Evening star. [volume], March 06, 1940, Image 1

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

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Weather Forecast
Mostly cloudy and slightly colder, with ■ . __ __
lowest about 32 tonight; tomorrow established 111 1852
cloudy and continued cold; light snow.
( Temperatures today—Highest, 43, at 2 Most people in Washington have The
p.m.; lowest, 35, at 6 a.m. ^ Star delivered to their homes every ,
From the United States Weather Bureau report. __,
Full details on Page A-2. evening and Sunday morning.
Closing New York Markets, P«ge 18._ _w Me,n, Af$oci,t.d Pre„,
88th YEAR, No. 35,008. WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1940-THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. *** ' THREE CENTS
British Seize
2 More Italian
Coal Vessels
Nine Ships Now Are
Detained at Downs
Contraband Station
BULLETIN.
OSLO. March 6 C'P).—1The news
paper Arbeiderbladet today re
ported that residents of Berle
vaag, Arctic town on the tip of
Tanafjord, had heard 12 to 15
detonations apparently coming
from naval guns at sea during
the afternoon. Berlevaag resi
dents were unable to determine
their nationality or whether the
detonations indicated an ex
change between belligerent war
ships.
LONDON, March 6 (/$>).—Brit
ain today ordered the cargoes
of eight Italian ships—declared
to be coal from Germany— held
as prizes in her tightening cam
paign to halt all sea-borne ex
ports from Germany. The ninth
Italian ship, the Loasso, was re
leased by the Enemy Exports
Committee. It was established
that she sailed from Rotterdam,
where the Italian coal flotilla
loaded, on March 1, before the
order to halt German coal ship
ments to Italy was issued.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 6.—Two more
Italian ships were herded by the
British Navy into the contraband
control station at the Downs today,
* bringing to nine the number of
Italian ships detained in the con
troversy over German coal exports.
The ministry of economic warfare
said all nine were flying the Italian
ensign and all were “assufned to be
carrying coal.”
Today’s additions to the growing
list were the Liana and Rapido. both
rated as colliers. The other seven
are the Qrata, Felce. Caterina,
Absertia, Ernesto, Numidia and
Loasso.
The last-named, at first described
as a tanker, has been identified as
a coal ship, the ministry said.
Protest Disregarded.
The Liana. 6.400 tons, was one of
the three Italian ships which left
Rotterdam March 1, just before the
British clamped down on German
coal shipments to Italy, but later
returned to the Dutch port.
The British blockade patrols
worked in apparent disregard of
Italy's bitter week-end protest,
which asserted the blockade was j
endangering economic and political!
relations of Britain and Germany's
axis partner.
Meanwhile the foreign office was.
drafting a formal reply to the Rome'
protest.
A spokesman for the Ministry of
Economic Warfare said that the
Blockade Exemption Committee al
lowed 18 countries, including the
United States, to import some goods
from Germany, but that in each
case the nation also asked for ap
proval for import of other German
goods, but was refused.
Goods permitted included beer,
needles and barbed wire.
More ships Awaited.
British destroyers were waiting
for others of a fleet of Italian col
liers preparing to sail from Rotter
dam. the Netherlands.
Two other Italian ships lav off
Deal for a day or two. but left today
with pilots aboard for a northern
British port.
Shipping circles expressed belief
they were going to pick up cargoes
of English coal for Italy, although
the British and Italian governments
are at odds over the question of
supplying Italy's coal needs from
British mines.
Britain insists on taking manu
factured Italian products, such as
arms, rather than agricultural prod
ucts in exchange for such coal.
British credits for export of coal to
Italy were said, however, to have
been available for some time, so
that Italy could obtain the British
coal now and settle later on what
Britain is to get in exchange.
A source close to the British for
eign office said last night that
Britain was “not inclined to view
the matter as a ‘crisis’ or anything
like it.”
Nine U. S. Ships Examined.
The ministry of economic warfare
announced today that nine United
States ships had been examined in
contraband control bases between
February 24 and March 2. No
American or Italian vessels were
among the 21 listed in control ports
yesterday.
The Italian ships carrying Ger
man coal taken to the Downs yes
terday and today presumably
reached there after this list was
compiled.
The 21 were announced as con
sisting of 12 Netherlands, 6 Norwe
gian. 2 Belgian and 1 Swedish.
There were 3t Italian ships among
141 examined in the W'eek ended
March 2.
Rome Police Guard
British Embassy
ROME, March 6 (/P).—Extra police
were stationed near the British Em
bassy today as a precaution against
possible Italian demonstrations
against Britain's seizure of German
coal cargoes aboard Italian ships.
The demonstrations have failed to
take place yet, however. There had
been rumors that students were
planning to organize them.
Students attempted to gather be
fore the British consulate in Flor
ence yesterday, but police dispersed
them immediately.
Seizure of Italian cargoes of Ger
man coal by British blockaders
tends to bring relations between
Rome and London to a crisis, au
thoritative Italians declared today.
Italy's industrial life hangs upon
imports of coal.
Dispute Complicated.
Studying reports that British
warships were escorting ship after
ship into contraband control in ap
plication of the allies’ two-way
(See COAL, Page A-5J
Piles of Russian Dead Left
On Isthmus, Finns Report
Further Red Thrusts Against Viipuri
Turned Back, Declares High Command
By the Associated Press.
HELSINKI, March 6.—Piles of
Russian dead were left by new Red
Army assaults on the Karelian Isth
mus battlepront, the Finnish high
command reported today, declaring
that further thrusts against Viipuri
had been turned back.
The heavy Russian losses were
said to* have been inflicted in the
Vuoksi River sector, southeast of the
besieged city, where the Finns said
several dozen Soviet tanks had been
destroyed.
The heaviest Russian attack was
repulsed in the Pollakkala area of
the Vuoksi sector.
Aircraft, tanks and artillery sup
ported the Russian thrust across the
ice, but the Finns, still struggling
for possession of the strategic Vii
puri area, turned back the attack.
The Red Army also attacked in
-----
force at many land points on the
Viipuri sector between the bay and
the Vuoksi, but the Finns said all
attacks had been repulsed.
“Heaps of Russian dead’’ in front
of the Finnish battle positions were
described by a Finnish high com
mand communique which said that
“dozens of tanks’’ had been de
stroyed.
The eastern end of the isthmus
front, where the Finnish lines have
stood firm against continued Rus
sian pounding, saw lively artillery
activity and farther north on the
Kuhmo sector Russian attacks were
repulsed, the Finns reported.
Soviet air raids behind the battle
lines killed 40 persons and wounded
many others during attacks yester
day on Mikkeli, Lahtls and Kuopio.
Ten enemy raiders wfre shot
(See FINLAND, PageA-3.)
Welles Will Confer
With Exiled Polish
Government Chiefs
American Fact-Finder to
Be Received by Lebrun
And Daladier
NO STEPS YET TAKEN to halt
Swedish iron ore, Churchill tells
Commons; stoppage would involve
many serious considerations, he
says. Page A-2
BRITAIN DEFENDS search of clip
per mail at Bermuda; suggestion
in Commons that error was made
is rejected. Page A-3
COLLISION SINKS DUTCH SUB;
all but 2 of 30 in crew saved; two
naval officers pry open hatch to
release imprisoned men.
Page A-3
By the Associated Press.
PARIS, March 6.—The French
government announced today that
United States Undersecretary of
State Sumner Welles would confer
with the chiefs of the Polish govern
ment in exile when he comes to
Paris this week on his fact-finding
mission for President Roosevelt.
Mr. Welles will be received by
both President Lebrun and by
Premier Daladier tomorrow, im
mediately after arrival from Switzer
land.
A communique said he would re
main in Paris Friday and Saturday,
talk with other French leaders and
also consult Polish leaders.
From Paris Mr. Welles will go to
London for similar talks.
Ever since the mission was an
nounced on February 9 the French
have insisted any attempt to make
peace now would prove premature—
an impression deepened by reports
of Mr. Welles’ conversations with
Hitler and Mussolini.
Welles' Hope Reported
Placed in War's Delay
LAUSANNE, March 6 </P).—1The
feeling of the Welles fact-finding
mission is that so long as a war of
devastation is delayed just so long
there is hope, it was understood
authoratively today.
This conviction of the mission,
headed by United States Under
1 secretary of State Sumner Welles, is
founded on the belief of the peoples
of Italy, Germany. France and Great
Britain—a belief which has made a
deep impression on the mission, sent
to Europe by President Roosevelt
to investigate conditions here.
Mr. Welles received newspaper
correspondents of many countries
this afternoon at his hotel with the
preface that he was going to uphold
his reputation of being as silent as
a carp.
Queried on Peace Link.
However, when asked whether his
visit to Europe was connected with
a move for peace Mr. Welles Replied
by referring the questioner to the
statement issued by the State De
partment before his departure.
Mr. Welles’ trip was announced by
the White House February 9 with
a statement which said it was
j “solely for the purpose of advising
| the President and the Secretary of
| State as to present conditions in
Europe.”
On the same day, however, the
State Department announced that
informal conversations had begun
with neutrals relating “to a sound
international economic system” and
to “world-wide reduction of arma
ments.” Secretary of State Cordell
Hull carefully excluded “matters in
volving present war conditions.”
Mr. Welles said: "I hope to have
the privilege of seeing Premier Mus
solini when I return to Rome, and
I expect to sail for home about
March 18.”
Data Kept Confidential.
Asked whether he would com
municate to Premier Daladier and
Prime Minister Chamberlain what
Premier Mussolini and Fuehrer
Hitler have told him, Mr. Welles
answered:
"What has been and may be said
to me will be regarded as absolutely
confidential and solely for the in
formation of my Government.”
Mr. Welles said he had not been
informed whether he would be re
ceived by King George when he
goes to London. Mr. Welles stopped
first in Rome, then went to Berlin.
Now briefly resting in Lausanne, he
will entrain for Paris early tomorrow
morning. From there he will go to
London and then back to Italy on
his way home.
Kennedy Goes to London
To Prepare for Welles
ROME, March 6.—Joseph P. Ken
nedy. United States Ambassador to
Great Britain, left at 9:15 am. today
for Paris, en route to London to
arrange for the visit of Undersec
retary of State Sumner Welles to
the British capital.
Mr. Kennedy, returning from con
sultations in Washington, intended
to fly from Paris to London.
New Land Law's Aim
To Pacify Arabs,
Says MacDonald
Stern Warnings Received
Recently From Holy
Land, Commons Told
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 6.—The British
government today answered opposi
tion charges of a “shameful” betrayal
of its promises to the Jews with the
practical wartime declaration that
its new Palestine laks, anti-Jewish in
effect, were necessary to keep the
powerful Arabs of the Near East ih
line.
Malcolm MacDonald, colonial sec
retary, said the government had had
“most stern warnings from Palestine
in recent weeks that despite appear
ances there was beneath the surface
a growing unrest among the Arabs.”
Defending the British govern
ment's restriction of transfers of
land by Arabs to Jews in Palestine,
MacDonald told the House of Com
mons:
“If there were trouble in Palestine
there would be repercussions in
Transjordan, Iraq. Saudi Arabia,
Egypt and India. One has got to be
frank about these things.”
The colonial secretary said the
Palestine Arabs had shown sus
picions that "his majesty's govern
ment are not sincere in their profes
sions that they would protect the
interests of the Arab cultivator and
laborer.”
Vote of Censure Moved.
The charge that the Palestine
policy was a “shameful” repu
diation of a moral contract
W’ith the Jews was made by
Philip Noel-Baker, Laborite and
opposition spokesman, in moving a
vote of censure on the government
for its new restrictions on transfer
of Palestine lands from Arabs to
Jews. He declared:
“In the last war the Jews were
very strong. They had great influ
ence in many lands and we desired
their help. It was to get that help
that we made the Balfour declara
tion (of November 2, 1917, promis
ing a national home for the Jews in
Palestine.)
“Today the Jews are a weak and
hunted race. Their property has
been stolen and destroyed and it
was because their influence had
gone that we dared do this shameful
act today, to repudiate the^ moral
contract we made with them when
the last great war was going on.”
Holy Land “in Turmoil.”
Mr. Noel-Baker said MacDonald
had “thrown this bomb"—his Feb
ruary 28 announcement of the land
restrictions—and now Palestine “is
in turmoil again.”
Mr. MacDonald replied for the
government that its Palestine policy
was “essential to the maintenance
of good, impartial government and
to enable us to mobilize our forces.”
Palestine is one of the areas in
which British troops are concen
trated, forming part of the allied
Near Eastern forces estimated at
nearly 600,000 men.
Mr. MacDonald pointed out that
the mandate which called on Britain
to encourage settlement of Jews on
the land also bound her to protect
(See PALESTINE, Page A-5.)
Wide Violation
Of D. C. Liquor
Law Charged
Sales to Minors
And on Sundays
Alleged by Hunter
BACKGROUND—
The House District Committee
ordered a subcommittee to in
vestigate the liquor situation in
Washington after the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board failed to
issue two liquor licenses. The sub
committee has heard testimony
on an "offer" of aid in getting a
liquor license and that the board
handles licenses by "rule of fear.”
The District Committee Monday
refused to halt the investigation.
Charges that there have been
“wholesale” violations of the Dis
trict liquor control law—sales after
hours, sales to minors and even sales
on Sunday—were made today by
Representative Hunter, Democrat,
of Ohio, a member of the special
House committee investigating the
liquor situation here.
Representative Hunter hurled his
accusations at Franklin G. Sartwell,
former Washington newspaper re
porter and now public relations
counsel for the Alcoholic Beverage
Council while he was testifying in
defense of the liquor industry.
"In the last 30 days I have seen
deliveries made on Sundays by 14
year-old boys and have personally
witnessed sales to minors,” declared
Mr. Hunter. “I take the position
there are wholesale violations in the
District.”
Data Given Authorities.
Mr. Sartwell said he did not be
lieve conditions are as bad as paint
ed by Representative Hunter, and
suggested that if he had such in
formation it should be turned over
to the proper authorities.
“I have already presented some of
my information to the proper au
| thorities,” retorted Representative
Hunter.
Mr. Sartwell insisted the liquor
industry as a whole is conducting
business in an orderly, legal manner,
and pointed out there is “fear” on
the part of all licensees that they
might violate the law. Such a con
dition. he declared, prevents whole
sale violations.
“I can't see how these statements
persist without anything to back
them up." he, added.
“Go into the outlying sections on
Sundays if you want to see it,” said
Representative Hunter. “Phone a
| naif a dozen liquor dealers on Sun
; day."
“I haven’t tried it,” replied Mr.
Sartwell, “but I don't believe you can
get liquqor on Sundays. “I don’t
believe a dealer wouid take that
chance.”
Explains Council's Objectives.
Mr. Sartwell explained that the
Alcohol Beverage Council, composed
of all classes of liquor dealers, had
recommended increased penalties
for liquor law violations. He said
the council wanted the Commis
sioners and the Alcohol Beverage
Control Board to invoke the general
penalty clause instead of merely
. suspending or revoking licenses.
This clause, he said, provides as
a maximum penalty a fine of (5,000
or imprisonment of one year.
Mr. Sartwell said the council was
organized to improve conditions in
the liquor industry and to promote
“better feeling ”
He also declared the investigating
committee had not yet “produced
anything" that reflects discredit on
the industry.
“There is a conscientious effort
on the part of all classes of liquor
dealers to obey the law,” he said.
"There are some features of the
law, however, that are unfair and
unjust.”
As to the testimony of previous
witness that sales to minors are not
controlled, Mr. Sartwell admitted
there had been a “few” cases, and
added, he held “no brief” for any
one who sold liquor to a child.
Mr. Sartwell said he “regretted”
that some of the previous witnesses
had charged that “rookie cops” as
signed as inspectors for the A. B. C.
Board had been overzealous in their
efforts to make arrests.
1 “By and large,” he declared,
“these inspectors are doing a con
scientious piece of work.”
Later Mr. Sartwell said there had
< See LIQUOR, Page A-3.)
Summary of Today's Star
Page. Page.
Amuse- Obituary ..A-12
ments ...B-18 Radio .B-16
Comics -B-16-17 Society _B-3
Editorials ..A-10 Sports ..A-14-16
finance ...A-17 Womans
Lost, Pound B-12 Page _B-8
Foreign /
Commons debates new land laws for
Palestine. Page A-l
British seize two more Italian coal
ships. Page A-l
Palestine policy “shameful,” Com
mons is told. Page A-l
Finns clinging to besieged Viipuri,
bombed by Reds. Page -A-l
Welles to confer with exiled Polisfi
chiefs. Page A-l
Collision sinks Dutch sub; all but
2 of 30 saved. Page A-3
Britain defends clipper mail search
at Bermuda. Page A-3
Allies seek to settle blockade differ
ences with U. S. Page A-3
Nazis hint treatment of neutral ship
ping to be stiffened. Page A-3
20 British killed in dugout raid,
Germans claim. Page A-3
Sabotage not ruled out in probe of
hangar fire. Page A-2
National
Army planes changed as result of
war disclosures. Page A-2
Probe of New York airport hangar
Are begins. Page A-2
Republicans jubilant at victory in
Iowa election. Page A-2
Roosevelt trades recriminations in
census controversy. Page A-4
Davey enters Ohio race with blast at
Gov. Brickar. Page A-12
\
Washington and Vicinity
Doctors brand Blue Plains a
‘‘catch-all.’’ Page A-l
Colored man is District’s 11th traffic
victim of year. Page A-5
Senate District Committee reports
nine bills. Page B-l
D’Alesandro makes check on Blue
Plains diet. Page B-l
Holdup follows 48-hour period with
out armed robbery. Page B-l
Editorial and Comment
v
This and That. PageA-10
Answers to Questions. Page A-10
Letters to The Star. PageA-10
David Lawrence. Page A-ll
Alsop and Kintner. Page A-ll
Frederic William Wile. Page A-ll
Charles G. Ross. Page A-ll
Jay Franklin. Page A-ll
Sports
Pofahl, Case have ailing arms due
to faults in sliding. Page A-14
Makl flashy, not fast, in first Finn
fund race. Page A-14
Packed gym sees Roosevelt, Gonzaga
win in Star tourney. Page A-15
D. C.’s three top bowlers in action at
Rosslyn tonight. Page A-16
Miscellany
Service Orders. Page A-6
Vital Statistics. Page A-7
Nature’s Children. Page B-2
City News in Brief. Page B-6
Of Hearts and Song. Page B-ll
Bedtime Story. Page B-16
Letter-Out. Page B-16
Winning Contract. Page B-16
Uncle Ray’s Comer. Page B-17
Cross-Word Puzzle. Page B-17
I
f \ DON'T KNOW how\
v / much longer i cam \
\ RESIST THIS Temp- J
TATtON. y
Erush d.
HOLT.
Thomas Would Bar
Political Workers
From U. S. Jobs
Hatch Act in Reverse
Urged to Apply to
Preceding Two Years
BACKGROUND—
When President Roosevelt
signed original Hatch Act ban
ning political activities of Fed
eral employes, he expressed hope
principles would be extended to
State employes. Hatch amend
ments now being debated would
prohibit political activity by
State employes paid in whole or
part by Federal funds and would
be enforced by Civil Service
Commission. Penalty for in
fraction would be withholding of
Federal funds. State highway,
social security, health and other
employes would be covered.
By J. A. O’LEARY.
If a person in the Government
service is to be barred from political
activity that might help him keep
his job, the outsider who hopes to
get in the service after an election
also should have his political activi
ty restrained, Senator Thomas.
Democrat, of Utah argued today, as
the Senate continued debate on
broadening of the Hatch Act.
To carry out his contention, Sena
tor Thomas proposed an amend
ment under which no person could
be appointed to any position in the
Federal Government if he had taken
active part in a political campaign
within the preceding two years. The
only exceptions would be members
of the President’s cabinet and
diplomatic appointees.
Meanwhile, Senator Lucas, Demo
crat, of Illinois assailed a proposal to
authorize the Civil Service Commis
sion to define what constitutes po
litical activity by State employes, as
an “unconstitutional delegation of
power.”
Senator Lucas declared that "the
people of my State and of other
States look with fear on the aggres
sion that Washington already has
made against the rights of the
States.”
Effective If Paid in Part.
The broadening amendments,
sponsored by Senator Hatch, Demo
crat, of New Mexico, would extend
to State employes paid in part from
Federal funds the prohibitions now
covering Federal employes against
taking part actively in election cam
paigns.
Senator Lucas argued that the leg
islation would give the commission
power “to regulate political activity
throughout the country as well as
a firm grip on the country’s purse
strings.”
In a statement, Senator Thomas
declared that he has supported Sen
ator Hatch in the original law and
proposed amendments, because he
approves of the worthy objective
“of purifying politics."
The law presents one grave dan
ger, however, he said, namely, “That
in refusing to ‘coerce’ or direct the
energies of Federal officials and em
ployes, we have actually encouraged
others to go out after their jobs,
hammer and tongs, and we have im
periled the position of the very men
and women whom we would protect
from political bosses and organiza
tions, and their abuses.”
Would “Purify” All.
“In short,” he continued, “we
have prevented Federal employes
from defending their positions, but
permitted others to attack their po
sitions. We have been careful to
purify actuals, but we have done
nothing to purify potentials. To
morrow’s official must be as pure as
(SeeTCONGRESS, Page A-5.)
Mary Cohan Weds
Night Club Musician
By the Auocleted Preu.
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., March «.—
George M. Cohan’s daughter Mary
and George Ranken, New York
night club accordionist, were mar
ried Jiere by a justice of the peace
today—five days after an elopment
that went awry because of Penn
sylvania marriage laws.
The actor’s songtress daughter
and the 32-year-old musician who
became her second husband today
motored here early last Thursday
and applied for a marriage license.
They returned to New York when
told about the three-day waiting re
quirement, and Mary said then she
was uncertain if or when they would
try again. I
I
Guest Skunk
Stays All Winter
In Parlor Chair
By the Associated Press.
MEDFIELD, Mass., March 6 —
Patrolman Fred Spear of the Med
field police is a brave man, but he
knows discretion is the better part
of valor.
He has an unwelcome guest in his
home, but Patrolman Spear isn’t
doing a thing about it—except using
discretion.
The guest is a handsome skunk
which is hibernating in an over
stuffed chair in the Spear parlor.
The young man of the family, 13
year-old “Stub,” brought the animal
home last May. Mr. Skunk liked it
and returned at intervals. Came
winter, he holed up in his favorite
chair.
There have been no "incidents”
yet, but the Spears are hoping for
an early Spring.
Texas Jury Indicts
Remington Arms
As Neutrality Violator
Two Mexicans Accused
Also in Alleged Shipment
Of Ammunition
By the A«soci»ted Press.
HOUSTON. Texas, March 6 —The
Remington Arms Co. was indicted
by a Federal grand jury today for
alleged violation of the Neutrality
Act in the shipment of 27500 rounds
of ammunition to Mexico.
Indicted with the company were
two Mexican citizens now jailed at
Laredo, Texas, Lieut. Col. Francisco
De Valle Arispe and Gregorio Prie
to, a retired army major who said
he was in the employ of the Na
tional Revolutionary Party of Mexi
co.
Arispe, 40-year-old self-asserted
chief of staff for Gen. Rodrigo Que
vedo, was a candidate for repre
sentative to the Mexican National
Congress on the National Revolu
tionary Party ticket.
No Permit, U. S. Claims.
Gebrge John, assistant to the
United States District attorney, said
the Government alleged “conspiracy
to violate, and violation of, the
Neutrality Act of 1939 by unlawfully
exporting, and attempting to export,
ammunition to Mexico without ob
taining a permit from the Secretary
of State.”
The exported arms, he said, were
17,750 rounds of Remington 32 cali
ber ammunition and 9,750 rounds
of Remington police service ammu
nition.
Federal Judge James V. Allred
fixed bbnd for the company at $10,
000. Arispe and ^Prieto are jailed
in lieu of $1,500 bond. They filed
a writ of habeas corpus at Laredo
February 23, seeking release on the
claim that the Neutrality Act could
not be applied to them, but Judge
Allred denied the petition at that
time.
Basis of Government Case.
Mr. John thus described the Gov
ernment s contentions:
Arispe ordered the ammunition
from the arms company, a Bridge
port, Conn., concern, through Rem
ington’s agent in Mexico City. The
material was sent to Laredo and
stopped there.
Warehousemen notified customs
agents of the shipment. On Janu
ary 19 Arispe and Prieto were ar
rested at the International Bridge
immediately after they paid tolls
on the arms and orepared to de
part with them.
“They said at first the ammuni
tion was for target practice, and
later they claimed it was for their
personal use,” Mr. John asserted.
The attorney said Remington was
licensed to ship arms, but, under the
Neutrality Act, must obtain a per
mit before doing so. The case will
be brought up at the next term
of Federal Court in Laredo, open
ing April 15.
Manager Punled.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn., March 6
<A>).—James H. Chasmar, general
works manage]: of- the Remington
Arms Co. of Bridgeport, in comment
ing today on the indictment of the
company, said:
“I can't imagine what this is all
about. We’ve been careful to play
ball with the State Department both
before and since the passage of the
Neutrality Act.”
I
Wender Asks School
And Library Boards
Be Kept Independent
Citizens' Federation
Spokesman Testifies
On D. C. Reorganization
BACKGROUND—
Seal plan for reorganization of
District government contem
plates granting of increased pow
ers to District Commissioners, es
tablishment of Citizens’ Advisory
Council appointed by them. Al
ternate Griff enhagen plan calls
for city manager as administra
tive head of city, retention of
Commissioners as local legisla
tive body. Reorganization hear
ings before House subcommittee
were recessed Friday after stormy
session in which civic leaders tes
tifying called for suffrage and
national representation for Wash
ingtonians.
BY DON S. WARREN.
Preservation of the independence
of the Board of Education, the
Board of Library Trustees and the
Board of Tax Appeals was urged to
day by a spokesman for the Fed
eration of Citizens’ Associations at
resumed hearings on municipal re
organization.
In any kind of reorganization
these conditions should pervail, said
Harry S. Wender. Federation vice
president, who reiterated demands
for granting of local suffrage.
Protests against appointment of
non-residents to serve as counsel to
the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board, heard in the debate over Dis
trict liquor control, also figured in
the reorganization hearings.
Susan B. Anthony. 3d, grand
daughter of the famous suffrage
leader, appeared as a spokesman for
the Washington Youth Council, to
voice a plea for suffrage. She de
clared she felt "deplorable condi
tions in Washington's health, hous
ing and welfare” could be improved
if Washington had the vote.
Abolition or Coroner Opposed.
Mr. Wender, discussing many fea
tures of the Commissioners’ program
for reorganization, digressed to ask
why two of the A. B. C. Board’s at
torneys “had never, prior to their
appointment, practiced law in the
District.” Representative Nichols,
Democrat, of Oklahoma, who was
presiding over the hearing, retorted:
“They were not appointed by this
committee.”
The witness agreed that was so.
Representative Bates, Republican,
of Massachusetts said: “I think you
have a sound basis for criticism.”
Mr. Wender continued:
“If we had an elected form of
Government here this sort of thing
would not have happened—it could
not happen anywhere else.”
Mr. Wender also reported that the
Federation opposed abolition of the
office of coroner as proposed in the
Commissioners’ plans for creatin'g
the office of medical examiner and
was opposed to increasing powers
of the Commissioners if top District
officials were not elected.
More Parking Meters Asked.
He aTgued also that while the
Federation favored the increase in
the number of parking meters, the
receipts should be earmarked for
installing more meters rather than
being turned into the general fund.
He urged that the office of peo
ple’s counsel should not be aban
doned.
Mr. Wender approved especially
the proposal to ban political ac
tivities by District officials.
In concluding, he declared he felt
there were members of the Reorgan
ization Subcommittee “who could
well occupy the White House some
day."
He did not mention names. He
urged the committee to forget per
sonal views and to act as “states
men” and come out for District
suffrage.
Sidney R. Katz, secretary-treas
urer of the Maryland and
District Industrial Council of
the C. I. O., declared the pres
ent type of government here
was “a form of dictatorship” which
in some essential respect is no dif
ferent from such dictatorships which
day by day “are denounced by our
national leaders.”
Immediate challenges came from
committee members, who drew from
him an agreement that the fact he
and others could appear to give views
on the District government refuted
a contention of dictatorship. “We do
have the right to be heard—it is
(See REORGANIZATION, Pg. A-4.)
I «
Doctors Brand
Blue Plains as
A Catch-Air
Admission Policy Hit;
Transfer of 69 Ailing
Inmates Urged
BACKGROUND—
Mrs. Roosevelt's criticism of
conditions at Blue Plains Home
for the Aged following her sur
prise visit there touched off in
vestigation of several District in
stitutions by congressional sub
committee. Gallinger Hospital
physicians subsequently checked
on health of inmates.
By JOHN H. CASSADY, Jr.
Branding the District's Home for
the Aged and Infirm as a refuge
for virtually all types of indigents,
from the feeble-minded and epilep
tic to the non-violent insane and
prisoners released from reforma
tories, a special board of physicians
today recommended adoption of a
new admission policy and the trans
fer of 69 ailing patients of the home
to other institutions.
The physicians, reporting to Wel
fare Director Robert E. Bondy the
result of their medical examination
of the 691 inmates of the Blue
Plains institution, summarized their
findings with this statement:
“We found conditions more closely
approaching those described in the
writings of Charles Dickens than
the standards which should be ap
plied to such a home in the Na
tion's Capital in the year 1940."
Before undertaking the examina
tion. the physicians said they in
vestigated the requirements for ad
mission to the institution and were
surprised to learn that the home
“is not only a home for the aged
and those suffering from the in
firmities of old age, but also a place
| of last resort for almost all classes
of the unfortunate of the District
; of Columbia."
Transfers Recommended. »
"The only strict requirement for
those who enter," the report added,
“is that they be indigent. As a re
sult, the institution has become not
only a refuge for the aged, but also
a home for the feeble-minded, the
epileptic, the non-violent insane,
deaf mutes, the blind and the incur
able of all ages; a convalescent home
for different diseases, a shelter for
prisoners released from jails and re
formatories who cannot find work,
and for normal, healthy men in their
50s who likewise cannot find work.”
Specifically, the report recom
mended that, in addition to the
five cases already sent to Gallinger
Hospital, 14 more be transferred
there for complete medical study;
16 cases of chronic neurological dis
eases referred to suitable hospitals
for complete examinations; 10 ap
parently psychotic inmates be trans
ferred to a suitable institution if
found commitable by the appropri
ate agency; 21 feeble-minded in
mates be considered for transfer to
more suitable institutions, and eight
; epileptic cases removed to other in
stitutions.
Bondy Praises Report.
Describing the report as an ex
cellent one and expressing appreci
j ation to Dr. Edgar A. Bocock. su
I perintendent of Gallinger. for mak
' >ng the survey, Welfare Director
Bondy said:
“These recommendations are in
j accord .with a policv that, in my
I judgment, should be followed for
! admission to and care of people at
the Home for the Aged.
“All along. I've been calling this
home a dumping ground for all
kinds of indigents, and I've stated
repeatedly that the home should be
used only for ambulatory ages not
feasible for old-age assistance.”
The welfare director declared
that, where other institutional fa
cilities permit, transfers will be
made as soon as possible in accord
ance with the physician’s recom
mendations. He said he would con
fer with heads of the various insti
tutions concerned to see what ad
justments can be worked out where
there are overcrowded conditions to
contend with.
*At the same time, Mr. Bondy re
iterated his belief that the situa
tion cannot be thoroughly cleared
up “until we are provided with an
adequate staff for all these institu
tions involved.”
Majority Suffering Disabilities.
The medical examination, ordered
following congressional hearings on
the' Blue Plains institution, was
made by Drs. Albert S. Sullivan,
Joseph J. Wallace and Sam Sugar.
Dr. Sullivan is chief medical
officer of Gallinger Hospital, and
Drs. Wallace and Sugar are senior
resident physicians in medicine on
the hospital staff. All have been
connected with the hospital for
three years or more.
The physicians reported that, be
cause of limitations of the physical
plant, no attempt has been made
to segregate the various groups at
the home except according to sex
and color.
A majority, of the inmates, the
report said, are suffering from mod
erate to severe disabilities, and that
there is only “a very narrow zone
between many of those who are
ambulant and in the dormitories
today and those who are bedridden
and in the infirmary tomorrow.”
Analyses of Patients.
In reporting of their analysis of
the 122 patients in the infirmary
at the time of their investigation,
the physicians said 88 were suffer
ing from the cardio-vascular com
plications of arteriosclerosis and
hypertension, including 33 who had
suffered cerebral vascular accidents.
Of the 88, none were under 45 yeara
of age, 12 were under 60, 24 were
between 60 and 70, 28 between 70
and 80, 18 between 80 and 90, and
6 were over 90 years old.
The other 34 were found to be af
flicted with many different diseases,
only a few of which are particularly
associated with advanced years. The
physicians said they found the great
majority of the disabled inmates can
" (See BLUE PLAINS, Page A-5.)
i