Evening Star Newspaper, July 17, 1935, Page 19

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- Wash - WRS JENCES T FOR CATICISH OF .. PROSECTOR Prettyman Was Accused of Malfeasance in-Loan - Shark Laxity. MRS. NORTON LEADS ATTACK ON INDIANAN Palmisano Joins With House D. C. Committee Head in Regret- ting Accusations. BY JAMES E. CHINN. Salvos of criticism were fired in the House District Committee today at Representative Jenckes, Democrat, of Indiana for her recent attack on Cor- poration Counsel E. Barrett Pretty- man. Mrs. Jenckes a week ago charged Prettyman with malfeasance in office on the ground he had failed to enforce the existing loan shark law. Inci- dentally, she criticized Commissioner Hazen for his connection with a building and loan association. Chairman Norton led the attack on Mrs. Jenckes by branding her charges as “most unfair.” Representative Pal- misano, Democrat, of Maryland joined in the denunciation by expressing his Tegret over her statements. Mrs. Jenckes Replies Briefly, Mrs. Jenckes replied briefly. She pointed out Prettyman had said he was not enforcing the loan shark law and declared: “If you can’'t take a man at his own statement, what are you going to do?” Palmisano paved the way for the attack on Mrs, Jenckes by calling at- tention to her criticism of Prettyman at last week's meeting of the commit- tee which he dic not attend. He also deplored the fact that the bill to| regulate the small loan business had been returned to the Judiciary Sub- committee, which he heads, for re- ‘tonsideration “I again say,” declared Palmisano, “that I regret the remarks made at the last meeting with reference to the corporation counsel and the com- missioner in view of the fact that the member - or members criticizing the corporation counsel and the commis- sioners are not aware of the circum- stances that produced this bill.” Mrs. Norton immediately joined Palmisano in criticizing the return of the bill to the subcommittee. “A condition of that kind is very bad,” she declared, “I hope it will never happen again.” Later in the discussion Mrs. Norton turned on Mrs. Jenckes with & strong defense of Prettyman. “The corporation counsel has acted very fair with the committee,” she said. “I have the utmost confidence in him, and I don’t think he would do anything that is not in the best interests of the people of the District. Hazen Charge Ridiculous, “As to the charge against Commis- sioner Hazen for his connection with a building association, that is ridicu- Jous. It is not worth considering or commenting on.” In the midst of the debate, Repre- sentative Hull, Progiessive, of Wis- consin, who was insirumental in forc- ing the return of the small loan bill to the subcommitice, warned em- phatically he would fight the measure if it was ever called up on-the floor of the House. “This bill,” he ceclared, “provides for legalized extortion. I do not in- tend to, mince ary words. Whatever :tnngth I have I wili use to defeat t.” Palmisano also prevented action on all but one measure by threatening to Taise a point of no quorum. The bnly bill revorted out is one authorizing the Benevolent Pra‘ective Order of Elks of the World to use the public parks during irs convention in August. Reports on D. C. Measures. Mrs. Norton, at the outset of the meeting, made a report on the status of District legislation that has passed through her committee. She ex- plained that 18 bills had been en- acted into law, 2 others had the House and Senate but had not yet been signed by the President, and that 11 more had passed- the House and are pending in the Senate. Mrs. Norton also pointed out that Monday, the next regular District day in the House, may be the last at the present session and urged all members of her committee to be on the floor to aid in the passage of the important bills on the calendar. 50 PATIENTS POISONED BY WALTER REED FOOD Three Attendants Also Ill After Eating—All Are “Completely Recovered” of Attack. Officials of Walter Reed Hospital today were investigating an attack of food poisoning which yesterday af- reported. & Lieut. Col. Michael A. Dailey said the poisoning was “very mild” and that no one had developed any serious after effects. Three attendants in the general DR. HALL IMPROVING ington News he Fne ning Star 7 WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1935. Striking Electricians Return To $1,250,000 Interior Project Government A grees to Postpone Re- pairs on Which Non-Union Labor Was Employed. Striking electriclans who halted a $1,250,000 improvement job at the In- terior Department nine days ago were back at work today after the Gov- ernment agreed to postpone repairs on which non-union labor was em- ployed. The strike was settled last mid- night, according to John L. Nagle, National Park Service engineer. The electricians had walked out when the Industrial Power Equipment Co. of Baltimore put non-union men cn the job of changing the building from di- rect to alternating current. Non-Union Men Blamed. “The strike was caused by the presence of non-union workmen in the building and it was found possible to postpone work on which these work- men were engaged until the contracts previously in operation can be fin- ished,” Nagle declared. Because of the electrical strike, air conditioning and elevator construction, aggregating $1,250,000, was halted. The Industrial Power Equipment Co. was awarded a contract for $48,856 on July 1 and the strike began a week afterward. Members of the building trades, including electricians, carpen- ters, painters and others, walked off WBS0WORK | GIVEN APPROVAL Alexandria to Pay 55 Per Cent and Rest Is Gov- ernment Grant. By & Staff Correspondent of The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 17—A new public works program calling for the expenditure of $823,500 in construction of permanent improve- ments here was given definite approval by City Council last night before the body adjourned until September 1. Of the total outlay, 55 per cent, or $452,925, is to be paid by Alexandria, and 45 per cent, or $370,575, will be a Government grant. The program, which was approved with the understanding that separate projects of it will be undertaken at sufficient intervals to permit the absorption of Alexandria labor with- out bringing in ocutside workers, was divided as follows: Two hundred and seventy-two thousand five hungdred dollars for streets, roads and roadways, including $103,000 for reconstruction of Russell road with s 32-foot macadam sur- face and 4-foot curb and gutter sid- ings, $52,000 for construction of a new freight truck route paralleling the Richmond, Predericksburg & Po- | tomac Railway Co. tracks, and $44,- 300 for improvement of Braddock road. Two hundred and seventy-six thou- sand dollars for storm and combined sewers, including $165,000 for drain- ing the old canal basin via St. Asaph street to permit discontinuance of the North Washington street dump. One hundred thousand dollars for new buildings, including $35,000 for 16-room annex to the city hall; $30,- 000 for a new fire engine house and $35,000 for an incinerator for city gar- bage disposal. One hundred thousand dollars for additional curb and gutter work, $50,- 000 for sanitary sewers and $25,000 for improvements to school grounds. In adopting the program the Coun- cil omitted a previously discussed project for the erection of a sewage plant, estimated to cost $200,~ 000. The neglection of this project leaves Alexandria as the only locality in the metropolitan area that has not taken steps to end pollution of the Potomac River. Although Mayor E. C. Davison classed the report of the city’s three Jail commissioners, which recommend- ed extensive improvements to the Alexandria lock-up, as “sentimental,” and Councilman J. T. Ashton declared he did not favor “an air-cooled hotel passed | for jailbirds,” the Copncil directed City Manager E. C. Dunn to make whatever recommendations necessary to put the jail in “a safe and sanitary condition.” The sum of $500 was appropriated to pay expenses of the Citizens’ Band to the Virginia State Firemen’s Con- vention in August, and $19,000 was allocated for construction of sewers on Monroe avenue, in vicinity of Hume Springs, on Glendale avenue and on the block bound by West, Payne, Madison and Wythe streets. To reimburse the general fund for construction projects carried out in 1933-4 and proposed for 1935, city' council authorized the issuance of $150,000 funding bonds to be amor- tized dver a period of years. The bonds will cover expenditures of | $38,300 made*in 1933, $31,800 in 1934 and $62,700 proposed for this year. City Manager Dunn reported $35,000 as an estimate for the erec- tion of two comfort stations in Alex- andria. He was directed to report on By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ROCKVILLE, Md,, July 17.—Life is elopement after the job. This tied up work being done by the York Ice Machinery Corp. of York, Pa.; the Harwood-Nebel Con- struction Co., 2539 Pennsylvania ave- nue, and the Westinghouse Electric Elevator Co., 1209 I street—all of whom employ union labor. 500 Workers Affected. Labor authorities said some 500 workers were affected by the strike. In an effort to settle the dispute, the conciliation service of the Labor De- partment was brought into play and Commissioner Howard T. Colvin was assigned to iron out the difficulty. A round table conference was held, presided over by Commissioner Colvin and attended by spokesmen for union labor including John Locher, secretary of the Washington Building Trades Council, officials of the Industrial Power Equipment Co. and authori- ties of the National Park Service. Having brought the disputants to- gether and explored avenues of settle- ment the Federal Government left the problem in the hands of the two con- testants. As an outgrowth of these negotiations, Nagel was enabled to an- nounce today that an amicable settle- ment had been reached. THREE INTERESTS FIGHT FOR W.-B.A. Pennsylvania, B. & 0. and Bondholders Seek Line in Receivership. By tho Associated Press. BALTIMORE, July 17.—Two rail- roads and a group of bondholders to- day were on the lists in a battle to ob- tain possession of portions of the State’s transportation stepchild, the ‘Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railroad. The electric line, in the hands of receivers for a number of years, has risen in recent weeks from the status of a utility about to be abandoned to the point where it is now a bone of contention for the Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio Railroads and the W. B. & A. bondholders. At a hearing before Judge Willilam C. Coleman in United States District Court yesterday the conflicting inter- ests seeking {0 gain possession of the line argued the'r cases. Judge Cole- man ended the proceedings by taking the matter under advisement pending a decision later this week. holders of the Annapolis Short Line, highest bidders for the North Shore Line in the recent auction, Edgar Allen Poe, local attorney, told the court the bondholders plsnned to spend $300,- 000~in improving the line. He said an agreement with the Bal- timore & Ohic Railroad had been reached wherely the eleciric line could use the 8. & . terminal at Camden street here, as well as a por- tion of the railroad’s trackage. In exchange, Poe said, the W., B. and A. would turn over to the steam road one-third of its net receipts. However, he pointed out, a projected loan from the R. F. C. was the point on which the plans of the bondhoid- ers hinged. He had not heard of the aproval of the loan, he said. Competition Question, He asserted successful operation of the short line would depend largely on lack of competition, and that, if the Pennsylvanis Railroad purchaseq the Annapolis-Fort Meade Junction (or south shore) route, as the Penn- sylvania has offered to do, neither service could be operated with profit. Counsel for the Pennsylvania Rafl- road contended the route to Fort Meade Junction and Odenton, where the W., B. and A.‘connects with the main line, offered a more direct route from Annapolis to Washingéon and offered passenger service to commut- ers in the area along the line. And, on the outskirts of the con- troversy, a Detroit manufacturin company is waiting to sell the ul mate owner of the line gasoline-driven bus-trains, suitable for operation on tracks and paved streets. BEAN PAID TRIBUTE Thaddeus R. Bean, recently retired traveling outfit by Supt. of Police Ernest W. Brown on behalf of fellow workers who served with and under him during his 40 years with the de- partment. The ~ presentatica was made at police headquarters. The former inspector and Mrs. Bean plan an extensive motor trip over the United States and Canada in the near future. Woman Injured in Fall Mrs. Lillie M. Soloman, 35, of 1408 Virginia Elopers, Twice Foiled, Taken Home as “Too Young” marriage license, but "his father, Ellis Walton, who arrived later in the day Sherift J. P 5 said he HPTE o L4 ] ML | it H il Bf ¢ Es f g { 5 5 f | : E i i I £ i | i AIRLINE MAY CUT D. . FROM ROUTE IN HIGHWAY ROW Eastern Official Says Plane Payload Cut Is Qut of Question. WOULD DROP AIRPORT IF ROAD STAY3 OPEN Action by Congress on:Phn for Sale of Right of Way Awaited. Rather than submit to A reduction of pay loads at Washington Airport as a means of avolding the hazard created by Military road, Eastern Air- lines will abandon all its s>rvice here, it was announced today hy Paul H. Brattain, general traffic iaanager of the line. Arbitrary reduction of the pay loads of all new high-speed airliners to enable them to get over Military road without the present danger of col- lision with automoblile trafi'c was sug- gested by officials of the Bureau of Air Commerce as one solu‘ion of the problem at the local airport. Cut Held Impossibie. It would be economically impossible to accept any cut in the number of passengers carried, Brattaln said to- day. “Eastern Airlines has served Wash- ington for six years,” Brattain said. “During that time it has increased its service, reduced its rates and pur- chased the most advanced equipment. Its Douglas plane schedules to New York, Miami and New Orleans have become tremendously popular. “But, despite the fact that an almost hourly service is operated out of this city, it will be necessary for us to fly over Washington if service is suspended | by the Bureau of Air Commerce. There is no other site available.” Congress Move Awaited. Col. John M. Johnson, new Assistant Secretary of Commerce, said today the Commerce Department is - marking time in the local airport matter until Congress has had an opportunity to act on the McSwain bill, which has been amended to provide for sale of Military road to Arlington County for $1 and to authorize the county to keep the road open if desired after a 10-day lod during which the road will be closed to traffic. Chairman McSwain of the House Military Affairs Committee, author of the bill, unable to obtain time for con- sideration of the bill in the House yes- terday, will try again today to bring it up for passage by unanimous consent. {D. C.-TO-ANNAPOLIS BUS LINE TO OPEN First Conveyance of ‘lew Sefiioe to Leave Capital To- morrow. Operation of busses between Wash- ington and Annapolis be begun by the Peninsula Bus tomorrow morning, with the first bus leaving the Greyhound terminal, 1403 New York avenue, at 6:30 o'clock. The first bus out of Annapolis will leave from the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Line, the Annapolis terminal, at 8 o'clock tomorrow meorning. * Busses will follow the Defense High- way route to the Maryland capital and will stop to pick up passengers along the route, according to J. Wil- llam Graham, the Annapolis agent. Opening of the line will be cele- brated at Annapolis tomorrow after- noon at 5:30 o'clock, when officials of the city, civic leaders, county com- missioners, police executives and members of the State Legislature will make a bus tour of the city. A dinner will follow at Bay Ridge. Busses operating from Washington are to leave at 6:30 and 9:30 am, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m,, while the, busses will leave Annapolis at 8 and 11 am, 2, 5, 8:30 and 11:59 p.m. SENATE CONFIRMS 4 FORD. C. JUDGESHIPS Appointments Are Approved Without Debate—Two Are Reappointed. ‘The four judges recently appointed to District courts by President Roose- velt were confirmed by the Senate Cayton, reappointed to Municipal Court; Miss Ellen K. Ready, appointed INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS ASSETS ARE $308,500 85 Per Cent Dividends Already Paid to Depositors, Re- Fund to Open Pool Is Growing Voluntary Contributions Needed, However, to Give Needy Youngsters Place to Swim. ‘With no place to swim in the neighborhood a few of the youngsters in crowded downtown Washington who are forced to find their hot weather recreation in the streets. Barney Barry, 8, is waiting for one to come over the plate, while John “Mousey” Davis, 7, catches and Billy Metzinger, 12, calls 'em.—Star Staff Photo. at 614 E rireet for free use HE Star’s fund to reopen the I Y. W. C. A. swimming pool by 1,500 uacerprivileged chil- dren in Washington's congested cen- tral area had grown to $251 today, leaving $499 to be 1aised before the facilities can be made available. Charles Fyfe, Lead of the Boys' Club, 230 C street, and Miss Ge.trude Cone, director of tlie Juanita Nye Settlement House, 609 Sixth street southwest, gave $5 each today on be- half of their organf:ations. Their contributions were received by the Central Neighborhood Council of the Council of Social Agencies, which is sponsoring the mcvement. The Star received a $1 dooation from Peter Dulac, 3408 Twentieth street north- east. Can Open Pool at Once. ‘When the fund reaches $750 the long-dry “Y” pool will be filled and HONOR IS PLANNED FOR SCOUT LEADER Lord Baden-Powell Will In- spect Jamboree Camp Ar- rangements Here. Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, “World Chief Scout” and “World Chief Guide,” respectively, of the Boy Scout movement, will arrive in Washington tonight to be the guests of the British Embassy and President Roosevelt until tomorrow, when they will go to New York to sail for England. The visit of the British peer will be to ihspect the site of the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of Amer- ica, who will meet here, 30,000 strong, August 21 to 30. Lord Baden-Powell is the founder of the Boy Scout move- ment in England, the idea later spread- ing to America and since has affected the lives of more than 7,000,000 ‘boys. Lord and Lady Baden-Powell will be accompanied by their two daughters, Miss Heather and Miss Betty. Although no definite arrangements were awaiting the arrival of the vis- itors, it was expected they will go di- rectly to the British Embassy upon arrival and will motor through the various camp grounds of the jamboree site tomorrow morning, returning at noon to have luncheon at the White House. National headquarters of the Boy Scouts in New York announced today that Dr. James E. West, chief Scout executive, has been appointed camp chief for the jamboree. Dr. West spent most of his life in Washington. MERCURY RISE DUE FOR D. C. TOMORROW Western Heat Wave to Move In on Washington—Today About Normal. Slightly increasing temperatures thrown open almost immediately to boys and girls in the area, who will be furnished free sho'ers, soap, towels and swimming msimmection. A paid supervisor will be on dénty at all times. It is planned w accommodate 75 chil- dren daily. They would go o the tank in groups of 25. accompaaied by supervisors from souial or welfare agencies. . Hundreds of mothers in downtown Washington have worried because their children must take their fun where they can find it and the finding is difficult and precaricus. Every time a child in the seclion, bounded by the Mall, North Capitol street and Eleventh and O streets, goes out to play, fear clutches at parents’ hearts. A partial answer to the problem, juvenile authorities are agreed, lies in swimming facilities. It was planned tentatively to begin cleaning of the E street pool, which will be opened for W hite House Clerk Lands Her Plane Minus Propeller Miss Clements Exhibits Skill After Short Fly- ing Career. Forced down when a broken crank- shaft resulted « the loss of the pro- peller of a tramning plane m which she was putting m fiving time yes- terday afternoon, Miss L:dia Clement, clerk at the White House, proved the thoroughness of her training in dead- stick landings when sue got down in perfect shape at Bcucon Field, near Alexandria, Va. “It wasn't bad,” sfiss Clement said. “I had plenty of s'titude and had no trouble getting iato the field.” Miss Clement is planning to apply for examination for a Commerce De- partment private license as soon as she completes the required 50 hours of solo flying. Johnny ‘Euans, flight instructor Beacon Field, who tiaired Miss Cle- ment, boasted a ncw record for rapid instruction last year when he soloed Miss Clement after cnly four hours of dual flight instruction. —_———— M’CONNELL RETURNS Fire Force Ambulance Brings Back Stricken Battalion Chief. ‘The Fire Department today sent its ambulance to Chesapeake Beach for Battalion Chief Hubert F. McConnell, who was taken {ll while vacationing at the resort. He was to be brought back to his residence here. Chief McConnell, who makes his xdqum with No. 12 engine, North pitol and Quincy streets, has been in poor health in recent weeks, and it was decided to move him back to Washington for treatment. He is a veteran of 40 years’ service in the de- partment and is 62 years old. three or four monthe as soon as the remaining $499 is donated. Voluntary Aid Asked. Officers of the Central Neighborhood Council emphasized no money will be solicited by canvass and appealed for voluntary response. at a rate which will make possible the reopening of the tank before another week has passed. A complete list of contributors to ORIGINAL BOTTLE MILKSALEQ. KD Ban on Pouring Liquid From Large Containers Issued Here. Milk sold at all public places must be served in the original bottles and may not be poured into glasses from large coolers or other containers, under s regulation sdopted by the Commis- sioners on recommendation by Dr. George C. Ruhland, health officer. The rule was proposed by Dr. Ruh- land to bring the practice here into line with that of most large cities where such ordinances have been pro- mulgated in the interest of protection of the quality of the milk. The rule here becomes effective on August 15. The regulation provides a fine of $25 for each violation. The change has been sought for years by Dr. Reld R. Ashworth, chief food inspector of the Health Depart- ment, who was successful in the past in his efforts to get approval from his former chiefs. When it was to Dr. Ruhland, new health officer, he promptly indorsed the move, Milk served from the original bot- tles, he contends, protects its tested quality and purity and gives assurance that pasteurized milk has not been mixed with raw milk. Also when milk is drawn from large containers some customers do not get their quota of butter fat content, since cream rises to the top, he said. Body Taken From Canal. The body of an unidentified colored man, about 60, was taken from the old. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal at Wiscon- sin avenue by seventh precinct police this morning. Passersby noticed the corpse floating and summoned police. The body was transferred to the Dis- trict Morgue. Chinese School Teacher Aims At Sun Yat Sen University Post Society and General L ROE HTS PLA FORPAROLEBOARD ON SHLARY BASS Chairman Says Randolph Proposal Would Create Political Pressure. SUBSTITUTION OF U. S. LAW GIVEN SUPPORT Careless Granting of Supervised Freedom Denied—More Help Sought to Aid System. Wilbur La Roe, jr., chairman of the District Parole Board, today vigorously opposed the proposal of Representative Randolph, Democrat, of West Virginia. to set up a paid parole board here on the grounds that to attach a salary to the three Parole Board jobs would immediately make them “political plums.” Furthermore, he added, & man who would be attracted by a $300 annual salary “is not the kind of a man who should be & member of the Parole Board.” La Roe made his comment after Representative Randolph introduced s bill in the House yesterday to sub- stitute the Federal law governing the sentencing and paroling of prisoners for the existing indeterminate sentence and parole law. Randolph drew from his recent experience as chairman of the Special Crime Investigating Sub- committee of the House District Com- mittee in proposing the change. Supports Twe Points. La Roe supported Randolph on at least two provisions of his measure. The board chairman favors the sub- stitution of the Federal law for the present District law and opposes fixing & minimum sentence equal to one-fiftn of the maximum penalty fixed by the court. Possible political aspects, however, are the prime fear of La Roe if the Randolph bill is enacted into law. “I have on my desk a letter from a Senator urging the parole of a who committed & very vicious crime and who has served only a fraction of a long sentence,” La Roe said. “The Senator states that some of his constituents back home are anxious to have the parole granted. The board, as it is now constituted, has denied parole in the case.” La . Roe cited the case as one in which action might be taken if the Parole Board became political ap- ‘pointments. Scores Salary Scale. The board chairman also scored the inequality of the proposed salaries on the ground the work of each member of the board is as important as that of the others. “It would cleariy be undesirable to have one member of the board receive $6,000 per year and the others $300. The work of the other members of the board is just as important and almost as onerous as that of the chair- man. Furthermore, $300 is hardly & flattering sum to suggest for a posi- tion of such importance. It looks suspiciously like a dole.” La Roe declared the Parole Board now needs more help. There is only one parole officer at present, he said, in charge of nearly 300 releised pris- oners. Another was recently author- ized, but six are needed. He also said that more help is needed at Lor- ton and that young prisoners there should be segregated, as suggested by Commissioner Hazen. La Roe also defended the record of the present board. Denies Careless Paroles. “I emphatically deny,” he said, “that prisoners are being carelessly or easily paroled. Every case is studied with great care. The first thing studied is the prisoner’s past record. Hardened criminals are be- ing kept in the reformatory. Paroles are being granted only to those who can safely be paroled. If any of our paroled men has injured any one or committed a serious crime, such fact could readily be shown. The truth is that we are now rebuilding 300 men and that with few exceptions they are observing the conditions of their paroles. “Everybody seems to be co-operating in trying to improve the parole sys- tem. But setting up a paid board with disproportionate salaries is the wrong way to go about it.” Corporation Counsel E. Barrett Prettyman framed the Randolph measure at the request of the Crime Committee, which made an exhaustive study of the indeterminate sentence and parole law during its 60-day in- quiry into the District’s law enforce- ment and prosecution machinery. Proposes Board of Three. ‘The new parole board set up in the bill would be composed of three mem- bers, one of whom would be chairman and serve full time. His cqmpensa- tion would be $6,000 a year. . The other two would receive $15 for each day devoted to official duties, with the total annual compensation limited to $300 each. One of the major features of the bill provides that any parolee who had been sentenced by the District courts on conviction of a felony shall be con- tinued on parole until expiration of Randolph sald the bill follows closely the recommendations in the majority report of the Crime In- vestigating

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