Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1936, Page 14

MCARRAN PLANS PAY INGREASE BILL FORU.S. EMPLOYES Nevadan Studies “Fair and Just” Raise to Balance Higher Living Costs. SALARY BOOSTS BASED ON LONGEVITY MAPPED Extension of Merit System Among Problems Due to Come Be- fore Congress. A pay increase bill for Government employes at the coming session of Congress is being considered by Sen- ator McCarran, Democrat, of Ne- vada, who took the lead in having the last economy reduction restored to workers in 1935. The Nevadan said that while de- tails have not been worked out, he believes there should be such a meas- ure, and is awaiting completion of studies to determine “what would be a fair and just raise in view of the increasing cost of living.” One plan he is looking into would establish a system of longevity in- creases, under which, after 10 years of service, an employe would begin to receive pay increases of- $100 a year each fifth year until 30 years of service has been completed. ° He said he began working on such & program for the postal employes and now is trying to see if it can be applied to other Federal workers. Such a system, he sald, would be especially helpful in maintaining fair salary schedules in the fleld service throughout the country, but he is not excluding those in the departments here from consideration. For several weeks there have been strong indications that the approach- ing session will be an important one for Government employes, with sev- eral major personnel problems sched- uled to come up. These include ex- tension of the merit system to execu- tive bureaus and agencies now outside of Civil Service; liberalizing the re- tirement law; steps to make some pro- vision for retirement of unclassified non-Civil Service employes who have been found to be outside of the bene- fits of both the Federal retirement law and the social security act. A report also will be presented in January from the Civil Service Com- mission on the amount of overtime work performed in Government bu- reaus in the past six months, to give Congress an idea of how much over- time is required and whether it should be compensated for through addi- tional leave. JAMES ROOSEVELT ON JOB WEDNESDAY Says White House Duties Will * Be “Anything Father Wants Me to Do.” James Roosevelt, oldest son of the President, who recently was commis- sioned a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, said today he will take over his mew job at the ‘White House next Wednesday. He was questioned by reporters as to the nature of his new duties, and replied, “I'll do anything father wants me to.” The President previously had said his son would help out with odds and ends. Published reports that the Presi- dent might place his son on the active list of the Marine Corps were de- scribed as erroneous by Navy Depart- ment authorities. It was explained the law makes no provision for a Reserve lieutenant colonel on the year-round aetive list. Lieut. Col. Roosevelt, who is 30, has severed his connection with an in- surance firm. He will occupy an office recently vacated by Steve Early, one of the presidential secretaries, ‘who has moved into an office formerly used by the late Col. Louis Howe, Young Roosevelt accompanied his father on his recent South American tour. It was believed he will be permitted to draw a lieutenant colonel’s pay for at least a month of the time he spent on the cruise and a captain’s pay for the rest of the time, e TOWN HALL TO HEAR BRITISH JOURNALIST 8. K. Ratcliffe Will Discuss Future | of England at Session Sunday. After a recess of two weeks during the Christmas holidays, the Town Hall of Washington will resume its meetings at the Shoreham Hotel at 8 pm., Sunday, when 8. K. Ratcliffe, British journalist and lecturer, will speak on the subject “Britain—the Next Five Years.” Ratcliffe, former editorial writer and special correspondent for the London Observer and the Spectator, will dis- cuss the problems that will confront Great Britain during the next five years. Other speakers listed for January are: January 10, Alfred Adler, noted Viennese psychologist, whose subject will be “The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology”; January 17, Margaret Sanger, birth-control leader, who will discuss “Overpopulation—a Cause of War”; January 24, John K. Flynn, economist, “Speculation, Our National Menace,” and January 31, a debate between Norman Thomas and Dr. Neil Carothers on the subject “How to Achieve the Abundant Life.” CAPPER WILL SURVEY ALLEY DRIVE RESULTS Senator Capper, lupuhnun. of THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, B. Swallows Open Safety Pin Rosser Howard 13 month-old son of Mrs. Joseph Howard, 1234 D street nartheust. photographed with his mother today after an open safety pin he had swallowed was removed from his tonsils. The child’s mother discovered his condition yesterday “just in time,” said Dr. Paul Rozzero, who removed the inch and a half lnng pin at Providence Haspital. § Rosser decided today he will stick pretty close to a milk diet from now on. —Star Staff Photo. 1,400 Marines Will Participate In-Ceremonies at Inauguration Detachments From Philadelphia and Norfolk to Be in Capital for Parading and Guard Duty. Nearly 1,400 Marines will be on duty in Washington for the inaugura- tion—870 to march in the ceremonial parade and 514 to be on guard in the city, mainly in the vicinity of the Capitol—Marine Corps headquarters announced today. Since the Fleet Marine Force will be gone from Quantico, Va, on maneuvers on January 20, orders have been issued bringing detachments from Philadelphia and Norfolk. Participating in the parade will be some 34 officers and 836 enlisted men, under command of Col. Thomas S. Clarke, who commands the Marine Barracks here. On guard duty will be 14 officers and 500 enlisted men under command of Lieut. Col. Leroy P. Hunt, executive officer of the Marine Barracks here. Although the parade will be llmlted in extent, in keeping with the wishes of President Roosevelt, and while there will be no official inaugural ball, the whole inaugural program will be colorful, Admiral Cary T. Grayson, general chairman of the Inaugural Committee, promises. Admiral Grayson Speaks. In a radio talk over a Nation-wide network of the National Broadcasting Co. last night, Admiral Grayson gave a broad outline of the program and explained why it had been decided to exclude civic and marching units from the parade. “One of the hardest things for an inaugural chairman to do is to say ‘No' to the many patriotic citizens who want to participate in this parade,” he said. “Countless local organizations want to honor the President by marching and they are particularly desirous of having their local home town bands participate. A touching appeal came from a young boy, 10 or 12 years old, who had a pet steer which he had broken to drive to a cart. He wanted to show his admiration of the President by parading this steer in | front of the court of honor. | “There had to be a limit to the pa- | rade, because if we had acquiesced to all the requests to parade, the pro- cession would not only have lasted all of the afternoon of January 20, but all night as well. To review a parade of such length would have meant great strain for the President, which no one would wish to inflict upon him.” Inaugural Concert Planned. Admiral Grayson announced that again for this -inauguration, as in 1933, the committee would sponsor an inaugural concert, which would be a feature of ceremonies on the night of the inauguration. He said he hoped to be able to announce soon the names of distinguished artists to appear in recital on that occasion. Radio has made it possible he said, for 100,000 or more persons standing in the great plaza east of the Capitol to hear the President’s inaugural ad- dress, whereas prior to 1920 only those close to the President’s speaking stand could hear his message. Describing the make-up of the pa- rade- units, Admiral Grayson said the Governors of the States had been in- vited to take places, and that the Army, Navy and Marine Corps would be represented. He said another col- orful note would be provided by the West Point cadets and the Annapolis midshipmen, who have taken no part in an inaugural parade for 20 years. Appointment of 22 business men as members of the Finance Committee, which is raising a guarantee fund to assure payment of bills for the ine augural parade and other ceremonies was announced today by Robert V. Fleming, chairman. They are: Morris Cafritz, Thomas Carson, James E. Collifiower, Oscar Coolican, James H. Davis, R. S. d’Espard, W. ‘W. Everett, Thomas J. Groom, Gran- ville Gude, John A. Korman; 8. Gridley, Harold Brayman, Clifford Prevost, Charles A. Hamilton, Thomas Stokes, Paul McGahan, Harry Gauss, William Kennedy, William K. Hutch- inson, George R. Holmes, Lyle Wilson, Gould Lincoln, Byron Price, J. Harry Cunningham, Ernest Walker and J. Fred Essary. Col. Dan I. Sultan, engineer com- missioner, has designated Frank A. Birgfeld and Joséph W. Holman as additional members of the Grand- stand Committee. Entertainment Committee. Members of the Special Entertain- ment Committee for colored visitors, designated by G. David Houston, chairman, are: Woolsey W. Hall vice chairman; Shepherd §. Allen, George W. Beasley, Mrs. Mary E. Booker, Miss Leonie H. Boyd, W. Tecumseh Bradshaw, the Rev. Walter H. Brooks, Rufus G. Byars, Dr. S. L. Carson, Thomas R. Cary, Aloert I. Cassell, the Rev. Arthur Chichester, William Clark, Thomas H. R. Clarke, Mrs. Jacque- line A. Cuney, Enoch G. Gray, jr., Dr. E. F. Harris, Prof. John R. Haw- kins, W. W. Horad, Maj. Campbell C, Johnson, Dr. J. Hayden Johnson, Edward H. Lawson, William I. Lee, Mrs. Virginia H. McGuire, Dr. C. Herbert Marshall, jr., Miss Corinne E. Martin,"I. S. Mason, Jesse H. Mitchell, Benjamin T. Montgomery, Joseph N. Murray, Capt. Arthur C. Newman, Fred B. Pelham, John T. Rhines, Dr. George H. Richardson, L. O. Robert- son, Walter L. Robertson, Mercer 8. Sampson, Hon. Armond W. Scott, Emory B. Smith, Mrs. Orra W. Spivey, Bruce T. Stewart, Hon. William J. Thompkins, Patrick M. Tolliver, the Rev. C. W. Ward, Dr. W. A. Warfleld, Nelson E. Weatherless, Frederick S. Weaver, Dr. Ionia R. Whipper, Fred- erick D. Wilkinson, Garnet C. Wilkin- son. Mrs. Velma G. Williams, Dr. F. O. Williston, John H. Wilson, Howard D. Woodson and William O. Woolison, BANDIT IS SOUGHT IN STORE ROBBERY Ruddy-Complexioned Man, Wear- ing Dark Goggles, Gets $128 in Hold-up. A ruddy-complexioned man of about 30 was sought by police today as the bandit who late last night rob- bed a liquor store at 1619 L street of $128, after slugging Alfred L. Galiano, a clerk, over the head with the butt of a gun. The robber, wearing colored driving goggles, htt Galiano when he offered resistance, police were told, and forced a colored delivery boy to lie on the floor. He took the money from the cash register. ‘The description furnished police was said to have indicated the bandit may have been the same one Who rob- bed a market at Sixteenth and M streets last month after locking the clerk and several patrons in the ice- box. The robber in the latter case also wore dark goggles. MINORITY TO FIGHT Snell Says Nation Will Not Be Abandoned to “Reaction.” Representative Snell of New York, leader of the handful of House Re- publicans, said yesterday the Nation would not be abandoned “to the re- action of one-party government.” Snell said in a statement that Re- publicans would function in the next Congress as a ‘“compact, alert, co- hesive unit,” Levay, L. Gardner Moore, Edgar Mor- ris, Bert L. Olmsted, John E. Parker, Charles W. Pimper, H. L. Rust, jr.; John Saul, Charles H. Tompkins, W. W. Wheeler, Edward G. Yonker and Ford E. Young, Press Relations Committee. ignated by Charles Michelson, chair- man, were announced by Admiral Grayson. They are: Eugene Meyer, vice chairman; John T. Lambert, vice chairman; - Theodore W. Noyes, vice chairman; Lowell Mellett, vice chair- man; Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, vice chairman; Miss Evelyn Gordon, Miss Ruth Jones, Miss Phyllis Thompson, Miss Flora McDonald, Miss ' Jesse Arndt, Don Cralg, Nelson Bell, Jay and Carmody, Harold Phillips, Felix Mor- Miss Elizabeth’ ley, - Gideon Lyons, and responsibilities. C., % DEAD IN YEAR |ACTION TO CONTROL IND. C. TRAFFIC; |ANACOSTIA FLOODS TWO CONVICTIONS Improvement Shown Over 113 Fatalities Recorded in 1935. PROSECUTION FIGURES SHOW DISCREPANCIES September Was Safest Month in Washington and December Most Dangerous, Death List, Page A-10. The story, of Washigton's traffic fatalities for 1936, as revealed by po- lice records today, shows 99 persons have been killed in automobile acci- dents and two offending drivers sent to jail. So far as the total of deaths is concerned, there has been a decided improvement. In 1935, there were 113 official trafic deaths, and 2 persons were killed in accidents on private property, while in 1934 the total of deaths was 135. Although there is some discrep- ancy in the figures relating to prose- cutions of negligent drivers, appar= ently there have been but two con- victions. 15 Motorists Charged. ‘The official police records show that up to December 28 15 motorists were charged under the negligent homi- cide act. Of these one was sent io Jail upon conviction in Police Court, four cases were nolle prossed, no pa- pers were issued in two others, one person was sent to an insane asylum and seven cases are still pending. ‘The same figures show five persons indicted for manslaughter and one conviction, in which the driver was given a jail sentence of from two to three years. The four remaining cases are awaiting trial. Records of the coroner’s office show 17 persons held under the negligent homicide act and eight drivers held for the grand jury, with four cases in which inquests have not yet been held. In the grand jury cases, pre- sumably three of the charges were nolle prossed or ignored by the jurors. The reduction in the total number of deaths was attributed to ingreased police vigilance and the intensive traffic safety campaigns carried on in the newspapers, the schools and by the automobile associations. September Safest Month. ‘The safest month during the year was September, when only three per- sons were killed. December brought the worst record, with 18 lives lost. ‘The youngest victim was 3-year-old William Brookhart, grandson of the former Senator, who was killed last Spring when he broke away from his mother and ran into the path of an automobile driven by a close friend. John Boyle, 81, veteran Washington newspaper man, was the oldest victim. He was run down on September 30 and died December 26. Seven-year-old Donald Miller, 5213 Macomb street, was the first victim of the year. He was killed January 2 when run over by a street car while sleigh riding. Another tragic death was that of 6-year-old James Tate, 60 New York avenue, who was killed when struck by a bus December 8 just after leaving his home to take his little brother to mass. COL. UPSHUR HEADS SELECTION BOARD 85 Marine Corps Majors and Cap- tains to Be Chosen at Meeting. Col. William P. Upshur will be presi- dent, of the Junior Selection Board of the Marine Corps, which will pick 85 captains and 90 first lieutenants for advancement, officials said today. Secretary Swanson has issued a call for the board to assemble at the Navy Department on January 18. Serving with Col. Upshur will be Col. John Marston, Col. Samuel M. Harrington, Lieut. Col. Henry L. Larsen, Lieut. Col. Raymond R. Wright, Lieut. Col. Le Roy P. Hunt, Maj. Frank D. Strong, Maj. Harold C. Major and Maj. John T. Selden. The board’s recorder will be Capt. Clyde H. Hartsel. ‘The board will report back its rec- ommendations for the new majors and captains to Maj. Gen. Thomas Hol- comb, the commandant of the Marine Corps, and to Secretary Swanson, who will send the names to the White House for the President’s action. If this list meets with President Roose- velt’s indorsement he will send the names to the Senate for confirmation. Under the law the board must be in | session at least 10 days. MENU PRICES MODERN House Restaurant Patrons Note Changes in Two Respects. Modernized and renovated, the House of Representatives restaurant opened for business yesterday, but the enthusiasm of early patrons was dampened somewhat by the prices on the menu. Compared with last year, the 45- cent luncheon special was conspicu- ously absent, the cheapest offered being 60 cents. Soups and sandwiches which could be purchased in many other restau- guarding minority ri‘hnl rants for a dime were priced at 15 cents. French Coffee Pot Disappears; Overton’s Custom Is Hampered By the Associated Press. Half of an ancient ritual—French coffee brewing—came to a rude halt today on Capitol Hill “Some one,” sighed Senator Over- ton, Democrat, of Louisiana, “has re- moved my coffee pot.” Discovering the loss on returning | Kat to the Capital, he sped the distressing news to his coffee colleague, Repre- sentative Derouen of colorful Evan- geline Parish. myuocmmptmmmu thé Summer, vmuumom Building was air-conditioned. wmhnowmwm A. | however. Overton sent to Louisiana for new Derouen, who had forn himself from the morning’s fourth cup, quickly offered the accommodations of his own coffee corner. Both legislators drink from three to five cups & day, brewed beside their ll!l‘tu-nfnueofloepotmwtor Overton’s office is his pretty daughter, therine. Chef in the mnnunl quar- URGED AT HEARING Prince Georges Development Held Retarded 100 Years by Water’s Ravages. SESSIONS CONCLUDED ON POTOMAC PROBLEM Two Urge Report to Congress De- signed to End Devastation Over Entire Area. BY LESTER N. INSKEEP, ‘The development of that section of Prince Georges County, Md., through which the Anacostia River flows has been retarded 100 years because of continual floods which make a large part of the property adjacént to the river worthless, it was stated by T. Howard Duckett, member of both the Washington Suburban Sanitary Com- mission and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion, at the final hearing on Potomac River flood control, held yesterday at the Navy Building by Lieut. W. J. Matteson and his assistants. Among more than a score of per- sons who spoke at the hearing were Representatives Gambrill of Maryland and Randolph of West Virginia, both urging a report to Congress which will result in the control of floods through= out the entire Potomac River basin. In its present condition, Duckett de- clared, the Eastern Branch throws a barrier across Prince Georges County that has already caused untold prop- erty losses and, unless conditions are corrected, will result in the loss of millions of dollars in the future, Flood Conditions Told. Attention of the District engineer to long-standing flood conditions in Bla- densburg. Hyattsville, Brentwood and Colmar Manor was brought not only by Representative Gambrill but by the Mayors of the towns affected and the, chief engineer of the State Roads Com- mission of the State. Gambrill said the development of the Peace Cross | area at Bladensburg, together with many other improvements planned for the territory, are being held up to await the possible control of the floods by the Federal Government. State Delegate John S. White de- clared the Bladensburg district suffers several floods annually. It is seldom affected by general floods, but is cov- ered by several feet of water each time there is a hard rain, he said. Two possible methods of control were discussed, both having been de- veloped by an earlier survey. The first, which was favored by park officials of both the Federal and State govern- ments, was the construction of levees to protect each of the towns separately. This would leave the remainder for park development. River Would Be Dredged. Under the second, the river would be dredged and widened and levees constructed for a sufficient length to protect property throughout the entire area. Local officials and real estate developers expressed satisfaction with this plan, since it would restore many bundm; sites which are now worth- The Federation of Citizens’ Associa- tions of Prince Georges County. through its president, A. D. Bailey, submitted a report showing annual local losses of approximately $40,000. There are 22 business houses and 240 residences with assessed valuations of $900,000 affected. The health of 7,000 persons is endangered with each flood. Nathan L. Smith, chief engineer, Maryland States Roads Commission, promised the aid of his department, even to the extent of allocating | funds to raise the highways some dis- tance if the Federal Government will meet it half way with flood control. Among others who spoke were John F. Nolen, city planner of the National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion, who said both his body and the Fine Arts Commission object to the erection of any more levees here, pre- ferring rather to suffer an occasional flood loss than permanently mar the beauty of the park systems; Thomas 8. Settle, secretary of the park body, who suggested the proposed Jefferson Memorial could be constructed on & base high enough to protect it from floods; Willlam S. Canning of the Keystone Automobile Club, who asked that everything possible be done to relieve conditions at the intersection of the two Maryland roads; Carl Bud- wesky, Alexandria, Va., city attorney, who asked and received permission to submit flood-control data at a later date; Miss Elaine Eppley, represent- ing both the District of Columbia Federation of Citizens’ Associations and the District Federation of Wom- en’s Clubs, who asked that Maryland be given relief so its sewage will no longer pollute the Washington area, and many other Maryland officials and residents. In a letter, the Interior Department asked the construction of a levee on the Virginia side of the Potomac to protect the Arlington Experimental Farm, the Washington Airport and adjacent highway and railroad rights of way. The data already gathered, together with other figures which have been promised, will be used to determine whether an actual survey will be made of the river basin in preparation for a report to Congress. AUTO ACCESSORY STORES CHECKED IN THEFTS Sttae Police Act After Four Cars Are Stripped on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. BY the Associated Press. z EASTON, Md., December 31.—Sergt. William Weber, commander of the State police substation here, said yes- terday second-hand automobile ac- cessory stores in Talbot and Caroline Counties are being checked for evi- dence in an investigation of the strip- ping of automobiles. ‘Weber said a special night patrol is attempting to break up the work of the thieves. Pour new automobiles were stolen in this vicinity over the Christmas period anc later were found aban~ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1936. Trapped Man Is Rescued Firemen Hack Way Into Ceiling to Release Captive Under Protest Photo shows the hole whic of a house at 603 L street today colored man, who had crawled ceiling and the roof. HEFTY colored man frus- trated policemen and firemen for more than an hour today as they attempted to force him from a foot and a half space be- tween the top-story ceiling and the roof of a house at 603 L street south- east. He was finally driven to a trap door—through which he was ex- tricated—as firemen chopped a long hole in the ceiling in an effort to locate him. Elmer Smallwood, 32, of 1244 Half street southeast, had spent the last two nights at the L street address with his uncle, James Porter. Some time between 2 and 6 am. today, Porter said, Smallwood squeezed through the small trap door leading to the roof and forced himself into the narrow space above the ceiling of the bath room. Members of the family heard him thumping on the ceiling and yelling that “crooks” were after him. At- tempts to lure him from his hiding Pplace resulted only in more shouting and thumping. $830,000 Given Civic Groups’ Indorsement. ‘The support of a large number of representatives from Washington civic | and welfare organizations today was thrown behind the Welfare Board'’s re- quest for a deficiency appropriation ot $830,000 to continue relief in the Dis-' trict until June 30. - Dr. J. Russell Clinchy, pastor of the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, presiding over a meeting of |tend a hearing before the District | Commissioners next Tuesday at 11 | am. when the Welfare Board's request will be considered. ‘Would Avoid Federal Grant. Dr. Frederick W. Perkins, chairman of the Public Assistance Committee of the Board of Public Welfare, urged the appropriation be sought as a “mu- nicipal appropriation” to enable Wash- ington to handle adequately its relief problem, rather than as a Federal grant which would stir opposition in Congress. ‘The present relief situation, no aid at all for families of employables un- able to secure work, and inadequate funds for unemployables now receiving aid, was presented graphically by seve eral welfare workers, including Mrs. Margaret Anderson of the Board of Public Welfare. She recounted a few cases in which fathers had deserted wives and children so their families | could secure relief. The additional funds are sought for the following relief services: Granting $35 a month to each of at least 3,000 employable families not now on relief, for the next six months, $630,000. More Personnel Asked. Additional payment of $5 a month to each of 4,500 families now on relief, $135,000. Additional personnel to handle the increased case burden, $65,000. These figures were presented by Director of Public Welfare Elwood Street, who stressed, for the personnel allotment, the unusually heavy burden under which welfare workers are now operating. Dr. Clinchy declared present relief policies and lack of funds were “penal- izing those who are able to work,” but are unable to secure employment. VIRGINIA F. F. A. SETS ANNUAL RALLY DATES Sessions at V. P. I Scheduled June 14-17—State Camp and 1937 Budget Discussed. By the Assoclated Press. RICHMOND, Ba., December 31.— ‘The Executive Committee of the Vir- ginia Association of Puture Farmers of America fixed June 14-17 yesterday as the dates for the annual rally to be held next year at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, William Shaffer, former national president of the Future Farmers of America, presented the national achievement cup for 1935 to Wayne Larrowe of Woodlawn, who was presi- dent of the Virginia chapter when it won the trophy at the national meet- ing at Kansas City. The committee also discussed ten- tative plans for a State F. F. A. camp, uamr budget and proposed changes te constitution to be acted .mbymomvmnmm burg. Deficiency Appropriation of the representatives at the Harrington | Hotel yesterday, urged the group to at- | h firemen kacked in the ceiling in an effort to extricate a heavy into a small space between the —Star Staff Photo. Pifth precinct police were called, and a squad car was sent to the house, Vainly the officers tried to persuade Smallwood they had come only to| help him. Shouting defiance, he crawled to a far corner of the space. The policemen decided the problem was too much for them, so they called the fire rescue squad. The firemen explained to Smallwood that they were not officers and had not come to arrest him. The only answer, how- ever, was more thumping and shouting. One look through the trapdoor con- vinced the firemen the space was too small for them. They hacked a hole about 5 feet long and 8 inches wide in the ceiling, then drove Small- wcod to the trapdoor, where they | seized his legs as he attempted to | scramble through to the roof. Several men were required to hold lhim while a strait-jacket was ap- plied. He was taken to Gallinger | Hospital for mental observation. d Fur Coats! Swappe At Pre-Yule Party Attorney General Cummings is try- fur coats at the pre-Chrstmas party Tilden street home. Puzzles Cummings| 1ng to solve the mystery of the swapped | he and Mrs. Cummings gave at their | JUDGES APPROVE PROCEDURE SHFTS” IN'POLICE COURT Proposal to Create Office of “Public Defender” Held Advisable, FIVE POINTS OFFERED BY CURRAN ADOPTED Two Others to Get Further Study. Way to Speed Traffic Cases Is Advanced. Creation of the office of “public de- fender” was one of five reforms ap- proved by Police Court judges late yesterday at a special meeting called to bring court procedure up to date. Another improvement would change the name of Police Court to “City Court of the District of Columbia.” Still another would lessen the incon- venience of persons interested in a case in Traffic Court, who frequently must wait hours before the case is called. In adopting five of seven points suggested by Judge Edward M. Cur- ran, the judges agreed that a public defender should be appointed to repre- sent defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The public defender would appear only for those unable to provide their own counsel. Traffic Case Delays. It was said that witnesses and de- fendants in Traffic Court would be saved much time and trouble by a system of staggered hours for calling their cases. Judge Curran declared that cour- tesy to the public demands that this change be made. This point was ap- proved, however, with the proviso that it be discussed further with Police Chief Ernest W. Brown and other ine terested officials. . Another point approved was estab- lishment of a division of records and statistics to keep the public informed as to what the court is doing. This would entail keeping a complete sta- tistical record and would require that all judges make a monthly report to the Attorney General. A suggestion for a standing Bar Association Committee on the Police Court also was approved. Judge Cure ran declared that such a committee will give material assistance to the court, and be of value in reference to policy and administration. It was suggested that regular meetings be- tween the judges and such a com- mittee be held. Uniform Penalty System. ‘The judges discussed a system of uniform penalties in the traffic branch, | but the question was continued for further consideration. The seventh suggestion in Judge { Curran’s reform plan, the establish- ment of a behavior clinic, was passed for further study by the judges Judge Curran the opinion that a behavior clinic “is as necessary to the successful treatment of crime | as a diagnosis in the successful treate ment of disease.” s ‘The swapping took place quite inno- cently, of course. The mistake was not discovered until this week, when one | of the guests, Mrs. Campbell Prichett, | noticed she was wearing a black velvet evening coat remarkably like heru, but with a different label. Apparently Mrs. Prichett and ln other guest, as yet unknown, unwit- tingly exchanged coats as they were leaving the Cummings party on De- cember 17. Everybody concerned is naturally | The | distressed about the incident. | Attorney General and some of his ex- | pert assistants are trying now to lo- cate the owner of the coat handed to Mrs. Prichett, and they believe they will then find Mrs. Prichett's own SLPPERY STREETS CAUSE ACCIDENTS Two Pedestrians and Truek Driver Seriously Hurt in Last 24 Hours. Slippery streets and a steady rain | were held responsible for serious in- Juries to two pedestrians and a truck driver last night and early today. Jessie Smith, 20, colored, 1013 Fourth street southeast, was taken to Providence Hospital with internal in- Jjuries received in a collision at New Jersey avenue and E street southeast. His chest was crushed when his truck, owned by the American Ice Co., was hit by a sedan operated by Charles Johnson, 56, colored, 1104 New Jersey avenue southeast, and hurled over the sidewalk into the parking space in front of a filling station. James F. Merchant, 67, of 1110 Trinidad avenue northeast, a motor- man, is in a serious condition in Emergency Hospital, suffering from a broken gollarbone and ankle, cuts around the eye and possibly a frac- tured skull and ribs. He was cross- ing Connecticut avenue in the 4500 block when knocked down by a car operated by Dr. Edward A. Clark, 77, a dentist, 107 East Underwood street, Chevy Chase, Md. William F. Sheldon, 36, of 1604 Seventeenth street was struck at Du- pont Circle and P street, sustaining & fractured pelvis. The operator of the car, Edward Jackson, 18, of 18 O street, took him to Emergency. Mrs. Lettie Shumway, 40, of 122 Seventh street southeast, was injured internally when a car in which she was a passenger collided with a truck at Canal and D streets southwest. Police released Winfield G. O'Brien, 47, also of the Seventh street address, who was driving the car, on $25 col- lateral on a charge of operating with- out & permit. Police listed the driver of the truck as Percy W. Lee, 1753 Seaton street. He was not arrested. F.H A E;wnfive Promoted. half chief valuator of the District insuring office of the Federal Housing Administration, has been promoted to chief underwriter of that office, District Director J. Reilly Stanton announced today. He succeeds Albert K. Lapdvolgt, resigned. ‘The functions of the behavior clinie | would be to furnish the court in- formation as {o the individual's family | and personal history, his education | his story of the crime, and environ- | mental factors, with & view to the | possibility of restoring him to society. Present at the meeting in additior to Judge Curran were Presiding Judge John P. MacMahon and Judges Walter J. Casey and Isaac R. Hitt. PRESIDENT DONATES TO SEAL CAMPAIGN | Contributes as Drive of Tubercu losis Association Continues to Lag. President Roosevelt's eonmbuuy to the Tuberculosis Association': Christmas Seal Campaign, in the form of a personal check for a substantial amount, was received yesterday at the association’s headquarters, 102 Eleventh street. This evidence of interest by the Chief Executive was received with gratification by Mrs. Ernest R. Grant managing director of the association It came at a time when the seal cam- paign is far short of its goal. “Despite- the fact that many de- ferred payments for our Christmaz, seals, sent to iriends before Christ-' mas, are now coming in, the total ol our cash receipts to date is still $35.- 000 and far from our campaign goa! of 10 cents per capita, or about $60, 000,” Mrs. Grant said. “But if all who have not yet beer heard from will contribute what they are able, I am confident that we shall come nearer to our goal then ever be- fore. Every gift is welcome, however small. The fight against tuberculosis must be intensified in Washington fo1 the protection of all of us. No homt is safe until all homes are safe.” TO TAKE FLIGHT COURSE Two Washingtonians Named fo Pensacola Training. ‘Two Washingtonians are among the 64 aviation cadets named for flight training at Pensacola, Fla., in the sixth class that started yesterday, the Navy Department announced. ‘They are¢ Alois L. Sobotta of the Marine Bar- racks here and Henry E. Stevens, 1761 Columbia road. The cadets have been chosen from Naval Reserve aviation bases from al over the Nation. The local boys trained at Anacostia, where they received pre« liminary courses. BAND CONCERT. By the Soldiers’ Home Band i3 Stanley Hall at 5:30 p.m. today. Johzy S. M. Zimmermann, bandmaster Anton Poitner, assistant. Program. March, “The Naval Parade”. Hunguhn overture, “The Two Paul Ryon, for the last year and a | CI Waltz song, “When the Harvest Moot Is Shining” (request)._.Von Tilzes Pinale. “The Elks” (Auld Lang 8yne) “The Star smled Banner.” ‘There will be no concert on Satun day evening.