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-•.’ll < I_ Washington News Society and General g • _t ___WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1939. ** B__1 ""'3' * 1 " 11 ■ ■■■■■■ ■ - - __ D.C. Man Killed, Five Are Hurt In Auto Mishaps Woman Injured as Car Goes Into Ditch Not Expected to Live i-1 Traffic Record The traffic record, as revealed at police headquarters for 24 hour period ending at 8 a.m. today: Fatalities, none. Accidents, 27. Motorists injured. 8. Motorists arrested. 162. Pedestrians injured. 4. Pedestrians arrested for vio lation of pedestrian control regulations, 19. Mrs. Jennie Laue, 50, of 704 Con cord avenue N.W., was said to be in critical condition today in the Cal vert County (Md.) Hospital, where she was taken yesterday following an automobile accident in which her husband was hurt and a friend killed. Mrs. Laue received critical in juries in the crash, which occurred yesterday afternoon on the North Beach road near Bristol, Md. Killed was Marcus Espanspoulos, 45, a waiter at the Washington Hotel, who lived at 919 Twenty-second street N.W. The accident occurred, police said, when Martin Laue, 52, also an em ploye of the hotel, lost control of the automobile. It plunged into a ditch. It was said at the hospital that Mrs. Laue's spine had been fractured end little nope was neid tor ner recovery. Mr. Laue received minor Injuries, the hospital said, while an other passenger in the car. Samuel Morris, 37. of 4015 N street N.W., also was treated for minor hurts. The group was returning from a fishing party. Three boys were among those in jured in accidents within the Dis trict yesterday. Joseph W. Port, 11. of 915 F street S.W. was hurt in a fall from the side of a truck near his home. He was removed to E m e r g ency Hospital, where it was said he had suffered a brain concus sion. George Murch ison, 12, colored, of 944 Forty - fourth street NJE., who wa* pedaling a bi .lo'fph Port. cycle, and Rob ert Adams. 8, colored, of 904 Forty fourth street N.E., who was riding on the machine, were hurt when they collided with an automobile at Browning street and Sheriff road N.E. The Adams boy still was in Casualty Hospital today with head injuries, while the other boy had re turned to his home after treatment. Mrs. Merle Keene, 33, of 1632 Thirty-third street N.W. was treated fit Emergency Hospital for injuries received in a collision between the car she was driving and another automobile at Thirty-second street and Cathedral avenue N.W. She re turned to her home after treatment. Church Carnival Opens As 300 Children Parade A parade of decorated floats, bands, goblins, clowns and children in a variety of costumes last night wound its way through Southwest Washington streets lined with hun dreds of people, who came to see the opening event in the annual carnival of St. Dominic's Catholic Church. The colorful procession, in which more than 300 children participated, marched to the music of the Police Boys’ Band, the Elks’ Band, the Sons and Daughters of the Amer ican Legion Drum and Bugle Corps find the Knights of Columbus Band. A crowd estimated at more than 2.000 milled about the carnival grounds, some seeking the thrill of the ferris wheel or the toy auto mobiles and others going to the va rious booths and concessions. The Knights of Columbus Band will play every night during the festival, which ends August 26. Many old-time parishioners who used to live in the neighborhood ■ re exnected to return for “Irish night" on Thursday, when a con cert of Irish songs will be given. Prizes for the funniest and most beautiful costume in the parade will be awarded the closing night of the carnival. The Very Rev. Wil liam D. Marrin, pastor, is in charge of the festival. City News in Brief TODAY. ■ Meeting. Power Engineers, Raleigh Hotel, 7:30. p.m. Meeting, American Federation of Government Employes, Raleigh Ho tel. 8 p.m. ? Meeting, Convention Committee, Order of the Alhambra, Willard Hotel, 8 p.m. Bridge meeting. Federal Bridge T Aamifl WarHtnan Parlf Wnti»l ft fp.m. TOMORROW. Meeting, 1939 Summer School of Catholic Action. Mayflower Hotel, *9:15 a.m. Luncheon, Monarch Club, Willard v Hotel. 12:15 p.m. Luncheon meeting. League of ^Laymen’s Retreats, Willard Hotel, h 12:30 pm. Luncheon. Rotary Club, Willard 2* Hotel, 12:30 p.m. Luncheon, Gyro Club. Willard C Hotel,, 12:30 pm. * Buffet luncheon. Manresa Retreat, Willard Hotel. 12:30 p.m. Luncheon, Lions Club, Mayflower Hotel, 12:30 pm. Tea dance, Pi Phi Fraternity, Wil lard Hotel, 4 pm. Meeting. Washington Philatelic Society, Mayflower Hotel, 7 p.m. Reporters Track Down Fox After Alexandria Police Fail Alexandria (Va.) Policeman Warren Zimmerman with the I fox that led his fellow officers a merry chase.—Star Staff Photo. Alexandria (Va.) police went on a foxhunt early today, but it remained for enterprising newspaper report ers to track the animal down with out benefit of hounds. The fox was spotted shortly after midnight almost in front of Alex andria police headquarters by Corpl. George Elmore, on desk duty. He summoned three scout car officers by radio to aid him in his efforts to capture the fox. Sergt. Lawrence Padgett and Policemen Francis Johnson and Leslie Saunders hurried to head quarters after procuring a dog i catcher's net from the city prop- ' erty yard. The fox had run across the street into a garage, but disappeared around the corner. On a vacant kit about a block away the fox was spotted playing with a small ter rier. but the two animals romped, away from the pursuers. . » Policeman Saunders made several: swipes with a net as the fox and the dog scurried down the street,, but the animals disappeared in the darkness. Later in the morning reporters heard of the hunt and took up where the police left off. After run ning down several false clues, they traced the fox to its “lair"—the home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Petrello at 303 Cameron street. Mrs. Petrello said the little fox,' a present from a friend about two weeks ago, ran from the house when her husband opened the door last night. She said the animal returned this morning, a bit out of breath, but otherwise none the worse off for its night, out. The fox is gray and is still a youngster, according to Mrs. Petrel lo, although he measures about 10 inches in height and more than a yard long, counting his long bushy tail. -—__ Detective Chiet Defends Policy On Prisoners Thompson Denies Statement They Are Held Too Long Chief of Detectives Bernard W. Thompson, answering criticism by District Court Justice T. Alan Golds borough that the Police Department was violating the law by holding prisoners too long without making charges, said today that no one was jailed longer than necessary “to complete the investigation.” The law states that prisoners shall not be held over six hours un less a charge is placed against them. Inspector Thompson's state ment said: “We do not hold any prisoner longer than a reasonable length of time necessary to complete the in- i vestigation." Maj. Ernest W. Brown, chief of police, would not comment on Jus tice Goldsborough's statement, made vesterdav whpn a mcp rtr* v»ie i attention involving a man who had been detained 36 hours for investi gation. "The police,” Justice Goldsborough said, "are supposed to be upholding the law and engaged in the appre hension of those who have violated the law. But they are guilty of an offense against the law when they hold prisoners 'for investigation for more than six hours.” An examination of the arrest book at police headquarters today re vealed that half a dozen men, charged only with “investigation,”! had been held for more than six hours. Some of the "men had been in jail without fufther charge for as long as 72 hours, the record showed. Habeas Corpus Writ Asked. Justice Goldsborough’s remarks were made at a hearing for a peti tion for a habeas corpus writ brought by Attorney James J. Laughlin in behalf of James 'Buzz” Donovan. Donovan* was taken into custody about 1 p.m. Saturday for investigation in con nection with a robbery. His re lease came only a short time be fore the habeas corpus petition could be heard in court. "This practice.” said the justice, “is not permissible under any cir cumstances. So far as I am cqn cerned, I shall do my best to see that the law is not violated.” The law he had reference to is a section of the District of Columbia Code, which stipulates that "any person committed may demand a copy of the warrant or commit ment, and any officer detaining him u'hff chall rofnee ♦/-» rloiionn Social Action Groups In Parishes Urged By Catholic Editor Spanish War News in Church Press Called Most Accurate Lay organizations to discuss local problems and take social action in the community should be estab lished in each Catholic parish, the Rev. George A. McDonald. S. J., of St. Louis, Mo., associate editor of the Queen's Work, publication of the Sodality of Our Lady, told a meet ing of the ninth summer school of j Catholic Action today in the May- ; flower Hotel. Urging the establishment of or ganizations to "bring the Catholic truth to the people,” Father Mc Donald also approved the formation of co-operatives and credit unions. In a discussion of the Catholic press, he said it gave the most ac curate reports on the Spanish war because of intimate contacts with the war-torn land through priests of the Jesuit order. American young people today are vastly better informed than their parents were in their youth, he told the group. Steinbeck Book Discussed. American young men and wom en, he said, "have been disci plined by the depression. A small percentage of them are in a defeat ist mood, but the great rank and hie are well balanced and work-1 ing eagerly at social problems.” j He said that the problem of priestly direction of youth is "to stimulate, not to stuff—to tap genu ine resources.” John Steinbeck’s best selling novel, “Grapes of Wrath.” was characterized yesterday as “ ‘Tobac co Road’ in a Jaloppy” by the Rev. Ara F. Walker, S. J„ professor of philosophy in John Carroll Uni versity at Cleveland, Ohio. Father Walker declared that Steinbeck’s tale of migrant agricultural work? ers "should have been written !h the style of Dickens.” Sight-Seeing Tour Today. “I'll be very much mistaken if it doesn't result in a better social lot for poor folks in the Southwest— but Steinbeck defeated his purpose by chiseling too realistic and com plete a picture of conditions. The language shocks and repells those who would be most benefitted by understanding what the author was trying to tell,” Father Walker said. He asserted that the world is now in a period of flux, when the slo gans found in books will perhaps oe decisive in directing the course of civilization. “The influence of pagan books is essentially contrifu gal, tearing the people into small groups. What we must have is a Christian literature, which will build back toward unity.” A sight-seeing trip is arranged for students at the school at 4:30 p.m. today. The group will visit the Franciscan Monastery, the Shrine of the Immaculate Concep tion and public buildings. An amateur night will be held in the main ballroom at 7:30 pun. to morrow. Husband Sues Wife, Charging Desertion Under Same Roof Takes Advantage Of Appellate Court's Ruling Quick to take advantage of a Court of Appeals ruling that married couples can be estranged while liv ing under the same roof, a husband today filed suit for divorce in Dis trict Court, stating he had been separated from his wife seven years, although they shared the same home until six months ago. Only yesterday the appellate court handed down an opinion holding that men and women "may live as strangers—even as enemies—under a single roof.” Today's suit was filed by Attorney Jean M. Boardman for William i. Gayhart. 1464 Girard street N.W.. who left it up to the court to decide whether he should be granted a divorce for desertion for five years’ voluntary separation. In his suit Mr. Gayhart stated that in 1932—17 years after he and his wife, Katrina, were married— she told him she never intended to live with him again. a true copy of the commitment within six hours after demand shall forfeit to the party so detained the sum of $500." Second Parole Revoked. Donovan first figured in the news when he was sentenced in Novem ber, 1927. to serve 10 years in prison for a felony. He was paroled in August, 1931. but the next May he was sentenced to another 10-year term to run concurrently with his first sentence. In November. 1934. he was again paroled—this time to a farm in Indiana. His second parole was revoked when he was driven out of the community. At present he is out on bond pending another habeas corpus pe tition questioning the authority of the Parole Board to revoke the parole, which he alleges was done without "just cause." Mrs. Ray Gans Moses Dies in Baltimore Mrs Ray Gans Moses, 80. a resi dent of Washington for many years, died Sunday in Baltimore, Md.. after a long illness, friends here learned. Mrs. Moses is a cousin of Isaac Gans. a member of the District Al coholic Beverage Control Board, and his sister. Miss Rickie Gans. Her brother. Nathan Gans of New York City, also survives. Funeral services will be held in Baltimore tomorrow at 13:30 a.m., with burial there. Window-Shatterer Ordered Held for Observation r* _ . ... t.ij r_ v*uuri i uiu r uimici Teacher Threatened Cabinet Members A mental observation of Michael D. Kasberg, who threw stones to shatter Treasury Building windows Sunday as a protest against his un employment, was ordered today at Police Court by Judge John P. Mac Mahon. Judge MacMahon acted after be ing informed by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Hart that Kasberg had written threatening let ters to several cabinet officials. Mr. Hart said he was told by secret service men that the defend ant, who pleaded guilty to destroying Government property, had threat ened "certain cabinet officers” with violence if he was not given employ ment. Questioned by Judge MacMahon as to what prompted him to toss the stones through the windows, Kas berg replied with a review of his jobless plight since leaving Port land, Oreg., in June. He said he had been a school teacher in North Dakota and in Portland before being forced to take a laborer's job in the latter city. “Do you have a remedy to solve the unemployment problem?” the court asked. “I am not in a position to solve the problem even if I have a rem edy,” Kasberg answered. "You came here to see about a MICHAEL D. KASBERG. —Star Staff Photo. some letters you had written, didn’t you?” “Well, yes, sir, I had gotten no satisfaction.” Judge MacMahon asked him if he was not nervous and upset over being without employment and Kas berg admitted he waa "a little." ARLINGTON FLAG PAGEANT BEAUTIES—Five of the young ladies who have important assign ments in the “Birth of the Flag.” They are (left to right) Miss Frances McAnally, "Miss Alexan dria"; Miss Jane Smoot, "Miss Fairfax”; Miss Helen O’Day, “Miss Columbia”; Miss Virginia Smarr, “Miss Arlington,” and Miss Dorothy Simpson, "Miss Virginia.” t/‘ " . . . 1 A model of a Baltimore & Ohio engine, of the type used in the early 90s, provided a bacltr ground for members of the cast. The players are shown waving a greeting as they arrived at the stadium. —Star Staff Photo. - | Personnel Problems Hamper Lorton, Huff Reports Housing Also Held Serious; Repair Work Minimum Set at $150,000 The bloodhounds used to run down escaped prisoners from Lorton Re formatory apparently are so exclu sive they don't like the guards either. Ray L. Huff, general superintend ent of District penal institutions, told the Board of Public Welfare in his annual report made public to day that he was having difficulty finding officers for work with the dogs. "Most of our officers,” he said, "know how to get along with people well, but it is a perplexing problem to find younger men who have the aptitude to get along with the dogs.” Mr. Huff's report consists of two parts, only the first of which has been submitted. The remainder, a statistical statement, he said, will be j filed later. Throughout the general statement submitted to Acting Welfare Director Paul L. Kirby there runs a cry for more personnel and housing. Seri ous difficulty has been encountered in obtaining guards and other em ployes from existing registers. Mr. Huff reported. The scarcity of of ficers for detail assignment, he said, seriously restricts the program and, together with the limited accommo dations for officers on the reserva tion, tends to limit the reserve in case of escapes or disorders. Short Cuts “Dangerous.” The shortage of personnel for cus tody, Mr. Huff continued, has brought into practice several “dan trprniK" ehnrf nitc “One fiction under which we labor,” he said, “is the 280-day year for a detail guard. This is not sound because the number of inmates are present 365 days and work or other activity needs to be controlled. In- ■ stead of shortening the staff on j week ends, it should be maintained.” Housing for employes is “a neces sity” and an “investment to the Dis trict,” the general superintendent in sisted. Housing is so congested, he went on, that officers were neces sarily assigned to "quarantine and control blocks.” Repair work needed on the build Mr. Huff also denounced the prac tice of deducting from the salaries of officers for their food. The only equitable solution, he said, is to re move deductions for meals and es tablish an independent mess for the officers operated by themselves. At present, he pointed out, deductions must be made whether the meal is eaten or not. An increase in the personal service funds, he added, however, will be necessary should the deductions be dropped. The food of the inmates. Mr. Huff said, is “off the standard,” although health records support the ration served. “We are up on fruits and vege tables,” he declared, adding that extended food preparation facilities are a pressing need. Among the other subjects covered by the report are education and re ligion. Material development was noted in the former field with one paid teacher and 12 inmate instruc tors. A full-tijne Catholic chaplain serves the reservation, he stated, but no full-time Protestant chaplain is on duty. Mr. Huff also indicated he would seek a careful engineering study of the whole layout in 1941 with a view to most efficient use of facilities. A. 'Cinderella Girl' From D. C. to See Hollywood Twenty little Cinderella girls, in cluding 13-year-old Loyola Ignatius Colburn of Washington, were on their way to Hollywood today, where they will meet a grout) of movie stars, see a preview of ‘‘The Star Maker” and visit the studios of Paramount Pictures. Loyola, selected by the Variety Club of Washington as the most deserving youngster from among a group, will join 19 other young ladies between 10 and 14 years of age as guests of Linda Ware, 14-year-old girl who makes her movie debut opposite Bing Crosby in “The Star Maker.” A student of St. Vincent’s Home and School, where she has dis tinguished herself as a prize pupil, Loyola left for Hollywood this morning still wondering if it isn't all a dream. Miss Colburn is accompanied to the West Coast by a companion selected by Sister Angela, director of St. Vincent's School. Glen Echo Mayor And Councilman Quit Under Hatch Act Those Resigning Posts In Nearby Maryland Now Total Five The resignation of the mayor and one member of the council of Glen Echo, Md„ brought to five today the number of Government employes who have quit their municipal posts in nearby Maryland as a result of the demands of the Hatch Act. Mayor Henry T. McCuen, Mayor of Glen Echo for 16 years, resigned last night and was succeeded by his wife, whose term of office continues until May. Mr. McCuen, a postal employe for 27 years, is superintend ent of the Friendship Post Office substation. The mayoralty of Glen Echo is an unpaid position. The council is free to elect whom It pleases as his successor. At the same time, Leslie jingle, Hazen to Crown | 'Miss Columbia' At Pageant Tonight 3,000 Attend Opening Of 'Birth of Flag' Show in Arlington Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen will crown Miss Helen O'Day as “Miss Columbia" at tonight’s per formance—dedicated to the District of Columbia—in the "Birth of the i Flag" pageant which opened last , night at the Arlington (Va.l Youth Center. Among the guests of honor will be Edgar Morris, president of ; the Greater National Capital Com | mittee, and Miner Hudson, president of the Junior Board of Commerce. The pageant, which will run through Sunday, was officially opened when Senator Byrd. Demo crat, ot Virginia crowned Miss Mil dred Bolen “Queen of the Flag" be- | fore an audience of 3.000 per-sons. Over 1.000 people are taking part in the pageant, portraying the de velopment of the flag, with scenes including the landing of Columbus.! Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Francis Scott Key at the bombard ment of Fort McHenry. Preceding last night's perform ance a procession of "queens" passed through Arlington, led by Miss Dor othy Martin, theme girl for the cel- j ebration; the Queen of the Flag,! princesses representing Northern Virginia communities and a court of 12 attendants for the queen. In tonight's performance the Met ropolitan Police Boys' Club Band will play, followed by Veterans’ Drum and Bugle Corps and the Ar- i linetnn Kiwanis Clnh Rnvs’ Rand i an employe of the Navy Yard, re signed from the Glen Echo Council. Charles W. Ballinger was elected to serve in his stead. The Takoma Park. Md., council still has under consideration the res ignations of two of its members— Harold S. Orcutt, Federal attorney, and H. A. Axtell of the Treasury Department Procurement Division. Dr. George W. Calver. Mayor of North Beach, resigned Saturday. He is a naval officer and also serves as physician at the Capitol. The Hatch law forbids Federal employes from taking active part in politics and specifically refers to Army and Navy | officers. Woman, 84, Saves Silver As Fairfax Landmark Burns Remaining calm when fire de stroyed the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jean Roberts, B4, yesterday assisted in removing valuable furnishings from the four story structure at Colchester, Fair fax County, Va. The residence, owned by Mr. and Mrs. A. Harmon Roberts, was one of the oldest landmarks in Fairfax County and adjoined historic Col chester Tavern. Despite the flames and smoke the elder Mrs. Roberts packed up a valuable*silver set which had been in the family for years and carried it to safety. Mrs. Harmon Roberts and neigh bors succeeded in rescuing most of the furnishings. It is believed defective wiring in the attic of the residence caused the blaze. i Mrs. Harmon Roberts, her five children and her mother-in-law were at home at the time and the fire was discovered by Martha Roberts, her youngest daughter. An alarm brought the Franconia, Occoquan and District of Columbia Workhouse fire companies to the scene. The blaze had gained such head way firemen were powerless to save the dwelling, but they prevented the fire from spreading to outbuildings. Mrs. Harmon Roberts was slightly injured when she fell over an elec tric ,wi$* while leaving the house after MRoving the furnishings. It waFthe third time the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Roberts have been burned. In 1925 their first residence was destroyed and their youngest son died in the fire. A year later the family homestead also was destroyed. U. S. Conciliator Seeks Truce in Sand Strike Walkout of 200 Menaces Several Federal Projects Department of Labor conciliators today were seeking to arbitrate a strike of some 200 sand and gravel production workers which threatens to halt construction on a number of big Federal and District projects. Commissioner Howard T. Colvin of the conciliation service said he hoped to bring labor representatives anH ofVir'i o 1 c rtf tViA c. Gravel Co. Into conference tomor row. Meanwhile pickets were being maintained for the second day at the company's plants, 3020 K street N.W. and One-half place and Q street S.E. With only a few days’ supply of sand and gravel in the yards, the strikers said, the company today was employing outsiders to run two of its half dozen tugs. The strikers are crews off tugs, barges and dredges, and dock em ployes. Spokesmen for the Sand and Gravel Workers’ Union. No. 22075, a new A. F. of L. affiliate, said the strike was aimed at low wages, long hours and poor working conditions, with a closed shop demand a secondary issue. The pickets carried signs which said. “We Are Striking for a Living Wage.” Trucks manned by union drivers were making deliveries from the company's yards today to a number of large jobs in Washington. If these jobs are closed by lack of sand and gravel, hundreds of union men will be laid off. It was said that sand and gravel are not available elsewhere in large enough quantities to keep construction going. Some of the jobs involved are the new Social Security Building, the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge and K street overpass, the Naval Hos pital and Navy Yard construction. Radio Brings Police, Prowler Captured A scout car policeman entered an open window of a residence at 3900 Ingomar street N.W. early today and captured a prowler who had jimmied the sash a few minutes before. The home is listed to Diller F. Groff, whose family, according to police, had closed the house during the summer season. Responding to a radio call that a prowler had been seen on the prent ices. Policemen David Brown and Frpd RtnnfFpr nf th*» ^icrhth sped to the house. Mr. Brown en tering an open window while Mr. Stouffer waited at the front door. A white man standing in the liv ing room when Mr. Brown turned on the lights announced calmly: "I'm the only one here.” He was taken to the precinct station and locked up for investigation. Boy, 6, Wounded in Eye By Air Rifle Pellet Six-vear-old Alton Junior Bryant was recovering today from an air rifle shot wound in his right eye. received yesterday while playing near the rear of his home at 1933 H street N.E. The child was struck by a pellet fired from an air gun held by a friend. He was treated at the Episcopal Eye. Ear and Throat Hos pital and allowed to return home. Weather to Be Humid Today and Tomorrow Continued turkish bath weather for Washington was forecast today by the Weather Bureau. Cloudy skies today and tomorrow will bring possible showers—and lots of humidity, it was predicted. The temperature stood at 79 at 10 a.m. today, with the humidity around 80 per cent. Showers were forecast for this afternoon and to morrow afternoon. Band Concerts By the United States Army Band this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Army Band Auditorium. Capt. Thomas F. Darcy, leader; Karl Hub ner, assistant leader. By the United States Soldiers' Home Band this evening at 6:30 o'clock in the bandstand. John S. M. Zimmerman, bandmaster; An ton Pointner, assistant. By the United States Marine Band this evening at 6:30 o'clock at the United States Medical Center. Capt. Taylor Branson, leader; William F. Santlemann, second leader. By the United States Navy Band this evening at 7:30 o'clock at the D. C. War Memorial. Lt. Charles Benter, U. S. N„ leader; Charles Brendler, assistant leader. License Clerk Changes Plans For a Wedding A slight change had been made today ih the wedding plans of a col ored couple who applied for a mar riage license in Upper Marlboro, Md., yesterday. The license clerk recognized the groom-to-be as a suspect wanted in the District for arson. Instead of giving nim a marriage license, me clerk summoned police. The man was returned to the District and was held at the eleventh precinct today. The prospective bride was un daunted, however. She borrowed $3 from friends and returned a short time later to obtain the license. "I’m going to hold it until he gets out,” ahe explained.