Evening Star Newspaper, February 7, 1937, Page 7

CHILD BRIDE'S' AGE DISPUTED IN COURT Mother Testifies She Is 18, But Health Records Put It at 12, By the Associated Press. WATERTOWN, N. Y., February 6. —A City Court judge was called on today to decide whether Leona Roshia Backus, New York's “child bride,” is & child or a woman The girl was brought into court as ® 12-year-old, for a hearing on her | marriage, but a controversy developed when her mother testified she was 18. Records Put Age at 12. | If this age is correct, Leona was old enough to marry legally in New York State and the rape case against her husband, Stanley Backus, apparently could not be sustained. Detective Samuel Roberts contended that Leona was not 18, but 12 as he said, the mother had been guoted as saying earlier. Roberts asserted State police had informed him State Health Department records gave the girl's age as 12. The story of the mother, Mrs. Mary Roshia, was supported by two of Leona’s brothers, Edward and Jos- eph, jr. Another brother, George, and a sis- ter, Mrs. Marian Reynolds, testified | they didn't know Leona's age. Birth Records Lacking. The matter was complicated by the absence of any record of the girl's | birth at De Paulville, where the mother said Leona was born, or at ‘Watertown, the county seat. | Judge Crandall F. Phillips ad- Journed the hearing for a week to await the arrival of the birth record alleged to exist at Albany. Attorneys were confused by the whole thing. They brought Leona | from a hospital, where she has been | under observation as an expectant mother, but decided not to ask her to | testify. If her age is 12, her marriage is illegal under New York's 14-year limit. But if she is 18, her marriage is legal and a wife cannot be com- | Ppelied to testify against her husband. | TOSCANINI T LEAD | N. B. C. IN SYMPHONY Noted Conductor to Return to America Late in Year for Radio Concert. Arturo Toscanini will return to this country to conduct the National Broadcasting Co. Symphony Orches- tra in a series of concerts over N. B. C.'s Nation-wide networks This was made know yesterday ‘when David Sarnoff. president of the Radio Corp. of America and chairman of the board of N. B. C.. announced a contract has been signed covering the exclusive services of the noted con- ductor in America for these radio sym- phony concerts. Toscanini, considered the world's foremost conductor, sent the following radiogram to Sarnoff yesterday: “I am very happy to accept your fnvitation to broadcast a series of spmphonic concerts over the National Broadcasting Co. networks. It is a great pleasure for me to think that I shall be able to put myself once more in touch with the radio public which gave me in my last season with | the Philharmonic the greatest proof of its appreciation and sympathy.” Toscanini referred to the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, which he conducted in many concerts. Sarnoff said that in order to place before Toscanini the possibilities of the proposal, he sent Samuel Chot- zinoff, celebrated music critic, to Mi- lan, Italy, the home of the conductor. The concerts, which will be present- ed as sustaining programs of the broadcasting company, will begin at the end of the present year. The series will be non-commercial. Sar- noff said the concerts will be given the widest possible distribution. “We are delighted to be able to secure the return of Maestro Toscanini to America,” said Sarnoff. “His in- comparable genius will further stim- | ulate and enrich musical appreciation in our country.” | SCOUTS TO MARK WEEK Roosevelt Broadcasts Tomorrow in Anniversary Observance. | NEW YORK, February 6 (#).— More than 1,000,000 Boy Scouts, cubs and their leaders begin tomorrow the | observance of Boy Scout week, mark- i ing the twenty-seventh anniversary of | the founding of that movement in this country. A principal event will be a broad- e€ast speech Monday night by Presi- dent Roosevelt, who is honorary presi- dent of the Boy Scouts of America. | | | | | ence, Mrs. Lancar was able to speak 'only a few se: Dial WMAL Today at 1:30 p.m. and settle down for an entertaining half-hour— “Visiting With the Famous” The first of a series of intensely interesting ro- mantic and historic epi- sodes with which the hands -of inspired genius touch the life of today. Sunday at 1:30 p.m. THE SUNDAY Was Mother at 13 Mrs. Sarah Bunch of Baton Rouge, La., who became a mother at age of 13, shown with the child. Mrs. Bunch thinks Mrs. Eunice Winstead Johns, 9-year-old Tennessee mountain bride, was “too young” to be married. ~—Copyright, A. P. Wirephoto. car became stalled in a deep drift. Condition of Both “Good.” Rescue (Continued From First Page.) Sierra Nevada Mountains west of “good” today. Carson City. “I feel pretty good.” said Mrs. Lan- ear, of Nevada, M when a ski party reached her stalled car on the Clear Creek grade late last night “We must get food quickly, though, especially for the baby." diately. Weakened by the harrowing experi- | | the snowbound car the journey on skis word of of the mother. blocked more than two weeks. the plight No F vs. “We haven't eaten for three days.” she smd. “I had half a packaze of | oatmeal mush and a can of mustard When that was gone there was noth We got water it rained to get a little rain w She reported her husband left the stranded car on foot a week ago to summon aid. 1 the trip out. Shanghai in Routine Maneuver. SHANGHAL February STAR, FBOW- | Dr. E. E. Hamer said the condition of both the mother and daughter was A rescue party was organized imme- | Six men drove within 3 miles of and finished They placed the | mother and baby on a toboggan for | | TOKIO MOVES WARSHIPS Six Japanese Vessels Arrive at 6 () —Six FUCHARIST SESSION HEARS POPE TODAY Thousands Attend Closing Day’s Services of Manila Congress. BY the Assoclated Press. MANILA, P. I, February 7 (Sun- day).—Tens of thousands of Catholics from all parts of the world gathered in Luneta Park for the closing day of the thirty-third International Eu- charistic Congress, which shortly after dawn today with pon- tifical mass celebrated by Dennis Cardinal Dougherty of Philadelphia. The vast throngs had prepared for the magnificent religious service led by Pope Pius’ personal envoy with a series of masses in Manila churches, beginning at 4 am. Long before sunup the vast park | was jammed to capacity. Thousands found seats about the giant Bucharise tic altar, while other thousands stood. Loudspeakers carried the singing Voice of the cardinal to the throng and radio carried the service to the outside world. High Prelates Present. high prelates of the church and visiting cardinais their office, scores of churcnmen marched from the robing room to the sanctuary. As the papal legate ap- peared the choir sang “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus.” Final events of the week-long con- gress were scheduled for the after- noon and evening. The Eucharistic procession, in which thousands were to participate, was to begin at 4 pm (3 am. Sunday, Eastern standard time). This was to be followed by the benediction of the blessed sacra- ment on the Luneta. ‘The blessing of the Pope was to be brought by radio from Vatican City at 9 pm. (8 am, Eastern standard time). Ten minutes later Cardinal | Dougherty was to speak his final | words to the delegates and the con- Two men who came down Clear | Creek grade last night brought first | young The road had been snow- WASHINGTON, D began | Assisting the cardinal were other | seated nearb, on their thrones were ‘ In full robes of . C., FEBRUARY 17, gress was to close with the singing of the congress hymn by the great con- gregation. Young Catholic men and women should enlist to carry the message of Christianity to the “bona fide” pagans of the Far East, the Rev. James T. Gillis, editor of the Catholic World, told a session of the congress last night. “Real Mission Field.” The East is the real mission field of the Catholic Church, the Rev. Mr. Gillis avowed. “It is true,” he said, “we have un- believers in Europe and in America. But ours are not real pagans. They are apostate Catholics, lapsed Prot- estants and renegades from Christian- ity. “As we skirted the coasts of Japan, China and India en route here we caught a passing glimpse of swarming millions of bona fide pagans. In them there is no drop of Christian blood and never was.” He declared these Far Easterners live under appalling economic and social conditions. “They are not aliens to us, these poor people are our brothers and sis- ters in Jesus Christ,” he concluded, in an appeal for young men and women from Europe, America and the Philip- pines to enlist in the “service of Jesus Christ to bring the Catholic faith to | masses of the Far East.” REVISED YOUTH BILL WILL BE DISCUSSED Abbott Simon to Be Heard at Conference Session To- morrow Night. Abbott Simon, national legislative director of the American Youth Con- ference, will discuss the newly re- vised American youth act at a meet- ing of the Washington Council of hat body tomorrow night in the | world peaceways room of the Y. W. C. A. at 8:15. | The council, which includes repre- | sentatives of young people in Govern= ment lodges and local religious and social groups, will discuss arrange- ments for the pilgrimage of 3,000 members of the American Youth Con- gress to Washington the week end of February 19. Choice-of -the-House ... 1937—PART ONE. HINTSVENUEPLEA FOR MRS. TRADER [Leibowitz Opens Fight for Woman Accused of Slaying Husband. | By (he Associated Press. | SNOW HILL, Md, February 6— | Arrival today of Samuel Leiboritz, famed New York criminal lawyer and newly named chief of Mrs. Jeannette B. Trader's defense counsel, developed | the possibility the widow's trial for | the first-degree murder of her hus- | ban may be transferred to Baltimore. | Leibowitz, known as the winner of | 115 acquittals in 118 murder trials and a lawyer yet to “lose a client to the electric chair or noose,’ conferred immediately with John L. Sanford, attorney. Accompanied by Investigator, | He inquired what procedure would | be involved in the transfer of the trial frem this judicial circuit to Bal- timore, but would not say definitely he planned to ask a change of venue. | & special investigator. He indicated also he would demand exnumation of Clarence J. Trader’s body, and attempt more careful study death. John Terry, special investi- gator, accompanied Leibowitz here. Mrs. Trader was indicted by the Worcester County grand jury for the BRIERHURST APARTMENT HOTEL 4527 Walnut St., Philadelphia Furnished housekeeping suites of 1 to 3 rooms. Complete hotel service. Garage. $9.50 to $22.50 Weekly Room & Bath, $1.50 up. Dosble, $2.50 Quick & Bro.. Ine, E.C.Dasenport, Kental Agent Mannger | Jr.. and Godfrey Child, Mrs. Trader’s | | He was accompanied by John Terry, | * A7 murder of Clarence J. Trader, utili- | services. Hz said she was “very nerv- ties operator at Stockton, 9 miles from | ous,” however, and that he would h;re.‘:;nd{er was shot in her home | keep her under observation. the ni of January 14. Mrs. Tra“ r " . B A T e (KO DARGEs Ui Under Special Guard. T T The 37-year-old mother of three| The Coast Guard reported tonight children spent a fitful nig'.t, but'was | two barges in tow of the tugboat Goe 'resting more easily today. A special | liah had sunk south of the entrance guard was placed outside her cell in to Delaware Bay. the county jail st night after she| The Goliah, officials said, returned suffered her first emctional break- | to Norfolk, its starting port, leaving a down since her arrest Monday. | third barge, the Rosina, floating She screamed for her physician | awash. | and her sons, but Dr. John H. Riley,| The Coast Guard cutter Pontchare county physician who examined her, } train was sent in search of the barge, | sald she was not in need of his officials said. | of the bullet wound which caused his | 721 ELEVENTH ST, NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FACTORY BRANCH STORE * “I don’t know where he went,” she said. A new rescue party set out for the snow-blocked grade—one ~f the main routes to Lake Tahoe—today scant hopes of finding the nusband alive. S. W. Lanear of Joplin, Mo. The parents and baby were en route to Alamede, Calif., to visit Lanear's aunt, Mrs, E. Walston, when their with | He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. | Japanese warships attached to Japan's China fleet arrived here today from various points on the China Coast and | the Yangtse River in what Japanese authorities said were routine move- ments. i The three curisers, two destroyers | and one guboat were to stay from one to four days and resume routine patrol | duties in Chinese waters or go !o Japan for drydocking, Japanese of- | ficials declared. | VALENTINE DAY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th GET A BOX OF FRESH Homemade Ly o a Pound DI ES When you buy Fannie May Candies you are geiting Candy made Fresh Today and EVERY DAY. so delicious, healthful and wholesome. That’s why Fannie May Candies are For only in FRESH Candies do you get the full flavor and nutritious value that make Fannie May more than a confection—a necessary addition to your diet. FANNIE MAY HEART BOXES FILLED WITH FRESH FANNIE MAY CANDIES Mail Orders Carefully and Promptly Filled l’lnnie‘ Mly;l special mailing_of and Leave your eareful ) orders at one of the Fannie May steres today. ALL STORES OPEN UNTIL 0 EVERY NIGHT. Fannie May Candy Shops 1010 E St. N.W. 3305 14th St. N.W. 1704 Pa. Ave. N.W. 1406 N. Y. Ave. N.W. 1354 F St. N.W. 1317 E St. N.W. 621 F St. N.W. SUI AT TWO REDUCED PRICES! Grosner means what he says: Prices are going up buy now, or you'll have to pay more. Take advantage of the substantial savings available in this, the final act in our Tmce Yearly Clearance of Fall and Winter Suits and Overcoats. Come early while the selections are best. Any $29.75 and $35.00 SUIT or OVERCOAT 19° GROSNER SUITS—The selection of smart patterns, colors and models is much better than usual. The $29.75 group includes a number of Kuppenheimer suits. The predicted rise in clothing prices makes these reductions doubly attractive. Plenty of single and double-breasted, in plenty of sizes. ALSO REDUCTIONS 51O O R AR o M i L $1.65 Broadcloth Shirts A splendid quality, white $1.19 in a high-grade manner. Sizes 137 to 18. broadcloth; -~ well-tailored A . O AENTRTINNNO, S e R IN AR PR 0, SR Attractive cravattings in scores of rich colorings and patterns, very smart and desirable combinations. £ and finished throughout O I GROSNER Reg. $1.50 and $2 Neckwear ifl TR N O S S o s L RSN Any $40, 345 and 350 SUIT or OVERCOAT* 29 THE OVERCOATS—The choice at $19.75 includes dress coats, hair fleeces, kerseys, and Whitney finishes; at $29.75 you get a choice of Kuppenheimer tweeds, worsted cheviots, also Worumbos. The style, the color and the size you want are here .. . and so are the savings. % The Overcoats Were $45, $50 and $65. - FURNISHINGS! Reg. $1.95 Fancy Shirts § $1.59] Stripes, checks, plaids in woven madras — regular and tab collars. Sizes 131, to 18. A real “buy.” . A 95c P GROSNER o 1325 F 8. ASK ABOUT 10-PAY CHARGE ACCOUNT PLAN