Evening star. [volume], September 11, 1934, Page B-1, Image 19

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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Washington News - Society and General
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~ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1934. *** PAGE B—1
FEDERAL PARKING
LOT IS SCORED BY
TRAFFIC EXPERT
Ahearn Testifies 14th Street
Site Is Worst Obstacle
in District.
ASSERTS AUTOMOBILES
BLOCK STREET CARS
. *
South Washington-Chevy Chase
Bus Line Declared “Un
necessary.”
The parking lot for Government
employes south of the District Build
ing on Fourteenth street, is one of the
worst obstacles to street car traffic
In the District, William A. Ahearn
testified today at the hearing on street
car rerouting before the Public Utili
ties Commission.
Ahearn was associated with John A.
Beeler in drawing up three of the
proposed rerouting plans now before
the commission.
Under cross-examination by People’s
Counsel William A. Roberts, Ahearn
said there was ample street car equip
ment to move the cars from the Bu
reau of Engraving and Printing to
their destination, but that for this
equipment to move through automo
biles heading into and out of the
parking lot was almost an Impossi
bility. The lot never should have
been placed on an arterial highway,
he said.
Those to Bi Heard.
A list of citizens’ associations and
other interested groups which will be
heard on the problems of their re
spective localities tomorrow was made
public by Mr. Roberts. The sched
ule Is:
10:15 am.—Georgetown Citizens’
Association.
10:45—Burleith, Glover Park and
Trinidad Associations.
11— American University Park As
sociation.
11:15—Chevy Chase and Southwest
Associations.
11:45—Midcity Association.
12— Takoma, D. C., Association.
1:30 p.m.—Fifteenth street bankers
and New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church.
2—Sixteenth Street Highlands As
sociation.
2:15—Lincoln Park and Stanton
Park Associations, American Federa
tion of Government Employes, Na
tional Federation of Federal Employes
and the Hecht Co.
Bus Line Held Unnecessary.
Roberts asked Ahearn if it would be
possible to extend the South Washing
ton bus line from the downtown sec
tion to Chevy Chase, so that colored
persons living in South Washington
and employed In Chevy Chase could
make the journey without transfer
ring.
Ahearn said this was “absolutely un
necessary," as there was good service
to Chevy Chase on the street cars
now.
In reply to further questions from
Roberts, Ahearn testified there was not
enough traffic to justify a cross-town
bus line through Rock Creek Park ap
proximately at the line of Tilden
street, although there seems to be a
popular demand for such a line.
He said that in his proposed express
bus line from Maryland south on Wis
consin avenue, there would be no
stops between the District Line and
Dupont Circle.
At yesterday afternoon's hearing,
People's Counsel Roberts filed a peti
tion asking for a public hearing on the
proposal of the Capital Transit Co. to
pay $843,000 for the Washington Rapid
Transit Co. under the terms of the
merger act permitting acquisition of
the bus company.
Seeks Stockholder Data.
He asked for information on “the
relationship of the vendor and the
stockholders of the Capital Transit
Co. and the obligations of the vendor
payable to such stockholders and se
cured by such stock”; the original and
reproduction costs of the bus com
pany's property ; gross and net income
record; comparative operating ex
penses. and all other corporate and
financial information.
His petition asks the amount and
nature of merger expenses and
whether any will remain unpaid after
the sale, plans for taking care of
the minority stockholders, how the
stock purchase would be accounted
for and whether it is proposed to
make the payment a charge to the
investment account of the Capital
Transit Co., and how the purchase
Is to be financed.
Roberts at yesterday’s session cross
examined Mr. Ahearn at length on
the details of many phases of the
Beeler rerouting plans which Ahearn
helped to draw. Ahearn said no ac
count had been taken of the possi
bility of subway construction because
of its great cost.
He would not commit himself
definitely on the general policy of
substituting busses for street car serv
ice. but said that on the Connecticut
avenue line it would be necessary to
replace tracks in about two years
and that in other cities a similar line
would be replaced by a bus line.
72 STREET CAR PASSES
STOLEN FROM DRIVER
Police Say Thief Probably Will
Hold “Unofficial Sale'’
This Week.
There probably will be an unoffi
cial “sale” of street car passes this
week.
At least that was the belief ex
pressed by police when Arthur C.
Murr, 1118 Sixth street southwest,
yesterday reported the theft of 68 $1
passes and four $1.25 passes from his
coat pocket while he was driving a
Capital Transit Co. bus.
Unless the thief wants to take his
cronies for a car ride, it is thought
he will try to dispose of the passes
at cut rates.
Esperanto Group to Meet.
A business meeting of the Wash
ington Chapter of the Esperanto As
sociation of North America will be
held at 7:30 pan. today at the Mount
Pleasant Public Library branch. Six
teenth and Lamont streets. Partici
pation in the annual Halloween parade
will be discussed.
Perilous Job
STEEPLEJACKS PREPARE TO
REMOVE CHURCH SPIRE.
/ 1
A change in Washington's sky
line will soon be effected when
the spires of the old Metropolitan
Methodist Church. John Marshall
place, are torn down. The pic
ture, made today, show steeple
jacks mounting the tall spire to
lay lines for its removal.
—Star Staff Photo.
BOARD TO DISCUSS
SCHOOL OPENING
Meeting Called Tomorrow.
Custodians Rush Clean
ing of Buildings.
The two-month Summer recess of
the Board of Education will end to
morrow afternoon when a meeting
will be held to clear up the details
preparatory to opening the public
schools Monday morning.
The first regular meeting of the Pall
term was scheduled for last Wednes
day, but could not be held because of a
failure to muster a quorum. Dr. Hay
den Johnson, board president, is not
expected to be present tomorrow, and
j Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, vice presi
dent, will preside if she returns to
Washington by that time. In case
neither president nor vice president is
on hand, the board will elect a presi
dent pro tern.
School building custodians, who
have been on duty most of the Sum
mer, are rushing the work of cleaning
up the schools.
Few changes are being made in the
assignment of pupils. Children who
heretofore have occupied four porta
ble buildings at the Garrison School
and four at the Cleveland School,
will be sent this year to the Grimke
School, on Vermont avenue between
T and U streets. The portables will
be abandoned as class rooms. The
Grimke School is located in the old
I Phelps Vocational School Building.
No new buildings will be ready for
j occupancy this year, according to As
I sistant Supt. of Schools Jere J. Crane,
! business manager of the system. Sat
| isfactory progress is being made on
i construction of the Woodrow Wilson
I High School, at Nebraska avenue,
Chesapeake street and Fort drive, and
the Logan Elementary School, at
Third and G streets northeast, Crane
declared.
HAL REVENUE
RECEIPTS IN CITY
GAIN 29 PER CENT
Grand Total for District Is
$11,260,000—Big In
crease in Maryland.
OVER TWO BILLION PAID
BY ENTIRE COUNTRY
Taxes on Malt Liquors Here Hit
$525,000—Farm Products
Turn In $326,000.
An increase of more than 29 per
cent in internal revenue receipts in
the District of Columbia in the fiscal
year 1934 as compared with 1933 was
reported today by the Internal Rev
enue Bureau.
Total receipts jumped from $8,464,
108.56 in 1933 to $10,942,662.42 in
1934. This is exclusive of the new
agricultural adjustment taxes, which
were $326,635.44, making the grand
total here $11,269,097.87. The beer
tax here was more than half a mil
lion dollars.
Maryland showed a gain of more
than 56 per cent, while Virginia
showed a gain of 12 per cent.
Maryland figures rose from $23,
101,925.70 to $36,015,131.88, exclusive
of agricultural adjustment taxes,
which amounted to $3,540,652.27.
This brought the total 1934 returns
up to $39,555,984.14.
Increase in Virginia.
Virginia, exclusive of agricultural
adjustment taxes, increased its re
ceipts from $103,798,963.93 to $116,
674,856.64. In 1934 agricultural ad
justment taxes there were $5,987,
386.98, bringing the total to $122,
662,243.62.
For the country as a whole, inter
nal revenue receipts, exclusive of agri
cultural adjustment taxes, jumped
from $1,619,839,224.30 to $2,300,816,
308.88, a gain of 42 per cent. Adding
the agricultural adjustment taxes of
$371,422,885.64, the grand total
mounted to $2,672,239,194.52.
In the District, the internal reve
nue returns for 1934 included a gain
of 7 per cent in income taxes, from
$6,272,880.96 to $6,725,048.57.
Miscellaneous taxes here showed a
jump of 92 per cent, from $2,191,
227.60 to $4,217,613.85.
Income taxes in 1934 here included
corporation taxes of $2,260,220.69 and
individual income taxes of $4,464,
827.88.
Stock and Dividends.
Listed under the national industrial
recovery act, taxes paid here in 1934
were shown as follows: Excess profits,
$8,660.78; capital stock, $860,592.02;
dividends, $133,406.64. Estate taxes
paid here in 1934 were $1,434,179.89,
and gift taxes, $14,110.64.
Of special interest this year were
the taxes paid on liquor. Excise taxes
on domestic distilled spirits, at $1.10
per proof gallon, totaled $6,777.87,
and at $2 per proof gallon, $9,234.90.
Hie floor tax on distilled spirits, at 90
cents per proof gallon, amounted to
$16,064.60, and the amount realized
from container or bottle strip stamps,
at Vi of 1 cent each, was $115.17.
Wholesale liquor dealers here, at
$100 each, paid into the Treasury
$2,146.04; retail liquor dealers, at $25
each, paid $19,804.24, and the total
taxes realized from distilled spirits
were listed at $54,142.82. The odd
amounts are accounted for by the
fact the act was in effect less than one
year.
The total tax on wines here
amounted to $297.37.
The beer tax of $5 per barrel
turned into the Federal Treasury from
this city a total of $485,731.25, and
there was realized on the special tax
on the two breweries here a total of
$2,000.
Wholesale dealers in fermented
malt liquors paid at the rate of $50
each into the Federal Treasury a total
of $4,454.96, and the retail dealers in
fermented malt liquors, at $20 each
a year, paid $33,166.75.
The total Federal tax from excise
and special taxes on fermented malt
liquors in the District of Columbia
was $525,352.96.
Other taxes from the District in
1934 included the following:
Agricultural adjustment taxes—
wheat, $169,205.06; cotton, $88,977.92;
tobacco, $12,873.39; field corn, $3,
889.76; hogs, $4,898.42; paper and jute
fabrics, $46,790.89; sugar, none; total
agricultural adjustment taxes, $326,
635.44.
Admissions, $265,396.65.
Club dues and Initiation fees, 10 per
cent, $55,884.83.
Charges hy Taxpayers Group
Termed “Unfair” hy Hopkins
Admits There Are Some Chiselers on
Relief, But Says Statement “Gives
Me Pain in the Neck”
Harry L. Hopkins admits there are
some chiselers on relief rolls, but
such “unfair” statements as put out
yesterday by the Washington Taxpay
ers’ Protective Association, the emer
gency relief administrator says, “give
me a pain in the neck.”
The Taxpayers’ Association charged
that at least 10 per cent of the 6,000
persons on relief rolls who visited re
lief headquarters arrived in automo
I biles.
“People who make such unfair
statements as that are usually very
comfortable themselves,” Hopkins said.
“That kind of talk is the usual kind
heard at the dinner table over high
balls in comfortable homes. They
give me a pain in the neck."
Automobiles Necessary.
Hopkins asked the question, “Why
shouldn’t a person on relief rolls use
an automobile if he needs it?”
He declared it would take weeks
of investigation by a staff of assist
ants to determine the accuracy of the
Taxpayers’ Association’s charge.
“Many a person is dependent on an
automobile, like a carpenter, for in
stance,” Hopkins added. “Take his
automobile away from him and you
take the chief means he has of going
out to get business.”
The relief administrator admitted
that his own Investigators had always
found chiselers on relief rolls and
hearing that Welfare Commissioner
Hodson of New York City was prose
cuting persons on relief rolls who
were not needy, he told reporters:
“I’d go after them and go after
them hard all over the country.”
Many Not Qualified.
He said surveys by his administra
tion indicated between 5 and 10 per
cent of all the persons on relief rolls
had no right to be there.
He immediately made the reserva
tion, however, that at least 40 per
cent of those receiving the public aid
were not being cared for adequately,
that many were getting “no relief at
all,” and that approximately 10 per
cent were getting more than the re
lief to which they were entitled.
“I see no reason why they shouldn’t
go to jail if they accept relief
without cause," Hopkins said. “After
all, it is an offense. We hear right
along about people who have bank
accounts and still accept public re
lief.”
Mr. Hopkins said the surveys he
referred to were based upon inquiries
into groups of about 1,000 cases in
various cltiest
FOWLER REQUESTS
ENLARGED STAFF
FOR CITY’S CLINIC
$14,282 in Additional Funds
Sought for Tuberculosis
Dispensary.
CRITICISM OF DISTRICT
DEATH RATE IS CITED
Would Add Full-Time Physicians
and Nurses in War on
Disease.
An increase in the staff o£ physi
cians and nurses attached to the Dis
trict Tuberculosis Dispensary at 301 C
street is sought by Health Officer Wil
liam C. Fowler in his 1936 estimates,
made public today, as a meana of
conducting a more effective campaign
against the white plague.
He asks the employment of two
full-time physicians, four additional
nurses and a supervising nurse, two
clerks and a laborer, in a request for
$57,280 for the department’s dispen
saries. This is $14,282 greater than
the fund of $42,998 appropriated for
the present year.
Dr. Fowler declared he believed the
high death rate from tuberculosis here
is due to the large colored population
and that instruction in hygiene and
sanitation is essential to prevent a
spread of the disease. He said:
“Much criticism has appeared in
the public press relative to the death
rate from tuberculosis in the District.
The Health Department has been
doing all the work it can at the dis
pensary with the personnel at its
command. The high rate of mor
tality from tuberculosis is due to the
large colored population in this dis
trict.
Home Instruction Vital.
“It Is well known that the econ
omic condition of the colored race in
the District does not compare fav
orably with that of the white popula
tion, and the only way, in my judg
ment, to reduce the mortality among
the colored is by visiting the homes
and instructing occupants in hygiene
and sanitation and the danger result
ing from crowded home conditions
and exposure to active cases of tuber
culosis.
‘‘The best means of approach in
such a campaign is in the employ
ment of an adequate number of
nurses, attached to the dispensary,
who can visit the homes, follow up
tubercular contacts and induce them
regularly to visit the dispensary and
receive appropriate treatment, if they
be infected with the disease or sus
pected of being so infected.”
Dr. Fowler explained there are now
but four part-time physicians. He
seeks to continue three of these at
work in addition to the two full-time
physicians.
Supports Requests.
Supporting his request for five addi
tional nurses, Dr. Fowler declared:
“The services of nurses attached to
the clinic are in many respects as
important as the services of physi
cians. These nurses go into the
homes and ferret out unreported cases
of tuberculosis, and many persons
who have been exposed to the disease
and bring them to the dispensary for
examination and treatment.”
The health officer asks an appro
priation of $30,000 for the next fiscal
year for care of indigent patients
having minor contagious diseases in
isolation wards at Garfield Hospital.
This is a $5,000 increase over the
current appropriation. For the 1934
fiscal year $22,500 was provided, and
a deficit of $11,000 was created be
cause of demands for care.
No increase in personnel is asked
for the contagious disease staff of the
department, but $5,000 is asked for
buying typhoid serum, smallpox vac
cine and other medical supplies.
Proposes New Clinic.
To afford better medical service for
public school children, the health
officer asks an appropriation of
$104,340 for public school hygiene,
and sanitation work, this being an
increase of $19,786 over the 1935 ap
propriation. Dr. Fowler proposes
establishment of a new dental clinic
and employment of two part-time
dental operators and one dental
hygienist and $3,000 for new equip
ment and maintenance.
An increase also is sought for oper
ation of the child welfare and hygiene
stations, $52,030 being asked, as
against $45,634 for the present year.
MISSING PHILATELIST
IS SOUGHT IN CAPITAL
19-Year-Old New York Stamp
Collector Disappears After
Attending Convention.
Washington philatelists have been
asked to aid in a search for William
Weinstock, 19-year-old New York
stamp collector who left home two
weeks ago to attend the convention
of the American Philatelic Society
at Atlantic City and has not been
heard from since.
j The youth’s parents have appealed
to Robert E. Fellers, superintendent,
Division of Stamps, Post Office De
partment, and Fellers in turn has en
listed the assistance of the local phil
atelic public.
Weinstock, it is understood, was
j seen at Atlantic City. He had with
j him about $300 in cash and a port
' folio of valuable stamps. His par
] ents believe that after the close of
the convention he came to Wash
i ington.
_^
15 CARRIER PIGEONS,
STOLEN FROM OWNER
“Leave them alone and they’ll come
! heme—”
James C. Krahling, 1314 Twenty
seventh street southeast, scans the
skies and hopes that applies to 15
! carrier pigeons somebody stole from
him.
Although he believes the birds can
make their way back if given a
chance, Krahling reported the theft
yesterday, since the motive might have
been pigeon pie.
The pigeons are valued at $50. I
a
Historic Home Will Be Brought Here
This famous Colonial Massachusetts home, The
Lindens, once occupied by Gen. Thomas Gage, British
Colonial Governor of Massachusetts, is to be moved to
Washington and reconstructed at Twenty-fourth street
and Kalorama road as the home of Mr. and Mrs. George
Maurice Morris. The exterior view of the front shows
what is regarded as one of the purest existing types
of Colonial architecture. The door and columns bear
bullet marks from Revolutionary times. The interior
view is of the lower hall.
Historic Massachusetts Home
Will Be Moved to Washington
The Lindens’, Famed in Colonial His■
tory, Will Become Residence of Mr.
and Mrs. George Maurice Morris.
Plans for the moving to Washing
ton from Danvers, Mass., of one of
the most historic of Massachusetts
homes, the Lindens, are being com
pleted here by Mr. and Mrs. George
Maurice Morris, 16 Kalorama circle, it
was learned today.
, The famous old house, regarded as
one of the finest remaining examples
of pure Colonial architecture, is to be
reconstructed at Twenty-fourth street
and Kalorama road. The work of
moving and reassembling the historic
structure probably will begin next
Spring.
The Lindens figured in much of the
early history of Massachusetts and for
a time was occupied by the British
Governor, Gen. Thomas Gage, prior
to the outbreak of the Revolutionary
War. Gov. Gage entertained there
royally and the mansion was the
scene of gay hospitality.
Columns Bullet Marked.
During Revolutionary times the
mansion witnessed many stirring
events. Its front door and fluted col
umns bear bullet marks left in Revo
lutionary encounters.
The purchase by the Morrises of
the Lindens marks the end of a long
search they have made in various
sections of the country for a Colo
nial home to house the collection of
antiques of the Colonial period they
have for years made a hobby of col
lecting.
Since it was built in 1754, the Lin
dens has been in continuous use as
a private home, with a long succes
sion of owners. It was built for ‘‘King"
Hooper, a wealthy Marblehead mer
chant, on land that was part of the
original grant in 1638 to John Ende
cott, the first Massachusetts Governor.
It was occupied by Gen. Gage ih 1774.
The Lindens stands on a road used
by Colonial settlers as early as 1630.
Along this road went Rebecca Nourse
to Salem Jail to be condemned as a
witch. Benedict Arnold and his troops
marched in front of the house en route
to Quebec in 1775. The house has
looked upon John Adams, Josiah
Quincy and John Quincy Adams, who
passed that way frequently. Before
it were borne the dead of Danvers from
the Battle of Lexington.
Capital Seat.
When political considerations made
it advisable for Gen. Gage to move
his capital from Boston in June, 1774,
he came to the Lindens, offered
him in Tory loyalty by Hooper. The
gesture failed and as gallants from
Tory Boston and the British officers
frequented Salem and the Lindens,
resentment grew. This was fanned by
the presence of two companies of the
64th Royal Infantry, encamped across
the road from the house as Gage's
personal guard. So great did the
hostility become that Gage was forced
to return to Boston and defeat at
Bunker Hill.
The bullet marks in the door and
columns are said to have been caused
by the musketry fire of Colonial sol
diers, incensed by the taunts of the
tory, Hooper, as they marched by his
house.
The house, known for a time as
the Gov. Gage house, became known
as "The Lindens” when an avenue
of linden trees, Imported from Eng
land and now a century old, were
planted along the drive. It now
stands in several acres of beautifully
landscaped grounds.
The house has 15 rooms, those on
the first and second floors of stately
proportions. The entrance hall is 38
feet long and 12 feet wide. Halfway
down its length a carved staircase
of exceptional beauty rises to a pal
ladian window on a landing and then
at right angles to a large upper hall.
A colored scenic wallpaper in three
complete sets covers both halls, illus
trating scenes from Pizarro's conquest
of Peru, the wanderings of Tele
machus and the flight of Antenor.
This paper was mounted on linen
and is in an excellent state of pres
ervation.
Alterations Made.
Some alterations have been made
during the 180 years of existence
of the house. During the residence
of the family of Francis Peabody,
descendant in the eighth generation
of Gov. Endecott, carved mantels were
added to the simple chimney breasts
of the original design in three rooms.
All three were the work of Samuel
Mclntire, jr„ from designs by his
father, a famous architect and carver,
who died in 1811.
The deed in which Leon David of
Boston conveyed the house to Mr.
Morris on August 28, stipulates that
it is with “full right to remove the
foregoing structure,” granting "every
facility for the purpose of ingress to
and egress from and working in, upon
and about the premises and the
structure or dwelling house for the
purpose of dismantling it, severing
it from the soil and removing it from
the premises.”
The work of moving and re-erect
ing the old house here is to be in
charge of Walter Mayo Macomber,
noted authority on colonial architec
ture, who has been in charge of much
of the work of colonial restoration at
Williamsburg, Va., Mrs. Morris said.
Every detail of the structure is be
ing measured and photographed and
every board and stone will be num
bered and identified. Even the orig
inal nails will be saved and used
again, Mrs. Morris said.
The reconstruction here of the
Lindens will add to the National
Capital, it is said, perhaps the purest
example of colonial architecture in
the city and will give Washington a
historic house older than the Capital
itself.
The house will be used by the Mor
rises as their home and probably will
be opened to the public at intervak,
as are a number of local historic
homes.
VAN NESS STREET
CASE IS APPEALED
Property Owners Protest
Assessment and Go to
Supreme Court.
The Van Ness street widening case,
already argued twice before the Dis
trict Court of Appeals, went to the
Supreme Court today on a protest by
property owners in the vicinity against
an assessiAent for benefits.
The protest was filed by William J.
Nealey, H. O. Avers and other prop
erty owners who lost their case in the
Court of Appeals May 14.
Vernon E. West, principal assistant
corporation counsel, who defended the
District in the original suit, said the
outcome of the case in the Supreme
Court would be important, because an
adverse decision would upset the en
tire condemnation plan.
Claim No Notice Given.
The complaining property owners
contend they had no notice of the
proceeding until after condemnation
and were given no opportunity to
appear in the matter of the assess
ment of costs against them, and were,
thereby, deprived of their constitu
tional rights. They also claimed the
Commissioners were without authority
to proceed with condemnation.
The Court of Appeals held the
complaining property owners were
without authority to maintain the
suit. It took the position the authority
of the Commissioners to condemn the
land could be questioned only by
the owners of the land taken, not
withstanding the fact that the com
plaining property owners were re
quired to contribute to the cost.
ihe land condemned was parts of
lots 13 and 801, in square 1831. on the
north side of Van Ness street at the
point where it intersects with Wis
consin avenue. The condemnation
was resorted to as a means of widen
ing the intersection. The owner of
lot 13 was awarded $720 and the
owner of lot 801, $10,780. The jury
assessed as benefits the sum of
$6,882.50, distributed among several
lot and parcel owners.
Attack Validity of Proceedings.
The validity of the entire proceed
ing was assailed by the complainants
on the ground that Van Ness street
was not a street that conformed to
the highway plan. The court, how
ever, held that the sole question for
consideration was whether the com
plaining property owners were bene
fltted to the amount assessed against
them, and that they were not in a
position to challenge the regularity or
irregularity of the condemnation pro
ceedings, unless it operated to their
prejudice, or fraud was practiced in
the awards.
The court also declared the Com
missioners, by electing to accept the
verdict of the jury, assumed for the
District almost one-half of the dam
age and cost, and relieved the com
plainants to the extent of an addi
tional assessment of benefits, "which
might, in a further proceeding, have
i been imposed upon them.”
MORE AIDES ASKED
BY JUDGE BENTLEY
IN JUVENILE COURT
Appropriation Request for
Next Year Lists Four
Assistants.
ADDITIONS SOUGHT
IN REORGANIZATION
Estimate Cites Fact That Many
Children Appearing Already
Have Records.
Appointment of four additional pro
bation officers for the District Juvenile
Court, a part of the plan of Judge
Pay Bentley to reorganize the pro
bation and Inquiry divisions of the
court, is asked in appropriation re
questo for the next fiscal year, made
public today.
Miss Bentley revealed recently she
planned a comprehensive revamping
of the personnel of the court, in a
move to place trained social workers
in charge of probation and inquiry
operations. These changes will be
perfected before the end of the cur
rent year, it is stated in the budget
requests, and will Involve abolition of
certain positions and changes In sal
ary of others.
The additional changes sought in
the 1936 estimates are the employ
ment of two additional adult pro
bation officers and two additional of
ficers to conduct rehabilitation work
among children subject to court ob
servation. Judge Bentley believes this
service can be improved in two days,
"both anticipated,” by employment of
the two additional officers and ob
taining "better qualified workers.”
On July 1, last, there were 1,093 men
under the supervision of the two
adult probation officers of the court,
the statement emphasizes. Two addi
tional adult officers are held to be
necessary “to permit even a aemblence
to probation.” The 1,093 men, It was
explained, are under orders to con
tribute to the support of their chil
dren. It is in the interest of economy
to provide a sufficient staff to see
such orders are obeyed and to pre
vent the children from becoming pub
lic charges, Judge Bentley declared.
Many Children "Repeater*.*
In support of the request for two
more probation officers for children,
Judge Bentley states 59 per cent of all
children appearing before the court in
February. March and April of this
year had been previous offenders.
She said this was an Indictment
against the present probation service.
The case load on the juvenile pro
bation officers, it was reported, aver
aged 70 cases each, or 20 more than
the maximum set as standard.
Juvenile Court seeks a total appro
priation of $67,440, as against $52,938
for the present, year. The court col
lected last year sums totaling $75,400.
District Supreme Court officials are
seeking employment of three addi
tional bailiffs to replace a similar
number dropped in 1934. A sum of
$4,860 is involved. Appointment of
one additional probation officer also
is asked. An increase of $2,000 in
Jury and witness fees is held necessary
to meet increased demands.
For repairs to the District Court
House $43,000 is requested, as com
pared with $9,000 for the present year.
Most of the sum is sought for repairs
to the roof and reconstruction of ele
vators.
Other Court Requests.
The District Court of Appeals seeks
$95,000 for support and transportation
of convicts, as compared with $45,000
granted for the present year. The
1934 fiscal year costs amounted to
$98,310. A sum of $4,000 is asked for
repairs to the Appeals Court building
Police Court officials stressed the
need of an increase in funds for jury
and witness fees, $30,300 for next year
as compared with $23,000 for this
year. This Is made necessary by In
creased demands for jury trials, it was
said.
A similar request was made by
Municipal Court officers, who seek
$8,220 for jury and witness fees, as
compared with $4,000 granted for this
year. The lower figure is wholly In
adequate, the judges reported, and
necessitates canceling of jury day* to
avoid deficits. The estimates carry a
statement that the Municipal Court
has collected about $333,000 since
1909.
MOVIES DECLARED
TO FOSTER CRIME
Protestant Church Meeting Is
Told of Drive Against
Improper Films.
Motion pictures stood charged to
day by Wilbur La Roe, Jr, secretar;.
of the Washington Federation ol
Churches, with encouraging crime.
He made the accusation yesterday
at a meeting of the Protestant
churches In the First Congregationa,
Church, at which he described a drive
against improper Alms as closely re
lated to the general campaign against
gambling, prostitution, liquor anc
other evils in the District.
It was reported at the meeting that
50,000 pledge cards promising co
operation in the federation’s film drive
are ready for distribution and severa
thousands were carried away by those
attending the conference.
Mrs. W. O. Tufts, chairman of the
committee representing the Woman'i
Council of the federation, presided
and the speakers, in addition to Lt
Roe, were Mrs. F A. Linzel of Chevj
Chase and Mrs. William T. Banner
man of the Committee on Rellgloui
Education of the First Congregationa
Church.
Later in the month a joint meeting
of the Protestant, Catholic and Jewisi
groups will be held. The third Sun
day in October has been set aside
for special consideration of the fllir
drive by the Protestant ministers of
Washington.
-•
Home Club to Meet.
BURKE, Va., September 11 (Spe
cial).—The local Home Demonstration
Club will meet Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
for a demonstration on clothing to b«
conducted by Mias Sarah F. Thomas,
county home demonstration agent.