Evening Star Newspaper, April 14, 1937, Page 19

WITNESSES. SPLIT ONNEEDFORGOURT OF SMALL CLAIMS Judge Cayton Takes Lead Backing Plan Before Senate Group. EXISTING FACILITIES CITED BY OPPONENTS Beries of Amendments to Bill Urged by Sokol of D. C. Lawyers’ Guild. BY J. A. O'LEARY. Witnesses before the Senate District Committee disagreed today on the need for establishment of a small claims and conciliation branch in the Municipal Court to adjust disputes involving sums of $100 or less. Taking the lead in support of the bill, Judge Nathan Clayton of Munic- ipal Court said he has felt for a long time that ‘“poor litigants, plaintiff and defendant as well, were not re- eeiving and could not under our pres- sent system receive the same atten- tion and care in the disposition of thelr claims as those able to engage lawyers.” Taking issue with this contention, opponents told the committee the Dis- trict already has informal, simple procedure in handling small claim cases in Municipal Court. Among those who joined Judge Cayton in favor of the main object of the bill, although some suggested changes in details, were: David Sokol of the local chapter of the Lawyers’ ‘Guild, Prof. John S. Bradway of Duke University, Attorney Daniel Thew Wright, a former District Supreme | Court justice; Mortimer Reimer, secre- tary of the National Lawyers' Guild, and former Judge James A. Cobb of Municipal Court. Sullivan Opposed. Among those who declared the bill | unnecessary were J, Barrett Carter and Leo N. McGuire, members of the | local bar. Attorney George E. Sullivan also was scheduled to appear in op- position. Sokol, first witness for the bill, sug- gested a “series of amendments, in- | cluding: That the limitation on cases in Small Claims Court be $50 instead of $100; that no written pleadings or affidavits be required except the state- ment of claim and verification; that the penalty section be eliminated, and elimination also of a section that would allow the court to call a debtor back once a month after the judgment for supplementary examination regarding his ability to pay the judgment. Sokol told the committee the small | claims idea has been a success. Judge Cayton, who took the lead in | advancing the proposal a year ago, | summed up the provisions of the measure as follows: | “It involves no appropriations or new personnel. The branch would have | Jurisdiction in all cases, contract and | damage cases as well, not exceeding $100. Could Act as Arbitrators. “The judges serving in the branch will be authorized to serve as arbi- trators or referees under the D. C. arbitration act, the United States ar- bitration act, or otherwise. “The clerk will prepare the state- ment of claim and other papers for individual defendants, but not for cor- porations. “Service by registered mail is pro- vided, as in many other jurisdictions; also, service by private individual. “A simplified statement of claim and notice is prescribed. “Filing fees are reduced from $1.25 to $1. Persons unable to pay costs can have the services without any pay- ment and without being stigmatized | &s paupers. “The cost of bonds and undertakings is made a taxable cost. “To deter professional litigants, costs may be awarded up to $25 for filing frivolous or vexatious claims or defenses. “Before the trial the judge fis| authorized to effect a settlement by conciliation. If conciliation fails, the trial is had under informal procedure. “By consent of all parties any case (even over $100) may be certified to this branch for conciliation. “In proper cases the judge is au- thorized to withhold entry of judg- ment or to stay execution while the defendant pays off the judgment or to stay execution while the defendant pays off the judgment in installments. Examinations Provided For. “To reach the assets of purposeful defaulters, supplementary examina- tion of the defendant is authorized once every four weeks. “The court is to sit every day except Sunday and to hold at least one night session each week. “The right to jury trial and the right of review in the Court of Ap- (peals are preserved.” Prof. Bradway said poor clients seeking justice today are confronted with three obstacles, namely: The delay of court procedure, the cost of such procedure and the complicated processes of litigation. He offered no eriticism of the bill and predicted it ‘would work well. Speaking in favor of the main pur- pose of the bill, Wright said it would broeden the function of the court to allow the judge to act as conciliator for persons unable to afford the cost of litigation. Carter and McGuire pointed out that a lawyer is now on duty at the court every day to aid indigent per- sons in presenting their cases with- out an attorney fee. This plan of legal aid has been in operation for several weeks. Time Needed for Trials. . Former Assistant Corporation Coun- sel Robert E. Lynch, who strongly in- dorsed the bill, predicted members of the bar “will soon get tired” of try- |/ing cases without compensation in | ‘Municipal Court. Lynch pointed out | that even after the legal aid lawyer ' 'has given persons free assistance in drawing up cases, more time will be required later to follow it up and try the case. McGuire testified that under exist- Ing Municipal Court rules the court follows an informal method of plead- ing, and the form in the bill is not [} LY DAPPER BURGLAR he WASHINGTON, D. C, tablished the date of his birth Yellowed Relic of Infancy Affords Record of Applicant’s Birthday. William Miles, 71, who won an old-age pension when he es- through an inscription in his baby cap, is shown with Miss Elizabeth Miller, caseworker of the District’s Public Assistance Division. —Star Staff Photo. OW he won an old-age pension of $32 a month by establishing his birthday with a lace baby cap he wore in his infancy | was related to reporters today by Wil- | liam Miles of 732 Fifth street north- east. About a year ago Miles applied for 8 pension authorized by the District under terms of the social security act. He was sure he was at least 70 years old, but could think of no proof. The law required he must prove he | | was at least 65 vears old, had been a resident of the District for the last five years and was an American citizen to ! be eligible for a pension. Miles told his story this morning in the office of Elwood Street, di- rector of public welfare. The account was substantiated by Miss Elizabeth Miller, attached to the northeast office of the Public Assistant Division, 1358 | Florida avenue northeast. When Miles applied for a pension | | the caseworker to whom his request was assigned found it difficult to prove his age. She could find no mar- riage record, no birth certificate and | né other records. The investigator, however, was not discouraged. She went with Miles to his home and searched an old trunk containing *valuables” and odds and ends which had accumulated through the years. In the trunk the social worker | found a dainty lace cap, yellowed with | age. Miles then recalled that the cap was made by his grandmother and given to his mother when he, an only child, was born. The mother died several days later. Miles' grandmoth- er died soon after. The family had lived at Pooles- ville, Md. Miles' father married again. Miles' step-mother, in re- membrance of his mother, saved his lace baby cap and pinned in it a slip of paper on Which was written in ink the date of Miles’ birth, “March §, 1866.” Miles left home at the age of 19 and got a job in Washington. He married when he was 40 and his wife died years ago. The investigation showed that Miles had never owned property, that he had no bank ac- count, that he carried no insurance policy and that he had no relatives able to assist him. Yet for more than 40 years Miles was employed in Washington. He was a yard superintendent of several fire- proofing companies and later took work as a carpenter’s helper. For the last six years, or since he was 65 years old, he has been unemployed. Miles said today he had two sons, one of whom was at sea on a mer- chant vessel. The other, he said, lived in Washington, but was unable to contribute to his support. The pension law provides that pen- sioners must be in need, and that the District can sue children or grand- children of the pensioners to recover sums spent on persons who might have been supported by children or grand- | children. Miles occupies a room in the home of a friendly family. He does his own cooking. Social service workers said that Miles’ case is typical of many now up for solution. FACES of YEARS 25-Year-0ld Cuban Is Con- victed on 3 Cases in 14 Minutes. Possible prison terms aggregating 57 years are faced by George Garcia, 25-year-old “full-dress burglar,” who was convicted late yesterday in three cases of housebreaking and larceny by a District Court jury which delib- erated only 14 minutes. Twenty-four other housebreaking and larceny idictments still are pend- ing against the dapper young Cuban, who also is charged in two additional cases with housebreaking alone and in one with larceny. Whether he will be tried on these true bills was considered problematical. By the verdict of the jury yester- day Garcia was found guilty of enter- ing the apartments of Public Printer Augustus E. Giegengack in the Ward- man Park Hotel; Temple W. Hilliard, 2807 Connecticut avenue, and Alfred Lindstrom, 1809 Belmont road. Uses Celluloid Jimmy. Police said he used a strip of cel- luloid to “jimmy” the locks. When arrested January 7 he had two such instruments in his clothing. In all three cases Garcia was found guilty of housebreaking, while in one of them he was said by the jury to have committed grand larceny and in the other petit larceny. Garcia's attorneys put on no de- fense, bending their entire efforts to an attempt to create a doubt in the jury's minds concerning the identifi- cation of the defendant and of the recovered loot. Testifies on Confession. Detective Sergt. Joseph Shimon was the principal Government witness testifying that Garcia talked freely about his burglaries and even showed police the apartments he had entered. Authorities said he preyed on well- to-do apartment house dwellers for six months. All three cases in which he was convicted occurred shortly after last Christmas. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel F. Beach was the prosecutor, and Justice F. Dickinson Letts pre- sided. Mozart Book Club Subject. Mozart and his works was the pro- gram subject of the Book Study Club, which met last night at the Y. W. C. A. Building, Seventeenth and K streets. Mary 1. Couch, guest speaker, reviewed a biography of the famous composer and Evangeline Tully sang several of his arias. The meeting was presided over by Frances Hutchins Drake. and can not be made more simple. Carter said the new plan is not needed and if any necessity had existed it was met by the present policy of having a lawyer at the court to give free legal assistance. Several of the lawyers favoring the bill suggested fixing the jurisdiction of the new branch at $50 instead of $100. 4 TAX BILL MERIT STUDY 70 BEGIN House Group Also Will Weigh Organization of Municipal Government. Investigation of the merits of the Collins tax bills as well as the effi- ciency of the present administrative organization of the municipal gov- ernment will be started without delay, it was announced today by Rep- resentative Kennedy, Democrat, of Maryland, chairman of a special sub- committee of the House District Com- mittee assigned to make the study. Fears had been expressed that an impending controversy over whether $10,000 or more should be appropriated to employ an adviser to assist the subcommittee might delay the in- quiry. Kennedy said his subcommittee would meet this afternoon at 2 o’clock to map out a program of procedure and fix a date for beginning hear- ings. He indicated hearings on the tax bills probably would start next week, with the Commissioners and Maj. Daniel J. Donovan, auditor and budget officer, as the first witnesses. Kennedy said a study of the tax bills could be started without the aid of an adviser, but he believed one should be available when the sub- committee undertakes a survey of the District government to determine whether reorganization would result in increased efficiency and economy. He has urged that $10,000 be appro- priated to pay the adviser and his staff. Chairman Norton of the District Committee has taken the position, however, that officials of the munici- pal government are available to as- sist Kennedy’s subcommittee and that $2,500 would be adequate to hire a clerical staff that may be needed. e DEATH OF STUDENT, 18, IS ADJUDGED SUICIDE Certificate in Death of Byrne T. Burns Is Issued by Coroner. A certificate of suicide was issued by Coroner A. Magruder MacDonald last night in the death of Byrne T. Burns, 18-year-old pre-medical student, whose body was found Sunday with a bullet through the forehead, in the bath room of his home at 3100 Ellicott street. Dr. Willlam Burns, prominent diag- nostician, who discovered his son's body, had contended the youth shot himself accidentally. His son was an expert marksman and a collector of firearms, and apparently had been cleaning one of his weapons just before he died, Dr. Burns said. New Airline. An alr mail and passenger service will connect Tokio, Japan, and Peip- ing, China SITEQF MEMORIAL AND POPE DESIGN New Yorker Backs Present Plans as Virginians Honor Jefferson. REQUEST BY ROOSEVELT FOR $500,000 IS HAILED Commission Head Expects Passage of Bill to Make Birthday National Holiday. BULLETIN, Representative Otha Wearin, of Towa today introduced a bill to amend the act creating the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission de- signed to prevent the erection of the $3,000,000 memorial to Jeffer- son on the Tidal Basin site until after a Nation-wide competition for a design is held. With fighting words, Representa- tive John J. Boylan, Democrat, of New York, chairman -of the Thomas Jeflerson Memorial Commission, last night told the annual banquet gather- ing of the Society of Virginia of the District of Columbia that “I am happy to inform you that the plans are under way for the erection of a suitable and dignified memorial to the memory of Thomas Jefferson.” “This memorial will be erected in Potomac Park on a site overlooking the beloved hills of his native Vir- ginia,” said the Representative. As he spoke over Station WMAL and a Nation-wide chain of the Na- tional Broadcasting Co., Boylan laid particular stress on the words “suit- able” and “dignified,” as well as “in Potomac Park”—and the Virginians applauded him, apparently catching the significance of his words, which were taken as an answer to the at- tacks made on his commission for choosing that location and the de- sign by the New York architect, John Russell Pope. Roosevelt Action Cited. The Society of Virginia was hold- ing its annual dinner at the Willard Hotel in honor of the Old Dominion’s famous son, Thomas Jefferson. Boy- lan said that he deemed it very ap- | propriate that President Roosevelt yes- terday, the birthday of Jefferson, should ask Congress to appropriate | $500,000 to initiate the building of the memorial without delay to honor the illustrious Virginian. He expects passage of his measure to make April 13, Jefferson’s birthday, a national holiday, he said. This bill is pending on the consent calendar of the House. Assistant Secretary of State, R. ‘Walton Moore, the society’s president, likewise invited attention to Presi- dent Roosevelt’s action. “That,” said he, “is an indication that honor will be paid to the mem- ory of an extraordinarily great man. I am glad that Mr. Jefferson is to be honored in the way indicated by Mr. Boylan. There should also be memo- rials here to Patrick Henry, who fired the spark of liberty; to James Madi- son, who contributed to the framing of the Constitution of the United States, and to many other Virgin- ians.” Representative Clifton A. Woodrum, Democrat, of Virginia, declaring that “Jefferson’s place is fixed eternal stars,” called for fitting recog- nition for Assistant Secretary Moore, whom he termed “a great disciple of the teachings of Thomas Jefferson.” He said that there is “no greater apostle of democratic government” than Moore. The society responded by rising en masse and applauding. Some 200 persons attended the gath- ering, and following the speech-mak- ing dancing was held. Descendants Introduced. Mrs. Mamie Eppes Fleming, a teacher in the District schools and a lineal descendant. of Jefferson's daughter, Maria, who married John Wales Eppes, was introduced to the society by Assistant Secretary Moore. She is a great-great-great-grand- daughter of Jefferson. Hollins N. Randolph of Charlottes- ville, Va., a great-great-grandson of Jefferson and a member of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commis- sion, was likewise present at last night’s gathering. An engraving of Jefferson hung at the back of the speakers' table. At the outset Assistant Secretary Moore asserted that “Jefferson, except for Washington, is the ablest man our Commonwealth has produced, and I may say that our country has pro- duced.” The roster of Virginia's Rep- resentatives was called, and respond- ing was Representatives Bland, Drew- ry, Woodrum, Burch, Robertson, Flan- nagan and Hamilton. Neither Sena- tor Glass nor Senator Byrd was able to be present. Col. Edwin A. Halsey, secretary of the Senate, was intro- duced to the gathering. “Belongs to AlL” Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Utah, declaring that Jefferson “be- longs as much to Utah as to Vir- ginia—belongs to all of the United States and to the world”—said that the great Virginian did much to build up “the national cult of America.” Mrs. Lucille Foster McMillan, & member of the Civil Service Commis- sion, recalled that Jefferson was & humanitarian ahead of his time. The President asked Congress yes- terday for $500,000 to begin immedi- ate construction of the memorial, and Acting Budget Direct Bell suggested an appropriation for this sum be in- corporated in a deficiency bill. Representative Boylan and others in the House paid tribute to Jefferson yesterday at the opening of the ses- sion. ‘The Memorial Commission received reports from both the Fine Arts Com- mission and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission on plans for construction of the memorial at the south side of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. It was learned both commissions criticized the design of the proposed memorial drawn by John Russell Pope, New York archi- tect. beni WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITI like the | - The 175-foot yacht of Col. M. Robert Guggenheim, several months in Florida waters. w Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1937. 22 Baby Cap Wins Pension BOYLAN DEFENDS Col. Guggenheim, who lives which docked here a few days ago after at 2800 Woodland drive, is a brother of Harry F. Guggenheim, former United States Ambassador to Cuba.—Star Staff Photo. NICE MAY OFFER SALES TAX PLAN Relief Bill With “Bookie” Clause to Be Vetoed and Special Session Called. BY the Assoctated Press. ANNAPOLIS, April 14—Gov. Nice said today he is preparing an ad- ministration relief measure to be sub- mitted to the General Assembly which meets in special session in the near future. The Governor declined to discuss the measure in any respect. Sources close to him, however, indicated he is considering a general sales tax as one of several possible levies which might | be considered to support relief. Date for the special session has not yet been decided, Nice said. An an- nouncement is expected within a few days. Neither would Nice say whether he planned to ask any particular group or groups to make a study of the re- lief problem prior to the special ses- sion. He did say he presumed leaders of the Democratic party and of the Republican party would confer with legislators of their particular parties prior to the session. $7,014 Available for Session. The controller’s office records showed today that a total of $7,014.73 remains of the $100,000 set up in 1935 for special sessions. The 30-day ses- sion in March, 1936, had an appro- priation of $75,000 and spent all but | $275. The five-day special session of last December had an appropriation of $25,000 and spent all but $6,739.73. One of the heaviest single items of expense connected with a Legislature is that of mileage for the members. The same mileage is paid for a one- day session as would be paid for a 90- day session and amounts to $6,674. Therefore, after mileage is paid from the balance of $7,014,73, little will be left for pay for members at $5 a day and other expenses. The Legislature, however, does have power to approporiate other funds for such expenses. ‘The Governor ended days of debate over the bill last night by announcing he would veto it on the ground pro- posed legalization of bookmaking was contrary to the moral standards of the State and because the tax measure |* would not produce the money experts have said is needed for social welfare. Although he set no date for conven- ing the extraordinary session, sources here indicated it would probably meet some time next week. Admits Error. The bookmaking clause in the re- lief bill, a bone of contention ever since the Assembly adjourned last Tuesday, would legalize race track bookmaking and tax “bookies” for re- lief purposes. The Governor, in a formal state- ment recalled that he had included legalized bookmaking as a possible revenue source, in the budget message he sent to the Legislature in January. “In so doing,” his statement said, “I was wrong.” His decision to call a special session was reached, he explained, after close study of the relief bill and upon the advice of the “most competent sources available to me,” including W. P. ‘Walker and Dr. S. N. De Vault, Univer- sity of Maryland economists. A. F. JORSS ESTATE VALUED AT $291,007 Widow and Two Children Are Named Principal Bene- ficiaries. Disposing of an estate valued at $291,007, the will of Amandus F. Jorss, who died March 15, was filed for probate in District Court today. Mr. Jorss was the principal stock- holder in the A. F. Jorss Ironworks, Inc. His widow, Mrs. Katie Jorss, 4524 Seventeenth street; a son, Karl Jorss, 2626 Thirty-first street, and his daughter, Mrs. Elsie Jorss Reilley, also of the Seventeenth street address, are the principal beneficiaries. Specific bequests of $1,000 each were made to the German Orphan Asylum and the Ruppert Home. The residue of the estate was left in trust, with the son as trustee, for the benefit of Mrs. Jorss and with the provision that Mrs. Reilley will receive the income from $30,000 of the sum during her mother’s life. After Mrs. Jorss’ death, the princi- pal will be divided between the two children, but the daughter’s share will remain in trust until her death, when it will be turned over to her children. Attorney Harry A. L. Barker rep- resented the estate. . L) DOG-TRAPPING DISPUTE ENDS IN POLICE COURT Assistant Counsel Hooe Persuades Principals Not to Take Case Before Judge. A peaceful settlement of Chevy Chase’s “dog-trapping” controversy was reached in Police Court today when Assistant Corporation Counsel Rice Hooe convinced the principals there was no need for court action. The reesult was that George W. Wells, 4221 Jenifer street, who is al- leged to have set three rat traps on his lawn to discourage canine tres- passers during the Spring planting season, agreed to resort to a harmless but disagreeable chemical. Taking part in the “truce” meeting | was Christopher W. Duffy, 3215 Jeni- | fer street, a dog owner, who last Mon- day complained to the corporation | counsel’s office “trapping.” Several other residents of the sec- tion in which Duffy and Wells live also appeared at court. HOSPITAL APPEAL TO FANS PLANNED Nurses to Collect Funds at Griffith Stadium in Prelude to Drive. Twelve nurses in gray veils carry- ing contribution boxes and “help health, help hospitals” badges will stand at entrances to Griffith Stadium on the opening day of the base ball season next Monday ir behalf of the united hospital appeal, it was an- nounced today by Clark G. Dimond, chairman of “badge day.” Clark Griffith, owner of the Wash- ington Nationals, said today he “would co-operate 100 per cent” with the hospitals in raising money for their pressing needs. The campaign is intended to sup- plement “badge day” on May 1 when teams, organized by ladies’ boards of the nine hospitals, will occupy strategic points in the city in selling crusade buttons. At a meeting yesterday of hospital about the alleged ladies’ board presidents at the May- | flower Hotel, headquarters of the drive, Charles D. Drayton, chairman of the Hospital Presidents’ Com- mittee, outlined plans for the drive, 1,000 in Drive. On “badge day,” 1,000 nurses and members of ladies’ boards will locate themselves on busy corners from 10 am. to 6 p.m., wearing gray veils and bearing contribution boxes and but- tons. A team of four horses will draw through the streets a wagon bearing a sign appeal to citizens, he said. During the drive, which opens Thursdey, 2-minute movie trailers, completed yesterday, will be shown throughout the city. Eye treatment at Episcopal Hospital, ambulance trips at Emergency and climic scenes from Columbia and Children's Hos- pitals are among subjects to be shown. Arrangements are to be made by hospital presidents for exhibition win- dows in department stores, Drayton said. Model operating rooms, baby clinics, laboratories, X-ray machines, Drinker respirators, incubators and oxygen tents will be on display. Chest Co-operates. Private contributions, he said, will be solicited chiefly with the aid of the ladies’ boards. The Community Chest has provided the hospitals with lists of those designating hospitals on their chest cards. Children’s Hospital has already received its share of the cards and the other eight will be supplied with lists at board meetings within the next week. Mrs. L. B. Norris, president of Georgetown Hospital's Ladies’ Board, has arranged a benefit production of Galsworthy's “Loyalty,” by the Georgetown University Mask and Bauble Club, for 8:30 tonight and tomorrow night at Gaston Hall, Georgetown University. Proceeds will go to the united fund and not to Georgetown Hospital. Other ladies’ board presidents or- ganizing for the drive are Mrs. Clif- ford Bangs, Mrs. Prederick Brooke, Mrs. Clarence Dodge, Mrs. D. Law- rence Groner, Mrs. Gilbert Grosvenor, Mrs. J. L. B. Murray, Mrs. George P. Scriven and Mrs. Mary H. Semmes. -— o CLEARED OF CHARGE ‘Theodore G. Ecconomou, 22, of 608 Pifth street was acquitted by a Police Court jury yesterday on a negli- gent homicide charge growing out of the death on January 28 of Jerome C. Ellicott, 72, of 733 Sixth street. The verdict was returned in less than a minute. Testimony was fo the effect the weather was cloudy and dark and the street lights on the corner had gone off just before Ecconomou struck Ellicott with his truck as the latter was attempting to cross at Sixth and H streets on January 36. 4 TRANGIT HEARING DISCLOSES SPLIT Commission and Company Experts Begin Valuation Dispute. Opposing lines were sharply drawn at today’s hearing on a valuation on Capital Transit Co.’s properties when Fred A. Sager, chief engineer for the Public Utilities Commission, knocked $10,324,434 from the estimated cost of reproduction previously given by traction company experts. The $10,000,000 difference repre- sents roughly the amount over which rival experts will wrangle in order for the commission to determine even- tually a reasonable valuation base for the purpose of rate making. The com- mission_has given notice that it will hold a hearing on the application of the Capital Transit Co. for a higher rate of fare 10 days after it deter- mines a valuation base. December 31, 1935, value of $42,162,403 on the total prop- erties of the Capital Transit Co. “used and not in use for railway operations” in both the District and in Maryland. Total Valuation. His estimate, however, excluded land and working capital, which were cov- ered in the $54,206262 total valu- ation placed on its properties by the traction company. immediately becomes a bone of con- tention, was arrived at by making al- lowance for the deduction of these land and working capital figures. Sager was placed on the stand at the resumption of the hearing this morning, with other Public Utilities Commission experts to follow in pre- senting counter evidence in an effort to whittle down the company's own valuation estimates. Commission Expert’s Total. ‘The commission expert placed the total valuation at $36,819,434 on the company's properties used for railway purposes. All of this amount except $670,804 represented District proper- ties. In comparison the transit company had similarly valued properties in the two jurisdictions at $46,627,479. With respect to properties not in use for operations, the Public Utilities Commission placed a value of $5,342,- 969. In responses to questioning by Hin- man D. Folsom, attorney for the Pub- lic Utilities Commission, the witness explained that these figures con- tained certain underground tracks which are not used and “which we believe will never be used.” As ex- amples he cited underground lines in Anacostia and on Ninth street. Sager said the labor costs used in arriving at his valuation estimates were based mainly on the prevailing wages as of December 31, 1935, which | date is being used under agreement | between the Public Utilities Commis- sion and the transit company as a starting point in determining a val- uation. CHEVY CHASE VIEW CITIZENS ORGANIZE Three Elected to Governing Body of Village as New Associa- tion Is Formed. B3 2 Staf” Correspondent of The Star. CHEVY CHASE VIEW, Md., April 14—Residents of Chevy Chase View, State-chartered village, last night or- ganized a citizens’ association at a meeting at the Log Cabin, on the Kensington Playground. The organization meeting followed the annual citizens’ session to elect village officers. Dr. Arnold H. Scott was elected temporary president of the citizens’ association and Lawrence R. Smoot temporary secretary. Dr. Scott appointed an Organization Committee to draft a constitution and by-laws for submission to the May 11 of Ralph E. Engel, William W. Meyer, George Crossette, K. W. Simpson, Joseph Richards, jr.; John C. Mullenix and Joseph M. McMahon. The Citizens’ Committee of the vil- lage, which is the governing body under the State charter, is composed of six members holding office for two years each. Arthur B, Miller, John W. Self and Le Roy Rogers were re-elect- ed. George F. Ashworth was elected to succeed Dr. Scott, who was retired from the committee to head the new citizens’ association. Hold-over mem- bers of the committee, not up for elec- tion, are Harry M. Martin and E. W. Shepard. The new citizens’ association is de- signed to supplement the work of the Citizens' Committee. It was indicated that one of the first objectives will be street improvements. The village streets more than a year ago were turned over to the Maryland State Roads Commission for maintenance and little work has been done on the streets since that time. ¢ Based on reproduction costs as of | Sager placed a | PAGE B—1 MOTOR CARRIER'S COMMERCIAL ZONE AGTION IMPENDING I. C. C. Order for District Gets Ruling by Tomor- row Midnight. OBJECTIONS MAY STAY ORDER OF COMMISSION gapdria, Arlington and Parts f Montgomery and Prince Georges Included in Area. With definite action due by tomor- row midnight on the proposed order of the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion establishing a commercial zone in the District and adjacent Maryland and Virginia for administration of the motor carrier there still was doubt today as to what might be expected. Objections from any of the inter- ested parties in the proceedings would act to stay the order, or the commis- sion might of its own accord defer the effective date beyond the statutory 20-day period now expiring, but there has been no indication of & move from either direction. Under the proposed order, drawn by Examiner Paul Coyle March 26, after & hearing, this zone for Washington would include Alexandria and Ar- lington County in Virginia, and an area within a radius, roughly, of 9 to 10 miles from the Zero Milestone into Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, Md. Exempt From Rate Fixing. Within this area, common and con- tract truck and bus operations, though actually interstate in char- acter, would be subject only to the safety and employe-hours-of-service provisions of the motor carrier act, and would be exempt fro the rate- fixing sections that apply to interstate traffic generally These zones are to be created the act, in metropolitan distr over the country, where the ordinary | commerce of a community cuts across a State line, being intended to free what might be described as an intra- terminal movement from broad Fed- eral regulations. In some quarters there was a feel- ing the commission might itself su act, The difference of $10,324,434, which | | tariffs meeting. The committee is composed | pend the order, pending a determina- tion in similar cases before it. The | commission has conducted zone pro- | ceedings in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis and Los Angeles (the issue arose in the last-named because of land-water commerce). In | deciding these, which are more com- plex than the local case, because of the volume of business involved, | precedents were anticipated that would serve as guides for the future. ‘Witnesses’ Views Differ. Witnesses before Examiner Coyle differed widely in their views as to the limits to be placed on the exempt zone, the Corporation Commission of Virginia and District of Columbia Trucking Association, for example, wanting it to conform to the District lines, while local merchants, served by contract haulers, asked a 20-mile radius. The Capital Transit Co sought exemption for bus operatio; as distant as Laurel, Gaithersburg and Mount Vernon, but it was said at the company's offices today that no exceptions were being filed If the order goes into effect, those common carriers who were operating prior to June 1, 1935, and contract carriers operating prior to July 1, 1935 but who did not file applications under the motor carrier act, must discon- tinue activities until applications are filed if they go outside of the zone. Those not operating before those dates, and who have not filed applica- tions, would be required to make ap- plication and justify their right to operate, in the meantime suspending service. All common carriers must file fixed with the commission and contract carriers their schedule of minimum charges. 'D. C. PRIVATE JOB PLACEMENTS RISE Up 40% in First Quarter Over Last Year, Work Center Reports. Job placements in private industr in Washington increased 40 per cen in the first three months of this yea over a corresponding period in 1936 the District Public Employment Cen. ter reported today to Secretary o Labor Perkins. Last month the center found job outside the Government for 2,250 mex and women, the second highest num ber placed in any one month since thy agency was established in 1933. It March, 1936, jobs in private industr; were found for 1,755 persons, it wa pointed out. Indicating a sharp tapering off a W. P. A. jobs, the center reported tha its placements in Government publi works decreased 64 per cent during th first three months of this year. Onl 886 Government jobs were filled by th center, as compared with 2,480 in th first quarter of 1936. Predicting a steady increase in th number of private placements it wil secure during the remainder of thi year, the center reported that its prog ress can be attributed to “the rise it business activity, which is creating work opportunities, and the increasing number of employers who are obtain ing all their employes thromgh thi office because of efficient selection an referral of applications qualified to fil job orders.” Lobby Dance to Be Given. A World War custom will be revives tomorrow night when the Fetracom the employes’ club of the Federa Trade Commission, holds a lobb dance at the Rochambeau, 815 Con necticut avenue, where the commis sion is housed. The affair will be in formsal, for club members and thel guests. !