisville, Ky., was reported seen here today and all police radio cars were warned to watch for the fugitive. Police said a man believed to be Robinson had been seen driving an automobile with Iowa license plates on the outskirts of the Loop. The automobile was rented yesterday at Moline, Ill, by a person garbed in were closed. woman’s clothing. Duck Hunters Lose Battle Against Ice in Delaware Bay By the Associated Press. CAPE MAY, N. J., December 18.— Two hunters who scrambled from one ice cake to another, gaining mo- mentary safety after their skiff was crushed by grinding ice floes, were lost today in the icy waters of Dela- ware Bay. . For three hours they leaped for their lives yesterday, while Coast Guard boats and a seaplane tried in vain to reach them, only to be tossed at last to death. The men, unidentified as their bodies were lost in the ice, were almost within reach of the cruiser from which they had set out in the skiff, when their desperate struggle Fred M. Pepper of Reeds Beach, who watched from shore and sum- moned Coast Guardsmen, said he saw the cruiser leave Dennis Creek and anchor ebout a mile from shore after forcing its way through drift ice. - apparently were duck hunt- ers,” he said. “They wore heavy clothes and boots -and put guns into their small boat.” Police tried to put out to the rescue in skiffs, but the grinding ice made this impossible. A seaplane arrived half an hour later and circled low in an attempt to reach the marooned men, Two Coast Guard patrol boats rushed up the bay from Cape May, directed to the spot by the plane. When they arrived the men had dis- a “