Evening star. [volume], December 03, 1938, Page A-18, Image 18

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

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Work Started
On Shore Line
Reshaping
New Channel Planned
For Roach's Run
Near Airport Site
Work on the reshaping of the Vir
ginia shore line of the Potomac
River along the Mount Vernon
highway south of the Railway Bridge,
including the digging of an entirely
new channel for Roach’s Run, has
been started by the local Army
engineer office as a preliminary step
to the construction of the $9,880,000
Washington National Airport at
Gravelly Point.
The work, necessary to clear the
way for construction of the up
stream levee along the airport
boundary from the Virginia shore
to the Potomac River channel, will
restore the beauty of the area cut
up during the years by commercial
sand and gravel dredging opera
tions.
Roach's Run, discharging into the
Potomac from the water-fowl sanc
tuary through a culvert under the
Mount Vernon highway, now flows
almost due south from the culvert
through a marshy area into what
will be the airport. Present plans
call for digging of a new channel
from the culvert almost due east
into the river.
Construction Office.
The Army engineer office has
started building a temporary con
struction office on the first point
south of the Railroad Bridge on
the Virginia shore. This will serve
as construction headquarters dur
ing the process of work on the up
stream levee and filling of the north
end of the airport. A channel will
be dredged through existing shoals
to permit access by boats to this
building, and a marshy area behind
the building will be filled.
The work on this area, which
will be entirely outside the airport
boundaries, is a part of a program
to be carried on in connection with
the airport work, which ultimately
is expected to make the entire air
port region one of the show places
of the National Capital. The work
will not interfere in any way with
the bird sanctuary but will result
in a necessary cleaning up of the
present unsightly Potomac River
shore line.
Army ureage at work.
The Army dredge Benning now is
at work clearing the channel from
the river to the construction build
ing. The larger suction dredge
Dalecarlia has been put to work
“trenching” soft overlying material
from the site of the northwest run
way of the new airport.
The big suction dredge Talcott,
which has just reached the air
port site after a stormy trip from
the James River, has been assigned
to dredge the new channel for
Roach’s Run and then will go to
work on the new levee.
The Talcott, after completing a
dredging job in the James River
at Windmill Point, Va., far up the
river, was towed here by the Army
engineer tug and a convoy of small
Diesel-powered tugs. The Talcott
towed behind her a "tail” composed
of several thousand feet of large pipe
line floated on metal pontoons. It
was decided to tow the line rather
than to dismantle and ship it both
as an economy measure and to save
time in getting airport work under
way.
All went well until the Talcott
was towed into the mouth of the
Potomac. Here a strong following
wind whipped up seas, which pres
ently began to break up the pipe
line into sections. As section after
section drifted away the convoy
boats went in pursuit until the
Talcott, with her rapidly diminish
ing tail, was left alone behind her
tug. Finally a major portion of
the pipe line broke away after dark
ness had fallen, and the Talcott was
towed into the calm waters of the
Coan River to await reassembling.
The towboats chased portions of
the pipe line all the way across
Chesapeake Bay to Tangier Island
and towed the pieces back to the
Talcott, where they were reassem
bled for the trip up the Potomac,
which was completed without fur
ther incident.
/
Hiring of D. C. Engineers
On Projects Is Urged
The District of Columbia Council
of Engineering and Architectural
Societies last night requested con
sideration of Washington engineers
and architects for employment on
local public works projects.
The council approved a letter from
its chairman, A. B. McDaniel, to
the District Commisisoners, request
ing that qualified local men be given
preference over out-of-town con
sultants whenever possible. The spe
cial meeting of the group was held
at the Cosmos Club.
The council voted to prepare and
submit to District officials a list of
men in local practice who are quali
fied by education and experience
to design sewage treatment plants,
traffic separation facilities and other
municipal improvements. Prepara
tion of the list will be made with
the assistance of the 14 member
societies of the council.
Similar action was taken recently
by the Washington Building Con
gress and by the District of Co
lumbia Chapter of the American
Institute of Architects.
Lt. Cole's Platoon
Wins Cavalry Test
A platoon of Troop F, 3d Cav
alry, led by Lt. Loren F. Cole, was
winner of the leadership test for
small units, recently conducted in
the 2nd Squadron, 3d Cavalry at
Fort Myer, it was announced today.
The winning platoon commander
will receive a silver bowl, and a cash
prize of $400 will be awarded to
the troop.
In the leadership test the officer
has to conduct his platoon of 28 men
over a course of aproximately 40
miles in 20 hours. The maneuver
includes mounted and dismounted
combat, bivouac for the night, and
various other situations interix>sed
along the route of march.
Judges of the competition included
Maj. George Millholland, Capt.
Lawrence G. Smith, and Capt.
Thomas J. H. Trapnell.
INSPECT SLUMS NEAR CAPITOL—Members of a committee of the Voteless District of Columbia
League of Women Voters as they viewed dwellings in Shotts Alley yesterday. The top of the
Senate Office Building can be seen in the background. —Star Staff Photo.
Bids to Be Opened
For Remodeling
Of Old Gatehouses'
Stone Structures to Be
Turned to Face
Constitution Avenue
Bids for moving and remodeling
the historic Bulflnch gate houses
at Constitution avenue and Fif
teenth and Seventeenth streets
N.W. will be opened by the National
Park Service at 11 a m. Monday in
room 7426, Interior Department.
The famous old stone structure^,
which served the Chesapeake &
Ohio Canal when it existed through
what now is the Mall area, will be
turned to face Constitution avenue
and raised to the existing street
level.
The work, to be done with Public
Works Administration funds al
located to the National Park Serv
ice, will involve complete restora
tion of botli'famous buildings, which
are regarded as outstanding archi
tectural examples of their kind.
Stones to Be Replaced.
Both buildings will be tom down
to their foundations. All stones
which are not too badly damaged
by time will be marked for replace
ment in the reconstructed build
ings. Stones which can be saved
will be redressed if necessary. The
work will -include construction of
new concrete foundations, with lime
stone flooring, construction of new
stone steps and laying of a new
course of stone under the cornice.
The contract will provide that
work shall begin within five days
after the successful bidder is noti
fied to proceed. The work is to be
completed within 120 working days.
The buildings have been used by
the Park Police and the working
force of the office of National Capi
tal Parks from time to time during
recent years fof storage of tools
and equipment. The one at Fif
teenth street frequently has been
used as a first-aid station in con
nection with major parades and
celebrations on Constitution ave
nue.
Bids for New Offices.
The National Park Service also
will open bids at 11 am. December
10 in room 5626, Interior Depart
ment, for construction of new offices
and laboratory facilities in the
building at 1737 L street N.W.
The second and third floors of
the building are to be remodeled
for occupancy by the Soil Conserva
tion Service and the fifth floor by
the Farm Security Administration
of the Agriculture Department. The
contractor will be called upon to
move equipment from the Printcraft
Building, 930 H street N.W., into
the new quarters as well as to re
model the building, including con
struction of new partitions, plaster
ing, painting, flooring, heating
equipment, sprinkler system, elec
trical installations and film storage
space.
/ :
Senator-Elect Mead'
To Speak at Dinner
Senator-elect James M. Mead of.
New York will speak at the GodR'
Neighbor dinner to be held in con
junction with the Conference on
Pan-American Democracy at the
Washington Hotel next Saturday
night.
Thurman Arnold, Assistaht At
torney General, and Edwin S.
Smith of the National Labor Re
lations Board also will be among
the speakers.
The conference at the hotel is to
be held concurrently with the in
ternational coherence at Lima,
Peru. The gathering here is de
clared to be for the purpose of dis
cussing the "increasing Fascist
penetration of Latin American
countries and attempts to disrupt
and dominate their governments
and peoples.”
Senator Harrison's
Condition Improves
Senator Harrison, Democrat, of
Mississippi, who is suffering from qp
attack of the grippe, was reported
feeling considerably better today at
his home, 2260 Cathedral avenue
N.W.
Friends of the Senator said his
illness was not serious, but that his
physician had advised him to re
main in bed a few days. The chair
man of the Senate Finance Com
mittee plans to leave Washington
on a speaking tour soon.
N. Y. A. Offices Moved
Headquarters of the National
Youth Administration today were
trainsferred to the seventh floor of
the Washington Building, New York
avenue and Fifteenth street N.W,
it was announced by Executive Di
rector Aubfcey Williams.
The change he explained, was
necessitated by a shortage of space
at 916 G street N.W, where the
N. Y. A. administrative offices have
been located since last June.
r _ _ “
Citizens Fight
To Save
Tulip Tree
A lone tulip tree has provided a
prototype of the Japanese cherry
blossom cause for residents of the
Potomac avenue and W street N.W.
neighborhood.
Construction of a new section
of sidewalk and curbing on Poto
mac avenue has prompted District
Highway Department officials to
decide on removal of the tree, which
is located approximately on the
curb line opposite W street.
Residents of the vicinity have pe
titioned for its retention, pointing
out the curbing has been extended
around large trees in other sec
tions.
Corporation Counsel El^nod Seal
said that the tree probacy would
have to come out, howevfi, stating
that its presence would Represent
a hazard which might jeave the
District open to suit for permitting
maintenance of an obstruction
should an accident occur.
Christ Lutheran Holds
First Services in
Church Tomorrow
*
Bethesda Congregation
To Hear President of
Eastern District
The first services in its own church j
building will be held tomorrow by i
the Christ Lutheran Church of
Bethesda, Md. During the past four
years the Rev. Henry J. Whiting,
pastor, has held services in the State
Theater, made available through the
courtesy of J. Henry Hiser.
The congregation’s new meeting
place is a Georgian Colonial build
ing at the intersection of George
town and Glenbrook roads which
was an old Victorian dwelling before
a “$7,000 in seven days” fund-rais
ing campaign in May of this year
enabled the congregation to pur
chase and remodel the structure to
provide for a chapel, two Sunday
school rooms and a parsonage apart
ment.
The Rev. Walter E. Schuette,
president of the Eastern District
of the American Lutheran Church,
will preach the dedicatory sermon
at the morning service tomorrow, the
Rev. S. T. Nicholas will speak at
the afternoon anniversary service
and the Rev. G. E. Lenski will ad
dress an all-Lutheran youth pro
gram in the evening.
Special services during the week
will include a community night on
Tuesday, when the Rev. Carl Hem
inghaus of Baltimore is to speak; a
recital Wednesday night by Adolf
Torovsky, organist at the Church of
the Epiphany, and a memorial serv
ice on Thursday night, at which
the speaker is to be the Rev. George
Grewenow of Faith Lutheran
Church, Clarendon, Va.
The Women’s Club is presenting
an organ to the church, and the
Men’s Club is purchasing drapes
for the chapel.
0_
W. P. A.'s Other Projects
Besides Relief Cited
The preservation of old skills, the
training at new skills and the main
tenance of morale were listed by
Mrs. Ellen S. Woodward, assistant
administrator of the Works Prog
ress Administration, as the objec
tives of the W. P. A. in addition to
providing remunerative work for the
Nation’s unemployed.
Speaking over Station WJSV this
morning, under the auspices of the
Daughters of the AmericaA Revolu
tion, Mrs. Woodward declared that
America is founded on the phi
losophy that its citizens have the
right to work. The W. P. A., she
said, was established on this princi
ple, giving Jobs instead of the dole
to millions of America’s unem
ployed.
In addition to the training and
the remuneration to W. P. A. em
ployes, she said, the W. P. A, has
provided the country with certain
valuable assets, including roads, air
ports, public parks, schools, libraries,
hospitals and other public buildings.
14 Prisoners Requtst
Parole in Marylani,
Bt th« A«*oct»t#d Preu. V
BALTIMORE, Dec. 3.—Three pris
oners from Prince Georges end one
from Montgomery will be among 14
applying for freedom next Wednes
day at bearings before Parole Com
missioner J. Cookman Boyd.
Hie nearby applicants are Edward
O. Harris, Prince Georges, 18
months, manslaughter; Raymond
Hawkins, colored. Prince Georges,
18 months, larceny and receiving
stolen goods; John Johnson, colored,
Prince Georges, 18 months, larceny
and receiving stolen goods; James
Rice, colored, Montgomery, two and
one-half years, assault with Intent
to murder. a
c
D. C. Housing Projects
And Slums Visited
By Women's League
Alley Dwelling Bus
Tour Arranged to
Show Contrast
0 n ■
Living conditions in the Capital's
alley slums were contrasted with
those in recently completed low
cost housing developments for the
Housing Committee of the Voteless
District of Columbia League of
Women Voters yesterday afternoon
through a bus tour arranged in co
operation with the Alley Dwelling
Authority.
The trip, conducted by Homer J.
Smith of the A. D. A„ included visits
to the ramshackle, unsanitary homes
of Schott's alley, located in the
shadow of the Senate Office Building
in the block bounded by First, Sec
ond, B and C streets N.E., and to
groups of buildings about the city
of the type in wh'ich housing ex
perts hope all low-income families
eventually will be able to live.
Mrs. P. W. Chappell, chairman
of the Government and Economic
Welfare Committee; Mrs. George B.
Galloway, chairman of the Housing
Committee, and Mrs. Robert H.
Randall, who planned the tour, par
ticipated with other women of the
group in a discussion of housing
problems with Mr. Smith.
Because they were visible from
the street and complete tenacy pre
vented inspection of interiors, the
committee did not leave its bus at
the new developments.
Among the units visited were Jef
ferson terrace, K street between
Sixth and Seventh S.W.. for white
families, where rents are $30 for
four rooms and $40 for six, and
such lower-priced establishments
for colored as St. Mary’s court.
Twenty-fourth street between G and
H: Hopkins place, L street between
Twelfth and Thirteenth SB.; Fen
ton place, North Capitol, I, K and
L* streets N.W.; Williston Apart
ments, W street between Second
and Fourth S.W. and the V street
houses. V street between Fourth and
Fifth N.W.
Hearings on Taxicab
Rate Hike Refused
Two petitions for a public hearing
on proposed increases in taxicab
zone rates, filed by less than a score
of drivers and operators, were de
nied late yesterday by the Public
Utilities Commission. It indicated
it felt the small number of petition
ers did not represent the cab
industry.
In its order denying a hearing, the
commission said: “There are 5,167
licensed drivers and 3.695 licensed
taxicabs in the District. The com
mission is aware of the fact that
some independent owner-operators
are fearful that any change in rates
may inure to their detriment rather
than advantage. Furthermore, the
Congress requires that taxicabs be
operated on a uniform system of
zones and rates."
The commission previously had
denied a request for a hearing filed
by officers of the taxi drivers’ union
on the ground that the petition had
not come from the men as operators
or drivers.
Demands for changes in the zones
and increases in zone rates were
based on the additional expenses
borne by the drivers by reason of
the compulsory taxicab liability in
surance, which became effective
September 1.
Parrot Fever Case
Is Reported Here
Health Department officials said
today a third case of parrot fever
has developed in the District since
the original two cases were report
ed to the department November
29.
The victim is the husband of one
of the other victims and is being
treated in Baltimore, according to
Dr. James G. Cumming of the de
partment.
Dr. Cumming said one of the
original victims is practically re
covered, but the other is still ill.
The disease, known as psittacosis,
was traced to love birds purchased
at a local store, which had ob
tained them from Southern Cali
fornia
Woodridge Garden Club
Elects Dr. Weiss
Dr. Ereeman Weiss and James
W. Hardey will serve as president
and vice president, respectively, of
the Woodridge Garden Club during
the coming year, it was announced
yesterday following the annual
election of officers..
Dr. Weiss succeeds Harold J. Clay,
who was presented with an alumi
num bowl at the meeting at Sher
wood Hall Thursday night.
Officers re-elected were Mrs.
Mary S. Porter, recording secretary;
Mrs. John L. Bishop, corresponding
secretary; George Targett, treasurer,
and L. M. Clarke, librarian.
Special Counsel
For Row House
Suits Asked
Arlington Civic Body
Holds County's
Lawyer Disqualified
Believing the latest efforts'to se
cure row-house permits in Arling
ton County, Va., to be the direct re
sult of the county’s failure to appeal
four Circuit Court row-house deci
sions, the Arlington County Civic
Federation today asked the County
Board to place legal defense of its
zoning laws in hands other than
those of its present attorney.
The legal counsel of the County
Board is Commonwealth's Attorney
Layrence Douglas, who has fre
quently been criticized by the fed
eration for not having appealed the
four decisions in which row-house
buildings permits were ordered
granted under the county’s 1930
zoning ordinance.
Yesterday M. A. Mace announced
his intention to apply for 30 row
house permits either today or Mon
day for projects in Glebewood Vil
lage. These projects were the sub
ject. of a mandamus proceeding in
which Judge Walter T. McCarthy Is
sued a judgment that Mace Prop
erties. Inc., “is entitled to have is
sued to it” row-house buildings per
mits in Glebewood.
Plea Made to Chairman.
The civic request to the County
Board was made in a letter to Mrs.
Elizabeth B. Magruder, board chair
man, delivered today by Federation
Secretary Julian D. Simpson. The
letter was drafted at a meeting of
the federation's Executive Commit
tee last night.
The County Board last Tuesday
adopted the "Chew amendment” to
the zoning ordinance whi<$ provides
a blanket ban on row houses in Ar
lington. Mr. Douglas at that time
expressed the opinion that the courts
would hold the law void if the "Chew
amendment” were approved.
For this reason the Executive
Committee has held the Common
wealth's attorney has disqualified
himself for any court proceedings
on the measure.
“We believe (Mr. Douglas has) au
tomatically and voluntarily dis
qualified himself to represent the
board in at least an unprejudiced
manner and has in effect, preju
diced the county's interest in the
matter,” the federation’s letter said.
Appeals Asked.
The civic body urges in the fu
ture that appeals be taken to "the
highest court,” if necessary. "It is
indeed regrettable that the Com
monwealth attorney neglected to
appeal from the decision of the
Circuit Court,” the letter said.
The letter contained a second re
quest, that Building Inspector An
drew Jensen be instructed to defer
issuance of any further row house
permits in view of the present pro
vision for B row residence zones.
This provision will be superseded
by the "Chew amendment” on De
cember 17. It also requested that
Mr. Jansen inform the board and
county manager directly of each
row-house application so that pos-*
sible suits against the county may
be called to their attention.
The federation expressed “its ap
preciation to the county board for
its action in adopting the 'amend
ment prohibiting row house con
struction. Particular gratitude is
expressed to the three members,
who by their vote, took cognizance
of the wishes of the citizens," the
statement said.
-•-1
Excessive P. W. A. Prices
Reported to Ickes
By thf Associated Press.
Administrator Ickes said yesterday
that a number of P. W. A. regional
offices had reported apparent ex
cessive increases in bid prices on
public works projects.
He warned that wherever this oc
curred allotments would be rescind
ed and projects canceled.
"In a number of instances,” Mr.
Ickes said, “prices have jumped be
yond all reason.
“It will be impossible to redesign
projects or to call for new bids be
cause of the shortness of time be
fore the construction deadline (Jan
uary 1).
“Therefore, if unreasonable prices
are demanded, we will have no al
ternative but to cancel the project
and rescind the allotment.
“I hope that industry will not, by
its own tactics, defeat the very pro
gram which was set up for its
benefit.”
Ludke Children Now
In District Schools
The children of Mr. and Mrs.
August A. Ludke, whose refusal to
salute the American flag because of
religious beliefs led to their expul
sion from the schools of Prince
Georges County, Md., are now at
tending District sthools and doing
very well, according to Mr. Ludke.
Mr. Ludke, an employe of the
Washington City Post Office, said
three are attending Eastern High
School and three others are in the
lower schools. He renewed his criti
cism of county authorities for re
fusing to allow them to attend the
county schools and added he did
not see how they could allow the
children to go for six months with
out schooling under the compulsory
education law.
The Ludkes had a tutor for their
children up until the early part of
this year but abandoned the pro
cedure because of the expense.
M.il. Club in National
Members of the University of
Maryland Livestock Chib were noti
fied yesterday their organization had
been voted into the national or
ganization of Block and Bridle, a
national club for promoting live
stock and dairy work among schools
and universities. Jim McOregory of
Worton, Md., is president of the uni
versity organization. James Brownell
of Washington is vice president.
Banquet Is Tonight
The annual midwinter pledging
banquet of the Oliver Wendell
Holmes Chapter of Sigma Nu Phi,
international legal fraternity, will be
held tonight at the Hotel Cairo at
• unlock.
POPULARITY CONTESTANTS—Margaret Thompson and Cath
erine Lewis, together, of Thompson’s Restaurant, and Mary Wat
son of the Garden Tea Shoppe, waitresses, who haye entered the
popularity-beauty contest to be held by the southeastern regional
convention of the National Restaurant Association, to be held
Monday evening in the Mayflower Hotel. —Star Staff Photo.
Women to Operate
Booths for Sale of
Tuberculosis Seals
Volunteer Services
To Push Campaign
In Stores, Banks
Prominent woman leaders in so
cial, civic and welfare work of the
city have volunteered personal serve
ice to help operate special booths
opening throughout the city today
for sale of Christmas Seals of the
Tuberculosis Association.
Mrs. W. Frank Persons, chairman
of the booth sales committee of the
association, announced the booths
will be located in many of the larger
stores and banks.
Committee chairmen for the vari
ous locations were appointed as fol
lows:
The Hecht Store, Park View Par
ent Teacher Association, Mrs. J. H.
Ratner, chairman, and D. C. Con
gress of Parent Teachers, Mrs. Mabel
Ellett, chairman.
The Palais Royal. American Le
gion Auxiliary, Mrs. Julia Long,
chairman.
Lansburgh Si Bro., Senior Council
of Jewish Women, Mrs. Samuel J.
Kaufman, chairman.
S. Kann's Sons Co.. Junior Coun
cil of Jewish Women, Mrs. Irene Le
vine. chairman.
Julius Garfinckel Si Co.. Methodist
Protestant Denominations, Mrs.
Wallace N. Streeter, chairman.
Woodward Si Lothrop. D. A. R.
Ladies, Mrs. Richard O. Marsh,
chairman.
Goldenberg's. Bowen-Greenleaf
School P. T. A., Mrs. Thelma Mor
gan, chairman.
American Security and Trust Co.,
Starmont Aid Society, Mrs. Esther
Behrend, chairman.
Riggs National Bank. Auxiliary
Jewish War Veterans, Mrs. S. Dia
mond, chairman.
Chevy Chase Branch. Riggs Bank,
Chevy Chase Women’s Club, Mrs.
C. W. Freitag, chairman.
Massachusetts Avenue Branch,
Riggs Bank. Force-Ross P.-T. A.,
Mrs. R. B. Mayberry, chairman.
Eighteenth and Columbia Road
Branch, Riggs Bank, Ladies of Char
ity, Mrs. Schwocror, chairman.
Wisconsin Avenue Branch, Riggs
Bank, Jackson School P.-T. A., Mrs.
J. A. Stumpenhorst, chairman.
Bank of Commerce and Savings,
Macfarland Junior High P.-T. A.,
Mrs. Willard E. Givens, chairman.
National Savings and Trust Co.,
Mrs. Chauncey Y. Dodds and
friends.
Hamilton National Bank, Blair
Hayes School P.-T. A., Mrs, George
Nussbaum, chairman.
Morris Plan Bank, Disciples De
nominational Representatives, Mrs.
F. J. Hobbs, chairman.
Benjamin Franklin P. O.. Eight
and Forty Club, Mrs. Helen McCabe,
chairman. •
Mayflower Hotel, Housekeepers’
Alliance. Mrs. Elizabeth Newburgh,
chairman.
Willard Hotel. Sisterhood of He
brew Congress, Mrs. Martin Baum,
chairman.
Carlton Hotel, Mrs. F. B. Smith
and friends.
Raleigh Hotel, Miss Thompson
and Miss Kreg.
General Post Office, Miss Frances
Boss and Mrs. Hawley.
New Quarters Sought
For Two D. C. Agencies
Search for new homes for the Dis
trict's tuberculosis clinic and the
Municipal Lodging House, both
houses now in old buildings at the
eastern end of the Municipal Center
site, was begun today by the direc
tion of the Commissioners.
Rented quarters will be sought
because the Commissioners were ad
vised by Engineer Department offi
cials that the space will be needed
because of plans for development of
automobile parking provisions in
connection with development of the
East Building of the Municipal
Center.
When suitable quarters are found,
the Commissioners plan to seek a
deficiency appropriation to cover
the necessary rent, repair and oper
ation of the buildings, pending later
decision on permanent homes for
the agencies.
The tuberculosis clinic is located
at 301 C street N.W. and the lodging
house at 310 Third street N.W. Engi
neer officials said they would need
the space by next May.
Band Concert
By the Soldiers’ Home Band In
Stanley Hall at 5:30 o’clock to
night. John 8. M.. JZimmermann,
bandmaster; Anton Pointner, as
sistant.
Program,
March, "The King’s Hussars,"
Leonard
Overture, “Halka”_Moniussko
Barcarolle, "Souvenir de Con
cert” ....Rubinstein
“Bella Masurka” .Waldteufel
Melange. "Gems of Stephen
Foster" _ Tobani
Popular numbers, "Out of a
Clear Sky”.Arlen
“Old Plantation Blues,”
ICUAmin
Valse lntermesso, "Soupire
d’Amour” (“Smiles of
Love”) . Wendling
Finale, “Sklppy”-^—..Conrad
J*
Cities Will Continue
To Take Aid Problem
To U. S., Mayors Told
• _
Little Help Seen From
States for Urban Areas'
Number One III
B> the Auoeikted Press.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 3.—A predic
tion that relief will continue to be
the Nation’s biggest problem and
that cities will continue to carry
that problem to Washington until
the States show them more sym
pathy came today from the annual
conference of the National Municipal
League.
Paul V. Betters, executive director
of the United States Conference of
Mayors, led the critics of State
efforts to handle the relief problem,
asserting that:
"You can't blame the cities for
wanting to deal with the Federal
Government when they find it more
sympathetic with its problems than
the 48 States. The Federal Govern
ment is more sympathetic toward
cities than their own States.”
This, said Mr. Betters, "may be the
answer to those who ask that relief
be turned back to the States. The
cities, certainly, are not willing that
this be done because nearly every
State Legislature is controlled by
Rural delegates who don't under
stand the problem of relief in urban
centers.”
Carl P. Herbert, director of the St.
Paul Bureau of the Municipal Re
search, warned the delegates that
“no matter how business improves,
relief will continue to be the out
standing problem of this country.”
Relief costs, he said, “are utterly
beyond the revenue-raising abilities
of the cities.” The Nation is living
"beyond its means” so far as relief is
concerned, Mr. Herbert added, and
“the people of this country must
come to a realization that the cost
of rflief is eventually met out of the
earnings of all the people who work
and produce.”
The delegates, winding up their
three-day conference, attended a
session to discuss proportional repre
sentation today, and scheduled ad
journment following a luncheon pro
gram.
Frances Farmer Urges
Japanese Boycott
Miss Frances Fanner, star of
stage and screen, told members of
the Chinese National Salvation As
sociation yesterday that Chinas
present plight is of deep concern
to all nations. She urged boy
cotting of Japanese merchandise as
an effective means of halting the
warfare in Asia.
“We are all working together for
freedom and or life,” she said, “and
this is a fight among friends for
justice.” Miss Farmer explained that
the only way she could aid was in
promoting the boycott and asked
that the "movement be better or
ganized on a national scale.” The
luncheon was held at China Inn,
631 H street N.W.
Miss Farmer was presented with
gifts by two Chinese organizations
of the city in appreciation for her
efforts. She wears only rayon and
lisle hose in her stage work, refus
ing to purchase silk hose in her
personal boycott of Japanese goods,
she said.
Mrs. Ernest K. Lindley, represent
ing the Washington Boycott Com
mittee; Edwin Smith, member of
the National Labor Relations Board;
T. Y. Hu, member of the Executive
Committee of the association, and
Horace W. Truesdell, executive sec
retary of the Washington Commit
tee for Aid to China, also spoke.
W. Y, Jong was toastmaster.
----9 — — ■■
Ihlder and Weaver
On Forum Panel
John Ihlder, executive officer of
the Alley Dwelling Authority, and
Dr. Robert Weaver, special assist
ant to the administrator of the
United States Housing Authority,
will constitute the panel in the
Modern Forum lecture to be given
tomorrow night at the Washington
Hotel by Langdon W. Post on “The
Challenge of Housing."
Mr. Post is former chairman of
the New York City Housing Au
thority and also served as tenement
house commissioner.
Chairman of the forum will be
Warren Jay Vinton, chief econo
mist of the United States Housing
Authority. The forum is spon
sored by the Washington Branch
of the American League for Peace
and Democracy.
Physical Directors
Meet in Baltimore
Headed by Ralph W. Poster, phys
ical education director, a group of
about 30 persons, representing vari
ous sports at the Central Young
Men’s Christian Association, left to
day for Baltimore to attend the
annual Interstate Physical Direc
tors’ Society meeting this evening.
Tomorrow the group will attend the
Interstate Key Men's Conference
there.
Reports on ‘‘1938 interstate cham
pionships” will be made tonight by
J. Fred Peters of Baltimore and
Dr. Frank 8. Lloyd, professor of
education, New York University,
will speak. The society also will
hold a business session.
■j. .
4
v
County Zoning ■
.2 »
Law Violators
To Face Court
Plans Commission
Orders Survey
On Infractions
By JACK ALLEN.
George N. Palmer, .chairman of
the Maryland-NationarCapital Park
and Planning Commission, declared
today that violators of Montgomery
County’s zoning laws will be prose
cuted as speedily as evidence can
be assembled for presentation in
court.
He said members of the commis
sion's engineering staff are to begin
an immediate survey to determine
where infractions of such regula
tions have been committed and by
whom.
“Our commission then will recom
mend to the county commissioners
that proceedings be started against
those who hove violated the zoning
ordinances,” the chairman asserted.*
Mr. Palmer's statement followed
a hearing yesterday at which Mont
gomery County civic leaders made
a surprise appearence before the
Planning Board and urged that
prosecution “for some 200" infrac
tions of zoning laws be begun at
once.
Resolution Rescinded.
Earlier in the day the Board of
Montgomery County Commissioners
held a special meeting at Rockville
and granted a demand by incensed
civic leaders and property owners
that the board rescind its resolution
proposing validation of all zoning
violations that have occurred since '
the regulations were adopted in 1928.
Mr. Palmer told The Star the
planning body discussed plans for
the prosecution of zoning law vio
lators following the impromptu
hearing and had decided upon the
procedure outlined in his statement.
He also said that his commission,
which now serves merely in an ad
visory capacity to the county com
missioners in zoning matters, next
month will ask the Maryland Legis
lature to broaden the planning
agency's powers so that it may carry t
on its own prosecutions in such
cases.
At present the agency itself has
no authority to prosecute.
Aware of Handicaps.
Frederic P. Lee of Edgemoor, chief
spokesman for the civic delegation,
told the Planning Board he realized
it was confronted with a problem
of major proportions in prosecuting
"the 200 or more cases of zoning
violations in Montgomery County."
He said he was aware the com
mission was handicapped by its lack
of a force of inspectors who could
find out where violations had oc
curred. ,
Mr. Lee. a former member of the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, added,
however, that “these violations must
be prosecuted if the zoning laws
of the county are to b« protected. ’
He said that such proceedings
must be initiated in the interest of
residents who invested money in
homes in Montgomery in the belief
that their investments are protected
by the zoning laws are to be safe
guarded.
"It is not enough that the zoning
laws were saved from virtual'repeal
by the action of the county com
missioners in rescinding their reso
lution this morning," Mr. Lee stated.
Specific Demand Made.
The speaker made a specific de
mand for the prosecution of Peter
Fritz, proprietor of an inn located
in a residential zone at Wheaton.
Mr. Fritz obtained an injunction re
straining officials from interfering
with the operation of his business
when the planning commission and
county commissioners undertook to
prosecute him on a charge of violat
ing the zoning laws.
Mr. Fritz’ injunction was dissolved
in Circuit Court and his attorneys
noted an appeal, but the appeal
suddenly was withdrawn on October
12. A warrant against Mr. Fritz
still stands, according to county offi
cials.
“Mr. Fritz should be given the
right to establish his innocence—or
to be proven guilty.” Mr. Lee said.
Mr Lee's views were supported by
other civic leaders, including Wash
ington I. Cleveland, Cpl. O. P. M.
Brown, Carey Quinr? Joseph B.
Matre and H. S. Yoke.
Beer Parlor Assailed.
Mr. Cleveland asked the commis
sion to close a beer parlor which he
said is operating in a residential
zone at Kensington, declaring that
it is in close proximity to a Civilian
Conservation Corps camp and that
“the War Department has com
plained against it on several occa
sions.”
When he said the establishment
had been given an alcoholic bever
age permit, although the area is
zoned for residential purposes, Mr.
Palmer injected:
"It's too bad the liquor board does
not act in conjunction with us.”
Col. Brown suggested that the
planning commission's powers be
broadened at the 1939 session of the
State Legislature to permit the com
mission to carry on its own prosecu
tions.
Mr. Quinn told the commission It
should proceed with the prosecd^
tions as speedily as possible.
Court Decision Urged.
“The constitutionality of the act
creating your commission has been
challenged on several occasions,”
Mr. Quinn said. “There is no doubt
in my mind that the act Is con
stitutional, but the only way to
settle the matter once and for all
is to have the courts determine the
question.
“Zoning law violators should be
proceeded against and If the act is
constitutional the courts will deter
mine that question. If it is held un
constitutional the thing to do is to
go before the 1939 session of the
Legislature and have a law enacted
that is constitutional.
“Home owners in Montgomery
County have too much at .stake to
allow this question of the constitu
tionality of your commission to go
unsettled."
Play to Be Tonight
The Montgomery Players will pre
sent the second play of their winter
season, “Penny Wise," today at 8:90
p.m. in the auditorium of the Leland*
Junior High School,_ Chevy Chase,
Md. The play is a comedy by Jeafi
Black. In the cast are Doris Da
vidson, Edward Soper, Rita Lowe,
Wallace Buell. Beatrice Crocker and
Margaret B. Keyhoe.
. *■