Evening Star Newspaper, December 4, 1935, Page 19

Washington News TEXTBOOK SALLIES DEFENDINGAUHOR HIT BY COMMITTEE ! Citizens’ Spokesmen Rebuke Educators Who “Scoff” at Communism Fight. “MODERN HISTORY” HELD “ADVOCATING” IN TENOR Sullivan Charges Becker Plainly Lauds Marx and Lenin and Their Theories. Aroused by a series of telegrams to the Board of Education in defense of Prof. Carl A. Becker of Corngll and his text book, “Modern History,” the Executive Committee of the Federa- tion of Citizens' Associations today re- buked the educators who “scoffed” at the fight being made against the use of the book in the high schools of the city. Through George E. Sullivan, spokes- man for the committee, the group reiterated its charge that Becker's text is “plainly laudatory of Marx and Lenin and of the plan or scheme ad- vocated by them.” Citations from other works of the historian were made by Sullivan in his argument to prove Becker not only “teaches” communism, but actually “advocates” it. Meanwhile two more messages in defense of Prof. Becker were received today by the Board of Education. One of them came from Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary of the Interior in the Hoover administration and now president of Leland Stanford Univer- sity. The other was from Herbert E. Bolton, head of the department of history at the University of California. Both messages defended Becker as an American and as a historian. 22 Received Yesterday. Yesterday 22 telegraphic messages were received from well-known his- torians and educators from a number of leading educational institutions, in- cluding Dr. Charles A. Beard, Sidney B. Fay, Dr. Walton H. Hamilton, Dixon Ryan Fox, Edward P. Chey-| ney and others, Less than a half | dozen letters also were received. | The tone of most of the messages, all unexpected by the board, was that | the fight on Becker's work is unwar- | Tanted. i Becker was expected to arrive in| Washington today, apparently under | the impression that a report was to| be made to the board this afternoon, | but he had not arrived at his hotel | before noon. Robert A. Maurer, chairman of the special committee studying the text | books to which objection has been | made, indicated a good deal more time will be necessary before a report can be made. Associated with him | are Mrs. Philip Sidney Smith and | Dr. J. Hayden Johnson. At present they are making separate studies of | ali questioned texts and later plan to | meet jointly to draft their report to | the board. Scope of Work Broadened. The federation’s Executive Commit- | tee adopted a new resolution, in view | of the defense of Becker, authorizing | its committee to broaden the scope of the work it has undertaken to include | not only text books but all periodicals approved for use in the schools. Sullivan quoted passages from “The United States, an Experiment in Democracy,” “The Heavenly City of | the Eighteenth Century Philosophers” | and “The Declaration of Independence, a Study in the History of Political Ideas.” All of these, he asserted, praise com- munism to the extent that its tenets are advocated. “Dr. Becker describes Russian com- munism as having made good the prophecies of Marx,” Sullivan said, “and further that it is becoming ‘every year more popular’ and that it is ‘of all the events of our time the most in- teresting and perhaps the most im- nt.’ “These texts are further note- worthy for their strange omission of any clear and informative disclosure of the evil and atrocious aims, pur- poses and effects of communism. Moreover, the supplemental reading as to Russia recommended is made up entirely of further communistic propaganda, none of the many pub- lished books which give clear and in- formative data concerning the evil and atrocious aims, purposes and effects of communism being mentioned by Dr. Becker. * * * Condition Held Irrefutable. “This amazing condition,” Sullivan continued, “may be evaded and scoff- ed at by those who are so disposed, but it can no more be refuted than can the existence of a mountain be refuted by those sitting at its base, much as they may wish to refute it. “Consequently, the concerted effort by a group of educators to evade and scoff at the concrete and unanswera- ble showing made by the Executive Committee of the Federation is im- portant only as showing that the parents of those attending educational institutions, to which such educators are attached, owe it to their children and to this Nation as well to scruti- nize carefully what is being taught to their children in such institutions re- garding communism.” Although no special hearing on the subject was planned by the( Board of Education today, it was expected that the question of “red” teaching would be raised at its regular meeting a{ the Franklin Administration Building.- MRS. MACARTHUR RITES Services Tomorrow in Manila for General’s Mother. Funeral services for Mrs. Arthur MacArthur, 82, mother of Maj. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, will be held to- morrow at Manila, P. I. according to the Associated Press. The body will be brought here for burial in Arlington Cemetery. Mrs. MacArthur died yesterday at Manila after a long illness. Her son, Gen. MacArthur, former chief of staff he Zoening Fh WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1935. Hazen Indorses Seal Sale The District Commissioners have adopted & resolution indorsing the purposes of the Tuberculosis Association’s annual sale of Christmas seals. Melvin C. Hazen, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, is shown affixing an approving signature to the resolution while Mrs. W. Frank Persons, chairman of the committee in charge,of the drive, looks on. —Star Staff Photo. DRYS PUSH DRIVE ON THREE FRONTS Repeal Complete Failure, Say Sneakers, Urging Awakening. Charging “booze and crime always go hand in hand,” and ‘“repeal has proved an utter farce and a complete failure” in settling the liquor problem, the united dry forces pushed forward their week’s campaign at three differ- ent meetings last night in the Nation- al Capital area. Efforts to rouse the public to “danger” of repeal, and to support of the Guyer bill for prohibition in the District, will be continued at two meetings tonight. At Eldebrooke Methodist Episcopal Church, where Rev. Walter W. Michael will preside, the speaker will be Harry S. Warner. John Wesley A. M. E. Church will hold a rally with Rev. W. O. Carring- ton presiding, and E. M. Bryan and John B. Hammond as speakers. The campaign will be concluded with sermons at many churches Sunday, followed by & mass meeting at 3 o’clock that afternoon in the National City Christian Church. Judgment First Hit. “Alcohol hits the judgment first,” declared J. Raymond Schmidt, secre- tary of the National Civic League, in his address last night before Arlington County Post, No. 13, of the Allied Youth, in the Clarendon (Va.) Metho- dist Church. “When judgment is impaired, the individual isn't dependable where quick action is required, and where fine qistinctions between right and wrong should be observed. A small amount of alcohol in a motorist tends to carelessness; the driver hasn't the usual control of his thinking powers, his vision and his nervous refiexes. “One of the paralyzing effects of alcohol is that upon the ability to make fine moral distinctions. When only slightly under the influence of alcohol, individuals find therr will power greatly reduced. With moral control shattered, acts of delinquency are committed which are invariably shunned by sober individuals. Discussing the effect of alcohol on health, he went on to say that “if physicians told the truth on their death certificates, the trek would be away from instead of toward the liquor establishment., The certificate says death was caused by a specific disease, but the physician neglects to say that alcohol drinking brought on the disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver, fatty degeneration of the heart and Bright’s disease. In view of these facts, for the protection of public health, in which we are all greatly in- terested, all containers of alcoholic beverages should be labeled with the cross-bones and skull.” Safety Endangered. “The increasing widespread drink- ing of liquor, with its resultant trage- dies and accidents, is actually endan- gering the safety of people in Wash- ington and the Nation as a whole.” declared D. Stewart Patterson at Ninth Street Christian Church. Mr. Patterson, who is president of the Bal- timore Methodist Lay Conference, is widely known in church educational circles and is promotion secretary of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals. “Washington has nothing to be proud of in the reputation it is gaining across the country as a city of freely flowing liquor,” he said. “Congress, which acted like hysterical adolescents in passing liquor legislation for the District, cannot escape responsibility. It is so very easy for these men and women to enact legislation for our city, then hurry beck to their own com- munities leavirg ochind the deplorable conditions their sily actions make possible. “Repeal has yroved an utter farce and a complete failure as far as settling the liquor problen: is concerned. Not one promise made before repeal has been fulfilled, nor can those promises be fulfilled. The prosperity argument went over in a large way, but it now comes home to plague us. What & laugh for posterity—America trying to drink its way to sobriety and pros- perity!” Rabbi Lectures Tomorrow. Dr. Abram Simon, rabbi of the ‘Washington Hebrew Congregation, will lectute at 11 am. tomorrow at the of the United States Army, is military adviser of the commonwealth govern- Shoreham Hotel under auspices of the Sisterhood of the Washington Hebrew of the Philippine Islands, tion, D.C. DRYS OPEN CONGRESS FIGHT House Committee Is Bom- barded With Pleas for Guyer Bill. Heralding the fight to be made at | the forthcoming session of Congress | to restore prohibition in the District, dry leaders in various sections began bombarding the House District Com- mittee today with indorsements of the Guyer bill. Representative Guyer, Republican, of Kansas introduced the bill at the last session of Congress, and Senator Capper, Republican, of the same State, sponsored a companion measure in the Senate. Primarily, the two bills are designed to dry up Washington as the Sheppard act did before enact- ment of national prohibition. 9 When Guyer introduced the bill last July 1 he did not anticipate any immediate support, but belleved it would serve as a basis for future leg- islation to dry up Washington. In the meantime, however, prohibition forces throughout the country rallied behind the measure, believing its enactment would precede the return of national prohibition and history would repeat itself—Washington would go dry before the Nation. Liquor Dealers Active. In anticipation of the impending fight for return of prohibition in the District, liquor dealers are under- stood to be planning a vigorous cam- paign of opposition. is expected to be made by the Associ- ington, which meets tomorrow at 8 pm. in the Willard Hotel. at the last session of Congress which into the open, plans to tell the organi- the dry movement. “I am going to oppose every effort to force prohibition on the District,” declared Dirksen. He is a member of the House Dis- trict Committee, which will have to reaches the House calendar. Before Subcommittee. The Guyer bill, incidentally, is now before the Judiciary Subcommittee of the House District Committee, headed by Representative Palmisano, Demo- crat, of Maryland, a wet. Palmisano is not in Washington and it is not known whether he plans to hold pub- lic hearings on the measure. At the last session of Congress Palmisano was successful in prevent- ing actién on a bill to tighten the Dis- trict gambling laws by failing to have public hearings on it. He may follow the same tactics with respect to the Guyer measure. The gambling bill is still before Palmisano’s subcommittee as well as the dry bill. Senator Capper has not returned from his home in Kansas and his plans for forcing action on the dry bill in the Senate are still in doubt. He is a member of the Senate District Committee, to which the measure was referred. BOARD TO FILL POST AT WILSON COLLEGE Successor to Prof. Lutz Again to Be Chosen After Upset. The vacancy caused by the recent death of Prof. Paul Lutz,’ essor history and sclences a Teachers' College, however, Habberton a higher fltyr;:}cnun:: an increasgd salary, he the Wilson post. The Personnel Committee of the The first move | ated Beverages Association of Wash-| Representative Dirksen, Republican, | of Illinois, who sponsored legislation | brought the so-called “hidden bars” | |indicted for assault. zation what steps to take to combat | pass on the Guyer bill before it reported and nine cases were ignored. IN TRAFFIC DEATH OF GIRL STUDENT Manslaughter Count Filed Against Charles E. Smith, 25. PHYSICIAN ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL PRACTICE Dr. James W. Hart Faces Charge as Result of Fatal Operation on Young Woman. A manslaughter indictment was | returned by the District grand jury | today against Charles E. Smith, 25, of 1363 Somerset plage, whose auto- mobile struck and killed 16-year-old Muriel V. Weinberg at Sixteenth and Upshur streets October 14 as she was walking to a friend’s home to study her lessons. Smith was taken into custody im- mediately after the accident and a coroner’s jury later held him re- sponsible for the girl's death. Miss Weinberg, a student at Roose- velt High School, had just left her home at 4211 Sixteenth street when she was struck. Smith took her to Walter Reed Hospital in his car, but she was dead on arrival Physician Indicted. Held by a coromer's jury as re- sponsible for the death November 21 of Hazel Mears, 23, of 2125 G street, Dr. James W. Hart, 60, of 2156 F streef, was charged by the grand jurors with performing an illegal op- eration on the young woman. Seven similar charges against Dr. Hart had been placed before the grand jury since 1929. Five were ig- nored and two indictments returned. Both indictments were nolle prossed, however, either for want of prosecu- tion or lack of sufficient evidence. Four deaths were involved in the seven cases. Miss Mears, who was a waitress, | came here from Norfolk, Va., last June. She died in Emergency Hos- | pital. Indicted in $8,750 Hold-Up. Arrested November 18 in the Provi- dence (R. I) railway station by a Philadelphia detective who recognized him by chance, Michael F. Callahan, 54, was indicted in connection with the robbery of 8 Commercial National Bank messenger March 30, 1928. Callahan and Michael Preston, 55, who is still at large, were charged pockets of the:bank employe, Enoch G. Johnson .of Alta Vista, Md. Johnson 6ld police two men jostled | him as he entered the bank and a few | minutes later he found the money | had been taken from his pockets. The | robbers missed $10,000 he carried in | another pocket. In March, 1932, Callahan was ar- | rested 1n Philadelphia but disappeared | | after being released on bail. Last month, however, the same officer who | | arrested him in Philadelphia saw him in Providence. Rug Dealer Faces Charge. Alleging that Nejib Hekimian, who until last year conducted a rug store on Connecticut avenue, failed to re- | turn two valuable rugs intrusted to | him for cleaning and storage, the grand jury indicted him on an em- | | bezzlement charge. The rugs, one | valued at $1,000 and the other at| $1,500, belonged to Capt. George C. McDonald, U. S. Army Air Corps. Elmer W. Dodson, 29, of the 400 block of Massachusetts avenue, was Mrs. Stella M. Carres, 1020 Tenth street, said Dodson, representing himself as a policeman, dragged her into an alley off the 600 block of I street and attacked her No- vember 19. Nine Cases Iguored. Forty-three indictments in all were Those indicted included: James Rudolph West, Bernard Crozier Baker and Benjamin Harrison Hinton, joyriding; Earl Rodgers, house- breaking; William C. Thomas, Emmett Waller, Melvin J. Buchanan, Harry Taylor, Horace Lucas, Jasper Shep- herd, Richard Epps, Samuel McBride and Philip A. Castro, housebreaking and larceny; James E. Chappel, Arthur Jackson, Edgar H. Richardson, Frank E. Wallace, evelt Camp- bell and Roy Dean, grand larceny; Morris L. Bernstein, larceny from the United States; Atthur Washington, larceny from the District of Columbia; Thomas P. Wharton and Homer E. Stogner, false pretenses; Taylor Sulli- van, Henry Scott, Andrew Davis and Vernon Brown, robbery; Willie Bailey, Herman Bailey and James Bailey, blackmail and assault with intent to commit robbery; Richard Clark, Ro- molo Gentilucei and William B. Fletcher, violation of the liquor taxing act; William B. Fletcher and Joseph P. Munitz, receiving stolen property; Charles C. Davis, Ellison Clayburn and Rudolph Tuckson, assault with a dan- gerous weapon; James Anderson and Thomas C. Arnett, violation of the na- tional motor vehicle theft act; Doro- thy Mae Avaunt, concealing mort- gaged property; Mary Morales, pre- venting a police claim against the United States; Walter A. Crawford, jr., embezzlement of mail; Elias Horovitz, impersonating a Federal officer, and John B, Catoe, perjury. ‘The following cases were ignored: Burrell Stevens, joy riding; Carl R. Haley, grand larceny; Francis C. Stew- art, larceny after trust; William Davis, Alvin Thomas -and Joseph Danhakl, assault with a dangerous weapon; Solo- mon Brown, Robert Harris, Frank Christian and Marie Holmes, violation of the liquor taxing act, and Joseph A. Brown, carnal knowledge. MOONEY POST “IN AIR” Postmaster General Undecided on Appointee. d with stealing $8,750 in cash from the | MIST CAS USERS GET FVEENT 01 Figures Show New Rates to Benefit Small Consumer. Slightly. “PROMOTIONAL” SCALE ATTACKED BY ROBERTS Firm Official Tells Utilities Body 48 Per Cent of Total Reduction to Go to Big Customers. Calculations showing the largest body of customers of the Washington and Georgetown Gas Light Cos. would be given the smallest amount of reduc- tion in rates under new schedules of« fered by the concerns were before the Public Utilities Commission today as scrutiny of the proposed rate revision was resumed. Attention was centered on this point after officials had dwelt on features of the proposed sliding-scale plan for an- nual correction of gas rates, and the question of an accounting of plant costs and revenues pertaining to divi- sion of service between District and suburban customers. People’s Counsel Willlam A. Roberts, who has championed adoption of the sliding-scale plan, late yesterday turned his fire on “promotional” rates suggested by the companies as a sequel to the sliding-scale arrangement by which they hope to boost the sale of gas. Under examination by Roberts, however, E. J. Boothby, vice president and general manager of the com- panies, declared the rates proposed were “not as promotional as they should be.” 1.48 Per Cent Cut. Officials calculated that customers using only 4,000 cubic feet of gas a | month would receive a reduction of but 148 per cent a month below the }present rates, including the existing | 85 per cent flat discount on bills. On the other hand, it was shown that | customers using between 4,000 and 10,000 cubic feet would benefit by a reduction of 3.93 per cent on v.heu-i bills, and that customers using more than 10,000 feet would have a reduc- tion of 155 per cent. For the whole domestic schedule bracket, the amount | of the reduction was figured at 4.10 per cent. Boothby told the commission that, | of the total of $167,120 to be applied | in rate reductions to the domestic| schedules below the present discounted | rates, 48 per cegf, or $80,155, would | be available to customers who use more than 10,000 cubic feet of gas per BIG APPROPRIATION NEEDED ON RELIEF Allen Says Drastic Cut in Payments Not Adequate Million More Asked. Despite drastic cuts now being made in relief payments, a large emergency | District appropriation will be needed | to care for the destitute here from | | January to July, when funds for the new fiscal year will be available, data | compiled for Commissioner George E. Allen today indicated. ‘The Commissioner revealed he was preparing to request supplemental re- | lief appropriation when Congress | meets in January. He said there will | be insufficient funds, even after pres- ent cuts are made and there is some | further expansion of the'W. P. A.| program. One calculation showed the Dis- | trict may need as much as $1,000,000 | for the last six months of this fiscal year unless the works program solves a much greater portion of the problem | than is now expected. $166,666 Rate Held Maximum. Allen has determined the District morth, Boothby explained that the average bill for the domestic customer was for 3,500 cubic feet. Under the old rates the charge for 3,000 feet would have cent discount this has been cut to $2.58, and under the proposed new rates would be $2.51. Hits 5-Cent Cut. Roberts declared this would mean a reduction of 5 cents a month in the bills of the largest class of cus- tomers. The calculations include the small apartment customers with other small domestic consumers. The amount of the cut for the home owner was cal- culated to be about 12 cents on monthly bills. Boothby replied that the 85 per cent flat discount that has been in effect since 1932 was unscientific, im- proper and unjust and that conditions resulting from it had affected the pro- posed new rates. In planning the new schedules, he said, the com- panies had to take up some of the changes that should have been made in 1932. e 120 WOMEN ARE GIVEN TRAFFIC EXAMINATIONS Three-Day School Shows Films Portraying Features of Auto- mobile Accidents. An examination in traffic regula- tions was given some 120 women to- day after completion of the three-day “traffic school” conducted at the Evans-Palmer Motor Co., Fourteenth and L streets. The school was sponsored by the Federation of Women's Clubs, the American Automobile Association and the Parent-Teacher Association. Each day films have been shown portraying the realistic features of automobile accidents. In conjunction with the films, speakers from the A. A. A. and the District Bureau of Ve- hicles and Traffic have explained traf- fic regulations, and the proper pro- cedure in avoiding accidents. The examination today was admin- istered by a representative of the Bu- reau of Vehicles and Traffic. Those passing it will not be required to take regular traffic tests necessary to se- cure an automobile license. Two Sisters Die Within Hour, One As Result of Giief Two sisters died yesterday of heart attacks within an hour, the death of the second being attributed to shock and grief over the death of the first. Mrs. Lillie M. Baird, 62, wife of ‘William J. Baird, was fatally stricken at her home, 1103 C street northeast. A short time later, her sister, Mrs. Laura V. Wagoner, 76, employed in & downtown department store, was sum- moned home to the C street address and died soon after arrival. Double funeral services will be held at the residence tomorrow 2t 2 p.m., and will be followed by double burial Congresisonal . natives of this city and lifelong resi- dents here. parents were the. cannot afferd to use its own $2,000,000 | relief appropriation for this year any | faster than at the present rate of 1 $166,666 a month. | Because of the ending of the Fed- been $2.80. With the present 8.5 per } eral dole last month, he ordered a 25| per cent slash this month in payments | to the 10,000 cases remaining on the relief list. Figures on the present sit- uation indicated he may have to or- der a further cut of 25 per cent in | January, in a move to make available funds last until July 1. This would bring the average payment down to $15 a month. | At the same time, he plans to lay the problem before the next session of Congress in the hope of getting addi- | tional funds. Even with the 25 per cent slash this month, the District will be about unless a delayed advance is forthcom- ing from the old F. E. R. A. Rate Cut to $22.50. The average relief payment last month was about $30. Families on relief this month will get an average of about $22.50. Several thousand perscns being transfered to the Works Progress program will not get their W. P. A payments until December 18. ‘There still will be some 2500 eligibles for W. P. A. jobs awaiting approval of projects to which they may be transferred. In addition to this number there are between 4.500 and 5,500 unemployables who must depend on District resources. With but $166,666 a month avail- able from now on, there will be an average of $33 each for 5000 cases, and out of this must come sums for administration and service by the re- lief staff and whatever supplemental relief may be available. Allen finds such a sum insufficient and declares he must anticipate a rise in the relief load as new applications are received from persons not eligible for W. P. A. jobs. Relief needs are to be discussed with the Co) ers Friday morn- ing by a committee representing the Monday Evening Club and the Coun- cil of Social Agencies. PRISON HEAD HERE TO BE CONSIDERED Commissioners to Be Addressed Friday by Citizens Back- ing Peak. Proposed appointment of & _new general superintendent of District penal institutions will be considered again by the Commissioners Friday. At that time spokesmen for the Southeast Business Men’s Association and the Council of Southeast Citizens’ Associations will appear to urge se- lection of Col. William L. Peak, now superintendent of the Lorton Reform- atory and formerly head of the Dis- trict Jail. The . Board of Public Welfare has recommended selection of Harold E. Donnell of Baltimote, Maryland State superintendent of prisons. The board has asked several times that.the Com- missioners act on its recommendation. Capt. Thomas M. Rives, superin- tendent of the jail, also has been sug- ,‘luhdlorthepm,mhddbympt. {M. M Barnard, who is several years beyond retirement age. STEEL PRESIDENT DIES. BALTIMORE, December 4 (Special). of the | $100,000 short at the end of December | Above: Corporation Counsel E. Barrett Prettyman and Commis- Society and General PAGE B—1 ALLENTO PROPOSE ADVISORY VOTING BYD. C. RESIDENTS Measure to Be Offered to Congress Early in Next Session. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF THREE IS SUGGESTED Standards of Eligibility for Vote ers Are Offered in Draft of Bill Already Prepared. District residents would be given the right to “vote” on important pend« ing District problems in advisory refe erenda held by the Commissioners, un- der the terms of a bill to be offered to Congress early next session by Com= missioner George E. Allen. ‘The elections would be only advisory and in no way binding on the Com- missioners, it was made clear in the proposed measure drafted by the cor= poration coupsel'’s office for Allen. Release of the draft is part of Allen’s campaign to give residents of the National Capital a stronger voice in their government, pending congres= sional grant to the District of full representation in Congress. Referendum Attempt Recalled. ‘The announcement recalls plans of the Commissioners for a referendum in Takoma more than a year ago on whether lighor licenses should be granted stores in that section. Ma= chinery had been established for that “vote” when proponents of the licenses obtained a temporary injunction at District Supreme Court against the advisory vote. The District failed to appeal that decision, which was based, | in part, on the contention the Com= misgicners had no power to delegate their authority. At that time Allen declared he would ask Congress to legalize advisory ref- erenda, so the Commissioners would have the benefit of public sentiment on major public matters. sioner George Allen leaving Police Court after listening in on the hearing in the case of the Govern- ment vs. the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. on short weight charges. Allen said he was greatly impressed with the need for a new Police Court building and would exert all his influence to get one. Below: The set of scales in ques- tion in today's Police Colurt hear- ing. —Star Staff Photos. STORES ON TRIAL {Charges That A. & P. Sold Poultry at False Measure Heard by Jury. Co. went on trial before a jury in | of 24 charges of selling short-weight | poultry. The company, through its attorney, Caruthers Ewing of New York and Memphis, lost in a skirmish regarding | Government witness, Assistant Cor- | poration Counsel Elwood Seal is prose- | cuting, It is charged by the Department of Weights and Measures that short- weight purchases were made in 17 of | the company’s 180 stores here. More than one cese was brought from pur- chasers in some stores. Woman Purchaser, In the first case, it was set forth that Mrs. Helen Exley, acting for the Department of Weights and Measures, purchased two chickens on August 2 in a store at 3228 Wisconsin avenue and that the chickens weighed ap- proximately 5 ounces less than the weight for which paid. The defense sought to have Mrs Exley’s testimony stricken out on the grounds that after the chickens were weighed, Mrs. Exley paid $1.03 without having been given the weight by the clerk who served her, The motion further charged there was no testimory to show the scales of the Department of Weights and Measures were any more accurate than those on which the chickens were weighed in the store. The motion to strike out was over- ruled by Judge Gus A. Schuldt and each subsequent motion based on the same contention was likewise denied. Inspector Testifies. Inspector W. C. Diller of the Weights and Measures Department testified he accompanied Mrs. Exley to a point near the store and waited for her while she made the purchase. ‘The chickens were weighed on the de- partment’s scales 15 minutes after al- leged purchases, both prosecution witnesses said. The only defense witness called to the stand before recess was G. L. Lehman, manager of the meat de- vartment of the store. He could not tecall the sale to Mrs. Exley and stated that all sales slips were thrown away after the day's work, hence he could not say whether he made a sale of $1.03 on that day. STREET CAR AND BUS HEARING SET DEC. 16 December 16 was set today by the Public Utilities Commission as the date for holding a public hearing on the Capital Traction Co.s bus and street car service. The hearing will begin at 10 am. in the offices of the. commission in the District Building. Commission members had tentatively agreed on December 12 for the hearing, but INWEIGHT DISPUTE The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea | Police Court today to answer the first | admission of evidence of the principal | ‘The enacting clause of the proposed measure provides “that the Commise sioners are authorized and empowered, whenever they desire to ascertain the wishes or sentiment of the residents of the District of Columbia or any part | thereof upon any matter or question | of interest to the persons residing in | the District of Columbia, or any par thereaf, to refer such matter or ques= tion to a vote of the residents of the | District of Columbia or to a vote of the residents of any such portion of the District of Columbia as the Come missioners, in their discretion, may dee termine. The results of any such refer= endum shall be advisory only, and shail not be binding upon the Commissioners or compel them to do any act or ree | frain from doing any act. Not more | than two referenda shall be held in any fiscal year, but any number of matters or questions may be submitted at any referendum.” Board Would Be Appointed. The proposed bill provides for ape pointment by the Commissioners of & Board of Elections of three members, each for a term of four years. Each would have to be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the District for not less than five years preceding appointment. ‘To be eligible to vote a resident would have to be a citizen of the United States, 21 or more years old, and to have been domiciled within the District for at least one year prior to the elec- tion. He would not be eligible if he held | voting privilege in any other jurisdice | tion. The Board of Elections would have the duties of defining and establishe | ing election precincts, each one not to | embrace more than 800 voters; provide | places for registration and voting; pro- | vide for maintenance of hooths, ballots, boxes, books, maps, cards of instruce tion and other necessary parapherna= lia; appoint registrars, judges, clerks and other voting officers; inquire into | any challenges of voters or alleged ir< | regularities, and to receive and count the returns. | There would be no pay for the | members of the Board of Elections, | but each registrar, judge, clerk or other election officer would be paid $10 for each day devoted to his duties. Fines Would Be Provided. Registration of voters for any refer- | enda would have to be completed at | least 30 days prior to the vote. At lease 20 days before any election the Board of Elections would have the duty of posting in precinct polling places the names of the registered voters. Fines up to $500 or imprisonment up to 90 days in jail, or both, could be imposed on any one making false representation as to his voting priv- ilege, or who was found guilty of bribery or intimidation of any voter, or who was found guilty of voting or attempting to vote more than once in any election, or who secretes any of the votes cast in elections or know=- ingly makes a false report of the votes counted. These things would be res garded as offenses against the United States. To pay the cost of the proposed ad« visory referenda votes the Commise sioners would be empowered to ape propriate District revenues. A limit, not yet stated, would be fixed for the maximum cost of the elections. ADDRESS TO BE MADE BY FORMER GOVERNOR Dr. Charles H. Brough to Speak at Arkansas Society Recep- tion Friday Night. Dr. Charles H. Brough, former Gov- ernor of Arkansas, will speak at the annual reception and dance of the Arkansas State Society in the ball room of the Willard Priday evening. ‘The address, scheduled for 9:15 p.m. will deal with plans for the celebration of the State centennial next year. ‘The reception is the first of two ex- pected to be given by the society this Winter. It is open to all present or former residents of the State and their friends. Jake O. Rhyne is presi den} of the