Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1935, Page 2

g LINDBERGH MOVE HAILED INLONDON Press Flares With Stories. Underworld- Note Hits Use of Firearms. By the Associated Press. LONDON, December 25—An ap- parent revolt against use of firearms by even Great Britain's underworld was disclosed by Scotland Yard last night, while London's front pages flared with news of the Lindbergh flight from “American crime” to “law- abiding England.” Yard officials an- nounced the receipt of a strange anonymous letter from the under- world. The missive purported to give infor- mation concerning the identity of a gang responsible for a series of armed raids. It added that although mem- bers of the criminal fraternity were “ready to pit their against police, in an ordinary way,” they “strongly disapprove of the use of pistols and revolvers.” Authorities, meanwhile, disclosed that the docks of Liverpool would be guarded by extra police when the American Importer, carrying the Lindberghs away from threats against their second son, arrives about Janu- ary 1. Extra Guard to Be Small. The extra guard which will augment the usual helmeted bobbies and plain clothes men will be small, however, and it was thought unlikely that Scot- land Yard operatives themselves would be utilized. Officials made it plain the British police have no fear outlaws will at- tempt to molest the little family. In general, the British press regarded the Lindbergh move as a flight from “‘unbearable” crime conditions in their own land to the security of efficient British safeguards for the rights of private citizens. One newspaper, the Daily Mail, said the news of the Lindberghs’ departure “sheds a piercing light on the anti- crime machinery of the United States, which has not only failed hitherto to exact the penalty for the kidnaping and_murder of their first son, but also has- proved itself unable to check the inundation of threats against Jon.” Yard Sometimes Fails. Despite its reputation, England’s Scotland Yard does not always get its men. In fact, the riddles of nine unsolved murder mysteries still confronted Sir Philip Game, new metropolitan police commissioner, at the year-end “stock- taking” of London crime. Five of these date back to 1934 and include the celebrated “Brighton trunk erime No. 1” and “Brighton trunk ¢rime No. 2"—the most baffling deeds of human butchery in England since Jack the Ripper terrorized the coun- tzy nearly half a century ago. The dread Ripper, never,captured, but popularly believed to have been an insane Russian scientist, once wrote the “Yard” informing them that he would cut off the ears and nose of his next victim and mail them to police to help them piece together the jig- gaw puzzle of the victim's identity. Less impertinent but equally daring was the perpetrator of “trunk crime No. 1,” who June 18, 1934, deposited & trunk stuffed with the nude torso of & woman, armless, legless and head- less, at Brighton Railroad Station. Another Package Left. And while Scotland Yard hunted high and low the same cold-blooded murderer calmly walked into Kings Cross Coaching Station, in London, and checked another package con- taining the ill-fated woman's arms and legs. The head was never found, nor the slayer. Less than a month later Brighton ‘was horified to discover it has become the scene of “trunk crime No. 2.” Again the victim was a woman, later identified as Violet Kaye, a music hall dancer, and again the nude body had been hacked almost beyond recogni- tion. These two crimes, still on the un- sblved list, have become the “bete noire” of Scotland Yard—with some dlight consolation coming from what officials say is a solution of the latest “chopped body” murder. ‘This was the slaughter of Mrs, Buck Ruxton of Lancaster and her squint- eyed maid, Mary Rogerson, 20, whose mut{lated remnants were found scat- tered in half a dozen parcels in the appropriately named “Devils Beetub,” @ vale near the Scottish border. Charged with this crime, Dr. Ruxton, the husband, physician of Indian de- scerft, has now been ordered for trial January 22, Unsolved mysteries of 1935 include at least five killings. LUZON ISLAND DAMAGE IS HEAVY IN TYPHOON Boy Is Only Human Being Killed as Storm Passes Out Over China Sea. By the Associated Press. MANILA, P. I, December 25.—A boy, killed by a falling cocoanut tree, was the only known victim of the Philippines’ latest typhoon, which passed out over the China Sea 50 miles south of Manila today. Property damage on Luzon Island, where the boy was killed, was believed to be heavy. No estimate was made officially because of crippled com- munications. The 7,000-ton American freighter, Golden Peak of the Oceanic-Oriental Line, remained grounded off Tandoc, on the southern tip of Luzon, but no fear was felt for the crew. Radio messages said the vessel probably :‘ould be pulled off the rocks Thurs- . GERMANS ARE ORDERED TO LEAVE U. S. SOCIETY Hitler Demands All Nationals Here Sever Link With Friends of New Germany. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 25.—Chan- cellor Adolph Hitler has ordered Ger- man nationals in the United States to sever themselves from the Friends of New Germany, an organization ‘which has been partisan to the chan- cellor during the past three years, the mnational headquarters of the Friends acknowledged yesterday. ‘The order, transmitted last October on Hitler’s authority by Rudolph Hess, deputy Nazi leader, accorded with the German leader's declarations that National Soclalism was not an export rance was directed to be com- pleté by December 31, 1935. It was to affect Germans having only first What’s What S. Claus’ Off the Record List of Gifts to Politicians. BY PAUL MALLON. HE dove of peace may look fraze zled this Christmas, but diag- nosticians know there is life in the old bird yet, perhaps far more than the news dispatches would suggest. The basic situation seems to be that 2 lot of people are ruffling her feathers, but no one wants to push her off her world perch. A philosophical official summed it up off the record & few days back in this manner: “World statesmen are engaged in a crazy game of ‘force diplomacy. For purposes of bluff and diplo- matic barter, all are acting war- like. Not ome of them really ez~ pects @ war. It is not to their practical advantage to have one. “The only way war can come out of this situation is through jorces beyond the control of statesmen; that is, if their dangerous diplo- macy gets out of their control, This is possible, but not probable, during the next few months, either in Europe or in the Far East” A lot of Dickenseque Christmas spirit in official life here in the past has not been exactly homemade. The officials (particularly those in the White House) have been elderly, their chil- dren generally grown up, their fam- ilies scattered. Privately, most of them have shown a preference for relaxation and rest on the Yuletide, rather than hastening about making a fuss over Christmas. Their public contact men have gen- erally considered these natural desires to be ignoble. They have insisted on giving out impressions to foster a be- lief that every official is a close rela- tive of Mr. 8. Claus, if not the man himself. Roosevelts Are Different. ‘The Roosevelts are unusual in that respect. They really go in for Christ- mas in an extensive way. Their cus- tom of expansive celebrations was ap- | parently established at Hyde Park back further than they can remember. The family was always large. Like many others, it usually bought more pres- ents than it could afford. Note—The three Roosevelt grand- children generally keep things lively wherever they are; two are espcially active. The only member of the fam- who is “‘out West.” Holidays are supposed to be in- stitutions to promote peace and re- lazation, but they have not worked out that way in Europe lately. The traditional British week end holi- day habit cost Sir Samuel Hoare the foreign secretaryship and nearly cost Prime Minister Baldwin his entire government. Hoare sent @ dispatch to Baldwin over the week end concerning his peace plan with Laval It reached London on Sunday. Baldwin, being away for the week end in the country, did not receive it until Monday. Then it was too late to prevent British acquiescence to the plan. 5. Claus, when interviewed off the record, reported the following unofficial deliveries to the following trees: The White House—A new budget on all railroads for Mrs. Roosevelt, new typewriters for the kiddies. V. P. Garner—Another pair of socks. with political background. Mr. Hoover—A more comfortable easy chair. Senator Borah—A bogey man's mask. Gov. Landon—A doorbell that won't ring. Other gifts which should have been made by the old gentleman, if he did not: General Farley—A book: on mesmer- ism to use on the Literary Digest editors. Chief Justice Hughes—Cotton for his ears. Premier Baldwin—A book of ele- mental instruction in diplomacy. Stalin—A Bible, Hitler—An asp. - Mussolini—A packet of seidlitz pow- ers. State Secretary Hull—A new peace pipe, another fowling piece. Dr. Townsend—A copy of the multi- plication table. Father Coughlin—A stabilizer, The Roosevelts have a custom of let- ting Mr. Claus deliver his presents for the children in the morning, but re- quire him to hold off those of the adults until afternoon. In that way his visit is prolonged all day. It is great for the adults. They play with the children’s toys in the morning and their own in the afternoon, (Copyright. 1935.) —_— CAPITAL MAN ACCUSED OF LOOTING ARMORY Held With 8 Others by Indiana Police in Robbery at Wichita Falls, Tex. By ths Associated Press. INDIANAPOLIS, December 25— State police said four men arrested 40 miles west of here yesterday on charges of looting an armory at Wichita Falls, Tex., probably would be turned over to the Department of Jus- tice for prosecution. Capt. Matt Leach announced the men had admitted stealing pistols, blankets and breeches from the armory on Sunday evening. He said the pris- oners, found armed with Army suto- matics, gave their names as Edward Ring, 25, of Washington, D. ‘Thomas Laraine, 32, of Henderson, Tex.; Jack Pirtle, 19, of Kansas Oity, and James H. Bowell, 34, of Union- town, Pa. Police here had no record of Ed- ward Ring, nor could it be learned Amgrican citizenship papers or zions.) when he lved 1 A 1ly expected to be missing is son Elliott, | game for President Roosevelt, a pass | Prof. Tugwell—A new ghost writer | THE 'EVEN CLEARS CHICAGD Capone Area Congquered, Says Report of Supervisor of Tax Unit. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, December 25.—Uncle Sam’s anti-bootleg drive was hailed as a success yesterday in the area turned into a proving ground for' the post-prohibition liquor- laws. ‘The verdict was set forth in the annual report of E. C. Yellowley, supervisor of the alcohol tax unit for the Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin dis- trict. It was this section—trade territory of Al Capone and other notorious brooze Barons in the dry era, but now the base of operations of scores of legiti- mate distilleries and breweries—that Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau chose for a test of regulations im- posed with repeal. Gangs Are Eliminated. Yellowley termed the program suc- cessful and reported: Organized bootleg gangs have been virtually eliminated. Large and small stills have been ferreted out and destroyed. A constant increase in the pro- duction of legal spirits has been ac- companied by a constant decrease in the production of moonshine, Yellowley disclosed his staff was as large as in the prohibition period, but pointed out that one-third of the Nation's whisky was supplied by plants under his jurisdiction. Many Leaders Fined. “Through the co-operation of United States attorneys and Federal courts,” he said, “many of the leaders of organized gangs have been sen- tenced to prison and required to pay heavy fines. County and State offi- cials rendered valuable aid.” As an indication of the decline in bootlegging, he cited these figures: From May to November, 1934, 499 illicit stills having a total daily pro- duction capacity of 128,520 gallons were seized. During the same period in 1935, 621 stills were seized, but | their total capacity amounted to only ¢ | 97,958 gallons. “And that's not & drop in the bucket,” he said, “compared with pre- | vious years.” HAUPTMANNHEARS CAROLS BY RADID Spends Somber Christmas in Cell—Small Wreath Hangs in Corridor. By the Associated Pres: TRENTON, N. J, December 25.— Bruno Richard Hauptmann spent a somber Christmas in New Jersey's death house today. A small wreath hung in the corridor and carols on the radio were the only symbols to mark this day as apart from other days. Col. Mark O. Kimberling, warden, said Hauptmann, who faces death in the electric chair in three weeks for the kidnaping and slaying of Charles A. Lindbergh, jr., arose later than his usual custom and ate his breakfast in silence. German homeland, before retiring. His wife, Anna, and their infant son, Bronx, N. Y., apartment. She visited Hauptmann yesterday and brought him a picture of Mann- fried and his dog. A prison rule for- bids any visits on Sundays or holidays. Mrs. Hauptmann told her husband of the departure of Col. and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh for England, to escape kidnap threats against their second-born son, Jon. Hauptmann's comment was, Anna said: “Why does he leave the country? Is he afraid to stay here? Is he afraid of & few crank letters? Why doesn't he stay here?” Mrs. Hauptmann continued hopeful her husband will escape the electric chair. He has already appealed for clemency to the Court of Pardons. “Why should he be afraid?’ she said. “He is irmocent.” The Christmas dinner for Haupt- mann and five other men under death sentence will consist of tomato soup, pork chops, mashed potatoes, gree: peas, mince pie and coffee, BOY KILLS WOMAN IN YULE QUARREL “Holiday Spoiled,” Youth, 17, Slays Stepmother With Father’s Gun. By the Associated Press. PHILADELPHIA, December 25— Seventeen-year-old Joseph McElroy, who complained his stepmother “spoiled” his holiday, spent Christmas in jail today, accused of killing her. Police said the slaying of Mrs. Lil- lian McElroy, 50, wife of a Fairmont Park guard, ended bickering between the boy aad his stepmother that start- ed a year ago, when his father married her. The Christmas eve quarrel, they said, started at the dinner table, where Mrs. McElroy criticized Joseph's 16-year-old sister for buying & pair of stockings that weren't “practical.” Then Mrs, McElroy objected to the way her stepson was trimming the Christmas tree. Police said Joseph picked up his father’s service revolver, pointed it at his stepmother, and shouted: Joseph's father, who had been paying the rent to a collector downstairs, ran up to the room. He sald he found his wife dead on the floor and his son standing calmly nearby. ——— BONUSES GRANTED HERE International Business Machines Workers Get Yule Presents. prison | He read until a late hour last night | and heard Christmas carols, including | the Heilige Nacht, Stille Nacht of his | Mannfried, will spend the day in their | FOUR AND HIMSELF Christmas Call After Es- trangement Turns Home Into Horror Scene. By the Associnted Press. PHILADELPHIA, December 25—A 56-year-old pensioned detective made & Christmas call at the home of his young wife, pulled out a revolver and killed her, two of their three children, his mother-in-law and himself. The third and youngest child, shot as she lay in her crib, was not ex- pected to live today. Police sald John W. Rogers, estranged from his 24-year-old wife Eloise for a year, stalked through the house, blazing away with his old serv- ice weapon until everybody there last night except a brother-in-law was shot. Mrs. Rogers was first. “Her husband sent a bullet through her heart as she stood in the living room, hanging “icicles” on the branches of their children’s Christmas tree. Mother-in-Law Second. Mrs. Nell Downs, 43, the mother- in-law, came next. A bullet strick her as she started preparations in the kitchen for the holiday dinner. Upstairs one of the children lifted the telephone receiver and called for police. “Somebody just shot mother,” the operator at City Hall heard. Then Rogers came into the bed room and shot Willlam, 5; Jacqueline, 6, and 2-year-old Adele before putting s bullet into his own body. He crumpled on the floor beside the chil- dren. Harry Downs, 18, told police he let Rogers into the house after finding | the former detective standing at the door, holding his hat in both hands “Get out of the way, kid,” Rogers said quietly. “This isn't for you." Once inside, Downs said, - Rogers tossed the hat away and revealed he | held the pistol. The shots—10 in all— | were fired within a few minutes, Young Downs ran to a nearby store to call for help, but the shooting was | over by the time police came. Threats Told Police. Lasct February Rogers was sentenced | to nine months in prison for carrying | & pistol and threatening his wife, and | Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwell, & neighbor, told police he recently threatened to kill the entire family. “I'll get them all before Christ- mas,” she quoted Rogers as saying. Mrs. Rogers herself told a neighbor her husband made that threat to her on a visit to the house several days ago. “Jack said he would kill us all Le- | fore Christmas.” Mrs. Rogers said, adding ne had written threatening letters asking her to return to him. She said then she planned to take the letters to Federal authorities “after the holiday rush is over.” 'SHORT COAL WEIGHT | WARNING IS ISSUED Business Bureau Tells Household- ers to Insist on Sales Tickets. The prospect of increased coal con- sumption to meet the cold weather | has brought a warning from the Better Business Bureau against pos- sible short weighting. Louis Rothschild, director of the bu- reau, in a statement issued yesterday, urged consumers to insist that written tickets accompany each delivery of coal. “Householders should demand this ticket, and the mere fact that no ticket is given is not only a violation of law | but implies a possibility of short weight,” Rothschild declared. He ad- | vised people who suspect short weight to telephone the Bureau of Weights | and Measures before the coal is de- livered. Explaining the District laws, Roths- child said one requirement is that coal must be sold in the District at the long ton of 2,240 pounds. He advises buyers to be sure they are not delivered the so-called short ton of 2,000. FREED IN SODA DEATHS Killed Three Are Absolved. BAN FRANCISCO, December 25 (#). —Joseph Rosenthal and Nick Manno were cleared yesterday of responsibil- ity for the sale of poisoned baking soda that caused three deaths here a month 2go. Manno's salvage company sold the lethal soda to a department store owned by Rosenthal, whence it was re- tailed. Municipal Judge Alden Ames held the men had not violated city pure food laws because they sold the poisoned soda unknowingly. Foreigners in China. China's foreign population at the last census was estimated at 70,000 Russians, 14,000 English, 8,000 Amer- icans, 8,000 French, 3,500 Germans | own mountain slopes and nationalism | | giore. Sellers of Lethal Powders That| |NEW BAKER NG STAR, WASHINGTON, D. €, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 95, '1935. U.S.BOOTLEG DRIVE HUSBAND, 56, KILLS)| actress before her death. Angeles yesterday to testify in the Todd case. Left: ZaSu Pitts, screen comedienne and friend of Thelma Todd. who will be subpoenaed to tell the county grand jury next Friday the conversations she had with the blond film actress, which might help clear the mystery, according to Foreman George Rochester. Right: Mrs, Wallace Ford and her brother, George Baker, arriving outside the grand jury room in Los Mrs. Ford believes she is among the last persons to talk to the WAR CLOUDS DIM [TALY'SCHRISTMAS Trees Missing and Few Chil- dren Are Recipients of Gifts. By the Associated Press. ROME, December 25.— Christmas came solemnly today to the children of a country under the stress of war and threats of war. Fathers, big brothers and husbands | were absent from many homes. Some were far away in African hills fighting the Ethiopians. Others drilled in army | camps at home or went about their jobs in the submarines, which trail | British warships in the Mediterranean. Christmas trees, as essential here as in the United States on this day, were missing. Sanctions prevented their importation; Fascist conservation pre- vented their being cut from Italy's discouraged the “foreign custom.” Presents for Some. There were presents for some chil- dren. But extravagant spending on gifts while the nation resisted an eco- nomic siege was not to be expected. Even Befana, kindly old witch who | crawls down chimneys here with a bag | of presents as Santa Claus does in the United States, may skip her calls on many good Italian children this year. She comes on January 6, anniver- | sary of the call of the wise men on the Infant of Jerusalem. Previously Mussolini has encouraged her visits because they were completely in na- tional tradition. Church celebrations went on much | as usual. Four hundred church bells in Rome called the faithful to mid- night masses. Many gathered around supposed relics of the Bethlehem cradle pre- served in the Church of St. Mary Mag- There, under a ceiling gilded | with gold, which Columbus brought to Spain, prelates recited the mid- night mass. Observance by Pope. Pope Pius celebrated Christmas eve quietly by saying three masses in his private chapel, beginning at mid- night. Pope Benedict XV, World War Pontiff, was the last to give special solemnity to the occasion. He used to say mass on that night in the Pauline Chapel. Some hours before his three masses, the cardinals of the curia living in Rome called to bring the Pope holi- day greetings. Their dean, 84-year- old Pignatelli, spoke for them. Afterward the Pope replied briefly from his throne in the consistory hall and descended to chat cordially with them individually for a few minutes. He granted no audiences today, but expected to see a number of diplomats and dignitaries during the rest of the holiday, lasting until Epiphany, January 6. CLUE DENIED Revolver and Five Shells Found in Stump Declared Valueless. ‘The: revolver and five shells found Saturday by C. C. C. workers on Roosevelt Island in a tree stump proved to have no connection with the unsolved Mary Baker murder case, Lieut. John Fowler, police ballistics expert, said yesterday. ‘The caliber of the rusted weapon and shells proved, upon examination, to be .38, while the bullets found in the body of the slain Navy Depart- ment clerk. murdered the night of April 11, 1930, were of .32 caliber, he and 2,500 Portuguese. said. Survivor of Yule Tragedy ‘William Rogers; 6, wounded critically by his father, John W. Rogers, 56, who killed his estranged wife, Eloise; his mother-in-law, a daughter, , 6, and himself in Philadelphia last on his hospital cot, and Adels, 3, were ‘wounded.. Confessed Slayer Asks to Be Shot On Leap From Car By the Associated Press. DENVER, Colo., December 25.— Ray Humphreys, investigator for the district attorney, said yester- day a confessed slayer had asked to be shot to death without trial. Humphreys said Harold Melen- drez, 21, who admitted killing a street singer here a year ago, suggested the officer permit him to jump from an automobile and then shoot him. He rejected the proposal. OIL MENCHEERED BY GAINS IN 1325 Consumption Reaches_New Peak—O0verproduction Fears Dispelled. By the Associated Press. TULSA, Okl December Christmas cheer capped a year of gains for the oil industry today. Expert observers, saying improve- ments during the year have brought the oil business to the best condition | | since 1930, cited the following points in support of their claim: 1. Overproduction fears have been allayed. 2. Domestic consumption of gasoline reached a new peak. 3. Refinery prices are substantially higher than a year ago. 4. Stocks have been reduced to 300,- 000,000 barrels—the lowest level in nine years. Production Under Peak. Overproduction put the skids under the oil business in 1929-30 and had been a constant source of worry since. Preduction this year, the Oil and Gas Journal estimates, will be 992,- 267,000 barrels, approximately 84.000,- 000 barrels more than last year and 15,000,000 barrels under the 1929 peak. Despite this increase, there has been no disastrous surplus of oil at any time in 1935 and posted prices been maintained generally. Pennsylvania Crude Up. Pennsylvania crude prices are around 20 to 30 cents above prices at the same time last year. California prices are a shade lower, 10 cents a barrel less on Long Beach 27 gravity, for ex- ample. Midcontinent has been un- changed at its so-called $1 level. [East Texas, once a source of worry, has been kept well in hand. The most recent order of the Texas Railroad Commission reduced production in that area still further. Rigid enforcement of the Connally “hot oil” law, which prohibits inter- state shipments of oil products in ex- cess of State quotas, and adoption of the interstate oil compact by six States to prevent “physical waste” were im- portant developments. Consumption Still Gaining. ‘The increase in domestic consump- tion of gasoline has done much to absorb increased production. Con- sumption in 1934 was a record 407, 106,000 barrels and figures for 1935, based on records of the first 11 months, were expected to be at least 6 per cent higher, This increase, together with closer co-operation within the industry, has meant better gasoline prices. The average price of gasoline to the motor- ist is virtually the same as last year while there has been a sharp advance in the jobber price. The Chicago price on third-grade at present, 43;-% cents a gallon, means that the refiner is receiving 1l cents more for his Product than at the same time in 1934, YULE TIFF NO CRIME Gives Canary to Mother-in-Law, Then Frees It and Is Upheld. MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 25 (), ~—A man’s right to turn loose a canary bird he has purchased for his mother- in-law was upheld yesterday by City Judge R. I. Moore. Brought up on a charge of dis- orderly conduct, & defendant testified his mother-in-law had him arrested. He said he bought her a canary bird for Christmas, but released the bird IN:: “having words” with his mother- in-law. OUSTED OFFICER HURT Former Head of Cuban Army Strucy by Street Car. HAVANA, December 25 (#)—Julio Sanguily, former commander in chief of the Cuban Army, was seriously in- Jjured last night when he fell or jumped in front of & street car in the suburb of Mariano. Sanguily commanded the army when Col. Pulgencio Batista ousted army officers and personnel in 1933. San- | December 1. to Testify in Todd Case ~Copyright, A. P. Wirephoto. UTILITIES ON SUITS Denies Non-Registrants Can Attack Other Phases of Law. S.E.C.CHALLENGES MISS 100D SAD INLAST MONTHS Attorney Says Vivacity Was Not Real and Sees Foul Play. By the Associated Press. LOS ANGELES, December 25— Thelma Todd’s attorney said today she was deeply troubled in the last few months of her life, although out= wardly gay and vivacious as ever. “The only thing I can recall that might have worried her was in her statement some time ago that a group of gamblers wanted to open up games in her cafe,” declared A. Ronald But- ton, the attorney. She told me then that she was op- posed to gambling and would have nothing to do with it. But whether the gamblers ever made a deal, I do not know, “The last few times she came to my office she seemed to have something on her mind that she wanted to talk about—but she never did. It was not like her, for she usually spoke fully and freely of everything she was do- ing. Attorney Sees Foul Play. “I do not think Miss Todd commit- ted suicide, nor do I think that she climbed those stairs from her cafe to her garage of ker own volition. I be- lieve some one knows something about this case which should be told.” | Button said he understood the ace | tress had invested no money in the sidewalk eating place which bore her name, and that “the financial end was handled entirely by Roland West.” The attorney asserted the actress ‘was “very fond” of West, a former film director, and “she had not spoken to me in recent months of any other man in her life.” Investigators have failed to trace the identity of usiness man from San Francisco,” with whom Miss Todd was reported by Ida Lupino, actress, to have said she was having “the most marvelous romance.” Whether he The Government late yesterday chal- lenged the legal right of utility holding companies, which refuse to register under the Wheeler-Reyburn act, to attack other phases of the law. | The unregistered concerns have “no | standing in a court, either of law or of | equity, to question the validity of | provisions like section 11" Justice De- | partment attorneys stated in a brief | filed with Justice Jennings Bailey of | District Supreme Court. “Section 11" | is the so-called “death sentence,” pro- | viding for dissolution of unnecessary holding companies. Stay Previously Asked. A previous request had been made that the court stay action under seven injunction suits aimed at the con- stitutionality of the law, until a case brought by the Securities and Ex-| change Commission against the Elec- | 25— | tric Bond & Share Co. could be pushed | *'We to conclusion. The brief filed yester- | day was in reply to oral arguments and seals against the Government's motion to stay. | As the first step toward adminis- tration of the aci, utility holding companies were required to register with the Securities Commission by Most of the major con- | cerns declined to do so on the ground | registration might jeopardize their legal status in attacking the law. Provision Held “Separable.” ‘The brief filed yesterday set out the | contention that the provision for reg- | istration is “separable” from the re- | mainder of the act—that is, it could be found invalid without voiding the entire law. It was contended that until the seven companies register they have | | no legal right to claim imminence of | damags under other provisions. | The seven ccmpanies were North American Co., American Water Works | & Electric Co., United Light & Power | Co., United Light & Railway Co., | Continental Gas & Electric Corp., © | American Light & Traction Co. and Tennessee Electric Power Co. o War (Continued From First Page.) Coptic Christians and Mohammedans. In the Tembian region bitter fight- ing continued along the Takkaze River, allowing no pause for Christ- mas. MISSIONARIES CELEBRATE DAY 508 Participate In Yule Rites at Addis Ababa, ADDIS ABABA, December 25 (#).— Still far from the sound of booming guns, 500 adherents of Western Chris- tianity celebrated Christmas early to- day at missions and churches of this Ethiopian capital. Prayers were said at three American missions for workers in distant parts of the empire. To 700,000 Ethiopian soldiers at the war front, and to Ethiopians at hom today was “the day of good news the day when Mary was informed by an angel of the coming of Christ. American services were held at mission hospitals in various parts of the Ethiopian empire as well as in Addis Ababa. At Dessye, Emperor Haile Selassie, in & Christmas message to America, prayed that “the precious principles of peace, sanctifed in the death of Christ, may again be restored to & distracted world.” He delivered his message from the old Italian consulate here. It wi there that he survived an air bom- bardment against him by his Fascist foes three weeks ago. The Emperor said: “As leader of one of the oldest Christian nations of the world, I sa- lute Christian America. “I wish her people continuance of that peace, contentment and flliality with which the Great Figure, whose birth we celebrate tomorrow, endowed them. “Our people, whose peaceful pas- toral lives are founded upon that of the gentle Peacemaker, pray that they may soon bs delivered from the hor- rors of war. “I pray for America and all great Christian nations to join in that pray- er, that the preeious principles of peace, sanctified in the death of Christ, may again be restored to a distracted world.” TWO MISSING IN FIRE Feared Victims of $200,000 The- ater Blaze at Resort. HOT SPRINGS, Ark., December 25 (#).—Two persons were reported burn- ed to death early today when fire de- stroyed the Princess Theater here. Sidney M. Nutt, owner, estimated loss 4 $300,000, [ was the mysterious escort who was to take her to a party at the Wallace Fords, December 16, remained a mystery. Further light on Miss Todd's mental attitude before her death, December 15, from carbon monoxide, was given by Mrs. Helen Ainsworth, hat-shop employe. Mrs. Ainsworth told grand jury in- vestigators the actress made a pur- chase four days before her death, and, as she wrote a check, said: “You'd better get your money now because I may be broke by the first of the year. A great many changes are going to take place in my life by then.” Zasu Pitts, who once teamed with Miss Todd in comedies, had accom- panied her to the shop. “I never saw Theima happier in her life than that day.” saia Miss Pitte went shopping and Thelma bought & lot of Christmas wrappin- and I am sure she intende to be alive and observe Christmas.” With her husband, Ed Woodall, Mi- Pitts is scheduled to be called befo e the grand jury when hearings are re- sumed Friday. Button said the actress’ will, whicl. bequeatned $1 to her former husbanc; Pasquale Di Cicco, would be filed for | probate tomorrow. Di Cicco was mads & nominal beneficiary because the will was drawn while thelr divorce was pending, Button said. He estimated the estate, which will 80 to her mother, would include a $25,000 annuity and $100,000 in securi- ties. BROTHERS SEPARATED 20 YEARS ARE REUNITED Pair Parted by Adoption From Methodist Orphanage Find Each Other on Christmas. By the Associated Press. BURNT PRAIRIE, I, December 25, —TFor two brothers separated by adop- tion, Christmas day holds a reunion delayed 20 years. Wade Wright of Winchester, Il1, 22, didn't know he had a brother until Ralph Mundenhank, 26-year-old | Burnt Prairie truck farmer, found him | by mail after a long search. They were placed in the Methodist | Orphanage at Mount Vernon, I, 20 | years ago. Mundenhank retained his own name and his brother took that of his foster parents. Wins Auto As Prize. Victor C. Olmsted of Clarendon, Va., 8 semi-invalid, has been notified that he has won a 1935 model auto- | mobile as first prize in & slogan con- | test sponsored by the Washington | Haberdashery, Eleventh and F streets. Olmsted’s entry, “Style Insurance for ‘Smart’ People,” was one of 4,000 slogans submitted. Emma Dennis, 3919 Fifth street, won a radio as second prize and Wilmoth A. Hill, 221 B street northeast, also won a radio s third prize. Irvin S. Cobb Says: Santa Needs Gas Mask to Ride in World’s Evil Atmosphere. WESTWOOD HILLS, Calif., Decem- ber 25.—There was a manger and a man child born in it, and a new star over Bethlehem and three wise men a-riding. Peace on earth: But no in their own Iland for & man and a protection— Charles and Anne £ Ethiopians tear ing at one an- gled withers, . Germany, with race arraigned against race, creed against creed, neighbor against neighbor, Europe trembling on the lip of Mexico in turmoil, civic, religious, political. The Philippines already lowing like & tied calf in the lion's den. p Santa Claus, I hope you had sense enough to wear & gas mask. « om0 1, s