Evening Star Newspaper, December 21, 1934, Page 5

STORE 1S SWEPT BY 30,000 FIRE Fighters 'urt at Blaze at Harris Jewelry Store on F Street. The five-alarm fire which raged through the basement and first floor of the R. Harris & Co. jewelry store, 1101 F street, during the early morn- ing hours today, crippling its business at the height of the Christmas season, caused damage to building and stock roughly estimated by Fire Department officials at $50,000. Despite parched and smoke-dark- ened walls throughout the six-story brick structure, plans were begun to- day for an early reopening. The floor of the main show room, weakened by charred supporting beams, was con- demned by the District building in- spector, but the possibility of bracing it with steel girders was being dis- cussed. Two firemen were injured as they fought the flames. Lieut. Fred Lit- teral, No. 3 Engine Company, received severe cuts on the left wrist from fall- ing glass as he climbed the fire escape on the Eleventh street side of the building. Comrades rushed him to Emergency Hospital. Pinned Against Wall Pvt. Robert MacNeely, No. 2 Engine Company, wes pinned against the basement wall by a powerful stream of water and badly bruised. Albert Sigmund, the manager, was unable to estimate the value of the stock. The fire apparently started in the rear of the basement, which is used as a shipping and storage room, according to Fire Inspectors Ira C. Keppler and R. C. Roberts, who took charge of evaluating the damage this morning. The heat and flames melted large quantities of silverware there. Ascending smoke tarnished silverware and jewelry on the upper floors, all of which are occupied by the jewelry concern. Call for More Fighters. The first alarm was turned in at 12:10 am,, and firemen who reached the scene immediately called for more apparatus. Shortly afterward all the city's regular fire fighting equipment had been called into service at the sounding of the fifth alarm. Although the theater crowds had dispersed some time before the fire broke out, the blaze attracted a dense gathering. Spectators lined F and Eleventh streets from curb to build- ing line and impeded firemen until the arrival of police reserves. Shortly after the first alarm, Chief Engineer Schrom took charge of the battle. Maj. Ernest W. Brown, super- intendent of police, several of his in- spectors and captains and a detail of detectives turned out to control the crowd and to prevent possible looting of the store's stock. Smoke Pours From Top. Although the fire was confined prin- cipally to the basement and first floor, smoke ascended a stairway and poured in a heavy stream from the top story. creating the impression among spectators that the entire struc- ture was afire. The firemen were so impeded by smoke that an Eleventh atreet show window had to be broken and all the basement trapdoors in the sidewalks opened. At the height of the fire, smoke became so dense the Hyatts- ville Fire Department was asked to furnish a smoke ejector to pump out the building so the fire fighters could work. Flashlights mounted on fire appa- ratus were played on the structure from F and G streets and their beams were visible throughout the down- town section, attracting spectators who had not heard the clamor of the engines. Hose Covers Streets. A maze of hose covered F, G and Fleventh streets and blocked the passage of street cars for about two hours. Firemen erected ladders to the top floor of the building on the F' street side and others mounted the fire escape on the Eleventh street side to pour water on the blaze from various angles. All of the city's water towers were called into play. After the flames had been brought under control, several employes of the company arrived at the store and were admitted to the first floor. Although the flames did not reach above the street floor, the heat was £0 intense that walls were parched und peeled from top to bottom of the building. The first alarm was turned in by Dominic Vincent, assistant manager of Loft's candy store nearby. Smell- ing smoke, he went to investigate. Seeing nothing he was about to leave when flames shot up from under a show window. P.W.A.ORDERS NEW ROCK CREEK STUDY $10,000 Set Aside for Survey of Drainage Area in Flood Control Work. Flood control studies of Rock Creek drainage areas in Maryland and the District of Columbia are to be made under a $10.000 P. W. A. allotment authorized by Secretary Ickes. This study will tie in with the study of pollution in Rock Creek be- ing conducted by the Public Health Service. Public works officials said the newly allotted funds will provide for a complete topographical survey of Rock Creek Valley and adjacent streams with a view to controlling ex- cessive flow in the creek during and after heavy rainfall. Both projects are under supervision ef the National Park Service. The flood control studies, it was indicated, would be followed up by extensive sewer construction work in the drainage area, two-thirds of which is situated in Maryland. 24-FOOT FLORAL PIECE HONORS PARK DIRECTOR By the Assoclated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, December 31.— A great floral bust portrait of the “father” of Golden Gate Park has been designed as a tribute of em- ployes to John McLaren, director of San Francisco's park system for 47 years. The occasion was 88th birthday. Five varieties of heather formed McLaren's head. Box wood was used as background and for facial shadows. Pampas grass circled the neck as & collar, while centuria simulated Mc- Laren's gray hair. Even his polka dot tie was reproduced with cotton Easter berries. And below the portrait, 24 feet square, box wood and flowers extend this greeting: ;I-m Birthday, John McLaren!™ A view at the height of the fire last night in the R. Harris & Co. jewelry store. Photo taken at inter- Hose strewn over tracks on F, G and Eleventh streets kept late homegoers section of Eleventh and F streets. from riding the street cars for more than two hours. PILLORY CASE JUDGE UNAFRAID OF SUIT Three Chained in Public for Re- fusing to Work Out Fine Seek $75,000 Damages. By the Associated Press. PAINTSVILLE, Ky., December 21.— Police Judge R. A. Patrick said today he is “not afraid” of the outcome of- the suits for $75.000 damages filed yesterday against him and other offi- cials by three youths he ordered chained to posts when they refused to work. James Price, Oscal “Blackie” Pel- phrey and William Dills were chained on the street with 25-pound iron balls shackled to their legs on December 5 on their refusal to work out fines 1m- posed for drunkenness. Asked what he thought of their demands, Judge Patrick said: “I don't know. I don't know. These boys have been in court for the last several years; I didn't think they could get anybody to represent them ;u; * they tried everybody in Paints- e.” THE GIFT STORE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE For the 42nd Christmas Wash- ingtonians are coming to A. Kahn Inc. for ... DIAMONDS Platinum Diamond Wedding Band $25 10 diamonds set in new design plati- num band ... others to $250 Jewelers Stationers Hyattsville Loans Equipment N eeded | To Combat Blaze Nation’s Capital Forced to Borrow Smoke Ejector. The great City of Washington, with | its excellent fire fighting record, had to call on the little town of Hyatts-| ville, Md., early today for a piece of | apparatus not included among t.he! Capital's array of equipment. The apparatus is a smoke ejector, | a piece of equipment which pumps | fresh air in and draws the smoke| out of buildings without causing a draft to fan the flames. It was brought to Washington to clear the smoke from the R. Harris & Co. Building. more than a year ago and at that | time it was said to be the only ejector east of Chicago. fighting fires where there is heavy DIAMONDS WATCHES—SILVER LAMPS AND CLOCKS Platinumsmiths A.Kahn Jnc. Arthur J. Sundlun, Pres. 42 Years at 935 F St. OPEN 8 AM. TO § P.M. Specially Priced for Christmas AGenuine Top Grain Leather Gladstone The Hyattsville Fire Department |: bought the smoke ejector a little | Its value in | A Fitted Overnite Case, genuine leather, with five fittings. Special $9Q.50 Others in @ range of prices, leathers, colors and 1935 styles. Other 1935 numbers ot attractive prices. TOPHAMS, Inc. FACTORY AND RETAIL SHOW ROOM Third and Eye Streets Northeast Ask for sample hey case, free to each Purchaser £ Bishop of Washington, will deliver the Christmas message. ] Secretary of War George’ H. Dern FRSTLADYTOAD P SHLVATION ARMY (52 | Wil Distribute 750 Baskets|: —Star Stafl Photo, smoke was proved in a Chicago fire several years ago when it was cred- ited with saving the lives of 16 persons. E. H. Harriman Aide Dies. KNOXVILLE, Tenn., December 21 (®).—Arthur Le Grande Woollen, 69, for 18 years consulting engineer for the late railroad builder and financier, E. H. Harriman, died at his home here yesterday. at Annual Christmas Eve Party. Mrs. Franklin D, Roosevelt will dis- tribute 750 Christmas baskets, filled with good things to eat, to needy Dis- trict families Monday afternoon while several members of Washington's of- ficlal circle and society take part in the annual Christmas eve party of the :uuunn Army at its headquarters ere. After the baskets have been dis- tributed in the one-hour ceremony, beginning at 1:30 p.m, toys will be given to over 1,000 -children in the services at 7 o'clock. Navy Band to Play. The United States Navy Band will play during the party, in which Sal- vation Army Maj. James Asher will preside. With the arrival of Mrs. Roosevelt at 2:30 o'clock, guests will be welcomed by Isaac Gans, president of the Advisory Board of the Salva- tion Army, and a short prayer will be offered by Rev. Oscar F. Blackwelder, pastor of the Church of the Reform: tion, Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Jewelry Shop at the friendly store— you're always greeted with a smile—with no obligation to buy. Specializing in Perfect Diamonds And All Standard ‘American Watches & The Finst Genuine $ e Fine: enuine § g * L4 . CULTURED 3 PEARL § NECKLACES $14.00 up. Complete Line of Gifts M. Wurtzburger Co. 901 G St. NNW. 9oen Charge Accounts Inivted Salvatove Qesw Jewelers For the Convenience of Our Patrons This Store Will Remain Open Tonight, Saturday Night and Monday Night Until *yx IPM. x o x GENUINE IMPORTED SCOTCH GRAIN by MARTIN of GLASGOW It's the best there is, and we have used more of it during the last ten years than any Shoe Manufacturer in America—and this year our Factory is using nothing else but Martin's Genuine Imported Scotch Grain. This Wingtip Scotch Brogue isa rugged Winter Oxford with a lot of Weight, Wear and 5 Warmth. It looks good in Fair Weather and feels good in Rough has a Stout Oil Treated Flexible Oak- tanned Sole and Solid Leather Heel. In Regal Stores It Is Only ONE OF A HUNDRED — BUT ONE OF THE BEST REGAL 915917 Pennsylvanip Ave, 926 F Street N.W. ' Trick Pig Brings $177. KANSAS CITY, December 21 (#).— A trained pig whi¢h had grown too large for performances was sold for :l‘n;_’ ubenem of Mercy Hospital for HAIRCUTS PRESCRIBED Jobhfl' Get Shine and Shave, Too, for Christmas Cheer. about 400 per day at & of the State emergency relief istration. “Nothing bolsters a mar’s spirit 1il & haircut, shave and shine,” sal Pilling, assistant F. E. R. A. istrator. "Bond’s Christmas |Spree saved me a nice piece of chan e new suit.” Pick from a brand new lot of $32.50 quality Weather—because it BOLTON WORSTEDS —and pay. only. 23 including two trousers { \ It's high time somebody prepared something for the many men who want new clothes for the holidays. We don't see why they always should have to put-up with the season’s left-overs. That's why we planned this one week “Christmas Spree”! It brings you an entirely new, and very complete, selection of distinguished Bolton Worsteds — featuring a world of double-woven oxford greys, keen- looking check-weaves, and the popular new university ploids @ @ And to complete the job, we've added a timely dash of price appeal. All of these Boltons are today’s accepted $32.50 quality. Our * Christmas Spree” price is 825 (including 2 trousers) ® ® Make a date to make merry (and save money) at Bond's “Christmas Spree”. It ends Saturday night. —and of course, OVERCOATS! /; Sedan Fleeces and Royal Meltons SHOES ' CLOTHES 1335 FN.W. PAYMENT PLAN This service costs you nothing extra. Simply pay $5 at purchase, split the fl restovertenweeks lfh and that's all! k4